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Movies: me - The Last Days (Los Ultimos Dias): B+, I Declare War: B-, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons: C+, Identity Thief: C and
and The Act Of Killing: C-
Saw Last Days, Journey, and Act at the Traverse City Film Festival
The Last Days: sort of a Spain-set The Happening, but not crappy. Virus kills anyone who goes outside, forcing two men to travel the sewers to reach one's wife. Familiar, but well told with likeable cast. Solid ending almost got me to tear up.
I Declare War: War is Hell, for kids playing make believe, but holding (what looks to us) real weapons. Solid beginning and nicely hits the beats of a typical war film, but kinda meanders in 2nd half as it doesnt quite go anywhere (or at least far enough)
Journey to the West: Stephen Chow Chinese fairy tale type movie. Some charm and fun effects, but like Kung Fu Hustle, a bit (lot) too silly for its own good.
Identity Thief: Tries to be Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, but fails as tone is too uneven. Mean-spiritedness, raunch, and violence give way to excessive schmaltz. Bateman and McCarthy are fine, but anytime the film leaves them (especially to the two assassins), it really suffers.
Act Of Killing: Don't let one poor review sway you from seeing this. I would say it's a hard watch, yes thats the point, and it just didnt work for me.
Clearly, the subject matter, the Indonesian killings of the 60's, needs to be discussed. But I didnt like the presentation. I thought having these killers dramatize their crimes was gimmicky and off-putting. I know the reenactments are a way to really deliver the power of the crimes to the audience, to get them to experience the horror much more than simple talking heads would do. But I dont need to drink acid to know it burns. I felt more annoyed at how the filmmaker went about telling this story, moreso than shock and outrage at the gangsters. So, I hate to criticize it, but I cant really lie, so hopefully Snob isnt too mad :)
Movies: me - The Last Days (Los Ultimos Dias): B+, I Declare War: B-, Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons: C+, Identity Thief: C and Aug 05, 08:24
Before Midnight (A-); Blackfish (B); Pacific Rim (C); The To Do List (C-) {nm} Aug 05, 08:29
Phil Spector (B+), Admission (B-), David Bowie- Five years (B+) {nm} Aug 05, 08:31
2 Guns: B-; John Carter 3D (2nd time): B {nm} Aug 05, 08:39
The Wolverine (A)...The Adjustment Bureau (A) {nm} Aug 05, 09:17
Glad you liked adjustment bureau. I think that's a really under-rated movie. Really good. {nm} Aug 05, 09:29
Francis ha (C+), We Steal Secrets (B-) {nm} Aug 05, 09:51
Upstream Color: A, Sightseers: A-, A Band Called Death: A-, Pacific Rim: B-, The Crash Reel: B+, Aug 05, 10:01
Upstream Color and Wrong are my 2 fave feature fiction films so far this year. Aug 05, 10:43
I really need to get to Wrong soon. Thanks for reminding me Joe! {nm} Aug 05, 10:57
I think you will enjoy watching it. - I thought it was fun! Aug 05, 11:15
Privilege (1967) A , Marjoe (1972) B+ , Punishment Park (1971) A , The Gatekeepers (2012) B , American Mary (2012) C+ , Aug 05, 10:34
'Tis Pity She's a Whore / Addio, fratello crudele (1971) A , Kraftwerk and the Electronic Revolution (2008) A+ Aug 05, 10:38
first time seeing Punishment Park? Have you seen his other films? {nm} Aug 05, 10:38
Yep, first time for me... it blew me away! -- I've got all of his other films queued up in Netflix now. Aug 05, 10:41
I totally agree ! Aug 05, 10:56
have you seen cry vengeance? Olive just released last week. Cool little revenge B movie thriller. {nm} Aug 05, 11:07
Not yet, but I will check it out -- I've been pretty happy with what I've seen out of the Olive catalog. Aug 05, 11:13
me too. There's a guy over there who is building their library who knows his stuff. {nm} Aug 05, 11:32
Wolverine (C); Pacific Rim (B); She's Out of My League (C+); Jack the Giant Slayer (D-); Side Effects (B) {nm} Aug 05, 11:55
El Cid --A {nm} Aug 05, 12:02
