TheDigitalDad strongly urges you to go see True Grit! This great western pulls you in to laugh, to cry and to sigh with a tremendous do-over of the original that blurs the lines of good and evil really well in a film full of action and laughs presented with class, style, and flair. It is the best movie I've seen all year long. This is another delightful work by Brothers Coen (Joel and Ethan), with powerful acting performances by Bridges, Damon, Brolin, Pepper and the new young female come-upper (regrets - don’t have her name at this posting) - all those appearing in this movie give stellar performances! I have zero doubt that Jeff Bridges will receive a nomination as best male actor along with the young lady who plays Mattie receiving a nomination as best female supporting actress and I won’t be surprised if the Coen Brothers do it again and earn a nomination for Best Picture this year if not take home the Oscar for it with True Grit! There are a couple scenes of explicit violence that concerned parents might want to prescreen for their children 14 and under.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
TheD-Dad loves Pirates, and they make him think of warmer weather
http://www.fandango.com/movie-trailer/piratesofthecaribbean:onstrangertides-trailer/127616/2_457115
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Faster
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson just has presence. The Digital-Dad, being a little behind his updates entering the holidays wants to let you know “Faster” was a click above worthwhile action entertainment. Probably not for your children 14 and under and not for viewing with Mom, for the language might upset her. The Rock’s persona continues to dominate and fill the screen while pulling you into his quandary. That, and the pristine, mint, classic, excellent hot rods and chase scenes, the almost 40’s-like film noir air, the revengeful arrogance of the blatant executions - most all head shots - kept me right in it, fast paced as it intentionally was. Score another success for The Rock.
The Tourist
If you loved REDS you’ll find The Tourist as another terrific thriller with comic moments where you won’t be able not to LOL and intimate moments when you’ll holler “ Oh go on man, go ahead!”. Then the end of the movie hits you like a 2 x4 in the back of the head. This was good entertainment! Johnny Depp is superb and Angelina Jolie, so blessed with sensual beauty, plays the perfect role against Depp. The Digital-Dad challenges you name a pair that could be better cast as this duo. Not possible! Enjoy!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Living Life
It is the peculiar nature of the world to go on spinning no matter what sort of heartbreak is happening. ~ Secret Life of Bees
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Unstoppable
This is a superbly crafted film. I recommend this on the big screen for dramatic and spectacular affect. I would give 75 out of 100 points to this show. Once you are on board for this film it is very difficult to disembark and remove yourself from the excitement of the chase. Excellent cinematography, and Denzel Washington again somehow pulls us into the human component in the storyline and entangles us in this adventure of man against machine. Safe for all family.
Harry Potter Deathly Hallows1
I don't see why numerous other reviewer’s are raving in this as the best in the series. I do not agree. I would give it a 70 out of 100 points. I felt let down at the end. This installment is definitely more tied to the emotions of the characters than any other, that is undisputable but it seems enough critics aren’t talk about that. There are not numerous creepy scenes like some imply. I found nothing “wickedly creepy” in this. Voldemort (sp?) robs Dumbledoor’s (sp?) grave? Not scary. Should have been! There is one rather startling scene, and seeing where Harry’s parents died seemed down played where I would’ve preferred the story explore more background conflict there. I do not know if this work reflects the book’s storyline well. This installment is the equivalent of “The Empire Strikes back in the Wizard’s World” to me.
The ending left me feeling hanging by a thread. It was just “there”. Many adults left my showing (large theater, full crowd) griping about the chintzy ending. Seems to me this release was commercialized to suck you back in to see the real final installment (more profit taking) at your expense. I would prefer one long showing of the final installment in the series with a concessions break in the middle, which would've brought the theaters more profit as well. Point is: I’m not chomping at the bit to see part 2 while I have been excited about seeing subsequent films after seeing some other installments in this series.
Personally, I wish someone had told me to wait and buy this DVD and then watch it right before going to see part two in the theater for the sake of continuity.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Some Oscar talk
While there's still enough movies that haven't yet been released to justify belaying casting my vote for best male actor or best picture for the upcoming Academy Awards; here you’ll find a little something to read to give you some ideas about the pictures that I too am looking at for good solid big-screen entertainment:
http://www.comcast.net/articles/entertainment-eonline/20101116/b211413/
I’m also a little disappointed there is no mention of Remmer’s supporting role in “The Town”; here’s hoping that type of commentary was just beyond the scope of that authors post.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Hereafter
What happens when we die? Hereafter is really about our human instinct and wishing we could still reach out to those who pre-deceased us. Explored through the perspective of at least 3 key players: a French woman, a young child, and the seer-sayer himself. Others though do play impactful roles, for example; Damon’s character’s cooking class partner for one runs away when confronted by his unique ability. A few terse moments occur, but the movie’s intent is not fright. It makes you think not only about what happens in the transition, but what if anything is there to look forward to? Well acted, well scripted. A stark ending though, that I finally decided was intentional. Spiritually oriented individuals will really like this, others I think could be bored.
| Must be seen on big screen? | No | Entertaining and worthwhile just the same |
| wait for DVD or rental? | not if money’s not tight | |
| OK for your elementary school child? | Probably not unless you’ve already explored the concept of “death” and “dying” with your child | |
| OK for your child 14 or under? | probably yes | I envision a curious child could confront you on your positioning relevant to death & dying |
| OK for Family movie night? | Yes | no foul language nor sexual implications of concern; slight and brief drug use easily overlooked in the beginning |
| Comments | I actually wished it had been intentionally spookier | probably due to the time of year |
Saturday, October 16, 2010
What’s hot now
My goal is to help you decide from a responsible parent’s perspective and in < 50 words if you would like a given movie (or should you let your young children see it). An arduous task when trying to express value for you entertainment dollars in a simple way.
I post sporadically this “What’s hot now” for the occasional movie go-er in order to help them select wisely for their interests and their available choices. Recommendations are for releases up to the date of the post.
Best family picture: Secretariat
Best overall picture: The Social Network
Possible nomination for best male supporting role: Jeremy Remmer in Aflack’s “The Town”
Two thumbs down: Machete
All the above and more are reviewed in this blog.
RED
An entirely fun, entertaining movie! Better writing would’ve put together more continuous rather than spotty laughter, and a more complex plot – both together could’ve made this action comedy really top flight. Still, I LOL alot during this showing. Malkovich on the screen as the loony character he portrays is delightful, and Mary-Louise Parker plays the role of the older guy’s young girlfriend so perfectly.
| Must be seen on big screen? | No… | …an entirely fun, entertaining movie! |
| wait for DVD or rental? | No… | … but parents attending with children pay heed below |
| OK for your elementary school child? | No | sporadic graphic scenes of violence |
| OK for your child 14 or under? | guarded yes | if you allow them to view scenes of graphic violence and injury |
| OK for Family movie night? | highly recommended for a more mature viewing audience | Mom & Dad both will probably like this |
| Comments | I’ve never yet seen Bruce Willis in a bad flick, and that streak continues | Malkovich excels in another eccentric character role |
| Comments | no doubt I will add this to my collection |
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Secretariat
The horse won the triple crown and made history in 1973. Disney studios captures well the chronicling of the greatest race horse ever known in “Secretariat”. John Malkovich excels in hilariously superior form as the horse’s eccentric and whimsical trainer, along with other well acted roles played by a variety of actors you’ll recognize. This is a feel good family movie about getting hit head on with obstacles, perseverance, and positive outcomes. This movie is clean, good fun, and leaves you feeling refreshed - with a little bit of the history from back in the day too. Enjoy!
| Must be seen on big screen? | no… | … but it’s well worth it if you do |
| wait for DVD or rental? | no need, this a good for the entire family | |
| OK for your elementary school child? | Absolutely yes | Contains scenes from a funeral |
| OK for your child 14 or under? | Yes | |
| OK for Family movie night? | Highly recommended for any age group | A lot of people who see this will add it to their collections for a feel good family movie night repeat |
| Comments | A wall acted accounting of a piece of history from many of our lives | |
Saturday, October 2, 2010
The Social Network
Rarely does a work chronicle an event or an era or a situation so well that people must hold the work in truly highest regard. This is true of “The Social Network”, which magnificently chronicles our lives, our existence, our being, and events in our our time and the era we’re living in a la par excellence. To date, I see The Social Network winning Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards.
| Must be seen on big screen? | Yes | Well acted, well told story you will be able to understand and relate to |
| wait for DVD or rental? | No, but will probably add it to my collection | A Best Picture nomination mostly likely assured; winner possible! |
| OK for your elementary school child? | No | prevalent drinking, some sexuality and probably too complex to enjoy for a grade school child. |
| OK for your child 14 or under? | Yes | They are probably on Facebook anyway although some of the business irony might get lost on them if not attentive |
| OK for Family movie night? | Yes | just beware of scenes with some adult content (some nudity, some drugs) |
| Comments | Better than “The Town”, but not in the “action”, ”crime” , or “drama” genres either | Exciting, satirical, chronicle of an era |
Friday, September 24, 2010
Carrie Fisher’s dad passes
The loss of the great Eddie Fisher. RIP
http://www.comcast.net/articles/music/20100924/US.Obit.Eddie.Fisher/
Saturday, September 18, 2010
The Town
Ben Affleck has certainly laid righteous claim to his corner of the Director's sandbox with this formidable, suspenseful, complex, fast-paced story. It’s the best heist flick since “The Italian Job”. “Hurt Locker’s” Jeremy Remmer brings ferocity +10 on a scale of 1 to 10 to this well-acted and effective thriller. Remmer should receive a best male supporting actor nomination for his role in this flick. IMO a Best Picture nomination is also a possibility!
| Must be seen on big screen? | Yes | good story, great acting, possible best picture and best male supporting actor nominations |
| wait for DVD or rental? | No | I see no reason to wait; best picture this year to date save maybe for “Inception” |
| OK for your elementary school child? | No | violent; but not as bloody as I thought it would be |
| OK for your child 14 or under? | No | some scenes of explicit sexuality and potty mouth throughout |
| OK for Family movie night? | Yes | as long as willing to heed remarks above |
| Comments? | Overall probably best picture this year to date | |
Saturday, September 11, 2010
The American
This story, albeit terse and tense, seems to develop slowly, and it probably took Clooney’s personality portraying craftsman “Jack”, to make the movie worthy of the suspenseful thriller it is. At some points its almost the inverse of an action thriller. Any other male lead, and this might have have been boring except it is a thrilling work. I was halfway through the movie before the real plot presented itself, and it was a surprise at that. The American isn’t as good as “Fracture”, but in that same vein. I enjoyed “The American”; while it’s a film worth seeing, the ending leaves me feeling like I didn’t quite have a full meal.
| Must be seen on big screen? | Not a must, but worthwhile; yes, with wide, beautiful panoramic views of numerous spots in Italy | Yes, it’s a film worth seeing |
| wait for DVD or rental? | thing about this is once you’ve seen it you’ve seen it | it is NOT boring |
| OK for your elementary school child? | No | sporadic violence, bad language, and explicit sexual content |
| OK for your child 14 or under? | No | unless you want them to see Clooney have sex in a couple steamy scenes |
| OK for Family movie night? | No | more explicit sex and violence than I’d prefer to watch with my parents |
| Comments | Rated R | |
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Machete
The relentless, incessant, persistent, insane, graphic violence throughout Machete, right up to the hari-cari scene that serves as the end of the flick won’t cause Machete to come off at the top of the box office, even with its pertinent political poignancy and variegated casting. If you aspire to see Lindsay Lohan in a threesome or Cheech Marin nailed to the cross in explicit gruesomeness, this might be for you. Otherwise, if you are squeamish at all, avoid this movie. If either “Crank” or the “Saw” series are your idea of a good movie, this could be right up your alley, as such Machete is an extremely violent action thriller with a current affairs political agenda as topic.
| Must be seen on big screen? | No | save your money for the rental |
| wait for DVD or rental? | No | many will not enjoy the persistent gory violence |
| OK for your elementary school child? | Never | graphic violence |
| OK for your child 14 or under? | Zero chance | graphic executions |
| OK for Family movie night? | nope | makes Texas Chainsaw Massacre look like a Disney flick |
| Comments | in al fairness story moves along | extensive violence will turn most away |
Friday, August 27, 2010
Takers
Takers take. No doubt, eh? The action theme this week is reunited brothers doing dastardly deeds done downtown; this time in a heist flick a la Italian job styling, although the gangs are the Russians vs the celebrated reuniting of Boyz from the Hood with some unsuspected cop activity thrown in and voila, its an action flick that moves right along with a couple surprise twists.
| Must be seen on big screen? | No advantage seeing this on a big huge screen if money’s tight this pay period, wait it out. Better plot than Expendables though. | good casting collection of African American actors. Didn’t notice if this was a Spike Lee production Story overall gave me my action flick adrenaline fix |
| wait for DVD or rental? | everybody just wastes everybody eventually and you might like to rewind to see who does who how, where, more slowly | plot has at least one twist some will say they expected but I think many will be surprised |
| OK for your elementary school child? | totally shocked at how many parents couldn’t get a babysitter & had dragged along their young, young kids to see this tonight. NO, not for mine! | extended graphic violence throughout |
| OK for your child 14 or under? | Pass. | not even a trace of a role model for youngsters in this movie! |
| OK for Family movie night? | If willing to tolerate a pretty violent theme, OK | R rated, mostly for extended scenes of graphic violence |
| Comments | Found it ironic that Matt Dillon was cast as the lead cop | an acerbic Samuel Jackson hunting down the bad guys would’ve been a more wise choice IMO |
Monday, August 23, 2010
Expendables
Imagine all your favorite action movie heroes piled together in one dubious debacle; yup, Schwartenegger, Stallone, Statham, Couture, Crews, Li, Lundgren, Willis, myriad others all cast as buds from previous mercenary follies together and reunited once again. What else could they do but bond and blow shit up? There were a few choice moments of subtle hilarity and humor throughout, but I don’t see this testosterone party appearing as a big screen version2.
| Must be seen on big screen? | No, but entertaining for action flick freaks | |
| wait for DVD or rental? | If your money’s tight, yes | many low light scenes will get rewound & reviewed for believability |
| OK for your elementary school child? | OMG NO | graphic violence |
| OK for your child 14 or under? | Not when mine were 14, no | fully deserved its “R” rating |
| OK for Family movie night? | Yes if all 17 or older | |
| OK to watch it with Mom & Dad? | Dad would like it but Mom would leave the room | language and graphic violence |
| Comments? | great cast collection | loose plot that didn’t matter in the end |
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Avatar returns August 27th
If you missed the second most visual cinemagraphic event of our lifetimes the first time you skipped over Avatar, I recommend don’t miss it this time!
I feel too that I’m seeing recently many movies relying heavily on the "gimmick" of 3D to make make up for crappy scripts and plotless junk while looking to make a buck in markets exploiting new technologies. Duly note you pay a surcharge of about $3 a ticket for 3D. That’s pushing the average ticket cost towards $14, unless you’re over 50 and can get your tix for the discounted Senior rate of $8.50 without the 3D.
My friend Rick commented recently he and wife blew a $50 bill at the movies last month when they each had a drink and shared a large popcorn. I don’t think Rick knew about asking for the Senior discount. Point there is that ticket cost are continuing to jump upwards.
Re-releasing Avatar, is clearly profit taking, but Avatar is worth every penny unless you have an 80 foot home theater screen and a 10,000 watt Dolby Digital sound system at home to boot. Highly recommended by TheDad for its unprecedented and stunning visual presentation.
Oh, Disney’s Fantasia was years ahead of itself too.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Salt
The car wrecks are so harsh nobody would've got up to continue chasing the bad guy into the next collision. But I go to movies to get entertained. The story is entertaining, moves along, has a couple twists, and it’s really nice to see a female lead like Jolie in this stereotypical male role.
| Must see on big screen? | NO, but enjoyable | loses a little credibility with too many not-believable over the top stunts for any one female or one male lead |
| wait for DVD or rental? | If money’s tight | Lack of believability in stunts won’t get lost on home theaters |
| OK for your elementary school child? | No | Violence |
| OK for your child 14 or under? | No | Graphic Violence throughout the movie |
| OK for Family movie night? | Yes | If mature audience |
| OK to watch it with Mom & Dad? | Yes | |
| Add to your collection? | Yes | If you collect Action thriller genres |
| Comments? | Enjoyed seeing Jolie get pasted just a much as she kicked ass | Several really good supporting actors weren't utilized better, sad! |
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Inception
Suspenseful Sci Fi heist flick reminiscent of a complex visual John La Carre novel; expect many will hate it OR view repeatedly to understand/figure it out
| Must see on big screen? | No | Lots of nice effects but that's not the driver here |
| wait for DVD? | Yes | The complexity will spurn sales & rentals |
| OK for your elementary school child? | No | Violence |
| OK for your child 14 or under? | No | Confusing reality is a major theme of the movie |
| OK for Family movie night? | guarded Yes | If largely a mature audience |
| OK to watch it with Mom & Dad? | guarded Yes | If they like Sci Fi |
| Add to your collection? | Yes | |
| Comments? | highly likely to stimulate conversation post viewing | The ending will make it more difficult to absorb after only 1 viewing |
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Strategizing & Regrouping
I've been gone a while, off evaluating what to do with my writing efforts in this particular regard, while my intent never was to abandon this blog. I’m so glad to be back in full force now!
One thing I somehow never seemed to manage to get posted here previously is how this blog originally came into being, and that is part of my recent hiatus also; getting a few facts together from old email records for you as well as doing some new research too.
See, I found I have a penchant for accurately rating, reviewing, summarizing, describing and critiquing movies quite accidentally. It all started with an e-mail distribution list to a select few friends and a hobby of going to the movies just about every Saturday of my recent adult life - for the past ten years at least. That should mean I have about 500 some documented movie reviews, wouldn’t it? Yes. So, my first recent decision was to lose the legacy stuff. You will only find reviews from the most recent month and today going forward here. My email records indicate I started writing and posting movie reviews via email when the oldest of my 2 boys was 8. I didn't do much else for fun back in those days and yes, of course they went occasionally too, content depending. I wasn’t dating in the beginning, just going largely alone. As my boys they grew up our Saturday movie escapades were becoming quite the family “thing”.
My thought process and methodologies began to change after I had accurately picked the Academy Awards Best Picture five years in a row; it would have been 6 in a row but I blew it on "Crash". I did not, still do not, like Crash. I have yet to know or meet someone who says: "Dude, let's watch Crash, it's awesome!" Been awhile but I picked Capote that year to win.
Eventually I would together a string of dates with the same woman and she said "Why aren't you blogging your reviews?" I said "Blog, what is "blog"? It was a little after that point my distribution list had enough people in it that told me they were swayed by my reviews and opinions as to which movie to see or to spend their money on that I started this site.
So back to the email thing and I got hammered immediately after confiding in several people that I wanted to write for a living and was I good enough to make money at it?
I listened to their feedback and my inner spirit both.
I was told I needed less a gimmick, but a format, something to make me stand out from other critics. The majority of my friends told me they didn't want to read a monolog with allusions to bits of obfuscated references and “out there” knowledge when reading a movie critique, just a quick short "should I see it or not?" and "Is it worth the coin to go or not"?
FYI Fandango Fan reviews follow a similar concept using only “Go” or “Don’t go” or something very similar.
What follows next will be a posting of the movie I saw today in a format I hope you find helpful for deciding where to spend your entertainment dollars.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Pirates:The Good & The Bad
The good is my expectations for Johnny Depp not to disappoint us in what should be the last of this series of Pirate sagas.
Read more about it here: http://m.www.yahoo.com/
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