Fantasy

Man of Steel (2013)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

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(Originally from August 9, 2013)

My worst fears for Man of Steel have been confirmed. As soon as I found out Zack Snyder was helming, I worried that it would end up like his other films–visually stylistic, but without much else to back it up. I think this latest Superman film has suffered the same fate. I can’t remember being as bored as I was while so much was happening on the screen. Entire skyscrapers were razed, super-powered punches launched characters through…pretty much everything. Continue reading →

Thale (2012)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

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(Originally from Facebook – August 15, 2013)

So I go from one low-budget film (Bath Salt Zombies) to another (Thale). This one, however, did not disappoint. This little film out of Norway is steeped in Norwegian folklore, much like the great Troll Hunter. It doesn’t quite rise to the level of that film, but I thought it was very well done. Continue reading →

Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

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(originally from Facebook – July 27, 2013)

Two films tonight, and both of them were scored nearly the same by IMDB, but I’m scoring them quite differently. The first one was another mindless action film. It had potential, but there just wasn’t much beyond the action itself. I expected a little better from Renner and Arterton, but I realized at the end of the film that these parts could have been played by just about anyone, and very little would have changed, so maybe it isn’t their faults, but the writing. I think viewers with shorter attention spans might like this, but even with my own short attention span, I can only muster a 4.5. IMDB fans gave it a 6.1. (running time 1:28)

Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

/ Shawn / Leave a comment

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(from July 5, 2013)

Visually stunning, but I wish they had put a little of that CGI money into hiring a better writer. The acting is a little off, but I really think it’s more the result of the writing than anything else. (I felt there were multiple cringeworthy lines.) The characters aren’t quite developed enough, either, although there are some very nice moments. (I loved nearly all the scenes with the China Doll.) And yet, overall, I enjoyed it. The 6.6 at IMDB is maybe a couple of tenths high. (running time 2:10)