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Dorian's Movie Reviews
Is it worth seeing? Reviews are presented with no cynicism, no comparisons, no biased standards, no pretentiousness - every movie is reviewed on its individual entertainment value including technical presentation.
Scale 1 - 5 |
Screenplay by David Seltzer, Brandon Camp, and Mike Thompson From a story by Brandon Camp and Mike Thompson PG-13 |
This is not a "feel-good" movie. It makes you think. It shows you the horrors of war... the insanity of doing inhuman acts... and the kindness that prevails in us even in the face of great personal tragedy. It honors brave men. It is tense and dramatic. I give this one four spotlights out of a possible five for entertainment value. It carries an R rating - very violent. Enjoy!
Reactions:
Engaging: Yes.
Boring: No.
Confusing: To some, trying to keep track of a large number of characters during fast moving action.
Characters: High marks
Entertaining: Medium marks
Plot: (Theme, character, and action emphasis, not plot driven)
Uniqueness and originality: Medium marks - characters and themes were unique
Surprises: No
Recommend this movie to others: Yes
Emotional reaction to the movie: Bold, courageous, dangerous, depressing, honest, sometimes "kind" to others, intense, reckless, rough, realistic, sometimes "sensitive" to others, strong, sorrow, tense, thoughtful, uptight.
Technical
My comments below attempt to draw attention to things that make a movie good, especially if they made major contributions, and for professional judgments on these various arts, the reader should consult professionals in these arts, and realize that these notes are not necessarily part of the overall rating for entertainment value.
- Writing - great characterization (appropriate for a farce), great interaction with the set, unique car chase, and very visually presented. Four spotlights.
- Acting - good acting in good parts. Four spotlights.
- Casting - Nicely chosen in the main parts. Four spotlights.
- Directing - the scenes flowed well, the story was cohesive, the drama was told visually, and good production. Four spotlights.
- Production design - the set was well integrated with the action, and made a major contribution to making the entire production very visual. Five spotlights.
- Special effects - ?.
- Editing - the action flowed smoothly, captured good action and character reactions, and put together a coherent story.
- Music - seamless, and complimented the action.
- Costume design - ?.
- Choreography of the fight and car chase scenes - appropriate to the picture and the characters. Excellent car chase. Five spotlights.
- Cinematography - well executed and told the story visually. Four spotlights.
- Dorian
Scale:
- 5 Spotlights: The best of movie making, well worth seeing (rarely given)
- 4 Spotlights: Good movie for the genre; may have minor technical or story problems but they hardly harm the enjoyment; clearly worth seeing; (most movies)
- 3 Spotlights: Not bad, but has problems - worth seeing
- 2 Spotlights: Caution - a "B" movie, probably will appeal only to some
- 1 Spotlight: Caution - not recommended for any audience (will probably never be given)
Note: No half spotlights are given.
My reviews are not based much on my personal taste, or any standard besides entertainment value. I try to be as objective as possible, keeping in mind that entertainment value is very subjective and individualized. If I'm not interested in a movie I usually don't go see it, so it doesn't get reviewed. Each character, and each position in the production company might be highlighted if the contribution affected the enjoyment of the story as either outstanding or dismal and I noticed it, keeping in mind that many contributions are singularly distinguished by their seamless integration with the story, not calling attention to themselves and thereby escaping attention.
- Dorian Scott Cole
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