Director: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (some German stuff you've never heard of)
Stars: Ulrich Muhe (some German stuff you've never heard of, Sharp Shooter)
Sebastion Koch (some German stuff you've never heard of)
YesNoSoso: 2
An amazing movie depicting the clash of humanistic behavior in the socialistic regime of East Germany. A truly original plot, superbly acted through many twists and turns returns an incredibly engrossing film full of personality. I'm always amazed when a director is able to establish a connection between the characters and the audience without the aid of a common language. I was fully invested in the welfare of the main characters in The Lives of Others and because of that will be back for a second viewing. At least.
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Showing posts with label 2006. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2006. Show all posts
12/28/09
Accepted (2006)
Director: Steve Pink (I've never seen his other 2 films but he directed the awesome looking Hot Tub Time Machine)
Stars: Justin Long (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Herbie Fully Loaded)
Jonah Hill (Superbad, Evan Almighty)
YesNoSoso: 1
I definitely went into this movie with the dread associated with a guaranteed YesNoSoso 0 but actually enjoyed myself. Lewis Black gives an expectably funny performance and I'll be darned if I don't just like Justin Long for an inexplicable reason. Accepted has its funny moments but I really give it props for being unashamedly critical of the American collegiate system and the process's required for acceptance.
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Stars: Justin Long (Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Herbie Fully Loaded)
Jonah Hill (Superbad, Evan Almighty)
YesNoSoso: 1
I definitely went into this movie with the dread associated with a guaranteed YesNoSoso 0 but actually enjoyed myself. Lewis Black gives an expectably funny performance and I'll be darned if I don't just like Justin Long for an inexplicable reason. Accepted has its funny moments but I really give it props for being unashamedly critical of the American collegiate system and the process's required for acceptance.
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7/8/09
Lars and the Real Girl (2006)
Director: Craig Gillespie (Mr. Woodcock, "United States of Tara" [I haven't seen either and haven't really heard anything about either)
Stars: Ryan Gosling (Murder by Numbers [which was alright], The Notebook)
Paul Schneider (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Live Free or Die)
YesNoSoso: 2
This was a pleasant surprise. I put Lars and the Real Girl on my Blockbuster queue because I was intrigued by the concept, but expected the movie to be light on substance. It was actually an extremely warm and well executed film. Nothing special, but solid performances all around and a genuinely good feel. I had no idea Ryan Gosling could actually act.
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Stars: Ryan Gosling (Murder by Numbers [which was alright], The Notebook)
Paul Schneider (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Live Free or Die)
YesNoSoso: 2
This was a pleasant surprise. I put Lars and the Real Girl on my Blockbuster queue because I was intrigued by the concept, but expected the movie to be light on substance. It was actually an extremely warm and well executed film. Nothing special, but solid performances all around and a genuinely good feel. I had no idea Ryan Gosling could actually act.
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5/11/09
Apocalypto (2006)
Director: Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Last Temptation of Christ)
Stars: Rudy Youngblood (nothing else really)
nobody else really
YesNoSoso: 2
This movie blew me away. Say what you will about Mel Gibson and his antisemitism, the man understands plot development (shout out to Matt and Trey for that one). Mel Gibson basically took the "chase" genre down to its most simplistic and humanistic form and wrapped it around a period piece looking at the breakdown of the Mayan civilization. One of the best movies I've seen in a while.
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Stars: Rudy Youngblood (nothing else really)
nobody else really
YesNoSoso: 2
This movie blew me away. Say what you will about Mel Gibson and his antisemitism, the man understands plot development (shout out to Matt and Trey for that one). Mel Gibson basically took the "chase" genre down to its most simplistic and humanistic form and wrapped it around a period piece looking at the breakdown of the Mayan civilization. One of the best movies I've seen in a while.
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5/4/09
Black Snake Moan (2006)
Director: Craig Brewer (Hustle and Flow, nothing else I've heard of)
Stars: Samuel L Jackson (Jungle Love, Snakes on a Plane)
Christina Ricci (Buffalo 66, That Darn Cat!)
YesNoSoso: 2
This movie flew completely under the radar. I barely remember it being released other than it being an awesome movie title and starring Justin Timberlake. Its actually very good; its got tons of blues music (most actually sung by Samuel L Jackson) and Christina Ricci chained to a radiator (she has one of the greatest bodies on earth). Definitely worth checking out.
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Stars: Samuel L Jackson (Jungle Love, Snakes on a Plane)
Christina Ricci (Buffalo 66, That Darn Cat!)
YesNoSoso: 2
This movie flew completely under the radar. I barely remember it being released other than it being an awesome movie title and starring Justin Timberlake. Its actually very good; its got tons of blues music (most actually sung by Samuel L Jackson) and Christina Ricci chained to a radiator (she has one of the greatest bodies on earth). Definitely worth checking out.
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2/10/09
A Prairie Home Companion (2006)
Director: Robert Altman (The Player, Popeye)
Stars: Meryl Streep (Deer Hunter, Death Becomes Her)
Kevin Kline (The Ice Storm, In and Out)
YesNoSoso: 0
At first I wrote: "This movie should be viewed by all if only to get a better understanding of the long standing American tradition that is A Prairie Home Companion" but I'm changing my stance. This movie, which tells a day in the life of the Saturday evening live radio show, boasts a impressive Altman-style ensemble cast of Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, Garrison Keiller (the show's founder and leader), Lindsay Lohan, Virginia Madsen, John C Reilly, Maya Rudolph, and Lily Tomlin. But the movie is mostly a 2 hour long folk music concert with an extremely flimsy plot tying the performances together (the Virginia Madsen as the Angel of Death is especially bad). The movie does have a nice folksy charm, reminding one of better times, and would be nice for a family or if you are just in for a feel good show, but unless you are in one of those very specific demographics (or you just want to know more about Prairie Home companion) skip it.
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Stars: Meryl Streep (Deer Hunter, Death Becomes Her)
Kevin Kline (The Ice Storm, In and Out)
YesNoSoso: 0
At first I wrote: "This movie should be viewed by all if only to get a better understanding of the long standing American tradition that is A Prairie Home Companion" but I'm changing my stance. This movie, which tells a day in the life of the Saturday evening live radio show, boasts a impressive Altman-style ensemble cast of Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, Garrison Keiller (the show's founder and leader), Lindsay Lohan, Virginia Madsen, John C Reilly, Maya Rudolph, and Lily Tomlin. But the movie is mostly a 2 hour long folk music concert with an extremely flimsy plot tying the performances together (the Virginia Madsen as the Angel of Death is especially bad). The movie does have a nice folksy charm, reminding one of better times, and would be nice for a family or if you are just in for a feel good show, but unless you are in one of those very specific demographics (or you just want to know more about Prairie Home companion) skip it.
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1/21/09
Art School Confidential (2006)
Director: Terry Zwigoff (Ghost World, Bad Santa [both great films])
Stars: Max Minghella (Syriana [its the only thing I've seen of his and it was a minor role, his father directed the English Patient])
John Malkovitch (Being John Malkovitch, Johnny English)
YesNoSoso: 2
I didn't even know Zwigoff existed until a few weeks ago and his is instantly making a case to be one of my favorite directors. I loved Bad Santa but didn't recognize any of his other works until I saw Ghost World, which I thought was great. Art School Confidential, like Ghost World, was originally a graphic novel by Daniel Clowes, and I'm not sure if I like the writing or the direction better, but either way it makes an incredible end product. I had read that Art School Confidential was worse than Ghost World, which is entirely untrue. They do have extremely similar feels, but while I liked Ghost World, I loved Art School Confidential. I'm even toying with giving this movie the exclusive Emphatic 2 tag, which effectively highlights my issues with the Rotten Tomatoes aggregator. RT gave ATC a 37%.
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Stars: Max Minghella (Syriana [its the only thing I've seen of his and it was a minor role, his father directed the English Patient])
John Malkovitch (Being John Malkovitch, Johnny English)
YesNoSoso: 2
I didn't even know Zwigoff existed until a few weeks ago and his is instantly making a case to be one of my favorite directors. I loved Bad Santa but didn't recognize any of his other works until I saw Ghost World, which I thought was great. Art School Confidential, like Ghost World, was originally a graphic novel by Daniel Clowes, and I'm not sure if I like the writing or the direction better, but either way it makes an incredible end product. I had read that Art School Confidential was worse than Ghost World, which is entirely untrue. They do have extremely similar feels, but while I liked Ghost World, I loved Art School Confidential. I'm even toying with giving this movie the exclusive Emphatic 2 tag, which effectively highlights my issues with the Rotten Tomatoes aggregator. RT gave ATC a 37%.
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11/19/08
For Your Consideration (2006)
Director: Christopher Guest (Best in Show, Almost Heroes)
Stars: Catherine O'Hara (Home Alone, Orange County)
Eugene Levy (American Pie, Armed and Dangerous)
YesNoSoso: 1
If you enjoy Christopher Guest style mockumentaries (This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show) then this movie is definitely worth checking out, but don't expect it to be as funny. Ricky Gervais makes a great cameo but mostly its just more of the same, which is good enough for a viewing but nothing to get too excited for.
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Stars: Catherine O'Hara (Home Alone, Orange County)
Eugene Levy (American Pie, Armed and Dangerous)
YesNoSoso: 1
If you enjoy Christopher Guest style mockumentaries (This is Spinal Tap, Best in Show) then this movie is definitely worth checking out, but don't expect it to be as funny. Ricky Gervais makes a great cameo but mostly its just more of the same, which is good enough for a viewing but nothing to get too excited for.
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The Last Kiss (2006)
Director: Tony Goldwyn (The only movie's he's directed, he's the bad guy in Ghost)
Stars: Zach Braff (Garden State, Chicken Little)
Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Ocean's Twelve)
YesNoSoso: 2
Its a Paul Haggis screenplay and so far in his career that pretty much guarantees a solid movie. What Crash is to racial issues, The Last Kiss is to relationship issues. Its all here, newly weds, newly engaged, long term marriages, all going down in a blaze of depressing glory. If you have a strong stomach for depression, and/or aren't in a fragile relationship, check it out.
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Stars: Zach Braff (Garden State, Chicken Little)
Casey Affleck (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Ocean's Twelve)
YesNoSoso: 2
Its a Paul Haggis screenplay and so far in his career that pretty much guarantees a solid movie. What Crash is to racial issues, The Last Kiss is to relationship issues. Its all here, newly weds, newly engaged, long term marriages, all going down in a blaze of depressing glory. If you have a strong stomach for depression, and/or aren't in a fragile relationship, check it out.
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11/12/08
The Good Shepard (2006)
Director: Robert De Niro (A Bronx Tale [the only other movie he's directed])
Stars: Matt Damon (The Born Identity, Ocean's Twelve)
Angelina Jolie (Changeling, Original Sin)
YesNoSoso: 2
Solid Spy Flick. It can get a little convoluted at times, but I will take an aggressive story line over some watered down bullshit any day of the week. Amazing performances from a slew of actors ranging from Alec Baldwin and Joe Pesci, to John Turturro and Billy Crudup.
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Stars: Matt Damon (The Born Identity, Ocean's Twelve)
Angelina Jolie (Changeling, Original Sin)
YesNoSoso: 2
Solid Spy Flick. It can get a little convoluted at times, but I will take an aggressive story line over some watered down bullshit any day of the week. Amazing performances from a slew of actors ranging from Alec Baldwin and Joe Pesci, to John Turturro and Billy Crudup.
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10/30/08
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)
Director: Adam McKay (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy, Step Brothers)
Stars: Will Ferrell (Old School, Kicking and Screaming)
John C Reilly (Magnolia, The Perfect Storm)
YesNoSoso: 1
I didn't think this movie was anything special or particularly funny. I will, however, allow that it could be on that short list of movies that underwhelmed me on first view but then grew in respect over time (e.g. The Big Lebowski, Anchorman, Office Space). But I doubt it. Those movies shared the common trait of being extremely quotable AND edgy. Based on the lack of pop culture references we've encountered in the years since this movie came out I would guess Ricky Bobby lacks that aura.
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Stars: Will Ferrell (Old School, Kicking and Screaming)
John C Reilly (Magnolia, The Perfect Storm)
YesNoSoso: 1
I didn't think this movie was anything special or particularly funny. I will, however, allow that it could be on that short list of movies that underwhelmed me on first view but then grew in respect over time (e.g. The Big Lebowski, Anchorman, Office Space). But I doubt it. Those movies shared the common trait of being extremely quotable AND edgy. Based on the lack of pop culture references we've encountered in the years since this movie came out I would guess Ricky Bobby lacks that aura.
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The Last King of Scotland (2006)
Director: Kevin MacDonald (One Day in September, haven't heard of anything else he's done)
Stars: Forest Whitaker (Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurii, Bloodsport)
James McAvoy (Atonement, Wimbledon)
YesNoSoso: 1
Nothing special. Seriously, I know it got a heap of praise but i didn't think there was anything to write home about this movie. Forest Whitaker is incredible, as always, and McAvoy does a great job, but there just wasn't anything particularly interesting about this movie. Hence the brevity of this review.
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Stars: Forest Whitaker (Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurii, Bloodsport)
James McAvoy (Atonement, Wimbledon)
YesNoSoso: 1
Nothing special. Seriously, I know it got a heap of praise but i didn't think there was anything to write home about this movie. Forest Whitaker is incredible, as always, and McAvoy does a great job, but there just wasn't anything particularly interesting about this movie. Hence the brevity of this review.
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Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
Director: Paul McGuigen (Wicker Park [sucked], haven't seen anything else by him)
Stars: Josh Hartnett (Sin City, Here on Earth)
Bruce Willis (The Sixth Sense, The Whole Ten Yards)
YesNoSoso: 1
Actually a pretty solid flick, barely missing a YesNoSoso 2 because it is TOO convoluted. I like confusing movies because, and call me crazy, I'm not entertained by the 10 regurgitated Hollywood bullshit storylines that get churned out year in year out. Hartnett and Willis are joined by a pretty solid cast of Morgan Freeman, Stanley Tucci, Ben Kingsley and Lucy Liu. Check it out, but don't watch it twice. The Classic YesNoSoso 1.
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Stars: Josh Hartnett (Sin City, Here on Earth)
Bruce Willis (The Sixth Sense, The Whole Ten Yards)
YesNoSoso: 1
Actually a pretty solid flick, barely missing a YesNoSoso 2 because it is TOO convoluted. I like confusing movies because, and call me crazy, I'm not entertained by the 10 regurgitated Hollywood bullshit storylines that get churned out year in year out. Hartnett and Willis are joined by a pretty solid cast of Morgan Freeman, Stanley Tucci, Ben Kingsley and Lucy Liu. Check it out, but don't watch it twice. The Classic YesNoSoso 1.
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Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
Director: Larry Charles (Masked and Anonymous, "Curb Your Enthusiam")
Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G Indahouse, Madagascar)
YesNoSoso: 2
Incredible. I am one of those people that understand and respect the 'embarrassment' humor of Curb and Ali G, but can hardly stomach the awkwardness. If you could see a webcam of me watching Saw and then an episode of Curb without knowing which one I was watching when, you would guess them backwards. Borat is fucking incredible. I was worried that after an entire series, Borat's humor potential would be dried up, but just like Jackass (the original) it came off as a best-of-compilation despite it being all new material.
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Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen (Ali G Indahouse, Madagascar)
YesNoSoso: 2
Incredible. I am one of those people that understand and respect the 'embarrassment' humor of Curb and Ali G, but can hardly stomach the awkwardness. If you could see a webcam of me watching Saw and then an episode of Curb without knowing which one I was watching when, you would guess them backwards. Borat is fucking incredible. I was worried that after an entire series, Borat's humor potential would be dried up, but just like Jackass (the original) it came off as a best-of-compilation despite it being all new material.
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9/30/08
Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006)
Director: Liam Lynch (Tribute Music Video, Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic)
Stars: Jack Black (Tropic Thunder, Shallow Hal)
Kyle Gass (Elf, Shallow Hal)
YesNoSoso: 1
The TV show on HBO was awesome but this movie is not. It contains some nice inside jokes for fans of the TV show, but not enough to satisfy true D fans' desires and too many for someone not familiar with the show. Its not overly funny but still entertaining. Look for Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame as the Devil.
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Stars: Jack Black (Tropic Thunder, Shallow Hal)
Kyle Gass (Elf, Shallow Hal)
YesNoSoso: 1
The TV show on HBO was awesome but this movie is not. It contains some nice inside jokes for fans of the TV show, but not enough to satisfy true D fans' desires and too many for someone not familiar with the show. Its not overly funny but still entertaining. Look for Dave Grohl of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame as the Devil.
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Casino Royale (2006)
Director: Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, Vertical Limit)
Stars: Daniel Craig (Road to Perdition, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider)
Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love, Chronicles of Riddick)
YesNoSoso: 2
There have been some awesome James Bond movies (GoldenEye, Dr. No) and there have been some awful ones (Die Another Day, Her Majesty's Secret Service). This is hands down my favorite. Creating a hero that is otherworldly and yet believable is a difficult task, truly and successfully done only a handful of times. Bond in Casino Royale is one of them.
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Stars: Daniel Craig (Road to Perdition, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider)
Judi Dench (Shakespeare in Love, Chronicles of Riddick)
YesNoSoso: 2
There have been some awesome James Bond movies (GoldenEye, Dr. No) and there have been some awful ones (Die Another Day, Her Majesty's Secret Service). This is hands down my favorite. Creating a hero that is otherworldly and yet believable is a difficult task, truly and successfully done only a handful of times. Bond in Casino Royale is one of them.
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Babel (2006)
Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inirritu (21 Grams, Amores Perros)
Stars: Brad Pitt (Fight Club, Ocean's Twelve)
Cate Blanchett (Lord of the Rings, Bandits)
YesNoSoso: 2
Again, both movies listed next to Inirritu are great, he just really hasn't done anything else. Slightly convoluted, Babel follows four interwoven plot lines running all over the world. Exceptionally fine acting jobs from veterans Pitt and Blanchett but also from random Moroccan kids Inirritu found on location. If you don't mind actually using your mind this is an excellent movie.
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Stars: Brad Pitt (Fight Club, Ocean's Twelve)
Cate Blanchett (Lord of the Rings, Bandits)
YesNoSoso: 2
Again, both movies listed next to Inirritu are great, he just really hasn't done anything else. Slightly convoluted, Babel follows four interwoven plot lines running all over the world. Exceptionally fine acting jobs from veterans Pitt and Blanchett but also from random Moroccan kids Inirritu found on location. If you don't mind actually using your mind this is an excellent movie.
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Flags of Our Fathers (2006)
Director: Clint Eastwood (Unforgiven, Space Cowboys)
Stars: Ryan Phillippe (Crash, Antitrust)
Adam Beach (Law and Order: SVU, Mystery, Alaska)
YesNoSoso: 1
Before perusing Clint Eastwood's IMDB page, I would've said he's a great director. I still do love alot of the movies he's directed (Mystic River, Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby) but I was unaware of how many terrible movies he's helmed (Space Cowboys, Blood Work, Firefox). This movie isn't horrible, its just boring. I've never seen, but heard very good things about the companion peice to Flags, Sands of Iwo Jima, but this one was, as I said, boring. Like if The French Connection was about the paperwork Popeye Doyle had to do after the drug bust, instead of the actual crime.
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Stars: Ryan Phillippe (Crash, Antitrust)
Adam Beach (Law and Order: SVU, Mystery, Alaska)
YesNoSoso: 1
Before perusing Clint Eastwood's IMDB page, I would've said he's a great director. I still do love alot of the movies he's directed (Mystic River, Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby) but I was unaware of how many terrible movies he's helmed (Space Cowboys, Blood Work, Firefox). This movie isn't horrible, its just boring. I've never seen, but heard very good things about the companion peice to Flags, Sands of Iwo Jima, but this one was, as I said, boring. Like if The French Connection was about the paperwork Popeye Doyle had to do after the drug bust, instead of the actual crime.
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Wikipedia
9/19/08
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Director: Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris ("Say it Ain't So" Weezer video)
Stars: Greg Kinnear (As Good as it Gets, Blankman)
Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense, Changing Lanes)
YesNoSoso: 1
I just didn't get it. It wasn't bad, I enjoyed watching it, but I didn't see anything special about it at all. Maybe everybody else fawning over it skewed my judgment, but I doubt it. Solid performances all around, and wonderful motif of failure, but that's about it.
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Stars: Greg Kinnear (As Good as it Gets, Blankman)
Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense, Changing Lanes)
YesNoSoso: 1
I just didn't get it. It wasn't bad, I enjoyed watching it, but I didn't see anything special about it at all. Maybe everybody else fawning over it skewed my judgment, but I doubt it. Solid performances all around, and wonderful motif of failure, but that's about it.
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Rocky Balboa (2006)
Director: Sylvester Stallone (Rocky II, Stayin Alive)
Stars: Sylvester Stallone (Rocky, Driven)
Burt Young (Rocky, Back to School)
YesNoSoso: 1
To start off, my love of Rocky almost got a movie as God-awful as Rocky V a 1 rating, so the 1 rating for Rocky Balboa isn't exactly telling of its overall quality. It would have had to be really bad, like Rocky V bad, for it to not receive at least a 1. With that being sad, Rocky Balboa is a decent movie. It certainly doesn't live up to the solid awesomeness of the first one, nor the over the top ridiculousness of 3 and 4, but it is a surprisingly quality flick. Surprising because I, like most, thought it would suck. The theme of an older fighter looking to get "the beast" out was a nice touch and added legitimacy to this sequels forced existence.
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Stars: Sylvester Stallone (Rocky, Driven)
Burt Young (Rocky, Back to School)
YesNoSoso: 1
To start off, my love of Rocky almost got a movie as God-awful as Rocky V a 1 rating, so the 1 rating for Rocky Balboa isn't exactly telling of its overall quality. It would have had to be really bad, like Rocky V bad, for it to not receive at least a 1. With that being sad, Rocky Balboa is a decent movie. It certainly doesn't live up to the solid awesomeness of the first one, nor the over the top ridiculousness of 3 and 4, but it is a surprisingly quality flick. Surprising because I, like most, thought it would suck. The theme of an older fighter looking to get "the beast" out was a nice touch and added legitimacy to this sequels forced existence.
IMDB
Wikipedia
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