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Reviews
Cash Out (2024)
Suspension & Humanity
Since I'm a big fan of John Travolta's style; given to the best not only in Pulp Fiction, but also in Face/Off and Swordfish - I was pleased to see that he still can deliver an epic character who carries the movie from start to end in great suspension and coolness.
Additionally - and unfortunately nowadays extremly rare - not a single person gets killed or hurt unnecessarily. Delicate situations are handled with care even, and the only fights are carried out by using words. I love this movie for that alone. It shows class, since it really takes craftmanship to create an action movie this peaceful. In my personal opinion, this film paves the way by gifting the industry with this role model recipe to spare the users of human misery (the world is full of already) and gives the viewer something encouraging and even soothing to watch.
Sure, the woven in love story is a bit thin, but adds a nice touch nevertheless. Definitely a keeper in my book. Don't care at all how other people rate it. For me it's a 10 out of 10. Period.
The Accountant (2016)
Alternative Ending
This movie has a good beginning. It is funny, interesting and entertaining. Makes one even want to see more of it. Having this great cast helps the movie achieving all that for sure.
However, even though it has a unique story in the beginning, the movie drifts into a common one in the second half. Boy loves girl, boy saves girl by risking his life. It is especially a pity, since the boy has no believable reason to show this behavior due to his autism.
Of course, a mainstream movie needs a love story with a happy ending, so you need to bend the corners a bit. But this could have been done better, I think.
This is my alternate story for the second half of this movie: Boy is going extremely crazy because he couldn't finish his analyzing job, is even trying to hurt himself vitally. Girl feels sorry for him, steels the data from the office to allow him to do what he desperately needs to. They get caught and because the girl did the boy a huge favor, since this analysis means the world to him, he decides to protect her. Since he didn't have any relationship before, this experience totally changes his perception of other human beings, since he understands now that they can care for each other. He falls in love with her because of that. Happy end.
Spectre (2015)
Great Actors; Great Acting; No Real Danger
It really is a Bond movie. It has breathtaking scenes. Overwhelming action. Stunning performance.
To be honest, I will need to watch it a second time to fully grab what is really there. Because when I first watched it, I was just swamped away by all these intense and densely packaged experiences.
However, while watching the movie, I felt that something is missing. Something important. And then it hit me - I never felt (the world and myself) in real danger. Everything that had happened, happened impressively, but the REASON and MOTIVATION for all this action was not ubiquitous at all.
If the movie would have had this, it would be a solid 10.
Therefore, what I deeply wish for the next Bond, is to create a more balanced dark side which needs to be set up properly in order to give the whole story some profound meaning. With the same, great actors.
Collateral (2004)
Strong Characters; Week Embodiment
I rate this movie 5 out of 10 because there are equivalent reasons for it to be great and poor at the same time.
Reaons for it to be great: 1) The main characters are very strong; distinct. 2) They follow their inner guide and are very authentic. 3) Yet indeed extreme and conflicting 4) Even though they produce a lot of damage, the discussions are sometimes productive and healthy for personal growth
Reasons for it to be poor: 1) The story is ALL about the characters 2) There is no real interaction with the environment 3) In its extreme, even as the spectator, many scenes become unrealistic in such way, that the story completely loses credibility 4) Therefore, the pull effect of the movie is constantly in an on-off mode
All in all: there is a lot going on inside and with the characters, but what is happening with the rest of the world they play their role in, doesn't seem to matter that much.
The Truth About Charlie (2002)
Great Actors; Disappointing Story
The actors are really great. The movie has potential, as it really has sometimes its very unique mystic moments.
However, the overall story lacks deeply of a catching central theme. In other words - this movie has no substance.
The only thing worth mentioning, besides the great actors and also acting of the main characters, are some locations which deliver a certain mystic and interesting ambiance.
Sure, this movie could still be a lot worse - but since there lies so much potential in it to really create an awesome memory, this movie simply didn't measure up with my expectations.
Maybe it is worth watching once, if you really are into the actors. But if you expect a great journey you will most probably be disappointed.
Léon (1994)
Stunning
It's an absolutely stunning film. Period.
Even after watching it for the 3rd time, it amazes me how you can really feel the characters coming alive. They breath, you breath. They are happy, you are happy. The most special ingredient of this movie is the mixture of emotions the story creates: For a few minutes, one could think it might be an action adventure, but then, there is the mysterious touch which elevates the viewer into another world without being totally surrealistic.
Little time elapses when suddenly the mood changes again from homely, to funny, and in a blink of an eye, it becomes really dramatic. If you would hear this story in the news, it would sound absurd - ridiculously even. But watching this movie is making count every second of it, enjoying it with an intensity as it would be an adventure experience first hand with great pleasure.
Thank you for this great enjoyment.