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gbjay
Reviews
The Hunter (2011)
A Sleeper Well Worth Popping Corn For...
High quality films that tell an in depth story without being boring, preachy, show-offish, or over bloated with predictability, and cliché have become rare over the past ten years. "THE HUNTER", led by the always under-rated master Thespian, "Willem Dafoe" presents a tale of mystery, adventure and ole-fashioned cinema, and Human romance, compelling, scenic natural vistas of a forgotten land in modern times. It moves along at just the right pace, weaving its cinematic magic, staying off balanced, and keeping the viewer eagerly curious, and often surprised up until the very end...
--GBJ
Do-ga-ni (2011)
Good vs Evil In The Real World. . . An Oscar Worthy Film!
While the Story, the Theme is reprehensible, the Art in Film-making; being able to articulate emotions, actions, reactions, in a fashion that others --viewers -- not associated will feel, be stirred, outraged by the monstrous behavior, is the hallmark of an excellent production!
Having been orphaned as a child, I know all too well the horrors, cover-ups, lies, and willful deceit that insidious practitioners of corruption perform, and how the tentacles of their evil deeds navigate and manipulate. The Director, Writer, Actors, Cinematographers and entire Production company have done a fine job of crafting in a way that eliminates the language barrier, and reaches into the minds, and hearts of their audience. Ten out of Ten Stars for motion picture perfection... --GBJ
The Devil's Rock (2011)
Very Nicely Done, If You Love Scary Movies
Having a lifelong love, deep interest, and passion in film-making, and finished properties, I've been mislead into many Horror/SciFi dramas of foreign origin, merely to be disappointed. Not so with "THE DEVIL'S ROCK". It's making should have been fiscally prudent, with --I presume-- filming in a virtually narrow, perhaps singular area, and a minimalist's Cast. Of course, I'm pleased that Director "Paul Campion" has foresight, and insight to accompany his artful cinema-graphic storytelling.
Without giving away a single thing, "THE DEVIL'S ROCK", though not exclusive in eeriness, drama, suspense, and cunning, it satisfies in a manner that leaves one wanting more by its end. Grab the Popcorn, Chips, Drink, whatever, and turn the lights way down, and the 5, or 7.1 way up. I'm sure John Carpenter loved this one, too... --GBJ
Melancholia (2011)
If Robert Altman Directed A Science Fiction Movie...
When breaking ground with originality it doesn't hurt to have an All-Star Cast of Thespians so capable, adept and skillful that one totally forgets this is a Science Fiction hiding nicely as a complex drama with quick and plentiful subplots that easily draw the Viewer into the film as it masterfully stealthily unfolds.
Kirsten Dunst has played troubled characters before, so it's not new ground for her, and she handily blends into the scenery of the story, surrounded by characters supporting the periphery. I certainly recommend viewing "MELANCHOLIA" for the total experience of seeing a Director weave a tapestry of characters and stories so effortlessly... GBJ
Grimm: BeeWare (2011)
Buzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Of the first three episodes, "BEEWARE" is clearly the better; providing more early X-Files type of mature mystery, blended with slight thrills, maybe even a chill, scripted and executed well.
More like an upscale SyFy (SciFi) Channel original, it's difficult to believe NBC-TV will stick with "GRIMM" to allow it to develop its audience.
So far, the Special Effects are smooth, crisp, sharp and clear, easily enhanced thanks to HiDef, blended with a Semi-Fairy Tale look and feel at varying points throughout each episode. No doubt, if NBC-TV commits to at least two years, this show will only get better...
GBJ