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jrogerson
Reviews
Super Dark Times (2017)
A deeply unpleasant film
I don't feel like I can say much about this without spoiling it, so I'll just say that while it's well made I definitely didn't 'enjoy' it and I'm not even sure I'm glad I watched it. The main character is hard to like much or root for and as for the plot, well, let's just say the film's title is accurate. Don't go in expecting a horror (it's not scary and there's no joy to be found in any of the violence). It's more a coming of age film by way of something like Irreversible (though not quite that dark). I've definitely never seen anything quite like this, but nor am I in any hurry to see anything like it again.
Death Note (2017)
Should a film be rated down for being worse than the source material?
The answer is of course no. It should be rated on its own merits, which is why I'm bothering to write this review at all, in an attempt to balance out the laughable one star reviews it's got. This isn't a great film, I'd give it a five, which at the time of writing isn't far off its overall IMDb score, but it's far from a one.
No, it's not as good as the source material, but it's competent and vaguely interesting. Its main problem is that Death Note doesn't really work as a film, and certainly not one this short. Too many plot points are glossed over or omitted and the characters aren't given time to develop. If you have nothing else to watch there are worse ways to kill a couple of hours, but if you've not seen anything Death Note before start with the anime.
Forev (2013)
Sweet, uplifiting and not what I expected
A few years ago I made a note to myself to 'write something joyous', the basic idea being to write a story, probably a romance, devoid of conflict. It would be hard to make such a thing interesting but I think it's possible.
I never did write it, but from the IMDb description of this film I thought that someone else might have. It turns out though that it was presumably intended as sarcasm because things do go wrong.
So I was a little disappointed in that sense, but that's my failing, not the film's and it may well be better for having conflict. I certainly wasn't disappointed in the film as a whole, it's sweet and uplifting with likable characters, solid performances and decent writing.
It probably won't stay with you for long but it's an enjoyable way to spend 90 minutes, especially after a hard day. So I'm glad I watched it, even if it wasn't what I was expecting. But I still hope that one day someone will make the film that I thought this might be.
The Girl Next Door (2004)
True love
I seem to be one of very few people who can see this in the film, but in my opinion this is one of the greatest cinematic love stories i have ever seen. Ignore any preconceived ideas of what this film is about (the trailers etc are very misleading) and go in with an open mind and hopefully you'll see what i mean.
Yes there are some very stupid scenes in the film but they are few and far between, and most of the humor comes from believable exchanges between the characters. But i hardly even see this film as a comedy, because underneath that Matt (Emile Hirsch) and Danielle (Elisha Cuthbert) share a love that is more real and honest than any i have seen before. The characters seem to truly be in love, rather than just actors playing a role. (A scene that really shows this is the emotion shown by Danielle when Matt asks her to prom).
In addition to the actors remarkable performances (another stand out one being Timothy Olyphant in the role of a porn producer) there is also a very strong script, which manages (for the most part) to be genuinely funny while still seeming real and passionate.
Finally the soundtrack is outstanding providing brilliant songs that are perfect for the scene throughout.
Overall i give this film 10 out of 10, and highly recommend you go and see it, just remember to keep an open mind.