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chalcedonydream
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The Wilgus Stories (2000)
A Sweet Coming of age Movie
I managed to track this down on-line. It is a nice little story in 3 parts, well written, well directed and very well acted. Cinematography is pretty good given much of the 'action' takes place inside moving vehicles and setting is convincing for all 3 time periods.
Amongst several fine performances, including that by Robin Mullins, the highlight for me was seeing an early outing from the wonderful Christopher Berry, one of the most underrated actors of current times, as the 23 year old Wilgus Collier.
He gave a simply stunning, sensitive and genuine performance here that really deserved to get him more recognition.
For a low budget TV movie I found this to be an hour well spent.
Waterborne (2005)
Thought provoking and powerful
I thought this was an interesting and powerful depiction of what could happen in such a situation from 3 different perspectives that then come together at the climax. Unlike some, I thought the dialogue and direction was very good and the cinematography pretty good for a low budget indie film.
Most of the cast gave convincing performances that had me drawn into their dilemmas with them. I was especially moved by Christopher Berry's scene with his senior officer after he had shot unarmed youth for stealing water. This actor deserves a lot more recognition and prominent roles than he has received thus far in his career.
I felt this film overall was an intriguing and thought provoking film with a fresh approach to a fairly regular theme. Personally, I think the film actually benefited from not having an 'A' list star who would be expected to swoop in and automatically save the day.
Ragin Cajun Redneck Gators (2013)
Weirdly Captivating
I found this pretty average sy-fy/horror weirdly captivating and unlike some quite comical in parts.
The alligators mostly didn't look particularly realistic to me though. The original premise of chucking toxic blue moonshine into the river and that creating mutant alligators was promising, also had a synchronising with the blue meth in Breaking Bad for me. Then, when that went on to alligator bites turning humans into alligators it foreshadowed Christopher Berry going on to make an iconic appearance in The Walking Dead.
Highlight for me was the much underrated Christopher Berry (The Walking Dead & Free State of Jones) looking particularly cute, until he turned gator. I know I shouldn't have, but I howled with laughter when he threw the dog into the gator's mouth.
I have watched this film 3 times now and it just gets better and better, hence I have revised my rating and my review accordingly. I honestly believe this will eventually become a cult classic.
The Ruins (2008)
It really isn't very good
Flesh eating plants that can mimic mobile phone ring tones - really? I gave it 3 points because both Jonathan Tucker & Shawn Ashmore did a pretty good job (considering the low grade script and storyline). These are 2 pretty good young actors who have shown elsewhere that their abilities warrant more than this film allows.
Sadly both females were harking back to the bad old days of horror where all women did was scream a lot. Hopefully they will be able to show more acting talent in future ventures. The highlight for me was seeing Shawn Ashmore with an amazing head of curly hair.
I'm glad I didn't pay to see this at the cinema as I would have been very disappointed.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
The first 20 minutes are OK
Or, however long Matthew McConaughey is on screen for, because apart from his scenes, really don't bother. All my 6 points are for his performance. The rest of the film is a pile of - I don't know what, but it's awful.
How on earth anyone though Di Caprio should have won the Oscar for this bemuses me. And that goes for all the other nominations and awards it received as well.
I suppose if you are a young misogynistic male with absolutely no morals it might appeal. But, do you really want to line the pockets of a con man any further?
I admit I turned off half-way through, I just couldn't bear it any longer. Maybe it improved? Maybe Di Caprio's character was gunned down by a disgruntled victim.
Interstellar (2014)
An awesome experience
This was my first trip to the cinema for around 15 years. I wasn't disappointed. I'm not going to go into the details of the plot etc. Just let me say, it was a stunning film with amazing cinematography, brilliant acting (especially from Matthew McConaughey), expertly directed and a score to die for.
I can't comment on the physics, because I'm no scientist, but considering the calibre of those who worked on the film and of those who have backed him after seeing the film, I'd rather take their word than a few reviewers here whose actual scientific qualifications I have no evidence of.
In any event, I watch a movie to be entertained, enthralled and delighted, not to take every opportunity to pick holes in every aspect of the story. If I wanted absolute verifiable science, I'd go to a physics lecture in college. Where actually most astro-physicists worth their salt would admit that very little about the subject matter here has been verifiably proved.
This film entertained, enthralled and delighted me and I can't wait to see it again.