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Reviews
Synchronic (2019)
Poorly made film with dumb take on trite topic
The only reason this movie could possibly be getting decent reviews is because so few films are being handed to theaters. In this case, movie execs clearly found this at the bottom of their trashcan and decided to pander to starving theaters by highlighting how Falcon from the Avengers was in it.
The tripe starts with a purposefully out of focus closeup of nothing exciting. If only they had never bothered to focus the thing it would have improved the overall quality. We're then treated to wandering around with some contemptible people until the camera eventually gets to the person who got the short end of the stick and thus was forced to find a way to act as the protagonist.
Heck, the film at one points make fun of how cliche he is in one of the more inspired lines in the film. There's other laughable moments, but only because they're so bad.
The premise itself is dumber than the writing. A pill is able to transport certain people into the past for seven minutes. In other words, not only are they going to re-hash the trite topic of time travel, but they're not even going to spend time developing any historical relevance or accuracy. Nor do they even try and offer any semblance of sense to how the pill works. Better if they had the characters say arcanic words that zaps to the past than the stupid medical babble they mispronounce. As for character development, so little time is spent developing viewer empathy that the only character viewers should feel for is the dog. Perhaps if they had knocked this pile of pus down to a twenty minute Twilight Zone episode that spent half of its time focusing on the dog, there would be something re-deeming about it. As it is, this should already be leading Razzie nominations.
Ender's Game (2013)
Battle Room is great but otherwise streamlined for plot
Ender's Game attempts to take Orson Scott Card's revered novel and move it to the big screen. While the big plot points are shown, some of the underlying pieces that also made the novel so fun are left off. Additionally, the movie draws upon the sequels for some of its scenes - notably the epilogue.
This doesn't necessarily detract from the movie, however. The movie generally flows. While it easily could have been lengthened to incorporate some of the more subtle points, there is already a popular book currently being lengthened beyond reason. Removing some of the points, however, does make the movie a bit darker.
For example, none of the interplay between the Battle School teams are shown. That interplay was key in making the school seem like a specialized high school. Instead, a serious tone is taken with a constant reminder and fear of the Buggers (who are never called as such in the movie).
Fans of the book, however, will be able to enjoy the Battle Room scenes. These are absolutely stellar! The advancement in depicting Zero-G is really coming forth this year and Ender's Game is an excellent example of doing that.
Those viewers who are unfamiliar with the novels, should be able to follow the story. At its core, its fairly simplistic. The Earth is training highly intelligent children to be the commander of the next fleet that will launch a pre-emptive attack on an alien race that previously invaded Earth.
Other more complex themes, however, such as the use of children for this role, are barely touched. Nor are the happenings on Earth, depicted in the novel through the words of Ender's siblings, ever shown. Such societal commentary is left off to focus on the plot.
Fans of the book should not hesitate to see it but should be prepared to feel that something is missing. Viewers utterly unfamiliar with the book can still enjoy the movie but it does not come close to being what it could be.
The Dish & the Spoon (2011)
Long takes amid meaningless plot and annoying characters
The entire movie feels much like the opening - a long drive through a tunnel with a woman crying. Occasionally an amusing or artsy shot is added but they are not enough to redeem this exercise in boredom.
What little plot there is centers around the weekend (maybe) escapades of a woman whose husband slept with another woman. She finds a young man sleeping in a lighthouse and develops a quirky relationship with him. There appears to be no reason for many of their actions, particularly a scene in which she makes him a transvestite. Little is learned about the couple or their motivations. In fact, the name of the man is never revealed. The movie is best characterized by long takes of the actors homely faces.
The few moments of artistic interest, such as when the man excellently draws her face in the sand, do add something. The moments are too fleeting, however, to suffer the 90 minutes of agitation and boredom that this movie instills.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Not Even the Best of the Prequels - Although the Darkest
When one goes to see a Star Wars film it is not to watch excellent acting or excellent dialogue. As expected, both of those categories are pretty awful. It is expected, however, to have lots of action, excellent special effects, neat characters and aliens, and an interesting story. Unfortunately, Revenge of the Sith fails.
The beginning depicts a big space battle that does offer excitement. With a keen eye, however, its plain to see where the special effects are not that special. In particular, the Republic star fighters remain stationary in the shot as the camera and background move about them. This thereby compromises the illusion of reality. Such failures can be noticed throughout the movie.
Yet there is still the possibility for new aliens and characters or at least a good story. While there are some new aliens and characters, few capture the imagination or heart. As for the story, Lucas is so intent upon bridging the gap from "Attack of the Clones" to "A New Hope" that he forgets that he is making a movie. He additionally forgets that there were five other movies beforehand that contradict things in this movie. This ultimately leads to a contrived story.
There is, however a glimpse of interest when Palpatine talks about a masterful Sith. This alludes to a history of the Universe that can be played out for quite some time. Additionally, there is plenty of action and eye candy.
Revenge of the Sith therefore tries to be a standard Star Wars movie. While offering some of the elements one has come to expect, it creates voids elsewhere.
C.S.A.: The Confederate States of America (2004)
Faux Documentary with few Faults
CSA is about the history of the Confederate States of America - from the moment they won the Civil War to today. This new twist on "what if history" will touch many different emotions.
One of the ways this differs from other scenarios of the South winning the Civil War is that the south conquers the north rather than simply having two countries. As director Wilmott said "I've never heard of a country saying 'hey we kicked your *** now you go be by yourself'. Its more like 'here's Bob and he's going to rule you for a while.'"
One of the things this movie offers is grand humor. The humor in the movie is funny because there are points so absurd they're just hilarious. For example, there is a whole sequence of President Lincoln running from the law with the help of Harriet Tubman. It is especially brought home when Wilmott blends in D.W.Griffith's films to show the capture of Lincoln (in black face) as portrayed in a D.W. Griffith film developed in that timeline.
When its not funny however, the movie makes you feel uncomfortable. For example, Wilmott shows the movie as if it were being broadcast on a standard television station and therefore advertises various products. These products make you wonder if you should be laughing, outraged or something else. Some of the products include Niggerhair Cigarettes, Darky Toothpaste, and Coon Chicken Inn (all of which, were real products well into the 20th century).
Wilmott also makes the issue of slavery sink in without showing the full brutality thereof. As Wilmott explained, he wanted to do a movie that focused on slavery rather than a movie like "Cold Mountain" where the slavery issue is scuttled aside. Wilmott definitely succeeds in his mission too! He makes you think about slavery without making you feel disgusted from the brutality. The movie, amazingly, is put together so well that you find yourself laughing at points and cringing at others.