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Copie conforme (2010)
A truly boring, wholly unsatisfying movie
From the endlessly boring pseudo-intellectual speech by the male protagonist in the beginning to the totally unsatisfying ending, this movie is an example of the worst of French movie making: endless dialogue, no substance. The Tuscan scenery is stunning, the stone villages lovely and the acting is totally believable. Unfortunately these competent actors have nothing of any meaning to work with. Juliette Binoche got an award for her acting, in my opinion, degrading the stature of the award: good acting in a part that has no actual substance should not be award winning. Her character appears to become more and more unhinged as the movie progresses, while that of her partner, William Shimell is arrogant from the very beginning. This movie may be of interest to those who find dialogue between two people whose 15 year relationship is unclear intellectually satisfying, but I am not among those. I gave the movie four stars based on the scenery and the excellent cinematography. I would give a movie with poor technical qualities, but spellbinding content, a high mark.
Milyang (2007)
Totally unsatisfying, deeply boring film about a tragic story
I disagree with most of the glowing reviews of this movie. I am generally a big fan of Korean movies and series. Most are technically excellent with matching performances. This movie had fine acting, especially from Jeon Do-yeon; the cinematography was variable, certainly not spectacular. But great acting doesn't make for a great movie. This could have passed for a French new wave movie: except for the tragedy, nothing meaningful happens. It is a story about grief and rather superficial religious support by pushy people. The movie is way too long for the story it is telling. There is no resolution, let alone a satisfactory one. To me this was a waste of 2:22 hours.
Naui ajusshi (2018)
One of the best TV series I have ever seen
This is a stunning drama, one of the best TV shows I have ever seen (and I'm retired). First, the usual accolades about the production quality and great acting, but in my book those are givens and should only be worth mentioning if they are a detriment. The main characters are attracted to each other by a mutual pity for their unhappiness. The entire series centers on the main characters trying to achieve a happy existence. This is not your typical feel-good Korean Rom-Com, but it is stirring drama about the lives of people from various walks of life. It features all the good as well as the evil human qualities. The show is dark and often depressing, but there always seems to be light on the horizon.
Sarangeui bulsachak (2019)
Absolutely fantastic series
I can't recommend this series enough. The plot entails a successful S Korean female CEO accidentally crash-landing in N Korea. The series deals with her adventures trying to make it home again focusing on the people she meets in N Korea. This is an intelligent and mostly believable presentation of the cultural and economic differences between North and South Korea without prejudice or moralizing. The story is interesting, has lots of twists and delivers with wit, suspense and, of course, romance. The production qualities are excellent, the acting is first-rate. This is another of many S Korean series that so outshine Hollywood's milquetoast fare. Of the many excellent S Korean series I've seen, I think this is still the best.
Spider-Man: Far from Home (2019)
Fine movie for 12-year old mentality
I am NOT a superhero aficionado. After seeing each such movie I tell myself never to waste the time again. This movie once again did not have any real plot to speak of - a series of unlikely bizarre mega-creatures appear for no apparent reason, our superheroes attack them. Lots of in my opinion not awesome special effects, lots of noise, but nothing really thrilling or even vaguely believable. The hero is a likable guy, but the supporting cast adds nothing. By setting the action in various beautiful places, some semblance of variety is injected, but seeing Venice destroyed by a water monster is just not that exciting. But you can't argue with success as the movie returned some 800% on it's rather sizable budget. Maybe that's why the average Hollywood output addresses a preteen mentality. If this is you, go for it, else look for something more interesting.
Pierrot le fou (1965)
Silly, boring attempt at a pseudo-intellectual romp movie
I consider myself an intellectual (mostly), I'm a US expat living in France (a country I love) and I'm a semi-native French speaker. And I like the actors in this film. However, the only thing this movie has going for it (sexist alert) is the lovely Anna Karina. A new wave film with pretentious monologues, almost no script and seemingly incoherent, silly acting. I went into this expecting a cohesive black comedy or at least a silly farce, but this was a boring waste of almost two hours.
Der siebente Kontinent (1989)
A drawn-out tale of unwarranted and unexplainable tragedy
Unnecessarily long and repetitive scenes intended to convey the boredom of the middle class Austrian family are undoubtedly a brilliant exhibition of cinematic art, but to me they only underline the totally unbelievable premise of the film. There was simply no reason for this family to be in despair: the man had a good white collar job and was recognized by his employer, the wife had a responsible entrepreneurial position and the daughter, while sometimes bizarre, was hardly a reason for her parents' perceived hopelessness. A man and a wife who are able to function effectively in every day life for the period of the film, three years, with no apparent psychoses, are not likely to engage in the incredible acts leading to the dramatic climax. The technical aspects of the film were interesting: short scenes, some without apparent relevance (the daughter's itch) with relatively long pauses between; the acting was a bit mechanical, sort of robotic, but that was undoubtedly intentional to convey the nihilistic mood of the protagonists. I didn't think the movie was worth watching, but most critics disagree, so if you enjoy this type of movie, then it is definitely for you.
Juyuso seubgyuksageun (1999)
Absolutely mindless, offensive and juvenile
I managed to get through about 2/3 of this terrible movie before deciding that I'd go for a root canal to improve my day. The title covers the plot. There is nothing, but absolutely nothing humorous about four thugs beating up and endlessly intimidating the gas station employees. I can't imagine that anyone with an IQ above the single digits would find this amusing. I have enjoyed many Korean movies and expected something fun given the glowing reviews. I can only think that these were written by folks with some stake in this sad performance.
The Deep Blue Sea (2011)
One of the most boring and pretentious films I've seen in a long time
On the plus side, Rachel Weisz' performance was superb. On the minus side, it doesn't matter. There's little to the story, it follows the protagonist as she has a destructive extra-marital affair with a thoroughly unsympathetic man. Through flashbacks some substance is added to the story. But the bottom line is that this film is a painfully drawn out string of melancholic scenes that I found hard to stay awake through. Yes, I'm sure it has deep sociological meaning, but I found following the characters as they wallowed in their misery less than a satisfying experience. I am again reminded of someone standing in front of an empty canvas and praising the perfect juxtaposition of nihilistic expressionism (no, I haven't a cue what that means). But I enjoy being in the minority.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
A disappointing movie without a point
Judging from the reviews you either love this movie or you hate it. I cannot imagine being part or the former. The plot is practically non-existent: the protagonist finds and takes a suitcase with money at a drug deal scene that apparently went bad. The bad guys want their money back. What follows is almost two hours of violence for the sake of violence. Quality actors, fine cinematography and all-around technical competence (why I gave it any rating at all) don't make up for a pathetically meaningless story. This movie brings to mind art critics and wannabees standing in front of a blank canvas named "untitled #67" and praising its evocative imagery.
Action in the North Atlantic (1943)
Predictable, trite propaganda film
"Action in the North Atlantic" was a disappointing, predictable, trite propaganda film. I can only assume that Humphrey Bogart did this movie out of patriotism, for this is no Casablanca or Maltese Falcon.
There isn't really a plot, I cannot imagine how one could even write a spoiler about this movie. After the first ten minutes you know the rest of it. It essentially glorifies the US effort to deliver logistics across the Atlantic, but does not in any way expound on this objective (other than that it's a good thing that we deliver).
The acting is contrived and formula-like, the minor characters frequently get on political soapboxes; pontification about God, country and President Roosevelt abound.
I'd recommend this movie only in the context of seeing how Hollywood supported the US war effort.
The Powers That Be (1992)
One of the three best TV comedies ever
In a TV world catering to the lowest common denominator, this show was a giant. It was intelligent humor at its best. While the characters were largely stereotypes and the skits often not original, the delivery was superb. David Hyde Pierce as the mumbling unlikely Congressman was especially wonderful.
I strongly urge Columbia and Sony to make the series available on DVD, I'd buy it and I've never bought a TV show before. Unfortunately, I suspect that the media moguls consider the commercial potential of a re-release in the context of the original shows popularity, so it may be a cold day in hell before "The Powers That Be" are in the store.
Furthermore, in our politically correct world, maybe it's now a violation of the Patriot Act.