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Reviews5
RobertCraig67's rating
Short, pointed review. This is an engaging, if frequently, baffling thriller. Caught this movie late one night in 2011. I had seen it years before and was struck by its lack of research on national cultures at the time.
The movie takes place in Panama. Two comments. "The Day of the Dead" is not a celebrated holiday in Panama. In short, not all Latin American countries are Mexico. Second, hurricanes typically don't hit Panama. The screenwriter (maybe the director took some "artistic license") was sloppy and that's the reason for my poor rating, aside from the lack of story tightness.
Just to reiterate, not all Latin Americans are Mexicans.
The movie takes place in Panama. Two comments. "The Day of the Dead" is not a celebrated holiday in Panama. In short, not all Latin American countries are Mexico. Second, hurricanes typically don't hit Panama. The screenwriter (maybe the director took some "artistic license") was sloppy and that's the reason for my poor rating, aside from the lack of story tightness.
Just to reiterate, not all Latin Americans are Mexicans.
Truthfully, this movie's not worth reviewing, but since it's eclipsed the 50% mark on this esteemed (uhh) Website, I feel compelled to add my rating.
If you're looking for an honest, critical examination of Bush, you might check out the cast of the movie first...we're not exactly talking about centrists...but then how could you get ahead in Hollywood being so? Brolin, Dreyfuss, Cromwell, Hanks...you get the point.
The movie's a straightforward regurgitation of clichés...I'm surprised the Daily Khost isn't credited in the titles.
In short, another missed opportunity from Stone. I guess it's easier to finance farce.
If you're looking for an honest, critical examination of Bush, you might check out the cast of the movie first...we're not exactly talking about centrists...but then how could you get ahead in Hollywood being so? Brolin, Dreyfuss, Cromwell, Hanks...you get the point.
The movie's a straightforward regurgitation of clichés...I'm surprised the Daily Khost isn't credited in the titles.
In short, another missed opportunity from Stone. I guess it's easier to finance farce.
Aside from the acting and the cinematography, this movie is horrible. The writing, direction and editing are simply abysmal. If the movie has a premise, it's unclear. But worse, the structure of the plot and time-arc of the screenplay are inscrutable and try the viewer's patience beyond reason.
If you've ever watched a film and had a difficult time putting your finger on why an otherwise good effort failed miserably, Down in the Valley is another trip down that road. It's the plot structure...and unfortunately the dialogue flows and suffers as a result. Keep it to three simple acts. The formula was good enough for Shakespeare...it's good enough for Hollywood.
Twenty minutes into the film, everyone in the room (five viewers) had already had enough of the relationship development and were wondering when the story would develop. This isn't meant to be condescending or sarcastic, but the essence of drama is conflict, or tension at least. To wait until the middle of the movie to introduce drama is inexcusable.
If you want to watch the clock counter on your DVD player, rent this film.
If you've ever watched a film and had a difficult time putting your finger on why an otherwise good effort failed miserably, Down in the Valley is another trip down that road. It's the plot structure...and unfortunately the dialogue flows and suffers as a result. Keep it to three simple acts. The formula was good enough for Shakespeare...it's good enough for Hollywood.
Twenty minutes into the film, everyone in the room (five viewers) had already had enough of the relationship development and were wondering when the story would develop. This isn't meant to be condescending or sarcastic, but the essence of drama is conflict, or tension at least. To wait until the middle of the movie to introduce drama is inexcusable.
If you want to watch the clock counter on your DVD player, rent this film.