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Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
Compelling from the first moment
Zac Efron sows a little doubt in the mind of viewers as his eminently likeable character explores the Ted Bundy that his loved ones knew.
I was worried about the R rating, but aside from one rather gruesome photo, the rest was purely psychological. It grips from the first moment and ends appropriately.
Zac Efron is a great casting choice, as is Lily Collins, both of whom make the viewer feel like their characters. At the end, parts that were televised are replayed with the real Ted Bundy and other characters. That leaves one with the unsettled, feeling that surely the director and screenwriters were going for.
Strongly recommended.
Superintelligence (2020)
A cheerful adventure
If you like sci-fi, romantic comedies, and comedies, then this movie is for you. If, like critics and IMDb reviewers, you take yourself too seriously and require a movie to be a deep metaphor before you'll consider watching it, then this isn't for you.
Mr. Turner (2014)
Unfortunate
Many of the aspects of this film, in fact all of the aspects of this film, are great, bar one. Unfortunately, that aspect is the most important. The cinematography is outstanding, capturing amazing scenes and putting Turner in his paintings before he's painted them. The scenery in the period locations is also first class. The acting is perfect - the maid, Hannah, Turner, his father - in fact all the cast are excellent. But what lets it down, and what is unforgivable, is that even with an understanding of Turner's life this "biopic" doesn't tell a story. It is an endless series of scenes that attempt to be clever and give you a thousand windows into his life. But those windows are just that - they don't hint at a broader life, they just give you an impression of the man that you could get from a ten second description of him. The critics, I think, forgive a lack of story, but viewers - quite rightly - expect something more. There can be no spoilers for this film, there's no story to spoil.
Looper (2012)
Too violent
Two problems with the level of violence in this film: First, in the UK, it's been rated as suitable for viewers aged 15, 16 and 17 by the BBFC which it definitely should NOT be; and second, it's completely unnecessary because, otherwise, this is an interesting film with great possibilities well explored.
The acting for Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis is really good and keeps the realism going even when some of the characters don't appear to have a complete justification for their behaviour as one may wish.
I didn't imagine where the story was going to go, and, were it not for the unnecessary nastiness, that would make this an outstanding film -- I always like to be surprised!
Overall, only recommended for those who like their sci-fi a bit unnecessarily violent (teenage boys, then).
Closer (2004)
Sad, sad, sad with no happy ending!
Please don't watch this unless you're some dour type who likes sad endings, so-called arty attempts at impact by so-called moving scenes and subtle -- but too subtle -- plots.
I hope I missed something in Jane calling herself Alice, I hope I did. I don't think I did. I wanted there to be a happy ending, I wanted things to explain why previous events had bothered to occur. Most soaps (and they really are low-brow) have plots that sometimes result in events turning out as they were before, but I like my films to go somewhere; to surprise me and maybe to give me something to think about. They should always have a clear raison d'etre, however, and this film don't have one (SiC)! If you want to watch a film and you want to watch something serious, that is your choice, but don't want a film that makes you want to rant as I have done in this comment. Normally, I write carefully and consider my words and the order they are delivered. This film has annoyed me and I want you to be saved from having to suffer it.
I am sure, however, that there are people (in fact I know by its rating) that like this sort of film. I just ask you to try and enjoy life. Embrace amusing, light-hearted and rewarding films. For goodness sake, watch Around The World in 80 Days with Jackie Chan and look on the bright-side!
Signs (2002)
Slow, boring and causes you to lack empathy with the characters
This film starts slow. If you notice this and think that it may pick up, do not be fooled - it does not.
The film starts with promise, the slowness is initially put down to building suspense but the suspense leads nowhere.
The idea that something serious might happen means that you should at least care slightly about the characters. Instead Mel Gibson just seems rude and uncaring, his brother lacks zeal and the children deserve to be eaten by something.
Avoid and then, if it chases you, avoid this film more seriously. Do not succumb to the Sci-fi pretence... It belongs to another genre altogether.