fezident
10-26-2012, 06:02 AM
Saw the new movie starring (and directed by) Ben Affleck.... also featuring John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, and Alan Arkin.
-spolier free-
THE GOOD:
The vibe and the look of the film was spot on. Affleck did a great job of creating that late 70ies vibe. The costumes and props felt authentic. They even used the old Warner Bros logo at the start of the film... which felt rather kitchy, but still... it was nice to see it onscreen.
There were many many times that I couldn't tell if I was watching old news footage or if newly shot footage that was made to look aged. It wasn't cheesy like Grindhouse, but rather, very authentic and well done.
I enjoyed the basic plot and the pace was right in the pocket. Just the right balance of exposition and action. A lot of time went into finding that sweet spot, and it shows.
THE BAD:
There is an UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE amount of ridiculous coincedences that happen in the last 15 minutes of this movie! It's retarded. All the good will that was accrued during the film maker's thoughtfully constructed first 98 percent of the movie goes right out the window. I was shocked. To describe the highly improbably-timed series of events that takes place in the last minutes of this movie would almost sound like two dudes -high on weed- simply making shit up as they go.
Having said all that. There is some good ol' fashioned tension in this film. And there's even a laugh or two.
I liked it. But that wacky "and then THIS happened!" series of events at the end really does keep this film from being great.
-spolier free-
THE GOOD:
The vibe and the look of the film was spot on. Affleck did a great job of creating that late 70ies vibe. The costumes and props felt authentic. They even used the old Warner Bros logo at the start of the film... which felt rather kitchy, but still... it was nice to see it onscreen.
There were many many times that I couldn't tell if I was watching old news footage or if newly shot footage that was made to look aged. It wasn't cheesy like Grindhouse, but rather, very authentic and well done.
I enjoyed the basic plot and the pace was right in the pocket. Just the right balance of exposition and action. A lot of time went into finding that sweet spot, and it shows.
THE BAD:
There is an UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE amount of ridiculous coincedences that happen in the last 15 minutes of this movie! It's retarded. All the good will that was accrued during the film maker's thoughtfully constructed first 98 percent of the movie goes right out the window. I was shocked. To describe the highly improbably-timed series of events that takes place in the last minutes of this movie would almost sound like two dudes -high on weed- simply making shit up as they go.
Having said all that. There is some good ol' fashioned tension in this film. And there's even a laugh or two.
I liked it. But that wacky "and then THIS happened!" series of events at the end really does keep this film from being great.