Summer Movie Reviews

A few weeks ago I read another photographer's blog that I really liked.  Admittedly the author is far more advanced and accomplished than I, and he writes a new post basically every day.  The pictures he makes are great, but what I liked most were some of the off-photography topics he writes about.  In particular movie reviews. Since I also enjoy movies and have seen quite a few this summer, I would like to offer Dirty Thirty Photography's Summer Movie Reviews.

Movies like most things are subjective, but if you have not seen the films below please consider my humble opinions.  The reviews are written and measured the way that I like to read reviews.  Brief in words and rated on an A to F scale.

Super 8- B+

This is a bit of a kid's movie, but I really enjoyed it.  It has the feel of an 80's movie like E.T or Goonies. The acting, style, and action are great.  The plot is solid if not unique and the overall look and feel are pure entertainment.  Definitely appeals to a wide audience.

X-Men: First Class- B+

This is another film with mass appeal that I really enjoyed.  One of the better super hero movies in recent memory.  Although, on a side note I am tired of prequels and origin stories.  I feel like this is something Hollywood invented a decade ago and has run wild with.  For me, if you already know how the story ends then it kind of defeats the purpose.  I imagine that this is a fad and soon we will get back to sequels, because even if they are terrible at least you don't know how it will end.

Thor- C

The special effects were nice, but everything else was mediocre.  Except for Natalie Portman, she was awful.  I like her in some other movies but this is out of her wheel house.  Overall, not a terrible movie but very forgettable.

The Lincoln Lawyer- D

Apparently, a lot of people liked this movie... I am not one of them.  Quite simply, the story just did not make any sense.  The motivation of the characters and their actions were non-sensible and I can not think of anything else redeeming about this movie.

Horrible Bosses- B-

Better than expected, but could have been better.  Especially, with so many good actors.  Charlie Day and Jennifer Aniston were the highlights.  Definitely a few laugh out loud moments tempered by mostly quite smiling in what amounts to a good but not great comedy.

Midnight in Paris- A+

I went to see this movie as a chivalrous gesture to my old lady.  I did not think I would like it because it is a romantic comedy and was made by Woody Allen.  I have never found Woody Allen funny at all and the only movie of his that I liked was the non-comedic Matchpoint.  However, this is a great movie.  Everything about it is great.  The acting, story, cinematography, music, everything.  I do not want to give too much of the story away, but the look and feel of old Paris is the highlight for me.  This is the rare movie that is both fun and intelligent. Highly recommended!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows- Part 2- A-

I have seen all of the Harry Potter movies but would not consider myself a fan.  I thought the first few were too much for kids and I have never read any of the books.  The more recent sequels have ramped up and concluded with this final chapter that in my opinion is the best of the series.  Although, it occurs to me that no one really needs a review for this movie.  Either, you have seen the previous installments and will see this one or you have never seen any of them and it would make no sense to watch the 8th movie.

Crazy, Stupid, Love.- C-

Sometimes you watch a movie and realize that it is probably not a terrible movie, but you are not that movie's target audience.  That is what I felt like when watching this.  I like Steve Carell and Marisa Tomei is great, but overall this is a true romantic comedy and is for girls.  In that sense I think it succeeded because Rachel liked it. Although, that could have more to do with Ryan Gosling than the rest of the movie.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes- A-

As I have always said " I love prequels!"  Well at least this one.   There are a few concerning plot points but overall a really fantastic movie.  The apes look incredible and the special effects are some of the best I have seen.  The best acting comes from Andy Serkis (Gollum from LOTR) who plays the main ape Caesar.  He doesn't say much but adds a lot with his facial expressions.  This movie is big budget entertainment and worth watching.

Drive- A-

Another surprisingly good movie.  The previews do not accurately portray what this film is about... at all.  The only reason we went to see it, is because it received great reviews and stars Ryan Goesling (which made it easy to convince Rachel to go).  I made the mistake of reading an in-depth review before seeing it and it kind of ruined the pay off.  So, I won't go into details but will forewarn that the pacing of the film is unique and starts off a bit slow. The soundtrack and style are also very unique and create an atmosphere that will stick with you after you walk out of the theater.  Might not be for everyone, but I recommend.

***

That concludes Dirty Thirty Photography's Summer Movie Reviews.  Thank you for checking out this brief departure from photography and if you have not seen some of these films I hope you find the reviews helpful. Thanks again and take care.