Not quite the obvious propaganda of last month's God's Not Dead, I'd even go as far as to say this was fairly well balanced as Todd Burpo (minister and father of Colton who claims to have gone to heaven) sees his faith waiver. Could have been a good 'Easter film' but was sooo tedious. Perhaps I'll fare better with the book on which this supposedly true story is based. TT
Not really a film to grab the imagination in any enticing way. Biopic of one preachers story of struggle with belief when his very ill son recovers from surgery and starts discussing his conversations with angels and Jesus on his visits to heaven. Based on a real life story, OK if you're into that sort of thing, but very slow going. don't hold your breath waiting for anything to happen. NJT
OK, so not quite as I remember it from my adherence to the TV versions of well, not so long ago (1987) and the inevitable product placement marks it as so in the most obvious extent. I think I shall retain my happy cartooned memories of the turtles rather than this pale imitation that has none of the humour and playfulness of their earlier selves and doesn't work hard enough at plot and character investment to really carry off the ominous darkness that it's nemesis should portend.... and only one Cowabunga! Turtley disappointed, almost as bad as the day she threw my Turtles T-shirt out. NJT
Overly reliant on the CGI action scenes, lacking in the humour of the original cartoons and what was it with all the advertising of a certain pizza chain? I can't remember Donatello or indeed any of the others ever expressing a preference. TT
PS In my defense RE a certain Turtle: Cowabunga T-shirt the said item was almost more hole than shirt.
THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST.
Not a film for the action oriented, told mostly in flashback. Changez has a privileged background in Lahore that permits him top-league education in the US and thereafter employment on Wall Street. Whilst on a job in Manilla the world shifts around the World Trade Centre attacks and so does Changez's life. The film charts the journey of one man from the centre of western free market capitalism, to being suspect of the western intelligence services and the reasons why. Surprising film in many ways not least the contrast with Four Lions, with the same lead actor, Riz Ahmed. NJT
Seemingly filmed without a lighting budget - how I wish I could say the same for the incidental music budget - visually this was too dark, much of the footage in shadow. An hour into this two hour, ten minute film and I can't see where its going and perhaps more disappointingly I don't care. TT
PS In my defense RE a certain Turtle: Cowabunga T-shirt the said item was almost more hole than shirt.
THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST.
Not a film for the action oriented, told mostly in flashback. Changez has a privileged background in Lahore that permits him top-league education in the US and thereafter employment on Wall Street. Whilst on a job in Manilla the world shifts around the World Trade Centre attacks and so does Changez's life. The film charts the journey of one man from the centre of western free market capitalism, to being suspect of the western intelligence services and the reasons why. Surprising film in many ways not least the contrast with Four Lions, with the same lead actor, Riz Ahmed. NJT
Seemingly filmed without a lighting budget - how I wish I could say the same for the incidental music budget - visually this was too dark, much of the footage in shadow. An hour into this two hour, ten minute film and I can't see where its going and perhaps more disappointingly I don't care. TT
DARK CITY.
Mr T's choice. I hadn't much hope that I'd enjoy this let alone that I'd enjoy it as much as I did. Wonderfully quirky and filmed in such a way that it somehow brought a comic book to mind AND it has one of the most sinister 'child baddies' you are ever likely to encounter but don't be fooled. Though full of themes such as thought control and the nature of memory it has so much more to it than an original plot full of cinematic references and stunning visuals should you care to think about it. TT
Just my type of thing, not sure how I missed this one. An impressive cast, particularly nice to see Richard O'Brien in a film role once more and Jennifer Connolly (the girl from Labyrinth all grown up) examine the nature of human identity and just how do I/we know who I/we, am or are. Dark is the word to describe this film where an alien force is attempting to discover just what it is that makes human beings, human. Need to watch again and it may become a permanent addition to the film library. NJT
THE INBETWEENERS II.
A spin off from the popular TV series and follow on from The Inbetweeners Movie, The Inbetweeners II finds the four friends in Australia in what I dare say is a hilarious film ... if you are of a certain sex and age. For myself whilst not without the odd funny moment this was way too lewd - the jokes about 'down under' coming thick and fast. TT
I had hoped that lessons learned in the first movie would have permitted some character development in the four heroes, but no. Sad commentary on the film industry and society's delay of conferment of adult status on young people, and a pretty poor presentation of Australian culture. Can't wait for when they are having their mid-life crises. NJT
Mr T's choice. I hadn't much hope that I'd enjoy this let alone that I'd enjoy it as much as I did. Wonderfully quirky and filmed in such a way that it somehow brought a comic book to mind AND it has one of the most sinister 'child baddies' you are ever likely to encounter but don't be fooled. Though full of themes such as thought control and the nature of memory it has so much more to it than an original plot full of cinematic references and stunning visuals should you care to think about it. TT
Just my type of thing, not sure how I missed this one. An impressive cast, particularly nice to see Richard O'Brien in a film role once more and Jennifer Connolly (the girl from Labyrinth all grown up) examine the nature of human identity and just how do I/we know who I/we, am or are. Dark is the word to describe this film where an alien force is attempting to discover just what it is that makes human beings, human. Need to watch again and it may become a permanent addition to the film library. NJT
THE INBETWEENERS II.
A spin off from the popular TV series and follow on from The Inbetweeners Movie, The Inbetweeners II finds the four friends in Australia in what I dare say is a hilarious film ... if you are of a certain sex and age. For myself whilst not without the odd funny moment this was way too lewd - the jokes about 'down under' coming thick and fast. TT
I had hoped that lessons learned in the first movie would have permitted some character development in the four heroes, but no. Sad commentary on the film industry and society's delay of conferment of adult status on young people, and a pretty poor presentation of Australian culture. Can't wait for when they are having their mid-life crises. NJT
15 comments:
We're on the same wavelength - I posted my latest movie reviews today, too!
I've not seen any of these and, being honest, the only one I think I might be interested in is Dark City. I'll definitely have to check it out more closely.
As for the TMNT... IMO, most cartoons should be left just that way.
The first movie - I think it would be much better in book form.
Hm... I think Dark City and TMNT need to make my list of movies I need to see. The rest I do believe I will skip. :)
I remember seeing Dark City when it first came out and being impressed with it. It has been awhile and I wish that I had remembered it better.
When I saw the trailer for the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I wasn't overly impressed and it doesn't sound like it's all that great. The Inbetweeners is very specific, toilet based humour which isn't really my kind of thing - I prefer quirky humour but then that's just my preference. I'll have to look up the other ones, and thank you for your lovely comments too! - Tasha
Tracy, I haven't seen any of these films, but I enjoyed the commentary, as usual.
Hi Tracy, I’ve not seen any of the films, but I enjoyed reading about them. Dark city sounds like something I would enjoy not so sure about any of the others.
I wasn't a huge fan of Heaven is for Real, either. Like you said, if you're into that sort of thing, you'd probably like it.
You are the winner of my book, That Mama is a Grouch. Congratulations! Please let me know where you'd like me to send it. My email address is sherry.a.ellis@gmail.com
Yeah. Many thanks Sherry
Hi Tracy,
I haven't seen any of your featured films this time and to be honest, none of them would probably get past the film censor in our house (hubbie):)
He is definitely in control of the remote and DVD player, so we generally get to watch action / thriller stories over and above anything else!
We had our fair share of TMNT over the weekend, when our godson and his wife, brought their 6 year old son down to Center Parcs and we met up with them for a meal. As they live a few hours drive away and we have missed a couple of birthdays, we were on the hunt for his favourite characters, TMNT. You have no idea how difficult it is to buy toys at short notice these days and we had to travel several mile to get hold of the items he wanted!
The experience pretty much guarantees that I Won't be wanting to watch the film any time soon :)
Thanks for sharing.
Yvonne
Love reading your movie reviews, though sad to say we don't watch many movies these days. Poor Mr T still seems traumatized over losing his TMNT t-shirt! Too bad you couldn't have sewn him a blankie or somesuch from the remaining shirt. ;)
I loved that t-shirt!!!... but there really wan't enough of it left to really describe it as such anymore.
I haven't heard of most of those films.
I believe I read an article recently where the parents or child admitted that the Heaven is Real story wasn't true.
Love learning about new movies!
Karen @For What It's Worth
My hubby and son will want to see the TMNT movie, but I am curious about Dark City. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds like Dark City was the clear winner. :) I don't remember hearing of it- but I will be looking for it. Thanks for sharing all of these- I wish you had enjoyed more of them.
Right there with you ib the TMNT. I will forever hold them frozen in their cartoon selves and the original movies. ^-^ Turtle power!
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