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AKB48Fan rated Kubo and the Two Strings

 Kubo and the Two Strings 6/10

8 years, 6 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

This movie tells the story of a young boy, named Kubo, who must find a magical suit of armour, owned by his late father, in order to defeat the vengeful spirits of his grandfather and evil aunts. It's received almost unanimously positive reviews from critics, but that didn't stop it from bombing at the Box Office. I think it's an OK kids' flick, but it's also severely overrated. I love the movie's visuals and it's creative (and pretty imaginative) story; but the movie is also extremely slow-paced and uninvolving. I was bored almost the entire time I was watching it. The comedy isn't funny, and I just didn't care enough about the characters (or story) to stay with it although I did. Would I recommend it? Not for young kids, as a few scenes are violent, but for older people, if they want to go to a movie and nothing else seems like a good option.

8 years, 6 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

Disney really are into something with their live action remakes. After the delightful Jungle book, it is time for Pete's Dragon to get the live action reboot. However, the original Jungle Book still holds well today while the 70's Pete's Dragon has not aged really well in comparison and was not considered a jewel crown in the Disney film catalogue to begin with so a remake was a good idea. This movie is refreshingly simple. It's about a lost little boy and his pet Dragon who get their little world turned upside down by the outside world. To make the dragon a little bit relatable to it's target audience of kids, the director has given him the mannerisms of a dog! It's works remarkably well. Oakes Fegley gives a very touching performance as Pete. Seriously it's easy to forget that the kid was mostly working with thin air yet he makes his bond with Elliot feels so real and strong. The other supporting actors are also very good. Bryce Dallas Howard has a real warmth to her that the director uses to great effect. She is very endearing as the kind Park Ranger and mother figure to Pete and has real chemistry with Fegley. Robert Redford as the narrator is wonderful as is Oona Lawrence as the little girl who guides Pete to the scary outside world. Despite a rather traumatic opening to the movie, this is a perfect family movie for everybody to enjoy and well worth checking out.

8 years, 6 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

8 years, 6 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

This is the story of Florence, a woman devoted to music and passionate about singing. Unfortunately she cannot sing. Money however seems to buy you what you want and Florence hires the best teacher and along with a pianist (played by Howard from The Big Bang Theory who is really good) strives for her dreams in a very single minded fashion. Meryl Streep is the most versatile and accomplished actress of her generation and as we have seen many times before can turn her hand to practically anything. Hugh Grant who usually bumbles his way through a movie came across as a tender and caring man who loved his wife deeply, and would do anything to prevent her from being hurt. This movie was a delight from start to finish, all the more poignant because it was based on a true story.

8 years, 6 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Don't Breathe

 Don't Breathe 8/10

8 years, 6 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

The story of 3 robbers named Rocky, Alex and Money who set their sights and future on robbing a blind man who has over $300,000 cash in his house. It's the perfect crime, but it doesn't quite go as well as they would have hoped! Director Fede Alvarez gives it his very best in this home invasion movie. Instead of wasting his time with nonsense and time wasting he gets straight to the point and as the movie goes on with the fast, roller coaster pace we get introduced to the characters bit by bit. And while we start to feel sorry for the Blind Man...we then realize he's on the same page, or just as bad as the robbers are. Stephen Lang steals the show as The Blind Man. This is living proof right here that not all blind men are saints. Lang gives us the most badass blind man you could have ever hoped for and he is really spooky and thrilling at playing him. There's nothing negative I can say about the movie, but Don't Breathe is a solid hour and a half treat that both horror and thriller fans will find amazing.

8 years, 6 months ago

AKB48Fan rated In fondo al bosco (2015)

 In fondo al bosco (2015) 6/10

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

An intriguing Italian mystery movie as a child who disappeared during a Krampus festival turns up 5 years later but there are some who believe that the child is not who they think he is. I somewhat enjoyed this clever movie. It was a bit predictable in places but also threw me a few times. I was expecting a kind of supernatural movie but it turned out not to be the case. The setting is really good being set in a valley in the Dolomites. It has a Winter feel to it that adds to the tension. Once you get past the first 20 minutes which takes an age to set the plot, this movie will not let you go as you'll want to find out whether the child that has come back is human or something else altogether. Well worth taking a look.

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Ben-Hur

 Ben-Hur 6/10

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

In 1959 the world was introduced to Ben-Hur, a movie that today remains on many top movie lists. So of course Hollywood, would be ready for a remake in this golden age of well… remakes. With remakes sometimes comes a major plot overhaul, which is sometimes good and sometimes bad. In Timur Bekmambetov's production the story is pretty consistent with its 55 year-old predecessor. The backbone is essentially the same, but they have made a few tweaks such a making Messala, Judah's brother and using assassination as the means of starting war instead of a tile falling from the ceiling. Some of these additions I think make the drama more gripping, and others were a little more long-winded and overdramatic. At least most of these additions added to the plot and allowed us to get closer and more involved with Ben-Hur's tale. The centerpiece of the movie which is the chariot race is exciting and heart pounding. Jack Huston makes an extraordinary Ben-Hur of the modern age. He captures the noble side of the character well but I can't say he tops Charlton Heston's portrayal. He did a good job though. Overall, it's a good remake of an old classic. It's entertaining but if you're hoping for something that matches or even betters the 1959 version this doesn't even come close to it.

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated The Neon Demon

 The Neon Demon 8/10

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

Experimental film director Nicolas Winding Refn gives us his newest movie The Neon Demon. It's about a young girl trying to make it big in the fashion world of Los Angeles but other models grow jealous of her and she soon starts to develop enemies. Never have I seen a movie so hypnotising, so psychologically disturbing and so jaw-dropping. Elle Fanning gives the performance of her career. The cinematography is gorgeous, the shots are just effortless and the visuals used throughout the movie are so entrancing. The soundtrack is straight up my kind of soundtrack, electronic/trance tracks that match the psychedelic modelling world the movie conveys. Overall, an experimental movie that I can only imagine some viewers will love and some will hate but with fantastic performances. I highly recommend you watch this one as it deserves to be watched (even just for the sheer bravery of Refn's work).

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated War Dogs

 War Dogs 8/10

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

The story is eye opening, relevant and very clearly told with a humorous tone through the serious subject matter. This is based on a true story with some fictionalised elements to make it entertaining. A massage therapist links up with a childhood friend who is a small time arms dealer. Very interesting to get a look at the legal but morally questionable world of arms dealing. Jonah Hill has some funny lines and he does a great job with the over the top character but he can be subtly sinister when he needs to be. Miles Teller plays his character sympathetically and I liked him here. Quite different from the rather annoying characters he usually plays. Bradley Cooper who produced the movie and has a small but pivotal role and he is effective as an arms dealer. The action takes the viewer from Miami to Jordan and Iraq with some funny situations there and Albania. Watch this movie. It deserves to do better than it has so far.

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated Dream Demon

 Dream Demon 5/10

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

A British stab at the popular dream subgenre in the 80's that ends up coming off like A Nightmare On Elm Street mixed with Repulsion. Virginal Diana (Jemma Redgrave) is preparing to get married when she begins having a number of vivid dreams that end up having effects on the real world. Directed by Harley Cokeliss, Dream Demon does have one thing going for it in that it perfectly captures the surreal nature of dreams. The movie attempts to have a mystery involving the house where Diana lives but it is put together so haphazardly that little of it makes sense. Is the house evil? If so, how is the house evil? Is Diana possessed? We never really know. Regardless, it is worth checking out once if you are starved for some of the bizarre dreams and visuals.

8 years, 7 months ago

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8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

Charming comedy about a group of people who are lodging with a distinguished woman in an apartment. She supports many charities but has now run out of money. Through a series of events, they hit upon the idea of stealing fur coats and selling them to a fence so that she can continue to support her charities. The others are all bored so they go along ...since it's for charity. Implausible plot makes little difference as this disparate group of oddballs start their series of robberies. The cast is uniformly excellent in this bit of craziness. Terry Thomas and Athene Seyler turn in star performances, matched by Hattie Jacques as Nan and Elspeth Duxbury as the hapless Pinkie. Kenneth Williams in an early appearance shines as a character that he never really succeeded in developing for the screen but which points to a keen comic enjoying himself in very good company. Recommended to any fan of the wonderful Terry Thomas and British comedies of this era.

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

Loosely inspired by various comedies we have seen before but without any redeeming quality or grace, this movie is about 2 brothers who have to find 2 dates to their sisters wedding. For the most part, the movie has a strong opening where we see how these two brothers party, but we also witness the aftermath of their wild antics. Things move well enough till we get to the point where they actually end up on Hawaii. At this point, things take a tumble off a cliff and it never recovers. The 4 main actors are awful especially Aubrey Plaza and Anna Kendrick. I'm not saying the movie is completely unfunny, but the most you get are a few chuckles here and there. Overall it's an absolute waste of time, money, and talent.

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

Made by US military veterans for US military veterans, this lame comedy is one of the worst I've ever seen. I was expecting a cool zombie apocalypse laugh fest and although there are a couple of good gags, most of it is in military speak that will be lost on the majority of people. I was really disappointed since it was given an initial high rating on IMDB but obviously it was all false. Don't bother with this one unless you're in the military.

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

Bastille Day is a "by the numbers" action thriller. That's not to say this is a poor movie. What it does, it does well. There's a good cast including the talented Idris Elba in the role of a CIA operative. Great Parisian sets, locations and lots of predictable but still enjoyable, action sequences. Where it falls down somewhat is in the storytelling and character development department. The storyline is a bit thin, stretching credulity to its limit whilst not doing anything that, in one form or other, has not been done before. Equally, its a shame the character development was not better. Actors like Elba and the cast are not really given the opportunity to really "show off" their craft, with rather flat, action caricatures being the order of business instead. Putting these considerations aside, there's still more to like here than not. This movie packs a punch that all good movies in this genre should, its has loads of mostly exciting action such as a chase across rooftops, that keep the movie rolling along. Worth checking out.

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

This is a very good coming-of-age movie. The main character is Malcolm, a high-school senior who's obsessed with 90's hip-hop culture, and who constantly shows this affection by emulating the fashion and language of the time. He's a straight-A student with perfect SAT scores and seems to have everything under control - despite a few bullies - until he finds himself taking a chance invitation to a drug dealer's birthday party along with his two best friends. From there, he's taken on a crazy adventure littered with bad choice after bad choice, all the while juggling college applications and interviews that will surely determine his future. Writer/Director Rick Famuyiwa strips the movie of any tired clichés or stereotypes for African-American characters, and surprisingly manages to infuse details that question the issues of racism and class discrimination. But above all, he makes a really fun movie. The writing is sharp and humorous, with the acting from the main trio - Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, and Kiersey Clemons - complimenting it excellently. And though it's undoubtedly rough around the edges, its wit and ceaseless energy make it irresistible. Definitely recommended.

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 2 items to their collection

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan added 1 item to From The Superb To The Crap - Movies Seen In 2016 list

"The Loft" is a remake of a Belgian movie, and focuses on five married men who go in on a ritzy high rise loft for the purposes of pursuing their affairs and sexual escapades. When a girl winds up dead in a pool of blood in the loft, the five men panic as they attempt to unravel who she is and where she came from. Taking some cues from Hitchcock, "The Loft" is an overall entertaining movie, but the script at times is the equivalent of a cheap Rubik's cube — it looks fine, it's a fun puzzle, I guess, but it's really just not that impressive overall. The movie shifts between past and present, unraveling the narrative through flashbacks which are sandwiched between the current dilemma of the four men arguing in the loft over the corpse of the dead blonde. The pacing is a bit choppy, and the transitions rather abrupt. James Marsden and Wentworth Miller are among the movie's greatest star power here. The finale cements my feelings of the movie as an underwhelming thriller that seems more suited for television than the silver screen, but I still can't say it was totally not worth the time. Despite some problems, it is still by and large an entertaining flick.

8 years, 7 months ago

AKB48Fan rated The Skeleton Key

 The Skeleton Key 6/10

8 years, 7 months ago