There is an old saying that "good things come in three's". The person who coined that phrase didn't live long enough to witness this cinematic trio of tripe.

But hey, at least these vampires don't sparkle like a bunch of mincing fairies.

This is like the others in the series: schlocky and overwrought. If you enjoy watching very good actors taking their material far too seriously and screaming nearly every line - knock yourself out. If you have better things to do than watch something as sophomoric as vampires fighting werewolves while taking off their clothes and rolling around in the moonlight and then chopping an untold number of people in half - then do those things.



Related Reviews:
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Frost/Nixon (2008)
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Labels: Bill Nighy, film, Michael Sheen, movie review, Rhona Mitra, sequel, vampire

This is a well done movie. It is sharply written with fully drawn characters and some memorable dialog. One of the characters is one of the most important public figures in 20th Century America, Richard Nixon. It is based in real events and is the adaptation of a successful play. The performances have been lauded by critics, and I concur that they are praiseworthy.

One problem.

It never gets past the “who cares?” moment.

What do we care? David Frost, a smarmy Australian entertainer/television host lands a series of interviews with Richard Nixon following Nixon’s resignation from the Presidency. The two men verbally and psychologically duel throughout the interviews (both on and off the record). In the end, Frost gets Nixon to admit that his approach to the presidency was overreaching and criminal.

And?

We all already know this.

The man was about to be impeached. We know his thoughts on the power of the Presidency were out of whack with reality.

A film should have a purpose. A film without purpose is little more than a entrancing, flashing lights on a wall. This movie is devoid of a moving point. Its not a deep character study given that we learn nothing new about the characters. Its not a political statement since it is surprisingly without an axe to grind - a remarkable feat in the age of BDS. I couldn’t find any reason for this film to exist other than for the sake of just existing.

Again, it is a aptly made film and the performances are good. I just can’t justify telling people its worth sitting through.




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Labels: film, Frank Langella, Kevin Bacon, Michael Sheen, movie review, Oliver Platt, Ron Howard, Sam Rockwell

Screenwriters: Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Actors: Michael Sheen (The Queen), Jeff Bridges (Tron), Olivia Wilde (Year One), John Hurt (1984) and Bruce Boxleitner (Gods and Generals)

Labels: film, Jeff bridges Olivia Wilde, John Hurt, Michael Sheen, movie trailer, sequel

Screenwriters: Linda Woolverton (The Lion King)
Director: Tim Burton (Planet of the Apes)
Actors: Johnny Depp (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), Anne Hatchaway (Brokeback Mountain), Crisin Glover (Back to the Future), Christopher Lee (Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers), Michael Sheen (Underworld), Alan Rickman (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Stephen Fry (V for Vendetta) and Mia Wasikowska (Defiance)

Labels: Anne Hathaway, Christopher Lee, Crispin Glover, film, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp, Michael Sheen, movie trailer, Stephen Fry, Tim Burton