MRBB Pt. 2: Not Too Shabby Two Star Movies!

Part two of the Mega Rating Blowout Bonanza reviews. For links to the previous posts in this series, and for a primer on how I apply my ratings, click on the links below:

Part 1: Introduction and Three Star Reviews
Star Review Primer

Now, lets get onto the show with the two star films:

08-22-09: Wet Hot American Summer (2001) 2 stars:


I don't have much to say about this film. It has some funny moments and a great cast. I like some of the old summer camp comedies from the 70s and 80s, but I don't have enough fond nostalgia for those films, which I think is necessary to really enjoy Wet Hot American Summer. A forgettable, decent comedy.

08-19-09: Do You Remember Dolly Bell (1981) 2.5 stars:


I see enough in this movie to get excited about Kusturica's later films. There are great scenes that show a true gift with the camera. There is also a lot of filler and Marxist propaganda scenes that run completely against the mood of the film - I'm assuming they were necessary to get the film made. Not bad, but there are enough low points that it just misses three stars.

08-18-09: The Band's Visit (2007) 2 stars:


Cool little movie with great performances but, overall, a little lacking in the story. It might resonate more if I lived in the area, but for being billed as a heartwarming comedy, it wasn't that funny or heartwarming.

08-13-09: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (2009) 2 stars:


I think most of the problems I have with this film are from the book itself. That said, I would have liked a much more streamlined plot, excluding everything that wasn't Harry, Draco, Dumbledore and Snape. I wonder if there were scheduling constraints that kept Alan Rickman out of more scenes, but he was way too underused in the film. The kids are becoming better actors (especially Draco), but Ginny is stiff as a board in this film. I'm still looking forward to the final two.

08-09-09: Wanted (2008) 2.5 stars:


This movie is much more fun than it has any right to be. I'm going to ignore everything else about it - the car chases are well done, some of the action shots are cool, and it has Terrence Stamp. Good enough for me.

07-25-09: (500) Days of Summer (2009) 2 stars:


Too cutsey for me - its trying so hard to be a precocious hipster film. I love all the shots of downtown LA, I liked the Hall and Oates scene, but overall I think the film is just trying way to hard to be quirky. Still fun, but completely forgettable.

07-23-09: Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008) 2.5 stars:


It has some good moments, and it was enjoyable to watch, but a lot of it fell dead, and end the end, its a pretty predictable love story. If it was a tighter film, I would probably give it a three. On a positive note, there were a couple scenes that are easily the best cinematic shots Kevin Smith has ever used - I love his dialogue, but it was refreshing to see him learning how to tell the story without words.

06-25-09: White Dog (1982) 2.5 stars:


I see what its trying to do, I applaud the courage to make it, I even sort of enjoy the complete cheesy, low budget aesthetic. However, Kristy McNichol is awful, and not even campy awful, and in the end, I think I respect Sam Fuller's approach more than I enjoy it. Also, how this film was so controversial to basically be shelved for a decade will always escape me. On the other hand, the church scene alone is enough to earn its half-star.

06-24-09: The Deal (2003) 2 stars:


Interesting, well made, economical. As a made for TV movie, its pretty damn good. As a precursor to The Queen, it just shows all the things that made The Queen that much more special. Great acting though!

06-12-09: Angels and Demons (2009) 2 stars:


Fun and completely ridiculous, with a great, over-the-top performance by Ewan McGregor. Plus, Stellan Skarsdard is always fun, even in a role like this. I'm not going to even get into how much this film relies on coincidences that are completely unbelievable even in this film's own fantasy world - I assume those are all faults of Dan Brown's story. Basically, this film was a fun distraction with great actors chewing the scenery. Plus, Tom Hanks has a glamour shot in the pool - good for him!


That wraps up Part 2 of the Mega Rating Blowout Bonanza. Stay tuned for Part 3, where we tackle the duds and the stinkers!