redrobinfilmreviews

Pandorum
Surprisingly good “horror” film about two crew members who awake on a spaceship. Creepy, violent, great sets, and well acted, with an interesting narrative twist. Against my expectations, I enjoyed it. **

Mad Detective
Very interesting Chinese (Hong Kong) murder mystery about a mentally ill former cop who helps with a murder investigation because he can see people’s true personalities. Even a little touching. Enjoyed it. **

A Few Days in September
French spy film with Juliet Binoche and John Turturro about the days leading up to 9/11. Turturro over acts through the whole film, but Binoche is, once again, pitch perfect, and the sub plot with the children falling is love was well written and well-acted. Liked it. **

Wanted
Only saw this because it is directed by the Russian director, Timur Bekmambetov, of Nightwatch and Daywatch, both of which I really liked. Mistake. Even though the cast was very accomplished, there wasn’t much to work with here. Jolie wasn’t really acting, just standing around saying “look at me”, and I never got with bending the trajectory of bullets. Bad. *

The Losers
This comic book adaptation was really bad. Waste of money, even though Jason Patrick was having great fun as the evil genius. Mindless.

Paraiso Travel
Wonderful tale of two Colombian lovers who immigrate illegally to the U.S. and then lose each other. Great depiction, though fancifully optimistic, of immigrant life in New York, and the path to love. Beautiful women. **

Moon
Very interesting science fiction film about a guy manning a harvesting operation on the moon for a large inter-galactic corporation. Extremely well acted by Sam Rockwell as more than one character. Humorous, serious, and sad. Very good. ***