Reviews by CasualTim
User sbaccouc is right: whatever your feelings about Steve Buscemi were before, he will blow you away in Boardwalk Empire. The rest of the actors, as seems to be the wonderful trend in the crop of modern HBO series, are cast perfectly. Add to this the excellent creation of a very real place through warddrobe, props and locations, and photography, and you have a beautiful series that truly makes the setting make the action. Even more important, however, is the way the characters stand up to the reality of the writing: the line between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ here is so hazy we’re tempted to have a different favorite character with every new development in the plot, and the actors manage that highwire act superbly. Make sure your lap bar is locked firmly in place; this roller coaster may at any time jump the tracks.
This show could have relied on fantastical technology or unending computer-generated explosions and gunfights to carry an audience, but it doesn't. Oh, you'll get to see plenty of submachine gun-facilitated room breaches and you'll get your bomb-defusing suspense. But the real suspense, and the real investment, come in original storylines and good dialog. But be warned: part of the realism and originality here comes from a lack of willingness to unreasonably protect the favored characters from the realities of their jobs. Minds and bodies both will be broken.
Fright Night has a sense of humor about itself that’s not forced or desperate, and the rollicking positives outweigh the minor negatives.
First, those few negatives: I generally find Colin Farrell pretty annoying (“In Bruges” the huge exception). The Farrell Effect, however, besides actually kind of working with the character of Jerry, was ratcheted down just enough here. And Yelchin, Tennant, and Mintz-Plasse made up for the more chafing performances given by some of the supporting cast (read: bad, but sadly not bad enough to be clearly intentional as a way of supporting the B-Movie reference/reverance going on here).
There are one too many showdowns, and the final one is not necessarily the most suspenseful or the most impressive. However, I can see why the showdown after the showdown after the showdown was included. There is measurable growth in the our emotional investment over the several third acts. Although it’s fairly obvious where it’s going, the plot does continue to develop through each battle. Still, had Fright Night stuck to the 90 minute rule, and found a way to remove 16 minutes of filler, the length would have felt perfect.
I don’t have the best of memories, but I seriously can’t remember scenes or images that would warrant the R rating that this film received. The BBFC puts it at 15, which seems more reasonable. There is a fair amount of mildly disturbing surprise when some of the more alarming things happen, but that is partially because those incidents are more rare than you’d expect. Not to mention that the depictions themselves in terms of realism and gore are quite tame relative to current movies.
In fact, that’s one of the best things about Fright Night: it’s got an Evil Dead or Buffy quality going for it, where the violence is concussive but slapstick, unexpected but not always horrifying. Part of the reason we stick with Charley is that the relationship between anxiety and humor is so apparent and so shared. It’s because Yelchin plays a terrific underdog and the only way to survive in that situation is to learn to find the humor in each predicament. Yes, okay, part of the reason is also because we know that David Tennant might turn up again and do a terrific job at it.
Yes, some shortcuts were taken. Yes, it seems like this could’ve been made for half the budget that IMDB estimates it at, and yes, you’ll know roughly where the story’s headed. But you’ll also continue to receive honest, and honestly fun surprises throughout. And you’ll cheer - sometimes for the good guys, and perhaps sometimes for not the good guys. Think of it like an old wooden roller coaster: it doesn’t have the longest drops or the highest speeds or 6 barrel rolls, but it’s got a great unique flavor that it’s own kind of fun. Great for popcorn and Thursday nights.
First, those few negatives: I generally find Colin Farrell pretty annoying (“In Bruges” the huge exception). The Farrell Effect, however, besides actually kind of working with the character of Jerry, was ratcheted down just enough here. And Yelchin, Tennant, and Mintz-Plasse made up for the more chafing performances given by some of the supporting cast (read: bad, but sadly not bad enough to be clearly intentional as a way of supporting the B-Movie reference/reverance going on here).
There are one too many showdowns, and the final one is not necessarily the most suspenseful or the most impressive. However, I can see why the showdown after the showdown after the showdown was included. There is measurable growth in the our emotional investment over the several third acts. Although it’s fairly obvious where it’s going, the plot does continue to develop through each battle. Still, had Fright Night stuck to the 90 minute rule, and found a way to remove 16 minutes of filler, the length would have felt perfect.
I don’t have the best of memories, but I seriously can’t remember scenes or images that would warrant the R rating that this film received. The BBFC puts it at 15, which seems more reasonable. There is a fair amount of mildly disturbing surprise when some of the more alarming things happen, but that is partially because those incidents are more rare than you’d expect. Not to mention that the depictions themselves in terms of realism and gore are quite tame relative to current movies.
In fact, that’s one of the best things about Fright Night: it’s got an Evil Dead or Buffy quality going for it, where the violence is concussive but slapstick, unexpected but not always horrifying. Part of the reason we stick with Charley is that the relationship between anxiety and humor is so apparent and so shared. It’s because Yelchin plays a terrific underdog and the only way to survive in that situation is to learn to find the humor in each predicament. Yes, okay, part of the reason is also because we know that David Tennant might turn up again and do a terrific job at it.
Yes, some shortcuts were taken. Yes, it seems like this could’ve been made for half the budget that IMDB estimates it at, and yes, you’ll know roughly where the story’s headed. But you’ll also continue to receive honest, and honestly fun surprises throughout. And you’ll cheer - sometimes for the good guys, and perhaps sometimes for not the good guys. Think of it like an old wooden roller coaster: it doesn’t have the longest drops or the highest speeds or 6 barrel rolls, but it’s got a great unique flavor that it’s own kind of fun. Great for popcorn and Thursday nights.
As previous reviewers note, an impatient viewer won't appreciate what this film has to offer. I don't see any way Bixby (on his deathbed at the time) didn't have the stage in mind as he wrote "The Man From Earth." Like "The Sunset Limited," you've got people, in a room, hashing out ideas. You've got a very basic concept and the impressive exercise of making it as believable as what we think we 'know.' And you've got a very, very stage-like ending.
I was worried I'd get bored on the second viewing, but with enough time in between, I didn't. It's fun to watch the idea presented be tested - despite some slightly overdone reactions by the characters. It's both mystery and science experiment.
I was worried I'd get bored on the second viewing, but with enough time in between, I didn't. It's fun to watch the idea presented be tested - despite some slightly overdone reactions by the characters. It's both mystery and science experiment.
There is nothing not awesome about this book: Mister Bud and Zorro (the Pug!), the art Goodrich uses to bring their very realistic behavior, the story that attaches that behavior with emotions us humans feel when we're in the same sorts of situations of change and acceptance.
For parents looking for a lovable way to explain change to their children, for owners of dogs that have abundant personalities, or for anyone who recognizes their own stubbornness, this book is a treasure.
Full disclosure: I'm a pug owner. I never stood a chance.
For parents looking for a lovable way to explain change to their children, for owners of dogs that have abundant personalities, or for anyone who recognizes their own stubbornness, this book is a treasure.
Full disclosure: I'm a pug owner. I never stood a chance.
