Reviews by johanlefourbe

Basically, there was a time when I would go to a video game shop (which is now closed) and I would buy there on a regular basis 5 DVDs for 5 euros and, sometimes, since I would be missing 1 DVD, I would pick up pretty much anything at random just to reach 5 movies. Anyway, following this amazing process, I ended up watching some rather obscure movies and this one was definitely one of them. Well, anyway, I can't say I really enjoyed this flick. Basically, it is one of those supposedly quirky productions and they tried really hard to create a feel-good mood but, to be honest, I was rather bored during the whole thing. Indeed, I thought that the whole concept was actually pretty lame and I really didn't care much about this tale or the characters involved. Concerning Rhys Ifans, I have to admit it, it was pretty neat to see this interesting actor playing the lead for once but it was rather disappointing that he was just playing one of his usual weirdos. Anyway, to conclude, even though it was not one of the worst movies I have ever seen, it was still pretty damned average and I definitely cannot recommend it.

I already saw this movie but since it was a while back and since I have it on DVD, I was quite eager to check it out again. To be honest, while I was watching it for the second time, I was at first wondering why I thought it was some amazing the first time around. I mean, it was a well historical drama made but it didn't seem to be much better than your average sports movie as it was going for most of the usual gimmicks used in this genre. Furthermore, they struggled to properly developed the characters and it was rather disappointing that 3/4 of the debatting team was involved in such a boring love triangle. However, they did manage to show how fascinating a good debate can be and also, how important knowledge and education are, especially if you live in a world where you have to face discrimination on a regular basis. Eventually, slowly, the damned thing turned out be pretty awesome and, once again, I almost cried at the end... Seriously, even though it was rather unoriginal and gimmicky, it was still really emotional and inspiring. Anyway, to conclude, it's too bad the damned thing is such an underrated/unknown gem because it is actually a really strong drama and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you like the genre. 

Before watching this, like everybody, I heard many things about it and everyone seemed to agree that it was completely hilarious so I was quite eager to finally check the damned thing. Eventually, I finally had the chance to see it and, to be honest, I think the whole thing is actually rather overrated. I mean, sure, it was fairly entertaining but I never thought it was seriously hilarious at any moment. I have to admit it, the concept was pretty awesome and it definitely had indeed some potential for an epic R-rated comedy but I never understood why, if you have a bunch of colorful characters having a very wild night in Las Vega, why would you bother showing the day after, when all the fun is gone and the guys spend all their time to recover the damages and their senses? Seriously, at the end, you finally get to see what happened during this wild night and it seemed to be much more fun than what they actually gave us in this movie. Anyway,  in my opinion, it was nothing great after all but, I have to admit it, it was still a decent comedy and I think it is  worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

To be honest, even though it might sound surprising, I thought that ‘Twilight’ was actually not bad at all. I mean, sure, obviously, it was no masterpiece, but I thought that the concept had some potential and it was in fact a decent watch, especially because I had such low expectations. However, eventually, the first sequel ‘New Moon’ turned out to be a huge disappointment and this following sequel gave me basically the same feeling. The main issue is that, instead of developing the relationship between this vampire and this average girl, the whole thing simply goes nowhere and I was just bored during the whole duration. To give Taylor Lautner’s character here a more important role was also a huge mistake and, as a result, Bella would be stuck this whole franchise in this tedious ‘threesome’. Seriously, during the whole thing, you have them arguing about what guy she should be with which was just so boring. Concerning David Slade, a once really promising director following the interesting ‘Hard Candy’ and ‘30 Days of Night’, this movie would a huge step-back in his career  as he hasn’t directed another full length feature ever since which is jut rather sad. Anyway, to conclude, I cannot possibly recommend this movie, expect if you are die hard 'Twilight' fan.

To be honest, since I haven't heard much about this flick before watching it, I had no idea what I should expect. As usual, I didn't watch the trailer or read what it was about beforehand and, once again, it was really a rewarding approach. Indeed, thanks to this process, I thought the intro was great and really mesmerizing. I thought it was just fascinating and I was really wondering where the story will go from there. Furthermore, way before reaching stardom with James Bond, Daniel Craig played the leading part in this movie and he was really good. By the way, I think it was a great move from the James Bond producers to pick up a really good actor to play this iconic character. Anyway, back to our main feature, I must admit that even though Rhys Ifans also did a fine job, I wasn't really interested by his character. I know, in the original book, he was actually the center of the story but I was actually more interested in Craig's guilty feelings and I wish the plot focused more on this than Ifans’s wacky character. Still, it remains a very interesting movie and it is definitely worth a look, especially if you wonder what Craig did before becoming James Bond.

To be honest, I wonder how I actually ended up watching this movie. My guess is that I heard about what is about and since it sounded quite intriguing, I became quite eager to check it out. Eventually, I wasn’t disappointed, it is definitely one of those underrated/unknown jewels and I really loved the damned thing. I have to admit it, before watching this flick, I had actually never heard of Petey Green before and, apparently, this movie was not really accurate but, I didn’t care much, the guy was pretty cool, above all thanks to a really good performance by Don Cheadle who is definitely one of the most underrated actors at work nowadays. In this movie, Cheadle was working with Chiwetel Ejiofor, another criminally underrated actor, and they had some great chemistry together. Above all, I thought it was just a really interesting and entertaining story. Concerning Kasi Lemmons, I still have to watch her directing debut, ‘Eve’s Bayou’, which was very well received (according to Roger Ebert, it was even the best movie released in 1997, no less than that). Anyway, to conclude, even though it is a rather obscure feature, I thought it was a really good biopic and  it is definitely worth a look.

I already saw this movie but since it was a while back and since I had it on DVD, I was quite eager to check it out again. I have to admit it, I hoped they would manage to bring back somehow the Major since she is so emblematic to this franchise. Unfortunately, this time around, they focused on Batou who was maybe a pretty cool character but he was never as awesome as the Major was. Still, it was rather a ballsy move from the makers to pretty much get rid off of their famous character like this. Anyway, even though I really missed the Major, I still really liked this movie. Above all, the whole thing was again visually really awesome and only for this, it is worth watching this movie. However, as usual with 'Ghost in the Shell', the story was just so confusing. In fact, after rewatching it for a 2nd time, I was amazed by how little I actually remembered. In fact, even after a 2nd time around, I'm still not sure if I understood half of the movie but the whole thing was still rather fascinating. Anyway,  to conclude, it is a rather tough watch and an acquired taste but I still think it is definitely worth a look, especially if you are interested in Japanese animation.