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Post by bjobsessed on Jan 15, 2008 21:54:48 GMT -5
I pm'd this to someone who wanted my opinion. I did not give anything away and won't say anything else until people have watched it.
Well, it's over. And I really liked it. I would not want to be on the receiving end of some of the punches that RE threw! Ouch! Is it predictible in some ways? Maybe. But for me there was an element of suspense throughout the movie or the last half anyway. I have to say that the ending was unexpected. I thought it was over and then it goes black for a split second and then you have about another minute--then it's over. I think it is worth the money. Win any awards? Maybe not, but still really good and not boring and wouldn't be even if Ron wasn't in it. The flashbacks don't bother me either. They are pretty much in the first half or third of the movie and if I was going through what Ron's character was going through, I'd probably flashback in the middle of it too. All this will make sense after you see it.
Hope you guys don't have to wait long.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2008 23:04:07 GMT -5
Anita without going into too much detail, that little minute at the very end? You're right about that - I, too, was actually quite pleased at that action.
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Post by mlm828 on Jan 16, 2008 17:25:51 GMT -5
WARNING - DON'T READ IF YOU FEEL IT WILL RUIN IT FOR YOU!!!! Okay, since some of you haven't seen it yet, I won't say much. In my opinion, it's not his best work by far, and God knows I've seen him in not only every film, but certainly enough theatre (and not just Doubt) to fully form my opinion. To me, it's like another version of Phone Booth, minus the booth (LOL!). I will say that you will absolutely figure out who the voice is, for there was really no effort to conceal that and the actual "brains behind the operation" was also too obvious in his demeanor, so that will be easy to figure out, too. Lots of flashbacks, which are a bit annoying and tedious. To be honest, I can now see why it went straight to DVD; the clip that one of you found, I think, was more compelling than the actual film. I've always celebrated anything Ron was in, but I'm certainly not going to rant and rave over it just because he's in it, anymore than I did about Freedomland. I admire him for his craft and gift, but I wish he'd rethink some of his choices. That's also not to say I didn't enjoy it - there's a few times I jumped, but it's not a stellar performance is all and given what I've seen him capable of delivering, I was a bit surprised. Though, admittedly, I'm quite certain I'll stand alone on this opinion. I hate to disappoint you, Barb, but I basically agree with you -- not RE's best work, by far. I am one of those who, after hearing about the film and seeing what kind of films that studio puts out, was worried it would be absolutely awful. It wasn't -- it was just kind of blah. Properly done, I think it could have been a reasonably good psychological thriller, but it wasn't. All of the performances, RE's included, just seemed kind of flat to me. I never connected with the characters or especially cared about what was happening to them. I suspect the writing and direction had a lot to do with this. The flashbacks didn't particularly bother me. As to why RE chose to be in this film, who knows? Maybe, at the time he decided to sign on for it, he saw some potential in it which wasn't fulfilled in the finished product. Or not. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2008 20:48:22 GMT -5
And here I thought it was just me.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2008 21:11:04 GMT -5
Okay, instead of getting two copies of AD, Amazon sent me THREE!!!!! They must like me or something. Anyway, anyone want one for $20 USD, shipping on me?
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Post by maggiethecat on Jan 16, 2008 21:19:09 GMT -5
Okay, instead of getting two copies of AD, Amazon sent me THREE!!!!! They must like me or something. Anyway, anyone want one for $20 USD, shipping on me? DIBS! I'm in! MY library didn't order it, my local video store didn't order it, and so I am at yiur mercy. Call me -- you have the number, Mame! Kisses, Vera  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2008 21:24:20 GMT -5
It's yours Vera DARLING - will call soon!
Kisses!!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2008 22:35:09 GMT -5
God help me but I just watched the deleted scenes. Ummm........yea.
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Post by Katryna on Jan 17, 2008 5:31:34 GMT -5
I watched it last night. I don't think it was RE's worst film, but certainly not his best.
I read the reviews on IMDB before I watched and I can agree with two things mentioned in them. The first is that "the screenplay was crafted without inspiration which caused the movie to be weak at times". But another reviewer said "if you like a bit of suspense and a bit of action without too much thinking, then I can recommend this movie". Maybe that's the key...not to over-analyze it!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2008 7:17:56 GMT -5
True, K, very true; but I still stand firm on given what I know Ron to be capable of, this is mediocre. I also forgot to mention that, in my opinion, Marissa Coughlin (who played his wife) was mis-cast for this - she looks way too young for him. She'd have been a good choice to play his daughter in The Tenth Circle.
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Post by Duchess of Lashes on Jan 17, 2008 9:59:31 GMT -5
You know what I love - you do a favor for a friend who hasn't got access to the video and you place an order for them - weeks after you have ordered one of your own.
Said friend now has her copy and I am still waiting for mine - according to Amazon, it should be delivered by the 23rd!
I don't think I will ever understand the inner-workings of Amazon.com!!
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Post by hoosier on Jan 17, 2008 19:46:16 GMT -5
Like BJO and Katryna, I did like it even though some parts did drag. Reminded me of the B movies that would pop up on late night TV. And like mlm, I think RE must have seen something in the script that intrigued him or why would he have taken it on? The obligatory action/drama film that all actors seem to want to have under their belts? With another, more capable director or better screenwriter, maybe the outcome would have been more...satisfying?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2008 21:29:59 GMT -5
Like BJO and Katryna, I did like it even though some parts did drag. Reminded me of the B movies that would pop up on late night TV. And like mlm, I think RE must have seen something in the script that intrigued him or why would he have taken it on? The obligatory action/drama film that all actors seem to want to have under their belts? With another, more capable director or better screenwriter, maybe the outcome would have been more...satisfying? I think he's had more than one "obligatory action/drama film" that is a hell of a lot more memorable than this will be. |
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Post by Duchess of Lashes on Jan 17, 2008 21:53:19 GMT -5
SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
Well, the 23rd came early and I just finished watching Already Dead. Without meaning to give anything away, I must admit that there were a couple of moments that almost made me laugh! When his wife, said, "You're the man...." all I could think of was...well, you know! And then there's the gym bag....
Seriously, though, I am in agreement with those who have already watched. I found the most compelling moment of the whole movie the very last of RE's scenes - it was heart-wrenching. One thing he has always been so incredibly communicative with is his expression and it happened here - every ounce of anguish/desperation was written on his face as he sought some remaining trace of what he had lost.
MLM is right in that the rest of it seemed flat, very blah and grey really, and although supposedly a suspense, much of the suspense was, as the movie title so aptly states, Already Dead. There was very little emotion attached to any of it - until the scene mentioned above. If they had to use flashbacks to establish how much Thomas Archer had lost, the dead grey of the bleakness of where he found himself, and the vivid brightness used to depict his former life, were a perfect juxtaposition, and probably the smartest bit of cinematography in the film.
I honestly think at some point in pre-production there might have been some promise to this one - it could have been much more. As it is, though, as it was done, it does little to provide a showcase for the depth of Ron Eldard's talent.
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Post by hoosier on Jan 18, 2008 18:30:49 GMT -5
Like BJO and Katryna, I did like it even though some parts did drag. Reminded me of the B movies that would pop up on late night TV. And like mlm, I think RE must have seen something in the script that intrigued him or why would he have taken it on? The obligatory action/drama film that all actors seem to want to have under their belts? With another, more capable director or better screenwriter, maybe the outcome would have been more...satisfying? I think he's had more than one "obligatory action/drama film" that is a hell of a lot more memorable than this will be. Ghost Ship!  |
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