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JimG944
 
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  • Review count
    100
  • Helpfulness votes
    49
  • First review
    September 18, 2009
  • Last review
    January 24, 2010
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    3.8
 
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JimG944's Reviews
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Whiteout [Special Edition] [Blu-ray] [2009]
Whiteout [Special Edition] [Blu-ray] [2009]
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
Explain the Plot? Just Because...
on January 24, 2010
Posted by: JimG944
from Sunnyvale, CA
2 of 5 stars for the suspense movie Whiteout. This is a very odd movie. After watching the movie and the behind-the-scenes materials I was left with two words: "Just Because". When I was a kid and was asked why something happened, I'd answer "Just Because". The movie opens with a flight over Antarctica by a Russian crew in 1957. They appear to have a special cargo and the flight crashes. At the end, when you learn of the cargo, just say "Just Because". In modern times, we have the arrival of a US Marshal assigned to the US base in Antarctica. Why? "Just Because". The movie morphs into a suspense movie with people who get killed by a masked person with an ice axe. Why? J.B. We learn a bit abot the lady Marshal but none of it appears to help the plot. Why waste our time? J.B. We eventually tie together the Russian cargo with the murders and are left with the feeling "Who Cares". The whole movie is set against the coming winter in Antarctica which often has "Whiteout" conditions. Why set in Antarctica? Just Because. In the behind the scenes, we learn this movie was adapted from a "Graphic Novel" (comic book) which explains why the plot seems weak. Listening to those who made the movie, they wanted to combine their idea of the lady marshal and the conditions in Antarctica. Now you see why I think the whole movie is lashed-together with "Just Because".
The bright spot in this movie was Kate Beckinsale and also the location filming in northern Canada. Tough conditions to make a movie. Too bad it didn't have a better payload for the viewer. So, to be clear, a well made movie with good acting and production values. The weakness was te story that hung-together with magic "Just Because" glue. As a suspense thriller, it was fair. Frankly, I would not recommend this movie.
What's great about it: Kate Beckinsale, location photography, realistic sets
What's not so great: The weak plot held together with "Just Because" as the reason
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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-4points
1of 6voted this as helpful.
 
The Killing Room [DVD] [2008]
The Killing Room [DVD] [2008]
 
Customer Rating
2 out of 5
2
A suspenseful human experiment
on January 23, 2010
Posted by: JimG944
from Sunnyvale, CA
2 of 5 stars for the psychological suspense movie The Killing Room. In an odd way, this movie reminded me of the movie The Cube; though this is not a sci-fi movie. Four people sign-up for a one day "research project". The researchers put them into an observation chamber and start the experiment. I am not going to spoil the movie by describing the experiment or the lame reason for the experiment. The bulk of the movie was watching the subjects go thru the experiment and the last few minutes explained the "government plot" behind the experiment. Not a very good suspense movie. Sorry, but, I can't recommend this movie.
What's not so great: Lame plot, violence without cause, uninteresting results
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
A Perfect Getaway [Unrated/Rated Versions] [Blu-ray] [2009]
A Perfect Getaway [Unrated/Rated Versions] [Blu-ray] [2009]
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Which couple is going to murder which couple?
on January 16, 2010
Posted by: JimG944
from Sunnyvale, CA
3 of 5 stars for the movie thriller A Perfect Getaway. We meet three couples who are on vacations in Hawaii. We soon learn that a tourist couple was murdered elsewhere in Hawaii and the suspects are a young man and woman. Hummm .... Sounds like a good setup for a thriller. Several plot twists and tangents to keep you guessing. Of course we end up alone in the middle of nowhere on an island. Enough said. The plot is actually very simple and predictable. The value in the movie is in the acting and character development which casts doubt on each of the three couples. The scenery is amazing. Well photographed, good pace and some real surprises. Milla Jovovich (a favorite of mine) had a relatively minor role and didn't stand-out.
This movie will keep you guessing and keep you at the edge of your seat. Why only 3 stars? Well, it is a thriller, but, I have seen many movies with similar plots and this one never really got you truly scared or fully engaged. So, its good not great.
What's great about it: A good thriller, some plot surprises and twists
What's not so great: Blu-Ray extras lacking content, predictable plot,
I would recommend this to a friend!
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1of 1voted this as helpful.
 
District 9 [Blu-ray] [2009]
District 9 [Blu-ray] [2009]
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Welcome to Earth, here is your prison camp
on January 16, 2010
Posted by: JimG944
from Sunnyvale, CA
3 of 5 stars for the sci-fi movie District 9. Believe it or not, I really had not seen any trailers nor clips from this movie. I was excited to see it just because it seemed like another Independance Day. So, I had no idea what to expect when it started. To summarize first, I was disappointed but still liked it enough to give 3 stars. The short version is a group of aliens come to the Earth and their mother ship gets stuck hanging above South Africa. This event happened many years ago and the aliens are now living in slum-like conditions in a prison camp. The style of this movie is to look like a news program or a documentary. Alot shot on video rather than film gives a crisp look. It seemed like a low budget film until you realize the high quality seamless special effects. So, I was not all that impressed with this movie and will give it a mildly positive recommendation. The blu-ray has some good behind the scenes materials that are helpful in understanding why the movie is as it is.
What's great about it: A unique plot and low budget but effective photographic style
What's not so great: Not your typical sci-fi alien movie
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Jennifer's Body [2 Discs] [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray] [2009]
Jennifer's Body [2 Discs] [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray] [2009]
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Megan Fox is Jennifer's Body and both are hot
on January 16, 2010
Posted by: JimG944
from Sunnyvale, CA
4 of 5 stars for the horror movie Jennifer's Body. At first glance, this seems like a shallow "teen demon" horror movie. But, if you below the surface, you find an interesting relationship between two BFFs. OK, so what's this about? We are first introduced to two BFFs who have grown differently: one (Megan Fox) is the campus queen cheerleader and the other is not so beautiful or popular. So, it is interesting to watch these two during the movie. Back to the shallow stuff: Fox's character gets kidnapped and turned into a demon who gets food by killing and eating boy-bodies. Well, you can guess the rest of this... There is plenty of blood, guts and body parts. Strategic photography implies alot but shows nothing. Fox is totally hot and worth watching. So, nuke some popcorn, grab a Coke, sit back and watch this movie. I do recommend it.
What's great about it: Megan Fox is hot, a good plot, a fun (and a bit scary) movie
What's not so great: It is a typical good but not great horror movie, plenty of blood and guts
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-2points
0of 2voted this as helpful.
 
Paycheck [Blu-ray] [2003]
Paycheck [Blu-ray] [2003]
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
The ultimate NDA (non-disclosure agreement)
on January 10, 2010
Posted by: JimG944
from Sunnyvale, CA
4 of 5 stars for the sci-fi movie Paycheck. Ben Affleck plays a computer engineer who is hired to perform long-term top secret projects for an employer and then to have his memory wiped-clean after the project/contract completes. Talk about an NDA! After he exits from hs current project, the world is upside down and he has a pocket full of odds and ends. With no memory of the last several years, he tries to understand the items in his pocket (who, what and why???). Uma Thurman has a secondary role as his girlfriend. You travel along with our lead in his quest to figure out the items and what they mean. I give this a 4 as the plot is not very guessable and it keeps you glued to the action. I highly recommend this movie; you'll be surprised to learn what his project was all about.
What's great about it: A non-guessable plot, unexpected twists
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
Awake [WS] [Blu-ray] [2007]
Awake [WS] [Blu-ray] [2007]
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
An exciting psycho thriller with big plot twists
on January 10, 2010
Posted by: JimG944
from Sunnyvale, CA
4 of 5 stars for the psycho thriller movie Awake. This movie starts by giving stats on how many patients per year enter a strange awake-state called "anesthetic awareness" during surgery. OK, we can guess that this is the subject of this movie. The lead character, played by young Darth Vader Hayden Christensen is in need of a heart transplant. He marries his sweetheart (the sexy Jessica Alba) the night before the operation. As the surgery begins, lets just say it gets twisted with loads of surprises. A well created movie with a great plot and some real surprises. You should be warned that there are some graphic scenes during the surgery not for the weak stomach; I'd argue, they weren't really needed to advance the story. I do recommend this movie, however, not after a full meal.
What's great about it: Jessica Alba, a plot that is twisted with surprises
What's not so great: Some graphic scenes during surgery
I would recommend this to a friend!
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0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
 
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra [Blu-ray] [2009]
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra [Blu-ray] [2009]
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
GI Joe a high-tech, fast-action movie
on January 10, 2010
Posted by: JimG944
from Sunnyvale, CA
4 of 5 stars for the action movie G.I. Joe. OK, so I've lost touch with some of the new things... When you say GI Joe to me, I think of the action toy GI Joe with his circa WWII Jeep and uniform. I seem to have slept thru all of the various modernizations of GI Joe including the comic book, cartoon movies and newer toys. So, going into this movie, I had no expectatoins of what it would be. So, I've learned that the action toy has morphed into an elite military unit with sci-fi special weapons and tools. Only the elite become GI Joe's (men and women) who work out of "The Pit". This movie was very well made. Action from the first minutes to introduce the team during a firefight to protect a truck convoy. Next we find the hero of protecting that convoy is taken to the Pit and introduced to the team; after traning he becomes a GI Joe. The bulk of the movie was focused on the recovery of the item taken from that truck convoy and learning who was behnd the plot. Some good twists and unexpected things. Great action, wow sets and special effects that were seamless, the characters were a bit flat and 2-D hence the 4 stars. Oh, did I mention great action (yes, I did). This is a fun movie to watch and is worth a couple of bags of popcorn to enjoy. I do recommnd it. The blu-ray had sufficient behind-the-scenes contents on a second disk in the set, however, that disk and materials were on SD on a DVD; too bad, no HD extra contents. I do recommend this movie.
What's great about it: Great action, great special effects, good plot, fun to watch
What's not so great: DVD Extras are SD on DVD rather than HD on Blu-Ray, characters thin & 2-D
I would recommend this to a friend!
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RV [Blu-ray] [2006]
RV [Blu-ray] [2006]
 
Customer Rating
3 out of 5
3
Robin Williams contained but funny
on January 5, 2010
Posted by: JimG944
from Sunnyvale, CA
3 of 5 stars for the Robin Williams comedy movie: RV. Williams plays a busy executive trying to close a big deal who's family is insisting on a vacation to Hawaii. So, he decides to rent an RV and take the family on a cross-country road-trip. On their journey, they meet a kinda crazy family (country hick) who keeps following them. This is a funny movie that nicely balances Williams insane comedy with a pretty well done script/story. Williams plays it pretty rationally but retains his outstanding comedy contents and timing. There are many great lines and scenes. My favorite set of scenes was at the RV waste pump-out station; another favorite was the RV atop the mountain suspended in mid-air by the mountain point. So why only 3 of 5? I have seen many movies that are much funnier than this with more insane situations. So, 3 of 5 for this well done good comedy movie. It was well created (script, photography, sets/locations) just nothing outstanding. Yes, I do recommend this movie.
What's great about it: Funny movie with Robin Williams nicely balanced
What's not so great: It is a typical good but not great comedy
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-1point
0of 1voted this as helpful.
 
Good Luck Chuck [Blu-ray] [2007]
Good Luck Chuck [Blu-ray] [2007]
 
Customer Rating
4 out of 5
4
Poor Chuck has a problem
on January 2, 2010
Posted by: JimG944
from Sunnyvale, CA
4 of 5 stars for the comedy movie Good Luck Chuck. Let me first say that Jessica Alba is about the cutest thing I know of; the whole point of the movie is our lead guy eventually falls in love with her. There is one problem. Chuck, our lead guy, was spelled as a child by a witch such that every girl will fall in love and marry the NEXT guy after Chuck. As this little problem becomes known to people, girls line-up to be with Chuck so they can ensure a quick successful marriage. A cute plot, well acted and lots of funny moments. Well worth watching, very funny and then there is Jessica Alba, sigh...
What's great about it: Jessica Alba, A funny plot that is well implemented
I would recommend this to a friend!
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