davemed

I say "Legal" system because Justice goes the way of the dollar more often than not ... As it did in this astonishingly sad story of greed and financed by the taxpayers once again. If you've ever wondered why the statue of Lady Justice wears that rag over her eyes, it's because of cases like this. Truly justice isn't so much blind as it is ashamed of what is conducted in its name. How appalling to see scumbag after scumbag apparently proud of the robbery of one man's treasure and the legal owner's will and wishes dissolved in the interest of questionable gain. The sickening parade of the pimping and Saturday night ho-downing by individuals that did nothing in the gathering or promotion of the arts really makes the objective observer to wonder what is wrong in Philadelphia .... Pennsylvania and this country as individual rights are trampled in the by unholy alliances of the worst of the public and private sectors in concert for the worst of our "culture". I rated this a "10", but I wish I hadn't watched it. I've never seen so many soulless individuals in one place for one unholy goal in my life .... except the Bush cabinet, perhaps.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this very much, but I do hope everyone that raved about this version will make an effort to see the original Swedish version. Chloe Moretz shows all the right moves in this as well as Kick Ass. She shows the same early potential that Natalie Portman promised in The Professional.... She is superb. The original was so strong that it would have been an effort to fail with a remake, but several things did bother me about the new version. First, if you have Richard Jenkins, why obscure his face to the point that one might first identify the voice before reading the credits? And, did Owen's mother have a face? Did we ever see her? Also, in the original there were several very nice low budget scenes of the girl scaling the apartment building and the hospital that given the closely adapted direction is left to, "I flew".... All and all, the remake did not make a substantial improvement on the original and redoing it in English may broaden the market, but did not overshadow the better original. Watch the original as well, please.

At least the storyline has well stolen pedigrees, Pygmalion/My Fair Lady/Cinderella mixed with the industry ugliness and bile of Swimming With Sharks shows merit...in the honor among thieves category. Well selected roles denote careful calculation as to demographics and current HBO popularity and appeal. Every aspect of this film has been done (and done better in any number of earlier films) and the results suffer sadly. It is apparent to the main character that the people, the business, the buzz is as phony as their smiles...Yet, she somehow forsakes all that she holds dear to "apparently" (NOT) become one of them? It is reassuring to be reminded that a big budget, great cast and smooth direction can add up to nothing. Please, if you want to see an excellent "little" film that does everything and more that this pilfered glossy mess can't seem to achieve; check out Swimming With Sharks...deliciously dark treats!