Lichen Craig – Google

Critics hate it, with justification. The fact the audience likes it more, is evidence of the decaying moral fibre of this society, not to mention education. This is easily one of the worst films I've ever seen. I am someone who doesn't mind violence (in context!) and 4-letter words. I walked out of this hot mess feeling like I'd been assaulted and needed a shower. It's vile, filthy, vulgar, depressing, and technically bad to boot - the script is trite, cliche-ridden, unbelievable, disorganized, amateurish and pointless. (I say that as a pro writer and editor, btw...) There are a few decent performances, where the performers seem to be as confused as we are. Maybe this is what happens when you try to turn a violent comic into a (cough!) serious film; it just doesn't work. People were actually walking out of this trash. As for female "empowerment" - as a woman, if "empowerment" means you kill someone (including your own loyal husband, whom you claim to love) as brutally, casually, and easily, as a male thug, well..... count me oppressed and happy to remain so, thanks.

I read this book twice. As a border collie owner, I could relate to much of what the author spoke about - these dogs have enormous potential to learn.The thousands of hours he must have put into her training is truly admirable, and even more so that he took time to document it and write the book. Not only is this book fascinating, highly entertaining, and moving, it gave me a lot of training ideas as a dog owner. I can't recommend it enough.

I have to believe that many of the professional critics' reviews of this film have more to do with their political views than with the quality of the film. The film is classic Eastwood - character study of a misunderstood good guy with some bad habits and a moral core; bad guys that are really, really bad; the inevitable violent confrontation looming almost from the beginning of the film; moments of humor and great dialogue. I loved it. A short scan of reviews reveals that the more liberal leftist the critic and publication, the worse the review. No surprise there - the idea that the Mexicans in the film are drug running lowlifes is so objectionable to some - never mind that pesky thing called reality. Don't even get started on the sympathetic anti-hero being AN OLD WHITE GUY. This film will not receive the praise it deserves nor will it receive awards it deserves. But something tells me that Eastwood won't give one rat's ass.

One of the best thrillers I've seen in a long time. I think some of the reviewers here don't appreciate the full depth of the story. This is not a superhero: this is a rather sheltered academic, who doesn't know which end of a gun to shoot out of, whose life is terribly and suddenly transformed by enormous tragedy. Her inability to find any meaning in her own survival drives her down a path of self-destruction, and then a quest for information about why her family died and who did it. In the end, it's almost a coming of age story - as she learns to channel inner strength and ultimately commits an act that gives her life meaning. Blake Lively is just astounding in this role. The script is tight, the dialogue witty, and the action constant. You'll be emotionally drained after this film. There are so many angles of meaning to this story. Days later, you will still be unraveling the layers and thinking about seeing it again. The violence is extreme but always justified within context as part of the story and part of the character's necessary journey. Because of the violence and very mature themes, not for kids under 15 or so (they won't understand it anyway!) .

I love this film. The two leads are great, with Kevin Hart a real comic standout. The script is nice, often hilarious, occasionally poignant. It's based on a true story, and a remake of an earlier French film (French and American humor is very similar, and many comedies translate well from French originals to American remakes). This is not a film for kids - their are adult themes, adult language, sexual situations, that I wouldn't be comfortable with my ten or twelve year old seeing. For adults who just want a good time with a meaningful, funny movie, this is a must-see.