what's all the hype about?

Rating: 1/10 (5 March 2004)

i went and saw this movie last night. i am not quick to make lasting decisions about movies until i have either seen them a couple times or have thought about them. but, i turned on the television this morning, and Robocop 3 was playing. i can honestly say after considering many different aspects of mystic river, that i actually got more enjoyment out of the 10 minutes of robocop 3 that i watched this morning before i couldn't stand it anymore and had to turn it off.
first of all, there are no role-model characters in this movie. everyone is damaged to some extent. not to mention that even fight club has stronger protagonists.
another thing i found somewhat offensive was "whitey powers". i mean i could see the comic element in this, but i thought it was even a bit too over the top for hollywood. i'd get killed in the tenderloin if i even walked around there thinking such thoughts.
finally, i think i'd have to agree with the sentiments of holden caufield when he expresses his opinions about movies. the story might have been interesting to read, but then you get all those hammy, phony actors in there trying to "become" the characters and i just can't look at the movie seriously. the performances were severely forced.
i think the oscar should have gone to depp, for his role in "pirates of the carribean". in that movie, sure the swashbuckling character wouldn't last a moment in the dilapidated, urban environment of boston where mystic river was set. but at least depp became jack sparrow and led us into a world of imagination and entertainment. this movie just left me with a depressed feeling about the continuously degrading standards that hollywood (and the general public, it seems in this case) seem to base its opinions on. sean penn shouldn't just be able to "do" a movie and win an oscar. at least we should expect him to become the character.