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Reviews
Thelma (2024)
Thelma, Without Louise
I just left the theater after seeing the new June Squibb film, "Thelma", and I walked to my car with a big smile on my face. Working with seniors daily and seeing how resilient some of them are and the stories they have to tell, made me enjoy this film even more. For June Squibb, starring in a film at age 93 (she is 94 now), was quite enjoyable. She held her own in "Nebraska" and received an Academy Award nomination for that role. She might get nominated again. Having been scammed by phone scammers who pretend to be her injured grandson, she gets swindled out of $10k. When she realizes her grandson is fine, she decides to go on a Tom Cruise: Mission Imposible quest, to find the culprits and retrieve her money. With the help of a friend, played by Richard Roundtree, in his last role, tags along from his nursing home with Thelma driving his scooter, heading into unsafe territory to find the culprits. It's a journey and I recommend everyone to go along for the ride. To reveal anymore would give away too much. The movie is tender, sincere and at times outright hilarious. And it's based on a true story. The supporting cast is good and believable. Some of the story and actions are a bit far fetched but the film is worth seeing and has some good dialogue about aging and not taking life for granted!
Sous la Seine (2024)
In Seine!!!!
In Seine.... Insane! The premise of this movie looked promising. Paris was getting ready to host a Triathlon with swimmers entering the Seine not knowing the River Seine was infested with sharks. The film stars Berenice Bejo, who starred in the magnificent film, "The Artist", as a scientist who had a horrible past losing her crew to a huge shark. The film tried too hard to be an eco friendly environmental film, showing the vast amount of debris in the ocean caused by humans, and the potential destruction of habitat for its marine life: ie sharks. The film had great potential but halfway through, it seems that you've been there before, just in a different location.
At least you get to visualize the beauty of Paris in some exquisite shots, but the sharks and many of the special effects are all CGI. The acting by the main players is fine. The acting by the extras is a bit cheesy. It's worth a watch for the action and a twist to the typical shark hunts man movie! It's not the best of shark films, and certainly not the worst!
Ripley (2024)
Ripley: Believe it or Not
I finished the series "Ripley" recently, although I didn't have any inclination of watching an 8 episode series of a movie that I really loved in its original form : "The Talented Mr. Ripley, with its attractive cast including Jude Law, Gwynneth Paltrow and Matt Damon. I was unfamiliar with this series cast except for Dakota Fanning, and the comparisons put a bad taste in my mouth. Once you start watching the series with its noir aspect, the characters chosen for this series are exemplary. At first I thought Andrew Scott was too old to play Tom and too stiff and frankly not very attractive. But he plays the part so well that I've come to appreciate his casting. Johnny Flynn as Dickie is no Jude Law in the looks department, but his character is so flawed that you begin to forget the comparison. And Dakota Fanning's Marge is more somber than Gwynneth Paltrow's interpretation. The masterpiece of the series is the black and white cinematography. It is beyond amazing and captures every nuance and detail of the apartments, the streets, the cars, the statuary of Italy in the 60s. A solid 10 for the the cinematography and Steven Zallian's direction. Without spoiling by giving away any details, my opinion of the show went from meh to brilliant and congratulations to Netflix for producing this series. Well worth the 8 hours of watching this brilliant noir interpretation of Patricia Hightowers book.
Irena's Vow (2023)
A Gut Story of another Holocaust Hero
"Irena's Vow" tells the story of a courageous Polish girl, Irena Gut Opdyke, who gets caught in a street roundup to be used as a laborer for the Nazis, who have taken over Poland. Irena, through her cunning and beauty, ends up as a housekeeper for an SS officer at a new villa, which was previously owned by a Jewish family. Through her humanity and cunning ways, Irena is able to rescue and house 11 Jewish workers from her previous place of work and transport them to the new Villa, where she hides them in the cellar and then another secret room, all under the roof of the SS Officer. To reveal any more would be considered a spoiler. I found this production very well acted and directed and location shots in Poland were very effective. The film lacked the emotional punch of a "Schindler's List" or "One Life", but the film is worth seeing and learning about another heroic person who endangered their own life to help Jewish victims from the death camps. For this, Irena was given the title of Righteous One in Israel, for saving Jewish lives.
The Iron Claw (2023)
Pumping Iron
Went into this film knowing nothing about the storyline or what it was about, except that it starred Zac Efron, one of our many underrated actors. When he first appears on the screen, my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe how massive and muscular he had become for this role. He always had great screen presence and a great body, ie "Baywatch", but I was floored how huge he was, almost freakish.
The story of the Von Erich Brothers who make history in the wrestling world in the early 1980s was a story unknown to me. I actually learned a lot from this film and the hardships the family endured trying to make it big prodded by a demanding father. Efron shines in this tale of loss, sorrow and wrestling competition. The other cast members are all good too and hold their weight. Talk about a dysfunctional family. Without giving specifics to the fate of the brothers, this family endured more tragedy than any other family depicted in modern cinema. You don't have to be a wrestling fan to enjoy this film. It's about family bonds, perseverance, loyalty, and honor!
Crocodile Vengeance (2022)
What a CROC
This is one of the most ridiculous movies I've ever seen and I've seen quite a lot. The plot is basically about an enormous crocodile terrorizing those attending a wedding at a "resort" in the English countryside.
Killer Crocodile "in the middle of Hampshire"!!!! That's as believable as Elephants living in Kansas. Besides the film being preposterous from start to finish, the CGI and acting is beyond pedestrian. Have any of these "actors" gone to acting school? If you want a good laugh of the absurdity of it all, take a look for yourself. If you want to waste an hour and a half of your time, and laugh at the worst that filmmaking offers, view it for yourself. Most of us have better things to do and to watch.
Oppenheimer (2023)
IT'S DA BOMB!!!
Who'd a thunk that a film about the man who lead the team that created the atomic bomb, would be one of the most brilliant films made in the last decade, and beyond. Christopher Nolan has created a masterpiece of filmmaking, with an impeccable cast, lead by Cilian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt ( all Oscar worthy performances), Matt Damon, Gary Oldman, Florence Pugh, Josh Harnett, Dane DeHaan, Rami Malek, Matthew Modine, Casey Affleck, Tom Conti and many many more.
The score, the costumes, the film editing, the sound, the sets, the visual effects, hair and makeup are all superior.
One needs to be attentive at all times since the film has many flashbacks and covers the years before World War 2 to many years after the war. The film is basically a bio of J Robert Oppenheimer and how he was employed by the government to lead a team of physicists to develop the bomb before Russia. It is a film of utmost detail and historical relevance. Lengthy and much to absorb, "Oppenheimer", will leave you breathless and restore your faith in Hollywood filmmaking, and realize that this Is Christopher Nolan's masterpiece!
Peridot (2022)
Peridot- A Rare Gem
"Peridot" popped up on my screen and it caught my eye. With its 63 minute running time, I thought to myself, why not. I was tired of series and longer than necessary movies. To my surprise, "Peridot" turned out to be a little gem. The movie about a street hustler who befriends a middle age matronly author, has been done before. Gabriel, is a pretty boy who lives on the streets and is predominantly a male hustler but he is approached at a bus stop by a matronly woman, who happens to be a renowned author and they strike up a platonic relationship. Gabriel, played by Shayne Pax is the star, writer, producer, musical coordinator and director of the film. The fact that this young man was able to pull this off is an amazing accomplishment. The movie is cliche, lacks much character development or background of the characters, but the central theme of loneliness and belonging shine through. Keep an eye on Shayne Pax to do bigger and better films in the future!
The Fabelmans (2022)
"Oh Stephen, what a bore"
I just returned from seeing the new Stephen Spielberg film, "The Fabelmans" which is loosely based on the early life and teenage years of Spielberg, the Wunderkind! The anticipation I had for seeing this film was enormous, and I felt so underwhelmed and almost bored by the entire production. To quote Norma Shearer from the 1939 film, "The Women", "Oh Stephen, what a bore". That's how I felt about this film. The first hour was so unfulfilling, it was like watching paint dry on a wall. I'm a huge Spielberg fan and "Schindler's List" is my all time favorite film and a brilliant one at that. "The Fabelmans" lacked a brilliant score, although it was scored by John Williams. Bland would be a word to describe the soundtrack, except for top 10 hits of the 1960s. The brilliance of a Janusz Kaminski cinematography was also lacking in this film. Paul Dano, as the father, was very good in an underplayed role. Michelle Williams, a brilliant actress, was miscast and had no chutzpah or any sign of Jewishness needed for the role. The rest of the cast was mediocre at best.
I'm sure Spielberg put his heart into this film but I left with a big void and felt totally underwhelmed by this film.
End of the Road (2022)
Ludicrous! Ludacris! Ludacriz!
No matter how Ludicrous this film is and it's very ludicrous. Even Ludacris couldn't save this waste of time. Everything about this movie is pedestrian.. the story, the acting, the sets, cinematography and screenplay are all poorly done. And throw in stereotypical Southern bigots, and you have racial prejudice to remind us that it still exists. Even Queen Latifah, an accomplished actress and singer, can't save this film. The fact that it is around 1.5 hours running time, makes it barely watchable. I lost interest after 20 minutes, but had it on while doing other things and occasionally glancing up at the screen. Only then, did I shake my head and say something like "why are you still watching this"?
The Duke (2020)
Broadbent and Mirren "Duke" it out!
This factual film about the theft of Goya's painting of the Duke of Wellington, by a taxi driver, Kempton Bunton in 1961, has both Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren in top form. This highly enjoyable film delivers fine performances from a stellar cast. The painting is held for a ransom for the price paid by the National Gallery in order to subsidize pensionares and the elderly. Jim Broadbent gives a very comic performance in a court room scene worth many belly laughs. Mirren, as his hard working wife, gives a gritty performance in a very unflattering physical role. Having never heard of this true story, I enjoyed learning something new and enjoyed a very British film with very fine actors portraying real people.
Hostage House (2021)
Don't be held Hostage
The trailer looked promising, so I gave it a watch. The movie is very formulaic at best and very predictable that a pre-teen could figure out the plot.... If not for the physical attributes of the actors, there is really no redeeming qualities of this film. Mediocre acting, directing, editing and filming. Not the worst of films, but certainly not the best either!!!! No vulgarity, nudity or anything X rated.
The Outfit (2022)
"The Outfit"... a double entendres
"The Outfit" has more twists and turns than Lombardo Street in San Francisco! Without giving away the plot, pay attention to detail in this wonderfully acted ensemble cast led by Mark Rylance. His narrations and verbal abilities to convey his point of view is brilliant. The film may be a bit claustrophobic for some since it takes place entirely in a tailor shop In Chicago, in 1956. The cinematography and score are commendable, and the acting is top notch. This is a film of dialogue and emotions, not gadgets or special effects. A true gem for cinephiles.
Found Wandering Lost (2022)
Found: A very Good Film
Having not heard of this film until recently, and knowing that it was a local production, and an independent film, my interest was piqued. First time director. Nick James, who also wrote the script, directs a stellar cast of love lost and those on the run in the Foothills of Kansas. The cinematography, soundtrack, acting and directing were all top notch. Bravo to the cast and crew for putting out a film on a shoestring budget, which looks as professional as if it were filmed by a big studio on a large budget. Expect great things from Nick James.