Reviews
La La Land (2016)
A Beautiful Film.
LA LA LAND is wonderful, even for those who aren't fans of musicals. If you like good filmmaking and movies in general, this is a must-see. Definitely deserving of all the Oscars it received. The songs are all quite catchy, and I had a couple stuck in my head after watching. The cinematography is amazing; the film is incredibly colorful and a true pleasure to look at. There are many, many beautifully-framed shots with Los Angeles (obviously) serving as the backdrop and sometimes as the focus. The movie is definitely an ode to the classic techniques of Old Hollywood, to Los Angeles, and to the many dreamers who have and still do call it home. Emma Stone gives a career-defining performance, and has excellent chemistry with Ryan Gosling, who is also very, very good. The script is very sharp, well-written, and witty. Stone and Gosling bring it all to life with very convincing and moving efforts. Good singing and dancing, as well. All in all, this will likely go down as an all-time classic of the musical genre. Go see it!
The Godfather (1972)
Simply The Best Film Of All Time.
It feels a bit redundant reviewing arguably the greatest and most well-known Hollywood film nearly 50 years after it's release, but I feel like I need to pay homage to this true masterpiece of American cinematic art. This is not simply a movie: this is a cultural touchstone, a landmark of human achievement, and a beautiful work of art realized by one of the few true masters of filmmaking, Francis Ford Coppola. THE GODFATHER comes as close to perfection as any film ever could. The directing, acting, writing, cinematography, editing, set design, etc. etc. etc. are all world-class and I've never seen a film do better. Marlon Brando is stunningly brilliant as Vito Corleone, the aging head of a New York crime family; I only wish he had more screen time. Al Pacino gives one of the most memorable and tragic performances ever put to film as Michael Corleone, the reluctant heir to the throne. The supporting cast all give remarkable performances without exception; but Robert Duvall, James Caan, Diane Keaton, and John Cazale stand out the most. This is one you'll want to watch again and again, especially if you love classic auteur filmmaking. If you somehow haven't seen it yet, I both envy and pity you! A true MUST WATCH if there ever was one.
Alpha Dog (2006)
More like BETA HOG!
Just an all-around poorly made film; filled to the brim with uninspired/unconvincing/over-the-top performances by most of the actors (I'm looking especially at you: Willis, Stone, Hirsch, and Timberlake). The late Anton Yelchin character is the true heart of the story, and he did a fine job considering the horrendous script he was forced to work with. He's what the 1 Star is for... Bruce Willis looks like he doesn't want to be there, and is only there to collect a check. Sharon Stone as the mom in a fat-suit acting outrageously hysterical and over-the-top near the end of the film had me laughing out loud! Unfortunately, that scene was supposed to be highly dramatic, so it totally missed the mark. Justin Timberlake was and still is not an actor; most scenes calling for genuine emotion from his character were quite unconvincing, and again had me chuckling! The movie is honestly hilarious. It's just that bad. One more thing: TERRIBLE CGI in the climactic scene on top of the cliff, it looks like a garbage-quality video game (from 2006)... very, very bad and embarrassing to watch!
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ (2016)
Hilarious! For any fan of great comedy.
This show is truly excellent, with very sharp and witty writing along with a cast of highly talented actors and improvisers. I recommend it to anyone interested in real estate, reality TV, Los Angeles culture, and intelligent comedy/satire in general. I just wish more people knew about it. Lots of fun and plenty of great actors you've seen in many great movies and shows. Highly Underrated! Watch it for free on PlutoTV ( I don't work for them, but that's where it is, so get on it!).