Aregie Reviews

How It Ends (2021)

My younger self and I love this movie!

[9/10 · 6 March 2023]

I am honestly shocked at some people not liking "How It Ends", but it leads me to think the promotion must have been a little "off". I'm glad I found this movie. It's a piece of sweet, charming, unpretentious filmmaking.

"How It Ends" is poignant, never maudlin; it's reflective, not prescriptive. The pace almost felt like real-time, although it obviously wasn't, and its quietness was not eerie to me, but when it was broken, this somehow underlined the surreal nature of whole situation. There was a kind of spaciousness to the film, leaving me room to breathe, to relax and appreciate the humour.

At times I laughed out loud. It's not exactly a comedy, though, and I won't say "quirky" because I think it's an overused term, and in my world these characters and their ideas are not that odd. The casting is excellent, and the performances were very genuine, very unlaboured.

It's not a flashy, action-packed, laugh-a-minute movie with the most impressive camera work or soundtrack or anything. It's simply a consistently good, original film that left me in a good mood. I can't think of anything that hit a wrong note for me. I found it very refreshing, and I'd happily watch it again.

Minx (2022–2023)

The dialogue bums me out

[7/10 · 5 February 2023]

I'll start of by saying I enjoyed binging on Season One of Minx! It's fun, it's well acted, it's relevant, it's realistic in terms of how it portrays the treatment of women at that time in history, it celebrates women's strength, and it should be on the air, but I have some strong criticism. However, as I've only watched the one season, perhaps it's not applicable for the following seasons.

The characters are well cast and have good chemistry. Bambi's got to be my favorite character. The music department has made some really bold and effective choices with the soundtrack, featuring women artists whose work is relevant, timely, high calibre and deserves more recognition. It's a stylish show, which makes it really appealing, and great attention paid to wardrobe and set details. BUT-and this is where it comes to my strong criticism-I wish they'd paid as much attention to the details of the script as with everything else.

The first few episodes were littered with more than a hundred anachronistic phrases and idioms. In later episodes I caught far fewer, so maybe someone alerted the writers to this oversight. So much of the dialogue simply wasn't realistic, and employed concepts or phrases that hadn't yet been coined. For instance, jargon like "do lunch", "face time" "take back the mic", "childhood trauma", "narrative", "power dynamics", "gender equity", (gender equality-yes) "issues of consent', and "pivot back" just wasn't around in the 70s. This is maybe how people speak now, but not 50 years ago! The feminist ideals and concepts were there, but not that exact wording. For instance, you'd never hear anyone in the 70s refer to someone as a celebrity, but more likely a "star" or "famous" or a "celebrated figure". Another example is an allusion to the concept of color "seasons" in women's wardrobe choices. This didn't come out until the book, "Color Me Beautiful" in 1980. Even the nuances of inflection and pronunciation in the dialogue quite often miss the mark. For me, these details drew my attention from the story. I plan to keep watching, however, and I have my fingers crossed for the dialogue.

Amsterdam (2022)

It's got HEART

[9/10 · 11 January 2023]

I've grown so tired of Hollywood and its predictable plot lines and characters, and gratuitous action, romance, sex and violence.

This was a breath of fresh air, delivered with style and beauty and HEART, and some of the most engaging, thoughtful dialogue I've heard in some time. It kept me glued to the screen, and it truly made me laugh and cry out loud.

I am sorry for those who don't "get" it. But it's a work that everyone who contributed to this piece can be incredibly proud of.

It's definitely on my top ten list for the year, and I am genuinely shocked that it has received some low-star reviews.

The Outfit (2022)

The Outfit Outwits

[10/10 · 27 June 2022]

This film is gorgeously constructed, like a quality suit. The attention to detail in the sets and costumes make it pleasurable to watch, even though it takes place in one small space.

And like a tailor or cutter strives to waste as little cloth as possible, it seems to me the filmmaker treated his medium in much the same way. Every camera shot and every line felt necessary. Every scene kept my attention.

The script is good, the acting is superb, and the plot kept me guessing until the very end. I often have a sense of how a story will end, but not this time. And I loved it so much I watched it again the next day, and that rarely happens for me with the latest fare.

Before You Know It (2019)

Charming, refreshing, just a touch of crazy!

[8/10 · 22 February 2021]

I am flabbergasted by some of these negative reviews. This is definitely not a Hollywood picture, I guess. It is quirky, and maybe a bit contrived, but not hugely. It's a comedy, after all. But it's moving, funny, well-acted, and touches on some issues that aren't normally dealt with in the movies. And I love that it's a woman-centred picture! My only slight complaint was the young people's acting, which struck me as self-conscious, but hey, they're only 12 years old. But I was particularly impressed by Jen Tullock's performance. She is so authentic, so charming, so unique. (I know somebody just like her!!) I'd watch her in anything. Wow!

Same Kind of Different as Me (2017)

You never know where a dream will take you.

[8/10 · 15 April 2018]

I am not a regular viewer of Christian films, and I was kind of surprised that this film is considered one. But I guess when the initial distributor dropped the picture at the last minute, a Christian company picked it up. But why, if a movie conveys decent human values, and there happen to be a couple of scenes in a church, is it pigeonholed? It's message is not overtly Christian, yet it is so powerful it should speak to anyone, religious or not. I was truly shocked to read that the critics' reviews were not entirely favourable, that they thought it saccharine, and simplistic in terms of racial issues. Because of a dream, a couple of rich white folks befriend an old homeless black man, and it changes not only their three lives but those of many people in the community. I don't think that's self-congratulatory; it's TRUE! I thought all the characters were well developed, given that there wasn't a ton of backstory, but just enough. They were portrayed fairly but all they faced demons in their own ways. I was so moved and touched by the story, especially by the truly stunning acting of Djimon Hounsou, and by the scenes of his childhood in Jim Crow Louisiana. I'd easily see this again just for Hounsou's acting alone. What would anyone want to change? I am baffled.

The End of the Tour (2015)

Dull, dull, dull.

[3/10 · 29 December 2015]

I have rarely been so bored watching a movie. "Nuanced"? "Deep exploration of character"? Is this the same film I just saw?? I had heard the name David Foster Wallace, but had never read anything by him, so I came into this movie blind. I was disappointed to learn very little about him. I would have liked to hear some of his writing, hear more about his projects, to know why he was so acclaimed.

Was the movie about Wallace himself, or the interviewer? Was it supposed to draw a parallel between them? There was little content that made me care about either of them. I felt that I was supposed to be getting the impression that there was a genuine connection forming between the two men, but I never felt anything of the sort. I think I was also supposed to believe that the interviewer was in awe of or envious of the writer, but Eisenberg's acting never convinced me of this. The interviewer is supposed to be a published novelist himself, but we're given no clues about what interests him, what bothers him, what he wonders about or cares about. Instead, he came across as a novice interviewer asking boring scripted questions, trying to please his boss by digging awkwardly for prize material. Occasionally it seemed he'd have a fleeting second thought about his methods, or about some of his questions, but these weak moral quandaries never led anywhere. And his clumsiness and contrived bluntness never provoked an interesting reaction from Wallace, except in one brief scene. The script was dull; Wallace said a few wise things, but the interviewer never really picked up the threads in any believable way.

It seemed like the whole first hour was just a lot of posturing by the interviewer. I hoped that this was all just to set up a plot twist, followed by a completely different second half. Indeed, there was a moment somewhere around the one-hour mark, where Wallace says to the interviewer that their conversation is "nice" but "not real" and I thought - yes, NOW we get real, get into the meat of it, where they both really open up - but it never happened. Maybe Segal's acting was good because he offered a good rendering of Wallace, but I found the character monotonous. Yeah, he said some bright stuff, but his emotional tone barely changed. Maybe that was true to life, but boring. Same but worse with the interviewer. Dull, dull, dull. What a shame, because I like these two actors a lot.

Gracepoint (2014)

Best thing I've seen in a long time.

[9/10 · 28 October 2014]

I am generally not fond of remakes. But I haven't watched Broadchurch, and I am glad, because it hasn't influenced my watching this show with an objective eye.

Reading some of the reviews, I am really surprised at the criticism, and I'll bet that at least half of it is based in comparison. Other comments, though, like uneven accents - who cares? Why can't a Brit play an American? It's a shame, I think, that this couldn't have been a Canadian network production, as it was filmed in Canada with a Canadian supporting cast. The blend of accents doesn't bother me.

The acting is extremely good, and naturalistic, as is the script. There is some really artful camera work. The story is unfolding in a very compelling way, which leaves me wanting more. As the series goes on, it's beginning to have a little Twin Peaks flavour. Best thing I have seen in a long time.

Everything's Gone Green (2006)

a breath of fresh air

[8/10 · 17 February 2013]

What a pleasure to watch a Canadian movie that's not embarrassingly low budget and poorly acted. I am sure it was low budget, but if so, it was effectively done. I don't see what a bigger budget could have added. It was well-acted, especially by Paulo Costanzo. His performance was understated and very natural.

I love that (metro) Vancouver is so proudly and unabashedly itself here, in all its multifaceted glory, from the run-down houses of Strathcona to the posh golf course of Lion's Bay, with the gorgeous mountains of Howe Sound receding into the distance. For once, Vancouver did not play a stand-in for some other city, a common practice which features in the storyline.

What a funny, charming, and visually appealing film, a breath of fresh air in many ways. I hope to see more from the both the film-maker and lead actor!

The Green Hornet (2011)

Seriously fun

[9/10 · 10 May 2011]

I honestly don't understand the bad reviews. They must have come from WAY TOO SERIOUS superhero-movie watchers. It's Seth Rogen - come on, folks!! We've got camp and silliness and hilarious dialogue, plus fantastic gadgets and action scenes, and feel-good buddy stuff. Maybe the people who need to see it are those who think they don't like superhero movies - they might be in for a pleasant surprise. I hope that time will grant this effort of Rogen's a few more rating points, and that it will grow in popularity through DVD viewings. Seth Rogen is one of the few really creative, funny, and truly humble people in Hollywood these days. I'd watch this movie again in a heartbeat.

Men of a Certain Age (2009–2011)

These "average joes" stand out in a crowd

[9/10 · 15 February 2011]

My husband and I downloaded this show, and have become addicted to it overnight. It's very engaging to watch the characters navigate their own moral dilemmas, which are plausible yet anything but black and white. In one scene, Ray Romano runs the gamut of emotion simply through his nuanced facial expressions, in reaction to his teenage daughter's love life. I had not expected such fine acting and excellent writing; it's been a pleasure to watch. Our only complaints are the camera work (too much movement - sure it's the style but we're tired of it!) and the "Office-esque" workplace scenes (ditto) Each episode has given us more than our share of laughs and tidbits for thought.

She's So Lovely (1997)

utterly compelling

[9/10 · 15 October 2010]

From reading these reviews, one can clearly see this is a film that polarizes viewers. Frankly, at first, I almost dismissed it because of the violence and hopelessness. But the acting in this tragicomedy is so utterly compelling, the pathos so real that I couldn't stop watching, and the spot-on dialogue kept me caught up in the story. The humour was not just icing on the cake, but it infused some credible lightness into this heavy tale. John Travolta's line to his nine-year old daughter, "..shut up and drink your beer!" would not have worked in a lesser film, but it was perfectly absurd and hilarious. In the ending, there is neither redemption nor catastrophe, and it feels authentic, because tomorrow is still another day...

Capturing Mary (2007 TV Movie)

An unusual and thought-provoking film.

[7/10 · 7 January 2010]

To begin with, I found the acting in this film superb. Maggie Smith was flawless as ever, and, as I am accustomed only to David Walliams'comedic work it was a treat to see him in something completely different.

While watching it my expectations were turned on end continually. At first it was shaping up as "aged socialite revisits colourful past", then it veered towards romance, swiftly doing a 180 towards suspense/horror. I could never seem to be able to slot it neatly into one genre, and after some time of feeling frustrated and somewhat confused, I relaxed and decided to just watch. By the end I felt I had been on a journey, one without a predictable structure or clear moral outcome, but one that slowly revealed character's life-questions. And there was satisfaction in knowing those questions were only beginning to be answered by the roll of the ending credits.

Watching the Detectives (2007)

like a fresh bag of jelly beans

[8/10 · 3 January 2010]

This movie felt fresh, like a newly opened bag of jelly beans after years of eating chocolate covered almonds. Don't get me wrong, I love chocolate covered almonds. And there isn't even anything highly original about jelly beans or this movie, just a nice change, fruity and delicious!

Lucy Liu and Cillian Murphy have fabulous chemistry, they're adorable and sexy. They're both very believable in these quirky roles. I could watch them both all day, and in fact I watched the movie a second time, despite the slightly disappointing ending. Maybe there was a point to the lack of ending, as in: just get out there and live, have fun, and eat some jelly beans!

The Babysitters (2007)

Yippee, more teenage boobs.

[2/10 · 3 January 2010]

I am incredulous at the positive reviews for this movie. The only positive thing I can say about the film is the strong performance by the lead actress.

The film was billed as a dark comedy on my local cable channel. It was dark, yes, but it was a stretch to find anything to laugh about with teen girls being exploited by not only their father's peers, but by each other.

For me, it could have succeeded as a study of serious moral dilemma, but the characters were far too superficial and there was little insight provided into their behavior.

The Babysitters is an excuse to watch braless teens bounce across the screen, nothing more. And sadly, I'm afraid this probably many people's cup of tea.