This was a thoughtful and unusual movie. Richard Gere was just exceptional. The character Norman was a fixer, a macher, a name dropper, a wannabe. It was painful, gut wrenching to observe him contort himself to be seen, be a part of successful, powerful society. It is a painful movie with an excruciating ending. He was so lovely, and with the exception of a nephew seemed to have no family, no loved ones, no ex's. Very interesting but slow movie. Not for everyone. Glad I watched it.
Reviews
15 Reviews
Yellowjackets
(2021– )
VERY EXCITING!
23 June 2022
This is a fantastic, thrilling, well written show. If you want an on the edge of your seat thriller with plenty of juicy female roles then watch this. I cannot wait to watch the last episode today after work. The actresses are wonderful and the four leads all deserve Emmy nominations. Christina Ricci has turned into Kathy Bates in her wickedness. I just love this series and want the second season now, now, now.
I do not know what this film is about.
12 June 2022
Clueless, and if I had been watching it with my husband we would not have watched the entire film. It is about.aging, alienation, and lonliness. The acting is good. Much of the film is a young couple driving through a snow storm.
Between Worlds
(2018)
truly terrible
11 April 2022
This is the worst Nic Cage movie I have ever seen. However I watched the whole thing because it was Nicolas Cage. I would encourage you not to start watching this film, and talk a walk or do your dishes instead. Some of the images are burnt into my head unfortunately. A good time and a happy ending is not in this movie. Parts of it, especially the sex, are just YUCK.
Elle
(I) (2016)
a dark and violent film
28 March 2017
Isabelle Huppert offers a glimpse into the psyche of a damaged woman who copes with rigidity and occasional cruelty. Until she snaps and falls down a rabbit hole of violence and depraved sexuality. She gave an award worthy performance. If you are a fan of her and can handle the violent subject matter then see Elle asap.
I am glad I watched it but beware - this is not for everyone. There is sexual violence, nudity, and disturbing animated visual scenes.
I did find it slightly Hitchcockian and imagine he would have enjoyed this film.
I am glad I watched it but beware - this is not for everyone. There is sexual violence, nudity, and disturbing animated visual scenes.
I did find it slightly Hitchcockian and imagine he would have enjoyed this film.
Bad Hurt
(2015)
sad movie about a sad, sad family
17 June 2016
This is a good film. The performances are excellent. For Theo Rossi fans he has a major part and his work is just fine, touching, and realistic. I was happy to watch him for extended scenes because I use to savor some of his brief scenes on Sons of Anarchy. Not sure how much the audience will cross over from SOA to this. But I enjoyed both.
Karen Allen shows the grief and love of this mother who has an indefatigable spirit to help her daughter. An amazing portrayal of a developmentally disabled woman by Iris Gilad. She is a young stage actress making her film debut. We will see a lot more of her.
The father played by the silver haired Michael Harney is every bit the crusty, irish alcoholic drowning his sorrows at the neighborhood bar without being a cliché. The handsome Johnny Wentworth is the oldest son - a disgraced veteran with PTSD and a nasty drug habit.
Calvin Dutton is a newcomer and he knocks it out of the park playing the suitor of Deedee. He is great.
So, it is sad. This story is major sadness - such as you experience with Eugene O'Neil or Tennessee Williams. After you experience what you THINK is the climax there is still 30 mins left.....room for even sadness. Don't watch the movie if you are sad, as I did.
The film is understated, realistic, and depressive however I promise you will end with a smile. There is hope for these people.
Karen Allen shows the grief and love of this mother who has an indefatigable spirit to help her daughter. An amazing portrayal of a developmentally disabled woman by Iris Gilad. She is a young stage actress making her film debut. We will see a lot more of her.
The father played by the silver haired Michael Harney is every bit the crusty, irish alcoholic drowning his sorrows at the neighborhood bar without being a cliché. The handsome Johnny Wentworth is the oldest son - a disgraced veteran with PTSD and a nasty drug habit.
Calvin Dutton is a newcomer and he knocks it out of the park playing the suitor of Deedee. He is great.
So, it is sad. This story is major sadness - such as you experience with Eugene O'Neil or Tennessee Williams. After you experience what you THINK is the climax there is still 30 mins left.....room for even sadness. Don't watch the movie if you are sad, as I did.
The film is understated, realistic, and depressive however I promise you will end with a smile. There is hope for these people.
Sunny in the Dark
(2015)
slow suspense
23 May 2016
I liked this film. It is a very slow and thoughtful movie. The pace was slow and built toward some suspense. I would have liked a little more revelation and resolution with the female lead.
Like who abused her so badly that she has permanent scars on her back. Maybe the WHO does not matter. What matters is that she is scarred. Two lovely people. One mentally ill, one providing mental health care.
The music was beautiful and original. In fact the music was an intricate part of the film. The set was very plain, in fact this could be done as a play I think.
It is a study in human behavior and the need to connect.
Like who abused her so badly that she has permanent scars on her back. Maybe the WHO does not matter. What matters is that she is scarred. Two lovely people. One mentally ill, one providing mental health care.
The music was beautiful and original. In fact the music was an intricate part of the film. The set was very plain, in fact this could be done as a play I think.
It is a study in human behavior and the need to connect.
The American Side
(2016)
good noirish detective film
16 May 2016
"That's a gene pool screamin' for chlorine." That is just one of many one liners I enjoyed in this film. And I have to like a middle aged balding guy who writes a film about the designs of Nicola Tesla and places it in his hometown of Buffalo. And he plays the lead - a churlish hardboiled detective (slightly Bruce Willis inspired). Good for you Greg Stuhr! His character reminds me of Bosch - if you have seen that Series.
Buffalo and Niagara Falls make interesting locations. There are a lot of great shots of the Falls. There are four decent female roles which I like. Plus some major talent with Matthew Broderick and a few old stars like Robert Vaughn and Robert Forster, who has 177 credits to his name.
Both cinematography and the sound track are excellent. It is slightly too long. The plot is a somewhat convoluted but I don't care. I like this movie and I like the aspiration of making such a film on a small budget. And would love to see Greg Stuhr playing a detective on one of the cable or network cop shows.
Buffalo and Niagara Falls make interesting locations. There are a lot of great shots of the Falls. There are four decent female roles which I like. Plus some major talent with Matthew Broderick and a few old stars like Robert Vaughn and Robert Forster, who has 177 credits to his name.
Both cinematography and the sound track are excellent. It is slightly too long. The plot is a somewhat convoluted but I don't care. I like this movie and I like the aspiration of making such a film on a small budget. And would love to see Greg Stuhr playing a detective on one of the cable or network cop shows.
High-Rise
(2015)
not for everyone
7 May 2016
Most people will not like this film. However, I am glad I watched it and we watched until the very end.
It is similar to The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover. It also reminds me of Stanley Kubrick films.
There is a huge gross out factor, and caution if you are an animal lover.
However, despite some huge weaknesses, the film is visually interesting and at times lovely. The film compares different classes (always of interest to the English) as they degenerate into chaos due to some unknown factor which lives them without power or food for a few days.
Of course, I could watch everything Tom Hiddleston does. Sienna Miller was slightly wasted. Supporting actors such as Jeremy Irons and James Purefoy are underused. A stand out performance from Luke Moss and Elisabeth Moss as the true blue collar couple.
Watch it if you love those actors. Skip this movie if you are not patient and long suffering, and for God sake skip it if you are a PETA member.
It is similar to The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover. It also reminds me of Stanley Kubrick films.
There is a huge gross out factor, and caution if you are an animal lover.
However, despite some huge weaknesses, the film is visually interesting and at times lovely. The film compares different classes (always of interest to the English) as they degenerate into chaos due to some unknown factor which lives them without power or food for a few days.
Of course, I could watch everything Tom Hiddleston does. Sienna Miller was slightly wasted. Supporting actors such as Jeremy Irons and James Purefoy are underused. A stand out performance from Luke Moss and Elisabeth Moss as the true blue collar couple.
Watch it if you love those actors. Skip this movie if you are not patient and long suffering, and for God sake skip it if you are a PETA member.
Bolshoi Babylon
(2015)
Fascinating look at Russian Ballet
3 January 2016
If you are interested in the arts, and specifically Ballet then you will find this fascinating. The intrigue, the jealousy, the drama, the pain and struggle. It makes football look tame.
I have some exposure to Ballet, as an audience member, but also I had a roommate for four years who danced in a German company. I spent some time back stage standing and watching performances up close. There was a lot of romantic triangles, drama, jealousy, injury, favoritism, and perpetual competition for roles. I was a singer and opera was intense but nothing is as competitive as ballet and their careers are so short.
I highly recommend this documentary.
I have some exposure to Ballet, as an audience member, but also I had a roommate for four years who danced in a German company. I spent some time back stage standing and watching performances up close. There was a lot of romantic triangles, drama, jealousy, injury, favoritism, and perpetual competition for roles. I was a singer and opera was intense but nothing is as competitive as ballet and their careers are so short.
I highly recommend this documentary.
Queen of Earth
(2015)
Brilliant Tour de Force by Elizabeth Moss
29 August 2015
Queen of Earth is a character study of a depressed woman who unravels following death, scandal, and a break-up. She spends a week at a high end lake side house belonging to a friend.
The visit, which should have been a calm, nurturing respite from her personal tragedies turns into a gut wrenching week. Her friend lacks the patience and empathy to help her heal. Instead she pushes her further into depression and decompensation.
Elizabeth Moss is brilliant with this long, slow disintegration. I could compare her performance to Elizabeth Taylor in 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf' or Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf.
Katherine Waterston, daughter of the beloved Law and Order actor San Waterston, plays a hard edged, unkind, and self centered rich girl. She is unable to help her friend with debilitating depression. In fact she worsens the situation with her criticism, and harsh comments. She is a slender brunette with Ali McGraw looks. Look for more good work from this actress.
The movie moves slow as a glacier. The visual elements are very simple. The lovely house, the lake, and the faces of the two actresses are the main elements. Extremely important is the music.
The musical score establishes the mood, the dread, the tension, the intense unease which characterizes this film. A woman walking down a flight of steps turns into a tense and anxious scene because of the musical score. Another writer/director would have used a voice over to communicate with the audience. Director Alex Ross Perry uses music.
I believe this is only the 4th film by Alex Perry. I think it is a very ambitious undertaking. It is similar in pace and mood to the Lars von Trier film Melancholia. I look forward to more films from Alex Ross Perry.
This is not for every one. It is a very slow and unhappy movie. The characters are not likable. The men are horrid. It is a study of two women and a friendship which is no longer viable. It is a study of a woman who loses her grip on reality and has no one to help her. It is an excellent film with a brilliant performance worthy of an Oscar by Elizabeth Moss.
The visit, which should have been a calm, nurturing respite from her personal tragedies turns into a gut wrenching week. Her friend lacks the patience and empathy to help her heal. Instead she pushes her further into depression and decompensation.
Elizabeth Moss is brilliant with this long, slow disintegration. I could compare her performance to Elizabeth Taylor in 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf' or Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf.
Katherine Waterston, daughter of the beloved Law and Order actor San Waterston, plays a hard edged, unkind, and self centered rich girl. She is unable to help her friend with debilitating depression. In fact she worsens the situation with her criticism, and harsh comments. She is a slender brunette with Ali McGraw looks. Look for more good work from this actress.
The movie moves slow as a glacier. The visual elements are very simple. The lovely house, the lake, and the faces of the two actresses are the main elements. Extremely important is the music.
The musical score establishes the mood, the dread, the tension, the intense unease which characterizes this film. A woman walking down a flight of steps turns into a tense and anxious scene because of the musical score. Another writer/director would have used a voice over to communicate with the audience. Director Alex Ross Perry uses music.
I believe this is only the 4th film by Alex Perry. I think it is a very ambitious undertaking. It is similar in pace and mood to the Lars von Trier film Melancholia. I look forward to more films from Alex Ross Perry.
This is not for every one. It is a very slow and unhappy movie. The characters are not likable. The men are horrid. It is a study of two women and a friendship which is no longer viable. It is a study of a woman who loses her grip on reality and has no one to help her. It is an excellent film with a brilliant performance worthy of an Oscar by Elizabeth Moss.
After Words
(2015)
A Lovely Film
22 August 2015
This is a lovely small film. It was very satisfying. I woke up thinking about it. Marcia Gay Harden gives a GREAT performance. If you are her fan you need to see After Words just to see her.
She plays a curmudgeonly librarian who is depressed and lonely. And that is before she loses her job. Her life is isolated, sad, and pathetic in the huge city of L.A. After being laid off she takes a dream vacation to Costa Rica. In this tropical paradise the beauty of nature, and sincere friendship are healing.
There are three wonderful performances. The cinematography is lovely. Lots of nature shots, beautiful beaches, and jungles. Plenty of native culture, some Spanish, and just enough humor.
The story line is not trite. If you are a Marcia Gay Harden fan then you MUST see this film. It will be a lovely treat for you. The relationship she develops with her tour guide is not a cliché. It is a friendship which she desperately needs. It is a mutually beneficial relationship. The little girl is an adorable actress.
I love this movie. I laughed and cried. It deserves to be seen twice and I will recommend it to family and friends. This is a film I would see with my husband on a date, with girl friends, or with my mother.
There is a very small amount of sex - so you might not see it with your young child. But then, it is not really a film which would interest most children or young teens. This is a film for someone mature who loves stories set in nature, relationships, books, and the possibility of finding new purpose in life when you are past the half way mark. I love this movie. It is a gem.
She plays a curmudgeonly librarian who is depressed and lonely. And that is before she loses her job. Her life is isolated, sad, and pathetic in the huge city of L.A. After being laid off she takes a dream vacation to Costa Rica. In this tropical paradise the beauty of nature, and sincere friendship are healing.
There are three wonderful performances. The cinematography is lovely. Lots of nature shots, beautiful beaches, and jungles. Plenty of native culture, some Spanish, and just enough humor.
The story line is not trite. If you are a Marcia Gay Harden fan then you MUST see this film. It will be a lovely treat for you. The relationship she develops with her tour guide is not a cliché. It is a friendship which she desperately needs. It is a mutually beneficial relationship. The little girl is an adorable actress.
I love this movie. I laughed and cried. It deserves to be seen twice and I will recommend it to family and friends. This is a film I would see with my husband on a date, with girl friends, or with my mother.
There is a very small amount of sex - so you might not see it with your young child. But then, it is not really a film which would interest most children or young teens. This is a film for someone mature who loves stories set in nature, relationships, books, and the possibility of finding new purpose in life when you are past the half way mark. I love this movie. It is a gem.
a portrayal of mental illness
7 June 2015
I was fascinated by this movie. This is the tale of a man losing his sanity. We slowly watch his delusions take over his reality. And the people around him don't really try to save him.
You have probably already read about the amazing long takes through the circuitous back stage of an old Broadway theater. The sound track combined ambient back ground sound from the streets of Time Square, percussion, and opera melodies. I am a musician and I love the score/sound.
The cast is excellent. Michael Keaton is great in this role. As was Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, and the rest of the leading players.
There is an element of magical realism. It is a literary script. It is not a film for everyone but I would like to see it again.
You have probably already read about the amazing long takes through the circuitous back stage of an old Broadway theater. The sound track combined ambient back ground sound from the streets of Time Square, percussion, and opera melodies. I am a musician and I love the score/sound.
The cast is excellent. Michael Keaton is great in this role. As was Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, and the rest of the leading players.
There is an element of magical realism. It is a literary script. It is not a film for everyone but I would like to see it again.
The Dirty Dozen
(1967)
still a GREAT war film
25 May 2015
Over forty years and this movie continues to thrill and entertain. I have seen it several times. If you like the war film genre or just exciting action with ironic humor then you MUST make time to see the original Dirty Dozen.
wow, I need ten lines
Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Jim Brown, Telly Savalis
If you are a young person then you might want to watch these actors - greats in their time.
The movie does lack a significant female lead but that was typical for the times.
wow, I need ten lines
Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Jim Brown, Telly Savalis
If you are a young person then you might want to watch these actors - greats in their time.
The movie does lack a significant female lead but that was typical for the times.
Codebreaker
(2011 TV Movie)
fascinating and heartbreaking bio of a genius
29 November 2014
This was a wonderfully crafted biopic about the mathematic genius who cracked the enigma code, wrote a paper laying out in original plan for computers, and studied math and biology in marking in animals and insects.
He was persecuted, arrested, tried, convicted of homosexual acts in a 1950's England which was much like the persecution and ruination of Oscar Wilde. Alan Turing was a rare genius. Everyone should know his name.
Notable scientists are interviewed. An actor plays Turning during sessions with his kind Psychiatrist. If you like science, or social justice, or GLBT history then you will enjoy this film. It flew by.
He was persecuted, arrested, tried, convicted of homosexual acts in a 1950's England which was much like the persecution and ruination of Oscar Wilde. Alan Turing was a rare genius. Everyone should know his name.
Notable scientists are interviewed. An actor plays Turning during sessions with his kind Psychiatrist. If you like science, or social justice, or GLBT history then you will enjoy this film. It flew by.
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