sundisilver Reviews

As It Is in Heaven (2004)

brilliant

[9/10 · 18 March 2012]

This Swedish film (with subtitles) well deserved its Best Foreign Film Academy Award nomination. With Michael Nyquist in a role far different than what he's known for -- plus a cast of quirky characters unknown to U.S. audiences, this story holds the viewer in captivity. Briefly: Nyquist plays a successful orchestra conductor who returns anonymously to the village of his youth where he was bullied as a child. Most all he encounters are new to him, though one big bully remains and plays a pivotal role in the story. Without giving too much away, I believe it's safe to say this movie is about life and death and the lessons we all need to learn before we die.

Because I took issue with the director's quirky habit of cutting scenes off right in the middle of a serious moment, leaving the viewer to find out later what happened, I reserved one star. The acting and the story, however, just might make up for it. Brilliant.

A Shine of Rainbows (2009)

a 10 on ALL counts

[10/10 · 3 March 2012]

I give this movie a "10" on the cinematography alone, but it's so much more than that. The story is heartwarming, directing is perfect, acting is superb (even young John Bell in what is likely his first role), and the musical score is worth purchasing on its own. Loved every piece of it.

The story centers around an orphan (Bell) who is adopted by a beautiful and 'colorful' Irish woman (Connie Nielson, an actress new to me but I will definitely look for her again) and her reluctant husband (Quinn, an A-list actor who never ever disappoints) and whisked off to picturesque Corrie Island in County Donegal. The film tugs at your heart without being maudlin or without even a hint at 'over-acting,' so common in movies about orphans. (Kudos to the director.)

I cannot recommend this film highly enough and am shocked that I had never heard of it before renting it on a lark.

What's Your Number? (2011)

needs a whole new script

[2/10 · 18 February 2012]

This movie COULD have been worthwhile had it a decent script, directing, and editing. What's your number refers to how many men the protagonist has slept with - what a premise! Still, it could have been done right, but sadly missed the boat on so many counts. Jumping from tacky (REALLY crude) sex talk over to schmaltzy sweet vignettes makes for a completely inconsistent and hard to watch movie. I was surprised to find Blythe Danner and Ed Begley in here - seems below them somehow. Most of the young cast is not that well known, but they did a good enough job given the sick script they had to work with. I found the dialog in some places absolutely ridiculous, not to mention unbelievable. This film is really not worth watching unless you're in the mood for crude, absurd, and schmaltzy all at the same time.

The Conspirator (2010)

Kudos to the filmmakers for telling the tale - very well done

[15 October 2011]

I commend the filmmakers for pulling this story out of the fine print of history and telling the tale so thoroughly (and for the most part, quite accurately it seems). For that, it deserves a 10. The acting for the most part is superb (hardly recognized Kevin Kline!) as you would expect from a cast of this caliber.

My only objection is that it's a bit too long - particularly the hanging scene was drawn out way too long in my opinion, so much so that I left the room - didn't need that much unpleasantness.

Cinematography and the photoshop'd scenes of old Washington were done extremely well as was costuming and casting. When all is said and done, however, the value of this film lies in the truth of the story it tells, shameful (most would say) but honestly told. It's too bad that virtually nobody knew of the story of Mary Surratt before this film came out, yet her story is paramount to acknowledging the workings of corrupt and/or misguided government. A big thank you to the filmmakers for helping to educate us all.

Super (I) (2010)

a sicko film that could have been good in another director's hands

[1/10 · 14 September 2011]

The director of this sick film couldn't decide if he wanted to do a comedy, drama, horror, or fantasy flick, so he opted for gratuitous violence. Makes me wonder how in the world he got funding - or worse, what does this kind of flick do to anyone with psychopathic tendencies? Such a good cast wasted on a very sick film. It probably was a decent script (other reviewers have covered that part) until this director got hold of it and made it his own personal horror show turned comedy turned comic book fantasy. How to describe the genre?? Nothing fits except sicko. I wouldn't sit through it again if someone offered me money to do so.

Mermaid (2007)

Creative, quirky, spectacular acting!

[9/10 · 13 September 2011]

For whatever reason, Americans rarely are treated to Russian films, which is probably a great loss... certainly seems so after seeing the film "Mermaid." With a quirky story line and a very compelling opening sequence (great graphics!), it's a combination of incredible acting by the two actresses who play the lead character at different ages as well as the supporting cast and creative directing that make this worth watching. Not wanting to give anything away, I'll just say that my family enjoyed this film very much - but nothing prepared us for the ending. Highly recommend. (I reserved one star because I would have liked to see some creative cinematography of the Russian countryside; nevertheless, seeing Moscow up close in film is a treat.)

3 Idiots (2009)

Absolutely loved it.

[10/10 · 14 July 2011]

I checked this out on a whim from my library and was so impressed that I just had to come here to review it. Please note I am NOT Indian, but this is (as of yesterday) one of my top five favorite films of all time. My only criticism is the title - it's horribly misleading for American audiences who would probably expect a Judd Apatow nonsense film (and offensive to boot). Not so with this film - the characters are anything but idiots despite their college experiences. Brilliantly written and directed, there's something for everyone here: comedy, tragedy, and even a couple of song and dance numbers (seamlessly integrated). The acting is superb, the plot is a bit complex but fascinating, and it's shot with care and attention. LOVE IT.

Hall Pass (2011)

crude way beyond necessary

[3/10 · 27 June 2011]

I'm starting to think I got an UNcut version of this on DVD... the nudity and crude jokes about oral sex were so numerous that even my husband got up and walked out of the room. And how many jokes about pooping really go over all that well? We're hardly prudes in our household, but this got to be a ploy that ruined the whole movie for us. Though I loved the cast for the most part, if I were an investor OR an actor in the film, I would have been pretty angry at the final cut as it sure limits the audience who would enjoy it (thus the profits as well as the exposure for the cast). As it is, all I can do is give my two cents: it wouldn't have sucked if the brothers Farrely had left out the way over-the-top crude rude oral sex unfunny jokes.