cotta002-318-865119 Reviews

Freedom (2023)

Revolution reality

[7/10 · 24 March 2024]

I was interested to watch this movie because I followed the Romanian revolution in real time in 1989 via the news in the week before Christmas 1989.

The movie tells the true events of the Romanian city of Sibiu from December 22nd 1989 to February 1990.

The opening scenes show from inside the central police station with large crowds of protesters gathering outside demanding to release prisoners.

In reality there were only a few prisoners in the cells and all were for physical crimes not political. The police chief tries to reason with the crowd and invites 3 in to see the cells for themselves.

Meanwhile phones are going to and fro.

The army arrives and the police ask to be escorted out for their safety , but the army immediately changes sides and declares the police "terrorists".

A random shot from a soldier escalates the situation into chaos and the policemen have to make life risking decisions.

This movie captures so well the absolute chaos of a fast moving revolution.

It shows the switching of allegiance so quickly that one minute allies are then arresting and shooting each other.

It shows the cruelty and extra judicial killings of clearly innocent men by the army and how nervous and frightened conscripts can unleash death at the hearing of a twig breaking.

It even shows revolutionary civilians getting arrested by their own because of a wrong turn in a car.

This movie deserves praise for showing both sides of the revolution and how anyone on either side can get caught up in death spirals through no fault of their own.

Great movie for all those history fans and for those that want to learn about the fall of communism in Romania.

American Fiction (2023)

Well rounded story and great characters

[7/10 · 11 February 2024]

I watched this movie due to the 2024 Oscar nominations wondering why it was up for a number of awards, was it hype?

No , it is a truly masterful movie with great characters, a well written script and superb performances by the cast.

We see a sparsely published writer who is employed as a teacher totally at odds with the way society reads about and writers write about black people and their stories.

Multiple run ins with students and faculty members makes him more determined to try to break the circle of tropes and stereotypes, exploited by movie executives and publishing houses.

What we see next is his journey , his family, his loves , frustrations.

A well deserved Oscar nomination.

Watch, I'm sure you will agree.

Next Goal Wins (2023)

Uplifting funny movie based on a true story

[7/10 · 20 January 2024]

This movie shows how pacific culture is both humorous and heartwarming.

A Dutch football coach who is living in the USA is given an offer he couldn't refuse to go and coach American Samoa national football (soccer) squad.

The coach's Dutch European direct style clashes with the Pacific Islanders culture and it takes time for both to understand each other.

American Samoa lies at the bottom of the FIFA world rankings after losing 31-0 to Australia. Now they have a chance to renew themselves with a new coach.

This movie is full of laughs , the comedy writing is very good. The American Samoan way is so endearing and warm it is a real feel good movie.

The.movie steers close to the truth and is a movie based on the documentary of the same name.

If you need cheering up, or need to recharge your faith in the human spirit watch this movie.

Zwarte Soldaten (2011)

Insight into Dutch volunteers who fought for Nazi Germany

[7/10 · 12 January 2024]

They say in Europe if you ask someone over 90 what they did during the occupation the majority would say they were in the resistance, which of course is impossible.

This documentary shows the uncomfortable truth that many citizens in occupied Europe collaborated and some joined to fight for Nazi Germany.

The movie is pure talking heads interspersed with wartime footage. It allows the Dutch SS veterans to give their reasons for joining, what motivated them.

A couple have regrets, one seems genuinely remorseful of his actions when 18 years old. More telling and frightening is that the majority have no remorse, are proud of their contribution and outwardly anti semetic.

Now all the participants have died this movie documentary serves as a valuable historical record which I believe should be shown in schools so we don't forget how easily it is to fall in line and discriminate and hate.

The director used no frills or sensational gimmicks, just dialogue which works.

Anyone interested in history or social psychology should watch this.

The Promised Land (2023)

Great story, characters and acting

[8/10 · 2 January 2024]

This is a historical drama set in Denmark in the 1700's.

A recently discharged Captain has a dream to create a farm on the inhabitable moorland of what is now Jutland.

He knows the King of Denmark is keen to expand into the area and he requests permission to build a house and to farm the land.

He gets it because the belief is it's impossible to farm the moorlands and it's no loss for the crown to gamble on him.

The movie takes us on a journey of a decent , honest man who rose from the ranks to achieve a commission in the army which at the time was very rare.

This venture pits his honour and morals against riches and coercion from established landowners who all plot his downfall.

The acting is excellent and the characters are all interesting with back stories.

The challenges and decisions he has to make are sometimes unbearable to watch but the screenplay is so well written and executed that it is a joy to watch.

All will feel emotions when watching this movie.

The cinematography is first class.

This movie has been submitted for the 2024 Oscar's as best international film , it is a strong contender.

Highly recommended.

Saltburn (2023)

Two students, two social classes, one outcome

[7/10 · 1 January 2024]

The story begins with a student newly enrolled at Oxford University under a scholarship.

He is academically gifted but socially he struggles with interpersonal relationships.

He sees a charismatic student who is full of life and is a magnet to all who meet him.

He slowly overcomes his fears and strikes up a conversation with the enigmatic student and when term ends is invited to spend the summer at his estate in the country.

This movie shows the differences between classes in England which even to this day is prevalent, however what the creators have done is to take us into a dark world. At first the story is straightforward and predictable but this is done deliberately to lul the viewer into a false sense of security and they do this very well.

As the movie progresses the darker it gets.

At the end it's as if we are at the bottom of the Mariana Trench where no light penetrates the bottom of the ocean.

I was very impressed and was shocked at some scenes which made my senses focus on what was to come next.

Very good twists and turns when you least expect it.

Well written and excellent acting from the whole cast makes this a must watch movie.

Recommended.

Hardcore Never Dies (2023)

Drama that takes us back to club life in Mid 90's Holland

[7/10 · 17 December 2023]

Anyone who remembers the "gabber" scene which began in Rotterdam The Netherlands will appreciate the attention to detail in this movie.

I like the fact that the director made an environment where everything was as it was in the mid 90's from the mobile phones that had bad reception most pay as you go, to old cars and even street signs as they were.

Two brothers , one a natural talent for playing the piano , the other a rascal , into partying in the Gabber scene. Gabber is Dutch slang for "mate, buddy" shaved heads and Australian tracksuits, a particular look (shaved heads didn't mean racist, this was not the case with gabbers). It was almost tribal like with the women shaving the lower part of their hair and always a pony tail, this tribe danced all night to very heavy and fast hard bass drum beats and often took speed or other drugs to keep them going.

The gifted pianist brother is working in a mundane job and meets up with his estranged brother and he sees his brothers way of life as an escape from his structured and boring life.

The movie goes on to show how a series of unfortunate events can easily spiral out of control and keeping things together is difficult enough but add to the mix all night raves, drugs and gangsters... well who knows what the outcome will be.

Some similarities from the Dutch 90's techno movie "wasted" and the Danish Pusher trilogy (I like them also) makes this a good movie to watch.

It's true Hardcore never dies.

The Royal Hotel (2023)

potential backpackers take note

[6/10 · 27 October 2023]

This movie is a dramatic interpretation of the documentary film "hotel coolgardie" (I reviewed that also on IMDb)

It tells the story of two backpackers travelling through Australia and they take up a job via a job agency (very common in Australia backpacking community). Only downside the hotel is in south Australia in a mining location.

They are met with a culture shock of how rough the men are and how the women have to cope with chauvinism.

The movie portrays real life in the mining towns of southern Australia where the pub is the main gathering location and where men drink far too much.

There are a few scenes where artistic license is used to make for a more dramatic movie but all in all it's a true reflection of the experiences many female travellers have.

I recommend to watch and then view "Hotel Coolgardie" to compare.

The Great Escaper (2023)

Glenda and Michaels final movie, moving and respectful

[7/10 · 19 October 2023]

I saw this movie at the cinema not knowing the story and was pleasantly surprised.

This was Michael Caine's final movie and he took the role because it was the story of a man his age and a good script. The other reason was to play alongside Glenda Jackson whom he had performed with her and they had a good friendship.

The movie tells the true story of WW2 naval veteran who missed the 70th D Day commemoration due to the nursing home applying too late. His wife (Glenda) pushes him to go and he packs a plastic carrier bag and off he goes with his walker to the bus stop to head to Normandy.

The movies flashes back to the actual landings and his wife's meeting and early days with him during the war.

The story is well told. It gives respect to the veterans and shows how they deal with the still haunting memories of the war.

Germans and alloed veterans come together sharing their experiences in a moving way.

Glenda Jackson died not long after the movie was shot and her performance was fantastic.

A final curtain for two legends of the screen.

Recommend for all to see.

Jeanne du Barry (2023)

Accurate, well Produced historical drama

[7/10 · 30 September 2023]

This movie was enjoyable to watch.

The narrator element blended well in telling the story of King Louis Xv mistress.

The rules of the Versailles court seem so extreme nowadays but the movie depicts everything in detail along with the costumes and dialogue it makes a very good historical drama.

Johnny Depp's French is good and he delivers his lines modestly which makes it more realistic.

Sometimes movie makers tend to embellish the historical facts, this one doesn't and the intertwined relationships between the king, his daughters and his mistress are well documented and these play out in this movie.

Depp's performance was very good. It was nice to see him play an historical character, I think it was a challenge he was up for and in my opinion he nailed it.

Close (I) (2022)

Sad story of frequent occurrences

[7/10 · 12 March 2023]

This is the story of two boys Leo and Remi who do everything together. They play adventure games in the woods, go cycling around the area , exploring, playing video games and having sleepovers.

The summer ends and they both start first year at the high school, this is where the trouble begins.

Leo and Remi show their affection to each other which is picked up first by the girls in the class who ask if they are gay, the boys say not and the girls say they are only curious that's why they ask but Leo is impacted by this.

It then gets to the boys and one pushes Leo and next day another makes a derogatory comment.

Leo doesn't talk to Remi about his worries and starts to avoid Remi.

Remi is confused and doesn't understand what is happening, this leads to a downward spiral and dramatic outcomes for both boys.

This movie is well made Belgium Oscar nominated movie. It touches on what is a common theme where best friends who are extremely close can have this closeness misunderstood by peers and this leads to bullying or ostracism.

It is very well played by the cast and facial emotions speak volumes to the audience.

Any viewer who has a child will be moved by this movie.

It's beautifully done and well deserving of its Oscar nomination.

Living (2022)

Simple story beautifully told

[8/10 · 10 March 2023]

Bill Nighy is nominated for an Oscar and after watching this I can see why.

The story is set in 1950's Britain and shows a hound civil servant on his first day to work in London at a works and development section. His chief civil servant is a humourless stiff upper lip type (Bill) who gets a diagnosis that he is terminally ill and has 6-8 months maximum to live.

This movie shows accurately how the British civi, service was in those days, very bureaucratic and passing projects and requests around departments with little being done.

His terminal diagnosis changes his perspective on life and he embarks with what time he has left to make a difference irrespective of how big or small it may be.

The acting from Bill is superb, he captures the character and the performance is definitely Oscar material.

Such a simple story but could be any of us at any time, the realisation that life is limited and stands still for no one.

This movie goes to show you don't need special effects to create great movies, just good characters and a story that resonates.

The Whale (2022)

One room scene keeps mesmerising attention

[8/10 · 24 February 2023]

A fantastic performance from all the cast makes this the movie of 2023.

The movie is set in Charlie's house that's it for the location, however it doesn't matter it makes viewers emerge into Charlie's life.

Charlie is a college tutor who is morbidly obese and is house bound. He gives classes online and never shows his camera image.

Since he left his wife for a man who died he has been ostracised by his daughter and wife.

Reaching a stage of near death he decides to try to reach out one last time to his daughter. His carer is fond of him as a friend and knows he wants to die and tries to persuade him to seek medical help but he is reluctant to spend money and in a way is succumbing to the thoughts of letting himself go to end it all.

A truly brilliant performance and skilful writing makes this a must see movie.

Even though a single set location it matters not you will be captivated in his anguish and pain for the duration of the movie.

Incredibly moving and thought provoking.

Best Actor oscar is my prediction.

Lost in Translation (2003)

When lost in life watch this movie

[8/10 · 4 February 2023]

This movie is a gem.

It is storytelling at its best.

A middle aged movie star gets a contract to promote a Japanese whiskey and hates Tokyo, is clearly having mid life issues at home.

He meets a younger woman who is accompanying her husband who is a famous rock photojournalist.

Two lonely souls meet and find love.

It is so well scripted and acted it is a joy to watch again and again.

Nothing is pushed onto the viewer, all very subtle, the actors looks, simplicity and less is more works so well.

So many people will relate to both character's situations.

Some funny moments to make you smile but this is not a comedy it's a deep story of love and finding each other for a few days in a foreign city.

One of my favourite movies.

Ferry (2021)

Many like Ferry in Amsterdam's underworld

[7/10 · 29 October 2022]

Having loved in The Netherlands for the last 25 years, I have met characters like Ferry involved in work where you don't really know what they do but know they know people.

A very good realistic portrayal of how the old school Amsterdam mafia works.

The story shows how traumatic childhood experiences can impact their whole life and way of being.

A good well written script and excellent acting made this movie enjoyable to watch.

It shows a side of Holland that not many tourists will see. It takes us from Amsterdam to the province of Brabant in the south of the country where dialect and way of life is different, surprisingly for a small country.

Recommend.

Her (2013)

Way ahead of its time

[7/10 · 17 September 2022]

This movie was produced in 2013, technology was not what it is now as I write this review but what struck me was the accuracy and foresight into something that is not too far away from being available to us now.

The movie follows a lonely recently separated man who works in a company writing special emotive letters for people tend to their loved ones.

He is insular and doesn't seem to mix well in the company of others.

One day he sees an advert for a new operating system that has AI and can change your life. He buys it and using a system like we know as Alexa or similar he is plugged in to this world of having a female assistant who can learn and grow and even have feelings.

This movie throws up all sorts of social dilemmas, like what if we prefer this to actual human contact, what moral issues are there in this , is there loyalty and feelings?

Superb acting, believable situations and a story well told.

Give it a watch, it may become real sooner than you think.

21 Bridges (2019)

Chadwick Bronson's character was a great role model

[7/10 · 4 September 2022]

I really enjoyed this movie.

The storyline was not straightforward with a few twists and turns in the script which keeps you guessing who why and what.

I thought the characters were believable, some sympathetic even. Chadwick's character was an excellent role model and I would have loved to see a sequel or trilogy , but unfortunately he died soon after this.

Two ex military veterans get a tip off to raid a drug dealers stash and it goes terribly wrong, events play out that all is not what it seems.

Unfortunately I think the writer hit on reality that policing is sometimes a dark underground world.

Recommend, give it a go you will enjoy.

RIP Chadwick.

Men (2022)

A potential classic but not for viewers who like spoon fed storylines. Read if you would like my interpretation

[7/10 · 1 July 2022]

This movie in years to come will be touted as a classic cinematic masterpiece , however for years viewers have been given easy to follow storylines and like an applebees meal, simple and microwaveable some are not getting this movie.

A cast of seven.make a wonderful suspense filled thriller with no green screen explosions or flying effects, just atmosphere and some deep fake technology.

Harper has recently lost her husband in a tragedy and she rents a country house to find herself and get away from London.

She is met by the landlord who is an eccentric aristocratic type and he shows her the house and leaves her to it.

The next parts can be open to varied theories but my take is that Harper had massive guilt over the death of her husband.

She fixated on the imagery of the landlord , his face and from that point in her psychosis every man she saw was the same features of Geoffrey (the landlord).

She is stalked by a naked man in the woods (Geoffrey)

She goes to the church and a boy outside and the vicar all look like Geoffrey, what they say is received as blame towards her for the death of her husband.

Goes back to the house man from woods tries to break in, calls police, officer in charge face is Geoffrey, .says he's releasing the stalker.

In the final scene each character with the face of Geoffrey gives birth to another character until in the end she sees her husband who says this is what you did to me.

Her friend arrives at dawn to find Harpers car wrecked and her sitting outside picking flowers covered in blood.

I believe Harper crashed the car from coming from the pub, Geoffrey who was there came to the house to see what happened and she stabbed him with the knife and hit him with the axe in her psychosis, thus blood trails at the door and over her dress.

I enjoyed the movie, make of it what you will but there is always room for thought provoking movies like this, open to interpretation, like Mulholland Drive or Swimming Pool.

The Northman (2022)

Historically accurate movie about Viking life

[7/10 · 23 May 2022]

I don't know what to expect from this movie but was pleasantly surprised.

The movie shows real life of a Viking kingdom, the lighting was fantastic only using natural light from fires and torches helped to immerse into the world of Viking life. Non of the Hollywood costume being perfect like from the rack of Saks of 5th avenue this movie paid attention to detail.

The movie itself is dark both in atmosphere and storyline, it tells of a son of a Viking chieftain who seeks blood feud, his journey is violent and without mercy. Viewers need to understand the ways and beliefs of vikings made their actions to them understandable and accepted, to us now it is barbaric.

The use of Scandinavian actors and Icelandic locations brought a realism many Viking movies don't have.

I won't go into the plot as even to touch on it would spoil the experience, just to say it has some twists in it.

Definitely one to watch but preferably in a dark room.

Generation Wealth (2018)

Confusing and not what it says in the tin

[2/10 · 8 May 2022]

Started ok, but within 20 minutes went on a tangent about the movie maker's life, parents children etc. More like a film grad first year documentary than the subject title.

I liked her previous work post 2008 financial collapse queen of Versailles, but this seemed really self indulgent and definitely not on topic.

Bill Maher: #Adulting (2022 TV Special)

Bill has turned into the old relative who always moans and complains at family gatherings

[4/10 · 20 April 2022]

Having watched the majority of Bill Mather's work over the decades I have to say he has morphed from an edgy comedian to a celebrity that uses his show to botch about issues or things he doesn't like.

The show begins with a tirade on mask wearers, now for a libertarian that seems strange right peoples right to choose, masks hurt no one else, but he chooses to berate all including a member of the audience. Never mind covid killed more Americans than every war since the countries birth, he just goes at it like a ranting elderly relative who doesn't understand rock and roll music or long hair on men or (fit your own subject here). It's completely ignoring that he doesn't know the health situation of anyone, they may be imunocompromized, having cancer therapy etc and want to see a show.

Then it's at woke or cancel culture or twitter, you name it he has a beef with it, after 20 minutes I said where are the jokes, a couple were even reused from his "real time" show.

It was like eating week old bread with a lemon, stale and bitter.

Bill needs to lighten up, be a bit less judgemental and crack some original jokes, or stick with political commentary shows, give up on stand up as no amount of viagra can revive this one.

Funny Cow (2017)

Realistic insight into how a female comedian overcomes challenges in North of England in the 1970's

[7/10 · 18 April 2022]

Many say this is the unorthorized story of comedian Marti Caine, the similarities are many.

A young girl being raised in poverty stricken northern England by abusive parents, but she show spirit and resilience and uses humour to get by in life.

The working mens clubs portrayed in the movie are historically accurate as is the audience. This movie captures the time well.

A must to watch for any inspired woman who wants to get into comedy. Full of tragedy and mirth.

Drive My Car (2021)

Complex to follow easier if you studied Chekhov

[6/10 · 11 March 2022]

I get that Japanese film making can be all about the hidden meaning, sometimes they work well and you go "oh ok I see now" but for me this one was way to complex to get a take on what the writer and director wanted the audience to understand or feel.

I felt like the cast of the play repeatedly reading the script to see if I could better understand the direction or meaning but unfortunately it was lost on me.

Seemed like no editing took place and sometimes real-time passenger experience, maybe it would have been better as a two hour movie.

Storyline revolves around a famous actor asked to do a direction of Uncle Varna a Chekhov play using multiple languages including sign.

His contract includes a driver ,he is not so happy to let lose his beloved Saab 900 turbo (excellent car by the way) but is convinced of her driving skills and we see the relationship develop between him and her in a non sexual way.

For me it was like a samurai secret box , really difficult to work out meanings of the story but as you can see by many "movie explained" and "ending explained" google hits it can mean many things to many people.

For me not an Oscar winner, for sure not best movie and in my opinion better candidates for best international movie category.

Have a look and you be the judge, maybe you will be enlightened.

The Hand of God (2021)

A great true story of the director's tragedy and coming of age in Naples

[7/10 · 6 March 2022]

You get a true immersive feeling of how it is to live in a family in Naples.

Lots of jokes, enjoying life , pranks played but also some tragedies and how people cope.

Considering the need for the fast running script to show authentic Italian families banter and chatting the actors were great it gives a realism to the movie.

Up for best foreign movie Oscar, definitely worth the nomination.

Parallel Mothers (2021)

A real heartbreaker in more than one way

[8/10 · 20 February 2022]

Two women put in the same room in a hospital during labour form a friendship. One is a successful photographer the other is a lonely ignored single child of a famous actress.

Janice is also trying to get the mass grave of her great grandfather exhumed but the Spanish civil war historical memory law is making that difficult.

This is a great movie of complex situations and how two women have to deal with the realities of the cards life has dealt them.

Penelope Cruz is up for an Oscar for this role, in my mind well deserved.