whatsupdoc_55 Reviews

Nightcrawler (2014)

Brilliant! Instant classic! Should have won an Oscar!

[10/10 · 24 April 2015]

I can only give this film, its production crew, and it's actors the highest score in every category. Truly, it is an "instant classic." That expression is often misused; in this case, it is definitely merited.

It is a rare instance when a film holds my attention from beginning to end. This film did exactly that. It lives up to the name: ACTION-THRILLER. It will not disappoint.

Jake Gyllenhall's performance is worthy of an Oscar. He creates a character as memorable as those from films like TAXI DRIVER, MIDNIGHT COWBOY, or THE GODFATHER. His performance is understated and intriguing. It is constant from start to finish. When the film began, I thought he was merely WEIRD; by the end of the film, I found it BRILLIANT.

Up until now, I've never been a big fan of Rene Russo. I've enjoyed her performances, and found her beautiful as a woman, but she never really dazzled me. Well, her performance in this film dazzled me. Once again (to overuse the adjective): brilliant! If you don't like thrillers, or action films, violence, and top-notch drama, then this film is NOT for you. If you like any or all of the preceding, then this film is a must-see.

One final thought: This film proves to me that the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences and it's Academy Award system is in need of an overhaul!

Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz (2011 Video)

Super Cute! An Instant Classic!

[8/10 · 15 September 2011]

I never thought any movie could compare with the original Wizard of Oz! Let's face it, when I watch the original 1939 version, I sit there reciting every line of dialog in unison with the cast! Everything about the original is "sacred" to me.

A few years ago, Disney made a live version RETURN TO OZ. I own it on DVD. It's nice -- but I can never fully enjoy it because of all the "differences." Any change from the original, and the lack of music, just remove the "magic" for me.

I bought this DVD for my wife as one of her anniversary presents. I expected to not like it. Wow, was I ever mistaken.

The whole production is absolutely adorable. It follows the original very closely, including ALL THE MUSIC! The colors are gorgeous. The DVD includes TWO versions -- one version begins in black and white (in Kansas) and then changes to color (in Oz), exactly like the original! I won't belabor the point. For ANYONE who loves The Wizard of Oz and is a fan of the 1939 Judy Garland version, this is a must-see, must-own, must-share.

Enjoy! I hope my little review encourages you to give it a go and to lots of smiles and memories.

Joyeux Noel (2005)

This sleeper woke me up!

[10/10 · 29 October 2010]

Wow! This movie is a real gem and I came across it totally by happenstance.

My wife and I discovered it in our local branch library. It was actually she who took it home. I stared at the cover box rather suspiciously. Foreign film, subtitles (not just of one language, but French & German to English), World War 1 (rather dated, it seemed) . . .

No, this didn't seem like "my cup of tea . . .", uhh, "my cup of ACTION" (I'm a guy, I drink beer not tea.) For the first 15 minutes or so, I sat there only validating my preconceptions. "This movie is SLOW . . . this movie is too GIRLISH for me . . . not one person has been killed or maimed yet from a karate blow by a macho lead man . . ."

Despite my stubborn reluctance, the movie suddenly, somehow, caught my attention. I sat there "enchanted" and mesmerized. (Yes, I actually use the word "enchanted" -- like I said, I drink BEER, I also watch FOOTBALL and BOXING. Despite this, it's really the most appropriate adjective.) The production values are excellent. The story is captivating. The acting, in every way by everyone involved, is fantastic (and considering most of it is done in foreign languages, the fact that I was able to notice how great the acting is alone proves my point).

The story is beautiful, sensitive, cool, great, magic, and MEMORABLE. The fact that it's based on TRUE EVENTS only adds to the enchantment.

This movie re-instilled my faith in human nature, at the same time that it reaffirmed my criticism of the "powers that be" who distort personkind's inclination for fellowship and foster wars.

Enough said. I urge everyone to see this movie. The fact that it didn't win an Academy Award is beyond me. Politics, I'm sure. I'm not talking about Best Foreign Film, either (it WAS nominated for that) -- it should have won Best Film (period!).

Whatever your personal politics. Whatever your religious affiliation (or lack thereof). This film cannot "offend" anyone who (like the Tin Woodsman) was given a heart by the Wizard. In the movie, one Prussian (German) officer states, "I'm Jewish!" (And the magic touched him!) I RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE 100%. The rest is for you to judge.

Drag Me to Hell (2009)

This is the stuff cult classics are made of.

[10/10 · 24 August 2010]

This comment may contain "spoilers." I've tried to tell just enough to glean your interest and convey the premise of the plot -- but in doing this, I may reveal more than you want me to.

This film caught me from the very beginning. A young Mexican boy is attacked by an unseen entity as his parents and an unidentified woman look on helplessly. He plummets from a balcony, falling on the tile floor below. But, he is not killed by the fall. I expected him to get up and run. Suddenly, the floor itself begins to crack open, I could see the flames from Hell, and then the boy is literally "dragged to Hell." The unidentified Mexican woman who witnessed all this hangs over the edge of the balcony watching the boy's fate. The demon has won. The woman has one thing to say, "We will meet again." Fade out. Credits. Action continues years later. At least one person was hooked already (me).

The story centers on Christine who works for a bank. She is hoping to get a promotion, but faces competition from another, a male, employee. She wants to convince her boss that she is "tough enough" to take on the responsibilities of the new position. Enter an elderly woman. The bank is about to foreclose on her house. She entreats our heroine for mercy (literally getting on her knees at one point) so she doesn't lose her home. Please, give her just a little more time to pay. Not wanting to look "soft," Christine refuses more time.

The old woman is "escorted" from the bank by two armed guards! I don't want to include too many "spoilers." It suffices to add that the old woman is not happy with Christine's treatment of her. She places a curse on Christine. The curse involves the unseen demon who killed the Mexican boy in the opening scene. The curse will take exactly 3 days to culminate. In methodic fashion, Christine experiences increasingly blatant demonic manifestations. A likable fortune teller/medium becomes involved. This medium takes Christine to the Mexican woman of the opening scene.

Christine has 3 days to either doom or to overcome The Curse.

Sheesh! It really hurts me to read some of the reviews here. Horror films are MORE than blood & gore -- they are a genre. As a genre (like Westerns, SciFi, Romances, Comedies) they come in many sizes and shapes. It amazes me how pompous and (almost) cruel some people can sound in their critiques. I guess some people love to "bash." I found this to be one of most fun, interesting, original, and camp horror films of the past decade or so. I believe it will become a cult favorite, and it is worthy to become a "classic." The writing was excellent. It was in no way "overdone." There is a LOT of tongue in cheek humor. I've viewed this again and again (about 8 times now), and continue to pick up on little nuances.

I do not believe this horror film was necessarily meant to "terrify" the audience; I believe it was meant to DELIGHT them and to elicit a balance of humor, expectation, and satisfaction. Perhaps those last two words "expectation" and "satisfaction" are beyond the appreciation of some of those who have posted here.

When it comes to horror, most of it has been "done before" in some shape or fashion. The key to excellence rests not on originality of subject matter as much as on originality of presentation. Give this a moment's thought. Take films such as the original FRANKENSTIEN, ROSEMARY'S BABY, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS, or THE EXORCIST. Each of these films has had ample imitators and "wanna be"s. What distinguishes each of these classics is their originality. In each case, that originality is different. These films presented material in a new and different way -- that is what makes them classics.

I said that, in each case, the originality was "different." At first, that may baffle some readers; the simple truth is: ORIGINALITY, by definition, is ALWAYS "different," that's what makes something original.

I found this film refreshing and original in how it was scripted and presented. It is an excellent balance of humor, spoof, earnest acting, and sheer delight.

I encourage anyone interested enough to read this to check it out for yourself. "To Hell" with all the would be critics (pun intended) -- that includes me. You may find it a fun, rewarding experience.

The Life of David Gale (2003)

One of those movies that "SHOULD HAVE WON AN ACADEMY AWARD"

[27 February 2008]

I don't comment very often on films. Usually, a more than adequate number of members do and their comments cover things nicely. There are three situations where I enjoy commenting -- 1) when I discover a film that otherwise might "go unnoticed", 2) when I view a film which I feel doesn't merit all the hype, or 3) when there's such a hodgepodge of contradictory comments that I just wanna be "the final authority" for someone! The way I see it, if I can influence one other person then it's all worth it! (smile) This movie falls into the first category I mentioned: it's FANTASTIC on many levels, and can too easily go unnoticed. I don't want to be redundant in specifics. As you read the other comments posted, any POSITIVE ONES are probably RIGHT ON! If you read anything negative, take it with a grain of salt. If you hate suspenseful movies with lots of twists and terrific acting, then this movie isn't for you. This movie is what cinema is all about. To begin with, the "plot" wasn't exactly what I consider my "cup of tea"; I didn't think the subject matter would interest me. I said to myself: "been there -- done that -- 'nuff said!" The fact that the movie then blew me away and impressed me on EVERY LEVEL should be enough to interest others to check it out! I started viewing this movie as a "harsh critic." I expected NOT TO LIKE IT. The fact that it totally enthralled me may encourage you to take a look!

The Mist (2007)

Instant Classic! Pleasant surprise! Darabont & King rule!

[10/10 · 24 February 2008]

I went to see this movie on a day when I just wanted to go out. I didn't expect much. I was pleasantly surprised. This is a fantastic horror movie. It has everything a fan could want in it: great visual effects, creepy mood, scares, suspense, dramatic tension, & a few delightful surprises & twists. I genuinely got caught up in the mood and was scared! One word of advice, to get the full effect, you'll want to see it on a BIG SCREEN -- either, in the theater or on a High Definition Big Screen TV. That way, the atmosphere will surround you and you'll enjoy the full effect of the horror; the same goes for SOUND. This is one of those pictures when surround sound really makes a difference, adding to the feeling of claustrophobia and being "surrounded" by a dangerous evil. It is directed flawlessly. The director, Frank Darabont, works well with Mr. King and elevates the story to top quality in every respect. Darabont, as a filmmaker, has a way of visualizing things which is equal to King's power as a writer. Their 3 projects together so far (Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Mist) testify to this. I found it as enjoyable as I did "The Green Mile," their last collaboration. The DVD is #1 on my Wish List. This movie does not disappoint. I consider it an instant classic & must see. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The Infiltrator (1995 TV Movie)

Neo-Nazi drama

[8/10 · 20 September 2006]

This film was exciting and very suspenseful. It kept my interest throughout. If you like Nazi-related films, you will want to see this one. I found it thought-provoking also in how it portrayed human emotions and sensibilities. It was a worthwhile view. When I originally saw it scheduled on cable, I intended NOT to watch it; I ended up catching a glimpse of it as I was switching the channels and became mesmerized.

The topic of Neo-Naziism has been dealt with ad nauseum. I originally felt that this would be another predictable re-hash of the subject matter. A few things attracted me: 1) the acting was really good; 2) the graphic visual images left no room for debate; 3) it was very well written.

It's definitely worth an inspection.