dgar1948 Reviews

Strangerland (2015)

Strangerland.

[9/10 · 4 November 2017]

I liked the movie. It was kind of slow and confusing at times but overall a good movie. I imagine people living in a small isolated town like that one would be a little weird, so isolated. Looked like it was Mars. Nicole Kidman was great I thought the way she portrayed the distraught mom with a past of her own. The ending was disappointing I thought, left you hanging. What happened to Lily? Was she murdered, Did Burtie kill her, was her body out there somewhere, did the unknown driver of the car her brother saw take her to where the concert was going to be held? And if she did go with him why did they leave the boy out there to die? A few questions unanswered in that movie but maybe that's the way the producers wanted it. Now I'm going to wonder forever if Lily died or went to another town. Good movie though.

Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield (2007 Video)

serial murderer Ed Gein

[3/10 · 10 February 2011]

This movie is supposedly based on the real life of Ed Gein. The one with Steve Railsback was much better. Gein was a short man,5ft.7in. Kane Hodder was too big to portray Ed Gein. He's good as Jason but not for this role. Of the two, Steve Railsback was better. He even resembled Gein somewhat. How Gein managed to go unnoticed is beyond me. Just looking at his picture with those cold, dead eyes, gives one the willies. I suppose being 1957, people didn't know much about serial killers and in a small town like Plainfied, no one really took notice of Gein's weird looks. He may have been friendly to people but that look should have raised a red flag I think. A real, cold blooded, cold eyed butcher.

Return to Paradise (1998)

Return to Paradise movie

[9/10 · 17 March 2008]

I watched this movie and it made me realize that Americans aren't looked up to with awe and wonder anymore like in past years. The "I'm an American" doesn't wash anymore, especially when drugs are concerned. Like the kid who was imprisoned in Turkey years ago and managed to escape. And the woman who got 33 years in Thailand back in 1980 who only had to deliver a package of some drug and get the next flight home and she would have gotten $50,000 if my memory serves me right. It doesn't pay to break the law in another country obviously, especially if you're American. Those judges aren't very sympathetic as shown in this movie. Their version of justice is far different than ours. I did not like the character of Jada Pinkett, the nosy reporter, who I think was outright responsible for the hanging. The movie should have included a scene where Anne Heche goes back to N.Y. and kills her or at the very least gives her the beating of her life, I mean a serious beating that would have left her brain damaged. She would have deserved it. Except for that missing part it was a pretty good movie.

Grizzly Man (2005)

bear attack

[8 January 2007]

Personally I feel no sympathy for those two or any other starry eyed romanticists who fancy themselves as some kind of Beastmaster, ala Steve Irwin. Anyone who deliberately places himself or herself in harms way like he did, well, you have to wander if there's a leak up in the noggin. What did Treadwell prove by his misguided sentiments about the grizzlies? Did he and his girlfriend think they were giant, cuddly teddy bears or what? Animals in the wild are just that. WILD. And often dangerous. Grizzlies are beautiful animals I agree. But I believe they were meant to be seen at a safe distance or in a zoo not to be foolish and walk in among them thinking they won't attack. Treadwell said he would die for "his" grizzlies. Well that he did, duh, and his girlfriend, who in all probability did not share his sentiments as far as dying was concerned. Needless deaths.

Turtles Can Fly (2004)

turtles can fly

[3/10 · 17 October 2006]

I did not enjoy this movie at all and wouldn't recommend it to anyone,especially young children and preteens. I realize war is brutal, especially to children but I see no reason children here in this country should see this movie. What would be the point in it? Would they really care that there are kids that live lives shown in the movie? They may grimace at some of the scenes, go "yuk" or something to that effect and as soon as they leave the theatre it'll be forgotten. If the movie was made to make people feel guilty or something well it won't work. We all know about the lives of people in Iraq or Iran. We all know how they've lived under brutal oppression and I'm sure many people, including young kids, have watched videos on their computer about bombings, beheadings and all that. The truth be known, they're not much bothered by it either. It's just like their video games they play to them. So what purpose the movie is supposed to serve I don't know. It's a gloomy, depressing movie and I will not let my kids watch it. They will have their share of trauma and turmoil as it is in this world. They don't need to see crap like that.

Missing in America (2005)

Vietnam recluse finds love from a young girl

[3 September 2006]

I enjoyed this movie and plan to purchase it. A good movie which highlights I think the problems many Vietnam veterans have had to endure because of their wartime experiences. Danny Glover is an excellent actor and Zoe Weisenbaum as the Vietnamese halfbreed is also excellent. Or rather I should say Amerasian. She is part Chinese but could pass for many races. Indian, Filipina, Alaskan, Mongolian, Vietnamese and even some Hispanics that look Asian. She's 14 in the movie (2005) but she must be tiny. Anyway she's very enjoyable to watch and she should get a Best Actress maybe. A good movie about rediscovering love that a person thinks he doesn't have anymore. A movie everyone should watch.

Pretty Baby (1978)

child prostitute in 1917 New Orleans.

[6/10 · 23 December 2005]

This is the first time I watched this movie and although it was entertaining I don't think it depicted the real world of prostitution, especially the part of Brooke Shields. A lovely young girl of 12 introduced into that sordid world I believe would be more messed up in the head than depicted in this movie. But then again she's a 12 year old and kids are kids even though in one part of the movie she states that she's not a child. A typical preteen comment even in 1917. The impression I got watching the movie was that Violet was living proof that being deflowered does not a woman make anymore than a boy becomes a man the first time he's had sex. Violet certainly didn't act like a woman even when she got "married." The ending proves that when she decides to go with mommy. A kid is a Kid is a kid. Very, very, very few girls that age would be able to handle marriage. This movie kind of reminded me of "Pretty Woman." A sanitized version of prostitution.

The Grudge (2004)

Comments on "The Grudge"

[10/10 · 4 September 2005]

I enjoyed this movie. One of the scariest movies I've seen in a while. I would not recommend young children to watch it late at night though. It could give them nightmares. What makes it scary is the way the ghost (Kayako Fuji) is presented. Those eyes. They stand out and certainly grab your attention. I would hate to encounter someone with that look in my house! I'd run right thru the wall. The little boy was kind of spooky too but not like Kayako. Sarah Michelle Gellar's fright is very believable. Who wouldn't be frightened? It was very well done I think, the ghost scenes, the setting. It was just a good movie. I would recommend it to friends or anyone who wants a good scare. The original version I would like to see too.