vecda-39097 Reviews

Taylor (2005)

A good independent film - perhaps a bit slow

[6/10 · 4 March 2019]

This review is being written by myself and my wife and contains SPOILERS.

Introduction - Overall, I really like to support independent films. I have tons of respect for these folks who work with limited everything (budget being the big one) to produce a film. This is similar to a Hallmark Christmas movie.

The plot - A middle aged man (Mark) has just lost his wife to cancer and the movie opens with a service at a church to bury her. Mark lives in a small town and there are the typical stereotypes surrounding Mark. Into town drives a mysterious woman (Taylor) who ends up taking a room at the bed and breakfast run by Mark. Taylor is perhaps 30 years old and is stunningly beautiful. She and Mark develop and instant soap opera rapport and talk freely about all kinds of stuff. Mark had one child, a boy named Timmy, who mysteriously left home about 10 years ago, presumably when he was about 20. Mark hasn't heard from Timmy since he left. We are left to conjecture about the relationship that Mark and Taylor have. There is some innuendo about a romantic relationship, but we're not shown anything to support that. One possibility is that Taylor married Timmy and she is now in town to notify Mark that something has happened to Timmy. However, on direct questioning by Mark, Taylor denies that. At the end of the movie, it is revealed that Taylor is, in fact, Timmy. Everyone accepts the new Timmy and all live happily ever after.

Disliked - The plot development was very slow. Lots of soap opera type dialogue. For example, the lady who had a romantic crush on Mark (Lee) had VERY soap opera type dialogue. The script could use a bit of revision.

Liked - The sets were all very nice. The B&B was gorgeous, the cafe in town, the town itself, all were very nice. Overall, the casting was good.

Plot concerns - After watching the movie - we were wondering why Taylor would return to Smallville with the intent to stay. It's understandable that she would want to reconnect with her father, especially at the time of her mother's death. However, as a model, we would expect her to reconnect with her dad, and then say, "I'm going back to New York to continue on with my modeling career, we'll stay in touch". We would not expect her to buy a house in Smallville.

Comments - I think the movie would have been better served by casting an actress as Taylor who could be seen and someone who underwent a sex transition. It was impossible for me to believe Taylor was ever Timmy. As well, I also find it impossible to believe that the father, or any number of townsfolk, didn't recognize Taylor as Timmy. To be fair, this movie was made in 2005 so I'm prepared to cut it some slack.

Summary - Two thumbs up for the people in front of, and behind, the camera. Please keep making these films.

Nostalgia (I) (2018)

You'll either like it, or you won't

[9/10 · 3 March 2019]

My comments: 1) I expect this movie will appeal (generally) to an older viewer. 2) Although the movie does talk a lot about the 'things' that are left behind, we see the people who are left behind coming to terms with the inevitable march of time. 3) The movie highlights interpersonal relationships by using realistic dialog. 4) The actors all do a good job with their roles - very believable. 5) I can see how this movie will not appeal to everyone. 6) An excellent topic to talk about with your family. 7) Please support independent film makers.

Robot & Frank (2012)

Well done movie - that has a robot in it

[8/10 · 3 January 2019]

This is really a character study focusing on the lead (Frank). The robot does a very good job of facilitating Frank's rethinking of his situation (Frank has loss of memory issues). I thought the ending was also very well done.

As you might expect, Frank doesn't initially want to interact with the robot, but comes to accept him more with time. Frank's previous life involved stealing stuff and the robot and Frank have a few "jobs" where they revisit Frank's life of crime. The robot is a willing partner as his program is to take care of Frank - regardless.

If you can relate to Frank during his journey, you will definitely enjoy the movie.

Ocean's Eight (2018)

Better than expected

[7/10 · 15 October 2018]

I'm an old white-guy who usually has trouble overlooking plot holes in movies. But, even though there were plenty of those, I enjoyed this movie. The ladies costumes were not very interesting to me (but I expect a lot of women enjoyed that part of the movie). I found the pacing even, the overall plot was okay, and nothing happened to make me freak out. Light-hearted entertainment. Check it out.

Baywatch (2017)

Reminded me of Naked Gun or Airplane

[8/10 · 19 October 2017]

I'm an old white guy and haven't seen the original Baywatch television series or movie. I'm a subscriber to Netflix and requested this movie with a "what the heck, let's check it out" attitude. It was very entertaining.

Dwayne Johnson just has something about him that I find enjoyable. I've seen him on Saturday Night Live and he was a great host. People who can laugh at themselves without taking it too seriously are my kind of people. Sort of like Arnold in Terminator.

There is a plot but not really important. The beach babes and dudes are also there but again, not really important. What does count is the absolutely entertaining atmosphere that follows this film. There are lots of jokes and situational humor and I laughed out loud quite a few times.

I thought it was well cast and everyone did a good job. I would give it 10 stars if the plot was just a bit more coherent.

When it's all said and done, movies like this are about entertainment and this movie is very entertaining. Well worth the rental. But then again, I'm an old white guy and haven't seen the original Baywatch television series or movie.