flamini-14847 Reviews

The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir (2014)

I could've used some more talk about the albums, but it's not too hippy dippy

[7/10 · 23 May 2020]

Not too much romanticizing the times, not too many hippy dippy claims of enlightenment or tying some meaning to a 'cosmic coincidence', meahn. But also not a lot of new information aside from very personal family stuff. I'd like to have heard more about writing songs and making some of the albums, but it's pretty good. 3.4 stars

Unorthodox (2020)

Exceptional series on the oppressive, suffocating, and irrational realities of orthodox religions

[8/10 · 22 May 2020]

Yet another remarkable limited series for television. Religion, the orthodoxy, and the culture that it envelops (or that envelops it?) can be and so often is oppressive, suffocating, imprisoning in more than a figurative sense. Shira Haas and the creators, writers, and director Maria Schrader (herself a very fine actress who stars in Deutschland 83/86/89) will all be receiving much acclaim and nominations for this excellent series. 4 stars

Man in the Wilderness (1971)

Yeah, they still make 'em like they used to. Meaning they still make weak-mediocre movies

[4/10 · 4 May 2020]

No, this is not good. Which really sucks, seeing as you have both the great Richard Harris and the brilliant John Huston. But, Huston's greatest strength was directing, which unfortunately he did not do in this case. The actual director, Sarafian, made several little known films of no real regard, then worked mostly as an actor. So no real surprise that the movie isn't better, but the screenplay by DeWitt is also to blame. The story line is thin, the action very hokey and poorly choreographed as to be laughable at times, and the ending was too anticlimactic. 2 stars (no coincidence there)

Mnemophrenia (2019)

VR blurring the lines, manipulating the minds

[7/10 · 20 April 2020]

"Er...um...yes of course now surely you can all see how this could change us all in the future, giving us such freedom to...." To what, not know if half or more of what we think are our actual memories are true or not? To move freely in what way(s)? This very arthouse movie is overtly nebulous in its attempts to show great meaning and arch intellectual reach. Acting is often mediocre at best. The actors seem more like stage actors than ones used to performing in front of a camera. Characters say a number of statements like, "Imagine the possibilities of life with mnemophrenia.", or, "Can't you see what this could mean for the future?". But they don't go into much detail about what it could mean aside from inferences about empathy/understanding being increased. The visual work is often impressive in the use of the computer analysis overlays and in creating a dream-type effect during the VR scenes. But I felt too often the film was meandering, repetitive.

Boris and the Bomb (2019)

Oh what might've been (or The comedy classic that never was.

[7/10 · 16 April 2020]

Not sure if it was more Kronmiller or McLean who was more to blame for this one not being better or if they equally at fault. This is a good Airplane/zaniness piss take type comedy, but it could've been great. The ingredients are all there: absurd premise, former KGB officer who is CLEARLY not Russian; factions left & right with characters jumping from one to the other, and a good grasp for this brand of absurdist & slapstick humor. But it seems Kronmiller wasn't sure whether to go all in on the humor or try to carry out the actual story line to some reasonable conclusion. But this one needed more of the funny. That means at least three fewer fight scenes (got old after a while) with less death or pseudo-drama that killed the feel/tone of the movie, slowing down or just bringing to a screeching halt the timbre of the comedy.

Shadow (2018)

Typical Wuxia, with some mediocre to bad acting & gimmicky visuals

[6/10 · 13 February 2020]

Typical of the Wuxia style, Shadow gets credit for the remarkable clothing and battle gear as well as the stylish aspects of color and contrast used. However, acting is often mediocre to bad, and the switching from color to muted to b&w just seems gimmicky after a while rather than bold cinematic choices. The fight scenes were competent, the story line, though, was a tired rehash.

Cardinals (2017)

Cardinals is a fine film for actual adults

[8/10 · 2 April 2019]

This is an exceptional piece of film work. A very tight, very smart screenplay and an excellent cast make for a terse, intense, complex movie.Sheila McCarthy really is so much of the film's strength. The title role called for a strong, seasoned actor, and McCarthy shows she was more than up to the task. So much is expressed by her without a word; which can also be said of the other expressive actors. Don't pay any attention to the 'Short Attention Span Theater' types calling this film 'slow', 'boring', or how nothing happens. They need to stick to Vin Diesel, Adam Sandler, and rom-coms. The movie's only 84 min. How can it be too slow if it's not even an hour and a half? I'm guessing several were too confused by it much of the way through and were pissed that they couldn't figure out what was up before it was fully revealed. Don't blame the film for being smarter than you.

Braid (2018)

Kerrrazy, Cool Fun

[7/10 · 1 February 2019]

First of all, not sure who the heck 'molotox' is, but that person should NOT be allowed to review movies any more. One or two lines, not even in complete sentences, is not a review. It's a lazy, pointless waste of time. To say this movie has 'no plot' when there obviously is one (and it's even right there on the movies main page) shows molotox doesn't know what a plot is (unless it comes out of her/his backside). And to say the actors have 'no acting skills' also shows cluelessness. Just the wonderful Madeline Brewer blows up that silly claim. Anyone good enough to be a substantial character on a series of the quality of The Handmaid's Tale certainly has good acting skills. This film is quite fun. Yes, the basic premise is heinous, but that's only one aspect of the film. There's also the empowered friend who the others expected to take advantage of rather easily. Add to that the random, unexpected surprises/scares/weirdness and you have a worthy film to watch. Good performances, a few good scares, a cool twist or two, and a beautiful film visually. The use of a kinetic cinematography style and top notch production design make this one stand out. Now that's a review. Btw, molotox obviously doesn't know the meaning of 'profane' either.

The Changeover (2017)

Well made film about family and defeating one's demons and controlling your destiny

[7/10 · 22 December 2018]

McKenzie and Harcourt do an admirable job bringing the novel to a present day setting, with excellent award-winning cinematography. Built on themes of the dangers of 'inviting' trouble upon yourself and/or others, accepting yourself for who you are and the 'magic' within you, and sibling bonds, "The Changeover" is a fine addition to New Zealand's growing film history. Excellent performances are provided by Spall and especially Erana James. James is one to keep and eye on for years to come. It's not among the best of 2017, but it's certainly a well-made film worthy of your time if it sounds like something that might interest you.