tootuff2tame Reviews

Article 99 (1992)

"History Does Not Belong to Us; We Belong to It."

[8/10 · 22 April 2023]

Die-hard fans of either Eli Wallach or Ray Liotta will like this interesting, albeit dated, film.

The movie title, "Article 99," refers to a clause that renders many ex-soldiers ineligible for medical benefits who might be suffering from war injuries -- quite similar to a "Catch-22," which is a dilemma or difficult circumstance from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions.

This drama-comedy film reflects the '70's and '80's at a time when the then-notoriously-mismanaged VA healthcare system in many U. S. states became greatly overburdened by the burgeoning health needs of Vietnam vets added to the ever-increasing heath needs of our aging WWII and Korean War veterans. (Neither Agent Orange or PTSD was acknowledged as "a thing" back in the early days.)

Thankfully, investigative journalism regarding political corruption and corporate wrongdoing spurred many congressional hearings which culminated in both new and strengthened laws and policies for present-day veterans' health care. ~ ~

Black and Blue (I) (2019)

Great Cat-and-Mouse, Elevated Action Thriller

[9/10 · 11 April 2021]

Alicia West is a rookie cop of unshakeable integrity. She is also a U. S. Army vet who, having served 2 tours in Afghanistan, believes in the system. Officer West has only been on the N. O. police force for 3 short weeks and is still learning the ropes when, during a double-shift workday, matters instantly turn sideways with the entire incident recorded on her police-issued body cam.

From then on, it seems everybody's after her and Officer West must instinctively rely on her previous military experience and God-given smarts if she is to survive to tell the tale!

There's not a great deal of dialogue*, but there is a dynamic plot line full of twists, turns and surprises plus car chases, car crashes and shootouts galore.

This story is a great example about how one person can make a difference and that committing a crime is wrong no matter who does it.

Above all, this a great cat-and-mouse, elevated action thriller.

~ ~ ~ *Give the special features "English Audio Descriptive Service" a try -- it supremely enhanced this particular movie!

The Wife (I) (2017)

Based on a Very Good Book

[4/10 · 11 April 2021]

It's been said that "writers must write." Be aware of the pivotal line "writers must be read" uttered by the immensely talented Elizabeth McGovern in her solo scene.

Released around Oscar season, this Glenn Close vehicle had many elements in common with most movies dismissed as Oscar bait, like star-heavy ensemble casts, showcase scenes for the stars and heavy marketing campaigns ("the perfect '#MeToo' film").

And in spite of a good story saddled and rode hard with a so-so script, Ms. Close deftly delivered stellar acting chops throughout.

Watching Johnathan Pryce accidentally slip from a Yiddishy New Yorker accent into a screechy Scottish brogue during the melodramatic apex scene was forgivable, albeit unexpectedly entertaining.

Recommended highly for Glenn Close fans.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "Everyone knows how women soldier on, how women dream up blueprints, recipes, ideas for a better world, and then sometimes lose them on the way to the crib in the middle of the night, on the way to the Stop & Shop, or the bath. They lose them on the way to greasing the path on which their husband and children will ride serenely through life."

~ ~ Meg Wolitzer, The Wife.

Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami (2017)

Truest, Die-Hard Fans of Grace Jones Only!

[5/10 · 11 April 2021]

This film isn't a career retrospective or a treatise on the importance and influence of Grace Jones. (Someone should feel free to do either or both of those.) The director starts filming Ms. Jones in the mid-2000s and simply observes her on stage and off. She follows her home to Jamaica, where the diva mellows into a daughter, sister and parishioner. She watches her record her 2008 album "Hurricane" and become a grandmother.

There's a trip to church where Ms. Jones's brother, Noel, preaches and her mother sings "His Eye Is on the Sparrow." There's a night spent clubbing. Ms. Jones was in her mid-50s when the movie finds her and turns 72 next month. So for someone whose hits include the 1981 masterpiece of metaphor, "Pull Up to the Bumper," and who was a fixture at New York's Studio 54, her partying seems less like a splurge and more like a form of exercise.

We're not given any kind of chronology. We're left to guess about what year it is or what city the shows are in. But concepts of time, space and location might actually be besides the point when your movie stars a Grace Jones who's determined to look inward the way she does on "Hurricane," the most obviously personal and autobiographical of her albums. And we watch Ms. Jones ruminate about the source of all that scariness and intimidation in her stage persona. It's her abusive stepfather, and he's got a hold on her still. This particular return to Jamaica appears to have stirred up a lot for her.

Grace Jones is an iconoclast, basically. And I imagine a downside of iconoclasm is you never get to be a human being. This is someone whose long career as a model, actress and undervalued musician has veered, sometimes uncomfortably, into both the sub- and superhuman.

Ms. Jones is at her most vampiric but also her most free. Recommended for the truest, die-hard fans of Grace Jones. For all others, read between the above lines.

Undertaking Betty (2002)

A Good British Romp

[10/10 · 11 April 2021]

Boris Plots, director of the Plots Funeral Home, dreamed of only two things as a young boy: dancing and Betty.

Betty secretly loved Boris, but could not fight her father's wishes, so she was married off to a gold digger.

Boris gave up his dreams and took over the family's undertaking business in their small Welsh village.

Everything has remained status quo in their lives until Betty's mother-in-law dies. Boris and Betty are thrust together again and as they discuss the funeral arrangements for Betty's mother-in-law, the old spark is re-kindled.

~ ~ ~ ~ This is a charming, low-key romantic, yet dark comedy - a tale of lost love found again.

Originally set in America, the writer changed the setting to Wales, which results in some beautiful locations. Many of the film's funniest moments happen in the background during exchanges of dialogue and have little or nothing to do with the plot.

Superb cast and excellent performances. There are some holes in this quirky & thoroughly delightful story (two funeral directors in a small Welsh village?) but I enjoyed it anyway.

If you appreciate typical British bedroom farces, then there will be laugh out loud funny moments for you, too!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Protagonist talking to young child gardening: Betty: "Willie, you do know that those are all weeds you've left there?" Willie: "Yeah? They were so pretty, I thought they were flowers. Who decides what's flowers?" Betty: "What do you mean?" Willie: "Well, it's a pretty nice plant. It's got beautiful flowers and everything, But then somebody comes along, calls it a weed, and I got to pull it out. Doesn't seem fair somehow."

Peppermint (2018)

Justice Being Served When the Legal System Fails To Do So

[8/10 · 11 April 2021]

Despite the fluffy title, this is a smart action flick along the John Wick lines.

What would you fight for more than for your family?

Mrs. Riley North discovers that the police, and the people who should be helping her are all on the wrong side of the law, and worse, they want to put HER away. Corrupt judges, dirty cops and all miscreants beware--Ms. Garner is up on her MMA skills, gun skills and knife skills!

This popcorn film features a very good storyline and is entertaining from start to finish. I recommend it if you're a fan of revenge flicks.

Le Week-End (2013)

Serial Monogamists Will Not Get the Jokes

[7/10 · 11 April 2021]

Le Week-End is a poignant look at a relationship whose embers of love are barely glowing, but whose principals still like each other too much to split up.

Beautifully written and performed, there are biting truths here that will resonate with anyone who's lived in a long term relationship.

Belonging (2004 TV Movie)

An Adult Film About a Man Leaving His Wife for a Younger Woman

[9/10 · 11 April 2021]

An old story of course but this one has some interesting wrinkles: the wife is left caring for the husband's elderly mother and aunt. How does that happen? Well, because the wife is the nicest of nice people - which is what makes this film frustrating at times - that she never really tells him he can take his whole family with him.

Brenda Blethyn is terrific in this role, sympathetic, charitable, caregiving, loving. As someone says, she is a true saint. Rosemary Harris is stellar in her role as the cantankerous matriarch. Not a happy ending, not a sad ending, just a real one.

Highly recommended for Brenda Blethyn fans!

Gangster Squad (2013)

Watchable Gangster Flick

[7/10 · 11 April 2021]

Glossy, slick, bloody, violent, dumb, crowd-pleasing, and undeniably entertaining. Filled with every gangster genre cliché rolled into one, Gangster Squad ain't high art, nor is it aiming to be. Overall, this movie is fun pass-the-popcorn entertainment. No judgments, little pretense.

Angel-A (2005)

Another Luc Besson Gem!

[8/10 · 11 April 2021]

This film is an artful and inventive fable about a washed-up con artist who on the brink of suicide saves a woman in like straits who jumps off a bridge in Paris before he has the chance to do so himself. What could have been a maudlin and sentimental storyline is transformed by the stunning performance of Rie Rasmussen, an extraordinarily beautiful Danish actress. Along with her role and some exquisite cinematography of Parisian landscapes, the film develops into an enchanting journey of self-discovery both for Andre and surprisingly enough at the end of the film for Angel-A as well.