rebeccatroke Reviews

L.A. Confidential (1997)

A plethora of riches

[10/10 · 26 April 2024]

In any other year this wonderful movie would have taken all the awards, but it was 1997. And it was Titanic's year. BUT there were other great films out there during this marvelously creative year-- Good Will Hunting, As Good as it Gets, Ulee's Gold, etc. Hard to imagine such a year again. So many actors did not get the attention they so richly deserved. Kevin Spacey, Russel Crowe, and Guy Pierce were robbed of nominations. But Danny DeVito's work was phenomenal as was the actor who played the Captain. It was as if each actor helped lift the others up to new levels. And I have not even mentioned the writing. Such marvelous lines, so well executed. I treat myself to this movie at least once every two years. If you have not seen it, please do so.

Anyone But You (2023)

Expectations were too high

[6/10 · 25 April 2024]

I thought this movie would be better than it turned out to be. First the good. Australia looked great; I would love to visit. Glen Powell does a good job with comedy. His boyish good looks are very appealing. The story is easy to follow since it is based on Shakespeare.

Now the bad. Sidney Sweeney is not good to look at and she CANNOT act. Her breasts are showcased in way too many scenes. Sad. Then there is the language. Mature people really do not use such foul language all the time. Way too many sentences have f--k in them. Unnecessarily overused until it becomes the one detail (plus the boobs) that one notices.

The Holdovers (2023)

Interesting, original movie

[8/10 · 26 February 2024]

After watching "The Holdovers" last night. I had several thoughts. First, Da'Vine Joy Randolph has earned every one of the awards she has received so far this season. She is magnificent. Her eyes are truly "the windows to her tortured soul." She takes quiet comments to a new level. Congratulations to her bravura performance! Paul Giamatti does a great job of being a stunted human being. He just has not grown through the years, choosing instead to stay in one job, rather hiding from the world. Very well done. Now to my one problem with this movie. It takes place in 1970-71. Students, teachers, and/or workers did not swear like the folks in this movie. The writers did not take that into consideration. It causes a jarring sensation throughout the movie.

The Secret: Dare to Dream (2020)

a worthy, feel-good movie

[9/10 · 17 January 2024]

This movie surprised me. I was not expecting much; I was not familiar with the book, The Secret," and I am not much of a fan of Katie Holmes. But much to my surprise, this is a tender story of a family dealing with many hardships. Enter a soft-spoken stranger with a secret who offers a helping hand and sage, common sense advice. Slowly he begins to uplift the family's spirits with his positive attitude. Josh Lucas is wonderful as the stranger, just wonderful. The kids' characters are pretty well written and acted. The only jarring note is Celia Weston, one of the "hardest" looking women I have ever seen. Portraying the mother in law, she is just a busybody who just knows she is always right as she speaks in that oh so sugary voice. Watch this movie and try to ignore her.

Lady Bird (2017)

waste of time

[3/10 · 11 January 2024]

Ladybird was, unbelievably, nominated for five Oscars. This movie, at best, was a major borefest. Almost all of the characters were unlikeable, especially the main one; her family is dysfunctional with only the father being sympathetic. Ladybird's friends are poor choices, except for a couple. She is a liar, a thief, and although touted to have one; she has no knowledge of self. Or maybe she just lies to herself, too. There is no cleverness of dialogue; some of the scenery around Sacramento (the city that Ladybird purports to hate) is lovely and serene, but she does not have the aptitude to appreciate it. The direction is nothing memorable, but Gerwig gets fawned over.

I could never recommend this movie to anyone.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

Tom Cruise--the actor!!

[9/10 · 25 May 2023]

Before I get to my main point, I just want to say, "Wow!! What a good, entertaining movie!" I like most Cruise movies, even The Mummy, but I was not crazy about the first Top Gun. However when the previews for this movie started airing, my brother called me and my sister to say that we were going to see it. Then Covid hit, and the movie's debut was delayed more than once. Finally it was released in 2022 and my brother and I went. (My sister died unexpectedly in December 2021.) It was everything it was hyped up to be and thoroughly enjoyable. But my main point is that in this movie Cruise shows his acting chops (not just action star chops.) Watch his face when he is remembering his friend Goose. Pay attention to his eyes in the scene with Val Kilmer. You will see that this man can subtly emote.

The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

What a movie!

[9/10 · 11 May 2023]

My neighbor told me to watch this show; before, I had not given it much attention. However, I have always been a Poe fan. But wow! What a surprise! Great acting from Bale, Jones, etc. The movie is shot in grays, blacks, and dark blues with just pops of colors, like a lantern shining in the darkness. This movie is truly Gothic in look, feel, and storytelling. Being set in the dead of winter just adds more to the atmosphere, along with the stilted language and behaviors. And best of all--the mystery of the murders. Who is doing it? Why? You are led in one direction to great satisfaction, and then wham!! Surprise! Surprise! Watch it and see.

Don't Look Up (2021)

WOW!! Just wow...

[8/10 · 28 April 2023]

Watch this movie just for Mark Rylance's parody of Joe Biden, with the cheesy smile, children milling around, and the hair sniffing. Stay for the story. It is a biting satire of American culture--the fascination of celebrity, politicians who only care about staying in office and not about their constituencies, smart people being ignored and their frustration at not being heard or believed. Then revel in these SIX Oscar winners and nominees give an acting class on how to portray characters believably. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and its nuances. But don't take my word for it; watch it yourself.

Your Place or Mine (2023)

Waste of time

[3/10 · 18 April 2023]

I was so anticipating this movie. You know with all the hype Reese Witherspoon gets for being a Hollywood mogul--a mover and a shaker. Imagine my surprise when I got to less than one third of the way through this awful mess of a movie and started fast-forwarding. The two leads are so bland, so boring and they have zero chemistry together. And the kid. I am not even going to start with him and his issues. By the end of the first hour, I was so hoping it would get better. It did not. I do not know what went wrong, but do NOT waste your time watching this sorry excuse for entertainment. It was pathetic.

Glass Onion (2022)

To all the naysayers

[8/10 · 26 December 2022]

Well, I have been reading all the criticisms of this movie, and they made me think. Does anything make them happy? I, personally, enjoyed this movie. First of all, I love the Greek islands having had the pleasure of visiting six of them so far. So, I really drank up the locale of this movie. The storyline was intricate enough to keep me guessing, and I enjoyed the backstories and just how Benoit got involved in this little reunion. The host was just pompous enough that I so enjoyed when Benoit gave him a much deserved "dressing down." The only character that rang wrong for me is Dave Bautista. I cannot for the life of me figure out why he gets cast in anything. Some folks gripe about the ending, saying it is childish. Not so. Janelle was cleverly misdirecting everyone's attention so she could achieve her goal. And then there is Daniel Craig. He is cleverly enjoyable as Benoit. I say, "Well done" and look forward to the next Knives Out movie.

Enola Holmes (2020)

Entertaining movie

[8/10 · 18 October 2022]

For all the naysayers: this movie is supposed to be FUN!!! My goodness, where did you put your senses of humor? Enola is clever, raised to be an independent thinker during a time when so many folks thought women only want a husband. Enola's mom is a widow, left with a young child, who wants this child to be a forward thinker, to break boundaries, and experience life. Sit back, and enjoy the good acting, costumes, Enola's twinkling eyes. You will not be sorry. Teenage girls should love this movie! And I forgot to mention, it has Henry Cavill, that delicious dish of eye candy. This is such a great departure for him from "The Witcher."

The Lost City (2022)

enjoyable lightweight froth

[7/10 · 23 August 2022]

I watched this last night and was not disappointed. However I will say that the three leading men stole the show. It seemed that they were having the time of their lives. I thought that Channing Tatum was great; Brad Pitt was perfectly cast as Jack Trainer, and Daniel Radcliffe was wonderful as the villain. Who knew?

The Core (2003)

Of course it is nonsense!

[8/10 · 8 August 2022]

So what??!! Sometimes a person just wants some escapism, some pure fun. Yes, this a popcorn, Sunday afternoon type of flick. I enjoyed the actors, especially Stanley Tucci and DelRoy Lindo. I enjoyed the originality of the plot and the special effects. Just don't take it too seriously.

A Castle for Christmas (2021)

enjoyable film

[8/10 · 5 August 2022]

I liked this film enough to watch it twice. I enjoyed the chemistry amongst all the actors; they seemed to be having such a good time. The scenery was gorgeous and, oh, that castle at Christmas.

Starman (1984)

a true wonder

[9/10 · 12 July 2022]

Carpenter's movie is a wonder-- a tender story of humanity. Bridges and Allen give bravura performances that could have skewed into parody, but did not. It is an uplifting tale of unexpectedly meeting our neighbors who are a whole lot more advanced than us, and that makes us uncomfortable. Kudos to this amazing piece of cinema!

The Man from Toronto (2022)

Do Not!!

[3/10 · 6 July 2022]

Do not waste your two hours on this drivel. Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson are so much better than this drivel. I can think of no redeeming qualities with this movie.

The English Patient (1996)

In love, there are no boundaries

[10/10 · 1 July 2022]

One of the all-time greats. Magnificent. Sumptuously filmed with landscapes that will remind one of David Lean's movies. Tragic enough to break one's heart. It is long, yes, but just sit and become enthralled with Minghella's epic.

Love, Guaranteed (2020)

Not a bad little movie

[7/10 · 30 June 2022]

I enjoyed this movie because it is gentle, thoughtful, and insightful about love. It pokes fun at Internet dating (as it should) and I laughed at some of these "dates." The two leads are attractive, both inside and outside, and they do have chemistry. They both are classy, too. Watch this movie and enjoy it.

Summerland (I) (2020)

shows a slice of British history

[9/10 · 27 June 2022]

Summerland is a beautiful film that showcases a woman's adult history while giving us a glimpse into the lengths British citizenry would go to protect their children during WWII. The scenery is gorgeous; the actors are excellent; the story is so believable. Watch this gem and enjoy.

Arrival (II) (2016)

Breathtaking

[9/10 · 22 June 2022]

One of my all-time favorites. At times, this movie seems to be almost lyrical; there is a richness of language and logic to Amy Adams character. Why she was not even nominated for an Oscar surprises me. If you like intellectual movies with richly developed characters, you will not be disappointed. I have probably seen it seven times and I always learn something new.