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Reviews
Lane 1974 (2017)
Great performances
I really enjoyed Lane's character as she navigates her mother's contrarian, irreverent forays into ever deeper abnormality. This was very relevant to me for personal reasons. A great reminder that children need stability and will rebel in order to get it. Lane's introspective journey was well portrayed. The visit with the grandparents was especially poignant. Being born into an anti-establishment family carries very different burdens for children and this film portrays them with great sensitivity and subtlety. There are very few films I'd watch twice but I'm considering making Lane 1974 an exception.
The Tomorrow Man (2019)
Danner and Lithgow made this real for me
I am tempted to call this film "On Golden Pond" for preppers and hoarders but it was so much more than that. I really enjoyed the character development and the build up of the relationship. It was tastefully sentimental without being sappy. The dialogue felt natural and organic and fit perfectly with the western NY setting.
I am not one to watch love stories but I sincerely enjoyed this one. I have always liked John Lithgow but I am going to see what else Blythe Danner has done in her career because I found her fabulous. The performances were beautifully understated in a way that made me identify with the characters even more.
The Devil's Playground (1976)
Among the best films ever
This film was a subtle masterpiece. It is of the quality of a Scorsese or Kurosawa epic in its eschewing of easy answers to life's major existential questions. The acting, casting and cinematography were all flawless. The evolution of the characters was handled with sensitivity and aplomb. Visually, the film is alluring and its avoidance of easy stereotypes in a way that only enhances its appeal. Some of the sex scenes are potentially divisive yet these too are treated with an abiding humanity. The settings are exquisite and deeply important to the film's lofty philosophical and religious probing. A very sincere and important film that is funny, sad and visually appealing despite some dark subject matter.