trez1 Reviews

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

same ol, same ol plus mutilated animals

[4/10 · 8 August 2023]

I wasn't expecting much of a plot or story, just a fun ride. What I wasn't expecting was a horror film about vivisection and animal abuse. I know it was CGI but it was a horrible reminder of what goes on in real animal labs and wet markets and overcrowded shelters. Cheap shot at the heartstrings, not cool marvel!

Rest of the movie was as expected, silly plot, overwrought villain (who really ate the scenery) and to long CGI monster battles. Fun soundtrack but I can find that anywhere. Most of the humor was missing except for Drax, the tone was weirdly off. Marvel has been slipping a lot lately, they need to hire better writers (after the strike).

The White Lotus (2021–2025)

A witty, scathing, yet compassionate, dark humor, brilliant satire

[9/10 · 13 August 2021]

If you like the writing of Jonathan Swift and Evelyn Waugh you will like this show. This is not bland cookie-cutter tv writing. It is insightful, funny and accepting of people's foibles while poking fun at them. I love it.

The Dig (2021)

Show us the artifacts

[2/10 · 2 February 2021]

I plodded through this snore of a film hoping to learn about and see the horde of the Sutton Ho find. What I got was a mess of a screenplay and zero payoff -there was not even a series of images of the find over the end credits. Waste of time and a waste of good actors.

WandaVision (2021)

it's a parody AND a mystery: it's two, two, two shows in one!

[8/10 · 17 January 2021]

If you're not familiar with classic sitcoms you won't appreciate how spot on the call outs are. This combined with a Twilight Zone undertone of weirdness makes this show quite original and entertaining. Pay attention! There's a Hydra reference on the wine bottle! Hang in there MCU fans.

I Saw the Light (2015)

See ISTL for Tom Hiddleston's great performance and for Hank's eternal songs

[7/10 · 26 March 2016]

It's a shame that some of this film's structural flaws will keep many from seeing one of the best on screen performances I've seen in years. Hiddleston's Hank Williams is a masterful creation: haunting, driven and soulful with the added bonus of Hiddleston doing his own singing and playing (no lip-syncing) including Hank's famous yodel.

While the film would have benefited with less marital squabbling and more music, it nonetheless takes one on an gripping journey of an American music icon's tragic life and short but amazing career.

Elizabeth Olson as Audrey, William's headstrong wife, does a fine job but I could have done with less of their relationship story and more about Hank's musical process. Cherry Jones is also excellent as Hank's bossy mom.

The stellar singing in the opening segment is worth the price of admission.

The Brainwashing of My Dad (2015)

The visible and invisible manipulations of the right wing media machine

[9/10 · 20 March 2016]

This film should be required viewing for all U.S. voters for they will understand just how insidious, wide ranging and effective the right wing media machine (e.g., Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, conservative talk radio etc.)has been on the cultural landscape for the past 20 years.

Beyond the expected debunking of what we know is a sham -- Fox New's "Fair and Balanced" misreporting and Limbaugh's outlandish comments -- Ms. Senko's film takes us beyond the dictated talking points of Fox President's Roger Ailes to something much deeper and chilling.

The skill of these propagandists and their toxic effect on ordinary citizens (as seen through the lens of her own father) is an eye opener. The ending was especially moving. See it for yourself.

Hunderby (2012–2015)

One of the funniest shows ever

[9/10 · 2 September 2014]

If you are a fan of 19th Century Gothic movies (e.g., Rebecca, Jane Eyre) or Jane Austen period dramas you must see this show. Along with great writing and comedic acting, this show combines a wit and satire and love for the genre that is just wonderful. I can't recommend this show more highly. There were moments I laughed so loudly I thought my downstairs neighbor would come up to see if I was OK. Impeccably done with a deadpan humor that is unique and sidesplitting. As an American I am new to Julia Davis' writing AND acting, it is COMEDY GOLD. I also very much appreciate the feminine perspective. Every actor in this show deserves accolades but Rufus Jones' Dr. Foggerty deserves a special mention. The use of classic music in just the right amounts was also brilliant.

Broken Flowers (2005)

Cure for insomnia

[3/10 · 2 March 2008]

This movie was boring, glacially paced, pretentious and contrived. A boring lead (Murray) with nothing to indicate why all these women would go for him, travels around endlessly pondering his immature choices as he searches for a possible son. We get to join him on this trip and ponder the status of middle aged bachelor about who we know next to nothing. The past loves he visits are put in contrived and poorly written situations for supposedly humorous, wry moments, to no effect. It felt like a third of the film was only viewing the protagonist driving his car or asleep in planes supposedly "thinking deeply" about his empty life. Nothing in the script prepared us to like this character or care about him or his travails. Did he write the script on an envelope? I've had more interesting times reading labels in the supermarket aisle. A waste of time and talent.

Sicko (2007)

Hits with surgical accuracy right at the heart of the body politic

[7/10 · 25 June 2007]

I have seen this film, it is a devastating yet very entertaining indictment of the "evil doers" — HMOs and big pharma and their congressional bedmates. What is most remarkable is that this film is not partisan, it simply demonstrates the deep corruption and greed behind our dysfunctional system.

You don't need to be partisan to do this, it's like shooting fish in a barrel. What you do need is to be an skilled filmmaker and Michael Moore delivers. His point is delivered with surgical accuracy right at the heart of the body politic.

As many have said if this film doesn't wake up Americans to demand change I don't know what will.

A must see.

Ringers: Lord of the Fans (2005)

Fun but I wouldn't buy it

[7/10 · 28 November 2005]

It's a safe bet that if you want to see this film, you're also a fan of LOTR and have seen the trilogy and probably own the EEs (extended DVD editions). The film is fun look at the 40 year cultural impact of Tolkien's masterwork and its co-opting by different generations and its continuing popularity with young people (not unlike Star Wars). However, I feel the film is a little slow in the beginning with too many talking heads covering some of the historical material already seen in the LOTR EEs. Most enjoyable are the fan interviews (done in a private "confessional" box), the breathtaking views of New Zealand, an absolutely hilarious mariachi song parodying all the LOTR merchandising and interviews with Pete Jackson & members of the cast. I would have preferred less official literary history and more about the crazed fans, some of whom are a scream and a wonder and elicit joy as they wax passionately about their fandom. Frodo does indeed live!

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

In the top 10, all time, greatest movies ever made

[10/10 · 22 October 2005]

Over 40 years have passed and this film still sets the standard for greatness in the epic genre. With a phenomenal cast, an insightful script, breathtaking cinematography and masterful direction by David Lean, this film is not to be missed. It also needs to be seen in a large format and deserves to be saved from the small screen DVD/video ghetto it's been stuck in for so many years. Younger viewers deserve to experience this film as David Lean intended on the extra large "silver" screen. After viewing this masterpiece you will never look at the desert again in the same way. The cast in this film is a master list for some of the greatest actors in the second half of the 20th century. Peter O'Toole's legendary performance as Lawrence will live forever as will the contributions of Alec Guinness, Omar Sharif, and Anthony Quinn. An absolute must for any movie collection. My highest recommendation.

A History of Violence (2005)

A gripping experience with complex themes

[10/10 · 14 September 2005]

I saw this film at a special screening in NYC on Tuesday. It is superb both in direction and acting. Both the sex and violent scenes are quick and direct. While the violence is quite graphic, as to be expected with Cronenberg, the camera does not linger on it at all. The real story is told through the emotional dynamics in the family as the plot unfolds. Mortensen's performance as Tom Stall is brilliant and wonderfully nuanced and the entire cast is first rate. Maria Bello as the wife and Ashton Holmes as the son and Ed Harris as the "heavy" are spot on. William Hurt's scene is a standout. There are moments in the film where you laugh and then are horrified within seconds. DC doesn't dumb down to the audience but enjoys the complexities of human reactions to issues of identity, violence and society's view of "good" versus "bad" violence. I still can't get this film out of my mind. I'm definitely planning on seeing it again when it opens widely. Highly recommended.

The Ballad of Jack and Rose (2005)

A powerful and affecting film.

[9/10 · 27 March 2005]

This is a powerful and affecting film. I have a few quibbles about Ms. Miller's use of the camera and her editing, especially in the beginning as there were too many jerky cuts/unnecessary camera movements which were quite distracting. Thankfully they diminished as the film progressed.

Camilla Belle's as Rose performance was surprisingly nuanced and rich for such a young actress, she didn't have one false note and was totally believable as this "feral," innocent, yet disturbed teen. All the supporting actors were excellent, the characterizations and dialogue engaging and true and the emotional unraveling harrowing.

Day-Lewis' performance as Jack Slavin was outstanding. It hits you with such power that it left me flattened. While the credits ran I had to close my gaping jaw, peel myself off the movie chair and stumble up the aisle trying to absorb it all. Moment by moment he communicated paragraphs of information about Jack's multi-layered internal complexities with complete mastery and subtlety. The man's our finest film actor, period.

This movie has an original voice, it doesn't pander and despite some visual clichés, it follows its own unique internal logic. Definitely worth seeing, especially for the performances of Day-Lewis and Camilla Belle.