Change Your Image
Pidgey1
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore. (2017)
female lead, not Hollywood thin, female lead
Let's start with the female lead, the normal sized, normal looking, above and beyond beautiful and fabulous Melanie Lynskey. The movie begins with a tone of anguish and frustration with the world. Many reviews have said "depressed", I disagree, there is nothing depressed about this character. She's realistic. People act like assholes. Quickly, with a direction changing event, Ruth becomes empowered, not to add herself to the list of people acting like assholes, but to challenge them, and demonstrate the not OK-ness of disregarding people, and their value. Music is wonderful, the movie is shot often from behind Ruth, as she's walking deliberate and directed. She's solemn in her style, and purpose. Her deadpan delivery, and focus, make this a wonderful movie.
American Hero (2015)
What matters most is the acting
I had to pause this movie and walk away many times. Not out of distaste or lack of interest, but because the acting, location, tone, and cinematography were all so realistic, in a sense, hyper-realistic. Stephen Dorff, whom I've seen go from cheesy to one of the best actors working, embodies Melvin, the every man, down on his luck, used to blaming the world, drugs, alcohol, women, never satisfying his electric (literally) impulses, plays against the equally surprising Eddie Griffin. Both of these characters set in the larger character of post Katrina New Orleans, engage us at every turn, with their non-consequential dialog, pedestrian philosophizing , and deep pain. I don't even care what this movie was about, just watching it was extraordinary.
The Aviation Cocktail (2012)
All previous reviews had to be written by friends of the movie makers
I'm sorry, I honestly know from experience how hard it is to make a movie, all that goes into it, the money, time, heart, everything. But, this movie is terrible. Acting is stiff and misses every opportunity and or mark for authenticity, the story is missing big pieces and is full of unclear antecedents. There are skips in editing, that are so glaring, even when one is trying to make a go at getting something out of this movie, it's made impossible. Continuity of costumes and scenery do not exist within this movie's world. I had hopes, I picked it up off the shelf, thinking, why have I never heard of this? That, is the only question I can answer.
Young Ones (2014)
A perfect movie
There's a tone in the Young One's that even though I can't put my finger on, it feels very familiar, almost a languid natural ease. The story is compelling, so much so, that almost a year after seeing it, I reflect on the bright light of the desert and still hear the soundtrack. There were movies with this light made in the 70's, panoramic, larger then life, but full of individual stories. Without even delving into the true nature of the accurate rendering of future issues regarding the environment, and natural resources, this is a story about justice and metering that out in the harsh climate of a shaken world.
Ain't Them Bodies Saints (2013)
Who is whom
I find it refreshing to not have every aspect of movie explained, it's important to play an active role in the process, and with this film there is some 70's style mumblecore tinged with an accent to add to that fun. Some thoughts about the of the lack of clarity: I believe that Keith Carradine, after he is shot eludes to Freddie and Bob working for him, in other words, committing crimes. That would account for the money in the suitcase. The three strangers, bounty hunters, who are perhaps being sponsored by Carradine due to some paperwork he fills out with them on their second visit to the store. Though he does not seem to know them.
If I Were You (2012)
Not your typical romance
What you might expect from a movie about two women, one who is lovely, older, wiser, and not as firm, the other lovely, young and not very bright, except for when it comes to manipulation and adoration of the physical and the moment, would not be what you get in If I Were You . It's a movie that does not underestimate the buddy aspect of a romp, and it turns that inside out by using traditional methods, straight (wo)man, loose limbed physical comedy, and adds a dose of heartbreak not only in the realm of love, but in all relationships including friendship and parent child. It's an exceptional vehicle for Harden and one she readily deserves as she is overlooked and underused in so many ways.
Kôhî jikô (2003)
A small piece
Café Lumiere is a joyful slice, a little piece, which is both satisfying and leaves you wanting to move on to another day within the context of the movie. The story and characters are inconsequential, this is relayed through long shots, or entire scenes with the character's back facing the camera, or the mumbled dialog. What is relevant is the light, sound movement, ordinary experience of existence.
Yasurjiro Ozu the brilliant director who managed to give a entire sensibility to the mundane and static pedestrian point of view, is present here, but the light and tone of this movie is all about everyday Japan and its timeless pace. The essence of this film is it's universality and regard for the human experience. It is brilliant and fantastic as a reflection of the world at large and as a microcosm.
Final (2001)
Who knew
For the most part, I have always loved Denis Leary. He is a funny and obviously talented performer. But now I know what I've been missing. His ability to act to be a character so out of character for him, is substantially shocking. Final is an amazing movie and of course so much of that has to do with Campbell Scott, the quietest most subtle actor/director around. The real problem is that I had not even heard of this movie. How can such a wonderful and complex contribution not have been afforded any or little comment. It is indeed a sparse movie, but only in the sense of the setting. Otherwise, the screen is packed and each scene full of acting and real world questions about reality and our sense of selves. Hope Davis is always phenomenal as well, but look what can be done with a small room and two right on actors. See this movie and appreciate what can be done with a stick and a piece of string.
Sånger från andra våningen (2000)
If you loved Fassbinder and Herzog....
I was instantly bought back to the early eighties. Sitting in large cold theaters with about 9 other people, watching German films that seemed endless, stupid, amazing and hysterical simultaneously.. And that, is very hard to replicate, but Music From the Second Floor seems to pull it off. Oh, and throw a little Nordic tinged Monty Python in too. This is not an easy movie to watch it takes some effort and perseverance. Yet that has been what is lacking, and is one of the problems with most popular film over the last twenty years . Music from the Second Floor is gritty and gray, and you have to be present while you are watching it. No daydreaming or internal conversations that may distract you from the full on experience. So, if you were one of the other nine watching all of Berlin Alexanderplatz in a two day sitting, this one's for you.
Rolling Kansas (2003)
Rolling Kansas a character driven stoner movie, no way!
Rolling Kansas has the unique opportunity of actually being a good character driven film hidden beneath the paper mache surface of a stoner movie. A gaggle of young men, a car, a cooler of beer on a search of mythical medical marijuana oasis in Kansas. Need I say more, Yes! These guys are interesting, and they are funny dare I say that they have depth, but not in the traditional sense, more like we don't dumb ourselves down to be funny, depth. Yes, it is a silly movie with a silly premise, three brothers attempt to make a financial killing from harvesting pot that their parents found in Kansas when the boys were wee lads. They find a map and get the wheels, hyjinx ensu. Nothing new there, it's just that the pace and the dialog are actually engaging. Roll on kansas, roll on!