This is a good movie! The cast is excellent. Forest Whitaker I hope one day wins a lifetime achievement award from the Academy. His body of work demands it. Tess Harper is getting some roles lately and certainly making the most of them. Garrett Hedlund and Andrea Riseborough are excellent and convey well the emotions of those poor and of good character (Riseborough) and someone who never knew good character and struggles finding it (Hedlund).
Really the whole cast from Whitakers wife and son to the Black Motel owner was excellent.
This is another movie Americans need to see.
Reviews
64 Reviews
Da 5 Bloods
(2020)
Don't trust the rating.
17 June 2020
This movie is not good. I am disappointed as I expected far better from Spike Lee.
Delroy Lindo is almost unwatchable. A full blown psycho as he portrays him would not have lasted the 45 years since the end of the war. Why did they wait until they were 65-70 to reclaim the gold? So many plot holes! Spike should not have used the geriatrics for the flashback scenes. In a lot of scenes it was almost like Spike got tired of filming and directing and settled for mediocre, I would've said amateurish but Spikes been at it too many years.
Is it time for Spike to retire? Maybe take up writing?
Dakota
(2007)
Accomplished
5 May 2020
This movie is surprisingly good! An entering careerhood film featuring a young, fun loving, earnest bunch who come together over a weekend due to a friends misfortune.
This film has good dialogue and presents realistic portraits of young people who have recently finished university and are preparing for careers.
It reminded me of my young adulthood, and as a father with 2 sons just recently graduated from University, a reminder of their current situations.
My only complaint is the lack of colour in the film but as a Canadian film set in Canada, it is not as uncommon as it may be in America.
Americans will like this movie but be forewarned, there are no guns in this film. In fact I can't remember seeing a smart phone either!
The Great Gatsby
(2013)
1974 Version is Superior
11 April 2020
That damn Romeo and Juliet (1996) with it's modern take. It was very popular and I have seen several movies that take classic works of fiction and "modernize" them.
I haven't seen any that worked and even Leo can't save this film.
Poor choices abound. I like Carey Mulligan but she is miscast here. The role is too shallow in this production for her talents.
Leo and Tobey are pros and even Joel Edgerton is passable but there is no depth to any of the characters and no likability as well.
The production is too glitzy and the music is largely a miss with the hip hop tunes.
Mr. Jones
(2019)
Meh+
25 March 2020
As the title implies, this movie is about the journalist who exposed the Russian Famine not about the Russian Famine in depth. In fact it kind of glosses over the true horror of the Soviet Campaign.
I was surprised to find that the Director is a elderly woman as I assumed some of the attempts at interesting shots were youthful not aged attempts at relevance. There were numerous such attempts,some worked, most didn't. Even the second time the Director tried them didn't work!
Good performances from the acting corps with professional production from crew make it watchable but the journalists subject matter should have been the focus of a more in depth look.
Trade
(I) (2007)
Don't Bother
1 February 2020
When the most intriguing character in a human trafficking film is the bad guy then you could largely say the Director failed.
The story of a group of kidnapped children and the people who try to rescue them is largely lackluster and that's a shame as I am sure this was a difficult film to make.
The acting core for the most part was very competent, Gaitan, Ramos in a difficult role for a young actor were all in on their roles. Alicja Bachleda as one of the victims along with Marco Perez as her tormentor are above average.
I like Kevin Kline but he is totally miscast in his role as the cop.
The story is threadbare and drags on for too long.
Just Mercy
(2019)
A Great Movie
31 January 2020
This movie is exceptionally well made. Everyone should see it.
Jamie Foxx should be taking Adam Drivers place on the Best Actor Nomination list. He is fantastic.
I reviewed Short Term 12 and stated that Brie Larson was Streep worthy. I am glad she still is. She needs to be in more important movies like this.
Even Michael B Jordan, who I have always thought was over hyped did a very admirable job.
I, Tonya
(2017)
Just leave me alone....for now!
31 December 2019
This movie is definitely about dysfunction and don't worry, you'll get your fill.
This movie depicts the true story of sk8ter girl Tonya Harding who in a quest to achieve the American Dream attacks her figure skating opponent Nancy Kerrigan in order to secure a spot on the US Olympic figure skating team.
The story is compelling and the actors do a fantastic job in their roles as perhaps the dumbest tools to ever draw breathe.
Margo Robbie is able to carry the load as Tonya and Janney, Hauser and Stan are spot on in their portrayals of mean spirited, low down white trash.
I know, it sounds like I didn't like it.....but I did. It will be hard to forget and is an enjoyable watch.
The only qualm I had was the music. The vast majority of it predated the events by 20 years and did not feel right. It was the grunge era set in the home of grunge and was about grungy people yei not a grunge song anywhere.!
The Great War
(2019)
Unfairly Rated
30 December 2019
This movie is pretty good. I am going to assume some of the poor ratings are due to racism.
Yes, it is not the most accomplished acting corp. but the story is compelling and while some of the scenes feel forced the leads do an admiral job.
Most importantly this is a story that needs to be told and one that should make all true Americans proud.
Marriage Story
(2019)
Way Overrated
28 December 2019
8.2 is ludicrous! Adam driver is weak in his role and Scarlett is too strong. It makes a person wonder if either of them have ever been married and certainly not for 10 years.
I would have given this movie a solid 6 but the musical number by Driver was too much.
Skipped Parts
(2000)
Not for Everyone
18 December 2019
This movie had potential. It could have been about a free spirited mother/child of the sixties who was carving a new path for her and her son in the sixties.
Instead it's about a bi-polar alcoholic mother who when drunk likes to talk about her sons penis and mate with undesirable males. When not drunk she encourages the grade 7 children to have sex and tastes her sons boy goo when he has a wet dream..
This movie is a mess and does not deserve such a high rating.
An Excellent Family Drama
9 December 2019
This movie is very good. Chiwetel Ejiofor is to be commended for bringing this African story to life.
The Cinematography is excellent with images that will last the rest of my lifetime.
The story is of universal appeal and will enlarge the heart of anybody who views this film.
3 Dressed up as a 9
15 November 2019
This movie is your typical Rom-Com. It is not without it's charms. The performers are likable and once you get past the first 15 mins. the story takes a turn to conventional.
A lot has been made of the Indie music in the film. The meaning of Indie in this regard must mean lame.
All in all, kind of a throwaway Rom-Com.
Dolemite Is My Name
(2019)
As American as Apple Pie
30 October 2019
This movie is to film making as Jazz or Bluegrass is to music, distinctly American. Dolemite Is My Name embodies the American spirit. In America you can start from nothing and attain anything, as long as you are willing to do what it takes. What it takes means relentless pursuit and sticking with it.
This movie mentions Blaxploitation a lot but really it is about exploitation. It doesn't matter if you are black or white, both are after the dollar.
Eddie Murphy shows skills that were only hinted at in past films. His role of a man who tries to be everything to everybody in his search for glory is Oscar worthy and he should be nominated.
While the movie is about crude humor and bad taste, it is also very much about love.
The Day of the Locust
(1975)
California Living!
21 September 2019
This movie is fantastic. It is the story of the deplorables, who lives intertwine while seeking solace for their failures in Hollywood during the Thirties.
This movie is not for everyone. If you are a fan of Disney movies, you will not like this movie. This is the side of Hollywood when no one is looking.
And it's not just Hollywood. Scenes of migrants and squatters living in shacks in the canyons, opulence and misery cheek by jowl.
Karen Black is the starlet who will use everybody to try to become a star.
William Atherton is the young man new to town and in love with the starlet.
Donald Sutherland is the man Karen Black uses to try to get what she wants without having to give him anything. He is also the only character who has any redeeming qualities whatsoever.
The acting is exceptional by all and the numerous supporting cast players are very good at capturing the nuances that make people who they are.
I have seen several of John Schlesingers films and this I consider his most brave undertaking. He perfectly captures the insanity of unrequited anything and the ugliness of narcissism and desperation.
While Hollywood continues to give awards to films that glorify Hollywood, this movie is an essential reminder that you can't always get what you want.
You will not forget this movie, ever!
Yesterday
(III) (2019)
British Charm
18 September 2019
This is a British Film. The themes are worldly but it is British.
The only American character in the movie is overbearing and obnoxious.
Himesh Patel oozes charm in a English underclass sort of way and Lily James is so girl next door wholesome that one can't help but fall in love with her. Together they make a engaging pairing.
The Beatles music is done very well and it was refreshing to hear the songs again.
My only qualm with this film is the fact that the director felt it necessary to put a character who was John Lennon in this film. The scene is totally misplaced and frankly, disconcerting.
The movie is thin on plot as 99% of all Rom-Coms are but is a entirely adequate date flick.
I gave this movie a 7 only because I couldn't give it a 6.5.
ad nauseam
28 August 2019
The Razor's Edge
(1984)
Razor Burn
12 August 2019
I wanted to like this, I really did! Good cast and a compelling story told over the span of 15 years or so.
I like Bill Murray and I don't blame him. The director had Bill doing his SNL routine in the opening scene and I couldn't take him seriously after that. Bill does a credible job but there is always a smile lurking on his mouth.
This movie is about a young man who goes to war and comes back changed. He spends the next several years traveling and finding himself until he ends up back with those he grew up with.
I have issues with the director. Along with the opening scene mentioned before the bombs exploding during the battle scene were all laid out in a line and you could see them popping off, totally fake as Gropenfuher Trump would say.
I mean at the end of the movie he has Bill skipping up a set of stairs right after he suffers the loss of two people who were very close to him. He ven clicks his heels together!
This current rating is too generous to a less than stellar effort.
The Public
(2018)
The Public Good
16 July 2019
Finally a movie that finally shows me why Emilio Estevez draws breath.
I will admit that I have always thought of Estevez as sort of like margarine, not butter but if the butter isn't available it'll have to do. Bobby was a ok effort but not the kind of movie one wants to say is his crowning glory. If Estevez never makes another film I think he can rightly say he went out on top with this flick!
The film is about a group of homeless people who take over a library on one of the coldest night in Cincinattis history as they need shelter from the cold.
The takeover is helped along by library staff who offer unique perspectives on the lives of their patrons and their own beliefs.
This is a movie that should be seen by everyone. I would even say this is a family movie despite the adult situations.
But don't take my word for it. As I write this there are 38 reviews and not one is negative. That's pretty near impossible.
Suffragette
(2015)
Very Good
30 June 2019
Carey Mulligan takes a star turn as Maud Watts, a mother and laundress in the early 1910 in Britain. She gets recruited to become a foot soldier in the fight for womens voting rights.
There is nothing bad I can say about this film. Excellent production values, able, professional cast and subject matter that informs.
This movie illustrates why men should get out of the way and let women rule. Women give birth, raise children and work for pennies and still they love the men they choose. Men, who think their mothers, wives, sisters and daughters are nothing more than vessels to satisfy mens needs. It pains me that over 100 years after the period in which this movie was set that men still seek to dominate, dictate to and treat as inferior the women whom give life to us all!
See this movie with your favorite woman/women and show them you care.
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