tolona Reviews

Hostiles (2017)

This Movie!

[8/10 · 28 January 2018]

This will be short and sweet... There are those, I'm certain, who will disrespect this movie due simply to it's deliberate pace... If you are one who requires non-stop, manic action, you will not be pleased...However, if you can set aside your preconceived notions and let this movie take you where it wants to take you, and at the stride it prefers to take you there, you will not be disappointed.

Dark, superbly acted and emotionally gripping. For me at least, I was seized upon at the predicate scene and was not released from its clutch until the final credits began running.

This is NOT your Clint Eastwood western buy any stretch, but the great thing is that it is a wonderful story that rivets you to your seat and entices you into its emotional web....

Big Thumbs Up!

Custody (I) (2016)

A well spent 2 1/2 hours

[9/10 · 1 April 2017]

I must say that I was more than pleasantly surprised by the production quality of this film, together with a compelling story line superbly acted. I even enjoyed the soundtrack, which emphasized emotion at just the right time.

With names like Viola Davis, Hayden Panettiere, Ellen Burstyn and Tony Shalhoub, I was wondering why I missed it at the theaters. However, it was premiered by Lifetime and was never released theatrically (although it certainly should have been).

Catalina Sandino Moreno turns in an excellent performance as the mother of two children facing a dilemma, the outcome of which is uncertain, causing pain nearly impossible to endure. The children and their friends all contributed very believable performances along with the rest of the cast. There was not one moment in this movie where I sensed a fake, forced or unbelievable character.

Although the plot is multi-faceted and highlights the lives of a number of the characters, it remains interesting and compelling throughout. It is a film with a great deal of character, feeling and emotion. In the end you will feel glad that you watched this movie. I am pretty harsh when it comes to TV movies, yet this is a rare exception that deserved to have a much wider audience. 9 of 10 stars!