Set at a police station during the dark and stormy early hours of the morning, a mother is torn in multiple directions because the officer's inability to teller her where her son is.
This is a superbly acted, well written script, to anyone viewing who has the patience and ability to understand pace, repetition are devices to underscore the emotional tension and frustrations.
Themes explored include those dear to the Black Lives Matter movement, the pain of a recently split husband and wife, mixed race marriage and a teenage son finding his identity. All through the lens of four characters.
Powerful drama, which held my attention from beginning to end.
Reviews
10 Reviews
Warning: American exceptionalism is laid on a little thickly
2 November 2019
The makers of this documentary overstate the importance of this trial, and the importance of the US constitution.
The conclusions reached include that the First Amendment rights were under threat. While there is some truth to that they then go on to make the claim that First Amendment rights are a prerequisite to having a free press, or democracy.
If that were true, then it would not be possible to have better democracy than the US (there are), or a press as free or freer than the US. Other countries do exceptionally well without the US constitution, as evidenced by the various reports on human freedom and democracy.
Overall, I fell let down by this sustained US exceptionalism premise.
The conclusions reached include that the First Amendment rights were under threat. While there is some truth to that they then go on to make the claim that First Amendment rights are a prerequisite to having a free press, or democracy.
If that were true, then it would not be possible to have better democracy than the US (there are), or a press as free or freer than the US. Other countries do exceptionally well without the US constitution, as evidenced by the various reports on human freedom and democracy.
Overall, I fell let down by this sustained US exceptionalism premise.
The War of the Worlds
(2019)
True to the Edwardian period HG Wells intended
15 October 2019
This does not perfectly follow the written version of War of The Worlds by HG Wells, with the story line surrounding a couple in love. With the capsule, a cylinder becomes a sphere, and 2019 special effects take over, again not true to the original but mesmerizing to the characters and the audience. Wardrobe is great, the sets fantastic and the machines are similar to what I imagined.
While not following HG Wells' book, it dives in and out of similar themes, central is the 120 year old weapons being completely ineffective against the Martians. We humans are left to flee, we don't have the capability of effectively fighting back.
Recommended.
While not following HG Wells' book, it dives in and out of similar themes, central is the 120 year old weapons being completely ineffective against the Martians. We humans are left to flee, we don't have the capability of effectively fighting back.
Recommended.
Somewhere Slow
(2013)
A jittery yet authentic portrayal of a woman in crisis
17 May 2015
If I lived the life of Anna Thompson, every fiber of my existence would want to escape too! The warped predictability of the relationship with her husband, her family in crisis, job issues, and her own self issue - when an unexpected opportunity to escape was presented to her, with no real consideration of the consequences, she jumped at the chance. Actually she just jumped. Or snapped.
Either way, this movie is competently shot, excellently acted to present a jittery yet authentic portrayal of a woman in crisis, who ends up spending time with a wayward youth.
I cannot understate the extent that Jessalyn Gilsig got inside the character of Anna Thompson. She made compelling, believable viewing.
The film surprisingly dealt with a range of issues which stem from Anna's complex and neurotic self image, in an unassuming way that is further complicated by the context - kind of a bucket list of sometimes almost improper behavior, yet achieving the improper in almost justifiable though somehow milder ways.
Thoroughly enjoyed.
Either way, this movie is competently shot, excellently acted to present a jittery yet authentic portrayal of a woman in crisis, who ends up spending time with a wayward youth.
I cannot understate the extent that Jessalyn Gilsig got inside the character of Anna Thompson. She made compelling, believable viewing.
The film surprisingly dealt with a range of issues which stem from Anna's complex and neurotic self image, in an unassuming way that is further complicated by the context - kind of a bucket list of sometimes almost improper behavior, yet achieving the improper in almost justifiable though somehow milder ways.
Thoroughly enjoyed.
Free Ride
(2013)
1970s mother slips into an ever increasing storm of drug influenced business
17 May 2015
Anna Paquin leads a very competent cast to portray Christina, a mother of two who flees an abusive relationship. She heads south into an ever increasing storm of drug influenced business - as their lives become paradoxically easier and more difficult at the same time.
The lead roles are compelling, with Paquin showing moments of superior skill, proving that her Oscar from 1993 was no fluke.
As it's a true story, the story line is a series of dramatized facts, woven together in a nearly challenging way.
The attention to 1970s set, wardrobe and script (a Walton's reference!) was superb - throwing my head space back into my own 1970s childhood a number of times.
The movie could have been preachy, but wasn't - it instead conveys the practical necessities that sometimes cloud choices. Christina was confronted with truly desperate situation, and we are left to consider the magnitude of that in a world more sexist than today.
I was left with the sense that this movie entirely escapes the worst of Hollywood, rather it has an Indie feel to it that I found enjoyable.
The lead roles are compelling, with Paquin showing moments of superior skill, proving that her Oscar from 1993 was no fluke.
As it's a true story, the story line is a series of dramatized facts, woven together in a nearly challenging way.
The attention to 1970s set, wardrobe and script (a Walton's reference!) was superb - throwing my head space back into my own 1970s childhood a number of times.
The movie could have been preachy, but wasn't - it instead conveys the practical necessities that sometimes cloud choices. Christina was confronted with truly desperate situation, and we are left to consider the magnitude of that in a world more sexist than today.
I was left with the sense that this movie entirely escapes the worst of Hollywood, rather it has an Indie feel to it that I found enjoyable.
The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
(2015–2024)
Well structured and compelling documentary.
16 May 2015
This is a documentary which follows Andrew Jarecki, as he pulls together the story of Robert Durst, who is suspected of killing his wife along with two others.
Robert Durst is part of the Durst family, a prominent property investment force in New York. Andrew Jarecki interviews Robert Durst extensively, along with other key players. He and his team are party to the uncovering of new evidence for these old crimes.
Amazingly, the tension is built and sustained then built again and again - I am sure whether to congratulate Andrew Jarecki as incredibly lucky for the revelations he gets to reveal, or his mastery as a film maker.
I believe that this series is a rare combination of both.
Highly recommended.
Robert Durst is part of the Durst family, a prominent property investment force in New York. Andrew Jarecki interviews Robert Durst extensively, along with other key players. He and his team are party to the uncovering of new evidence for these old crimes.
Amazingly, the tension is built and sustained then built again and again - I am sure whether to congratulate Andrew Jarecki as incredibly lucky for the revelations he gets to reveal, or his mastery as a film maker.
I believe that this series is a rare combination of both.
Highly recommended.
Fruitvale Station
(2013)
A disturbing story, beautifully made
2 May 2015
Because this movie is based on a true story, it needed to honor the main subject, Oscar.
It succeeded.
Oscar has had his troubles, was a kid trying to do good, sometimes succeeding. This is the story about his new years eve - and how events larger than life impacted him on this eventful day.
The acting was authentic, his family and friends were believable. It was shot on site in the Bay / Oakland area of San Francisco.
It provides remarkable insight into Oscar's community, a well rounded representation of what life is like - and still like there.
Highly recommended.
It succeeded.
Oscar has had his troubles, was a kid trying to do good, sometimes succeeding. This is the story about his new years eve - and how events larger than life impacted him on this eventful day.
The acting was authentic, his family and friends were believable. It was shot on site in the Bay / Oakland area of San Francisco.
It provides remarkable insight into Oscar's community, a well rounded representation of what life is like - and still like there.
Highly recommended.
Tales of the Grim Sleeper
(2014)
Hats off to Nick Broomfield
2 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This documentary is about Lonnie Franklin who killed 10 women over the course of 25 years in South Central LA.
The documentary served as an attack on the LAPD's inability to do the right thing, to investigate and release warnings to the public.
It is also a testament to Nick Broomfield's persistence, as an outsider sporting a big microphone and a funny accent he was able to wear down and break communication barriers, witnessed by the evolving stories of those interviewed. Once inside a subculture within the gnarly South Central LA district, he reveals a full spectrum voices that speak the message of outrage from victim's loved ones and their supporters, to witnesses of sexual deviancy in the form of Franklin's friends.
The documentary served as an attack on the LAPD's inability to do the right thing, to investigate and release warnings to the public.
It is also a testament to Nick Broomfield's persistence, as an outsider sporting a big microphone and a funny accent he was able to wear down and break communication barriers, witnessed by the evolving stories of those interviewed. Once inside a subculture within the gnarly South Central LA district, he reveals a full spectrum voices that speak the message of outrage from victim's loved ones and their supporters, to witnesses of sexual deviancy in the form of Franklin's friends.
The Look of Silence
(2014)
Amazing - must see - Adi is a standout individual
2 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Focussing on a single family who during what is now known as a genocide in the late 1960s, who lost their eldest son. Adi, who wasn't born at that time, has a deep and personal commitment to not just finding answers that his whole family was asking, but to setting his country on a path of truth and reconciliation.
Amazingly, the perpetrators of the genocide were still in positions of power. The interview showed Adi time and again facing perpetrators of the genocide – those indirectly involved with his brother's killing – and later with those who were directly involved.
Throughout the documentary, Adi showed his calm nature, even when tested and even when displaying his resilience and determination to hear the truth. While steps were taken to protect Adi, thinly veiled threats to his safety where made – leaving the viewer in no doubt that he had literally put his life on the line.
Adi in person, at the Q&A session after the showing at Telluride, his answers (translated by director Joshua), his persona and his body language conveyed a disarming softness, a humbleness and an absolute commitment to the truth and reconciliation of his country.
I was honored to shake Adi's hand, to exchange a few words of greeting.
There is no doubt in my mind that I was in the presence of someone very special, someone who through his own deep and personal commitment was in the process of making the world a better place.
Amazingly, the perpetrators of the genocide were still in positions of power. The interview showed Adi time and again facing perpetrators of the genocide – those indirectly involved with his brother's killing – and later with those who were directly involved.
Throughout the documentary, Adi showed his calm nature, even when tested and even when displaying his resilience and determination to hear the truth. While steps were taken to protect Adi, thinly veiled threats to his safety where made – leaving the viewer in no doubt that he had literally put his life on the line.
Adi in person, at the Q&A session after the showing at Telluride, his answers (translated by director Joshua), his persona and his body language conveyed a disarming softness, a humbleness and an absolute commitment to the truth and reconciliation of his country.
I was honored to shake Adi's hand, to exchange a few words of greeting.
There is no doubt in my mind that I was in the presence of someone very special, someone who through his own deep and personal commitment was in the process of making the world a better place.
Fresh
(1994)
Outstanding
10 May 2013
Warning: Spoilers
While learning chess against his expert player dad, Fresh also learns how to play for life. Another brilliant basketball playing kid, is deliberately fouled by a thug, a hood. To get back, he dazzles that hood - embarrassing him. The enraged hood goes gets a gun, and shoots him dead. Collateral damage is a sweet innocent girl who's character has been built sufficiently, just so we know that Fresh has a soft spot for her. A dogfight build's Fresh's character more - we know he has sound morals but gets swept along to the dog fight anyway. We know that Fresh is troubled. We then weave through the movie like a game of chess, where pieces are sacrificed for the final victory. There are lessons through out, metaphors and texture for anyone who cares to look. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Gave it an 8 out of ten.
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