Category Archives: Flirting

2015, Adultery, Alcoholism, Depression, Drama, Flirting, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, Murder, Nothing special, Philosophic Discussions, Self-Deception, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Thought provoking, Unusual

Irrational Man (2015)

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From NetFlix:

A middle-aged professor at a small Rhode Island college edges close to his breaking point, until he finds renewed purpose in his life after embarking on an unusual relationship with one of his students.

When Joaquin Phoenix is in a film, I will at least start to watch the film. For awhile his character Abe spends a fair amount of time whining about his despairing life even after meeting his student Jill, played by Emma Stone. Indeed the “talking heads” do ramble on about philosophic theories until one day in a restaurant — oops!, no spoilers allowed. “Irrational Man” is somewhat ordinary but good enough that I had to see what happens next, especially after that day in the restaurant — oops!

Eventually you will see that the film is well named. Meantime keep the faith.

2014, Acceptable for children, Action Film, Action Hero, Anti-terrorism, Based on a Book, Car Chase, Conspiracy, Flirting, KGB, Love Story, Mayhem, Military, Motorcycles, Russian Anti-USA Scheme, Spy Theme, Suspense, Terrorist Attack, Thriller, Violent

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

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From NetFlix:

CIA analyst Jack Ryan tries to thwart a terrorist plot to bring down the U.S. economy in this action-thriller helmed by Kenneth Branagh. Chris Pine plays the title character alongside an all-star cast that includes Kevin Costner and Keira Knightley.

Seen one, seen them all. But some action films offer at least something that is unique to the film. For me, seeing Kenneth Branagh (who also directed the film) as the Russian villain was a welcome novelty. Nor did it hurt having Kevin Costner and Keira Knightley in the film. Chris Pine as Jack Ryan presents a personality that is a new and more honest approach, namely: he does not pretend to be the perfect, invulnerable hero. Rather the whole espionage game is new and unwelcome to him. When the first attempt is made on his life, he is scared to death with trembling to match. Still, in the several unrealistic action sequences (but then, aren’t they all unbelievable ?) Jack Ryan would never have survived.

Who cares? Just sit back and enjoy the pandemonium.

2015, Action Film, Action Hero, Amusing banter, Car Chase, Chase film, CIA, Flirting, KGB, Mild Torture, Motorcycles, Spy Versu Spy, Suspense

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

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From NetFlix:

With both their countries threatened by a powerful global crime cartel, the CIA’s Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin must work together in this Cold War thriller inspired by the classic 1960s TV series.

Take two young studs (Henry Cavill as Solo and Armie Hammer as Illya) , throw in two beautiful young women (Alicia Vikander as Gaby and Elizabeth Debicki as Victoria) and some good action scenes and SHAZAMM! we can have a lot of fun. Especially well-crafted was the opening action sequence. Constant competition between Solo and Illya maintains the humor. Of course, you have seen all this before (nuclear warheads, double-crosses, “who is an agent for whom”) but some mixes work better than others and this mix worked for me.

And wasn’t it a surprise to see Hugh Grant cleverly disguised as an Englishman?

Not all the acting is great.

Best of all, this film is intended to be the first of a series. Let’s hope the writers can keep the momentum moving.

2005, Comedy, Corny at times, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Love Story, Sight Gags, Slapstick

Hitch (2005)

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From NetFlix:

Smooth and sexy Hitch helps clueless clients make a great first impression with their dates so they can get to the second date. But when a lovely gossip reporter starts nosing around his business, Hitch has to figure out a whole new strategy to love.

Possibly slow at first, some funny sight gags get the action started, especially when Kevin James (“Paul Blart:Mall Cop”) enters the scene as the love-sick Albert.

Expect some mush, but also expect to have some fun.

2010, 2012, Acceptable Trash, Australian, Black humor, Born Again Christians, Comedy, Corruption, Crude Talk, Dysfunctional Lives, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, Farce, Father-son relations, Financial malfeasance, Flirting, Frenetic, Gambling, Lawyers, Lot's of Fun, Marital Infidelity, Murder Investigation, Murder Trial, Netflix Streaming, Outrageous Behavior, Police Corruption, Prostitutes, Revenge, Senior citizens, Sex Scenes, Somewhat ridiculous plot, Suspense, Teenagers, Transvestite theme, Violent, Vulgar, Witty dialog

Rake (2010)

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From NetFlix:

While Cleaver Greene is a brilliant and driven attorney, he’s also an ex-druggie, a current gambling addict and loathed by many of his colleagues.

Four years after I first reviewed this nutty series it is now 2020 and there are 5 seasons of this outrageous and sometimes really funny series.  Just remember: it is really vulgar.

Each season has 8 episodes lasting about an hour. Probably the best service I an provide is to copy a description of each season.

Season 1 –

Richard Roxburgh is Cleaver Greene, a brilliant barrister battling self-destructive tendencies in this hit Australian comedy-drama. As a lawyer, Cleaver prefers to defend those who are utterly hopeless and probably guilty; his clients include murderers, bigamists, and even cannibals. Despite his roguish ways, Cleaver’s wit and charm have won him many cases and loyal friends over the years.

Season 2 –

An alcoholic and former cocaine addict, Cleaver runs up huge gambling debts and makes enemies of gangsters and politicians alike. Despite his roguish ways, Cleaver’s wit and charm have won him many cases and loyal friends over the years.

Season 3 –

As the third season of this acclaimed Aussie drama opens, Cleaver Greene’s life is once again heading south. Clients are rejecting him and he struggles to find anything resembling a case. He takes on a mid-range drink driving charge that he tries to make into a cause célèbre.

Season 4 –

Smart but self-destructive lawyer Cleaver Greene (Richard Roxburgh, Moulin Rouge!, Van Helsing) faces new challenges in the fourth season of the hit Australian comedy-drama. Last seen dangling from a runaway hot air balloon, Cleaver inadvertently crosses paths with a wanted criminal.

Season 5 –

The final season of this “ever-sparkling comedic drama” (The Guardian) sees Cleaver Greene (Richard Roxburgh, Moulin Rouge!) in the Australian Senate, having won on a pledge to do nothing. But even his low expectations fall short of the absurd reality, as he faces a political nemesis.

—————— FIRST REVIEW IN 2016 —————————–

How can two seasons (8 episodes per season) of a Australian comedy series with negative social value be so entertaining? Answer number one: it helps if the viewer is somewhat immature with a really jaded sense of humor. Answer number two: despite the completely salacious series of situations, the plot lines are complicatedly clever. Answer number three: it is just plain fun to watch Cleaver Green go from screw-up to screw-up, sleeping with just about every woman he comes across.

Will all Cleaver’s misadventures eventually catch up with him by episode 16? Stay tuned if you like exaggerated British satire.

2014, Asperger's Syndrome, Based on true facts, Biographical, British, Bullying, Computer geeks, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Dysfunctional Lives, Flirting, Gay theme, Homophobia, Military, Spy Theme, Suicide, Suspense, War, WWII

The Imitation Game (2014)

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From NetFlix:

Chronicling mathematical wizard Alan Turing’s key role in Britain’s successful effort to crack Germany’s Enigma code during World War II, this historical biopic also recounts how his groundbreaking work helped launch the computer age.

War is complicated business involving heroism, boring minutiae, and a great deal of good or bad luck. Imagine the daily grind of trying to break Germany’s Enigma code, made even more difficult by the clash of egos and arrogant military personnel. Add to that Alan Turing’s Asberger-Syndrome-like personality.

Only a gifted actor like Benedict Cumberbatch could undertake the role of Alan Turing so successfully. Of course, he often plays bizarre characters such as his TV role as Sherlock Holmes.

Keira Knightley is the perfect accompaniment to Turing’s idiosyncrasies. But be sure to read the Wikipedia article that clarifies Turing’s relation to the code breaker Joan Clarke.

As a faithful viewer of “Downton Abbey” I was happy to see Allen Leech in the role of John Cairncross. His place in the plot shows the precarious position of homosexuals in the British society of those times. Blackmail was a serious possibility.

Without further ado, I can only say DO NOT MISS!

2010, 2013, Alcoholism, Arson, Based on a Book, Bloody scenes, Catholic culture, Child abduction and murder, Child Molestation, Complicated, Could Be Hard To Watch, Dark, Detective, Flirting, Grim, Irish Detective Series, Mother-son relations, Murder, Netflix Streaming, Pedophilia, Police Story, Religious Theme, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Suspense, TV Series, Unmarried mother, Use of Irish Brogue, Violent

Jack Taylor (2010)

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From Netflix:

As he faces his own struggles with the bottle, boozy but big-hearted ex-cop Jack Taylor earns a reputation for being a tough-as-nails private investigator who’s not afraid to take on ruthless vigilantes or track down merciless killers.

From Netflix I streamed:

Season 1
The Guards
The Pikemen
The Magdalen Martyrs

Season 2
The Dramatist
Priest
Shot Down

  • Season 3
  • Cross
  • Headstone
  • Purgatory

Kathy and I watched “The Guards” together and decided against watching any more episodes. However, on my own I tried one more episode and was hooked. Not all the episodes are equal in value. “The Guards” introduces us to Jack Taylor as a sloppy drunken former Guard (which means a member of the Irish Guarda, that is to say, the police force). Although episodes refer back to earlier episodes you could conceivably watch selected episodes.

All the episodes are violent, grim, and harsh. Ian Glen does a convincing job as Jack Taylor. You may remember Ian Glen as Jorah Mormont in “Game of Thrones” or Sir Richard Carlisle from “Downton Abbey”.

Riveting but definitely not relaxing. Proceed at your own caution.

2014, Amusing banter, Conspiracy, Corruption, Crime, Flirting, Lawyers, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, Netflix Streaming, Plot Twist, Police Corruption, Politicians, Sex Scenes, Soap Opera, TV Series, Witty dialog

Reckless (2014)

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From Netflix:

A gorgeous Northern legal eagle and a charming Southern lawyer clash in and out of the courtroom in this soapy drama set in Charleston, S.C.

Looking for a worthwhile soap opera? Try this 2014 TV series featuring beautiful Anna Wood as Yankee lawyer Jamie Sawyer versus handsome Cam Gigandet as Charleston native lawyer Roy Rader. These two smart people are always opposing lawyers (who help each other). Of course, as is often the case in soap operas, the question is: when will these two finally get together?

An entire year’s series is spent trying to answer that question. Meanwhile each episode features one trial plus a continuation of the efforts by Georgina Haig as fired policewoman Lee Anne Marcus who is suing the police department for defamation of character and unwarranted dismissal. In addition there is a continuing investigation into police gun smuggling.

First the good news: This is an easy to watch romantic soap opera. Now the bad news: For some reason that outraged fans, CBS cancelled the show after only one season. Here is a series that cries for more episodes, especially considering the final plot twist and the fact that Roy and Jamie _ _ _ get together. Here I leave it to you to fill in the _ _ _ blanks with “do” or “do not”.

No spoilers allowed! Have fun!

2013, Alcoholism, Amusing banter, Crude Talk, Father-son relations, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Love Story, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Teenagers, Witty dialog

Words and Pictures (2013)

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From Netflix:

A picture is worth a thousand words — or is it? That’s the question prep school students must answer as their teachers egg them on in this diverting romantic comedy starring Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche as the instructors who spark the debate.

Finally, a date movie without cringing. Ever beautiful Juliette Binoche as the art teacher and ever devilish Clive Owen as the creative writing teacher not only battle through an entire film with fun multi-syllabic word challenges but also engage their respective students in a competition of words versus pictures. Each has problems: she has serious rheumatoid arthritis and he is an alcoholic plagiarist. Will he keep his teaching job and not alienate his son? Will she be able to continue teaching and painting? Stay tuned.

Sometimes the dialog is not appropriate for children.

And by the way, it is also a love story which you might as well enjoy.

2014, Abduction, Action Film, Action Hero, Alcoholism, CIA, Clever Plot, Computer geeks, Conspiracy, DO NOT MISS, Father-son relations, FBI, Flirting, Love Story, Medical Theme, Motorcycles, Revenge, Spy Theme, Suspense, Torture, Violent

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

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From Netflix:

CIA analyst Jack Ryan tries to thwart a terrorist plot to bring down the U.S. economy in this action-thriller helmed by Kenneth Branagh. Chris Pine plays the title character alongside an all-star cast that includes Kevin Costner and Keira Knightley.

Although films consisting of spies + CIA + terrorists + international plots + action heroes + car chases + FBI + “you name it” may seem to be all more or less the same, still some writers manage to make a particular film exciting and somehow a little different. Undoubtedly the star cast which includes Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, Kevin Costner, and Kenneth Branagh helps make this film worth seeing.

Romance between Chris Pine (as Jack Ryan) and Keira Knightley (as Doctor Cathy Muller) is clever and well done.

Needless to say, if our side of the effort does not win, then our world will end in some horrible disaster and major financial depression.

And of course Jack Ryan is a super hero endowed with amazing physical powers of survival. After all, do YOU have a doctorate in complex finance? Can YOU run and catch a moving delivery van? Are you able to physically fight commando style? Are YOU a computer wiz? If not, what is the matter with YOU?

In my case all I can do is watch the fun. All it takes is a really evil bad guy and I am hooked into the plot till the end. Kenneth Branagh excels at being that really nasty villain. He does it with such a straight face. Are Russians really that mean?

Despite the fact that there are an awful lot of clever CIA-like devices and surprises that get our hero out of many jams, if you like this action genre, then DO NOT MISS!