Category Archives: Redemption

2010, Could Be Hard To Watch, Cynical, Dark, Drugs, Grim, Occasional gore, Redemption, Suspense, Violent

Repo Men (2010)

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From NetFlix:

In the world of this sci-fi thriller set in the not-too-distant future, artificial organs are readily available to anybody with a credit card. But what happens if a buyer falls delinquent on his payments? Jude Law stars as an organ repo man who’s now fleeing his ex-partner after failing to keep up the payments on his own recently installed ticker. Miguel Sapochnik directs; Forest Whitaker and Liev Schreiber co-star.

Do NOT watch this film with your family in front of a cozy fire near the Christmas tree because “Repo Men” is easily one of the more gory and disturbing films I have ever seen. It is based on the novel Repossession Mambo by Eric Garcia. Having warned you, I now encourage those of you with strong stomachs to see this film. Jude Law, newly beefed up, and his partner Forest Whitaker portray chillingly a pair of opportunist thugs whose job is indeed to retrieve transplanted body organs from clients who have fallen behind on their outrageously expensive loans at more than 19% interest. You must be able to watch Jude Law use a stun gun to paralyze a “deadbeat” and then rip the client’s body open and reach in and pull out a heart, liver, kidney, or whatever. Perhaps you might prefer a Disney movie.

As with so many post-apocalyptic stories, there are abandoned, gritty sections of the city where the castoffs live. It seems most castoffs are hunted for their bodies filled with transplanted organs. For a similar situation see the film “Blade Runner”. Also note the theme of organ transplants in films such as “Dirty Pretty Things” and “Never Let Me Go”.

Before you click away from this description, I have to say that in a certain way this is a story of redemption. There is a point here. Whereas Liev Schreiber does a superb job as an amoral salesman for body parts, and whereas Forest Whitaker seems unconcerned about the ugliness of it all (after all, “a job is just a job”), Jude Law starts to regret and eventually realizes the horror of what he does for a living.

Because the ending confused me, I found it helpful to read the Wikipedia article. Perhaps reading the original book might help.

You have been warned!

2009, Drama, Gangs, Gay theme, Latino Culture, Love Story, Redemption, Sex Scenes, Violent

La Mission (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Ultra-macho ex-con Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt) learns the true meaning of being a father when he discovers his son (Jeremy Ray Valdez) is gay. Rivera turns violent at first, but when a beautiful neighbor (Erika Alexander) helps him see through his anger, he begins to reconcile his long-held beliefs. Peter Bratt (Benjamin’s brother) writes and directs this compelling drama, while Max Rosenak and Talisa Soto co-star.

Being gay in the macho latino culture is especially difficult. Peter Bratt’s story brings to life a part of that latino culture in Los Angeles which was for me a revelation. For example, a weekend ritual of Che and his friends is a slow parade of restored and exuberantely decorated automobiles which ends with a large outdoor gathering of friends for dancing and talking. Che is especially adept at restoring cars and has been working on a special auto for years as a way of encouraging his bright son to work hard in school. This son is the most important thing in the life of his widowed dad. To suddenly discover that this boy is gay (especially in a macho culture) might well destroy the father’s world.

Actually the real theme of the film is the prevalence of violence in this culture: husbands commonly beat their wives, men fight alot, teenagers are drawn to gang violence and guns, etc.

Benjamin Bratt is perhaps better known to us in 95 episodes of “Law and Order” as Detective Rey Curtis. He does an excellent job in this film.

2005, Imperfect, Mediocre, Plot Twist, Psychological Thriller, Redemption, Suspense

The Lazarus Project (2005)

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From NetFlix:

Ben (Paul Walker) thought his life was over when he was sentenced to death by lethal injection. But following his execution, he awakens to a whole new world. After learning he’s been hired as a groundskeeper at a crumbling psychiatric facility, Ben realizes he’s earned a second chance. But whether he’s truly come back from the dead — or never died in the first place — remains a mystery. Linda Cardellini and Piper Perabo co-star.

Do NOT see this film. Instead see Shutter Island (2010).

In a certain sense this film is the reverse of “Shutter Island”. If Dennis Lehane had not written “Shutter Island” in 2003, I would have suspected he was inspired by “The Lazarus Project”.

Watch it if you must, but see if you don’t object to the following: Our hero is ending his prison probation with a job that seems to require no computer skills. Skip ahead to the “Shutter Island”-like captivity and finally he is so clever that he suddenly develops an amazing ability with computers. Moreover he is so clever that his captors give up without much fight. I just don’t buy it.

2001, Corny, Melodrama, Military, Prison, Redemption, Revenge, Suspense, Violent

The Last Castle (2001)

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From NetFlix:

When General Irwin (Robert Redford) — a POW in Vietnam and a revered hero in the Persian Gulf and Bosnian campaigns — is court-martialed for disobeying orders, he’s sentenced to serve time at a maximum-security military prison run by a hard-nosed disciplinarian (James Gandolfini). But a battle of wills emerges between the two men as the prisoners and guards of “The Castle” find themselves drawn to Irwin’s natural leadership abilities

Because I was looking for films with Mark Ruffalo, I stumbled upon this forgettable production. Assumedly you know what “corny” means: mawkishly sentimental, sermons that tell you what you should be feeling, clichéd emotional tugs at the heart, etc. Or am I being cynical about this film which seems to be an effusive memorial service for Robert Redford. (Do you suppose he really doesn’t get it ?)

OK, forget the above snobbish attitude. To tell the truth, once I started watching I could not stop. James Gandolfini is the most wonderfully smarmy and sadistic prison commander you could imagine (but very different from the prison commander in the unforgettable “Shawshank Redemption”).

Granted that the final action scenes would be completely impossible, so outrageous that this movie deserves to be a cult film. Nevertheless it was a real blast seeing how General Redford’s ragtag army defeats all Gandolfini’s offensive moves.

Does Mark Ruffalo experience personal conversion ? Is the dastardly Gandolfini exposed ? Does General Redford go on to greater glory? Does that really mean and nasty tower guard get his comeuppance ? Stay tuned for more thrills and chills!

1999, Conspiracy, Crime, Drama, Lawyers, Made For TV, Redemption, Religious Theme

The Confession (1999)

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From NetFlix:

Two 2004 Oscar nominees, Ben Kingsley and Alec Baldwin, are featured in this made-for-TV legal drama. A New York lawyer (Baldwin) with his eyes on the D.A.’s office has a crisis of conscience when he must defend a man (Kingsley) who killed three hospital workers who ignored his dying son. Problem is, the defendant actually wants to be convicted. Based on the novel Fertig by Sol Yurick.

Most often Ben Kingsley plays a sinister role. What a surprise, then, to see him as a devout Jew saying his prayers, observing the Sabbath. In much of the film Kingsley talks about his relationship with God. In this respect you might see the film as a bit preachy. There is even more of this sentiment throughout the film, for example, at trial and in private conversations.

Amy Irving (Emily Sloan in 9 episodes of “Alias”) does a wonderful job as the unhappy wife of Ben Kingsley. I just could not accept the affair between her character and that of Alex Baldwin. Let me know if you think otherwise.

Richard Jenkins (the dead father in “Six Feet Under”) get to play a crook as does Jay O. Sanders (“Revolutionary Road”).

Good over evil after a bit of soul searching.

2005, Political Suspense, Redemption, Revenge, Suspense, Terrorist Attack, Violent

The Interpreter (2005)

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From NetFlix:

Silvia Broome (Nicole Kidman) is a linguist whose job is to translate for her assigned delegate the complex issues facing the United Nations. But her daily challenge turns perilous when she overhears a plot to assassinate a high-ranking government official. Suddenly in the crosshairs of the conspirators, Silvia — with help from a Secret Service agent (Sean Penn) — must unravel an intricate web of intrigue to save herself.

Sean Penn and Nicole Kidman parry well (and thank goodness they don’t fall into the cliche of becoming lovers. Oops! did I give something away? But romance is not the point of this film at all!). Each has his or her own sorrow which eventually comes forth. Actually the theme is whether to forgive or avenge a wrong.

Details might be hard to follow at times. There is, of course, violence. In a way this is a mystery story: what’s really happening?

I was amused to see quite a few “Law and Order” participants. But then who hasn’t been on “Law and Order”?

Although the film is nothing special, I stayed glued to see the conclusion.

2008, Could be boring, Drama, Not Feel Good, Rape, Redemption, Violent

Disgrace (2008)

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From NetFlix:

After an imprudent affair with a student, Cape Town professor David Lurie (John Malkovich) flees to his daughter’s remote farm to escape the scandal, only to find tragedy when a trio of black youths brutally assaults them. But Lurie is forced to face apartheid’s lasting repercussions when he discovers that one of the attackers is related to a trusted employee (Eriq Ebouaney) in this pensive drama based on J.M. Coetzee’s novel.

Everyone seems to praise the book which is usually described as dark and tragic. So read the book. Because I have not read the book I had no preconceived notions about the plot, motives, emotions etc. Frankly, the film seemed a bit slow. John Malkovich produces an acceptable South African white accent which is almost a monotone. His daughter is beautiful but not especially a good actor. The film never helps us understand why she insists in staying in her remote house in South Africa, especially after all the horrible things that happen to her.

Not excited about this one!

2009, Could be boring, Drama, Gangs, Gay theme, Love Story, Nudity, Redemption, Unusual, Violent, Vulgar

44 Inch Chest (2009)

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From NetFlix:

After his wife, Liz (Joanne Whalley), cheats on him, gangster Colin Diamond (Ray Winstone) gets his revenge by enlisting his underworld pals to kidnap her hunky French lover (Melvil Poupaud) in the feature debut of director Malcolm Venville. Top British actors, including Ian McShane, John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson, round out the cast of the crime thriller, penned by the screenwriters of another memorable Winstone vehicle, Sexy Beast.

You will not see much actual violence in this film. You do see Colin punch his wife. You do see a bloodied French lover after a beating. But that is NOT the point of the film.

Colin and his pals are rough crooks. They spend most of their time using the same foul words over and over until it gets quite tiresome. Colin has that British accent in which “worth” sounds like “wurf”.

Talk, talk, talk. Possibly this was initially a play because it sounds that way. For the most part the film is a monologue delivered by Colin.

Basically the theme of the film is true love and its loss. More than that I will not say for fear of spoiling.

NOT for everyone. You might prefer a root canal.

2009, Could Be Hard To Watch, Could Be Sad, Drama, Not Feel Good, Redemption, Violent, War

Brothers (2009)

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From NetFlix:

When severely traumatized Capt. Sam Cahill (Golden Globe nominee Tobey Maguire) returns home alive from a military mission in Afghanistan after he was presumed dead, he learns that his brother, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), has gotten dangerously close to his grieving wife, Grace (Natalie Portman), and his kids. Mare Winningham and Sam Shepard also star in this wartime drama about human frailty and battles fought on the home front. Jim Sheridan directs.

“Brothers” from 2009 is an almost exact but Americanized version of the equally well-done Danish film Brothers (2005).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is never easy to see (let alone experience). The two version of “Brothers” deal with Afghanistan. Don’t miss as well the sad film directed and acted by Emilio Estevez The War At Home (1996) which left me stunned. I would like to know if any of our soldiers actually had to endure what happens to Capt. Sam Cahill while a prisoner in Afghanistan.

All three of these films are well-written, well-acted, and difficult to watch.

2008, Biographical, Docudrama, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Redemption, Sports, True Story, Vulgar

The Damned United (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Arrogant Brian Clough (Michael Sheen) helms England’s soccer champs Leeds United in 1974 alongside confidant and assistant manager Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall), but he manages to bungle the deal in a mere 44 days, winding up fired. Written for the screen by Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) and based on David Peace’s critically acclaimed novel, this fictionalized account of the notorious sports legend co-stars Jim Broadbent.

You don’t have to be a soccer fan to enjoy this well-made and well-acted film. Possibly the Wikipedia article might help. In fact that article claims that much of the film is fictional. Hopefully the barebones historical facts are accurate.

During the film we do see Leeds cheating during the soccer matches. One of Brian Clough’s contentions was that in fact in the past Leeds did a lot of that sort of thing. There is a lot of soccer slang that went right past me, but it did not really matter.

During the film you don’t see that much soccer playing. Rather the emphasis is on Clough’s arrogance and his relation with other managers and players. In a certain sense the film ends on a happy note.

At the end of the film you get to see actual film clips of the real Brian Clough and Peter Taylor. Indeed I saw a similarity in looks between the actor and the real Clough.

Perhaps the cursing is not appropriate for children.