Category Archives: True Story

2009, Ballet, Based on true facts, Detective, Disturbing Image, Imperfect, Mental Illness, Murder Investigation, Nudity, Psychological Thriller, Sex Scenes, Suspense, True Story, Unusual

In Her Skin (2009)

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From NetFlix:

When pretty 15-year-old Rachel (Kate Bell) goes missing, the police dismiss the incident as a runaway, but her parents don’t believe it. Soon everyone suspects envious 19-year-old Caroline (Ruth Bradley), a heavyset, acne-ridden daughter of a domineering father (Sam Neill). Simone North writes and directs this Australian drama, which is based on a 1999 news story. Guy Pearce and Miranda Otto also star.

Why does it seem that almost every Australian film I watch is somehow out of the ordinary or even a piece of eccentric originality? “In Her Skin” fits this description even though it is oddly imperfect in certain aspects.

Stay with the film because the beginning seems like a dull, ordinary film about a missing girl. What held my attention was the fact that the story is a true one based on a 1999 news story. You meet many familiar Australian film stars:

  • Guy Pearce (Rachel Barber’s father) is currently in “Prometheus” and “Lawless”. He has here a somewhat secondary role.
  • Sam Neill (Caroline’s father) plays an aloof, ego-centric, uncaring father. He was 62 during the filming. When he was a mere 30 years old he played Harry Beecham in “My Brilliant Career”, which was the first time I ever saw him.
  • Ruth Bradley (Caroline) was 22 at filming. She OWNS this film. She delivers a believable and utterly chilling portrayal of a psychotic who craves the approval of her cold fish of a father. In fact one thread that kept me interested was to see how and how soon her clever plot would unravel. This film is NOT a mystery. You get to watch Caroline’s unraveling in detail. Expect one ugly murder scene.

    If you look for Ruth Bradley in IMDB you see a photo of a very attractive woman. Somehow in this film she is anything but attractive. Conceivably she put on weight just for the film just as Robert De Niro did in “Raging Bull”.

Unfortunately the film drags on after the climax. We have to sit through a funeral, family grieving, and Caroline’s continuing fantasies in prison. However, at the very end the screen text tells us a bit about the Barber family.

One irritation for me was that the skeptical police who refused to investigate never seem to be admonished in the film. But then the film and story itself is more than enough of a reminder of their abject failure.

Worth watching if only because it is somewhat unusual.

2011, Based on true facts, Disturbing Image, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Military, Redemption, Religious Theme, Sadism, Suspense, True Story, Violent, War

Machine Gun Preacher (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Gerard Butler stars in this true-life story of Sam Childers, a drug dealer who turns his life around to become a spiritual warrior. His mission? Rescuing child soldiers in the Sudan from lives ruined by their forced participation in bloody conflict.

Before starting to watch this film I expected to watch part and then stop because Gerard Butler is not the star of the drama world. However, in portraying the real-life and still very active Sam Childers, Gerard Butler found for himself his perfect role. Granted the macho war scenes might be over the top Hollywood or (given the horrors inflicted on Ugandan and Sudan by the psychotic monster Joseph Kony who is at the present being hunted by UN forces) might just be what must really happen to protect the children. Butler convincingly lets his work bring him to a boiling cauldron of angry hate that nearly destroys his church, business, and family. His subsequent return to a more balanced approach to his even now continuing work is cleverly connected with the very first scene of the film (but no spoiler in this review!).

One other actor that you might recognize is Michael Shannon who plays Childers’ best friend Donnie. Shannon did an outstanding job in the film Take Shelter (2011).

Be sure to watch the closing credits because a side bar shows many photos of the real Sam Childers, his family, and his work in South Sudan.

2011, Based on true facts, German, Grim, Jewish Culture, Nudity, Polish, Sex Scenes, True Story, Violent, War

In Darknes (2011)

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From NetFlix:

As Nazis overrun Warsaw, many of the city’s Jews hide out in sewers, where they encounter Leopold, an anti-Semitic sanitation worker. His prejudice reflects the rift between Poland’s Jews and Catholics in this film inspired by true events.

This true story of a Polish Christian man who protected a group of Polish Jews hiding in the sewers to escape the German massacre of Polish Jews is not easy to watch. Be sure to read the final explanatory screen shots which tell what happened in real life to the characters in the film.

Sometimes the day to day details of grubby survival seemed a bit tedious. But the intent is to show that under stress we can accommodate and life goes on.

Also evident was the extreme prejudice of Polish Catholics towards Jews. At several times a Catholic Pole is surprised to learn that Jesus was a Jew.

At one harrowing point in the film, just above a group of Jews in the sewer is a Catholic church in which children are receiving their first holy communion. At that point a heavy rain starts such that the sewers begin to fill and threaten the Jews with drowning.

To encourage you to watch a somewhat grim film, I promise you a happy ending for the Jews in hiding (thanks to the Germans evacuating to escape the Russians).

2011, Based on true facts, Biographical, British, Could Be Sad, Drama, Political statement, Psychological Drama, True Story, Violent, War

The Iron Lady (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Meryl Streep provides a subtle and nuanced portrait of Margaret Thatcher, the first female prime minister of Britain, whose political career and determination changed the rules that had limited women’s opportunities for leadership.

Sometimes I criticize Meryl Streep for some annoying and often used facial smirks. However, in this film she is the best I have seen. If nothing else she portrays the sadness of aging and the accompanying changes in personality, memory, and looks. My own mother (who died at the age of 97 on March 1, 2012) went through the same changes during the last 5 years of her life. Streep gets it right. And speaking of “looks”, whoever did Streep’s makeup did a remarkable job. No matter the age portrayed, you knew it was the same person and the makeup artist had captured that stage in Thatcher’s life perfectly.

It would be helpful to hear from a Brit who had seen this film in order to know how well Streep captured Thatcher’s manner of speaking.

Do not be put off by the main theme of Thatcher’s late life decline. You get to learn the history of her career from political neophyte to her success as prime minister. There are actual film clips that show some horrible violence during the riots as well some ugly Falkland Islands war clips. If the film is accurate, it was sad to see her career end owing to an arrogant hubris (sound familiar?).

Most touching of all was her relationship with her beloved husband Denis Thatcher (played by the wonderful Jim Broadbent).

Many British actors appear in the film (Iain Glen, Nicholas Farrell, Anthony Head) , most of whom are familiar from British TV.

Ignore any naysaying critics. This film is well worth seeing.

2011, Acceptable Trash, Documentary, Motorcycles, Nudity, True Story

Corman’s World (2011)

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From NetFlix:

B-movie maestro Roger Corman is celebrated in this star-packed documentary. While trafficking in movies featuring lots of blood, violence and nudity, Corman nonetheless managed to tackle issues like race and sexism with his independent features. Luminaries including Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Robert De Niro and Jonathan Demme offer their reflections on the legacy of this purveyor of thrills and chills.

Roger Corman managed to make about 300 films, most of which were horrible schlockfests. But that is the beauty of camp films, they are so horrible that they are just plan fun. In one film the monster from outer space is a great big paper bag with a painted face and an open mouth through which someone now and then squirts red juice.

Real film history is involved here. We think of Jack Nicholson, Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, and William Shatner as established stars. But they got their start and continued help from Roger Corman.

Corman did make some notable films: “Easy Rider” and “Jaws” to name just two.

Part of the film is a tribute to Corman, who somehow never got the respect he deserved.

At one point Corman was making a film a month. He had no money and made these movies as cheaply as possible. But he made money on all his films except for one: he naively went down south when desegregation was just starting and made a film about a lynching.

If for no other reason, you can watch this documentary just to see the outrageously stupid and funny clips from his films.

2011, Acceptable for children, DO NOT MISS, Sports, True Story

Moneyball (2011)

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From NetFlix:

An all-star cast brings to life the true story of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), a former jock turned general manager who uses unconventional methods to bring the best players to the Oakland A’s, a major league baseball team struggling against financial hardship.

You need not be a baseball fan or even understand all the complexities of the game to enjoy this wonderful film. After all, it is really as much about personal relations, life’s goals and disappointments, as it is about baseball history.

Brad Pitt (age 45) fits the manager’s role perfectly. But for me the real marvel was Jonah Hill (age 25) as the number crunching geek from Yale. Jonah was friends with the children of Dustin Hoffman and through Hoffman got a role in the 2004 film “I Heart Huckabees”.

Be sure to read the very final on-screen textual followup about Billy Beane.

Not much more to say except DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!!

2011, Based on true facts, Conspiracy, DO NOT MISS, Drugs, Lawyers, Medical Theme, Nudity, True Story

Puncture (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Drug-addicted attorney Mike and his business partner Paul take on a case involving an emergency room nurse who has been pricked by an infected needle. Uncovering a web of corporate conspiracies, Mike and Paul quickly find themselves outmatched.

According to the Wikipedia review of this film:

——————— START OF QUOTE ———————————-

The story is based on two young lawyers and a syringe manufacturer who had invented a safety syringe that he was unable to sell. The safety syringe manufacturer filed an antitrust lawsuit against the two largest hospital group purchasing organizations and a large syringe manufacturer claiming he was being shut out of the market.[3] The case was settled before trial for $150 million dollars.[4]

In addition the film brings to light several issues affecting American health care:
1. Accidental needle sticks cause thousands of US nurses to be infected by HIV, Hepatitis C and other infectious diseases every year. [5]
2. Needle reuse in Africa and Asia directly cause 1.3 million deaths annually, 23 million hepatitis infections annually and 260,000 HIV/AIDS infections annually. [6]

A passing reference in the movie also touches on whether AIDS in Africa is spread by sex or needle reuse. Research has found needle reuse, rather than sex, may have been the main cause of the rapid spread of AIDS in Africa. [7] Fearing that if this comes to light Africans will refuse needle immunization and other important treatments, some health care professionals allege that the UN and WHO have moved to suppress this information. [8].

———————– END OF QUOTE ———————————-

Footnote 3 leads to an article in the New York Times that identifies the guilty medical supply companies as Premier and Novation.

Mark Weiss was indeed a young lawyer fairly out of control. Possibly for titillation purposes we see him engaging in drug use often, at times nude next to a nude woman also using the drugs. But do not let that dissuade you from continuing with this worthwhile and engaging film. In fact Mark Weiss dies of a drug overdose at the age of 32. His partner continued the good fight.

Be sure to watch the final credits because they tell us a bit of what follows the end of the film.

Four of the actors are principal:

  • Chris Evans (age 30) who plays Mark Weiss was Captain America.
  • Mark Kassen is a very young looking 40 year old who does not have many screen credits to his name. He plays Mark’s lawyer partner.
  • Marshall Bell (age 69) plays the inventor. He has taken many supporting roles, for example in the “Rum Diary”.
  • Brett Cullen (age 55) plays the opposing lawyer who has sold out for money. He plays Captain Perkins in the TV series “Body of Proof”

Better than the usual big bad guys versus honest lawyers. DO NOT MISS!

2009, Biographical, British, Drama, Love Story, True Story

The Young Victoria (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Eighteen-year-old British royal Victoria (Emily Blunt) ascends to the throne and is romanced by future husband Prince Albert (Rupert Friend) in this lush period film that chronicles the early years of the British monarch’s larger-than-life reign. Produced by Martin Scorsese and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, the Oscar-nominated film also stars Miranda Richardson as the Duchess of Kent, Jim Broadbent as King William, and Paul Bettany as Lord Melbourne.

While visiting our daughter Kate in London we just happened to see this film on television. Lucky for us the timing could not have been better. That Victoria and Albert were truly devoted to one another is made quite clear by the film. In addition Albert was an honest, sincere consort that really tried to help the British commoners and to protect Victoria from various predators trying to control such a young queen. Her devotion to him after his early death from typhoid at age 42 is splendidly manifest if you visit the lighted Albert memorial at night. Also wonderful is the Victoria and Albert museum (called the “V & A”).

Such a well-done historical drama comes well recommended.

2006, Based on true facts, Nudity, Revenge, Suspense, True Story, Violent

End of the Spear (2006)

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From NetFlix:

Many years after his missionary father was speared to death at the hands of Waodani tribesmen, a young man (Chad Allen) returns to the Ecuadorian jungle to meet the native (Louie Leonardo) who murdered his father and learn the truth about his family’s legacy. The result, in this film based on a true story, is a life-altering experience that brings him closer to the kin of his father’s killer and impacts both of their lives forever.

When I was in Catholic parochial school (grades 1-8) we used to donate money to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in order to convert pagan babies. Although I now have mixed feelings about missionaries in general, I have to admit that this film shows that the efforts of this particular set of missionaries led to a practical result: the tribe of Waodani still exists. Because the Waodani culture was so violent and based on a code of lethal revenge, the tribe was headed for extinction.

There is a book “Through Gates of Splendor” that tells the true story.

Towards the end of the film there is a bit of supernatural flim-flam that turned me off. However, just watching the film and taking the story as it comes was for me a pleasurable experience. You can just ignore the religious bias, the story in itself is interesting. For whatever motivation, those missionaries were brave and devoted people that did their best to help the Waodani. But you must be prepared for much violence (lots of spearing to death).

Stick around after the film seems to have ended. There is an epilogue in which you get to see two of the real living characters, including a tribesman.

2009, Comedy, Gay theme, Lawyers, Love Story, Prison, Scam Artists, Sex Scenes, True Story, Vulgar

I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)

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From NetFlix:

When upstanding Texas cop Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) realizes he’s gay, he changes his entire life and pulls a series of bold con jobs that lands him jail — where he meets his one true love, cellmate Phillip Morris (Ewan McGregor). When Morris is transferred to another prison, lovesick Russell mounts a series of jailbreaks just to be with his beloved soul mate. Glenn Ficarra and John Requa direct this comedy based on a true story

Only someone as nutty as Jim Carrey could pull off this tour de force. Although the plot seems absurdly impossible, it is extraordinarily accurate. Please read the Wikipedia article on the amazing life of the real Steven Russell. That article only briefly mentions Phillip Morris whereas the major theme of the film is the homosexual relation between the two men.

Gay films are getting more and more mainstream. Just as heterosexual films continue to push the boundaries of acceptable explicit sex scenes, so too does this film contain some few explicit scenes and dialog. There are many scenes of tenderness, dancing, and kissing between the two partners.

At one point in the film the plot seems to bog down into a tear jerker of a disappointment. Do not be fooled! At times, however, I worried that Jim Carrey might be trying to do some serious acting. God forbid!

Be sure to read the final captions that explain his fate. It seems he was an embarrassment to Texas and to George Bush.

Have fun!