Category Archives: Unusual

2016, Acceptable for children, Could Be Sad, Dancing, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Jazz, Magic Realism, Musical, Plot Twist, Unusual, Wonderful photography

La La Land (2016)

Leave a comment

From IMDB:

A jazz pianist falls for an aspiring actress in Los Angeles.

From the moment all the drivers in an LA car jam leave their autos and start singing and dancing I was hooked.  Probably this means you will either love or hate this film which is in some way a throwback to such Gene Kelly films as “Singin’ In The Rain” or “An American In Paris”. In fact the last time I can remember the actors in a scene breaking into song was the unexpected moment in “My Best Friend’s Wedding” in the restaurant when the cast joined in singing “I Say a Little Prayer For You”. Of course the characters sing in musicals, but I am not sure you can call this film a musical. Give the film an A for originality because it is almost sui generis.

Adding to the enjoyment was the clever and swift changes from scene to scene, the unexpected time sequence changes, to say nothing of the clever but surprising ending.

Hats off to Ryan Gosling as Sebastian and Emma stone as Mia.  As a pair they have appeared together in several films. Ryan had to learn tap dancing and piano for his role because no piano hand models were used.  On the Internet you will find many articles about how much they rehearsed.

Ryan Gosling (age 36 during filming) is one of my favorite chameleons. For example he has played the following: Hercules; a young prosecutor matching wits with Anthony Hopkins in “Fracture”;   a delusional man in “Lars and the Real Girl”;  a sociopathic killer in “All Good Things”;  and a motorcycle stunt driver in “The Place Beyond the Pines”.

For helpful details see the Wikipedia article.

Possibly destined to be a classic. DO NOT MISS!

 

2014, Abduction, Action Film, Bloody scenes, Brazilian, Creepy, Crime, Dark, French, German, Gritty, Italian, Mayhem, Motorcycles, Netflix Streaming, Personal Betrayal, Psychiatrists, Revenge, Spanish, Suspense, Traditional Chinese, Unusual, Violent

Stereo (2014)

Leave a comment

From Netflix:

Erik’s peaceful rural family life is shaken by the arrival of sinister figures who claim to know him and a mysterious “friend” who may not even exist.

From Netflix you can stream this 1 hour 30 minute film from Germany.

Many films streamable from Netflix now offer an amazing array of language choices. Take this film as a example. For audio you can choose from Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian and Spanish. For subtitles you can choose None, English, French, German, Spanish and Traditional Chinese.

Why the film is called “Stereo” is something I do not understand. In any case this is a somewhat strange film. Erik wants a peaceful life with a single mother Julia and her daughter Linda. Julia’s father is a policeman and suspicious of Erik’s unexplained past. That past catches up with Erik in the form of a group of men looking to kill Erik out of revenge. Meanwhile Erik, and only Erik, constantly sees , hears, and can talk to a hooded man who eventually we learn is his dead brother Henry.  Erik tries several methods to get rid of Henry, all to no avail. In a violent climax, we learn about Erik’s  past.

Erik is played by Jurgen Vogel who was the teacher in the German film “The Wave“. Henry is played by Moritz Bleibtreu who played Gustav Klimt In “Woman in Gold”.

As far as classifying this film, call it a violent action film. For me the main attraction was solely the opportunity to hear and read simple, basic German. For you that is not a rave review by any means.

 

 

2016, Clever Plot, Cult Brainwashing, Drama, Frenetic, Made For TV, Netflix Streaming, Suspense, Thought provoking, Unusual, Violent

Rebirth (2016)

Leave a comment

From Netflix:

Long-lost buddy Zack gets suburban dad Kyle on a bus to a Rebirth seminar, sending him down a rabbit hole of psychodrama, seduction and violence.

Again a Netflix Original film, this time one full-length feature lasting 1 hour and 40 minutes.  Several languages available both in subtitles and audio tracks.

What seems to start as some almost boring story picks up when Kyle reaches the Rebirth seminar, From then on the story crescendos into a horror story of violence, brain washing, and the frightening power of a fanatical cult. Recall how the novel “1984” ends? This is no different and the ending is chilling indeed. Could that ever happen? Think about Scientology.

Such a film may fascinate or horrify you, but it will not make you happy.

 

2016, Abduction, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), Ambiguous Conclusion, Bullying, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Explicit sex, Family Conflict, Father-daughter relations, Kidnapping, Mildly Violent, Mother-daughter relations, Netflix Streaming, Nudity, Orphans in Foster Care, Philosophic Discussions, Plot Twist, Possible a put-on, Psychic Phenomena, Religious Theme, School Shooting, School Teacher, Sci-Fi, Sex Scenes, Sociopath, Sometimes seems silly, Strange Ending, Supernatural, Suspense, Teenagers, Unusual

The OA (2016)

1 Comment

From IMDB:

Having gone missing seven years ago, the previously blind Prairie returns home, now in her 20s with her sight restored. While many believe she is a miracle, others worry that she could be dangerous.

Have you ever started on a box of chocolates and found you could not stop eating them? In other words you “binged”. Similarly once I started streaming this 8-episode series from Netflix, I was hooked. No sooner did one episode end, but I started the next episode. This went on for days until I had watched all eight episodes.

Characterizing this story is difficult. Partly it suggests science fiction although the style is closer to a fantasy which borders on the supernatural. Such flights of fancy are certainly not to everyone’s tastes. At times I asked myself why I was watching this goofy show. But the originality, the constant suspense, and the interplay of personalities was just too intense. In other words, the story for me was so compelling that after every “happening”  I had to see what came next.

Notable for me was how so many scenes seemed just plain ordinary if not dull or slow moving.  BUT — behind the seeming banality there was real tension because you just knew that something out of the ordinary was just about to happen.

Most of the actors portray high school students, which might also be another turnoff. But this is NOT a teen flic.  Admittedly there were some nakedness and sex scenes which suggests a bit of pandering to the audience.

Both the young, middle age, and older actors turn in excellent performances. You will recognize many faces from other shows. Prairie Johnson’s father is played by Scott Wilson who was  Hershel Green in “The Walking Dead”.

Jason Isaacs, who plays Hap, has a long resumé including the Inquisitor in “Star Wars Rebels”.  His portrayal of an obsessed scientist who can feel no empathy for his experiment subjects is chilling. Watch as his character morphs.

Brad Pitt was one of the producers.

However, you are warned that the ending is problematic. My first reaction was “What! Give me a break! This can’t be happening!” But stop and console yourself with the realization that Prairie was blind as a child, only to return after seven years absence able to see. That could not be faked! I would be eager to hear your opinions about the ending, including howls of outrage.

If anything, this sometimes wacky story is not boring.

2015, Action Film, Action Hero, Amputee, B-movie, Barely Acceptable Trash, Bloody scenes, Car Chase, Confusing Plot, Drugs, Frenetic, Invincible Hero, Mayhem, Motorcycles, Not Recommended, Nudity, Revenge, Ridiculous plot, Satirical ultra-violence, Sci-Fi, Somewhat ridiculous plot, Somewhat trashy, Unusual, Violent, Vulgar

Hardcore Harry (2015)

Leave a comment

From IMDB:

Henry is resurrected from death with no memory, and he must save his wife from a telekinetic warlord with a plan to bio-engineer soldiers.

Seriously in the running for “Most Mindless Film Ever Made”,  there is not a single non-violent scene (more exactly, moment) in all hour and a half of this bizarre form of entertainment. Only because of one unique feature  does this film deserve a review: You never see Harry. Instead you watch the entire sequence of (did I mention “violent”?) events through Harry’s bionic eyes. In fact, just about everything of Harry is bionic. So naturally he is physically super-capable, never misses a shot, is amazing at fist fighting. leaps over tall objects, escapes burning vehicles, and just never gives up. When the film started with a chase sequence I thought “Oh, the usual gimmick to get my attention at the beginning”. But the chase sequence NEVER ENDS.

Possibly there is a plot in there somewhere, but darn if I could figure out just exactly what was happening.

You do get the opportunity to put yourself in Harry’s place and be surrounded for possibly 10 minutes by  voluptuous, ample breasted,  naked women. Probably not a film for children.

You should have some time to waste before watching Harry (who cannot speak) do his thing. Isn’t it great to be a retired film watcher!

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)

Leave a comment

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 Sci-Fi, Artificial Intelligence, Clever Plot, Explicit sexual discussion, Love Story, Netflix Streaming, Plot Twist, Psychological Thriller, Sex Scenes, Strange Ending, Suspense, Thought provoking, Unusual, Young Adults

Uncanny (2014)

Leave a comment

From NetFlix:

For ten years, inventor David Kressen has lived in seclusion with his inventions, including Adam, a robot with incredible lifelike human qualities. When reporter Joy Andrews is given access to their unconventional facility, she is alternately repelled and attracted to the scientist and his creation.

From NetFlix you can watch instantly or get a DVD for this film.

In this clever low-budget sci-fi yarn I did not recognize a single actor. Probably that is because the three main actors are very young. Do not assume this is just some ordinary AI humanoid android robot story. Despite much “talking heads”, there is a growing tension that leads to an incredible plot twist that I certainly never expected. Never mind the likelihood of the circumstances, the conclusion is clever.

Sex is involved in a dry scientific manner, which is part of the cleverness. There is some minimal violence.

Worked for me, while still leaving some intriguing unanswered questions.

2011, 2013, Abduction, British, Child abduction and murder, Could Be Hard To Watch, Crude Talk, Dysfunctional Lives, Dystopia, Ethical struggles, Gritty, Netflix Streaming, Pessimistic, Prozac appropriate, Psychological Drama, Psychological Internet Damage, Sadism, Sci-Fi, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Thought provoking, Torture, Unusual, Valium appropriate, Violent, Vulgar

Black Mirror (2011)

1 Comment

From Netflix:

This sci-fi anthology series in the vein of “The Twilight Zone” reflects on the darker side of technology and human nature.

UPDATE: January 2018. Netflix now offers Season Four with 6 more upsetting episodes. At the suggestion of a neighbor, I have introduced two new categories: “Prozac appropriate” is for depressing stories and “Valium appropriate” is for anxiety producing stories. For “Black Mirror” I would apply both categories. You are warned!

UPDATE: October 2016. Netflix now offers Season Three which is similar to and just as brilliant and disturbing as the first two seasons. Sometimes a known actor appears in an episode. For example in the first episode of Season Three the bother of the main character is played by James Norton of “Happy Valley” fame.

“Black Mirror” is probably the darkest and most disturbing TV series I have ever seen. Both season one (2011) and season two (2013) of this British series offer 3 episodes, all of which can be streamed from Netflix. If not just to be daring or sensational, supposedly the aim of the 6 episodes is to show the mind-numbing effects and other emotional dangers stemming from the internet and especially from our umbilical connection with our smartphones and other technologies. In any case the stories are clever and attention-grabbing.

Let me describe a few episodes in an effort to dissuade you from watching.

Episode 1 “The National Anthem” shows an effort to blackmail the British Prime Minister into saving the life of a kidnapped princess by appearing on TV while having sex with a pig. Of course you never see the sex act itself, but the idea is initially shocking and appalling (undoubtedly the intent). There is a point to the story which makes sense.

Episode 2 “Fifteen Million Merits” is an episode I could not finish because it seemed to show us as numb automatons.

Episode 5 “Black Bear” is just plain sadistic. Here we humans watch on our smartphones or capture film on our smartphones of the mental torture of a convicted killer. But you don’t know what it going on until the very end.

If you have a strong stomach and such entertainment appeals, then you will at least never be bored.

2013, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Father-daughter relations, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story, Quiet, Sad small town, Sensitive treatement of emotions, Sex Scenes, Small gem of a film, Teenagers, Unusual, Wonderful acting

Hateship Loveship (2013)

Leave a comment

From Netflix:

Hired to look after an elderly man and his teenage granddaughter, a dowdy caretaker finds herself drawn to the girl’s ne’er-do-well father, never realizing that the subversive teen has been sending her tender e-mails in her father’s name.

Because the film starred Guy Pearce (whose films are usually very good) I took a chance on this film and won the raffle! Small gems such as this are rare finds.

Of course Guy Pearce does well. But the absolute star of the show was Kristen Wiig (young Lucille Bluth in “Arrested Development”) as the character Johanna Parry. Here is a woman who, as far as I can recall, never smiles in the film. Instead she is this determined, stoic, practical, hard-working, and lonely young woman who despite seemingly hopeless circumstances sets her sight on what she wants. Sometimes her doggedness seems a bit unrealistic, but let us remain optimists.

Nick Nolte (who is now 73 years old) plays a wonderful grandfather. In case you are wondering where you have seen her, his eventual girlfriend Eileen is played by Christine Lahti who portrayed Executive A.D.A> Sonya Paxton in “Law and Order”.

But hats off to the two high school girls Hailee Steinfeld as the granddaughter Sabitha and Sami Gayle (Nicky Reagan-Boyle in “Blue Bloods”) as mean-girl Edith. Sabitha is the lonely, sad, insecure, and vulnerable daughter of Guy Pearce (character Ken). In “Blue Bloods” Sami Gayle as Nicky is sweet and mature. In this film Sami Gayle is perfect as the prototypical high school bitch. Look for two moments: At one point Edith’s sex buddy points out that what she is doing is mean and she pauses only for a moment before continuing in her meddling; At the end of the film she is jabbering on about how wonderful her life will be while trying to ignore Johanna’s accusing stares.

In the small gem category I nominate this film as a DO NOT MISS!

2014, Acceptable for children, Based on a Book, Corny at times, Digital Effects, Fantasy, Feel Good For All, Horse story, Love Story, Magic Realism, Religious Theme, Ridiculous plot, Sex Scenes, Supernatural, Unusual, Use of Irish Brogue, Violent

Winter’s Tale (2014)

Leave a comment

From Netflix;

Mark Helprin’s novel provides the basis for this film starring Colin Farrell as a thief who breaks into an ill girl’s home and then falls for her. As the action shifts between past and present, the burglar also acquires a flying-horse guardian angel.

Possibly because we had just returned from our daughter’s castle wedding in Ireland, the Irish brogues spoken in this film were music to my ears. We are used to hearing Colin Farrell (as Peter Laks) speaking brogue but this is the first time I have heard Russell Crowe (as the daemon Pearly Soames) also using an Irish brogue. Crowe makes a convincing villain.

Herein is a fantasy fairy-tale for adults. Just when things are going badly, up pops yet another miracle. Sometimes this magic realism seems comical without intending to be funny. Expect some corny dialog.

Will Smith is an unconvincing Lucifer.

Among older actors we find William Hurt. But the biggest such surprise was the “Adult Willa” played by none other than Eva Marie Saint (Edie Doyle in “On the Waterfront”) who is now 90 years old.

Would someone please tell Colin Farrell to get and keep a decent hair cut?

Remember now – it’s all a bit silly.