Category Archives: 2011

2011, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, Mostly About Sex, Nudity, Redemption, Sex Scenes

Shame (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Although handsome New Yorker Brandon Sullivan is outwardly reserved, inside he’s seething with an overwhelming sexual addiction. But when his uninhibited younger sister invades his life, Brandon struggles to control his self-destructive behavior.

First impressions count, as in, “this is a pornographic film!!!!”

Over the years I have reviewed many films. But this one sent my “explicit” meter soaring. Michael Fassbender spends a good deal of the time completely nude (full frontal included) and quite active sexually. In fact there are many nude attractive bodies in various positions and activities.

So much for the eye candy. But is there a point to all this (and does anybody really care) ? A severe addiction of any kind (sex, drugs, alcohol, smoking, neatness, gluttony) can control an individual and ruin that person’s life. In Brandon’s case most of his waking attention centers on his next orgasm to the point that he has no lasting personal relation, his work is endangered by the porn on his work computer, and he dismisses his sister as a nuisance who can only be in the way. Carey Mulligan as that sister Sissy portrays an emotionally needy and insecure young woman to perfection (while being as cute as ever).

Could I accept the “redemptive” ending ? Brandon reaches a low point and supposedly experiences an epiphany. He evidences this in a clever metro scene that seems to say he is on the mend. But in reality a cure for addiction requires much treatment: psychotherapy, group therapy, and possibly some helpful drugs (chemical castration anyone ?). But who needs reality in a movie ?

Loved the sex show, but gravitas is a bit missing.

2011, Acceptable for children, Based on a Book, Based on true facts, Basically Sad, Bullying, DO NOT MISS, Race Relations, Wonderful acting

The Help (2011)

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From NetFlix:

In 1960s Jackson, Miss., aspiring writer Eugenia Phelan crosses taboo racial lines by conversing with Aibileen Clark about her life as a housekeeper, and their ensuing friendship upsets the fragile dynamic between the haves and the have-nots. When other long-silent black servants begin opening up to Eugenia, the disapproving conservative Southern town soon gets swept up in the turbulence of changing times.

After viewing this film for about 15 minutes I was glued to my seat while cringing and steaming the entire time at the Southern culture of that civil rights era in the Jim Crow south. At first I almost decided to stop watching because surely those self-centered, empty-headed, racist Southern belles were only some caricature invented by Hollywood. Even so, just watching their superb performances was enough to set my blood boiling. That probably means the actresses were doing their job well.

Despite the tension throughout the film, I will spoil you only by saying that if you persevere you will finally feel happy.

Somehow I would like to know if Mississippi has changed (without having to visit Jackson). Mississippi is often cited these days as the worst state in the union. Here are just a few statistics from the US census bureau:

  • Black population 37.0% (12.6% US)
  • High school graduates (over 25) 79.6% (85.0% US)
  • Bachelor’s degree (over 25) 19.5% (27.9% US)
  • Median household income $37,881 ($51,914 US)
  • Persons below poverty line 21.2% (13.8% US)

Baltimore has always been split between northern and southern sympathizers. In my childhood in Baltimore I had many racist friends and close relatives. Hence I need to avoid feeling smug about those “ignorant” southerners.

Kathy says the book, which I have not yet read, was wonderful. As far as this film is concerned:

DO NOT MISS THIS FILM !!!

1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, British Mystery Series, Crime, Detective, Mystery Film

Midsomer Murders (1997-2012)

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Beginning in 1997 British TV has offered 91 (by my count) episodes of a detective series called “Midsomer Murders”. As in much British TV of this nature you are immersed in a green, fertile, picturesque, made-for-gullible-Americans locale where everything seems so quaint, friendly, folksy, and what we hope is typically British. But that is precisely why Kathy and I enjoy the series. Yes, you do see blood and you could not very well have a murder mystery without a murder or three. But even the occasional torture scene is downright polite. All of this contrasts completely with another current British TV suspense culture which often goes out of its way to be gory, explicit, pessimistic, and gloomy in the extreme. Examples of the latter are “Waking the Dead” or “MI-5”. Whereas Kathy does NOT leave the room for “Midsomer Murders”, there are scenes from the rough series that send her flying in terror. Somehow the sex and violence does not seem to phase yours truly.

Another attractive feature of the series is the slower pace. Plots can be complicated but often there is discussion between characters that tries to explain what is happening.

Additionally an episode is willing to include some “sideshow attraction” such as fifteen minutes of a cricket match or a town’s tradition of a donkey race. That may sound stupid, but actually these extras only add to the charm of the series.

And again I applaud the intelligent tradition in British drama to use actors who are not handsome or beautiful but just plain interesting.

If you want a complete catalog of the series, go IMDB. In addition to learn all about the fictional county called Midsomer as well as the large cast of characters you can try Wikipedia.

Beginning in 2006 the DVDs offer subtitles which Kathy and I need. Therefore I have listed below only those episodes which offer subtitles.

Season 9

Four Funerals and a Wedding
Country Matters
Death in Chorus
Last Year’s Model

Season 10

Dance with the Dead
The Animal Withing
King’s Crystal
The Axeman Cometh
Death and Dust
Picture of Innocence
They Seek Him Here
Death in a Chocolate Box

Season 11

Shot at Dawn
Blood Wedding
Left for Dead
Midsomer Life
The Magician’s Nephew
Days of Misrule
Talking to the Dead

Season 12

The Dogleg Murders
The Black Book
Secrets and Spies
The Glitch
Small Mercies
The Creeper
The Great and the Good

Season 13

Sword of Guillaume
Made-to-Measure Murders
Blood on the Saddle
Silent Land
Master Class
Noble Art
Not in my Backyard
Fit for Murder

Season 14

Death in the Slow Lane
Dark Secrets
Echos of the Dead
The Oblong Murders
Sleeper Under the Hill
Night of the Stag
Sacred Trust
Rare Bird

Season 15

The Dark Rider
Murder of Innocence

Let me know when you have seen all of them.

2011, Complicated, Computer geeks, Could Be Hard To Watch, Detective, Explicit sex, Nudity, Occasional gore, Rape, Religious Theme, Sadism, Serial Killer, Suspense, Torture, Violent

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

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From NetFlix:

When a young computer hacker is tasked with investigating a prying journalist, their separate missions become entangled amid a decades-old conspiracy. David Fincher directs this English adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s novel.

By now you have probably read Stieg Larsson’s book (or maybe the entire Millenium trilogy). Because I have done so, I was a little disappointed in some few plot changes. But for the most part the film follows the book.

All the characters are well chosen. Daniel Craig correctly plays an understated Mikael Blomkvist. Blomkvist was equally a calm and quiet character in the Swedish film version. For my tastes Christopher Plummer looked too healthy as Henrik Vanger at the start of the film. But after his heart attack he looked like a tired, sick old man. Yorick van Wageningen is a wonderfully sleazy lawyer who rapes Lisbeth and gets paid back in spades. Stellan Skarsgård is excellently creepy as Martin Vanger.

But in the end the film captures the book well. Enjoy!

2011, Based on true facts, Biographical, Bullying, Clint Eastwood, Crime, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Drama, FBI, Gangs, Gay theme, Kidnapping, Lawyers, Love Story, Psychological Drama, Violent, Wonderful acting

J. Edgar (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Leonardo DiCaprio stars in this riveting biopic as J. Edgar Hoover, the longtime FBI director as notorious for his overzealous methods of law enforcement as for the rumors regarding his cross-dressing and close relationship with protégé Clyde Tolson.

Looking for an “Actor’s actor” ? Go no farther. Current movie reviews lament the fact that we are seeing a series of young male wannabes with tight abs who don’t last because they lack the acting skills. But Leonardo DiCaprio is the quintessential chameleon. His portrayal of J. Edgar is nothing less than astonishing. Even if it were complete fiction, the film would be riveting (as the NetFlix caption says).

For a discussion of historical accuracy you can read the Wikipedia article. This article also discusses Hoover’s sexuality. Clint Eastwood, the director, wisely stayed away from any depiction of cross-dressing (except for one brief suggestion) or explicit sexual behavior (except for some kisses). Just enjoy the marvelous production and stop wondering how much is true. If even a little bit were true, Hoover was a dangerous paranoid.

This is NOT a film for titillation. Instead it focuses on Hoover’s bulldog no-holds-barred approach to getting his way, even if it meant blackmailing every politician in Washington. It focuses also on: Hoover’s insecurity, his emotional dependence on his mother (with whom he lived all his life) and Clyde Tolson (who had his own house), his lying, and his barely legal methods.

In all fairness you should read the Wikepedia biography of Clyde Tolson. He was NOT the seemingly weak character portrayed in the film.

Nixon is portrayed as a profane thug.

Additionally I marvel at the long list of known supporting actors, among whom we find:

  • Armie Hammer (who?) played Clyde Tolson very well. Believe it or not, Armie Hammer’s father is the CEO of the Armand Hammer Foundation. Armie was 25 years old during the filming.
  • Josh Lucas played Charles Lindberg, who was very important to the story.
  • Damon Herriman (who?) played Bruno Hauptman, the supposed kidnapper of the Lindberg child. Today the debate still rages over the guilt of Haputman. Once again see the Wikipedia article.
  • Naomi Watts played Helen Gandy, the famous personal secretary for Hoover for 54 years. She is most remembered for spending weeks after Hoover’s death destroying Hoover’s blackmail materials, his “Personal File” (much to Nixon’s chagrin). Once again see Wikepedia.
  • Big surprise: I kept staring at Hoover’s mother and couldn’t believe my eyes. Indeed it was Judi Dench. She spoke a perfect American accent. More to the point she was a professional support actor who received no special credit.
  • Remember Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend’s Wedding)? He played Colonel Schwarkopf.
  • My own award for “Appearing everywhere but not famous” goes to Zach Grenier (who?) whom I once met in person in the San Franciscon Museum of Modern Art. His is the only name I can drop because I never meet anyone famous. Look him up in IMDB and I am willing to bet you have seen him somewhere. He is currently playing a pain in the neck in “The Good Wife” on TV.

Officially I go out on a limb: DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!

2011, Drama, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, French, Italian, Nudity, Sex Scenes, Unusual, Violent

Unforgivable (2011)

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From NetFlix:

This moody drama follows the increasingly chaotic life of Francis, a crime novelist who moves to Venice to write his next book. After starting an affair with a young beauty, Francis suspects her of cheating — even as his own daughter goes missing.

“Unforgivable” is spoken in French and Italian with subtitles. Its other name is “Impardonnables”.

What a crazy mixed-up bunch of dysfunctional people! Not a single character would classify in my book as “normal”, whatever that means.

Nor are all the subplots entirely believable. We start with Francis who was a womanizer that left each woman if she confronted him about his multiple affairs. At this point he is probably in his sixties. He is in Venice and visits a rental agency looking for an apartment to rent. Lo and behold the rental agent, Judith, is the former Chanel model Carole Bouquet who just happens to be “drop dead beautiful”. You may not believe it, but during the filming she was 54 years old. At any rate she shows Francis a house on one of the Venetian islands and during that house inspection he asks her to live with him in this island house and she, of course, accepts. For me, seeing an older man having sex with a younger beauty was a first. Needless to say Judith is bi-sexual.

And the plot continues on its bizarre path. We get to meet fatherless sons finishing prison terms for violent tendencies, Judith’s former (woman) lover who is dying of cancer, Francis’ married daughter who is currently on leave from her husband in order to pursue a young Italian drug dealer, etc.

You probably get the idea by now. Not that the film was boring, just weird. Good luck!

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, Based on true facts, Drama, Explicit sexual discussion, Imperfect, Mostly About Sex, Psychological Drama, Sex Scenes

A Dangerous Method (2011)

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From NetFlix:

In this David Cronenberg-helmed biopic, Viggo Mortensen stars as Sigmund Freud, whose relationship with fellow psychology luminary Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) is tested when Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightley), one of the first female psychoanalysts, enters their lives. This World War I-set drama also stars Vincent Cassel as Otto Gross, a disciple of Freud, and Sarah Gadon, who plays Jung’s psychoanalyst wife.

Although the story is interesting (and let’s hope somewhat historically accurate), the dialog is at times rather stiff. At a few points in the film I was a bit bored (but that is very subjective).

Keira Knightley as Sabina Spielrein starts out exaggeratedly hysterical only to suddenly appear as a cured patient about to become a famous psychoanalyst. Whatever happened to believable transitions?

You will hear quite a bit of academic psychological discussion that at times seems almost didactic.

Do you suppose Carl Jung actually engaged in S&M sexual practices with his patients?

Personally I found this film to be not terrible but still somehow imperfect. Sorry.

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, Drama, Not Feel Good, Polish, Political Suspense, Sex Scenes

The Mole (2011)

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A father and son run a business importing used clothes from France to Poland. When the son discovers his father’s photo in a tabloid newspaper with the accusation that he was a secret informer – instead of the Solidarity hero he always looked up to – the son begins to have doubts.

Life in Poland under the Communists meant living in an atmosphere of fear. Solidarity members had the courage to stand up to the regime and sometimes lost their lives or freedom as a result. In this film we see a father and son very close to one another only to have that love threatened by revelations from the past. Well-made with fine acting, the portrayal of doubt creeping into the life of the family is very well done. Even the potentially mundane daily activities (coaxing a child to eat) are never boring and possibly add to the underlying tension of wanting everything to be alright even though something is amiss.

We saw this Polish film (with English subtitles) at a neighborhood film festival. Unfortunately NetFlix does not currently offer the film. But if you get a chance to see this film, the viewing is well worth the time.