Category Archives: 2014

2014, Action Film, Based on a Book, Based on true facts, Biographical, Bloody scenes, Crude Talk, Iraq War, Love Story, Military, Navy Seals, Suspense, True Story, Violent, War, War Veterans

American Sniper (2014)

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From NetFlix:

Based on his memoir of the same name, this military biopic centers on legendary sniper Chris Kyle, who amassed a record number of kills on the battlefield during his 10-year career as a Navy SEAL.

Certainly each battle episode was exciting. But that is more or less the content of the film, i.e. many harrowing battle scenes. Chris Kyle’s insistence on going back for 4 tours (1000 days) caused his wife much unhappiness. In the film when he finally comes home, his rehab is made to look easy because he dedicates himself to helping other veterans. It could not have been that easy. Toward the end of the film he is murdered by a veteran he was trying to help, although we do not see that murder. As the screen credits go by we see the actual photos of the funeral held in a stadium with much pomp and ceremony. In fact, Bradley Cooper looks quite like the real Chris Kyle. Compare the Bradley Cooper of “Silver Linings Playbook” with the Bradley Cooper in this film, my guess is that he gained quite of bit of muscle for the role.

In the Wikipedia article, Bradley Cooper is quoted as saying:

“We looked at hopefully igniting attention about the lack of care that goes to vets. Discussion that has nothing to do with vets or what we did or did not do, every conversation in those terms is moving farther and farther from what our soldiers go through, and the fact that 22 veterans commit suicide each day.” Cooper said that an increasing number of soldiers are returning from conflict psychologically damaged, only to be more or less discarded.

2014, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), Based on true facts, Biographical, British, Divorce, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Human spirit, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, True Story, Wonderful acting

The Theory of Everything (2014)

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From NetFlix:

With his body progressively ravaged by ALS, world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking must rely on his wife, Jane, to continue his life’s work as he faces various challenges. This affecting biographical drama centers on the couple’s fertile partnership.

Just the acting alone, and especially Eddie Redmayne’s portrayal of Stephen Hawking, is enough to make this film a DO NOT MISS!

Reading some discussion such as that found in Wikipedia will help you understand how historically accurate the film was. In fact, it captures the essence Hawking’s life quite well. Just be aware that the film tries to make Hawking seem less like a narcissistic jerk.

When Hawking dismisses his faithful and long-suffering wife Jane Wilde (played beautifully by Felicity Jones) after many years of marriage and three children in order to marry his new, young nurse Elaine, I have to admit I was disillusioned. Again, be sure to read up on the true story.

Once again – DO NOT MISS!

2014, Abduction, Car Chase, Clever Plot, Complicated, Corruption, Crime thriller, Detective, Father-son relations, Forensics, French, French Detective Series, Made For TV, Marital Infidelity, Mental Illness, Murder Investigation, Netflix Streaming, Revenge, Serial Killer, Suspense, Thriller, TV Series, Violent

Witnesses (2014)

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From NetFlix:

A young female detective is put in charge of a case and must delve into her partner’s mysterious past in order to solve it.

Despite the similarity of one detective procedural to every other, some stand out from the crowd as at least a bit better. “Witnesses” is one such series. Accompanying the French dialog you may choose excellent English subtitles. Only one season was made and it consists of 6 episodes. Wikipedia offers very little information.

Many French towns were used for the filming but the story centers on Pas-de-Calais on the northern coast of France. If nothing else, the scenery is worth the viewing. Most interesting is the fact that the town is on two levels: Lower level is on the sea and butts up against the sheer rock cliffs that match the “white cliffs of dover.” Upper level is at the top of those cliffs. To get from lower to upper levels and back, there is a closed-in ski lift that ascends through the rock wall. This lift was built in 1901. Note also the new housing complex of very expensive and spacious homes which figure into the plot.

Personal relations among the characters, especially between Paul Maisonneuve and Sandra Winckler, are essential to the story. Basically the tale is their effort to catch an extremely clever serial killer who has escaped from prison.

Compared with an American detective procedural, this series is less violent. However, there are murders and gun fights.

Because I could stream this from NetFlix, I quickly became addicted.

2014, Acceptable for children, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Adventure, Astronauts, Clever Plot, Complicated, DO NOT MISS, Father-daughter relations, Human spirit, Sci-Fi, Suspense

Interstellar (2014)

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From NetFlix:

From director Christopher Nolan comes this futuristic cosmic odyssey, which follows a band of space explorers who surmount the limits of interstellar travel, using a recently discovered wormhole to pass between dimensions.

Three hours of tension might sound at first like somewhat of a slog. But the story, presentation, acting, and special effects are so absorbing that time flies (which is almost a pun when you consider what the film is about).

In fact the film is about using time and other hyper-dimensions to save the people on the dying planet Earth. Whatever Matthew McConaughey (as Cooper), Anne Hathaway (as Brand), Michael Caine (as Professor Brand), or Jessica Chastain (as Murph) are talking about flew right over my head. Possibly their gibberish was respectable science, but I would have no way of knowing. However, that does not matter at all. Just follow the tense action and space antics and try to relax.

Although the ending seemed a tad hokey (“magic realism” anyone?), the ending was satisfying. However, I do not plan to do any space traveling, especially through some black hole.

If you have an inner geek, DO NOT MISS!

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!

2014, Bloody scenes, Car Chase, Creepy, Crime, Crude Talk, Cynical, Dark, Detective, FilmReview, Journalist, Murder, Psychological Thriller, Sociopath, Suspense, TV news industry, Unscrupulous drive to power, Violent

Nightcrawler (2014)

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From Netflix:

Eager for any work that will make ends meet, Lou Bloom joins the flock of camera crews prowling the nighttime streets of Los Angeles in search of scandal and crime. But before long, Lou finds himself caught in the tabloid limelight.

Jake Gyllenhaal provides a creepy, masterful, unique performance that for all purposes is a solo piece. His character here is like none other that he has created. In the past he was quiet, moody, and reflective. Here his amoral and ambitious character Louis Bloom is a very intelligent, manipulative fast talker. And when I say “fast”, I challenge you to pay close enough attention in order to take in his rapid but amazingly well thought-out spiels. He took my breath away. At the same time he repulsed me because he will stop at nothing to provide sensational and gory news film footage for ever increasing fees. Throughout his ego drive to fame and fortune in the TV news industry he is willing to take advantage of whomever comes his way.

Expect an exciting multiple car chase near the end.

In summary, Jake Gyllenhall unerringly portrays a true sociopath as well as painting an frightening and cynical picture of the TV news industry.

You might be a little sickened.

2014, Based on a Book, Bloody scenes, Clever Plot, Dark, Detective, Drama, Dysfunctional Lives, Explicit sex, Grim, Lawyers, Marital Infidelity, Murder, Nudity, Psychological Thriller, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Sociopath, Suspense, Violent

Gone Girl (2014)

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From Netflix:

Based on Gillian Flynn’s novel of the same name, this unsettling thriller follows the mercurial Nick Dunne, who finds himself dogged by police and caught in a media maelstrom after he becomes the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance.

Even though I had already read Gillian Flynn’s novel (in an e-book that contains her first three novels) awhile back, in fact long enough to forget all the marvelously designed details, the film is just as tense and scary. Thankfully the film stays close to the book. For me, however, one sad exception is that in the book Nick’s last words to Amy are outstandingly appropriate, but the movie does not use those words. Hint: read the book instead.

Watching Rosamund Pike (as Amazing Amy) lie so cleverly (with the superb acting to match the lies) is to see a cracker-jack job of meta-acting (does that sense?). In other words she is the perfect sociopath.

Lo and behold Doogie Howser, aka Neil Patrick Harris, plays Amy’s former sweetheart Desi Collins. His part did not require much effort.

In case you seem to recognize the Television Tigress named Sela Ward, she is played by Sharon Schieber who was Stacy Warner in the TV series “House MD”.

In general the books by Gillian Flynn that I have read are very very dark. This film is no exception. Do NOT watch this film before bedtime.

2014, Acceptable for children, Arson, Based on a Book, Cooking and food, Corny at times, Culture of India, Father-son relations, Feel Good For All, Fishing, French Culture, Love Story, Optimistic, Race Relations

The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

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From Netflix:

Relocating from India to a quiet village in the south of France, chef Hassan Kadam and his family open a restaurant called Maison Mumbai. But when their business starts to thrive, a competing restaurateur launches a war between the eateries.

For two hours you can just relax, accept the many unlikely details, and enjoy a feel-good film that is even acceptable for children. Only a few moments of difficulty from time to time portend a possible cloud, but never fear, in this film tension is just not allowed.

Marguerite is beautiful, Hassan is handsome, and Helen Mirren is Helen Mirren.

You are guaranteed at least four happy endings. Enjoy the silliness!

2013, 2014, Child abuse, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Forensics, Irish Detective Series, Kidnapping, Lesbian Theme, Netflix Streaming, Psychological Thriller, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Violent

The Fall (2013)

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From Netflix for Season One (2013)

When the Belfast police are stalled in their investigation of a spate of murders, Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson is drafted to investigate. Under her lead, the team uncovers an intricate web of lives entangled by the killings.

By now (November 2016) Netflix offers all three seasons of this well-done serial-killer TV series. Season one has 5 episodes. Season two has 6 episodes. Season three has 6 episodes.

Gillian Anderson (of the X-Files) plays Stella Gibson as a blonde, slim, beautiful, intelligent, introspective, understated (not quite a sphinx) Detective Superintendent. Jamie Dornan (Christian Grey in “Fifty Shades of Grey”) is superb as the serial killer Paul Spector, who is as crafty as he is disturbed. From the very beginning of season one we witness his crimes and his impressive deceptions. He is a dedicated family man whom no one suspects. In season two his crimes continue, but more importantly he feels challenged to engage in personality combat with Stella. In fact, season two emphasizes the psychology of these two characters, both of whom had difficult childhoods.

Of course any serial killer theme is violent, but this series is no more gory than other similar TV series. Good writing, careful plots, fine acting all combine to make this a worthwhile adventure.

From Netflix for Season Two (2014)

When the Belfast police hit nothing but dead ends in their investigation of a series of murders, London-based Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson is sent to take over the case in this suspenseful and unsettling crime series. As she navigates her way through bureaucratic and personal entanglements, Gibson soon discovers that her serial killer prey is a far more complicated foe than she ever imagined — and he’s not about to give up easily.

Season Three (2015)

Season Three takes up exactly at the tense ending of Season Two which was obviously planned as a cliff hanger. Season Three starts off with a boring depiction of hospital emergency room procedure. But have patience, because Season Three is primarily a psychological delving into the personalities of Stella Gibson and Paul Spector and also Katie Benedetto (the teenager obsessed with Paul). There can be no possible continuation of this series beyond Season Three.

For its genre, this TV series is a DO NOT MISS.

2014, Basically Sad, Catholic culture, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Gay theme, Love Story, Quiet, Sensitive treatement of emotions, Wonderful acting

Love Is Strange (2014)

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From Netflix:

After 28 years together, Ben and George finally get hitched. But when the marriage raises controversy at the school where George works, he’s fired. Unable to afford their New York City apartment, the couple is forced to live apart.

Poignant is the first adjective that comes to mind. Despite the fact that real life always seems to get in the way, you could call this a “feel good” film. As the Netflix summary indicates Ben and George (played to perfection by John Lithgow and Alfred Molina respectively) must live apart until something better happens. Meanwhile it is the living with kind relatives or friends that is so difficult for everyone concerned. Their uncomfortable presence either (in Ben’s case) interferes with the family life of their hosts or shows (in George’s case) how badly the guest’s age matches the other inhabitants.

What is striking is how many times the camera lingers on a face, on a scene, or on someone’s great sadness. But that lingering is entirely appropriate. Note especially the scene in which Ben’s nephew Joey silently morns someone’s death.

If you are at all homophobic, this film will be uncomfortable for you (or quite possibly it may nudge your attitude). Otherwise this sensitive story is

A MUST SEE!