Category Archives: Born Again Christians

2011, Abduction, Basically Sad, Born Again Christians, Detective, Drama, Ethical struggles, Explicit sex, Extramarital Affair, Gay theme, Homophobia, Muddled biblical references, Philosophic Discussions, Psychological Thriller, Religious Theme, Revenge, Suicide, Suspense, Thought provoking

The Ledge (2011)

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From IMDB:

A police officer looks to talk down a young man lured by his lover’s husband to the ledge of a high rise, where he has one hour to contemplate a fateful decision.

NetFlix offers a DVD containing this 1hr 41min drama that essentially is a debate between religious fundamentalism and humanism.

Do not be turned off initially by the word “debate” nor by Patrick Wilson’s moralistic preaching because there are quite a few thought provoking details in what is to a large part also a love story about people who have suffered and managed to rise again. As the story progresses you learn more and more about each of the characters until you reach the surprising climax which I refuse to spoil.

Four principal actors are:

  • Charlie Hunnam plays Gavin Nichols who becomes Shana’s lover.
  • Liv Tyler who plays Shana Harris.
  • Patrick Wilson who plays Joe Harris, Shana’s husband.
  • Terrence Howard who plays Detective Hollis Lucetti. Hollis has his own personal drama which is interwoven with the main plot.

This review is written in 2016 at a time whenreligious fundamentalism threatens to tear the world apart. With this problem in mind, this film is especially timely.

2010, 2012, Acceptable Trash, Australian, Black humor, Born Again Christians, Comedy, Corruption, Crude Talk, Dysfunctional Lives, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, Farce, Father-son relations, Financial malfeasance, Flirting, Frenetic, Gambling, Lawyers, Lot's of Fun, Marital Infidelity, Murder Investigation, Murder Trial, Netflix Streaming, Outrageous Behavior, Police Corruption, Prostitutes, Revenge, Senior citizens, Sex Scenes, Somewhat ridiculous plot, Suspense, Teenagers, Transvestite theme, Violent, Vulgar, Witty dialog

Rake (2010)

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From NetFlix:

While Cleaver Greene is a brilliant and driven attorney, he’s also an ex-druggie, a current gambling addict and loathed by many of his colleagues.

Four years after I first reviewed this nutty series it is now 2020 and there are 5 seasons of this outrageous and sometimes really funny series.  Just remember: it is really vulgar.

Each season has 8 episodes lasting about an hour. Probably the best service I an provide is to copy a description of each season.

Season 1 –

Richard Roxburgh is Cleaver Greene, a brilliant barrister battling self-destructive tendencies in this hit Australian comedy-drama. As a lawyer, Cleaver prefers to defend those who are utterly hopeless and probably guilty; his clients include murderers, bigamists, and even cannibals. Despite his roguish ways, Cleaver’s wit and charm have won him many cases and loyal friends over the years.

Season 2 –

An alcoholic and former cocaine addict, Cleaver runs up huge gambling debts and makes enemies of gangsters and politicians alike. Despite his roguish ways, Cleaver’s wit and charm have won him many cases and loyal friends over the years.

Season 3 –

As the third season of this acclaimed Aussie drama opens, Cleaver Greene’s life is once again heading south. Clients are rejecting him and he struggles to find anything resembling a case. He takes on a mid-range drink driving charge that he tries to make into a cause célèbre.

Season 4 –

Smart but self-destructive lawyer Cleaver Greene (Richard Roxburgh, Moulin Rouge!, Van Helsing) faces new challenges in the fourth season of the hit Australian comedy-drama. Last seen dangling from a runaway hot air balloon, Cleaver inadvertently crosses paths with a wanted criminal.

Season 5 –

The final season of this “ever-sparkling comedic drama” (The Guardian) sees Cleaver Greene (Richard Roxburgh, Moulin Rouge!) in the Australian Senate, having won on a pledge to do nothing. But even his low expectations fall short of the absurd reality, as he faces a political nemesis.

—————— FIRST REVIEW IN 2016 —————————–

How can two seasons (8 episodes per season) of a Australian comedy series with negative social value be so entertaining? Answer number one: it helps if the viewer is somewhat immature with a really jaded sense of humor. Answer number two: despite the completely salacious series of situations, the plot lines are complicatedly clever. Answer number three: it is just plain fun to watch Cleaver Green go from screw-up to screw-up, sleeping with just about every woman he comes across.

Will all Cleaver’s misadventures eventually catch up with him by episode 16? Stay tuned if you like exaggerated British satire.

2013, Amputee, Based on a Book, Born Again Christians, Could Be Sad, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Gay theme, Human spirit, Religious Theme, Small gem of a film, Thought provoking, Wonderful acting

C.O.G. (2013)

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From Netflix:

Based on a short story by David Sedaris, this comedy follows the brash young author as he travels to Oregon to work on an apple farm. The journey exposes him to all sorts of culture clashes, but what awaits him at the farm is far worse.

In this small gem of a film, Jonathan Groff is perfect for the part of a naïve and searching young man taking a break from his parents and Yale. His character David is so vulnerable to all the questionable influences that you could sit and worry about what might befall him. And many unpleasant but possibly forming tribulations do come his way. Here is a sensitive film so close to reality that you might cringe when something possibly not violent but at least hurtful happens to David. You can watch Wolverine slice someone into pieces and not bat an eye. But when a supposed friend turns viciously against David you feel the ugliness in a very personal way. Jonathan Groff has a short resume, but be on the lookout for more of his performances.

Hats off to some wonderful villains.

Denis O’Hare (the born-again jade artist) is one of our most established support actors, which is to say you recognize him even though you might not know his name (no matter how many episodes of “Law and Order” you have watched). His performance offers one of the most devastating and hateful betrayals I have ever seen.

Exactly the same can be said for Corey Stoll (apple packing plant manager) in every aspect. You might remember him as Rep. Peter Russo from “House of Cards”. His character is no less sinister than that of Denis O’Hare.

Escape from the trash. Here is a wonderful gem that YOU SHOULD NOT MISS!