Category Archives: Could be boring

2008, Could be boring, Drama, Not Feel Good, Rape, Redemption, Violent

Disgrace (2008)

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From NetFlix:

After an imprudent affair with a student, Cape Town professor David Lurie (John Malkovich) flees to his daughter’s remote farm to escape the scandal, only to find tragedy when a trio of black youths brutally assaults them. But Lurie is forced to face apartheid’s lasting repercussions when he discovers that one of the attackers is related to a trusted employee (Eriq Ebouaney) in this pensive drama based on J.M. Coetzee’s novel.

Everyone seems to praise the book which is usually described as dark and tragic. So read the book. Because I have not read the book I had no preconceived notions about the plot, motives, emotions etc. Frankly, the film seemed a bit slow. John Malkovich produces an acceptable South African white accent which is almost a monotone. His daughter is beautiful but not especially a good actor. The film never helps us understand why she insists in staying in her remote house in South Africa, especially after all the horrible things that happen to her.

Not excited about this one!

2009, Could be boring, Drama, Gangs, Gay theme, Love Story, Nudity, Redemption, Unusual, Violent, Vulgar

44 Inch Chest (2009)

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From NetFlix:

After his wife, Liz (Joanne Whalley), cheats on him, gangster Colin Diamond (Ray Winstone) gets his revenge by enlisting his underworld pals to kidnap her hunky French lover (Melvil Poupaud) in the feature debut of director Malcolm Venville. Top British actors, including Ian McShane, John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson, round out the cast of the crime thriller, penned by the screenwriters of another memorable Winstone vehicle, Sexy Beast.

You will not see much actual violence in this film. You do see Colin punch his wife. You do see a bloodied French lover after a beating. But that is NOT the point of the film.

Colin and his pals are rough crooks. They spend most of their time using the same foul words over and over until it gets quite tiresome. Colin has that British accent in which “worth” sounds like “wurf”.

Talk, talk, talk. Possibly this was initially a play because it sounds that way. For the most part the film is a monologue delivered by Colin.

Basically the theme of the film is true love and its loss. More than that I will not say for fear of spoiling.

NOT for everyone. You might prefer a root canal.

2008, Could be boring, Crime, Detective, Drama, Explicit sex, Mediocre, Suspense, Violent

Righteous Kill (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Oscar winners Robert De Niro and Al Pacino drive this taut thriller as New York City detectives tasked with investigating a rash of vigilante killings that are linked to an old case, suggesting they might have put an innocent man behind bars. John Leguizamo, Carla Gugino, Brian Dennehy, Donnie Wahlberg and rapper-turned-actor 50 Cent also star in director Jon Avnet’s crime drama, penned by Russel Gerwitz (Inside Man).

Give this one a B (for sometimes “boring”). Some of the details seemed confusing. However, the film adds up to a plot twist that caught me unprepared. Not a total waste. Instead try In the Cut (2003), Edge of Darkness (1986), Desperate Measures (1998) , or Before The Frost (2002).

1000NYTimes, 1991, Coen Brothers, Could be boring, Drama, Unusual

Barton Fink (1991)

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From NetFlix:

Idealistic playwright Barton Fink (John Turturro) believes writing should reveal the hopes, dreams and tragedies of the common man. When Hollywood taps him to write a movie, Fink develops severe writer’s block and soon falls victim to a strange sequence of events. Unable to combine his deep-seated ethics with Tinseltown’s frivolity, the disillusioned and desperate Fink winds up involved in a murder investigation in this Oscar-nominated dramedy.

In the “NY Times Best 1000” the review for this film raves about this exhilarating original by the Coen Brothers. Therefore I dutifully sat through the entire film. I admit that I could not stay bored for any long stretch because something unusual will soon pop up. John Goodman, not John Turturro, carries the show. John Turturro mostly just sits and stares. I was disappointed in Tony Shalhoub whom I almost did not recognize and who overacted terribly. Judy Davis’ appearance has not changed much over the years, but then 1991 today is only about 20 years ago.

1976, Brazilian, Comedy, Could be boring, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, Mostly About Sex, Nudity, Old-Fashioned, Vulgar

Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands (1976)

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From NetFlix:

Proving that bad boys are hard to shake, this fanciful Brazilian comedy follows the adventures of Dona Flor (Sonia Braga), a conventional girl who weds a handsome ne’er-do-well (José Wilker) whose only saving grace is his talent in bed. When he dies suddenly, Flor remarries — but to his polar opposite: an exceedingly dull pharmacist (Mauro Mendonça). Soon, she finds herself longing for hubby No. 1 … and next thing you know, his ghost appears.

“Dona Flor” is the most successful Brazilian film ever made. For more history see wikipedia. Because I am studying Brazilian Portuguese I watched this historical film. Today’s audience would probably find the film dull even though it is completely about sex. In fact the nudity and the sex scenes are fairly chaste. Unless you are a determined afficionado of Brazilian film history, skip this one. I was just grateful to understand some small amount of the Brazilian.

2007, Complicated, Could be boring, Drama, Drugs, Unusual

The Nines (2007)

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From NetFlix:

Three stories intertwine and creatively converge in John August’s film that stars Ryan Reynolds, Melissa McCarthy and Hope Davis in multiple roles. This offbeat trilogy begins with “The Prisoner,” about a popular TV actor under house arrest; “Reality Television” follows a TV producer’s struggle to launch a new series starring his close friend; and “Knowing” features a video game designer seeking help for his family stranded by car trouble.

Depending on your viewpoint, “The Nines” is either imaginative, confusing, or just plain boring. I stuck it out to see what on earth was going on. For me the “solution” was a little hard to accept. The acting is not bad. It is not a stupid film or a B-movie. But I warn you that this strange piece is just not for everyone including children (not because of the “naughty” words but because no child on earth is going to understand this bizarre trilogy). Enough said.

Could be boring, Detective, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Kidnapping, Mystery Film, Scam Artists, Suspense, Unusual

The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency

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From NetFlix:

After her beloved father dies, the sassy Precious Ramotswe (Jill Scott) sells an inheritance of 180 cows to start a detective agency and becomes the first female sleuth in the history of Botswana. Co-starring Anika Noni Rose as Ramotswe’s assistant and secretary, Mma Makutsi, this quirky whodunit was adapted from Alexander McCall Smith’s hit mystery novels. The film also marks the last directing credit for Anthony Minghella (English Patient).

Season One contains 3 discs. Because of a theme of kidnapping children to sell their body parts (e.g. fingers) as magic amulets, this series might not be for children. More than that, an American audience might find the slow childlike speech patterns in the Botswana English a bit hard to take. I almost stopped watching even the first episode until the plot became somewhat sinister and my curiosity kept me watching. But after that first episode I returned the disc to NetFlix. The books are better than the TV adaptations, in my opinion.

2008, Comedy, Complicated, Could be boring, Drama, Imperfect, Love Story, Scam Artists

The Brothers Bloom (2008)

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From NetFlix:

The Brothers Bloom made a name for themselves as the world’s best con men. Now, the younger (Adrien Brody) is ready to retire on the millions the pair has swindled. But when his brother (Mark Ruffalo) lures him into one last job, he reluctantly agrees. What he hasn’t counted on, though, is falling for their mark, an adventure-seeking heiress (Rachel Weisz). Robbie Coltrane and Babel’s Rinko Kikuchi co-star.

Yet another “who’s conning whom ?” film. At times was slow (boring ?). But there were so many wonderful sight gags that I just burst out laughing. If you are a busy person, there are better choices than this B-film.

2007, Could be boring, Could Be Sad, Drama, Imperfect, Not Feel Good

Evening (2007)

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From NetFlix:

With daughters Constance (Natasha Richardson) and Nina (Toni Collette) by her bedside, terminally ill matriarch Ann Grant (Vanessa Redgrave) recounts a passionate romance that took place 50 years in the past yet defined the rest of her life. Claire Danes stars as a younger Ann, and Patrick Wilson portrays her lover. This adaptation of Susan Minot’s best-seller also features the megawatt talents of Meryl Streep and Glenn Close.

For all the big name stars (and their real-life children) in this film, the acceptably interesting story could have been told a lot better. Wife Kathy and neighbor Bev (a MovieFan) called a halt to watching it about a quarter of the way through. On my own I slogged through the rest just to see how it all ended. You have better things to do with your time than to watch this slow boat to old age.