Category Archives: Crude Talk

2011, Based on true facts, Car Chase, Comedy, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Explicit sexual discussion, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, French, Wonderful acting

The Intouchables (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Based on a true story, a quadriplegic aristocrat’s world is turned upside down when he hires a young, good-humored ex-con as his caretaker. This unlikely duo overcomes adversity of every flavor as they shatter preconceptions of love, life and each other.

Between François Cluzet (as Phillipe) and Omar Sy (as Driss) the pairing is as entertaining and warm as it is seemingly unlikely. But the story is based on a real such friendship. Be sure to watch enough of the final credits to see photos of the actual persons as well as to learn what happened to them.

Do not be put off by the initial car chase. This is NOT a car chase film. Instead the story tells of the growing connection between a wealthy almost completely paralyzed French aristocrat, Phillipe, and his black ex-con caretaker, Driss, who comes from the other side of the tracks. Driss’s enthusiasm for life is infectious and it eventually enriches Phillipe’s life. Expect frank discussions of sex. Expect some misdirected flirting. Expect some wild, surprising physical adventures (for example, hang gliding). Expect to smoke a lot of weed.

Expect to have a lot of fun watching this wonderful film. No matter your taste in films, DO NOT MISS this French film with English subtitles.

2013, Clever Plot, Complicated, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Political Suspense, Politicians, Suspense, TV Series, Unscrupulous drive to power, Wonderful acting

House of Cards (2013)

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From NetFlix:

A ruthless Congressman, Francis Underwood, and his ambitious wife Claire, will stop at nothing to conquer everything. This wicked political drama slithers through the back halls of greed, sex, love and corruption in modern D.C.

March 13, 2015: Having earlier streamed season Two, I have just finished streaming season Three from NetFlix. You MUST watch the series in order. Anything I would say might be a spoiler. At the very least, the plot and acting are worth the price of admission. Question: Do you think this political series is too cynical? Are our politics really that dirty? In fact, season Three rings true in light of events in 2015. Look out for the Russian president who is a dead ringer for Putin.

Kevin Spacey is perfect for this political page-turner. No one plays a smarmy corrupt personality better than Kevin Spacey.

To be more beautiful than Robin Wright (who plays Kevin’s wife) would be a tall order. That she is 47 years old during the filming seems hard to believe. Come to think of it, Kevin Spacey is doing OK at age 54 – just the right age to be Vice President.

Pay attention, the plot is a bit complicated but worth the trouble. Each of the three seasons ends leaving you scratching your head and possibly feeling somewhat disappointed (or should I say, apprehensive?).

For a political melodrama, I would call this series a DO NOT MISS!

1980, Based on a Book, Based on true facts, Crude Talk, Dark, Detective, Gay theme, Grim, Mostly About Sex, Murder Investigation, Nudity, Plot Twist, Psychological Drama, Serial Killer, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Transvestite theme, Violent, Vulgar

Cruising (1980)

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From NetFlix:

After a serial killer brutally murders several gay men in New York’s S&M and leather districts, cop Steve Burns (Al Pacino) goes undercover on the streets, where he must learn the complex rules of the underground gay subculture if he’s to catch the psycho. Karen Allen co-stars as Burns’s girlfriend in this gritty 1980 thriller, which sparked protests from gay rights groups at the time of its release but has since developed a minor cult status.

“Lurid” is the first adjective that comes to mind. The Stonewall riots occurred in 1959. By 1980 the gay movement was strong enough to protest this film which depicts an aberrant side of gay culture. Indeed the strong gay protests are described in the Wikipedia article about the film.

Expect “grungy” scenes in this cult classic with a wonderfully ambiguous ending.

2006, Arab Culture, Crude Talk, Dancing, Explicit sex, Flirting, Gay theme, Hebrew and Arabic, Jewish Culture, Love Story, Military, Nudity, Political statement, Race Relations, Suicide, Suspense, Violent, War, Wonderful acting

The Bubble (2006)

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From NetFlix:

When a young Israeli named Noam (Ohad Knoller) falls for a handsome Palestinian (Yousef “Joe” Sweid) he meets while working at a checkpoint in Tel Aviv, he recruits his roommates Yelli (Alon Friedman) and Lulu (Daniela Virtzer) to help find a way for the two to stay together. Director Eytan Fox’s poignant film offers a glimpse at life inside the tumultuous borders of Israel, where everyday people are constantly surrounded by conflict.

Two themes run concurrently throughout this film: The difficulty of being gay in the Arab world (Israel is very accepting) and the constant wearying and dangerous conflict between Jews And Arabs.

Previously I reviewed Yossi and Jagger which was written and directed by Etan Fox. Ohad Knoller who was the lead actor in that film is also the lead Jewish character in “The Bubble”. He again plays a Gay Jew who this time falls in love with a Gay Arab named Ashraf. Arab culture is strongly homophobic so that Ashraf’s life becomes not only difficult but dangerous. Much film footage is devoted to the perilous border crossing where several sad scenes are enacted.

Realize that the cast of characters are young adults and as such spend their time talking about romances and popular music. But the entire film rings true as it portrays the lives of young single (and mostly Gay) Jews most of whom are tired of and against the unending war.

WARNING: In the film Gays exchange much same-sex kissing. Additionally there is one explicit scene in which the two male leads engage in anal intercourse.

For Ashraf the situation seems hopeless (for further reasons as the film develops) and this hopelessness leads to a surprising but possible fitting conclusion. Comments welcome.

Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles.

2011, Acceptable for children, British, Comedy, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Feel Good For All, Fishing, Love Story, Optimistic, Politicians

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011)

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From NBetFlix:

A sheik with a love for the sport hopes to introduce fly-fishing to the Middle East and turns to uptight fisheries expert Fred Jones for help. Buoyed by the sheik’s enthusiasm (and his comely English aide), Fred sets out to achieve the impossible.

Ewan McGregor does it again. Somewhat of a rarity these days, this film is a feel-good that the entire family can watch. Good plot, good acting, good romance, good humor: what’s not to like?

Kristin Scott Thomas is perfect as a hard-nosed, ambitious, ruthless, and vulgar governmental communications maven.

Emily Blunt portrays Harriet well as a young woman caught between two loves.

Ewan McGregor carries off the role of a fishing geek (possibly with Asperger’s, but that is not completely clear) who agrees to try the impossible and bring salmon fishing to a desert.

Even though there is no sex and violence, DO NOT MISS!

2010, Cowboy, Crime, Crude Talk, Dysfunctional Lives, Explicit sex, Frenetic, Grim, Motorcycles, Nudity, Plot Twist, Revenge, Suspense, Trailer Life, Violent, Vulgar, Wonderful acting

Killer Joe (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Dimwitted drug dealer Chris hires Killer Joe to ice his mother for her insurance. But Chris is broke, so Joe demands his sister Dottie as collateral. Dottie’s not about to be treated as chattel, and Killer Joe soon wishes he’d never taken the job.

Is it my imagination or are films getting more violent and more sexually explicit as the years go by? If sex and violence offend or disturb you, do NOT see this film.

Having warned you about the pitfalls, nonetheless this is a very well-made film that held my attention. Beginning with an introduction to a trailer trash environment, morality continues to take a downward spin. Even the premise that Chris sees nothing wrong in hiring Matthew McConaughey to kill Chris’ hated real mother (and his step-mother is no prize either) shocked me.

Every character looks a bit worse for wear except Matthew McConaughey as Killer Joe and Juno Temple as Chris’ 12-year-old sister Dottie. Chris’ father is played by Thomas Haden Church who has been appearing in films since his parts in the TV series “Wings” and “Cheers”.

Acting is excellent with special mention for Killer Joe and Dottie.

McConaughey is a well-dressed (when he isn’t stark naked), smooth talking hired assassin cleverly disguised as a sheriff. WARNING: There are several scenes in which McConaughey vividly acts out sexual arousal (lusting for Dottie or humiliating Gina Gershon who is Chris’ wicked stepmother) and at one point reaches orgasm. His acting in these scenes is perfection itself but could be very disturbing.

Juno Temple as the 12-year-old Dottie also plays her part to perfection. She is a naive girl who hates the trailer life and desperately wants to escape. Her opportunity arrives in the person of Killer Joe who takes her as his sex partner as payment for killing Chris’ mother. Yes, this is a grim plot.

Be prepared for plot twists and a surprising end. You might send me a comment about that ending.

There must be something wrong with me because I could not stop watching.

2002, Cooking and food, Crude Talk, Drama, Gay theme, Jewish Culture, Military, War

Yossi and Jagger (2002)

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From NetFlix:

Two Israeli soldiers try to find solace from the constant grind of war in this moving romantic drama. While preparing for a daring moonlit ambush in the snowy mountains of Lebanon, company commander Yossi (Ohad Knoller) and his platoon leader, Jagger (Yehuda Levi), fall in love, carefully hiding their relationship from their comrades. But will the tragedy of war ultimately intrude upon the men’s clandestine affair?

In the New York Times appeared a discussion of the Israeli director Etan Fox and his work over the years which is best summarized with this quote from IMDB:

What is it like to be young in Israel, particularly in the “bubble” called Tel-Aviv? How can you be gay in this country, even in the macho Army named Tzahal? How can you fall in love in a tiny tension-filled country? Can you consider the Palestinians as friends rather than enemies? All these are questions raised by Eytan Fox’s films and TV films…

If you have not yet seen his Walk on Water then you have a treat coming.

If nothing else this film affords us a glimpse into the daily lives of Israeli soldiers. Moreover it avoids the usual gay film clichés. Nothing more than kisses occur on screen.

2012, Acceptable Trash, Bicycles, Car Chase, Crude Talk, Slapstick, Suspense, Violent

Premium Rush (2012)

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From NetFlix:

Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as a New York City bike messenger whose routine “premium rush” run turns into a life or death chase through the streets of Manhattan after a dirty cop (Michael Shannon) becomes desperate to get his hands on the package.

Basically this is an adolescent action film with a plot that fails to be important. Cars chase bikes. Bikes chase bikes. That’s pretty much the content of the film.

HOWEVER, the bike riding scenes and skills were amazing. The Wikipedia article does not discuss how real the bike riding was, although I would be disappointed if it were not real. No doubt some professional stunt rider did at least some of the scenes. But that Wikipedia article did included the following:

Gordon-Levitt was injured during filming on August 1, 2010, when he was cycling too fast and hit the back of a taxi. The impact sent Gordon-Levitt flying into the rear windshield of the taxi, slashing his arm which required 31 stitches. A shot of the aftermath of that accident is included as a scene during the credits of the film. Locations included Columbia University, Central Park and Canal Street.

One very clever device is as follows: Willee (our hero) sends us on many fast and perilous rides in New York City. He must continually make split second decisions about where to aim his bike. At certain points in the film he is about to make such a decision and the action changes to Willee’s mental practice run-through of what would happen if he make a particular choice. Clever fun!

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Willee) plays Robert Lincoln in “Lincoln”. You may recall Michael Shannon (the bent cop) as the tormented Curtis in “Take Shelter”.

Just enjoy the superficial film with its fun bike stunts.

2008, Based on true facts, Crude Talk, Drama, FBI, Lawyers, Political Suspense, Prison, Wonderful acting

Nothing But the Truth (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Journalist Rachel Armstrong (Kate Beckinsale) turns Washington on its ear when she outs a casual acquaintance (Vera Farmiga) as a CIA agent. The government’s formidable prosecutor (Matt Dillon) sends Rachel to jail for contempt, where she discovers the true impact of her decision. David Schwimmer and Alan Alda co-star in this drama from Rod Lurie, the politically savvy filmmaker behind The Contender and “Commander in Chief.”

Watching this film might make you angry or fearful or both. But in any case you could not possibly be bored.

Acting is superb on everyone’s part. The story line is coherent and easy to follow.

As the film progressed I started to wonder why the heroine (can you guess where my sympathy lay?) held on. When I finally understood who her source was, then I really had to question the validity of her endurance. Any comments on this point?

Remember that this film is fiction. Try to watch it without reference to past events. After that you might enjoy reading about the outing of Valerie Plame as a CIA agent during the Cheney administration. An easy source for this is the Wikipedia article. To save time you could begin reading at the section called “Plamegate”. This article mentions that a film more directly related to Plamegate was entitled “Fair Game” named after the book written by Valerie Plame and starring Sean Penn and Naomi Watts. Always it struck me as odd that no one was prosecuted as a traitor for outing a CIA agent.

Not an easy watch but certainly an engrossing 107 minutes.

2012, Based on a Book, Bootlegging, Crude Talk, Disturbing Image, DO NOT MISS, Drama, FBI, Gangs, Gay theme, Grim, Love Story, Nudity, Rape, Revenge, Sadism, Suspense, Violent, Vulgar, Wonderful acting

Lawless (2012)

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From NetFlix:

This true-to-life action saga profiles Virginia’s bootlegging Bondurant gang, whose exploits during the Prohibition era made them outlaw heroes. The three Bondurant brothers tussle with the law and each other as they try to survive changing times.

Despite the unrelenting violence from start to finish, every other aspect is so well done that this film about bootlegging is strongly compelling. Much attention was paid to reproducing rural Virginia during the Prohibition era.

As far as acting is concerned Tom Hardy (age 35), Jason Clarke (age 43), and Shia LaBeouf (age 26) create a fascinating trio of Bondurant brothers, each with his own unique personality. “Chameleon” is a word I like to apply to an actor who loses himself in a part to such an extent that you almost do not recognize him. Here we have at least two “chameleons”: Tom Hardy took an light and fun part playing against Chris Pine in the film “This Means War” whereas in “Lawless” he has transformed himself into an almost silent, soft-spoken but menacing Forest Bondurant. Make no mistake: you WILL take Forest seriously or else. Guy Pearce (age 45) is the other “chameleon”. Because of his scary portray of Charlie Rakes as a violent psychopath, I am willing to finally give Guy Pearce his due. Many of his earlier films were often mediocre fluff. However, who could forget (or stop conjecturing about the plot of) “Momento”. Both Tom Hardy and Guy Pearce are British so we have to add accent skills to their credits.

For more background on the Bondurant family see the Wikipedia article about Matt Bondurant and his book “The Wettest County in the World”. Matt was the grandson of one of the three brothers.

Despite the violence, I would have to say DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!