Category Archives: DO NOT MISS

2010, Acceptable for children, DO NOT MISS, Jewish Culture, Love Story, Quiet, Religious Theme, Wonderful acting

Nora’s Will (2010)

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From NetFlix:

This award-winning black comedy follows the family of Nora (Silvia Mariscal), who carefully plans her suicide so that her assortment of estranged relatives, including ex-husband José (Fernando Luján), will have to celebrate Passover together and hopefully achieve a reconciliation. As José battles with unsympathetic cemeteries, a fractious rabbi and his devoted assistant, and his own son (Ari Brickman), he realizes how deeply he still loved Nora.

This Mexican film (in Spanish with English subtitles) has the Spanish title “Five Days Without Nora”. Throughout the film the Jewish culture is pervasive and always in conflict with Nora’s ex-husband (as he repeats many times) who is an atheist. One theme is the difficulty of burying Nora at the time of Passover, especially since Nora committed suicide (attempt number 15). Conservative Jews do not permit a proper Jewish burial in a Jewish cemetery when the deceased has died by suicide (the same used to be true for Catholics).

Two characters are comic (the aunt and a man hired to pray constantly in the presence of the body).

Finally I have found a warm, quiet, meaningful film that I can strongly recommend to adults.

1997, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Redemption, Religious Theme, Wonderful acting

The Apostle (1997)

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From NetFlix:

When charismatic but troubled Pentecostal preacher Euliss “Sonny” Dewey (Robert Duvall) discovers that his wife (Farrah Fawcett) is having an affair, he promptly puts the other man in a coma and flees his home state of Texas for Louisiana. Once there, he takes on a new name, renovates an old church and brings new life to a congregation. Written and directed by Duvall, the film also earned an Oscar nod for Duvall’s complex, captivating performance.

All the excited Pentecostal preaching, praying, shouting, curing, etc. at the start of the film almost turned me off immediately. But that is the intense atmosphere of this entire story. Although the Bible Belt style of religion might not appeal to everyone, the attraction here is the amazingly energetic performance of that actor’s actor Robert Duvall. Once he gets going in a charismatic fury, there is no stopping him. Could he have actually memorized such a flood of words from a script or was he ad-libbing?

If you can divorce yourself from all the commotion (or SHOULD you?), try to answer my question: was the Apostle insane? Alternatives are:

  • He lived in a culture where such behavior was considered normal.
  • He lived in a state of sane self-delusion.
  • He was perfectly sane and a consummate huckster. This same alternative has been voiced
    against the founders of certain (all?) religions.

And will you recognize Farrah Fawcett as his wife, Billy Bob Thornton as a trouble maker converted in a scene whose probability I had trouble accepting (but again it is a question of that culture), John Beasley as the Reverend Blackwell, or Walton Goggins as the young man crying at the end (Goggins plays Hunt in “Cowboys and Aliens”) ?

Maybe not your cup of tea, but certainly one of the more memorable performances in film history.

2009, 2010, 2011, British, Child Molestation, Complicated, Crime, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Lawyers, Made For TV, Rape, Suspense, Wonderful acting

Law and Order: UK (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Dick Wolf’s long-running “Law & Order” franchise expands across the pond in the first season of this gritty police procedural that’s set on the streets of London and based on scripts from the American series. The first case finds detectives Ronnie Brooks (Bradley Walsh) and Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber) teaming up with prosecutors James Steel (Ben Daniels) and Alesha Phillips (Freema Agyeman) to get to the bottom of a baby’s untimely death.

Don’t get me wrong, Kathy and I love all the American “Law & Order” shows. But I find that this British version is better, more intense, and offers more courtroom drama. Beginning in 2009 the series ran into 2011. And then one of the lawyers, James Steel, used some plot excuse to leave the show and as far as I know the series ended at that point.

If you like “Law and Order”, DO NOT MISS THIS TV SERIES!

2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, British, Complicated, Computer geeks, Conspiracy, Cynical, DO NOT MISS, Flirting, Love Story, Made For TV, Political Suspense, Suspense, Terrorist Attack, Torture, TV Series, Wonderful acting

MI-5

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From NetFlix:

This award-winning series dramatizes the professional exploits and personal lives of the “spooks” of MI-5, the British equivalent of the FBI. No-nonsense head officer Harry Pearce (Peter Firth) guides a band of dedicated spies who risk their lives every day. The team includes expert and junior members who must balance real life with the job’s requirement for complete secrecy, no matter the cost. Matthew Macfadyen and Richard Armitage co-star.

Beginning in 2002 and continuing at least to 2010, this British TV-series is “utterly smashing”. Intense, sometimes hard to watch, but incredibly exciting in just about every episode. What makes some episodes difficult to watch is that the members of MI-5 are forced at times to make hard decisions that involve “collateral damage” (meaning some poor soul dies), so much so that those members are often damaged themselves and actually leave MI-5 (i.e. leave the show). In fact, be prepared for many, sometimes disappointing cast changes. For example Rupert William Penry-Jones (the character Adam Carter) started the show and then disappeared for awhile to be replaced by Matthew Macfadyen (the character Tom Quinn) who then leaves the show and is replaced by Rupert William Penry-Jones.

There are too many wonderful characters to even mention them. You can find them all listed in IMDB.

In addition to spook plots, there are also many romances. But any romance for a member of MI-5 is next to impossible because even their significant others cannot know what these spooks do for a living.

2011, Complicated, Disturbing Image, DO NOT MISS, Fantasy, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Love Story, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Terrorist Attack, Trains

Source Code (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Jake Gyllenhaal portrays a soldier recruited for a time-bending government investigation that places him in another man’s mind and body, reliving the same traumatic event repeatedly in an effort to identify the perpetrators of a terrorist bombing. Vera Farmiga plays a communications specialist who provides the vital link to the soldier’s primary reality as he searches for critical clues within a recurring nightmare.

Jake Gyllenhaal has done it again, or at least his agent has. Somehow Gyllenhaal finds vehicles that for the most part suit him perfectly.

Although Michelle Monaghan does a perfectly acceptable job as Jake’s love interest, Vera Farmiga does an outstanding job as a conflicted member of the military whose human values eventually trump the self-promotion of the ever preening Jeffrey Wright (Dr. Rutledge).

WARNING: Although this film rates as a “feel good”, it is probably NOT for children because (without spoiling anything) there is one disturbing film shot involving a human body that is a shocker.

Why see this great film ?

  • Fun flirtatious love story
  • Clever sci-fi plot
  • Heart-warming interaction between Jake and his dad
  • Exciting action
  • Feel-good film

If any of the above interests you, DO NOT MISS THIS FILM !

2010, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Drugs, Explicit sexual discussion, Love Story, Nudity, Sex Scenes, Vulgar, Wonderful acting

Barney’s Version (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti stars as Barney Panofsky, a Jewish Canadian television producer who reflects in flashbacks on three strange decades — and three wives — in this adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s acclaimed novel. There’s Clara (Rachelle Lefevre), a free-spirited proponent of free love; “Mrs. P” (Minnie Driver), a self-centered princess; and Miriam (Rosamund Pike), the right woman who comes along at the wrong time.

Paul Giamatti has made many wonderful films but I suspect he will be remembered best for this masterful portrayal of a contemporary scum-bag. Even while he is betraying wives or murdering his best friend, he does it with such panache that it is just plain fun to watch.

And what is it about this physically unattractive rogue that captivates three such women ? Rachelle Lefevre (Dr. Ryan Clark in the TV series “Off the Map”) is gorgeous. Minnie Driver is a perfect Jewish American Princess. Finally Rosamund Pike (one of the Bennet sisters, Jane, in the 2005 “Pride and Prejudice”) is amazing as a beautiful, warm, mature woman.

Giamatti’s facial expressions are fascinating. Do not miss his wicked smile at the precise moment in which he realizes that his best friend (Scott Speedman, Spencer in “Good Neighbors”) has just had sex with wife number two, thereby giving him ammunition to divorce said wife.

In 2010 Dustin Hoffman was 73 years old while Giamatti was 43. Dustin Hoffman doesn’t look that old to me. In any case the father-son relation was touching. Giamatti laughs when he father dies for a reason that escaped me. Under what circumstances did the father die ?

My no-spoiler policy precludes me from discussing the end of the story. But be prepared for a surprising denouement.

DO NOT MISS THIS FILM!

2010, Acceptable for children, Based on true facts, DO NOT MISS, Feel Good For All, Wonderful acting

The Company Men (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Written, directed and produced by John Wells (“The West Wing”), this indie drama stars Ben Affleck as a successful businessman who comes face-to-face with America’s downsizing epidemic when he loses his job and is forced to take a construction gig. Rounding out the all-star cast are Kevin Costner as Affleck’s brother-in-law, Tommy Lee Jones as a conflicted corporate bigwig and Chris Cooper as a paranoid executive.

Films like this make me glad to be retired. Somehow the corporate world seems to get uglier every day. Indeed this film hits the nail on the head. Not only are the situations all too real, but the reactions of the jobless are sadly true to form. Superb acting makes the film a pleasure to watch, despite all the unhappiness.

Some of the men do not survive. Interestingly enough in one such case the wife cannot accept the loss of status and demands that her jobless husband leave the house each day with a briefcase and never return until evening. What would the neighbors think ? There is a similar theme in the British film “The Full Monty”.

Let us hope that it is believable and does happen that some wives (as in the case of Ben Affleck) not only accept the downsizing but help their husbands with the adjustment and the reality check. Affleck’s character gets it right as someone who refuses to accept change but gradually softens to the point that he accepts a job from his builder brother-in-law (Kevin Costner playing his part well).

Additionally I would like to believe that many jobless find a way to fight back in the sense that they have enough self-confidence to begin something new and trust in the future.

Tommy Lee Jones has often played in films that somehow preach on a subject and this film is no exception.

Hats off to Craig T. Nelson who delivers a perfect performance as a corporate swine who fires his own best friend and could care less.

Finally this film is actually a feel-good (at least for some characters).

2009, British Mystery Series, Child Molestation, Conspiracy, Detective, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Gritty, Mystery Film, Plot Twist, Revenge, Suspense

Place of Execution (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Journalist Catherine Heathcote (Juliet Stevenson) solicits the help of investigator George Bennett (Lee Ingleby) for her documentary about the 1963 disappearance of a 13-year-old girl. But when Bennett abruptly stops cooperating, Heathcote begins to unravel some surprising truths. Now Heathcote may have to reevaluate her deep-rooted beliefs about justice. Based on the book by Val McDermid, this “Masterpiece” special co-stars Greg Wise.

2016 ADDENDUM: You can now stream this two-part film from Amazon Prime. You may be shocked when part one abruptly ends and shows screen credits. Just sit tight, because part two begins immediately after that.

Given the combination of BBC Masterpiece Contemporary and Juliet Stevenson you cannot go wrong with this intriguing, well-written, well-acted mystery. All the episodes are on the disk you get from NetFlix, comprising about 2.5 hours.

Never once did I suspect the truth of what really happened. Indeed the surprise ending really caught me off guard. You will have to decide about the moral ambiguity of the ending.

But I guarantee you, you will not be bored.

2011, Acceptable for children, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good For All, Sports

Win Win (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Paul Giamatti stars as bush-league lawyer Mike Flaherty, who agrees to become an aging client’s legal guardian as a way to pay the bills. But his visions of an easy stipend begin to fade when the man’s teenage grandson suddenly appears on the scene. Just when the attorney thinks he’s found a way to make this new development work for him, the boy’s mother shows up and puts Flaherty’s dreams of a big score in jeopardy.

Feel-good films acceptable even for children are becoming an endangered species. Better grab this one while you can. Nothing is maudlin in this well-written and well-acted drama.

Paul Giamatti is his usual pitch perfect everyman, not a saint but still a hero in his everyday efforts to do the right thing (most of the time). His wife Amy Ryan (Helene McCready in “Gone Baby Gone”) is an understated pillar of strength.

As the lawyer Mike Flaherty, Giamatti is also a high-school wrestling coach with two assistant coaches: Bobby Cannavale (Eddie Saccardo in the TV series “Cold Case”) and Jeffrey Tambor (who, for me, will always be the crooked father of the Bluth family in the TV series “Arrested Development”, which I strongly recommend for those of you who love outrageous comedy).

Burt Young (Paulie in all the Rocky films) plays the senile Leo Poplar. Leo’s estranged drug-addicted daughter is played by Melanie Lynskey who was 34 during the filming. That age is just about right because Leo claims he has not seen Melanie for 20 years. And she could have a 17 year old son.

Alex Shaffer was perfect as the run-away champion wrestler (Leo’s grandson). He was 17 during the filming. Moreover in 2010, at the age of 17, he won the New Jersey State Wrestling Championship.

One small complaint: Alex was too polite a kid. If he was neglected by a drug-addicted mother, I doubt he would be such a model teen, although he did steal a car a while back.

DO NOT MISS THIS CHARMER !

2002, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good For All, Love Story, Quiet, Sex Scenes, Wonderful acting

Moonlight Mile (2002)

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From NetFlix:

Susan Sarandon and Dustin Hoffman co-star as the grieving mother and father of a recently deceased girl who take in their daughter’s fiancé (Jake Gyllenhaal) because he’s the only living connection they have to their only child. Problems arise when the young man falls in love with a woman (Ellen Pompeo) whose boyfriend has gone missing, prompting his former in-laws-to-be to come to grips with the new relationship.

When this film was made in 2002, Jake Gyllenhaal was a mere 22 years old and Ellen Pompeo (Dr. Meredith Grey in “Grey’s Anatomy”) was 33 years old. She did not seem in the film to be that much older than Gyllenhaal. For me it is still shocking to watch an older film and see how young the actors look (even 9 years ago).

Here we have the perfect date movie that offers everything: love story, sad tragedies and humor (Susan Sarandon shoots off some wonderfully acerbic comments about the stupid things people say to you when someone you love dies). You might even shed a tear or two in some of the (possibly) more maudlin scenes.

Children should not be affected by the quiet, tasteful love-making.

“Acting by not acting” is an accusation I often hurl at actors who use their facial expressions (blank or otherwise) instead of saying anything. Perhaps I am harsh or just plain wrong. At any rate Gyllenhaal gets away with this technique which really seems to work for him.

“Moonlight Mile” is the name of a song in a jukebox that has meaning for Ellen Pompeo.

Oh, wait there’s more: you even get a happy ending.