Category Archives: Father-son relations

2014, Addiction, Car Chase, Crime, Crude Talk, Detective, Dysfunctional Lives, Ethical struggles, Father-son relations, Good Brother - Bad Brother, Nothing special, Police Story, Revenge, Violent

Blood Ties (2014)

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From Netflix:

When 50-year-old Chris is released from prison, his younger brother Frank, an up-and-coming member of the police force, welcomes him with open arms. But when Chris has trouble staying straight, Frank is trapped between duty and family.

We should probably coin a name for those films featuring two brothers, one of whom is a crook and the other a cop. How about “Good Brother, Bad Brother”? There are an awful lot of such GBBB films. What makes this GBBB film a bit better is the fact that Bad Brother is Clive Owen and Good Brother is Billy Crudup. In this case we might change “Good Brother” to “Conflicted Brother” although that is often the case in GBBB films.

Remember Marion Cotillard who played Edit Piaf in that wonderful 2007 film “La Vie en Rose“? Here she plays a drug-addicted woman sadly misused by Bad Brother.

James Caan is the aged and dying father of the two brothers.

Nothing special, but not a waste of time.

2014, Abduction, Action Film, Action Hero, Alcoholism, CIA, Clever Plot, Computer geeks, Conspiracy, DO NOT MISS, Father-son relations, FBI, Flirting, Love Story, Medical Theme, Motorcycles, Revenge, Spy Theme, Suspense, Torture, Violent

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

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From Netflix:

CIA analyst Jack Ryan tries to thwart a terrorist plot to bring down the U.S. economy in this action-thriller helmed by Kenneth Branagh. Chris Pine plays the title character alongside an all-star cast that includes Kevin Costner and Keira Knightley.

Although films consisting of spies + CIA + terrorists + international plots + action heroes + car chases + FBI + “you name it” may seem to be all more or less the same, still some writers manage to make a particular film exciting and somehow a little different. Undoubtedly the star cast which includes Chris Pine, Keira Knightley, Kevin Costner, and Kenneth Branagh helps make this film worth seeing.

Romance between Chris Pine (as Jack Ryan) and Keira Knightley (as Doctor Cathy Muller) is clever and well done.

Needless to say, if our side of the effort does not win, then our world will end in some horrible disaster and major financial depression.

And of course Jack Ryan is a super hero endowed with amazing physical powers of survival. After all, do YOU have a doctorate in complex finance? Can YOU run and catch a moving delivery van? Are you able to physically fight commando style? Are YOU a computer wiz? If not, what is the matter with YOU?

In my case all I can do is watch the fun. All it takes is a really evil bad guy and I am hooked into the plot till the end. Kenneth Branagh excels at being that really nasty villain. He does it with such a straight face. Are Russians really that mean?

Despite the fact that there are an awful lot of clever CIA-like devices and surprises that get our hero out of many jams, if you like this action genre, then DO NOT MISS!

Action Film, Adventure, Catholic culture, Coarse manners, Conspiracy, DO NOT MISS, Docudrama, Father-son relations, Greed, Human spirit, Marital Infidelity, Netflix Streaming, Nudity, Occasional gore, Psychological Drama, Rape, Religious Theme, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Slavery, Suspense, Torture, Vikings, Violent, Wonderful acting

Vikings (2013)

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2014-2015 REVISION:

November 2015: Netflix offers season 3 but only on DVD, no streaming.

The release date for season 4 is not yet settled. Season 3 was at least as good as the previous two seasons with some very clever surprises at the very end of season 3 which makes the audience ever more eager to see season 4.

For more information about the Viking raid on Paris in 845 see the Wikipedia article. On that occasion the French king was Charles the Bald, one of Charlemagne’s grandsons. By the Treaty of Verdun in 843, Charles became king of what was for the most part modern day France.

Now from Amazon Prime you can stream both season 1 and season 2. Season 2 is at least as good as Season 1. Wonderful but violent!

FORMER REVIEW:

Netflix offers Season 1 on DVD. However, I streamed from Amazon for free because we bought Amazon Prime. Jan 2015 – Now you can stream Season 2 from Amazon. Somehow the story just gets better and better. DO NOT MISS all the VIOLENCE!

From Netflix:

Set in medieval Scandinavia, this gritty drama charts the adventures of renowned Viking hero Ragnar Lothbrok as he extends the Norse reach by challenging the rule of an unfit leader who lacks vision.

Merely appreciating the finesse and details that went into making this remarkable TV series just gives me chills.

His ambiguous smile is mostly that of the fox waiting for its opportunity. Eventually you come to accept and even identify that constant smile with the character Ragnar Lothbrok played to dazzling perfection by the Australian-born Travis Fimmel.

Gabriel Byrne as Earl Haraldson is the only actor I recognized. You may remember him as Dr. Paul Weston in the TV series “In Treatment”. Here he is a brooding, vicious bully.

In order to enter Valhalla a Viking must die in battle. Similar to the ancient Greek culture, violence and personal bravery are everything. Whatever riches a Viking can bury will be his in the next life. Hence the need for plunder. In other words, by its nature this film had to be very VIOLENT!

Perhaps some history will set the scene. Roughly speaking as Rome abandoned England in the 400s, she invited in German mercenaries among which were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. They liked what they saw and oppressed the original inhabitants, the Celts. After centuries their many dialects would eventually congeal into Anglo Saxon. In the 600s Christianity appeared and the Anglo Saxons converted. In the 800s the Danes, i.e. the Vikings, reached England and were trouble for the Anglo Saxons until that famous year 1066 in which no sooner had Edward Confessor defeated the Danes then the Normans conquered the Anglo Saxons.

In regard to the previous mini-history, in the scenes in which the Vikings speak to the Anglo Saxons, the Vikings speak old Norse and supposedly the “English” speak Anglo Saxon.

Also in regard to that mini-history, probably the most important theme of the series is religion. Ragnar Lothbrok, in attacking his first monastery, brings back as a slave a young Christian monk Athelstan (thoughtfully played by George Blagden). No episode goes by without some discussion, confrontation, or comparison (call it what you like) between the “pagan” religion and the Christian. Odd how violent, vicious, and untrustworthy the Christians are. There are aspects of the Viking religion that may disturb your sleep.

Fighting is really a small part of the story. Interpersonal relations and conflicts are equally important. There is true character development.

And of course you cannot help to notice how these Viking men wore their hair. Let’s hope the costume department got it historically accurate. Needless to say there are many tattoos.

If you can stand the violence, DO NOT MISS !

Alzheimer's disease, Comedy, Could Be Sad, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Dysfunctional Lives, Father-son relations, Greed, Human spirit, Possibly depressing, Quiet, Sad small town, Senior citizens, Sensitive treatement of emotions, Wonderful acting

Nebraska (2013)

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From Netflix:

When a cantankerous old boozer thinks he’s won a magazine sweepstakes prize, his son reluctantly takes a road trip with him to claim the fortune. As they drive from Montana to Nebraska, they visit friends and relatives to whom the dad owes money.

Ignore the misleading Netflix blurb. In summary, this is a wonderful film – HOWEVER …

When the movie began I did a lot of squirming, as in:

  • Who wants to watch a concentration of losers all in one desolate spot?
  • In fact who wants to visit such desolation? (Somehow the towns reminded us of Herkimer in upper state New York where Kathy grew up.)
  • Why would the sons of such a hateful father turn out to be such kind men?
  • How could that old boozer have lived with such a bitch all those years?
  • Who wants to watch incipient Alzheimer’s disease?
  • Who wants to watch greedy cretins?

Even if your initial response is a complete turn-off, please stick with the film. For one thing, the acting is so superb that it can be depressing. Will that be us in a few years? If so, let me off the planet right now!

Eventually I was cheering for “the bitch” of a mother. Dave (played to affectionate perfection by 44 year old Will Forte) was almost too good to be true. His final gestures toward his failing father are almost tear-jerkers. Bruce Dern turns in a solid performance at the tender age of 78.

Sometimes you have to get past momentary discomfort to earn a really good watching experience. DO NOT MISS!

2012, Addiction, Amusing banter, Bicycles, Could Be Sad, Drama, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Ethical struggles, Explicit sexual discussion, Father-son relations, Flirting, Human spirit, Marital Infidelity, Masturbation, Medical Theme, Mostly About Sex, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Optimistic, Psychological Drama, Sex Scenes, Thought provoking, Violent

Thanks for Sharing (2012)

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From Netflix:

While making his way through a support group for sex addicts, Adam dips his toe in the dating pool to embrace a meaningful relationship. But the woman he’s attracted to has sworn off addicts altogether.

Sex addiction is the sole topic of this serious, thought-provoking, well acted, and hopeful film. Originally AA helped just alcoholics, but the idea of mentor-mentee organized group therapy involving public acknowledgement of one’s problems has expanded to all sorts of addictions. Plot line centers around four addicts and their associates. Expect very little comic relief from the problems of the various characters:

  • Mark Ruffalo (Adam) compulsively engages in all manner of sex acts. After a successful period of recovery he meets…
  • Gywneth Paltrow (Phoebe) who is both seductive and has her own set of eating and exercise compulsions.
  • Tim Robbins (Mike) is Adam’s mentor. In addition to his own personal demons, Mike was not a good father to …
  • his now drug-addicted son Patrick Fugit (Danny).
  • Josh Gad (Neil) is a young mother-smothered MD who loses his hospital job due to his compulsion to touch women in public. He helps and is helped by fellow sex addict …
  • Alecia “Pink” Moore (Dede) who needs sex following any emotional stress.

Each character during the course of the film suffers some setback (“falling off the wagon”) followed by a recovery. Hope and mutual support rather than a feeling of despair makes this film somewhat inspiring. Nobody is perfect. Good flick!

Based on true facts, Black History, Drama, Ethical struggles, Father-son relations, Human spirit, Optimistic, Political statement, Race Relations, Slavery, Thought provoking, True Story, Vietnam, Violent, War

Lee Daniel’s The Butler (2013)

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From Netflix;

Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker delivers a powerful performance as Cecil Gaines, who served as the White House butler under eight presidents. His three decades of service unfold against a backdrop of unparalleled change in American history.

By combining the history of the civil rights movement with the life of a particular family, that of the butler Cecil Gaines, you can feel the impact of the events much more personally.

All the black actors, including Oprah Winfrey, do a fine job, while the white presidents were merely acceptable. Special mention to Jim Gleason in his small role as R.D. Warner with his pitch-perfect portrayal of a nasty, arrogant, dismissive and probably racist White House staff manager. Similarly the murderous white Southern plantation son was equally hate inspiring.

More need not be said about a historical drama that really nails it! DO NOT MISS!

2006, Acceptable Science, Amusing banter, Book Review, Crime thriller, DNA, Drugs, Father-son relations, FBI, Forensic Anthropologist, Gritty, Jefferson Bass, Murder Investigation, Police Corruption, Violent

Carved In Bone (2006) [Book Review]

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From Wikipedia:

Jon Jefferson (born 13 November 1955) is a contemporary American author and television documentary maker. Jefferson has written eight novels in the Body Farm series under the pen name Jefferson Bass, in consultation with renowned forensic anthropologist Dr. Bill Bass, as well as two non-fiction books about Dr. Bass’s life and forensic cases.

Dr. Bill Brockton, the leading character and forensic anthropologist, is called from his office at the University of Tennessee where he teaches by a sheriff who has found a mummy-like body stored in a cave.

My neighbor Linda Oates gave me a list of books she enjoyed. Linda is a nurse which, according to her, helps explain why she found this somewhat technical crime novel intriguing. You can skip all the medical details and still enjoy the story which offers all sorts of variety:

  • Bill Brockton has retreated within himself grieving over the death of his wife two years ago.
  • Cooke County deep in mountainous Tennessee is the scene of the crime.
  • In this untamed region we get to visit cock fights, dodge bullets, and be threatened by helicopters.
  • Lots of action keeps the story moving.
  • Much of the back and forth banter is funny.
  • At one point Brockton and his friend Art must escape from a cave which has been purposely collapsed at both ends.

Rate this book a non-demanding light entertainment.

2013, Acceptable for children, Alzheimer's disease, B-movie, Could Be Sad, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Father-son relations, Feel Good For All, Mediocre, Melodrama, Optimistic, Plot Twist, Quiet

Straight A’s (2013)

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From Netflix:

Seeking redemption, family outcast Scott returns to his hometown, only to throw everyone’s lives into disarray. It’s particularly troubling for his sister-in-law, who was once his high school sweetheart.

Give this “Straight A’s” a rating of a Straight B.

However, it is (except possibly for many uses of the F-Word) a feel-good film suitable for children. Since it was a 2013 film made immediately available for Netflix streaming, you might suspect this film is not Oscar material.

Sorry, but for me Anna Paquin will always be Sookie Stackhouse from that TV vampire-fest “True Blood”. Ryan Phillipe played Louis Roulet in “The Lincoln Lawyer“.

There is nothing really wrong with this predictable melodrama except for its mediocrity. In fact, if you are watching while doing something else constructive, this is not a bad diversion.

2013, Action Film, Father-son relations, Good digital effects, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Wonderful photography

After Earth (2013)

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From NetFlix:

A thousand years in the future, Gen. Cypher Raige and his young son, Kitai, crash-land their crippled ship on the long-abandoned, desolate Earth. With his father near death, Kitai sets out to find a beacon that will save them from certain doom.

If nothing else, the visual effects and scenery are worth watching. Although Avatar was more fantastic (in the literal sense), still this film reminds me of Avatar. Digital artistry just gets better and better. Hopefully, the other aspects of a film will keep pace: story, acting, and something in the plot that connects to the human experience.

Up to now Will Smith has had mostly comedy roles and never seemed destined for anything deeper. Here he is a much more serious actor, although it is still science fiction, after all. If anything the story revolves completely around his relation as a Ranger General with his son who aspires to also be a Ranger.

Imaginative and realistic suspense is ever present as the son fights the savage nature of a now-primitive Earth in order to save both his life and that of his injured father.

If you liked “Avatar” or if you are a sci-fi fan, then this well constructed film is for you. (Could be scary for young children).