Category Archives: Amazon Prime

2015, Acceptable for teenagers, Amazon Prime, B-movie, Chick Flick, Comic Moments, Crude Talk, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story, Nothing special, Romance, Romantic comedy, Sex Scenes, Somewhat trashy, Talking Heads, Witty dialog, Young Adults

Playing It Cool (2015)

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From Amazon Prime:

The story of a young man (Chris Evans) who meets and instantly falls in love with a young woman. But there’s a problem…she’s engaged. Will staying in the friend-zone pay off, or is he stuck there forever? Either way, he’ll have to play it cool.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 1 hour 34 minute film starring Chris Evans, Michelle Monaghan, Topher Grace.

In the mood for a bit of a fun, fluffy, romcom (for the older reader, “romcom” means romantic comedy)?   Some large portion of the film is devoted to talking heads. But the clever give and take of the conversations brought a smile to my face.  And yes, there are many not so subtle sexual references, which seems to be the norm these days.

Nothing special, but easy, relaxed viewing.

2001, Amazon Prime, Art Marketing, Based on true facts, British, Cancer theme, Drama, Flashbacks, Friendship, Narcissist, Nudity, Plot Twist, Suicide

Morlang (2001)

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From Amazon Prime:

A chilling, psychological drama about jealousy, betrayal and revenge.  A married couple copes with an affair, but once betrayed, can you trust the one you love? Official Selection – Tribeca and Rotterdam International Film Festivals.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 1 hour 35 minute feature film.

Julius Morlang,  a photographic artist, is played by Paul Freeman about whom the following is written in IMDB:

Probably one of Britain’s most underrated actors, Paul Freeman has accumulated literally hundreds of screen credits over several decades, most notably as the main villain in the Steven Spielberg classic Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), and he has worked extensively in the theatre, but he has managed to avoid becoming a star or even a household name.

As a technique for telling the story,  the film sequencing  does the following;  Show a short scene. Let the story develop more. Return to that short scene but this time show the rest of what REALLY happened.  In an extreme way, the script really jumps back and forth in time.

From the beginning it would appear that Julius Morlang is just an emotionally repressed man who remains silent while refusing to communicate or even acknowledge his and his wife’s concerns.  But if you can stick with the film to the end you are In for a big surprise.  Perhaps I am slow, but I just did not see the truth until the end.  Do not stop watching until you see screen credits because there is another surprise waiting in addition to what you think is the big revelation.  To avoid a spoiler I purposely omitted some appropriate categories for the film.

Possibly slow, but well worth watching.

2018, Amazon Prime, Basically Sad, Bullying, Child abuse, Child Molestation, Conspiracy, Corruption, Crime, Drama, Dysfunctional Lives, Father-daughter relations, Mother-son relations, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Pedophilia, Physical child abuse, Police Corruption, Police cover-up, Psychological Drama, Sensitive treatement of emotions, Suspense, Violent, Wonderful acting

A Dark Place (2018)

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From IMDB:

When a young boy goes missing in a sleepy backwoods town, a local sanitation truck driver, Donald, plays detective, embarking on a precarious and obsessive investigation.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 1 hour 29 minute feature film.

Hats off to the incredibly talented and adaptable Irish actor Andrew Scott.  You can watch him in Fleabag and Handsome Devil. In “Fleabag” (Amazon Prime) he plays a Catholic priest. In “Handsome Devil” he plays a somewhat closeted gay private school teacher. In “A Dark Place” he plays to perfection a personality-disabled obsessive compulsive garbage man.

If I had to make an amateur guess, I would says the character suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome. His withdrawn and hesitant demeanor reflects the small town’s low opinion and dismissal of him.  But he is NOT stupid. In fact his determined obsessiveness coupled with his native intelligence drive him to expose an atrocious  crime which was covered over by corrupt forces in the town.  What I marvel most about this film is Scott’s ability to channel a lonely disliked oddball to such an extent that I ended up commiserating with and rooting for the character.  Facial expressions and physical movement are part of Scott’s acting toolbox.

Speaking of facial expressions, don’t miss the last grimace of the sheriff.

Corrupt bullies versus a disadvantaged good guy is a scenario that always holds my attention.

DO NOT MISS!

 

2001, Acceptable for teenagers, Amazon Prime, Forensics, Happy Family Gatherings, Hunting, Mormon theme, Murder, Murder Investigation, Religious Theme, Serial Killer, Small Town Atmosphere, Suspense, Thought provoking, Unusual

Brigham City (2001)

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From Amazon Prime:

Sheriff Wes Clayton is also a Mormon bishop in a picturesque little burg called Brigham City whose residents are stalked by an unknown serial killer. This mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat until the shocking final twist.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 2 hour complete film.

When Wes discovers the first dead and mutilated body in Brigham City, his immediate reaction is to call the FBI and suppress any news of the murder in his perfect, quiet, respectful, Mormon village. Folks in Brigham City do not even lock their doors at night and Wes aims to keep it that way. Gradually the idyllic village atmosphere changes to one of mutual suspicion as the bodies pile up.

Is this film a piece of Mormon evangelizing?  Certainly the clean-cut lives of the families is appealing. More than one Mormon religious service is acted out.  But there is a genuine point to the story: for Wes this wrenching experience is a test of faith and indeed Wes is sorely tested.  Perhaps we non-Mormons are represented by the woman FBI agent who sees something appealing in the Mormon way of life and who seems to be searching for meaning.

Investigation details are well done.  Never mind the slick TV detective stories. Imagine staying awake for 48 hours dusting over 400 beer bottles for fingerprints that might lead to the killer.

Along the way there are scenes in which you are lead to think “Aha, so that’s who the killer is.” But you would be wrong. Possibly you can guess the real killer before the surprising final solution.

Don’t expect a Hollywood production.  Perhaps a few scenes may seem maudlin. But for some reason I found the slow pace, personal details, and village life appealing. Personally I enjoyed the film.

2016, Acceptable for teenagers, Amazon Prime, Drama, Ethical struggles, Gay theme, Jealousy, Love Story, Marital Infidelity, Nostalgia, Nudity, Panic Attacks, Personal Betrayal, Sex Scenes, Talking Heads

Lazy Eye (2016)

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From IMBD:

When Dean, a graphic designer in Los Angeles, notices a sudden change in his vision, an ex-love from 15 years earlier contacts him unexpectedly in hopes of rekindling their relationship. When the two meet at a vacation house in the desert near Joshua Tree, secrets are revealed and passions rekindled that threaten to upend both of their lives. Forty-eight hours later, neither will ever be the same.

From Amazon Prime:

Passions reignite & hidden secrets revealed when a graphic designer in Los Angeles reconnects with an ex-lover he hasn’t seen or heard from in 15 years. Over the course of a weekend at a vacation house in the desert, they must determine whether or not they have a future together. Written and directed by Emmy, Gotham, GLAAD and Independent Spirit Award Nominee Tim Kirkman.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 1 hour 27 minute complete film.

Basically the film uses the talking heads technique. Unless that talking is interesting such films can be dull. But there is something real and intense about the conversation between Dean and Alex. Between the mundane topics, now and then brutal honesty pops up.

So many films offer the same tired cliché: A meets B, they fall in love and have sex, difficulties arise and are solved, happy ending. This film is different but I offer no spoilers.  But the film is a testament to courageous choices.

Not bad.

2007, Acceptable for teenagers, Alcoholism, Amazon Prime, Basically Sad, British, Controlling personality, Drama, Revenge, Wonderful acting

Capturing Mary (2007)

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From IMDB:

A young man ushers an older woman into a dark exploration of her past – back to the time when, as a young girl, she met a stranger who affected her life forever.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 1 hour 45 minute complete film.

“Joe’s Palace” was reviewed immediately before “Capturing Mary” which is somewhat of a sequel to “Joe’s Palace”. That is to say, the story takes place in the same well-kept but empty London town house with the same door keeper  Joe again played by Danny Lee Wynter. But this time who should come to the door but an elderly Maggie Smith playing Mary Gilbert.  In this film from 2007 Maggie Smith was 75 years old. She makes no attempt at remedial makeup because she portrays a sad, regretful, possibly alcoholic woman whose life was ruined by a controlling and vindictive man Greville White played by David Walliams. If you go to IMDB and look at Mr. Walliams’ resumé you will discover that the list is impressive.

Once again Ruth Wilson shines in her part as young Mary Gilbert. Be sure to read about her performance in “Dark River“.  In the title, it seems to me that the word “capturing” should have been “rescuing” because the emphasis in the plot is  the help that the young compassionate doorman Joe gives to Mary.

Although the plot in “Joe’s Palace” was more captivating, the appeal of “Capturing Mary” is attention to detail and fine acting.  In some ways much of the film involves talking heads. Indeed this film is in no way an action film. Neither was “Joe’s Palace” an action film but there were scenes you might never forget.

So I won’t call this film a “DO NOT MISS”. However I will be sorry if you miss this fine film.

2009, Adultery, Amazon Prime, Anti-Semitism, Art Treasures, Attempted Suicide, British, Could Be Sad, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Ethical struggles, Explicit sex, Extramarital Affair, Father-son relations, Marital Infidelity, Nazis, Nudity, Womanizing

Joe’s Palace (2009)

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From Amazon Prime:

An empty London mansion casts a spell over an innocent young boy in this thought-provoking psychological drama.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 1 hour 54 minute complete film. Incidentally, I found this film because Amazon suggests films that match films you have already watched, such as  “Dark River” which I discussed in my last review.

For most of this film I felt like a spectator in a “happening” of no particular importance.  Make no mistake, I found the details and characters fascinating. But always the question presented itself: But where is this all going?  Be prepared for a stunning and infuriating conclusion, as in “WOW!”

Venerable and famous British actor Michael Gambon plays perfectly a wealthy, brooding, lonely Elliot Graham. He hires young Joe Dix (played by Danny Lee Wynter) to be the doorman at one of Elliot’s perfectly maintained but uninhabited London residences. To my mind, the character Joe Dix is central to the story and steals the show. He presents a taciturn, uneducated, but principled young man whose mother found him this position. He speaks with a clipped lower class accent.

As a side character Rupert Penry-Jones plays the married womanizer Richard Reece having one of his many affairs with the also married Charlotte played by the beautiful Kelly Reilly.  As a side benefit to their subplot you can watch two “beautiful people” having quite a bit of sex.

DO NOT MISS!

 

 

 

2018, Amazon Prime, Basically Sad, British, Brother-Sister relations, Child abuse, Child Molestation, Dark, Dog episode, Emotional child abuse, Farm Life, Incest, Sheep Farmers, Tragedy, Violent

Dark River (2018)

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From Amazon Prime:

Following the death of her father, Alice (Ruth Wilson, “The Affair”) returns to her home village for the first time in 15 years to claim from her estranged brother (Mark Stanley, “Game of Thrones”) the family farm she believes is rightfully hers. From acclaimed filmmaker Clio Barnard, one of the premier new voices in British cinema, “Dark River” is a taut and powerful psychological drama.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 1 hour 29 minute complete film.

In the TV series Luther the British actress Ruth Wilson played the diabolically clever villain Alice Morgan.  However, in “Dark River” as the daughter Alice Bell she takes on a diametrically opposite character which lets her show another side of her considerable acting ability.

Just as credible acting job is performed by Mark Stanley as Alice’s brother Joe Bell.  Joe and Alice are in conflict for the entire story.

However the most important and motivating theme is the reason why Alice fled the farm years ago. You learn early in the film that her father Richard Bell (played by Sean Bean of “Game of Thrones”) serially sexually molested her. Upon her return to the farm she can hardly bring herself to step into the house, let alone go upstairs where the abuse occurred.

Make no mistake, this story is a tragedy which means that you should not expect a happy ending.

But it is a really well done film.

2015, Amazon Prime, Basically Sad, Complicated, Dark, Divorce, Emotional child abuse, Failing Marriage, Mental Illness, Mother-son relations, Narcissistic Personality, Psychiatrists, Psychological Drama, Tragedy, Unloved Child, Wonderful acting

Elephant Song (2015)

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From Amazon Prime:

When a psychiatrist goes mysteriously missing from a hospital that has recently been plagued by scandal, Dr. Toby Green (Bruce Greenwood) is called in to investigate before the news goes public.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 1 hour 39 minute film.

Bruce Greenwood  (who played Batman in Batman: Gotham by Gaslight) plays the psychiatrist who is unwittingly drawn deep into the disturbed life of the young man Michael Aleen.  Catherine Keener plays the nurse Susan Peterson.

Think of this film as a complicated mystery story. What is really going on? Michael plays so many mind games with Dr. Greene that we often take wrong turns in the puzzle.

Superb acting, clever plot, and surprise turns make this one very worthwhile adventure.  Even now I hope I understood the story.

DO NOT MISS!

2019, Amazon Prime, Bloody scenes, Could Be Hard To Watch, Disturbing Image, Dog episode, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, Father-daughter relations, Government human experiment, Grim, Jealousy, Masturbation, Murder, Nudity, Rape, Revenge, Sci-Fi, Strange Ending, Violent

High Life (2019)

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From Amazon Prime:

Monte (Robert Pattinson) and his baby daughter, last survivors on a spaceship, hurtle to the oblivion of a black hole.

From Amazon Prime you can stream this 1 hour 53 minutes sci-fi film.

There is grim, and then there is REALLY grim.  Such a well-done film and such a downer! Certainly this film will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Because it was so well made that even as I was tempted to stop watching, I stayed till the end. Their country has sent a crew of death row inmates on a space journey to a black hole as a scientific experiment. One goal is to see if under controlled circumstances a fanatically determined woman doctor (the renowned Juliette Binoche) can use these male and female resources to produce another human being.  Again I repeat – this is one grim film. Even the sex scenes are grim.

Flashbacks are an integral feature of the plot. At the beginning we learn that indeed a beautiful healthy female child Willow was produced. Then we flash back to see how that all developed.

Throughout the story Willow’s father, Monte played admirably by Robert Pattinson, is a constant sane presence. Suspend disbelief because somehow Willow grows to an intelligent, emotionally mature teenager at the end of the film.

Expect an unusual ending. And if, for the third and final warning, you do not like grim, then stop, go no further, and proceed directly to another film.