Category Archives: FilmReview

2002, Could Be Sad, Feel Good Not For Children

In America (2002)

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From NetFlix:

Academy Award-winning director Jim Sheridan brings authenticity and grit to this heartwarming drama about an Irish family starting life anew in early-1980s America. With their two daughters in tow, Johnny (Paddy Considine) and Sarah (Samantha Morton) leave Ireland and head to New York so Johnny can pursue an acting career. What follows is a series of adventures, both comical and terrifying, as they struggle to make the most of their new life.

Usually I am fairly hard-hearted about sentimental films (“been there, seen that”), but this film, I have to admit, got a few weeps out of yours truly. The interplay of the family characters was almost inspiring to see. How those parents loved those kids! What NetFlix fails to tell you is that the theme of the entire movie is that before coming to America (illegally), they had lost a young boy Frankie of 3 years. This is a story of loss and deferred mourning. The African artist Mateo is played by Djimon Hounsou who played the lead African “slave” in “Amistad”. I could have watched the two little daughters forever. Despite certain details too good to be true at the end, the ending really got to me.

I hate to say “not for children” but there was one wonderful (and tastefully played) sex scene. Also at one point Mateo puts his blood on a canvas.

I try not to rave (especially since our mood at the time determines how we receive a film), but don’t miss this one!

2005, Musical, Unusual, Vulgar

Romance & Cigarettes (2005)

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From NetFlix:

From the Coen brothers and John Turturro comes this twist on the not-so-ordinary tale of adultery and salvation. Nick (James Gandolfini) engages in a torrid extramarital affair with a younger woman, Tula (Kate Winslet), while his wife, Kitty (Susan Sarandon), grows ever more enraged by his behavior. As her world crumbles around her, Kitty grapples with her husband’s infidelity, but will Nick ever realize the magnitude of what he’s done?

This is one wierd film as follows:

o It is a musical. Yes, you get to hear James Gandolfini and Susan Sarandon sing.
o You get to see firemen etc dance in the street.
o It is exclusively about sex.
o It is one of the most vulgar movies I have ever seen.
o It has a happy-sad serious ending despite all the preceding nonsense.

You have to really like strange and different films to tolerate this kooky film.

1981, Classic, Not Feel Good, TV Series

Brideshead Revisited (1981)

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From NetFlix:

This legendary TV miniseries, based on Evelyn Waugh’s classic novel of
romantic yearning and loss, is compiled in a special, digitally remastered
collection. Set between the wars in the glittering yet fading world of the
British aristocracy, the series stars the astonishing trio of Jeremy Irons,
Anthony Andrews and Diana Quick and features stunning performances by Sir
John Gielgud, Claire Bloom and Sir Laurence Olivier.

In this blog there are two versions of “Brideshead Revisited”, a two-hour film from 2008 and this 4-CD TV miniseries from 1981. The TV series is the gold standard. When it first came out, it was aired each Sunday evening. The next day at the work lunch table, we could not wait to discuss it. I am ashamed to admit that I have not yet read Evelyn Waugh’s book. Both film versions are excellent and if you are really taken with this classic then why not see both ?

Kathy and I decided to re-watch the TV miniseries version in Feb 2009. We both agreed that the two-hour movie, while well-done, pales in comparison with the TV miniseries. Anthony Andrews as Sebastion is just too perfect. Of course, the pace in the TV series is leisurely. But the details are well worth the time spent. This version remains a treasure.

2008, Not Feel Good

Brideshead Revisited (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Matthew Goode, alongside Michael Gambon and Oscar winner Emma Thompson,
stars as Capt. Charles Ryder, an officer stationed at England’s Brideshead
Castle during World War II, in this big-screen adaptation of the classic
novel by Evelyn Waugh. The suspenseful drama builds as Captain Ryder
becomes infatuated with the castle’s owners, the aristocratic Marchmain
family — particularly their grown son, Sebastian Flyte, and his elegant
sister, Julia.

This film version of “Brideshead Revisited” is excellent. However, the gold standard for “Brideshead” is the 4-CD version of the 1981 British TV miniseries. Matthew Goode rings true as Charles Rider. I finally got used to Emma Thompson as Lady Marchmain. But Ben Whishaw as Sebastian Flyte is just too diminutive compared to Anthony Andrews in the TV series. Of course it takes less time to watch 2 hours than to dedicate yourself to 4 CDs. I guess you get what you pay for.

1996, Musical, Not Feel Good, Revenge, Unusual, Violent

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

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From NetFlix:

The Montagues and Capulets have moved to the sweltering suburb of
Verona Beach in this contemporary take on William Shakespeare’s
classic play. Though the film is visually modern, the bard’s dialogue
is intact as the feuding families’ children fall desperately in love.
The families nix the union, so Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet
(Claire Danes) wed secretly. But just as it seems there’s hope of
uniting the warring clans, events turn tragic.

You would have no clue from the NetFlix description that this is a musical as well as a contemporary setting of “Romeo and Juliet”. Note the plus sign in the title. Yes, believe it or not, Leonard DiCaprio sings, which just adds to his list of accomplishments. John Leguizamo plays a great villain. And yes the film is faithful to Shakespeare, using the original text. But be warned: this is an unusual film that will NOT be to everyone’s liking.

2003, Could Be Hard To Watch, Detective, Revenge, Violent

Mystic River (2003)

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From NetFlix:

Three childhood friends, Sean (Kevin Bacon), Dave (Tim Robbins)
and Jimmy (Sean Penn) are reunited in Boston 25 years later when
they are linked together in the murder investigation of Jimmy’s
daughter. This taut thriller from director Clint Eastwood won
two acting Oscars (for Robbins and Penn) and was nominated for
several more in its exploration of human behavior when faced
with pain just beneath the surface, justified rage and scars
that never heal.

Set and filmed in Boston, this recreation of Dennis Lehane’s novel (which is a really good read) met with great success. It is a dark plot complete with child abuse, murder, and revenge. Sean Penn becomes the character completely. I think it was this film that first made me appreciate Marcia Gay Harden. Do not expect this “don’t miss it” film to end happily.

1000NYTimes, 1001BeforeDie, 1948, Could Be Sad, Italian, Not Feel Good

The Bicycle Thief (1948)

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From NetFlix:

Widely considered a landmark Italian film, Vittorio De Sica’s tale of Rome’s post-World War II depression earned a special Oscar for its devastating power. Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) relies on his bicycle to do his job. But the same day he gets the vehicle back from the pawnshop, someone steals it. Antonio and his young son, Bruno (Enzo Staiola), search the city in vain, as Antonio confronts a looming desperation.

You have to REALLY want to see this film in order to appreciate it because it is basically a very simple, somewhat old-fashioned, and at time weepy movie that would never pass muster in today’s world. I watched (and loved) the film only because I had never seen it and knew it was historical. It also helps that Italian is one of my hobbies.

Right now the U.S. is experiencing higher than usual unemployment. Imagine, then, post WWII Italy in which having a job was a rare privilege. Then you can understand the protagonist’s desperation. The end is heart-wrenching.

2006, Not Feel Good, Revenge

The Prestige (2006)

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From NetFlix:

At the dawn of the 20th century, rival magicians Robert Angier
(Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) are desperate
to reveal each other’s secrets. Obsessed by the escalating
competition, the two illusionists begin to perform increasingly
risky tricks — which soon turn deadly. Michael Caine, Scarlett
Johansson and David Bowie also star in this taut psychological
thriller from director Christopher Nolan.

Pay close attention while watching this film. I guessed half the
surprises at the end and had to suspend belief for the other
surprise.

This film is not only about magic, but also about revenge. Of the
two dueling magicians, in my humble opinion, Hugh Jackman is
a better actor than Christian Bale.

David Bowie plays Nikola Tesla. You should look up Tesla in
Wikipedia. He invented alternating current and was recognized
by congress as the inventor of radio. He died poor because he
paid no attention to money. He was ostracized because of his
bizarre personality. I do not know if Thomas Edison really
hired thugs to harass his competitors. Thomas Edison championed
direct current and invented the electric chair to prove how more
humane DC was over AC.

Is Scarlett Johansson really a good actress ?

Please also see “The Illusionist” which has a completely different
intent.

2007, Chick Flick, Feel Good Not For Children

And Then She Found Me (2007)

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From NetFlix:

Helen Hunt, Colin Firth, Bette Midler and Matthew Broderick star
in this comedic tale about a schoolteacher in the thick of a midlife
crisis involving a messy divorce, the death of her adoptive mother
and a reunion with her eccentric birth mother. As if that weren’t
enough to juggle, things grow even more complicated when she begins
dating a man who turns out to be the father of one of her students.

Bette Midler makes any movie a “feel-good” for me. This chick flick
melodrama borders sometimes on a B, or maybe I’m being too
harsh. The story line has lots of twists and never drags. There is
just too much language and sex for children to watch this film.
Helen Hunt is older and fits the part perfectly. And Bette Midler
plays Bette Midler which just puts a smile on my face. There is
a serious, religious, Jewish tone to the movie. It is not just a
comedy.

For what it’s worth, I really enjoyed the film.

2007, Suspense, Violent

Pride and Glory (2007)

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From NetFlix:

A corruption scandal fractures a family of New York City cops
in this generational drama about homicide detective Ray Tierney
(Edward Norton), who’s tasked with investigating a precinct run
by his brother (Noah Emmerich). As if that weren’t enough, Ray’s
fellow officer and best friend (Colin Farrell) may turn out to
be dirty. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, the film features a
high-octane supporting cast that includes Jon Voight and Jennifer
Ehle.

At first this film seemed ho-hum, another corrupt cop story. But stay
with it! The ensemble work and acting are powerful. Colin Farrell has
often played a crook or murderer with a conscience, but this time he
is corrupt with no turning back. Hereafter I will remember the name
Noah Emmerich (Yale, NYU Film School, Law and Order, etc). Since I
first saw Jon Voight in “Midnight Cowboy” he has changed a bit. How
time flies.

The film is very VIOLENT, no children allowed.

Wow!