Category Archives: FilmReview

2011, Corny, Drugs, Mayhem, Occasional gore, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Trains, Violent

Super 8 (2011)

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From NetFlix:

With a nod toward producer Steven Spielberg’s landmark sci-fi films of the 1970s and ’80s, writer-director J.J. Abrams crafts a supernatural tale about six kids who witness something incredible while shooting a movie with their Super 8 camera.

After watching for awhile, I was sure this was a Steven Spielberg film because it had all the hallmarks: simplistic, bit maudlin, and a final shot of a space ship leaving earth. In fact it was produced by Steven Spielberg.

Intertwined with the alien thread are family problems in two tragically related families whose kids become friends as the film develops. Abrams gets the funny middle school dialogs and quips just right (like raving about the food at a wake).

Oddly enough the villain in the film is the actor Noah Emmerich who played Dr. Edwin Jenner in the “Walking Dead” TV series which was recently reviewed.

Warning: the film could frighten a small child. There is much mayhem, destruction, and the scary alien eats people.

This kids’ yarn might just hold your attention.

2010, Based on true facts, Disturbing Image, French, Jewish Culture, Political statement, Violent, War, WWII

Sarah’s Key (2010)

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From NetFlix:

In the midst of researching an article about the roundup of Jews that took place in Paris in 1942, American-born journalist Julia Jarmond (Kristin Scott Thomas) uncovers a sobering connection between her story and the home she shares with her boorish French husband (Frederic Pierrot). Gilles Paquet-Brenner directs this gripping drama based on a bestselling novel of the same name that was inspired by actual events.

Although the story and the underlying sad history are important (and actually horrifying), the acting in this film was mediocre and sometimes embarrassing. Kristin Scott Thomas’ delivery seemed awfully flat. Aiden Quinn’s acting was just plan bad. Perhaps some of the fault lies in the almost preachy script.

My Jewish brother-in-law hated the French. To understand his attitude, see this film. Some of the scenes of the French treatment of the Jews might make you cringe. Of course, there is always the question “What would I have done under those same frightening circumstances ?”

As a side note, once again I spotted one of those omnipresent secondary actors whose name you don’t know and whose roles you just can’t seem to place. In this case the Italian second Mrs. Rainsferd was Joanna Merlin who plays Judge Lena Petrovsky in “Law and Order: SVU” as well as Loni Goslin in “The Good Wife”.

Dialog is in French and English.

Despite a few uncomfortable or disappointing moments, I am glad I saw the film.

2010, Acceptable Trash, Bullying, Dark, Disturbing Image, Drama, Grim, Horror, Made For TV, Occasional gore, Sex Scenes, Suspense, Zombies

The Walking Dead (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes awakens from a coma to discover the world plagued by zombies and small bands of human survivors forced into small, fiercely protective groups. Falling back on his old job, Rick sets out to lead mankind out of darkness.

While giving blood samples (coincidence ?) at my yearly physical I got to talking with the medical assistant about TV series. We both liked “True Blood” and “Six Feet Under” and “Dexter” which prompted her to suggest “The Walking Dead”. Zombies? You have to be kidding!

Believe it or not, despite the proliferation of zombies, the writing and acting and plot line are all well done. Expect a lot of suspense and, of course, gore. But it is the human interaction that makes the series worth watching. Who’d a thunk it!

2011, Acceptable for children, Could be boring, Fantasy, Flirting, Graphic Novel, Mayhem, Mediocre, Military, Mixed Martial Arts, Motorcycles, Not Recommended, Sci-Fi, Trains, Violent

Captain America (2011)

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From NetFlix:

Marvel launches another super franchise with this action-packed origin story, which follows Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as he volunteers for a secret experiment during World War II. Transformed into a superhero named Captain America, Steve goes after the Axis. With his perfect physique and heightened reflexes — and his sidekick, Bucky (Sebastian Stan) — Steve battles the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), a super soldier created by Italian fascists.

Because of the “quality” of this film I have just invented a new category “Not Recommended”. But then any PG-13 rating is automatically suspect. Unless you are a 14 year old male, I can’t find any reason to watch this comic book. What was I thinking ?

Physically weak but patriotic and stupidly brave Steve enters a machine and comes out looking like a buff Chris Evans. Thereafter Steve and his trusty and invincible shield defeat every obstacle. Oddly enough he does NOT get the girl at the end of the movie. Serves him right for making such a ludicrous film!

Here we have ample demonstration that you can spend a lot a money to produce absolutely nothing of value.

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.

2005, Grim, Mayhem, Sci-Fi, Suspense, Violent

War of the Worlds (2005)

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From NetFlix:

In this loose adaptation of H.G. Wells’s novel about alien invasion, Tom Cruise stars as Ray, a divorced dockworker whose children (Dakota Fanning and Justin Chatwin) are staying with him for the weekend when a fleet of spaceships carrying tripod creatures appears in his neighborhood. Forced to become the protective father he’s never been, Ray scrambles to usher his kids to safety, as the invasion escalates around them. Steven Spielberg directs.

As far as I can tell, the only reason to watch this remake of the 1953 film version is for the visual effects. Spielberg spent $132 million dollars to make this film. If the cost of films interests you, have a look at Movie Budgets. At least the industry provides jobs.

How the film ends is a foregone conclusion because we have all probably seen the 1953 version. Personal details have been updated: neglectful father gets to redeem himself. But I found it difficult to swallow the fact that the son makes it back to seemingly unscathed Boston on his own. And why do all these alien creatures seem to look alike from film to film?

Dakota Fanning was 11 years old during the filming. How long can she continue to be a child star?

Nonetheless, I was glued to my seat and somewhat of a wreck when the film ended. Are you ready?

2000, Boxing, British, Complicated, Crime, Dog Story, Frenetic, Gangs, Mayhem, Satirical ultra-violence, Violent, Vulgar

Snatch (2000)

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From NetFlix:

An Irish gypsy gets involved in a match-fixing boxing racket, a vast diamond heist is about to go down and London’s gangster underworld is blown open in this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, twisty crime caper featuring a motley cluster of characters. Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) writes and directs; Stephen Graham, Dennis Farina, Rade Serbedzija, Jason Statham, Benicio Del Toro and Brad Pitt star.

“Snatch” is yet another example of what I call “satirical ultra-violence”. Think “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”. Or just think “Jason Statham”. Probably an early example of this type of film was “Pulp Fiction”.

However, in this case Jason Statham is not an action doll. Instead he is the sarcastic well-spoken narrator with a really stupid sidekick Tommy. In fact, despite the many sometimes difficult-to-understand British dialects, the dialog is often very polite understated English spoken in moments of complete destruction or mayhem. There are many wonderful sight gags that made me laugh out loud. And of course there is a lot of VIOLENCE, although I have trouble remembering any visible gore. The idea is to laugh at violence that seems too improbable to be possible. What have we come to ?

As usual there are many characters and many subgroups all interacting. If you don’t mind the violence, than just enjoy the nonsense and mayhem. You will love the dog!

2006, Complicated, Computer geeks, Crime, Frenetic, Suspense, Violent

Firewall (2006)

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From NetFlix:

State-of-the-art security system creator Jack Stanfield (Harrison Ford) has cemented his reputation as a man who’s thought of everything. But when a criminal (Paul Bettany) finds a way into Jack’s personal life, everything Jack holds dear is suddenly at stake. Virginia Madsen, Alan Arkin and Robert Patrick co-star in this taut thriller from acclaimed British director Richard Loncraine (Richard III, Wimbledon).

Even if you don’t follow the technical mumbo-jumbo (which may or not be accurate or possible as far as I know), the story maintains its tension up to the very last second. Critics gave it a mixed review according to the Wikipedia article, some saying Ford’s performance was formulaic and uninspired. For an old guy (he was 64 at time of filming) he sure gets into some awful fights.

However difficult it is to portray a sociopath I don’t know, but Paul Bettany was frighteningly convincing. He was the priest in the 2011 film “Priest”.

Nothing special but it held my excitement-starved attention.

2005, Drama, Love Story, Mediocre, Psychological Drama

Neverwas (2005)

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From NetFlix:

After taking a job at the mental institution that once housed his father (Nick Nolte) — a famous children’s author — erudite psychiatrist Zach Riley (Aaron Eckhart) befriends a schizophrenic (Ian McKellen) who unlocks a string of family secrets. Joshua Michael Stern makes an impressive directorial debut with an all-star supporting cast that includes Brittany Murphy, Jessica Lange, Bill Bellamy, William Hurt and Alan Cumming.

Ian McKellen usually appears in good films. Sadly, “Neverwas” is merely acceptable. Considering the impressive cast of characters I can only conclude that the story is less compelling than the characters would wish it to be.

Among the actors we find:

  • Aaron was Howie in Rabbit Hole (2010)
  • Ian McKellen is a grand old man of acting. Besides “Lord of the Rings” I remember him especially in “Gods and Monsters”.
  • Brittany Murphy was Daisy in “Girl Interrupted”
  • Nick Nolte was Joe Bechstein in The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (2008)
  • William Hurt was Richie Cusack in “A History of Violence”
  • Alan Cumming is currently in “The Good Wife” and also currently
    in the MC for BBC Masterpiece Theater.

Start-studded, but not important enough to watch if your time is limited.

2003, Clever Plot, Complicated, Dark, Disturbing Image, Mediocre, Plot Twist, Psychological Thriller, Serial Killer, Suspense, Violent

Identity (2003)

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From NetFlix:

Complete strangers stranded at a remote desert motel during a raging storm soon find themselves the target of a deranged murderer. As their numbers thin out, the travelers begin to turn on each other, as each tries to figure out who the killer is. John Cusack, Jake Busey, Rebecca De Mornay, Clea DuVall and Ray Liotta co-star in this spine-tingling thriller that culminates in a surprising twist for everyone concerned — including the murderer.

Let me begin by quoting someone else’s opinion:

Good, smart psychological thrillers are so rare that we all ought to be grateful for James Mangold’s IDENTITY. It begins terrifically well and keeps up this pace for most of its running time. It also keeps you guessing right up to the end. Some may find this part over-the-top, but it has stayed with me longer than I expected, and I keep turning it ’round and ’round in my mind. Here’s a good idea, filmed with all the necessary follow-through of intelligent writing, good acting (from a top-notch cast) and clever directing. And considering the amount of corpses that pile up in the course of events, there is relatively little gore. All in all, IDENTITY’s a class act.

Not everyone will gush so much over the film, including yours truly. That phrase “over-the-top” describes how I reacted to the end of the film. With so many known good actors the film should have been better. When the actors shout A LOT, that is a bad sign.

Let us review the actors:

  • John Cusack was in “High Fidelity” and Grace Is Gone (2007).
  • Ray Liotta was in “Powder Blue” and “Crossing Over”
  • Alfred Molina was the girl’s father in An Education (2008)
  • Pruitt Taylor Vince is the actor that fascinates me. You might remember him from the TV series “The Mentalist” in which for many episodes he was the Mentalist’s boss’s boss. He is a corpulent bald man whose eyes suffer from nystagmus, a condition which causes a person’s eyes to move involuntarily. Once you see him, you will never forget him.

Although I don’t regret spending the time watching this film, you can do better.