Category Archives: FilmReview

2009, Drama, Mafia, Suspense, Violent, Wonderful acting

Killshot (2009)

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From NetFlix:

After witnessing a violent shakedown, husband and wife Carmen and Wayne Colson (Diane Lane and Thomas Jane) enter the Federal Witness Protection program. But with an experienced hit man (Mickey Rourke) and a rookie killer (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) on their heels, hiding out will be more difficult than they thought. Rosario Dawson and Johnny Knoxville co-star in this adaptation of a novel by pulp writer Elmore Leonard.

Excellent acting and two good simultaneous story threads make this suspenseful thriller a film really worth seeing.

Thread number one involves two sociopathic killers: Mickey Rourke plays his trademark brooding menace (who is in control of himself) whereas Joseph Gordon-Levitt is superb and disgusting as a sociopath way out of control. Rourke is well-known, he was central to “The Wrestler”. Gordon-Levitt was Arthur in Inception (2010).

Thread number two centers around a 15-year marriage currently having its difficulties for several reasons (for example, they could not have children). Diane Lane (Penney Chenery in Secretariat (2010)) is unhappy and is insisting on a trial separation. Thomas Jane (of Hung (2009) infamy) loves her and wants desperately to get back together.

Nitpiks:

  • Thomas Jane is too much the superman.
  • Why on earth would the couple go into witness protection and leave their new phone number with her mother ?
  • Funny how Thomas Jane can suddenly turn up when needed !

Just grip the sides of your chair and enjoy the wonderful suspense.

2009, Acceptable Trash, Comedy, Explicit sex, Explicit sexual discussion, Melodrama, Mostly About Sex, Nudity, Sex Scenes, TV Series

Hung (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Desperate for money after his house burns down, high school basketball coach Ray Drecker (Thomas Jane) makes a drastic decision: He becomes a male escort. With his old flame Tanya (Jane Adams) marketing his “winning tool,” Ray begins servicing the women of Detroit. Meanwhile, he deals with his difficult ex-wife, Jessica (Anne Heche), and her new husband, Ronnie (Eddie Jemison), while trying to help his offbeat teenage kids with their problems.

Ignore the tired joke. This TV series is NOT pornography. In fact there is very little actual sexual activity shown. This series is more a comic soap opera in which a very diverse cast of characters interact. In some ways “Hung” is the Breaking Bad (2008) of the sex world. We are supposed to rationalize Ray Drecker’s new career choice because he has money problems just as we were supposed to justify Walter White’s crystal meth lab because he also has money problems. Just ignore this form of moral retardation and enjoy the fun (in both TV series).

Thomas Jane (Ray Drecker) was 40 when he acted in season 1. Since he was born in Baltimore he MUST be a good actor although I have not yet seen him in anything else.

Jane Adams was Sheila in Little Children (2006). Here she plays Tanya Skagle who is Ray Drecker’s “pimp”. (This is NOT as sordid as it may sound.)

Anne Heche is perfect as Ray’s annoying and neurotic ex-wife Jessica. If I were one of her children, I wouldn’t like her either.

Only one objection comes to mind: Ray and Jessica are physically attractive. So how is it possible that their twin children Damon and Darby are so physically unappealing (to say the least) ? Damon is a Goth who paints his nails black.

2010, Comedy, Cooking and food, Drugs, Feel Good Not For Children, Flirting, Love Story, Medical Theme

Life As We Know It (2010)

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From NetFlix:

Caterer Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) and network sports director Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) discover a reciprocal hatred during an ill-fated first date — but are forced to put their feelings aside when their mutual friends die and they become the guardians for orphaned Sophie. Now, Holly and Eric must learn to live with each other and juggle their promising careers while taking care of the little girl in this romantic comedy.

If you are searching for a good date movie AND you are wild about infants and children, then I have a good film for you. If anything this film shows in a realistic way just how all-consuming a task it is to raise a child, let alone to also want a career. In a way, the only contrived part of the scheme was that a dead couple’s will could stipulate guardians for the orphans without the consent of those guardians. And how realistic is it that the man and woman guardians (who supposedly dislike each other) would consent to the idea AND share the house of the deceased parents ? Who cares! It is a fun film with lots of pleasing sight gags.

Katherine Heigl, who plays the woman Holly, played opposite Gerard Butler in “The Ugly Truth”. Josh Duhamel, who plays the man Eric, so far seems to be mostly Major Lennox in the Transformers films. Josh Lucas had significant roles in The Weight of Water (2001) and Around the Bend (2004).

In some way I resent these films in which the characters, of course, live in a million dollar house deep in wooded suburbia. But then wife Kathy says people watch movies for escape. Good luck on that mortgage!

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!

2009, Drama, Fantasy, Francis Ford Coppola, Imperfect, Nudity, Plot Twist, Psychological Drama, Sex Scenes, Unusual

Tetro (2009)

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From NetFlix:

Francis Ford Coppola writes, directs and produces this captivating drama that centers on the relationship between Bennie (Alden Ehrenreich) and Tetro (Vincent Gallo), two brothers who reunite in Buenos Aires after a 10-year estrangement. Maribel Verdu, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Carmen Maura and Rodrigo de la Serna also star in this moving tale loosely inspired by Coppola’s own experiences growing up in a creative Argentine-Italian family.

Wikipedia tells us that in February 2007, director Francis Ford Coppola announced that he would produce and direct the film Tetro, based on a script that he had written while editing Youth Without Youth. There is no mention of whether the plot has anything at all to do with events in the life of the director.

While at times a bit “artsy-fartsy”, the story is compelling and includes some plot surprises. Filming is in black and white except when a character (almost always Tetro) is having a flashback or when some unusual entertainment is happening. Those colored episodes are theatrical, often strange, and involve opera or ballet acting out fantasies or flashbacks.

None of the actors were familiar to me. Alden Ehrenreich was 20 when he made the film. As a smiling, naive, virginal young man he is appealing. After the plot twist he does not seem to carry his part well. In fact for me the last part of the film somewhat fell apart.

At the very least I do not regret having seen the film.

1969, Acceptable for children, Cowboy, Gangs, Old-Fashioned, Revenge, Violent, Western

True Grit (1969)

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From NetFlix:

John Wayne landed one of his last great screen roles as crusty lawman Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn, who reluctantly helps teenager Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) pursue her father’s killer. True Grit is more a character study than many of Wayne’s formulaic Westerns. The rousing final showdown between Wayne and the villains adds to the Duke’s long list of outstanding movie moments.

After seeing the 2010 version with Jeff Bridges I wanted to compare the two versions. By and large the two stories are the same with some differences:

  • Instead of the formal, flowery, exaggerated speech patterns of 2010, the language in 1969 is more down to earth.
  • In 1969 Mattie Ross is immediately attracted to La Boeuf played by Glen Cambell. Sad to think that now Glen Cambell suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.
  • There are boarding house scenes in 1969 missing from 2010
  • The endings are very different in 2010 Mattie Ross is a dried up old maid come to claim Rooster’s body. In 1969 the film ends with Rooster and Mattie looking at the family burial site that Mattie has prepared for her family, including herself. She then invites Rooster to be buried there as well, seeing as how he has no one else. Our hero then jumps on his horse “strong enough to jump a four rail fence” and rides off after jumping a four rail fence. This was truly an “aw shucks” moment in history.

Given the energy I will try to get a copy of the book by Charles Portis to at least learn just how the characters did speak. Still, writing is not speaking and I wonder if we can ever know how Americans spoke in our early history.

1975, Car Chase, Conspiracy, Crime, Drugs, Explicit sexual discussion, Gangs, Mayhem, Nudity, Redemption, Sam Peckinpah, Suspense, Violent

Killer Elite (1975)

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From NetFlix:

One of the least well-known films from legendary director Sam Peckinpah, this action-thriller reunites Godfather co-stars James Caan and Robert Duvall. After Mike Locken (Caan) is left crippled by George Hansen (Duvall), his traitorous best friend, Locken quits the CIA. However, he returns to the shadowy spy life as the bodyguard for Chung (Mako), an Eastern diplomat targeted for assassination by Hansen and his hit squad.

Somewhat dated but, if modernized just a bit, this film would be no different from today’s hired killer stories. There are even scenes featuring Kung-Fu in one form or another.

What would probably NOT be in a film today was following in much detail James Caan’s physical rehabilitation after being purposely crippled by Robert Duvall at the very start of the film. We get to watch the removal of plaster casts, stitches, etc. All this rehabilitation serves to show Caan’s determination to get back in action. Considering the damage done to his knee and elbow you have to suspend disbelief to think that he could actually overcome many Kung-Fu style attacks.

Arthur Hill plays the double-dealing Cap Collis. You may remember him as Marcus Welby in the like-named TV series.

Burt Young (Mac) played Paulie in all the “Rocky 1,2,3,4,…” films.

2008, Detective, Drama, Psychological Drama, Psychological Thriller, Serial Killer, Suspense

Tenderness (2008)

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From NetFlix:

After completing his stint in a juvenile detention center for murder, 18-year-old ex-con Eric Poole (Jon Foster) embarks on a hazardous road trip with Lori, a hyper teen (Sophie Traub), close by his side. But little do the troubled pair know that they are being tracked by Det. Cristofuoro (Russell Crowe), a hard-nosed New York cop who’s convinced that Poole is a psychopath capable of killing again.

Detective Cristofuoro (Russell Crowe) is not so much hard-nosed as he is a caring man who is almost retired from the force and has as his only case the task of preventing Eric Poole (Jon Foster) from killing again. In fact the detective spends most of his time at the side of his comatose wife caring for her. Otherwise he is tracking Eric.

For only a short while did I wonder if Eric is really a psychopath, but only for a short while. Jon Foster as Eric Poole is perfect portraying a conflicted young man searching for a way out. Foster played Art Bechstein in The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (2008), a film I strongly recommend.

Not until the end of the film could I really understood what was motivating Lori (Sophie Traub). At that very end all the details add up to her real goal. She played young Sylvia in The Interpreter (2005).

You will not experience any violence, but the threat of such is constantly lurking in this psychological drama. What you might experience, however, is sadness for the two unfortunate young characters.

2008, Complicated, Dark, Detective, Mystery Film, Quiet, Redemption, Slow

The Missing Person (2008)

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From NetFlix:

Hired to shadow a mysterious man leaving on a train from Chicago going to Los Angeles, heavy drinking private investigator John Rosow (Michael Shannon) discovers that the stranger is most definitely not who everyone thinks he is. With a large cash reward offered by the man’s wife dangling before his eyes, Rosow tangles with his own demons as he decides whether to turn the guy in for the money. Noah Buschel directs this moody film noir.

At first I thought this was a film in black and white. But the coloration seems to change as the film progresses and was pleasant in itself. As the film advances you learn more and more details, although often things are not always as they appear. Best not to read other reviews or plot explanations because they would spoil the surprises. All in all I enjoyed this unexpected find from NetFlix.

Michael Shannon was Dex in “Before the Devil Knows You are Dead” but to tell you the truth I never noticed him in any other film. Amy Ryan as Miss Charley was familiar to me as the wife in “Win Win” (a wonderful feel-good film). In 1999-2000 there was a TV series “Now and Again” that introduced Eric Close. In that series Margaret Colin played the caring mother Lisa Wiseman. However, in this film she poses as a prostitute who is really tracking Michael Shannon.

For me not all of the plot was crystal clear. If you would care to share, tell me:

  • What was the favor that Miss Charley did for John Rosow (Michael Shannon) ?
  • If the crooked lawyer wanted to keep Harold Fullmer dead, why did he not kill him ?
  • Why did John Rosow return all that cash to Harold’s wife ?
  • Did Harold understand Don Edgar ?

Slow moving, consistent, good acting, worth the time spent.

2005, Could Be Hard To Watch, Dark, Drama, Love Story, Medical Theme, Mystery Film, Sadism, Sex Scenes, Suspense

The Jacket (2005)

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From NetFlix:

John Maybury’s masterful thriller stars Adrien Brody as Jack Starks, a Persian Gulf War veteran who has lost his memories to amnesia. When Jack is accused of a heinous killing, he realizes he must find a way to prove his innocence. Desperate to unearth clues about his past, he seeks a controversial treatment that allows him to go back in time — which turns out to be a heart-wrenching decision when he realizes he’s destined for tragedy.

Take a tablespoon of time-travel, suspense, quasi-sadism, mix together to get “The Jacket”. If you are claustrophobic, you might feel a bit squeamish watching the sadistic (but excellent) Kris Kristofferson subject Adrien Brody to some horrific “treatment” (put into a straight jacket and stuck into a morgue body compartment). Jennifer Jason Leigh plays a sympathetic nurse who can only weakly object to this treatment. While he is so confined, Jack Starks (Brody) travels in time to help and fall in love with Keira Knightley.

Details of the mystery are not too hard to follow and were for me involving enough to hold my attention. With these four such good actors this film is not a complete waste of time.