Reviews
Hit and Run (2021)
DARK BUT TERRIFIC
Dark movies are a genre. Film noir is the customary name for them, though there are some not so dark. The Third Man is not exactly film noire since it lacks a female of evil, but it too is dark and much loved for it. If Ja,Ed Bond were an Israeli this would be his film debut. It is not a finished product and th second series is expected, at least by me. The acting is terrific. The story is complex, which fits the series format. It is well worth seven hours if one loves film, intreague and action films.
Fatal Affair (2020)
YOU CANNOT FLIP GATAL ATTRACTION
An attempt to change Fatal Attraction in every way fell on the floor with a thud. In the original the female stalker is a borderline, a known mental illness unfortunately found in women far more than men. Here in a man it does not work. I did not mind the flip of race to black nor the other changes but the film just does not hang together very well.
The director committed a breach of our trust twice by lying to us. I will not give those away here. Once a director does that I lose interest real quick.
It was refreshing to see a movie full of talented black actors when being black had nothing to do with the film for a change, on the other hand I am not willing to rate it higher just for that reason. It is a very bad movie and it's only benefit it reaches a very hungry Netflix audience who have been stuck home for months and seen every movie Netflix has to offer.
We are not sheep Netflix. This was just terrible.
Photograph (2019)
A subtle quiet tone that will hold your eyes and heart
I just loved it. I knew nothing about it but since I had been to Mumbai and the arch I thought I would give it ten minutes. I hated it when it did not go another hour. I did not want it to end. The acting is superb. It is not the usual Bollywood type of film. It is more like films from Europe fifty years ago. The cinematography was perfect. This movie should have won an Academy Award for best international film.
Jarhead: Law of Return (2019)
Tough Marines and smart Israelis
It is terrific and extremely real. Semipermanent Fi. Once a Marine always a Marine.
The Two Popes (2019)
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE CATHOLIC TO APPRECIATE TRUTH
Many have started with 'I am not Catholic' as if that is a prerequisite for enjoying the movie. I am not a female and have enjoyed many movies about women. I never served time in prison but have certainly received rich rewards from dramas about prison.
I am not British but I enjoy English actors, who have far more formal training in classical drama than Americans. And these two actors are among the very best ever. The drama may be accurate or not, it does not matter. It is clear that one pope had a different style than the other. Both were sincere on their beliefs and both were men of faith.
I am an atheist but loved the film. That is because I am a skeptical atheist and as I age I think about what a person of faith might feel at my age that I do it feel. Above all,else it is a movie about things we have never seen or thought of, philosophical differences at the highest rank of highest ranks of the Church.
Bravo Netflix!
Marriage Story (2019)
Lawyers As Cartoon Characters
As a lawyer who has handled many divorces I found the portrayal,of the lawyers to be oafish and cartoon like. Many talented lawyers handle divorce cases with great skill and minimize the often illogical hatred couples bring to them.
So while the film portrays the couple as sensitive and all too human the same screen writer took the easy way out and painted the lawyers as insensitive predators. It was painful to watch.
Strangers (2018)
LOVED IT AND ITS SLOW PACE
Life does not unfold in 98 minutes, the length of a movie on average. This drama takes its time and allows you to absorb the story and the city of Hong Kong.
Having been there recently I especially liked the difficulty they had with taxi drivers. Everyone does and gives up and uses the fine public transportation system.
Made prior to today's weekend protests one can see that there is great distrust with the government and police. It is in the series and it is true.
Take the time. The acting is top notch. The story takes unusual turns. Get patience with your entertainment and give it a chance. You will not regret it.
Billions (2016)
Like Eating Potato Chips
I started out being spellbound by the first three episodes of season #1. It was a tight drama with very interesting lead characters. IT began to wander, but I stayed with it.
Probably one of my faults is I do not give up on anything so I watched all four years. What a mess it turned in to. The plot became repetitious and the characters became one dimensional. Female characters were cardboard except for the wife of Axe, who was dropped from the show by a truncated marital problem. Too bad.
Do prosecutors sometimes take illegal liberties to get convictions? Yes they do. (Note to reader: I am a retired litigation lawyer.) . However in the Federal system it is very very rare.
I thought the women were miscast, but foe Axe's wife. I thought many of the small character roles were done really well, particularly the always accomplished John Malkovich.
I think these series need new writers as they progress for fresh ideas as the plot lines tire and get worn out.
Country Music (2019)
How Country Music Accepted Folk, Rock, Soul and Jazz
What is remarkable is that country music is generally presented as a closed shop. If it is not Nashville and was not on the Grand Ole Opre it just is not authentic.
Ken Burns has told the better story: it is all intertwined. Willie Nelson did not succeed in Nashville but he went back to Texas and did what he wanted: jazz, the Great American Song book etc. Many other country stars came from other venues of music. Rock and the always important blues music from blacks is carefully put in place.
This series varies widely from the traditional story of country. On a technical level it points out the use of violin strings, electric guitars and more modern studio techniques.
Though the size of the revenue is not discussed you cannot miss the huge financial rewards that were (and are today) involved. Burns usually leaves the money out. No problem.
I play guitar and sing as an amateur. It is a hobby to me. MAny of the country songs I have been doing for decades. They are just as valid to my music as The Great American songbook and rock. Burns did a great job and the people he used for interviews were very representative of various styles and epochs.