Change Your Image
TrueFanMissy
Reviews
August in Berlin (2017)
A Profound Unravelling
I loved this film. So very different. Have you ever met someone who pushed all of your sharpest buttons and yet, you had to stick it out because of a mutual friend? I have. Have you ever over-shared with a stranger who sits next to you on a plane - and then - woosh! They're gone? People who like to travel and may have enjoyed these sorts of encounters will probably love this film.
Deep, philosophical and an intellectual's romance. So amazing to watch personal "guards" slide up the actor's faces and then watch those same guards come sliding back down like the Berlin Wall itself. It's an intimate portrait of two people learning to face the truths they've been hiding from themselves.
And that's all I'll say. Except I hope you get to see it.
If I Were You (2012)
This Movie is Hilarious
"If I Were You" is brilliantly funny. The writing is clever, fresh and funny. And the directing brings out hilarious performances. I just wonder why I never heard of the film before yesterday.
Marcia Gay Harden shakes from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet - as women do when they learn their husbands are having an affair. And her immediate actions start a comedic snowball that she just can't get away from.
Without giving a spoiler, just wait until you see her at work. Best and most honest conference room scene ever.
I read a few reviews of "If I Were You" by some clueless movie critics who must be so entrenched in the Hollywood machine they just wouldn't know a truly funny movie if it slapped them in the face.
Why only a 9? (1) It is a bit long for an easy Saturday night watch-after-the- kids-are-in-bed movie. (2) the bottle of scotch gag goes on too long. Other than that -- I love it.
The previous night I watched Nancy Meyers "The Holiday" and agonized through the first lame, predictable hour before it got interesting - I say "If I were You" is much better written and directed. So watch it.
I'm a little embarrassed that I never heard of this writer-director before, but then Hollywood has made a full-time job of pushing intelligent women and their intelligent films to the side so that some truly horrible men can stay in control.
Forks Over Knives (2011)
Shocked me back into mostly vegan diet.
Spoiler alert: Two medical doctors on opposite ends of the country come to the same conclusion about how we eat. But seriously, if you don't already know this information, you're probably a goner. Outstanding information about eating to live. And told in a very practical and easy to understand way. Really important documentary. I hope every kid in the country watches it. It would make a BIG difference in the health of our nation. I love it and I'll watch it again, and I'll make my husband watch it and when my kids are old enough, I'll cram it down their throats once a year until they move out.
Mildred Pierce (2011)
Visually perfect.
Never saw the Joan Crawford version, so I can't compare, but visually, this film is flawless. The colors, the props, the costumes, the HATS, the makeup. Evan Rachel Wood is probably a little too skinny for a woman of that era, but other than that - visually perfect.
Emotionally exhausting (in a good way). Kate Winslet must have been worn out by the end of this film. She was amazing. I can't even imagine working that hard. Beautiful and amazing.
I fast forwarded through maybe 2 moments that were a little long but not because they lacked emotion - every moment was pretty dang perfect - but because I am short on time.
What a great piece of directing, what great acting - Melissa Leo sounded like she had been lifted from the era - her phrasing was flawless - reminded me of how my grandmother used to talk.
Everyone who likes period drama should see this film.