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Solitary Man (2009)
An Excellent Movie w/ a Great Cast & Top Notch Acting
Michael Douglas is a class act. He seems to always pick a project and turn it into gold. This film was perfectly put together with a completely amazing cast. The entire crew, working together, proved that you can still make a decent movie these days that isn't just about special effects and props.
"Solitary Man" is a great drama with a few chuckles here and there. It is entertain and intriguing to watch Douglas' character unfold. The movie follows the life of a man who believes he is near the end and wants to make the most of his life before that happens. The acting is spot-on and not once did I lose interest.
What I mostly loved about this film is that it was completely "politcally incorrect"!!!! I imagine that is why most people never heard of it. The writers break all of todays rules in order to entertain an audience who is sick and tired of "P.C." MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!
See this film if you like watching actors who know how to perfect their trait. It is a good solid drama in every way.
UFO (2018)
A Thinking Man's Movie
I think the other reviewers have been too hard on this film. It was actually pretty good. I mean, if you are interested in UFOs, (as I am since I witnessed the same UFO as John Lennon did with his girlfriend back in the 70s), you will find the plot somewhat intriguing. It is not filled with special effects or anything like that. However, the acting was good. The star has a very attractive female friend to fill the void for the male viewers who apprecite a little eye candy as well. Oops, I did not mean to get all the "politically correct" readers upset....OK, maybe I did. Anyways, this film just makes you use your imagination and think about how we could communicate with alien beings that visit Earth. I think, this could have become a blockbuster movie had the director & producers decided to take it a notch up and go for a more explicit type of close enconter of the third kind. Even better would have been to make it a close encounter of the second or first kind. That being said, the acting was excellent for a bunch of no-name actors. The direction was faultless and the entire ensemble of producers, directors and cast have a bright future ahead of them if they become privvy to bigger budget projects. This was certainly NOT a one star movie as some reviewers suggested. I have seen plenty of schlock in my lifetime and "UFO" does not rate as one. Kudos to all involved for a fine effort in making this film.
The Joke Thief (2018)
A Feel Good, Warm & Very Human Movie
This movie was nothing spectacular but it will hold your interest from start to finish. It is just a good-natured movie. I kept waiting for it to go from alright to great but it just never happened. Perhaps with a bigger budget, "The Joke Thief" could have been transformed into somtething very special. In epany event, it certainly is not terrible. The film centers around the life of a comedian who has a rep for stealing jokes. Basically, it takes you on a journey through his life. If moves by very quickly and seems more like a television show than a full length feature film.
Dads (2013)
Anything with Martin Mull is worth watching
Need I say more? Martin Mull is a pure comic genius. Anyone one who remembers the old Fernwood 2 Nite and America 2 Nite shows knows this. He makes this show worth watching! and it is a pleasure to have him back in television
I will give it the highest rating for this reason and this reason alone. Beware, Martin Mull's humor sometimes goes over the head of the average viewer but the writers keep it simple here. The characters are interesting enough to bounce off of Martin's humor. If they expand his role and give him a little more freedom, then the show can work. My only complaint is that the other dad should have been Fred Willard. What were they thinking? They would have had a number 1 hit on their hands.!
CBGB (2013)
A Historic Account of One Man's Dream That Helped Change The World & Told With A Comedic Edge
It is difficult to find a good comedy these days but CBGB is the exception. There are lots of laughs from start to finish but what makes it even more enjoyable is that it is based on true life experiences. It tells the story of Hilly Kristal, an already two time failed night club owner who still wanted to fulfill his dreams. He found a run down bar on the Bowery in NYC which at that time was filled with drunks sleeping on the street and heavy heroin trafficking. He thought he would open a Country Blues Bar which makes the story that much funnier in this part of town. Eventually bands, who had no where else to go, came to him to fulfill their own fantasies of playing original music to a live crowd. In those days, only copy bands could find places to perform live. The movie depicts the early days which broke ground for the new pioneers of Rock & Roll like the Ramones, Blondie, Patti Smith and Talking Heads.
The movie concentrates on each and every mishap and obstacle that Hilly had to confront to live his dream. It also tells an additional story about an extremely talented band, the Dead Boys, which became the second obsession of Hilly Kristal as he thought they could become the next Rolling Stones! He hired record producer Genya Ravan to produce them and spent what little money he had to make that dream happen also. Now many decades later, one of the most talented bands to have ever played CBGBs finally gets their just due deserves because this movie exposes them to the masses whereas legal and personal disputes kept their records out of the stores for years.
CBGB is one laugh after another that everyone can relate to because we all have some crazy dream at one time or another and few rarely actually try to fulfill them, and even more so, ever do with any degree of success. There is a little Hilly Kristal in all of us. In many ways, Hilly Kristal did succeed because he helped change the world. He helped change a stale and boring corporate controlled music industry and it has never been the same since. You do not need to be a fan of punk rock or any music genre to enjoy this movie. It is fun for people from all walks of life and you will want to watch it over and over again for years to come.
The only criticism I would have to this movie, for music lovers, is that the Ramones were not completely depicted accurately and I am told because Johnny Ramone's widow would not sign off on their material since she did not agree to the casting of her late husband. I can not confirm this, but if it is true, I would think she had every right to decide how her husband, a legend of Rock & Roll, is depicted in a movie. That being said, I do not think his casting was terrible and their presence in the movie made the point intended to be made. On the brighter side for music lovers, we get a peek into the mind of young John Holmstrom in the movie and his view of kids turning "punk" in those early days. John Holmstrom was the founding editor of "Punk Magazine" and illustrator to much of the infamous comic book style artwork of the Ramones . His role to the origin's of the NYC punk scene is duly noted in the movie along with his perspectives at the time. It is a theme which the movie is based around and ties it all together to make it work just perfectly and to give it that comedic edge. Right from the early days, punk rock had a comic book mindset attached to it and this can be attributed to John's work as founding editor of Punk magazine and later with the Ramones.
While not all the castings are perfect, Alan Rickman, who portrays Hilly Kristal, is spot on in his performance. He is much deserving of a nomination for his role. Go see CBGB and then go see it again and do not believe any baloney the critics or disgruntled musicians may say.
Bailout: The Age of Greed (2013)
Not So Far From The Truth As Some May Think
This is a good solid B title which entertains from start to end. To many, the lead character, Jim, may seem a bit outrageous and going to ridiculous lengths to get revenge. However, as someone who understands the the intricate workings of Wall Street and the financial crisis that the world has undertaken in the last decade, this movie is not so far- fetched. Much of the Hollywood storyline reflects reality and the writers certainly did their homework. The actions of Jim to right his wrongs are somewhat believable for a Hollywood action movie knowing what he goes through has already happened to tens of thousands of people like him in real life. I am sure this is one movie Wall Street does not want getting much publicity as to not inspire or encourage anyone out there who has been swindled over the years to take their own type of justice. This is why I give this B title such a high review, Unlike so many action movies where the good guy takes revenge on the the villains, this one probably is more than realistic than most and likely hits home to many hard working Americans who watched their 401ks disappear and homes get foreclosed on in recent years while feeling helpless about not being able to stop what the bankers, brokers , hedge fund managers and the money lords in general did to the worldwide economy out of pure and simple greed. Hopefully, in this case, reality does not imitate art in the real world or we would have anarchy on our hands! Definitely worth a watch if you like a good action movie and want to root for the hero!
Clear History (2013)
A fun & entertaining movie with the genius of Larry David
This is a fun movie that is perfect feel good entertainment. I will be the first to admit that it shines with the humor of Larry David but I wish people would stop saying it is another episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm". which it is not. Of course the humor of Larry David runs from start to finish but that is what makes it entertaining. Just like every Abbott & Costello movie ran true to their humor so does other projects by Larry David. "Curb You Enthusiasm" is perhaps the best comedy television show ever made and running neck and neck wit Seinfeld which is also reflecting the genius of Larry David. So it is unfair to compare the movie with "Curb Your Entusiasm". which exceeds all expectations of great comedy. Nonetheless, you will get some good chuckles from "Clear History" and come away feeling quite content with both the story and the characters!
Breaking Bad (2008)
You Won't Be Able to Stop Watching
Television just does not get any better than this. Start with episode one and do not turn your head away for even a moment. Having probably heard everything that has already been said about "Breaking Bad", all I can say is it will blow your mind. The writing is to perfection, the actors and casting are right on and the suspense leaves you biting your fingernails and waiting around for the next episode in a state of shock. This storyline runs to perfection like a finely tuned engine or musical instrument and not a beat is missed. It seems selfish for the creators to be so selfish and end the series this year! Hey guys, how about, "Breaking Bad, The Movie" as a real final finale! Bring Heisenberg to the big screen!
The Job (2001)
If you loved "Rescue Me" as I did, you you really like this show.
Apparently, the people who put this show together back in 2001 never gave up on the talent and great ideas. Having just recently finished all the "Rescue Me" episodes, I felt like I just lost a good friend or broke up with a girlfriend with no more episodes to watch. Then I came across this old show with Dennis Leary and decided to give it a try since he is usually a great performer. I actually went up against him in audition for "Demolition Man" back in the day before I decided I was tired of going on auditions and set out to make some real money. LOL, My agent told me the job was already his before I even left for Hollywood.
Back to the show...Well, so far, so good. It is basically the same show as "Rescue Me" but instead with cops. Many of the same actors and the same type of New York humor. I have not finished all the episodes but am happy to have found it. This definitely was the inspiration to "Rescue Me" and I guess after the popularity the NYFD reached a peak, the creators decided to bring new life to their great original idea in "The Job".
Goodfellas (1990)
The best movie ever made!
I've probably watched this movie at least 20 times and not only is it Scorsese's best but it is the best film ever made. Ray Liotta gives his finest performance and Deniro and Pesci are incredible. Of course, the Academy robbed Scorsese of yet another Oscar. What a shame!
Also note that the soundtrack is fantastic and really works perfectly to make this film one perfect piece of art.
Do the Right Thing (1989)
The best damn movie of 1989.
Spike Lee and Danny Aiello should have walked away with Oscars. The acting was superb. A real New York film. What was the Academy thinking when they robbed Spike Lee of an Academy Award?!