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Pretty_houstongirl77
Reviews
The Sea of Trees (2015)
Seriously underrated Dark Night of the Soul Story
I'm truly disappointed at the negative reviews in this film. It is an evolving and thoughtful look at the deeper wells of conflict, sadness, despair, and loss that encompasses a life that has been disrupted by the things left unsaid and hearts that have been battered almost beyond repair - and the redemption that can be found if we can be introspective enough to go within and examine our own perceptions with clarity.
The acting is beyond superb with Watanabe and McConoughey turning in beautiful and engaging performances as two dejected survivors now trying to choose life instead of death in an environment that is as unforgiving as it is stunning.
The chemistry between McConaughey and Watts is stellar and the tension in their struggling relationship is both palpable and highly relatable.
This story is told at the perfect pace for the material as this level of self reflection isn't achieved with speed. The flashbacks hold impact as we see things through Arthur's memory and start to build a well rounded narrative to understand why he's made his way to the forest to die, and the choice to put his own pain aside to help another.
There's also a very visceral feel to the conflicting emotions involved when the men encounter the remains of others and must choose practicality over respect in order to be able to continue on and hopefully escape the forest alive.
The scene by the fire is hands down one of the most vulnerable and poignant moments in film as we are allowed to watch two strangers share a moment of pure and raw grief and the compassion for that grief as one holds space for the other.
The ending is beautiful and profound and brings the entire experience into perspective. I highly recommend this movie as it is a very honest portrayal of emotional suffering and redemption!
Where the Heart Is (2000)
Excellent emotional drama based on real life experiences
This movie is poorly categorized for it is barely a romance in the sense that it Has a romantic sub plot because hey! Life! Love does actually happen and this movie crams a Lot of foundational storytelling while keeping a fast pace for an adaptation from book to screen.
SPOILERS....... Stop Now!!!
Okay so! My only two criticisms for this movie are quick and easy and can be forgiven because the rest of the movie is amazing!! I cringed through the entire romantic arc with Frain because it was So Forced. I don't know if it was an age issue or a chemistry issue, or both. I won't speculate because it's neither here nor there, it just was. But it was Very awkward. And that led to my other criticism - some of Novalee's dialogue. Sometimes it came across as contrived and bless Portman, it is excruciatingly difficult to authentically and effectively emulate a genuine lack of education as the character clearly had and thus speak in more naturally simplistic manner.
Okay those are my two beefs. On to the GREAT!!
This story and the themes it explores is so Relevant to a lot of what we as a society are collectively healing from! Toxic family, relationship, and societal structures, and living in survival mode!! Quite relevant these days! The grace and delicacy with which nearly all (no LGBTQ representation due to the times sadly but I imagine that today it would have!) the themes we're addressing right now! Leaving abuse cycles, healing addiction, grappling religious overtones in small town OK, TW** csa, are All Handled with dignity, compassion, raw honesty without the gratuitous graphic shock culture that is rampant today, and it stands the test where it delivers in every way there! I've loved this movie since it came out over twenty years ago and the women in this film Deliver in their performances! Their dynamic is beautiful to watch unfold and to see how each one's kindness towards another in need, no questions asked, no judgement, just understanding and acceptance into a new family! Changing just Shone when she offers her home to Portman and her new baby with such consideration for her pride struck me then and now. Love her! Judd's and Portman's scene on the porch after the attack is gut wrenching. I applaud both for the courage and honesty they brought to that scene! Amazing.
The Batman (2022)
Finally a HUMAN Batman with a BRAIN!! Thank you!!
Seeing all the negative reviews from what can only be assumed are individuals with the attention span and depth of cognition of a toddler, I felt compelled to adjust my initial 8 rating to a 10 to offset the criers.
I went into this movie cautiously. I expected the haters to come knocking due to Pattinson's casting as a burgeoning Wayne/Batman, and I'll freely admit that while Twilight left a bad taste in my mouth, other of his performances told me to give him a shot, remembering how everyone lost their minds over Broke Back Ledger's casting as Nolan's Joker, only to turn around and become the most iconic DC villain adapted to the big screen.
This is a much more grounded and honest interpretation of what an actual HUMAN would experience as a wealthy, wounded, and inexperienced would-be hero in a dark, gritty, corrupt, and tortured Gotham City. We get to actually see more of the emotional push and pull as Bruce fights his inner demons, and his pessimism over the city's potential ability to change for the better, and yet, nevertheless suits up to do the job he's set for himself, pushing past the emotional pain as well as the physical!
This Batman is just a man, doing an impossible job and carrying the very real scars it would inflict on a human, rather than the impervious "super" heroes of Batman's past incarnations. We got a glimpse of this in Affleck's go round, but we were also dealing with a more mature and experienced, but aging Batman approaching his swan song rather than his growth into the role he's set for himself as we do in this not quite origin story.
Pattinson does a phenomenal job of bringing much more depth to the character and harkens back to Batman's stronger talent as a gifted mind and detective which has been largely overlooked in past iterations of the character arc on the big screen. We got a teaser taste of this in Keaton's introductory role in the 90's Burton reboots, and Kilmer's lackluster go round with Carey's Riddler, but even those relied too heavily on gadgets, flashy toys and campy antics giving too much homage to the Adam West series from the 60's without any real substance.
Unpopular opinion here, but I detested Christian Bale as Batman and in truth, the villains were the real stars of the Nolan series.
I must give credit where credit is due - one of the things this movie did extremely well was allow BATMAN to be the central focus of the story while still showcasing the spectacular villains without overshadowing the hero as in practically every single Batman feature film made prior to this.
Paul Danno's Riddler is a fabulous amalgamation of Se7en' John Doe meets the Zodiac Killer meets Hannibal Lector. When we finally get to see the unmasked meet between Danno and Pattinson, his devolution as he spirals impossibly deeper into a terrifying madness when Batman doesn't fall in line with his fantasy is truly disturbing on a visceral level!
And while it's been repeated in multiple reviews, it still bears stating that Collin Farrell is unrecognizable in his roll as Oz Cobblepot/Penguin, calling up visions of DeNero as a sadistic mob boss/henchman. Stellar work!
Tutturro is equal parts charming psychopath and sinister puppet master as mob boss Falconi.
Andy Serkis's is a true chameleon and brings us an appropriately grittier Alfred for this storyline while still maintaining that deep well of love and compassion for his orphaned charge.
Jeffrey Wright is always a pleasure to watch and upholds the legacy of Lt. Gordon as the "last good cop" in Gotham City with his taciturn intellectualism and inherent moral compass always striving to point north, even as he bends the regulations to incorporate the Dark Knight's assistance in investigating the gruesome slaughtering of the corrupt politicians whose rotten cores and sins become viral fodder for public consumption on all media platforms.
And finally, Zoe Kravitz is a refreshing and modern cat woman, straddling that precarious line between right and wrong in her reluctant partnership with Batman to try to find her doomed friend and then find justice for her murder. I particularly enjoyed the twist on her backstory as it evolves and she draws deep from within to toggle between a flippant nonchalance, kick ass streetwise girl who's been around a time or two and knows the score, and a soft heart which she tries desperately to keep under wraps in order to survive!
The cinematography, direction, score, and set design are absolutely stellar and truly immerse you in the scenery on an almost 4D plane.
My biggest complaint was the narration - my initial reason for the 8 star rating - as it felt slightly out of place (as it often does outside of documentaries, children's movies, and exclusively narrative driven stories, which this WASN'T) and may have been a dealbreaker had it maintained throughout the film. Fortunately it was brief and more or less bookended the opening and closing scenes.
The Guardian (2006)
Outstanding conviction to its subject matter!
First, I have to say that I truly feel those who are giving this movie poor reviews based on the actors involved can't get past their own bias.
Hollywood is infamous for type casting young (and older) trendy actors in the same role over and over so they can't delve into their talent enough to prove themselves.
The Guardian doesn't typecast here! Ashton gets an opportunity to flex his wings and it's beautiful to watch. Even more impressive is the dedication he brought to this film by spending eight months training with actual Coast Guard instructors (prior to filming and further immersion in the world of a CG Rescue Swimmer) to the point that he could literally climb aboard a helicopter and be good to go in a real life rescue situation! (Check out the behind the scenes on disc).
His character Jake initially seems to be the cocky glory hound. But what those who are griping that he's all arrogance and swagger aren't paying attention to are the more subtle nuances of the pain Fisher is concealing behind a thin sheen of bravado. Upon second and third glances through multiple parts of the film, we see the vulnerability peeking through the wall he's built around himself to keep anyone from looking too closely.
He desperately does want to save lives (and not for the glory and spotlight), but he also has a genuine talent and a desire to put that talent to better use than a sports career.
We get to see glimpses of his true motivations in the classroom scene watching genuine CG Training footage of injured victims being rescued because where his classmates are horrified by these shocking images (think Blood on the Highway driver's ed horrified) he's clearly deeply affected and is re-living his own personal nightmare.
Kosner, as always, delivers his quiet and subtle every man to Senior Chief Randall who is dealing with his survivors guilt and a crumbling marriage.
And to the naysayers complaining about clichés, guess what folks...this life is hard and being married to someone in a career field such as this is oftentimes anathema to a happily ever after kind of love story. Being a military spouse myself, I can tell you that it ain't all yellow ribbons and star spangled banners with red roses on the side. Take it from someone who's 1st wedding anniversary was relegated to a "romantic dinner" at IHOP because it fell on a Sunday in a small military town that shuts down at 6pm and we were stuck in town for a training exercise.
I truly appreciate how much genuine Coast Guard involvement the producers and directors brought to the film, not only with their advisory staff but ultimately bringing in A School Instructors, Pilots, and Rescue Swimmers as on screen cast members who did what they do best, giving this film fantastic authenticity.
And the fact that set construction began in New Orleans and had to be relocated due to Katrina was a serendipitous to say the least given how vital the CG was to the hurricane relief!
The action scenes were extraordinary and well coordinated! (They should be considering how much influence from the real McCoy was available!)
The supporting ensemble was excellent! The score was lovely! I give this a nine because while it's not an Oscar candidate, it deserves far more than a 6.9. This is an up close and personal look at an oft overlooked, undervalued, and under-celebrated branch of our military whose sole purpose is to save lives in the most deadly conditions outside of a war zone (and sometimes even IN a war zone)!
It's certainly deserving of more than just a passing glance!
Remember Me (2010)
Wonderful storytelling with an unexpected ending that hits you where you live!
We follow Tyler and Aly as they navigate a new and tender romance, each of them carrying their own scars and learning to live with them as well as the realistic portraits of the messy and sometimes toxic dynamics within each of their families independently.
Tyler is mourning his brother's suicide and trying to reconcile the conflicting role of father figure and protectorate rather than big brother to his younger sister Caroline as their emotionally devoid father (Brosnin) immerses himself in his corporate empire to the exclusion of all else.
Meanwhile their mother and stepfather attempt to bridge the gap and unintentionally push Tyler into the middle as go between to attempt to get his father's attention and force him to emotionally engage with his young daughter - a G&T artistic prodigy who already feels very isolated and socially awkward with her peers as many gifted children do.
It's a role that Pattinson executes flawlessly, alternating between an outwardly appearing nihilist, but inwardly heartbreaking and furious empath who nurtures his sister without ever patronizing her and rages at his father who, like many of his kind, believes that providing a lavish and privileged life is an adequate substitute for genuine interaction and affection for his children.
Aly is living an alternately sheltered/smothered existence following her mother's murder that she was witness to ten years prior as her NYPD Detective father is at once hovering (won't let her go to school by herself) and also absentee as he is content to have her stand in her mother's absence looking after their home and nursing her father's daily hangover after the previous night's drinking, his coping strategy in the wake of his wife's death.
She approaches this situation with equal parts pragmatism and oddly cheerful pessimism. She'll eat desert first because she's learned very young that life is unpredictably fleeting and thus will not deprive herself her heart's desire in the spirit of living each day to the fullest while giving death the finger.
The scripting manages to avoid being totally maudlin with well placed and non-formulaic comedic moments peppered throughout, but we see these characters as three dimensional people that you genuinely come to care about.
What's most brilliant about this film is its shock ending. As we reach the closing of the story, we have already been on an emotional journey, living the failures, traumas and triumphs of the characters to this point. And while it starts to feel like things are finally going to possibly make some positive progress within each family dynamic as unspoken truces, forgiveness and true moments of growth are realized and effort on everyone's part is shown, you have this sense of foreboding that it's going to be too little too late.
What no one is prepared for is that fateful morning, as young Caroline's teacher writes the date on the blackboard: Tuesday, September 11, 2001.
And suddenly we're hurled back to that moment when the world learned together the horrors of that day. Nothing will ever be the same - and it hasn't been since.
The survivors in each family as they witness the unthinkable in real time, the dawning of horrible realization, fear, and grief are palpable and we re-live each of those moments with them.
The performances turned in by the entire cast are outstanding and give this film depth and heart - even when the characters seem heartless! Well done! Very well done!
Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)
THIS is the Justice League that SHOULD have happened!
Pay no heed to the reviews complaining about the running time of the movie. One looses their credibility when they start referring to one of the characters as a "dork" which just spotlights their immaturity.
This movie has SO much more depth and coherency and illustrates the characters with far more grace and relevance, evoking more genuine emotion because of the story telling that is allowed to occur.
Having seen both visions for this movie it's glaringly apparent where this was eviscerated in the cutting room and spliced back together with the cartoonish nonsense that was the final theatrical release from Joss Whedon.
What a travesty! Shame on the WB executives for doing what they did to this.
Barry Allan and Victor Stone are now no longer extraneous plot devices, but vital three dimensional people with heart and purpose.
The pettiness and bickering between the three leads is gone thank God! It didn't belong there and in the wake of Superman's death was inappropriate and unnecessary - particularly between Bruce and Diana.
The two most cringe inducing lines from the theatrical cut were thankfully absent because they truly detracted from the film in a lame attempt to inject some "vintage campiness" into the franchise that was trying to step away from animation and into relevance.
(For clarification I'm referring to two moments: Martha Kent telling Lois about losing the farm with the banks that "Jump like a cougar if you miss by a dime."; and Superman's grand entrance to the final fight scene with "I'm a pretty big fan of justice.")
Antiquated scripting that was completely out of place in a modern setting that derailed the original release irreparably.
Stepenwolf becomes a MUCH more intimidating antagonist and the motives for his actions are so much clearer with the arc of DeSaad and Darkseid shedding light on his origins.
This version very nicely sets up Arthur Curry's backstory in preparation for his standalone film in Aquaman without any "spoiler alerts" because having him show up out of the blue (pun not intended) suddenly with his armor and trident under Gotham Harbor left a lot of unanswered questions when Aquaman was released and we discovered that there was much more contention than we knew.
The micro-interaction in Atlantis in the theatrical release didn't account for how he had armor in Justice League but not in Aquaman? This version lets us in on that without giving anything important away.
And finally the premonitions of the Dark Superman that we glimpsed in BvsS when Bruce dreams of Barry coming to warn him to save Lois are masterfully tied together with the epilogue of this release!
I won't give anything away here - you need to see it for yourself!
THIS is the movie that SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED the first time around!
The Devil's Arithmetic (1999)
We're off to see the death camps...
While understanding that this was a low budget production, it suffers in many ways by being too sanitized and almost absurdly fantastical. Kirsten Dunst was a serious mis-casting for this film. Her performance seemed forced and amateurish, as if she was reading lines for a freshman production of the holocaust for a high school theatre troop.
She approaches the role with less authenticity than Judy Garland finding herself somewhere over the rainbow.
Most of the performances in this film were either bland and lifeless or overplayed which gives this film a lack of any emotional balance and makes it difficult to truly feel or appreciate the actual horrors of the subject matter.
The best thing about this film is Brittany Murphy. In the scene where her mother is taken to be murdered by the Nazis her raw and agonizing grief is so authentic you finally truly feel the soul shattering experience of what living through this was like.
Overall this movie suffers from poor script writing, an emotionally devoid and dated score, and a longwinded, lumbering pace that fails to build any connection with the people or their suffering.
If you're okay with the excessively cheesy Hallmark or Lifetime made for TV melodramas of the late 80's early 90's then this film will probably appeal to you. If not, you'll probably want to give this one a pass.
Dead to Me (2019)
Haven't even finished Season 2 and I NEED a Season 3 STAT!!!!
Brilliant performances with both leading ladies! The grief is raw and real and unfiltered, the gallows humor helps bring you through the tension and the grief and the tension is sublimely achieved when you place these two dynamic characters into untenable situations that they do the best they can to navigate under incredible pressure.
Applegate is a scalpel when it comes to precision in comedic timing and angst filled cynicism. She slices through the superfluous niceties with surgical talent.
Cardinelli is tender and heartbreaking and sweet and in way over her head and yet somehow by the grace of god goes she to win out hearts and stand us firmly in her corner praying fervently with her that if she hopes just enough but not too much, that somehow everything will work out.
They balance each other out superbly with Cardinelli coaxing out Applegate's more vulnerable emotions from the compartmented box she she has determinedly shoved the harder emotions into until they occasionally spill over into a lightening quick explosion of anger and barely suppressed rage.
Conversely, Applegate does a splendid job of building up Cardinelli with some well worded tough love. But it is love none the less as these two women on the verge become true sisters in every sense of the word!!