Reviews

"Roma", Alfonso Cuarón's newest film, is quite different from what made him famous for North American audiences - "Gravity" and "Children of Men". I personally found "Roma" tedious as well challenging to watch with its subtitles and black and white photography.

The cinematography, done by the director himself, was beautiful, however, even if its subject matter was very mundane at times. The background activities were far more interesting than the foreground lives of this 1970s Mexican family and their live in domestic workers.

I kept waiting for the story to start and engage me with a compelling narrative - a conflict between protagonists and antagonists - the core features of modern dramatic fiction. Unfortunately, none of these story telling elements could be found.

If you were drawn to watch because of the science fiction accomplishments of this director, you will be disappointed. Alternatively, if you watch with little expectation, you will find some interesting and touching moments.

What is most noteworthy about this new Netflix documentary titled "Mitt" is not what it shows but what it doesn't – what it leaves out. While it begins showing the candidate surrounded by his loving family and then eventually his friends and supporters, it never shows him being confronting by his critics or opponents.

When Romney is shown interacting with the public, they are either supporters or don't know him yet because it is still too early in the campaign. As a result of this exclusion of any and all critical voices, this film becomes propaganda. It attempts to humanize the candidate but does not provide a full picture.

Finally, it is important to remember that this film's footage is only being shown with the full permission of Mitt and his family. Consider what that means in terms of representing all sides of the candidate and his life.

If, however, you are a fan of Mitt, you will take pleasure in watching this. If not, you will likely feel frustrated and manipulated.

David Elliott Lewis, San Francisco

After an excellent first season, I was so looking forward to more of the same. The first episode of the second season was a profound disappointment. It was plodding to the point of being slow and uninspired. Kelsey Grammar's performance was excellent. While the performances by the other actors were good, the writing lacked drama and interest. It was one half hour of material stretched into one very long hour. A re-write by someone like Aaron Sorkin would have helped. It would have also been more interesting if the Boss's troubled relationship with his daughter was further explored. Your mileage may very but consider yourself warned.