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Mother! (2017)
More Misogynistic Garbage
This film is hateful misogyny pretending to be metaphoric.
Yes I walked out. It's disgustingly cruel and gruesome. Do we really have to witness how low humanity can go? According to Aronofsky sick view of the world, we do.
Make no mistake about it, this man is a socio-path pretending to be a film-maker.
I've seen black swan, I've seen requiem. Mother is the final nail in the coffin for me. I for one will never see another Aronofsky film. Don't let other reviewers or critics fool you. It's not about pushing boundaries. This is about assaulting viewers with unimaginable repulsion.
Calling it biblical is a stretch. But if fools want to take that stance, remember this passage from Jeremiah 19:5-
They have built the high places to burn their children in the fire as offerings--something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind.
No dear people, no one asked for this. Healthy minds do not entertain such dark thoughts.
But the hateful mind of Aronofsky imposes his dark and disturbing view of reality as an offering to other sick minds.
Minds that belong locked up in a padded room with large doses of lithium.
It Comes at Night (2017)
Meaningless Fodder
Not sure what this film is supposed to be? I read the reviews and I'm still scratching my head wondering if I watched the same movie as everyone else.
So we have a plague. A paranoid homesteader. Strangers at the door and a bunch of stuff that goes bump in the night.
Only those bumps are the nightmares of a 17 year old who just kind of wanders around aimlessly listening in on people's conversations and talking to his dog. Yeah, well not hard to tell where this is going.
His nightmares pretty much tell you he's sick yet for some reason no one else in the house can figure it out. So why can't they? They just killed, buried and burned a family member who had this plague.
They tied up the stranger for several days waiting for him to get sick but then decided he was okay. Then there's a bunch of talk about what's out there yet never really delivers on anything substantial.
Not very scare or suspenseful.
It's slow. It's direction-less. AND it makes no sense.
Ending is horrible and I mean HORRIBLE.
Big yuck in my books.
Goliath (2016)
Not your average ambulance chaser
This is a very interesting series. Not your typical crime story or legal eagle drama.
Billy Bob Thorton plays a haggard lawyer who is so good in the courtroom, he managed to win a not guilty verdict for a murderer, who, once released, went on to kill again.
This sets Billy Bob's character on a downward spiral, losing his firm, his wife and his dignity. He lands in a washed up motel, spends his days in the local bar, taking cheap safe cases to pay the rent. As he drowns in his sorrows, it seems as if his only purpose is to slowly disappear from his former life.
That is, until a gregarious and bossy night school lawyer hands him a suicide case that she says isn't a suicide. She's convinced the suicide is a cover up for some black water type corporation testing lethal weapons on domestic soil.
What unfolds is a deep and disturbing portrait of how those in power, will stop at nothing to protect their corporate interests.
A few character misfires along the way, but overall the acting is stellar, believable and the series plot gains momentum episode after episode.
It's not entirely a slow burn, but it doesn't rush anything either. Season one runs at a good pace with enough twists and turns to make it worth the watch.
Definitely looking forward to season two.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Utter Nonsense
A sad demise to the Alien franchise. Ridley Scott? Really? Clearly past his prime as the go-to-guy for quality sci fi.
Didn't know if I was watching Lord of the Rings or Land of the Giants.
Not much connection between Prometheus and Alien Covenant but boy did they try to piece it together with a lot of disconnected back stories. It was slow and boring. At one point, I fell asleep... asleep!
Side note: I'm still scratching my head over Prometheus so a little connecting the dots with Covenant would have been expected. But instead received a extremely unfulfilled movie experience.
On top of it the effects looked super cheesy like people running around in badly assembled alien Halloween costumes.
Utter nonsense and a real disappointment for this Alien fan.
American Gods (2017)
Intriguing but Extremely Flawed
I didn't read the book so I have no idea whether this series a great or poor adaptation.
The concept is intriguing. Old Gods up against new Gods. Humans in- between.
The series is an observation of collective beliefs, technology addictions and other such intrigues.
Each episode starts with a mythological fable, as we are introduced to ancient beings from various cultures around the world.
Big picture stuff is interesting and has kept me watching for the last 6 episodes; however I'm starting to lose interest for several reasons.
When I start to drill down to the grit of the series, I find it a little too pretentious. I'm really not fond of forcing characters to speak a constant barrage of snappy witticism in order to cover up a lack of meaty dialogue.
This lack of quality dialogue is becoming quite evident with each passing episode.
Next is the music. Way too distracting and over the top. Again, probably used to mask the lack of good writing.
The plot is all over the place, jumping from one side story to the next. I don't mind complexity but this is just messy and untidy.
Call it intuition, but I get the feeling when season one ends, we're going bemuse: Much Ado About Nothing.
At the end of the day bratty, self-indulgent foolery seems to be a hot seller. So I think there's enough viewers to keep it going for another season or two.
A bit sad though, because if the writers and producers could resist all the useless glittery and smarmy distractions, American Gods has the potential to be a really great series.
Thumbs up to Ian McShane as Mr. Wednesday, Gillian Anderson as Media and Pablo Schreiber as Mad Sweeney. All play their roles to perfection and worth watching a few episodes just to see these three on screen.
We Don't Belong Here (2017)
This Film Doesn't Deserve an Audience
Much Ado about nothing and believe me, I can follow a convoluted plot. This screenplay and the characters are so flatly boring, makes you wonder how it even got off the ground floor.
Something definitely got lost in translation between the script and what actually appears on the big screen. Everyone looks as if they are on prozac, no one talks much sense and the audience is left with bunch of puzzle pieces not really worth putting together.
The film-makers are presumptuous towards the audience. They assume: 1. We are interested in this boring suburban angst 2. We are interested in following a dialogue leading nowhere 3. We are interested in collecting fragments of nothingness 4. We are interested in a cheap flimsy wrap up aka sailing ship.
Ahhh no.
It's just not that interesting and way to much effort to follow all these messy metaphors of some very boring characters. Kudos though to the actors who played their robotic emotionless roles so well, I was actually hoping the bad guy would pull the plug. Alas no such luck.
Watching this movie reminded me of paint drying. But not paint you want to see dry. Paint that is such a hideous color it actually hurts your eyes to look at in on the wall. THIS is what WE DON'T BELONG HERE is all about. Bleh.
Haters Back Off! (2016)
Miranda, the Narcissistic Millennial
Having nothing to watch one Sunday evening, I decided to give this Netflix series a view.
From the first episode we begin to see the embarrassing mindset of today's narcissistic millennials. Silly untalented souls who believe everything they do warrants public exposure on a grand scale.
Truth is most are not very interesting or remotely talented; yet continue to bombard the public airwaves with their nonsense.
Of course by sheer numbers, these millennials infest social media like viruses. Zombie hordes feeding and infecting fresh brains. Lead character Miranda, is painfully on point as she shows us how relentlessly delusional self importance is for these narcissistic cretins. It's both hilarious and uncomfortable to watch as she uploads more and more fodder in the hopes of going "viral" and become the new YouTube sensation.
The series is wonderfully crafted in it's absurdity. Chocked full of self perpetuating gluttony leaving viewers to wonder just when (and if) the plug will ever get pulled on Miranda's narcissistic insanity.
Self awareness is a beautiful reality, yet very few characters on Haters Back Off ever check in to this reality.
Some episodes are cringe worthy to be sure but most definitely interesting to watch. I'm looking forward to season two.
Get Out (2017)
Enjoyable yet Flawed
This is not really a horror film. More a suspense thriller with really over the top characters. Although the characters are a bit stretched, it's still an enjoyable film to watch.
Get Out takes a unique twist on white suburbanites who prefer their cultural diversity at a distance and in controlled numbers.
In addition, the film resists the temptation to play up these suburban fears by showing impoverished ghettos, street dealers, hustlers, and predictable scenes often used to highlight class struggles.
While Get Out moves along quite nicely with a strange uneasy tempo, the train slowly starts to derail from reality 3/4 of the way in. This is my only criticism of the movie. It just becomes too surreal and the film suffers for it.
This enticing suspenseful thriller falters as it make way for campy horror.
Is it believable? Yes and no.
Think of this film as one part Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, one part The Skeleton Key and one part Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre.
Since the storytelling is so unique and well put together, I'm certain viewers can forgive this lack of direction as it nears a rather over-the-top ending.
At the end of the day, Get Out is definitely a fresh perspective on an old problem so worth the 8 out of 10 rating I'm giving it!
Ray Donovan (2013)
Beverly Hillbillies on Steroids
Ray Donovan shows what happens when petty criminals growing up in Boston's underbelly meet the underbelly of Hollywood Elitism. Can we say cha-ching??! The Donovan's are a rough and tumble no nonsense family who make no apologies for who they are or where they came from.
Ray builds an affluent life for himself, wife and kids but not without it's darker elements.
The so-called "old money" icons of the Elite class do their best to separate themselves from "commoners" like Ray. However they are just as unsavory in their dirty dealings.
Therefor they need a clean up guy like Ray to get rid of the dirty laundry. Strike that, it's downright filthy laundry.
As Ray goes about cleaning up, he collects a lot of cash and insurance just in case someone gets the idea of eliminating Ray or his beloved family.
It's really a great cat and mouse romp with twists and turns you think can't possibly be wrapped up in one season but wrap up they do.
Each season tells a fresh sordid tale and I like that there are no cliff hangers from season to season. Although the story lines and players may change, the Donovan's are a constant reminder the more things change, the more they remain the same.
I enjoy this series very much. Writing and acting is on point, so no complaints at my end. I recommend for anyone who likes crime drama from the criminal perspective.
Better Call Saul (2015)
Better Pick Up!
Okay so at the point of this review I have just watched episode 1 of season 3. Painfully slow to watch. I fear this series better pick up soon before it's abandoned for lack of direction.
I get we need a backstory on Saul aka Jimmy. But I'm fairly certain this could have been accomplished in the first season.
I mean we're starting season 3 and Saul has yet to emerge even though we are seeing glimpses of future Saul aka Gene at Cinnabon. Wait, what?? We see future Saul by no trace of emerging Saul. Hmmmm...
Plus Jimmy's crazy microwave fearing brother is a big yawn. Who cares? His character isn't that interesting. He too could have been wrapped up in the first season but still dragging on in season 3??? Bleh. Enough already.
It's easy to see Jimmy's love interest isn't going to last. She's just completely engaged with her career and doing everything by the book. As a couple, their work ethics clash and there's very little on screen chemistry. Again, dragging the relationship way past the expiry date.
Are the writers having trouble figuring out what to do with this spin-off series????
Piece of viewer's advice: Get on with it already!
Ler's see Saul! I want the Saul series to entice me in the same way his character enticed me in Breaking Bad. It doesn't need to be a copycat of Breaking Bad but we need to SEE the Saul we love. For the love of all that is Saul, please set him free.
We Still Steal the Old Way (2016)
Long in the Tooth
I can't really say I enjoyed this film. It just seemed a bit tired. A thin plot about old villains, aging gangsters and scripted vendettas no one remembers or at the very least has no interest in remembering. When one of the character actors asks: Why are we here? I found myself asking the same question: Why am I here watching this film?
I get the idea of one last kick at the can for the Archer gang but the writing and execution must be on point. "We still steal the old way" is neither.
I wanted something that would take me down memory lane, I wanted a nostalgic feel to this film but instead I was spoon fed cliché lines by flat actors who looked like they needed a nap.
On top of all this the story just didn't pull me in. I found myself watching with one eye on the screen and another on my watch wondering when I was going to see the end credits scrolling past me.
Not the most horrible film I've seen but far from the best. I recommended a weekend watch, perhaps on a Saturday afternoon around nap time. It will certainly lull you to sleep even with the so called "action" sequences.
Although very different genres, last year's AbFab feature film is far more interesting and entertaining.
Look at Us Now, Mother! (2015)
Meh, more like a home movie
I just finished watching this on Netflix. Although there were moments in this documentary a few mothers and daughters may find touching, overall it's more like a home movie than an interesting exploration in to female relationship dynamics.
I like documentaries. I like personal documentaries. This one felt more like an angst driven crawl through a narcissist's world. Some parts were embarrassing to watch as this grown woman lamented on her painful childhood. Hmmmmm...
The mother was actually far more interesting than the middle aged unmarried daughter who hints her fear of commitment might have to do with her upbringing. Really? Not buying it. Hard to sympathize with a completely self absorbed individual who is emotionally stuck in her own pity party.
Most of the doc focuses on a daughter trying to make sense of a privileged upbringing that was not her Ozzie and Harriet fantasy expectation. So what? Speak to thousands of her generation who often experienced the dark underbelly of these fake suburban lifestyles. The film, Revolutionary Road does a good job of capturing that reality.
No the real gem in this production is the mother. She gets all 4 points of this review. Mommy experiences a much more horrific childhood, which she quickly locked up and stashed far, far away from her memory banks. A childhood that would have broken and tainted many, including her own fragile emotionally stunted daughter.
While Mom is horribly flawed and imperfect; she courageously moves forward in life, building a family, running a business, remaining strong and proud. All the while imposing a "fake it till you make it" ideology on her growing family.
Under the right lens this woman would have been classified as an innovative maverick for the "science of mind" philosophy that floods new ageism today.
In truth Mom sacrificed all of herself for others; which many of her generation were expected to do. She spared her children the truth of her own childhood which was riddled with poverty, parental depression, her father's suicide attempts plus the death of a young sibling.
No wonder she had difficulty relating to her daughter!
Most of us realize as we mature toward adulthood what seems like conflict between mother and daughter is actually a lack of understanding between generational experiences.
Most parents think their children ungrateful and most children think parents out of touch with reality. Yet both time and experience matures us as we realize life is an ebb and flow of awareness, acceptance and forgiveness.
Something this film maker didn't explore deeply enough because she was far too focused on her own wounded child syndrome.
Hell or High Water (2016)
Finally A High Tide Film
Hell or High Water is a film that moves in a deliberate manner.
It's a modern day Western yet the horses in this film are not the galloping kind. It's horsepower lays under the hood of a getaway car of two unassuming bank robbers.
These aren't your infamous gangster types but rather two brothers on the shortest end of the economic downturn. People who faced job losses, home foreclosures, petty jail time, family breakdowns and in some cases, their very life. All just trying to stay afloat of the sordid mess created by corporate greed.
The story touches on big bank bailouts and how that money scooped up hard earned working class assets for pennies on the dollar. The real tragedy is knowing this is an American reality rather than just a fictional story portrayed in this film.
Chris Pine is brilliant as Toby, a man coming off the heels of divorce and a dying mother. He's trying to save the family farm on the verge of foreclosure due to his mother's long illness. Despite the harsh hand life has dealt Toby; he's determined pass something on to his sons. Even if it means robbing banks to do so. He enlists his ex-con brother, played by Ben Foster, to help.
While Toby executes each robbery with skill and precision, brother Tanner is a bit more risky and reckless. Foster is also brilliant as the wild and unrestrained Tanner, who himself is determined to never see the inside of a jail cell again.
Toss in some everyday citizens who are in no hurry to turn them in, and the film takes on a striking working man's mythos.
With seasoned actor Jeff Bridges as the easy-going yet methodical sheriff on their trail; we have a spectacular Western crime drama worthy of every award it receives.
Finally, after a long cinematic drought, we have a high tide film worth it's weight in gold.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Rebel Homesteader
I'll start off by saying I like films with understated humor and this film has more than it's share. I'm assuming it's a unique brand of New Zealand humor and it's done quite well.
Given enough time, the film could possibly move to cult status due to the bigger-than-life character villains who seem to take their establishment jobs far too serious.
The plot may deliver a few over the top stereotypes yet there's also many unexpected gems.
An off-beat spin to the typical coming of age story for a lad who's had a rough start to life. But rather than take a dark and brooding tone, the film uses indigenous storytelling and pop culture influences as the boy's escapism tools.
When he lands in yet another foster home, he finds a surrogate family willing to accept his odd behavior. Yet, the happiness doesn't last and tragedy strikes again. Rather than go back to the authorities, the boy decides to fake his death.
This is a lad used to running on imagination rather than common sense. So he decides life in the wilderness is a better option to yet another foster or group home. Unfortunately, he's ill-equip to handle the rough terrain let alone hunt. The rest of his journey unfolds in unpredictable ways although we know eventually he will get caught.
Most viewers will probably root for a happy ending or at least envision him escaping his fate. All I will say is the film doesn't disappoint, which is a good thing.
These days international and indie films are on my watchlist as I'm a bit jaded towards Hollywood and it's CGI regurgitation formulas. I'm still trying to figure out why there's a need to make both Suicide Squad and Dr. Strange. One would have sufficed!
While The Hunt for the Wilderpeople is not a complicated story, the delivery of the story is both fun and entertaining to watch.
Well done NZ. Well done.
Aquarius (2015)
Sharks circling the waters
The series as a whole I enjoyed but it's not without it's flaws.
Season one carries us along nicely with solid writing and good acting. Aquarius is a docu-drama which means a great deal of creative latitude is taken with actual facts and historical events. I really don't mind this. The Manson story is very well known. It makes sense the series had to take a different approach to tell this sordid tale.
I liked how well the series dived in to the character development of detectives and cops on the beat as well as how Manson recruited and expanded his family. It does a fairly good job of showing the generation gap and changing times. It's all very human. Yet episode by episode we see glimpses of how seemingly decent people become inhuman monsters(and I'm not just talking about Manson here).
By season two, the sharks begin to circle the waters and the motor boat is humming. Loose story lines are wrapped up at a rapid pace to make room for other secondary story lines of little importance to the main theme. The series mainly cast actresses under 40, forcing predictable stereotypes. It's hard to distinguish the teenagers from the adults, making the women very one dimensional. Add some really corny RFK scenes, and you may find yourself groaning a bit... but I digress...
I would have preferred the show stick to the main artery rather than try to branch off to all the radical groups of the era. I would have preferred they dropped the urge to cast supermodels in every female role. All of which cheapens the primary theme.
A theme that reveals layer by layer, how the criminally minded Manson is able to exploit all the sex, drugs and rock and roll of his generation. Exploration he uses to fuel his murderous agenda. Exploitation that connects enough dots to powerful movers and shakers; Manson can just keep humming along under the radar. Accurate portrayal or not, it's a fascinating exploration in to his insane world.
Aquarius shows us "turning on and tuning out" may work with a rational mind, but not so peachy keen with the criminally insane. I believe this central theme could have stood strongly on it's own without the need to throw in every extremist kitchen sink along the way.
If you can overlook the stereotypes and shark infested waters, it's worth a gander. Especially nice since you can binge watch the whole series without frustration of waiting for the next episode to air! 7/10
Feud (2017)
Hollywood Frenemies
If you want to know a little about the glamour era of Hollywood starlets and big studios, Feud is the series to watch.
It's a bit dramatic and over the top but so were the days of old Hollywood.
Lange and Sarandon are spectacular as the ageing starlets Davis and Crawford. Their roles are completely believable as they battle over top billing of a risky film that relies on their acting chops rather than their screen appeal.
Off screen, their lives are very similar as each must face divorce, empty nests and the loneliness that sinks in when roles start to wane and all the fans go home.
These are the days when press coverage was everything; so both the studio execs and the tabloids do their best to capitalize on the rivalry between Crawford and Davis as well as exploit their vulnerabilities.
Although it's clear women were often at the mercy of such exploitation; it is admirable to watch these two women forge their independence one battle at a time. Sadly each actress is manipulated to believe the battle is between them rather than about the real power these iconic actresses could wield if they joined forces.
Contrary to other reviewers, I think the make up was spot on and appropriate for the times. The on-screen make-up of Davis as the (ironically) over-the-hill child star, Baby Jane Hudson; was created by Davis herself. Although risky, it paid off. Both actresses created incredible roles for this iconic film that won 5 Oscars and remains a Hollywood classic to this day.
Although it may not be an entirely accurate portrayal of how "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" came to the big screen; the dramatics of Feud make the story entertaining to watch. 9/10 in my books.
Power (2014)
Well Crafted
This is a well crafted series with an intelligent story line. It's believable and sophisticated with one exception: Ghost's high-school love interest. That is the only sub-pot in the series I found incredibly trite and boring. It gets so drawn out and ridiculous, I find myself hoping it fades away.
Without giving too much away, I'm not convinced their two worlds would collide nor last episode after episode. The realism of the series would dictate a quick and dire ending for one or both.
Although thoroughly watchable and engaging, I found myself groaning and winching as the intelligent, ruthless and thus far undetectable criminally minded Ghost; begins to shaggy-doo his way through a lust driven relationship with Angela, the FBI agent out to get him. Absurd really.
This series is far too well written and stylish to resort to predictable soap opera distractions. Because of this, I give it an 8.
Thankfully everything around Ghost and Angela is much more interesting and a joy to watch. Each episode is better than the last. I'm looking forward to what next season holds for Ghost and his crew.
Brimstone (2016)
Deep and Disturbing Misogynist
If this is what passes as good film-making these days, then time for a new medium. I agree with reviewers who say the synopsis is nothing like the actual film.
Let's face it, if the film were aptly described it would read:
Hateful one dimensional men who are cruel and debasing toward all female characters. A brief unexplained respite of a pseud-good semi-hero that is immediately shot so the torturous world of woman hating can resume.
The film as a whole is tasteless and these founding fathers of religion and the west leave a really bad taste. Fire, brimstone and punishment along with a whole lot of meaningless twists and turns.
I can take a film that meanders and doesn't have a happy ending- Manchester by the Sea delivers this style much better in my books.
However Brimstone appears to be written, directed and filmed by men and women who are so desperate for cash they couldn't turn down the work.
I shudder to think any sane or rational person would think this film worthy of making. Simply put, there is nothing enlightening or entertainingly about this film. On top of it, the ridiculous film noir ending doesn't make it pass the sniff test.
Definitely one for torture porn enthusiasts and not in a good way. Bleh.
Doctor Strange (2016)
Looked Promising
First off I have to ask the question: What is it with all these mediocre film endings? This film started out great. I was thoroughly engaged in the plot and the characters.
Then about half way through, it started to get messy. The story-line felt rushed and scenes overblown.
I notice these days if the writing is weak, then film-makers start to blow up things hoping the audience won't notice a predictable story-line.
I get that comic geeks love this stuff but at the same time, how often can the same plot-lines be repeated over and over again? In the Lee universe I guess ad nauseam. So no surprise, there is going to be a sequel to pick up from the rather bland ending.
Blowing up the world and reassembling it through your green time trinket is not a good enough ending for me. Sorry to be a spoiler but that's how disappointed I felt watching it.
If film studios can't raise the budget to hire a stellar writing team, them using the budget on excessive CGI isn't going to make it better.
But since comic book fans are loyal followers, the formula works. Question is: what about the rest of us looking for solid story lines within a great fantasy film? Dr. Strange shows we are not part of the equation. Because of this, I give the film a 6. Would have been less but the film started out very strong so that's really what I'm rating. The beginning and not the end.
Wolves (2016)
Many Wolves to Consider
The title: Wolves. 1. The name of a high school basketball team with a star player up for college recruitment. 2. Predators that viciously exploit human addictions. 3. Pseudo Protectors that devour our hopes and dreams.
There are many wolves in this film, feeding in subtle and not so subtle ways.
It's a film that shows us how easily our human weaknesses can destroy all that we love. Yet, even when redemption is possible, we also see how some are beyond redemption. Such is the role of Michael Shannon as the father- who is extremely good at playing the wolf in sheep's clothing.
The plot has some cliché moments and the ending is wrapped up far too neatly for my liking however overall it's a very good film.
Considering what's out there in theatres at the moment, Wolves is top on my watch list.
The Founder (2016)
MacDonalds Maniac
Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton) is clearly a driven man, not a particularly likable man but driven. It seems he totally exploited the MacDonald brothers and pretty much stole their business out from under them. So Kroc really doesn't come off as visionary more like a predator. Even when he has the opportunity to redeem himself with the brothers, he doesn't.
Kroc spends most of his time exploiting the American Dream, stepping over the people closest to him, and then leaving them in the trash heap. But perhaps that's what is needed to build multi-billion dollar corporations.
Acting is impeccable all around and certainly each character plays their role to perfection. Love or hate Kroc, The Founder is a really good film and worth the watch.
Passengers (2016)
Unexpected Gem
This film was not like I expected, it was better.
Imagine the idea of waking up to a better life, only to realize that a stranger has stolen it from you? Then realize he's also stolen the opportunity to see or connect with another human being for the rest of your days? All because of his own selfish loneliness.
As Jennifer Lawrence comes to terms with her own mortality on a floating piece of tin, Chris Pratt tries to come to terms with his "crime" while desperately trying to find a way to redeem himself.
While it is a love story in deep space, it's done in a unique and engaging way.
I'm also mindful of the bartender Arthur (played by Michael Sheen)creeeeepy! Possibly a tribute to a similar bartender aka the shining, which kind of adds another layer to the film.
Definitely worth the watch!
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
No Happy Endings
Perhaps the mediocre reviews are due to the incredible angst of the film. Perhaps it's due to the unfulfilled ending. Perhaps it's due to the long and winding telling of the tale. However do not let any of this deter you.
This film is a beautiful portrayal of family tragedy, loss, and the low grade heartache that never quite goes away; no matter how much time passes. Yet at the same time, it's not overly depressing or morbid.
It's just a great film that doesn't feel like a film at all. It feels almost voyeuristic as we watch the time-line of two brothers who's lives are intricately entangled, no matter what distance is between them.
At times painful, at other times not so much. It's real human emotion on screen. The emotions of everyday people trying to cope with circumstances within and beyond their control.
The acting is all so subtle and I loved it. Two stand out for their impeccable roles: Gretchen Mol who plays the unstable fragile woman to perfection and Casey Affleck who is now becoming one of my favourite actors. Every role he plays is better than the last.
Yet in truth, all actors play their roles to perfection. Kudos to the teens for being- teenagers! This is real life folks. You won't find any smarmy shallow hipster humour or over the top special effects- thankfully so.
If you like intricacies of "the night of", you will definitely like Manchester by the Sea.
Breaking Bad (2008)
A Chemistry Teacher's Dream
This series makes every chemistry teacher look cool. The premise is refreshing and brilliant. The writing stellar.
It walks us through the painfully ordinary life of Walter White and shows us what happens when faced with his own impending mortality.
I'm now viewing the series with fresh eyes after a second run through of all six seasons and it still measures up as one of the best written series of our millennium.
During my first viewing, some of the plot lines seemed a stretch to me but I realized after a second viewing; we're actually watching a super villain in the making.
Whatever minor fault we may find from episode to episode, on the whole Breaking Bad shows us there are no hard lines between the good or the bad. Only our choices that lead us down horribly wrong paths or horribly right paths.
I also think Anna Gunn should be extremely proud of her portrayal of Skyler White. She played a modern day Lady Macbeth with such artistic angst, viewers passionately despised her character. No easy task so kudos to her.
Much of the credit for the series success must go to the stellar acting of each supporting character yet at the end of the day we must also acknowledge the brilliance of Brian Cranston. He played Walter White to perfection. Through all his character's fallibility we find him to be ineptly human just like us.
While there are no redeeming characters in the show, the series prompts deep emotional responses from the viewers.
We get lost in the story and come out the back end wondering why we didn't pay more attention in chemistry class.
Stranger Things (2016)
Trippy Yet Believable
This is definitely a trippy series yet managed to suck me in just like the upside down place!
The premise is a bunch of neighbourhood kids doing what you'd expect-riding bikes, playing games, sorting out the ups and downs of suburban life.
The adults are going about their business in surreal yet predictable ways.
Then one of the kids disappear and all heck breaks loose. Each episode gets stranger and stranger (hence the title) yet works in a weird old school horror flick sort of way.
While the premise seems over the top, the writing is on point leading viewers down a fantastic sci-fi path that is refreshing, campy and entertaining. Each episode has an enjoyable 80s tempo.
It's a fun series to watch and the acting is great.
Winona Ryder plays her role with finesse and gusto as a nervous Nelly single Mom relentless in her pursuit to find her missing son.
The closing scenes give us a happy ending where everything is back to normal and then suddenly in the blink of an eye we realize it's not.
This well crafted final episode leaves us all waiting in anticipation for season two.
Well done Netflix!