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Reviews
Une fille facile (2019)
French Almost Masterpiece.
I really, really love the simple style of the movie. It's billed as a 'Coming of Age' movie by a lot of reviews and ratings. I'm not sure I am of the belief that at 16, is there really a time period in a person's life that coming of age is all figured out by one short summer. Dealing with the unknown world that exists around you as you live. Can an out of school lark around an beautiful, yet bustling resort town that you live all your life really give you the opportunity to 'figure out youself' and know what you are and what you want to be. This is an interesting story about 2 cousins, 1, Sofia is 22 yet is living her life carefree and gives the perona of a much older soul. Dealing with her mourning for her recently lost mother, living off the 'generosity' of older, wealthy men in exchange for a piece of herself. Is she as free and happy as she gives the impression most the time. Or is she the sad, lonely, confused young lady that she reveals in a few short scenes with Maia.
Very good acting by the 2 main ladies. Supporting cast in the men and her mother is well done. As you would expect in a film shot in a fabulous, gorgeous setting like Canne, the cinematography is absolutely amazing. I also took note afterward that I really enjoyed the Directors use of subtle background music and soft luster of water sounds, low voices and at most time, calmness. This IMO is definitely worth a watch. I was pleasantly surprised about the reality also about no abundant over zealous nudity or sex to get the writers points across.
Kill Switch (2008)
Typical Seagal vehicle.
Typical Terrible fat Steven Seagal trying to do martial arts while there is absolutely horrendous editing, dark scenes, 'off camera' atrocities left to your imagination. If I could have made it to even the midway point I might have been able to give it another half star. And can we talk about the overbearing soundtrack. Definitely another take a nap Seagal pos.
I Am Elizabeth Smart (2017)
Lifes unfair circumstances
The fact that Elisabeth is alive and telling her nightmare is unbelievable in its own right. It's extremely likely that if she did anything it would mean death added to the already unspeakable torture both physically and mentally that she endured. It's akso extremely unlikely that a survivor has the guts or stamina to share that time period in her life. MOST survivors go into a self absorbed, protective mode that makes them unable or unwilling to tell her/his story to the world in fear of being blamed by society. For Elizabeth Smart to tour the free world telling her facts and helping save countless lives from doing it is absolutely remarkable. She is in my book a true hero and a extremely beautiful soul.
The movie itself while not the best put together cinematic piece it is, IMO a must watch.
Horizons West (1952)
Rock vehicle with other stars.
Another typical Hudson vehicle carried by stars and future stars. Hudson uses(tried) his looks to star in a western. Post civil war as usual he plays a past southern gentleman who turns to crime to try and get back at the north for lost life.
As usual the movie survives on true acting talents from Robert Ryan, Dennis Weaver and James Atnrds. Also veterans Julie Adams and Francis Bevier. If you can get past Hudson's ridged, terrible acting, it's a great story.
Chato's Land (1972)
A under Rated Hollywood typical male domination
I liked the simple plot of the typical mistreated guy who is tired of simply stepping aside to the aggressive "law" of the times just because of his heritage.
Without the big name actors like Bronson, Palance and Whitmore, I really believe this movie would have(and deserves) an R or even a more deserving NC-17 due to the graphic really disturbing rendition filled with excessive nudity during the often times obligated rape scene. It is gruesome and very disturbing especially for anyone personally touched by this kind of barbarism. The actress Verna Harvey played the part spectacularly and somewhat downplayed the rape as "something that happens occasionally".
If you have the fortitude to look past this part of the movie, it's worth watching the typical Good guy kills all the bad guys ride.
How the West Was Won (1962)
True classic.
Trivia; Both John Ford and George Marshall said they wouldn't make the movie if Marlon Brando wasn't involved and also said the same about Doris Day. The role they insisted on for Doris is what ended up defining Debbie Reynolds stellar career.
Rough Night in Jericho (1967)
Spoiler. Great Western with gritty performances.
SPOILERS!!
GREAT WESTERN WITH unusual role placement for consumate good guy Dean Martin. Great character acting by George Peppard as the good guy who traps the evil land grabbing, money grubbing bad guys at the own tactics.
Harsh at times with a brutally honest looking no holds barred fight between Slim Pickens and Peppard that rivals the fight scenes in the more modern Road House between Patrick Swayze and Ben Gazara.
Only question arises from the beginning and that is who dies between the Good guys camp verses how many perish from the bad guys and how long it takes for the Hero(Peppard) to get angry enough to do it.
Overall great character acting by all involved from Martin and Peppard on down. Worth watching on a slow Saturday night.
The Last Challenge (1967)
Glen Ford vehicle
Simple plot as usual for westerns of this decade. Excellent top level cast with Ford, Chad Everett, Angie Dickinson and others. A good viewing if you like westerns. Definitely recommended.
The Red Tent (2014)
A biblical tale of the trials and tribulations of the 12 tribes of Israel as told from purely the women's point of view.
While "The Red Tent" may not be completely historically accurate as depicted in the Bible as told by a strictly male dominated story tellers The Red Tent is the trial and tribulations of being a women in a dominated male world, told by the women who lived, suffered and survived through the vast injustices perpetrated against them. It particularly follows the life of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob and the perceived betrayal of her family and beliefs by two of her brother's against her royal husband. Her ultimate excile from her Homeland to live in squander in Egypt while trying to protect the son that she's not allowed to raise. This story is one of hope, faith, pain endured, forgiveness and love. Powerful performances by the main actresses, R and actors lends believability, emotional termoil and finally acceptave that God's plans are unknown yet attainable. This is absolutely, totally worth your time, thoughts and attention. I highly recommend it.