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Reviews
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022)
Season 2 much improved
In Season 1, the cuts between the timelines were annoying. In Season 2, the narrative was much smoother.
The game's afoot as Sauron makes his big plays. We get a look at his cunning and ruthlessness. Turning people against each other. Plotting to kill obstacles in his way.
At the same time, Galadriel undergoes her trials and returns from the dead.
At the season's end, some of the main players are dead. The elves have lost Eregion, but have found a refuge and are still in the fight.
Crisis in Numenor and Khazad-dum. The Balrog has been awakened. But, the stranger has discovered that he is Gandalf.
Look forward to Season 3.
My Old Ass (2024)
Outstanding coming of age movie with an interesting question
Written and directed by Megan Park. An outstanding coming of age film. The protagonist (Maisy Stella) surrounded by loving family and friends. She has to merely find herself.
Set in rural and scenic Muskoka Lakes. A young woman spends her last summer on the family's cranberry farm, before leaving for the University of Toronto. She meets her future self (Aubrey Plaza), as well as the love of her life. The former bears regrets and bad news about the latter.
"'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.."
(Alfred Tennyson 1850)
An outstanding performance by the bright and vivacious Maisy. The rest of the cast are also good. Bravo.
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
Well crafted apocalypse film with strong human moments
Dying young woman (Samira played by Lupita Amondi Nyong'o) joined her hospice outing to a marionette theater. Turned out to be Day 1 of War of the Worlds.
The aliens arrive in asteroids, and attack the humans. Excellent effects. Samira endured the confusion, noise and terror in the company of her cat (Frodo). Samira followed her obsession to have a pizza in Harlem; near where her father played the piano in a bar.
Along the way, she picks up a bewildered survivor; Eric. They made their way back to her apartment where they reveal something of themselves. Eric came from England to study law in NYC. Samira was a writer.
Impressively, the impassive Frodo has a big presence on the screen.
The sick Samira proved to be resilient and resourceful. An alien drowning in the flooded sewer as it chased the humans. Eric recovers his mojo once he has to search alone for Samira's medication at a pharmacy.
The government destroyed the bridges linking Manhattan to the rest of the city; to contain the aliens. Boats picking up survivors from the rivers. Finally, Eric has a chance to escape. Samira hands Frodo over to Eric, and leads the aliens away.
In her final moments, the very weak Samira is at peace as she wandered the city streets. Listening to music on her earphones. Once ready, she simply unplugged the earphones and let her player draw an alien to her. Fini.
A well crafted and balanced story. Beautiful human moments midst the terror and destruction of the apocalypse. Kudos.
Hit Man (2023)
Hard insights and gripping drama
Unusual characters. Somehow it works out for the main protagonists.
Gary is a psychology teacher in college. He consults on a police undercover team that targets clients hiring assassins. One day, the official undercover detective (Jasper) is suspended just as the team are onsite waiting to meet a 'client'.
Gary is sent in and has to improvise. Surprisingly, mild Gary becomes a chameleon (Ron the hitman). Morphing into a variety of hitman characters that the clients trust. Incriminating the clients who are arrested after they hand over a down-payment.
One 'client' is a pretty wife (Madison) that wants to have her abusive husband killed. Gallantly, Gary/Ron sends her on the way with advice to leave her husband (Ray). Unfortunately, Gary is smitten by this winsome woman. Foolishly, he follows up on Madison on his own time.
The scheming Madison seduces Gary because she believes that he is Ron, a genuine killer. Learns how to murder Ray from her unsuspecting lover.
To Gary's horror, Ray is shot to death. Suspicion falls on Madison because of a million dollar insurance policy. That's why the scheming Madison doesn't just divorce her husband. She also wants a payday after ditching her husband.
At this point, anything could have happened. Had Gary come clean and helped trap Madison, Gary would have remained the mild psychology professor. Instead, Gary becomes an accomplice by shielding Madison. Helping her deceive the police.
Then, there is the complication when Jasper (the undercover detective) gets greedy. Extorts the couple for the million door insurance policy. The psychopathic Madison drugs Jasper, and Gary chooses to suffocate Jasper. Using his experience to make it seem like a suicide.
The deception works. Gary and Madison escape detection. Get married and have children. Somehow, the accomplices live happily after.
There was the possibility of other outcomes Madison could have ditched Gary after getting her payday. Possibly, Madison stayed with Gary because he turned out to be a real life Ron (the bad boy).
After all the criminality, Gary becomes more confident. Was there always a Ron hiding in Gary?
The movie maker has cleverly posed the question. Who are we? Can we become the characters we play? Or, will the real person emerge under the right circumstances?
Based on a real life character in Texas who helped entrap 60 clients looking to hire an assassin.
IMO, the film could have been great with a better script. More tenson between Gary/Ron and Madison. The murderers turning on each other before reconciling.
Perfect Days (2023)
A small film that fills the heart and mind
Directed by Wim Wenders
An aging solitary janitor lives an astute life, yet filled with moments of beauty. He has his schedule. Waking to the freshness of early morning. Watering his pots of plants. Driving to work in the company van, and listening to American folk and rock music.
Doing his work with a fastidious methodology bordering on obsession. Enjoying the luxury of the hot baths after work.
He services outdoor public toilets. We get to ride with the the protagonist to some of the more interesting facilities. A kind and decent man, he seems to find favor with the females.
However, he maintains his ascetic discipline. Reading good stuff late into the night. Is it enough?
Unexpectedly, his pretty niece drops in on him. Revelation that he came from a rich family, but fled from family trauma. His sister still loves him.
There is also the beautiful restaurant owner who flirts openly with him. What will our quiet hero choose?
The film ends on a morning as he drives to work. Listening to his American music, and alternating between happiness and sorrow, as he drives towards the sun.
Japanese society is intensely disciplined. They show respect to each other. How do Japanese individuals find self-respect?
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
A landmark in film-making and a witness to History
Made just 12 years after WW1 ended, this film attempted to be realistic and relevant. It is an important landmark between the theatricals of the silent movies, and the jingoistic productions of WW2.
The plot follows the travails of a group of young friends who joined the Imperial German army. Misery at the boot camp. The confusion when they arrived at the front-line. The constant bombardments and the shortages of food supplies. The abundance of rats that have feasted on the corpses in No-Man's Land. The desperate fights in the trenches.
The constant fear and periodical intense combat against the French.
The central themes are clear. That of comradeship among the humble soldiers. With the older Kat providing leadership and comfort to the kids. In addition, the soldiers discuss their plight. Some blaming the Kaiser/Kings for the suffering of the combatants.
In terms of history, this movie made an anti-war appeal just before the brutal Spanish Civil War which was a prelude to WW2.
Made as the 1930s equivalent of today's blockbuster, this movie had very high production values and cinematography. Many night and indoor scenes. Hundreds of extras in the crowd scenes.
Unfortunately, this was an American production, with a cast of Brits and Americans. Speaking English like Brits and Americans.
IMHO, the main shortcoming was the long internal dialogues, and not enough character development in this 150 minute film.
Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
A study in villainy
A strong production from Scorsese. Well crafted, with excellent performances from the veteran famous actors (De Niro and DiCaprio)
That said, the Native American actors were also excellent as they played the characters of their ancestors. In particular, young Lily Gladstone played the role of Molly Burkhart well and with presence.
The plot is about the greed that totally corrupts the amoral. The ringleader is a wealthy rancher (De Niro as Willam Hale) who has no oil on his property. Unfortunately, he wants it all and has the cunning of a villain from Game of Thrones. Encouraging his nephew (DiCaprio as Ernest Burkhart) and others to murder innocent Native Americans for their inheritance.
Here is a study of arrogance and deviousness. Acting as a friend of the Osage while plotting their murder by violence and poison. And, Ernest Burkhart tried to kill his own wife (the mother of his children). Was he a stupid man, or a weak man?
The Wrath of Becky (2023)
Revenge porn for teenage girls
Its a crisp, well filmed movie about a teen girl with issues. In a maniac state after the murder of her father, and her fight for survival in the original movie. This girl fantasizes about revenge on men.
She gets a chance as she runs into militia-types on their way to a conspiracy. Violence begat violence. Culminating in the horrid deaths of the militia leaders. On par for productions in this genre. Fortunately, the movie runs for only 80 minutes.
Lulu Wilson does a good job as the protagonist. The supporting cast are convincing. I found the movie to be enjoyable, since I wasn't on the receiving end of Becky's wrath.
The film received a very limited release because of the controversial political themes. To the credit of the film makers, its this social context that truly raises this film above its peers.
Joe Pickett (2021)
More drama than Downton Abbey
A strong production set in the rugged hills of the Wyoming National Parks. I had not realized that the life of a state game warden was so filled with danger.
Strong performances by the entire cast including the children. A particular impressive dramatic performance by Julianna Guill (the game warden's wife) in the season finale.
The plot centres around a new game warden (Dorman); dedicated to his job and who loves the animals under his care. A loving family man, with demons and nightmares of his own. On the other side, are the money grubbing psychopaths. Their get rich scheme spirals downwards into mass murder.
The series starts with a violent encounter between the warden and a poacher who ends up dead one night on the warden's doorstep. Along the way, we meet a diverse set of characters. A sheriff who likes open and shut cases. His idiot deputy. A survivalist who is more than he seems. A bunch of local people you wouldn't expect in Wyoming.
This is a hard land. There is much violence, but not the kind of unrealistic violence in an action movie.
I was pleased and surprised by the empathy I felt for the good people in this series. Bravo, and on to Season 2.
An Cailín Ciúin (2022)
Strong poignant story
Set in rural Ireland. Excellent cinematography and acting. Outstanding performance by eleven year old Catherine Clinch. Much of the dialogue is in Irish.
A study of life in farm country. The protagonist Cait is the youngest of a large family. Her mother is worn from her household responsibilities. Her father is inept as a farmer. Her psychological state is desperate.
Her mother is pregnant again. Cait is sent to distant relatives for the summer. They own a large prosperous farm. Over time, the couple wins Cait's love. The wife Eibhlín is gentile and loving from the first moment. The husband Sean warms to Cait who willingly helps out around the house and farm.
A strong character study of Cait who is damaged but not broken. Cait learns to return love, and makes the right choice in the final scene.
Eibhlín and Sean sadly return Cait at the end of summer. As they drive away, Cait runs after them. They hug, and the film ends on the cliff-hanging question. Will Cait's parents allow Cait to be adopted by people who will love her? At this point, there were tears in my eyes.
Manjianghong (2023)
Lots of energy but confused by convoluted plot
Its another patriotic movie from famous Director Zhang Yimou. Rich cinematography and fast paced; but with a totally improbable conspiracy.
The title comes from the famous historical poem Man Jiang Hong. A call to arms to repel barbarian invaders and restore the Chinese Empire. An interesting choice of themes in these days of Russian-Chinese-American confrontation.
Anyway, a group of patriots attempt to uncover the Southern Song's prime minister as a secret Jin collaborator. They go about it in a crazy process of sacrificing each other in order to get closer to the suspect prime minister.
The letter from the Jin king is a red herring, and the final reveal is actually silly.
The cast execute their roles with vigor. Much of the movie is actually brutal, with the casual expenditure of lives. One constant theme is the cunning and vicious infighting among the Song officials.
This movie is popular in China, and we should note that the war drums are beating. This production is primarily a political statement. Less culturally relevant than the director's early works.
Wednesday (2022)
Engrossing - watched the entire season in one day
I enjoyed Season one, though the finale was IMO rather rushed.
The plot was typical Young Adult; budding romance, comic characters, premonitions, scares and thrills. Fortunately, the show was saved by the lead protagonists!
An impressive Jenna Ortega plays the irrepressible and troubled Wednesday Addams. Emma Myers charms as the bubbly Enid Sinclair. The Hand almost steals the show. Rather impressive for a non-speaking role!
Bravo to the cast of young people! Hope that Season 2 will get a more interesting plot, and less cuteness.
BTW, the characters don't seem to blink in the portraits. Is it due to FX special effects, or is there some magic involved?
Wong & Winchester (2023)
Not compelling
Its meant to be a comedic detective show. Protagonist is a cynical ex-cop with a penchant for illegal shortcuts to get evidence. Her sidekick is a young nerdy do-gooder.
Together, they unravel mysteries and catch the villains. Unfortunately, the characters are without nuance and bite. The script could certainly be improved.
Having watched Episode One, my verdict is 5/10. Harmless after dinner entertainment. But, without teeth.
Its meant to be a comedic detective show. Protagonist is a cynical ex-cop with a penchant for illegal shortcuts to get evidence. Her sidekick is a young nerdy do-gooder.
Together, they unravel mysteries and catch the villains. Unfortunately, the characters are without nuance and bite. The script could certainly be improved.
Having watched Episode One, my verdict is 5/10. Harmless after dinner entertainment. But, without teeth.
House of the Dragon (2022)
Interesting, but not so strong as GOT
In a time of peace, House of The Dragon (HoD) starts off slowly. The politicking wears down the weak (King Viserys), while sharpening the predatory (Daemon Targaryen). Princess Rhaenyra proves to be a fighter and survivor despite her young age.
HoD compares poorly to GOT in terms of the secondary characters. The dynamics of the Stark siblings. Arya Stark and Sandor "The Hound". The Lannisters and the Tyrells. The villains Littlefinger and Ramsey Bolton. The desperate defence against the Night King and his White Walkers.
That said, HoD gets very realistic about the subordinate role of women in conservative society. And, the very real dangers and pain of child bearing.
It remains to be seen if HoD has the reach to be an epic. Matching the the twisted journeys of Daenerys and Sansa Stark toward their destinies!
Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
A blast of an adventure, both absurd and profound
The movie starts with a scifi premise and descends into farce. But, it has heart as the protagonist (Michelle Yeoh) attempts to unravel her family dysfunction, while contending with an IRS audit.
There's long action episodes in the IRS building; which should lighten the hearts of anti-government personalities. Then, there's the Wuxia fantasies, backed by some intense martial arts manoeuvres.
In the end, the plot resolves itself as an existential humanistic conundrum; about acceptance, love and belonging. Culminating in an intense mother-daughter confrontation.
The veteran cast is excellent, as is young Stephanie Hsu. Perhaps, this is Michelle Yeoh's finest dramatic performance; despite her inability to speak fluent Cantonese.
Highly recommended for the curious and young of heart.
Dune: Part One (2021)
Impressive adaptation of Frank Herbert's vision
Set 8,000 years in the future, mankind is still bloody and vicious. An emperor plotting against his aristocracy. Betrayals and treachery. No sign of parliamentary democracy. Not the United Federation of Planets.
Its a grim scenario and this movie is dark. Filled with death and fear. The film's plot and technology is faithful to the novel. The cast fleshed out the characters in a credible performance.
Would have been nice if there were lighter moments. But, there's not enough run time. This is just Part One and it runs 150 minutes!!
Will Part Two give us something to root for?
Its a big budget blockbuster. And, there's plenty of thrills and spills. However, how many people will still love this movie twenty years later?
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018)
Good - has heart
Intended for a Young Adult audience, the show does impress. Having seen the first episode, I'm interested in the series. Rooting for young Sabrina.
Precocious Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka) has serious life choices to make. The petite Shipka does a fine job.
Suitably spooky and chilling, we follow Sabrina as she encounters elemental and infernal spirits. Prejudice from the sorcery community. Protected by her weird aunts. Young adult issues.
The pace is swift, and so far the CGI has been light.
Update: Episode 10 (Series One) was terrific. Where now, Sabrina?
Update: After 36 episodes, I have to admit that I am disappointed in the screenwriters. The plot and dialogue just drags.
The Watch (2020)
Very Disappointing
Terry Pratchett wrote a series of popular books. Populated with quirky but likeable characters. There's Agnes Nutter the prophetic witch, There's Rincewind the incompetent. What about Moist von Lipwig, the honest con man?
What about Captain Vimes of Ankh-Morpork's Night Watch? A cynical policeman with a sense of duty. He stumbles his way to success and fortune.
In this TV series, The Vimes played by Richard Dormer is a caricature. The show has something of Pratchett's irrelevance and silliness. But, lacks the author's empathy and positivity.
I was very disappointed.
Alone Across the Arctic (2019)
One man's grand adventure
A young man has his grand adventure. Driving north from Dawson City (Yukon) with a film crew, he starts walking at the Arctic Circle. Arriving at a river, he boards his canoe and off he goes .
Meeting the bugs, biters and wildlife of the region. He traverses lakes, marshes and white water, like the Inuit. At Day 57, he is resupplied by float plane at Coppermine River, Nunavut. After 100+ days, he arrived at bustling Baker Lake in southern Nunavut.
Interesting enough. But, we don't get to see much of the landscape. No panoramas because he's travelling at water level. It is an arduous and dangerous journey, exposed all the way to the elements.
It would have helped if he had provided a detailed map of his route, with the highlights.
High Life (2018)
Interesting, but difficult to like
A rather dreary scifi movie. A ship is sent on a one way mission. Travelling at 99% of the speed of light, the crew consists mainly of convicts with death sentences.
The crew suffer casualties; then catastrophic 'failure' as they turn on each other. Robert Pattinson plays the protagonist (Monte); the last man alive. Left alone, he raises a baby (Willow) fathered by himself.
Finally, the aging Monte and teenage Willow ride into the black hole. Their fate is unknown.
Much of our understanding of what happened comes from brief flashbacks. So, read the synopsis if you want to make sense of the narrative.
This movie is effective for its mood (loneliness and sadness), and generating empathy. Some might find the quiet on the ship disconcerting.
Liked and respected by critics, it was not popular at the box office.
Credit for the attempt to be scientifically accurate. Though, there was a fumble at the beginning of the film. Monte dropped a tool outside the ship, and it dropped from view like there was gravity.
The Nightingale (2018)
Brutally honest insight into colonialism
The protagonist (Clare) is a female convict in Tasmania. Lieutenant Hawkins (Sam Claflin) and two of his soldiers, rapes her, killing her husband and her baby. Some viewers might have difficulties with the graphic scenes.
She sets out in pursuit of the soldiers, with an abo guide, Billy. Hawkins looses all inhibition, casually killing convict and native. While Clare bonds with the protective Billy.
At the end, Billy take revenge for all the victims. The movie ends with the two outcasts alone, celebrating/mourning. Sadness for Clare as revenge cannot bring her family back.
The film maker offers a brutally honest look at colonialism. The subjugation and casual murder of the natives. The unwillingness of British authorities to protect the natives and convicts. Allowing darkness to grow in some white men. The occasional abo reprisals against settlers.
Aisling Franciosi is excellent as the gentle mother turned fury. Baykali Ganambarr is memorable as the conflicted native.
IMO, this is an excellent and timely film. Necessary as part of Australia's reconciliation with the Indigenous Australians.
Caution: Graphic scenes of killings.
A.I. Rising (2018)
Difficult questions. Sexy android.
Following on the success of Ex Machina (2014) and Her (2013), this is an Eastern European version. Done on a very modest budget, the movie had surprising good production values.
The cinematography was artistic, sets were futuristic, and lighting was set for effect.
The movie's bleak tone is similar to Kubrick's 2001. An astronaut grappling with loneliness, with only artificial intelligences for companions.
This plot takes the premise a step further. What about his sexual needs? What kind of social dynamics govern a relationship with an android? Out in space, they are alone.
What would the viewer do if placed in the situation of the protagonist?
The surprise was the casting of pornstar Stoya who turned in a good performance as lover, submissive and sex toy. No blonde bimbo. She has a pretty face and lean body, like the girl next door. Definitely sexy.
IMO, worth a second screening.
The Limey (1999)
Interesting character. Unsatisfactory ending.
A film from 1999 that was well received by the critics, but failed at the box office.
In retrospect, its merits are clear. The Limey is an uncompromising hard case. Very different from the 'fun' movies like the Beverly Hills Cop series.
He's not sophisticated or cute. Doesn't do clever things. Lots of physical handling. Shoots people dead when he is mistreated.
The problem for the audience was the ending. After a bloody shootout, the Limey allows the drug-trafficking murderer to live, for sentimental reasons.
Not satisfactory for such a scumbag. Overall, the Limey character is interesting. We expect lots of violence. But, the abrupt surprise ending was problematic.
Terence Stamp was well cast as the hard man. Racked with guilt for his long absence in jail. Intending to avenge his daughter. Unfortunately, Henry Fonda was an expensive add-on. Offered little dramatic presence.
Lili (1953)
Very sweet movie
Ingenue comes to town. Meets fast talking sophisticated magician from a circus, Marc (Jean-Pierre Aumont). No, her virtue is safe.
A pleasant movie from the 50s. The excitement of a French circus. A decent magic act. Zsa Zsa Gabor has a minor role as the eye candy on stage. Distracting the audience.
There are her friends, the cute puppets owned by puppeteer Paul (Mel Ferrer). Dark and brooding.
Leslie Caron is excellently gawky and hapless. The ugly duckling who transforms into the swan. Who will win her hand?
Strong script and good visuals. Entertaining and refreshing.
Gisaengchung (2019)
Interesting look into Korean society.
Like everywhere else, there are the successful and the not-so. In this film, the bottom dwellers (the Kim family) live in a basement suite and do odd jobs. One day, they use a scam to infiltrate a rich family (the Park family).
In typical Asian manner, the employers don't check job references or do a criminal background check. Depending on personal introductions and a superficial assessment at the job interview. Such is the dependence on the sanctity of Confucian social relationships.
Naturally, the amoral Yi family take full advantage of the naive gentile Mrs. Park. Behaving in an atypical Asian way to eliminate the other servants.
Add the complication of a debtor hiding in a secret basement. Preferring self-imprisonment to life as an outcast above ground.
Eventually, there is tragedy as the past of the deceitful people catch up with them. Bringing death to the Park family.
Excellent direction and acting. Quite convincing.
Like the film Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, this film offers insights into Confucian society. About ideals and the failures to meet the standards.