Just wow'd by this film, wonderful "true-crime" storyline, what an exceptional movie to be produced - especially in the 60's. Mr. Bogard's acting alone (main lead actor, the lawyer) is stunning, every emotion right there,spot on. Other cast equally brilliant, especially the hairdresser and bookstore-owner ; you can feel their exhaustion and despair in fighting back these ridiculous laws, seeing friends go to jail and actually done time themselves - hence they feel powerless when blackmailed, they only wish to lead simple quiet lives and to be left alone, they are doing nobody any harm. Almost felt this movie could have been 2 hours+ long, guess budget didn't allow that back in the day, what a shame since such a powerful story - and same senseless laws and manhunt still going on in many countries today.
Reviews
21 Reviews
Compartment Number 6
(2021)
Journeys end at - nothing much.
13 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Was so hoping this film would uplift my faith in Finnish filmmaking, but sadly after the first 40 minutes the story just got extremely boring, even though brilliant filming and editing throughout. Great acting, and a very realistic portrayal of 90's train journey through Russia, but that's about it. Considering this film was "inspired" by the Liksom novel, I had hoped the screenplay could've been altered into a more complex and interesting story than it was in the book, but apparently not. Especially the last 30 minutes just seemed like a waste of time and great acting talent, storyline that just went nowhere, drawing to no conclusion whatsoever - which, of course, is a very characteristic trait of most Scandinavian movies. Disappointing.
Elvis
(2022)
If only they had used original footage as well...
11 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
... this movie would have been 100 x better than it was. For me the most enjoyable part of the movie was the last 2 minutes with the REAL Elvis performing. Scenes lasting 5 seconds for 2/3rd of the movie just made it a blur to watch. Not to mention so much screentime spent on irrelevant things (that Singer sponsored Christmas sweater) and skipping Elvis getting his first guitar, or how he paid for his first recording himself, how people said he couldn't play the guitar etc., all which were completely ignored in this story. And I'm sure the brilliant B. B. King and others mentioned had a big influence on Elvis, but this much focus on that alone seems weird - especially when so little focus on how his mother's death affected him (later addiction to drugs partly due this) or how he made his way in Hollywood as an actor, an experience which surely helped him with the Vegas shows, transforming into someone else. And rap music mixes? Really?
Acting was ok but nothing special, mr Butler's complete lack of sense of humor as Elvis just made this portrayal mimicking and stiff, as much effort as he obviously has put into his acting here it just didn't convince me, as a fan of the King.
To sum up, seems like just another way to make money off a dead legend, much like 'Blonde' about Marilyn, only this one with the Estate's approval, who basically live off his earnings today. Recommend watching Elvis Comeback Special instead of this mess.
Acting was ok but nothing special, mr Butler's complete lack of sense of humor as Elvis just made this portrayal mimicking and stiff, as much effort as he obviously has put into his acting here it just didn't convince me, as a fan of the King.
To sum up, seems like just another way to make money off a dead legend, much like 'Blonde' about Marilyn, only this one with the Estate's approval, who basically live off his earnings today. Recommend watching Elvis Comeback Special instead of this mess.
Downton Abbey: A New Era
(2022)
Disappointed in the story.
11 May 2022
Was really looking forward to this movie after seeing the charmant French Riviera trailer. However, the plot with that was extremely disappointing, and the focus was way too much on the Upper class, instead of the servants' life stories, which was the reason most people were so hooked to this series in the first place - stories from all walks of life. Really looses its charm when the servants' screentime is this limited, especially when their lives seemed much more interesting than the Crawleys'. Only one of the servants who got to shine was mr Molesley; poor mr. Bates had maybe four lines throughout the movie, and Daisy's wedding was just briefly mentioned, and other stories weren't even touched upon which would have added depth to the story. And how does mr Carson suddenly heal from a genetic illness so he can come back to work as the head butler? Doesn't really add up. Also, the ending was just disappointing. I'd assumed that would have wrapped up in the Riviera, but apparently not. Prefer to rewatch the original series.
Don't Look Up
(2021)
Painfully accurate tale of humanity
10 May 2022
Warning: Spoilers
-in full blown crisis mode. Brilliant performances by Dicaprio and Lawrence, but shining brightest here was Mark Rylance, who is absolutely perfection as the uncomfortable-around-humans- eccentric "genius" billionaire who basically ends up as the guy who destroyed Earth for profit. Watching this as someone who bicycles to work and eats mostly vegetarian food to reduce own carbon footprint, I loved this movie; but can see why all the poor reviews, from people who wish to remain ignorant until the very end.
The Unforgivable
(2021)
Too many stories mixed in the plot.
30 April 2022
If they had cut the angry white boys out for revenge- scenes off and instead given the magnificent Sandra Bullock more scenes to really show this character's troubled past, present and future, and how it all affected this woman's mental health, this film would have been absolutely brilliant. Also, Viola Davis was way underused, only one scene featuring these both great actresses interacting. Excellent story, though.
Manchester by the Sea
(2016)
"I can't beat it."
28 March 2022
Thank you Amazon Studios for still making films like these, similiar how 90's movies were made, about real life struggles by real people. What a beautiful, humane story. Great introvert-like performance by Casey Affleck, and Michelle Williams' speech near the end of the movie is just pure acting masterclass.
House of Gucci
(2021)
I can see the potential, but...
2 March 2022
Seemed like rushed editing, with odd music and many weird scenes (like Aldo Gucci hugging a cow at a farm - was that really essential to the plot?) and great actors WAY underused compared to Lady GaGa, whose acting was surprisingly good for about 45 minutes, and then suddenly turned into soap-opera 'dagger in the back' acting, which was just ridiculous. Adam Driver was miscast, in my opinion, and seemed uncomfortable around GaGa, not at all "deeply in love" as the real Gucci was with Reggiani (as they were, according to their daughter). Personally loved Jared Leto's over-the-top-charade acting, especially in the scenes he shared with Al Pacino who plays his dad - really brought the tragic story of this father-son duo alive. Indeed, should've been more about their story included, like why was he "an idiot but my idiot", if the real Aldo Gucci ever called him that. & Although I'm quite convinced this was NOT how the real-life father-son-Gucci's were, that was good storytelling via good acting, nevertheless.
Was really disappointed to see how small part Jeremy Irons had to play in this film, and only ONE scene with Al Pacino which lasted less than 3 minutes,even though they were playing brothers in the movie who were in charge of the Gucci empire. Masterclass in acting by mr. Irons, as always.
What a shame born-and-raised Italian actors weren't used in this film, who are among the best actors in the world - could've elevated this story from an American soap-opera to the elegance that the Gucci empire was and deserves.
Was really disappointed to see how small part Jeremy Irons had to play in this film, and only ONE scene with Al Pacino which lasted less than 3 minutes,even though they were playing brothers in the movie who were in charge of the Gucci empire. Masterclass in acting by mr. Irons, as always.
What a shame born-and-raised Italian actors weren't used in this film, who are among the best actors in the world - could've elevated this story from an American soap-opera to the elegance that the Gucci empire was and deserves.
The Courier
(2020)
Brilliant.
11 February 2022
Dear Hollywood, please make movies like these again. Real stories about real people showing incredible courage and heroism. Truly a captivating movie, felt like was watching a 90's movie like 'Heat' with such strong acting and storytelling. 10+.
Much better than expected
8 February 2022
As a big fan of Al's work and court dramas was pleasantly surprised, this was a much more entertaining movie than what the low rating suggests. Cast held the story together quite well, throughout steady performances by all. Intriguing two sides of a story- plot; who, in the end, is truly quilty and who just did what had to do to survive... and indeed, what would happen in a world without lawyers.
Pig
(I) (2021)
Beautiful movie.
11 November 2021
As a creative artist, this movie really hit a mark, especially after last near 2 years of pandemic-era straining my ability to understand people's behavior nowadays... Perspective. It's the good things in life still worth fighting for. Loved the story, acting absolutely superb, hope Nic Cage is gonna keep making movies like these. Just beautiful. 9/10 because ending was a bit disappointing, would've worked equally well if it had been written as a happy ending, in my opinion.
"What do YOU know about acting?"
26 March 2021
Gaslight
(1944)
Acting masterclass by ms Bergman
1 March 2021
One of the best movies I've ever seen. Acting by Ingrid Bergman is superb, & great cast all around with a brilliant storyline. Reflects anyone who's been a victim in an abusive relationship, how the truth slowly slips away making you believe all the lies about 'the cruel world outside'. Brilliant movie.
Dolemite Is My Name
(2019)
Self-made artist
4 June 2020
Based on the trailer of this movie I thought it was more about a stand-up comedian's struggle to break out and stay relevant, but actually it's more about making independent movies & staying true to your vision as an artist. Eddie & the whole cast is incredible, wardrobe + cinematography also excellent ; definitely should have been nominated for Academy Awards / Golden Globes / Baftas. Solid 9/10.
Mickey and the Bear
(2019)
Great screenplay, wrong cast.
14 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Feel like psychologically the acting didn't add up to the storyline ; as promising an actress as Morrone is this role wasn't (in my opinion) for her, being born n raised in Beverly Hills. I think female lead should've been someone tougher who has seen this kind of thing, raised in a rough neighborhood, to be able to understand the agony of watching your loved one struggle with addiction and becoming someone you don't even recognize in the worst times of it.
And one line in this movie struck me as odd: she asks "Is he gonna get better?" and psychiatrist says "No, this is it for him." = just doesn't make sense, considering he (the painkiller addict dad) was still able to make rational decisions on his own, cook own dinner and attend local events n stuff alone = he COULD'VE gotten better, and this movie doesn't address that psychological side of addiction at all, which was weird.
Otherwise an excellent screenplay and realllly a story worth telling.
The Crown
(2016–2023)
Lack of Majesty
22 November 2019
Seasons 1&2 were outstanding, brilliant cast and production, script - hugely disappointed in season 3. Wrong cast, extremely boring script ; I thought the whole point of recasting all actors was so they could skip the uneventful periods of time and focus on the more 'interesting' stuff. Also, ms Coleman has completely wrong gestures compared to ms Foy's portrayal of the Queen, which is confusing; she mastered the voice but everything else is done differently, for example the way this Queen smiles and pauses in between sentences is at odds with the previous seasons' Queen. And ms Bonham-Carter's princess Margaret is just awkward to watch after such a witty and graceful portrayal by ms Kirby. Excellent actor playing Prince Charles, though, and the Welsh mining episode was superb.
Killing Michael Jackson
(2019 TV Movie)
Finally the FACTS of this case.
15 August 2019
Huge respect to the officers from LAPD for getting together to make this documentary happen, finally the facts revealed without any paparazzi-images or media circus ; as they said, it was not , in their opinion, 'involuntary' manslaughter but clearly a 2nd degree murder. Thank you for your work, officers.
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