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dmv3113
Reviews
Amish Grace (2010)
Powerful, Honest Portrayal of the Power of Forgiveness
Though the makers of this film got many things wrong in the depiction of Amish home life (a large open hutch filled with decorative plates on display, an Amish woman sleeping in her bonnet? - Absurd.) ALL is FORGIVEN for the powerful message and the honest portrayal of how difficult it is sometimes to follow Christ and obey; but oh, the rewards! Great cast, great acting, great dialogue; though I do wish the Amish had been portrayed with the Dutch/German accent.
The catalyst event was handled with great discretion and sensitivity. The tension between a bereaved mother and the widow of the shooter was masterfully portrayed, and spot on!
This is an important movie about an important topic, and is desperately needed in the world now!
I'm going to watch it again.
Woman in Gold (2015)
Highly Compelling True Story; Great Performances!
I just watched this gem of a movie a second time, and enjoyed it even more the second time around. Helen Mirren is a stellar talent.
A nice, more serious turn for Reynolds, and he was well up to the task. Very well written, with sensitively woven flashbacks. The thing that gripped me this time was the deep sense of terror I felt watching the scenes of Nazi abuse. When they come into the home and begin to inventory items as the family watches in horror, I could barely breath. (And now, after the Hamas atrocities, the different brands and levels of terror were sharply contrasted.)
A love story during dangerous times, impossible decisions people HAD to make, the unraveling of decades of injustices across nations, and one of the most remarkably unique portraits I have ever seen; this movie is eminently watchable!
Golda (2023)
Good, but Should Be Great.
As a young woman in the 70's I was a great admirer of Golda Meir. I am also a huge Helen Mirren fan, and a staunch supporter of Israel. I was expecting to be swept away by this film, but it never quite delivered. Miss Mirren's performance was spot on, And elevated her in my eyes to an even higher plane. I thought the history and events were portrayed effectively and dramatically. I think some of the critics here are used to modern movies with lots of CGI, blood and guts, and over-the top action. This is supposed to be from Golda Meir's point of view, so I found the 'listening in from headquarters' portrayal highly effective and quite dramatic. The story would have been greatly enhanced by some backstory about Golda Meir. The writer and Director give the audience too much credit that they already know this, when I doubt 10% do. I did have to chuckle when Henry Kissinger walked in towering over everyone in the room, when Mr. Kissinger, may he Rest In Peace) was in actuality quite short. The thing that had me leaving the table still hungry was the fact that the main character was missing. This war, as the Six Day War, was won because of a miracle of God. The Jewish people are God's chosen people. Their nation is a miracle, yet God is not invoked, nor mentioned one time. Inserting a bit of backstory about Richard Nixon being told by his mother, when he was a youth, that he would one day be in a position to save the Jewish people, and that at that time he must do so, would have helped shed light on Nixon's unexpected decision to send everything Israel needed immediately.
Now I must shower and launder my clothing because of secondhand smoke, you know.
A Quiet Passion (2016)
Beautiful but Maudlin
Sets and costuming on spot and mostly stunning. Acting good. But the script is so morose, it must have been written by Debbie Downer herself. How many torturous scenes of seizure wracked Emily must we endure?! We get it - she's very sick! How long must we watch the weeping daughters bathe their dying mother? We get it, she's dying. Don't think I even like her poetry any more now. One character is only ever seen weeping. God I hope they had a good day once in awhile and a reason to smile from time to time.
And the strange scene where something is moving up the staircase while one of the poems is being sung to sorrowful music. I though that was the end, but no, it was just stuck in there and then the movies went right on.
Sorry I gave away that time.
The Birdcatcher (2019)
Frighteningly Applicable
This movie rocked my husband and I to the core. It is a powerful depiction of a people being taken over by evil forces. The acting is superb. Yes, it WAS a stretch that such a delicate featured and pretty girl passed herself off as a boy, and yes, she probably would have frozen, but suspend reality for the sake of story and you might see OUR near future. The depiction of the different ways different characters deal with the invasion is masterful. There are many moments of brutal honesty, brilliantly portrayed. And the resolution is very gratifying - what growth, what strength came from going through such traumas until the inner beauty matches the outer. Holding back one star for those times we had to say, "That would never happen." But still- Highly recommend!!!
Ashes of Eden (2014)
Great Little Indie Film!
Decided to give this a try, despite some bad reviews, because it was filmed locally. Just wanted to see if anything looked familiar. I was so pleasantly surprised at the quality of this film. Good writing, very good acting, nice plot arc and no loose ends. Much better than half the drivel out there. I think the bad reviews are from those God haters who can't stand to be reminded that there is more to this life than this life. The Christian theme was realistic and tasteful and not clobber-you-over-the-head. The mother's prayer, alone in her cop car was particularly real and powerful. And thanks for keeping it real with no pulled from the hat last minute miracle happy ending. It has a realistic, satisfying and hopeful ending. Hat's off to all for making such quality entertainment with such a powerful message on such a small budget. I'm a fan! (And in the final scene, I could see my dad's and grandparents' graves.)
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Nice, but MORE Circus, Less Glee, and check your history!
I was so excited to see this movie and really wanted to love it. I didn't. What I did like a lot: Beautiful cinematography, gorgeous costuming, Hugh Jackman (of course), the "never give up" story line. BUT I was bored through the first segment with the kids singing, I found most of the songs to be forgettable, the dance numbers all looked like a Glee production and seemed totally out of place for the historical context.
Jenny Lind was renowned for her angelic voice, not for being a pop diva, although her song was amazing.
I found it annoying that huge plot progress took place while the daughters didn't grow up.
This movie had all the ingredients to be a classic, but by trying to appeal to current music taste, it becomes a freakish thing with people in period costume "gettin' down" to 21st century tunes. I still stuck with it and enjoyed parts of it immensely, like the Bearded Lady solo (even though, once again, the dancing went all Glee.)
So, if you watch, start with a forgiving spirit and lowered expectations.
The Atheist Delusion (2016)
Thoughtful, Reasonable, Beautiful
Emphasis on REASONABLE. Ray Comfort poses questions that the reasonable person, if honest, will have to admit makes atheism look quite foolish. Hence ALL the reviews from atheists giving it a 1. I would probably REASONABLY give this an 8, but in light of all the negativity and down right hatefulness, I'm going with 10 to cancel a review from someone who probably didn't even watch. My spouse and I were moved by this film and recommend it. I did find Ray's style a bit overwhelming at times, like trying to get a sip from a fire hose, but no denying his passion. How can ANYONE glimpse the complex information in DNA and defend the idea that there is no intelligent designer? If you are a Christian looking for fresh ways to share or defend your faith, this is wonderful. If you are looking for answers, this is wonderful. If you think you already have all the answers, it's still wonderful.
God of Wonders (2008)
Beautiful and Inspiring
This kind of blew me away with the many intricate details from nature and science that point to an intelligent designer. I do wish they had a few fewer old white guys talking, but they do have something to say. The cinematography is breathtaking. A lot to think about. I loved this!