enofile Reviews

Cuba: The Forgotten Revolution (2015 TV Movie)

Propaganda Works Both Ways

[4/10 · 22 February 2017]

While Fidel Castro was hardly a saint, and he distorted the values of a socialist revolution during his reign of terror in Cuba, the intent of this film is to vilify the young revolutionary. Castro was heroic in his leadership that led to the overthrow of the violent dictatorship of Batista. That he turned his conquest into his own personal autocracy, cannot be denied. However, portraying the young Fidel as a selfish, narcissistic, egomaniac, only interested in furthering his own personal agenda, is a distortion of history. I wonder whose money paid for this documentary, and how much of this money came from the Miami Cuban population angry over the lifting of the embargo.

Kara (2016)

Perhaps The Worst Movie I Have Ever Seen

[1/10 · 20 February 2017]

I was intrigued by the plot of this film. It was a good story. That's where the positives end. I taught acting for many years, and the actors in Kara were horrific. They broke every rule of Acting 101. The young woman portraying Kara attempted a Rebecca Pigeon, of David Mamet fame, type of dead pan affect. It was just dead. She was suppose to be "hot" and seductive. However, if you know you might show some skin in a film, get to a gym beforehand! The actors were not attractive and had no charisma. Also, the dialogue may have been written by a twelve year old. It was that banal.

I watched the whole movie because I was intrigued by how bad it was. Who would invest in this film? The producers must have been family. If I was back teaching, I would use this film to give pointers on what not to do. Kara was amazingly bad. I guess that counts for something.

The Game (2014–2015)

The Game is to fool us into watching

[5/10 · 21 November 2014]

Perhaps this reviewed is skewed since I grew up during the Cold War, but although the filming, acting, and atmosphere are spot on, there are inexplicable discrepancies in the plot that simply make no sense. Bodies are knocked out and left prone with no attempt to interrogate. Wire taps are set and the listeners just far away enough not to prevent the obvious disaster. Comedy is interjected at inappropriate moments and seems ridiculous, rather then funny. Also, the writers have thrown historical accuracy to the wind, and the story takes on a "Twilight Zone," science fiction tone. If I provide exact examples, I will spoil the show for those viewers who simply desire snappy entertainment. Thus, I will show restraint. The Game could have been a TV LeCarre, but alas, it is more pop then intrigue.

Educazione siberiana (2013)

This is not a good movie from any angle.

[2/10 · 8 October 2014]

While I appreciate the technical skill of the cinematography, the dialogue, character development, and editing must have been created through an alcoholic haze fueled by bad potato Vodka. It's too bad the cinematographer was not involved in a project that included a competent director and production team. How John Malcovich took on this role must be a fascinating and convoluted story. His performance was no "stretch" and Malcovich's abilities as an actor are not on display in Deadly Code or whatever name this ersatz piece of filming wants to use. The plot is trite and there is nothing fresh or revealing in this "comic book tale" of organized ethnic crime in Russia. This subject matter, when focusing on the transformation of the USSR to the current 15 republics, provides fodder for great movie making. However, this particular story is ludicrous, inexplicable, and simply makes no sense. Malcovich's acting is an over the top campy goof, but the other performances are so weak, especially Kolya's the young lead, that Malcovich's thespian romp seems Olivierarian in comparison. The only redeeming part of this movie, as I mentioned, is the cinematography. Thus, if you are an aspiring film maker, watch this with the sound off. It's the only way to tolerate it.