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jlinnhenline
Reviews
Hickok (2017)
Some easy fixes would have made it a better film
Luke Hemsworth, Trace Atkins, Bruce Dern and some of the others did a good job bringing the story to life. The lead actress was lacking something. Every time she came into a scene it felt like a bad fit, without any soul to the character. Kris Kristofferson was stiff and didn't project comfort in the role.
As far as the "easy fixes"... the extras were sometimes wearing clothing that didn't fit the time period and they moved around like they weren't invested in what was going on, more like they were told, "walk across the room this way" so they just walked across the room. It didn't feel natural.
There was a scene in the doctors office where the top of the walls just stopped, no ceiling, making it obvious it was a set. I actually had to rewind to look again, thinking why wouldn't they re-shoot that scene at a different angle??
I don't know anything about Luke Hemsworth's career, but it seems he could be doing better films. Working with Kristofferson and Dern may make a film have a certain clout, but this one didn't gel.
Kudos to Hunter Fischer (the young boy) and Kaiwi Lyman-Mersereau (John Wesley Hardin).
Shang Yang Fu (2021)
This became my obsession
Beauty, drama, intrigue, action, romance, superb acting, engrossing story.
The actors were fantastic. The casting as well. I became so attached to the characters I truly was obsessed. I thought about them and the situations they were in when I wasn't watching.
I like period films/shows and costume dramas that represent the time and the historical happenings they are set in. I had no preconceived idea of Chinese culture during this period. It was spectacularly filmed and produced to convey the splendor and beauty of the time and place but also the representation of class and hierarchy that was the way of life.
Unlike most modern productions, this one doesn't rely on graphic details. Sex is implied. There is no gratuitous nudity, The battle scenes, while brutal, didn't linger on guts and torture. I found it thrilling to be brought to the brink of an emotion and then be taken to a new scene with another twist and more intrigue.
Speaking of intrigue! There were more plot twists than any mystery I've ever known. I really felt for the characters, rooting for the good and despising the bad. Sometimes being totally surprised to find out they weren't what they seemed.
Some people might be put off by the subtitles or translations, I didn't know if I would watch more than a couple episodes because of the subtitling but I just finished the last episode (68) and I watched them all in less than 2 weeks.
The subtitles were basic and sometimes comical because of the translation, but I don't feel like I lost a moment of the plot or what was inferred. Within 3-4 episodes I was so used to it I forgot I was reading.
I am so happy there were as many episodes as there were in this 1st season. I felt fully satisfied at the end, not let down like a lot of other series. I am hoping I will have the opportunity to see another season though. They left just enough possibility for more drama that I could definitely see another season being as good as this one.
Wiener-Dog (2016)
Definitely not a "Dog" movie
Not being familiar with the writer I had no idea what I was getting into with this one. The image used and the description write-up eluded to a comedy. Possibly something heartwarming. As a crazy dog loving person I was disgusted and saddened by the stories.
Not one laugh through the entire film. I enjoy dark comedy, the occasional down and out getting kicked around a little, personality disorder portrayal stories as much as the next person, but this was just sadness in every vignette.
The acting was very good and the art of the film was effective at adding intensity to the situations. I won't say it was poor writing, directing or anything technical. It is just simply not a comedy, unless you are a masochist. If you are a dog lover, it is sickening how the "owners" dealt with the dogs.
I will not resort to revealing any spoilers here. Just know that if you are the kind of person that cringes at dogs being in bad situations this film may be too much for you to deal with. I know I will be thinking of a couple scenes for awhile, akin to how I feel when I see a mistreated dog video on YouTube or Facebook.