peds12 Reviews

Brotherhood (2006–2008)

Truly interesting

[9/10 · 5 January 2007]

I do believe this is the best series I've ever watched. As far as its authenticities go concerning accents and mannerisms, I can not attest to this. I can say however that the casting job was wonderful. The way this show is written allows the series to make a statement about how politics and organized crime (even at a small level) are very similar. Michael Caffee shows up in town after several years away to find his family where he left them. His Brother tommy is a politician and though they have chosen completely different lives, they seem to have the kind of bond that is missing in America today. Right off the back we find in the series how connected the whole town is based on their roots and having grown up together. All the gangsters, politicians, and everyone else seem to be quite intertwined in the general plots in the first series, but the most impressive character to me is Michael Caffee. I don't think I've ever seen a better casting job, and the strength in his face when he looks at the camera is truly exactly what you see in a street guys face. But as I said they are all perfectly cast. I cant imagine how the show could be better except I think there could be a bit more about what michaels doing sometimes because some gaps need to be filled. On the other hand I cant say that the more political episodes weren't good as they lay the ground for much of the general plot lines in the series and would if this were real life affect their lives more than Michaels entanglements. In a way this kind of sums up the two brothers personalities where michael being more in charge of his own life stays in the shadows, while Tommy's public life forces him to be more slippery and therefore is harder to control. In summation It is the best gangster show I've seen and only hope that unlike the sopranos it doesn't drift off the main focus. The only way this could happen i think is if they loose the balance of showing all the characters which happened very much in the sopranos.

Redentor (2004)

Missed the spot...

[2/10 · 22 June 2006]

"Redentor" is not a portrayal of innocent middle class and its struggle for a better life as it is claimed in the above review. I am afraid that something may have been lost in translation. Instead, wrapped up in a witless comedy about a man who tries to do something good under the ordination of god, the movie casts a justifiably cynical light on the bleeding heart poverty cases of Rio de Janeiros favelas. In Rio we are always been told what to think about the poor people who have less and how they are just good people like the rest of the world but just in a bad situation. The realities are that whether through poverty or cultural distancing from society(schools, arts, philosophy, etc.) the reactions and instincts of people from the favelas are brute. They are unreserved and disrespectful to the rest of the world. They do not actively participate in society by any means. and this movie shows that. It clearly displays a man trying to give to society, and being fought every step of the way by the same people who he is fighting for. First he finds that the building in which his parents pre-paid an apartment has been taken over by a large favela group. His family which spent every dime they had to secure a place to live, now live in a single apartment with more than 8 or so people. When he goes in to the building in hopes of acquiring a statement he finds that these people not knowing the apartment is his tell him that no one came for them so now the building is theirs. Over-all the movie is troubling on many fronts but I believe it to be a waste of time for anyone up to par with politics or a worldly sense. It hides key issues by covering them with unimpressive rhetoric. This is actually interesting because it starts off in the first few minutes with amazing potential. Had it followed a different path it could really have been a movie. Better luck if there is a next time for the director but choose some actors which are Screen oriented as opposed to stage.(exception for Pedro Cardoso who is as always top notch)

Elizabethtown (2005)

Unfortunately juxtaposed

[4/10 · 11 April 2006]

The most surprising aspect of modern film is that with so few if any remaining worlds (scenarios) to explore, there is an enormous amount of movies produced monthly. Inevitably there would be some repeats amongst the plethora of features. But its almost sad for this movie that garden state was so fresh in its extremely traditional storyline. I guess this movie could have actually been good if the acting in it wasn't so hollywoodian. This cast of extremely overpaid, untalented actors couldn't actually convey a single feeling throughout the whole movie. the acting was actually completely devoid of sentiment, and this I can say without a doubt is the greatest achievement in the film. As a matter of fact the only actors worth a second look in the whole film are the ones who are inconsequential to the plot. Orlando bloom delivers once again a completely empty performance sealing his lack of aptitude for being a leading character. Kirstin dunsts performance as always not worth mentioning. and Susan once again uses a blank face to pretend she is thinking of something. Overall the direction is tired, the soundtrack is expected, the whole production seems like a collaboration of people who don't really like what they are doing. email me for a list of good movies like this one you will enjoy more [e-mail]