TheRenegadeTaoist Reviews

The Big Short (2015)

Tough to watch... for all the right reasons

[9/10 · 2 January 2016]

This film is tough to watch having lived through the housing crisis and unemployment meltdown of 2007 to present. It inspires righteous indignation and they are a lot of unlikable people that you encounter throughout the film. Don't get the wrong impression, this film is an absolute necessity on raw economics majors and even the fringe behavioral economists.

We now spend a tremendous amount of time discussing the poor leadership and lack of responsibility that we encountered during that time period but nothing of such gross negligence should escape unnoticed (according to the film maybe it didn't).

That it still shows that intelligent people will prosper even from the most ignorant, gross misconduct is somewhat painful to watch.

Generally speaking, these are the films that don't make a lot of headway on the road to the Oscars but the cast is very stellar and is undeniable in their efforts to bring the story life from a very real point of view. Not shocking to me, Steve Carell turns in a superb effort with a highly nuanced performance overall. I wish them all the best on the road to the Oscars.

Having lived through the time period, I never read the book but the last 6 to 10 minutes of the film make your stomach hurt long after the ending. If the point in cinema is to get a reaction or some sort of a dialogue started this movie is highly successful.

This movie may bore the poop out of kids through the mid- to late 20s... but it is a hot weapon against the machine for anybody who is beyond that age range. Historical economic movies don't usually do well at the box office but pick up a hellacious head of steam later on if they're on target and this movie is.

I recommend you catch it in theaters and have an interesting conversation on the way out to the parking lot and beyond.

Spotlight (I) (2015)

Right On Target

[9/10 · 2 January 2016]

In spite of all of the derailment attempts, this film is very important, and therefore may find itself buried. Subject matter that makes people feel comfortable very frequently finds itself with the cult following or relegated to late-night showing on cable television things of that nature.

We all know the subject matter, the cast turned in stellar performances and may find themselves snubbed at the Oscars. It's happened to better movies in the past. This film peels scabs off some very nasty psychological injuries that we as society may not want to revisit, but need to, very much so. History repeats itself until the lessons are learned.

I am very appreciative of the reality that there is an interrelatedness and consideration that happens the matter of the gravity of the story when larger more global affairs do transpire. How often are very important events lost behind even larger events?

I was impressed by the depiction that integrity does exist in some arenas still to this day and there are people who are more than willing to accept responsibility for the error of their past judgments or dismissal of less than savory possibilities.

This is a solid film about real people, with real issues that need to be at the forefront of how we govern ourselves. This whole season of Oscar contenders and SAG award nominees are field of reminders to the general public that films can tell great stories of facts as well as fantasy… And often times the fantasies are not as horrifying nor as fantastic as fact.

Thank you for phenomenal, simple storytelling, thank you for reminding us that the cinema can be a powerful instrument beyond being a vehicle to sell shiny, undigestable popcorn and Scooby snacks.

Thank you for bringing back post credit dialogue between viewers.

Watch this film and talk about it afterward... a lot.

Trumbo (2015)

Should be used in Labor and Employment Relations Courses

[2 January 2016]

This film, as highly entertaining as it is, should probably find its way into labor and employment relations courses across the country over time. It is a great depiction of how unfair the country can be at certain times. These times should not be forgotten.

A testament to integrity, moral courage, and loyalty to values Trumbo is a brilliantly played portrayal of people in a trying time. It is a statement about what happens when very unintelligent people are in a position of power and status. It is a statement about what happens when people are afraid. I'm always very amazed at how "un-American activities" is more a depiction of the behaviors of the individuals on the committee than the finds of said committee.

The cast in this film resonate the sentiment and raw emotion of the time, the simplicity, practicality, and complexity are shown in each performance. The nuance in Helen Mirren performance that not escape a single view who can appreciate the inner motivations of her character they come the surface in nonverbal communication with deft authenticity.

The detail of film history and the work lives of the people who made the cinema of their time are not lost. This is yet another film of 2015 that provides post credit dialogue for the audience because of the large concepts that are portrayed. To include the significant cameo role that "Benzedrine" plays in the film. A bow at the waist goes to Louis C.K. for his voicings of the many who are not directly in the film but exist as a robust and spirited consciousness.

Another solid film, filled with great storytelling not to be missed.

Black Mass (2015)

Worth the watch

[8/10 · 2 January 2016]

I was very interested in watching this film as a true-crime buff. We all understand that there will be a certain amount of theatrical license taken whenever dealing with such subject matter. I didn't expect it to be too far off base from reality since the Whitey Bulger fiasco has been highly publicized. Johnny Depp was a little odd choice in my opinion by his been known to pull bigger rabbits on the hat (even literally). Good to have Johnny Depp reminders every once in while he's a legitimate actor not just trying to fund additional island property.

The problem in films of this nature tend to be how familiar the general public is with the issues and our opinions of what we believe reality to be. We hold film a little too stringently against reality or at least what the media has presented as reality to most of us. I would like to think that enough due diligence has gone into whatever form of dramaturgy has happened by responsible parties to present a relatively balanced film. But in general we want the grit and grime without regard for legalities or implications.

True, the film focuses on alliances and the levity provided that we have always suspected. And we have seen a ton of films in this genre with such focus and we have fabricated our own concepts of how such organizations work, how such unholy alliances are formed, and therefore have an expectation of what we should see. This past history in turn doesn't really provide a fair shake for any film in the current time frame as we have so much the compare it to.

I believe that the real demystification of this spell (not to say the cast wasn't good or to question the deftness of Depp) is that we seem to have seen this story a lot. We know how it ends, we realize there's very little arc and we'd like to see a twist to the hat trick that we haven't seen before... If it sticks to the reality of the situation, it's simply not gonna happen.

Does it deliver? Yes. Is it a Tarantino yarn? Not remotely. Will you be entertained, to a greater extent? Yes.

I think this year DiCaprio may have Depp on this one.

The Revenant (I) (2015)

Solid film

[8/10 · 2 January 2016]

Overall, this is a solid film with great cinematography and a full appreciation of a way to draw viewers into the rawness of the frontier during the time period which the film set. DiCaprio gives a very invested performance. Without giving too much away, the infusion of reality that is necessary to come through and actors nonverbal performance is very present. The entire venue becomes somehow colder, more isolated, more barren... This is very much one to watch in theaters or high-quality home venues. The efforts are applauded and a quality story is told.

How it fares on the road to the Oscars may be a different story but DiCaprio certainly has given Depp and all competitors a run for their money. Hats off to Leonardo based on the premise that he has definitely developed and progressed tremendously as a thespian.

Highly recommended, not for the faint of heart. Solid film, a nice return the storytelling and cinema.

Beasts of No Nation (2015)

Somewhat difficult to watch

[9/10 · 2 January 2016]

As an independent, or whatever subcategory a Netflix production would fall into... This was indeed a high-quality film and an intoxicating story. Having spent a large amount of quality time as deep as an American can get in West Africa,these characters are real people or as close as the cinema can take you. All of the foibles are present. I found myself frequently saying "I sincerely hope viewers realize how close to reality this is for this subject." Young Mr. Attah and his comrades in this film certainly must've been uncomfortable at different points for various reasons.

This film is half a step removed from being a documentary. We are presented with yet another film with the cinematography does not escape an individual has actually been to the areas of the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo and Benin. Congratulations for authenticity. Unfortunately, one would hope that the plight of the youth of such countries to include Senegal, Sierra Leone and Liberia (and so many others) would not go unnoticed.

Refreshing, necessary, a topic of frequently under-discussed subject matter this is an important film and should be watched by the mass. In spite of the discomfort that may be caused, it is a necessity to start dialogue and hopefully a degree of activism, or at a minimum awareness.

We will see how it fares on the road to the Oscars... Definitively worth viewing, a necessity of ownership for all self proclaimed humanitarians.

Frances (1982)

Unsettling, exciting and difficult to let go. Definitely a "Must Watch".

[10/10 · 25 February 2012]

To begin with, Thank you to everyone involved in this project.

I watched this film and was drawn in to a point of feeling constantly off balance.

That says a tremendous amount about the participants. They set the right mood, tone and pace and performed the hell out of their roles.

It is, as many have said, an important and underrated film. In truth Frances Farmer was an actress best known for "sensationalized and fictional accounts of her life", a Hollywood legend so to speak for all the wrong reasons. (Especially her involuntary commitment to a mental hospital.) But the this account speaks volumes on the Institution system and treatment of those "non-compliant" with social norms of the time.

As in the the film Changeling (2008), this film pricks up our ears to the dis-empowerment of women during that era (which still goes on globally). Like many other women of the period who were deemed disruptive, women often times were forced into the secret custody of a mental institution or denied rights (turned over to spouses, parents or other family). After the passing of the 19th Amendment, as women started to openly assert their independence many establishments tried to maintain their control over the free will of women. In the end they were in large part manipulated by a number of agencies and political machinery and ultimately had involuntary medical treatments/experiments in behavior modification performed (or extensive removals from society). Sadly there was a great deal of old school thinking that feed into that from prior generations of other women. This film pulls no punches in areas that are well documented historically.

You can easily see where this film is headed but the deceptively simple script and compelling composition wrings out every bit of viewer-ship you have. I was welded to my seat until the end credits. I would have to say it would be very hard to watch this piece and not want Jessica Lange's "Frances" to win.

Great work... definitively should be on the major "must watch" lists.

Hit Man (1972)

Uggghhh! The dialogue. But worth a watch... once.

[6/10 · 9 September 2011]

This film shows how taking even a solidly founded film and remaking it with low end rambling dialogue can mutilate what had some promise. Shot almost scene for scene from GET CARTER -based on the 1969 novel Jack's Return Home (which has resonated through multitudes of other film plots successfully). This movie flounders in a horribly almost plot-less screenplay. I dread what the outcome would have been had GET CARTER not been the master mold. In this genre remake the hero is not clear as to his history and drive and floats from place to place. No matter how much spicing up with racy visuals it still falls short.

Not trying to short change any film, I watched it a second time and nothing changed, no nuance to be found (no fault of Bernie Casey). This is a typical low grade band wagon production from MGM of the time. With dialogue like "That just ain't in his head. I'm the freak of the family", when pondering whether his brother's death could have actually been a suicide you have a long haul to the end of this one.

Better use of the "out for revenge" plots of this era and genre have been seen in Welcome Home Brother Charles and Gordon's War.

Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)

One of the most redeeming films of the year

[10/10 · 27 March 2006]

I have viewed many of the years films in the privacy of my home. Many of them were flat, long, winding pictures that beg me to ask why? There were very few that allowed me to lend them my full attention. This film had me from the first 3 minutes. It made me late for an appointment. It made me rush back to watch a few portions again. The subject matter, direction, acting, cinematography... an arsenal of aspects that rivet you to your seat. Great job all around. The downer is that with a film this strong... you walk away knowing there could have been many more out there but they never made it to market.

Boy, that Geo. Clooney.

Matthew 26:17 (2005)

The screening was hot.

[10/10 · 3 May 2005]

I was in attendance to the screening of this film. It was in Beverly Hills, CA at the Continental, a supper club, I believe is owned by Ben Affleck & Matt Damon. The place was pretty tight, standing room by 9pm on a Wednesday. We watched the screening projected on a reasonably large screen behind the bar as well as being played through a smaller plasma unit in the wall. Sound quality was reasonable for the environment. The film was great looking for a micro budget and a couple of days of shooting. The editing was solid and the story was tight. The score was ominous in that it was always present but not too pushy in how the viewer should feel. The acting was outstanding in places and adequate in others. The misstep taken oftentimes by performers in these types of projects is that they add current day values and views to the events, instead of being in the "now" as it should be at that specific moment in time. What is the market for this project? Most likely cable and history/religious arenas. It seemed as true to life as the bible itself depicts. I overheard a viewer say that the moments shown in this project are the missing portions of Mel Gibson's 'The Passion'. I'm in agreement. I would love to see a 22 minute version edited for television soon.

Lament (2002)

This short is simple and direct.

[10/10 · 24 November 2003]

This short is simple and direct. The actors seem to be in "apprenticeship" but convey the story well. A few decent moments from what the director had to work with. A reasonable effort on all parts, the butler was entertaining. The father and son relationship never quite felt clearly defined. Would like to have seen more.

Chappelle's Show (2003–2006)

Comedy is personal and Dave gives us a peek inside his mind

[11 April 2003]

I applaud Comedy Central and Dave Chappelle. This show is fresh, adventuresome and "real". The grittiness and uncomfortability for many come from the harsh reality that for everything we consider to be funny... there is some truth floating around in there. It may be hard to swallow sometimes but for the most part it generally turns out to be lots of fun. Every comic has to open his mind and try things out... say some things that maybe only they think is funny... it's always a gamble. Dave and his team are creative and very alive/now. I anticipate the next week's show as the credits role every Wednesday night @ 11pm. I feel confident that every week will hold at least a some portion worthy of "cooler conversation". If Dave or the team read this... Hey, y'all, Keep up the good work.