krice23 Reviews

Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)

A lot to consider here.You ready?!

[10/10 · 23 September 2021]

There has been a lot of talk in non-traditional medical circles, and in the media over, well - over the last 60+ years actually, but much more in the last decade or so. It would be a grave mistake to keep your mind closed and stay tightly opinionated before you've actually reached out and learned something new, something real, true, tested, and analyzed, something completely aside from your what your parents tried to scare you with. They certainly knew nothing different than what our trusted government and our traditional prescription based pharmacology (Big Pharma as we now call it, once we realized what kind of a machine it truly was) and medical professionals told them, and so societies developed a very one-sided, pre-conceived, view of consensus about psychotropic therapy. In fact, many even today dismiss its benefits offhand, assuming it's just another way for Stoners to try and justify their fix, and feed their dependencies without shame. And after all, who hasn't wondered at the irony, the lack of reason shown by an adult with their forth martini in hand lecturing their young about the evils of drugs, hammering at you about Cannibus being a gateway drug to heroin, in denial to this day, most likely, for societal norms and acceptance take a long time to change. Outdated ideas, truths, and morals literally have to die with their hosts, leaving way for a new generation to swing the pendulum back when it's their turn, and this can be maddeningly slow when it comes to our most obvious, urgent, and progressive ideas. Just look at how we are experiencing the ugly, cruel, and inhumane legacy of 400 years of slavery, bigotry, and systemic racism - even now, even still now, a century and a half since we fought the most costly and all-important civil war. Not since our war of independence have we had such an outright challenge to the democratic way of life, so closely linked and akin with what our two-party political system and former leader, a certifiable and self-serving megalomaniac in the time-honored Office of the Presidency, directing actions, which we now have proof in hand, that were intended as nothing short of a coup. But I digress... forgive me if the last four years and COVID have taken their toll on me.

I ask you in all sincerity, where would mankind, medicine, industry, technology, and science be if not for those who rail against the system, asking the impertinent questions and demanding timely answers, answers that come with verifiable evidence, and satisfy the query? Much has been done, to be sure, but much more needs doing if we are to consider ourselves leaders amongst the worlds most powerful countries. If we are to grow beyond the limits of our imagination we must dare to do the unimaginable. We must not be afraid to ask why. Children aren't. Children in their first years are learning at an unprecedented rate, one we will never know again, and the whys come just as natural to them as breathing. So Why as adults have we stopped asking why, and why have we learned to accept no response to our questions? Or worse still, recycled rhetoric. It is precisely this attitude, and No Other, that will allow us to cure hunger, poverty, pollution, gain the upper hand in medicine and therapies, cure disease, conquer dementia, and yes, even tackle and reverse climate change. Because if we don't ask the questions, we'll get no answers, and That, my friends, That is the end of Everything!

So in the tradition of every explorer, every inventor, professor, conquering king, pioneer, and spiritual guide, I give this film, a film which dares to push beyond the known limits into uncharted territory, I give it a 10. A 10 with a smile on my face, a spark of hope in my eyes, and a Great Big Thank You!

Wildling (2018)

This film is an onion waiting to be peeled and examined.

[8/10 · 13 September 2021]

Man, in his narcissism and his self-righteousness, has self-appointed himself as the Apex Predator on Earth. In his undeniably defiant refusal to use any sense of history, any degree of reason or wisdom, in his religious zealotry, has appointed himself dominium over all animals, plants, resources, and insects which inhabit this planet and the deep, and irreplaceable bio system, has doomed himself, and hundreds of thousands of species to full extinction. Hell, the truth is, man cannot Ben live with man, he feels such a need to dominate and control, even though, in thrush, he deludes himself and is the element of his own eventual extinction.

Wo, when I watch a film like this, and think how all my life I've heard all manner of men, with varying degrees of belief, tell tall tales of catching a glimpse of Bigfoot, of seeing unidentifiable lights in the night sky, and yes, even tell stories of their love for their mothers, wives, and daughters, well sir, I just have to scoff. On this planet violence has a gender, and it's overwhelmingly of male origin. Anything that's different, not comprehended, won't be mastered or do what they're told, anything or anyone that makes them feel in any way insecure or not in complete control, is just fair game for them, upbringing and morals be dammed. They've wiped out species we haven't even catalogued yet, killed a hundred million or more Buffalo for their tongues and their hide - and of course to keep them out of the hands of the natives whose very lives depend on them. We've polluted rivers and lakes so entirely we nearly wiped out many major birds of prey, such as the California condor and the American eagle. Women aren't safe in their own homes, on the job, or on the streets. They are literally picked up and sold into sex slavery, held captive by both bars and force-fed drugs. We aren't safe from our fathers, our brothers, our husbands, our priests, or any stranger we pass on the street from the day were born til well into our oldest ages, and we can not get help to save our souls. It's simply not enough for women to organize, march, and lobby Congress. It matters not what we say or how poetic we get, how angry and fed up we are, or even if we can pull a few heart strings. Until MEN decide they're going to stop it from happening - all of it - it will just go on and on and on until the world, and all it's inhabitants are gone forever.

I'll bet you had no idea the themes and ideas this film, Ben in its mediocrity, could rustle up and stand for. There's a lot, it seems, that pass by man completely unawares. And it's really too bad, because we have such intelligence, creativity, and unlimited potential! If we could only harness and ever sustain the energy, the desire, the willingness to work together and make life better for all, as we often do after some disaster, we would truly be a masterpiece of creation! A bright spot on the horizon. A beacon of hope for all those facing unfortunate circumstances.

Instead, as shone clearly and predictably in this film, we just kill it. We Just Kill It.

Karen (I) (2021)

Cannot believe the comments in the reviews!

[5/10 · 7 September 2021]

I haven't yet finished watching this film, so the point rating I gave is arbitrary, but when I took a short break, I couldn't resist reading a few, and then all of the comments. They sounded more like comments seen frequently on Facebook or YouTube, seeking arguments and a soapbox than actual film reviews, and I can pinpoint the right-wing white people with no effort at all. Full disclosure; I am white myself, so I know a white persons attitude towards race issues when I hear them. I was frankly dismayed and astounded by the sheer numbers of people convinced this was "Hollywood leftist", or "liberal hype" material trying to make an issue where there isn't one. Lots of "woke" comments as well. People, I hate to tell you this, although I sincerely doubt this is the first time someone's told you this, but your privileged, blinders-wearing, lily-white asses are showing! Anyone who still takes a stand in 2021 that there are no race issues, discrimination, or systemic racism in America is either in total denial, or a racist, themselves - period! You should be ashamed of yourselves. Do everyone a favor and quit watching so much Fox "News", and adopting your family's opinions as your own without doing any research or questioning what you think you know. Are you aware that Fox News is Not an actual News channel? By the FCC's legal definition, they are an Entertainment Channel, Not a News Organization, which allows them plenty of latitude with the truth, and they must, although usually late at night and in very small print, divulge this fact on air to the public. But I'd wager most Fox viewers don't know that little fact, or what it actually means for the content they present. They aren't bringing you real investigative journalism, they're airing editorial shows, and letting the ratings dictate what they claim and discuss, even when it's a bald-faced lie. So, maybe you should actually get off the couch and go out into the real world and get to know some people of color, and then Listen To Them! They don't all belong to some secret "let's get whitey" organization and agree on which stories they'll all tell, this stuff actually happens! There's more to racism than just the history of slavery, as if many white people even know the real history, the KKK, or open bigots. If you want the Truth, then you must seek it out. It won't land in your lap, but it's not difficult to uncover, and you don't need to take any tests. Don't just do and say and think what you've always done because that's how you were raised. Be your own person and learn enough about the truth of racism to be able to formulate your own opinion. And then, listen to people of color even more. Who knows, you might even decide to become a better, more inclusive person and gain some wonderful new friendships! Good Luck!

The 12th Man (2017)

Not your typical war or survival film

[10/10 · 7 September 2021]

I am not much on war or survival films, it's just not my preference. However, this is an amazing true story about the will to live, man's determination to help those in need, and the spirit of peoples resistance against the worst of odds and direst consequences. You won't cry, neither will you laugh, but you will be imbued with a very real sense that mankind is capable of pushing themselves further than they could ever possibly believe or comprehend, and then push further still beyond that.

I wouldn't miss this one, and I'm very glad I didn't pass it by.

After the Wedding (2006)

So much better than Hollywood remake

[10/10 · 29 August 2021]

I had watched the recent Hollywood remake with Michelle Williams, and while I liked it very much, it just doesn't compare with this earlier version. This version, and the actors, poured their hearts and souls into these characters, and it paid off big time. There's a genuineness to it, a spirituality, if you will, that the remake, by comparison, didn't manage to capture. This version clutched at my heart, and the casting was remarkable, they all seemed so natural, no "acting" anywhere to be seen, and the emotional outbursts, whether fear or anger, were of a nature born in reality, not meant for the camera or an audience. You felt as if you were that mouse in the corner, observing the true lives of others, not sitting on your sofa eating popcorn and staring at a tv screen. So, bottom line, even if you saw, and liked the more recent version, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to the real thing.

The Old Ways (II) (2020)

Surprisingly good!

[8/10 · 27 August 2021]

First of all, you should know that I am not a fan of the horror genre. Suspense, yes, horror, not so much. So the very idea that I am reviewing this film makes a statement. I felt every aspect of this film was well constructed, a work from the heart, I would Imagine. The actors were excellent and worked very well together. The casting, plot, setting, dialogue, soundtrack, the few special effects they used(and not abused), and particularly, the demon were all admirably executed and pulled a rating of 8 from me. I probably don't need to add that's likely the highest rating I've ever given a film of this genre. There's some blood and guts, as it were, but no real gore. It didn't try too hard, it was a relatively simple plot, yet creative, and they didn't attempt to overshoot it, which frankly, is refreshing in any film. In short, they did it right. I would easily recommend this film to anyone, regardless of their film preferences; it's just that well done. It's a good viewing and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, as I was.

Line of Duty (2019)

Movie Pet Peeve #15

[8/10 · 25 August 2021]

Full disclosure, this is a rewatch for me but I'm only 26 mins in and already I have a pet peeve.

Scene: Aaron, a beat police officer, hears a call that a cop's down and suspect is not to be engaged, but he happens to be running right past Aaron's location, so he gives foot chase through half the city's streets and alleyways, only to finally come face to face with the suspect when he reaches a dead end. Aaron does everything right, including telling the guy, "C'mon man, don't make me do this!" when the suspect turns and produces a gun. A couple words are exchanged, the suspect raises his gun to fire, and Aaron puts two into his chest, killing him. So far so good (procedurally). However, back in the police truck, a ranking senior officer comes storming in, calling Aaron a cowboy, yells and belittles him until he finally explains that his own daughter's been kidnapped and the suspect was the only one who knew her location. Admittedly a serious and unfortunate problem, However, given the set of circumstances Aaron faced, being drawn on with intent to fire, knowing one officer was already down, along with two others the suspect fought off during the chase, including one such altercation between Aaron and the suspect, and of course, his having no knowledge of the sting operation intended to catch the suspect when he picked up the money drop, What Else Could He Have Done? Was he just supposed to just stand there and be killed?! Would that have made everything ok?

So, my peeve is this; not once did Aaron defend his actions or tell the senior officer he had been in a him-or-me gun stand-off! Seems to me that'd be the first thing coming out of my mouth! It's one thing to try and speak and to be shut down by a senior officer, it's quite another to not even try! C'mon people, you can do better than this! How many people read, rehearse, direct, edit, and ultimately speak the lines? Yet no one finds this "off" at all?! It's precisely these little nonsensical things in movies that piss me off, especially when they're spending 7 figures, no less, to produce it!

The Blackout (2019)

Interesting Premise, but...

[6/10 · 15 August 2021]

Interesting premise, however I have some basic timeline questions regarding Id's explanation of their peoples plan to attempt the colonization of earth. Firstly, despite their planet being "a very great distance from ours", he says their scout ships can travel "almost instantaneously" to ours, while their colonization ships take 200,000 years to reach us. That's quite a disparity, but ok, let's set that aside for now.

A larger question is based on the biggest steps in early human evolution, of which scientists are in agreement. The first human ancestors appeared between five million and seven million years ago, probably when some apelike creatures in Africa (all dark-skinned, by the way) began to walk habitually on two legs.

Modern humans originated in Africa within the past 200,000 years and evolved from their most likely recent common ancestor, Homo erectus, which means 'upright man' in Latin. Homo erectus is an extinct species of human that lived between 1.9 million and 135,000 years ago. Homo sapiens, the first modern humans, evolved from their early hominid predecessors between 200,000 and 300,000 years ago. They developed a capacity for language about 50,000 years ago. The first modern humans began moving outside of Africa starting about 70,000-100,000 years ago.

So, as Id explains it, he says that his people were here long before us, and precipitated our evolution in order to use our own baser instincts against one another in the future in order to do much of the human distinction ourselves, this sparing them the trouble. That's all fine and well, except that at our historic levels of procreation, including several plagues and illnesses that wiped out much of human civilization more than once, we now have nearly 8 Billion humans on earth, as opposed to a much more manageable population when they were allegedly here earlier; "You don't think man created the pyramids, do you?", says Id, referring to roughly 6,000 years ago.

Much like when considering the concept of time travel, this timeline just causes my brain synapses to short out.

Having said all that, the movie is somewhat entertaining, if you don't take it too seriously, and it does attempt to flesh out the characters somewhat despite it being an alien invasion film, so I rated it a 6.

I will add that this newer, more recent form of dubbing the actors voices over in English for a foreign film has improved dramatically. Used to be the voices didn't match up with the characters, and the dubbing wasn't so much "acted" as it was read aloud, usually devoid of any appropriate emotions or intensity, so I'm happy to see this new trend which many foreign countries are now using.

Pig (I) (2021)

Cage is back!

[9/10 · 23 July 2021]

Beautiful portrayal of a man, lost and found. Life is what happens when you're not looking, but in this scenario, he sees, he just doesn't want it. The things that were all important, all consuming in his life are gone. Does he have the Will to fight for the one thing he has left?

It's so damn good to see Nicholas Cage be Nicholas Cage again. I understand he had some Bernie Madiff problems, and his films of the last ten years reflect his troubles. But this? This is a truly great comeback. We've missed you Nicholas, and it's good to have you back.

Harmony (I) (2018)

Earnest Effort Succeeds With Me

[8/10 · 7 May 2021]

First off, I wish someone would decide on a name for this film. I've got it listed under Absolution in Crackle, & with the exact same art, it plays & is listed in IMDb as Harmony. And unless I'm mistaken, the info content here on IMDb also lists it by yet a Third name!

At any rate I enjoyed the movie. Initially it reminded me of an original (yes, I'm that old!) Star Trek episode where a superior intelligence race of aliens had lured Kirk & crew to be involuntarily participants in their experiment centered on a third race of being, a female with the power to take away physical pains & diseases. But there's always a catch. She could help suffering people, but she had to take the pain, the disease, along with all the symptoms, onto herself first, & endure it. If strong enough, she would recover (& then what, save herself or her entire race; I don't recall). But she was plenty afraid... Good luck finding that episode, kids! 😉 Back to Harmony... I thought everything was fairly well plotted & written, an expert would clean up and stream the dialogue, but well cast, the timing felt a little off at times, but any tricks used for timing are generally won the hard way. I'd like to hear the reasoning behind the decision made for-some-unknown-reason, & sad to say, a recent trend, to create nearly all the entire set designs to Looks like B&W; in other words, it's Grey All Over! Directors, Please Make up your Minds! One or the other, or a pretty damn good reason to split them!

I'm guessing this is a newer director/editor(or young) team because their were a couple moments that Looked like foreshadowing, and probably Could Have been, but they wasn't any meaning put to connect it for us, ie: the stars at the observatory, the pattern she pricked through the paper,& then when she looks at the light through the holes... a perfect setup for followup! And what was the small globe with sparkles(stars!) encased inside supposed to mean? Did I miss its meaning(it's possible!), or couldn't that be easily explained & included in this scenario as well? Perhaps it all represents the star system "her kind" come from, or where she needs to lead mankind to go?

I realize I've spent more time on my peeves than what I liked, but when a film starts off with a good, & relatively unusual concept just rife with possibilities, adds some solid writing & casts earnest actors with talent, and has a director smart enough to bring in an editor with a "devil's in the details" eye", they should go on to blend it this well together and make it entertaining - even with a limited budget such as this must have been.

This was obviously setup for a serial, as we see in the final scene, & personally, I think it's a shame they haven't followed up with one. I understand the tragic loss of the life of your leading actor is not something everyone can or wants to get past when considering a sequel.

All considered, an enjoyable hour and a half!

The Watch (2020–2021)

Not a zealous devotee of the books? You'll like this!😊

[7/10 · 1 February 2021]

My Apologies to y'all in advance, for my general lack of knowledge and expertise with the author's original material. I am not quite finished watching the entire series, but after reading rather text more than a few harsh and pretty ripping, single-minded reviews, mostly pertaining to their outrage over deviations from the original material, I thought I'd lay my 2¢ on the table, bear my soul and share a thought with you. Since I do not come as a staunch and purist devotee of the books (in fact, I'd never even heard of them), I came to watch this series with fresh eyes and no preconceived expectations(I know, it's apples and oranges!). I can definitely sympathize with the needs of so many devoted fans for a true and faithful plot and character representation(historically an issue), a certain continuity, and, if you're will, a pure idealism. I must say, however, that for me, having No Exposure to the original material appears to be a clear advantage. It frees me to accept or reject what they choose to put in front of me. While this series is unlikely to win any major accolades, it is not at all without its charm. The characters and script are quite original, it's Extremely Well-cast, composed of actors who exude and share a strong chemistry and comradely for one another, despite their social constructs lineage, position, or species. I found it to be very cleverly written, indeed. The dry wit and high humor, mixed with just a pinch of slapstick(that's enough for me) and a touch of quirkiness, along with any number of additional forms of humor employed, are well-timed and display quite the sophisticated dialogue writing skills. Mind you, although I've always considered myself to be an avid and well-read consumer; all this is from a "book series-ignorant" perspective, so you're must forgive me my small errors and discrepancies. All in all, & with Covid/cabin fever forefront in mind, overall, I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed watching this series.

Dark Was the Night (2014)

Wait for Durand's next feature & pass on this.

[4/10 · 1 October 2020]

There is much to appreciate in Kevin Durand's performance, and Lucas Haas delivered, too, but the script leaves a Lot to be desired. There are just too many discrepancies for my satisfaction. Here are several examples: when the birds flock and migrate, en masse, from the town, the Sheriff says they're closer to spring than to fall, which would make it summer, but it's clearly Not summer. Tommy says later on that it's hunting season, which is not permitted until fall. Also, everyone is dressed in coats, and there is a full-on blizzard, which would not happen til at least, very late fall, or usually, full on winter. I have lived through many blizzards in my 63 yrs in Minnesota, in the city and in the country, and I've never even heard of anyone, let alone an entire town, evacuating before a storm. It might be done in remote mountain country by folks who could get snowed in for weeks, or when anticipating a hurricane, but not a blizzard. You just stock up and bunker down. The paw prints found in the mud, the woods, and the flour on the pantry floor of the church do not in any way resemble the massive clawed hooves of the creature they so often focus the camera on. We get a very clear picture of those feet. You don't have to be a hunter or tracker to figure that one out. And at the end, when we finally have the creature reveal, I was less than impressed. Oh, it's not because it wasn't a convincing monster, it was fine in that respect, and while I can appreciate the desire to create a badass monster, it just bears no resemblance whatsoever to any known animal, and evolution tells us that it would. Even the hooves and claw combination makes no sense, animals typically have one or the other, not both, and the claws were so overdone it would make a grizzly bear green with envy. Also, those claws certainly wouldn't leave just the three shallow swiped scratches across the faces of the sheriff and deputy after the creature was killed. Claws like that would have ripped their entire heads wide open. And lastly, the anatomy of this creature is one of a super predator, ie claws, upper body and shoulders, teeth and jaw, and as such, do not typically run in packs, they're solitary, so the ending shot showing an additional three creatures would be highly unlikely. Even the idea this creature would walk on its hind legs is preposterous, and that length of claw would not help in the upper tree growth as they'd like us to believe. I know we are expected to suspend belief in these films, but they shouldn't expect this much of us. After all, this type of creature would never have remained undetected and living in the woods as they portray it, and as there's very little virgin timber left, which is the only place they could possibly live undetected for millennia, and those woods were not Indicative of virgin growth at all. In summary, while I enjoyed seeing Durand in the lead of a feature film, the script left much to be desired, enough as to leave you unsatisfied and incredulous, and me, just plain irritated. It would have made a fine first draft, but should never have been brought to the screen this way, no matter how low the budget. In good faith, there's nothing much here to recommend. When I finish a movie and have this many issues with it (& I haven't even addressed the subplot of the sheriff's marriage dynamics, or loss of a child!), it doesn't get a recommendation from me, not even with low expectations at 3am, which another reviewer thought would bend the quality stick. I say take a pass and watch for the next Kevin Durand feature. This one's not worth the time.

Like Sunday, Like Rain (2014)

Had to quit...

[3/10 · 19 September 2020]

Watching after an hour. I knew I'd already put too much time into it and it just wasn't getting any better. Finally - SPOILERS - her uncle called with bad news and when her 12 yr old charge asked if everything was alright, her reply was, "Yeah. I mean, my dads in the hospital..." Ok. Anything serious after that just can't follow. '"Yeah"'? Yeah, But?! One heavy sigh and a brief flash of eye rolling later, and I was out. Which is where I recommend you stay with regards to watching this "production".

Chemical Hearts (2020)

Hormones strong enough to make or break us

[9/10 · 27 August 2020]

An extraordinary tale of the confusion one faces as a teenager, no longer held within the safe boundaries familiar in our childhood, but not yet possessing a mind that's "done baking", if you will, mature enough to stand firm, ready to meet the sometimes frightening, often exciting, unknown demands of adult life. A sort of "limbo", as the movie sees it, a journey which oftentimes feels too painful to endure, but a necessary bridge we must all cross over if we hope to ever get to the other side, alive and intact, ready to face the future stretching before us, a future of infinite possibilities that we alone can shape and live.

The Captive (I) (2014)

Text correction!

[9/10 · 1 August 2020]

In my review of this film I was, once again, the victim of the unfortunate autocorrect error that I failed to notice. In light of its possibly being misunderstood as antisemetic, I thought I'd try and write this correction: In the second sentence it reads "Other re Jews have gone...", when it Should Have Read, "Other reviewers have gone...". Apologies for any confusion or unintended offense.

The Captive (I) (2014)

Overall great film with a couple of fleshing out opportunities

[9/10 · 1 August 2020]

I am not going to take up any time writing about the plot of the movie. Other re Jews have gone into great detail so I don't feel it's necessary. What I will write about a couple of observations. The acting was very well performed. I sometimes wonder if I've watched the same movie and performances as some other reviewers who saw it and rated it completely differently! I believe one even referred to Reynolds performance as "wooden"!? Really? I thought his every word and action were entirely out of grief and guilt, and don't know how it could be viewed any other way. He was a father, destroyed! I enjoyed the film and felt it had suspense enough for even a Hitchcock fan. While I am not a particular fan of the flashback, it has its place. This film didn't seem to benefit from its use, however, and It's possible it only confused some. The only two complaints I have are that I did feel there could have been more work done to flesh out the connections, and fill in the gaps. When they were allowed to meet, Cassie said it wouldn't have mattered whether or not Matthew had left her alone in the truck for those few short minutes because she was being watched, and they just would have grabbed her another time. But the question remains unanswered, who are these people? How is the man arrested for trying to meet up with whom he assumed to be a young girl connected to Cassie's guard? We see them at prison visitation together, so we know there Is one, they just don't fill us in on what it is. And how are either of them connected to the woman who drugged, kidnapped, and delivered the detective to the guard? There were a few other plot holes, but again, for me the only ones of real relevance were the connections between the bad guys. This is a good movie, and if you don't dwell on the content of other reviews before watching it, you should enjoy it without any real problems. This is a very current topic, and I'm glad to see it's being used to illuminate these crimes for the public at large!

Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

Another winning performance directed by Edward Norton!

[9/10 · 26 July 2020]

Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

Just finished watching this expertly crafted film noir-ish jewel starring and directed by Edward Norton. He positively never fails to Impress and delight me, remaining true to his reputation for being utterly prepared and methodical, and at all times professional.

Norton absolutely shines in this role, never over or underplaying his "affliction", as he calls it.

As a director he slips on kid gloves, using a soft touch to weave this story carefully while steadily building the suspense naturally, without the heavy-handed action and over-editing many would have used with far less success.

Consider me duly impressed. Impressed indeed with yet another stellar performance as we have come to expect. No one renders a more convincingly accurate portrayal of characters with physical or mental challenges. He does his craft, and his industry proud and is a joy to watch. I gave this film a 9 rating, but for the life of me, as I wrap this up, I don't know why I didn't give it a solid 10. Bravo!

The Guilty (2018)

I am undone

[10/10 · 23 July 2020]

That was as good as it gets. You are There, You are invested. This film takes you to the exact emotional space of the moment. You are taken, an unwitting participant, a voyeur, a passenger suspended and helpless but to be swept up into the terror, the angst, the dread. You are helpless but to move, as if in tandem, one with the characters, pummeling toward the unknown, holding each breath In with anticipation, captive, your heart beats faster with every curve that lies ahead.

Josie (2018)

There's a fly in the plot line I can't digest

[7/10 · 2 July 2020]

I am not here to write a full review of the movie, although I Liked it well enough, points off for one thing. A flaw in the basic premise. Why go after the guards? The prosecutor, the police, his defense attorney, the 12 members of the jury, the judge(s) who either sentenced him or denied his death row appeals, hell, even the governor who withheld their power to commute his sentence... ok, I can understand her desire to exact revenge against any or all of Them. They are, after all, the actual people responsible for her fathers execution. They Are the people who "put him there". But the guards in the chamber who merely carried out that sentence? No. No, They didn't decide his guilt or innocence and they certainly bore no responsibility for the miscarriage of justice which put him there that day to destroy her innocence and trigger the revenge she sought. No, the guards, the way I see it, were just there to do their jobs and carry out the sentence others had imposed. One could make an argument they were also victims of the broken justice system as they were also betrayed by a system that put them in the position of unknowingly leading an innocent man to his demise when they, in good faith, believed him to be fairly convicted. Was Hank not haunted by this man's death, so strongly that he quit his job and lived his life like a guilty man? They didn't attend the trial. They didn't argue on either side of his case. They didn't give testimony as eyewitness to his guilt or innocence. They didn't serve in the jury and vote to convict him. They sure didn't sentence him, which was, after all, the final say in the matter. So her revenge seems tainted and it loses any "poetry" it might have enjoyed if it had been directed at any or all of them. And in the final scene the director might have saved the plot rationalization had her next "victim" been any of those truly responsible. But I don't see someone hating the guards and wanting them to pay. And Marcus? Why Marcus? Did she just frame him and ruin his life, effectively doing to him what had been done to her father, for the fun of it? She wears a ying-yang pendant on her neck but fails to grasp this little injustice she, herself caused? Like they say, God, or the devil, is in the details. And this little detail, both of them, ruin the entire premise and spoil the degree to which you can call this a realistic story. If they'd gotten that right it would have been a completely satisfying viewing because the basic idea, as well as the outstanding performances, were all excellent, even noteworthy. While it may not sound like it, I did enjoy the movie, but these Two Little Details upset the whole apple cart as far as I'm concerned. With that said, I still gave it a 7. Worth the watch.

Angel of Mine (2019)

Prickly points

[8/10 · 1 July 2020]

When did kids get to be such jackassas? I'm only 36 mins in and already I'm pissed. The son, constantly referred to as "baby", annoying enough in its own right, is just plain rude to his mother and out of line. Of course, she feels the need to apologize, but for what? I never heard her say she was going to buy it, only that she liked it and was considering it. So the kid jumps to conclusions and then is pissed at her when he learns it won't happen? Is the screenwriter even a parent to come up with this coddling tripe? I'm so tired of this attitude and forced to wonder, who enables these kids like this and expects to raise a well mannered, thoughtful, healthy adult with this parenting "technique". Now I know you're thinking I'm hard, perhaps even insensitive(and yes, I'm Old;63), but children need to know there are boundaries and, believe it or not, they're happier when boundaries are defined for them. It's vital to their development that they learn how to recognize and live within them as the world will certainly require them to as adults. Indulging a child's emotional tantrums do not ever help them in life, not as children and not as adults. I do not speak of caging a child or forcing them to stuff their emotions but they need to know they can't always say or do what they want. There are other people living in the world with them and they need manners, as well as empathy and understanding, if they hope to develop healthy relationships. If they can't manage that much with their own mothers, how will they operate when grown? It's a serious question and frankly I've seen a too much of this in current films and in real life. This depiction of a mother/child relationship is a disservice to everyone. Apparently this has irritated me enough that I now feel a bit snarky so I'll go ahead and use it to complain about something else which I wouldn't usually consider bringing up in a review as it has little to do with plot or character. Can I just say a word about her clothes? She's swearing The most hideous skirt at the birthday party; one that should Never have been paired with that blouse, and when they visit the girls' house and get a tour, she's wearing a white printed skirt with a cream colored top(with wrinkled sleeves). Was this a deliberate choice or is the costume designer simply colorblind? Noomi, herself is very attractive and well groomed so I don't pickup anything about her being "so far gone" that she can't match the clothes in her own wardrobe. At this point I'm hoping I like the rest of the movie so I can come back and redeem myself as an credible armchair critic and not simply as one who likes to complain. You may not believe this but I'm not usually hard to please and I look for the good in things. I know, I know. Maybe it's the rain we've been having that's got me so prickly. Honestly, I just felt enough was enough. Not giving it a rating yet, just keeping my fingers crossed that this is part one of a two part review...

Paradise Hills (2019)

Stepford Brides!

[6/10 · 17 May 2020]

I did like a good number of things about this movie, ranging from the script, to the casting and character portrayal, costume design, soundtrack, lighting and cinematography. Overall I found it intriguing and entertaining 🤔 However... I was also quite disappointed by the lack of a solid plot explanation about this "reorientation center", the how and why it works, it's patrons - both their motives and their awareness, and who - or what - is this headmistress, where do these "substitutes" come from, and who exactly is in on this little secret process? In the end, although it showed merit, it's many gaping holes were enough to keep this from being anything more than moderately satisfying, which is a shame when there was so much potential.

Killing Gunther (2017)

Enjoy yourself

[6/10 · 14 April 2020]

A middling movie whose sheer will makes it strangely entertaining.

The War of the Worlds (2019)

Just say no!

[6/10 · 7 April 2020]

Any production that exclaims, "Is this the wages for our sin?" in its trailer, offered as a legitimate query as to why god might have Martians attack Earth... is not a production I'm likely to watch, or like. So, I just said no! And you can, too!

War of the Worlds (2019– )

What Was That?!

[6/10 · 7 April 2020]

Bore no resemblance to the Wells story after the initial invasion - and that stopped in episode 1. I can rarely recall an eight episode series less effective or interesting which had such rich origins to work from. The series must have dropped a half dozen "hints", and I use that term loosely, to foreshadow what they Might have made into an interesting plot but never delivered on any of it. What was the connection between Emily and Sasha, and why did we see so many foreshadowed scenes when it never developed any further than that? And Why the kidnapping of babies and pregnant women? That never goes anywhere, either. Then in the end we have Emily who just "has to know", so she enters, what? The only alien craft we ever see intact is in the ending scene, in the form of a cigar shaped, empty warehouse with less than a handful of babies in incubators, happily gurgling and completely unattended by man or machine! If we're to believe the alien "dog-robots" were not just killing any stragglers but also collecting babies for some nefarious reason, are we also to believe that's all they managed to round up? I'll go out on a limb here and say the aliens did not make a success of this endeavor, or in their visit in general. Where are they, even? All we ever see of what might have been them, is a dab of organic material here and there, and even that fails to reveal any semblance of its hosts original shape. Then we come to the ending and the big reveal! A ships bridge one can only describe as minimalistic, as in there's literally nothing there but the captain's chair, and - oh wait! Is someone sitting in it, perhaps just waiting for Emily to find? Yes! And it's - what, I'm not so sure, but wait - they do have the same tattoo on their wrists! Wow! What a coincidence that is! The same tattoo we saw being inked in the first episode, then completely forgotten until the last episode, yes, the same one asked after and never explained!? So, what does any of it mean? Not much, I'm sad to say. You'll be in good company if you're as confused as I am. One can only hope the reason Sasha wants to learn more about their British guides Family is Not foreshadowing the makers hopes for a second season... ! Just say no! Very disappointing sums it up; what there is of it, anyway.

Andron (2015)

A sad excuse for a movie!

[1/10 · 3 April 2020]

I am normally quite forgiving when watching a film. Even when I'm critical I still find redemptive qualities Somewhere. But this, this is not something even I can forgive. I gave it a #1 rating only because they managed to complete and actually distribute this poor excuse for a movie. Not even Alec Baldwin or Danny Glover could pull this off. Their characters could have been played by Anyone and I have to believe this will go down in both their resumes as the film they most regret making. It is the type of film a leading actor might wish to purchase all known copies of, just to destroy the evidence! I can't even bring myself to write a serious synopsis; where would I even start and what is there to say? It's just a bad, poorly made movie and I strongly urge you to reject any thoughts of watching , even to satisfy your curiosity of what "bad" looks like. In the end Baldwin's character says, "Welcome to level 2" to the survivors, as if somebody actually thought there might be a sequel?! My best guess here is someone lost a bet and was forced into making this; don't make the mistake of following them down the rabbit hole. All you will find is more hole.