I loved watching this version of Emma! The costumes and sets were absolutely breathtaking. The casting was perfection. Anya Taylor Joy as Emma was fantastic- her little glances, movements, head tilts, she was way better than Gwyneth Paltrow. The romantic tension between Emma and Knightly was electric, I could feel Jane Austen coming to life. This was a much needed escape from reality to enjoy two hours about matchmaking in a time when people didn't have much else to occupy their time. It was lovely cinema. Highly recommend.
Reviews
11 Reviews
Lion
(2016)
Magnificent beginning, story will stay with you
12 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This is such a thought provoking story, I just wish that the second half and ending had been crafted as expertly as the first half of the film.
Sunny Pawar is an adorable and precocious creature and simply shines in this role.
The filmmakers introduced the family and young Saroo in such a captivating way. You are transfixed on the native family and their circumstances, his train journey and his antics for surviving the streets of Calcutta. You wonder about the other street urchins and their fates.
And then once he lands in Tasmania with his adopted family, the richness of his story just sort of falls apart and goes stale. The second half of the film lacked all of the majesty and mesmerizing details that were poured into the first half. The Australian father was completely forgettable. His adopted brother felt like an interruption rather and you never really felt a genuine bond which supposedly they did share in real life. His australian life felt like it all took place in a single living room - gone are the expansive countrysides of India, any of the social surroundings feel contrived and limited.
The breakup scene with Rooney Mara was utterly confusing and unrealistic.
Nonetheless the story is fascinating and you should watch the movie til the end.
Sunny Pawar is an adorable and precocious creature and simply shines in this role.
The filmmakers introduced the family and young Saroo in such a captivating way. You are transfixed on the native family and their circumstances, his train journey and his antics for surviving the streets of Calcutta. You wonder about the other street urchins and their fates.
And then once he lands in Tasmania with his adopted family, the richness of his story just sort of falls apart and goes stale. The second half of the film lacked all of the majesty and mesmerizing details that were poured into the first half. The Australian father was completely forgettable. His adopted brother felt like an interruption rather and you never really felt a genuine bond which supposedly they did share in real life. His australian life felt like it all took place in a single living room - gone are the expansive countrysides of India, any of the social surroundings feel contrived and limited.
The breakup scene with Rooney Mara was utterly confusing and unrealistic.
Nonetheless the story is fascinating and you should watch the movie til the end.
Solo: A Star Wars Story
(2018)
Too many tangents
6 June 2018
I was shocked that the legendary Ron Howard made this movie! It's definitely one of his lesser works because the story of Han Solo could have been so much more interesting and well made and this one felt kitchy and like a cheap knock off of the storied Star Wars franchise.
The one scene that is somewhat intriguing was the battle scene after we are re-introduced to Han Solo following his military training.
I enjoyed learning how Han Solo and Chewbacha were connected. How Han Solo got his name was a cheesy rip off on Don Corleone's name origin story.
The 80s cocktail dresses and pumps in the bar scene in Beckett's ship was terrible costuming.
Not an entirely terrible waste of entertainment budget, but definitely residing in the cellar of bad Star Wars franchises.
The one scene that is somewhat intriguing was the battle scene after we are re-introduced to Han Solo following his military training.
I enjoyed learning how Han Solo and Chewbacha were connected. How Han Solo got his name was a cheesy rip off on Don Corleone's name origin story.
The 80s cocktail dresses and pumps in the bar scene in Beckett's ship was terrible costuming.
Not an entirely terrible waste of entertainment budget, but definitely residing in the cellar of bad Star Wars franchises.
Red Sparrow
(2018)
You know it's good when it's PO'd the Russian bots
6 June 2018
You know this movie has hit a nerve when the Russian bots spend time to come on IMDB to trash the movie as the worst movie in the history of film making. So thinned skinned!
The film is fascinating and Jennifer Lawrence was exquisite. Her range from naive ballerina, to hardened spy, to ingenius triple crosser is magnificent. Joel Edgerton has indisputably been handed the baton as the most talented actor in Hollywood. He also does not disappoint with this role: he is tough, tender, and believable. I can't imagine another actor who could have filled this part as well as Edgerton.
I have not read the book, but the screenplay is well done - the pace of the story is captivating, each of the characters are fully developed and introduced cleverly to the audience, even when only getting limited screen time. It is fascinating how the story gets wrapped up in the end and you are in a cliffhanger throughout.
It has been decades since a really good Cold War Thriller has come out (Robert Redford Spy Games?? The Good Shepherd???) and this one is timely with the current compromise of so many in the immediate circle of the present administration. You get a peek behind the curtain of the ugly side of world affairs in this film. The use of "Sparrows" by the Russians is such a fascinating subplot.
My only question is how did Dominika find ziplocks in Budapest (or was it Moscow? I can't remember the location of the uncle's apartment).
The editing, staging and camera angles were also exceptional - when Dominika meekly walks to her first "appointment" at the hotel bar, you could feel her tension and nerves. The camera angles and the silence of just her heels on the marble floor. So many excellent scenes throughout the film that were expertly woven together.
The trailer gives away nothing which is also a great thing!
If you enjoy Jennifer Lawrence, if you are a history buff, fascinated with the current affairs of US-Russian relations, or if you just like a good action film with a wild ending, add this to your watch list.
The film is fascinating and Jennifer Lawrence was exquisite. Her range from naive ballerina, to hardened spy, to ingenius triple crosser is magnificent. Joel Edgerton has indisputably been handed the baton as the most talented actor in Hollywood. He also does not disappoint with this role: he is tough, tender, and believable. I can't imagine another actor who could have filled this part as well as Edgerton.
I have not read the book, but the screenplay is well done - the pace of the story is captivating, each of the characters are fully developed and introduced cleverly to the audience, even when only getting limited screen time. It is fascinating how the story gets wrapped up in the end and you are in a cliffhanger throughout.
It has been decades since a really good Cold War Thriller has come out (Robert Redford Spy Games?? The Good Shepherd???) and this one is timely with the current compromise of so many in the immediate circle of the present administration. You get a peek behind the curtain of the ugly side of world affairs in this film. The use of "Sparrows" by the Russians is such a fascinating subplot.
My only question is how did Dominika find ziplocks in Budapest (or was it Moscow? I can't remember the location of the uncle's apartment).
The editing, staging and camera angles were also exceptional - when Dominika meekly walks to her first "appointment" at the hotel bar, you could feel her tension and nerves. The camera angles and the silence of just her heels on the marble floor. So many excellent scenes throughout the film that were expertly woven together.
The trailer gives away nothing which is also a great thing!
If you enjoy Jennifer Lawrence, if you are a history buff, fascinated with the current affairs of US-Russian relations, or if you just like a good action film with a wild ending, add this to your watch list.
LBJ
(2016)
Woody Harrelson is excellent
31 May 2018
I was truly mesmerized watching this. They expertly compacted the LBJ presidency and LBJ as an iconic American into a film length piece. Not enough superlatives to describe Woody Harrelson as LBJ, definitely my favorite portrayal. Some of the other casting wasn't as great. Bill Pullman as Yarborough was squirmish and uncomfortable. Jackie Kennedy was completely forgettable. Bryan Batt and Rich Sommer had such short spots, and would have liked to have seen more of them.
The overall theme of the film was LBJ as the workhorse vs. Kennedy as the visionary. LBJ realizing his purpose was to enact Kennedy's social agenda, which he massaged expertly during his short administration. LBJs ability to persuade and massage support for legislation is genius, and Woody Harrelson nailed the portrayal.
If you have watched other LBJ films or documentaries, or read the biography by Doris Kearn Goodwin, add this to the top of your list. Very thought proving film.
The overall theme of the film was LBJ as the workhorse vs. Kennedy as the visionary. LBJ realizing his purpose was to enact Kennedy's social agenda, which he massaged expertly during his short administration. LBJs ability to persuade and massage support for legislation is genius, and Woody Harrelson nailed the portrayal.
If you have watched other LBJ films or documentaries, or read the biography by Doris Kearn Goodwin, add this to the top of your list. Very thought proving film.
Gringo
(2018)
An entertaining caper
24 April 2018
This movie was unexpectedly funny and enjoyable. Charlize Theron was excellent and the bad ass vixen business woman. Oleyowo was actually funny and quick and I liked how his character was clever. Joel Edgerton was expertly hate-able as the bad guy. and oh my goodness Alan Ruck! God bless Alan Ruck for his roles as the wimpy naive guy. The side story with Amanda Seyfried was distracting because it felt forced into the storyline. Also taking a few points off for the gruesome violence, which was just a bit much at times. This movie isn't discovering the cure for cancer or achieving world peace, but it delivers the necessary bang for your buck as entertainment. So if you would like to get lost in a lighthearted comedy for a couple of hours, this is the movie for you.
Bachelorette
(2012)
I love this movie!
24 April 2018
I laugh every time I see this movie! If you liked "The Sweetest Thing" with Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate, then this is for you. It reminds me so much of my friendships when we were young and all the things we would really say and crazy adventures that are pinky swear secrets until the end. The casting is genius, the script is perfection, the production is excellent for a movie of this budget. You are introduced to this group of friends via a 3 way phone call with all three of them in the middle of their own post-graduation mid20's life crises. You fall in love with bohemian Lizzy Caplan, you can see yourself or instantly recognize the Type A "Hannibal Lectern of girls" Regan, You KNOW the ditzy naive and super fun Katie. It was a sublime way to introduce each of the characters. Every clique has had the one odd ball friend that nobody knows how that happened, but Rebel Wilson was fantastic in that role. She didn't steal scenes like she is born to do, but was light and dramatic and real. Most importantly, her chemistry with Kirsten Dunst felt legitimate. You could feel the Yin-Yang of tension vs. sympathy between the two of them. Becky understanding the Regan needed someone to love her unconditionally and Regan understanding the Becky needed someone to be her champion, but at the same time the both of them actually really hating to be that role for the other person. And since they share a big secret, they're simply stuck in these roles as best friends that they need to grit their teeth through. The supporting cast from the mom to the housekeeper to the wacky cousins were all excellent. There's so many memorable scenes to quote and laugh about: The airplane scene, the scenes with the hotel housekeeper, the bridal salon sales woman. All of it was fantastic. Watch this movie with your best friends!
A Dog's Purpose
(2017)
Very cute movie
14 June 2017
I really enjoyed this sappy little movie. I liked the different story lines for each of the dogs, and the transitions between lives was well done. The comedy was sweet, the serious portions of the plot were done in a tasteful way.
Dennis Quaid did well enough, and the other mostly unknown actors in the film were well-cast and aptly performed this simple and sweet script.
It's a great family movie with older children or even a date movie for serious couples. It is heartfelt and a lovely tearjerker if there is such a way to describe tear jerkers.
A "must-see" for any fur parents. Have tissues at the ready.
Dennis Quaid did well enough, and the other mostly unknown actors in the film were well-cast and aptly performed this simple and sweet script.
It's a great family movie with older children or even a date movie for serious couples. It is heartfelt and a lovely tearjerker if there is such a way to describe tear jerkers.
A "must-see" for any fur parents. Have tissues at the ready.
Table 19
(2017)
Brilliant, intelligent comedy. Does not disappoint
14 June 2017
So I loved this movie! It's a brilliant single setting-ish script about various "reject" guests at a wedding table with Anna Kendrick in the lead. It's like "The Breakfast Club" of wedding movies.
The script is witty, intelligent and the attention to detail for the set, specifically with the wedding band and their selection of songs, was sublime. Bravo to the Duplass brothers on pulling together a very well-made and well-thought out film.
Lisa Kudrow shows she still has great talent and her deadpan comedy is still funny. And the pairing of Kudrow with Craig Robinson as her husband was genius, they actually pair off of each other really great.
Anna Kendrick's character Elsie dreads going to her former best friend/former boyfriend's sister's wedding. She meets the other rejects at the table and explains the pecking order of the wedding tables. Elsie meets a dashing stranger Huck, confronts the former boyfriend/bride's brother, and the Table 19 guests have quite the day with unexpected twists.
Highly recommend.
The script is witty, intelligent and the attention to detail for the set, specifically with the wedding band and their selection of songs, was sublime. Bravo to the Duplass brothers on pulling together a very well-made and well-thought out film.
Lisa Kudrow shows she still has great talent and her deadpan comedy is still funny. And the pairing of Kudrow with Craig Robinson as her husband was genius, they actually pair off of each other really great.
Anna Kendrick's character Elsie dreads going to her former best friend/former boyfriend's sister's wedding. She meets the other rejects at the table and explains the pecking order of the wedding tables. Elsie meets a dashing stranger Huck, confronts the former boyfriend/bride's brother, and the Table 19 guests have quite the day with unexpected twists.
Highly recommend.
Denial
(II) (2016)
Fascinating
14 May 2017
This movie was riveting. It's impossible to pack so much heavy material and detail into 2 hours, but it does masterfully. Rachel Weisz nails her character flawlessly, the Queens accent, mannerisms, reactions, timing: sublime. The editing, flow, and pace of the movie were on point. There were no slow points or rabbit holes, and they weaved in backstory in seamlessly. I had not known about this controversy, but with the gruesome Trump presidency situation, this movie is a sorely needed reminder that TRUTH MATTERS and while justice might move slowly, the truth will win. I also enjoyed Alex Jennings from The Crown series in his role here as the judge. Masterful movie on a fascinating topic, bravo.
Snatched
(2017)
Carefree & Funny
14 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
For anybody insisting on a serious, factual, documentary covering important events of our day and Oscar performances, this is not for you. If you want to laugh out loud and leave your cares outside for a couple of hours: go enjoy this movie. It's refreshingly funny in my opinion, lighthearted, and just silly. People getting bent out of shape that it's not the "best ever" need to chillax. It's an Amy Schumer movie! Not the true investigation into the meaning of life. Goldie Hawn still has "it", even if her cosmetic enhancements might be a bit distracting in some of the close ups. She is funny and endearing, especially when they wake up in the cell and she's trying to remain calm reading that magazine. Amy Schumer is hilarious no matter what, and her schtick/routine is still working for her (omg the bathroom scene, I cackled I laughed so hard). Don't be boring and wait to watch this at home, grab a girlfriend and go enjoy some laughs. I enjoyed some of the Latin songs they selected and downloaded a few, so there's that too.
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