glavonnetay Reviews

Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)

Unclear, Unfair, Unsettling, Unsatisfying,

[4/10 · 7 December 2017]

A strange, dark movie that left more loose ends than a frayed rope. It introduced a series of interesting issues and situations, but failed to explore, much less resolve, any of them.

My biggest beef with the movie, besides that fact that it's very slow: After two hours of watching Israel get continually stomped on by life (not just the "impossible-for-the-ungrateful" folks), we end up getting stomped on ourselves, right along with him.

We invest in Roman J. because he's an intelligent, ambitious, compassionate, fair-minded underdog. We stay with him, believing that any moment he'll get some sort of reward. Instead, all he ever gets is hurt. I don't watch movies to see the Good Guys lose; real life shows me enough of that.

The only reason I give even 4 stars is Washington's phenomenal acting. He took this awkward, oppressed, pitiful character and made him so real you'd swear you've met him. There's no sign of the usual gliding, confident Washington walk. No trace of the handsome, swarthy, charismatic Denzel-hunk we've come to love. He IS Roman J. Israel. Come to think of it, that alone might be enough---if you can stand the heartbreak.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)

Dark, Yes - Comedy, Not So Much

[3/10 · 7 December 2017]

Another reviewer summed it up when he/she wrote: "it's unfortunate to use the word comedy, dark or otherwise, with regard to this film. unpleasant would be a better adjective" This sentiment was echoed not just by me, but everyone I personally know who's seen this movie.

Francis McDormand, entire cast did a stellar job, and it was a good movie; just not what I expected, given the trailers I saw. I felt misled and, yes, depressed after watching.

Suburbicon (2017)

Deeply Disappointing

[1/10 · 27 October 2017]

Full of unresolved conflicts and senseless scenarios. Drags along with no payoff on any level. One of the main issues throughout this movie was never hinted at in previews I saw. Had I known this topic would be so pervasive, I'd had never considered seeing this movie.

Potential for a good movie was lost by failure to bother tying in, resolving, explaining, or reconciling any of the multiple story-lines. I could find no redeeming qualities in this movie. Moreover, it's an unforgivable waste of Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, and my time.