sforl-14909 Reviews

Let There Be Light (1980)

War is living Hell

[9/10 · 8 February 2024]

Sensitively written and narrated, this behind the hidden camera dive into the mental anguish of WW2 veterans is an essential part of every American's experience.

For every hero there is a victim and while physical scars might heal, hidden damage is tougher to tackle.

Each one of these casualties has friends, family and others who suffer too.

The frustration of dealing with these types of injuries isn't much better today. Mental illness is still described by most people with the words "crazy", "nuts", "wacko"... My heart breaks for these men. What courage they had to address these deamons.

For those who say this movie was "suppressed" for decades might be right. I don't know if professionals were allowed to view.

But one must also respect the privacy of these men and their families.

After all, they were the patients.

The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (2023)

A match of wit, wisdom and cowardice

[9/10 · 19 December 2023]

The original with Bogart, Johnson, McMurray, EG Marshall and Ferrar cannot be matched in intensity.

But it can travel a different path toward the same message.

As a former trial lawyer, I was spellbound by the Court Martial trial. Don't miss the chemistry between the prosecutor and defense counsel. The understated confidence of defense counsel belies his turmoil as he walks on the ledge.

The prosecutor is sharp and she cuts like razor thin paper. Wait for her summation. She cuts through the bull.

I don't read other reviews, but if you don't "get this" you can always watch reruns of The Brady Bunch.

A Man Called Otto (2022)

Watch it often

[10/10 · 3 June 2023]

Rare is the movie that I see in the theatre then watch again when it streams. This is such a movie.

Life can be hard, mean, cruel. Otto takes you through those experiences as it weaves from present to past to present.

Otto is in emotional pain and wants to leave. But his bitterness is interrupted by the kindness of strangers, who become friends and finally his family. Because he is needed he has his will to live restored and his purpose clear.

The story is human to the core. No robots. No creatures from the past with deep voices and universal skills.

It's about the fragility of life and love.

The Journey: A Music Special from Andrea Bocelli (2023)

Life is a journey

[10/10 · 7 April 2023]

If you come to the theatre to watch robotic fiends battle or actors reduced to props in yet another thriller you should turn back.

This is not a movie. It is a visual and audio journey much like the experience you get when you sit and listen to an old wise man or woman talk. Then, as in this journey, you should be quiet. Enjoy the beautiful Italian countryside and listen to artists use their gifts to enrich your soul.

Soak it in. Andrea has been on a journey few can fathom and fewer can describe. Blessed with a gift he could not deny, his journey, like the 200 trek are metaphorical twins.

He is not alone. The other artists took different paths to their destinations.

It isn't about the destination. This is about the journey.

"I was blind, but now I see." Indeed.

First Family (1980)

Why bother?

[1/10 · 15 August 2022]

There are no words to describe how awful this movie is. Just because a recipe has good ingredients doesn't mean it will taste good.

Stay away. Far away.

Jurassic World (2015)

Boring. Predictable. Continuity errors galore.

[3/10 · 18 June 2022]

The story line is decent and the cinematography is superb. But repeated escapes and sloshing thru mud without getting dirty, running thru a jungle in high heels like an Olympic Sprinter, and a score of other unbelievable acts make this suitable for next to nothing.

If I'm 10 I love this. If I'm 20 I am getting tired. If I am 30 and watch this I'm desperate and dateless. If I'm 40 my kids made me. If I'm 50 I have no excuse. If I'm 60 and watching this it's because the constant bickering between CNN and Fox has me sick to my stomach. If I'm 70 it is noise while I nap. If I'm 80 and watching it's because this is part of movie night at my Senior Care facility.

Jason and the Argonauts (1963)

There's a reason this movie has not been done again

[10/10 · 4 May 2022]

With digitized magic of 2022 multiplied by 20,000 special effects would still fall well short of Ray Harryhausen's brilliant work. This movie captures Greek mythology and 1950s and 60's rebellious attitudes without anyone being the wiser. Calling this action packed would be right and wrong. Instead of overwhelming your senses, this movie lures them in and before you know it, you're being served a gem. There is nothing to dislike about this movie filled with character actors of the highest order. Watch it once and you watch it 10 times.

Inventing Anna (2022)

Like pouring a smooth Cabernet over ice

[5/10 · 12 March 2022]

Mix fine acting and what could be a compelling story with writing that sways from brilliant to sophomorically predictable and you get this.

No spoilers but, I found myself yelling "CUT" multiple times.

This series doesn't know whether it is a farce or serious. Maybe both. It could have been a 9 had it decided. Instead it misses on both counts. Too bad because there are some talented actors at work here.

West Side Story (2021)

Actual humans in an artistic movie! Who knew?

[10/10 · 13 February 2022]

Ignore the perpetually depressed reviewers. This movie doesn't waste a frame.

Hint. It's Romeo and Juliet in a period piece set in the cesspool of NYC in the 1950's.

The acting is A. Especially Ruff.

The dancing makes Olympic athletes look like weekend warriors.

Elmer Bernstein music for the love of God!

Staging and cinematography that captures seedy NYC at is finest level of despair.

It's a damn fine movie. Rita Moreno might be the most beautiful woman to grace Gods green earth. Listen to her sing. You will never forget it.

The Last Letter from Your Lover (2021)

Watch this

[9/10 · 25 November 2021]

If superb acting weaved through a romantic, if sad to sweet floats your boat, then watch.

If you want to see fashion of the 60s at its best and see Felicity charm you to pieces, then watch.

If you want the second coming of Citizen Kane, let us know when you find it.

A good movie that I will watch again.

Torn Curtain (1966)

Less than the sum of its parts

[3/10 · 26 June 2021]

East Germany. Espionage. Cold War. Paul Newman. Julie Andrews.

Sounds like a can't miss. But it misses by a wide margin. Paul Newman played Paul Newman playing Paul Newman. When the lead mails in a performance nothing short of a miracle can save it. With East Berlin still mired in the rubble of WWII and firmly under the foot of the USSR, there should have been tension.

Don't waste your time. If you want to see Newman act, watch Cool Hand Luke.

Car Wash (1976)

Underrated

[9/10 · 24 May 2021]

This film is vastly underrated. The acting is spot on. The writing is as good and the study lines may not be thrilling, but so what, neither is real life. Sometimes it is very hard. Watch this movie if you want to get a glimpse into the lives of people we see every day and maybe notice more about their customers than we care to admit. Funny as all hell to boot!

The Courier (2020)

30 more minutes...

[8/10 · 27 March 2021]

Splendidly performed and directed, the space between an 8 and 10 is occupied by the untold stories of the peripheral characters so essential to the fabric of this film. The underacted performances of this cast carry the day with a story unspoiled by embellishments but underserved by back stories. Regular people do the most extraordinary things. This is such a take. I wish I could have known some of the other characters better. 30 more minutes would have helped.