weissedel Reviews

The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth (2024)

Poor, dear Sheena

[6/10 · 26 April 2024]

OMG. The "sister-mother" appears to be a textbook narcissist/psychopath. I'm appalled by her callousness.

This documentary recounts the murder of a 25 year old woman, Sheena Bora, who was engaged to be married. No one other than her mother had a motive to harm her.

My heart goes out to Sheena's fiance, Rahul. He's the only person who truly loved her and looked for her during the 3 years she was "missing". He and Sheena Bora are the only victims in this squalid story.

Her body was found and IDed via DNA. So, there is no doubt she is deceased. Yet, the "sister-mother" continues to insist that Sheena is alive.

Such a terrible miscarriage of justice. RIP, Sheena Bora. Your mother can no longer hurt you.

Leave the World Behind (2023)

Not what I expected

[8/10 · 10 December 2023]

This was a good film. I knew absolutely nothing about it before watching. And I'm glad because I got to see the situation unfold just as the characters did.

It was lots of things all wrapped into one: a study of human nature; a thriller; a mystery; a cautionary tale.

It was fairly fast-paced with just one slow spot that dragged on a bit too long. But when the film delivered, it came fast & furious.

I'm not a fan of Julia Roberts (she seems to play the same character in every film...herself), but glad I watched anyway. The rest of the cast carried the film.

If you like thrillers, you should like this film. It also leaves you with some food for thought.

Murder Mystery 2 (2023)

Great fun

[8/10 · 1 April 2023]

We really enjoyed this comedy. It was wonderfully wacky & absurd. We laughed hysterically at some points, usually for off-hand quips from the two protagonists. If you've enjoyed past Sandler and Aniston films, you'll like this one, too. It's a lot of fun, if you're in the mood for laughter.

It's a refreshing change of pace after watching too many thriller & action films. This film is knee-slapping funny. Who cares if both the characters and the plot are verging on the absurd & surreal? That's just part of the film's charm.

I was looking forward to this movie coming out, and I wasn't disappointed. Please keep us laughing, Adam!

Too Much Pussy! Feminist Sluts, a Queer X Show (2010)

Interesting & out of the ordinary

[10/10 · 11 March 2023]

This documentary film was meant to shock, and it does. I happened upon the last half of it as I was channel surfing. It captured my attention because the women were talented dancers & actresses. And they had a bond of friendship that was evident.

I don't know anything about their world but found it fascinating that they wanted to share it through their rather raunchy shows. There was something desperately honest about them that appealed to me.

I didn't consider what they do to be porn. It was art. I don't care for porn. I generally find it boring. These women were not at all boring. They have a message to convey. I'm still not sure what it is, but it was interesting to watch them try to convey it.

I Am the Abyss (2022)

Disappointing film

[3/10 · 1 March 2023]

With the backdrop of Lake Como, how could a film go wrong? This film found a way.

The main character is simply not believable. I did like the characters of the "crazy" lady and the 13 year old girl. They did the best they could with the script they were handed. The story should have focused more on them.

This film was an opportunity lost. It was a good story in a fascinating setting, but the main character was never convincing enough. Serial killers, generally speaking, are astute and charming to some degree. This guy is none of those things. He's an unconvincing mix of Frankenstein and Freddy Kruger.

I do not recommend this film.

The Lodge (2019)

Good thriller. Almost great.

[6/10 · 10 February 2023]

I found this movie surprisingly riveting. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. Great performance by Riley Keough. I would definitely watch more films with her in leading roles. She's a natural.

A convincing, unpredictable and well constructed plot. Time flew by with one surprising scene after another. Beautifully filmed with snowscapes that looked like deserts of the soul. A lot of symbolism and use of the contrast between light & darkness.

Unfortunately, the ending sent it down the tubes for me. It was a good thriller that was SO close to being really great. Super close.

In any case, worth watching if you like spooky thrillers.

Lady Chatterley's Lover (I) (2022)

A pleasant surprise

[10/10 · 9 December 2022]

This film was beautifully done. The characters were well developed and believable. The actress in the lead role carried the entire film. She's so beautiful & so convincing in this role. The film was romantic & suspenseful at the same time. Not knowing the story, it was difficult to imagine what would happen next. I kept waiting for the proverbial ace to fall! A refreshing change of pace. I highly recommend this film if you're a hopeless romantic, like myself. I now want to watch all films starring Emma Corrin. She's amazing. Really surprised to see an older Joely Richardson, who also played her role so well. I loved this film!

Midsommar (2019)

An almost comical horror flick

[5/10 · 10 August 2022]

Wasn't feeling this film at all. The plot was predictable & the characters were not well developed, or believable. I imagine it was a piece meant to demonstrate the foolishness of religion & innate evil of mankind. That's what I took away from it.

Too many phallic symbols & psychedelics. The film gets lost in its own twisted plot. In the end, I was laughing rather than feeling horrified. It's an eerie, surreal, and gory film. But it never succeeds in suspending disbelief.

Dark Places (2015)

Not a believable plot

[6/10 · 6 July 2022]

Good enough acting. What I couldn't get past was the plot. Not even good acting could suspend belief in this film. Characters behaved in ways that just don't ring true. At all.

Black Book (2006)

Even better the second time

[8/10 · 3 July 2022]

Just watched this movie for the second time. I'd forgotten most of the plot, just like in real life.

Love Carice van Houten. I also love any film with Sebastian Koch. They played their parts well.

"The world exists on three things: truth, justice, and peace." (Jewish Proverb)

The Trip (2021)

Super gory romantic comedy

[8/10 · 20 June 2022]

I watched because I love both the actors playing the leads. Especially love Noomi Rapace. Everything she does is magic.

With this movie plot, you don't know whether to be horrified or inspired. Lots of fun plot twists & gore galore.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)

Loved it

[10/10 · 7 June 2022]

Mads Mikkelsen is fabulous, as always. He's one of the best actors on the planet. He can play any role. Love you, madly, Mads! Great job. Fun film. Highly recommend. If only to see the performance of Marvelous Mads.

Drive Angry (2011)

Cage makes any film believable

[6/10 · 15 May 2022]

Not sure why Cage doesn't receive better scripts than this. I'd watch him in anything. He takes the wildest scripts & makes them almost believable. That's talent. Give him something he can sink his talent into, Hollywood.

Heard was a convincing Texas tough gal. She's also stunningly beautiful which provided some relief from some of the more gruesome scenes in the film.

This wasn't a great film, but it was interesting. Has cult film potential.

Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)

True to life

[10/10 · 13 April 2022]

I loved this movie because it was so true to life. I've lived long enough to have known many women who confronted challenges like this one. It's never easy, or pretty.

This is a film directed by a woman, about women. And she got it so right. I feel as if this film will be somewhat lost on men. There are simply experiences that are uniquely feminine. Things that men can't understand, but that just about every woman has experienced to some degree. This film touches on several of those experiences.

That said, it wouldn't be bad for parents of teen males to make this film obligatory viewing. Js.

Wonderful performances by both young women. Well worth watching.

The Ape (2009)

Extremely disturbing film

[5/10 · 11 February 2022]

This film was interesting, but extremely disturbing. Obviously that was intentional. We are never told the "why" of anything that takes place, except for some rather lame allusions.

This is not a film for the average viewer looking for a well explained, believable plot. Au contraire. This plot is intentional chaos.