TobyRossTLV Reviews

Drifter (I) (2023)

Beautiful Boys Good Directing

[10/10 · 8 April 2024]

As a fellow film maker let me just say that I enjoyed the humor style and the quality of this film, it made me feel better. The party scenes were fun (made me feel wish i was younger) the acting was good and I was able to identify with some of the characters/not to speak of the locations as they revived old memories I still treasure from my brief tenure in berlin. The types Hannes uses are captivating stud boys with an edge, the sex scenes were erotic and well filmed and the lighting in parts almost seemed experimental but with a German director it is expected as in the tradition of German cinema. Thank you Mr. Hirsch Toby Ross.

The Blacklist: Raymond Reddington (No. 00): Good Night (2023) Season 10, Episode 22

An Ending that leaves you thinking

[10/10 · 21 July 2023]

The characters I loved are :Raymond R, Dembe Zuma, the little quirky guy from DMV Glen, the IT nerd at the end, Aram and Samar- The ones I hated (not just as actors) Katerina Rostova, Tom Keen. Pee Wee (Paul Reubens)

The ending is not everyone's cup of tea but Dembe explains and prepares us that Rd is on his final Journey and how OK he is with that, how his passion for life included the lack of fear and how he wrote his own life script to the point of envy. I hope an additional episode is in the wings with Agnes now an FBI agent Cooper brought out of retirement Ressler in a marriage amd a plot to kill president Trump since he is about to take over control and become King Donald.

The Blacklist: The Corsican (No. 20) (2019) Season 6, Episode 2

The addition of Jeniffer as a sister to Liz is idiotic and ruins the series

[1/10 · 22 June 2023]

Why in god's name did they have to bring in this charcter who serves no purpose- it makes Liz look more of a misfit in this film than she really already is- and that sisterhood looks like it belongs more in Barbi the movie than here. Blacklist has some riverting episodes (The Alaskan isolation of Liz battling a gang of criminals is one lots of the first ones are good - but when its bad its a skip over to the next one with a sincere hope that it stands up to what it claims to be a thriller- There are other characters that I find as a misfire but it is not the actual writing its the persona (Tom Keen) I am uncomfortable with. I do love Glen and some of the cartoony characters.

The Blacklist (2013–2023)

What started with a streaming bang is progressing into a fizzle

[3/10 · 13 June 2023]

Before I start I would like to point out the fact that some characters are so cringe worthy that it literally diverts the plot into a sphere that gets out of the genre it was meant to occupy and into the absurd and laughable, Forts the ones that are niscast or should not work as actors at all I hated Tom Keen. Heddie Hawkins and Julian Gale there are others but these three look miscast or just unwatchaable . Second once Reddington loses all his assets after being swindles by Mr. Kaplan (who almost makes that list I mentioned above-I find her character insipid amd unnecessary to the plot. Once his money is gone its another series, more cartoony and untrue to its origin. Like a criminal Pee Wee Hermann (yes he is in this mess too)

The Blacklist: The Debt Collector (No. 46) (2017) Season 4, Episode 20

Julian Gale (Enrique Murciano) is ruining the show

[1/10 · 11 June 2023]

Already limping in a fatigue after an energetic start the series now is in a bit of trouble they bring in Enrique Murciano as Julian Gale who is just a bad horrible actor who makes you dislike his character but not in a good cinatmic way. I cant stand him and his acting style (or overacting) to the point that you kust want to go to the next episode. It is obvious from the beginning and I am not sure if his role does not reveal itself as a creep. Also the Mr Kaplan subplots does not work well here I feel that he reemergence could have been done in a bit more flare- the plot and the feeling both go south on a dingi looking for a ship to save them.

The Fabelmans (2022)

A Soufflé that failed to rise

[3/10 · 14 December 2022]

The Fabelmans - Review *** 3 Stars The Fabelmans is the new Steven Spielberg Film.

I will keep my review short and to the point To me the film divides into two parts Part 1 the family in the east coast 1955 to 1961 Part 2 The California chapter 1962- 1966 The first part is a snooze-I found myself checking my cell phone and wishing I was on the street eating a Falafel The second part is way better with riveting tensions and dramas planting the seed of the tree that will dominate the movie landscape the genius we know as Steven Spielberg- Colorful, dramatic albeit the antisimitic sentiments expressed toward him by his college mates was way over the top and resembles more 1935 Germany than 1964 California. (Calling him Bagelman etc and harming him physically) that really did not happen in the sunshine state at that era as far as I experienced.

Now my personal feeling acting wise no one shines, Personally Michelle Williams who plays the mother is an actress I always hated, an ugly duckling with 1966 Guiding Light acting style and the charm of a schnitzel (She once played M Monroe in a bio epic a casting decisionI I find criminal) and she is hard to watch especially here. The boy who played S Spielberg was OK, Daddy was good as well All and all rent it and it will not be a huge regret if you do not like I am not surprised this souglee failed to rise and tanked at the box office.

Le Beau Mec (1979)

As a known filmmaker lets say -The Best Gay Film Ever made

[10/10 · 25 November 2021]

Other classics such as Boys in the Sand or LA plays itself. Sextool etc are light years behind this film, everything about it is primo starting with the concept and ending up with the sets, we needed more like this one!

Thank you for gracing us with this treasure Toby Ross.

Adolf Hitler: The Greatest Story Never Told (2013)

Denise Wise should be thrown in prison for his incitements and lies !

[1/10 · 20 August 2018]

Dennis Wise (NOT his real name) has made a career out of lying and inciting people against Americans and specifically Jews. A German by birth (the name is fake to appeal to american audiences) he made up an entire page in History that his personal fantasy of exoneration the German nation from its atrocities in WW 2, I believe that that is his motive since the S**T stain that this era left on human History is something that bothers him so he chose 1. To disrespect all the GIs who died fighting a Scumbag (Hitler) in WW 2 2. Making the German Horrors insipid as in trivializing them 3. Feeding the american public lies and fantasies that in the current climate of lies and distortions finds a home in the hearts of "Certain Americans"...This collection of well composed lies, forgeries and alteration are dangerous. He should be deported or arrested since these DVDs have nothing to do with free speech and are a tool for White Nationalists to drive the USA to the bottom of the world. A collection of incitements and lies! This is why we are going down to hell, letting this big mouth exist.

Before We Go (I) (2014)

Prett boy in a horrible "yentl syndrome" movie

[1/10 · 11 November 2016]

Co Produced, directed, written and starring in a film is what constitutes a "Yentl Syndrome" of an actor having too much control and it is named after Streisand and her film. Boring self indulgent and slow is the story of a young man who tries to help a girl and falls in love with her. I am guessing that after the success of Captain America Evans pleaded for an "auteurs" type project and the result is tiresome. We are taken on an insipid journey and into the crevasses of an infatuation process that will leave you ice cold and looking at your clock wishing it was over. The girl does a good job, Evans is not a bad actor but never ever give him the reigns again, to be a romantic lead versus doing an action hero takes a bit more talent.

CSI: NY: Yahrzeit (2009) Season 5, Episode 22

Beyond Fantastic

[10/10 · 30 December 2013]

I watched this about 4 times, very unusual, emotional and as the small little dramas embedded in each character come together into a tear jerking crescendo. All the little sub plots, Mac Taylor's (Gary Sinise) personal connection to the holocaust through his father, the black lab worker and his connection to white supremacists, the way it all comes together is wonderful. The dudes or ladies on this board that gave it one star come from a 1 star space! Small time. I am not easily entertained and this one here is a rarity. You really forget sometimes that these characters are fictional and are ready to but the whole thing as real.

Skyfall (2012)

This is a 007? Doesn't see, like it

[1/10 · 20 April 2013]

SKYFALL - Watching this for the first time. One of the most Boring films I have ever seen (And I usually like Bond), gone are the fun gad jets,pretty ladies (now we are treated to J.Wench instead) Dialog seems contrived (reminded me of Italian cinema in in the 60's, everyone dripping with a jaded sense of "Ennui" as they seem bored with one another) and the film and actors have as much energy as a dildo with a battery on its last 2 volts. Horrific, I did not feel that I was watching a Bond film. The annoying staple "Who cares" kept rattling in my head and I just quit watching after 67 minutes. I rented this from a Red Box so no damage done outside of my very precious time.

Psych (2006–2014)

Not Funny. Annoying

[1/10 · 25 June 2012]

I saw a little bit of this show and I have to say that the humor is annoying not funny and the relationship between the two cops is contrived to the point of what were they thinking The leads are trying hard to make this work and the harder the try the worse it gets. I thing that if this was a more like criminal minds there could be hope. Lackluster jokes, the buddy movie element fails and I don't see it on the air for more then another season. When you have two characters who are working off each other...one has to be a straight man the other could be a comedian...here looks like they both compete for the jokes, A bad night at the comedy store.

Der letzte Zug (2006)

The Best Nazi Atrocities Depiction next to The Pianist and Shindler

[10/10 · 13 March 2012]

Having seen so many of these movies (one can never get enough of the Nazi nightmare can it), I must say that this one hits particularly hard. In an attempt to rid Berlin of all Jews the vary last of them are summoned up and uploaded to a train that is Auschwitz bound (Question- if you are a Jew in it's 1943 in Berlin (For God's sake, Hitler was just a few block away) what are you doing living in the open like everything was normal? why aren't you hiding or better yet why didn't you leave and go somewhere safe). This is not just a holocaust film, it is much more then that, it is a character study of both Jews, Ukrainians, Nazis and "Good Germans" all encased in a story that although is hard to watch is a piece of art that will make you sad and pensive.

The Carpetbaggers (1964)

My all time favorite movie

[10/10 · 5 December 2007]

I understand it was Andy Warhal's as well. This is the Hollywood Trash/Dream Factory at its best. I fell in love with Carrol Baker and her one liners, George Peppard played a role we all would love to play in our lives but would NEVER admit it. Oh that look he gave her by the roulette table when he decided to cast her as the lead for his movie and that smirk...does not come any better then that. It is a colorful gorgeous melodrama that is pure entertainment a la Imitation of Life or Madame X. Again my favorite movie ever. I was shocked to find out George P was already 36 by then. A very sexy man in a very sexy fun movie. Now that i found out Jeannie Dention was supposed to be Joan Crawford i was laghing out loud with delight.

Shortbus (2006)

From Toby Ross - A Filmmaker's view of Shortbus

[10/10 · 22 July 2007]

Toby Ross wrote on 07/21/2007: It takes guts, vision and lots of work to make a brilliant film such as this one. I went with my friend to the opening months ago and I found it interesting that I laughed at jokes the audience seemed uninspired by. I guess I have a different kind of humor. This is a modern film by a man who is not afraid to experiment, I love the idea that sex is not gay straight or bi, rather one big grey zone where all of us reside in, some more on the left some on the right and 70% of us in-between. What I do not like about the current gay cinema is the tendency of categorizing us as this lovely little ghetto/group that surfaces in the alleys of boys town and is only visible at gay pride days and Howard Brown clinics. There are many more of us that are less visible. Coming to think of it most of us are really not in the main stream, rather on the fringe. 10 stars from me Toby Ross to John Cameron Mitchell.

The Constant Gardener (2005)

Boring

[1/10 · 9 April 2006]

I was really looking forward to a suspenseful thriller something that will engross me and add a bit of energy in what seemed to be a tired evening. Well I was wrong this was a long tedious study of an incredibly artificial Ralph Fiennes (I usually think the world of him, not here)...There was 90 percent dialog with the rest of it divided to 9% driving and flying around Africa and 1% action. I get the idea behind the whole thing but it would have better served in a documentary about the exploitations of the poor Africans by the big drug company and not masquerade it behind a "thriller" huh? Did I miss the memo? I rented it on DVD,,,would I have paid for movie tickets i would have been livid.

Beyond the Sea (2004)

A vanity project that gone out of the limits of reality into Ego land

[1/10 · 2 March 2006]

and crashes. It is an embarrassment to say the least. Spacey looks like a middle age woman as far away from the sweet looking crooner as you can get. A nightmare version of Bobby Darin if you will. The dance numbers, young Bobby older bobby Hippy bobby makes a very bad mix. I loved bobby Darin and I hated this movie. Kevin Spacey might have done some irreversible damage to his career. Although I found the singing quite good it certainly does not duplicate the charm and magic of Darn. There is something perverted about Spacey's look (not to speak his relationship with young Sandra). Don't get me wrong I was a Spacey fan until I saw him in this then I was not

Un amour à taire (2005 TV Movie)

Blew me away

[10/10 · 12 November 2005]

This is one of the best films I have ever seen, rarely has a film combined suspense, pathos, intelligence, sadness and humor in such a tight and heart wrenching narrative. I have met the director here at the screening (Columbia college)and he seemed like a perfect embodiment of the film, an interesting man. The standing ovation and the continuation of the applauds that lasted a good five minutes is a small indication of how well received this master piece was. CLASS from the word go, a must see, especially in today's atmosphere where dark clouds that are looming over our horizons. Pack a clean white handkerchief, you'll use it. Toby Ross Hornbill Films

Mogli pericolose (1958)

Very funny

[10/10 · 25 May 2005]

I saw it when I was 13...it was a big hit where I lived in Haifa and one reason was that Slyvia Koscina was beyond alluring. This is by far one of my favorite comedies ever...made me an instant fan of that Italian comedy genre.(celebration of the insipid). Although the movie being in Italian a foreign language to me at the time, the actors were enough to make you giggle merely through expression and hand movements only like Italian know how to. The hit song from that movie by Dominnico Medunio climbed up the charts as well and added to the general excitement Love it! I have been looking for the DVD for years if anyone has it or knows how to get a hold of it let me know. Ciao Toby

Straight-Jacket (2004)

saw it last night

[8/10 · 9 January 2005]

It was fun, but more of a DVD rental type movie then a going out to the movies event. Lighting was phenomenal and as a director who just finished his own independent film I salute the effort. And yes I agree, sound could have been better, sometimes (I saw it at the music Box in Chicago) it was hard to understand what some characters were saying. I loved Guy Stone, he plays a sleazy character with aplomb. I thought the computer generated images were very fitting, (this is not a big budget film, i assume. All and all it would have been more fun to see a more truthful depiction of the era, Guy stone driving through the lot (i know...$) while people are giving way to this famous actor. I had a good time, went with two friends and they enjoyed it as well.