Change Your Image
constance22
Reviews
O.J.: Made in America (2016)
Learned so much with this brilliant documentary
I lived through the years of this brilliant documentary but I learned so much through it that I never could've known from general news broadcasts.
There is so much in this that is current, which upsets me a lot. I wish that we could all get along as Rodney King said.
There was so much in the trial that seemed unscrupulous, with the Furhman detour and the glove. Marcia Clark, Hodgman and Darden seemed to really put their hearts into their prosecution. The "dream team" are the kind of people only lots of money can buy, and they seemed more like a nightmare to me.
Justice never seems to occur legally but maybe it does morally. I am left wiser from this viewing and also sadder too. I pray for O.J.'s family. I hope they are doing okay and visit him in prison. I feel much sympathy for the Browns and the Goldmans, of course.
Incredible documentary. Academy Award worthy to me.
The Gift (2015)
very scary and very well done
I was waiting for this movie for months. Worth waiting for. Who knew Joel Edgerton was not only a good actor, but a good writer and director. I found each of the main characters to be interesting and believable. Especially liked Robyn and felt the movie was built around her and her kindness and innocence and vulnerability. Simon was a surprise and Gordo was both pathetic and inscrutable. Very fine film.
I am a huge fan of Jason Bateman and felt he acted a very "American Psycho"-like character, so perfectly living his privileged life. I loved Rebecca Hall, whom I have never seen before, and felt she was the most lovely and together character. Joel Edgerton is someone I only recognized from "The Great Gatsby" and yet I had to look him up on IMDb because I did not recognize him at all. A real chameleon and so talented.
Worth waiting for.
Yves Saint Laurent (2014)
beautifully and emotionally portrayed
YSL has been and remains one of my truest fashion icons. I loved this very intimate portrayal of his life with Pierre Berge in the beginning years of his career. I felt a lot of sympathy for M. Berge from this film. Less so for my genius icon, YSL. I thought the jazz score was so perfect and I enjoyed the interludes of appropriate- to- the- times rock favorites. It was beautifully photographed and the production values were so finely done. I had seen the other Saint Laurent movie and recall walking out of the theater disgusted, because it concentrated so heavily on YSL's dissolution; this film was far more subtle while still revealing his "other life" apart from his creativity. It amazes me that YSL lived so long while quite debilitated. Very sympathetic film. I liked the infrequent voice-overs of M. Berge. The English subtitles were pretty good; I understand French. Not enough fashion for me in this film, but I own documentaries and books about YSL that provide his incredible and formidable outpouring of designs, sketches and ideas. What a genius, if a tortured one. How hard it must be for M. Berge to be without his Yves. R.I.P. M. Saint Laurent, you will not be forgotten by all of us who admire your work.
Ex Machina (2014)
Very disappointed and not what I expect AI to be about
I rented this from Amazon Prime and awaited it with much anticipation. Unfortunately I found it lacking in all ways except for excellent production values. Beautifully filmed. Also loved seeing the versatility of Oscar Isaac from the last film I saw him in which was A Most Violent Year. I find him to be a fine actor. Alicia Vikander was very good in a not very good part and expect her to do a lot of good films in the near future. Very disappointed. There was so little dialogue and what was present was very stilted. I found the lead actor both unknown and unlikeable. Our whole world resounds with computer jargon, software and hardware and this movie, which supposedly was about the best in the field had so little of that real language in it. I disagree with other reviewers who found it tense and nerve-wracking, I found it banal and trite. I'm glad I did not see it on the big screen for it would have been more of a loss of my time and money. Do not bother.
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Why Leo, why?
I walked out of this movie after 1 1/2 hrs. and I love Leonardo above all actors.
This was such an empty movie and Leo was handsome as ever but vacant.
Really Mr. Scorcese, why? And then Leo, why??????
I was forewarned by many reviews but went ahead because it was Leo starring. Thank goodness there are so many excellent films of his to offset this bomb. I will watch "The Departed" or The Aviator tonight.
I understand that this is taken from a true story about a soulless man who is now some kind of coach. But why did Scorcese and Leo make a film about such an unimportant person and even a vile person. Movie full of drugs, sex and violence and not in a good way. Compared to American Hustle it's truly a loser. I can't believe people are suggesting that Leo should get an Oscar for this garbage.
The Company You Keep (2012)
don't bother
Not a good movie or story here. Terribly acted by all. When will people older than I stop trying to look as young as Shia la Boeuf. Poor. Dull, too. I lived through this time in history and this movie did nothing to capture it. The best acting was done by Shia, of course, to me he is always right for his parts. The demise of good newspapers is only equaled by the demise of good movies about newspapers as far as I can judge. Robert Redford should have stayed director only in this one.
I remember when Redford was excellent in The Sting, or Butch Cassidy, or Out of Africa, All the Presidents Men, or The Way We Were. He shone in those movies. The bloom is definitely off the rose.
Criminal Minds: Zugzwang (2013)
Being fully emotionally human brings pain to Reid
++++++++++++Spoiler's Alert++++++++++++
I love this drama and have been watching for years. I watched this episode twice already today since it revolves around Spencer Reid, who is one of my favorite characters.
This episode is a heart breaker for the BAU but especially for Dr. Reid. He has had an unemotional life in the series except when with his mom in other seasons and finally he is in love.
It was so heartfelt and tender a portrayal of a different kind of loving, his not wanting or needing to ever see her and still love her and she loves him. An incredible meeting of mind/spirit for them.
Then finally this episode: the physical meeting brings heartbreak and tragedy. I am very curious to see how this will be followed up next episode. Like another commentator earlier, I hope there will be a positive outcome.
Excellent.