Beautiful scenery, fantastic acting by the leads, exciting action and characters you've never seen before. That stagecoach scene was just a ow. Not sure where between the action and frequent changes of dynamics anyone had the opportunity to feel this was slow or dragged. I did find some of the dialogue and conflict a bit confusing when multiple parties were talking at the same time and will rewatch with subtitles for some missing lines. Overall a good adventure that has you on the edge of your seat (literally) rooting for Letitia to make it. Even my husband liked it and we rarely agree on movies these days.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Shining Girls
(2022)
Slow burn
29 April 2022
Watched 3 so far. Genuinely getting more and more curious about where these characters and plot lines are going. Acting is great all around. Not finding it hard to follow or poorly paced as some critics suggested. 3 picked up a bit if you were finding 1&2 slow. I liked some of the trippy scenes with Dan.
Donnybrook
(2018)
Very well done but lacking a relatable message
4 August 2021
The acting by the entire cast, cinematography, pacing, music choices, etc are absolutely fantastic and far exceeded expectations. I was expecting the violence and drugs to feel more like a grimy gimmick but it wasn't at all. Jamie Bell transforms into Jarhead Earl and Margaret Qualley is a real find mixing delicacy and brutality as Delia. My main issue is that at the end of the movie I don't know what to take away from it. The premise is bizarre and the circumstances so heightened that I couldn't relate. Is this what the rural Midwest landscape is supposed to really look like? What is this a commentary on? While certain images and characters were alternately sympathetic, haunting, chilling, the sum didn't really move me in the end.
TURN: Washington's Spies
(2014–2017)
Highly binge-able
27 June 2021
Recently discovered this series on Netflix and I love love love it. I couldn't stop watching it through 4 seasons and have rewatched it twice.
I have an interest in history and am from New York and was surprised to learn about many fascinating aspects of the American revolution and the time period. The storytelling and attention to detail really bring out aspects of domestic life and the personal economic and political strife that was caused by the war without beating you over the head with it. This includes discussing the roles of women and slavery, and though a slightly anachronistic take, this was a good effort at exploring these issues. I loved the rich design and production; the stench and grime of the time are palpable.
I understand that there was much that was not quite accurately portrayed and the series led me to read a lot more about the actual history of the Culper ring, if for no other reason that to understand what here is history vs historical drama. Yeah, they are portrayed as even more heroic than they were, the manufactured sexual exploits were unnecessary (for me), they messed a lot with the timeline and personalities...but the characters, acting (for most), drama, and tension building were all so entertaining and well done that I can forgive it. Just the understanding of how the loyalist militias and informants were everywhere and the lines were blurred makes the task of sending intelligence to the continental army monumental and you can really appreciate the risks. I am amazed and how they were able to keep digging the hole that our "plucky freedom fighters" found themselves in, especially Abraham Woodhull's character, yet kept finding fairly convincing ways of weaseling around it and keeping them going. The stakes keep getting raised, sometimes to a ridiculous degree, but they are all so committed to the story and are having such fun with it it's hard not to be caught up in the ride.
I'm glad to have learned what I have as well and will have to do some historical walking tours and visit Setauket on future visits to NY.
I have an interest in history and am from New York and was surprised to learn about many fascinating aspects of the American revolution and the time period. The storytelling and attention to detail really bring out aspects of domestic life and the personal economic and political strife that was caused by the war without beating you over the head with it. This includes discussing the roles of women and slavery, and though a slightly anachronistic take, this was a good effort at exploring these issues. I loved the rich design and production; the stench and grime of the time are palpable.
I understand that there was much that was not quite accurately portrayed and the series led me to read a lot more about the actual history of the Culper ring, if for no other reason that to understand what here is history vs historical drama. Yeah, they are portrayed as even more heroic than they were, the manufactured sexual exploits were unnecessary (for me), they messed a lot with the timeline and personalities...but the characters, acting (for most), drama, and tension building were all so entertaining and well done that I can forgive it. Just the understanding of how the loyalist militias and informants were everywhere and the lines were blurred makes the task of sending intelligence to the continental army monumental and you can really appreciate the risks. I am amazed and how they were able to keep digging the hole that our "plucky freedom fighters" found themselves in, especially Abraham Woodhull's character, yet kept finding fairly convincing ways of weaseling around it and keeping them going. The stakes keep getting raised, sometimes to a ridiculous degree, but they are all so committed to the story and are having such fun with it it's hard not to be caught up in the ride.
I'm glad to have learned what I have as well and will have to do some historical walking tours and visit Setauket on future visits to NY.
The Chumscrubber
(2005)
Better as an adult
27 June 2021
I recall enjoying this movie as a 20 something but as an adult living in suburbia stumbling back on it I can relate to it even more.
I thought it was awkward funny and moving.
My husband lost interest after 15 minutes feeling unable to like any of the characters. I think it strikes uncomfortably close for some people.
The name of the movie and video game character is awful. And I didn't go to film school so I don't have enough of a basis to assess whether it's derivative. I don't really care if it is.
Enjoy.
I thought it was awkward funny and moving.
My husband lost interest after 15 minutes feeling unable to like any of the characters. I think it strikes uncomfortably close for some people.
The name of the movie and video game character is awful. And I didn't go to film school so I don't have enough of a basis to assess whether it's derivative. I don't really care if it is.
Enjoy.
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