vickkynight Reviews

Sarah's Key (2010)

Riveting new Holocaust tale told through parallel construction

[8/10 · 3 November 2011]

Just as we saw with "The Reader," here is a different Holocaust story to tell. Most frightening of all, this took place NOT in Germany, but in France.

Siding with Adolf Hitler, and hoping to gain favor, the French authorities round up many Jews and send them to the Vel d'Hiv detention centre.

In an attempt to save her brother, little Sarah (played masterfully by Melusine Mayance) locks her little brother in the closet and hides the key on herself. Once she realizes this may have the opposite effect, Sarah is determined to escape and free her brother. No matter what happens, she keeps that key close to her at all times, even while the most heinous atrocities go on around her.

Now flash forward 70 years or so, and we meet journalist Julia Jarmand, an American living in Paris (played excellently by the always wonderful Kristin Scott Thomas). The movie plays out this type of parallel construction cutting back from Sarah's efforts to save her little brother, to Scott Thomas investigating the story about the atrocities at the Vel d'Hiv detention centre.

For the record, this type of parallel construction really works in the film. Every time we see Julia Jarmand investigating the story, it's like a sigh of relief after watching the terrible moments little Sarah must endure to get back to her family's residence and unlock her starving brother.

Julia discovers a connection to little Sarah and her story and the movie takes a turn for the interesting. That is all I want to say, as I don't wish to give away too much. See the movie; it will likely be the French entrant in the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars this year. Was one of the best films I saw this year.

Moneyball (2011)

Moneyball's worth the price fo admission

[9/10 · 26 September 2011]

I enjoy movies, go to many festivals, as well as preview screenings, and I am enjoying posting the reviews on IMDb for all to see.

So far, I am only posting reviews of the films I have liked. Recently, I had the chance to see "Moneyball," and I've been meaning to post my review.

The main cast does a wonderful job, starting off with Brad Pitt, who will surely receive Oscar buzz for this role. Playing Billy Beane - a failed prospect of the New York Mets, but a G.M. with a chance to do something special - Pitt thrives. Although a successful talent evaluator, Beane is strapped by the financial constraints the Oakland team has put on him. Enter Jonah Hill.

Playing Peter Brand, a numbers guy, he teams up with Beane to change the entire approach to drafting players and signing free agents. The results make for a riveting movie that is as much about life as it is baseball.

Filmed in the style of a docudrama, Moneyball is one of the best in this style of film. Go see it, even if you're not a baseball fan. Very real, and it plays that way. While I enjoyed the ending very much, it certainly is NOT a Hollywood ending. See the movie, and you will know what I mean.

Night Club (2011)

Not too many movies hit this many marks - this one did

[9/10 · 26 September 2011]

I really enjoyed this movie, and the timing for THIS kind of movie is perfect as there are going to be a LOT of 'Baby Boomers' who will be 'residents' in assisted living or nursing homes in the next 15-20 years or so.

This movie, as I see it can serve so many purposes. Off the top of my head, is a reminder to those Baby Boomers to make plans for the future, perhaps take care to insure your 'financials' while you can. This movie also enlightened me a little as to the entire industry of nursing or assisted homes and what they should be about or not. Respecting life and living a life of quality.

There were some very personal moments where the viewer was allowed to see the private interaction between a caring grand-daughter with her grandmother who has Alzheimer's. The actors in the nursing home as the 'residents' hit me, the viewer with reality of some of our elderly and their day to day life. Now, THIS is a reality show!

All this could have been real depressing but who ever did the casting did a great job, especially bringing in legend Ernest Borgnine, (who I was hoping to meet) who is anything but depressing. His character is that he's done it all and in REAL life, he certainly has.

Among other good actors, there was handsome boy-next door & talented Zachary Abel with his off beat, good boy, 'do the right thing' character and veteran actress, the willowy Sally Kellerman who played her role with such conviction. I loved her shining moment at the piano.

One character who added that extra special spark was Daniel Roebuck, Mr. Dependable himself. His character added that last one-two good punch to complete this movie. I like him as the 'bad guy.'

'Night Club' had a REAL life aspect, some funny moments, reflective moments, good messages, heartbreak, hope and a also family film. Not too many movies can hit all those marks. This one did.

One thing that I thought made this movie special was at the end when during the Q&A Director Sam Borowski mentioned on the screen credits that this movie was dedicated to his mother. Most dedications just say...In memory of.... and that's it. Yours was especially touching because you allowed the viewer to know WHO this person was that you dedicated this great effort to, and allowed us into your still tender and grieving heart in the loss of your mother. As a mother of grown children, I think your mom would have been so very proud of your work, your movie, NIGHT CLUB and YOU!

Thank you.