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Don't Worry Darling (2022)
Brilliant addition to the sci-fi genre
Ignore the drama and the incomprehensible interviews surrounding the release of this film.
It. Is. Brilliant.
The lux 1950s setting engages the senses even as the viewer acknowledges that something troubling must be brewing just beneath the surface (reminiscent of classic Twilight Zone episodes). While Florence Pugh does drive the movie, she never does it at the expense of the plot, setting, or fellow cast members. Chris Pine is a generically recognizable influencer while Harry Styles stands in as a typical self-described "nice guy."
This film will spark much-needed conversations--and did at the viewing I attended. I've never had house lights go up after a film only to see that groups of movie-goers had remained behind to spontaneously discuss the movie.
H. H. Holmes: Original Evil (2018)
A serial killer story has never been more boring.
I'm nearly twenty-minutes in and the very serious narrator is FINALLY getting to the premise of the film. So far it's been twenty minutes of inane early history, the "myths" following Holmes, old film clips that have nothing to do with the narration, over-the-top repetative music, and dramatic reenactments featuring actors in modern dress, hair, makeup, and settings (even though Holmes was from the late 1800s. The most striking example is an obviously modern woman, clad only in black panties, crying on a bathroom floor next to a modern toilet. Why?
Later, when actors ARE in period costume, they are wearing clothes from the 1920s. Holmes died in 1896.
Trilling piano keys accompany the gruesome execution of Holmes. The documentary doesn't end with his death though. Now it goes back to the "murder hotel" built by Holmes. The narrator is careful to point out that the rooms were soundproofed, but the reenactment shows Holmes locking a huge door against screaming victimes--whose screams can still be heard after the door closes. Then it brings on the bad computer game animation that provides absolutely no information about the layout of the hotel. The documentry gives the murder hotel less than five minutes--that's enough for the crux of the doc, right?
And then the big guns--H. H. Holmes was possibly Jack the Ripper. The narrator actually says, "Yes, you heard that right!"
And now poor recreations of Victorian era White Chapel in London. that somehow features a modern woman in a black oversized tee crawling through the woods, crying. It is obvious that the filmmakers tried to shoot on location, but neglected to close off the street. Along with a man in actual period dress sitting on a coach and a butcher with a long apron peeking out of his old-timey shop, there are tourists walking around in shorts and sneakers. One guy just crossed frame in a baseball cap. And then a modern woman in a tank dress walking through the woods. WHAT IS GOING ON? Why are we watching a tatooed woman in a black bra and panty set vomiting blood into a modern sink? WHO WROTE THIS?
And now more poorly constructed computer-game animation to recreate the victims of the Ripper. Oh, look! An actual crime-sceen photo! And back to woodcuts and comics. Now there are cowboy vigilantes that are supposedly roaming the streets of London. The camera man loves his zoom lense. "Look at everything get closer and farther away when I turn this thingy!"
Other highlights? An actress who shrinks back from the camera (as if looking at the killer), then sees a door open and shrinks back from whoever enters (so are there TWO killers now?). A woman trussed up in modern bondage gear cowering away from a man in a white button down shirt, slacks, and a make-shift hood. A woman thrown into a room where other women are huddled in fear and THE OTHER WOMEN SMELL HER HAIR (?).
Now the newest "big reveal" that Holmes may have done the Ripper murders to TAKE THE HEAT OFF HIS REAL MURDERS. But, no, after dedicating a good portion of the film to the possibility of Holmes being the Ripper, the filmmakers decide he couldn't have been the Ripper at all. There is absolutely no proof.
"We began this investigation in an attempt to be forensic, to analyze the mind of the man through his actions and deeds. We have discovered his life was one very big lie from beginning to end, and the lies continue even after his death."
In this "investigation" there are no interviews with experts, no documents presented, and few crime-sceen details provided. The conclusion is a mix of poorly written suppositions and assertions that can apply to "psychotics," and a warning to the viewer not to believe everything we hear, see, or read about H.H. Holmes. Noted.
Produced by "Reality Films."
The irony is overwhelming.
Die Hard (1988)
There is a time and place for everything--even machismo
A New York City cop travels to LA in an attempt to save his marriage. He's neglected to support his wife when she was promoted as an executive for a multi-national corporation. As a result, he is in danger of losing both her and his children. He arrives in time for the corporation's Christmas party--and it's a good thing since the party is crashed by mysterious terrorists. Now it's up to John McClane to put his macho moves in action.
Quick quips, wall-to-wall action, amazing character development, and touching realizations make this movie a pleasure to watch again and again.
Mary (2019)
Good acting, so-so story
The captain of a tourist fishing vessel has the opportunity to purchase a salvaged sailboat that he and his family can restore and use to create their own company. Finally, he can be the captain of his own ship. More than restoring the ship, the capitain wants to restore his marriage and strengthen his family.
It is hard to grasp his vision since the boat is incredibly small with an unbelievably crowded deck. It seems to be a bit of a Tardis, however, because below decks is spacious and includes a galley, a captain's office, a master bedroom, a second bedroom, a crew's quarters, and a storage space. It is up to the viewer to overlook the unbelievable dimensions and accept that this is a bit of a "closed door" mystery combined with a darker secret.
While on their maiden voyage, the family learns about the dark secrets hidden in this small vessel and the otherworldly presence that seems to have stowed away for the ride.
It's a good premise, but it doesn't quite live up promise of what it could have been.
Brave New World (2020)
CAN Hollywood Read?
The makers of A Brave New World embark on bringing this classic story to life by throwing away the book on which it's based, changing the motivations of the characters, and using any excuse they can to exploit the women they hired to "act" in the film. It's just another example of Hollywood illiteracy. Imagine the remarkable works of cinema we could enjoy if directors, producers, and actors could actually read!
The Hustle (2019)
I was embarrassed for the actors--all of them.
No one should have to sit through this. The movie's entire premise is to provide a variety of sets where Hathaway can overact while using a limited range of ridiculous accents and Wilson can exhibit her usual slapstic shtick.
It's hard to understand how anyone working on this movie didn't raise their arms mid-scene and ask if anyone else hasn't noticed that the whole thing is way off the rails. This should never have been made. It definitely should never have been released.
The Beguiled (2017)
Yet another example of Hollywood's illiteracy
Based on a book in which each female character expresses her point of view, holds dark secrets, and competes with her fellows, this movie offers many establishing shots and little more. Two primary characters from the book don't make it into the movie, but a nothing character, who adds nothing to the plot, is added. The secrets of one character are hinted at and never revisited. Of course readers of the book know why--the character was seriously miscast. The women and girls never open their hearts to the injured soldier they take in, so we as viewers have no idea as to their motivations. They try to relay all through meaningful looks, but fall short. Personalities that should evolve and shine are stunted and dull. This is a character-based story that has been so diluted it's shares only the title with the original work.
Blade Runner (1982)
When Illiterates Make a Movie
To say this trainwreck is based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is like saying Michaelangelo was the inspiration for Mr. Bill. Everyone who was owed a favor in Hollywood got a job in this movie. That's the only explanation for the bloated cast of extras, the ridiculous costumes, and the "what were they thinking?" hair and makeup. Everyone who has dialogue takes their sweet time saying their piece, dragging out slow scenes until they're positively petrified. Non sequiturs liter the fight scenes. Key characters from the book are unrecognizable. It just goes on and on. I want my two hours back.
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
Welcome to the Meta Neighborhood
Tom Hanks is great in his performance as Mr. Rogers. He achieves a multifaceted, dynamic character played with such self-deprecation that he becomes a walking, talking open book--even when he can't speak.
But there is another, and I think more surprising, steller performance in this film. Michael Rhys delivers a beautiful, complex, and even heartrending character we can all identify with. He wears his anger openly and comes to learn that it is deeply rooted in fear. His character's journey is one the audience shares. We understand his pain, his confusion, his trauma, and his frustration when dealing with the nicest guy in the world. But we also grow with him. Love with him. Forgive with him. It is through him that we learn to love Mr. Rogers all over again.
The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
When the kid behind you says "Can we go now?" you know it's bad.
I've read a few reviews that go on and on about the quality of the animation and it is true--the animation is spectacular (it is represented by the four stars I awarded this film).
But I didn't go to the theater for the animation. I laughed every time the previews played. I laughed during every commercial. I was excited to see this film. And then I bought a ticket. It turned out that all of the funny bits were in those 15-30 second spots. I could live with that disappointment as long as there was a great story. But no. It has all the necessary elements of a story--exposition, conflict, characters, setting--everything but a solid plot. They did try. There is an accidental quest, but it goes absolutely nowhere.
For moms and dads who are thinking this would be a fun movie with the kiddos, be warned: there are some scary scenes. Even I looked away at one point (giant sewer snakes are not my thing).
See it if you want--it's your money (and your brain-cells). As for me, I went back to the theater later the same day to watch another movie just to get it out of my head.
And Then There Were None (2015)
A Plea for Screenwriters to Consider the Source
Six minutes in and I was awed by the beauty of the film. I was ready to own it. But over the next two hours I saw my hopes of a new classic crash on the shores of Soldier Island. I found myself facing the USUAL issues whenever a favorite book is turned into a movie. The scenes were beautiful, the sets gorgeous, the acting rather good, but the screen writer felt she needed to "improve" the already impeccable writing of Agatha Christie with ridiculous new takes on the characters and their pasts. Instead of a sleek study of the motivations of murderers who somehow escaped the law, the "new" story not only changed the crimes of the guests of Soldier Island, it also changed, and in some cases, completely discarded their modus operandi. Even with the changes, I was willing to give the movie eight stars, and then I started the second half. That's when the screenwriter added a cocaine party, a budding romance, and a knife-wielding bear-skin rug. At least the ending was on point (different from the book, but with the same feel and story-line) and frankly that's the only reason I'm giving this movie six stars. A quick note to all the screenwriters out there: You do not need to strengthen GOOD writing. Leave the bones of the story alone and you will have multitudes of adoring fans who appreciate the fact that you have honored the source material.
Light in the Darkness (2013)
Real voices telling their real stories
As a history teacher, I've taught about the development of Hinduism and Buddhism on the sub-continent, but no textbook can explain religious development and observation in the modern country of India like the documentary, "Light in the Darkness." While this film allows people of various religions to share what they believe and why, it focuses on those who have accepted Christ as their Savior. In the opening narration an overview of India is given by Das, a man who openly proclaims, "I am a Christian."
While the entire film is riveting, the most touching part is the testimony of Urvashi who underwent years of physical, mental, and emotional abuse because she became a follower of Christ. I have seen the film many times, but her story, simply and honestly told, has moved me to tears each time.