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Reviews
Martha (2024)
Martha, Warts and All
Ah, Martha, thanks, yet again, for complaining. This accurate, engaging documentary about a driven woman and her primarily pointless activities, her ability to monetize supposed perfection and finally, her nearly sociopathic personality is worth watching, if for no other reason than to familiarize yourself with a life most wouldn't want to live. Clearly, her childhood left its mark on her, unfortunately, not the right ones. Her ability to exaggerate and make the world rotate around her is clearly evident; her claim to be a "pioneer" in Westport is the best example. By the time she moved there, many of us (I am a Westporter) had been or were still living there for 20 years or more, and the town had been and was already home to people with more talent than she ever had. That she is a liar is why she landed in jail. Dismissing her infidelity as insignificant and the sadness so evident in her daughter booth stand as evidence of her true character. The arrogance to believe she can control either the film's content, much less how she appears, without having gotten that in the contract demonstrates that perhaps she isn't as smart as some might believe. True, she was a successful business woman in a male dominated world, I'll give her that....and she can have it.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)
Inaccuracies overpower a good story
I truly wanted to find this to be a devastatingly good film, yet the historical inaccuracies repeatedly distracted from what was otherwise a very well done piece of work. The depiction of the camp when the boys would meet simply were hard to accept. Double fencing surrounded all the camps, not a single barbed wire fence as seen here. There is a watch tower in distance behind them which is clearly unmanned. While Schmuel's appearance is convincing, prisoners being led into the gas chamber are well-fed and robust, exactly the work force that was spared in camps. While I am aware that this is a drama, and not a documentary, such distractions in a film compounded what in print would be a gripping if implausible story. I must also admit that living here in Germany, being the son of refugees and having visited both Dachau and Auschwitz affects my viewpoint. While it is worthwhile viewing, the challenge in any film is for the audience to suspend belief and these important elements simply made that very difficult.
Waiting for the Barbarians (2019)
Waiting for something to happen...
Yet nothing truly happens. Looking for action, adventure and a happy Hollywood ending? Go somewhere else. This is a thoughtful, cogent expression of the stupidity and hopelessness of colonialism. It is a parable, never going anywhere near history or reality, yet somehow comes close to both. It is an outstanding directorial effort, with excellent performances from all involved. There are very long stretches where one would expect a strong editorial hand, yet there is none - and to have tried to "move the story along" the sense of what was being conveyed would have been lost. If you are looking for a film worth watching, give it a try. If you want "starring Johnny Depp" look somewhere else.
The People We Hate at the Wedding (2022)
A Guaranteed No-Laugh Comedy
The featured reviewed has the word "contrived" in the first sentence, that is being gentle. This film is an exercise in proving that there are never limits when it comes to clichés and shallow characters. If you take an absurd premise, add a whole bunch of stereotypical, self-obsessed family members spouting sarcastic dialog, you too might be able to find someone at Amazon willing to finance it. Presto, you can make money and make a crappy movie! As to enjoyment, well, comedies are supposed to make you laugh, not predict what will happen next. And what happens is very predictable. Add to that, it gives 21st century women a bad name, gay people a bad name, why, come to think of it, it is even capable of giving comedy a bad name. My rating of 2 is based on decent pacing and editing, the reason we all watch the Oscars to see who wins the award for that particular category. If you actually end up liking any people in this film, it might be the reason you need a therapist, but not the one in this film!
In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
Dated but great
Unlike "The Thing" this film hasn't aged as well as that masterpiece. It is, without a doubt, a great idea turned into an entertaining story. It's hard to get past the suspicion that it somehow is a response to the overwhelming success of Stephen King. In any case, the acting is on par for a horror flick, although I doubt Sam Neill would claim this to be his finest work, Jürgen Prochnow delivers his usual unsettling character, a pedestrian performance from Julie Carmen and Charlton Heston delivers a stellar imitation of Charlton Heston. There are plot holes galore (why does he turn around instead of simply driving through the bloodthirsty crowd the second time?) It all comes together in the last 20 minutes, though and proves that this was John Carpenter doing what he does best, leaving you with a sense of unease and a wonderful queasy feeling with which to fall asleep.
Last Exit Schinkenstrasse (2023)
Understand German, otherwise....
This is a comedy, but only if viewed in German. It is a black and very harsh comedy on a culture which, sadly, is part of Germany. Europeans do not have a Caribbean or Florida to vacation in, much less Mexico or Hawaii. There is not a Las Vegas with cheap flights, they basically have Spain. And whether it's Brits or Germans or Dutch, Mallorca stands out as the island where there is no limit when it comes to the bottom of the barrel, and the music on the island reflects that. This is the German take on that life. Amazingly, two of the bigger "stars" of that scene actually take part in the movie, which gives you an idea of how much money they make there and how much they disregard their audience. I can well imagine a dubbed version of this series would fall flat on its face. But it is well written, well acted and for Germany, a mirror of sorts- It's not all Germans, but boy, is it Germans on vacation on the south shore of Malle!
Blood Red Sky (2021)
Leave reality (far) behind
This makes "Snakes On A Plane" seem to be based on a true story. How often have you asked yourself "What happens if a vampire mother gets on plane with her young son?". Even if you never asked yourself this, here's the answer. Continuity is rubber-based, considerations of aerodynamics and avionics only get in the way of the action and who hasn't at least once thought that Islamic terrorists wouldn't be adverse to involving a gay sociopathic flight attendant? Escapist entertainment Made In Germany (actually the Czech Republic but details are just that, details) which kicks ass and at some point leaves you rooting for the vampire, after all, she is also a loving mother.
Crazy, absurd and most importantly, the one cinematic chance to see that a one-handed man can actually be handcuffed.
Interstellar (2014)
A bit long-winded
Fine entertainment, but.....c'mon it could have been a bit shorter. The science is supposedly theoretically sound, but if you haven't got a masters in physics, you might want to do your homework beforehand. The Happy Ending was pre-programmed and the entire thing appeals to our American Idealism, but the greatest film of all time as you may read elsewhere, not quite. But again, entertaining. My only serious gripe is when the town seems to be evacuating in what is clearly an ecological disaster, EVERYBODY can afford gas for their cars? Logic would dictate that if drought is leading to food shortages, the exploitation of crude oil and its refinement and distribution would also be affected. OK, it's a nitpickers gripe, but someone has to pick the nits. A solid 7, and thankfully there's a pause button so a person at some point can find nourishment.
Live by Night (2016)
Lead Role?
Had he not taken the lead role, perhaps this would have truly worked, but the strengths of the film outweigh the weaknesses, As a Boston boy, Affleck is always believable, as a gangster, I'm not so sure. In a world full of Marvel movies it isn't really a surprise that the initial audience gave it a thumbs down. I am pretty sure that in the long run its reputation will improve.
The VVitch: A New-England Folktale (2015)
Film making lives!
It's seldom to see a film these days that tells a clearly deliniated story, brings together an ensemble of actors of equal caliber and demonstrates how the collective effort of making that film results in an effort that will stand the test of time. If the topic interests you, make the effort to see this. It will not disappoint.