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lhollan
Reviews
Night Train to Lisbon (2013)
We need this.
They don't make movies like this now. This is a rare glimpse into history fiction where we get a sense of giants who fought their battles with passion, with their intellects, with a rare combination of interpersonal dynamics and a real understanding of what was a risk. Visiting that kind of valor can make us feel like we're peering into something that doesn't matter anymore or make us feel that we just lost something. Fictionalizing the messiness of passion and beliefs is tricky, but--in the end--what we really want to learn is that life matters and the freedom to think and act and love and be really matters. Today's youth won't get this, but we can only hope they take the time to watch it. This story is both haunting and teaching at once.
Reality (2023)
Learn about FBI interrogations, and more
This is a compelling movie which is even more interesting because it's a true story. There are multiple, fascinating levels. First, it illustrates how incessant watching of right or left wing cable bobble-head can nurture extreme, existential feelings in watchers...feelings that should never become so intense. Second, we see the skill of FBI interrogators who hone these techniques over years of training and experience. Third, we see once again that releasing classified information--including methods used to collect intelligence--is just a bad thing. Sydney Sweeney is a phenomenal talent and will surely go far in the industry. I hope she continues to choose her roles well...like this one. She showed vulnerability and cunning at the same time which is difficult. I highly recommend this film. Remember one thing: FBI interrogators never ask a question that they don't know the answer to.
Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields (2023)
The panic in Brooke Shields' eyes.
Brooke Shields was a stranger in her own life...a life she lived for her mother, then subsequently for Agassi. It's clear her mother peddled her in ways that are objectionable and damaging to a young woman's core self. This explains why I have always seen an nearly imperceptible look of panic in Shields' eyes. Look, you will see it. This documentary is eye opening as it exposes the way Brooke was offered up as a youth sex symbol by uncaring and greedy movie producers who birthed the 70's era of child sex symbols in film--something we are smart enough to reject today. But this bought fame and fortune to young Brooke while the price she paid was personality dissociation. She separated her instinct and feelings from her big celebrity ambitions--it was survival. Somehow, I'm not completely buying the victimization of her narrative, particularly when she defends her role in Pretty Baby to her daughters. Give it up, Brooke. Your mother made you do things that you would never ask your daughters to do.
The industry devours the willing for a pot of gold, even when that will is fabricated. The good part is that Shields has survived her wounds and has self-actualized. That's always a good ending.
Harry & Meghan (2022)
Documenting nothing in particular
This documentary series isn't a documentary at all. It's merely several episodes of navel-gazing and objections to...well...we're never quite sure! The couple continually refers to "they" who are accused of doing anything from chasing them, undermining them, ignoring them, ghosting them, slurring, arm-twisting, forcing, criticizing, or just about any paranoid perception possible. But we never know who "they" are specifically. Good grief, it must have been completely impossible to do anything right for these two! The incessant self-absorption and whining becomes tiring, and Harry's fixation with the connection between his mommy and Meghan is downright annoying, if not a little creepy. This Netflix series proves that high viewership in no way indicates popularity. Clearly, it's a flop. Not recommended.
Unforgotten (2015)
Excellent writing and character development
If you are attracted to shows that draw you to characters, this is excellent. The writers weave complex plots that one can pull together emotionally and that culminate in a meaningful way. I would have given this series a higher star score, but Nicola Walker becomes a burden to watch. She grows to be an unpleasant person whose life seems to be consistently under a dark cloud--and I think the actor brings far too much angst to the character. Aside from that strain, the series is well worth it, at least through series three.
Killer Women with Piers Morgan: Amber Wright (2017)
Yes, she's a killer
Piers Morgan approaches this young woman from every direction and lends every opportunity to show some remorse or genuine feeling. It's just not there. The viewer can clearly see that he's exchanging words with a sociopath who is incapable of any real emotion. The problem is this: she's a young female--and we're not used to it. At some points--it's clear that Morgan is both bewildered and disturbed. She's where she belongs. Justice served.
Killer Women with Piers Morgan (2016)
Gave me nightmares, but good interviewing
Piers Morgan conducted some excellent interviews here, particularly skilled at not putting the "killers" on the defensive--so they are fairly open, and even momentarily charmed. This series is unpleasant, but it does give us a glimpse of clinical mental illness that walks among us...in tiny quantities. These women are standing beside their real selves and sometimes--just sometimes--Piers manages to tie a thin wire between the dual manifestations of the normal and sick individuals. I admit, I remain baffled by at least one great liar.
Soupçons (2004)
Interesting but highly biased
I've studied this case extensively and found that--where this documentary seemed thorough--it completely ignored some very compelling evidence that incriminated Peterson and the piece, therefore, gives the viewer predominantly an incomplete story. It's clear that Michael Peterson enjoyed being filmed which is slightly annoying. If you watch this and it leaves you with the idea that the State was unfair, then you owe it to yourself to watch unbiased accounts of this death, investigation, and trial, and only then draw a conclusion. The Alford plea to manslaughter was more than deserved, in my opinion.
The Staircase (2022)
Interesting, parallel storylines give us multiple perspectives
This series is well written and cast, and the multi-perspective storylines prompt the viewer to think and not merely watch. Colin Firth and Toni Collette deliver great and believable performances that neither disguise nor define the human emotions of their characters, they show us how life is a series of reactions and changes. After looking at documentaries, I have one objection to the storylines: I believe these two never went to the pool, that Michael Peterson--a master storyteller--fabricated that to create a timeline and scenario that made sense. Whatever happened in that house, we'll never truly know. This story leaves us with a good guess. I recommend this binge-worthy series.
The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes (2022)
Yet...still something missing
This is a riveting and well-produced documentary of a fascinating story. The incredible thing is that it's a real story. "I would say that it was covered up because of her connection with the Kennedy Brothers." Only half of the reality. Clearly (from these accounts) Marilyn Monroe was dangled as an unwitting conduit to the highest offices of the US Government by the Soviets during the cold war. This connection was known by a very anti-communist FBI whose machine forced the Kennedy brothers to sever ties rapidly and cleanly. Marilyn--an ideal candidate to be dangled--was very insecure, emotionally susceptible, and in need of being needed, and she was unable to sustain the emotional quagmire she had gotten herself into. A last attempt on Robert Kennedy's part to try to intervene into her emotional break was unsuccessful. In times like this there is no recourse but to clean up a horrid mess that ensued. It happens more than we want to know. Kudos for this investigative reporter to put this story straight, though he dances too lightly around the Soviet involvement, mostly because he can't puncture that sphere. So, there it is. "She killed herself either intentionally or accidentally. This case is closed." That is true.
Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud. Fugitives. (2022)
Too big a dose of another bad, bad girl
We have had a typhoon of bad-girl stories of late: Anna Delvey, Elizabeth Holmes, and now the Queen of Green, Sarma Melngailis. At first, you wanted to think that this one was not evil, but as the real-life story progressed, you just want to strangle her. The complete lack of regard for her staff going down with her ship, her investors, her family and--oh, that's right--she has no friends. This is a self-absorbed sociopath who doesn't have the mechanism to delineate between right and wrong, in herself or others. And as you get more peeks at her father, you begin to see more of the same--a sort of blandness, uncanny evenness about anything at all. The only saving grace in this Netflix production is that the proceeds will be given to her workers who carried the day while this self-centered, boring, talent wasted her life away. And...any woman over 5 years old who wears pig-tails is a nincompoop. Watch it, though it's a tad too long.
Inventing Anna (2022)
Intriguing story buried in bad acting and directing
Particularly since this is true character, this could have been a much more successful series. The lead, Julia Garner, portrays this character thinly and adorns it with a somewhat bizarre accent though an annoyingly nasal voice. Probably the most detracting element is the over-the-top performance by Anna Chlumsky who portrays an unlikeable, life-confused, writer who--in reality--becomes Anna Sorokin's water girl. Someday, a good writer and a good director will do this story justice. This too-long account missed.
The Tinder Swindler (2022)
Important to watch for online love
This is a fascinating look at how incredibly clever a swindler can be. It is equally a look at how desperate and naive love-seekers can be. Remember....if it seems to good to be true....then it is. Watch this.
Blue Night (2018)
Truly terrible
Were it not for the 10 second forward button, I couldn't have finished this. The director intended to make it emotionally intense with many lingering, elongated closeups, but it didn't work. And....once again...the spider-eyed Sarah Jessica Parker made this movie a showcase for herself and a display of her terrible singing. The only real joy was seeing Simon Baker who very much outclassed the entourage.
And Just Like That...: Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered (2022)
David Eigenberg delivered in this one
David Eigenberg's performance in his one scene was the best acting in the series so far. It was real, he didn't exaggerate his character, and it was moving. It's a shame the acting is generally so bad and the writing is so amateurish. Makes no sense. They could all do better.
And Just Like That...: Sex and the Widow (2022)
Just sad
These women are sad, nasty, confused about life in 2021, and no longer interesting. Just hope they don't bring back Aiden and also ruin that great character. This Sex and the City revisit was a bad idea. Really bad.
And Just Like That... (2021)
And Just Don't Bother!
Is there one, single, solitary, political correctness issue that wasn't shoehorned into this bizarre story, and in a haphazard, not-very-believable way? The attraction to SATC was the relationship among these four (four?) women and that is completely overwhelmed by Carrie self-centeredness, the fake rebooting of 20+ year old issues, and just plain cluelessness of these supposedly smart women regarding a 2021 culture. Where have these characters been? The moon? It's as if they went into hibernation for decades and emerged with 1990 minds and with the same hair and makeup. As one top critic said...this may be so bad that you need to see it...to believe it. Sorry SATC gals, they did you wrong.
My Christmas Family Tree (2021)
Not believable
The response of a happily-married couple when a young woman shows up saying she is a long lost daughter of a prior relationship, you hardly believe a hardy welcome and complete envelopment into the Christmas festivities. Also, no one would believe the fumbling ice skating by Andrew W. Walker, a man who grew up in Canada. Hockey is almost a requirement! I just thought it was a weak story and was badly directed.
Dopesick (2021)
Award-winning, compelling
The sad truth is that this phenomenal story of a network of corporate deceipt is based in reality. This series will take awards in multiple categories, including best series, multiple acting nominations, editing, and screen writing. Michael Keaton has pulled together the story of the century here, and the story line is written in a way where this complex, multi-layered travesty is exposed clearly and cleanly. This is streaming at its best.
Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Too long
There's a good story in there somewhere, but it is an overly complicated plot and very poorly edited. I have watched parts of this movie at least 5 times, never able to sit through the entire movie. The movie should have been one hour shorter with multple sub-plots removed.
The Starling (2021)
Melissa McCarthy does it again
In her roles--whether mostly comical or not--McCarthy teaches us over and over again a simple message is a messy world: It's more than ok to be vulnerable...in fact...it's good. This movie takes a deep dive into vulnerability in the face of real hardship, perhaps the worst hardship. It speaks about the many faces and responses to the sense of being left to deal with unearned pain. It also does so by also demonstrating that the usual "help" suspects don't fully get it, but that even vulnerable helpers may provide more light. I highly recommend this movie.
Nine Perfect Strangers (2021)
Even if Kidman isn't your fave...
This series is worth watching. It's quirky, interesting, provocative, and addictive. The acting is great, and the characters are well developed and portrayed. One very good element is that it actually has an ending, unlike so many series that leave you hanging on a cliff. However, the ending can invite further episodes. I highly recommend it.
Clickbait (2021)
Great Pace
Somewhere during the first 2-3 episodes you realize that anyone can create any reality online if they know enough--or has friends that know enough. This series maintains a great pace for an eight-episode story, and it keeps up the suspense. The characters are good, though I expected a little more from Kazan who offered little contrast over the entire series. This is not an award-winning series, but it's worth the time to see it and maybe a little more. Again...if you think the Internet is truth, this fictional storyline reminds us that it's more seductive than honest.
Doctor Doctor (2016)
Great series...look beyond a little miscasting
Rodger Corser (Hugh) and Tina Bursell (Meryl) are magnificent. Corser's natural charm carries the plot even though his love-interest is less than worthy of her part. Penny, cast very poorly (Hayley McElhinney plays a woman with no dimension or appeal), is a wonderfully vulnerable character. The beauty of her role is lost with McElhinney's interpretation. But where chemistry is missing, Hugh makes up with an unrelenting resilience and humor in the one-horse town of Whyhope. The series has ups and downs, but it's worth sticking out. Like another Aussie series....800 Words...Doctor Doctor will end for sure and on a good note. That's the way to wrap up a great series.
Billions (2016)
Great blastoff, bleeding fuel.
With a backdrop of a thriving industry and pop version of the SDNY Feds, Billions unleashes a soap-opera cast of males thrashing around for power and women trying to play in the high-stakes game. Sound familiar? It's the Mad Men TV formula set in today's world. Here's the problem: Don Draper said more when he didn't speak and lured us into his brilliant and flawed psyche, while Bobby Axelrod just talks too much. Splat. By Season 2 the writers are forced to introduce cartoon characters like zombie-like Taylor and. Napoleonic Krakow to provide negative composition against the boredom of Axe's hurricane prowess. It's going in the wrong direction. This is in-your-face TV and we all long for the brilliance of Mad Men subtlety that--as of yet--hasn't been successfully met. I admit, after binging on a thriving Season 1, I dropped it half way into Season 2. I may give it another try, but the undying frenzy of the Axe tornado requires a timeline cleanser.