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Mob Land (2023)
No Country for Old Men 2
The resemblance to No Country for Old Men is unavoidable. John Travolta as Tommy Lee Jones, Stephen Dorff as Javier Bardem, and Shiloh Fernandez as Josh Brolin. Well, sort of.
And why did I choose to write this review after such a long time of not writing reviews? Because something in this movie touched me.
The movie seems like the standard crime genre at first, but it is not that at all.
The "No Hope" atmosphere is all around. All efforts are in vain, and everyone loses. It is true that the innocents get some money in the end, but generally, all efforts are useless.
I think this is one of the best appearances of John Travolta and Stephen Dorff. The dialogue, especially the tone, makes you think a bit.
I enjoyed the movie a lot, and frankly, I wonder why the ratings are relatively low.
Luce (2019)
Punishment or Rehab
How do we deal with rouge people? Do we fight and punish them, or do we cleverly try to rehabilitate them and give them a chance? This idea is briliantly presented in this masterpice movie. A must see film that will not be forgotten.
Ad Astra (2019)
Journey to enlightenment
If you are on a journy to enlightment, this movie is for you. A son proceeds his father's mission to find conscience beings in outer space, when his enlightened son makes him realize that all is one conscience and it is on its own.
Power: A Friend of the Family (2018)
Nice episode
*** Major Spoiler!! ***
I don't think Kanan is really dead.
I think he fakes his death
Escape Plan 2: Hades (2018)
Much more than meets the eye
***** MAJOR SPOILERS *****
Yes, the acting, directing, visual and audio effects are trivial.
Nevertheless, the hidden ideas in this film are very uncommon.
There are plenty of nice morals.
The best ones are in the end:
"I like working from the inside out", "see beyond your physical truth" and "who ever you are, we will find you, for sure" resembles us humans - searching for the underlying truth of our reality and our creator.
I personally believe there actually isn't any one of the above.
So, don't take this movie literally, and try to see what is hidden there.
Dunkirk (2017)
What is heroism? What is cowardice?
**** MAJOR SPOILERS ****
This movie tries to show the different types of craziness.
Does it mean that you have to be crazy to be a true hero? Probably yes.
Heroism definitely comes with prices:
The skipper who tried to save pilots and marines got a young boy killed by a crazy surviving pilot.
The British pilot who fought till his last drop of fuel to destroy the German bomber planes got one of the bombers to crash on oily water and burn some marines that where there. And in the end got himself captured.
The marine who stayed on the deck of the destroyer ship and was too scared to go inside and eat saved the trapped solders by opening the hatch.
And, of course the generals who tried to evacuate Dunkirk did get more than a quarter of them (100000) killed.
To be a hero, you sometimes have to make non-logical decisions that are against "game theory" rules, and sometimes sacrifice yourself and others. As the yacht skipper said: "There will be no home if we all go back".
Some of the heroes are post traumatic, such as the yacht skipper who lost his pilot son and the marine who stayed on the deck of the destroyer.
And what about cowardice?
Are soldiers who try to save themselves cowards? Can we blame them? "Survival is enough" as the blind man at the dock said.
Are post traumatic people like the saved pilot on the yacht, and the marine on the grounded ship (played by Harry Stiles) who act against their allies criminals?
As the yacht skipper said: "He is not himself". Is he?
This is definitely a fantastic movie. A true piece of art.
Professionally directed and played.
I would also like to mention a final word to the critics who gave this movie bad review or bad score:
This is not another "Rambo" action movie, with a simple story or plot.
This movie is about mental states and decision making under stress and trauma.
Definitely one of the best.
Who Is Alice (2017)
Happiness comes from within
You don't have to be a great salesman or a nominated movie star to be happy. But... you don't have to lose yourself in the illusion of happiness either. Always try to understand your situation, what's real and what's an illusion. Enjoy the illusion, but have both feet on the ground. This movie tries to depict this idea in a beautiful, well directed and well played comedy.
So, why give this a 9 and not 10? Well... First of all, the idea is literally explained and the viewer doesn't have to think so hard to understand it. Second, some action is missing... this is the 21s't century... Anyway - It is a great movie.
Security (2017)
Watch. Don't think.
There is nothing sophisticated or clever in this film. All very banal, and of course full of unrealistic sequence of events.
Nevertheless, Banderas plays quite well, and the film is generally enjoyable.
Best watching this in the background of doing something else, or while relaxing from a long day of work.
Baby Driver (2017)
Action-Comedy of escapism
At first, this seems like a banal action-comedy film. The acting is quite good, and some of the jokes will even make you laugh.
But, underneath lays well-directed escapism stories of all characters.
Baby escapes his past trauma and hearing disability with music. Debora also escapes her boring-routine with music. Bats escape his conscience with violence. Buddy and Darling escape their past with hedonism and lust. Doc escapes his broken heart with greed.
Having that been said, this is not an "8+" movie.
The Wall (2017)
Train them, and they will betray
*** MAJOR SPOILERS ***
The idea of this movie is not new. Real war is all about tricks and be- trail.
Same here, the enemy sniper was trained by the US army. He uses their own weapon against them, brings them to supply him with valuable intelligence and tricks them to come and bring their friends.
So, be careful who you arm and train... Sometimes the price is high.
Acting is quite good in general, and I liked the ending, which brings the idea to its peak.
Primal Fear (1996)
Fight Club minus 3 years
Maybe 21 years ago in 1996, this could be a 6 or 7. But now, when almost every criminal on trial is playing a chess game and schizophrenia is so common in movies, this cannot be more than a 5.
Taking it from here, when Edward Norton did Fight Club 3 years later he actually mastered this genre. Don't get me wrong. Acting and directing is superb. It is just that in our days it isn't special (and maybe no movie really is anymore).
As an introduction to a genre, it is watchable (with patience).
Shot Caller (2017)
Finally something worth watching
As a matter of fact, I find it hard to watch movies lately. They all seem so commonplace... But this one really kept me going.
Although the ideas are not new, they are brilliantly brought by excellent dialogues, directing and acting.
A male's true role in a common family (wait till you are 50 with grown children to understand) is also depicted here with an interesting angle.
I hate blowing my own horn, but even the plot got me surprised here and there which is not very common.
Not for youngsters, but don't miss it.
Going in Style (2017)
robin hood 80 (years old)
A very light and fun movie. Seen this genre many times, so there is nothing new here.
Nevertheless, I watched it mainly due to the famous actors, but this movie does not need rewinding...
Definitely watchable for a non-serious evening.
Alien: Covenant (2017)
Who is god?
** Major SPOILERS **
"I am actually looking at my creator, who is going to die, while I am not" (actual quote slightly revised)
Of course, apart from this rather nice statement, the movie repeats what we have already seen many times before. Nevertheless, the film was quite enjoyable. The acting is not that bad considering the rather anonymous actors.
Recommended for a fun, not-serious evening.
Wonder Woman (2017)
Did not enjoy
Although one can find some hints of "fighting for/because of god" (the writing language in the stolen notebook gives a hint of what god is the analogy to), this is mainly a boring movie.
I am from Israel, and I like Gal (even voted for her as the woman of the year for some men magazine), but the acting is terrible, and the visual/sound effects are far from special.
The high score is definitely misleading.
12 Feet Deep (2017)
Watchable (hardly), but definitely not worth the high score
This was not a surprise to me, just by the name of the film and its cover page. Honestly, I don't understand why the high score.
This is a very banal thriller with absolutely nothing special. The ladies poor childhood does not compensate for the bad acting and superficiality of the story which resembles so many similar movies.
I had a very hard time watching it to the end. Maybe it is suitable for teenagers less than 14 years old.
The Recall (2017)
Fun to watch for a relaxing evening
*** MAJOR SPOILERS!!! *** You first hear the word "abduction" and think "why?". Then, within a second you figure out the reason - probably experiments... But... No! These are not just experiments! The aliens are creating the next generation of humans which will concur the world and extinct all other "old generation" humans! What a surprise!!! :-)
Take this as a comedy, and you will have fun for a relaxing evening. Wesley Snipes (who definitely got old... like the rest of us) is fun to watch, and the other teen actors are pretty hot (but play lousy).
The Next Three Days (2010)
The focus is in the tension
** SPOILERS AHEAD **
Definitely a nice and enjoyable action thriller. Very well written, directed and played by all main actors. The tension is kept from beginning to end, and there are definitely some smart moves made by the husband John (Russell Crowe).
Nevertheless, if the creators did want to try and win some "masterpiece" price, the only single "motive" of successfully managing to fulfill the impossible dream and alter reality should have failed instead of this typical Hollywood "happy ending".
For example, the movie could end up more realistically (sorry for that kids...) if when Lara takes her head out of the car, she is killed by the truck, or better - when she and John sit by the car on the highway, they decide to give themselves up. You are invited to see the much better movie - "The Counselor" as an example of such ending when a (future) husband tries hopelessly to save his fiancé, which got a 10 from me.
Black Butterfly (2017)
"True story" 2-
*** WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD ***
This movie resembles "True Story" in so many ways, that I had to look back and see if the Directors/Writers are similar.
The idea of a writer that does a terrible act to boost his career, even at the sacrifice of his own loved ones and own freedom, is not new.
As a 49 year old guy, it was evident to me from the start that the "drifter" is not just a simple kidnapper like in all these simple kidnapping movies out there. I knew that the cop and house agent girl were not dead, and they play a role in some more sophisticated plot. Honestly, I first thought that they all came to help him with his story (and eventually they did if he is allowed to print it...). But the fact that they were all FBI was a little surprise...
Antonio Banderas acting is excellent, but I also notice something else: even taking into account that he actually plays a drunk writer, it is evident that aging actors like Matthew McConaughey, Al Pacino, Robert De-Niro, Brad Pitt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Denzel Washington and others, have a hard time keeping in shape. Maybe it will fall on me soon...
The Wizard of Lies (2017)
Can we understand?
The big question the viewers may ask themselves is: How could he have done something like this? How could he steal from all these people and still go to sleep at night? Well, I think the answers are not that complicated. People can get addicted to many things, even to their own illusions.
The story of Bernard Madoff always interested me. How (almost) everyone believed his illusion, how he was able to fool everyone, and how this can even happen in the 21'th century. The truth is, I can understand. People want to believe. To hope. There is a gambler in every one of us. This is part of what drives progress. Madoff knew (consciously or not) to use this need and fool all, including his closest family. Part of himself (like many criminals) actually thought that this is OK.
To the film itself: Robert De Niro is excellent (as always), along with all other main actors. Watching it while knowing that this is real and not Sci-Fi adds a nice taste to the whole experience.
Has the lesson been learned?
The Illusionist (2006)
fun to watch
This movie is definitely fun to watch. Nice love story with "magical"suspense from beginning to end. High investment in directing, acting, filming and visual effects is evident. This movie also includes a few hidden morals of illusion vs. reality, different perceptions of life, and individual interpretations of daily events. And, of course, no man can resist Jessica Biel... :-)
Nevertheless, the ideas are not new: Illusion vs. reality and con-men fooling the police and authorities is a very common motive in movies (and real life...). So, to be thankful for an enjoyable evening, I give this an 8.
Inception (2010)
Reality or a dream
On first view 6 years ago, I did not last more than 20 minutes. So probably 6 years is a long time, and my patience has greatly improved...
It is a fact that the human beings imagination and ability to dream is probably the most important building stone of evolution, which enables us scientific research and technological development that will eventually be the only hope for survival. Nevertheless, these dreams of non-existing (?) realities sometimes have adverse effect.
And now to the movie itself: Is this real or a dream? Maybe both? The idea is definitely not new... Total Recall (1990) for example did this long before. In this movie, the idea is beautifully presented by great directing, acting and visual effects. Also, DiCaprio is used to play the confused crazy dreamer (Shutter Island, The Aviator...), so of course he does it well.
Burn After Reading (2008)
Look deep inside
Not knowing or understanding is no shame, but not being aware of these facts is.
This idea is very well presented by the directors, writers and actors.
All the characters except the CIA "manager" (and perhaps his go-for man) are not aware of their misinterpretation of the reality around them. They all make idiotic mistakes in this wild but intelligent "comedy of errors".
Only the CIA "manager" is aware that he does not understand and will not understand the exact sequence that lead to the final consequences. This is why he asks to spare him with the little details that "everyone sleeps with everyone else", requests that the bodies will disappear and that the CIA will let George Clooney (the Treasury guy) leave to Venezuela. He understands that it is pointless to dig into all this chaos, and there is actually nothing to learn from it.
So, why not give this a 10? Well, compared to "The Counselor" and "No Country for Old Men" , this movie is missing the suspense and expectation that these 2 have. Also, the plot itself (not the idea behind it) is somewhat superficial, and the "hidden" symbols and conclusions are not really hidden, so the viewer is not required to think as hard.
Nevertheless, very enjoyable indeed.
Ghost in the Shell (2017)
Nothing deep, but definitely fun to watch
This is a combination of what we have seen many times before. Robocop, Westworld (TV Series) and "dozens..." of other similar Sci-Fi matters. Nothing deep, so don't build any expectations, but definitely fun to watch if you are not too tired and just trying to relax. Especially if you like the amazing Scarlet Johnson... :-) Nice visual effects though.
The Man from Earth (2007)
Nice idea, could be presented better
It is hard to rate this movie.
Yes, the idea is quite original. The "technical" details in the conversations are very well brought and hidden symbols are nicely presented.
Nevertheless, the idea is brought to the viewer in a "silver spoon" without needing to think. The acting is quite superficial, and watching the movie feels like reading a book. Also, watching it in 2017 is definitely not like watching it in 2007. Good (and maybe intelligent) ideas are not enough to make a good movie.
Sorry, but apparently I did not like it as much as most viewers.