Change Your Image
c00lsox
Reviews
The Regime (2024)
The show doesn't know what it is.
The ads I had seen about The Regime seemed to intimate that this was a comedy of sorts. Unfortunately, I didn't laugh or even smile once in the first episode. It seems to wildly veer from a serious story, to a bizarre one, sometimes in the same scene. I don't know what the writers were trying to accomplish here, but they failed miserably. I expected much more from a mini series with Kate Winslet starring in it but so far, I'm a bit befuddled. I'll probably give it one more episode before completely bailing on it but I am not very hopeful. What a disappointment. If you were looking for Mare of Eastown, this ain't it.
A Spy Among Friends (2022)
Outstanding True Spy Story
It is said that truth is stranger than fiction,and that is the case with A Spy Among Friends. From the brilliant casting of Damian Lewis and Guy Pearce, to the film noir cinematography, this is a top notch spy drama. From the intermittent flashbacks from the present day (1963) back to 1934 when this sordid episode of British embarrassment began, it keeps the viewer informed as best as it can to follow all the twists and turns that this espionage tale contains, and it's quite a bit. The close friendship between Nicholas Ellington (Lewis) and Kim Philby (Pearce) then that friendships unraveling after 30 years once Ellington realizes Philby's duplicity creates a drama as thick as the fog in many of the London night scenes. Highly recommended.
Marry Me (2022)
Old Tired Formula
The movie is thread bare on inventiveness or originality. It's a paint by numbers effort that feels like the entire project was rushed.
Owen Wilson as a romantic lead is a head scratcher. He sticks out like a sore thumb.
The Illusionist (2006)
A brilliant movie
Let me begin by saying that this is one of the best movies of 2006. Set in the late 19th century in Europe, The Illusionist follows the story of Eisenheim the Illusionist. The story is well done and paced superbly. The costumes and sets are absolutely convincing and the whole movie is shot in a sepia tone to give it that old world feel. Edward Norton acting in a role that is atypical for him puts in an Oscar-worthy performance. The supporting cast of Paul Giamatti as the police inspector and Jessica Biel as the Prince's soon-to-be wife are all excellent. I have no doubt that Norton, Giamatti and the movie itself will be nominated for Academy awards come March. If you go and see this movie, do yourself a favor and pay strict attention to all that is going on. You won't be sorry.
Invincible (2006)
One of the better sports movies
Being a life-long Eagles fan, I felt it almost a duty to go and see Invincible and see if it lived up to the good reviews it received. I remember Vince Papale playing for the Eagles in the mid 70's and remember him being a virtual crash dummy when it came to special teams. The movie did him justice. Beside some of the liberties that directors take in the name of artistic license, (Papale was actually from Delaware County, not South Philly) which only locals would know about, it was one of the better sports movies I've seen and I've seen most. It also shows parts of the South Philly that most people outside of Philadelphia don't see. I know that's what some of South Philly really looks like. Small, cramped row houses in tightly knit neighborhoods. Mark Wahlberg, Elizabeth Banks and Greg Kinnear give outstanding performances. Without them, the movie would never (pardon the pun) fly like an Eagle.