If you ignore the bad digital graphics, terrible acting, and convoluted plot...you could craft a drinking game with this movie. Every time a character says we've gotta get outta here...and they don't, take drink. Every time a choir inexplicably starts singing Latin...take a drink. Every time a confusing new plot point is added... take a drink. Every time someone says It's not real and then acts like it is,...take a drink. Everytime a character makes a inexplicable decision that puts them in danger, and somehow moves the plot...take a drink. *warning this is not responsible drinking, and may result in alcohol poisoning.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Love & Death
(2023)
2 different perspectives...you decide
7 May 2023
I have seen both series on this incident and they each have their merits and flaws. The Hulu series entitled Candy, starring Jessica Biel, is the story told as if the protagonist is Betty, and she is an innocent victim of another woman's rage. Whereas Love and Death, on HBO Max, starring Elizabeth Olsen, is told as if the protagonist is Candy, who suffered an attack at the hands of an troubled and mentally unstable woman.
Both resent the same facts, bent to fit the needs of the protagonist.
In my opinion, the HBO series is much better. I found the characters much more likeable and the way the story is told, to be much more engaging.
Not to mention the beautiful sets and wardrobe that brought me right back to the 70's in tone and look.
Jesse Plemons once again puts in a stunning performance, as does Lily Rabe, herself a veteran of difficult, and well done performances.
Not to mention the beautiful framing with the axe, Betty's legs in the foreground and Candy in the background. Easily could have been the background for the title card.
Both resent the same facts, bent to fit the needs of the protagonist.
In my opinion, the HBO series is much better. I found the characters much more likeable and the way the story is told, to be much more engaging.
Not to mention the beautiful sets and wardrobe that brought me right back to the 70's in tone and look.
Jesse Plemons once again puts in a stunning performance, as does Lily Rabe, herself a veteran of difficult, and well done performances.
Not to mention the beautiful framing with the axe, Betty's legs in the foreground and Candy in the background. Easily could have been the background for the title card.
RRR
(2022)
A surprising delight
30 July 2022
Such a beautiful, and gorgeously filmed, funny, over the top, delirious movie. I haven't had so much fun watching a movie in a long long time. The plot is frothy and ridiculous, but what a pleasure it was to suspend my disbelief for 3 hours and get swept away in the magic of this delightful film.
Boycott
(2001 TV Movie)
Could have been better
18 January 2022
I really liked this movie. It narrates the story of the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955.
With regard to the casting choices, the story and the performances, it is stellar indeed, and deserving of a much higher rating. This movie's Achilles heel is the hubris of its director, Clark Johnson. Overdone, movie treatments, and stylized effects used to 'enhance' the story only served to take away from, an already engaging film of resistance, resourcefulness and focus on the successes of a galvanized Civil Rights movement. I watch it for brilliant performances of Jeffrey Wright and Carmen Ejogo, who went on to play Coretta King in Selma, with David Ouelowo (even more brilliant as MLK). I watch it for the choice to add Bayard Rustin, in the narrative.
This movie was wonderfully acted by all, even the small parts were done brilliantly, some of that was due to the director, and editor. The writing is beautiful and human and rich with meaning. All of this serves to make the mis-steps more jarring.
So, while this movie remains watchable and even enjoyable, it does so despite its director than because of him. PS stop the movie before Dr. King rides the bus to the future and greets young people to 'rap' with. That part was truly cringeworthy. (shudder)
With regard to the casting choices, the story and the performances, it is stellar indeed, and deserving of a much higher rating. This movie's Achilles heel is the hubris of its director, Clark Johnson. Overdone, movie treatments, and stylized effects used to 'enhance' the story only served to take away from, an already engaging film of resistance, resourcefulness and focus on the successes of a galvanized Civil Rights movement. I watch it for brilliant performances of Jeffrey Wright and Carmen Ejogo, who went on to play Coretta King in Selma, with David Ouelowo (even more brilliant as MLK). I watch it for the choice to add Bayard Rustin, in the narrative.
This movie was wonderfully acted by all, even the small parts were done brilliantly, some of that was due to the director, and editor. The writing is beautiful and human and rich with meaning. All of this serves to make the mis-steps more jarring.
So, while this movie remains watchable and even enjoyable, it does so despite its director than because of him. PS stop the movie before Dr. King rides the bus to the future and greets young people to 'rap' with. That part was truly cringeworthy. (shudder)
The Harder They Fall
(2021)
For those who don't let politics inform EVERY aspect of their lives...
11 January 2022
This movie is a marvel of art and skill. I am not surprised the IMDB trolls have imbrued it's ratings to a lowly 6.6.
I need to address, however, some of the unfounded criticisms I have read on these pages.
For those saying it is a poor copy of Quentin Tarantino, I say this movies roots started with Kurosawa, Sergio Leone, Melvin Van Peebles and the great Gordon Parks, which Mr. Tarantino also drew inspiration from, but where Mr. Tarantino idolized Jack Hill and the wave of Blaxploitation movies that followed these geniuses, THIS movie stays true to its roots.
For those claiming it is Blaxploitation - a term coined by NAACP President Julian Griffin to describe the 70's movies that used negative black stereotypes and misogyny to bolster a lagging entertainment industry, I argue that is exactly what it is NOT.
This movie has dynamic and complex characters with agency and independence. Thus tapping into the very aspects that made Melvin Van Peebles and Gordon Park's movies stand out.
The Harder They Fall has successfully orchestrated what so many other black westerns have attempted and failed to do; To tell an engaging story about real historic characters, with dignity and substance. Yes, there is a lot of style, and the soundtrack is indicative of this. How great to hear a variety of music inspired by the African diaspora. To tell the story of black cowboys. (Am I wrong, or were those horses dancing?) And for once,(thank God), it is not from the white gaze - point of view.
If you didn't get the brilliance of this movie, it is simply not for you.
I'm sure when Sergio Leone burst onto the scene with an artistic Italian Western that was structured like a Samurai film, he had his detractors too.
But remember, while you are judging art....it is judging you.
I need to address, however, some of the unfounded criticisms I have read on these pages.
For those saying it is a poor copy of Quentin Tarantino, I say this movies roots started with Kurosawa, Sergio Leone, Melvin Van Peebles and the great Gordon Parks, which Mr. Tarantino also drew inspiration from, but where Mr. Tarantino idolized Jack Hill and the wave of Blaxploitation movies that followed these geniuses, THIS movie stays true to its roots.
For those claiming it is Blaxploitation - a term coined by NAACP President Julian Griffin to describe the 70's movies that used negative black stereotypes and misogyny to bolster a lagging entertainment industry, I argue that is exactly what it is NOT.
This movie has dynamic and complex characters with agency and independence. Thus tapping into the very aspects that made Melvin Van Peebles and Gordon Park's movies stand out.
The Harder They Fall has successfully orchestrated what so many other black westerns have attempted and failed to do; To tell an engaging story about real historic characters, with dignity and substance. Yes, there is a lot of style, and the soundtrack is indicative of this. How great to hear a variety of music inspired by the African diaspora. To tell the story of black cowboys. (Am I wrong, or were those horses dancing?) And for once,(thank God), it is not from the white gaze - point of view.
If you didn't get the brilliance of this movie, it is simply not for you.
I'm sure when Sergio Leone burst onto the scene with an artistic Italian Western that was structured like a Samurai film, he had his detractors too.
But remember, while you are judging art....it is judging you.
Cry Macho
(2021)
Indulgent, but not bad
3 December 2021
This movie has a worthy plot, that is typical of Clint Eastwood's style and brilliance. The Achilles heel of this movie is, unfortunately, it's star. Mr. Eastwood has become too weak, and frail to perform any highly active, roles like this one. It emphasized his shortcomings, and the ravages of time on this actor. The directing and acting were stellar. Hubris may have pushed him into starring in this film, when it would have been much better for him to just perform from the sidelines and give someone else a chance to shine in the starring role.
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