GandLNY Reviews

The Girl on the Train (2016)

Well done, complex mystery

[7/10 · 19 February 2017]

Well, I enjoyed this movie to the point I would watch it again to catch some of the nuances you miss during first viewing. The story is a bit complicated with several couples in overlapping relationships, but that makes it interesting. The actors are all good with real responses to the surprise events. Unveiling the main character's, Rachel, story in drunken snippets adds to the tension. Some other reviewers complain about plot points that don't make sense but, in some cases, it's because the reviewer did not understand the plot and the inter-relationships of the characters. Special credit to Emily Blunt and Haley Bennet for portraying the angst in their personal situations.

This Is Where I Leave You (2014)

Well worth the time

[8/10 · 17 August 2015]

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It had an excellent mix of serious story lines, funny one liners and a few surprises. Yes you can argue that some of the story was convoluted, but that's the nature of wide audience fiction.

Many wonderful actors sharing a movie so they each had less screen time than you might want, but that's a small fault. Have to really enjoy Jason Bateman and his droll frustration with life. Through in Fey, Fonda, Driver and you have a wonderful cast. Then add great supporting characters like Connie Britton and Kathryn Hahn, Stoll and Byrne and we end up with an enjoyable 90 minutes.

Enemy (2013)

Enjoyable thriller on several levels

[8/10 · 20 January 2015]

We'll start simple then get deeper (with minor spoilers) later. In the first level this is a psychological drama about an insecure teacher realizing he has a look-alike who is an actor. It is enjoyable, although a bit confusing, to watch the teacher attempt contact with his look-alike while also maintaining his relationships with 3 women in his life: wife, mistress and mother A casual movie-goer will catch on to the basic premise while being confused about some of the specific interactions. At this level the movie is great watching for Gylenhaal and his 3 supporting women: wife, mistress, mother (Rossellini). A more observant movie goer will discover more of the underlying psychology of the movie.

But if you're like me in that you enjoy a hint about things to watch for, here is my subtle attempt. Spoilers: This movie gets into aspects similar to Fight Club and Mulholland Drive. If you loved those movies you'll love this one. Like those movies, there are 2 realities and you'll have to pay attention to which reality you are in at the moment. Listen and you'll hear the many clues spoken by the characters. Everything is a clue. Then you can also begin to interpret the metaphors (e.g.-insects). Lastly, there are some good threads in the discussion section below that point out some very subtle, but highly interesting items, (particularly the "Enemy Explained" youtube video by Stuckmann).

Horrible Bosses (2011)

Perfect movie for some of us

[8/10 · 17 February 2012]

If you find crude humor distasteful, move on to another movie right now. If you think having a character named after the longest of George Carlin's 7 dirty words is hilarious then keep reading. This is a silly plot played by excellent actors having a great time. Kevin Spacey as a malicious boss is a perfect role for him. Jennifer Aniston should play a sexist boss more often. The trio (2 Jasons and Charlie) have a wonderful manic chemistry almost like Bridges and Goodman in The Big Lebowski. Actually this movie is similar to Lebowski in that it has unrealistic events brought to comic life by a great cast. Who would have thought a hired killer for $200 would be not exactly what you wanted. And watch the credits at the end for some more fun.