drobertjordan-07819 Reviews

Emergency Wedding (1950)

Pretty, pretty, pretty, good film. Not Great.

[9/10 · 30 September 2022]

The way this film reads for me is as a sit-com or more specifically, a Larry David-style Curb Your Enthusiasm mayhem comedy. Enjoy.

The FBI analysis of this picture is, "Trumbo was one of the 'Hollywood Ten." and it got blackballed. I suspect very much that Hoover disliked a strong female protagonist.

J. Edgar Hoover grew up with his mother and lived with her for forty three years. Anna Marie was a strong disciplinarian.

In addition, J. Edgar Hoover's father, Dickerson Naylor Hoover, who was a map printmaker, suffered from severe depression to the point where he withered away in an asylum.

J. Edgar Hoover was well known to disfavor placing females in important positions in the government. You make the call. Oh yeah, the film is great comedy.

Did I say that? Pretty pretty pretty good.

Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area (2022)

subtle satisfaction for watchers of Korean and Spanish films alike

[9/10 · 3 July 2022]

The crowd decrying cut + paste technique is somewhat accurate, however, that is a screenwriter's prerogative and there are many changes such as the North/South Korea divisions and the criticism of capitalism that are brought to light in this version.

Germany went through a similar period.

In addition, the direction and cinematography are superb in this version.

The Ipcress File (2022)

ten ten ten ten times ten

[10/10 · 23 April 2022]

I so do miss MIchael Caine and will always appreciate the original version of The Ipcress Files. However, this effort is phenomenal. It opens up vistas to recreate past history in colorful and exciting ways like never before, all in a minimalistic and reserved British package. Plus it is very funny.

Dopesick (2021)

This one goes to eleven

[10/10 · 3 November 2021]

Tactfully written, with great insight, this series presents the contemporary history of the Oxycontin debacle and its associated mass murders.

I may have to take a moment, though to be distracted by the casting of Michael Keaton in as protagonist addict. After all, it was 33 years ago that we saw him in Clean & Sober and this was long overdue for an overhaul. They still show Clean & Sober in rehab settings and it is not helpful.

Now.

This is my point. The ability of the writers to bring together the medical knowledge with the insider's view of the rehabilitation process is very worthwhile. They also do not skimp on respecting spiritual impulses as well as resistance to such impulses. The portrayal of the regional and economic targeting by the Purdue Pharma Corporation is nothing short of Star Wars and The Evil Empire--and it ought to be.

Ghosts (2021– )

Please, creators, put some effort into this adaptation

[3/10 · 23 October 2021]

Perhaps unfortunately, I have seen all the produced episodes of the BBC Ghosts prior to viewing the CBS debacle. This is a thoughtless adaptation of a wonderful and creative show in the UK. My thought is, if you are going to adapt the show, don't simply get equivalent characters doing equivalent things and saying equivalent lines. This is derivative. Make some effort at recreating the show from the ground up, like they did for The Office. I mean, where is this taking place? Ok, the couple was living in a cramped apartment. Where? In NYC. Where in NYC? The house is where? In the middle of nowhere? This is too ungrounded. You might as well have kept a prehistoric man instead of a Viking. And a hippie girl. What a smear. The Wall Street business guy. Too afraid to pick a political figure with a creepy sordid past like in UK version. No guts, no glory. If you are going to be derivative, you might as well have stuck with what was working in the first place. Shameful.

Demonic (I) (2021)

WTF, indeed

[5/10 · 3 October 2021]

I can only imagine this was an old and moldy script Neill Blomkamp had lying around, never intending to have it produced. Perhaps under financial pressure or at gunpoint he made a film that would be reasonable from a newcomer, but a real stinker from a great filmmaker like Mr. Blomkamp. His other films had sweeping political implications, incredible futuristic vision, and masterful craftsmanship. This was just barely functional as a standard horror narrative with sci-fi flourish. Go see Re-animator instead.

Unsane (2018)

better than 70% of films, for sure

[7/10 · 25 September 2021]

Look, I'm a doc and I've been a patient too. This film for sure distorts many mental health care points, call it poetic license. The script is like an award-winning film-student effort. Compared with Tangerine, the other high-profile iPhone film, I would not give this film the 8+ rating that Tangerine merits. However, all that being said, this is an enjoyable and well-constructed film with suspense, emotional involvement, and some fun along the way. It surely is better than 70% of the films put out, so 7 stars is more than fair.

The Spoils Before Dying (2015)

In Remembrance of Johnny Staccato

[8/10 · 23 July 2021]

I'm not sure how this film can be considered without referencing the 1959 John Cassavetes television vehicle Johnny Staccato. It was 30 minute episodes featuring Cassavetes as, yes, a jazz pianist who also did private detective work. Both Johnny Staccato and The Spoils Before Dying draw from a long history of writing from Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett among others as well as the film adaptations that became the hardboiled detective branch of film noir. Humor was always present in these books and films. Behavior and phrases were over-the-top even at the time. This added levity to balance the violence. This film continues in this tradition.

The Mandalorian (2019– )

Timothy Olyphant as...wait for it...

[8/10 · 1 November 2020]

...a MARSHAL?

The third marshal role I've seen him in. This, Fargo fourth season, and Justified. Is there another? Someone buy this man a drink, already yet. Oh yes, the series...I think the humor is intrusive and awkward, typical Favreau stuff. The plot is spot on, however and more than makes up for the wordy and expository dialogue. Just watch it with the sound turned down a wee bit. I think 8 stars is more than sufficient as compared with most shows out there. Better than most, yet limited by some dumbing down.