Cabrini is an inspiring beautifully filmed and acted movie, based on the real life accomplishments of Mother Cabrini. I am not a Catholic, so I was not familiar with this story. It was emotional and thought provoking and hits the very essence of service and love for all humanity. It promotes the powerful love and compassion that a a true feminist would find inspiring, while simultaneously teaching what all man and woman of every race and background are capable of. It describes what a loving world we could have if we just thought more about serving others and instead of worrying about, "what's in it for us". An absolute gem that needed to be made. It's what a film should be.
Reviews
26 Reviews
The Oath
(2023)
Please don't go see this movie
12 December 2023
This film was originally a crowd funded film. I even donated to it. After seeing the short concept film, I was happy at the idea that an epic film featuring a prophet from the Book Of Mormon might be on the big screen. And I was pleased that it would be made as a three part film series based on the reign of judges by a member of my faith. I didn't want Hollywood producing a film relating to the scriptures, because look at what Hollywood has done to the story of Moses and Noah. So Sad.
Unfortunately , or fortunately, the funding for the reign of judges 3 part movie fell through so the director/writer and lead role had to condense the script to one feature film. I was led to believe it was still going to focus on the true telling of Moroni and his mission and about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It did not. It instead seemed to focus on eluded violence not described in the book. The true story is definitely violent at times, like all scriptures are, but its focus is on the message of what happens to mankind when they fall away from the teachings of Christ. Instead, this film focuses more on made up characters and disturbing images.
The focus also seemed to be showing off muscles and vanity of the actor playing what was supposed to be a humble obedient prophet of God.
I was also sad to see the lead character in a brief bedroom scene with obvious implied nudity. Again, I don't understand how showing a prophet in bed helps spread a spiritual message of Hope. It wasn't necessary, but instead a worldly distraction from what the purpose of the Holy Scriptures set out to teach.
I realize that added story needs to be in films based on true stories to keep the story moving and fill in details not provided in historical information, but please stick to character development and to the message of the story.
The acting was cheesy at times from the lesser known actors, and it was edited in an overly dramatic way as to force drama and feeling into an otherwise meaningless movie trying to mimic films like Braveheart. I'm sorry for being harsh, but the Book Of Mormon means to much to me to allow this film to be an example of the Book Of Mormon to people who don't know better.
Unfortunately , or fortunately, the funding for the reign of judges 3 part movie fell through so the director/writer and lead role had to condense the script to one feature film. I was led to believe it was still going to focus on the true telling of Moroni and his mission and about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It did not. It instead seemed to focus on eluded violence not described in the book. The true story is definitely violent at times, like all scriptures are, but its focus is on the message of what happens to mankind when they fall away from the teachings of Christ. Instead, this film focuses more on made up characters and disturbing images.
The focus also seemed to be showing off muscles and vanity of the actor playing what was supposed to be a humble obedient prophet of God.
I was also sad to see the lead character in a brief bedroom scene with obvious implied nudity. Again, I don't understand how showing a prophet in bed helps spread a spiritual message of Hope. It wasn't necessary, but instead a worldly distraction from what the purpose of the Holy Scriptures set out to teach.
I realize that added story needs to be in films based on true stories to keep the story moving and fill in details not provided in historical information, but please stick to character development and to the message of the story.
The acting was cheesy at times from the lesser known actors, and it was edited in an overly dramatic way as to force drama and feeling into an otherwise meaningless movie trying to mimic films like Braveheart. I'm sorry for being harsh, but the Book Of Mormon means to much to me to allow this film to be an example of the Book Of Mormon to people who don't know better.
Genie
(III) (2023)
Unexpectedly good
30 November 2023
I was looking hard for a new movie I could watch with my family. I found this on peacock and was impressed that it was only rated PG which was a selling point. Not many live action films that aren't preachy Disneys exist as PGs.
I was pleasantly surprised that the comedy was on point and I thought the casting was great between the main characters. I had a few good laughs with my wife and daughters. The film was just entertaining without the slightest form of activists messages. I really appreciated a good fun family film with no agenda.
The Genie was portrayed uniquely and she was hilarious.
I gave the film a ten not because it's the greatest Christmas comedy of all time, but because purely entertaining family films don't come along very often.
I was pleasantly surprised that the comedy was on point and I thought the casting was great between the main characters. I had a few good laughs with my wife and daughters. The film was just entertaining without the slightest form of activists messages. I really appreciated a good fun family film with no agenda.
The Genie was portrayed uniquely and she was hilarious.
I gave the film a ten not because it's the greatest Christmas comedy of all time, but because purely entertaining family films don't come along very often.
Beautiful film. So tender.
9 July 2023
This movie was a wonderful find on peacock tv for my family to watch together. It takes place during Christmas, but after reading the description I decided it still may be fun in the month of July. I was more than right. The little girl was so cute and brought so much magic and spirit to the film. The story was written and shot wonderfully. 10x better than any of the best Hallmark feel good films. Comparing to the current Hallmark films is actually offensive to this little gem, but because of the sweet innocence of the film the only modern films I can think of that sort of feels similar in the cheesy moments is hallmark films. This film made a grown man cry.
Emancipation
(2022)
A few changes would have made it great!
5 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Will Smith was excellent just as he is in everything he's in. The true story of Peter deserves to be told and to be remembered. This film will mostly be remembered, but it made some critical mistakes that could have easily been avoided.
The 1st huge mistake? Showing the film in a strange muted color, almost black and white. Real black and white would have been better because at least it would have had more contrast instead of washing out details of the picture. I suppose they were trying to create a certain feel of dread in an artistic way, but they failed miserably and it was a huge distraction and most certainly washed out the grittiness set creators and directors tried so hard to create. And those battles scenes would have been so epic in a more standardized color contrasted war tone allowing the gritty details of war to be seen and felt. Emotion was definitely washed out with the muted washed out color grading and it all could have been avoided if someone would have listened to some criticism before the release of the film.
The 2nd mistake. I realize that we don't know every detail of the real Peters life and so writers must fill in the gaps and use some liberties to make a story, but this story could have been handled more delicately as to honor the man and his determination more than using the man to push a currently popular narrative which is white people are bad and black people are good except when white people forced them to be bad. Don't get worked up! Hear me out. Without a doubt, the treatment of blacks in the Americas in the past few centuries have been horrendous, but this movie showed every extreme treatment possible in a short amount of time to drive home the concept that every white person is bad. The main fictional bad guy talks about his childhood explaining how his father used a kitchen knife to murder his slave woman that raised his own children just because his own son gave her extra table scraps because she was hungry. And not just murder, but cut her and throw her outside where she lives for a couple of days until she finally dies. Really? Murder the woman who raised your children because your own kid gave her extra food? Seems unlikely, but not impossible I suppose. But we can't acknowledge that there were one or two slave owners that disagreed with torturing and murdering their personal slaves over petty things like looking at them wrong? If at least in a business sense, it doesn't make sense to kill or excessively beat your property when they are there to work and get things done. To overly abuse them just makes it so they can no longer effectively work and now they have to take a long time to recover and you lose productivity in your business. And when you kill them because of small things, you have to go get more people and retrain the new people to replace the last ones. Also the bad guys chase the few runaways slaves for five days straight? Don't they need to get back to work and report to their bosses or the progress or lack of progress on their railway? Or is the main bad guy taking personal time off? Even the little white girl was evil as she yells runner over and over like she's possessed. In no way is this a defense of slavery and slave owners, but when you add details that seem overly evil to characters you made up but pose them as real, it creates an unnecessary divide in your audience. The true horrors of slavery are evil enough and there is no need to exaggerate the truth to add more drama because it only washes away the reality much like the color grade choice of the film.
For how great the actors and money this film had, it could have been on par with the true story of Glory. Another civil war film portraying former slaves fighting for their freedom. One could argue, Glory was perfectly filmed and a fair portrayal of the facts the film represented.
Despite my long winded complaints, I overall liked the film.
The 1st huge mistake? Showing the film in a strange muted color, almost black and white. Real black and white would have been better because at least it would have had more contrast instead of washing out details of the picture. I suppose they were trying to create a certain feel of dread in an artistic way, but they failed miserably and it was a huge distraction and most certainly washed out the grittiness set creators and directors tried so hard to create. And those battles scenes would have been so epic in a more standardized color contrasted war tone allowing the gritty details of war to be seen and felt. Emotion was definitely washed out with the muted washed out color grading and it all could have been avoided if someone would have listened to some criticism before the release of the film.
The 2nd mistake. I realize that we don't know every detail of the real Peters life and so writers must fill in the gaps and use some liberties to make a story, but this story could have been handled more delicately as to honor the man and his determination more than using the man to push a currently popular narrative which is white people are bad and black people are good except when white people forced them to be bad. Don't get worked up! Hear me out. Without a doubt, the treatment of blacks in the Americas in the past few centuries have been horrendous, but this movie showed every extreme treatment possible in a short amount of time to drive home the concept that every white person is bad. The main fictional bad guy talks about his childhood explaining how his father used a kitchen knife to murder his slave woman that raised his own children just because his own son gave her extra table scraps because she was hungry. And not just murder, but cut her and throw her outside where she lives for a couple of days until she finally dies. Really? Murder the woman who raised your children because your own kid gave her extra food? Seems unlikely, but not impossible I suppose. But we can't acknowledge that there were one or two slave owners that disagreed with torturing and murdering their personal slaves over petty things like looking at them wrong? If at least in a business sense, it doesn't make sense to kill or excessively beat your property when they are there to work and get things done. To overly abuse them just makes it so they can no longer effectively work and now they have to take a long time to recover and you lose productivity in your business. And when you kill them because of small things, you have to go get more people and retrain the new people to replace the last ones. Also the bad guys chase the few runaways slaves for five days straight? Don't they need to get back to work and report to their bosses or the progress or lack of progress on their railway? Or is the main bad guy taking personal time off? Even the little white girl was evil as she yells runner over and over like she's possessed. In no way is this a defense of slavery and slave owners, but when you add details that seem overly evil to characters you made up but pose them as real, it creates an unnecessary divide in your audience. The true horrors of slavery are evil enough and there is no need to exaggerate the truth to add more drama because it only washes away the reality much like the color grade choice of the film.
For how great the actors and money this film had, it could have been on par with the true story of Glory. Another civil war film portraying former slaves fighting for their freedom. One could argue, Glory was perfectly filmed and a fair portrayal of the facts the film represented.
Despite my long winded complaints, I overall liked the film.
M3GAN
(2022)
Not bad. As good as I hoped.
19 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Overall I enjoyed this film. I loved the doll. There were touching moments and interesting situations in the film that kept me involved in the film. I thought that the writing and acting lacked with the aunt making it hard to believe she could design such a remarkable doll. But thats just me being overly critical. The doll was cute and creepy and I loved her crazy dance. Took my teen daughter to see it and for the most part, I wasn't uncomfortable with any awkward scenes. I appreciated that it was pretty clean for a pg13. The opening scene was so real when it portrayed a typical toy commercial. There were some humorous parts.
A Friend of the Family
(2022)
Entertaining and tragic
27 December 2022
Wow, just wow. First I want to go on record for those who are tying "Mormons" members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints into the terrible mistakes and choices that the parents made as though it's why they were so naive and blind. The prosecuting attorney in the series said it best, "I'm a Mormon too, but I wouldn't let someone do this to my daughter and get away with it".
I was saying this to myself through every episode. I am a member of their faith. While we teach as Christ did, to love your neighbor and to be able to forgive, we also teach to be on guard from evil, even from those who claim to be part of our church.
Why? How do you not see how creepy this neighbor is? Why would you let do and say what he did to you and still let him be near you or your family? How couldn't you see how evil he is? Why parents, why? Just wow. It is a story that should be told to wake people up about groomers and sex offenders .
I was saying this to myself through every episode. I am a member of their faith. While we teach as Christ did, to love your neighbor and to be able to forgive, we also teach to be on guard from evil, even from those who claim to be part of our church.
Why? How do you not see how creepy this neighbor is? Why would you let do and say what he did to you and still let him be near you or your family? How couldn't you see how evil he is? Why parents, why? Just wow. It is a story that should be told to wake people up about groomers and sex offenders .
Suits
(2011–2019)
Turned out better than expected!
9 December 2022
I'll first say that what made me keep coming back to finish the series was Louis Litt "Rick Hoffman" his character was so powerful, emotional and I loved to hate him and love him. Next I want to say that this show was made up of many great actors that would bring it home. Shout out to Gabriel Macht, Sarah Rafferty and the character Katrina played by Amanda Schull whose character development made me want to finish the series and not think twice after Megan left the series. Honestly, I thought the stories weaved together well as the writers and each actor did an excellent job. After finishing the series on Peacock I decided to come and rate the show. Not surprisingly this show doesn't need my high rating and everyone else already agrees that the show was well done.
U-571
(2000)
All these reviews crying about American ww2 films
18 November 2022
Awesome film!
Historically inaccurate they say, No kidding. It didn't claim to be a true story. They scream, It was the British that captured the enigma! Or they yell, No it was the Polish that cracked the code!
Crybabies, nowhere in the film did it say that the Poles didn't crack the code or that the British didn't capture an enigma, in fact if you'd watch the film you'd see that it actually does credit the British for capturing the 1st enigma, and guess what? The US also captured an enigma from a UBoat! So shut up about the claim that the US and Hollywood try to take credit for everything!
If the BBC wants to make an entertaining film about the British capturing the enigma then go right ahead! Make it! No one is stopping them! But when Americans make a movie, especially about ww2, don't act like it's terrible for Americans to make Americans look awesome!
How many British films on ww2 history make British people look like they fought the whole war? Most of them? Stop acting like American films are supposed to be historical documentary's and not entertainment geared for Americans who have the money to see a movie.
Just as the film Pearl Harbor, U571 was not meant to be a documentary, but the fact that enigmas were captured from U boats by the British AND by the US and that a film was based on this concept is not a evil thing. Just like how the movie Pearl Harbor shows Ben Affleck volunteer to fly for the British just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor was based on several American fighter pilots that did that very thing.
No, America didn't single handedly win ww2, but she was heavily involved in it and a lot of Hollywood films base story concepts after these true story's. If you don't like watching American war films then encourage other countries to film their own war films that are half as entertaining as Hollywoods and then maybe you can focus on critiquing the inaccuracies of their films.
Historically inaccurate they say, No kidding. It didn't claim to be a true story. They scream, It was the British that captured the enigma! Or they yell, No it was the Polish that cracked the code!
Crybabies, nowhere in the film did it say that the Poles didn't crack the code or that the British didn't capture an enigma, in fact if you'd watch the film you'd see that it actually does credit the British for capturing the 1st enigma, and guess what? The US also captured an enigma from a UBoat! So shut up about the claim that the US and Hollywood try to take credit for everything!
If the BBC wants to make an entertaining film about the British capturing the enigma then go right ahead! Make it! No one is stopping them! But when Americans make a movie, especially about ww2, don't act like it's terrible for Americans to make Americans look awesome!
How many British films on ww2 history make British people look like they fought the whole war? Most of them? Stop acting like American films are supposed to be historical documentary's and not entertainment geared for Americans who have the money to see a movie.
Just as the film Pearl Harbor, U571 was not meant to be a documentary, but the fact that enigmas were captured from U boats by the British AND by the US and that a film was based on this concept is not a evil thing. Just like how the movie Pearl Harbor shows Ben Affleck volunteer to fly for the British just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor was based on several American fighter pilots that did that very thing.
No, America didn't single handedly win ww2, but she was heavily involved in it and a lot of Hollywood films base story concepts after these true story's. If you don't like watching American war films then encourage other countries to film their own war films that are half as entertaining as Hollywoods and then maybe you can focus on critiquing the inaccuracies of their films.
Vengeance
(II) (2022)
Surprisingly good
19 September 2022
I was expecting another woke PC film that solely mocks white southerners. It sort of does and definitely capitalizes on stereotypes of Texans, However, thats what movies do, they poke fun and that only bothers me if the stereotyping is one sided. What surprised me was that it equally stereotyped our North Eastern brothers and sisters and poked fun at everyone. This film is definitely not a comedy, but it had its humor and it had its heart felt moments. I honestly liked most everything about it. My one minor complaint is that it didn't need as much swearing. The story would have been the same if it were pg13 instead of R. What got me to push play is BJ Novak from The Office. He did a good job at writing directing and acting.
The Tomorrow War
(2021)
Better than what the other reviews said
25 August 2022
This film does not deserve the low ratings so I give 10 to counteract the ridiculous ratings. It honestly was more like a 7 to me. I got into it and it was compelling and emotional in the right places. Chris Pratt was great and the acting in general was good. Interesting story. I would have enjoyed it more in a theater.
The Girl Who Wore Freedom
(2020)
Brought tears to my eyes
25 August 2022
This documentary was moving. It was real. I had no idea there were people in France with that much conviction in preserving that part of theirs and our history. The need for appreciation towards those who gave all to preserve freedom is critical in a time where much of the world is willing to give away our freedoms a piece at a time for a fleeting moment of comfort and false promises of a brighter future with government control in every aspect of life.
Togo
(2019)
Beautifully crafted
5 January 2020
I loved the older live action Disney's films like Huck Finn, Iron Will, Rocketeer, and many others. I miss these types of films. I feel that lots of the live action Disney films today pay to much focus is on CG, animation, super hero's and princess films. Finding this film on Disney plus was truly a breath of fresh air. Togo is a film of the same caliber of days past when the focus of a story was heart, adventure and a feel of reality. I love that it is also an untold true story that needed to be told. I love that it was clean and worthy of family viewing without any awkward scenes that kids and parents uncomfortably glance at each other. Well done!
Christmas Time
(2017)
Funny and sweet
22 December 2019
I just found this on amazon and decided to watch because the premise seemed promising. I was not let down. The feel was very independent but professional. Acting was great and writing was well done. I was only left wanting more.
The Man in the High Castle
(2015–2019)
An honest review
10 December 2019
Great acting. Mostly a great plot. Kept me at the edge of my seat through it all. Overall I liked it, but now the negatives.... it had way to much cursing, I'd prefer little to none, it really is possible to make a show just as powerful with mild language. The sex scenes were to much at times especially the lesbian and gay scenes that were way out of place for the times it represented and clearly written by people with an agenda today. I was sad and a little disappointed in the ending. I was hoping for something more optimistic in the end and would have loved to see another one or two episodes to see that optimism. I mostly enjoyed the show.
Saint Street
(2012)
Nice find on Amazon
17 November 2019
I had no idea what to expect when looking for a decent show to watch with my wife. It seemed like it could be similar to a Hallmark but more independent. Acting was rough at 1st but they clearly had a small budget and I was taken in by the story once I stuck it out for the 1st 15 minutes or so. In the end I actually cried and was glad I watched it. I rated it high because I appreciate the message and the effort put into making wonderful family films. In the end, this film worked out with a surprising and touching ending that stuck with me and motivated me to make a comment. Thank you for making this film.
Ford v Ferrari
(2019)
Well done
17 November 2019
Thrilling at times and tender in moments. Incredible racing scenes and with great visuals and audio. I'm not a big fan of Matt Damon and he would not have been my first choice for Shelby, but after viewing the film I cannot say that he wasn't the right choice. The acting was spot on and the story was well told. Likely my favorite racing movie of all time. Entertaining and moving
Murder Mystery
(2019)
Enjoyable
26 June 2019
I like Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston so since I had moment I clicked to see what this film was about. I expected to see another Netflix film thrown together quickly in a lame story using some old familiar faces to encourage me to push play...(so far it was working).... I'd say I was right in one way, It was a mystery movie concept that has been done many times, but this time with a new flavor. It was a light hearted, fun murder mystery that was well acted and written and directed in a way that quickly sucked me in from start to finish. Will it be a film to remember? No, but it was entertaining and enjoyable which is what they wanted to achieve.
The Tick
(2016–2019)
1st episode was great
5 April 2019
I watched the first episode as soon as it was available years ago. Funny and dramatic. I waited long for the rest of the season to arrive and to my dismay, it was filled with profanity. Sooo let down. There wasn't anything I saw about the 1st episode that clued me in that the rest of what's to come would be rated MA. It would be so much more entertaining if I didn't have to hear unnessesary profanity.
Unplanned
(I) (2019)
The truth can hurt
5 April 2019
Amazing. One of the most important films of the century. Took my teens to see it last night. Wow. Just wow. It is a true story that will shed light on how serious this issue really is. To those who automatically attack this film, please open your mind and be willing to see for yourselves.
The Twilight Zone
(2019–2020)
A little let down thus far
1 April 2019
Loved the original series. I own them all. I was so excited to hear about a promising reboot. I just watched episode 1 and I'm so frustrated that the writers couldn't help themselves from throwing their political views into the episode. They figure, for sure everyone will watch the 1st episode, so we better shove our ideals down everyone's throat. Meanwhile, they risk alienating half of their audience. I'm bummed out that they couldn't keep it clean from vulgar swearing that was very unnecessary to the dramatic feel and professionalism of the episode. I wanted to watch this with my whole family. Not smart. I feel I'm being fair with my criticism. Other than my big complaints I give credit for a well thought out plot and great acting, filming, editing. It would have been a great start that does justice for the original series if they could have kept it clean and free from political divisions. I will keep watching, hoping for a better experience in future episodes. Hoping for the best!
The Strange Calls
(2012)
Funny
14 March 2019
I love this type of humor. Outside the USA like the U.K. ,Australia and NZ they seem to be able to catch this humor on screen very well. Once in a while Hollywood USA is able to capture a similar feel like in the tv show Battlecreek. But then they canceled the show.... I wish this was a tv series instead of a mini series so it went longer than 6 episodes. Oh well, I enjoyed it. I only gave it 8 stars because of the occasional vulgar language that's seems to be no big deal in other countries outside the USA, in a show that is otherwise family friendly. Well done.
Ephraim's Rescue
(2013)
A great telling of a true story
14 March 2019
I've read up on this true story and was expecting to be slightly let down watching this adaptation. I felt that this movie held true and was told in a way that left me satisfied in what I've read and felt. Acting was great for an independent film and music was beautiful. Beautiful scenery full of pioneer spirit.
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