Change Your Image
enterprise77
Reviews
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
Yes. See it. Enjoy it.
Straightforward story: build race cars that can win Le Mans.
But that is only the start...you need the best driver in the business, even if he is a bit touchy now and then. Not sure the corporate obstacles were real, but I suppose the writers needed to add some conflict. Nah...1 point deduction.
Racing/testing scenes are really well done. Fast and furious, indeed.
The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)
Classic story...this time with race cars and a dog.
My gosh...the director really knows how to tell this classic story. It pushes all the buttons: puppy dog that talks and thinks like a human; rising, but not so young, talented race car driver; really cool race cars; beautiful, young, but doomed young wife; cuter than cute daughter...and the evil father-in-law (played straight down the middle...so you have to like the actor, even if you despise his character.
Plus down-to-earth, always there for you, friends. Well crafted. Nicely tied up in the epilogue. Yes, the dog is the scene stealer. Not a dry eye in the house. But the human actors do a fine job. Yes, I read the book and found the movie to be a fine companion.
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
As usual, Tarantino defaults to a bloody scene
The movie has a unifying concept: one-time leading man and his stunt double, now faced with taking secondary roles. DiCaprio does his usual fine job as the former leading man. His scenes are masterfully credible. And Pitt does an exemplary job as the stunt double, still capable of whipping the toughest in the business. And he does deliver his lines as always...seemingly straining to say something clever, but....
And then we have our director, Mr. Tarantino. The vaunted director simply cannot deliver a movie without bloody, loud, persistent blood and noise. His core skill seems to be the easiest for any director...just slash, shout, shoot, and bleed. No thank you.
The Favourite (2018)
NOT a comedy
The trailer portrays this movie as a comedy. NO!
It is angry, mean, deviant.
Yes, royal society wore wigs and powdered faces back then.
And I would accept that there might be some crazy behavior.
But to portray the entire social scene as one of continuous deviant, disgusting, angry behavior is just plain wrong. Reminds me of those 1960s movies that pushed the bounds of X-rated movies. There is absolutely nothing socially redeeming about this film. And the music...sounded more like a lone factory machine. Gads...save your money.
Lady Bird (2017)
Sorry...
I wish I could agree with the high-scoring reviews, but I cannot. This movie seemed flat, monotone, mildly entertaining. The lead was perfunctory...another disgruntled teen who desperately wants to get out of her home town and fly to the East Coast "where there is culture". New Hampshire and culture? Hmmm...
Lady Bird clashes with her mom (Laurie Metcalf...who deserves 10 stars by herself). So, a teen clashes with her mom...wow...news flash.
Dad loses his job...and seems to be just fine with that, even though they are running out of money. Weird.
The supporting cast seems to be chosen to complete a requisite menu of characters: the overweight but beautiful-inside best friend, the gorgeous and wealthy but shallow new friend, the handsome but...surprise...gay boy. Somehow this lack of originality does not drive a strong story line.
The crash and burn ending is, well, the only twist in this story...so, back home she goes, and realizes she really does love Sacramento. Perhaps Sacramento is a metaphor for almost every town in America, but the story never hints at that. So, sorry, this one just did not resonate with me.