I remember seeing this at 13 years old and hearing Surrender by Cheap Trick and how great it worked in the movie along with the rest of the soundtrack, Van Halen, Hendrix, etc, the realism of the kids the way they were hanging out drinking and doing drugs was extremely accurate and very similar to growing up in Queens NY neighborhoods, we really did say "excellent" Most people think it's a high school movie, but it's actually a Jr. High school the kids go to which lends even more appeal as these kids are young, bored and growing up fast. The natural behavior of the kids trying to figure things out, fighting each other, sticking together, and trying to get through life is interesting in contrast with the very concerned parents and local businesses. The movie evolves and ends up in complete chaos which felt like the natural progression of the film. As rebellious teen movies go, Indie director Larry Clark made (Kids 1995) and (Bully 2001) and Gus Van Sant (Elephant 2003) which are way more intense movies and definitely not for everyone. If you haven't seen any of these films, start with this one.
Reviews
15 Reviews
The Kindness of Strangers
(2019)
Interesting and different
30 March 2023
I really liked this movie a lot! This was a very warm likable film that touches on homelessness, loneliness, and the very real subject of offering and being offered a 2nd chance in life that pays off enormously. The movie weaves different people with different problems that ultimately meet at the end. It's sad, funny, at times desperate and heartbreaking but really manages to tell the story of struggling people who help each other get through some pretty rough times in an unforgiving NYC. The acting was perfect, Zoe Kazan was simply fantastic as a mom in a very tough situation, Andrea Riseborough was the secret weapon in this one, so sweet, so believable, never thinking of herself, a pure altruistic sole, and if you think she was great here, wait till you see her Oscar nominated performance in (To Leslie), wow! Fantastic actress! I absolutely loved Tahar Rahim as Marc, perfect and subtle, Bill Nighy was so great, Jay Baruchel was great as the lawyer, and Caleb Landry Jones character in this film was perhaps the most loveable of all, if you watch this movie you'll see why, you just want to take him home and take care of him. Two thumbs way way up, lovely movie.
Avatar: The Way of Water
(2022)
Not just a movie, it's an event
20 December 2022
Very beautiful movie, visually worth it just for that alone, the storyline focuses on family, acceptance, respect and fighting for freedom against profiteers, and the best one...staying calm. The characters develop as you go along and become invested and immersed in the beautiful, spiritual and familiar world of the moon Pandora as it explores the northern and southern water tribes. So many things happen in this movie, so many intricate unique personalities and plenty of love for life and different species personally connected to the characters. There is so much to say about the events and how they unfold in sadness and in triumph, as soon as you feel the relatable family unity and closeness of the Sully clan, you fall in love with these protagonists, you know you're in good hands with writer, director James Cameron. Go see this beautiful movie in 3D Imax before it goes away, it's truly fantastic.
Better Call Saul
(2015–2022)
The Greatest Show
7 June 2022
Simply one of the best shows ever made in TV history. This is the greatest show ever made since Breaking Bad. I would put these 2 shows up there with Game of Thrones and the Sopranos. I have never once been disappointed with Breaking Bad or Better Call, not for 1 second. This show is smart, clever, different outside-of-the-box thinking to say the least. It's refreshing, interesting and surprises you with one season being better than the last. The landscape and southwestern decor plays great in the background. To sum it up, this is among the best written show ever written portrayed by perfect casting.
Lost
(2004–2010)
The beginning of binge-watching
7 June 2022
I decided to rewatch Lost this summer and now once again, I look forward to watching it every night, and marathon it on weekends. It seems to me that it's the same big hitters making the best shows, aka: JJ Abrams, Vince Gilligan, Judd Apatow, Jon Favreau. But it all kinda started with Lost, I remember watching it on dvd originally, and not being able to stop for hours. Lost was definitely a fun addiction, and still really fun to watch again.
Fight Club
(1999)
Great fun popcorn movie, if you don't take it too seriously
23 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Decided to pay tribute to Meatloaf aka: Robert Paulsen, and watch this classic for the 7th or 8th time. Fun to watch how the character's and the story evolve. At times juvenile and adolescent behavior from Norton's' alter ego aka" Tyler Durden, (riding a kids bike in the house), but I guess that's what alter egos are for. There's as much comedy in here as jaw busting face cracking blood splatter which makes for a fun flick like watching a giant ball of corporate art smash through a Starbucks store front, or fake safety signs placed behind the seats of airplanes on how to properly crash and burn, and my favorite, recycle your animals bumper stickers, but it's clearly Edward Norton who elevates this movie to a totally higher level ordering only clean food when about to have a meal with Marla. Pitt is great as well, pleading to bar owner Lou who eventually swears on his mother eyes to let the club fight in his basement, but the treachery of living inside Norton's head from insomnia, testicular cancer support groups, Ikea catalogs to corporate sponsorship, and then ultimately to "what have I done!" moments of clarity, he keeps you fully invested till the end game. Never have I rooted for such a tortured soul like Norton's character to have his wishes and daydreams of the slightest bump during mid flight to an actual ripping, shredding air disaster with people flying out of their seats to thousands of feet to their death, granted, while all along having an all too satisfying grin on his face. I'd like to NOT thank the academy for not giving this performance an Oscar.
All I See Is You
(2016)
An interesting and different sculpted art Film
11 October 2021
When a movie starts out good, I like to bury myself in it. I don't compare it to my life, I don't imagine things that I would do different if I were a character in the movie, I look at where it takes me and what it makes me feel. That is why I cannot read other people's annoying negative reviews. The imagery and stylistic techniques were beautiful and meaningful, painting a picture of Gina's (Blake Lively) tragic past and emotions about life and loss as a blind person since childhood. Her husband James (Jason Clarke) is a supportive transplanted businessman in Thailand where they both live happily.
The story is unpredictable as it dramatically evolves with disturbing behavior by both of them. I highly recommend watching this movie if you enjoy art, great acting, and feeling something after watching a well made story. Don't waste you time reading reviews by people who don't know what they're watching.
The story is unpredictable as it dramatically evolves with disturbing behavior by both of them. I highly recommend watching this movie if you enjoy art, great acting, and feeling something after watching a well made story. Don't waste you time reading reviews by people who don't know what they're watching.
Sound of Metal
(2019)
Sophisticated, complex, and very interesting
12 January 2021
Tough to review but definitely an excellent film. I loved it. An ex-addict metal drummer in a band with his girlfriend starts to completely lose his hearing and is inevitably forced to enter into a live-in program against his will to basically learn how to be deaf. He leaves his lover bandmate behind mid tour and must integrate with people of all ages. Initially alienated, he slowly connects to the group and even contributes. As time passes he decides to get the operation to get his hearing back, but the directing of Darius Marder is far greater than simple cliché attributes of signing and communicating, it immerses you inside the mind and soul of Ruben, superbly played by Riz Ahmen. Similar to Being John Malevich, you really feel like you're inside Ruben's body as he evolves and experiences the reality of the hard of hearing community and way of life through his eyes but with beautifully shot cinematography as well as the audible experience of cutting in and out static and frequency adjustment of Ruben's hearing aide. The acting is sophisticated, complex, and superb in this extremely underrated story. A really great, beautiful movie.
Here and Now
(2018)
Intriguing, Interesting, Well Written
29 November 2020
Six Feet Under (Alan Ball) brought me here. I was really disappointed it got cancelled. The characters were interesting, the stories were interesting, I enjoyed the social diversity and awareness of issues and how different groups reacted to everything. I liked the supernatural element and I'm a huge fan of Peter Macdissi. What I don't like is tricked out right-wingers who write reviews and are too stupid to understand that it's a TV show on HBO where you can have Gay, Muslim, Asian, Black, White, Latin, and homeless characters involved in relationships and have love for each other, but fail to mention the hate and racism of Nazi wannabe society, which by the way is a real problem in real life as well as in the show. If you're too sensitive and fragile for this sort of thing, then stick to whatever safe and insipid programs that appeal to your comfortable taste. Either that or shave your beard, lose the smelly red hat and grow a brain. I also think the show is self-aware, conscience, multi-layered, smart and definitely keeps you involved.
The Mandalorian
(2019– )
Excellent and Fun
15 November 2020
I avoided this for a year. then binged season 1 in one day. The writing is excellent! Favreau should take over Star Trek then the rest of Hollywood. The story is captivating, the acting is great, the characters develop beautifully, and the cinematography and effects are top notch, I even love the artwork at the end of each episode. This version of Star Wars is exciting, new, and so much fun, with a sensitive human perspective that invites you right in and makes you root for the heroes. To put it simply, It's really satisfying and easy to watch and leaves you wanting more. It's very far from over rated and over hyped, It's actually pretty great. Even though the Mandalorian stays within the Star Wars tradition of likable heroes and predictable villains, It's a giant breath of fresh air and new blood. Very big A plus, Can't wait for season 2.
Something Wild
(1961)
Intriguing, odd, uncomfortable
17 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Any old movie which features manhattan as a backdrop is interesting to me. The Manhattan bridge and gritty side street make for a subtle character in the background. A violent rape by a stranger sends a pretty college girl into despair exposing the social inequalities of women in that era. But then she meets a desperate drunk who selfishly imprisons her in his basement apartment like a wounded kitten in hopes of being saved himself. As the story progresses, the uncomfortable occurrence of Stockholm syndrome comes in play. Yes, it's interesting to watch but pretty weird psychology in those days.
Big Eyes
(I) (2014)
Not a typical Tim Burton film
15 October 2020
A definite departure from your average Tim Burton fantasy feature, and story is quite frustrating, but oddly, I still enjoyed it. I was happy with the final conclusion and let out a sigh of relief. Acting was just average. If you love stories about real life artists, I would absolutely watch this. It's not Frida, Pollock, or At Eternity's Gate, but still fun to watch with a microwave bag of popcorn.
Modigliani
(2004)
Very Good
15 October 2020
Surprisingly a very good movie. It started out a little shaky and I wasn't sure about the plot, but the patient movie watcher in me was eventually rewarded, The second half of this movie is the payoff. Andy Garcia was really good, I've never been a fan but he caught my attention portraying the likeable tragic artist. Elsa Zylberstein was very good as his wife but Omid Djalili's performance as Pablo Picasso and his relationship with Modi was a bit confusing. I still very much enjoyed it and think it's worth watching if you love movies about artist.
At Eternity's Gate
(2018)
Beautiful Movie
15 October 2020
Willem Defoe never disappoints, This is a beautifully portrayed self character building film. Van Gogh thinks out loud in several haunting scenes as he forces you into his mind and heart. When someone tells you who they are...believe them! There are more than a dozen films about Van Gogh, and his brother Theo is prominently featured in many of them, and this one captures Vincent's sensitive deep love for him. A truly tortured wounded soul perpetually searching for something at times. he's not even sure of, taking you on a tragic journey with him. The movie often feels like you're staring at a moving painting and Defoe's resemblance to Van Gogh is sometimes stunning. This is a great art film, and a great movie. Sad, deep, heart breaking, but Beautiful.
Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti
(2017)
Quite Rewarding
15 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This film is not for impatient pretentious movie watchers, If you love and appreciate art, you'll respect this portrayal. This is a very well acted heart breaking tragic life of a passionate man who loved and lived art, but most definitely had faults of his own. Gauguin is portrayed in many films but this one really rips your heart out, perhaps because we already know the inevitable outcome. Very well directed, well sequenced film. Vince Cassel was so great, his acting here is art in and of itself, he truly pours his guts all over the screen exposing his sensitive, honest, self. I loved it, Really sad but great great movie!.
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