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Reviews
The Girl on the Train (2016)
Hard to Keep Up With
Flashbacks, flashforwards, multi-relationships made it difficult to know what is going on. I guess these cinematic techniques are commendable for the trade but for someone looking for a sub 2 hour flick (finally!), it was just too much of an effort to keep up with. Sorry.
Nice shots of Westchester and the typical MetroNorth Hudson line with about 20 million riders per year and great views which are a big part of the film and storyline. This film has its fans for a number of complex reasons which I can appreciate but for me it didn't. If you like sexy "who done it's" you will enjoy this. Certainly will keep you guessing throughout and the acting is very good.
A Hidden Life (2019)
One of the Few Times I have Disagreed...
Was VERY looking forward to this movie since the genre is one of my favourites. Fell short for me. First of all this movie is just under THREE HOURS of which about half have no DIALOGUE!! Even some where you would expect some chatting had nothing. The scenery and the Linz cathedral (?) were beautiful but this was not supposed to be a travelogue. Let's get back to the "old" 90 minute classics and this one might have been considered one also.
O.J.: Made in America (2016)
A Solid Documentary
Reliving someone's life, success and hideous actions is a dedicated work. Edelman pulls it off to this viewer's delight. Nearly 8 hours is tough because not too many people will actually watch it in one sitting (one weekend can be tough for some) but it is worth the effort. My only complaint is WHY are these things put together with worthless, LOUD piano music being played when people are talking? It makes a lot of dialogue hard to hear.
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
S-L-O-W and COLD!
Story is good but the film is over two hours and can put you to sleep in most parts. Filmed in ice and snow in dreary towns. Would appreciate a few leaves on the trees. Acting is very good but the dialogue could be better.
Hunters (2020)
10 Hours? Could have been a two and a half hour movie
The subject matter always intrigued me. But Pacino's led "Hunters' raids" are unrealistic at times, especially the "big one". Ten hours of one story can make one lose interest and it did for me. Plus, having old and young Jewish people cursing constantly, even in regular dialog, gets stale fast. I much preferred the also 10 hour documentary "Nazi Hunters" which although the same length, was broken into individual true stories of the hunt of the big ones, some with actual footage, others a dramatization.
Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock'n'Roll (2000)
Updated Avail
BOTH PARTS of this A&E Biography UK are now shown on YouTube. Availability of a DVD or VHS tape is still unknown for any Region.
Carnival of Souls (1962)
"Cheesy" if there ever was One!
Hard to believe this film actually cost $17K to make. I would have guessed less than 10. A couple of spooky spots when the ghoul is seen but otherwise zilch. I'll take the Exorcist every time.
Gottes mächtige Dienerin (2011)
A Very Moving Film
At times, Pope Pius XII has been criticized for his weak efforts in opposing the Nazi's but has been credited to the opposite many times by Jewish scholars and organizations. Sister Pascalina certainly was a force in the Vatican and at times was a "Bull in a China Shop" but in a much needed way. As a consigliere to the Pope, this team did all they could do to save Roman Jews during WWII. The film was very enjoyable.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Strong
Never knew that free Northerners were kidnapped for slaves. Excellent film with a moving conclusion. Acting (and hatred) is dynamic. very realistic settings and is an example of a bleak point in American history. Hard to believe how people could be tracked down in a non-information based society 175 years ago. Recommended to see, perhaps even twice to get the full effects.
Kreuzweg (2014)
A Strong Film but Certainly Not "Catholic"
Another mis-understanding of the schismatic and excommunicated "Congregation of St Pius XII" which is NOT a Catholic organisation. Rejecting the reforms of Vatican II, this group (which includes Mr. Mel Gibson who builds her own churches!) considers all Popes after Pius XII invalid and heretics.
Other than that, it is a solid movie but without the "Catholic" stuff, it would me nothing.
City Dump: The Story of the 1951 CCNY Basketball Scandal (1998)
Great Documentary!
While too young to remember the actual occurrences, shortly thereafter I dug into it. Kellogg certainly did the right thing and so did Norton (what else COULD he do?). This is a gem of a movie and why HBO does not release it on DVD is beyond me. Every athletic department should have one and show it to their teams at the start of every year. This was the prime of NYC BB with NYU, LIU, Manhattan, CCNY, Fordham, Saint John's, Columbia ecc filling the Garden each time. And winning the NIT was the BIG one! Not the NCAA's. I got my copy from the athletic department at CCNY in Manhattan 7-8 years ago, but all they had were poorly, copied videos off of TV but that will suffice.
The Orange Thief (2007)
What is This?
If you like seeing someone get the crap beaten out of him on a semi- daily bases, desolate Sicilian land with a few olive & orange trees and a cop eating a prisoner's snot, then this flick is for you! Other than the great Sicilian dialogue and music, there is nothing about this cheaply made "film" with any value. Can't believe the high ratings.
It has won a number of "Awards", all from US town Film Festivals. Really don't know why. Even the story-line is nonsense. If you want Sicilian, get MONTALBANO, which are classics. There are numerous songs in this movie though which are really quite nice. I have not been able to find a "SoundTrack" though.