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Raze (2013)
4/10
hot bodies, bloody violence, dire tragedy
13 July 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Technically, the film was made very well; that is, the acting of the female combatants, the host and hostess, the lead guard, but the overwhelming carnage is difficult to witness, and I nearly quit watching more than once, but I felt that ultimately there must be a balance to the plot line, so I held out for it. I wasn't completely disappointed in the end, but was disappointed nevertheless.

This is a tragic film, with excessive violence and graphic human destruction of other humans, specifically woman vs. woman. All of the women are quite fetching, which adds to the subtlety of the lure for the viewer. The sadists and sadomasochists among us will love it, but the majority of the rest of us will find it quite difficult, even painful, to witness in its entirety. If and when you do complete that feat, it will likely fail to provide the kind of satisfaction that a memorable film will accomplish. If an "x" rating could ever be applied to a non sexual themed film, this one would certainly qualify for that rating.

I will try not to spoil this for anyone, but I felt that I must check the spoiler box because I felt that my critique must include at least some mention about the ending, which essentially made this a completely and utterly tragic film. I suppose the final scene completes the consistent theme of complete domination and control by a demented group of sadistic entrepreneurs over a selected group of mostly normal, alluring kick-boxing women--- but the depths of degradation and dehumanization achieved in this film has truly set a new benchmark for this macabre genre.

To gather a group of employees together to support such an enterprise as the film suggests seems reminiscent of the mechanism supporting the dark historic reality of the third Reich of Nazi Germany, compacted into a much smaller sphere of tragedy and despair, with the added element of hostage threatening and the ultimate degradation that a profitable commercial enterprise underpinned the entire premise of the story. Is this the nadir of tragedy??
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October Baby (2011)
8/10
a meaningful film with real life experiences
10 November 2014
Starting off a little strangely for me, I hung with it and it developed into a well directed, sensitive film dealing with issues of ethics and morality, the search for meaning in life for a disillusioned young woman, quality friendships and relationships, and the struggle for existential justification. The acting was very high caliber, the language is mild, and the dramatic tension is well managed. Some information/secrets are withheld from both the viewer and the protagonist which deepens the value of the film's intent, and for those who like resolution in a film by its end, this one doesn't disappoint. A good movie brings a tear to the eye on occasion, and this one does just that. Like life itself, there is disenchantment, pain, persistent struggling, discovery, and finally forgiveness and the resultant experience of satisfaction with a willingness to engage life to the fullest. An optimistic yet believable story worth a look.
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7/10
emotionally turbulent film with realistic acting
25 March 2014
There are a few aspects that make this film tedious and almost painful to give your full & undivided attention to, but if you wish to behold a deep exploration of human emotional drama that is rarely witnessed on film, this one does deliver that and more.

I agree with the aversion to the hand-held camera style, and the overly long scenes, and the saturation of unusual and unexciting musical accompaniment throughout, (actually portrayed as part of a scene when the actors themselves can't bear it any longer) and the perhaps overdone emphasis on cultural diversity and universal love as portrayed at the rehearsal dinner, for instance.

But the core of the film is about nuclear family relationships, and the stress on members in the aftermath of an irresponsible accident that causes the loss of an innocent, all blamed on Rachel's sister, Kym, played by Anne Hathaway. She's a struggling newly reformed substance abuser/addict with a very heavy heart and a desperate need to be forgiven and to be loved by those whom she has hurt the most. Her current addiction is limited to cigs and self-obsessiveness, much to her detriment, and the challenges to sibling and parental love are taken to great lengths during this intense family drama, but with an underlying sense of survival that promises to emerge from the emotionally painful struggles.

Not a "happy" movie per se, but one that is full of realism and leaves us with a sense that, in time, the lives of the protagonists will survive the strains on their respective hearts and minds.

One aspect of this film I found most interesting is the apparent complete lack of cultural prejudices in all instances, and the total acceptance and loving nature of all those of various racial and cultural backgrounds that permeates the environment around the nuptials. In the midst of such a highly civilized group of such divergence, the focus is shifted to such a small subset of human relationships. It brings a kind of macroscopic focus to the center of the story.
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An Ideal Husband (I) (1999)
10/10
So this is Oscar Wilde....Wow, what a writer!! A visual treat, artfully delivered in every way!!
10 March 2014
Although I've heard references to Oscar Wilde, I was not familiar with his work, much to my loss it is now decided. This movie, screenplay written based upon Mr. Wildes original work, is quintessentially English in every way, much like Downton Abbey of today's popularity. In fact it takes place in an earlier era, perhaps early 19th century, prior to electricity and horseless carriages, in a time when the English language used in discourse was employed in the highest articulation and most delicate insinuation, respectful of integrity, honor, and sensibility in personal interchanges, but fully pregnant with subtlety, deeper hidden meanings, and wileful if not guileful, wit. The story is not complex, but it is artfully constructed and beautifully played out by the highest quality acting that I have seen in a very long time. Rupert Everett, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Minnie Driver, John Wood, and even Peter Vaughn (as the butler) all contribute subtle but effective, and memorable performances in this wonderland of high British society. The comedic timing, the perfectly phrased and delivered lines all add to the impeccable artistry achieved in this film. The sets deliver the essence of sumptuously wealthy English domiciles imaginable, and rarely is a bare hand visible, as the ladies and gentlemen find the wearing of white gloves fashionable in the day. Ultimately, it is a story about love, affections, honor, human imperfection, friendship, wealthy aspirations and the ending of a bachelorhood, all woven together into a cloth of varying textures in a kaleidoscope of color, using the finest quality of threads (acting). This is simply a very lovely, very enjoyable, witty and visually stunning tale in a time long since left behind, that I found highly stimulating and fun to fall into for a while.
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4/10
an important story rendered without emotion or angst
9 March 2014
Sometimes you can assemble the best actors for a movie, and it just won't work. In this case it seems like the only thing that keeps you engaged at all is the fact that such talented actors are involved. But the performances are without any drama or convincing emotional weight. It's like everyone is completely immune to getting excited about anything at all. Sad scenes don't convey sadness, happy scenes likewise do not convey happy emotions really, and all of the characters are one dimensional. The only exception is the performance of Kate Blanchett, who is subtly convincing as a french art scholar with insider info on what the Nazis did with the stolen art. Even still though, she seems unmoved by imminent possibility of death when an officer fires repeatedly at her and it just doesn't seem reasonable. Everyone's just too damned even tempered, patient and considerate about everything. No dramatic tension is created in the ensuing plot really, but one knows the story is real and huge in its full meaning. We all wanted to hear the story of these heroes of "culture preservation", and indeed the story is remarkable, but the presentation of it in this flick leaves a great deal to be desired.
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7/10
Arnie's getting a bit tired, but the action and humor are fun!
17 January 2014
I enjoyed the flick for several reasons, but mostly for the ample supply of hyper action scenes. There's great footage of a high performance corvette with great sounds from that car, great stunts using cars and trucks of various sizes and shapes, and a smattering of great looking gals that always makes a movie that much more interesting. Arnold's showing his age as one reviewer said, but showing it well enough, still strong enough to match up to lesser men. His character is likable, he's a mature, seasoned lawman who has chosen an out of the way place to finish his career, but finds himself enmeshed in a dangerous and deadly escape plan perpetrated by a major crime character trying to get to his homeland south of the border. There's a good deal of down home humor and "aw shucks" sentimentality thrown in, and a bit awkward but somehow effective Arnold comedy lines that won't live on like "I'll be back" did from the Terminator, for example.
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