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rjb351
Reviews
Detachment (2011)
Bleak view of public education
Saw this at it's Tribeca premier last night. The story follows Henry Barthes(Adrian Brody)through several weeks of substitute teaching at a high school for "rejects" in an highly fictionalized Mineola, NY school system. The black humor is punchy, with a great riff by James Caan as a stand-in for one of the school administrators, dealing with two of the "troubled youths".
If you are looking for a story with uplifting characters, don't go here. Every minute is filled with bitterness and disappointment for the teachers, the students, their families. Solid acting from all the supporting characters, and a number of cringe moments.
I will be interested to see how this gets released. Much tougher film than "American X" to watch. Well crafted story telling through film. You have to pay careful attention to the beginning, where Brody appears to be being interviewed by someone in an official capacity and may be an unreliable narrator of his story.
Finally, as Tony Kaye pointed out last night, watch for the color Red.
Yonkers Joe (2008)
Great TRIBECA Premier!
YONKERS JOE is a great addition to the tradition of independent New York centered films. Twelve years in the making, its story of a mid-level professional gambler and his adult son with Down's Syndrome was compelling and skillfully played. Chaz Palminteri keeps your attention throughout the story, and Tom Guiry (The Black Donnellys)deserves recognition for a convincing performance of a young man coping with Down's.
The story covers familiar ground with lots of nice twists and details. Technically very clever on the skills required to take on a modern casino security system. Believable from beginning to end.
Support this film when it comes out for release. Wonderful performances by Palminteri, Christine Lahti as his patient and clever love interest and a solid character cast including Michael Lerner,Roma Maffia, Arthur Nascarella and many familiar TV series faces. Any father/son should see this movie. You will laugh and learn, and be wiser at the end.
Support Tribeca!!
Horizon: Life Story (1987)
Great science!!
Like commentators on other sites, I saw this film when it was broadcast on PBS in the late 80's. The science story is exceptional ( I don't understand a comment that the characters speak in French, there was no French in the original). The interplay between the rival scientists and scientific establishments is realistically portrayed. All three main actors faithfully recreate the feel of the original players in one of the most important discoveries in science. I had the chance to meet James Watson at an industry symposium two years ago. The VHS is only currently available to the educational market. If you want to see how the "business of science" works, this and "Something The Lord Made" are must sees!