afreimann's Reviews

The Passion of the Christ (2004)

10/10

Of immense value but extremely difficult to watch.

20 January 2023

As a Christian, I knew that I literally HAD to see this movie. I lived as a student in a women's ministry at the time and we had to have counselors with us in the room in order to watch this film. Seeing the very brutal price that He paid by becoming sin brought revelation of agape, unconditional love to my heart and broke it at the same time. I used an entire box of tissues and half of my inhaler before the movie was finally over. I've never been able to bring myself to watch it more than the one time because the films depiction of Christ's suffering are dead on congruent with the holy Scriptures. I think that everyone should watch this film at least one time, all the way through (and I know this will be controversial, but, yes, even children should see this with a parent/s right there with them).

The film itself is superbly executed, but it's profoundly, accurately VERY VIOLENTLY GRAPHIC.

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Chris Porter: Ugly and Angry (2014 TV Special)

10/10

Realistic. Honest. Hilariously and accurately articulated.

18 March 2018

He's a Kansas-born comedian whose eyes are wide open and whose keen, intelligent mind is capable of calling things as they really are and translating it hilariously back to the rest of us. Well worth seeing, repeatedly, and sharing with others. Truth may not be popular; his full-on indulgent enjoyment of First Amendment rights notwithstanding, I've always felt that humor can be well-seasoned with some colorful language. All in all, for adults, I think it's great and you'll find him easy to relate to.

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Dodes'ka-den (1970)

10/10

Pure Genius

20 June 2015

This is a wonderful film by the late, great Kurosawa. His ability to intimately portray human nature at it's worse and at it's best is almost unnerving in its accuracy. This film is a series of vignettes, following various residents of what looks like a landfill shanty town. The title is named for a young man who is obsessed with being a bus driver. The film is in Japanese, I believe subtitles are available. The stories are so well done, though, that it is easy to forget that you're watching a film in Japanese. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who has not yet seen any of Kurosawa's works as it is my favorite and believe this film showcases his talents as a screenwriter and director brilliantly. Expect to laugh, cry, and basically ride the entire gamut of human emotion through the watching of this film.

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Maleficent (2014)

8/10

SPOILER ALERT: Jolie's character is Oscar-worthy. Best Actress.

18 June 2015

Warning: Spoilers

I recently saw this movie and enjoyed it quite a bit. Refreshingly, the viewer gets to see the Sleeping Beauty fairy-tale from a completely different point of view. There is plenty of CGI, but it's all very well-done and only enhances the viewer's visual experience. Though I have no respect for Angelina Jolie as a human being (Brad & Jennifer, remember???) I must admit that her performance in this role is flawless. Literally, perfect. She does such an amazing job as Maleficent that I, for one, couldn't imagine anyone else in the role.

****SPOILER ALERT!!!***** Please stop reading here if you've not yet seen the movie.

One of the scenes I find most compelling and believable is when a battle-weary Maleficent awakes to find that her wings have been stolen. Jolie's heartbroken keening is as real as obvious emotional pain gets. For that scene alone, she deserved the Best Actress Oscar, hands down.

Please exercise caution when viewing with smaller children because there is a considerable amount of violence, perhaps a bit much for some small viewers.

Overall, this movie is well worth the time you'll spend of your life to see it. And, it's good enough that you will probably want to see it more than once.

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Team America: World Police (2004)

8/10

Tongue-in-cheek Greatness

29 December 2005

Although the cast consists of puppets, this is not a movie for children. Vulgar language, adult situations, and violence make this for at least the 17+ crowd. Having said that, as an adult, I think that this ridiculous, irreverent movie is GREAT! The creators managed to thinly cloak serious political commentary in a veil of entertaining, often ridiculous hilarity. I would not recommend that anyone under the age of eighteen be allowed to view this movie due to adult content and situations. For adults, however, this movie is silly, smart, and generally speaking hugely enjoyable. The fact that the cast is entirely made of puppets in no way detracts from the brilliant cinematography; the brilliantly executed action may cause you to lose sight of the puppet-cast. Team America: World Police is seriously-light hearted, funny entertainment that might make you think later.

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Romeo + Juliet (1996)

10/10

Shakespeare that ANYONE can enjoy!

26 September 2004

I highly recommend this for those who find the reading of Shakespearean text difficult but have a desire to explore his masterful works. The modern-day setting and the brilliant dramatic interpretations rendered by the actors (all wonderfully cast, incidentally) transform Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece into a modern-day cinematic tour de force. DiCaprio and Danes are believably cast together (although Danes' natural conservatism is occasionally apparent, though not to any detrimental affect). Sorvino as Capulet is forceful, powerful,and immovable (just what this viewer believes Shakespeare probably had in mind as he penned the classic). Mercutio (Harold Perrineau Jr.) is powerfully moving in the entirety of his portrayal. This movie is visually mesmerizing. I HIGHLY recommend this movie to anyone with an open mind and appreciation for excellent theatre.

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Ted Bundy (2002)

8/10

Morbidly Fascinating/ Disturbing

11 August 2004

Be prepared to leave your lights on in order to sleep for at least three days after first viewing this morbidly fascinating account of mass-murdering, intelligent sociopath Ted Bundy and his descent into soul-less depravity. As a study in human nature gone wrong, this is a fascinating body of work. Particularly because this movie is, unfortunately, based on the facts, I am grateful that the viewer is not forced to witness Bundy's every demonic act, though little is actually left to mystery. Chilling, thought-provoking, disturbing, tragic, and well-made, this movie is an often shocking account of one cold-blooded monster's reign of terror.

The best part for this viewer is that the movie allows us to see Bundy sentenced to death.

A. Freimann

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The Haunting (1963)

10/10

Caution: Must Possess Imagination To "Get It"

5 August 2004

This movie is a genuine Hitchcock-esque classic. Predating modern special effects, this movie subtly maneuvers the viewer into a crescendo of paranoia. My mother introduced me to this movie when I was still very young (and since the terror is of the psychological variety, it is a strangely age-appropriate movie for youngsters who wish to see scary movies).

I think that the casting, concept, and script are all brilliant. This movie does not need the glitz of Hollywood effects because there is enough cranial content to more than compensate for what most people nowadays consider necessary visual enhancements.

The cast has an amazing chemistry and plausibility. I don't recommend this movie to effects-addicts. If you appreciate well-executed theatre, believable acting, using your OWN imagination, then... see for yourself!

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