Reviews

Wow, what a fantastic decision to film "Ripley" in crisp, sumptuous black & white. Not only does it lend to the period of 1960s Italy, it intensifies the moodiness and tension of the piece.

"The Takented Mr Ripley" in gorgeous technicolor is one of my top 25 favorite films. I love everything about the film. I am glad the series differentiates itself by doing the opposite in black & white. It works!

Likewise, the "Ripley" Netflix series will be a treat for anyone who enjoys noir. The casting and script are top notch. Andrew Scott's neurotic psychopath is almost sympathetic when he is ridiculed by his "betters." But when he is backed into a corner, watch out. He's pretty calm and cool during his rampages and during interrogations. Always one step ahead.

The actor who plays Freddie is a surprising choice. But then who can compare to Philip Seymour Hoffman's Freddie? Still this Freddie does a good job in playing self satisfied and obnoxious. Never let it slip that you think a killer is a killer if you don't have the police with you.

Marge played by Dakota Fanning gives us a different Marge. She never warmed to Ripley even from the start. My heart breaks for her. She knows deep down Dickie would never treat her this way by choice.

The inspector is great. What a transformation from what the actor really looks like. Who would have guessed he could disappear into this character?

Johnny Flynn as Dickie Greenleaf plays it with all the confidence of a rich kid used to having the best. It's horrible the way he meets his maker. He's been smart up to now. What was he thinking? But then who thinks their friend is a psycho?

This series is a joy to watch. Each cinematic frame so beautifully composed. The direction superb. This is art.

"Monster Dahmer" was aptly named and difficult to watch. Until Nicey Nash won the Emmy, I wasn't terribly interested in watching the series because I knew how difficult it would be to see Dahmer's heinous crimes recreated.

The casting was excellent. I am a huge fan of Richard Jenkins and his portrayal of Jeffrey's father was heartfelt with just the right notes of pathos, pain, suffering and confusion. Clearly Mr Dahmer was at his wits end for all of Jeffrey's life. I felt for the grandmother too. If only she had called the police or at the very least a fumigator. Maybe some lives could have been saved if her grandson was stopped sooner.

All of the victims were played so well. As a viewer you care so much and hope they find a way to save themselves. The ones that did were very lucky. The families and their plight were heartbreaking. The horror of Dahmer and his crimes is something they personally endured. For all, it must have made life unbearable.

Nicey Nash played Glenda Cleveland, a neighbor who knew something was off with Dahmer and called the cops multiple times. The police were unresponsive, neglectful of an underserved black neighborhood that just wasn't a priority. When they did respond they believed Jeffrey because he was white and not Glenda because she was black. One of Jeffrey's victims was a 14 year old boy who was drugged and had been lobotomized by Jeffrey drilling holes in his head. It was gruesome, recreating it was gruesome but necessary to show just how evil Dahmer was and how inept the police were on that particular call. Dahmer ruined that boys life even had he lived. Glenda pleaded with the police to take the boy, instead they gave him to Dahmer.

After many murders one of Dahmer's victims managed to get away. He's wearing only pants, but manages to run and flag down the police who thank God believe him enough to investigate bringing the victim to Dahmer's door. The smell of decaying victims is strong enough to make the police not take Dahmer's word but actually go in and look around. Finally Dahmer is arrested.

Equally disturbing is the way the police have no remorse about how they have handled multiple calls that involved what they now know is a serial killer. The two cops that let the 14 year old die by Dahmer's hand were not only decorated later that year but one ends up replacing the police chief who wanted to fire him. It is a disgrace. At the same time the two police are being honored in a grand hall in a grand fashion, Glenda Cleveland is being awarded a small paper citizen's prize in a building's basement. It's an embarrassment the City of Milwaukee's leadership should be ashamed. I am glad that the TV series didn't let them off the hook. The cops come off badly and are actually harassing one of the victim's fathers because he is an immigrant. Ignorance has no limits. They made me sick.

How many times Dahmer was given a pass by cops and a judge because he was white and for no other reason is something every person of conscious should consider gravely. Dahmer deserved the death penalty. He had no remorse for what he had done. I for one am glad he is no longer living.

The actors living these parts must have had a difficult time. They were all so convincing and I have no doubt their roles all consuming.

Katherine Hepburn is vulnerable and brilliant in her portrayal of a midwestern American spinster who has realized her dream visiting Venice. Finally she is here, staying on the Grand Canal. It's everything she imagined but how much better it would be if she too had a fella? She's a bit lonelier than she thought she imagined she'd be even in glorious Venice.

She bids her time and finally she gets noticed by a very attractive Italian. To her delight, he asks out and she's thrilled until she feels betrayed when she finds out the man is still married.

She befriends a small boy whom she likes in spite of his being more street smart than she. She pals around with him and even though just a kid, he adds to the plot and texture of the film.

Rossano Brassi is ten years younger and the picture of sophistication and compassion. His only flaw is that he behaves as a man and can't understand why Hepburn is upset by a little thing like his having a wife. It's a clash of cultures.

Venice is also a star in this film and from the time I saw "Summertime" as a teen, Venice was top on my list as the first place I'd travel. Everyone should see Venice at least once.

So happy HBO has "Summertime" available on demand at this writing 3.6.23 Stream it, you won't be disappointed.

Danielle Deadwyler deserves an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Mamie Till-Bradley Mobly, the mother of Emmett Till, a 14 year old boy who leaves Chicago to visit cousins in Mississippi the summer of 1955. Because Emmett was raised and lived in Chicago, he doesn't have a grasp on how the balance of power is so mercilessly stacked against him. Emmett pays dearly for trying to compliment a white woman whom he innocently thought resembled an actress.

Gratefully, we are spared the subsequent brutal and barbaric beating and torture the 14-year old boy sustained. However, we do see the aftermath of the torture when his distraught mother sees his body at the funeral home in a heart wrenching scene. What comes next made history and became instrumental in moving the Civil Rights movement forward. Anger is a strong propellant. Instead of being crushed and defeated, Mrs. Till with the fearsome courage of a lioness is determined to show the world "what they have done!" Subsequently, Emmett's battered, bruised and swollen body is presented in an open casket. Photographs of Emmett in his open coffin were broadcasted across the globe and shocked the world. The courtroom case only proved what Black people in America already knew that it was impossible for a Black person to get justice in the Deep South. The perpetrators were found not guilty! Two years later the two men exonerated in the court trial, confessed to the killing of Emmett Till to LOOK magazine for $4,000.

The story is told well. The script and cast are excellent. It is beautifully filmed. I hope that it is rewarded with both Oscar nominations and wins, especially for Danielle Deadwyler as actress in a lead role. She was fantastic.

Brenda Pizzo, Boston.

One has to wonder if people giving this review are over 20? It's pretty lame from the very beginning with under developed characters, stilted dialog and then this group of friends from America arrives in Sweden to a weird village with weird people who are supposed to convince us that they are perfectly normal. I don't know what the motivation is of the Swedish friend who brings outsiders to this bit of weirdness? Old people jump to their death and when one doesn't die he is bashed to death. The Americans stay through the madness when it really should be clear they should get the hell out. I don't recall who recommended this film to me but clearly they were wrong to think it would have any interest for me. Two thumbs down. Oh brother now the women are naked! What a stupid film.

I don't care if you have been indoctrinated since birth, and even if you are trapped in a marriage that you didn't sign up for, how do you possibly believe that God's prophet is allowed to rape a 12 year old child as part of a sex orgy that you take part in? And creepy gross Warren Jeffs is still manipulating hundreds of followers from jail because his many wives visit him in jail and write down his ever word. Back at the ranch his followers await his message from God. They dress like it's 1850. Is that so they will be immediately spotted if they try to escape? I guess it is to make time stand still so they won't wonder what it's like outside of their world. Although the restaurant workers outside the compound have a pretty good idea.

So glad that a few brave women got away and men kicked out of the church by Jeffs eventually realized that they had been involved in a sick cult. I respect all the participants who spoke in front of the camera to try and help us understand what they were up against. I wish them all well. They have the rest of their lives to live and I hope they really live to make up what was robbed from them.

A fascinating look into a world no one in their right mind would want to be a part.