Reviews

This film came and went very quickly at our local art film house. Intrigued by the poster of Star from the back with her outstretched arm and bra straps on display, I missed my chance to see it. Netflix to the rescue with a blu-ray version delivered USPS. Long story short, the film is masterfully expressed bringing together disparate elements into a solid feature. It has a desperate energy unique in film with an ensemble cast (except for Jake) of virtual unknowns who subtly inhabit their characters and create a genuine and honest slice of life narrative. Whereas I found Kids to be bleak there is something profoundly hopeful about Star as she gracefully maneuvers through the modern landscape of southwestern America. I don't use the word masterpiece but once or twice a decade but this film has all the earmarks. I was transported to another world and joined these rowdy kids on their ersatz road trip finding it to be a thoroughly worthwhile artistic experience. I implore you to see this film. As far as 2016 goes it should be right up there with La La Land and Hacksaw Ridge as one of the best films of the year.

I've never seen a film quite like this one before. If you have please reply with a title or description. Words such as original, realistic, refreshing, unique cannot do justice to the fascinating information in the film and the genuinely natural way its presented. The actors are so believable in their portrayals that the story rolls along like a Mercedes on the Autobahn. I've been married four times and despite my best efforts and even professional assistance never achieved the level of intimacy the couples presented in the film have. They are in their own ways out there risking everything, tossing the only bread they have on the waters and seeing what comes back.Take my word for it the film satisfies in every way possible and at the end I felt like I'd just been voyeuristically involved in these people's honest attempts to express themselves sexually.The writer suggests the possibility of a sequel in the disc extras and if I could afford it I'd sent him a check for some start up cash. If any of my previous wives could have seen this film I could have saved a fortune! One final note: This film hit the mark I believe Kubrick was aiming at In Eyes Wide Shut.

Sometimes I get the feeling filmmakers have lost their way. Formulas work and make the basics irrelevant so we get carbon copy blockbusters appealing to the masses clearly showing a reckless disregard for what filmmaking is all about: visually telling a story. And then a film like Philomena comes along and reminds us of the magic that can happen when a true craftsman and artist skillfully blends the basic ingredients of story, character, camera, and music into an exhilarating and powerful work of art. This film is satisfying at every level and gives me hope that some people still know what they are doing when they take the money and do their job effectively. The folks on this one should be extremely proud of their efforts.

A simply beautiful, powerful, exquisite gem of a film superbly acted and directed by Gil Cates. Ordinary events of turn of the century life spawn deeply felt emotion as a family struggles to right itself when one member is killed in a car wreck. The acting has you believing these are not superbly drawn characters from the Agee masterpiece but real people coping with the injustice of mortality. Watching the ensemble interact was like being in a family living room over a hundred years ago and going through the gut-wrenching reality of life at its most complex turning point. I have no idea why it received such a low rating from viewers. There are only a handful of movies ever made that combine the elements of storytelling so perfectly as this one and have you saying at the end that it was perfect. This is one of them. I'm reminded of the first time I viewed Paths of Glory or To Kill a Mockingbird among others where every piece of the puzzle fit. Give this one a look and you will not be disappointed.

Who wouldn't fall in love with the plucky Gemma Jones as she puts a quite contemporary spin on her 1900's "Duchess"? I'm happy to report with my 50" plasma Samsung set to the wide fit screen size the photographic quality is superb even though the colors at times look a little excessive. Fiddle with your settings and I'm sure you'll be pleased. I especially liked the special feature that listed a full staff for one of the English great houses of the period. By my rough estimate it looks like such a house had over two hundred employees to keep every thing up to snuff. When you realize the kitchen staff worked an average of 12- 15 hours daily and seems to spend a great deal of that time doing food processing tasks we take for granted today, you realize how lucky we are to spend so little time on meal preparations.

As a result of having Netflix streaming I am now able to see many more films some of which I cannot imagine seeing otherwise. This is one of them. It is true that some of the shots are quite dark and it is the film's most glaring weakness, but let me assure you it has equally compelling strengths. There is a stark reality to the overall product as if the audience has been transported in time to a place where tribal tyrants set into motion one of humanities most shameful chapters. I do not apologize for the depravity of whites in need of free labor out of their own greed for money, power, status or whatever, but in all fairness it makes one wonder how different things would have been if more of a unified and organized resistance could have been made by Africans seeing the immorality of slavery within their own communities. I am not blaming Aficans either. In my opinion they are 100% the victims here but at the same time I must chastise one and all involved in the trade including a culture thousands of years older than ours which condoned it as custom and tradition. Many tribes even rationalized that taking slaves was the human option when compared to ignominious death at the hands of your conquerors. The film despite it's flaws was a true learning experience. Naka, the runaway daughter, was horribly frightening in her make-up and exuding that psychotic killer energy while being a good slave catcher. She may be one of the most terrifying females in filmdom and so few will ever get to see her.