Princess Arete (2001)

This is a quiet, gentle fable with elements from Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, Atlantis and numerous other tales and legends. Wikipedia reports that this movie is based on Diana Coles' 1983 story, “The Clever Princess”.

I found this movie involving, but do not feel that it would engage and hold most children’s’ attention unless they had a strong interest in anime. The quality of the animation is delicate, almost like a pastel/watercolor painting. On this site the dialogue is voiced in Japanese with English subtitles.

WARNING + SPOILERS: there is also a questionable factor that occurs during the first half of this movie. Adult males are interested in marrying what looks like a child, admittedly to gain wealth and power, but still hard to watch. The Princess is not touched or hurt. She appears to be far smarter than any of these men.

The story seemed a bit all over the place with the Princess supposedly cursed to remain a child. The tower in which she resides is due to her father’s (the King) wishes. However her isolation may be actually due to the Princess’s own wish to avoid emotional pain. There is a resolution by the Princess at movie's conclusion although it did feel that there was more story to tell.

I recommend this movie to teens or adults already interested in Japanese anime.

Jessica Jones Review

(2015 Netflix/Marvel original series)

Season 1 = 13 episodes

WATCH THIS SERIES. This is not your spandex supercilious superhero kind of movie.  It can be compared with those gritty detective/film noir movies but with superhero accents. People get dirty and they bleed.  Mysteries are investigated, solved and re-solved. And yes, some people get thrown through walls.

I love the attitude, atmosphere, acting and dialogue of this series. Although I am a fan of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) I was not familiar with, nor did I research, the titular character’s lineage in that universe.  I did that to see if I would enjoy this series.  Experiment successful!

I would rate this series with an R.  Yes there is realistic sexual activity, but my rating is more for the violence (random and gory).  The predominant villain in this series is a poster child for a narcissists and sociopaths.  The villain is the best monster I have seen in recent memory. This individual is a human without humanity, which makes for more horror than physical anomalies.

I decided to binge watch this series. Froyo (as in chocolate frozen yogurt) got me through the initial violence and the slower portions of the middle of the series.  Persevere; this series is worth your time and a second season.

IRIS

2015

a documentary on Netflix


I had seen  images of Iris Apfel in ads.  I had not a clue as to who she was. I was reluctant to view this documentary as movies about older individuals can be so dour and gloomy. I gave this one a shot and enjoyed it. Iris the person is as unique as Iris the fashion statement.  Actually she refers to herself as a "geriatric starlet".  Her energy, style, irony and logic shine through the entire film. The filming was so well executed that I could almost feel the embroidered cloth, pet the toy bear and see my reflection in the mirror.  The director knew when to stay on a shot or quickly (and Iris really moves even with recent hip surgery) send the camera to the next place.  Iris isn't all about appearance. She started a successful interior decoration business when that was a highly unusual thing for a young married woman. Now instead of retiring she teaches, does consulting with museums and even is currently distributing her various collections.  Admittedly Iris Apfel is not going to cure cancer, discover life on Mars or reconcile the Middle Eastern factions.  Without any pontification, what are essentially life lessons, are distributed painlessly throughout this film.  Stay for the closing credits, they are worth the wait and are the essence of Iris.

Back In Time

a documentary on Netflix

(2015)


This documentary was enjoyable. The editing and content keeps the viewer focused. The visuals are fascinating. I enjoyed the interviews which told the ambitions and mindset of creators of Back To The Future. While this is a film primarily for fans of Back To The Future trilogy, there are also interviews with inventors who were motivated by this movie and even an individual who felt his focus in building a (non-functional just for show) time machine inside a Delorean assisted him in surviving a major illness. This documentary had a behind the scenes information with Michael J. Fox, a few of the other major characters and technical staff. Superfans who actually own a Delorean and cosplay are shown and interviewed. There is even a Back To The Future live experience where you can watch and sometimes interact with actors (not famous) portraying characters from the 1st installment. Personally I find that aspect of this documentary less than alluring, but it seemed to be appealing to a large crowd. Stay for the end credits where the basic yet fascinating question of, "When would you travel to (past or future) if you had the ability?" The answers were a mixture of funny, fascinating and philosophical.

Twinsters (2015)
 (filmed in 2013)

This movie was a happy surprise. Documentaries can be one-sided, dull and repetitive.  This film had none of these qualities.  I found this movie charming, entertaining and warm. Judging by the closing credits, this movie was funded via Kickstarter.  While this movie is as engaging as a “home movie”, it feels professionally filmed, edited, directed and produced.  The inclusion of  pop-up messages and emoji felt natural. The word “pop” even became a code word encompassing joy, friendship, love and caring.

I found this movie in the streaming library.  I did not read any reviews; the title and the friendly look of the poster attracted my attention.  The two individuals of the title are Samantha Futerman (USA) and Anaïs Bordier  (France).  Both were adopted out of South Korea, but neither adoptive family was notified that either baby had a twin.  A friend of Anaïs discovered a video made by Samantha posted on YouTube.  From that point it was literally only a few keystrokes before the girls discovered one another and met (first via Skype, later in person).

Although this is a documentary, the following paragraphs could be considered as SPOILERS.

Samantha grew up with two brothers, while Anaïs grew up an only child.  While they are obviously very similar in spite of the adoptive differences, Anaïs is the more inward of the two.  Anaïs spoke about feeling unaccepted by others (this did not apply to her feelings about her adoptive parents) as a child. 

The trip to South Korea for Samantha and Anaïs was made to participate in the South Korean Adoptees Convention, but also to reconnect with their foster mothers and adoption center.  Unfortunately the birth mother was not ready for contact or even willing to admit she had given birth to them.  However, I believe this trip helped Anaïs come to terms with her feelings of being unworthy and abandoned.  What amazed me were all the South Koreans who were so accepting of these adoptees, thanking them for visiting their “mother” country.  I had always thought that adoptees were not well thought of by their “mother” country.

During visits to one another’s home and South Korean turned these two women (25 years old in 2013) turned into little girls that giggled, held hands and even slept in the same bed. It almost felt like they were fast-forwarding through the childhood that neither was able to share with the other.  My impression is that this process healed Anaïs.  Although there is not follow-up at the conclusion of the movie to indicate whether these two women are still as close.  I would like to thank their feelings and situation remains close.

This documentary is a well-made and enjoyable showcase of acceptance and love that we should all share.

Abbreviated Netflix Posted Review (due to 2000 character limit):

This movie was a happy surprise. Documentaries can be one-sided, dull and repetitive. This film had none of these qualities. I found this movie charming, entertaining and warm. Judging by the closing credits, this movie was funded via Kickstarter. While this movie is as engaging as a “home movie”, it feels professionally filmed, edited, directed and produced. The inclusion of pop-up messages and emoji felt natural. The word “pop” even became a code word encompassing joy, friendship, love and caring. The two individuals of the title are Samantha Futerman (USA) and Anaïs Bordier (France). Both were adopted out of South Korea, but neither adoptive family was notified that either baby had a twin. A friend of Anaïs discovered a video made by Samantha posted on YouTube. From that point it was literally only a few keystrokes before the girls discovered one another and met (first via Skype, later in person). Samantha grew up with two brothers, while Anaïs grew up an only child. While they are obviously very similar in spite of the adoptive differences, Anaïs is the more inward of the two. Anaïs spoke about feeling unaccepted by others (this did not apply to her feelings about her adoptive parents) as a child. The trip to South Korea for Samantha and Anaïs was made to participate in the South Korean Adoptees Convention, but also to reconnect with their foster mothers and adoption center. Unfortunately the birth mother was not ready for contact or even willing to admit she had given birth to them. During visits to one another’s home and South Korean turned these two women (25 years old in 2013) turned into little girls that giggled, held hands and even slept in the same bed. It almost felt like they were fast-forwarding through the childhood that neither was able to share with the other. This documentary is a well-made and enjoyable showcase of acceptance and love that we should all share.

Pentatonix: On My Way Home

a concert film on Netflix

(2015)



This documentary has it all. There is an origin story, concert footage, travel footage, interviews and of course music. The editing and directing clearly display the energy, warmth and harmony of Pentatonix. The story of how a group of talented individuals evolved into the entity, Pentatonix, is fascinating. So much could have gone wrong, but did not. The members of Pentatonix enjoy one another as friends. This makes the harmony they produce in their music also reflective of their lives. I admit to already being a fan of Pentatonix before viewing this film. The Pitch Perfect series (look for Pentatonix appearing as Canadian contestants in the world contest portion of Pitch Perfect 2) has made a cappella more widely known to the uninitiated, but Pentatonix seems to be the soul of a cappella. On My Way Home has the heart, generosity and talent that I felt when I viewed Pentatonix at live concerts. What I did not previously understand is the amount of individuals who have to combine their various skills to produce a show. Not the least, are the family and the friends who have the generosity to share members of Pentatonix with the fans. When the members of Pentatonix spoke about family and friends that they missed, I almost cried. This concert film is the video equivalent of their live performances. Both formats should not be missed.

The Sixth Sense

(1999)

I had always just liked (not loved) this movie. Recently I watched a review of The Sixth Sense on YouTube. Chris Stuckmann was doing a wrap up of several M. Night Shyamalan's older movies before Mr. Shyamalan's The Visit (2015) premiered. I was so affected by Mr. Stuckmann's review that I re-watched The Sixth Sense. After this recent viewing, I decided this film was worth 5 stars (my version of Mr. Stuckmann's A+ rating). Forget the twist at the end. This movie is superior on so many levels, directing, acting, cinematography, soundtrack, set design and script. Unfortunately with everyone so taken with THE TWIST, it probably affected Mr. Shyamalan's choices and certainly viewers' expectations. This movie is a primer for anyone who wants to tell an affecting and entertaining story. It is certainly a movie that can be watched multiple times with the enjoyment of catching little details missed on a previous viewing. I would recommend this movie to anyone over 12. While it might be a little intense for younger and sensitive children, watching this movie with an adult would probably be suitable. Everyone involved with this movie should be proud that they had a part in its creation.

iZombie

(television series on the CW channel)
Season 1 - 13 episodes

Currrently (09/2015) in Season 2






This is a clever, humorous procedural with supernatural themes. While elements of this series echo the plot construction of Tru Calling (tv series 2003-2005), I still found iZombie to be an enjoyable and involving series. iZombie has a subversive kind of humor. The characters are fully realized with personalities, jobs and backstories. Their interest in one either feels honest and believable. The title of the series is a big spoiler which is nice, so worrying about spoilers becomes a moot point. The beginning credits are pictured graphically giving the viewer a 60 second summary which will prepare the viewer for the basic universe in which this story is placed. The main character, Olivia "liv" Moore (the pun is obvious) is the titular heroine. She changed from cardiac surgeon to the morgue's medical examiner for metabolic reasons. The actress, Rose McIver excels at and seems to enjoy portraying different skills, attitudes and knowledge from one episode to the next. She helps the police solve crimes by using the zombie ability to absorb memories from the victims by doing something for which zombies are infamous. Her "condition" is mostly secret. This series is full of characters such as an ex-boyfriend, roommate, mother, brother, police detective, Liv's boss at the morgue and quite an assortment of criminals (from minor to quite bad). I have not read the comic book series (created by writers Chris Robertson and Michael Allred, published by DC Comic's Vertigo division), so I cannot say how the tv and comic differ. This streaming service only has season 1. Season 2 is currently (09/2015) being shown on the CW channel. Hopefully season 2 will be picked up by this service.

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010)

Netflix - 10/06/2015

Subversive, wickedly funny and suitably gory are all traits of Tucker and Dale vs. Evil. This movie was recommended by a friend and ETC News/Machinima (YouTube channel) so I decided to give it a try. Absolutely loved it. Only gave the movie 4 stars out of 5 because I did see the plot twist coming very early. I continued watching and consider my one hour and 29 minutes well-spent. I laughed and screamed (scaring my two cats deeply). Tucker (Alan Tudyk), Dale (Tyler Labine) and Allison (Katrina Bowden) played into the comedy by not acting self-aware and thus were exceptionally good. The "college students" were all somewhat 2-dimensionally stupid (but this fits the genre theme) with one very violent exception. I would like to see these two (or three, as Allison has therapy skills) in a sequel. Consider this a recommendation for new programming from this streaming service beginning with the letter N.

Leap Year

(2010)







I had not heard about this movie. It just popped up during a search. This is a road trip movie, but the trip is so well scripted and the scenery so breathtaking that the journey is even more interesting than the conclusion. The three leads, Amy Adams, Matthew Goode and Adam Scott drew my attention. Towards the beginning, John Lithgow also appears. His scene and lines are brief, but as usual he does a great job no matter how many lines he has. Adam Scott did his usual self-obsessed, yet nice character. While Adam Scott's character was more device than real person, his performance was fun to watch. Without interrupting the viewer, the soundtrack fits the events and moods. The romantic leads had great chemistry. Their interest in one another seemed unforced. Some actors, no matter how talented, almost seem to be CGI’d into their scenes. That was not the case in this movie. The verbal interplay was humorous without being demeaning. Ireland is basically another character in this movie. The secondary actors (both humans and animals--SPOILER: pay special attention to the Border Collie) were all carefully woven into the story. Nothing felt out of place. This film is a great virtual vacation with people that have warmth and humor.

Chronic-Con, Episode 420: A New Dope

(2015)

A comedy film by Doug Benson (done at SDCC-2014)


Yes I am a fan of comic cons and a fan of Doug Benson's, so no surprise on my affirmative review. This is a comedy film.  There is no pretense towards winning an Oscar or for Sundance acceptance. There are only laughs. The editing is sharp, except for a few seconds of time in the men's room. The camera is not intrusive, just count the blurred faces! There is a part of the movie where a clueless local newsreader is standing in front of the con looking entirely out of his depth attempting to explain SDCC to viewers. This news person asks Doug to prove that he is a comedian by "telling a joke". Funny is relative, taste is varied and "jokes" can actually take more than a few seconds to be "set up". While Chronic-Con, Episode 420: A New Dope will probably not win over the uninitiated (aka un-Doug Benson informed), it is very funny.  I wish there was more contact with con-goers, but this is a comedy film not an archival one on cosplayers.  Just sit back, do not judge, be amused and be sure to carry extra cash to bail out your pedi-cab driver whenever you are at a con.

An Amish Murder

(2013)

My Netflix review #109


I agree with many of the reviewers,this not a bad movie. However, this is not a murder mystery with twists and turns. While the murder(s) are violent, this film flows along not challenging the viewer or even providing a cheap scare. It is well-acted for the most part. The scenery is beautiful. The score is evocative. As for the plot, I figured out who the guilty party was fairly quickly. It is a credit to the directing and acting that I stayed until the conclusion. While the ending is a bit abrupt, there is a certain sense of closure in the last scene.

Women Aren't Funny (2014)

This is a funny film irrespective of the category in which it is placed. I think that the reviews have been mixed as this film implies standup routines. The image/poster advertising this film implies documentary. This is not a standup film nor is it a typical documentary. My impression is that this film is a satirical take on the super-serious tone of some documentaries (and its presenters) with an added let's film everything method of current reality shows. This film could use some editing. Maybe provide more interviews along with less Rich Voss gruffness? Rich Voss's pseudo-irascibility would be more potent if used sparingly. SPOILER: We are all funny. Some are intentionally so, the rest of us just stumble into that category.

Imaginary Friend

(2012)

My actual rating is 2.5 stars, but system does not allow for that notation. I have to admit, when I saw that this was a Lifetime movie I almost gave it a pass. It drags in the first 10-15 minutes, but picked up some steam as the movie progressed. There are no "nice" people in this movie. Even the police seemed alternately clueless and subject to stereotypical behavior. On commercial tv this film probably had a difficult job to maintain viewer interest. There must have been innumerable commercials judging by the small pauses scattered throughout the movie I found it interesting as these "small pauses" increased exponentially in the last 30 minutes of the movie ("commercial tv revealed"). SPOILER: By the last half of this film, the characters did a 180. So everyone got to emote. Taken as a very dark comedy, it is entertaining. The character played by Lacey Chabert became more coherent, duplicitous and intriguing. While I cannot recommend this movie, it is well-filmed, attractive to look at and decently acted. Just know that the plot has more holes than those found on the map from the movie, "Time Bandits" ;)

Penguins of Madagascar: The Movie

(2014)

(My Netflix review #104)

This is a frenetically fun and colorful movie. There is never a moment when it drags. Puns are in generous supply. The voice acting is excellent. Listen for a character's ("Classified") difficulty in pronouncing the word, penguin. The soundtrack adds even more energy to an already energetic movie. The movie allows for the shortest attention spans to be entertained (kind of good news/bad news). Just put the intellectual/logical portion of your brain on hold and anyone can thoroughly enjoy this movie. It has puns, physical humor along with action and adventure. The beginning narration starts with a very familiar voice. (SEMI-SPOILER) I actually thought it was an impressionist, but it turned out to be the person that I had though it to be. Guess that individual has more of a sense of humor than I had previously thought. Watch this movie without candy, soda or sugar, it provides an integral sugar rush without the worry of calories.

The Search for General Tso

documentary

(2014)

(This is my 105th Netflix review)



This film was an unexpectedly very involving and enlightening documentary. I took the title at face value and assumed it would be either culinary or historical. This very well-written and impeccably filmed documentary was both. The viewer will (painlessly) learn elements of Chinese history which intersected with USA history in the 19th century gold rush. I had no idea that there were are as many ways to prepare this dish as there are chefs who do the preparation. You will learn who people think originated the dish, who actually originated the dish (and SPOILER ALERT) that there was actually a real General Tso. One fact unrelated to the quality of either the movie or the dish (both great), I noticed during the closing credits. In the section of the credits entitled, "This film made possible by the generous support of..." The first name (list was alphabetical) was Justin Beeber. I am not a fan of this performer (is there another Justin Beeber out there?) , but just goes to show that everyone is multilayered, just as any good movie or any good meal.

TIG

a Netflix original - documentary

(2015)

(my 104th review on Netflix)


I am a BC (before cataclysms) fan of Tig Notaro so admittedly I am "presold". However I loved this documentary with the only negative being that I wished it could have included more standup. I am guessing that inclusion of a set might have broken the flow of this documentary. I learned so much about Tig, beyond the public evidence of comedy and bravery. The direction, editing and music background were excellent. Walking the viewer through her fertility issues was most generous of her and the potential surrogate and her family. Tig is funny in a superhero sense, some of us can hardly smile our way through a commute to our work. This documentary is informative and involving. Most of all this is a documentary which can approaches its subject through so many aspects of her life that it is watchable by any adult. Tig is a survivor and as a bonus for her fans supremely funny.

Antarctica: A Year on Ice

(2013)

Documentary

(my 103rd Netflix review)



Even on my computer screen, this documentary conveyed the spectacular panorama of Antarctica. Anthony Powell (produced, directed and filmed) made this movie flow. The score was an excellent accompaniment to the visuals. The images of having to remove snow from the inside of dwellings was amusing. There is limited views of the non-human natives (penguins and seals). Without going into detail, nature, "no intervention", is the law. I learned that the multi-national research stations seemed to communicate and assist one another like that Federation from that famous series and movie. However, this is not a location for ordinary individuals. These workers seemed focused, willing to take calculated risks and had a sense of humor. During the credits were short segments on firsts, what the returnees would eat and what they would do when they returned home. These returnees were realistic concerning this location and missed family events. However their passion and love for this almost alien location was obvious.

An Honest Liar (2014)

a documentary on James Randi

(NOTE:  This is my 102nd review on Netflix)



This documentary provides entertainment by using truth. While a few of the individuals whom James Randi had exposed may argue that point, no one can deny the honesty concerning the personal revelations by Mr. Randi. The direction and editing of this film never caused any interview or scene to become overlong or boring. Documentaries can be preachy or boring. This film was neither. Stay for all the credits. There is a personal note from Deyvi and James Randi. At 0:15 there is an amusingly ironic comment which perfectly complements this film. SPOILER: So happy that Mr. Randi was able to marry his long time partner Deyvi. Perhaps that will allow Deyvi to remain in this country.

Little White Lie (2014)

documentary -- Lacey Schwartz   (THIS IS MY 100th REVIEW ON NETFLIX 06/30/2015)

I enjoyed this documentary. It kept me interested without a break. The disconnect between what one sees in a mirror and what people tell you would be a fascinating fictional story. This is a documentary on Lacey Schwartz. Cinematography, soundtrack and the fascinating story that the documentary told was riveting. As other reviewers have noted the contrast to the media storm regarding Rachel Dolezal who at this point (June 30, 2015) appears to have 2 white biological parents while maintaining an almost life long identity to being black, is both psychologically and societally compelling. I admire Lacey Schwartz for her acceptance of the family that raised her, without alienating (those viewed onscreen) friends and family. I am not sure how real life goes for the now married Lacey Schwartz, but she has made a difference. This documentary is the best exploration of race and how we see ourselves that I have ever viewed. It gives me hope for the future. I admire Lacey Schwartz. Her honesty and bravery (also of friends and family) is inspirational.

After the Ball (2015)

(a canadian film)


I was looking for a fun movie without stressful car chases and injuries. I found "the fun" in this movie. This is not a complaint, sometimes a non-dystopian movie is the one you want. This movie borrows heavily from a certain well-known fairy tale and Shakespearean comedies. While the villains are rather two dimensional the main character, Portia Doubleday (Kate/Nate) as the lead is charming, talented and funny. Her body language was comedic, in a good way. I appreciated that certain tired tropes such as a disguise falling off in public was avoided. This is an easy movie to watch, especially for those interested in fashion. After watching several martial arts movies, this was a great palate cleanser. While the movie did not enlarge my frontal lobe, I found it pleasantly entertaining.  Stay for the end of the credits. There is a cute scene at 0.25.

The People vs. George Lucas  (my 98th review on Netflex published 06/13/2015)

(2010)

Do not be either happy or depressed by the "vs" in the title. The people in this movie are passionately interested Star Wars. While not breaking new ground, this film does a decent job of giving the fans a chance to voice and to show their passion for all things Star Wars (with some Indiana Jones thrown in). I liked Star Wars when I was young and I like Star Wars now. Yes I have a problem with Jar Jar Binks, all the Gungans and a certain Jedi's (ok it was the character of Anakin Skywalker) dialogue, but not enough to make me renounce my love of Star Wars. Of course that opinion most likely colors my viewpoint of this documentary. I am glad that the documentary included the fan art and film. This shows the power of Star Wars very clearly. This film was released in 2010. It is interesting to view all the fan passion regarding George Lucas and Star Wars, in light of current events. As is well known, Disney purchased Lucasfilm for $4 billion on October 30. 2012 (interestingly enough Disney also paid the same amount for Marvel on August 31, 2009). The force is still out there. While it may be owned by a mega-corporation, George Lucas is now free from the creative burden of Star Wars (and is quite wealthy.We, the fans, now have an second chance for new hope.

Grace of Monaco

(2014)

This is a beautiful movie concerning Grace Kelly's life as Princess of Monaco. It begins in approximately 1962 and ends in 1963. The expression "fairy tale" comes up very often, but I find it difficult to believe that although Grace Kelly married in 1956 her culture and language lessons did not begin until 1962. Perhaps that is dramatic license. This film is shot exquisitely, gowns and makeup were vivid and sparkling. Obviously Nicole Kidman added to that sparkle. Frank Langella's acting was what stands out the most. Mr. Langella made me feel his pain, pride and fatigue. The rest of the cast were very good, but I could sense them inhabiting their roles. Frank Langella made me forget that he was acting a part. While everyone was attractive, I felt the close-up type scene was overused. Perhaps the director wanted this type of scene to add to the period feel of the film. While Nicole Kidman always appeared flawless, the plethora of closeups took me out of the story. 

SPOILERS: I was surprised (betraying my sad deficit in World History) to learn about the French blockade of Monaco regarding a tax dispute. Ironic in view of the fact that Grace was also an American. Was 1776 so long ago? Actually the French were on our side in that one. It would be nice to believe that Grace had an effective part in resolving the situation with France. I also did not know that Prince Ranier's sister Antoinette was basically trying to usurp the throne. Kind of Game of Thrones behavior without all that blood.