If I Were You (2012)
watched on Netflix 02-27-2016
This movie was in my queue unwatched for a month or two. I selected it because of my admiration for Marcia Gay Harden. I had never heard of this movie. Marcia Gay Harden is one of those actresses who is never bad, even if the film is bad. Although this movie borrows heavily from Shakespeare, there is even an production of King Lear as part of its plot, it is well-written and expertly acted. The score does what it should, highlight not overpower the film. The filming is mostly interiors, although there is a great snow scene towards the end.The beginning seems to have predictable, soap-opera theme, but the film steadily improves. To avoid spoilers, I do not want to get into details. While this movie isn't stuffed with jokes, it is filled with humor. The humor is provided by the character's conversations. So pay attention to what everyone says. Do not confuse stupidity with naiveté. I have read a few of Shakespeare's comedies and tragedies. While knowledge of those plays is not essential to the enjoyment of this movie, knowing Shakespearean plots and themes will make this movie even more enjoyable. Marcia Gay Harden's performance during the last 10 minutes of this movie was riveting. While it seems to end abruptly without answers, it actually does not. Carefully watch Marcia Gay Harden's expression at the conclusion of "the play within a play", that gives closure. I would recommend this movie to anyone enjoying comedies and plays. As for the rating, the themes are R, but I would say this is more of a strong PG-13.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Sunday, February 21, 2016
October Gale (2014)
seen on Netflix
Entertaining, but checking the other reviews, mine is not a popular opinion. As usual, I "found" this movie lodged within this streaming service (NOTE TO N: please edit your content and get more movies off DVD-only and into the streaming library). Without the charismatic leads, Patricia Clarkson, Scott Speedman and Tim Roth, this movie would have just been nice scenery with unmemorable performances. This film seems to be kind of a romantic thriller, not sure if that is a valid category. I would not look for logic or practicality in this movie (those familiar with boat docks will probably find that scene in this movie amusing). While I did speed through some of the husband flashbacks. Those portions needed editing. However, I would have added maybe 30-40 seconds to the end of the movie. Otherwise, watching this film is not an unpleasant way to spend approximately 91 minutes.
seen on Netflix
Entertaining, but checking the other reviews, mine is not a popular opinion. As usual, I "found" this movie lodged within this streaming service (NOTE TO N: please edit your content and get more movies off DVD-only and into the streaming library). Without the charismatic leads, Patricia Clarkson, Scott Speedman and Tim Roth, this movie would have just been nice scenery with unmemorable performances. This film seems to be kind of a romantic thriller, not sure if that is a valid category. I would not look for logic or practicality in this movie (those familiar with boat docks will probably find that scene in this movie amusing). While I did speed through some of the husband flashbacks. Those portions needed editing. However, I would have added maybe 30-40 seconds to the end of the movie. Otherwise, watching this film is not an unpleasant way to spend approximately 91 minutes.
After The Wedding (2006)
seen on Netflix
This is a relatively straight forward drama, but a very well acted and directed one. I was attracted to this movie when I saw that Mads Mikkelsen was in the leading role. Although he was not portraying the character he is usually cast in (think Casino Royale and Hannibal), he was believable as the gentle, but financially inept manager, Jacob Pedersen of an orphanage in India. There is a slowness, almost stiffness to the beginning of this movie. I believe that this was a deliberate action by the director and writer to show how Jacob Pedersen (Mads Mikkelsen) later opens up to life and living. Jacob has returned to his home country, Denmark to raise money for the orphanage. Away from the orphanage, he is awkward with people, hardly smiling or making eye contact. The acting is first rate and the scenes in Denmark and India are breathtaking. The soundtrack literally underscores and emphasizes the emotions in this movie. I could have done without the multiple close-ups of the actors' eyes (and those of the stuffed/mounted animals). I am sure that it was done to generate a mood, but it got old very quickly. This eye fascination was the only element that I disliked in the movie. Although the English captioning did make me wonder if I was getting everything. Watching the actors mouths, hearing them speak and seeing the short sentences appear in the English caption field gave me the general impression that I might have been getting the abridged version of the script. Luckily all the actors were up to the task of not only speaking but portraying emotions with their faces and body language. SPOILER: There is an emotional scene in the last 30 minutes of this film that is devastating to watch.
seen on Netflix
This is a relatively straight forward drama, but a very well acted and directed one. I was attracted to this movie when I saw that Mads Mikkelsen was in the leading role. Although he was not portraying the character he is usually cast in (think Casino Royale and Hannibal), he was believable as the gentle, but financially inept manager, Jacob Pedersen of an orphanage in India. There is a slowness, almost stiffness to the beginning of this movie. I believe that this was a deliberate action by the director and writer to show how Jacob Pedersen (Mads Mikkelsen) later opens up to life and living. Jacob has returned to his home country, Denmark to raise money for the orphanage. Away from the orphanage, he is awkward with people, hardly smiling or making eye contact. The acting is first rate and the scenes in Denmark and India are breathtaking. The soundtrack literally underscores and emphasizes the emotions in this movie. I could have done without the multiple close-ups of the actors' eyes (and those of the stuffed/mounted animals). I am sure that it was done to generate a mood, but it got old very quickly. This eye fascination was the only element that I disliked in the movie. Although the English captioning did make me wonder if I was getting everything. Watching the actors mouths, hearing them speak and seeing the short sentences appear in the English caption field gave me the general impression that I might have been getting the abridged version of the script. Luckily all the actors were up to the task of not only speaking but portraying emotions with their faces and body language. SPOILER: There is an emotional scene in the last 30 minutes of this film that is devastating to watch.
Saturday, February 20, 2016
The Best Offer (2013)
Viewed on Netflix
I had not heard of this film, but Geoffrey Rush always provides an excellent experience so I watched. Geoffrey Rush even elevates the Pirates of the Caribbean series. This film is beautifully shot and scored. The performances are uniformly excellent, both for the main and secondary characters. Perhaps this film could have used some editing. Some scenes are overly long. I did see the twist happening fairly early in the film. However, the movie was so beautiful to view with dialogue so intelligent, that I stayed. I did not feel that the movie manipulated or lied to me, I knew what was coming. The descriptions of the art and the antiques in this film gave insight into the people who moved around these objects. The conclusion of the film was a little metaphor-heavy with the decor. I took the last portion of dialogue from Virgil Oldman (Geoffrey Rush) to mean, when all else fails, there is still hope. While this movie takes place in modern day (iPad and smartphones are in resident among the relics, dust and debris), I would recommend this film to those who enjoy Jane Austen, period (18th/19th century) romances and museums. To provide my own metaphor, traveling through this movie is like taking the train rather than the jet. The trip is as important as the destination.
SPOILER: Listen very closely to everything the Donald Sutherland character says, so many clues.
Viewed on Netflix
I had not heard of this film, but Geoffrey Rush always provides an excellent experience so I watched. Geoffrey Rush even elevates the Pirates of the Caribbean series. This film is beautifully shot and scored. The performances are uniformly excellent, both for the main and secondary characters. Perhaps this film could have used some editing. Some scenes are overly long. I did see the twist happening fairly early in the film. However, the movie was so beautiful to view with dialogue so intelligent, that I stayed. I did not feel that the movie manipulated or lied to me, I knew what was coming. The descriptions of the art and the antiques in this film gave insight into the people who moved around these objects. The conclusion of the film was a little metaphor-heavy with the decor. I took the last portion of dialogue from Virgil Oldman (Geoffrey Rush) to mean, when all else fails, there is still hope. While this movie takes place in modern day (iPad and smartphones are in resident among the relics, dust and debris), I would recommend this film to those who enjoy Jane Austen, period (18th/19th century) romances and museums. To provide my own metaphor, traveling through this movie is like taking the train rather than the jet. The trip is as important as the destination.
SPOILER: Listen very closely to everything the Donald Sutherland character says, so many clues.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Meet My Valentine (2015)
on Netflix
This film is fine. While not a unique or riveting story, Meet My Valentine does hold the attention of the viewer with its two charismatic leads, Scott Wolf and Courtney Ford. They play the roles of a husband and a wife facing several life-changing events. The movie is well shot and scored. I liked this movie. However, it could have used some editing. Most likely redundant and surplus dialogue was included to emphasize how wonderful these two people are. The director and editor should have trusted their talented leads to portray their characters (and us/the potential viewers watching this film) without some overlong scenes which verge on cliché. I would recommend this movie to those who enjoy the lifetime romances or Nicholas Sparks novels/films.
on Netflix
This film is fine. While not a unique or riveting story, Meet My Valentine does hold the attention of the viewer with its two charismatic leads, Scott Wolf and Courtney Ford. They play the roles of a husband and a wife facing several life-changing events. The movie is well shot and scored. I liked this movie. However, it could have used some editing. Most likely redundant and surplus dialogue was included to emphasize how wonderful these two people are. The director and editor should have trusted their talented leads to portray their characters (and us/the potential viewers watching this film) without some overlong scenes which verge on cliché. I would recommend this movie to those who enjoy the lifetime romances or Nicholas Sparks novels/films.
Friday, February 5, 2016
Marie's Story (2014)
--on Netflix
Although slow moving at times, with some "tantrum-level" violence, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. This is an emotional and satisfying movie. It has more to offer than just a teacher and her student. The events in this movie unfold naturally as if the viewer is watching in real time. The cinematography is beautiful. The musical score intensifies the emotions of the characters. The dialogue is spare, but every word counts. The leads, Soeur Margerite (Isabelle Carre) and Marie (Ariana Rivoire) are played by two immensely talented people who portray emotions with their hands and facial expressions. Stay for the credits as there are a few notes that tell what happened to the real Marie later in her life. While it would not be my choice of a life, it was an honorable and productive life.
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