I Dream Too Much (2016)
Seen on Netflix 12/15/2016
Beautiful exteriors, good soundtrack, vocals (Danielle Brooks) and Diane Ladd make this movie worth the watch. It is slow moving, with a predictable path and an abrupt ending which is why I have rated the movie with 3 not 4 stars. Millennial ennui (what to do after college graduation) is not a riveting topic for a movie, which is why I wish Diane Ladd had been given more screen time. The best dialogue has been given to Diane Ladd or maybe it is her ability to make ordinary words shimmer. The other characters are somewhat sketched out, but not unlikeable. I can see this movie more effective as a stage play. However, watch it for Diane Ladd and you will not feel that your time has been wasted.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
A Christmas Horror Story (2015)
Seen on Netflix 12/15/2016
A holiday horror gift from Canada? Well I was surprised (and entertained). This is a horror anthology, with a common thread winding throughout all stories. No, not just Christmas or horror, I did figure out the general direction it was headed, however still enjoyed the (sleigh) ride. William Shatner, as a radio host "Dangerous Dan", served as a frame for this anthology. William Shatner is worth whatever they paid him. Another standout was George Buza (as Santa). Had the stories contained characters with a little more depth, then this film would be worth 4 stars. I wonder if this film was the holiday episode for a series. The opening and closing credits have cheery holiday music. The graphics in the opening credits were spectacular, but I wish some of that graphics money had been spent on the individual stories' plots. Cinematography was good, if somewhat dark (literally felt the need to adjust my screen). The editing is a bit choppy due to the decision to bounce to different stories and then go back again. Stay for the closing credits, homilies spoken by William Shatner are priceless.
Seen on Netflix 12/15/2016
A holiday horror gift from Canada? Well I was surprised (and entertained). This is a horror anthology, with a common thread winding throughout all stories. No, not just Christmas or horror, I did figure out the general direction it was headed, however still enjoyed the (sleigh) ride. William Shatner, as a radio host "Dangerous Dan", served as a frame for this anthology. William Shatner is worth whatever they paid him. Another standout was George Buza (as Santa). Had the stories contained characters with a little more depth, then this film would be worth 4 stars. I wonder if this film was the holiday episode for a series. The opening and closing credits have cheery holiday music. The graphics in the opening credits were spectacular, but I wish some of that graphics money had been spent on the individual stories' plots. Cinematography was good, if somewhat dark (literally felt the need to adjust my screen). The editing is a bit choppy due to the decision to bounce to different stories and then go back again. Stay for the closing credits, homilies spoken by William Shatner are priceless.
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Yoga Hosers (2016)
seen on Netfix 12-13-2016
I know 4 stars. Full disclosure, I am a fan of Kevin Smith movies (but NOT Tusk), podcasts and YouTube channel. This movie made me laugh, quite often. The Colleens have great chemistry and energy. The downsides were (1) accented English of Johnny Depp's character (which almost required English subtitles) and (2) the identity of the actor portraying the Bratzis (I was able to "forget" until movie ended). This is an insane movie. I suppose many of the negative reviews result from people expecting something else. Assuming Canada does not declare war on USA, I would say that this movie is simply something to make us laugh. Also it provides elements of a good party game: naming the movies which provide comments and plot developments throughout this film. Stay for the ending credits, there is a great rendition of "O Canada".
seen on Netfix 12-13-2016
I know 4 stars. Full disclosure, I am a fan of Kevin Smith movies (but NOT Tusk), podcasts and YouTube channel. This movie made me laugh, quite often. The Colleens have great chemistry and energy. The downsides were (1) accented English of Johnny Depp's character (which almost required English subtitles) and (2) the identity of the actor portraying the Bratzis (I was able to "forget" until movie ended). This is an insane movie. I suppose many of the negative reviews result from people expecting something else. Assuming Canada does not declare war on USA, I would say that this movie is simply something to make us laugh. Also it provides elements of a good party game: naming the movies which provide comments and plot developments throughout this film. Stay for the ending credits, there is a great rendition of "O Canada".
Monday, December 12, 2016
The Spirit of Christmas (2015)
Seen on Netflix 12/13/2016
Sweet, well-acted with a warm holiday soundtrack. Thomas Beaudoin (playing "Daniel") should be given an award for playing a most unbelievable character in a quite believable way. This is a holiday romance. Like any holiday film, do not over-think it just relax and enjoy.
Seen on Netflix 12/13/2016
Sweet, well-acted with a warm holiday soundtrack. Thomas Beaudoin (playing "Daniel") should be given an award for playing a most unbelievable character in a quite believable way. This is a holiday romance. Like any holiday film, do not over-think it just relax and enjoy.
Thursday, December 1, 2016
Joe Rogan: Triggered
2016 comedy special on Netflix (watched 12/02/2016)
This show is very politically incorrect and very funny. Towards the conclusion, Mr. Rogan's stand-up went a little Exorcist-ish (for about 2 minutes too long), but otherwise no complaints from me. Obviously this standup should be considered as rated R for language and mature content, but most stand-ups are in that category. Good production values and editing. Well-placed stills at the beginning of the show.
2016 comedy special on Netflix (watched 12/02/2016)
This show is very politically incorrect and very funny. Towards the conclusion, Mr. Rogan's stand-up went a little Exorcist-ish (for about 2 minutes too long), but otherwise no complaints from me. Obviously this standup should be considered as rated R for language and mature content, but most stand-ups are in that category. Good production values and editing. Well-placed stills at the beginning of the show.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Dark Places (2015) R
seen on Amazon Prime 11/2016
The acting, cinematography and soundtrack were good, but the story was not. Perhaps the time limitations of a movie format is to blame. I found the motivations, goals and general behavior of the characters illogical and nonsensical. Perhaps a director's cut version would fill in the gaps. However as the movie currently exists, unless you are a fan of Charlize Theron, skip this movie.
seen on Amazon Prime 11/2016
The acting, cinematography and soundtrack were good, but the story was not. Perhaps the time limitations of a movie format is to blame. I found the motivations, goals and general behavior of the characters illogical and nonsensical. Perhaps a director's cut version would fill in the gaps. However as the movie currently exists, unless you are a fan of Charlize Theron, skip this movie.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Black Mirror
Season 3 (6 episodes)
(seen on Netflix 10/2016)
My review covers season 3 of Black Mirror. Star ratings by episode in this season are: Nosedive@3/5, Playtest@2/5, Shut Up and Dance@2/5, San Junipero@5/5, Men Against Fire@3/5 and Hated in the Nation@4/5. This is an anthology series (with a 4th season coming to USA in 2017). A theme of how technology may be affecting us in the near future runs through all episodes of this series. Season 3 episodes are well-directed, skillfully acted and accompanied by superior production values (cinematography, soundtrack, editing). The low star ratings are primarily due to plot and content issues. Like any anthology, printed or visual, quite often not every section will be equally liked or appreciated by any one individual. Some episodes may make the viewer feel uncomfortable or even repelled. My advice is to sample each. Scan them to see the thumbnail images. Do not worry about spoilers. Just a minor warning on episode 6 of season 3, the conclusion does feel like an actual ending. Perhaps season 4 will address that issue.
Season 3 (6 episodes)
(seen on Netflix 10/2016)
My review covers season 3 of Black Mirror. Star ratings by episode in this season are: Nosedive@3/5, Playtest@2/5, Shut Up and Dance@2/5, San Junipero@5/5, Men Against Fire@3/5 and Hated in the Nation@4/5. This is an anthology series (with a 4th season coming to USA in 2017). A theme of how technology may be affecting us in the near future runs through all episodes of this series. Season 3 episodes are well-directed, skillfully acted and accompanied by superior production values (cinematography, soundtrack, editing). The low star ratings are primarily due to plot and content issues. Like any anthology, printed or visual, quite often not every section will be equally liked or appreciated by any one individual. Some episodes may make the viewer feel uncomfortable or even repelled. My advice is to sample each. Scan them to see the thumbnail images. Do not worry about spoilers. Just a minor warning on episode 6 of season 3, the conclusion does feel like an actual ending. Perhaps season 4 will address that issue.
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