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.

Words and Pictures

(2013)

This movie makes a romantic comedy enjoyable. Although it languished on my queue for a while, I enjoyed it. Even with the cast, I was afraid that the conflict might degenerate into something slapstick and artificial. I should have paid more attention to its title. There is conjunction that is nested within the title which indicates a combination not a confrontation. While a couple of the scenes with the AP English class were a little too self-conscious in showcasing students' abilities, most of this movie assumes that the viewer wants to be entertained, but is not in need of pandering. I credit the writer, director and leads of this movie for keeping things honest. SPOLER It is interesting that one lead finally got the act of contrition accepted by the other, by using music. I wonder if words plus pictures equals music? That is a rhetorical question (and equation) as it was not part of the movie's plot. Since the movie did not tell me that, but only showed a short scene portraying that act, I feel that this movie can both entertain and elevate.

Sense8

(2015)
a Netflix series - season one

In the 4th episode now. I like it, but feel that I know more about some of the characters' favorite sexual positions than the plot. The actors are all charismatic and intriguing so I will push through. I would just like to know a little bit more of the sensate history. Right now, I do not even know why these 8 people were "born". Although there is a hint about the Chicago policeman during a flashback. I will have to binge watch through to make a more informed decision on a review.




CHEAT SHEET:

There are 8 "sensats"  not counting Daryl Hannah (as Angel/Angelica) and Naveen Andrews (as Jonas Maliki)

              NAME                              SEX                 OCCUPATION         MISC              LOCATION

              Will Gorski                        M                    policeperson               telepathic        Chicago, IL 

                                                                                                                     as child?

                 

               Riley Blue                          F                      DJ                                                       London,UK

                                                                                                                                      (is from Iceland)

               Lito Rodriguez                  M                    Actor                           gay                  Mexico

               Sun Bak                             F                      VP family business                             South Korea

                                                                                   And MMA fighter

              Kala Rasal                          F                      Admin of  a                 engaged            India

                                                                                  Pharmaceutical co.

               Wolfgang Bogdanow        M                    Thief                                                   ? Germany

               Capheus                             M                    Entreprneur               mother            Nairobi,Kenya
                                                                                   Bus owner                very ill                                                       

               Nomi Marks                       F                      Blogger                        lesbian             SF, Calif,                                                                                                        Transgender?

                                                                                                        Mom calls

                                                                                                         her Michael

                 

Happy Valley (2014)

Documentary


This was an effective and watchable documentary. While I did not learn any new facts, there was considerable face time with the town's residents and even with Matt Sandusky (adopted son and one of abuse victims of Jerry Sandusky). The scene where townspeople (not sure if these were residents or visitors) argued around Paterno's statue could have been shortened. While it probably was real, it felt stiff and staged. Perhaps the director was trying to show what caused the statue's eventual removal. It is good that Matt Sandusky is shown getting on with his life (minus his adoptive family). During the closing credits of the film it shows him and his children renovating a room of their home. As with the statue scene, this seemed a bit staged. I would have used those shots, but kept them much shorter. Whatever one thinks of Joe Paterno, it should remembered that there were 3 other upper level (now former) Penn State officials, currently under indictment, with shared responsibility for not protecting the victims. Obviously, it does not matter how clever and devious Jerry Sandusky was, trying to bury and "unknow" his crimes was wrong. The ending of this film shows football enthusiasm and pageantry that was both encouraging and chilling. I am glad that the community and students are healing, but will they remember that the victims were young boys, not just a football program and its fans? The survivors of this tragedy deserve privacy, but they also deserve assurances that this will not happen again just to keep a money-making program safe. This documentary raises both ethical and personal responsibility questions, that makes it a good documentary.