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mmcneil007
Reviews
Elvis (2022)
Where was the bio of Elvis?
With the title Elvis, I wanted to learn more about the man. Bad Luhrman is a bit obsessed by Colonel Parker. Thus, he should've titled "Parker." Where was the discussion of Elvis in his relations with other celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Ann Margaret? Where were the discussions and display of his creative choices other then to say that he was inspired by black musicians?
The whole movie was about Colonel Parker, not Elvis. Elvis made a lot of choices and many may have an influence. However, a more in depth And sensitive portrayal of Elvis the man would be much more interesting.
I found myself wandering away from the movie thinking about Tom Hanks prosthetics more than anything else. Elvis had a successful film career which was treated as a throwaway. Nothing was discussed regarding his alliances and relationships with other celebrities. I am a fan and severely disappointed by the movie that I was looking forward to so much.
Malcolm & Marie (2021)
Oscar worthy performances
Definitely a tour the force. The last movie I saw like this, and I was reminded of it, was Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Both Zendaya and Washington poured out the repressed emotions of their relationship with realism and sincerity. The writing was crisp and appropriately responsive to each character's verbal assault on the other.
I saw a review that the movie was "pretentious." Not to my eye. There were no pretensions and carrying the verbal volleys in the confines of the house and in black and white assured there were no distractions from the focus on the dialogue.
I will watch it again since a couple of the surprises will be behind me and I will digest the dialogue further.
Messiah (2020)
Messiah in a binge. Well with it.... still talking about it....
We just watched Messiah in a two day binge watch. It was totally believable in the depiction of what it would be like in today's world if the Messiah arrived now ... the writing was balanced, nuanced and each perspective was understandable and believable. Watch and discuss the perspectives.... One takeaway is that all speculation about the future requires faith....
Kings (2017)
Empty and disconnected vision of the Rodney King riots
A muddled piece that doesn't begin to Capture LA during the riots Halle and Daniels interactions are forced. He goes from angry neighbor to love interest with no bridge in between. The makers knew what they were doing, casting two Bond actors together! That's why I tuned in. But not the best viewing for Daniel and Halle fans....
Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo (1966)
A western for those who think they don't like westerns
This is the one western that everyone should see whether you like westerns or not. The pathos, character studies, separate story lines and acting draw the viewers in to such a degree that one forgets the genre and gets immersed in the richness of the script and its diversity. Clint Eastwood's portrayal of the Man With No Name is his signature role. Eli Wallach makes Tuco the man you love to hate, and Lee Van Cleef is simply evil (and "ugly"). The score of Ennio Morricone has become iconic and the core and side show to film festivals featuring director Sergio Leone's other films. The quest for greed and the twist at the end are enough for anyone to identify with who has bought a lottery ticket. The grittiness of the Civil War battle scene and the actions of "Blondie" and Tuco to both end the bloodshed and clear the way for their treasure are effective to convey the sense of agony of the Civil War. The prisoner scene and the music played during the torture scene is macabre and surreal.
So in other words there is something to trigger a variety of emotions and thoughts. The camaraderie created between Blondie and Tuco through their reward escapades to the march across the desert forced on Blondie by Tuco to their ultimate decisions at the climax (no spoiler here!), is twisted but understandable.
The brief interlude at the mission fully explains Tuco's choices and makes us understand clearly the relationship between Tuco and his brother. We get a glimpse of Tuco' mentality and why he's where he is ( a practical choice in life!). Lee Van Cleef's scenes show what motivates him and that there is no morality that stands in his way........... All in all a movie not to be missed.
Crash (2004)
Lives in change
The film does not allow any character to fall into a stereotype despite the initial appearances. Everyone is redeeming, in a greater or lessor degree, in their own world, despite their frailties and prejudices. The writing is crisp and no easy turns are taken. The film has unexpected twists but none of them are contrived. Each character is developed just enough for us to develop our opinions of them and then things change. Those of us familiar with LA will recognize the icons of the city and the mix of cultures. Each character has enough prejudice or hate in his/her repertoire of life to demonstrate we had better not be too quick to judge without exploring what might in us be similar to the characters' flaws. A must see just for the pacing and script. Malcolm
The Station Agent (2003)
TOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SLOWWWWWWW!!!!!
Way too slow and overrated. We all were expecting an innovative quirky film. Instead the social statements were weak and the narrative was plodding. No detail of the main character's desire to be alone. No development of the "friends" All we know is that she is divorced and the coffee man has a sick father. I watched the deleted scenes on the DVD and still no depth. What was all the fanfare about? Sundance? Oh well. The idea was very interesting simply not executed with any charm. The DVD slip case said one reviewer said it was hilarious. Hilarious. No real humor here!! for a little piece out in nowhere, Napoleon Dynamite shows what we might have gotten from Station Agent if it were not so self absorbed.