All posts by scottmet99

2011 Films, Best Documentary Feature Oscar Winners, Documentary, Sports

Undefeated-2011

July 25, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Undefeated-2011

Director Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin

Starring Montrail “Money” Brown

Scott’s Review #134

Reviewed July 25, 2014

Grade: B

Undefeated (2011) is an emotional documentary, a true story of a high school football coach brought into a struggling, poor, suburban Memphis area high school and leading the team to a championship title.

The story of the coach taking various students under his wing, father-figure style, and helping them succeed not only in football but in academics as well is inspiring and heartwarming.

The coach’s passion shines through to the viewer.

As wonderful a story as it is, I felt slightly let down because, yet again, the slant is an affluent white family swooping into a poor Black neighborhood and saving the Black kids with their mighty influence.

Why can’t we see a film that is the reverse?

In the twenty-first century, this is becoming slightly offensive and one-sided. It is The Blind Side (2009) with real people!

With that rant out of the way, the documentary is pretty awe-inspiring, and the coach is portrayed as a fantastic, truly caring human being.

I laughed, cried, and rooted for the struggling football team to victory.

The portion on what has since happened to the football players is interesting to see.

Undefeated won the Best Documentary Oscar in 2012.

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Documentary-Feature (won)

2013 Films, Biography, Drama, Independent, Independent Drama

Lovelace-2013

July 24, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Lovelace-2013

Directors Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman

Starring Amanda Seyfried

Scott’s Review #133

Reviewed July 24, 2014

Grade: B

Lovelace (2013) is an account of famous 1970s porn star, Linda Lovelace, and her rise to stardom and inevitable fall from the spotlight.

Her difficult family life, abusive relationships, and her attempt to escape the porn world for good are explored.

The film tells the story from Lovelace’s point of view, based on her tell-all autobiography, and portrays her in a very sympathetic way.

Whether all of the abuse and struggles that Lovelace claimed are to be believed is up to the viewer.

Lovelace, the film, comes across as similar to Boogie Nights (1997)- even the 1970s soundtrack is eerily alike, but inferior to that masterpiece.

The only character whose past is fully explored is Linda Lovelace, the sole focal point; the others are simply extensions of her character.

One major issue I found with the film is Amanda Seyfried’s casting as Linda Lovelace.

Seyfried does not have the plain-Jane or girl-next-door characteristics that the real Lovelace had. She comes across as soft and gentle, much too much for this particular role.

Conversely, the casting of Sharon Stone and Peter Sarsgaard is excellent, as each is dynamic in their respective roles. Stone should have received much more acclaim for her role.

As Lovelace’s mother, she is gritty, steely, and unsympathetic.

The film contains a who’s who of Hollywood names involved in small roles.

Another issue is that the film seems like a made-for-television movie, and considering the subject matter is the porn industry, it seems awfully watered down and not harsh enough.

Lovelace (2013) is entertaining enough to keep one’s interest but is not riveting or in-depth enough to be a major success.

2013 Films, Arabic, Drama, International, International Drama

Omar-2013

July 24, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Omar-2013

Director Hany Abu-Assad

Starring Adam Bakri

Scott’s Review #132

Reviewed July 24, 2014

Grade: B

Omar is a 2013 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar nominee.

Omar tells the story of a young Palestinian man living in the political unrest of Israel, personally conflicted, and a freedom fighter, sympathetic to the other side.

He is in love with a young girl whose brother is a leader in the freedom fight, and their romance eventually becomes a love triangle.

Once Omar is arrested on suspicion of murdering a soldier, a series of events take place that makes the audience wonder what side of the fence he is on and who his allegiance lies with.

The film starts slowly and has too much emphasis on the romantic story- seemingly endless scenes of Omar and Nadia professing their love and passing notes to each other.

The film seems unsure whether it wants to be a political thriller or a romance film.

About thirty minutes in, it kicks into high gear as the arrest and the political cat-and-mouse aspects come to the forefront.

The ending is unexpected and excellent.

At times, though, the story is a bit unrealistic and implausible, especially in some prison scenes. Would a Palestinian traitor be given a second chance and not killed instantly? Would the prisoner and interrogator become friends?

Certain aspects of the film seem plot-driven and too convenient to be realistic, but I was enraptured with the story overall, minus the romance, which seemed overextended and sappy.

Oscar Nominations: Best Foreign Language Film

2011 Films, Drama, Independent, Independent Drama, Independent Thriller, Thriller

The Loneliest Planet-2011

July 24, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

The Loneliest Planet-2011

Director Julia Loktev

Starring Hani Furstenberg, Gael García Bernal

Scott’s Review #131

Reviewed July 24, 2014

Grade: B-

The Loneliest Planet (2011) is an independent film with incredibly gorgeous cinematography of the Georgian landscape (outside Russia), where the entire movie is set.

The story centers around a young couple, Alex (Gael García Bernal) and Nica (Hani Furstenberg), on a backpacking excursion through the mountains.

Their relationship is tested along the way, mainly because of their camping guide, a man who comes between them as the plot unfolds and a romantic triangle begins to emerge.

All three characters are complex, likable at times, and annoying at other times, so that is a satisfying part of the film.

The dynamic between the three individuals is interesting when action happens, which leads to my major gripe with The Loneliest Planet.

The biggest negative is that the story moves at a painfully slow pace, and while I don’t mind slow-moving films, the extremely long sequences of watching the three characters trek across the countryside with backpacks and absolutely no dialogue mean nothing happens.

When the story does develop, the audience empathizes with each character.

The ending is abrupt and ultimately unsatisfying.

As a film with lavish footage of picturesque landscapes, few are fortunate enough to see, I’d give this film a solid A, but for the compelling storytelling, the film is lackluster as a whole.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Director-Julia Loktev

1957 Films, Drama, Film noir

The Strange One-1957

July 23, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

The Strange One-1957

Director Jack Garfein

Starring Ben Gazzara, Pat Hingle

Scott’s Review #129

Reviewed July 23, 2014

Grade: B

The Strange One is a strange (no pun intended) obscure psychological drama from 1957 starring a very young Ben Gazzara and George Peppard.

The setting is a military academy where bullying and intimidation run rampant between the young cadets and some of the staff.

The sadistic lead bully is Gazzara, who is mesmerizing in his low-key yet frightening portrayal of a macho guy who gets what he wants and decides to destroy his victims.

The film reminds me of an extended Twilight Zone episode. It feels like a television thriller but is effective as a black-and-white shot.

Gazzara stands out in the cast as a charming, sadistic bully in a military academy who terrorizes and manipulates anyone in his path.

One flaw is there is no explanation for his behavior. How did he become so terrorizing? Was he abused? What is his motivation?

In a sense, however, this makes it all the more fascinating.

Some homoerotic scenes are surprising to find in films in 1957 when the Production Code was so strict.

The Strange One is an interesting little film.

2013 Films, Action, Horror, Los Angeles, Social Issues

The Purge-2013

July 23, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

The Purge-2013

Director James DeMonaco

Starring Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey

Scott’s Review #128

Reviewed July 23, 2014

Grade: A-

On paper, the premise of The Purge (2013) is intriguing. It immediately caught my attention, and I was compelled to see it.

The government, fed up with the overwhelming crime and prison overcrowding, decides to initiate a once-a-year purge, where anything goes.

It’s like Christmas for the criminals and the insane.

All emergency and police services shut down on this night, and citizens are left to their own devices as a way to purge the violent and aggressive instincts from human systems.

An affluent family, led by a security systems genius (Ethan Hawke), nestles in their lavish home.

Of course, events go awry, and chaos ensues.

The film has suspense, thrills, frights, and a bit of humor, while raising questions of class distinction and societal inequality: Why are the wealthy better off than the poor? Do they deserve to be?

I enjoyed the setting of the wealthy, gated Los Angeles community and the eerily Stepford-wife-like atmosphere of the neighborhood, where housewives delivered casseroles and other dishes to each other for the big night.

Throughout this sunny environment, the viewer could sense a too-good-to-be-true cheerfulness and the darkness to follow, anticipated as sunset emerged.

I found this film unpredictable and edge-of-your-seat, and it delved into a home-invasion thriller that worked well.

I couldn’t predict what would happen next, and that was incredibly entertaining.

I am unsure whether some of the humor in the film was intentional; some of the kills were over the top and included one-liners, but The Purge (2013) is a crisp, fun, summer popcorn horror film.

2012 Films, Drama, Historical Drama, Period Drama, Romantic Drama

Anna Karenina-2012

July 22, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Anna Karenina-2012

Director Joe Wright

Starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law

Scott’s Review #126

Reviewed July 22, 2014

Grade: B+

Anna Karenina (2012) is the film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic novel.

Shamefully, I hadn’t read the novel, but I was familiar with the story, so I wasn’t sure how successful the transition from novel to film would be.

The transition proved to be quite successful, as it would turn out.

Being a fan of director Joe Wright, who did wonderful work directing Atonement in 2007, I consider him a master of costumed period pieces, and Anna Karenina is no different in that regard.

It differs, however, in how it is shot. The film is non-traditional, shot with jarring, quick camera movements interspersed with musical numbers.

It resembles Moulin Rouge (2001) in style and isn’t for everyone’s tastes. I enjoy this technique, and combined with the wonderful art direction/costumes, it makes for modern, unique storytelling.

Keira Knightley is adequate as Anna, but nothing special. I have to wonder if she was cast simply because she is typically the lead in Joe Wright films.

It is a tragedy, of course, and a tale of a lonely, love-torn young woman conflicted between two high-class men.

On a broader scale, it’s a story of the romantic entanglements of the high-class world and their trials and tribulations, centering on Anna.

The film’s look impressed me more than the story did.

Oscar Nominations: 1 win-Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design (won)

1984 Films, Horror, Slasher

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter-1984

July 21, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter-1984

Director Joseph Zito

Starring Kimberly Beck, Corey Feldman

Scott’s Review #125

Reviewed July 21, 2014

Grade: B

Being the 4^th chapter in the popular Friday the 13^th saga, and the shameless marketing of this installment as being the final chapter, obviously a fib since the ending of the film sets up another sequel, I have a soft spot for this Friday the 13th sequel.

If I am being honest, with each viewing, I realize more and more it’s not nearly as good as the first three.

From a storyline and technical perspective, it is a crappy movie.

It now seems incredibly dated and of its time- the acting is mediocre at best, but fans of the franchise will love it.

It’s predictable, much like eating at McDonald’s, you know exactly what you will get, and that is fine for a certain audience.

A gathering of horny, pot, and beer-induced teens flock to Camp Crystal Lake for a weekend of revelry. Apparently not knowing, or caring, that dozens of other teens have been slaughtered there before, they begin their partying.

For horror fans, there is comfort in this film. We know the youths will be killed- we just don’t know how or when. That’s the fun and beauty of it.

Will someone be decapitated? Lose a limb? Will the murder weapon be an ax or a machete? Who will be the last remaining victim?

The introduction of the twins is a nice touch, and a very young Crispin Glover appears.

The addition of Corey Feldman to this one adds child feistiness. Otherwise, it’s pretty formulaic, and not much sets it apart from the others.

Fans of the franchise will love Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984), all others stay away.

2012 Films, Documentary, New York City

The Central Park Five- 2012

July 21, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

The Central Park Five-2012

Directors Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon

Starring Antron McCray

Scott’s Review #124

Reviewed July 21, 2014

Grade: B+

The Central Park Five (2012) is a fascinating documentary surrounding the infamous 1989 events of the Central Park jogger, who was raped, beaten, and left for dead one night.

I remember the case well but was too young to know the details and circumstances involved.

Suppose one believes the documentary presented.

In that case, one is to be outraged and disgusted by police, detectives, and attorneys who railroaded and influenced the youths found guilty because they assumed they were guilty.

Youths who were later found to be innocent after years of wasting away in prison.

It saddens me how the media turned the case into a witch hunt and sensationalized the story. What is sadder is that this still happens today.

I like documentaries that present both sides, but according to the film, no attorneys, detectives, or police would comment so that I will accept this as truth.

After the youths were exonerated, no apology was ever issued.

It is a sad day when detectives can pressure and threaten someone into a confession. In modern times, DNA evidence has come to the rescue of the falsely accused.

As with anything, there are two sides to every story, but one can’t help but wonder: if the police did no wrongdoing, then why not comment on the events?

The Central Park Five (2012) is a shockingly truthful, informative documentary.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Documentary Feature

2012 Films, British, Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama

Quartet- 2012

July 20, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Quartet-2012

Director Dustin Hoffman

Starring Maggie Smith

Scott’s Review #122

Reviewed July 20, 2014

Grade: B+

Quartet (2012) is a fantastic little British film, directed by Dustin Hoffman, and starring the always wonderful Maggie Smith, whom one might argue could be watched in anything.

I certainly could.

Smith stars as a stubborn retired opera singer who begrudgingly settles in at Beecham House, a luxurious senior retirement home for former musicians in their final years.

There, she reunites with colleagues from years past who try to reunite for a concert to save the home from foreclosure.

The cast of senior citizens in Quartet is quite likable, and it’s one of the few smart films that handles aging gracefully.

Comedy and drama mix as the intelligent characters are treated as such in their final years, with a hint of soap opera, since some were intimate with others in years past, and the current hijinks are hysterical.

The film treats aging with respect and dignity, not as a joke, which is one aspect I adore.

A talent-filled cast of British theater actors, along with some real-life musicians, makes this film a treat.

It is terrific to see Pauline Collins (Upstairs/Downstairs) in a large role.

2013 Films, Action, Blockbuster, Horror, Post-apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Thriller, Zombie

World War Z-2013

July 20, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

World War Z-2013

Director Marc Forster

Starring Brad Pitt

Scott’s Review #121

Reviewed July 20, 2014

Grade: B

World War Z (2013) is the type of film that is a summer hit but will most likely be forgotten over the years.

It is a slightly above-average, enjoyable action/ zombie thriller, but not much more.

It stars Brad Pitt as a former United Nations investigator called in to save the world from a zombie pandemic. The crisis spreads simultaneously across major cities worldwide.

The film sees Pitt traversing the globe in an attempt to find a cure for the epidemic before it is too late and the zombies make the world extinct of humans.

The zombies are super zombies: they can fly and move at lightning speed, making them ultra-dangerous.

The story is implausible and plot-driven, but it doesn’t matter and works on some level. My theory for this success is that the film is fast-paced, the action starts almost immediately, and Brad Pitt is charismatic.

He is the star, and all the action centers around him.

The film contains exciting, tense scenes, including a plane crash sequence and a chase around a medical lab.

World War Z (2013) is a popcorn film meant to be sat back and enjoyed, not overanalyzed or taken too seriously.

It is a perfect summer hit.

2012 Films, Chilean, Drama, Historical Drama, International, International Drama

No-2012

July 17, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

No-2012

Director Pablo Larraín

Starring Gael García Bernal

Scott’s Review #119

Reviewed July 17, 2014

Grade: B

No is a 2012 Best Foreign Language film nominee that centers around a Chilean ad executive’s campaign to oust a powerful Chilean dictator (Pinochet) from power circa 1988.

The ad executive (played by Gael García Bernal) struggles to create a powerful campaign to influence the media and the voters.

The movie has a documentary-style look and is visually interesting.

You experience firsthand how difficult it was to build a successful campaign amid the political unrest in Chile at the time.

The fact that the film is based on a true story adds a level of interest.

While watching the film, it felt like 1988, and I felt transported back in time, unlike many period films where sets look dressed up for the period.

A detraction of No (2012) was its painfully slow pace, which occasionally made it drag.

Oscar Nominations: Best Foreign Language Film

1985 Films, Horror, Slasher

Friday the 13th: Part V: A New Beginning-1985

July 17, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Friday the 13th: Part V: A New Beginning-1985

Director Danny Steinmann

Starring John Sheperd, Melanie Kinnaman

Scott’s Review #118

Reviewed July 17, 2014

Grade: B

The fifth installment of the seemingly never-ending Friday the 13^th franchise, Part V (1985), offers viewers a twist, one that sadly did not go over well with horror audiences.

Hardly high art and initially hated by me, I have grown fond a this film over the years after repeated viewings.

Originally, I was not crazy about the twist at the end of the film, but I now recognize that, for this type of film, it’s worth appreciating an attempt to do something different.

The lighting is brighter and more modern than its predecessor, Part IV, despite being made only a year later.

There is greater comedy in this one- the hillbillies are laugh-out-loud funny, and the waitress scene is howlingly awful in the acting department.

Most of the acting is atrocious and laughable, but a much-needed change of setting away from Camp Crystal Lake works and feels refreshing.

The final victim is, for a change, not a teenager, but a mature, intelligent young woman.

Released smack dab in the middle of the 1980s, the film has a jarring, dated look that doesn’t do it any favors when it comes to longevity.

The film cannot compare to the original or even the first three installments (the best, in my opinion), but it is more experimental than any of the others, which deserves some credit.

2013 Films, Drama, Independent, Independent Drama, Labor Day

Labor Day-2013

July 17, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Labor Day-2013

Director Jason Reitman

Starring Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin

Scott’s Review #116

Reviewed July 17, 2014

Grade: B+

Labor Day (2013) is quite simply a modern love story.

Set in 1987 on a hot Labor Day weekend in New Hampshire, a boy and his mother are approached by an escaped convict pleading for help.

They reluctantly agree, and what follows is a weekend of mixed emotions and bonding among the three.

Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin have great chemistry as the leads, and although the film feels like it was set in 1987, it looks quite modern.

The woman is divorced and insecure and bordering on being a shut-in. The son is more like the parent, taking care of her and running errands.

An older version of the son narrates the film (played by Tobey Maguire). Questions run through the viewer’s mind throughout the film, which is a major positive.

Can the convict be trusted? Is he guilty or is there more to the story? Is the mother falling for him or pretending to escape?

All the action plays out over one weekend while the town is on high alert and everyone searches for the escaped convict, and most of it takes place in the family home, giving the film a stage-production feel.

The film includes tense moments and flashbacks of both the convict’s and the woman’s lives before they meet, so we, as viewers, get to know them well.

Despite their differences, the couple has a rooting value to them thanks to Brolin’s and Winslet’s talents.

Labor Day (2013) is a well-made film that received little recognition.

1938 Films, Comedy, Kids, Musical, Musical Comedy

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm-1938

July 16, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm-1938

Director Allan Dwan

Starring Shirley Temple

Scott’s Review #113

Reviewed July 16, 2014

Grade: B

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938) is one of several Shirley Temple films released in the 1930s and 1940s.

In this story, Rebecca (Temple) is a confident child singer auditioning for a New York City radio gig with her opportunistic Uncle. Through a series of mishaps, she winds up outside the city with her aunt and other people living on or near the farm.

The radio people race to find Rebecca in time and make her a star. Other romantic subplots involving the supporting characters occur.

The film is innocent and cutesy, but you must be a Shirley Temple fan to enjoy it truly. If not, you might find it contrived and sentimental.

It falls somewhere in the middle for me. While I enjoyed the Shirley Temple musical numbers and the star’s talent, the story was predictable, and no surprises were in store. It felt more like a pleasant trip down memory lane.

The film is harmless and contains the standard Temple curls, smiles, and joyfulness. The supporting cast includes Jack Haley (The Wizard of Oz) and Gloria Stuart (Titanic-1997).

2013 Films, Horror, Supernatural Horror

Mama-2013

July 15, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Mama-2013

Director Andres Muschietti

Starring Jessica Chastain

Scott’s Review #112

Reviewed July 15, 2014

Grade: C

Mama is a 2013 horror film that surprisingly stars Jessica Chastain, who one might assume is too high-brow for horror given her recent Oscar nominations.

Mama tells the story of two little girls, involved in a car accident, who survive on their own for years until finally rescued and raised by Chastain.

This film had both positives and negatives.

The opening sequence involving the girls’ troubled father and the drive through the countryside to the car wreck is realistic and compelling.

The snow and drifts have a picturesque, haunting beauty.

Throughout the film, some unique, effective visuals create a mysterious ambiance.

However, the film’s main negative is Chastain.

A top-notch actress, I did not, for an instant, buy her as a short-haired, raven-dyed, rocker chick with tattoos and a tough-girl persona.

It did not work at all.

The story as a whole was convoluted, and when the final credits rolled, it made no sense to me.

As a whole, Mama (2013) was not scary (sadly rated PG-13) but had some nice moments.

2013 Films, Drama, Independent, Independent Drama, LGBTQ+ Drama, LGBTQ+ Films

Concussion- 2013

July 15, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Concussion-2013

Director Stacie Passon

Starring Robin Weigert

Scott’s Review #111

Reviewed July 15, 2014

Grade: B+

Concussion (2013) is a small, interesting, independent film that tells the story of an affluent Westchester County, NY housewife who is a lesbian.

Brilliantly played by Robin Weigert, the woman is married to another woman and decides to become an escort for other women experimenting with their sexuality.

On paper, it reads like a comedy, but it is a character study and strictly a drama.

The woman (Abby) has a seemingly happy marriage. Her wife is a high-powered attorney, and Abby stays home and raises the kids.

But she is bored and conflicted in her marriage, and something is missing. She loves her wife, and they have a wonderful circle of friends, both gay and straight.

They throw dinner parties and have a sense of togetherness.

The escort scenes aren’t what you might expect. Very little sexual content occurs, but rather bonds can form between escort and client.

I love the way no lesbian stereotypes are portrayed- both main characters are intelligent, attractive, and feminine.

The clientele is not dangerous, trashy, or flighty.

Concussion (2013) is not a lesbian film per se, but it’s a human film- anyone in a long-term commitment or anyone who admires a character-driven film will relate to this movie, and it should be viewed.

2013 Films, Horror, Supernatural Horror

Carrie- 2013

July 15, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Carrie-2013

Director Kimberly Peirce

Starring Chloe Grace Moretz

Scott’s Review #110

Reviewed July 15, 2014

Grade: C-

Carrie is a 2013 remake of the classic 1976 horror masterpiece of the same name directed by Brian De Palma and adapted from the Stephen King novel.

Comparing the two is difficult since the original is brilliant.

The remake of Carrie showed some potential in the first half as the setup developed, and it’s overall fairly entertaining.

Carrie White (Moretz) is a bullied outcast teenager with telekinetic powers. She can move things, usually when she’s angry.

Her mother, played by Julianne Moore, is a repressed Christian woman with issues about sex (among other things).

Following a cruel encounter in the locker room, one of the popular girls, feeling guilty, talks her boyfriend into taking Carrie to the prom.

Chloe Grace Moretz is okay as Carrie but hardly seems nerdy or homely enough to pull it off completely. She could easily have portrayed one of the popular girls.

Julianne Moore is too sympathetic to be believable as the crazy Mrs. White, so that doesn’t work either.

Finally, the actresses playing Sue Snell (Gabriella Wilde) and Chris (Portia Doubleday) should be reversed. Chris is a despicable character, comfortable as the queen bee, but Doubleday plays her as awkward and insecure.

Meanwhile, Wilde feels better suited to play a vicious, bitchy character.

So, the casting has issues.

In the original, the audience feels Carrie’s rage and cheers her on in her revenge, but that doesn’t happen in this version. There wasn’t enough justification to warrant the revenge.

And since when did having telekinesis result in being able to fly?

Carrie circa 2013 is a pale imitation of the classic 1976 horror film, but I suppose not a complete dud either.

2011 Films, Comedy, Drama, Independent, Independent Comedy, Independent Drama

Jeff, Who Lives at Home-2011

July 12, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Jeff, Who Lives at Home-2011

Directors Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass

Starring Jason Segel, Ed Helms

Scott’s Review #107

Reviewed July 12, 2014

Grade: B

I confess to not being a huge fan of Jason Segel.

Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011) tells the story of a slacker who lives with his mother and in the shadow of his successful brother, played by Ed Helms.

He regularly smokes pot and looks for meaning in random occurrences.

One day, he begins an adventure when he believes he sees meaning in a phone call, and it sets up a series of mishaps involving his brother and estranged wife, played by Judy Greer.

The secondary story involves the mother (Susan Sarandon), who leads a dull life working a mundane job. She suddenly develops a secret admirer at her job.

The film was much better than expected.

As the movie unfolds, it becomes a day in the life of a dysfunctional yet loving family.

I expected a silly, dumb comedy given the star and the premise, but the film was much better than that. It is a nicely layered, touching movie with a message and a touch of spirituality.

I loved the ending and was impressed by the heartfelt nature of this small slice-of-life film.

1994 Films, Comedy, Screwball Comedy

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective-1994

July 12, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective-1994

Director Tom Shadyac

Starring Jim Carrey

Scott’s Review #106

Reviewed July 12, 2014

Grade: D-

Ace Ventura: Pet Detective is a silly comedy from 1994 starring Jim Carrey as a goofy private investigator specializing in pet rescue.

He is fairly inept but is hired by the Miami Dolphins to find their stolen mascot.

The film is ridiculous on almost every level- bad clichés, bad acting, mostly by the football players, and a dumb plot.

The saving grace of the film is Jim Carrey, who defined the goofy, slapstick film star of the 1990s and, although over-the-top, is quite funny with his weird gestures and absurd mannerisms.

If the writing were only slightly better- think Dumb and Dumber (1994) or The Mask (1994), this film would have been almost enjoyable, but.

Still, it’s the definition of dumb fun, just a little too far, and sooner rather than later, it becomes convoluted and tedious.

A cameo appearance by Dan Marino, obviously a poor actor, just made this movie seem sad and desperate.

Sean Young is appealing as the villain.

1957 Films, Comedy, Romantic Comedy

An Affair to Remember-1957

July 12, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

An Affair to Remember-1957

Director Leo McCarey

Starring Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr

Scott’s Review #105

Reviewed July 12, 2014

Grade: B

An Affair to Remember (1957) is an excellent example of how romantic comedies have changed.

‘rom-com’ is not my genre of choice as typically they are clichéd and predictable. The romantic comedies in years past were vastly different, containing a glamorous innocence lacking in today’s generic rom-com.

In An Affair to Remember, the charisma of Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr makes the movie. They portray two strangers who take a luxury cruise and inexplicably fall madly in love despite having significant others at home.

The couple wine and dine with each other, revel in merriment for a week and make a pact that if they don’t forget each other in a year, they will meet at the top of the Empire State Building on a specified day and time.

It does not get much more romantic than that.

The extravagance of the gorgeous sets on the cruise ship makes the film a visually satisfying experience. In my book, any movie set in New York City, as the second half does, is a plus.

An Affair to Remember is not a cutting-edge film, though for 1957, adultery may have raised a few eyebrows, but rather a pleasant, warm romantic comedy of the past.

It’s meant to sit back and escape with a sappy, sweet, fun romance.

Oscar Nominations: Best Scoring, Best Song, “An Affair to Remember”, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography

1987 Films, Horror, International, International Horror, Italian, Italian Horror

Opera-1987

July 11, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

Opera-1987

Director Dario Argento

Starring Cristina Marsillach, Ian Charleson

Scott’s Review #104

Reviewed July 11, 2014

Grade: B+

Opera is a 1987 Italian horror film directed by Dario Argento.

The story revolves around a theatrical production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Italian opera, “Macbeth,” as the understudy takes on the lead role of Lady Macbeth after the star is hit by a car, and strange, horrific events begin to unfold.

The film contains traditional Argento elements- stylistic, extreme close-ups, and weird camera angles.

Members of the cast are systematically murdered as the killer forces the film’s heroine to watch- aided by a device which, if she blinks, sharp nails will go through her eyes.

The ending is killer- no pun intended. I love surprise endings in horror films, and this one was dynamite.

My main criticism of the film is the horrendous dubbing, which distracted me a great deal. It has a muffled, hard-to-hear quality to it and no subtitles.

I’d rather it had been available in Italian with English subtitles. The film needs to be upgraded to Blu-ray ASAP.

Another odd aspect of the film is the mixture of operatic and heavy metal music at each kill. It did not seem to fit the film at all.

Not Argento’s best- Suspiria (1977) and Deep Red (1975) have that honor, but it’s a very good, enjoyable cinematic horror film.

2012 Films, Documentary, Israeli

The Gatekeepers-2012

July 10, 2014 scottmet99 Leave a comment

The Gatekeepers-2012

Director Dror Moreh

Starring Ami Ayalon

Scott’s Review #103

Reviewed July 10, 2014

Grade: B-

I truly wanted to love The Gatekeepers, an Oscar-nominated documentary from 2012, but only mildly enjoyed it.

I find the nomination process and award decisions for documentaries baffling. In recent years, it is beginning to mirror the Foreign Language film selection process.

The one documentary of the five that is brilliant (How to Survive a Plague) did not win, and the documentary that did win (Searching for Sugar Man) was good, but not great.

The Gatekeepers explores an important, informative topic-the Israeli Secret Service.

The documentary consists of interviews with six former Secret Service members and is a tell-all of past situations and how the members handled them.

The documentary also uses real footage and computer animation to explain how the Secret Service becomes involved in military activity.

Important stuff, but it comes across as a bit dry and relatively dull.

After thirty minutes, I found myself watching the clock and tuning out.

I respect the documentary for its subject matter, but it could have used a bit more spice to keep things moving.

Oscar Nominations: Best Documentary Feature

2013 Films, Ghost Story, Horror, Supernatural Horror

The Conjuring-2013

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The Conjuring-2013

Director James Wan

Starring Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga

Scott’s Review #102

Reviewed July 10, 2014

Grade: A-

The Conjuring (2013) is one of the best horror films I have seen in recent years.

It tells the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren, played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, respectively, paranormal investigators who come to the aid of a haunted farm family, the Perrons, led by Ron Livingston and Lili Taylor.

The film is set in Rhode Island, circa 1971, and is loosely based on true events.

Typically in modern horror films, one is treated to a) gore or b) attempted scares that are seen a mile away.

The Conjuring is a classic ghost story with genuine frights.

A big difference from other standard horror films is that the audience cares about the characters. One believes they are a family being terrorized by demons and sympathizes with them.

The phrase “based on a true story” is meaningless.

Who cares? It’s a scary film with likable characters.

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are the standouts for me, as well as one refreshing child actor who can act without the cutesiness or overacting too often found in child actors today.

The costume/set designers do an excellent job; the film has a genuine early 1970s look that’s tremendously effective.

The Conjuring (2013) is an eerie, frightening, jump-out-of-your-seat, fun time.

1970 Films, Drama

Five Easy Pieces-1970

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Five Easy Pieces-1970

Director Bob Rafelson

Starring Jack Nicholson

Scott’s Review #101

Reviewed July 10, 2014

Grade: A-

Five Easy Pieces (1970) is Jack Nicholson’s first leading role, and as you watch it now, it is clear that Bobby Dupea influenced many of his later performances.

The film is a quiet character study of a talented yet unhappy concert pianist who gives up his privileged life of affluence and performing to lead a simple, blue-collar life on an oil rig and date a neurotic, lonely waitress, played wonderfully by Karen Black.

He returns, via a road trip, to his upper-class family to visit his ailing father.

With Black in tow, they travel from California to remote Washington, with a couple of excellent scenes involving two angry, at-life female hitchhikers, and a cold waitress at a coffee shop where Nicholson performs his infamous “chicken sandwich” scene.

It is a story of one man’s loneliness and his conflict between the two lives he has lived and his turmoil at deciding where he belongs- a conflict many people wrestle with.

He is not a happy man.

Karen Black is excellent as the needy, clingy girlfriend, and Sally Struthers has a small but interesting role as a flirtatious girl.

The film drags at times, moving very slowly, but it does an excellent job of getting inside one man’s mind and sharing the pain with the audience.

The film is nuanced, as the conflict Dupea feels pulls at his very being, and it conveys this incredibly well. The final scene is simply mesmerizing in its power.

Five Easy Pieces (1970) is a purely character-driven and wonderfully life-questioning film.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor-Jack Nicholson, Best Supporting Actress-Karen Black, Best Story or Screenplay Based on Factual Material or Material Not Previously Published or Produced

Golden Globe Nominations: 1 win-Best Picture-Drama, Best Director-Bob Rafelson, Best Actor-Drama-Jack Nicholson, Best Supporting Actress- Karen Black (won), Best Screenplay

Welcome to my blog!1,555 reviews posted so far! I'm Scott Segrell and I reside in Stamford, CT. My site features hundreds of film reviews I have written since I launched the site in 2014. I hope you enjoy reading my latest reviews or searching for your own favorites to see if we agree. Please see my Recent Posts section, and don't forget to utilize the tags and category links.