Change Your Image
jwills-5
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Lists
An error has ocurred. Please try againReviews
Lost (2004)
A TV-Series with all the elements to capture your attention
A saga with all the necessary elements to make this series one of the most successful American television series in each of its six seasons: a cast of actors of all nationalities and races, the American who always wants and works to stand out as a group leader; the Australian lover, ironic, conflictive, selfish,but deep caring and good person; the beautiful female prisoner persecuted by justice for executing her own ethics; the trained Iraqi that tortures and fixes all the impossible situations; the Hispanic friendly guy, kind-hearted and devoted to others; the powerful and soulless tycoon with overflowing ambitions; the scientist in search of the great truth; the Korean couple with their way of being different and quiet; the isolated child who evolves into a ruthless and unjust god for his community. Violence in all possible ways, the circumstances introducing unreal suspense elements that make viewers stick to the screen and create addiction for countless minutes, weeks and months, a good film writer and director, a paradisaical but aggressive and well made sequence that allows at every opportunity to highlight individual members'characteristics and their struggle to fight and find a solution in this remote and unknown region. The stories shown, relate countless coincidences and matches among its members and reflect many of the potential conflicts of interaction in a society, the background of the characters before they began this unasked adventure in the mysterious and lost island.
I have never been attracted to the series, except for those shown in my childhood and remote youth: Bonanza, Perry Mason, Dynasty and never thought they would come again to my attention, but this one, featured in this new world of cloud services such as Netflix, grabbed me from the first episode and I was fond of it until the last episode. There are times, in its intermediate chapters in which one wishes to quit due to repetition of similar violent scenes and surreal events but wins the expectation as to what will happen in the next chapter.
Quartet (2012)
A sensible comedy on the third age generation
A comedy that combines very good actors with a story of senility that shows with sensitivity and humor those difficult moments of seniors, that may become less dramatic in the company of other seniors in similar circumstances, and especially if they share a common pastime. In this case, the director (Dustin Hoffman) of whom I don't know if have directed other films, describes the shared life of famous musicians who in their productive age were well known interpreters in different classical music areas and who, in this last stage of their lives, find recreation and good use of their time,preparing presentations for their peers, for youths and for donors who can help them maintain their standard of living and care with dignity.
You will enjoy the movie for the music, the way they prepare their gala, the dignity with which they perform their roles, their efforts to fight the physical difficulties and not letting that the mental incapacity arrives to their bodies.
Nevertheless, Hofmann could have better exploited the superb quality of the actors, the true story on which it is based and developed a plot less obvious, more complex and with several options for the viewer.
Anyway, it's an entertaining film, enjoying the beautiful music of Verdi, especially his Rigoletto quartet, the characters of the participants, departing with a smile and preparing a reflection on how to prepare to survive this final life step,that probably many of us will also live.
To Rome with Love (2012)
A not so good Allen's movie
It is not one of the most outstanding films of Allen, but, as in all his filmography, offers to the viewer who admires him, a good time for recreation, with his characteristic black humor, telling four different stories not necessarily interwoven. Shows, this time as a continuation of the sequence of the last films, a beautiful European city, Rome, with its traditional monuments, the bohemian quarters, a middle-class family suddenly overwhelmed by fame, the lightness and superficiality of celebrities' journalists, a "prepaid" woman that generates a hard time to a newly married young provincial professional, the amateur opera singer, gravedigger in his working days, that can only have a good singing performance when bathing in the morning and encouraged by the father of his son's girl friend, mounted a ridiculous show with these characteristics, and a mature architect that acts as the voice of conscience of a young professional wanting to explore romantic alternatives with his wife's quasi-intellectual friend also willing to convert the classical architecture of the city into a modern and inconsistent one with the tradition style.
Allen is not a commercial success seeker but a director that searches for ingenious ways to convey his ideas, intelligent criticism and humor.
Allen always remain Allen .......
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
A story of human tenacity and persistence
It is not the first time that a movie presents the development of a drama in a U.S. prison. It contains elements of violence, depravity (of prisoners, their guards and the director), corruption, indifference, injustice, loneliness, solidarity, ingenuity developed by limitations, perseverance and tenacity to develop for more than two hours a good human story culminating in a happy ending "Hollywood-style".
It highlights the good performances of Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, the telling of the story from the point of view of one of the inmates (Freeman), the criticism of the prison system culminating in the desire of their oldest prisoners to stay there instead of the alternative of dealing with a hostile and unknown world as soon as they are released from this status to their new freedom (the Netherland's syndrome).
It is a message of perseverance, faith and strong commitment to a goal from inmates unfairly treated and judged as well as of indifference from a society that had created this scheme.
Blue Valentine (2010)
Hard story of love and hate
The drama of a love that is born of a passionate and intense courtship and ends in a visceral hatred where the couple's feelings for each other die and are reflected - with insults, abuse, violence and anguish by the end of the relationship -; as usual, the innocent victim will be the pair's little girl. The story contrasts the happy moments of the past with the happenings of the present: the concerns of unwanted pregnancy and acceptance process (with the cruel alternative consideration of abortion as showing the harsh world where they move their executors), the monotonous life of a low-income couples guided by the example of her dysfunctional family and highlights the sex culture predominance over other values.
Gosling's and William's performance is sensitive and credible and clearly conveys the feelings of anger and frustration and the monotonous life of a "normal" couple.
The Hours (2002)
Good Virgina's Woolf Adaptation
It's a film that creates a profound impact, for the excellent performance of the three female characters but especially because of the subjects treated, all associated with the great work of Virginia Woolf, "Mrs. Dalloway" written in 1923, and that greatly influenced twentieth-century literature with their concepts of modernism and the idea that any situation, including the inner thoughts of a person are worthy of a novel. The dilemma of suicide, clashes between the inner thoughts and the people around us, to live life for one or the other, lesbianism, are some of the main arguments that leave a deep feeling. It is recommended to read Woolf's work prior to watch the film, to understand even better the challenges and smart partnerships developed by writer and director in three women with their families and friends, who live three different periods of the twentieth century, but which have as a common denominator, ideas, thoughts and anxieties of Mrs. Dalloway. Worth watching
Callas Forever (2002)
Beautiful but disgraced Callas
Zeffirelli, director of many great operas and personal friend of Callas, develops in an artistic and sensitive way the last months of her life when she suffers from her temperament, from the abandonment and subsequent marriage of Onassis, from her loss of voice and from her addiction to tranquilizers. Larry (Jeremy Irons) manages to convince her to film Bizet's opera, which never represented on stage, taking advantage of technological advances that combine her performance at age 53 with the audio recordings in their moments of glory at age 30. A great operatic performance with high quality, wonderful music and excellent acting of all participants. Fanny Ardant (Maria Callas), manages to represent the tough but sensible character of the great diva of the twentieth century. Worth watching and enjoy.
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
A Real Classic Musical
With Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, filmed in 1953, directed by Howard Hawks is a pleasant musical heyday of Hollywood, with two very beautiful and graceful actresses who performed spontaneous and very well prepared roles that show how a beautiful woman can conquer any man with flirtatious glances and movements, while these within the materialistic philosophy of the time, as a film critique, show how money is the best arm to let her fall in love particularly if some jewels (diamonds) are included. Cheerful and jovial music, sensual dances, simple and innocent humor. Ninety minutes of diversion from a simple script that captivates and entertains the viewer. A beautiful Marilyn, innocent, naive and with great force as an actress and Jane Russell as his charming companion and contrast of her personality and intelligence. Nice film
The Artist (2011)
Modern and outstanding silent film
Silent film, black and white, French, made in 2011 shows, in an excellent direction, the time of the early silent film, its evolution to the spoken one, this generated culture of admiration for the actors, the wealth and fantasies, the crisis for the person that can not adapt to change, its decline helped by the financial crisis of 29 to lose all the tangible goods, its rejection by pride to accept a new world, a new technology (all past times were better), the hidden support of the fan who wins because she can adapt to the innovative projects in the industry, and the happy ending (characteristic of those early days of this new art). Excellent music, a very descriptive photography, outstanding performance of the two protagonists and the pet, the faithful and intelligent dog (as my dad would have enjoyed), humorous and funny, and a film that rightly deserved the awarded Oscars.
Ethan Frome (1992)
The book should be better
Based on the book by Edith Wharton, XIX century renowned American writer, is a drama that reflects in a painful way the sufferings of a poor peasant family in rural New England. Blend in the community that makes up this social group as well as in the family are elements of discrimination, abuse, confusion of values, insecurities, of indifference, lack of solidarity and passion that give the viewer a grim and sad picture about human dignity. An unknown narrator takes care to present the story to the viewer in flashback after the arrival of a new pastor who decide to visit his parishioners one by one until it meets with the main characters. The feeling that is transmitted, despite the excellent photography and beautiful winter scenery is depression and pain. Good performance by Liam Neeson. The book should be better.
Falling in Love (1984)
A love Story
It has two of the best actors of the last times in their early careers. The script of the drama is fairly simple and since the beginning of the film its end can be predicted without error. Due to the many coincidences that occur throughout the film. I liked the atmosphere of Christmas in NYC, the hectic city life and the usual executive living in the suburbs, keeping a daily routine of travel and adherence to a schedule. For this reason there are many chances to have an opportunity like the one this couple had to develop a love affair Ms. Streep, as always, an excellent actress playing the role of the perfect beautiful medium class wife. For Mr. De Niro, unlike other roles, I do not think he had to work too hard in his role. Entertaining film.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
A difficult film to understand if you have not lived in the US
With this film, Jennifer Lawrence won the Oscar for best actress in a strong performance as the main protagonist in showing how she handles a very difficult role of insecurities, psychological conflicts, loneliness, a dysfunctional environment and the shared moments with a bipolar partner. I did not like (or understand) the film in its integrity due to the local theme and the mood it was transmitted in a very "American" way containing: the admiration for football, the strange mood of protecting society from patients with mental problems, aggressiveness in the conversation .... finally jokes, slang were not easy to grasp, much less to understand his humor if the viewer did not live in United States for a while ..... this causes you to lose much of what was presented. The music, the performance of the main actors and De Niro as a father is great, but still, I did not enjoy at 100%l. Much shouting, verbal abuse in a dysfunctional family, bipolar treatment, intensity of the characters ......, superficiality in life .......
Anna Karenina (2012)
A theatrical representation of a big novel
Based on Tolstoi's great novel and developed as a theatrical representation, often includes humorous situations and actions, that never appeared in the novel. Slow in its developing, entangled in the plot, the movie wasted the great plot the writer presented and, despite the good performance of the protagonists, in particular Jude Law, leaves a feeling of confusion and frustration of what is expected to see. For this great work of art I rather prefer a more tight adaptation of what the great Count said so masterfully. Music, photography and costumes were well developed and enhanced the work, but in comparison to so many good films in 2012, this is not one of the bests.
Les Misérables (2012)
Great representation of Hugo's Masterpiece
Based on the Broadway musical hit, with a cast of excellent actors, you get a magnificent version of Victor Hugo's book, which conveys the history, violence, poverty, revolution and rebellion and different human personalities - the maternal love, the conviction of the revolutionary youth, the opportunism of the scoundrels that exploit poverty to abuse of the wretched, the repentant prisoner, the unjust and discriminatory legal system and the hard and difficult time of the French revolution that completely changed the course of contemporary history. A masterpiece of Hugo, complemented by extraordinary music, that resembles more to a Wagner opera (the leitmotifs that identify the characters and events, great costumes, continuous singing, permanent drama) that a film. A grim and harsh atmosphere of the big city, Paris, and French villages where the action happens, with a camera focused particularly on the gestures and expressions of the characters, is human comedy at its best, or rather, the human tragedy .
Amour (2012)
A sensitive film
A sensitive film that clearly reflects the anguish of an elderly couple when one of them becomes seriously ill beyond recovery and the entire burden of care is assumed by the husband. The action happens in the solitude of a modern urban society and provides no external support from friends or children which are busy with their own concerns. A masterful handling of the camera and the script allows the whole plot to be developed in a small city apartment, simply furnished. The viewer's interest is held by the great performance of the elderly that transmit the perceived pain, abandonment of society, the coldness of the nurses, the monotony of life and the lack of hope and dreams for the future. A situation that could be the story of anyone and that nobody would like to live. Short and hard dialogs, long silences, loneliness, longing for old times, desire for privacy, love and dedication to the other .... A real work of art
Life of Pi (2012)
An extraordinary movie. An impacting life's metaphor
One of the best movies I've seen in recent times. Beautiful photography, excellent acting, original screenplay based on a sensitive and well recognized novel that, besides allowing enjoy a good movie with amazing scenes (surely many computer generated (CGI)) provides an elaborate metaphor for life, spirituality, struggle and all those elements that are presented to us throughout the different stages of our existence. Even the most difficult, the most aggressive opponents, can be overcome given that cannot be avoided.
It is commented that seeing in 3D is even more exciting.
I have not read the novel by Yann Martel, but I will.
Lincoln (2012)
Great history film
Chronicles the last months of his life, full of anguish and pain, on the eve of his new mandate and using as a central theme the political strategy leading towards the adoption of Amendment 13 of the constitution that abolished slavery in final form in the United States and gave them the freedom they had fought both the northern states against the South in the brutal civil war still developing.
The script is developed with numerous dialogs, particularly political, among its proponents and opponents in the debates in the House of Representatives and in conversations with the president. It is evident, as in all the world, not only the need for discussion with legislators, but to negotiate their vote with threats, jobs offerings for the next government, electoral tricks to achieve the required votes, last-minute anxieties, the President's emergency pressure to the undecided or weak of character and the final achievement and success. It shows the human weakness, the potential political corruption and "lobbying" necessary to achieve something that would not have much discussion for any rational human being. It's hard to follow the plot initially for those who do not know as to detail the characters history of that era in North America, but as it progresses captivates the attention of any viewer with suspense, painful narrative of the war, the skillful representation of different political and human characters, the pressure and anxiety of the family, the leadership of Lincoln with his attitude, his philosophical and humorous anecdotes, sensitivity and recognition of many and also tedious but necessary work obliged to develop for a recognized leader by almost everyone.
Much of the story takes place in closed, dark, gloomy environments, with ongoing conversations, with a picture that reflects the atmosphere of tension, pain and anguish of those moments and tricks that many wanted to take advantage. With music by John Williams very consistent with the scenes, perfect photography, you get good lesson of history and humanity is received.
A great actor, Daniel Day-Lewis, succeed in showing all the reasons why Abraham Lincoln, with his leadership managed to shape the future of the new United States. The actions of his wife, Sallie Field as Mary Lincoln, exaggerated and out of context with what was presented, nevertheless include elements that describe the drama of the inner life of the couple and their troubles.
I loved the performance of Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens, leader of the Republican and strong supporter of the amendment, by its ironic and devastating opinions against his opponents.
Worth watching to complement and better understand what this change has meant to mankind.
Les femmes du 6e étage (2010)
Nice Comedy on social differences
Very entertaining comedy that chronicles the lives of several middle aged Spanish women a couple of youngsters, working in Paris as domestic servant girls as an alternative for wealthy families in Paris due to the increasingly scarce resource for this type of work. It shows the shallowness and boring life of the upper Parisian class, the joy of the Spanish clan, the segregation that still exists among cultures and suggests that to be happy in life, money is not the only thing.
Carmen Maura and Lola Dueñas, two of the traditional actresses of Almodovar's films as well as Natalia Verbeke as Maria provide to the film the Spanish soul that reinforces all these differences.
Funny sketches, good music, great performance by the Spanish actresses and Fabrice Luchini with a good direction and an original script.