susanepler-11311 Reviews

Rumspringa (2022)

Contemporary Berliner Take on Pennsylvania Old Order Amish

[5/10 · 29 February 2024]

Such a refreshing opportunity for this Gay Dutch woman born in Reading Pennsylvania way back in the 1940's .This Berliner slant on an Amish male young adult spending his Rumspringa year "sowing wild oats" prior to committing / or not committing to a life of the Plain People of Lancaster County in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country is a sweet film.

The viewer has an insider look at the fashionable cynicism of the young, coddled and privileged generation surrounding us almost everywhere. As this film moves forward many of the Old Amish ways give a framework of honesty and openness to the characters trying to make jest of The Rumspringa , Jacob. This film is enjoyable on many levels and this outsider American viewer found a deep respect for Amish Values in this German made film.

Carve out time in 2024 America to see Rumspringa, You could think about honestly and expressing feelings in your own contemporary life. Take a chance and check out this film.

Queen Bees (2021)

Predictable

[3/10 · 15 February 2024]

This film has "more mature" ( my term) actors who have been around the block three or four times. Longevity for actors is similar to the goose that lays the golden eggs Year after year. Ellen Burstin and the late, great James Caan, beloved by plenty of GODFATHER fans have entered the world of elder acting work. Yes, this was Caan's Swan song. His skill and life's-work brought greatness to his performance. Burstin and Caan, two great actors are still at the top of their games. Top performances, plus elusive chemistry that happens at 21 years and at 92 years as well. Masters and Johnson observed the possibility in their human sexuality studies years ago.

Your faithful reviewer supports the concept that there are six or seven plots to films in all cultures. Queen Bees sits comfortably in one of them.

This predictable pre-pandemic flick was shot on the cheap and looks it. Did the cast wear their own duds to save production costs? The generic appearing Nursing Facility called."Whispering Pines"? The name alone yells out what is to come.

The target audience for this melodrama are the same demographic as the long in tooth performers. Some of the actors have assured that their inheritances will make their beneficiaries super happy! Old reliables such as , still trying to be super sexy should forget about it all ready. A believable Jane Curtain would never make friends or be nice.

See this flick with a grain of salt; low sodium diet plan recommended.

Don't Look Now (1973)

You Better Look

[5/10 · 8 February 2024]

This Nicholas Roeg thriller from 1973 continues on my top ten favorite films list today. This film has one of the sexiest love making scenes of all times in a non-porn flick. Set primarily in Venice in Winter, the cinematography Is breathtaking in a fog of cold exhalation. The plot and story remain original and the viewer must pay strict attention to the screen. Blink and it is possible to miss important clues. I note that from 1973 onward, a bright red raincoat on any young child sends me immediately into shivers. There are haunting scenes of smaller pathways taken by a distraught Christie as she follows her "daughter" in the dark of winter in a summer romantic world treasure.

Watching Venice in the early 1970's in this movie can be another wake-up call about climate change. Nothing about this sinking city on the Adriatic can ever be similar. Unfortunately, the complete shut down at the start of The Epidemic was not enough to keep the Lagoon pristine after recovery.

"Don't Look Now" still haunts many viewers. It is playing at The Film Society of Lincoln Center as a one day Valentine gift for all who are in the know.

Christmas as Usual (2023)

A Predictable film covering Christmas in another country with a person from another culture.

[8/10 · 6 December 2023]

Most of us have seen this movie before several times. An individual usually a woman in love invites her new love "to come home" to meet the family and join the Christmas traditions. This film is special as Christmas in Norway is about as steeped in tradition as any other country in the world. Hoping to avoid any give aways, I can only say that this film is super realistic. I have been in Norway in the past. These customs are critical to most Norwegian folks ( the original population of ethnic white Norwegian peoples. ) Things have changed of course so what happens now is opposed to the " olden times" Check this film out, please Super good and up to date ! Suepler.

Giant (1956)

Giant Continues to be Big

[7/10 · 12 September 2022]

Many people do not know that a large part of the state called Texas was Mexican territory. Mexico was huge. California half way up the State was Mexican territory.

Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada part of Mexico; then to the east Mexico included a large chunk of Texas.

The Texas characters portrayed by James Dean, Rock Hudson and other actors see the Mexicans remaining on the land as ignorant and only suitable to work for the white conquers as servants. The poor Mexicans are discriminated against just as other United States citizens have experienced similar injustices where ever people of color happen to live. That includes the Irish with no color.

Giant is a family saga following the fortunes of two Texan men born near each other. The rancher, Bick Barrett despises the character portrayed by Dean. The different acting styles between Hudson ( traditional portrayal )vs. Dean ( The Method) was disruptive and distracting for me. The casting of the two men was a major flaw and constantly interrupted the flow of the saga. The two men become super rich with the discovery of oil on their land. Scenes of close up intimacy are juxtaposed with the vast arid spaces of cattle and then oil country. Great cinematography makes for a visual feast for the viewer. The individual ownership of the wide open spaces of this new Texas will be fleeting as huge companies take over both resources. The scenes, the costumes and the sweeping vistas make Giant a thrilling film that has aged well, similar to Taylor, Hudson and Dean 's gradual aging during this three hour epic. Hollywood makes these sweeping epics a signature of American movies. The era is long over, but for me a look back brought a nostalgia that I never expected. Giant is worth another visit. Susan Epler.

Uncoupled (2022–2023)

More Gay Sex in The City

[4/10 · 15 August 2022]

Rating= 4 stars out of 5 is how I rate. UNCOUPLED appears to copy its title from Gwyneth Paltrow. These high maintenance characters from Darren Starr occupy the rarefied air of Manhattanites with amazing clothing, fabulous restaurants charming apartments, townhouses, penthouses in the first quarter of the Twenty First Century. The story lines are similar. Some scenes in UNCOUPLED looked borrowed from Sex in The City The Series. ( e.g. Falling into an open cellar) . I expect a mature Sarah Jessica Parker to pop in on Season Two of UNCOUPLED as a new pal hanging with Neil Patrick Harris' character. Kinda like a replacement for Willie Gerson.

Marsha Gay Harden is perfectly cast as the wealthy lady counterpart to Dougie Houser's dumped real estate broker. Harris' sales partner Suzanne is fantastic as a fast talking 2022 super duper saleswoman. Suzanne could sell much more than The Brooklyn Bridge to a any prospective buyer who happens along.

I know that every voyeuristic fan of Sex enjoys the same feeling watching UN. I do wish that each chapter is released weekly so no binge watching is available.

Looking forward to the next episode forced me to think about what was happening to all the major characters. Plus I could wallow in " Big's " untimely death over and over. I had a major crush in Chris Noth. His inability to control his dick like so many other "entitled" guys was pathetic . Why, Chris,why?

Enjoy the new show and munch away on your popcorn as you take it all in. Sue Ep.

King Richard (2021)

King Will

[9/10 · 12 April 2022]

One of the must see sports films in the past fifty years. The white man's territory is overtaken by one of the most difficult and eccentric father managers of all time.

Richard Williams is African American with a wife and their five girls. The Williams were members of the notorious community of Compton California. Williams is a man with a plan who takes his brilliantly talented two oldest daughters into professional tennis play during their early adolescent years. The rest is history. The Williams sisters, Venus and Serena are the most successful women tennis players in the long and elegant life of the sport.

Will Smith became Richard Williams. His Oscar was well deserved.

Suepler.

Dolphin Tale (2011)

When GOD is present

[8/10 · 7 September 2021]

This charming sweet and entertaining kids film is good enough to keep the adult chaperones engaged as this is based on a real situation. A medical background will make the viewer pay strict attention. The plus presence here is Morgan Freeman. When GOD is cast in a movie it adds a gravitas that is beyond repute. I found the movie a bit too long and sharper editing would have helped. I note that sequels have been released. I will not want to see any additional films. One is enough, the sequels are just playing on children's emotions in a crass and cynical manner.

I hope that our human obsession with all things dolphin will come to an end. Let them alone please. They can contact humans whenever they're ready.

A Rainy Day in New York (2019)

Woody Films Manhattan

[7/10 · 16 August 2021]

I have been a big fan of Woody Allen from the beginning. It is now known worldwide that Mr. Allen has deep flaws, obsessions and deviant behavior. We have watched this play out on the big screen over the years from "Manhattan" onward.

Allen remains brilliant and a creative genius to me. I will continue to watch his work until the end of either him or me. Allen is part of the West Side woodwork. Yes, he started out in Brooklyn, but landed in Manhattan damn fast as many other talented young folks from Brooklyn in the old days.

"A Rainy Day in New York" starts out with a few in jokes. The protagonist is one Gadsby. Mia Farrow played Daisy in the Redford version of the film. Farrow and Allen spent years together parenting and Woody made the best of this family time to his advantage. The story is so enjoyable and charming and the younger generation of actors seem to love working on this movie. Elle Fanning is so winning, charming and frankly adorable running around Manhattan and Kauffman Astoria studios to get her research and interviews for the Yardley College news paper. The convoluted plot is quite funny with all the missed opportunities, opportunities and surprises pouring out as fast as you can say "Jack Robinson". The soundtrack is all Woody Allen and a mixture of old and new. The sets are spot on, the lighting is lush, and the nighttime indoor lighting is marvelous. I have nothing but praise to dole out here.

Please recall that many brilliant artists harbor bizarre ideas and act out the crazy stuff to the detriment of themselves and innocent others. These creative man and women still make art. Thank you for reading . Sue Epler.