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daphnew
Reviews
The Level (2016)
Edge of the Seat suspense police procedural
We watch a fair lot of Brit Police drama, and this kept our attention very well. Liked the multicultural, gender balanced cast and against the grain sort of story. For a change, no one is the good guy (perfect) and the bad guy does not get a comeuppance in the end. Sort of hoping for a 2nd season based on the last episode of season 1. Possible?
10,000 BC (2008)
Couldn't hear the dialog track
We saw the film tonight at a theater in Silver Spring, MD - enjoyed the visuals and found the elucidation of the ancient world quite fascinating. I saw several direct connections to the Clan of the Cave Bear series of novels, at least in terms of how the people look. Great body decorations. By the end I decided that prophecy or foretelling was overworked as a device, and there was strangely little blood for a story so filled with physical danger. BUT, could not understand 95% of the dialog because it was not loud enough. Had to read lips (when possible) to get much of the drift of the story - not that it was terribly complex. Was it our theater? Or have others had the same experience?
Frida (2002)
A Visual Feast
Julie Taymor is a genius. Frida is the most gorgeous work I have seen in years. Solid engaging portrait of Kahlo, Rivera, and how their lives & work entwined. No holds barred - sensual, erotic, and stunning!! Never a dull moment - saw this with a friend 30 years younger than myself and we both loved it, so it plays well to a wide audience.
Enigma (2001)
A film for the thinking, literate audience
A fine, intelligent screenplay by Tom Stoppard lends subtlety and sparkle to an interesting plot based on real incidents during WWII. Tightly drawn characterizations, sketched with a superb economy of language and realized in exacting performances. The period is so well realized you can almost smell the wet wool tweed. The plot moves along smartly, with just the right amount of suspense and a twist at the end. Too slow for the "car chases and things that go boom" crowd, despite the wartime setting, but just right for those of us who like to savor the words.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Definitely Oscar Material
Interesting story - emotionally satisfying - excellent performances. Mostly believable, given the liberties taken with Nash's real life. Special effects don't get in the way of the story. As the guy in the seat next to me said, "Great flick!"
The Winter Guest (1997)
Good performances do not necessarily = good film
Found this movie Pinteresque and ponderous. Not enough information provided about any one character to make me give a hoot what happened to any of them. The most engaging characterizations were the two young boys, their rescue of the kittens. Some edgy interiors, lovely frozen scenery - but little to sustain one's interest, especially at the expense of copious energy required to decode the Scots dialect. Altogether a disappointment for a fan of Emma Thompson.