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Reviews
Loteria Loca (2023)
Absolute FUN Time
I swear, I haven't had this much fun watching a game show ever. Absolutely fun game play, amazing set, dancers, host and Sheila E as the musical director is a plus for me. It is vibrant, energetic and historic as a prime-time Latin inspired game show. I really hope it takes off. We need more fun in entertainment these days, for sure. I even see it getting some Emmy nominations next year in several categories for Game Show, Host, Music Direction, Choreography, Production Design and Technical Direction. This show is pure entertainment and I highly recommend it to anyone. It makes me excited to see where it goes.
Giant (1956)
James Dean's Master Class
One of my favorite all-time performances in a film, James Dean falls under that category of 'what if...' He was only able to make three films in his short life; all classics. Hence, the moniker of he never made a bad film. In GIANT, though, his transformation throughout the film is A MASTER CLASS in technique. Acting 101. Melt like an ice cream cone in Phoenix. THE METHOD at its finest. The film is epic in its broad and scope, yet none of the performances get lost in the grit and grandeur of the story. George Stevens created a fine art piece of Americana that is for the ages. Loved it start to finish.
102 Minutes That Changed America (2008)
Superb!
I am literally in awe of this film. The dynamics are so extreme, the images not only heartbreaking and historic, but the definition of a tragic day that defines a generation. While difficult to take it all in, you can not take away from the heroes, the struggle people went through and the sheer collective overwhelming sense of panic and loss. It is as though you are there, but witnessing it from afar. I can see why this won all four of it's Emmy Awards, especially for the editing and sound editing and mixing - all of which are nothing less than top notch. One of the best made films of the year. This film captures the humanity as well as the force and power of science. When it tells you to move, you move. The pace of this is a phenomenal display of the events it shows. Bravo!
Miracle at St. Anna (2008)
A Pleasant Surprise
I was actually pleasantly surprised at how good this film actually was, after reading all of the misleading negative reviews. In essence, people seem to have a problem with films that 'run too long.' With the prices we pay to go see movies these days, I say, 'The longer the better.' Has our attention span shrunk to where we need to have movies be the length of YouTube videos.
Spike Lee's direction was superb, along with a solid storyline and wonderful cast. Kudos to all involved. I am glad I finally saw it, and kind of sad that I let all the negative reviews keep me from seeing it when it was first run.
Give it a chance. I think you too will be pleasantly surprised.