jcoberkrom Reviews

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

After 50 years it holds up

[9/10 · 30 March 2024]

I'm rewatching this amazing movie. The fantasy, The wit. The heart.

For kids. For adults.

Not many movies have staying power. How many have you seen and loved and then rewatched and wasn't sure why you liked it to begin with.

Or how many become dated for a variety of reasons?

How many movies have given you joy?

How many movies have given your children joy?

How many movies have given your grandchildren joy?

Gene Wilder didn't get an Oscar nomination.

Leslie Bricusse didn't get an Oscar Nomination.

Anthony Newly didn't get an Oscar Nomination.

Are the Oscars a joke?

Question asked and answered.

The Whale (2022)

Brendan Fraser disappears

[9/10 · 1 April 2023]

I'm sure anyone reading this is heard all the glowing reviews about Brendan Fraser's performance it's all true. I started watching the film ready to critique every little thing he did but I soon quit seeing Brendan Fraser only Charlie was on the screen.

I am at a loss as to why the screenplay did not get more awards, or at least nominations. There's so much meaning symbolism nuances that I missed but I did not miss its humanity.

I meant to check before I started writing this to see if the cast got an ensemble award or nomination of any kind. They richly deserve it. These characters combine to make a whole greater than its parts.

My Policeman (2022)

A disappointment

[6/10 · 18 February 2023]

Had high hopes for this film. I couldn't get to it right away, so I read the book. I say that so you can take the following as you will. I was familiar with the nuances of the story, but alas the movie failed in this regard.

The screenwriter failed and failed miserably. It has all the components but presented poorly. You don't get the feeling or understand the issues until you think about it later because the script doesn't flow very well. Also, issues aren't flesh out enough. No I don't want to be spoon fed but do be clear.

If you haven't seen the movie please do so, but read the book in any case.

B&B (2017)

Annoying

[3/10 · 4 July 2021]

A lot of typical "thriller" techniques but not done well. Plot twists that don't make sense. People doing things they really wouldn't do real life. So much unexplained, well because it can't be.

So much misused potential!

Papi Chulo (2018)

A disappointment

[5/10 · 26 September 2019]

I looked forward to seeing this movie and was dismayed when it came and left Austin with my know it. Austin is a gay friendly city so this was strange I now know why. While the acting is good and parts of the film shine. Overall it is poorly written and directed. It is listed as a comedy. Sorry not true. There may be some humorous parts but the are few a far between. It seems John Butler really doesn't know how to do funny. As for as directing his constantly letting glare distracts from the film. I'm sure he thought it was purposeful, but it was a distraction. I suggest on his next project he seriously considers a cowriter and maybe a different director.

Downton Abbey (2019)

Is there a 12 step program for Downton addicts?

[9/10 · 21 September 2019]

Well, to begin, if there is I don't want it. The movie is actually better then the series. There I said it! If you are unfamiliar with the characters I can see where this movie would not interest you. But having said that it gives it's fans a good time. I wasn't sure how'd they resolve all the subplots (mini-dramas) but they did it well and in a timely manner. I'm thankful that Lady Mary was not a focus. Sorry, I liked her but thought the series focused too much on her. I'm thankful that Barrow was given more time in the movie. Robert James-Collier is much underrated and he gives his usual best. I would love to have seen him with Dame Smith. Yes, there will be sequels. But let's face it Julien Fellowes IS Downton Abbey. So it's all up to him.

Moonlight (I) (2016)

Great acting but sadly uneven

[8/10 · 19 July 2019]

First let's get the obvious out of the way Trevante Rhodes and Mahershala Ali are two of the best actors alive today. Sadly this movie was quite uneven. It's small budget showed like the patches in my knees when I was a boy. But this doesn't let the writer and director off the hook. First, too often watching it was just down right tedious. Sorry it wasn't setting a tone it was failing to fine one. Second, the writer really didn't care if the audience was following along. Sorry, a good script shows the way, ideally unobtrusively, but guides the audience along. This sadly was disjointed and choppy. Thirdly, it dropped characters not letting the audience know what happen to them. While it can be argued that this is permissible, it's obvious that here it was either laziness or inability. Having said this there are several characters that are more than just interesting and, thanks to the great acting, engaging. Also, there are several scenes that are very well written, but sadly these peaks of excellence are surrounded by too many valleys of mediocrity. In conclusion, a film worth seeing, but again primarily due to Trevante Rhodes and Mahershala Ali (and the other actors) and not due to; director, writer or producer.

Ma (I) (2019)

An old tired genre

[1 June 2019]

I'm 65. There's nothing new in this old genre of teenage horror! What, what Octoavia Spencer is in it? Okay it's a must see.

Aleksandr's Price (2013)

Another story of sex workers as losers

[3/10 · 14 May 2019]

Poor script, poor cinematography, poor direction, poor acting (though not sure if it's the actor's fault. Just a titlilating tale of one dimensional characters.

Green Book (2018)

TV Preview Does Not do this movie justice

[9/10 · 24 November 2018]

First, this is a great Christmas movie, but a little more on that latter. Second, this is a buddy movie! One that consists of the two people who could not be more different. Third, this is a VERY funny movie and there in lies its strength. Sadly, the TV preview makes one think this is a movies of prejudice and discrimination the south in the 1960's. But it's about a white average Joe and a cultured black man. who help each other become more well rounded and better human beings overall. It reminds us of the segregated south and it's evils (alas too much of which still remains) but it does it almost surreptitiously. It makes it personal, so we can understand it better. However, without this aspect it would still be a good movie, but with it, it makes it great. While the acting of the two leads could. not be better don't overlook the performance of Linda Cardellini. before As for it being a Christmas movie, Christmas is about family, friends and peace on earth good will to men, See it. You'll see exactly what I mean.