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stanevans22
Reviews
Love & Death (2023)
I lived through 70s small town/church culture and this ain't it
I guess everyone genuflects at the David E. Kelly credit but this plays like a cartoon. None of the characters talk like anybody I knew in the 70s. Despite it being a true story, the flavor of the time is not captured at all. First of all, it's hard to believe Elizabeth Olsen would want to be with a big slug like Jesse Plemmons. That alone is ludicrous. Everyone seems to be playing stereotypes of what they think 70s people were like. The obnoxious wigs and clothes choices just contribute to the off-target representation. Also David E. Kelly writes about these people with a bit of condescension. Hard pass for me.
Phil (2019)
Kinnear's directorial debut is weak
Greg Kinnear is so bland he makes Bill Pullman seem exotic. In this film, his reach way exceeds his grasp. Kinnear just isn't a deep thinker. To think of all the worthy artists who will be denied a chance at directing while this ninny gets his shot. Weak, weak, wek.
Gone Baby Gone (2007)
Casey Affleck's screechy voice
The movie is competently done; the writing is good, the directing is decent., there is some excellent acting. The ONLY problem is Casey Affleck is horribly miscast. Why do they always put little whiny-voiced stick men as tough guys in movies? If anyone but Casey Affleck had been in this movie, it would have been much better remembered. He's just so annoying. He seems to garble his lines and then when he tries to be tough guy in that little boy's screechy voice, I start to laugh.
The Rookies: Concrete Valley, Neon Sky (1972)
Good intro to a solid series
Disregard the other rather juvenile review posted. This was a quality show that must be looked at through the prism of history. I saw this as a child with my brother and it was enjoyable. You can't expect 2016 realism in a show from the early 70s like the previous reviewer did. What was interesting was George Stanford Brown. He was the star of the show and always acted with a lot of humanity, feeling and dignity. Michael Ontkean plays the young innocent in a Keanu Reeves kind of way. Kate Jackson is very beautiful. Gerald O' Loughlin and Sam Melville are dependable actors. This was the first episode of the series and it shows. It's a little melodramatic in parts and wears its issues on its sleeve. But the show settles down nicely as it goes and remains quality entertainment. Also if you stick with The Rookies, you'll see a lot of great actors in early bit parts.
Paradise Alley (1978)
Corny then, corny now
Stallone thought he was Brando and Coppola on this one, a complete ego trip, he even sings the title song, horrendously I might add. Every goombah cliché is in here. The dialogue includes such beauties as "She's got a lovely set of yams" and characters have names like "Sticky," "Burp" and "Stitch." Wow is it bad. You have to be a die-hard Stallone fan to enjoy this self-indulgent tripe. Although it's nice to see a young Tom Waits, Anne Archer and Armande Assante, all too classy for this cornball crapola. Waits even contributes to the soundtrack, but the songs are not his crowning achievement. Despite what others are saying here, this is one flick the critics got right the first time around. Fresh off "Rocky," Stallone thought he could do anything, but he failed. If you like your meatballs lathered with a think layer of cheese, then by all means, take a peek. But the rest of you, yo! Get outta here!
The Tree of Life (2011)
Don't listen to Ms. Wynn
This film is not for everyone. But if you have a yearning soul, you'll be profoundly moved. It's beautiful to look at, but it's how it makes you feel that's truly incredible. I felt I was taken on a spiritual journey through a life filled with contemplation on the mysteries of faith. Sure it's a deliberate pace but it's meant to convey a life lived and it does that. This is surely the best acting I've ever seen from Brad Pitt. The classical music was as gorgeous as the visuals. When the film was over, I was changed in some way. And isn't that what we want from our art?
Cynical, hipper than thou reviewers like Ms Wynn will never understand.