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kennethcbenson
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Inventing Anna (2022)
Ugh, utterly incompetent
Poorly acted, directed, and written - this preposterous piece of junk is, truly, unbelievably bad. In fact, it's so terrible that I couldn't stop watching it because, frankly, clunker scene after clunker scene, I'd gasp in disbelief, thinking to myself: "That has to be the bottom, it has to get better, yes?" You see, I am an optimist. But "Inventing Anna" is laughable, but none of the laughs are intentional. It's a "laugh at" (not a "laugh with") situation.
I give this sorry, attenuated mess is a series two stars because there are some nice location shots.
Horrible show about horrible people. I happen to love shows about horrible people ("Veep" ... "Curb Your Enthusiasm" ... "Peep Show" ... "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" ... "Succession" ... "The Righteous Gemstones"), but the show itself should not be horrible.
"Inventing Anna" is horrible.
Monsterland: New Orleans, Louisiana (2020)
Powerful
Evocative, beautifully shot, very sad. Faulkner's famous observation: "The past is never dead. It's not even past." Brave, powerhouse performance from Nicole Beharie.
Midnight Mass (2021)
Too many monologues
Some good acting, occasionally visually arresting ... but as slow-going as a really dull Sunday sermon. Blah blah blah with the religious mumbo-jumbo. Good Lord! How about some ACTION? And how about that ole story-telling edict: Show - don't tell?
Madeo (2009)
Devastating masterpiece
A masterful thriller, a heartbreaking family drama, beautifully shot, unforgettable performances. Absolutely engrossing and did take me at all where I thought it was going to go. Incredible, incredible film. Sad AND joyous - how does Bong do it?
Emma. (2020)
Gorgeous to look at, delightful
Where have all these marvelous young actors come from? (Well, the superb Bill Nighy is not young but is - as ever - superb.) And now, thanks to "The Queen's Gambit," we know what a powerhouse Anna Taylor-Joy is. But the rest is the cast is simply perfection.
Forget about sainted Jane, this wonderful film stands on its own.
Brava to the production and costume designers, to the composers, and above all to the director, Autumn de Wilde. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼Well done!
How to with John Wilson (2020)
Some kind of genius created this
Very funny, very addictive, very creative. Rarely have I laughed out loud so often at a show. Frankly, it's almost impossible to believe that it ever got picked up by a network - it's that weirdly, wonderfully strange. Brilliant editing.
Gypsy (2017)
Nice to look at but preposterous
Naomi Watts should sue. Undercooked, underdeveloped characters and, frankly, completely unbelievable. As a study in obsession, "Gypsy" is a sorry mess. Nice costumes and location shooting, however.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Wonderfully romantic, with just enough tartness
Beautiful to look at, splendid performances by Knightley, Macfayden ... well, everyone's wonderful.
Larceny, Inc (1942)
Delightful
Funny, charming, and with a gallery of wonderful supporting players. Is Edward G. Robinson ever not great?
Tin Star (2017)
Awful, but not even fun awful
When you WANT the lead characters to die ... well, then, a show has lost its way. Incoherent and ludicrous ... Tin Star does win an Emmy for Most Irritating Teenager in a Faux Fargo Farrago.
Trespass (2011)
Stupefyingly Awful
Terrible direction, terrible script, and terrible performances from actors who should have known better. It shouldn't surprise, but to see actors of the caliber of Cage and Kidman in entirely predictable, f-bomb-strewn fare like this is quite dispiriting. But obviously, $$$ trumps raw talent (Cage) and taste (Kidman) every time. I suppose it always has in Hollywood. Both of these wonderful actors have made some wonderful, even amazing films. This isn't one of them.
Trespass is the kind of home invasion film in which you actually hope that the entire family will be slaughtered.
Are they? You'll have to see for yourself.
So, this is what's meant by "A Joel Schumacher Film"? Ugh.
However, nice pool.