Change Your Image
ecurr-49427
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Camp Belvidere (2014)
Well, I give the cinematography a 4
That's why I didn't give this 1 star. The cinematography is nice to look at. I'm always searching for a decent lesbian film and 9/10 I don't find one. Camp Belvidere is a good example of that let down. I love that Astrid Orvalles is a creative soul. She's a writer, director and actor. The concept for this short film was promising - one character coming of age, another character - a self-loathing lesbian trying to quietly navigate through the 50's. First, I think Molly Way was miscast. No matter how her character was written, she's a total wrecking ball and busts through her scenes - it's too much. Astrid Orvalles is almost completely wooden in this short - except for the love scene - she seems comfortable and comes to life when her character is giving in to her desires. I was pleasantly surprised by that, actually. The second the sex ends, though - she's back to being flat. She would have done better (my opinion) if her co-star was a better fit. The dialogue is unimpressive and paints no pictures for us - it feels sophomoric. Yes, less is more sometimes - but this short needed some life infused into it and the dialogue didn't do that. I rented this on Prime - didn't finish it until the rental was about to expire (because I didn't want to waste my money - that's how little it moved me). I felt like I was watching actors reciting lines - other than the sex scene - I never felt like I was catching a genuine glimpse into someone else's life. Bit of a pet peeve of mine when the main characters can't pull you into their world. I'm guessing the good reviews are because Astrid Orvalles is gorgeous and because the film is nicely shot - it doesn't look like it was filmed with a cell phone in 2009, like a lot of indy/low budget lesbian flicks look. If you want a decent lesbian storyline with decent acting - go watch Kiss Me (in Swedish with English subtitles). I felt like I was watching REAL people - not actors. Bonus: the sex scenes are very realistic. Watch Fire by Deepa Mehta. Emotional storyline - great actors, writing and directing. It's in Hindi with English subtitles. It's more subtle with sexual content - the beauty is in the affection and kisses from 2 women in a culture that fervently rejects that lifestyle. Novitiate by Maggie Betts is amazingly done - I recommend that. If you're looking for more RomCom/dramedy type lesbian movies then go for Chutney Popcorn, Alto, Imagine Me & You. Don't forget Bound! A crime thriller that's sexy, hilarious and tense when it needs to be. Camp Belvidere will remain a lesbian film I'll only ever watch once. Pretty amazing because my bar isn't incredibly high when it comes to lesbian movies.
Novitiate (2017)
Ignore Overly Sensitive Reviewers
It's a solid film. The acting is absolutely superb. The Catholics that bashed this in their reviews (for the record - I'm a practicing Catholic) are reacting from a hyper-sensitive place, likely inflamed by the massive abuse scandals in the church currently garnering head lines world wide. This film isn't trying to paint a solitary picture of the church or of Catholic nuns - it's tekling the story of these particular characters in this particular order at this particular time (1960's). It explores rich themes of blind devotion versus balancing a belief system with logic and human impulses (such as sexuality, questioning tradition, etc). It portrays nuns as totally human. Human because they feel and explore sexuality. Human because they feel fear and act atrociously out of that fear. Each character is layered with emotions and figurative brick walls - just like everyone else. The unique aspect comes into play because they're nuns. I can also appreciate how the film shows what Vatican II did to the nuns in the church. While making the church a kinder church, a warmer church, a more progressive church - that very movement stifled many of the people who previously supplied the church with its humanity. The writing is superb. The plot is a fresh take - the acting left me breathless. Very believable. I never felt like I was watching actors reading lines - I felt like I was somehow peering into people's private lives. Give it a go. Take it for what it is - a film - a form of entertainment. It's not a documentary - it's not an attack on the Catholic Church. It's just a good movie that was produced and directed and shot quite beautifully.
Icarus (2017)
10/10 Riveting
I too thought this was about famous American athletes who were exposed for doping - and I don't really care for sports. Roughly half hour in, the direction of the film shifted and I realized I was watching something unique unfold. For those that say Grigory is evil for his role in "state-sponsored" doping program of Russian Olympic athletes - I see it differently. If I lived in Russia, and government officials and higher ups in the sports council were telling me to help the country cheat - I believe I would. No room for morals or ethics when your government is known to kill dissenting citizens and/or their loved ones. Look at what just happened to the former Russian agent in the UK - he AND his daughter were just poisoned. As many things are only heresay - there's simply too many bodies allegedly tied to the Russian Federation government to ignore the very real risks of working with them. I don't think there are suggestions when it comes to Putin - I think there are orders. Grigory's personality makes him instantly enjoyable and that nagging idea of him having a gigantic target on his back, for me, makes his previous actions as a doping scientist, very understandable. This man seemed so relaxed, often joking but you realize later that he always knew the risks of what he was doing as he went to great lengths to preserve a massive cache of evidence supporting his state-sponsored doping claims. As he grows more comfortable and trusting of the documentary crew, he lets out small statements that reveal exactly how terrified he is - and rightfully so. Not only is this documentary out together very well - it holds the viewers interest while throwing a lot of science and data at them - but in the exposure of the Grigory's personality, circumstances and possible downfall - the film secures most viewers personal investment in this man's safety. After whistleblowing a very powerful government and bringing shame to its officials and alleged doping athletes - Grigory is forced into Witness Protection in the US with no real expiration date on his new life. Russia has never scoffed at taking out highly visible adversaries - I still don't feel like Grigory or his family are safe. I wonder if it was worth it for him tho honestly, I see his whistleblowing from the "safety" of another country as his only shot at staying alive. He knew way too many secrets and dead men tell no tales.