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coffeeparty
Reviews
Big Little Lies (2017)
Excellent!
The use of music throughout the series and especially in episode 4 (Push Comes to Shove) is brilliant. Janis Joplin & Big Brother and the Holding Company wailing Ball and Chain is unexpected and it provides a terrifying and desperate soundtrack that perfectly matches the story line. I think the entire series is excellent--it's an eerie thriller with sharp, dark wit. Outstanding writing, acting, and directing. The characters may seem over the top at times, but everything rings true throughout the series.
Moonlight (2016)
Poignant and Sweet
I found this movie to be poignant, painful, and heartbreaking. All of the acting is stellar and genuine. I found the performances of Mahershala Ali and Alex Hibbert to be particularly stunning. The swimming scene with Juan and the young Chiron is particularly moving, sweet and heartfelt. The movie conveys the complexity of human nature -- how a person can be kind and caring, yet sell harmful drugs or how another character can show compassion toward his bullied friend but collude with the lowlife bullies. The bullying scenes wiped me out emotionally and I left the theater filled with melancholy. On the other hand, I somehow I felt hopeful after watching this movie and that feeling has stayed with me overall when I reflect back on the film.
The Whole Truth (2010)
Overly contrived, annoying
I love a good courtroom drama and was looking forward to this show after seeing the ads. The concept, in which only the audience knows the true guilt or innocence of the defendant, is an excellent one. I also have really liked Rob Morrow in other TV shows and films and thought he and Maura Tierney would be terrific. Then I watched the show and I could barely get through the pilot. I found the writing to be extremely contrived and overly slick. I was disappointed in Rob Morrow's acting and the character he plays. The character is smarmy and unlikable and Morrow's acting is way over the top. The banter between Morrow and Tierny's characters is embarrassing. These two sound more like bratty high school rivals than professional lawyers. Real lawyers don't act like this--they strategize and focus on how to win their cases, rather than engage in a childish game of "gotcha," constantly trying to get the better of one another.