frankkaren-30172 Reviews

Plane (2023)

Both my wife and I enjoyed this movie, in spite of the flaws

[9/10 · 10 February 2023]

I do have to admit that the story line was rather predicable but both my wife and myself really enjoyed this movie in the current era of many many mediocre films being released over the last few years.

My wife suggested our seeing this movie mostly because she considered it a "Man's movie" (I agree) and she felt sure that I would enjoy it... Happily it resulted in being a movie that both she and I enjoyed and it resulted in being a Winner for both of us.

Predicable = Yes. Common Sense Errors by some of the movie characters = Absolutely Yes. Great performances by both Gerard Butler and by Mike Colter!!

The Father (I) (2020)

Anthony Hopkins at his BEST!

[10/10 · 21 December 2021]

I've seen this movie 2x -- The first time was with my husband at the movie theatre and the second time was now via DVD. I admit that during the initial viewing our understanding of what was going on was a little challenged, but hang in there & watch carefully - comprehension will come to fruition by the end of the film. A better suggestion is to view it again second time via DVD.

Anthony Hopkin's rendition of an elderly man sinking into the quicksand of Alzheimer's is so perfectly Spot On. He won the Oscar in 2021 for Best Actor as did Olivia Colman for Best Supporting Actress - BOTH well deserved!

Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State (2005)

Intriguing and superbly done

[10/10 · 3 February 2019]

Didn't view this 2005 BBC documentary until early this year (2019) via Netflix. Would highly-highly recommend the series.

We traveled to Germany & Poland several years ago via a "World War II and extermination camps" 13day trip, where we encountered the remains of some of the horrors & atrocities of WWII and the Nazis. Especially poignant were the tours of the Auschwitz main compound and the nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. The 6-part series BBC series gives in-depth and chilling facts of this horrible piece of history.

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

Pace reminded me of molasses in January...

[4/10 · 21 January 2019]

We see a lot of movies and I have to say this one was the ....s...l...o...w...e....s...t paced one I've ever ever seen, almost distractingly slow. The whole story could have been told in about 20 minutes instead of being dragged out for nearly 2 hours. Even the individual scenes took forever, with the camera slowing panning back and forth and back and forth. The movie finally wrapped up to an unsatisfying ending. Not the worst movie I've ever seen, but it ranks in the lower half of the pile.

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Wasn't sure but I'm now a Believer

[10/10 · 18 December 2018]

I liked Queen in the 70's & 80's even though I thought their music was a little "off the wall" & considered Freddie Mercury a bit to an odd bird, but because the movie was getting such positive reviews, decided to give it a try. The movie was Outstanding - would highly recommend. it. Rami Malek did an awesome job of capturing the character, I hope he is nominated for an Oscar. See the YouTube side-by-side comparison of the actual Live Aid performance from 1985 and the movie's version of it.

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Better than I would have guessed

[8/10 · 1 September 2018]

Not sure about some of the Spike Lee films but thought we'd give this one a try. Glad we did. Very though-provoking (SO MUCH hatred, both black and white, what a shame) in our world. Didn't find it funny at all and could see several "weak spots" in the storyline, but overall I would recommend it.

Hostiles (2017)

Don't miss this one

[10/10 · 1 September 2018]

Loved, loved, loved this movie. Stunning scenery, thought-provoking storyline, excellent acting. One of the VERY few films that I elected to see at the movies a second time, it was that good. Recommended it to my brother (he loved it also) and to my sister (she raved about how good it was). Available on dvd, a definite should-see.

The Crucible (1996)

Captivating

[7/10 · 19 July 2018]

Even though this movie was from 1996, I had never before viewed it until now (2018). Very well done, interesting subject, but I will say we had to enable the English Subtitles because some of the verbal dialog was mumbled and hard to decipher...

Whitney (2018)

A true talent extinguished too early

[8/10 · 16 July 2018]

Saw this movie today and would highly recommend it to anyone who was a Whitney Houston fan. Some of the behind the scenes footage (interviews with friends and/or family members) reflected a sadder side to Whitney's life.

I personally felt sorry for her but I also realize that when one makes decisions they have to experience the consequences. Movie was mildly depressing when one realizes how this super-talent was not utilized to its potential because of her poor lifestyle choices.

Doubt (I) (2008)

This movie is on my Top Ten of all times.

[10/10 · 15 July 2018]

I highly-highly recommend this movie. Saw it originally when it came out and I've since watched it several times on DVD. I will admit that the ending left me a little disappointed (because it seemed unrealistic based on the character's intensive demeanor and conviction throughout the earlier part of the movie) but I think it was incorporated to continue the "doubt theme" from the title. Thought provoking story and superb acting - both Meryl Streep and Phillip Seymour Hoffman were outstanding as was the supporting cast of Amy Adams and Viola Davis.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

Uh........NO

[3/10 · 5 July 2018]

Really really enjoyed "Jurassic World" so was hopeful that this sequel would be at least as good. Sorry, but NO DICE. Very disappointed. CGI were great but that's about the only positive there is on this one.

Ocean's Eight (2018)

Sorry, but NO

[1/10 · 5 July 2018]

Didn't expect an award winning movie but can't even give this one a mediocre rating. Silly story, unrealistic plot. Played off an all-star cast but no substance or depth. We would have walked out of the movie but were with friends so stayed to the bitter end.

American Animals (2018)

Very disappointing

[1/10 · 5 July 2018]

The whole thing was utterly ridiculous, supposedly true but still ridiculous. Four idiots. So many "holes" in the thought process of these four main characters that it's embarrassing to think they actually "walk among us" and believed this heist would have a positive ending. One of the worst movies we've seen this year; we wasted our money and over 2 hrs of our time.

Book Club (I) (2018)

SO fun... Loved it

[8/10 · 17 June 2018]

Went to see this with my two sisters during our weeklong "Sisters' Getaway." All 3 of us enjoyed it. Lots of laughs! More of a Chick Flick in my opinion, not sure if husbands or boyfriends would enjoy it. NOT rocket science but we 3 didn't expect it to be "deep" or too thought-provoking. Great cast of seasoned veterans; movie deserved a better rating than the critics gave it, but I think they expected or looked for something that the rest of us didn't. Enjoyed the including of Craig T. Nelson & Richard Dreyfuss and especially Andy Garcia (oh my... he's aged really well, hahaha) I would highly recommend.