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The Zone of Interest (2023)
Rules of the Reichstrasse
Rule#1: When you make a foreign-language film, do not allow the producers, distributors, whatever, give it an English title. Doing so can tick off the audience when it realizes there will not be a smooth and elegant segue into English (ala The Hunt For Red October).
Rule#2: Subtitles should be yellow with a gray, semi-transparent background. This film's English subtitles are white and are virtually invisible 90% of the time. Straining to read subtitles can tick off the audience.
Rule#3: Don't waste money on subtitles when there is literally nothing of interest to translate. This film could have just as well been a silent movie, for all it had to say of importance. To anyone.. Straining to read inconsequential and nearly invisible subtitles REALLY TICKS OFF THE AUDIENCE!
Rule#4: Artsy-fartsy black screens, red screens, and incomprehensible and unexplained negative screens do not an important film make.
Rule#5: Skip this waste of time. Instead, I recommend a brilliant little film titled, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas (2008). Same theme, but with character development and heart. And no subtitles (invisible or otherwise).
Julia (2022)
Get real. Really!
Watching season 2 of Julia. Liked S1, though the frequent, seemingly forced bedroom scenes are cringeworthy. Is it possible that Paul's estate insisted on emphasizing his heterosexuality given some of the rumors surrounding his "retirement"? I wouldn't have noticed if only once or twice. But once or twice every episode? Too obvious.
Then there was the (Filipino?) Sam guy in France S2E1. He's clearly bi. James Beard is salivating over him. (Where is Beard's estate in this?) At one point, Sam, glistening and dressed in only a towel, emerges from the bath and encounters Paul. Despite Sam's overt suggestions (and Paul's quivering chin), Paul remains true to Julia. Gimme a break.
I mean, I obviously know NOTHING about Julia's marriage. What ticks me off is that NO ONE ELSE does either and yet writers feel free to presume and to make up sheet.
Same complaint I have already êxpressed with The Crown. It's one thing to imagine the dialog that *probably* took place during a documented encounter. It's quite another to invent both the encounter and the dialog. In the last instance, a so-called biopic devolves into salacious soap opera.
I'll probably complete the series; I do like the Julia character; Sarah Lancashire is a gem and rivals Streep.
But I can't help but believe that both Paul and Julia are spinning in their graves. They both deserved more respect.
Raging Bull (1980)
Deficient Playlist
If the Academy should ever create a Most Overrated Actor award, De Niro would win the Oscar hands down. He's had only one good role, the young Vito Corlene. And even that role only required him to mumble a few unintelligible words in pseudo Italian. Otherwise, his 'method' appears to be showing up on set without reading, much less memorizing, the script and then stumbling through (and repeating ad nauseum) whatever enters his head as 'dialog'.
I like Scorsese. He has directed some good films. But his method / signature is often: Select a time period, assemble a playlist of favorite tunes from that period, write a story around the playlist. It all becomes so predictable. And boring.
As for Raging Bull: Scorsese chooses to center his story on a violent, ignorant man who abuses two wives and who ends up doing a pathetic stand-up routine in a Florida lounge. WTF?
My 2 stars are for the cinematography. B&W perfectly captures the essence of 40s newsreels and early 50s TV.
Billions: Tower of London (2023)
Trying to get thru S7E1
Frankly, I never really took to Billions. Right away, I was put off by the never-ending, pretentious, sophomoric, and ultimately embarrassing pop culture references and the blatant pandering to NYC restaurants and similar name dropping. It was like, "Look at who we know and how cool we are!" There was never an authentic conversation, merely boring sequences of one-liners.
That said, I grudgingly stuck with the series through S4 because the storyline was interesting. As for S5 and S6, which I also kinda watched, all I can recall about them is: Taylor got even weirder, Chuck and Wendy split, Mike Prince may actually be the b*stard son of Lex Luther, and Axe took a hike.
Paul Giamatti (Sideways, John Adams!!!)
Damian Lewis (Band of Brothers)
WTF?
Fargo (1996)
José Feliciano?
Love this movie, watched it MANY times. But I am always uncomfortable with the scene in which Buscemi and the hooker are in the hotel lounge. José Feliciano is performing. The Coens slyly and, IMO, cruely make this the butt of a joke---i.e., his once popular career has sunk to booking minor hotel gigs. Didn't like it.
Now, to fulfill IMDB's rediculous 600-character requirement---stupidest thing :
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Próspero año y felicidad
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart
And I think we finally have a winner.
No Time to Die (2021)
Might turn out ok, but...
... once it got past the cold open (which I thought was pretty good...Bond apparently betrayed again by his sweetheart), it all became a confusing muddle. CIA contact recruiting him for...why? New 007 also recruiting him for...why?---because M doesn't appear to want his help... so who sent her? Bimbo Cuba CIA contact (three weeks training???). SPECTRE agent apparently working against SPECTRE.
As I write this, I just realized that an astonishing 51 minutes have transpired and I have no clue as to what is going on, even after backing up 5 times!
On the whole, I have appreciated the rebooted series. Craig is a welcome, if darker, return to Connery's original portrayal. But this entry feels like the script was written the night before each day's shooting, probably under the heavy influence of Scotch.
Ok, well we are now at 1 hour 5 minutes. Still confused, but evidently another 90 minutes to go so, hopefully, time to set things right.
BTW, why do all of the reboot villians start out with or end up with crazy eye injuries?
2 h 4 m: OMG
-Jeremy Wright killed off for no consequential reason. (Boo!)
-Bond and his chick reunited through unbelievable plot contrivance.
-New 007 arrives out of nowhere, JIT.
-Rami Malek WTF?
And still 40 minutes to go! Pulling the ripcord.
FINAL EDIT: Bolloks! Or as we say in the colonies, boosheet!
Revolution (1985)
Hope the paycheck was worth it
What on God's green earth induced Michael Corleone to take on the role of American colonist Tom Dobb? I mean, this is the guy who avenged his father and brother by wiping out principals of the five families, his brother-in-law, and super villian Hyman Roth; banished his wife for bucking "this Sicilian thing"; and murdered his own brother for no greater crime than for being the original Fredo. He was top of the mafia world. Did he really need another paycheck? Or was it just ego?
(As a side note, I didn't realize the Bronx/Brooklyn accent dated as far back as 1776 nor that it was only spoken by one person on the entire continent. This film was a genuine education!)
36 Hours (1964)
Self-concerned much?
Not a bad film, but could have been so much better if the audience wasn't let in on the scheme from the start, but instead learned the truth along with Garner.
The last third was boring filler. Except for 'Sgt. Schultz'.
Also, it would have been a considerate gesture if Jim or Eva Marie pstopped thinking about their own welfare long enough to give the pastor's kindly housekeeper a heads-up that the Nazi's were onto their underground activities. I kept waiting for one of them to say something...But nope!
Need 90 more characters. Now need 52. This is silly. 36 to go, getting closer. And bingo!
The Crown (2016)
Hurrah for 1776!
Rewatching The Crown---am now on something like S4E3. If ever there was a justification for the American Revolution, this series is it, as there is not a likable or sympathetic UK royal, semi-royal, upper-class or parlimentarian in the bunch. Also, no case put forward for ANY monarchy to exist in the 21st Century. (I suspect the producers/ writers are in actuality IRA/ UK Nationalist fifth columnists. 🤣)
As to the production: True or fictionalized Windsor family characterizations and actions aside, the abrupt, unwarrented, and illogical recasting of the entire family in S3 (one year after S2 but the characters are MANY years older---and, for Margaret, several inches shorter!) spoils the epic's continuity. For me, this gaffe hangs negatively over the credibility/ enjoyment of S3/S4---with one exception: Josh O'Connor as Charles. Spot on, as they say. He really nails it.
8 out of 10 for cinematography, costuming/atmosphere, and engaging storytelling---whether the last element be entirely accurate or no. And, just to add to the chorus, the S3 Aberfan episode was beautifully haunting, heartbreaking. Well done, but there should have been more of an epilog.
Rocky V (1990)
Dees, Dems, and Dos
If ever I lose all my money thanks to turning over my financial security to my drunken idiot brother-in-law, I pray my IQ also doesn't drop 40 points, which is apparently what happened to The Italian Stallion in Rocky V.
I've probably sporadically watched the entire Rocky saga over these many years but have never been a fan, per se. Decided to binge the series this weekend to see if maybe I missed the "magic". Original, II, and III were pretty good, mainly due to the human relationships and Rocky's gradual maturation. Rocky IV was embarrassing propaganda and undoubtedly at the top of Reagan's playlist.
Rocky V is just total crap. Balboa devolves so alarmingly that he should be put in a home. Adrian can't afford a decent haircut and turns into a shrew. Rocky Jr. Inexplicably ages 6 years. Fortunately, Paulie stays on the juice and holds the family together.
Better Call Saul: Waterworks (2022)
Whoda Thunkit?
That Carol Burnette would be the best part of these last episodes?
Was happy that Rhea Seehorn was given a good portion of this episode. She deserves it.
That said, Gilligan & company clearly were not thinking ahead when they chose b&w to portray the (bleak and boring?) setting for "Gene's" life. It was an interesting idea that worked well in small doses. But the bulk of these last few episodes are necessarily stuck with this format and it comes off distracting more than anything else. Detracts from the storytelling because, sensorially, b&w is more appropriately associated with flashbacks. So, with the back & forth of these last episodes, I'm constantly thinking, "OK, now when is this scene happening?" Consequently, I lose track of the dialog and have to back it up. Lol.
Better Call Saul: Breaking Bad (2022)
Eye-Catching Imagery Gone Awry
Gilligan & company clearly were not thinking ahead when they chose b&w to portray the (bleak and boring?) setting for "Gene's" life. It was an interesting idea that worked well in small doses. But the bulk of these last few episodes are necessarily stuck with this format and it comes off distracting more than anything else. Detracts from the storytelling--- which, unfortunately, isn't very interesting to begin with.
Billions (2016)
Paul Giamatti!
Often overlooked in these reviews and given a rather thankless role in the Billions series, I would just like to recognize Paul Giamatti as a national treasure.
Billions: No Direction Home (2021)
Decent, but hoping for better
I long-ago wearied of the oh-so-hip and sophomoric dialog references ("just like so-and-so when he did or appeared in such-and-such"). Didn't think this conceit could get any more tedious, but S5 succeeded in essentially replacing ALL "human" dialog with these types of one-liners. The writers must think they are too cool for school. And should be fired.
That said, the second half of S5 turned out to be a sweet setup to a satisfying finale. Hoping S6 will capitalize (with far less kitsch.)
(Update: I wasn't aware of Damian Lewis' personal situation when I wrote the review above. I assumed S6 would feature a parallel storyline between Prince's takeover and Axe's revenge/ comeback. Wishing Mr. Lewis all the best and hoping he will return for S7.)
The Frozen Dead (1966)
Heartbreaking!
I thought Andrew's role in "Battle of the Bulge" was sad. But to see him in this dreck of a movie just breaks my heart. Please don't watch this travesty. Instead, find "Laura", "The Oxbow Incident", or "The Best Years Of Our Lives". THAT's the Dana Andrew's you should remember.
Succession: All the Bells Say (2021)
Logan the Beast...Bravo! Brava!
A review I read recently suggests Succession was originally meant to be a 20-episode series that has been weakly extended due to its high ratings (and the HBO dollar carrot). I disagree. The superb S3 finale brings seeds sown early on into full fruition. Wishing I had a time machine to take me immediately to S4!
Annie Live! (2021)
OMG; Super Disapointing
9:48pm EST... abysmal production and cast so far. No sign that it will get any better. Audience deserved more. Too bad.
IMDB is demanding more text. Here it is.
Annie Live! (2021)
OMG; Super Disapointing
9:48pm EST... abysmal production and cast so far. No sign that it will get any better. Audience deserved more. Too bad.
IMDB is demanding more text. Here it is.
Minari (2020)
Will Patton
Other posters have covered all the bases. I would just like to say that it was a joy to watch Will Patton play a character who is not psychotic or otherwise damaged.
Downhill (2020)
Hollywood, Get a Life!
There has been a noticible trend in recent years to produce "Americanized" versions of contemporary foreign films and television series. These remakes almost always fall flat---mainly because the Hollywood system does not have the intestinal fortitude (or talent--- can't tell which) to see the project through. Downhill, a remake of Force Majuere, is a classic example.
I blame the screenplay for Downhill's failure more than the leads. Both JLD and Farrell do a competent job, given what they have to work with. At the same time, I couldn't help to think both had possible Oscar noms in mind when they signed on --- JLD's no-makeup, weathered appearance and Farell taking on a "serious" role. I was distracted by both of these efforts and it took me out of the story.
(I did get a kick out of realizing the wonderful Kristofer Hivju was in both films. 30 secs in Downhill, a few minutes in FM.)
Mare of Easttown (2021)
Enough! Time to move on.
Arghh. After recently receiving several unsolicited tweets regarding the finale of 'Mare of Easttown', I investigated and watched the first ep. It's a 2021 hbo limited series starring Kate Winslet and it turns out to be exactly what I feared--- another of what I call the 21st Century Detective Drama Cliché. One that merely exploits the original---'The Killing'. Gritty lower-class setting, gloomy weather, moody female detective with personal and family problems. Throw in the usual dose of red herrings and you have 7 hours of a 1-hour story, 2, at best.
Ozark (2017)
Literally impossible to watch...
...during daylight hours due to crappy, dark cinematography. The story is hard enough to follow without the added burden of trying to SEE what is actually going on.
Apparently, my critique does not contain enough characters, so I am adding this unnecessary paragraph. So appropos of the series i am reviewing.