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Reviews
Messiah (2020)
Thought Provoking
The primary strength of this program is that it treats religious themes seriously. The "is he or isn't he" aspect of the storyline is punctuated by a consistent message of God's love, the brotherhood of all peoples and the opportunity for redemption. That any program in today's highly secularized society would engage these issues is noteworthy.
Certain aspects of the plot seem off kilter-such as the personal encounters between the messiah and the president and a sexual encounter that is the definition of gratuitous...coming totally out of nowhere. While the Evangelical Christian and a limited aspect of Islam are presented through various characters, the Jewish characters all seem non-religious and that faith is ill-served.
Definitely worth the watch.
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
Conflicted about this flick
This movie has some great themes-friendship and loyalty, the challenge of aging, career decline and reinvention, moral codes and the differences between kindness and evil...all wrapped up in a story about acting and Hollywood. The acting is great by everyone and the story is interesting. The thing about this film that is disturbing is realizing that Sharon Tate and Jay Sebring were mercilessly murdered, and the Manson family killers were not stopped. So whats the point of this storyline? Somehow it seems disrespectful of the memory of the deceased to create an alternate happy ending for what was a horrible crime. That's what has left me conflicted about what is otherwise a very good movie.
The Aeronauts (2019)
Solid action and adventure film
Hollywood has been notorious for fictionalization of historic events for decades, so it should surprise and enrage absolutely no one that this film, inspired by true events, is heavily fictional. Its a movie for entertainment...not a documentary or a docudrama...so the historical purity crowd needs to get over themselves. Its a good action and adventure film. The risks of flight and harrowing scenes of survival are truly suspenseful and the backstory of the two protagonists is interesting. Solid entertainment and worth the watch.
Marriage Story (2019)
Divorce Story
Two selfish artists place their own interests over their marriage and guess what? They get divorced. A testament to the hollowness and navel gazing vapid gibberish that passes for meaningful expression in our individualistic society. Nothing insightful about this film except it holds a mirror up to how pathetic and transactional our society views marital commitment today. If you're into yourself and enjoy making excuses for your inability to understand the concept of sacrifice and commitment then this self indulgent diatribe is for you.
Unbelievable (2019)
Unbelievable Truth
Excellent on every level, this unbelievable true story parallels two intertwined stories about one horribly incompetent police office and two committed investigators as they track a serial rapist. Acting is superb. The plot engaging although it drags at times. The meticulous investigation reveals how exhausting and at times lucky the officers were in the dogged pursuit of the rapist. Focus on the victims is emotional without being sappy. Highly recommend.
Midway (2019)
Good movie, great action
What makes this a good war movie are the action sequences which gives the viewer a realistic sense of the suicidal horror of air combat and the bravery of those engaged in it. Overall, the acting was solid and the script moved at a brisk pace. I probably would've focused more on the intelligence angle as I believed the pilots were a bit hammy in their performances at times. The balance with the Japanese forces was interesting and gave a perspective of the battle that reinforced its importance to both sides. Excellent choice for Veterans Day.
The King (2019)
Good character study, so-so history
Very good movie of what is essentially a modern version of Shakespeare's "Henry V". The evolution of Hal into Henry is well done, the performances are solid, and the action sequences-especially the seige of a French castle- are excellent. I felt the final murder was inconsistent with who Henry had become, but aside from that its a solid piece of what is essentially historical fiction.
Jack Ryan (2018)
Season Two is Worthy Successor-stop the hate!
Sometimes I really wonder if some of the critcs actually watched the show. Season Two is a worthy successor to season one. Full of action, an interesting story and a twist at the end. I'm flummoxed by these bad reviews. This isn't a documentary on Venezuela--its fiction for crying out loud! Sit back, enjoy the ride and watch a solid, interesting, well produced action drama. Looking forward to seeing season three...you won't be disappointed.
Dauntless: The Battle of Midway (2019)
Bad on many levels
1. Dialogue: makes the worst 1950's WW2 movie sound like a work of Shakespeare
2. Action: Bad effects, but the action takes all of two minutes and is probably the best part of the movie
3. Plot: Utterly incomprehensible-the "twist" at the end turned a mediocre survival plot into a confusing attempt at an esoteric understanding of death...or life...or something?
4. Acting: I've seen better and less wooden performances from junior high drama clubs
Two stars for two minutes of passable action sequences. Otherwise its a waste of time
Prisoners (2013)
Convoluted and unconvincing
Not the worst movie I've seen. Good acting and some tense moments, but all in all a convoluted plot full of holes and unfathomable motivations. The big reveal at the end is ridiculous. So is the use of the alcoholic priest as a murderer based on what some guy said in confession. If the priest so easily told police what the guy said after he killed him, why not just go to the police in the first place? The torture is overdone. The supposed religious undertones are ludicrous as supposed motivation. Jake Gyllendhal is great. The others are fine. The plot is stupid.
Goliath (2016)
Skip season two
For the uninitiated, seasons one and three are solid all around-compelling stories and quirky characters with great acting. Billy Bob Thornton is the center of the series and says more with a smirk than most actors convey with emoting. Season one was great, season two was a disaster...so it's good to see Goliath back on track for season three. Going after a land baron and corruption, the story is interesting, Dennis Quaid is compelling as the main antagonist, the acting is sharp and the dialogue witty. If you're new to Goliath, just skip season two.
Downton Abbey (2019)
Wait for the DVD
While it was nice seeing the characters again, the movie is average at best-more like a stuffed mediocre episode. Aspects of the plot are silly, and of course there is the addition of what seems to be a mandatory media bow to homosexual sensitivities. The dialogue is borderline ridiculous at times and stilted. Scenes with Maggie Smith and (somewhat surprisingly) Kevin Doyle (as Mosley) are the bright spots of what is a mundane disappointment.