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olgayaleo729
Reviews
The Monk and the Gun (2023)
wonderful...!
Bravo, Pawo Choyning Dorji! Why are you so little known in the West? A lovely, simple film that is thought-provoking and makes at least me question my lifestyle and long for something that doesn't seem to exist in the realms of "modernization" anymore. Why do we turn from "Gross Happiness" to "Gross" and gimme, gimme, gimme, when all that it seems to bring us is neurosis, unhappiness, avarice, selfishness, a hunger for "more" in the hopes that it will lessen all of these negative emotions? Makes me long for simplicity, contentment, gratitude, family, community...Lovely acting, beautiful cinematography of even more beautiful landscapes. Ironic that the only way (to my knowledge) to watch this captivating film is through the mega-monster, Amazon, the emperor of greed. And Bhutan decided to go modern? Heartbreaking that the last vestige of compassion and peace is hellbent on following us, the bastion of unhappiness and greed...A must-see film.
A Private War (2018)
BRILLIANT and heartrending! At least a 9 is merited!
The current "6.7" rating is beyond me - have people truly grown so shallow and superficial that if a story doesn't include fast cars driven by bad boys, blatant sex, bling, and insubstantial irrelevancies, they think it has no merit? Or are they just hiding their fears? This story is tremendous and incredibly important, especially now that the world is on the verge of the "beginning of the end time", whether climactically, politically, militarily. We are talking life here, not vapid entertainment, and this is a story about someone who existed and who put her life on the line over and over again in an attempt to bring the truth to the world. Apart from that, I have always thoroughly enjoyed Rosamund Pike's work and her extraordinary range, since the beginning of her career. But I cannot even begin to describe the magnificence of her work in this role - it is one of the great female performances in film of all times, in my opinion. HOW did this woman NOT receive accolades and prizes from all over the world (the US is too much of a military complex - the Oscars would never dare honor her with even a nomination). Fantastic film that deserves a 9 or 10!
Canine Intervention (2021)
extraordinary insights into all psychology
As someone who grew up with Great Danes and German shepherd and has had big dogs for most of my life (all of whom I have worked in obedience and agility - including competition - and some in conformation for showing), I am blown away by Mr. L's insights, wisdom, compass, intelligence, kindness, consistency - with the humans, as well as the dogs. Jas knows dogs, humans, life and treats them all with respect, velvet discipline, and helps the humans to understand their own errors and foibles. I belonged to an obedience club in which our motto was, there are no bad dogs - just bad dog owners. In the first episode, I heard him tell the owner, there are no bad dogs, just humans who don't understand. He is brilliant, and next time that I have a big puppy come into my life, I would love and appreciate working with this wonderful human being. Please bring us more seasons! The people who don't like this simply don't get - nor want to get - dogs and their behaviors and psychology - nor their own power trips and egos. Bravo, Jas!
Station Eleven (2021)
seriously???
One of the most elegant and intriguing novels of the 21st century, and this is the slop you guys came up with? And ESJM was involved with the adaptation and accepted this visceration? Sensationalistic, fabricated, irrelevant to the plot, relevancies tossed out, no rhyme or reason to this extraordinary work (on paper). About the only pertinent aspects that remain in this garbage are the flu and some of the character names (no pertinence to the characters in the book). I will be the first to admit that i have often thought that it would be extremely difficult to adapt this to a screenplay with any intelligent coherence and integrity, but this is a pity and a shame. Viewers, do NOT waste your time. Read the extraordinary book (which i've read 9 times since publication) instead - and then laugh with pity and incredulity when you watch this pathetic adaptation.
Mother! (2017)
oh, please...
A weird, semi-violent, pseudo contemporary derivation of rosemary's baby filled with rude, obnoxious people and a pretty feeble young woman...don't waste your time, the way that the four main actors - all of them caliber actors - did in making it.
Mum (2016)
what a waste!
Two incredible actors - leslie manville and peter mullan - are the only real people in a world of 2-dimensional cartoon characters who are stupid, dull, insensitive, boorish, and trite. only on episode 2 of season 1, but i sincerely hope this improves quickly.
The Professor and the Madman (2019)
a quiet masterpiece...
...of close to sheer perfection in every aspect of which film is capable - and of what humans should aspire to. it is a story - based on historical people and facts - not only of one of the greatest written contributions ever to mankind, but of humanity, compassion, decency, redemption, love, and the bonds capable between people; of striving to be the best of what you are, the most you can be. the acting of every one of the characters is superb, the screenplay and dialogue exquisite, the cinematorgraphy and soundtrack excellent. it is a gem that speaks to the human spirit. sorry, no sensationalism, no sex, no bling, and a couple of scenes of violence that actually did occur but lend to the mystery and awe of what is life and the human soul. one of those rare movies that is worth watching and re-watching, literally, for the rest of one's life, to be viewed as a compass of ethics and "only the most diligent life", which is what gives each of us meaning, value, direction, love, and redemption. do not miss it. and cherish its myriad messages.
Woodstock (2019)
an event of such beauty and magnitude could never happen again in these times...
What can i say? get your hankies out! this is my generation, and i am filled with pride and love! so glad this was made, so the enormity of what happened - what we were once capable of - can be shared with the world! and sly and wavy gravy and a bunch of these amazing souls are STILL out there, trying to create beauty, peace, and harmony in the world, though so many of us ignore or are not even aware of them...thank you for this gem - rock on.
Far from the Tree (2017)
great documentary doesn't begin to cover it...
Trying reading mr. solomon's book, which lives on my beside table - with one of the most profound and exquisite introductions i've ever read. so glad this film was made; hope a second one comes out with more of the extraordinary histories. and get your kleenex out. thank you, mr. solomon & co.
First Reformed (2017)
???
After watching Ethan Hawke's magnificent role in the tragically unknown and underrated "Maudie", I eagerly awaited this film - just to wonder by the end, WHAT????? (And could someone please tell Amanda Seyfried that she was supposed to have been acting and not reciting as if she were reading a recipe from a dull cookbook?). It was a concept that had such potential, and I strongly suspect that it would be so much stronger as a novel, following Hawke's "revelations" and gradual "conversion" - much more of a psychological work than a film could do justice to. Sourcing the bible as a justification for opening up our eyes to help and save our magnificent planet, ourselves, and future generations is a first for me (how many people use it as an excuse to rape and plunder the planet??). But direction was incoherent, editing was choppy, Hawke was underutilized (he is a fine actor!), and "tripping" when one is 6-months pregnant and then wrapping a barbed-wire-encased chest around a pregnant woman (and her baby - and his blood didn't seep through with all that squishing?)? What????? Did someone miss something here? And what happened to his new convictions? This one is for the dvd resell shop - unless I can get a refund.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)
close to perfection...
I loved the book and was not expecting to care for the film adaptation - and have watched it three times in 1.5 days - it has taken my breath away! The adaptation and direction (though quite different from the book in many aspects) have been done with such sensitivity and wisdom (but what else would you expect from the director of "Enchanted April" and "HP and the Goblet of Fire"?), and the acting is so exquisitely done that I consider this quiet film to be almost flawless. The pain, the tragedy, the terrors of the German occupation are there, but so is the humanity, the compassion, the courage, and the beauty of clinging to what life has to offer - connection. "Only connect", wrote E. M. Forster, and this film has captured it beautifully. Not to mention that it is a paean to my lifelong passion: books, reading, and sharing those words. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, RELEASE IT ON DVD IN THE U.S. - I WANT TO BUY A DOZEN COPIES TO GIVE AS PRESENTS AND TO HOLD ON TO MYSELF!
P.S. Stick around during the credits for more surprise little beauties!
Grantchester (2014)
WOOOO WOOOOOO!!!!!!
SEASON FOUR - finally!!! one of the best, well-written, deep series around - and FINALLY, the producers got smart and decided to continue! hope it's all the same cast - can hardly wait - thank you, thank you, thank you! (and don't take too long to get the dvd out, please...)
Maudie (2016)
about as close to...
...perfection as it gets. i do not understand how the previous reviewer could have found it "choppy" and "amateurish", albeit having loved it. the only thing that keeps this gem from being perfectly faceted is that the idiot producers chose to delete some extraordinarily relevant and poignant scenes (yeah - every one of those) that could have added more insight into these two individuals, as their own persons and as a couple. as well, this is some of the most incredible acting i have seen in recent years. hawkins and hawke are phenomenal. she is underrated and underused - i have seen her perform in such a breath and range of movies as to leave me incredulous that the world is grabbing her up more. and her portrayal of this unique and gifted human being is as heart-grabbing as it gets. as for ethan hawke, this is his pinnacle - sublime performance with such nuances of feeling, gesture, expression as i have witnessed few times. the cinematography and score are all beautiful - why wasn't the soundtrack released on cd?? if this film doesn't sweep the Oscars, Hollywood will lose all credence for me.
Frankie Starlight (1995)
an unknown gem...
...that for some inexplicable reason is not known, did not receive much publicity, and seems to be misunderstood, given its rating on IMDb. fate, loneliness, connection, beauty, love, pain, death, and wonder and awe of the workings of the universe and the human heart imbue this little masterpiece (the book is marvelous, as well) with a dignity and compassion all its own. finding hope and meaning - in self and in the world - beyond a world of difference, pain, rejection, and cruelty is its leifmotif. if you can find this beauty (appears never to have been released on DVD in the u.s., sadly), watch it, watch it again, listen with your heart, be astounded at its quiet and haunting beauty.
A Little Chaos (2014)
a treasure
in this crazed, superficial, artificial world where nothing matters but instant gratification and sensationalism, a poetic, little gem - if one has the heart and mind to slow down, breathe deeply, and listen with one's soul and so rich on so many levels. what is required here to cherish this film is patience, compassion, respect, diligence, insight, some soil and water and the warmth of the sun. the casting is just about perfect, the acting wonderful, cinematography lovely - and if the scene in mme. montespan's dressing room doesn't break your heart wide open, well, then, sorry but you do not possess one. bravo, mr. rickman (one more prize for me, as is "the winter guest") and thank you.
Tangled (2010)
unmitigated garbage!
what a disappointment! shame on Disney for taking such a beautiful tale and loading the script with contemporary dialogue, psychology, and other claptrap. save your money and treasure their classics! obviously, the bar and standard for excellence have been lowered. reminds me of pathetic remakes of beautiful, old movies. visually, there is only one scene of any aesthetic note. the rest is caught up in "gee, don't freak out" gunk, weird, illogical character transformations, a screwed-up horse who thinks he's a dog (what? horses don't have enough nobility in and of themselves??), and absurd songs - not to mention some rather violent scenes that i don't consider appropriate for small children (yup, there were kids "freaking out" at the theatre). if you can't honor the gist and beauty of the beautiful, older fairy tales, leave them alone for others to treasure as they were meant to be written and experienced!
Long Ago and Far Away (1989)
superb series that should be out on DVD
magnificent series that i started watching (and started taping the second or third week) when i was pregnant with my first child. cannot write highly enough of the exquisite contents and james earl jones' wonderful sensitivity in introducing each story. we still have the (poor quality) videotapes that i made. each story is so extraordinary, so beautifully rendered, such wonderful messages, so much diverse culture, it should be made available on DVD to the world - it would help heal so much misunderstanding, fears, intolerance - and help to usher in so much joy, beauty, wonder, and sense of the miraculousness of life, the heart, and the capacities of the imagination!