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icmorton
Reviews
Infinite Storm (2022)
Surprisingly powerful
There is a sparseness to the writing which is wonderful. It does not force emotion but gently coaxes. I found the final scene, especially with Billy Howle's story, quite moving. In the end, I felt Pam Bales' story well worth telling. Locations in Slovenia really work.... Ha apparently I have to burn off a few hundred more words for this review to be accepted! So much for sparseness. I will say Naomi Watts does her best work in years and clearly on a difficult shoot. I will make note of the director and watch out for her work in the future. Malgorzata Szumowska! A hard name to forget. Anyway well done Mal!
Midnight Mass (2021)
A masterpiece
Other than Six Feet Under or The Americans, I have never called any television production a masterpiece. But this is. It is a glorious production in thinking, casting, writing and setting. The best thing I have ever seen done in Vancouver. Hamish Linklater, though I have seen him in some great stuff, deserves a gold medal. But the person I am most grateful to is Mike Flanagan, the Director and Creator. His production dug deep in my psyche and heart. I will watch everything he does to come. Ps Breaking Bad was another masterpiece.
The First (2018)
A tragedy this is cancelled
Who cares if this is not sci-fi? The human story, the sharp writing, very confident photography makes it something very special we have never seen before. The struggle that it takes to achieve space exploration and to dream. I am watching this series even though I know it has been cancelled. It will break my heart when it ends but it is so worth it. My heart swells to see all these people doing such great work.
The Wife (2017)
Close Call at a High Pryce
Some naivety that made me cringe (hysterical writer that couldn't accept his first draft needed more work, paint-by-numbers writing criticism in the script so it's accessible to non-writers, some stock characters) but enough good stuff to elevate it to a 7. Pryce and Close, as expected, reach deep to make their dialogue and therefore relationship ring true. The cinematography and pace is consistently assured and engaging. The ending had my wife and I having a good long chat afterwards - sharing our feelings about the ultimate destination of the story. My wife was disappointed by the choice the female protagonist made but I saw it differently. I found her choice flawed but human and there was hope for her creative life beyond the arc of this chapter of her life. This is always a good sign for a movie, that it can inspire debate and discussion. I have not seen all the female actors nominated but I would not be sorry at all to see Glenn Close win. It is fabulous seeing her get such a timely role and hold it with such dignity and stillness. She does not telegraph a thing.
Jonathan Pryce, blowing hard and sucking on sweets, is also very compelling as a weak man trying to get through life without his house of cards collapsing. Mmmm... now I am rambling because IMDB is saying my review is too short. What's that about? I rarely write reviews but I have said as much as I can! Oh well, I'll try my luck and submit. Adios movie-goers!
Bajo la piel de lobo (2017)
A gem
So glad to see the majority of User Reviews are positive. It's an engrossing, tactile film that speaks far more with facial expression than spoken word, magnificently performed and photographed. My only quibble was one somewhat unresolved character destination at the end, not wanting a spoiler situation here, but whatever. I never write reviews but I thought this gem deserved more support. I will watch for this director in the future.
Rectify (2013)
Hopsecutioner
Watching this extraordinary series for the second time - and, unexpectedly, a binge event. It is even better a second time. But what I wanted to add, for you fans out there, the beer bottle Teddy Jr. puts on the table in Season 4 is a Georgia brand called Terrapin Hopsecutioner. I thought that was a fun fact, and wily of the producers. Long live Daniel Holden!
Knock Knock (2015)
Well it's an Eli Roth movie
I gave it a solid 7. It played on the nature of cheating, and of revolution/anarchy directed at the1%, disaffected millennial youth blah blah... it was slightly in the realm of a Peckinpah film, which I liked. Almost original in what it tackled. Clean film production, distinct sound track. A step up from some of the more cruel Eli Roth films of yore. I am only writing this because I think the review proceeding me is bizarre and not to be taken too seriously. Oh and the only acting that was questionable was Keanu who really could have done more with his flat shouting monologue. I want to say something but it would be exclaimed as a spoiler alert - allow me to say I hope you appreciate the arc of the dog story in this piece!
Peaky Blinders (2013)
Peaky nit pick
I throw myself behind all the applause for this production - it's extraordinarily strong, but just for the sake of discussion, does anybody else out there get a bit tired of watching so many cigarettes being lit or whiskeys being poured? What a load of screen time it takes up! And actually, as much as I love Sam Neill, I find Major Campbell just a bit too evil to be believed. I would have preferred a bit more "grey" in his characterization. Anybody on my side? That's all I wanted to really say but IMDb tells me I have to add more lines! Maybe I will add that Tom Hardy's Alfie is a much more interesting villain to me - a lot more layers than Sam's.
God Is the Bigger Elvis (2012)
A great love story
I am no catholic. I can't even say I believe there is a god. But I defy anybody with a beating heart to judge this as anything but an ode to love. It is uplifting and heart- breaking. Mostly it drives home the glory of humanity. How many times have you seen that achieved in a short documentary? We have a central character who has made the most anti-Hollywood choice in history and a supporting cast who have made equally bold steps to back her up. Stock footage of the monastery deserve your full attention because they add so much nuance and clarity. It is a perfectly sculpted film, with humour and intrigue and of a succinct but lush economy.