Change Your Image
mmcaravaggio
Reviews
Lyckoviken (2020)
Great show, great fun
This is such a great show. Wonderful acting. Super writing. A sweet blend of soap opera, comedic slice of life, and kindness. While also being a very un-noir detective series. Kudos to all involved. A great piece of work. Very entertaining.
The Bourne Legacy (2012)
Great script. Why Jeremy Renner?
Paul Gilroy writes great scripts. But Jeremy Renner really can't act. Must have connections. Why do we have to watch him? At first, I was suspicious of a Bourne film without Matt Damon, but Weisz really takes up the slack. The opening is really well written. But why put Jeremy Renner in movies at all? There are so many good actors out there. Family connections should not trump talent. Paul Gilroy writes great scripts. But Jeremy Renner really can't act. Must have connections. Why do we have to watch him? At first, I was suspicious of a Bourne film without Matt Damon, but Weisz really takes up the slack. The opening is really well written. But why put Jeremy Renner in movies at all? There are so many good actors out there. Family connections should not trump talent.Paul Gilroy writes great scripts. But Jeremy Renner really can't act. Must have connections. Why do we have to watch him? At first, I was suspicious of a Bourne film without Matt Damon, but Weisz really takes up the slack. The opening is really well written. But why put Jeremy Renner in movies at all? There are so many good actors out there. Family connections should not trump talent. Paul Gilroy writes great scripts. But Jeremy Renner really can't act. Must have connections. Why do we have to watch him? At first, I was suspicious of a Bourne film without Matt Damon, but Weisz really takes up the slack. The opening is really well written. But why put Jeremy Renner in movies at all? There are so many good actors out there. Family connections should not trump talent.
The Living (2014)
Superb movie
This movie is a superb combination of thriller and socially conscious film-making. I've never really seen a film that is as good. The acting is great all around. The characters are nuanced. The problem of domestic violence is subtly depicted. The courage of the filmmakers is obvious from the start. I highly recommend this film. My one reservation concerns the depiction of the killer as southern. But the portrayal of people wiling to forgive is truly amazing and impressive. So, I agree totally with this other review: I saw this movie at a screening in Boston MA sponsored by Emerson college. I was impressed with the content of the film and how Jack Bryan the writer/director incorporates his characters and intertwines their lives into the dark depths of alcoholism and domestic violence. His choice of cast members was right on and I particularly liked his portrayal of the killer played by Chris Mulkey. I was surprised by the ending but not disappointed. This is a must see movie. I hope to have the opportunity to experience more works from this group of talented writers, directors, and producers along with all members who made this film what it is.
Hummingbird (2013)
Great movie
I agree with the positive review that shows up first when you scroll down from the movie information. This is a European movie, rather than an American movie. That means it is deeper, more complex emotionally, and it has characters that are multi- dimensional. Halfway through, I thought I was in for a typical revenge the murder of the girl story with lots of muscular gore, but it surprised me. About two thirds of the way through it cuts through the ice on the surface and heads to good emotional depths. Very surprising for a Jason Statham film. I highly recommend it. The cinematography is especially good, and the political concept informing the whole thing is especially likable. Imagine Jason as a champion of the poor against the investment banker gobs. Really terrific idea. The polish actress is superb in what is supposed to be a supporting role, but in truth, she takes the movie away at times. Terrific character. So if you are an American guy looking for typical Hollywood fare, this is probably not for you. But if you appreciate more complex, European style stories, you might enjoy this one.
The Golden Compass (2007)
bad bad and worse
If you read the novel (and the two sequels), you know that this is a magnificent story. BUT--it is very anti-Catholic. So it would take great courage to do it accurately as a film. The makers of this version blew it. They do not even try to incorporate the anti-Catholic element. So the story ends up making no sense. The point of the novels is to show that the idea of hell is wrong, that human passions are natural and normal, that they should not be stigmatized and turned into "sin." The books criticize the idea that churches tell children especially that their natural urges are evil and that they will be punished for them. The books also criticize the idea that one should postpone pleasure in this life in order to have it in an after-life. None of these ideas make it into this version. I hope Peter Jackson does a remake of this movie along with the two sequels. That would be fun.