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Reviews
The Babadook (2014)
Horrifying but not very interesting
Several shocking and disturbing scenes, barely connected with a thin plot do not make a very interesting movie. The main characters are very unlikable. so it is very hard to feel any sympathy either of the primary characters. I got about 3/4 of the way through the film before I decided to turn it off.
By the Sea (2015)
Nothing can rescue this film from boredom
I really tried to give this film a chance, even though I have seen very few positive reviews. Unfortunately, lovely Southern French scenery, stylish 70s ambiance, and two famous megastars couldn't save this plodding, microscopic examination of two of the most boring characters ever created. I simply did not care if the characters in this film lived or died. The only interesting and honest performance is delivered by Niels Arestrup as Michele, the sympathetic bar owner in whom Pitt's character confides while he drowns in drunken self-pity. Angelina Jolie is so bland and expressionless, and Brad Pitt looks like he'd rather be anywhere else except in this film. I've never thought of him or Jolie as particularly strong actors, but when given a passable script, each can usually deliver a reasonable performance Not here, unfortunately. All I can think is this film was just a narcissistic Jolie "vanity project." Seriously, I have seen better films from juniors and seniors in film school. It's galling to think you just need money to produce a film, not real talent.
Trophy Wife (2013)
Thinly-veiled misogyny
Many have theorized that the title of the show is intended to be ironic, but it appears to be dead on. A wealthy, middle-aged man marries a much younger woman. What an original plot. I really cannot appreciate a show where a man is the center of the lives of three adult women. A show in which his ex-wives are just unable to move on without him. No matter how you spin it, that is the basic premise of the show. This premise is misogynistic at best. This is made worse by the fact that the creators regard themselves as feminists. I really hope the viewing public continues to turn this one off and it fades into oblivion.
Café de Flore (2011)
Just another narcissistic tale
This film is visually beautiful, the acting superb. However, I don't recommend it. The "mystical" connection between the two story lines absolutely does not work. The story line with Jacqueline is touching, and occupies far too little of the screen time. Vanessa Paradis is amazing, and her interactions with her son are touching and sad, as you recognize her life revolves completely around him as see struggles to raise him alone after his father leaves. On the other hand, I found the misogynistic tale of Antoine very off-putting. A narcissistic man leaves his beautiful, intelligent wife of 20 years for a vapid, tattooed, insecure younger woman with whom he appears to have no common interest other than sex. How original. Great role model he is for his teenage daughter, who hates him, by the way. Big surprise. Unfortunately, the daughter is the only female who stands up to him and calls him out for the cochon that he is. The other women in his life are just waiting with bated breath to see whether he chooses to allow them to continue making him the center of their worlds. I am really tired of this story line having seen it too many times, and I didn't enjoy this film as a result.