jjesto Reviews

Gardens of the Night (2008)

Disturbing topic, but its a reality which happens every day.

[8/10 · 4 February 2014]

Had never heard of this film before, it was recommended on Netflix. Story was very well done, well acted, using all the typical elements of child abductions--the method of luring, lies told to child, breaking of their spirit and if ever released, how it often plays out. There were some questions not answered along the way in the plot but in the end viewers are left with the haunted feeling of seeing how easily a childhood and innocence is stolen by sick, exploitive pedophiles, leaving a horrible void within parents who don't know what happened to their child and presume they are dead. I thought the actors who played the older Leslie and Donnie looked so much like they did as children, very well cast. Surprising to see Tom Arnold and John Malkovich in a film that had little or no hype.

Green Stones (2001)

If you like strange films and/or Mexican films, you may enjoy this one.

[8/10 · 28 July 2006]

This is not your Hollywood 'formula' kind of movie. Its unpredictable and a bit disturbing at times. The surrealism of this film reminded me of the old Alejandro Jodorowsky films like El Topo and Santa Sangre. If you like odd and atmospheric type films and/or artistic Mexican films, then this is definitely worth a watch. The story takes viewers on a journey with the main character, a young woman of about 20 yrs of age, on her quest to find her biological father who split from the small Mexican town the moment his pregnant wife was killed. This is soon after her adoptive parents die a tragic death. What happens along the way is a mix of ugly and pretty. Extra note: The actor that plays Dellardo (Juan Claudio Retes)reminded me a bit of Chris Martin of Coldplay.

Dot the I (2003)

Almost pulled the DVD out midway through film but glad I didn't

[7/10 · 6 November 2005]

The first half of the story is kind of cheesy, centering on a love triangle, with a pouty, overly dramatic young woman that overreacts to everything, claiming she has a bad temper, so she pouts some more, bitch slaps, throws little fits, to the point of stupidity---so, she's attractive and a little nutty, thats not an original character. I'd read that the film was a thriller and kept waiting for something to change the tone and had just about given up when BANG, there is a major plot twist and then the real story unfolds and takes on a completely different direction. The ridiculousness of the first half of the film was then justified, pretty much anyway. Its not an excellent film, but was worth the watch after all. It was unique indeed.