KKrastinDavis Reviews

One Week (I) (2008)

Cancer rears his head, but it's how you handle it that is masterful.

[9/10 · 19 January 2014]

Two things I really enjoyed about the movie --

1. Being able to see Canada scenery in an whole another light, one that is different from what I had ever imagined it would be.

2. The journey he took to come to peace with his demons he possessed, so that he could actually clear his mind his mind before tackling and confronting the demons of the cancer.

At the time of watching this, I have several friends with cancer this or cancer that. It was a little hard to hold back tears, but it was tears of joy. Lots of opportunity laugh as he went on the journey to find the grumps, and he knew he found it when he saw it.

I would encourage you to watch this, especially if you know anyone going through cancer of any form.

The Snow Walker (2003)

Snow Walker Journey

[9/10 · 19 January 2014]

If someone doesn't walk away from seeing this with a greater respect for another culture altogether, they weren't watching this movie.

It was intense, with a lot of emotions (and changes of emotions), after they have an airplane crash in the middle of nowhere. Had she not been with him on the journey, it was clear that he wouldn't have survived. The humanity and respect she maintained, along with patience with him, gave an awe inspiring experience on the journey.

I can see why it was nominated for so very many awards and received 8 (to this date). It was well done and the music score was amazing. Being a photographer I was also entranced with the phenomenal cinematography in the film.

I would certainly encourage you to watch this, if you have any questions about what your own journey may be looking like and what changes you might be seeking and not really knowing it at the time.

The Efficiency Expert (1991)

History Repeating Itself

[8/10 · 19 January 2014]

Although this film is about the upheavals in Australia in the 60s, it could easily be reset in the mid to late-2000s with the economic upheaval that the US has been having as well. Companies having a person coming in to re-evaluate what they are doing to find the efficiency leaks/breaks that are causing the company to lose more money than gain, based upon 3 rules that he tells later in the movie.

Anthony Hopkins was the bad guy just in 1991, a year before this movie, and he does the same in this film, but less than a resident evil that he did in the prior movie. You can see the struggles his character is having while playing the bad guy at the company and reporting to the head of the company changes that needs to be made. You almost feel sorry for Anthony Hopkin's character to have to make these life-changing decisions that affect so many other folks lives and livelihoods.

Seeing it now in 2014 (almost 25 years later), it's interesting seeing that Anthony Hopkins stays true to form to his classic Anthony Hopkins self. No disappointment there; how could anything go wrong seeing him in the movies?

BTW, their wardrobes are classic 60s and loved the lady in pink (from head to toe), even with the pink lipstick.

The Ruby Ring (1997 TV Movie)

Many answers for the ruby

[9/10 · 19 January 2014]

This movie is great - taking a young teen from present day to the past in a journey to discover what she wants and/or doesn't want. If only every teen can have a grandmother to give them a ruby ring so that they can see for themselves what the "grass on the other side of the fence" really looks like.

It has some resemblance of a mix of the SOMEWHERE IN TIME with the WIZARD OF OZ, but not too either extreme. In the end, one is left to wonder, will she get her wishes after all?

Love the actors and actresses in this film, and it was very well made. Perfect for anyone that is facing some disdain in their life and wonder if they should venture off in the greener pastures or remain right where they are presently.

Café Cinema (2014– )

Real Life Social Justice Issues

[8/10 · 19 January 2014]

It's hard to put together a show like you did, but I think that you did a great job in putting together concepts that would have not been discussed in ordinary conversations. I think that this is a great lead in to the other episodes that will be forthcoming, and especially to the point of the one on child abuse. The isolation theme that is felt in this film is demonstrated time and time again in these social justice films, which is often used by the abusers as a form of coercion and control, and is often repeated by those in power and control throughout history.

It's seemingly a very strange movie being reviewed in this episode, as Michael mentioned several times, but the message is seemingly clear. I like that Michael reminds about a 3rd scene location that seems to better define the analogy of the "obedience training" to "raising the children" in this film. Disturbing though is that the concept of this strange film was that of a joke originally.

There are parents who exercise a great deal of discipline to their children (albeit not to this extent) and their children live sheltered lives; while others may seem to be too liberal (Auntie Mame type) where the children's eyes may be opened seemingly a little too far. Judgement of parenting styles is important to assure in society's morals and values that we don't take it too either extreme, hence the reason for Children Protective Services is involved when reported. Of course, if they live in that much isolation, how are they reported, which gives further rise to the concern, how many parenting styles are not discovered, and how many children live in fear of the outside world, given that they have lived an extreme sheltered life and know not what a "normal" (what is normal?) life for a child to be raised?

So many dialogues that can be raised by seeing this film.

I am anxious to see what the other episodes represent!

Footloose (2011)

Huge Kevin Bacon fan...

[8/10 · 16 January 2014]

so I have avoided like a plague to see this version of the movie remade in 2012. I am guessing 2 years wait is a good wait to see it.

Dennis Quaid is a great stern preacher and loved seeing the WHY at the beginning of the movie; it makes more sense that the reference made to it in the older version. I really enjoyed following this newish line of script.

Don't get me wrong, the original Footloose will probably always be my favs - it was the one that we danced to after high school and during college; however, this version is an acceptable version to see, albeit it may never replace as my favorite.

I would encourage the naysayers to give this movie a chance. It did very well to tell the story and show the good spirit of dancing. May we all have the ability to dance with the freespirit that is demonstrated in Footloose.

Waking Ned Devine (1998)

Great Irish Humor!

[8/10 · 12 January 2014]

Although this film was actually filmed in the UK, it was set to be in Ireland and has maintained the Irish flavor and humor.

This film poses the question about "What would you do?" if you were finding out that one of your best friends had died, after dying from shock that he had just won the Lottery.

They go through a series of decision making and antics to pull off what they finally decide to do.

Especially for those that enjoy British/Irish humor in other movies, you will definitely be pulling up to the movie with a fresh batch of popcorn for this one.

Play the Game (2009)

Play the Game

[9/10 · 11 January 2014]

A movie that everyone dating should see and decide whether you play the game with dating, or play the game at work. Loved seeing another side of Andy Griffith (Grandpa). It was nice seeing Doris Roberts (Rose), from Everyone Loves Raymond, banter with Grandpa. It created an nice look of age stereotyping on what is love and how we define what love will look like for each of us. Will we know love when it arrives?

There's definitely something to appeal to all ages watching this movie! Lots of laughter along the way!

I've seen this before too and never wrote the review back then, but I did so this time to make sure that you are encouraged to watch this.

Great date movie to watch and wonder in the end.. ?

One for the Money (2012)

Working Never Looked So Intriguing

[7/10 · 8 January 2014]

Honestly, I think that the reviews were too harsh on Katherine Heigl (Stephanie)'s movie outside of her role on Grey's Anatomy. She's a seasoned television actress but the movie role becomes her.

This is the second time, actually, that I watched this movie. Debbie Reynolds (as the Grandma Mazur) and Sherri Shepherd (as Lula) add great comedic highlights.

Thinking that most folks can identify being unemployed and looking for a new job -- anything to pay the bills (although we really don't want anything), it was a blessing to find her friend at one of the places she was applying for a file clerk role and the friend was a true friend (altough she didn't recognize her) by giving her a better role at the company. Just goes to show that we all do have friends in "low" places (in places that we least expect them to be).

The new role, a "cheesy" type of bounty hunter, sends her on quite an adventure with a spark of banter and romance. She takes her role seriously and tackles them with "grace".

Well worth the repeat view. Should have reviewed it back then, but happy to do so now in hopes to encourage you to give this movie a chance!

The Reader (2008)

Very moving!

[7/10 · 8 January 2014]

This movie is about dedication and commitment above all else!

What starts off with a bit of romance with a young man that was reading to her when she returned home to work, it is later revealed that she has a deeply dark secret. She accepts a punishment for something that she didn't do because her pride couldn't admit another secret that she had her entire life.

She paid the price in more ways than one. He continued his commitment to read to her throughout her prison years until he started being confused by her letters.

While it was slow at the beginning, it picked up when things began to be put together. The movie was well structured and kept the air of secrecy very tight lipped until it was later revealed - definitely representing how very hard it was to keep such embedded secrets for so long.

The social (in)justice aspect of this movie is that the secrets she held stole her opportunity to live her life. Had she had the opportunity to live her life otherwise by making different choices, would it/could it have been very different for her? Could she have gone against the authorities to do things that she knew were morally wrong? Would she, though, have met the reader (because it was the reader that had comforted her and made her work surreal? What do you think?

The Ramen Girl (2008)

Ramen is Top Pick

[8/10 · 8 January 2014]

It is a shame when someone so talented is taken away from this earth. Brittany Murphy is a star in this movie with her big sparkling eyes in Tokyo where she plays Abby. She finds herself alone in a community that she's not familiar with the language.

She could have sat forever feeling sorry for herself or return back to America (dilemnas that we all often deal with at varying points in our lives - self examination and reflection and moving forward), instead she makes it her mission to be taught by a Ramen Chef. They are butting heads with each other with him calling her crazy, monkey brains and more.

Recently I have been seeing some of her movies and wish we hadn't lost someone like that. Tragic really.

I would definitely recommend this for a light hearted movie with some twist of surprises at every "corner" in the film.

Dogville (2003)

Not well known, but should be a classic to see!

[9/10 · 6 January 2014]

When we first selected this movie from Amazon Prime, we were prepared for a movie that we had somehow missed with Nicole Kidman in it and not prepared for the play; however, I was immediately captured by the staging.

I have been raised seeing a lot of plays, and my boyfriend has not been seeing them for that long. At first he wanted to change it, but he is just as much entranced by the movie. Another reviewer commented that they hardly noticed the staging after a bit and later realized that there would have been so much that they would have missed had it been presented any other way. I totally agree. It brought out the softness and tenderness, as well as emotions (or lack of emotions in some cases) in a more striking and memorable manner.

It reminds me of watching Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams or Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman in that they both delved on the humanity within our souls. The narration in this helps to keep the viewer on track and guided with a great tone of voice.

If someone doesn't put this on a list for classic movies/plays to see, it would be a travesty in itself. Anyone interested in staging, humanity, etc. would be in complete awe.

Nicole Kidman was fantastic, as well as all the other cast members with a pleasant surprise to see Lauren Bacall in this too.

The Mighty Macs (2009)

Against All Odds

[10/10 · 21 April 2013]

This is a must see show - especially for every woman that thinks she is hitting against all odds and will amount to very little. I hope and wish that, anyone feeling discouraged, they choose to watch this heartfelt movie and be empowered by it. Cathy Rush is to basketball what Clara Barton is to nursing and was truly amazing. Get your young children before this show and let them become inspired by the story of this woman who encouraged her team to grow through believing in their dreams. Every dream may be slightly different on a team, but the end result comes together when a team acts like a true team. Cathy Rush did for women's basketball in a time that it wasn't popular for women basketball teams to exist what the Jody Conradt's, etc. do for the women basketball teams of today -- definitely a woman ahead of her time. Don't worry, if you aren't necessarily a basketball fan, you'll still be amazed because the lessons learned can be applied to just about any area of life.