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Reviews
Minamata (2020)
A Meditation
What has stayed with me days later are the sublime quiet scenes. The persevering care given to Tomoko, a fetal victim of mercury poisoning, impressed me deeply. When the mother says it takes five hours to feed her daughter, you see and feel the
rhythmic spooning of rice gruel as a meditation, so serene is her face and focused her movement.
This rare cinematic experience is repeated, and heightened, in the film's slowly unfolding climax. "They are ready", says Aileen, and so is the viewer who has been anticipating the creation of Smith's transcendent photo. It doesn't disappoint.
The Magic of Belle Isle (2012)
The Kindness of Neighbors
A multitude of life problems -- divorce, alcoholism, physical and developmental disabilities, teen angst, sudden death, depression -- are gentled and then overcome by universal neighborly kindness during an idyllic summer by a lake. Magical, indeed.
Happî awâ (2015)
Japanese women on the verge
Binged this 317-minute realistic drama about four female friends who come to grips with their feelings of doubt and disappointment as they enter middle age, in particular with the relational shortcomings of men. The slow, detailed narrative, with its prolonged scenes and interwoven story lines around a centering drama and unique structural elegance, mesmerized me. This is rare, meaty fare far afield from the happily-ever-after screenplays that are all too common among Japanese movies, at least the ones I've watched heretofore on Amazon Prime.
Greenfingers (2000)
A Bloomin' Good Movie
We watched Greenfingers on Amazon Prime. Being gardeners and believers in redemption, it attracted our interest. Happily, it was all that we wanted: often amusing and emotive with snappy dialogue, fluid acting and lovely cinematography. I could have done without the flash forward at the movie's opening, which confused me and got in the way as I puzzled over it. Otherwise, the narrative flows and gives the viewer an easy ride. Old pro actors lend sentiment and spice. Younger actors do well in supporting roles, too. Hunky Clive Owen, who is the main protagonist, has a low-key charisma throughout while transforming in a believable fashion. This is a "feel good" movie in the best sense, one that has humanity and humor without cloying sentiment. It ends with a twist that's cinema heaven.