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To Leslie (2022)
Andrea Riseborough Is phenomenal
I found this film evocative and provocative. It was a deep dive into the pain and wreckage that is left in the wake of addiction. Andrea Riseborough transforms herself into a down and out alcoholic who is on a day to day survival program. Her non-verbal acting is over the top good.
Mark Moran appears as an unlikely hero who demonstrates what the power of believing in someone can do.
Andre Royo (loved him in the Wire) plays a lovable sidekick with no shortage of street wisdom.
I highly recommended this movie to anyone who is interested in a human drama about a human being searching for redemption.
Boot Camp (2008)
The Worst
I am shocked to see any positive reviews on this movie. Low budget; bad acting; weak script. Casting is ridiculous with a bunch of young adults who are supposed to be teens. Skip this Hallmark style after school special.
Ambulance (2022)
If you love good action flicks and Jake Gyllenhaal this is a must miss
We were looking very forward to seeing Ambulance when we caught the first trailer months ago but boy were we disappointed. Ridiculous writing, cheesy lines, and a paramedic who, despite constant trauma, never seemed to lose her freshly done hair and make-up! We weren't sure if the acting was bad or if it was just that the writing was so bad that no actor could've pulled it off.
A Thousand Junkies (2017)
Phenomenal; Honest; Engaging; Tragic
Honest portrayal of 3 guys desperately spending the day trying to cop some dope to "get well". Written, directed and acted by guys who have lived the life, suffering from addiction. Comic moments come up throughout the film, easing the tension the film creates for the viewer as these guys spend their work day stooping lower and lower to get what they desperately need.
The Assistant (2019)
Excellent drama about feeling trapped in a toxic work environment
Thanks to the reviewer who wrote- What to Expect from this Movie. I'm glad I read it prior to watching, as the trailer implies that the movie is a thriller. It's pure drama with emotional intensity. If you like movies where less is more, you'll enjoy this one. Julia Garner does a phenomenal job with nonverbal acting and the direction of the movie puts the viewer right into her experience as a young assistant to an executive in the film industry, with hopes of someday becoming a producer. The film does a great job of portraying a day in the life of someone working in a toxic work environment that is all too common place today, while addressing the psychology of why a person would stay in such an environment, and the toxic ties that maintain it.
Harriet (2019)
Painful yet uplifting
It's difficult to imagine a movie on the topic of slavery that has the potential to be inspiring and uplifting, but this film pulls it off. Cynthia Ervio (Recently in The Outsider) is an up-and-coming master class actor, who does a phenomenal job portraying the righteous, fierce and courageous Harriet Tubman. I only wish the film was able to show a little more of the dangerous and treacherous hundred mile trek to freedom that faced those escaping slavery. I was very inspired by the courage, determination and selflessness portrayed in the film.
A Million Little Pieces (2018)
Contrived and Implausible
Cartoonish and unlikable characters who were poorly acted. Worst depiction of chemical dependency treatment. If the movie accurately depicts the book, it's a wonder how anyone believed it and was shocked when it was revealed that he made a lot of it up.
Joker (2019)
Agreed... Heath Ledger would be proud
Deeply disturbing; stellar performance by Joaquin Phoenix; artistic cinematography; thought provoking and provocative story.
After the Wedding (2019)
Engaging emotional drama with phenomenal acting
Complex, rich story that slowly reveals itself over the course of the movie. It's about very human relationships. Complex characters. Top-notch acting by top notch actors. Emotional drama that is very layered & engaging. The musical score and the cinematography made this film even more delightful. It's mind blowing to me that other reviewer's said it was "boring ". Far from it.
Capharnaüm (2018)
Riveting, heartbreaking and heart-opening
This movie was riveting, heartbreaking and heart-opening. Certainly one of the best films of the year. Both the 12 year old lead actor, Zain and the infant gave Oscar-worthy performances. This film captures the essence of street life in Lebanon for struggling refugees. Highly recommended!
Arctic (2018)
Great Survival Story
Fantastic movie. Very engaging from start to finish. Mads conveyed a wide range of emotions with such believability, it could've been a documentary. However, the writers were able to script such depth in reguards to the value of human connection, valuing life and fighting for survival with every ounce of the human spirit. Mads Mikkelson is a master at non-verbally displaying and conveying deep human emotion and intense suffering.
The only question the viewer is left to ponder is.... did the characters ever go poo and pee?