timcote7 Reviews

Gun Crazy (1950)

Most of the right ingredients, without a chemist to make them click.

[6/10 · 2 June 2021]

I won't lie, it might be because I just recently, screened "They Lived By Night" released in 1949. It was directed by Nicholas Ray and starring Farley Granger and Kathy O'Donnell. This is the masterpiece that Joseph H. Lewis was hoping to achieve. There were several similarities in the plot. But that is where the comparison would stop. While Nicolas Reyes care of characters while Granger and O'Donnell's characters showed emotional complexity while struggling with her own moral codes, Dal's character in "Gun Crazy" seemed more fighting a conflict of ethics and not a selling of them for his femme fatale. The "FF" played by Peggy Cummins had two great moments in my opinion.

#1 The very first time you see her presented in the side show.

#2 The lays upon the bed and tells him to kiss her goodbye, because when he returns, she'll be gone.

My main dissatisfaction, besides casting is the Director. He may be a very proficient technical expert, but he knows little of anything about human nature that I can detect in this film. I feel many moments could've been added to give these characters a depth that would have led many to an empathetic connection.

There are some good things that that I read from other reviews hear that mentioned many groundbreaking achievements, ad nauseam, (sometimes I wonder if you guys plagiarize each other?) Any way whether you agree with me or not, I've stated my opinion that hadn't been brought up in the 10 or so reviews that I read. I wanted to like it all a lot more than I did.

Three Blind Mice (2008)

Too Gentle and Genuine For A Better rRating?

[7/10 · 31 December 2020]

I watched this title because it followed as a reccomnedation on a streaming site for a movie that I'd been pleasantly impressed with (Spring Forward). I have enjoyed Australian films as a linear escapade, less driven by typical Hollywood plot. This movie fit that ideal. This movie did not disappoint. There was a story, but the characters lived out the important points and purpose of the film, rather than being driven solely by events and MacGuffins. The performances were subtle and often inconvenient to fitting all plot points. There was tenderness and brutality as they really are in most male communals. The three leads played their parts well, and not stereotypically. Mr. Newton was outstanding and played the central role with charm and grace.

Stella's Last Weekend (2018)

The Right Stuff

[8/10 · 2 December 2020]

There are some movies that, after watching, I just want to be quiet and let the impact of what I've watched resonate in me. Stella did that for me. It wasn't a masterpiece, but it was what it was, a truthful experience.

It makes sense that real life brothers would show this exceptional chemistry, but they shared that chemistry with every well cast actor in this film.

The Wolff brothers revealed that irreverent humor and play time that many of us only reveal in the safety of our family relationships. It rang so true and Polly Draper, as usual lived up to that truth. Her performance was so good and she made me believe she could be such a pushover, and a person who could raise two good guys.

Initially, Nick Sandow's character of Ron smelled a little stereotypical, until the writer cleverly turned a realistic corner. And after all stereotypes are often based on generalizations of truth, right? By the way, Sandow is always a fine actor.

Violet was played a little thinly by the beautiful Paulina Singer. I can't honestly tell who's to blame, she did glimmer at certain moments (though her ballet moves were clearly amateur).

I love dogs, so I know that helped me to enjoy this movie. I love my family and have a similar relationship to my siblings. Maybe that's why this movie touched me deep and has left me quiet, enjoying the stirrings it evoked.

The Assistant (III) (2019)

I could name this song in 3 notes!

[6/10 · 27 November 2020]

"The Assistant" had to receive all favorable reviews from former assistants. I understood the entire essence of this story in the first 20 minutes. It had 3 things that kept me going to the end of the film.

1. Julia Garner us extremely watchable. There are some actors who just hold your attention even in absence of a plot. She is one. She proved it in this film.

2. The premise seemed so pregnant with possibility that I was convinced something would eventually happen. It didn't.

3. It was only 127 minutes long. I could risk it I lost. I lost.

I could have edited this movie into a 30 minute masterpiece, instead of a meandering dud. 15 minutes of the thankless doldrums of her job; 3 minutes of her conversation with the wife (or demanding mistress, who knows?). 7 minutes of her personnel fumble with personnel (are college students really naive enough to make that mistake? Even so, it was a good scene) and 5 minutes of her dressing down from boss and email coaching with the "make you great" as the Big Fnale.

The Crown (2016–2023)

Season 3 disappoints, but only if you've seen the first 2 seasons

[8/10 · 24 November 2019]

I have thoroughly enjoyed 'The Crown' and been impressed by the great writing, acting and direction of this great series. I felt Claire Foy had the grace, poignancy and stiff upper lip that I imagine the young queen herself would possess.

Season 3 has age writing, and amazing atmosphere of majesty well in hand, but Olivia Colman (who has been a great actress) is just a shadow of Foy's royal heinous performance.

Colman's Queen is self deprecating and you vulnerable for a woman who has been through all that we've witnessed of the struggles in season 1 and 2. Perhaps it's cruel to expect anyone to carry on in the original; character's stead, but in this case it simply doesn't work. The other new actors don't live up tp their predecessors either, in my opinion, though all are very good at how they play their characters. Vanessa Kirby is the finest actor I've seen in decades....it's almost unbelievable how believable her portrayal of Margeret has been. Helena Bonham Carter is amazing in everything she does, including 'The Crown' but even she cannot steal the lesser crown from Ms.Kirby. I continue to watch and if I try not to recall the first two seasons, I do enjoy these episodes, but I'm afraid they will always be the red headed step children of this series.

Mr. Church (2016)

Mr Church goes apostate

[5/10 · 8 September 2018]

This was a "nice" film in the order of Lifetime movies. It was sweet AND touching, but extremely predictable. Eddie Murphy is a great actor, but he was truly 1 dimensional in a pretty stereotypical role. There are better movies that have grabbed for this brass ring of the heart. Mr Church got hold of tin.

Legion (2017– )

I may need another red pill

[7/10 · 25 April 2018]

Now to be fair, I knew nothing going into this second season. Never heard of the comic book, nor did I see an episode of the first season. On the negative, there may be many things happening that I couldn't begin to put together and appreciate (in fact, I'm positive that's true). On the positive, I have no dog ion this race. Whether they have been true to the original premise or consistent with the first season. So my opinion is of this first episode of the second season of 'Legion' as a stand alone work of art. Having said all that, I admire aspects of this work. It is not a re-wrokingof "Friends" or "CSI anything" which gets it 5 stars right off. The narrator's voice is so wonderful (Jon Hamm) that, until another dimension opens up and Rod Serling falls out, you couldn't't ask for better! The actors and settings are beautiful and enticing, and there were moments I thought would really capture me and draw me into this universe. But then the writing just seemed to fall kind of flat. The dancing scene made me giggle and feel they were trying a little too hard to be different, like "Twin Peaks" also did, in my opinion. Now I will admit that I didn't understand a great deal of what went on, but as I said I am judging this based on viewing one single episode. I think most great serials only need one episode. I really enjoyed "Lost" but did not het captured until the 3rd or 4th episode. Will 'Legion' keep me going for another 3 or 4 episodes? It'd have a better chance if I could go back to season 1, but in the mean time I will check out at least the second one. Until then, enjoy your time here in another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind.

Gotham (2014–2019)

Great Story with soap opera dialogue

[7/10 · 24 September 2017]

Let me tell you now that I have only watched the first episode. I was so impressed initially, because it is beautifully filmed, with gorgeous sets and good mood music. The actors are good, and if a little over the top, well, it is based on a comic strip. The story is impressive and interesting. But the dialogue is sophomoric. This is really a great disappointment because it is what they say and how they "click" together that makes you care about characters. I'm already bored with Gordon's fiancé'. Again there is a great set up for the story here that I really like. They have every single thing here necessary for a classic show, but when everyone talks like they're on "General Hospital," I just can't be as invested in their characters.

Waffle Street (2015)

Waffle Street is Shallow Pavement

[4/10 · 6 September 2016]

Just finished watching this movie. I wanted to like it. I worked in the restaurant business for 20 years and I was excited by the premise. The first 15 minutes or so really had me going. It then promptly left me "in the weeds." The script was missing the biting loss of status for its main character. There lacked an intensity of a man putting it all on the line, as well as what the true lifestyle of restaurant employees is really like. That would make a really interesting movie.

This film's intentions are good, but it is a thin veneer of morality and platitudes about making an honest living. The weak plot twist involving the restaurant owner and our hero was forgettable. James Lafferty simply cannot act. This might not be obvious for those who have never been in the service industry, but many of Jim's responses to customers were filled with repressed hostility. People who live on earned tips don't make a living that way. Someone with business acumen would have a better attitude or pick a different career. Danny Glover had nothing of substance to work with. There were some nice moments, but honestly, this was no honest look at life.

Something Better Somewhere Else (2010)

A Hidden Gem

[9/10 · 15 September 2013]

This little known film was a great find on a lazy Sunday afternoon. It did the rarest of things for a modern day film, it was funny. It wasn't pie in the face, pants down, video game-like funny. It was actually intelligently poking fun at life. There were moments of poignancy and loss, but mostly I just enjoyed watching these fine actors reveal fascinating characters with a intelligent plot. There are 4 stories told with intersecting characters. The acting was excellent and the writer/director was quite masterful. The pace is amusing and appealing to thinking people. The actors were all unknowns to me, a sad rarity when everyone needs "name recognition" to make a film more marketable. I highly recommend it, and then I recommend someone write a better review.

The High Cost of Living (2010)

Cost of Living covers all possible bases

[10/10 · 24 November 2011]

This riveting film is not your typical redemption movie, though you see in a realistic fashion the main character searching for it diligently. Zach Braff plays a man without boundaries or concern for consequence who is suddenly arrested by his own poor choices. The story follows relationships between people who connect, but, just like real life, not quite perfectly. You see the cost of these relationships, and how sometimes there is no pay off. I loved the character development and entire mood of the film. Braff, who I watched religiously on "Scrubs" is phenomenal and unrecognizable from previous roles. The entire cast is great and production and direction may have had budgeting problems, but not enough to take away from this gritty (I promised myself I wouldn't use that word) tale.

Living Out Loud (1998)

Romantic Fable of Americans in the twenty-first Century

[10/10 · 19 May 2005]

I loved this quirky, not run of the mill fairy tale of people trying to be run of the mill. There is an honesty and intensity that is disarming and moving. Though the resolution is a bit "Hollywood", the process is real and really funny.

Holly Hunter is a fearless actress who plays a dumped wife; not too mousy or too terrific. We hear the inner dialog so many take drugs to drown out. Coincidentally it has one of the best "drug perspective" scenes ever. She almost makes me want to drink again.

Danny Devito plays the love interest; yes this movie has guts! Though, thank God, the sex scene is not with him. Danny plays a born loser realizing he doesn't have to be.

Finally Queen Latifah (spelling?) is flawless as a bluesy torch singer! If you had told me I'd hear ANYONE sing an Ella Fitzgerald standard that was worthy, I would have called you crazy. She's got everything, including a voice and a presence on film I genuinely enjoy.

See this movie, even if your just a little neurotic and searching to laugh out loud at the ugly truth.