This movie was gritty and real.
Ollie (Tessa Thompson, a bit too pretty) is trying to finish her probation and find a better job to get her out of the border town she lives in with too many drug addicts.
But she's sort of roped back into that life so she can pay the outrageous mortgage on her mother's house. She doesn't want to, but with few options, she re-enters the world and even helps her sister, Deb (the also too pretty Lily James) across the border so Deb can obtain an abortion. Deb has no health insurance and can't afford to carry a baby to term as that will cost eight thousand dollars. Her ex, Ian (James Badge Dale) isn't much help. He may care for her and their son, but he can't find steady work so he can't help with the bills. He isn't thrilled with her choice but he also knows that he doesn't have a leg to stand on.
There are challenges for the two women, but they are strong and fearless and aren't afraid to take dangerous risks and the performances by Thompson and James carry the film as there aren't really many characters in this film. And it is sad that they live in a world where they are forced to resort to illegal activities just to afford the basic necessities in life. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-While I'm pleased that finally a major character has an abortion (rare for Hollywood films), I wish the other 'a' word (adoption) was at least mentioned. It's a shame she felt that was her best choice.
-I wonder what sort of job Ollie was applying for in Spokane where the person came all the way to North Dakota for the interview?
Sunday, August 25, 2019
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Poms (2019)
While square, this film was still a good way to spend a Saturday night.
Though Diane Keaton is top-billed, Jackie Weaver's Sheryl was the far more interesting character, as the most supportive and sweetness neighbor ever. Keaton's Martha is dying and she's lived a fairly unremarkable life (who hasn't) who grasps her last chance to make a difference and do something she's always wanted to do, be a cheerleader.
She faces opposition from many of the secondary, cookie-cutter characters (including Celia Weston's southern belle Vicki and morally loose security officer Carl {Bruce McGill}) and bringing in the young people felt odd, but thanks to some of Sheryl's zany one-liners, the film goes down a lot easier. After all, you're never too old to follow your dreams, and through some Hollywood magic, they are able to do. Grade: B
Side Notes:
-I needed more explanation about how Sheryl's grandson, Ben (Charlie Tatum) ended up living with her, not just that his parents weren't cut out for the job.
-This film did explore many important issues, but pushed them aside for the main, somewhat trivial plot.
-There is the fact that many seniors outlive their money and women outlive the men.
-Did Alice (Rhea Perlman) actually kill her controlling and perhaps abusive husband?
-Chloe's (Alisha Boe's) character needed more background and her development needs more explanation, but there is only so much to be done in a ninety minute movie.
Though Diane Keaton is top-billed, Jackie Weaver's Sheryl was the far more interesting character, as the most supportive and sweetness neighbor ever. Keaton's Martha is dying and she's lived a fairly unremarkable life (who hasn't) who grasps her last chance to make a difference and do something she's always wanted to do, be a cheerleader.
She faces opposition from many of the secondary, cookie-cutter characters (including Celia Weston's southern belle Vicki and morally loose security officer Carl {Bruce McGill}) and bringing in the young people felt odd, but thanks to some of Sheryl's zany one-liners, the film goes down a lot easier. After all, you're never too old to follow your dreams, and through some Hollywood magic, they are able to do. Grade: B
Side Notes:
-I needed more explanation about how Sheryl's grandson, Ben (Charlie Tatum) ended up living with her, not just that his parents weren't cut out for the job.
-This film did explore many important issues, but pushed them aside for the main, somewhat trivial plot.
-There is the fact that many seniors outlive their money and women outlive the men.
-Did Alice (Rhea Perlman) actually kill her controlling and perhaps abusive husband?
-Chloe's (Alisha Boe's) character needed more background and her development needs more explanation, but there is only so much to be done in a ninety minute movie.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
The Innocents (2016)
Though the film is in several different languages, the story is terrifyingly universal.
Despite World War II being officially over, Poland is still feeling the effects of the devastating ordeal. Young doctor, Mathilde (Lou De Laage) is still working on the injured in Poland as part of the French Red Cross but she is recruited by young nun, Sister Maria (Agata Buzek) as a fellow nun is in labor. Several months earlier, the convent was revenged by the Soviets, leaving eight nuns pregnant and the Mother Superior (Agata Kulesza) with deadly syphilis. Though Matilde helps them without question, despite putting her own work in danger, she is nauseated by the whole thing. Each sister reacts differently to the birth, one young novice rejects her infant daughter while Sister Zofia (Anna Prochniak) bonds with her after her own young son was taken and abandoned as Mother Abbess thought she was doing them a favor.
This whole ordeal causes several of them to question their faith, but for the most part, their faith in God barely waivers, not even after Zofia flings herself out of a window to her death. And it has a happy as possible ending, with Mathilde bringing the street orphans to the convent so the sisters can keep their babies, which is what happens. The rest of the world seems none the wiser.
Thanks to the minimalistic set, stark cinematography and brilliant performances, the film shines and the ending was sadly satisfying. And you can feel both the cold and warmth radiate off the screen. This is to be watched by everyone, as it shows you that love (whether its love in God or your child) can pull you through the harshest of times. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-I have to say it, what did the nuns do for diapers?
-Also, Zofia seemed to recover rather quickly from her crude c-section.
Despite World War II being officially over, Poland is still feeling the effects of the devastating ordeal. Young doctor, Mathilde (Lou De Laage) is still working on the injured in Poland as part of the French Red Cross but she is recruited by young nun, Sister Maria (Agata Buzek) as a fellow nun is in labor. Several months earlier, the convent was revenged by the Soviets, leaving eight nuns pregnant and the Mother Superior (Agata Kulesza) with deadly syphilis. Though Matilde helps them without question, despite putting her own work in danger, she is nauseated by the whole thing. Each sister reacts differently to the birth, one young novice rejects her infant daughter while Sister Zofia (Anna Prochniak) bonds with her after her own young son was taken and abandoned as Mother Abbess thought she was doing them a favor.
This whole ordeal causes several of them to question their faith, but for the most part, their faith in God barely waivers, not even after Zofia flings herself out of a window to her death. And it has a happy as possible ending, with Mathilde bringing the street orphans to the convent so the sisters can keep their babies, which is what happens. The rest of the world seems none the wiser.
Thanks to the minimalistic set, stark cinematography and brilliant performances, the film shines and the ending was sadly satisfying. And you can feel both the cold and warmth radiate off the screen. This is to be watched by everyone, as it shows you that love (whether its love in God or your child) can pull you through the harshest of times. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-I have to say it, what did the nuns do for diapers?
-Also, Zofia seemed to recover rather quickly from her crude c-section.
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Brian Banks (2019)
This film shows how the justice system can fail someone so easily.
Brian Banks (Aldis Hodge) might be out of prison, but his life is still pretty dreadful. He can't play football thanks to his shiny new ankle bracelet and because he's a registered sex offender, he can't be near schools or parks or fairs and as a result, finding jobs are impossible even Brian is actually a good guy (I suppose a few of those still exist). Now, usually rapists get off too easily (at least the cases that make the news), but in this case, Brian didn't actually rape the girl. The truth is devastating. Kennisha Rice (Xosha Roquemore) and Brian just went down there to make out, before it could turn into something more, a teacher comes into the staircase and Brian runs out before he can't get in trouble, leaving Kennisha pissed off. Her pride is probably sore but she turns her anger into lies and her mother doesn't help. So Brian is arrested and charged with plenty of crimes, including kidnapping. His lawyer urges him to accept a plea deal so he'll avoid prison time, but that is not the case. Brian spends six years in prison and then five years on probation.
The main plot of the time focuses not on his second chance at playing football, his ultimate dream, but rather getting his conviction overturned. He turns to the Innocence Project, where attorneys try to overturn convictions. And if this is not done before Brian's parole is up, he will remain a sex offender forever. Greg Kinnear is Justin Brooks, the main attorney and despite the abundance of evidence in Brian's favor, including the interviews of many other witnesses, it isn't enough. Even an illegally taped recant from Kennisha changes nothing. It takes meeting with the district attorney and getting some information out of Kennisha, without her mother present and the judge annoyed with the effort everyone put in to get his conviction overturned.
After that, it takes him a year but he finally gets his chance to play for the NFL.
This film shows how fickle the justice system is and how everything should be investigated as there was plenty of evidence which would have freed Brian and shame on his lawyer for giving him shitty advice. But the most shame rests with Kennisha. How dare you lie? How dare you gain sympathy for lying and ruining someone else's life in the process? You're despicable.
Now, given that Brian made his NFL debut in 2013, I'm surprised it took six years for this to appear on screen, but this film is excellent nevertheless with a brilliant performance from Hodge, playing against type. Sherri Shepherd and Melanie Liburd are great as the women in Brian's life and Morgan Freeman makes memorable little cameo. But the best part is seeing the old cell phones. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-While it was necessary for the film to work, I do not believe that Karina (Liburd) and Brian could have just walked onto that football field.
-For someone who was awarded a $1.5 million lawsuit against the school, you would think Kennisha and her mother would look better and let the bitter feelings die away. You'd be wrong.
-Why in the world would Kennisha ever think a friend request on facebook and apology would cure her guilt and get Brian to like her again?
-Brian's brother is mentioned only once and never shown on screen. I guess they didn't want to hire an actor to play him.
-I now think that Hollywood needs to make a film that shows the opposite, a victim spending years working on gathering evidence to convict her rapist.
Brian Banks (Aldis Hodge) might be out of prison, but his life is still pretty dreadful. He can't play football thanks to his shiny new ankle bracelet and because he's a registered sex offender, he can't be near schools or parks or fairs and as a result, finding jobs are impossible even Brian is actually a good guy (I suppose a few of those still exist). Now, usually rapists get off too easily (at least the cases that make the news), but in this case, Brian didn't actually rape the girl. The truth is devastating. Kennisha Rice (Xosha Roquemore) and Brian just went down there to make out, before it could turn into something more, a teacher comes into the staircase and Brian runs out before he can't get in trouble, leaving Kennisha pissed off. Her pride is probably sore but she turns her anger into lies and her mother doesn't help. So Brian is arrested and charged with plenty of crimes, including kidnapping. His lawyer urges him to accept a plea deal so he'll avoid prison time, but that is not the case. Brian spends six years in prison and then five years on probation.
The main plot of the time focuses not on his second chance at playing football, his ultimate dream, but rather getting his conviction overturned. He turns to the Innocence Project, where attorneys try to overturn convictions. And if this is not done before Brian's parole is up, he will remain a sex offender forever. Greg Kinnear is Justin Brooks, the main attorney and despite the abundance of evidence in Brian's favor, including the interviews of many other witnesses, it isn't enough. Even an illegally taped recant from Kennisha changes nothing. It takes meeting with the district attorney and getting some information out of Kennisha, without her mother present and the judge annoyed with the effort everyone put in to get his conviction overturned.
After that, it takes him a year but he finally gets his chance to play for the NFL.
This film shows how fickle the justice system is and how everything should be investigated as there was plenty of evidence which would have freed Brian and shame on his lawyer for giving him shitty advice. But the most shame rests with Kennisha. How dare you lie? How dare you gain sympathy for lying and ruining someone else's life in the process? You're despicable.
Now, given that Brian made his NFL debut in 2013, I'm surprised it took six years for this to appear on screen, but this film is excellent nevertheless with a brilliant performance from Hodge, playing against type. Sherri Shepherd and Melanie Liburd are great as the women in Brian's life and Morgan Freeman makes memorable little cameo. But the best part is seeing the old cell phones. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-While it was necessary for the film to work, I do not believe that Karina (Liburd) and Brian could have just walked onto that football field.
-For someone who was awarded a $1.5 million lawsuit against the school, you would think Kennisha and her mother would look better and let the bitter feelings die away. You'd be wrong.
-Why in the world would Kennisha ever think a friend request on facebook and apology would cure her guilt and get Brian to like her again?
-Brian's brother is mentioned only once and never shown on screen. I guess they didn't want to hire an actor to play him.
-I now think that Hollywood needs to make a film that shows the opposite, a victim spending years working on gathering evidence to convict her rapist.
Saturday, August 10, 2019
From Here to Eternity (1953)
Though this film is a classic and wonderful, there isn't much to say about it. Given the times, it is far too sanitized to be truly brilliant but the plot and acting shine nevertheless.
Robert E. Lee Prewett (Montgomery Clift, great) transfers to a combat unit of the army after being passed up for a promotion in the bugle corp, a position in which he was more than qualified for. But this unit is commanded by the lazy and foolish Dana Holmes (Philip Obers) who pins too much hope on the boxing matches. Though Prewett is a fine boxer, he flat out refuses to step back into the ring given that in his last match, he accidentally blinded his opponent. Holmes doesn't understand this while the Sergeant, Milton Warden (a great Burt Lancaster) does. Warden is a man with a far better work ethic and moral compass, despite having an affair with the lovely and sweet Karen Holmes (Deborah Kerr), whose husband treats her like crap.
Prew loves the army and honors its tradition even though he is forced to perform many menial tasks and hardly ever gets weekend privileges but still manages to fall in love with Lureen, real name Alma (Donna Reed) in town who is an escort, though her official position is never mentioned.
Things get sticky toward the end when Prew's friend, the alcoholic Angelo Maggio (Frank Sinatra) somehow manages to escape the stock-holds and dies and then Prew gets revenge on James Judson (Ernest Borgnine) who guarded the stock-holds by stabbing him and nearly dying the process.
And then comes the excellent final scenes, as the attack on Pearl Harbor happens. By this time, Holmes was forced out of the army for being cruel to the AWOL Prew. This thrills Karen but Milt still won't marry her as he can't leave the army and doesn't want to be an officer so Milt stays and Karen and Alma sail away on a boat forever leaving Hawaii.
While the plot is good, I absolutely feel that there are too many plot holes (the sudden court martial of Holmes) and scenes that were forced to be oddly portrayed due to the Hayes Code (namely, the stabbing scene between Judson and Prew). But the performances shine and Sinatra and Reed fully deserved their Oscars they received. If it weren't for the lovely character portrayals, this film would not have held up as well as it did. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-If my husband fell down drunk and I lost my baby because of that, I would give a lot worse than how Karen treats him.
-We don't know why Alma lies about Prew's actions in the final scene, probably to make herself feel better for loving him and to give him the honor he never received in his lifetime.
-How does Angelo manage to escape the stock-holds?
Robert E. Lee Prewett (Montgomery Clift, great) transfers to a combat unit of the army after being passed up for a promotion in the bugle corp, a position in which he was more than qualified for. But this unit is commanded by the lazy and foolish Dana Holmes (Philip Obers) who pins too much hope on the boxing matches. Though Prewett is a fine boxer, he flat out refuses to step back into the ring given that in his last match, he accidentally blinded his opponent. Holmes doesn't understand this while the Sergeant, Milton Warden (a great Burt Lancaster) does. Warden is a man with a far better work ethic and moral compass, despite having an affair with the lovely and sweet Karen Holmes (Deborah Kerr), whose husband treats her like crap.
Prew loves the army and honors its tradition even though he is forced to perform many menial tasks and hardly ever gets weekend privileges but still manages to fall in love with Lureen, real name Alma (Donna Reed) in town who is an escort, though her official position is never mentioned.
Things get sticky toward the end when Prew's friend, the alcoholic Angelo Maggio (Frank Sinatra) somehow manages to escape the stock-holds and dies and then Prew gets revenge on James Judson (Ernest Borgnine) who guarded the stock-holds by stabbing him and nearly dying the process.
And then comes the excellent final scenes, as the attack on Pearl Harbor happens. By this time, Holmes was forced out of the army for being cruel to the AWOL Prew. This thrills Karen but Milt still won't marry her as he can't leave the army and doesn't want to be an officer so Milt stays and Karen and Alma sail away on a boat forever leaving Hawaii.
While the plot is good, I absolutely feel that there are too many plot holes (the sudden court martial of Holmes) and scenes that were forced to be oddly portrayed due to the Hayes Code (namely, the stabbing scene between Judson and Prew). But the performances shine and Sinatra and Reed fully deserved their Oscars they received. If it weren't for the lovely character portrayals, this film would not have held up as well as it did. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-If my husband fell down drunk and I lost my baby because of that, I would give a lot worse than how Karen treats him.
-We don't know why Alma lies about Prew's actions in the final scene, probably to make herself feel better for loving him and to give him the honor he never received in his lifetime.
-How does Angelo manage to escape the stock-holds?
Sunday, August 4, 2019
The Farewell (2019)
Remember the name Lulu Wang, she is a director that will have a bright future. This film is a visionary.
Billie (Awkafina) is informed that her beloved grandmother (Zhao Shuzhen) is dying of cancer and no one in the family wants to tell, fearing that it will a death sentence for her to know.
Despite having no money (the major plot hole in this impeccable script), Billie flies back to China where the family is gathering for her poor cousin's (Chen Han's) wedding to his girlfriend of just three months, whom he may or may not love (and she's NOT pregnant). Nai Nai knows that something is wrong but thinks that her medicine just needs adjusting and she throws herself into the wedding preparations. wondering why Billie has such a long face.
While the plot is basic, it is a revelation nevertheless and though Billie's shoulders are hunched over, whether from her lackluster career, probably her favorite person on Earth dying or the weight of carrying this film, she delivers a remarkable performance.
In the end, despite Billie wanting to stay with her grandmother, she rather reluctantly returns to New York, with a new-found spirit. I hope things get better for her.
Despite the morose overtone of this film, it truly shows how supportive of a family can be for one another, however misguided their intentions are. Billie doesn't go against her family's wishes, even going as far as getting the test records changed (which would undoubtedly be illegal in America) so Nai Nai can be happy and enjoy the rest of the wedding and her life. The film also has a quiet, lyrical nature to it and is filled with great, nature performances, you almost forget you're watching a film, not a documentary. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Nai Nai is very wise, valuing independence over a relatively unhappy relationship and stating that it isn't what you do but how you do it that matters. Wiser words have never been said.
-That hospital must be pretty close to the banquet hall for Billie to run all that way.
-I might be in the minority but I was rooting for a relationship between Billie and the Britain-educated doctor. That being said, it is also great to see a film where there isn't a love line as one of the major plot lines.
-Pay attention to the bird motifs throughout.
-Another thing that needed more explanation is the sudden appearance of the pug, Ellen (yeah, not thrilled about that). She's only in one scene and it is never mentioned who her owner is.
Billie (Awkafina) is informed that her beloved grandmother (Zhao Shuzhen) is dying of cancer and no one in the family wants to tell, fearing that it will a death sentence for her to know.
Despite having no money (the major plot hole in this impeccable script), Billie flies back to China where the family is gathering for her poor cousin's (Chen Han's) wedding to his girlfriend of just three months, whom he may or may not love (and she's NOT pregnant). Nai Nai knows that something is wrong but thinks that her medicine just needs adjusting and she throws herself into the wedding preparations. wondering why Billie has such a long face.
While the plot is basic, it is a revelation nevertheless and though Billie's shoulders are hunched over, whether from her lackluster career, probably her favorite person on Earth dying or the weight of carrying this film, she delivers a remarkable performance.
In the end, despite Billie wanting to stay with her grandmother, she rather reluctantly returns to New York, with a new-found spirit. I hope things get better for her.
Despite the morose overtone of this film, it truly shows how supportive of a family can be for one another, however misguided their intentions are. Billie doesn't go against her family's wishes, even going as far as getting the test records changed (which would undoubtedly be illegal in America) so Nai Nai can be happy and enjoy the rest of the wedding and her life. The film also has a quiet, lyrical nature to it and is filled with great, nature performances, you almost forget you're watching a film, not a documentary. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Nai Nai is very wise, valuing independence over a relatively unhappy relationship and stating that it isn't what you do but how you do it that matters. Wiser words have never been said.
-That hospital must be pretty close to the banquet hall for Billie to run all that way.
-I might be in the minority but I was rooting for a relationship between Billie and the Britain-educated doctor. That being said, it is also great to see a film where there isn't a love line as one of the major plot lines.
-Pay attention to the bird motifs throughout.
-Another thing that needed more explanation is the sudden appearance of the pug, Ellen (yeah, not thrilled about that). She's only in one scene and it is never mentioned who her owner is.
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