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9/10
"You got to read the papers deeper than page one."
27 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
'You got to read the papers deeper than page one." A key line which is illustrated literally by all of these knee-jerk negative reviewers who are content with submissively copying & pasting, in their typical MAGAt-like frenzy, baseless & overly simplified (to the sad point of proud stupefaction), Alex Jones-ish talking points rather than viewing, reflecting, & discussing on their own.

"Leave the World Behind" is not just a story to be passively consumed; it's an invitation to introspect and speculate, making us active participants in its narrative. The film succeeds in leaving a lasting impression, not by giving us all the answers, but by prompting us to ask our questions.

"I hate people." Julia Roberts's largely unlikable character declares this while ironically representing qualities that most of us, or certainly I, find quite acerbic & alienating. Some low-info reviewers whined that this confused them - ostensibly that a film might have an unlikeable protagonist?! Too complex for them I guess. But I also suspect their angst is because she insidiously becomes disturbingly & inconclusively self-reflective as the film proceeds & concludes. '

"You got to read the papers deeper than page one." This all-too-true declarative highlights a growing trend in contemporary society: the diminishing depth in our relationships, focus, and understanding. The film smartly critiques our reliance on surface-level truths and the ease with which we accept information as it is presented, without delving into its complexities or seeking broader context; thus ultimately underscoring the importance ofcritical thinking.

Rose's Obsession with 'Friends' provides compelling commentarv on our collective escapism into the lives of others, particularly through media. Rose's behavior illustrates a common psychological tendency to seek comfort in the familiar and predictable, especially in times of distress. This escapism represents our reluctance to face reality, where we are not mere observers but active parficipants required to make decisions based on critical thinking and to then take action.

"I can barely do anything without my cell phone and my GPS. I am a useless man." This illustrates a critical message about our modern world: while technology has undoubtedly made our lives more convenient, it has also led to a significant loss of control and autonomy. It serves as a cautionary tale about the balance we must strike between leveraging technology for betterment and maintaining our fundamental abilities to navigate life independently.

""I think I am done waiting." Rose makes this rather resonant declaration after retelling the story of a man living by a river, who despite repeated warnings and offers of help during a flood - first by a rowboat, then a helicopter - stubbornly refuses assistance, believing God will save him. After he dies and confronts God about not being rescued, God highlights all the help that was sent his way. This is a profound metaphor for our often passive approach to life's challenges, illustrating how we sometimes fail to recognize and utilize the help and opportunities around us, hoping instead for a miraculous solution or divine intervention. Rose's shift towards self-empowerment is a reminder that, while hope and faith are vital, they must be coupled with an active recognition and utilization of the tangible support and opportunities that come our way, divinely sourced or otherwise.

The film's conclusion is not a lack of resolution but a deliberate choice that mirrors life's unpredictability and the complexities of our reality. In my interpretation, the movie functions almost like a simulation, providing a narrative framework within which we, as the audience, can project our endings. This creative approach encourages us to reflect on how we might navigate similar situations, underlining the film's exploration of human behavior and societal dynamics in the face of the unknown.
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Svengali (1983 TV Movie)
6/10
Two of the All-time Best Cinematic Performers; Wrong Role for Foster
18 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This made-for-tv remake of a circa-1931, well-reviewed but box-office dud starring John Barrymore, is promising, armed as it with amazing A-list leads in O'Toole & Foster, & Elizabeth Ashley for support; is simply ....watchable enough, especially for a TV movie.

But this role just didn't feel right for Foster, & that comment is amplified by the fact that this "I will always love you"-type relationship between them is even more odd-fitting than ANYONE feeling that way to/about Kevin Costner (@Bodyguard reference), for reasons we'll leave be. LOL.

It sounds like Foster actually singing; it's okayyyy, & certainly not Roseanne Barr-anthem or Russell Crowe-Les Miserables levels of disastrous. But not believable as the suddenly melodic little bird that everyone's expression makes her out to be. That's about as believable as Streisand playing the young, ugly-duckling-turned-Beauty, daughter of Lauren Bacall..... as she was/is none of those things, but she was the director.
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Negative (I) (2017)
2/10
The female lead is Great; Her costar & the script suck; the plot non-existent
18 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I can't even muster a sympathy nod for Negative. I'm kind of ticked off that Katia Winter's talents are wasted. Assuming I'm not simply imagining she has said talents - because relative to Simon Quarterman, the plot, (lack of) action. The fluffernutter conversation was the most compelling of the film. Her old buddy studied marshmallow cream???

But even that was more tolerable than Simon's acting. First off, the character is a complete panty waist. Whine whine whine. But part of the time I'm not sure what he's whining about.... it takes him so long to respond to her dialogue, and his lack of inflection, body language, and expressions leave me wondering what his response is.... like when she's having her coming to Jesus moment, spilling her tawdry tale up to then. His expression about the Columbians not exactly being good guy, what the hell.. is he judging her? Is he feigning another bit of inexplicable self righteous indignation which is again completely misplaced. He was the creep snapping strangers pics in the park. He's not blameless. And what I just gave you is as deep as his character gets because the actor and the script are unforgivable. HER character starts having some depth, but the script then inexplicably robs her of it.

Is Simon's comment about his bowels supposed to be funny? How odd and not funny. He's just annoying. He's like the Jar Jar Binks of low budget spy cinema.
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Dead Again (1991)
10/10
A Thrilling, Murderous Plot Film Noir with Lots of Fun Twists
16 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This film made me a Kennth Branagh fan and even more of a. Emma Thompson fan. I'm usually pretty picky with my film ratings, so a solid 10 is unusual, but wholly deserved.

This reincarnation murder thriller is suspenseful and well executed. Branagh's comment regarding the decision to re-filter the flashback scenes in Black and white, when they were actually shot in color, is interesting. Now going back and reviewing those scenes I can see what he means. But if you don't know any of that, you'll love this film and not miss a beat. Because your heart WILL be beating fast. Enjoy. It's great cinema!
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Bewitched (1945)
10/10
Early Film Noir That Does Not Disappoint
16 July 2022
"A story that dares to look into the dark corners of a girl's mind." LOL You know its going to be good.

Well for a 1945 early American film noir thriller, given a low budget (inexplicable considering it was released by MGM), the film succeeds on every level. Great performances, great direction, with much of its success thanks to the directors success with radio productions.

Is the film based to some degree on schizophrenia, equipped with the latest on research on mental disease?? Of course not. It's a fast-paced, clocks in just over an hour leaving your wanting more, psychological thriller that is simply fun. I compare it to Kenneth Branagh's "DEAD AGAIN" to give you an idea.
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Hacks (2021– )
10/10
Jean Smart is always rock solid. Newcomer plays a hard to like character with perfection.
29 June 2022
All these low reviews from people who clearly haven't watched the show and who I suspect have an unrelated axe to grind.

Both characters are supposed to be a bit brash and hard to deal with. But as the show goes on, we start finding things to like about each, as they found out about each other also.

I'm glad the show is a certified hit. Haters be hating.
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Rectify (2013–2016)
10/10
All the character development and painful emphatic emotions each character realistically goes through.
29 June 2022
The negative reviews astound me. I suggest that Starsky & Hutch is the speed and caliber of entertainment meant for anyone calling this show boring.

The topic at hand requires well developed characters, and making some of characters you initially abhor still require empathy for the torture they're going through. Example: Teddy. Yeah he's a schmuck, but given time you kind of understand a little more about why.

The mom is expertly played. As is the sister and stepdad.

Exciting adult television for adults with curious, critical thinking abilities.
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Hot Pursuit (2015)
1/10
Unfortunately Dreadful
10 June 2015
I wanted so much to like this film, and expected to, based on: 1) Reese Witherspoon has been a favorite actress for many years. 2) the director's past work, such as the Proposal. 3) I love buddy movies, whether male or female. 4) I was interested to see if Sofia Vergara could play any other role than the annoying, loud-mouthed scene-killer from Modern Family (spoiler: She can't!!).

I went with my friend Nicole to see this as a part of a double-feature at a drive-in. we made our selection based on this movie. We were expecting to enjoy this but dislike Mad Max. As it turns out Mad Max, the first feature, saved the night.

This was just awful. It was not funny. I felt uncomfortable watching poor Reese twist awkwardly in her role, and having to play against a terrible costar. The 'jokes' were forced and not funny. The pace of the film was all over the place.

Some reviewers on here make the ludicrous claim that there is a gender-bias to the reviews. HOGWASH!!! Anyone giving this movies more than three stars clearly has a gender bias of their own. Nicole wanted to leave after 20 minutes. I (the guy!) insisted that we stay because it was bound to get better. Huge mistake.
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The Judge (2014)
7/10
Good Chick Flick for Dudes
10 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I am not usually a fan of Robert Downey, Jr., however my appreciation for Robert Duvall encouraged me to watch this. I am glad I did. Both leads, as well as supporting cast did a fantastic job.

While the courtroom scenes are not the makings of epic thrillers, they are realistic for that very reason, and I appreciated it.

I wish we would have gotten just a bit more insight into the reasons for estrangement between the leads. That part of the film was the most important, but seemed rush. There is a fine line between sufficient character development and overdone melodrama, but I felt I was not completely invested in each character.

nonetheless, it was a very good movie.
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7/10
Fun, lighthearted fare
10 June 2015
The movie was cute and well-acted. It reminds me of the After-School Specials on TV we used to have here in the States, in that it was lighthearted with some great acting and touching upon difficult subjects effectively without going overboard. I wish we would have had movies such as this when I was growing up. It would have helped a lot. Hopefully, it helps some young folks was they deal with a difficult time.

I also thought of the British movie "Beautiful Thing" when I was watching this. That also dealt with teenage boys dealing with same-sex attraction as they deal with the already-tortuous teenage years.

The direction was decent, perhaps just a bit uneven at times.
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Horns (2013)
8/10
Dark, Funny, Odd, and Original Supernatural Crime Thriller
10 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This film was recommended by a friend. I was quite surprised how good it was. I know it will not be everyone's cup of tea, as it is weird, crass, lewd, and even even obscene at times... but all in a good way to great effect.

The scenes showing the effects the horns are having on the people around Radcliffe's character are a riot. The scene in the doctor's office waiting room had me in stitches! I love that this film was completely un-formulaic and original. Maybe with a bigger budget for a longer running time, they might have been able to explore deeper into a few of the characters. But as it is, it is a great independent production. It made me thing of "Pan's Labyrinth" which I still adore.
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Turks (1999)
7/10
Decent Cop Drama
1 July 2007
Re-runs of this 1999 cop drama are currently being shown on the new Sleuth network. I don't even remember the show from its first run, which isn't all that surprising given that networks barely give new shows a chance to build an audience before yanking them.

"Turks," while certainly being slight formulaic, is a pretty good show. The cast list which includes William Devane and David Cubitt (a veteran of many short-lived series and later of the successful "Medium") is plenty stacked and the characters have depth. As a gay man, I appreciated the way the writers handled a major character's homosexuality... mature, straightforward without the usual liberal drama and "preachiness." Sorry this show didn't last.

Give it a shake. Its worth your hour.
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Normal, Ohio (2000)
9/10
Never forgive FOX for canning this one
1 July 2007
I'm still sad this show didn't make it. Not only was Goodman great in this show, but his character was someone I could really relate to. I'm gay, but most gay TV characters are foreign to me. My partner and I couldn't even take "Will & Grace" after a couple episodes. But we instantly liked Rex Gamble. Masculine, blue-collar, small-town family guy. His homosexuality was matter-of-fact. There was no shrill over-the-top drama about it, or liberal "preachiness" so common in most TV shows these days. And most importantly, the show was well cast and FUNNY.

If it ever comes out on DVD, we'll buy it.
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