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gregory1224
Reviews
Life Support (2007)
Excellent Film!
This film is beyond excellent. Where do I start? First, , the acting by all involved including the minor parts is brilliant. Queen Latifah is truly royal; Ross, Smith, and Pierce are equally brilliant; however, Pierce's role as the husband matches Latifah's performance punch for punch. A special shout out to Tracee Ellis Ross whose small role was handled brilliantly.
Second, the movie itself feel like a home movie. It is no small wonder it is based on the life of "Ana" a real life heroin addict whose life unfolds in front of us. The movies use of NYC locations was a smart move by all involved. The music used is really good. The dreariness of the city holds up like a toxic killer that is HIV.
Third, the topic of HIV amongst the forgotten community: blacks in America is a long time coming. Nowadays, HIV is huge among African American in our inner cities.
The movie finely address the "invisible" population and gives them names and faces.
I wholeheartedly recommend this film for anyone who wants to see what brilliant acting, plot line, and heart-wrenching choices people make...even if they are wrong.
Choose Me (1984)
What a Film!
First and foremost: the acting in this film is incredible!
I remember being one of only 20 people in the movie theatre watching this film upon it's release in 1984. I was sure the Oscars would award at least 4 nominations for the actors in the film. I was also sure the director, Alan Rudolph, would get a screenplay nod. Sadly, neither happened.
This, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated love stories ever filmed. The movie has so many twists and turns that your neck feels as if your watching an excellent tennis match.
Genevieve Bujold, one of my favorite actresses in the 1970's gives a tour de force performance. You can just look in her eyes and feel her pain, her anguish, and her vulnerability. I get chills just thinking about her masterful turn in this film. She deserved a best actress nod, and in my opinion the Oscar for her performance.
Lesley Ann Warren, one of the best actresses in the 1980's , was so good that you actually feel her angst and pain. She was robbed of a best actress nomination also.
Rae Dawn Chong, an actress I was hoping would be offered great roles, not to be in the racist Hollywood casting couch system) is simple marvelous. She was robbed of a supporting nomination nod.
Keith Carradine gives another one of his largely ignored underrated performances. His performance deserved a supporting nomination.
Lastly, John Larroquette is the biggest surprise of the film. He deserved a supporting actor nomination for his amazingly tight performance.
The critics should be tarred and feathered for ignoring this film.
With this stated, director Alan Randolph knows what it is like to be ignored by both the critics and the academy. His films Afterglow (Julie Christie got best actress nomination on because her powerful performance could not be ignored by the academy, however, they did ignore Nick Nolte's equally powerhouse performance, and Welcome to LA are just two of his great films.
One day America will discover his films...in general, je just writes and directs great performances.
Choose Me is one of his many great films to watch.
Watercolors (2008)
Well Worth The Watch!
This film is a brilliantly acted coming of age film. For all of us who have experienced the tragic results of first love, this film will move us to tears. The love in this film is incredible. The young actors hold this film to together like seasoned vets. Another thing that I really liked about this film was the realistic scenarios that are portrayed on film. While the recovering alcoholic dad and mom could have been caricatures, the actors tackle them and make you actually feel for their problem. On a side note, the film stars the great Karen Black who gives another one of her great performances. This alone is worth the watch. I have never seen a David Oliveras film, however, now I look forward to seeing more of his films. To think that he wrote it...I wonder if it was from a personal experience. If so, wow!