Vinyl, A New York music executive in the 1970s hustles to make a career out of the city's diverse music scene. Created by Rich Cohen, Mick Jagger and Martin Scorsese you wouldn't think it could go wrong. Ah, but it does. I can forgive the inaccuracies. This isn't a documentary even though real life musicians are depicted. It has that loose fast pace the Scorsese is know for, which I adore. The biggest problem is the budget. 30 mil on the first episode? The problem may be the use of so much copyrighted material and people. DJ Kool Herc is presently suing because they used his likeness without permission. ($10,000 just isn't enough, eh?) If you don't know who he is unfriend me now. How can they carry on with the average 7.5 per episode? To top it off Casey Bloys is the new head of programming at HBO and BOOM, Vinyl gets the boot. Coincidence? Maybe. Rarely do series succeed in the beginning (Seinfeld had terrible first season ratings). But this could have blossomed into something epic. Maybe it will get picked up by someone else with a big budget vision. A girl can dream.
Reviews
9 Reviews
Straight Outta Compton
(2015)
Basics of a great story
10 September 2015
Straight Outta Compton is a failed attempt to tell the story of NWA/Eazy E's story. A rap group of the late 80's through to the mid 90's. This came across more of a highlight reel, with facts thrown together, than a flowing film. I am not sure how a screenwriter could tackle the daunting task of telling this story without it losing something. The story and people are very complex.
I like NWA and I like their music. Having been there through the whole story, there isn't one thing in this movie that I didn't already know. Which was disappointing.
In the beginning it felt like I was watching theater more than a movie. Soon it would pick up pace and the music kicked in and it helped keep my interest. Without the music the film would have been terribly dull to watch.
O'Shea Jackson Jr. not only portrays his father, Ice Cube, superbly, but the depth of his acting was so on point he became the best part of the whole movie. He, in my opinion, is the star of this film.
If you are not aware of the story, go see this movie. But don't expect more than an encyclopedia insight into what really happened.
I like NWA and I like their music. Having been there through the whole story, there isn't one thing in this movie that I didn't already know. Which was disappointing.
In the beginning it felt like I was watching theater more than a movie. Soon it would pick up pace and the music kicked in and it helped keep my interest. Without the music the film would have been terribly dull to watch.
O'Shea Jackson Jr. not only portrays his father, Ice Cube, superbly, but the depth of his acting was so on point he became the best part of the whole movie. He, in my opinion, is the star of this film.
If you are not aware of the story, go see this movie. But don't expect more than an encyclopedia insight into what really happened.
Slow West
(2015)
Slow West - A Must see!
8 September 2015
Slow West is an American Frontier film shot in New Zealand that really works. The cinematography (Robbie Ryan) was colorful and visually pleasing. Not something you would expect in the Old American West. Written and directed by John MaClean, the film is a slow, but steady character drama, sprinkled with humor and heartbreak. The film is about love, courage, mistrust and betrayal. Although I am not a Western Film fan, they seem to be making a comeback recently and after this, I may re-think my position.
Regardless if you enjoy the movie or not, you may agree that this is one of Michael Fassbender's best performances. Finally pinning down the American accent, he played this part with such an ease and deepness. Kodi Smit-McPhee did an excellent job playing his Scottish immigrant role of a innocent, love-stricken boy caught up in the savages of the west. One of the best lines in the movie: "In a short time, this will seem like a long time ago." This is a must-see film for all.
Regardless if you enjoy the movie or not, you may agree that this is one of Michael Fassbender's best performances. Finally pinning down the American accent, he played this part with such an ease and deepness. Kodi Smit-McPhee did an excellent job playing his Scottish immigrant role of a innocent, love-stricken boy caught up in the savages of the west. One of the best lines in the movie: "In a short time, this will seem like a long time ago." This is a must-see film for all.
Dexter
(2006–2013)
A really good series....
24 July 2015
I just finished binge-watching all 8 seasons of Dexter. The show is a unique look into a psychopath killer, Dexter, that was raised and groomed by a cop father to kill serial killers. He tries to balance his "normal life" (a facade, in the beginning) that the outside world sees, with his "Dark Passenger", the need to kill. Dexter provides the best character development of any series I have watched. Michael C. Hall as Dexter was perfect. Jennifer Carpenter as Debra, his cop sister, was perfect. Each episode/season was tense, dramatic and hilarious without being forced. There were times when it became redundant and predictable, but those feelings never lasted. Although the finale was on the lame side, it sat well with me now that I have had time to absorb it. If you want a different kind of show to watch, Dexter is it.
Son of a Gun
(2014)
Same old thing but done well.
15 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Nothing original to this movie overall, but it turned out to be entertaining enough. Australia is doing what the British did about 5 (or so) years ago, entered the American film industry with good solid films.
Ewan McGregor (scottish) as Lynch was on point. Brenton Thwaites (Australian) as JR did very well with this character. He is so young and innocent looking in other movies but this one he pulls off a criminal, surprisingly well actually. Also, Alicia Vikander (Sweddish) does okay with her role as well. I remembered watching her recently in "A Royal Affair".
Ewan McGregor (scottish) as Lynch was on point. Brenton Thwaites (Australian) as JR did very well with this character. He is so young and innocent looking in other movies but this one he pulls off a criminal, surprisingly well actually. Also, Alicia Vikander (Sweddish) does okay with her role as well. I remembered watching her recently in "A Royal Affair".
The Captive
(I) (2014)
Jambalaya of a movie
28 April 2015
At the end of this movie I was like many other viewers...perplexed. Why did I sit through this entire thing? This had the potential to be so much more, but it was all thrown into the pot and stirred up, like Jambalaya. I am not even going to talk about all the plot holes. That would take up all of my space. The Flashback scenes seemed to be thrown in at various places as to make so sense what-so-ever. Like an afterthought: "Hey! Let's cut this part out and switch it with this part!" No thought was involved. The acting was the only reason I gave this ANY stars. Most of it was just as good as any other average movie except for Reynolds, which he pulled off with what he had to work with. I bet most of those actors, that even bothered watching it when it was done, realized what a disaster it turned out to be.
Selma
(2014)
Important Film But not Great
19 February 2015
This is an important film to watch because of the content, but as for the movie quality, it isn't a great film, in my opinion. Go see the movie for the significance of the time, but don't get your hopes up for a "Best Picture".
The film is not as much about Martian Luther King Jr. as it is about the Selma March, even though it clearly delves into MLK's emotional struggles during this time. The Selma March, black people fighting for their right to vote in the south, is one of the most disturbing moments in history, and this film portrays that. Director Ava Duvernay wanted to focus on "small moments" and I believe that is what she did. But the screenplay had serious pacing problems and many long, drawn out scenes that were unnecessary.
The acting, for the most part was great. David Oyelowu, as Martin Luther King Jr. was surprisingly moving. Oyelowu has always been great in his many small supporting roles but here he steps out to the front and shines.
Tim Roth was creepy as hell as George Wallace, the Governor of Alabama. I always applauded all his acting efforts, but can't think of any as creepy as this role. He played it well.
I was also surprised at how well Tom Wilkinson did portraying Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president. In my mind it doesn't seem to work but Wilkinson was flawless.
The film is not as much about Martian Luther King Jr. as it is about the Selma March, even though it clearly delves into MLK's emotional struggles during this time. The Selma March, black people fighting for their right to vote in the south, is one of the most disturbing moments in history, and this film portrays that. Director Ava Duvernay wanted to focus on "small moments" and I believe that is what she did. But the screenplay had serious pacing problems and many long, drawn out scenes that were unnecessary.
The acting, for the most part was great. David Oyelowu, as Martin Luther King Jr. was surprisingly moving. Oyelowu has always been great in his many small supporting roles but here he steps out to the front and shines.
Tim Roth was creepy as hell as George Wallace, the Governor of Alabama. I always applauded all his acting efforts, but can't think of any as creepy as this role. He played it well.
I was also surprised at how well Tom Wilkinson did portraying Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president. In my mind it doesn't seem to work but Wilkinson was flawless.
Boyhood
(I) (2014)
Middle Of The Road
13 February 2015
I Just watched "Boyhood" and decided to come to IMDb to see what others thought of it. Seems either people love it or hate, there isn't a middle of the road here. Well, I am middle of the road.
The concept is amazing. Film a boy and his family over 12 years using the same actors about his life growing up. Having a novel idea does not make a great movie. I do believe if I had not known before hand I would not of enjoyed it as much as I did.
There isn't a plot, climax or amazing ending. It is a peek into a boys life at various times and his life is average. There isn't one thing that happens to him that is out of the ordinary, However, it is still interesting to see someone's life, and knowing that it was filmed over time and seeing how people really do change made it reach to a "good" film and surpass being a "bad" film, in my opinion.
The concept is amazing. Film a boy and his family over 12 years using the same actors about his life growing up. Having a novel idea does not make a great movie. I do believe if I had not known before hand I would not of enjoyed it as much as I did.
There isn't a plot, climax or amazing ending. It is a peek into a boys life at various times and his life is average. There isn't one thing that happens to him that is out of the ordinary, However, it is still interesting to see someone's life, and knowing that it was filmed over time and seeing how people really do change made it reach to a "good" film and surpass being a "bad" film, in my opinion.
The Imitation Game
(2014)
Strong contender for Best Picture
3 February 2015
Getting caught up on the Oscar nominees and just finished The Imitation Game. At this point, with only 3 left to watch out if the 8 nominations, this is my choice for best picture. Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turning, is simply brilliant, as are all of his supporting cast. If this isn't chosen for best picture Cumberbatch MUST win the leading actor role he was nominated for. The story is astonishing, encompassing and disturbing on so many levels. Even though it is about a absolute genius about an incomprehensible problem it was easy to follow and understand. The back story of his homosexuality was completely disturbing. I do hope everyone watches this amazing movie and when you are done, come here on your "Turning Machine" and tell me what you thought.
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