ScottNichols Reviews

The Kane Files: Life of Trial (2010)

An indictment of America's health care system

[9/10 · 25 March 2015]

The plot was superb, and the directing inspired. The actors were splendid. I can see why Drew Fuller won Best Actor. I especially enjoyed the performances by Ethan Embry, William Devane, and the young one, Ethan Mouser. I hadn't seen him in other flicks. He should do well. Kid actors amaze me anyway. I don't know how they get them to perform in front of the cameras, director, crew, lights, and other actors.

Even the cinematography was excellent. This is a great thriller and should have had a wider audience.

Oh, about my summary line/title. This movie made me angry. It made me angry because there's so much dark truth in it about America's health care system. Indeed, I think the premise of this movie is an indictment of our health care system, a system that would allow a 6-year-old boy to die because his family can't pay for his treatment. Out health care system is nothing but a g.d. business. No money...no TV. No money...no car. No money...no medical treatment. Scott Kane would not have had to resort to such drastic measures if we took care of our own in this country.

But, then we wouldn't have had this movie, either.

Uncle Brian (2010)

Nothing comedic about this movie

[1/10 · 18 March 2015]

To describe the movie as a "comedic" tragedy is just, well...WRONG. And to state that the movie has "humorous" hazards and consequences is just, well...WRONG.

There's nothing funny about alcoholism. There's nothing funny about bullying. There's nothing funny about maniacal behavior that brings tragic consequences (that's right--TRAGIC, not humorous) and leaves numerous victims in its wake.

I don't know what purpose the writers had in mind when writing this screenplay, but if you're looking for a movie that will leave you feeling like crap, then this is the flick for you.

The acting was fine, but the content and especially the ending are, well...WRONG.

American Bully (2009)

Not an American-Hate film from Hollywood

[5/10 · 17 March 2015]

This is not anti-American hate propaganda from Hollywood, as alleged by another reviewer. He's way off base. I don't know where he got that Red state, evil, middle American crap. These kids were never revealed as card-carrying republicans.

This is a film about a group of American teens with a sick, twisted view of defending our country. The maniacal leader, Brandon, holds ALL Arabs responsible for 9/11 and justifies ANY action perpetrated against ANY of them to be justified on that basis.

Profoundly, Brandon's attitude mirrors that of ISIS, which slaughters our innocent citizens because of our military's involvement in the wars in the M.E. I'm sure the other reviewer is as appalled at the crimes perpetrated by ISIS as are the rest of us.

This film is fiction (at least I'm not aware of any ties to actual events), but tragically I am sure that actions of this nature occur here to some degree. This film demands that we examine ourselves and do everything possible to ensure that we do not become our own worst enemy. I just hope it's not too late. Likewise, we should all be appalled by the actions perpetrated by this group of lunatics.

I have to credit Matt O'Leary in his portrayal of Brandon--great acting.

Still, I felt I left this movie without a sense of justice having been served. I really didn't care for the ending.

Away from Here (2014)

An excellent film

[9/10 · 4 March 2015]

This is a story of forgiveness and redemption about two people who made a terrible, costly mistake six years earlier in their lives, when one was a young adult and the other a minor. The flashbacks reveal that both were at fault. That mistake and the subsequent lies told by the minor and her father (a Christian pastor, by the way) cost the young man six years of his life and ostracism in his home town after his return.

Contrary to the claim of another reviewer, the plot made no excuse for statutory rape. And that reviewer, while stating that the young man, a youth pastor at his church, began a sexual relationship with the 15- year-old daughter of the pastor, omitted the fact that she came on to him and that he tried to reject her advances precisely because she was under age. Yes, he kept her letters, but not because he didn't take his recovery seriously. He's a man with a heart, and he truly cared for her.

The punishment he received was unjust because the girl and her father (reminder, he's a Christian pastor) lied under oath at the trial. The girl admitted that when she sought him out after he returned to the town. I'll state that again--she sought him out, not vice versa. She wanted his forgiveness.

The film does not try to mitigate his crime. The film does not try in some convoluted way to blame the girls' father (again, a Christian pastor who lied under oath). The film does not contend that he's cured (I don't even know what the reviewer is referring to here). In no way did the film attempt to justify James' action. Contrary to the reviewer's claim, James did in fact try to present legal papers to his new employer, who rejected them.

Perhaps this is more of a review of that reviewer than the film, but that review irritated me. I thought it was very unfair, so I wanted to respond.

What made MY skin crawl was the hypocrisy of the Christian pastor. He was a real wacko. Still, I enjoyed Ray Wise's performance, as I always do--from the Devil in Reaper to a devilish pastor in Away From Here.

Nick Stahl and Alicia Witt were outstanding. I highly recommend the film.

Breaking Bad: Fly (2010) Season 3, Episode 10

I hated this episode...now I love this episode.

[10/10 · 3 December 2014]

When I watched Fly the first time I thought, "Man, what were they thinking? An entire episode devoted to killing a fly!" I thought it was nothing more than a mind fart on the part of the writers. I just couldn't see a point to it. The numerous times I've re-watched the series Fly is the one episode I'd skip.

Then I read the comments here. At first I couldn't fathom what some of you were thinking calling it one of the best, or even the best, episode so far. I got the symbolism, metaphors, etc. But still didn't see the point. But your comments convinced me to give Fly another shot. So I watched it two more times.

Now I realize that Fly gives me an entire episode of scenes I value the most in Breaking Bad-the interactions between Walt and Jesse. I appreciate the other actors as well, for sure, but Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston are genius. Their remarkable on-camera chemistry allows them to play off each other in a manner that truly sells each of their scenes together as a genuine encounter between this prodigal father and sonthis mad scientist and his apprenticethese two friends.

In Fly I can enjoy 47 straight minutes of their banter, slapstick, arguments, and at times moving revelations. I especially enjoyed some of Jesse's comedic lines. Those writers are generous to give him those, and Mr. Paul delivers them flawlessly. Consider a couple:

"I'm gonna go out on a limb and sayyeah."

"It makes it sound Irish." (I thought of O'Brien, O'Toole, O'Leary O'Possum!)

Thanks, OPs, for clearing the fog that prevented me from recognizing the value of Fly.

Orphan (2009)

Horrible horror

[1/10 · 18 July 2014]

This movie was disgustingly bad. The orphan was a psychotic b***h who got away with everything, and it was due mostly to the imbecilic husband. I can't believe they could write a husband/father who could be that naive and stupid. All that character did was make me angry. Kudos to Peter Sarsgaard for playing that dumb ass character so convincingly.

This movie suffers from a fatal flaw: bad writing. Every time that psycho b***h decided to kill someone, the writers made sure the setting was perfect for her. Worse yet, every victim was a character I liked a lot. The one character I hoped she would get...well, you know. A good horror flick shouldn't make you angry enough that your blood is boiling at the end.

A good horror flick usually has an element of humor somewhere in it. This had none. And that Jimmy Durante song during closing credits...give me a freakin' break!

I'm so sorry to have to bash this flick because my favorite actress, Vera Farmiga, stars in it. She was fantastic, as always. I love her in every movie she's made, and until this one, I've loved her movies as well. I just wish she would have passed on this one because I never would have bought the movie in the first place.

This movie was disgusting. I recommend a pass on this one. It just might make you as angry as it did me.

As much as I love Vera Farmiga, I'm so sorry I bought this flick. There go two hours of my life I'll never get back.

The Astronaut Farmer (2006)

A family movie with valuable lessons for everyone

[10/10 · 12 July 2014]

I loved this movie. I just watched it, and I'd like to share some of the messages I got from it:

First, follow your dream(s). You may or may not reach your star, but the lesson from this film is that it's not the destination that's critically important—it's the journey that counts. Don't let anyone burst your bubble, either. Go for it, cherish the ride, and share that ride with those who are important in your life. When you experience bumps in the road—periods of discouragement—they will provide the fuel you need to continue.

Second, while it may be true that money rules the world, it's family that really matters. The Farmer family was a true inspiration to me. There were a lot of smiles and laughter at the Farmer table during meal times. Charles and Audie demonstrated their love for their three children through so many words and actions. And the kids reciprocated that love. I was moved by the love that bound this family together.

Third, make a plan and follow it, making adjustments as needed along the way. Don't expect things to just happen (although sometimes they do).

Finally, sometimes the feds just get in the way, demonstrating that they're not there to support us, but rather to serve themselves and their own agenda.

Billy Bob Thornton was brilliant, but I expected that. Virginia Madsen gave a very moving performance as a loving wife and mother, and their children—the little ones, Jasper and Logan, were wonderful. It continues to amaze me that kids can act well on sets and on location, with all those lights, cameras, crew, and other actors. Bruce Dern…what can I say, he was perfect as the kids' grandfather, Hal. Last, but certainly not least, Max Thieriot. He was amazing as Farmer's teenage son, Shepard (Shep). He is as convincing here as a member of a relatively functional family as he was as a member of a highly dysfunctional family in The Family Tree.

I won't give away the ending, but I will state that during the last 10 minutes I was on my feet, applauding at times.

As others have posted on this board, this is certainly a family movie with many important life lessons for children—well, for everyone, really. I was certainly inspired!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)

A fantastic movie that portrays the absolute worst of humankind

[10/10 · 9 July 2014]

I got this movie because Vera Farmiga's in it. I love her work, she is such a versatile actress, extremely talented...a class act (how about that Bates Motel, eh?). I have made it a point to own all of her work. Her performance was riveting, her British accent flawless (quite a gig for her--An American using a British accent to play a German character).

I just watched it. I had no idea from the title the content of the movie. I avoided Schindler's List because I did not want to be reminded of the atrocities of the animals known as Nazis. Early into the movie I realized the subject matter, paused it, and researched it on IMDb. Reluctantly, I continued to watch the movie, again because it starred Vera Farmiga. The content was more horrifying than any "horror flick" I've ever seen because the horror portrayed in this movie was real. I sat with my mouth gaping through several of the scenes, but in retrospect I'm glad I decided to finish the movie. Indeed, I discovered that the memory of the horrific acts perpetrated by those Nazi monsters (redundant, I know) had settled into the recesses of my mind, and this movie brought them back to light. I needed that reminder. I highly recommend this movie because I think everyone needs this reminder.

Asa Butterfield gave an astounding performance as Bruno, a boy who, unlike his monstrous father, had such a big heart. His companion Shmuel, played by Jack Scanlon, was also excellent. I am always amazed that children can act. As kids we all pretend to be various characters...cops and robbers, superheroes, etc. But this is different. They're not out in the yard playing. They're on sets or on location in front of cameras, directors, crew, other actors, and all those lights! But they do it, and usually extremely well.

I won't give away the ending; I'll just say that I will never forget it...nor should I.

The Leftovers (2014–2017)

Could go either way...

[8/10 · 3 July 2014]

I liked the pilot. It presented a number of questions that have yet to be answered. If this is going to be a good show, however, then they need to do so. I'm tired of series that leave the viewer in the dark at the end-- like, Where DID they go? Was this the Rapture? I hope this won't follow the blueprint of "Under the Dome." I'm not impressed with Chief Garvey's professional competence so far. He delayed deploying his forces at the parade until after the townsfolk decided to attack the people in white. He couldn't even apprehend the guy who shot the dog, then he gets his butt kicked at the people in whites' house and makes no arrest--you know, assaulting a police officer...something like that. We'll see how he does as the show progresses. I'll reserve two stars until later.

Under the Dome (2013–2015)

Under the Dome sucks

[1/10 · 21 September 2013]

It's a shame that CBS and Stephen King got away with airing this trash all summer.

(SPOILER WARNING: If you haven't seen the season finale, you might not want to read this paragraph.) The season "finale" solved nothing, added more unanswered questions (don't hold your breath for satisfying answers to them) and left the evil giant Big Jim and his idiotic minion of a son continuing to lead the lemmings of his kingdom (with the help of the blubbering buffoon Sheriff Linda, of course). With each episode I was hoping that at the very least Big Jim's demonic narcissism and pure evil would be revealed to all, but that was not to be the case. The writers failed miserably-but why should they care? They'll be back next season.

I wasted about 520 minutes of my life watching this garbage show. I'm taking the time to write this to hopefully relieve some of my anger at myself for being so stupid. I should have learned after some of the other film adaptations of Stephen King's novels. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice...well, you know. I will not watch Season 2, if for no other reason than the fact that I cannot tolerate Big Jim. I understand the need for an antagonist in a plot, but the writers went too far with him. I have a feeling this show will continue ad nauseum as long as it rakes in $$$$$. After all, that's what really matters...isn't it?