w112th Reviews

The Kids Are All Right (2010)

great [!]

[12 July 2010]

my other half and i found this movie wonderful -- even it some parts and characters hit a little close to home [ some might call me 'nic'-like] -- and the dialogue contains one or two gems which may likely leak into popular vernacular [ e.g. 'thanks for counting'] the strongest suit perhaps of the film are the performances, particularly annette bening who seemingly refuses to give anything less than an Oscar-worthy performance. julianne moore, as always does well with a character which one imagines is the diametric opposite of her personality ]; josh hutcherson is a sturdy actor as well as great eye-candy, while mia was. may clearly be one to watch closely as this young lady communicates effortlessly as actress.

and for those fault the film for lacking some definitive blockbuster ending or story development: this film documents about 2 months in the life of a family and well tells its story of the intricacies and nuances of what could believably happen during this course of time in a family -- any family, gay, straight or other -- and how a family survives ...

well done, ms. chodolenko ...

Windfall (2006)

potential sleeper ...

[6/10 · 9 June 2006]

based on the just seen pilot this show has a great deal of potential : especially for interesting plot & story lines

hoping that the writers decide to take risks [ i.e. avoid clichés and attempting to please middle-America ]

hoping the network execs choose a time slot & leave it there [ rather than moving it all over the place ]

thus far the dialogue is sometimes stilted / unrealistic / dumb -- yet some of the actors are really attractive [ which alone earns interest points ]

the current actors appear to be capable / competent so with good direction & writing, the show really has ostensibly unlimited potential -- given that it's handled judiciously / correctly / inventively

planning to dvr & hope for the best ...

Charmed (1998–2006)

be warned ...

[8/10 · 8 June 2006]

... myself & others have found this show highly addictive -- particularly those who really liked ' the craft '

the acting by the season 1 - 3 core regulars doherty, combs, milano is excellent [ ! ] and ms mcgowan is OK [ her voice / breath control could use some work : perhaps in live theater ] -- with the occasional exception the supporting players also perform admirably

the story lines may be fantastic / incredible to point of severely stretching the suspension of disbelief; however, the core of the storytelling is the bonds of a familial relationship which over-come internecine squabbling in the most crucial instances arguably some of the hottest guy regulars [ drew fuller, j mcmahon ] & guest-stars [ including a sabato jr, eduardo bersatagui, j baldoni & many others as well as a couple of my college acquaintances ] & as well the best soundtracks [ the show's opening theme is a cover of the smiths' 'how soon is now ' ] & musical guests such as the goo goo dolls, pat benatar, etc.

additionally the benefit of having two such show-biz experienced pros as two of the series regulars as executive producers is apparently a huge asset

alternately humorous, raunchy , affecting, poignant, mystical / spiritual, rocking' & fantastic -- w/nary a bottle-blonde in the bunch : the gorgeous brunette threesome which constitute the sister -- the most powerful witches ever born -- will likely have any viewer quickly under their spell

' the power of three ' rules : forever ' charmed '

Once Were Warriors (1994)

a must-see film ...

[9/10 · 29 May 2006]

this film miight best be avoided by those who have ' delicate sensibilities ' : there are some scenes and depictions which may be shockingly disturbing &/or induce actual bawling

movies entertain & films educate -- & this one does that and then some given that it may even prove therapeutic for some viewers and cautionary for others

in my non-professional opinion, every aspect of this production -- the entire cast & presumably the entire crew -- was superlative i believe that

this gut-wrenching tranche-de-vie of a mother's life in transition has had a great impact on my real life by informing my boundaries in intimate relationships & thereby saving much heart ache -- and perhaps even my life -- from toxic entanglements

i highly recommend this film -- & please feel free to drop a private line should your experience differ from the foregoing advisement

Valentin (I) (2002)

wonderful film & ms carmen maura's performance transcendent

[9/10 · 28 May 2006]

firstly, this is a film rather than a movie; therefore, it appears that the objective is more to offer a discrete perspective to the viewer -- if one is interested in plots twists, car chases or other movie ' magic', it is perhaps advisable to look elsewhere

however, if one wishes to experiences what has to be universally fine acting -- especially by the always pitch-perfect ms carmen maura in a performance which may be surely described as Oscar-worthy -- a compelling study in inter- /intra-personal relationships and an opportunity to see the world differently after viewing : decease looking & enjoy what has become one of my favorite films

lacking experience or credentials in film criticism, i refrain from attempting to offer pretentious pseudo-critique; that being stated, just one of the aspects of the film i appreciated was a presentation of the heretofore little known personally topic of Argentinian jewry

further, this film elicited empathy for ostensibly unsympathetic characters reminding one that ' walking a mile in the shoes ' of others is still perhaps the best way to understand them