Category Archives: Drama
Drama
Flash Movie Review: Bless Me, Ultima
“Do not drink milk when eating citrus fruit” and “Eat raisins to prevent the growth of cysts” are some of the old sayings I heard growing up. I have no idea where I even heard them; I just remember thinking they were such odd tales to be handed down from generation to generation. In story telling I know when a story is repeated from person to person it can take on a whole new definition. I only trust something that is solid and concrete like my great, great grandfather’s silver wine cup. It is the oldest family heirloom I have in my possession. Like an oversized thimble with filigree style etching across its tarnished finish, I can only imagine what type of man he was since I never met him. That cup is my connection to the country where he was born. My fascination with family history was stoked by this mystical drama, set in New Mexico during the 1940’s. Before I knew this film was the screen adaptation of author Rudolfo Anaya’s novel of the same name, I remember the movie made me feel as if I was being read an old folk tale. The story concerned a young boy who would learn about good and evil forces in the world, when an old medicine woman came to live with his family. Luke Ganalon (The Man Who Shook the Hand of Vincente Fernandez) played the inquisitive boy. The brilliant choice of Miriam Colon (Scarface, Gun Hill Road) as the medicine woman Ultima made this film extra special. The mix of magic, folk lore, family traditions made for an enchanting movie watching experience; despite having a few heavy-handed scenes. Because I find religion to be a personal and private matter, I felt the religious aspects to the story were being foisted on me. As the narrator finished the telling of his story, I found myself wishing I had more living relatives who could tell me about our family history. Part Spanish with English subtitles.
2 3/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: Buried
Walking along the beach on any warm summer day, one can see people swimming, sunning themselves or playing in the sand. There is the child making a sand castle with their brand new pail. Often there is someone getting buried in the sand with the help of a companion. Being at the beach, interacting with the earth, produces a calming effect on the person. The term “getting grounded” comes to mind. Unfortunately for Paul Conroy in this thriller, the earth showed him its sinister side. Played by Ryan Reynolds (The Green Lantern, The Proposal), Paul was a U.S. truck driver who was contracted out for a humanitarian mission to deliver kitchen equipment to Iraq. After his convoy was attacked and he was knocked unconscious; he came to, only to find himself buried underground in a wooden coffin. With a cell phone and lighter at his disposal, Paul would have to race against the clock if he wanted to survive. I thought this original story would be a risky undertaking. Essentially there is one actor in a confined space for the entire movie. The use of camera angles and light sources worked to the film’s advantage. I am sure this role had to be challenging for Ryan, being confined to a coffin and relying more on the emotional side of his acting. For the most part his acting was okay. However, the script did not help him nor did the director’s directions. One has to suspend common sense and science to believe in this story. A couple of the phone conversations appeared contrived, but there was one time where I could relate and I believe most everyone else would too. The way the movie ended was unsatisfying for me. I would not be surprised if after seeing this film more people will want to be cremated instead of getting buried.
2 2/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Last Time
Anger can be just as constructive as it can be destructive. Some years ago I was riding in a car with a group of friends. We got side swiped by a car going in the opposite direction. The driver of our car got so angry he swerved into oncoming traffic, hoping to spin the car around and chase after the car that hit us. Instead we got rear ended and wound up on the curb. That is an example of anger being destructive. If it wasn’t for my anger, I do not think I would have pushed myself to become certified as a group exercise instructor. Knowing the feeling of being picked last in gym class, I was determined to create an environment that was accepting of all types of people and maybe more importantly, accepting of myself. Anger was a big motivator for top salesman Ted Riker, played by Michael Keaton (White Noise, Jackie Brown). He had no time for pleasantries or politeness; everyone in the company feared him. When he had to mentor newbie Jamie Bashant, played by Brendan Fraser (Inkheart, Bedazzled), it was similar to leading the sacrificial lamb to slaughter. But when hard nosed Ted met Jamie’s fiancee Belisa, played by Amber Valletta (Transporter 2, Gamer), a beat of life could be heard in his heart. Would that heart beat affect company sales? The best part of this movie was watching Michael Keaton. For me, he is one of the best when it comes to displaying crazy anger; it forcibly grabs one’s attention. Brendan, on the other hand, does not have a wide range to his acting; it seems as if he handles his recent roles all the same way: wide eyed, extra large gestures, not much depth. The other issue I had was with the story. Part comedy, part drama and part thriller; I would have preferred one genre to give this movie more focus. What kept me interested in this film was watching Michael letting loose, along with the couple of twists that took place. On a deeper level, I tend to be curious when I recognize anger in a person.
2 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Jack Goes Boating
There is no age limit when it comes to making a good impression on a date. How many of us have done things out of our comfort zone, with the intent to show our willingness and flexibility in being an accommodating person? I remember going on a date where I agreed to a night of country two stepping. Borrowing a cowboy hat from a friend, I spent the night never showing my misery with my awkward dance steps. By the end of the evening I was hoping for a 2nd date, so we could go to a dance club and I prove I at least had rhythm. These are the things that one does to cast a positive light on themselves and in this dramatic movie we see a beautiful example of someone trying his best to make a good impression. This film adaptation of the stage play was the directorial debut of Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Master, A Late Quartet). Reprising his role as limousine driver Jack, Philip was comfortable with his role. After being fixed up on a blind date by his friends Lucy and Clyde, played by Daphne Robin-Vega (Life on the Ledge, Flawless) and John Ortiz (Silver Linings Playbook, American Gangster), Jack decided he would learn how to swim and cook. He wanted to make a good impression on Connie, played by Amy Ryan (Win Win, Gone Baby Gone). The only problem in his plan was getting advice from his friends who were having martial issues. Though the pacing seemed slow at times, I was impressed with Philip’s directing. The scenes where his character was visualizing himself swimming and cooking had a delicate sweetness. I could see this movie as a play, feeling it was an easy transition to film since it was more actor driven than action. The things one does for romance; Jack got an “A” for effort and Philip made a good impression on me with his capable directing of this good film.
2 3/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Safe Haven
More times than not, the body can heal quicker from a physical attack than from an emotional one. The body immediately works at repairing itself where the mind tends to absorb the emotional abuse, letting it settle close enough to always be heard. It takes much effort to overcome that strange voice talking from the inner mind. Running away is usually only a temporary option. Such was the case for the main character Katie, played by Julianne Hough (Footloose, Burlesque), who found herself one day in the small coastal town of Southport, North Carolina. Deciding to settle down and leave her past behind, Katie tried to keep to herself even when widowed shop owner Alex, played by Josh Duhamel (Transformers franchise, When in Rome), tried to help her out. Could Katie really leave her old life behind and find happiness in this peaceful place? Adapted from the Nicholas Sparks (The Lucky One, The Notebook) novel that I did not read; I was surprised by the suspenseful opening scenes. Beautifully filmed, Julianne and Josh were okay in their roles as they made a handsome couple. I thought David Lyons (Eat Pray Love, Storm Warning) as Tierney did a better job of acting; his character was creepy. It was possible the script made his role easier, since the rest of the formulaic story was syrupy and rushed in places. The scenes felt forced to me, as if the goal was to get a reaction out of the audience instead of the actors. I found one of the twists in the story to be utterly unnecessary which made me angry enough to lower my rating of this dramatic film. Before I am asked, this movie worked as a date movie. By the end of the film I was physically tired from sitting and unsatisfied emotionally.
2 stars
Flash Movie Review: The Missing Person
All of my training in tailing a suspect came from The Hardy Boys. Besides having read all of the books in the series when I was young, I read their special handbook on how to become a detective. Early on a Saturday morning I would leave the house to start following my first suspect. There was an elderly woman who every week would walk to the grocery store, wheeling her massive shopping cart behind her. I would tail her to the store and note what items she took off the shelves. With my vivid imagination I pretended I was the store detective looking for shoplifters. At the time, I believed the detective handbook was my most valuable possession. The training I received back then has helped me today find actors that are creating a sound, diverse body of work. This is one of the reasons I wanted to see this DVD. Michael Shannon (Premium Rush, The Runaways) is one such actor. I have been impressed each time I have seen him in a movie or television show. Playing alcoholic private investigator John Rosow in this neo-noir film, Michael delivered a solid performance in this drama. His character was hired to follow a man from Chicago to Los Angeles. Without any information on the individual, John only had the instructions relayed by the mysterious Miss Charley, played beautifully by Amy Ryan (Win Win, Gone Baby Gone). During his assignment, John began to discover perplexing aspects to this strange man, played by Frank Wood (Changeling, Michael Clayton). Little did John know his job would take him to a connection to the 9/11 attack in New York City. The director created a slow paced, artful film that may not appeal to those who need action and excitement in their movies. I found the story took every day trappings and added a slight twist to them. The jazz infused soundtrack was a perfect accompaniment to this freshly mined mystery story.
2 3/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Hachi: A Dog’s Tail
There is a special love between a pet and its owner. Crossing the threshold of one’s home with a bundle of unconditional love anxiously waiting to greet you, easily makes all of the previous hours melt at your feet. What has always fascinated me was the innate ability pets have in reading human emotions. Sadness would quickly leave me as I would look down to see these two unflinching eyes looking up at me. When feeling excited, I can remember gleefully dancing around the room holding this bundle of fur, my extended hand holding up their little paw. If you are not a pet person, particularly a dog lover, you may not be interested in seeing this movie. But I am afraid you would be missing out on the telling of a remarkable true story. Richard Gere (Arbitrage, Brooklyn’s Finest) played Professor Parker Wilson, who some say was found by an abandoned dog at the train station. When station agent Carl, played by Jason Alexander (Seinfeld-TV, Ira & Abby), refused to hold the puppy at the station overnight; Parker agreed to take the dog home for one night. Despite his wife Cate’s, played by Joan Allen (The Contender, The Notebook), resistance to keep the Akita more than one night, the bond between the professor and the dog was already forming to last beyond a lifetime. This movie went at a slow, even pace. There was a pure simpleness to the way the story was told. I thought Joan and Richard made a perfect couple and I liked the way the director made their differences apparent but not distracting. As for the dog named Hachi, I fell in love from the very beginning. I might as well tell you now, make sure you have some facial tissues handy because I cannot imagine anyone sitting through this dramatic film and not shedding a pail of tears.
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Bad Seed
Every single person born has the capacity to do good or evil inside of them. I came to this conclusion from personal experience, not from a religious belief. There was a family I knew that had two daughters. The oldest girl was the perfect child; a combination of Miss America and a Barbie doll. Her younger sister was the exact opposite; she was unruly and mean. I remember seeing the girls playing with their cousins when the younger sister grabbed an umbrella and purposely poked a cousin in the eye. The girls’ father jumped up to discipline his youngest child. She simply laughed at him. From that moment I always kept a wary eye on that girl, whenever I was around her. How does one explain two girls who grew up in the same environment, but were so completely different? From the bullying I received to the neighbor boy who tried setting his pet on fire, I have seen many evil beings. One of the most lethal types of bad seeds was the little girl in this movie. Rhoda Penmark, played by Patty McCormack (The Master, Frost/Nixon), could be the most perfect child when she wanted to be. After the son of Hortense Daigle, played by Eileen Heckart (Bus Stop, Heartbreak Ridge), was found drowned; suspicions began to surface. Did Rhonda’s parents Christine and Colonel Kenneth Penmark, played by Nancy Kelly (One Night in the Tropics, Jesse James) and William Hopper (Rebel Without a Cause, 20 Million MIles to Earth), harbor a secret about their young daughter? The original cast from the Broadway play reprised their roles for this suspenseful film. Needless to say the acting was outstanding. It was scary the way Patty McCormack would alter her demeanor with a simple look. Some of you may find this black and white film a bit campy; however, it will not take away from the dramatic story. Ironically, when I worked at the same company as my father did many years ago, he used to introduce me as his bad seed son. I now understand why some customers were hesitant to shake hands with me.
3 1/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Enter the Void
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word avant-garde means: an intelligentsia that develops new or experimental concepts especially in the arts. For me, when I hear someone is avant-garde I know I will either appreciate the artist’s work or I will not. The French director Jean Cocteau was considered avant-garde and I thought his version of Beauty and the Beast was extraordinary. For this movie that was nominated for the Palma d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival, it was considered to be director Gasper Noe’s striking avant-garde piece of work. The story was about brother and sister Oscar and Linda, played by newcomer Nathaniel Brown and Paz de la Hueria (A Walk to Remember, The Cider House Rules). Transplanted to Tokyo, Linda was a stripper and Oscar was a drug dealer. When Oscar was shot dead by the police, his spirit stayed on with the ability to visit past, present and future events. This film was shot as if the camera lens were the eyes of Oscar’s spirit, as we witnessed a gambit of events from the sister’s mourning to childhood, all the way back to conception at the molecular level. I did not mind the use of the camera lens as a set of eyes. It was the extended use of strobe lights and extra long held shots of psychedelic light patterns that I found annoying. The film itself lasted much too long at 161 minutes; it was sorely in need of some strong editing. The idea of the story was intriguing but the execution of it made the film boring for me. Besides the few brief scenes of blood, there were several sexually graphic scenes. Maybe the concept for this hallucinating movie went completely over my head. I just did not get it and found myself being drawn to reading the magazine sitting on my coffee table.
2 stars — DVD
