Category Archives: Drama
Drama
Flash Movie Review: Farewell, My Queen
“Let them eat cake” is a famous quote that we attribute to Marie Antoinette. Actually there is no record of her really uttering those words, but the quote has come to symbolize the disconnect between the wealthy upper class and the impoverished lower class. Many of us were taught about the French Revolution in our high school European history class. This movie dealt with the final days of Louis XVI’s monarchy. What fascinated me about this wonderful film was how it was seen through the eyes of Marie Antoinette’s reader. This was way before there were electronic readers and books on tape. Sidonie Laborde, played by Lea Seydoux (Midnight in Paris, Robin Hood) was the servant assigned to read to Marie Antoinette, played by Diane Kruger (Unknown, Inglourious Basterds). I found the concept of a reader a bit odd, but I so enjoyed the way this version of the monarchy’s downfall unfolded. Diane was beautiful in this role as the remarkable queen holed up in the opulent Versailles castle, carrying out her daily desires, keeping her female confidant close by; while word of an uprising in Paris spread throughout the gossiping servants. With tension building among the members of the royal court, chaos sputtered into life through the castle. We had the beauty of Versailles on display, the consistent pacing and fine acting which made this film a fresh version of French history. No readers will be allowed into the theater; you will have to do your own reading, since the film was done in French with English subtitles.
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
Take a little Lohanish lunacy, a handful of Gibsonish anger, with a touch of Jacksonish rivalry and what you get would be the dysfunctional family in this suspenseful film. The difference being this toxic family was lethal. Two brothers desperate for money, devise a plan to rob a jewelry store. It was a particularly significant store because their parents were the owners of it. As I said, this was one screwed up family. Brilliantly directed by famed director Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon, Network), the entire cast was superb. Older alpha brother Andy, played by Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Ides of March, Capote), cajoled his younger brother Hank, played by Ethan Hawke (Training Day, Before Sunset); into what he thought would be the perfect plan. I found this movie totally thrilling, powered by a strong story that was executed with intense acting. Do not let the slower pace in the beginning fool you; it only laid the groundwork for explosive events that followed. How can a plan be perfect when its creator was damaged. With events spiraling out of control, the damaged family members took dysfunctional to new heights in this startling story.
3 1/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: La Mission
In the Latin community, so I have been told, the males need to be machismo, manly. I do not buy that, but I am aware that there is a strong focus on being a family. We can all assume that when a child is brought into this world, whatever their parents’ backgrounds, they will love their child unconditionally. If only that were really true. I have witnessed the horror of a child being kicked out of the house by their parents, because they announced they were gay. These parents only loved him as long as they believed he was straight. What made this situation worse was how the parents had nothing to do with him from that day on…until they found out years later how successful their son had become in the business world. Then all of a sudden they tried re-establishing a relationship with him. For these reasons, I was intrigued when I saw the trailer for this movie. In the mission district of San Francisco lived Che Rivera, played by Benjamin Bratt (Miss Congeniality, Law & Order-TV). He was an ex-con, recovering alcoholic and a single dad. Respected by some, feared by others; Che’s world spun out of control when he discovered his son Jes, played by Jeremy Ray Valdez (Constantine, All She Can), was gay. Though this story can and has played out in many ways, I felt having the setting take place in a hyper masculine, Hispanic neighborhood gave the conflicts more intensity. Benjamin and Jeremy did a wonderful job of acting, in spite of several undeveloped scenes. Even if I had never known about my friend’s parents, I would have still found this dramatic film to be a truthful story. In my world, love is either an all or nothing proposition.
2 3/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Temple Grandin
The brain is an amazing organ. I have always been fascinated on how it works. A child’s ability to learn multiple languages without an accent prior to a certain age, to a stroke victim who can only utter one word but think they are talking in complete sentences; I am in awe with the functions of the brain. In the world of autism, there is a wide variance of functionality. This biographical movie is about the remarkable woman, Temple Grandin. Amazingly played by Claire Danes (Stardust, The Hours), her portrayal was eerily similar to the real Ms. Grandin. At a time where we had less understanding of autism, Temple grew up being noticeably different. With the support of her loving mother Eustacia, played by Julia Ormond (My Week With Marilyn, Sabrina) and encouragement from Dr. Carlock, played by David Strathairn (The Bourne Ultimatum, The Tempest), Temple was able to grow and make some considerable contributions that changed the way we treat animals. In fact, one of her ideas has been used in the treatment of stress reduction for autistic people. I have always been a champion in celebrating people’s differences. Just as differences were shown through this movie, I believe they are played out in our daily lives to varying degrees. And with a chance meeting and the acceptance of one’s differences, look at the achievements we can all benefit from. This was an amazing movie about an awe-inspiring woman.
3 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: A Prophet
There is one train of thought that we come into this world with both good and evil inside of us. An individual has free will on which way they will go. The other possibility is that we are born with only good inside of us, that evil is something we have to learn. With that being the case and under the circumstances he faced, prisoner Malik El Djebena, played by Tahar Rahim (The Eagle, Black Gold) did not have free choice. Newly incarcerated into an adult prison; Malik was singled out by Cesar Luciai, played by Niels Arestrup (War Horse, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), leader of the Corsican inmates. The naive Malik was forced into servitude; he either had to kill a prisoner or be killed by Cesar’s minions. From this introduction into prison life and though he was of Arab heritage, Malik would be under the protection of the Corsicans. This was an intense prison movie with stabbings, fights and bloodshed. What kept me enthralled was the progression of character development, especially with Malik’s growth. The story had steady pacing with solid intensity. I want to mention there were racist remarks, but I understood what the writers were doing in setting up the conflicts between the different ethnic groups in the prison. One of the better movies of this genre, this film was exciting in a different way. With the prison being a breeding ground for evil, the excitement was watching how the prisoners chose to use it. French and Arabic with English subtitles.
3 1/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Beasts of the Southern Wild
As the screen went dark and the credits began to roll, it took me a moment to remember that I had just been watching a movie. I felt I had witnessed a real life story in real time. My other surprise was the incorrect assumption I had that this incredible story took place in a third world country. From the movie trailers, I thought the characters lived in a remote backwoods village. This film was a perfect example on why I love movies. It transported me out of my reality into the character’s lives. The main reason was the phenomenal acting of the two main characters. For both of them this was their acting debuts; it made this movie even more special. Quvenzhane Wallis as Hushpuppy was unbelievable. At the time of auditions for this role, she was under the age requirement. The five year old did not let that stop her. She went into the audition and I can only assume blew the studio’s mind. She may become the youngest actress to get an Oscar nomination; that is how good she was in this role. Playing her father Wink was Dwight Henry, who in real life is the owner operator of a bakery cafe in New Orleans. I think it would be better to go into the theater with as little information as possible, to enhance the movie experience. Let me just say the story was about a father teaching his daughter how to survive in the world. Except for the hand held camera work when used, this was one of the best movies I have seen this year. It was an original pure story and had outstanding acting; I can see why it was a winner at the Cannes and Sundance film festivals.
3 2/3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
There are some people who have an acute sense of smell, that makes you wonder if they have canine genes in their genetic make-up. An example would be my nephew the perfumer. Walking into his office is like walking into a laboratory out of Hogwarts, with vials of ingredients lined up row after row along the walls. Then there are other people who lack even a rudimentary sense of smell; where they cannot detect the foul odor coming out of a co-worker’s mouth. In this intoxicating film; Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, played by Ben Whishaw (I’m Not There, Layer Cake), was born with an extraordinary sense of smell. His capability on deciphering the essences of scents was almost magical. These skills did not go unnoticed by elderly perfumer Giuseppe Baldini, played by Dustin Hoffman (Last Chance Harvey, Finding Neverland). As he was learning the craft of perfume making, Jean-Baptiste’s desire to create the ultimate scent grew daily. With this hunger growing inside of him, he started on a malevolent pursuit to capture new ingredients. This film had beautiful scenes that were as close as possible to giving off a a visual scent to the viewer, even scenes that had blood. Though I understand the book goes into greater detail; I was grateful the director held himself back and instead, presented a beautiful period piece of a movie.
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: People Like Us
Though me and my brothers look nothing alike, we each share similar traits. I have always been fascinated with the differences and similarities between siblings. How two siblings could be at a family function or what I prefer to call it, a “family dysfunction” and have opposite reactions. Is it genetic, environmental or learned that plays in family members’ traits. From a mysterious request received at the reading of his father’s will; Sam, played by Chris Pine (Star Trek, This Means War) was supposed to give a stash of cash to this unfamiliar woman Frankie, played by Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games, Our Idiot Brother). Playing Sam’s mother Lillian was Michelle Pfeiffer (Hairspray, Dark Shadows), who I thought did a much better job of acting here than in Dark Shadows. Technically there was nothing wrong with this dramatic movie; the acting was decent, the story was interesting and the characters were given some depth. But what I did not like about this film was how obvious its intentions were in manipulating the audience. Scenes were laid out to give maximum crying time to the viewers, becoming quite predictable. It was a disappointment for me; I felt the writers could have taken this story and gone deeper with each character. Instead, it seemed as if everyone involved with this movie sat down and made a list of sad scenarios and places where they could be inserted into the script. It was a bit dysfunctional for me and believe me, when it comes to dysfunction, I know what I am talking about.
2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Dolphin Tale
After recently watching and reviewing The Cove, I had reservations about seeing this movie. Could I write an unbiased review while I still had disturbing images of helpless dolphins swimming in my brain? With some trepidation, I slipped the DVD into the player and viewed this film that was inspired by a true story. Sawyer Nelson, played by Nathan Gamble (The Dark Knight, Marley & Me), was riding his bicycle by the beach when a man was calling for help. Going up to him Sawyer saw why the call for help; there was a beached dolphin with its tail stuck in a crab trap. Trying to help the poor animal, Sawyer felt a special bond to it. When Dr. Clay Haskett, played by Harry Connick Jr. (New in Town, P.S. I Love You), arrived from the marine animal hospital; it took a group effort to secure the dolphin and transport it back for some needed care. With Sawyer checking in on the animal, a transformation emerged that changed the life of the young boy. I found myself drawn into the story, understanding the reasons why the writers made it schmaltzy. The goal was to pull at the viewers’ heart strings. For me it was too forced and manipulative. Besides being predictable, I felt the movie was way over the top in being cute and heartfelt. All it needed was a swelling of violin music. With that being said, I still shed a couple of tears in the appropriate places. My heart is built to go out to the disadvantaged.
2 1/2 stars — DVD
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