Category Archives: Drama
Drama
Flash Movie Review: Frozen River
How far would you go, using desparate measures, if you knew you only had a short time, before you could lose everything? As bitter as the winter season, with hope becoming as frosted as the St. Lawrence River, Ray Eddy, played by Melissa Leo (21 Grams, The Fighter), has no choice in her decision: become a smuggler of illegal immigrants. As the title of the movie implies, she does this by driving over the St. Lawrence River when frozen, bringing the hidden immigrants in from Canada through the Mohawk reservation, which reaches into Quebec from New York. When one hears about crossing the border, most people think of the southern border of the United States with Mexico. It was fascinating to have the location in a small northern town instead. Melissa’s raw presentation was incredible. One could feel the despair coming out of her. It was an amazing performance worth watching. Even Trooper Finnerty, played by Michael O’Keefe (Michael Clayton, Too Big to Fail) can sense her turmoil, though he is bound to uphold the law. A bitter, cold observation of a woman in crisis, this movie has to be seen–even if it means you have to wear a sweater to do so.
3 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: August Rush
What do you call that feeling, where you have no reason to believe something is true; yet, in your heart, you know it to be true? Is it deja vu, a sixth sense, or a connection that was made early on? Regardless, this film is a magical and musical urban fairy tale, that will strike a chord with the viewer. Being raised in a family of music lovers, the variety of music genres performed was in synch with my musical tastes. A young orphan and musical prodigy, August Rush played by Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland), believes his parents are alive. He has no reason to believe this is true; but, feels he can hear them and if he can simply perform the music he hears, they will come and get him. As young as Freddie is, he has some soulful facial expressions and was a joy to watch. His birth mom, Lyla Novacek played by Keri Russell (Bedtime Stories, Felicity-TV), was a concert cellist and that is all I wish to tell you about this film, wanting you to experience the magic of this movie for yourself. The story was written to pull at your heart strings–so what? Let the music carry you through this sweet, tender movie as you learn to trust the voice you carry inside of yourself.
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Adam
Have you ever gone out of your comfort zone because of a hope or desire? Or maybe even for love? That feeling as you first cope with the uncomfortableness, to only have it replaced with sheer joy– it is a wonderful thing. This touching movie played out on this theme as Adam Raki, played by Hugh Dancy (Black Hawk Down, King Arthur), who has asperger’s syndrome, meets his upstairs neighbor Beth Buchwald, played by Rose Byrne (Knowing, 28 Weeks Later). What begins is a course of new experiences. Watching Hugh as he displayed the characteristic traits associated with Asperger’s, I could feel the anxiousness and confusion that he was experiencing. It was a well done performance that was perfectly suited for the story line. I always fine it amazing when the heart and mind try to form a connection, that will lead to a strong emotion. After viewing this sweet film, my wish for you is that one day you tap into your courage and let it sail you across that sea of discomfort, to land you on the shores of delight.
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Iron Lady
Sadly, this iron lady has an unattractive patina of rust. No matter your political allegiances, you would have to agree, former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom has an important place in history. If this movie is supposed to honor her legacy, I am afraid it failed. This film was a series of flashbacks seen through the eyes of an elderly Mrs. Thatcher and from what I perceived, as she was going to the doorstep of dementia. We all know Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt) is the queen of accents and she looks the part here of Margaret. But do we really need the camera to anchor itself on her face, so we can watch Meryl go thru a checklist of every emotion? As her husband Denis Thatcher, I have always enjoyed Jim Broadbent (Another Year, Vanity Fair) in past roles, but in this movie he comes across as a court jester to his wife. I do not know, maybe in real life that was his role. For me, this movie was more like the cliff notes for an incredible woman’s life. I cringe to think of the real Margaret Thatcher sitting in horror, as she watches this lackluster series of vignettes, that is supposed to be a video history of her life.
2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Anastasia
This classic movie was the impetus for me to delve into Russian history, for a period of time. Revisiting this film reminded me how I had been enthralled with the stellar cast. After her self-imposed exile from Hollywood, Ingrid Bergman (Casablanca, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) returned to triumph in this Oscar winning role. She played the confused Anna Koreff, a woman with a striking resemblance to the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov. For a long period of time, there were stories that Anastasia, the youngest of Tsar Nicholas II’s daughters, survived the execution of the family, that ended the Romanov dynasty. This majestic movie has to be watched, just to see how superb acting generates the story. Take a look at this mighty trio of actors: besides Ingrid, there is Yul Brynner (The King and I, Westworld) as General Sergei Pavlovich Bounine; the Russian businessman who is determined to turn Anna Koreff into a believable grand duchess, hoping to get his hands on a potential fortune. And then there is Helen Hayes (A Farewell to Arms, Airport) as the Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovn, Anastasia’s paternal grandmother, who must be convinced that Anna is really her granddaughter. This is a great movie to view in that good old, Hollywood tradition.
3 2/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Pariah
Think about a time when you felt out of place, where you did not belong and were in the minority. Imagine if it were in your own family. The powerful story coming across the movie screen did not sugar coat the pain, the sadness, the fear as high school senior Alike, played by Adepero Oduye (Half Nelson), is in the beginning stages to her coming out as a lesbian. With a religious mother, who wants to believe feminine clothing could put an end to her daughter’s tomboyish facade and her policeman father’s avoidance of the obvious, Alike struggles to be the person she knows to be inside of her. Adepero was incredible in this role, with a face that was a canvas for the array of emotions that streamed through her body. There is a good possibility she will get an Oscar nomination for this role. A surprise for me was seeing Kim Wayans (In Living Color–TV series, Juwanna Mann) as her strict mother, Audrey; she was excellent in this serious role. In conjunction with the telling of this story, there was the beautiful, intimate filming of it, with stark close-ups washed in rich colors. Whether you are gay or straight, I feel all can appreciate this movie; for ultimately, we are all human.
3 1/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: A Better Life
The sacrifices one makes for a loved one and especially when that loved one is a child. What I believed to be an honest depiction, this movie had a lot of heart in it. The story is about Carlos Galindo, played by Demian Bichir (Che: Part Two, Don’t Tempt Me), who is trying his best to keep his son Luis, played by Jose Julian (Mi Verdad), on a path to better opportunities–to stay in school and out of the gangs. This meant Carlos was willing to do anything he could to make a better life for his son than himself, an illegal immigrant. For a movie to be good, it has to move me, make me think. Watching the challenges, the heartbreak, the love; I was certainly moved by this picture. I know there are worse hardships, more tragedy in one’s life; however, I felt this movie was truthful and worth your time to view.
3 1/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: In the Land of Blood and Honey
In times of war, women are a commodity that can be discarded like used facial tissue. This message was repeated over and over again throughout this film. Due to the breakup of Yugoslavia, a territorial conflict exploded with ethnic cleansing, systematic mass rape and genocide. I have to give credit to Angelina Jolie for her effort in bringing this story to the silver screen. She was the writer, director and one of the producers. However, the movie’s focus was not about the why and how of this horrific war. The story was about Danijel, played by Goran Kostic (Hannibal Rising, Children of Men), an officer in the Serbian army who re-encounters Ajla, played by Zana Marjanovic (Snow, It’s Hard to Be Nice), a woman he was dating before the conflict, who now is a captive in his camp. For me, the story was a re-telling of Romeo & Juliet, but not as well done. Also, the directing was not strong enough to give this movie some needed power. Angelina did accomplish in showing us how sexist men can be, especially when they are in uniform. Bosnian/Serbian/English.
2 1/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: Mao’s Last Dancer
What would we be without our arts, our culture? To think about the sacrifices artists endure for their passion; I so admire their dedication, their perseverance. This DVD provided yet, another example of an individual forfeiting; in this case, his family and country, to follow his dreams. Based on the autobiography of Li Cunxin, this movie’s story was inspiring to me. At the age of 11, Li was chosen to leave his family and their poor, Chinese village to study at the Beijing Dance Academy. Watching the strict dance regiment the children were put through, one has to wonder: can artists be manufactured? For me, they can be made to reproduce precise movements; however, they cannot be taught passion. The film moved back and forth from Li’s childhood to him as an adult, when he was being hosted in the United States by Ben Stevenson, portrayed by Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek, Super 8), who was the ballet director of the Houston Ballet. An inspiring story, this movie will resonate with those who appreciate the arts.
2 3/4 stars –DVD
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