Category Archives: Drama
Drama
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
Flash Movie Review: The Artist
Are movie reviewers jumping on the bandwagon here, so they will be considered cool? There is such a buzz about this movie; that I feel it has surpassed the reality of watching it. Seriously, I had to wait in line at the doors to theater eleven, so that we all could walk in an orderly fashion to our seats. Let me say right at the start, this film is a novelty and for younger viewers, it may be the first time they have sat through a movie that has, for the most part, no dialog. This black and white picture portrayed the period of Hollywood 1927 easily enough, with wonderful sets and some beautiful scenes. The acting had to be all physical with an emphasis on facial expressions to convey emotions. The French actor Jean Dujardin as George Valentin along with the Argentine/French actress Berenice Bejo as Peppy Miller were quite good in their physicality. The story played out with no surprises; essentially about Valentin’s downward spiral at the onset of talking pictures, as Miller’s star begins to rise. Is it worth seeing this picture? Overall, I would say yes; for if nothing else, to get a flavor of what the movie experience could have been like, back in the early days of motion pictures. Is this the best picture (several Golden Globe nominations) of the year? I am afraid not. If that means I can not be with the cool crowd, so be it.
2 3/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: War Horse
After seeing a scene from the Broadway show on the Tony awards, I had high expectations for this film. The director Steven Spielberg had what seems to be his requirements these days: lovable main character in Joey the horse, cute kid, pull your heart string scenes, funny interlude, obstacle course. Now I’ll be the 1st to admit, I had tears in my eyes, along with the majority of the audience; however, it was not enough to make this a great movie that moved me. I am afraid it was predictable and that is because Mr. Spielberg was directing. There were individual scenes that worked beautifully; though one important scene, I found odd, reminded me of Gone with the Wind. From what I read and heard, the Broadway stage production of War Horse was filled with drama; but in Steven’s hands, we evidently are required to have a wee bit of comic relief in our movie watching experience. With a stable of 20+ horses, filling in for Joey (stunt doubles?), the animal was wonderful to watch in this movie. And for those of you who want to take your children, please keep in mind; though we do not see horrific bloodshed, there are the 1st scenes depicted after a battle. I just wish this movie would have been better.
2 3/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: The Young Victoria
When you think about the year being 1837 and a young British Victoria is about to ascend to the throne, how could you not be amazed at this woman’s determination and love of her country. Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada, Sunshine Cleaning) was outstanding as the young queen, totally believable. I felt she fully carried this picture; though the other actors, such as Rupert Friend (Pride & Prejudice, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) as Prince Albert and Miranda Richardson (Sleepy Hollow, Harry Potter franchise) as the Duchess of Kent were excellent. My favorite quote in this movie was Victoria saying to her Mother, “Oh, and if you think I will ever forget that you stood by silent and watched him treat me thus, you are dreaming! C’mon, how can you not be impressed with the strength of this woman who would reign for 63 years. My wish would be to see a sequel with Emily continuing in the role of this magnificent monarch.
3 1/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Margin Call
This drama played more like a thriller, taking place within a 24 hour period, during the beginning of the financial crisis back in 2008. Among the all-star cast there was Kevin Spacey (Casino Jack, The Men Who Stare at Goats), Jeremy Irons (Eragon, Being Julia) and Zachary Quinto (Star Trek, Heroes) all doing a strong acting job, as employees of a high profile investment bank. As I viewed this movie, I wondered how close to reality was the portrayal of upper management’s cold heartedness towards its workers. It certainly looked hellish to me. The other thought I had, was how one individual could make or break a firm during those perilous times. There have been several movies made already about the financial meltdown and some of them have been quite good. I would have to say this movie is among those well done ones. With a great cast and consistent directing, this story will keep your attention and I believe, draw a strong reaction from you.
3 1/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: A Dangerous Method
If they want to nominate Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class, Jane Eyre) for an acting role, it should be for his role in this movie. He was excellent, playing the role of psychiatrist, Carl Jung. From the moment his image appeared on the screen, he captured the audience’s attention and did not relinquish it. And the beauty of this film was not only did one get to see his performance; they got to see a 2nd powerful performance in Keira Knightley (The Duchess, Pride & Prejudice) as Sabina Spieirein. Her manic portrayal simply blew me away. And for the last leg of this triad, we have Viggo Mortensen (The Road, Eastern Promises) as Sigmund Freud. He too was excellent in his role, but due to the other two actor’s staging, they simply outshine him. The story for this historical film is about the relationship that gets forged between Jung and his mentor Freud, when a deeply disturbed, but brilliant woman, becomes a patient of Carl Jung. This is a movie worth seeing; I was fascinated with the story and taken away by the acting. What more can one ask from a film?
3 1/2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Win Win
If they ever decide to do a live stage version of Droopy Dog (younger subscribers will have to look him up), Paul Giamatti would be the perfect choice to play him. Paul has the dark cloud over his head, fire in his belly, sad sack character down to a science. Playing Mike Flaherty, a down on his luck lawyer–and if that wasn’t enough, a volunteer wrestling coach to a losing team–who finds himself in a dilemma, when an opportunity presents itself to him though it is not ethical. With solid acting, Paul’s co-star Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead), who plays his wife, matches him in the acting department. I found the story well thought out and enjoyed the way the different characters intertwined, to add layers to the main story line. A well done movie that you will not regret watching.
3 1/3 stars — DVD
