Blog Archives
Flash Movie Review: Hamnet
SUCH A UNIVERSAL EXPERIENCE, DEATH, YET everyone internalizes and processes it in their own way. I may have mentioned this before, but when a close relative of mine died, I would play a favorite song of theirs on the piano every day for a month. The months that followed, I would still play it quite often; sometimes when i just happened to be thinking about them, or on a holiday that meant something to them. Some years ago a former partner of mine passed away in such a way that health and government officials had to be involved. Both the deceased’s relatives and friends had to wait a long six to eight weeks before the results and cause of his death were announced, with the body being released to the parents afterwards. Though we had broken up in a bad way several years prior, I decided I wanted to give a eulogy, so I began to work on one for a week, up until the funeral. At the memorial service, a few of their friends were surprised to see me, since our breakup was rather dramatic. A couple of their relatives came up to tell me how glad they were to see me. When the time came for me to get up and eulogize them, I was taken aback how I and many of the guests were tearing up. Gratefully, I got through the whole thing, sat down, and felt an unusual comfort come over me. I NEVER CONSIDERED ANY OF MY actions extreme or out of the ordinary, unlike some of the things I witnessed from others. There was a daughter I knew who after her mother’s funeral arrived at her mother’s grave every day with a thermos of hot coffee, two cups and two lawn chairs. She would set up the chairs, one on each side of the plot, fill the two cups with coffee, place one cup on the empty lawn chair, keeping the other cup for herself, and sit there the entire morning having a one-sided conversation with her mom. The only time she would cut her visit short was during the winter months when the weather was bitterly cold; otherwise, she was there whether there were flurries, sun, or rain. It came to the point where relatives would gently broach the subject about maybe she could find a way to heal herself, talking to a professional in the medical field. She had no interest. This was the way she wanted to spend time with her mother. As I said, everyone handles death in their own way. What I witnessed in this period piece drama, took me by total surprise. THOUGH SHE IS A HEALER, A mother experiences unbearable grief within her own family, during the plague in England. She will have to find the strength to heal herself and provide for her family while trying to keep them safe. With Jessie Buckley (Wild Rose, Beast) as Agnes, Paul Mescal (Gladiator II, All of Us Strangers) as Will, Joe Alwyn (The Brutalist, Harriet) as Bartholomew, Emily Watson (The Happy Prince, Midas Man) as Mary, and Justine Mitchell (Smother-TV, Maryland-TV movie) as Joan; I was taken completely taken by surprise with this film. Not knowing or hearing anything about it, I went in thinking the story was going to be a comedy or farce, assuming that Hamnet was maybe a long lost brother or relative of Hamlet; I could not have been further from the truth. The story, based on the novel, was simply beautiful, and the acting was brilliant. In the very beginning, I did wonder where the story was going, but as things unfolded and the chemistry between Jessie and Paul crystalized, I was swept away. I thought the filming and directing were outstanding, lush scenery with a steady unfurling of the story. By the end of the movie, I felt it was a privilege to have been a witness to this family, with their joy and sorrow. This is definitely an Oscar contender in my opinion.
3 3/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: September 5
I HONESTLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT attracted me to the television show. It may be partially the opening music, or the host, or the ability to see different states and countries. All I know is every Saturday afternoon, I would never leave the house because it was vital I sat down and watched The Wide World of Sports on ABC-TV. There was something about individuals competing against each other that first attracted me. Next, it was seeing sporting events that were never part of my elementary school’s curriculum, things like fencing and bobsledding. Everything taught in my physical education class was based on a team mentality. There was football, basketball, and baseball; the three prominent sports that overshadowed anything else being offered. I have often wondered why I am attracted more to individual sports instead of team/group sports. During my PE classes, I always hated the team activities, whether it was a baseball team or four-man relay running race. If I were to analyze myself, I would say part of the reason had to do with my self-image. Being heavier than most of the other students, I was usually picked last or close to last. Seeing how teammates would react not only to me or to anyone who did not catch, hit, or throw the ball to help in scoring was made to feel like a loser. Plus, the worst thing of all was having done something that caused your team to lose the competition in the final minutes of the game; I always tried to avoid being involved during that time. When you hear the comments over and over, you start to believe them. FOR ALL MY YEARS OF WATCHING Wide World of Sports, I have seen every Olympics game they televised. Host Jim McKay was the face of the television show; he felt like one of my parents’ friends, there was comfort in seeing him each week. His excitement and joy in reporting such a variety of different sports made me feel just as excited, even if I did not understand the rules of a game. It was okay if I did not understand because Jim and the other commentators always made sure their viewers understood what they were watching. For the 1972 Olympics, though my memory may not be rock solid, I certainly recall the monumental events that Jim and his team were televising around the world. A sporting event that had the pristine honor of bringing athletes from all over the world to one place for a common purpose was hopeful and inspiring. Suddenly, that all changed with the actions that took place at this Olympics. Whether your memory is crystal clear or vague about these games, it is an achievement to see how the director and writers show a different side to the events that are etched in so many people’s minds in this dramatic history thriller. AS THE ONLY TELEVISION CREW BROADCASTING live at the 1972 summer Olympics, the crew found themselves in the middle of a news shattering event that would take all the newspeople’s skills to manage the situation while live on television. With Peter Sarsgaard (The Survivor, The Lost Daughter) as Roone Arledge, John Magaro (Past Lives, Day of the Fight) as Geoffrey Mason, Ben Chaplin (Birthday Girl, Roads) as Marvin Bader, Leonie Benesch (The White Ribbon, The Teachers’ Lounge) as Marianne Gebhardt, and Zinedine Soualem (You Promised Me the Sea, Jasper) as Jacques Lesgards; this docudrama was a tight production that gave the viewer a new point of view from what they would have seen for themselves. I thought the acting was perfect as well as the sets. And I must commend the editing department because the switches between the current and archival footage were seamless. Though I could recall some of the activities that were taking place back then, the writers were smart to show them to us through the eyes of the television crew because it added to the suspense and tension. If awards were to be given out, I would give this movie a gold medal.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Stuck
Poor Thomas Bardo, played by Stephen Rea (V for Vendetta, The Crying Game) was jobless. Recently evicted and living in the streets, he was hit by a car driven by Brandi Boski, played by Mena Suvari (American Pie franchise, American Beauty). She had been drinking and was afraid to report the accident; so, she continued driving home with the bleeding Mr. Bardo hanging through her broken windshield. Imagine my surprise to find out that this part of the movie was based on a true story. What followed were a series of events that were part funny, part tragic in this unusual film. Stephen Rea was a perfect choice for the role, with his incredibly sad face and eyes. I was not totally convinced with Mena’s character as the caring nursing assistant who appeared to be heartless when it came to her poor, captive accident victim. Or maybe that was exactly the point the director intended–every good person had some bad in them. This was one of those odd films where one continued to watch it just to see what crazy thing would happen next. A curious movie that may not sit well with the average viewer. Several gross and bloody scenes.
2 1/2 stars — DVD
moviejoltz 