tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88425959038500664802024-03-13T12:06:31.400-04:00Ralph's Movie ReviewsNo recap, never any spoilers. Just short, unbiased reviews of movies.Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.comBlogger945125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-4650300803932209492016-03-02T15:35:00.002-05:002016-03-02T15:35:40.776-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Photos Test #1</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-49487139048105893102014-09-05T08:13:00.002-04:002014-09-05T08:13:49.985-04:00THE NOVEMBER MAN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzl-T99cfzaf9nax5l42MSKLuVD0Nodjsr8YIeeD7Zd-xDlPtzsxU8JQsw4MDIW9x9sOIo9zx4ktqZPxI0E4hHxFJ4HJwW_QVa2k1xxgQcQg4k0aa75M40qSxwnvmSwr7ZfvqQD4BlYw/s1600/The_November_Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzl-T99cfzaf9nax5l42MSKLuVD0Nodjsr8YIeeD7Zd-xDlPtzsxU8JQsw4MDIW9x9sOIo9zx4ktqZPxI0E4hHxFJ4HJwW_QVa2k1xxgQcQg4k0aa75M40qSxwnvmSwr7ZfvqQD4BlYw/s1600/The_November_Man.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVZVw9XmybPyGytTMLShYd31eFQiMPjS_6LKmqsfTI_CWGfaLfjsZwv5PjbSDNHxyFmy1WJi-zCeSp7DPUPeVUiOYDhFbNREuxyQ4hC5bwjzPxtE5SWJ8-X-SVksuUhyphenhyphenv4mnBmCkALw/s1600/2stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVZVw9XmybPyGytTMLShYd31eFQiMPjS_6LKmqsfTI_CWGfaLfjsZwv5PjbSDNHxyFmy1WJi-zCeSp7DPUPeVUiOYDhFbNREuxyQ4hC5bwjzPxtE5SWJ8-X-SVksuUhyphenhyphenv4mnBmCkALw/s1600/2stars.gif" /></a></div>
Espionage thriller<br />
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<br /></div>
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<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pierce Brosnan: CIA agent Peter Devereaux</div>
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Luke Bracey: his protegé David Mason</div>
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Bill Smitrovich: Peter’s former CIA boss John Hanley </div>
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Olga Kurylenko: valuable witness Mila Filapova</div>
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and lots of others </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the risk of giving away anything, this film could easily
become the text book example of spy clichés for any up-and-coming movie
producer since it includes the following:</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Former
CIA agent lured out of retirement</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Suspicious
mole in the agency</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Beautiful,
intelligent heroine</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Shoot-outs</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Car
chases through busy city streets</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Hand-to-hand
fight scenes </li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Huge
explosion behind the unflinching hero</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Unscrupulous
and evil high-ranking antagonist</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Convoluted,
confusing and completely unfathomable</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But for all that it lacks the basic premise of any good
movie: a well told story. Characters are not well fleshed out so we’re left to
try and figure out who is doing what to whom and why? And there are far too many side
stories including several explicit scenes of gratuitous sex. </div>
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<b>CLASSIFICATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbiRYsYCzg59az1cJGz10sf1BS5IHD0XvEZ52sZG8A5Ud-lvxCgI-WUryWXHULIFcT3An1qme3bOwCaaYTZfL01ckQpI3HWNB12ym4BJuCiWJykEwuhwWt-LVO9jR7APqLyOfOC0YBQ/s1600/8R.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbiRYsYCzg59az1cJGz10sf1BS5IHD0XvEZ52sZG8A5Ud-lvxCgI-WUryWXHULIFcT3An1qme3bOwCaaYTZfL01ckQpI3HWNB12ym4BJuCiWJykEwuhwWt-LVO9jR7APqLyOfOC0YBQ/s1600/8R.GIF" /></a>for strong violence including a sexual assault, language,
sexuality/nudity and drug use.</div>
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<b>FOR NITPICKERS ONLY<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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When Peter is talking with John his watch shows it to be
4:25 when they sit down. After just five minutes or so they are about to depart
and his watch is now 4:55.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>P.S.</b></div>
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Even the title is confusing and makes no sense. Apparently it refers to Peter’s
nickname when he was an active CIA agent because "when he blew through nothing
lived." Really now, is that what November is all about? </div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-21143597515911816542014-08-29T09:49:00.000-04:002014-08-29T09:49:30.311-04:00THE HUNDRED-FOOT JOURNEY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsBbTQVWErozUS1Mj2OGaRJQogkoIw6EIycliS0PSJvdNoR0IOCxflc7M5cDKdPGupZgFZZk9r9u1BBVTTxNZXiL8MVQVXf8qLaCyyQ7wLkuPkrbQr2pWrouQpJVc3yjZo9Cfao18dQ/s1600/The_Hundred_Foot_Journey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsBbTQVWErozUS1Mj2OGaRJQogkoIw6EIycliS0PSJvdNoR0IOCxflc7M5cDKdPGupZgFZZk9r9u1BBVTTxNZXiL8MVQVXf8qLaCyyQ7wLkuPkrbQr2pWrouQpJVc3yjZo9Cfao18dQ/s1600/The_Hundred_Foot_Journey.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dTPYFfaK20s2tYdolOZ-a9hhfjeXhZ74IPU5NS09od3sH6Ig8BaocdV3OJMddCJaLNOJ1t5KSsS8m04FQ3VU5i_JkDRt2s7cx4Escx98nD3g8x3ms2clT1fvCjZBWw05woLQV_Mwqw/s1600/3stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dTPYFfaK20s2tYdolOZ-a9hhfjeXhZ74IPU5NS09od3sH6Ig8BaocdV3OJMddCJaLNOJ1t5KSsS8m04FQ3VU5i_JkDRt2s7cx4Escx98nD3g8x3ms2clT1fvCjZBWw05woLQV_Mwqw/s1600/3stars.gif" /></a></div>
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<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS</b></div>
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Om Puri: Papa Kadam</div>
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Manish Dayal: his oldest son Hassan</div>
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<span lang="FR-CA">Charlotte
Le Bon: Marguerite, a sous-chef <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Helen Mirren; Madame Mallory, proprietress of an upscale restaurant</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This charming movie about people trying to make the best of
their lives is not entirely original. But that does not take away from some
fine performances (notably Helen Mirren and Manish Dayal) nor the lovely
setting in Southern France. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps a little too predictable, it is still pleasant
enough to watch with enough humorous moments to keep the tone light and easy. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>CLASSIFICATION</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RjmoPcq7-XYjNn0Ls7zTIuj70YSDubTnbWjtt-aDB-7sMqQeMVzTyHcLroo3IeHeMwNzssyIRn2eTSYO4wu2p7opvZWANbdUbfEP48sp1lkEUPOCsK997BPIMs9C-XL2IyMGt5n9AA/s1600/7PG.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RjmoPcq7-XYjNn0Ls7zTIuj70YSDubTnbWjtt-aDB-7sMqQeMVzTyHcLroo3IeHeMwNzssyIRn2eTSYO4wu2p7opvZWANbdUbfEP48sp1lkEUPOCsK997BPIMs9C-XL2IyMGt5n9AA/s1600/7PG.GIF" /></a>for thematic elements, some violence, language and brief
sensuality.</div>
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Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-34496161325583139202014-08-29T09:00:00.000-04:002014-08-29T09:00:38.821-04:00YOU’RE SLEEPING NICOLE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeBkCpEBzyEhpCEM36qJ0VDlBVbIuJ944m3Ul5DH5irDcFn7tR-83Ytcjwo2YeaES8gqd-YTVVQDKyqOou2FxfReEsOnf9eXFwuh-gpm-qxS6jAeBLGO_kp3N3ucAWVfsvRA0ST1-Tw/s1600/2stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg5PeMWGLFvI5630MOqi_AHf-XlVKAQl-t3aDzR5gdaVBCL8a_AspONTIZ8vas6Di8VAWheD5b1nWLYm2DU_EPoU0mfRgolDCpWLXa3Ruwi-NzJaCVuiX9ThSgGJIYdjAqUolPVCL-A/s1600/TudorsNicole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg5PeMWGLFvI5630MOqi_AHf-XlVKAQl-t3aDzR5gdaVBCL8a_AspONTIZ8vas6Di8VAWheD5b1nWLYm2DU_EPoU0mfRgolDCpWLXa3Ruwi-NzJaCVuiX9ThSgGJIYdjAqUolPVCL-A/s1600/TudorsNicole.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeBkCpEBzyEhpCEM36qJ0VDlBVbIuJ944m3Ul5DH5irDcFn7tR-83Ytcjwo2YeaES8gqd-YTVVQDKyqOou2FxfReEsOnf9eXFwuh-gpm-qxS6jAeBLGO_kp3N3ucAWVfsvRA0ST1-Tw/s1600/2stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeBkCpEBzyEhpCEM36qJ0VDlBVbIuJ944m3Ul5DH5irDcFn7tR-83Ytcjwo2YeaES8gqd-YTVVQDKyqOou2FxfReEsOnf9eXFwuh-gpm-qxS6jAeBLGO_kp3N3ucAWVfsvRA0ST1-Tw/s1600/2stars.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Original title: Tu dors Nicole</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In French with English subtitles</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julianne Côté: 22-year-old Nicole</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marc-André Grondin: her older brother Rémi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Francis La Haye: JF, the band drummer </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Simon Larouche: Pat, the band bass guitarist</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Catherine St-Laurent: Nicole’s best friend Véronique</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Godefroy Reding: 10-year-old Martin</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>REVIEW</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Boring. This one-word-synopsis pretty well says it all. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Showing snippets of her boring summer spent at home, this
episodic glimpse at the life of Nicole goes nowhere. Shot in boring black and
white, my guess is the script was written on the back of a beverage coaster and
probably took less time to complete than consume the aforementioned beverage. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only is there no plot, the “events” have been dredged
from similar movies so there’s nothing new to be seen. It is just barely
watchable, mostly to see if something does happen. At the risk of giving away
too much I’ll not say more but you can guess.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION</b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjqO27tBbPPhk3UuXLSUwKI04IFMeWbXf5d5pCIFzQk7OhWlVpuxWYaEplt4aQMEvWrI7MZz6U_GCs6fF24RerpCqrS-izdHM82U4k3cXkiuIIrTKHEyqIWZnWk3_IJGffacSZeVEwg/s1600/7PG.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivjqO27tBbPPhk3UuXLSUwKI04IFMeWbXf5d5pCIFzQk7OhWlVpuxWYaEplt4aQMEvWrI7MZz6U_GCs6fF24RerpCqrS-izdHM82U4k3cXkiuIIrTKHEyqIWZnWk3_IJGffacSZeVEwg/s1600/7PG.GIF" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">for brief sexual situations.</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-80603396842978244102014-08-08T15:42:00.000-04:002014-08-08T15:42:05.929-04:00BOYHOOD<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoqGfhnnQ9NByhDNxAb9RccGMSbWuotQl0dm-1RMJETpyJIos-gfDISR5qTQzysluU-b6LVQi4th9lOKkEx-qI9sL38nVRzk6eATd3j_OfoVjfIsCcVPWkGvoYk_SMr38jcDm1v36yA/s1600/4stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsAZ3jW8HLKsWWuGoEINAGPHYOTfXF5VzYyx1nyyy0FSBucfVnY7dfuQSJ4ZHSKlF7onbUbOR5u3ePaKHOnvuO8OoN2hAq5X4fmpWmKXx0uLbnOhTGjf2XsBPeNcjgld9ClFynMEaPQ/s1600/Boyhood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsAZ3jW8HLKsWWuGoEINAGPHYOTfXF5VzYyx1nyyy0FSBucfVnY7dfuQSJ4ZHSKlF7onbUbOR5u3ePaKHOnvuO8OoN2hAq5X4fmpWmKXx0uLbnOhTGjf2XsBPeNcjgld9ClFynMEaPQ/s1600/Boyhood.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoqGfhnnQ9NByhDNxAb9RccGMSbWuotQl0dm-1RMJETpyJIos-gfDISR5qTQzysluU-b6LVQi4th9lOKkEx-qI9sL38nVRzk6eATd3j_OfoVjfIsCcVPWkGvoYk_SMr38jcDm1v36yA/s1600/4stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoqGfhnnQ9NByhDNxAb9RccGMSbWuotQl0dm-1RMJETpyJIos-gfDISR5qTQzysluU-b6LVQi4th9lOKkEx-qI9sL38nVRzk6eATd3j_OfoVjfIsCcVPWkGvoYk_SMr38jcDm1v36yA/s1600/4stars.gif" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ellar Coltrane: 6-year-old Mason</div>
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Patricia Arquette: his mother Olivia</div>
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Lorelei Linklater: Mason’s 8-year-old sister Samantha “Sam”</div>
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Libby Villari: Mason’s grandmother </div>
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Ethan Hawke: Mason’s father </div>
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Marco Perella: Professor Bill Welbrock</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brad Hawkins: Jim, an Afghanistan/Iraq War veteran</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jenni Tooley: Mason Sr.’s new girlfriend</div>
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Zoe Graham: Mason Jr.’s new girlfriend</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>REVIEW</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The thing that sets this apart from all the other movies
about growing up is the unconventional method used: the same four principal
actors play their role during the 12-year period it took to film. Usually
actors who look like their younger counterparts are brought in to advance the
story. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Episodic in nature, about every two or three years there is
another series of events centering around the lives of the four. But the
passage of time occurs without warning: from one scene to the next they have
aged. Snap! Just like that.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing that sets this one apart from most movies is its
length: with a running time of 166 minutes following the usual trailers means a
three-hour viewing session. Not everyone has that much time to spend watching a
film.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The acting is uniformly good although the kid’s parents are
the best of the bunch. <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION</b></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_2sPC-q7636qok-kEl2C19LbSo-v1Fq6mst6IlMa0UqDJHRvWXZBvoHai3N7HU856x24FBzsbayXIgJiTrHYArmzCWmFgwtqaqEfhLc3QXF3KfgcSW3HZoKO8yLxttm_TGg5zRG-bQ/s1600/8R.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_2sPC-q7636qok-kEl2C19LbSo-v1Fq6mst6IlMa0UqDJHRvWXZBvoHai3N7HU856x24FBzsbayXIgJiTrHYArmzCWmFgwtqaqEfhLc3QXF3KfgcSW3HZoKO8yLxttm_TGg5zRG-bQ/s1600/8R.GIF" /></a>for language including sexual references as well as for teen drug
and alcohol use.</div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-41779752310368997512014-08-08T15:41:00.000-04:002014-08-08T15:41:23.723-04:00A MOST WANTED MAN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7v1C50wxac5iYjUqrMrwaGx1GY_GUB5IoZp64Ul245E84Ll5Ie-LRvxRVoUG4u0OWL33y9U_vMf-ikZs9U3X38vJtfTa6l7CRh0pRxg7uYZnB1jUQXIbLyP_mWdeJDkWfo_AnPmjYg/s1600/A_Most_Wanted_Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7v1C50wxac5iYjUqrMrwaGx1GY_GUB5IoZp64Ul245E84Ll5Ie-LRvxRVoUG4u0OWL33y9U_vMf-ikZs9U3X38vJtfTa6l7CRh0pRxg7uYZnB1jUQXIbLyP_mWdeJDkWfo_AnPmjYg/s1600/A_Most_Wanted_Man.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlC60QXkYqoAQ7Oe-RxEEjRODPPVk8gkr86xRDf3zdW68MMGH46mGtb-y8Dqq9rELwAidAhXZ8d4ocWiBjbfcVzUHgAkVkbbOEQ7W-e7zETKnYz7MPqiFlVwcYvllZn1YqHBxHJvX6g/s1600/4stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlC60QXkYqoAQ7Oe-RxEEjRODPPVk8gkr86xRDf3zdW68MMGH46mGtb-y8Dqq9rELwAidAhXZ8d4ocWiBjbfcVzUHgAkVkbbOEQ7W-e7zETKnYz7MPqiFlVwcYvllZn1YqHBxHJvX6g/s1600/4stars.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">
<b style="text-align: left;">PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Philip Seymour Hoffman: Günther Bachmann, head of an
anti-terrorist team</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Nian Hoss: his assistant Irna</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Grigoiry Dobrygin: Issa Karpov, an illegal immigrant</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Rachel McAdams: civil rights lawyer Annabel Richter</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Homayoun Ershadi: Dr. Faisal Abdullah, Muslim philanthropist</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Willem Dafoe: Tommy Brue, banker</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Robin Wright: C.I.A. officer Martha Sullivan</span><b style="text-align: left;"> </b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
True to fashion, this spy-thriller makes it difficult
(impossible?) to figure out who is lying and who is telling the truth, who is
covering up and who is not. Heading up the cast with a remarkable
performance (one of his best ever) Hoffman leads us through the murky world of
bad guys (and the murky world of good guys too) as he pushes his own agenda
against some very strong resistance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without the usual car chases, the fisticuffs and general mayhem so often seen in movies of this sort, the
film requires some mental commitment on the part of the viewer. But it is worth
the effort.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: inline !important; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_AafmsDNm-aZlY2Cs1zCYheqVJYm77aPYxEaqXw_-S5f7b9tzk3fSPmwM5qFmlNpldW0pNswJX2DNZXZxlTQ5G89e94A4ym1QcgDdh87iPKuYuEQi_3_CJdLeRHwjqfHjRNOTzvkrg/s1600/8R.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_AafmsDNm-aZlY2Cs1zCYheqVJYm77aPYxEaqXw_-S5f7b9tzk3fSPmwM5qFmlNpldW0pNswJX2DNZXZxlTQ5G89e94A4ym1QcgDdh87iPKuYuEQi_3_CJdLeRHwjqfHjRNOTzvkrg/s1600/8R.GIF" /></a> for language.</div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-19457745530420555162014-08-03T10:12:00.000-04:002014-08-03T10:12:05.206-04:00IDA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Polish with English subtitles</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkxDYoI3R78xqhC1ieXV_6KBB9faxgLohPgB-GZFzh681G3f8eU6nzbTkwH1LpgTZCNJI0oFyFRNI2aQhlqi2vwdxSR1AoDkz0buj9ofeU0Gi2eUHGRyJggWld5f1MeHf63aWGfyraA/s1600/Ida.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkxDYoI3R78xqhC1ieXV_6KBB9faxgLohPgB-GZFzh681G3f8eU6nzbTkwH1LpgTZCNJI0oFyFRNI2aQhlqi2vwdxSR1AoDkz0buj9ofeU0Gi2eUHGRyJggWld5f1MeHf63aWGfyraA/s1600/Ida.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJFP0UIhPLqekcaiy5Bz0tu9nQhEfb7-oq8IjK-vTGieqvTOU70MVUtMc7DLXMjOY05xyS_Yeo51D1mAqvz1wshLzmLt2xknQgd0lh4UAVarbLmcUtIvdzAYVSpKs_BAvMLm_9JIW4Q/s1600/2stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJFP0UIhPLqekcaiy5Bz0tu9nQhEfb7-oq8IjK-vTGieqvTOU70MVUtMc7DLXMjOY05xyS_Yeo51D1mAqvz1wshLzmLt2xknQgd0lh4UAVarbLmcUtIvdzAYVSpKs_BAvMLm_9JIW4Q/s1600/2stars.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>F.Y.I.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
World War II began with the German invasion of Poland in
September 1939. More than 6 million Polish citizens died during the war. In
1944 a Soviet-backed Polish provisional government was formed as a satellite
state of the Soviet Union. Renamed the People’s Republic of Poland this
Marxist-Leninist government was not overthrown until the Revolutions of 1989.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Agata Trzebuchowska: 18-year-old novitiate nun</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Agata Kulesza: her Aunt Wanda</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dawid Ogrodnik: Lis a saxaphone player</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has all the earmarks of an art film aimed at a small
niche market:</div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">no
costly celebrity actors</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">modest
sets, no expensive special effects</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">fairly
short, shot in black and white</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition, to set it apart from mainstream blockbuster
films, it was filmed in the so-called Academy ratio, the squared-off aspect ratio
of 35mm film that went out of style with the introduction of widescreen movies back in the ‘50’s. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is a simple story with the principal cast member having
very little to say: her near-silent character relies upon facial expression and
a dozen lines to tell her side of the story so there’s very little acting
required for the role. The pacing is ponderous, slow and the outcome often
predictable. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This one is certainly not for everyone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION</b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncfFjkMRJ_WHWjuU5Qpfs0ZQVe5O3PRYQdARx5n7FEQ0PkXkL6Ub-bSqt6sE_RfTcpARjA0iw1jvnyNjB19HxeIXu-6t2ykpXripi0SY36KyMfd99dpy9-j3lkEcaodHxlQA8iKTAhA/s1600/7PG.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncfFjkMRJ_WHWjuU5Qpfs0ZQVe5O3PRYQdARx5n7FEQ0PkXkL6Ub-bSqt6sE_RfTcpARjA0iw1jvnyNjB19HxeIXu-6t2ykpXripi0SY36KyMfd99dpy9-j3lkEcaodHxlQA8iKTAhA/s1600/7PG.GIF" /></a> for thematic elements, some sexuality and smoking.</div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-81335767303947582322014-06-30T12:10:00.000-04:002014-06-30T12:10:59.817-04:00OBVIOUS CHILD<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhlJpd-SVHuLEWceo-_1Jc5vZFM4ufIEWYP2U_ZGcFa9IkwsyDOYNn1oRf3sjhZYsh5Im1o8Q2HvKD4oG-utb9S8Qvr4xkm8FimVstKC4mZZ-7XG8wYU8uyDOSi4-rIAUvN7PwBL3jA/s1600/Obvious_Child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhlJpd-SVHuLEWceo-_1Jc5vZFM4ufIEWYP2U_ZGcFa9IkwsyDOYNn1oRf3sjhZYsh5Im1o8Q2HvKD4oG-utb9S8Qvr4xkm8FimVstKC4mZZ-7XG8wYU8uyDOSi4-rIAUvN7PwBL3jA/s1600/Obvious_Child.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizd0ROyXY4W-alFGKwKY-EEKNH8m9xYYqdRWoUnxqpRqp4iyE1CJXdRaAzngRy5vua0OZjR2qrdoibq2ZOf8aup_MyVR3yQ2rzTVFUjOBK_4WPLPXjTOgmV2-NarPp-BH_8BndVn_PtA/s1600/1star.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizd0ROyXY4W-alFGKwKY-EEKNH8m9xYYqdRWoUnxqpRqp4iyE1CJXdRaAzngRy5vua0OZjR2qrdoibq2ZOf8aup_MyVR3yQ2rzTVFUjOBK_4WPLPXjTOgmV2-NarPp-BH_8BndVn_PtA/s1600/1star.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jenny Slate: part-time comedian Donna Stern</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jake Lacy: an unlikely bar patron Max</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gabu Hoffman: Donna’s BFF Nellie</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gabe Liedman: their friend Joey</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and others no doubt</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not a big fan of humour that relies upon getting laughs
about day-old female underwear and intimate details about the stand-up
comedian’s sex life. And from the opening scenes it is apparent the patrons of
the sleazy smoky bar are of the same opinion as no one laughs. Other than that
the jokes are of the potty-mouth variety including reference to noisy bodily
functions, the sort of gags that appeal to 5 and 6-year-olds. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Given that the film is promoted as a romantic comedy the
comedy side is practically nil. As for the romance it is basically a one-night
stand and there’s not a lot of romance in those type of encounters. So that
aspect is practically nil as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It didn’t take long before I realized this is a big waste of
time so I walked out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz_i2kwmwLq6Uu8Q__2PcL7avX_kGwNfDZ3oLt15fM0OrElmYOr-ExinLo7TOADAf7ZLDrttVA8rt2ZYP8xn3pxi1iTl95cyUiy6hv-49AkjSq2AL4JXZmVy_qA6LMfFZ_l3kPf69rA/s1600/8R.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiz_i2kwmwLq6Uu8Q__2PcL7avX_kGwNfDZ3oLt15fM0OrElmYOr-ExinLo7TOADAf7ZLDrttVA8rt2ZYP8xn3pxi1iTl95cyUiy6hv-49AkjSq2AL4JXZmVy_qA6LMfFZ_l3kPf69rA/s1600/8R.GIF" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for profanity, sexual situations, crude
humour.</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-15541523186363107892014-06-30T08:28:00.000-04:002014-06-30T08:28:56.645-04:00JERSEY BOYS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbiBghXaEwXbzlixI2HLFQ9kL_VnkYuckbbQhyX1AIIUzoBW_UhV1q2RMrIVNAQ_DaZuKu65DyHQ3VKqc5acHZ-Gatc20V_y-whzTWITdtgARV0q0VCjt5mIOFD5H5AlAqvQG0G_TrQ/s1600/Jersey_Boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbiBghXaEwXbzlixI2HLFQ9kL_VnkYuckbbQhyX1AIIUzoBW_UhV1q2RMrIVNAQ_DaZuKu65DyHQ3VKqc5acHZ-Gatc20V_y-whzTWITdtgARV0q0VCjt5mIOFD5H5AlAqvQG0G_TrQ/s1600/Jersey_Boys.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQWqqdtDLeSk4TQsh3L7Ccivy9AT-bt_j5uVopAGtsSimPQTfj9ScdP5xvBX0yt1tGtLI3h7MN8jaVWs7KSTPPvPKe8Yjz8BFT3iwSSnTfE4Xtc7b-RsHUq9LtoC9dn0jx1OQaaj7Tg/s1600/3stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQWqqdtDLeSk4TQsh3L7Ccivy9AT-bt_j5uVopAGtsSimPQTfj9ScdP5xvBX0yt1tGtLI3h7MN8jaVWs7KSTPPvPKe8Yjz8BFT3iwSSnTfE4Xtc7b-RsHUq9LtoC9dn0jx1OQaaj7Tg/s1600/3stars.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vincent Piazza: Tommy DeVito, one of the Varitones trio</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John Lloyd Young: his friend 16-year-old Frank Castelluccio</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christopher Walker: mob boss Gyp DeCarlo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Johnny Cannizzaro: Tommy’s brother Nick, the trio’s bassist</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Michael Lomenda: their friend Nick Massi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Renée Marino: Mary Delgado</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Erich Bergen: Bob Gaudio, songwriter of the hit “Short
Shorts”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mike Doyle: music producer Bob Crewe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elizabeth Hunter: Frankie’s 7-year-old daughter Francine</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Donnie Kehr: loan shark Norm Waxman</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Erica iccininni: Journalist Lorraine</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Freya Tingley: 17-year-old Francine</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Perhaps it is not a fair comparison but having seen the
stage version this film is far less entertaining, prone to go off on tangents
that add little or nothing to the narrative and it is too long, far too long. Using
the narrative device of some band members directly addressing the camera from
time to time, I find jarring: a reminder of the fact we are sitting watching a
made-in-Hollywood-movie rather than simply being swept up in the story.
Voice-over would have been a much better technique as it is less intrusive.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another thing I found unsettling was the confusing
side-story about Tommy’s money problems, presumably from gambling or playing the
horses or partying? That was never made clear. And the band’s commitment to
helping him out is pushing the “code of honour” a bit too far given the amount
involved.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the chief shortcoming in my view is too much talking
between the musical numbers, the reason why this group was so well know.
Knowing a bit about them is fine but that should not bog things down.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-RWk8upOm0ONP4ZodvHSTACeVY61VVsSSlvvb7NSStMEq2RPvSw_Ppo0Yc-SUwX7MldZAIqZxCk2jHavCcK28Jmp-6lznaf6b6spSPwNry4P-43Z4XOdnqHgsqiHwj8iZsUUOiKlxg/s1600/8R.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-RWk8upOm0ONP4ZodvHSTACeVY61VVsSSlvvb7NSStMEq2RPvSw_Ppo0Yc-SUwX7MldZAIqZxCk2jHavCcK28Jmp-6lznaf6b6spSPwNry4P-43Z4XOdnqHgsqiHwj8iZsUUOiKlxg/s1600/8R.GIF" /></a> for language throughout.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>FOR NITPICKERS ONLY<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Frankie
and the rest of the group arrive at Gyp’s house in two Cadillacs, and park
with the blue one in front of the red one. When Bob leaves and gets in the
red one, he could not have driven off the way he did without first moving the blue one
out of the way.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">This
is one of my classic all-time favourite nitpicks: at the end of the
telephone conversation the other party hangs up and Frankie is left
listening to the dial tone. In reality the dial tone is only heard after
picking up the phone before dialling. That’s why it’s called a dial tone.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">After
performing at the Ohio State Fair the group is approached by a police
officer who says “Welcome to Cleveland”. The state fair is held in
Columbus, Ohio not in Cleveland.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>P.S.</b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The aging makeup for the last scene is so poorly
done it is almost comical. </span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-9334339978860309972014-06-20T07:48:00.000-04:002014-06-20T07:48:02.818-04:00CHEF<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsp-6BoOpmy1Zicn7wAGeXucVzqlGVv3zkCJanjkR-RoPPy23F9CS3OKV0_efSUIHMLuwQ9CnyOE44h9dUMDLux63B69S4xJVGFSLohRlP7k7uJTgo_PnJEgSne0OV6TgOnk-oJCyIw/s1600/Chef_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLsp-6BoOpmy1Zicn7wAGeXucVzqlGVv3zkCJanjkR-RoPPy23F9CS3OKV0_efSUIHMLuwQ9CnyOE44h9dUMDLux63B69S4xJVGFSLohRlP7k7uJTgo_PnJEgSne0OV6TgOnk-oJCyIw/s1600/Chef_2014.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DOnQE9eOspB9LIf2VMIXa4qtkHJep7y007Tn9QbvmZ_eoBjBlmZMSu94CqmbXs999XJ-gYKlFjSjJZFk5bxl0rr4QRVwAI3Bet5hFGkvU79mreyeepCD2djk58vZDwkDId7S3Vtvag/s1600/4stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DOnQE9eOspB9LIf2VMIXa4qtkHJep7y007Tn9QbvmZ_eoBjBlmZMSu94CqmbXs999XJ-gYKlFjSjJZFk5bxl0rr4QRVwAI3Bet5hFGkvU79mreyeepCD2djk58vZDwkDId7S3Vtvag/s1600/4stars.gif" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA">Jon
Favreau: Chef Carl Casper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="FR-CA">Scarlett
Johansson: hostess at Gualoises, an upscale LA restaurant <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Emjay Anthony: Carl’s 10-year-old son Percy</div>
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Dustin Hoffman: Ravi the restaurant owner</div>
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John Leguizam: Martin, line cook</div>
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<span lang="FR-CA">Bobby
Cannavale: Tony, sous chef<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="FR-CA">Sofia
Vergara: Carl’s ex-wife Inez<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Oliver Platt: food critic Ramsey Michel</div>
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Russel Peters: a Miami cop</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>REVIEW</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is something to be said about taking a hard look at
what is important to you and follow through. That is but one aspect of this
humorous tale combined with some realistic father and son bonding. Add in a
road trip across America and there’s lots to like. And did I mention food:
close-ups of the preparation might prompt you to order in, even before the
final credits.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The acting for the most part is uniformly good, the dialogue
snappy and often funny but the one thing there is too much of is the swearing:
there is no need to include the f-word in every second utterance. That simply
detracts from the story line making it less plausible. And losing a star as a
result.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>CLASSIFICATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDl8ocFlHEOrEz5xnW6g7_01f3zfPYU3ZPI5tsjOKqfKQ4nYYWiA4tLkKOlgkvQ99NXL8XiMIe3cJuG170dqEBbXrQe_JkRE2S_c5JGrqz7SYUuaZPFQRb0_AIoI9235EREWIBB9EqqA/s1600/8R.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDl8ocFlHEOrEz5xnW6g7_01f3zfPYU3ZPI5tsjOKqfKQ4nYYWiA4tLkKOlgkvQ99NXL8XiMIe3cJuG170dqEBbXrQe_JkRE2S_c5JGrqz7SYUuaZPFQRb0_AIoI9235EREWIBB9EqqA/s1600/8R.GIF" /></a> for language including some suggestive references.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>FOR NITPICKERS ONLY<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">The
wall clock shows it to be 2:32 and remains unchanged during a spirited
discussion between the Chef and Ravi which took at least 5 minutes.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">While
having a shooter in a bar and without touching it, Martin’s beer bottle
rotates from one scene to the next showing the brand label.</li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
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<b>P.S.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Subtitles would have been useful for those not
fluent in Spanish to get the implication when Martin asks the workers if they
will help lift the heavy equipment “or I can call immigration.”</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-56110074122914606452014-06-08T09:18:00.000-04:002014-06-08T09:18:40.007-04:00FADING GIGOLO<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rDmw7BiZE2nSurZPH0E6eUjENxlDdVUjMqJsc-4gPsok4m7B8TRCvyJ99Kif873h5bNTWXddAiQ3pJ3MkgdW03CyWI4q_oL38MLd_IVbhu2AQaUo6nclFojvPd5fta08A3Gz297sBQ/s1600/Fading_Gigolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rDmw7BiZE2nSurZPH0E6eUjENxlDdVUjMqJsc-4gPsok4m7B8TRCvyJ99Kif873h5bNTWXddAiQ3pJ3MkgdW03CyWI4q_oL38MLd_IVbhu2AQaUo6nclFojvPd5fta08A3Gz297sBQ/s1600/Fading_Gigolo.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNUWrxo3Ze_GqBfSJfTwhz0-TG-PpYV3iIjX7Rc4qUsBMzo1OfKtZMoaEJeab31IBUZy1h6KfQCzx3vXm8fqHPVBM27CtJvlguz3yQKHRiOYgY7dxlnp6Cs2hWbVPP9nvy1MtcQO-HA/s1600/2stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNUWrxo3Ze_GqBfSJfTwhz0-TG-PpYV3iIjX7Rc4qUsBMzo1OfKtZMoaEJeab31IBUZy1h6KfQCzx3vXm8fqHPVBM27CtJvlguz3yQKHRiOYgY7dxlnp6Cs2hWbVPP9nvy1MtcQO-HA/s1600/2stars.gif" /></a></div>
Romantic comedy<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>F.Y.I.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shorim (Hebrew for watchers or guards) are Jewish civilian
patrols set up in Hasidic neighbourhoods in the United States and England.
Their primary role is to combat anti-Semitic attacks, burglary, vandalism,
mugging, assault and domestic violence. The volunteers are unarmed and do not
have the authority to make arrests. They ride in vehicles that look like
regular police cars.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Woody Allen: former bookstore owner Murray Schwartz</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sharon Stone: Murray’s dermatologist Dr. Parker</div>
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Sofia Vergara: Dr. Parker’s friend Selima</div>
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John Turturro: Fioravante, Murray’s former employee</div>
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Tonya Pinkins: Murray’s wife Orthella, an African-American </div>
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Vanessa Paradis: Avigal, the widow of a Hasidic rabbi</div>
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Live Schreiber: Dovi, a volunteer with Shorim</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Preposterous, ludicrous and vulgar. Other than that this
film about a male escort does not have much going for it. The surprising thing
to me is the fact Woody Allen is involved with such a trashy, pulp-magazine
type movie. The fact that his role is so unbelievable and totally out of
character begs the question “why?”. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although there are a few bits of comic relief, mostly of the
slap-stick sort, the acting somehow feels wrong and does not ring true. And there
is one other thing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once more Ralph’s Rule of Redundancy applies: </div>
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“Any film where one person takes on more than two key
positions has a major shortcoming: the absence of independent critical
judgement that results in something less than it might have been.” </div>
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In this case John Turturro stars in and is also the Writer
and Director.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>CLASSIFICATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ySzXwUWuwyFnRUTDuVeP3HmUuTuTvCol7meem1i2DVZ2MeecLY-9GD_p10MAiuLxM8HigRPH66i8bx_bIx445URcvJAtS6UFAZO34hs9a4uebHdpBVJ1YbKO-eMsyvFy4SvnCSBTCw/s1600/8R.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ySzXwUWuwyFnRUTDuVeP3HmUuTuTvCol7meem1i2DVZ2MeecLY-9GD_p10MAiuLxM8HigRPH66i8bx_bIx445URcvJAtS6UFAZO34hs9a4uebHdpBVJ1YbKO-eMsyvFy4SvnCSBTCw/s1600/8R.GIF" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for some sexual content, language and brief
nudity.</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-16996641803841307752014-06-08T07:07:00.000-04:002014-06-08T07:07:26.531-04:00TRACKS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrf5_Db_hPl2r3h-El7j0XMjgBC6qMdp3HxVUx-HmyZ_VKf8muzH7nmxpXE2gUUjmP20GuDgFMGuhldDiJMUTgwBQmjwZUrZKTjuIuUOvLA9txsY-ANT0qBC5kPuGlSYF_2d3pkyVTw/s1600/3stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrf5_Db_hPl2r3h-El7j0XMjgBC6qMdp3HxVUx-HmyZ_VKf8muzH7nmxpXE2gUUjmP20GuDgFMGuhldDiJMUTgwBQmjwZUrZKTjuIuUOvLA9txsY-ANT0qBC5kPuGlSYF_2d3pkyVTw/s1600/3stars.gif" /></a></div>
True life drama<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mia Wasikowska: 25-year-old Australian naturalist Robyn
Davidson</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Adam Driver: National Geographic photographer Rick Smolan</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roly Mintuma: Eddy, an aboriginal elder</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Based on a true story that took place in the 70’s, it is
left to the viewer to decide why someone would undertake such an adventure on
their own. Her solo walk across the desert of Australia with four camels and a
dog as her only companions will seem to some as a waste of time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However it is lovely to look at and plays out with very
little melodrama, much like a documentary.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION</b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1eOJY1gfJ9G923574r1MshI8Py7TwVZMNox7hmAdAW-04caHPImV2O24RJPGXNk2rVsnZ3snRikXt8HP6lnoALpLFK8dYSNenRxCJ80OpmbNtQAXvaHEGotzdLIHU15TngUCFy8b-g/s1600/7PG.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim1eOJY1gfJ9G923574r1MshI8Py7TwVZMNox7hmAdAW-04caHPImV2O24RJPGXNk2rVsnZ3snRikXt8HP6lnoALpLFK8dYSNenRxCJ80OpmbNtQAXvaHEGotzdLIHU15TngUCFy8b-g/s1600/7PG.GIF" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for thematic elements, some partial nudity,
disturbing images and brief strong language.</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-27102061706555159972014-06-03T07:44:00.002-04:002014-06-03T07:44:53.602-04:00THE GRAND SEDUCTION<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI1Lah0NW_aGruhvWl7HmjOMWRfQidheEaBGGBKV-XWvJ3IP8nHga-VD1rkKmiOh4HUnM3bweUFFWnuHaM5KD9vf1P9u7aNd0us3h9tJpjq2AtJWXs-0mA1Owh_bJGvdKteCRn7ty1w/s1600/TheGrandSeduction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBI1Lah0NW_aGruhvWl7HmjOMWRfQidheEaBGGBKV-XWvJ3IP8nHga-VD1rkKmiOh4HUnM3bweUFFWnuHaM5KD9vf1P9u7aNd0us3h9tJpjq2AtJWXs-0mA1Owh_bJGvdKteCRn7ty1w/s1600/TheGrandSeduction.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>F.Y.I.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since the 16th century European fishermen have been fishing
for cod in the waters off Newfoundland along with the locals in the area known
as the Grand Banks. Approximately 8 million tons of cod were caught in the 100
years from 1647 to 1750. With the introduction of factory fishing in the early
1950’s that amount of cod was caught in just 15 years. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Atlantic coast fishing industry collapsed entirely in
1992 owing to this overfishing coupled with a lack of oversight and poor
fishery administration. The Canadian government declared a moratorium but even
after 20 years the cod population has not returned. The effect on the local
economy has been disastrous since fishing represented their livelihood. Most
now live on Government welfare cheques.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brendan Gleeson: Murray French</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gordon Pinsent: his buddy Simon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mark Critch: bank teller Joe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Liane Balaban: Kathleen, the postmistress</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cathy Jones: Murray’s wife</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taylor Kitsch: Dr. Paul Lewis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mary Walsh: telephone operator</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is something of a rarity: a feel-good movie with no
violence, no swear words, heart-warming and wholesome with only mildly
suggestive situations done in good taste.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was smiling the whole time while the laughs just kept
coming. The acting is uniformly good and the cinemaphotography beautifully
show-casing the rugged beauty of the area.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4z2xDmR1R-XBhGOg_A4i2qhrDMvEVu5yj8RLTEjT2UiKA8boG6cTuunda0rIkwX-4uos0KHBH-o92hmKtRhHidVlrgwcwTBZ_SwBzvQzs3fPYhKSytYJEFnh-qILFvE1_PQd7XnyyA/s1600/7PG.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4z2xDmR1R-XBhGOg_A4i2qhrDMvEVu5yj8RLTEjT2UiKA8boG6cTuunda0rIkwX-4uos0KHBH-o92hmKtRhHidVlrgwcwTBZ_SwBzvQzs3fPYhKSytYJEFnh-qILFvE1_PQd7XnyyA/s1600/7PG.GIF" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for some suggestive material and drug
references.</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-63560884386074237482014-05-31T09:06:00.000-04:002014-05-31T09:06:02.718-04:00THE IMMIGRANT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-RKjqursUKDPZf1e7sYkFqaepTlXQKMdAAplOw3Heek79OQ7PfNdQckMeqfDNQwjufVN8QTmKc20xNP32zKqlMoip8RzmwWPtB_wriyqUki_AQioyxyryeCWe9UAlys4M9dlzm-CMA/s1600/The_Immigrant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-RKjqursUKDPZf1e7sYkFqaepTlXQKMdAAplOw3Heek79OQ7PfNdQckMeqfDNQwjufVN8QTmKc20xNP32zKqlMoip8RzmwWPtB_wriyqUki_AQioyxyryeCWe9UAlys4M9dlzm-CMA/s1600/The_Immigrant.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWd9ZbYeji45hlHybMIwWoM4x7enivWN98WMQz3wPvEEpAx0p9_1nJoYM6H3RJDK56nq31MYFhDtNXAgHf45pHSe0Ksw_hf_urOifZcZ7iA6lLpDfprdkCOV_eLpXb1bg9X-edTNPzg/s1600/4stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWd9ZbYeji45hlHybMIwWoM4x7enivWN98WMQz3wPvEEpAx0p9_1nJoYM6H3RJDK56nq31MYFhDtNXAgHf45pHSe0Ksw_hf_urOifZcZ7iA6lLpDfprdkCOV_eLpXb1bg9X-edTNPzg/s1600/4stars.gif" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Marion Cotillard: Ewa Cybulski, a young Polish woman</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Angela Sarafyan: her younger sister Magda</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joaquin Phoenix: Bruno Weiss</div>
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Jeremy Renner: Bruno’s cousin Emil</div>
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Yelena Solovey: Bruno’s boss Rosie Hertz</div>
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Maja Wampuszc: Ewa’s aunt Edyta</div>
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Ilia Volok: Ewa’s uncle Voytek</div>
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<b>REVIEW</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The more mature discerning viewer will appreciate that this
is a reflection on how things were for some immigrants back in the 1920’s. Not
only starting a new life, in many cases it was starting a life they had not foreseen.
Unscrupulous people are everywhere of course but seeing how one innocent person
is exploited is difficult to watch. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is a sad story characterized by excellent performances all
around (Cotillard especially) and with great attention to detail that gives this
period piece a feeling of authenticity.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>CLASSIFICATION</b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWl8Wl48P7g4-Kp3Pi073B2VdlG_XJRiJdTCHiDbaBobuYLHOSq0b9_gHdA9BmgLunDZNVNJ3CuqYsjyMmUVetYMjq-EMsYcWx98y2vuCgyjNWC6AVZ6JiKhvZEJTSDC0QXjx1lnyZg/s1600/8R.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEWl8Wl48P7g4-Kp3Pi073B2VdlG_XJRiJdTCHiDbaBobuYLHOSq0b9_gHdA9BmgLunDZNVNJ3CuqYsjyMmUVetYMjq-EMsYcWx98y2vuCgyjNWC6AVZ6JiKhvZEJTSDC0QXjx1lnyZg/s1600/8R.GIF" /></a> <span style="font-family: inherit;">for sexual content, nudity and some language.</span></div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-13307150179030378852014-05-30T15:18:00.000-04:002014-05-30T15:18:18.952-04:00THE RAILWAY MAN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7XNm5eBLwQMLfglPsDGPOCO4Q3G6fRh8p5PwyutnNHJNK2Vs0izDo7aeYpnfXAs_hOl5Ps__WUzAcRqQtsr9ENuQXJbP4hEW9SYJHvfSELcBJH2svB1_TkGnIjdyN_4OgDZYGQKWPg/s1600/The_Railway_Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7XNm5eBLwQMLfglPsDGPOCO4Q3G6fRh8p5PwyutnNHJNK2Vs0izDo7aeYpnfXAs_hOl5Ps__WUzAcRqQtsr9ENuQXJbP4hEW9SYJHvfSELcBJH2svB1_TkGnIjdyN_4OgDZYGQKWPg/s1600/The_Railway_Man.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazmLJDBrx6uTqX-TvTpxcS2txmAv6CJroHcpKtGJKWWGPeC41Wp1R16tbdTxj5Y744gaJ1cSoRuSX4rtH3o0ZSUML0FjGAbnLMdot_9hw0rHAIqFvNfp2ParKbX0biWxJGZrF1fmgQA/s1600/4stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazmLJDBrx6uTqX-TvTpxcS2txmAv6CJroHcpKtGJKWWGPeC41Wp1R16tbdTxj5Y744gaJ1cSoRuSX4rtH3o0ZSUML0FjGAbnLMdot_9hw0rHAIqFvNfp2ParKbX0biWxJGZrF1fmgQA/s1600/4stars.gif" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Colin Firth: WWII veteran Eric Lomax</div>
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Nicole Kidman: Patti Wallace, a retired nurse</div>
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Stellan Skarsgård: Eric’s best friend Finlay</div>
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Jeremy Irvine: the younger Eric</div>
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Sam Reif: the younger Finlay</div>
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Tanroh Ishida: Japanese army translator Takashi Nagase<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Based on a true story, it hammers home the dreadful
after-effect the war had on some people and the difficulty they had in dealing
with it. Both Firth and Kidman put in terrific performances (you could add
Irvine to that list too) as the story unfolds in gripping detail using the
flashback technique.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00DdP7gfW2ROqe5QwmRyGf8EsDKk6pnU7FF_286FNHaC9GHBpPU4VRO7EomQGHDQn1k_l8f8ktYTR5vpxqL-BbPbuFjja1jQTH6bpIFEsZgtMhzYHIiyIXiDdByL9NwQVg1JDDk98ng/s1600/8R.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00DdP7gfW2ROqe5QwmRyGf8EsDKk6pnU7FF_286FNHaC9GHBpPU4VRO7EomQGHDQn1k_l8f8ktYTR5vpxqL-BbPbuFjja1jQTH6bpIFEsZgtMhzYHIiyIXiDdByL9NwQVg1JDDk98ng/s1600/8R.GIF" /></a>for disturbing war scenes.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>P.S.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Burma Railway crossed over the infamous
bridge on the River Kwai.</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-25898941410119519072014-05-26T16:12:00.001-04:002014-05-26T16:12:54.226-04:00FED UP<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN6rqImihDvrobyAIIAuGAVioIqeS1JqHrZJ9fIh7ZxaNSmcFurZjZBGkc0JsP2sGzI93px5LHQhGitfX0alE1yc1WWKQvbjsv0STaR3NovDITLMOjKz2k4hGb5gycJJdmFt5v0pBmg/s1600/Fed_Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN6rqImihDvrobyAIIAuGAVioIqeS1JqHrZJ9fIh7ZxaNSmcFurZjZBGkc0JsP2sGzI93px5LHQhGitfX0alE1yc1WWKQvbjsv0STaR3NovDITLMOjKz2k4hGb5gycJJdmFt5v0pBmg/s1600/Fed_Up.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0yOrny4Q5C6bNXc-Bq-KxtiL5Z7FAf56nJdbPPcF46UKG5kGtPdi9fGW27aa0onS5TX2AJKJo_c1-xROr-Hg7kt8sv021G_DTwYlNJwLT38k1w1_fvX9MA7vIEI1275dMCgP92gTzg/s1600/4stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0yOrny4Q5C6bNXc-Bq-KxtiL5Z7FAf56nJdbPPcF46UKG5kGtPdi9fGW27aa0onS5TX2AJKJo_c1-xROr-Hg7kt8sv021G_DTwYlNJwLT38k1w1_fvX9MA7vIEI1275dMCgP92gTzg/s1600/4stars.gif" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Much of what is presented is not new in this documentary
about the problem of growing obesity rates. However it does raise the awareness
of the influence the processed food industry has with setting health guidelines
in the United States. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Case in point: sugar is the only ingredient with no
indication of the recommended % of total daily intake. Some of the other
statistics are worth noting: for example the % of the half-million processed
food items that contain sugar and the % of people considered obese in the USA. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Certainly food for thought.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>CLASSIFICATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6kPsdGJ3s-67HRUApiQ_paOR7ZnziBFrBt9U7cBakuPQ5ucbOqREcEc-TH4qGLatcpF2DgzyMD-Vwy-oSJFdpc61JdY_G-OKfRJXHFIZdDGZ4x8J-6_TEHD-vDdc5ChJHmKtU04_lg/s1600/7PG.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6kPsdGJ3s-67HRUApiQ_paOR7ZnziBFrBt9U7cBakuPQ5ucbOqREcEc-TH4qGLatcpF2DgzyMD-Vwy-oSJFdpc61JdY_G-OKfRJXHFIZdDGZ4x8J-6_TEHD-vDdc5ChJHmKtU04_lg/s1600/7PG.GIF" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for thematic elements including smoking
images and brief language.</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-15811425319307685292014-05-22T08:09:00.000-04:002014-05-22T08:20:33.751-04:00THE GERMAN DOCTOR<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Zs8CgmHLI7n0jh_o_zzSQhIKM6Jyu4DUS3e_PATKPLAoGSWAqdu4bzhJrgcL4FF3mbudsr-rRyhqytXqXlApg0JcOm_BZvqPH0cZjYjOAKF0al5pmb8Fst46X8vxip9POtBdTlpv3g/s1600/The+German+doctor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Zs8CgmHLI7n0jh_o_zzSQhIKM6Jyu4DUS3e_PATKPLAoGSWAqdu4bzhJrgcL4FF3mbudsr-rRyhqytXqXlApg0JcOm_BZvqPH0cZjYjOAKF0al5pmb8Fst46X8vxip9POtBdTlpv3g/s1600/The+German+doctor.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2BPgREnQy7h0QgsqkkUH5WH-xeHYgsTYLilB4Dcf3PS05tpOBUUCOnFC0ZltG89scr3WawYg-vOIv_wcOtKlHS9RfRejVYmI-aK_JsCzUU2ugPyhyphenhyphenruVDVI3Q8-ihE89aMSgsVTOdw/s1600/4stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfSMoZRBy6Bamil2wsVWg9CmZFdiXnIkmCi6Emhap2eHForRFYudlwuFQAymX-A-xQ1QDQSj4_hCppZitKo066SqUIy4f2O0QqoA4wrv10u0iQyEuMYmkM1kNyJgXadjsw29iiSBm6Q/s1600/3stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfSMoZRBy6Bamil2wsVWg9CmZFdiXnIkmCi6Emhap2eHForRFYudlwuFQAymX-A-xQ1QDQSj4_hCppZitKo066SqUIy4f2O0QqoA4wrv10u0iQyEuMYmkM1kNyJgXadjsw29iiSBm6Q/s1600/3stars.gif" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> In German and Spanish with English subtitles</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b>
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alex Brendemühl: the German doctor Helmut Gregor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Diego Peretti: Enzo</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Natalia Oreiro: his wife Eva</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Florencia Bado: their 12-year-old daughter Lilith</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elena Roger: librarian Nora</div>
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<br /></div>
<b>REVIEW</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Based on a true story it is not really a thriller as the
promotional material would have you believe because the identity of the German
doctor is revealed during the opening credits. Apart from the musical sound
track that hints at pending doom from time to time, there is no sense of
suspense. Instead it is a straight forward telling of how someone can meld in
with others and live a normal life while harbouring awful secrets.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwhh87-MbxtuuqwSqKottP5tL4GQp0mG3-RD0nO1hIawtTSPhPg1a20b3ix9JLckRDSvk21mVilpR-t8TqXUc0ox8TO3A1IIwdar-CjvJrmqqNZcKBz-yESgnGhV1ExqIMkFWt4tumw/s1600/7PG.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwhh87-MbxtuuqwSqKottP5tL4GQp0mG3-RD0nO1hIawtTSPhPg1a20b3ix9JLckRDSvk21mVilpR-t8TqXUc0ox8TO3A1IIwdar-CjvJrmqqNZcKBz-yESgnGhV1ExqIMkFWt4tumw/s1600/7PG.GIF" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">for thematic material and brief nudity.</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-51589032793546557322014-05-21T10:14:00.000-04:002014-05-21T10:14:44.410-04:00FINDING VIVIAN MAIER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQX3IBUexrwivWlwl_gypNR8BcTb9DvmLQB5OLwNpz6x2M_seip5BuOgvQXuzV951-9pQM3llXmoZ3zlFP9sdQQqgBH2sHsNdb0uDTwMNqS3Tje5DqoYKuG6zc3_ojQ9v-V5AE5uBMYg/s1600/finding+vivian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQX3IBUexrwivWlwl_gypNR8BcTb9DvmLQB5OLwNpz6x2M_seip5BuOgvQXuzV951-9pQM3llXmoZ3zlFP9sdQQqgBH2sHsNdb0uDTwMNqS3Tje5DqoYKuG6zc3_ojQ9v-V5AE5uBMYg/s1600/finding+vivian.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Fc_8orS9HpDMRzHNrPQJHU4mBwU6SkU_DsL65Pv3vxhP1yO80W5-CZr9f79qNPKcqgblBkLks3Pj1uStovkqodMdJyrWSt_FRPciCojAaqOPDcLc74HQiXkYS7PPY3M8MOAJs4_Xyw/s1600/5stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Fc_8orS9HpDMRzHNrPQJHU4mBwU6SkU_DsL65Pv3vxhP1yO80W5-CZr9f79qNPKcqgblBkLks3Pj1uStovkqodMdJyrWSt_FRPciCojAaqOPDcLc74HQiXkYS7PPY3M8MOAJs4_Xyw/s1600/5stars.gif" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>F.Y.I.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vivian Dorothea Maier: February 1, 1926 – April 21, 2009</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A fascinating documentary about a nanny who had a private
side to her which only came to light after her death: she was an accomplished
photographer who did not exhibit her work.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although the question of “why not?” is not really answered
we are provided some insight to the woman from people she cared for or those
who employed her. Interspersed with these interviews are many of the 100,000
still photographs and snippets of 8-mm home movies she took over the years. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As one movie-goer has so succinctly put it “Interesting
photos from a most unusual/troubled woman. Interesting film.” I agree.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">CLASSIFICATION </span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_JNgq_Ryh_xlreJwPai7u1kD24-pRuLwfbgONC7_zrIWYtuJzDj9UJJGAyBT3_J8eImmGaatZcg68L5EdMyMDgKjdu9JW4dVV2ZAsk-KCrj-kTEpwQY6bCcQr6JKzHouMfS5VcTZ2A/s1600/6G.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_JNgq_Ryh_xlreJwPai7u1kD24-pRuLwfbgONC7_zrIWYtuJzDj9UJJGAyBT3_J8eImmGaatZcg68L5EdMyMDgKjdu9JW4dVV2ZAsk-KCrj-kTEpwQY6bCcQr6JKzHouMfS5VcTZ2A/s1600/6G.GIF" /></a></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-79086977673500127922014-04-02T12:19:00.000-04:002014-04-02T12:19:16.902-04:00NOAH<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLAuv9gxUizicwerwOcR9OhtAHdiXVOw0yxRqgM-34B_hffiJ9T2aBrd6-PO5n6_19EslPcvAuMMXTIEHrjcAsOD3Pv5JD8k_C8MFWDVXx5CGZ95Gi8Y8AvtrvQFNYMjY5lsWcVneXw/s1600/Noah3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLAuv9gxUizicwerwOcR9OhtAHdiXVOw0yxRqgM-34B_hffiJ9T2aBrd6-PO5n6_19EslPcvAuMMXTIEHrjcAsOD3Pv5JD8k_C8MFWDVXx5CGZ95Gi8Y8AvtrvQFNYMjY5lsWcVneXw/s1600/Noah3.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P-gbrp75OqMBdJC46V3OaAoYkX2ox0-kM1QnBldhDfLHSTRiWG7FF98TrfDjC-ghD7hVAqJzr7raCIJxcRO0OZk-B18UFfAKnpdwCYlH2CtnEkx5EJvOeihCwkmpDDOGrWiZ02X7Yg/s1600/1star.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0P-gbrp75OqMBdJC46V3OaAoYkX2ox0-kM1QnBldhDfLHSTRiWG7FF98TrfDjC-ghD7hVAqJzr7raCIJxcRO0OZk-B18UFfAKnpdwCYlH2CtnEkx5EJvOeihCwkmpDDOGrWiZ02X7Yg/s1600/1star.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
fantasy, science fiction</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Russell Crowe: Noah</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jennifer Connelly: his wife Naameh</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Douglas Booth: their oldest son Shem</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Logan Lerman: Shem’s brother Ham</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Leo Carroll: the youngest son Japheth</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anthony Hopkins: Noah’s grandfather Methuselah</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emma Watson: Ila, a badly injured survivor of a slaughter</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The title of the movie is that of an historical figure who
according to scriptures saved mankind from the wrath of God. Sure we all
understand Hollywood takes certain liberties with the truth as we know it but
when they rewrite the biblical story and have big ugly creatures made out of
lumps of coal help Noah build the Ark, when men use tools and utensils well
before they are invented (iron weapons and shields, rockets, chain link fence, animal
traps) then the movie is nothing but a travesty of the Biblical recounting of
these events. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This fantasy, science-fiction film has no business making
use of the name of Noah because of its implications. Call it “Noah and the
lumps of coal” and I have no problem with that knowing it is a film about some
guy called Noah who has some rather strange friends. So if he tosses down a
seed into the barren ground and magically a forest of trees appears, trees just
the right size to build an ark that’s alright because my expectations would be
nothing more than seeing a soon-to-be-forgotten figment of someone’s
imagination. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If that’s not bad enough, the film is overlong at two hours
and twenty minutes, it is sluggish at times (probably to provide some relief to
the senses after one of many loud, bombastic battles better suited to Star Wars)
and makes Noah out to be something of a brutally cruel monster, not the man
chosen by God to fulfill a mission of mercy.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One final thought: as the audience filed out, the pervasive
mood was that of bitter disappointment or perhaps disbelief. No one seemed
happy or pleased with what they had just seen.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION</b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFiRnifQMcJeH5xxcU0tq3r6ebcFdmE0lb2o2Rj_sv6vAu0kBIvNgoDqJ0O5hsVLdveEBQEHPG7xM-ZQKEu21mrBwqpZSsqRLM-gRMjlGQPb1whkEbPCwqwjLjgF7eOwCdUbgx48M4A/s1600/7PG.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFiRnifQMcJeH5xxcU0tq3r6ebcFdmE0lb2o2Rj_sv6vAu0kBIvNgoDqJ0O5hsVLdveEBQEHPG7xM-ZQKEu21mrBwqpZSsqRLM-gRMjlGQPb1whkEbPCwqwjLjgF7eOwCdUbgx48M4A/s1600/7PG.GIF" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for violence, disturbing images and brief suggestive
content.</div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-78447243314831047552014-03-28T08:31:00.001-04:002014-03-28T08:31:59.279-04:00THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Wyb0V6VqfGfzeeLKcTr3QrYgEQ6vQeYd2fUTFMPVKXl1oHvakSgpQ3gr3ijFVR5iXJrq-i0LgKiE4RW5UQhuZCbVyd94xQX0FCb7DhQxXnTSyC6rJYSK4aRI9wrS8vTSmOKxJSzoSg/s1600/The_Grand_Budapest_Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Wyb0V6VqfGfzeeLKcTr3QrYgEQ6vQeYd2fUTFMPVKXl1oHvakSgpQ3gr3ijFVR5iXJrq-i0LgKiE4RW5UQhuZCbVyd94xQX0FCb7DhQxXnTSyC6rJYSK4aRI9wrS8vTSmOKxJSzoSg/s1600/The_Grand_Budapest_Hotel.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcDAL2hf6uScwx0Uif7EoE-sTtXORo7CXINlEQsISxKqyn_FNYrzP8h0TrFqGDDVa5FHxmODnZu_B-apDXI9z6-iL3W-AQxugCqqksHFjhGkuCphetp7RCKQoOPEhKFYbhyphenhyphenOrL8apoA/s1600/1star.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcDAL2hf6uScwx0Uif7EoE-sTtXORo7CXINlEQsISxKqyn_FNYrzP8h0TrFqGDDVa5FHxmODnZu_B-apDXI9z6-iL3W-AQxugCqqksHFjhGkuCphetp7RCKQoOPEhKFYbhyphenhyphenOrL8apoA/s1600/1star.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Comedy, adventure</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tom Wilkinson: a well known author</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jude Law: the author as a younger man</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
F. Murray Abraham: Mr. Moustafa, the hotel owner </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ralph Fiennes: Monsieur Gustave, the hotel concierge </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tony Revolori: Zero, the hotel lobby boy </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saoirse Ronan: pastry chef Agatha</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tilda Swinton: the very wealthy Madame D</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Adrien Brody: her son Dmitri</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Edward Norton: Inspector Henckels</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Willem Dafoe:
Dmitri’s pal J. G. Jopling</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Harvey Keitel: prisoner Ludwig</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bill Murray: Monsieur Ivan</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Owen Wilson: Monsieur Chuck</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once more Ralph’s Rule of Redundancy applies: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Any film where one person takes on more than two key
positions has a major shortcoming: the absence of independent critical
judgement that results in something less than it might have been.” In this case
Wes Anderson is Writer, Director and Producer and the film suffers from it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Depending upon what you find funny, this story of a
concierge and a lobby boy could be hilarious (as was the case with two ladies
in the audience who laughed at almost everything) to one provoking the odd
smile. For me, it was the latter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it is not a easy story to follow as there are all kinds
of twists and turns. The effort to keep things sorted out was just too much for
me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j4g9dL2R34yNOdUfqIXwQq_9lHo3XFAs2JgqmkEgOSnj4ywBgQ_OGU-ZJeQXnZzkaicRVXmKmpYZyv4UPEgcQ1CN0jXt7dtDzul2-TXipEV_zk95XtPaJ55LtmHgcIyz8ebQP65Z2Q/s1600/8R.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5j4g9dL2R34yNOdUfqIXwQq_9lHo3XFAs2JgqmkEgOSnj4ywBgQ_OGU-ZJeQXnZzkaicRVXmKmpYZyv4UPEgcQ1CN0jXt7dtDzul2-TXipEV_zk95XtPaJ55LtmHgcIyz8ebQP65Z2Q/s1600/8R.GIF" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for language, some sexual content and violence.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>FOR NITPICKERS ONLY<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">Modern
CPR methods for non-medical personnel came out in the 1960’s, some 30
years after these events took place.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">When
viewed from the front, the strap of Zero’s bag is diagonally across his
chest but seen from the side it hangs down vertically.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>P.S.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The painting substituted for the <i>Boy with Apple</i> is in really poor taste and has no business in a
comedy of this sort. Having to rely on a crotch-grabbing image to get a laugh
is a sign of desperation.</div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-14175268827947774742014-03-26T10:05:00.000-04:002014-03-26T10:05:12.609-04:00THE LUNCHBOX<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC4v9jfmiBG2Whn4Qzx1Q9T6Hp2TGqxsJzS1a6DEaxpsu-65J8H2VSm_aWnRrEM3FmCHt0OsLxWYqvPRV0gHI0Kkr3VmTi2JIQyzPkX29NvkSDkfaXWIhndYoGpvI5z3kRFtmUW39nA/s1600/The+Lunchbox2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEC4v9jfmiBG2Whn4Qzx1Q9T6Hp2TGqxsJzS1a6DEaxpsu-65J8H2VSm_aWnRrEM3FmCHt0OsLxWYqvPRV0gHI0Kkr3VmTi2JIQyzPkX29NvkSDkfaXWIhndYoGpvI5z3kRFtmUW39nA/s1600/The+Lunchbox2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XvjgTEE_-RIUnKSWbmgn3OxhUGQwTetGtjVKT44n4pcZEWmo5uBdn0ZQNysBDiAZrPkx3VotvaEMOgn8fDvuDcNofyzN-NTmBtn9uvQy1aLUxIHPK864-tokn5ECOTphk7-MeyshhA/s1600/4stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XvjgTEE_-RIUnKSWbmgn3OxhUGQwTetGtjVKT44n4pcZEWmo5uBdn0ZQNysBDiAZrPkx3VotvaEMOgn8fDvuDcNofyzN-NTmBtn9uvQy1aLUxIHPK864-tokn5ECOTphk7-MeyshhA/s1600/4stars.gif" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XvjgTEE_-RIUnKSWbmgn3OxhUGQwTetGtjVKT44n4pcZEWmo5uBdn0ZQNysBDiAZrPkx3VotvaEMOgn8fDvuDcNofyzN-NTmBtn9uvQy1aLUxIHPK864-tokn5ECOTphk7-MeyshhA/s1600/4stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">Some dialogue in Hindi with English subtitles</span><b style="text-align: left;"> </b></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>F.Y.I.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In India for over 100 years hot lunches prepared at home or
at a local restaurant are delivered to the employee’s workplace by a dabbawala,
a person who also returns the empty lunchbox (called a dabba) at the end of the
day. There are roughly 5,0000 dabbawala just in Mumbai who deliver an estimated
200,000 lunchboxes a month. They pride themselves on their punctuality and
near-perfect record of delivery: a Harvard University study concluded that only
one in a million lunchboxes goes to the wrong person.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nimrat Kaur: housewife Ila</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nakul Vaid: her husband Rajiv</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ifran Khan: Saajan, a claims clerk near retirement</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nawazuddin Siddiqui: Shaikh, his imminent replacement <span style="background: white; color: blue; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This charming film about two people who meet by chance and
establish a relationship is not your usual romantic comedy movie. For starters,
the actors are not that well know and both leads give gentle, believable,
unhurried performances. And there is no
wham-bam-thank-you-mam moments. So un-Hollywood. So refreshing.<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">PG for thematic material and smoking.</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-4011288998045139222014-03-23T09:02:00.000-04:002014-03-23T09:02:33.187-04:00ENEMY<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhW43JzBlIXte2dKGc1-JvMnSvEJuybEhczbefc5MnAn0IYAM48qNckItoXOVxHreP2EJeJtDtV2PxRY0pswqu5LGG_w2yFC2qQ6Fpbj4ACqKH5Dlyn1BMVBPQHWix6M1zh4BbRemGg/s1600/Enemy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhW43JzBlIXte2dKGc1-JvMnSvEJuybEhczbefc5MnAn0IYAM48qNckItoXOVxHreP2EJeJtDtV2PxRY0pswqu5LGG_w2yFC2qQ6Fpbj4ACqKH5Dlyn1BMVBPQHWix6M1zh4BbRemGg/s1600/Enemy.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP3s_MJ8PjY99J5KH4R5jjH2sDOMnDbxHjfParTHiNknWR8oW-ynGehIo5XxkeOEyJChkvUWJt5q3UKdCU9AqKZOtX6kJnCUcoSShagt9GEgiWrtPkbf3hKxDWm9FIQTRRM__kGlwSw/s1600/2stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP3s_MJ8PjY99J5KH4R5jjH2sDOMnDbxHjfParTHiNknWR8oW-ynGehIo5XxkeOEyJChkvUWJt5q3UKdCU9AqKZOtX6kJnCUcoSShagt9GEgiWrtPkbf3hKxDWm9FIQTRRM__kGlwSw/s1600/2stars.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST
MEMBERS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jake Gyllenhaal: Adam Bell, history professor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mélanie Laurent: his girlfiiend Mary</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jake Gyllenhaal: Anthony Clair, bit-part actor</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sarah Gadon: his pregnant wife Helen</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a strange movie: after a totally incomprehensible
beginning with spiders and sexy ladies, a depressing glum fellow with a very
active sex life (if you know what I mean) sees his double in a rented DVD, tracks him down and confronts him. And then
out of the blue, gets accused of doing things with his double’s wife. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it’s the ending that is completely baffling. Come to
think of it, so is the rest of the
movie. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I should have walked out which would have resulted in a more
accurate rating but I hung in hoping I could make sense out of it. What a waste
of time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GYGs0jbdcZ_F7bKHOjTIrlBbcX40h8zuZloQTOPvHAVSmK-tl_mHzC27YpStHDdjk7rLFy2Zu7Wmzv02oZJ21n-2zJ2NdGM4asnI2pWNgRfCQ6RawehxFkERzyROTPrwluS6tHoDTA/s1600/8R.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GYGs0jbdcZ_F7bKHOjTIrlBbcX40h8zuZloQTOPvHAVSmK-tl_mHzC27YpStHDdjk7rLFy2Zu7Wmzv02oZJ21n-2zJ2NdGM4asnI2pWNgRfCQ6RawehxFkERzyROTPrwluS6tHoDTA/s1600/8R.GIF" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for some strong sexual content, graphic nudity and
language.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>FOR NITPICKERS ONLY<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">This is one
of my classic nitpicks: when the person on the end of the line (Mary)
hangs up, the telephone caller (Adam) hears a dial tone. In reality the
dial tone is only heard after picking up the phone before dialling. That’s
why it’s called a dial tone.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Several times Adam wakes up suddenly and each
time the bedside clock show it to be 3:19 so either he set the alarm for this
ungodly hour or these separate instances were shot within minutes of each
other. Your call.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-24872780183222791422014-03-22T15:48:00.001-04:002014-03-22T15:49:35.009-04:00MUPPETS MOST WANTED<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnwgpbw6PlOCowZYLrNHkDSQUDl3miiiHjvnKBUEio-rPQshM3I2ydBGLMCMmxrwGUR5mh_icmNGJrqQA2WP2271OMYeVBbN0M15TX4c3z50AJM8tL3o3K3FtcDvmr8PtA_PKMppqSw/s1600/Muppets_Most_Wanted_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnwgpbw6PlOCowZYLrNHkDSQUDl3miiiHjvnKBUEio-rPQshM3I2ydBGLMCMmxrwGUR5mh_icmNGJrqQA2WP2271OMYeVBbN0M15TX4c3z50AJM8tL3o3K3FtcDvmr8PtA_PKMppqSw/s1600/Muppets_Most_Wanted_poster.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSgxA1z6tn-9YjZARNgPb3P_kw1L6HY7eNj6dvuOt8nG0NsDR13irgukat_6NMdMq1IEySDJcIR6mE1AyBSr08Okk4QibAlfcBE6WajZJaNYVt4v9HJ9J8zy6mn-wiH0fCV7guMjncA/s1600/3stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSgxA1z6tn-9YjZARNgPb3P_kw1L6HY7eNj6dvuOt8nG0NsDR13irgukat_6NMdMq1IEySDJcIR6mE1AyBSr08Okk4QibAlfcBE6WajZJaNYVt4v9HJ9J8zy6mn-wiH0fCV7guMjncA/s1600/3stars.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Musical comedy adventure</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>PRINCIPAL CAST or
VOICE MEMBERS</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Steve Whitmire: Kermit the Frog and Rizzo the Rat</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eric Jacobson: Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal and Sam the
Eagle</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dave Goelz: the Great Gonzo and others</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Matt Vogel: Constantine and others</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ricky Gervais: Constantine’s sidekick Dominic Badguy</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ty Burrell: Jean Pierre Napoleaon, a French Interpol
inspector</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tina Fey: Nadya, a Russian GULAG officer</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>REVIEW</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pretty good. That in a nutshell is how I feel about this
latest sequel. The gags and one-liners are few and only provoke a smile rather
than merriment and at almost two hours, it is too long. The children around me
were fidgeting (when was the last time that happened during a Muppets movie) and
not once was there a real outbreak of laughter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All the while there are cameo performances by artists such
as Tony Bennett, Sean Diddy Combs, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Salma Hayek, Ray
Liotta, Stanley Tucci and others who add little if anything to the endeavour.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>CLASSIFICATION</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO6fsWASrb3uRW8X2fXkQiQunyq2ZpMka3YaDGW3ayeeuZZt2gs-7PNvvdjJZedmMLb7OvpFWPb94hKVH0jyIT_rZz_dvXxV-S34g008X2H0TN1SmAhK8KGihz6fYKILQDVsyaXSaaQ/s1600/7PG.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO6fsWASrb3uRW8X2fXkQiQunyq2ZpMka3YaDGW3ayeeuZZt2gs-7PNvvdjJZedmMLb7OvpFWPb94hKVH0jyIT_rZz_dvXxV-S34g008X2H0TN1SmAhK8KGihz6fYKILQDVsyaXSaaQ/s1600/7PG.GIF" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
for some mild action.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>FOR NITPICKERS ONLY</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Interpol Inspector’s tie clip moves from one
scene to another.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-90945101154039089312014-03-05T11:09:00.000-05:002014-03-05T11:09:52.776-05:00THE WIND RISES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8hdBZpeqonl5fBzySEDEbov3MzLTBTQxvEAZX5-yutPXkIIxZZxJIn3YU2bKA8zPKG5FH9ITuHdyNsAlDPcsNHAu6X9XQVi98wLRMU9ywxhxurJpkhGwZjKiGf9nopZ0oUtPh7Mk-A/s1600/TheWindRises2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8hdBZpeqonl5fBzySEDEbov3MzLTBTQxvEAZX5-yutPXkIIxZZxJIn3YU2bKA8zPKG5FH9ITuHdyNsAlDPcsNHAu6X9XQVi98wLRMU9ywxhxurJpkhGwZjKiGf9nopZ0oUtPh7Mk-A/s1600/TheWindRises2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUgotCT0y971zrfdkI79gyvkwrNyO9kNLPEe77ZsJnf4DcJMLW1RKUIpdR7o67CfcMbXmMVUjUwDlbR_QQxihMz6cqh0uvJgvskaBIct7nqAe7-IwTfgieiPzafSMemMsR4VwS9yZbg/s1600/3stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUgotCT0y971zrfdkI79gyvkwrNyO9kNLPEe77ZsJnf4DcJMLW1RKUIpdR7o67CfcMbXmMVUjUwDlbR_QQxihMz6cqh0uvJgvskaBIct7nqAe7-IwTfgieiPzafSMemMsR4VwS9yZbg/s1600/3stars.gif" /> <span style="text-align: left;">Animated historical drama</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><b>PRINCIPAL
VOICE MEMBERS</b></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Zach Callison: young Jirô Horikoshi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stanley Tucci: Italian airplane designer Giovanni Caproni</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joseph Gordon-Levitt: the older Jirô</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emily Blunt: young artist Naoko Satomi</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John Krasinski: Jirô’s colleague and best friend Honjô</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><b>REVIEW</b></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The film is based on the life of the young man who became
the chief engineer at Mitsubishi and
designed many of the Japanese fighter planes used in World War II. It covers
the period from the 1920’s to the 1940’s and leaves unsaid the impact his
finest creation (the A6M, better known as the Japanese Navy’s Zero) had on the
world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is animation for adults as children would have no
interest in the story line as there are no cuddly animals or catchy musical
numbers. And it’s drawn in the old fashioned way, not something generated by a
computer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sufficient time is given to develop most characters although
we are never provided any insight as to why Jirô’s sister is so grumpy. However
it does run on a bit too long at two hours and six minutes. Some editing could
have been done without great loss.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><b>CLASSIFICATION</b></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQnjJkZcFM748UlOIqviXMI1ER23O2YfWkRopuCNOaeg3TV7zvzaVs4Vjxf8j0Ed9iIUCYVaoPxSfIxz3u_FPFvcL9SrfYyIRKAxiZ0J9TBwgThr8x0VvsOTbf-jm5SBLsZkteUJOTA/s1600/7PG.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQnjJkZcFM748UlOIqviXMI1ER23O2YfWkRopuCNOaeg3TV7zvzaVs4Vjxf8j0Ed9iIUCYVaoPxSfIxz3u_FPFvcL9SrfYyIRKAxiZ0J9TBwgThr8x0VvsOTbf-jm5SBLsZkteUJOTA/s1600/7PG.GIF" /></a> for some disturbing images and smoking.</div>
</div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842595903850066480.post-11361051375492906282014-02-28T14:43:00.000-05:002014-02-28T14:43:18.682-05:00THE MONUMENTS MEN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tQpw2PHDVwvWEYHlIrRfjbvxb03qwQSG4bOhJCgfwDItjXKv0t0rOIXitmk2cPddGUR1kN_r5U8mvhjvHjxaSj3MK8qbo4djJVjZ2r3lJdQ8RbH0-ySuxTbfslu4mp-inciWAitlRg/s1600/The_Monuments_Men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tQpw2PHDVwvWEYHlIrRfjbvxb03qwQSG4bOhJCgfwDItjXKv0t0rOIXitmk2cPddGUR1kN_r5U8mvhjvHjxaSj3MK8qbo4djJVjZ2r3lJdQ8RbH0-ySuxTbfslu4mp-inciWAitlRg/s1600/The_Monuments_Men.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64AonjbSKa8SITmGTEztJbbOKM90LcUW5AnD7CB5-duMMDSOk8YriP4fQb17ejhEgvdVRO35PBkDcZ0ePocBMeod3ThKYtQFBa39O5iiCK3MT-TtWgy9kDaLmvvqDyy9x9ac6G-944g/s1600/4stars.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64AonjbSKa8SITmGTEztJbbOKM90LcUW5AnD7CB5-duMMDSOk8YriP4fQb17ejhEgvdVRO35PBkDcZ0ePocBMeod3ThKYtQFBa39O5iiCK3MT-TtWgy9kDaLmvvqDyy9x9ac6G-944g/s1600/4stars.gif" /></a></div>
Historical drama<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><b>PRINCIPAL
CAST MEMBERS</b></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
George Clooney: Harvard museum curator Frank Stokes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Matt Damon: art restorer James Granger</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bill Murray: architect Richard Campbell</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John Goodman: sculptor Walter Garfield</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jean Dujardin: French art dealer Jean-Claude Clermont</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bob Galaban: theatrical producer Preston Savitz</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hugh Bonneville: painting teacher Donald Jefferies</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cate Blanchett: French art expert Claire Simone</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><b>REVIEW</b></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Probably the greatest treasure hunt in history, the film
tells the story of a little-know unit during World War II. With great attention
to detail (except for a few exceptions noted below) it captures the look and
feel of wartime Europe. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although there is a lot of switching back and forth between
the teams it’s not too difficult to follow their efforts to find the stolen art
treasures. The acting is uniformly good (as you would expect from this A-list
of actors) and the odd amusing moment is a welcome relief.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><b>CLASSIFICATION</b></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvJ26QQiienqIGyM1Mos6KfIDktfLP9DXeUOXCIRnFoY4EC_VBI48H397qzHWveCoNLrBpQVEnbzIKa9laKw9atQy7jzaOURH2FMcvvvkZW-qJrkzq4SRWi2TrcASVcu85Qm8ul0oeA/s1600/7PG.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvJ26QQiienqIGyM1Mos6KfIDktfLP9DXeUOXCIRnFoY4EC_VBI48H397qzHWveCoNLrBpQVEnbzIKa9laKw9atQy7jzaOURH2FMcvvvkZW-qJrkzq4SRWi2TrcASVcu85Qm8ul0oeA/s1600/7PG.GIF" /></a> for violence, mature themes, smoking.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><b>FOR
NITPICKERS ONLY</b></b></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal">The
architectural model in the movie is not the Fuhrer Museum; it is the
Volkshalle another of Hitler’s grand monumental projects to be constructed
after the war.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Claire
has James over for dinner and the bottle of wine is three quarters full
yet she says “we’re out of wind, would you like a cognac?”</li>
<li class="MsoNormal">Walter
receives a 45 rpm record which he then plays; trouble is, this format of
records was not available until 1949, four years after these events took
place.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><b>P.S.</b></b></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives program
was established by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943. Known as the
Monuments Men the group of 345 men and women (not 7 men) from 13 countries (not
3) were tasked with the job of protecting cultural treasures as best they
could.</span></div>
Ralphhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086413143007776076noreply@blogger.com0