Month: May 2020

Movie 1: Mute

Well now…where to begin! It’s called a “neo-noir” Science Fiction. It’s set in the near future. Unfortunately, the story and production is almost painful to watch. It’s slow, confusing and frankly…boring.

Rating

Movie 2: Sergio

Definitely our pick of the week!! It’s based on real events when a top Brazilian UN diplomat worked in East Timor and Iraq. It’s powerful. A painful reminder of tension and conflict that continues today.

Rating   

Movie 3: Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

This is the chronicle of crimes committed by Ted Bundy and his insane rampage against women in the late 70s to mid 80s. It’s based on the book by Elizabeth Kendall, a “long time friend” of Bundy. It’s a powerful and intense look at insanity and murder.

Rating   

 

Movie 1: The Decline

This interesting story is a Canadian French thriller about a fatal accident that takes place in a survivalist training camp. The film is often intense, violent and surprising. It’s a shame because the tense script is mostly likable. This Netflix film was dubbed in English.

Rating

Movie 2: The Laundromat

This film has a great cast including Sharon Stone, Meryl Streep, Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas. It’s an indictment about money laundering, overseas shell companies that pander to the global rich, tax evasion, and corrupt financial systems. It’s not easy to watch but it’s also riveting. Netflix.

Rating   

Movie 3: The Coldest Game

This Netflix film is based on events leading up to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. There’s plenty of good performances, angst and suspense. It’s also a powerful reminder of history and how dangerous the world was and still is.

Rating   

 

Movie 1: Close

This Netflix thriller is an Action Adventure/Mystery Suspense staring Noomi Rapace as the bad ass protector. It’s an action packed story about people that are just not all that interesting. Much of the story is not believable. It’s extremely violent but just unique enough to hold your interest.

Rating

Movie 2: In The Shadow of the Moon

This is a most unusual Sci-Fi film about time travel. It’s a serial killer mystery that wanders through time and logic. What starts as an intriguing concept evolves into a confusing mess. It becomes tedious. Keep some aspirin handy. Netflix.

Rating 

Movie 3: The Lovebirds

This is a bizarre murder mystery. Yes, it’s goofy, sometimes corny, it’s not likely to win any industry awards….BUT, given the current events and the bizarre times we are enduring it might just be an anecdote for a couple of hours. It opened today on Netflix.

Rating   

 

Movie 1: Ordinary Love

OMG!! If the movie making moguls only knew this would be a perfect film for today’s challenges under the pandemic!? Instead of Covid-19 this one is breast cancer. Anyone with family or friends that have coped with breast cancer will relate to this film. Great acting, a believable story. It’s ultimately a feel good film. Comcast on Demand.

Rating  

Movie 2: American Factory

If you missed it like we did, this 2019 Documentary won the Oscar in its category. It’s a riveting account of a closed GM factory in Ohio replaced by a Chinese company that manufactures automobile glass. The gap between workers cultures and global industry politics make this a fascinating watch. English and Mandarin, with English subtitles. Netflix.

Rating   

Movie 3: Fractured

This is an intense film with a complex plot, lots of confusion, even more cultural/social/disconnects perhaps harvested from the current craziness with a heavy dose of condemnation on the health care system. Netflix.

Rating   

 

Movie 1:  The Occupant

 

Rating

Movie 2:  The Angel

Based on the New York Times bestselling book ‘The Angel: The Egyptian Spy Who Saved Israel’ by Uri Bar-Joseph.  True stories make great films.  This one is a reminder of recent history when Middle Eastern conflicts ultimately involved much of the Western world.  It’s intense, focused on fresh perspectives and riveting to watch.  (Netflix) 

Rating   

Movie 3:  The Photographer of Mauthausen

And another Netflix release making this a great film week for us.  This film is set in 1943 in the Austrian concentration camp of Mauthausen where Spain’s anti-Franco prisoners were under the control of Germany’s war machine.  It’s horrific but a compelling story that should be required viewing.  Spanish with English subtitles.

Rating   

 

Movie 1:  The Red Sea Diving Resort

This film is set in the 1980’s when Jewish-Ethiopian refugees fled to Israel, via Sudan, assisted by Israeli Mossad agents under the cover of night by sea.  This Netflix story is inspiring, terrifying, and a reminder much of the world still reflects racism and religious bigotry.    

Rating: 

 

Movie 2: Lost Girls

It’s based on the book by the same name, this Netflix film is also based on real unsolved events from May 2010 when a serial killer stalked sex workers and dumped the bodies in remote Long Island marsh settings.  It’s often painfully difficult to watch but also skillfully crafted.

Rating: 

Movie 3:  Becoming

Hands down, this is our pick of the week!  It’s an interesting peek behind the curtains of the former First Lady Michelle Obama.  The open, honest explanation of her role, her influence supporting her husband and the engagement she had with multiple generations of supporters in the public sector.  It’s riveting! 

Rating   

 

Movie 1:  Dangerous Lies

Unfortunately this Netflix film fails on so many levels its barely worthy of a review.  It’s a shame because with a little tweaking and a few script revisions it could easily have been so much better.  It’s a mystery of sorts with a confusing mix of characters that brings confusion scene after scene.  Just skip it!

Rating

Movie 2:  The Half of It

 

Rating   

Movie 3:  The Resistance Banker

 

Rating   

 

Movie 1:  The Last Thing He Wanted

This Netflix movie is based on Joan Didion’s 1996 novel.  This film is so confusing it’s nearly impossible to follow.  The story is messy on several fronts.  It centers on Iran-Contra scandals and arms deals.  Even with good acting we can’t recommend it.

Rating

Movie 2:  A Fall From Grace

Now this film is worth seeking out!   It’s a new release on Netflix.  There’s excellent acting and a believable plot.  There is plenty of mystery, suspense and surprises to satisfy most viewers.  The final scene is not to be missed.  Reviews range from “terrible” to “nuts”.  We liked it…a lot.

Rating   

Movie 3:  A Secret Love

Rating