shtisel, season 3

Slowest tv there is. May it never be speeded up. 

BY: IMDB-glgabrielsen 

05/04/2021 

This is like, and as good as, Sopranos. Minus the cursing and profanities. 

 Minus the killing and violence. 

 Minus the drugs, save some low quality cigarettes and funny-looking yellowish wine. 

 Obviously no sex or nudity. 

 I don't know what it is with this series. 

All of the characters annoy me to some degree. 

It's so slow my mother stopped watching after 20 minutes because it's that slow. And yet. When the third series was launched, during corona, I was so happy. 

It's like meeting old family again. I know I won't be frightened or sick from the imagery. It's just totally zen. 

Akiva, this confused and complicated artist, making life hard for everyone - and us viewers in particular. 

I hope they never stop making this series.

 

VIDEO - SHTISEL, Season 3 - 2021 - 10 /10 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3069894/

supernova

Master class in acting 

By: IMDB-trinaboice 

08/02/2021 

In a Nutshell: Bleecker Street brings two of my favorite actors together in this touching drama: Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci. The movie was written and directed by Harry Macqueen. It's only his second film after he did HINTERLAND. Firth and Tucci play gay lovers who go on a road trip while they're dealing with the recent diagnosis of early-onset dementia in one of them. The fact that the characters are gay is not the main element of the film but just another way to look at the many obstacles loved ones go through in this journey we call life. it's heartbreaking and especially tough for me to watch because my parents are struggling with this very illness now. It seems to be on the minds of Hollywood filmmakers lately too, as several movies have come out in the past year that explores this delicate, depressing, complex, and very real issue that many of us face on a day-to-day basis. Things I liked: Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci are excellent, as expected. They are at ease with each other and show a genuine tenderness for one another. Although both actors are straight, their portrayal as a homosexual couple is believable and touching. Both deliver effortless performances as a master class in acting. Stanley Tucci's character is interested in astronomy, which is where the movie title gets its name from. It is said that a supernova burns brighter, yet shorter, just like his character's life. As the two men take a road trip, you get to see some beautiful landscapes of England. The film was shot mainly in the Lake District of Cumbria in the United Kingdom. I got to travel there a few years ago and would happily go back. Some of the frames look like postcards shot by cinematographer Dick Pope. Colin Firth plays the piano in the movie and it's really him playing! The movie and music don't go for the easy tear-jerker moments. Everything is quite understated...so British. Lovely music on the cello. Some of the dialogue is fantastic with profound insights. The writing was very well balanced, giving you inspiring moments from both men. I don't know which would be worst: losing yourself to dementia or losing your loved one who has dementia. Heartbreaking either way. I thought it was cute when Stanley Tucci's character noted that the car's navigator's voice sounded like Margaret Thatcher. I'm always grateful for a little humor to balance out all of the sadness in dramatic movies. Things I didn't like: It's a very slow burn. The subject matter of life and death are melancholy and sad. If you're experiencing this in your life with your loved ones, you'll probably choke back a few tears. If not, you might actually be bored a little bit. The movie ends abruptly. Themes Worth Talking About: Love and relationships Loss Life and death Talk of suicide Just like the road trip the men go on, life is all about the journey, not the destination. Tips for parents: Profanity and F-bombs You see Stanley Tucci shirtless You see two men in bed together. They get a little frisky in one scene, but luckily, it's dark and you don't see much. Kids will be completely bored. So will some adults. You can see the rest of my review on my Movie Review Mom YouTube channel!

 

 

VIDEO - SUPERNOVA - 2020 - 9/10 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11169050/

the father

And the Oscar goes to... 

By: IMDB-TrueWouve 

30/12/2020 

I had the wonderful opportunity to see The Father at CIFF this year. I went in excited to see what Sir Anthony Hopkins would do with a study on dementia. As I consider Sir Anthony as arguable the best actor in film these days I had pretty high expectations. And I was not at all let down. When his character, also named Anthony, become confused or curmudgeonly you recognize some of his other great performances. But in fact I was most impressed at how warm and charming of a character Sir Anthony could also play. He was just simply spell binding when his character was his "old self". With all this being said perhaps the most remarkable performance of the film comes from Olivia Colman who plays Anthony's daughter, Anne. The patience, frustration, hurt and unwavering love depicted while Anne tries to find the best way to care for her father is truly remarkable. I'm sure there will be Oscar buzz for both of these performances and for the adapted screen play of Director Florian Zeller. Now a little SPOILER to help people better enjoy this film. The Father in a way is shot like a mystery. Time lines are repeated , characters change in the story all while the audience sits confused. You do by the end understand that this is done to represent the progression of Anthony's disease. And you as an audience get to experience the strangeness of a mind that is being let down by itself. This is presented as a kind of plot twist. But I think the film will be more enjoyable for most if you understand in advance what is going on.

 

 

VIDEO - THE FATHER - 2020 - 9/10 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10272386/

marianela

A rural drama in the line of 7th heaven 

By: IMDB-MegaSuperstar 

08/09/2015 

Based on the book of the same title by Benito Pérez Galdós, the film tells the story of a young orphan called Marianela (Mary Carrillo in her first movie role) who works as a guide for the born blind son of the local coal mine owner, Pablo (Julio Peña). She is in love with him and happy to know that he will never see her, since she is far from beautiful and is looked down by the rest of the people. But one day a doctor says he can operate Pablo to let him see... The role of Marianela was played on stage by famous Catalan theater actress Margarida Xirgu in 1916 and is beautifully played here by Mary Carrillo. Beautiful photography and a good mise en scène complete the portrait of a typical small village set in the deep of the wilderness and its miserable people.

 

 

VIDEO - MARIANELA - 1940 - 8/10 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032760/

i care a lot

Not at ALL as bad as they say 

By IMDB-hainehill 

10/02/2021 

I was completely shocked to see all the reviews saying "I hated this movie so much, I made an account to write this review!" Well, this is my first ever review too because I felt the need to refute them. "I Care A lot" is a delightful little masterpiece with so many twists and turns, you'll be intrigued every step of the way. Did the negative reviewers ever stop to think maybe the protagonists were not meant to be likable? That's literally the entire point, no one is really likable but you want to see how this intricate story plays out nonetheless. It's a fun film with an all star cast, Rosamund Pike's performance is extraordinary and Peter Dinklage and Dianne Wiest are also great. It's certainly worth the watch, but NOT if you're going to take it as seriously as these negative reviews are. Just sit back and take the movie for what it is. I was honestly relieved to see a plot that did not blend in with the rest. The negative reviewers need to remember that not every movie will check off their superfluous boxes of what a film should be. Stay safe!

 

 

VIDEO - I CARE A LOT - 2020 - 8/10 - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9893250/