Apryl Reviews

The Ice Road (2021)

Is any one familiar with "Wage of Fear"

[6/10 · 11 July 2021]

(I haven't seen this yet, so for now, scored what it was already scored) This sounds like the Yves Montand (1953) movie, "Wages of Fear", set in a South American village. GREAT MOVIE - one of my most favorite-est.

Station 19: Out of Control (2020) Season 4, Episode 5

Powerful - Painful episode

[9/10 · 18 December 2020]

Very well written episode. It showcased so many hurts and issues... but the voice of Ben Warren reminded us to keep faith and have hope, and to see why people like Fire Fighters keep working to make things better.

While so many go through their daily lives, there are those enclaves where there is tragedy and injury. Five years ago, I had no idea how bad Sex Trafficking had become in the US. While we may have our every day issues like the loss of a loved one and making spaghetti, someone else is in the fight for their life.

We are reminded that while there are those in uniform who work so very hard to serve, protect, and care for each of us, some - for an unknown reason - prefer to close their eyes and allow monsters to continue to monster. That's what makes these people so bad: they ARE the exception, but sometimes, they get away with it in ways that can cause all sorts of problems for others.

I feel haunted by this episode. Such an array of emotions: love, hate, happiness, fear, family support, xenophobia.

Very well done!

Odd Thomas (2013)

Pleasantly surprised

[9/10 · 2 June 2020]

I never heard of this before. I was scrolling through my channels and the poster looked interesting. it's quite quirky, but not what I would ever call 'silly'. There were moments (battles) that were predictable, but the over all story (the war) was far from. There is some gore, but I wouldn't think it objectionable to most. No overt sex, so it's OK on that end. The chemistry was all over the place (good!) and the special effects were believable, too.

Looks like I'll be looking for more like this.

Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

Haven't seen one like this in years

[9/10 · 9 November 2019]

Film noir style writing, great ensemble cast, awesome costumes and make-up

Every Day (2018)

It was interesting and entertaining, but.....

[6/10 · 27 February 2018]

While it was both interesting (kewt premise), and entertaining (some of the characters were quite enjoyable), the movie was just too long for what it had to say. The movie was an hour and a half long? It should have been more like 45 minutes. This is intended for tweens and teens, and they don't need so long to get to the point and let you feel all warm and snugly. I think they explained the ending, but by then, I had fallen asleep. I will not go back to see the end again.

The Revenant (I) (2015)

I didn't like it for TECHNICAL reasons

[6/10 · 1 October 2016]

I could tell that this was a pretty powerful and passionate film, but I lost so much. Much of the dialogue is not in English, and because of this, they used subtitles. But, whoever did the subtitles used such small font that I found myseif not even trying any more. What gives? If you want me to understand, than give me the dialogue where I can actually see it. Maybe some of the Pawnee/French could have been said in English. I mean, this IS a movie after all. Then every one had these long beards, wearing pelts, so I had a very hard time telling one person from the next. Thank goodness for IMDb, and I was able to read the Synopsis as the movie progressed. So much I couldn't get for myself.

For Colored Girls (2010)

The movie is AWESOME... but.....

[8/10 · 5 November 2010]

The movie is so fluid and beautiful. The words of Ntozake Shange are so poetic, this plays like a musical.... each person takes the words, adds character, and makes them weave together with harmonies that echo long after leaving the theater. It was moving and it was wonderful. This makes me want to go back and try to read this and other works by the author! ... but the anachronisms were awful. In one scene, they have a room with a plasma TV, but the phone is on the wall with the old cords. NO ONE has a cell phone. So many things that distract from this beautiful movie. Is it set in the late 60's / early 70's (hence the common use of words like 'Colored') or is it set in modern times (where we would see the fashions and hear the concerns we have? I loved this.. but I think that Mr. Perry should have had an editor to proofread to make sure he was in one time or another. I do not fault him for doing the re-write of the story, because he did a great job.... just so many 'oops' in timing issues.

The words of Ntozake Shange swirl and simmer and make so much happen in my head. I have to wonder if in 50 years, will this still resonate like the words of William Shakespeare in his time.

Spellbound (2002)

I really was

[9/10 · 1 September 2003]

I'm sure the choice for the title was a play on words - as this is about a Spelling Bee.

However, it wasn't long into this documentary that I realized I was Spellbound. I was truly involved in all that was going on, the lives of the participants, their families, the communities, and also the earlier winners.

I have never been so moved by a documentary about such a *dull* subject.

Now I'm going to get out the Scrabble Board, and try to reclaim my youth.

A Man Apart (2003)

It had all the makings of a GREAT movie....

[5/10 · 5 April 2003]

.... but didn't live up to it. Perhaps Diesel should follow the lead of Stallone, and avoid dialogue. The story was great, the performances were very good, but the writing was BAD. It was whenever any two characters were to communicate that every thing was lost! I did not like this one.... although Diesel LOOKED great, and the supporting cast held their own.

Deacons for Defense (2003 TV Movie)

Very moving

[20 February 2003]

This is supposed to be a historical account, and I believe it to be just that..... so the story itself doesn't get points - I'm just glad that the story is getting out. As a viewer, I was truly moved to anger, to passion, to compassion, and finally to tears of victory over an evil that should be brought out to the light. I give the movie a score of 9 out of ten.... but I can't honestly say what I would do to improve it. The performances of every one were excellent. The children weren't cute moppets, nor were they incredibly heroic. I could relate to the feeling of 'don't rock the boat' that was the world of Marcus, and also the "Never again" battle cries once he realized that, though he is one person, every one of us can make a difference. It was entertaining and inspiring

American Beauty (1999)

Didn't live up to the hype

[7/10 · 22 June 2002]

Maybe if I hadn't heard so many accolades for this one, I could have enjoyed it more. It was a good movie, but not a great movie. At least not for me. The performances and story were both good..... but then, much of it was predictable for me.

Toy Soldiers (1991)

Guilty pleasure

[8/10 · 22 June 2002]

It's really not worthy of a 'best picture' consideration, but as entertainment goes, it does the job! This is one that I've watched, with pulse quickening every time, at least a dozen times.

Most of these actors were unknown at the time this was done, and we can recognize them from other work. Those that don't have current name recognition probably don't want it.

This was a fun ADVENTURE. Sort of like The Little Rascals if they just had to be serious.

The Wages of Fear (1953)

Gripping!

[10/10 · 7 June 2001]

While I don't normally enjoy movies with subtitles, this one kept my attention when I didn't want to watch it.

The movie is in English, Spanish, and French... and all these subtitles. The movie is in Black and White. There are no really attractive people in this movie (other than Yves Montand).

But this is one INCREDIBLE story! This is a real white-knuckle story! Every time I wanted to think 'Ok, it's going to be alright now', instead, something else happens to scare me.

The fear is not based on special effects, or on eerie music. There are no monsters.

Just FEAR. And fear that is tied to money. The Love of Money is the root of all evil, and it will also get you to try to get past your fear.

Wages of Fear is an incredible movie. See it from beginning to end. Don't get up for popcorn or sodas or the telephone. Don't take your eyes from the screen, either. When you think those guys are safe... they probably aren't.

Dear America: Color Me Dark (2000 TV Movie)

Don't let the title throw you

[8/10 · 3 February 2001]

I enjoyed this short story immensely, and found it very moving! But the title has NOTHING to do with it... There was one scene where the title seemed to be forced into the dialogue - I found this even distracting.

But the film itself? Very good! The story of sisters who love each other and are there for each other as they deal with the racism of their time, and the move from Tennessee to Illinois.

This is a story that's been told before, but in my opinion, it could handle being told again.

Beloved (1998)

Haunting

[8/10 · 22 October 1998]

I didn't know what this was about, and I think I would have enjoyed it more if I did. There is a lot of symbolism, touched with the occult and superstition. There are a number of graphic scenes that I would have done well to not eat before I saw this intense film. It was good, but I'm going to see it again so that I can *understand* what was going on. I'm sure that any one who reads the book first will better understand it. But no one at my showing moved at any time, because it was as if watching an action movie, only the action was wrapped in the words