Dan_L Reviews

Maestro (2023)

A film only a critic could love

[4/10 · 24 December 2023]

I am so glad we didn't see Maestro in a theater. While technically very-well done, the film is incredibly boring, at times incomprehensible, and a failure when it comes to fleshing out Leonard Bernstein. It's quite disjointed. I can understand why so many critics praised the film: excellent acting, especially by Carey Mulligan; visually artful; excellent cinematography; fine music. Even Sarah Silverman shows she can actually act. But Bradley Cooper does not capture the spirit of the Leonard Bernstein I grew up on.

The bottom line: Maestro is a fine exercise in film making, but the film has no soul. It doesn't move the viewer. And it really doesn't provide much insight into Mr. Bernstein. When you see film the real of Leonard Bernstein conducting, you may better understand when I write it doesn't capture him despite the best efforts of Mr. Cooper and the prosthetics crew.

Gaslit (2022)

Summarizing Gaslit in Two Words: Nixon F*rts

[1/10 · 12 September 2022]

That headline -- leaving out the "a" -- pretty much summarizes the quality of this embarrassing mess. Yes, they really do have Nixon gratuitously expel gas -- extensively -- upon awakening one morning -- which illustrates the pitiful depths to which this production sinks. This scene doesn't advance the narrative or entertain -- it just shocks the viewer in its grossness (I've got no problem with a good f*rt joke, but this wasn't one).

Frankly, whoever greenlit "Gaslit" ought to be fired for gross incompetence.

I lived through Watergate and followed it very closely in real time. This highly fictionalized mini-series may be the most incompetent retelling of the Watergate scandal ever committed to film. Ignoring the almost universally bad acting (Julia Roberts can't even maintain a Southern accent), and questionable directing, the insulting script makes everybody look bad including Watergate hero, security guard Frank Wills. In fact, the script got worse as the series moved along -- and by the third episode I was convinced that "Gaslit" was a parody production.

I am asounded that "Gaslit" has actually received favorable reviews here. And Julia Roberts and Sean Penn (who did disappear into this prosthetics role) ought to find new agents who won't place them in such an incredibly bad excuse for an historical "drama." For a much more entertaining and very accurate, insightful account of Watergate, watch the Ken Burns' documentary.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)

A Gift that Keeps on Giving - Gets better and better with each new episode

[9/10 · 29 August 2022]

My wife and I have fallen in love with "Extraordinary Attorney Woo." We've seen about half of the first season and with the exception of a fairly weak episode 2, the series just gets better and better as they peel off the layers of this extraordinary tale about a genuinely extraordinary character.

This is surely one of the most loving -- and loveable -- television series to ever air. It's in the same league as Taxi in terms of gentleness, albeit without the gut-busting humor of the first three seasons of Taxi.

Just about everything about this series is extraordinary (I know, I'm overusing the word). The storytelling is leisurely paced which enables viewers to savor the clever plots and fine acting. Enhancing it all is a beautiful, judiciously-used musical score, sublime and impactful in its simplicity -- largely piano-based. I imagine that a CD of musical highlights would sell well.

What really makes this series work -- aside from the believeability of the lead actor and those characters close to her -- is that it respects the viewers' intelligence. It doesn't pander to the lowest common denominator among its audience. As the series advances, it reveals more and more about Woo Young Woo, her father, her origin, her past -- slowly but surely (that's what I meant by peeling off the layers). And it's willing to let pivotal events linger in your mind until the next episode before revealing what happened in flash back.

And it introduces American audiences to some South Korean culture and customs, as well as showing us that there are, indeed, other nations that are exceptional. As an attorney myself, it is fascinating to see how differently the South Korean judicial system works (allowing for this being a fictional portrayal of the system).

Actually, an attorney with autism is not such a farfetched fairy tale. I recently attended a virtual legal continuing education webinar and one of the speakers was a young female attorney with autism - believed to be the first openly-autistic licensed attorney in Florida (at least until Governor DeSantis finds a way to prohibit people with a disability from practicing law). She's also author of a few books. Not the genius that Woo Young Woo is, but who is?

The only reason I didn't rate this 10 stars is that the subtitles go by a bit too quickly and you really have to concentrate to catch all of them. And the translations are a bit awkward and I suspect could be done better. Otherwise, you'll likely enjoy this gem.

I dread the thought that there could ever be an American remake of this series. I can't imagine our culture allowing for such a loving and intelligent series as this one -- afterall it's been nearly 50 years since Taxi first ran, the last American series of such gentleness.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Pure torture to watch

[2/10 · 20 February 2022]

I realize this film has won a slew of awards, but even though I love a good art film, this was pure torture to watch. It may be very well-acted with beautiful cinematography that deserves an Academy Award, but it is so slowly paced with a painful script that I kept watching only to see it might redeem itself at the end.

It did not. This really is one of those films that only a critic could love. Technically, it is solid. But the film has no soul, no heart, and no pacing. Do not waste your time with it unless you enjoy that type of film. If it somehow wins Best Picture, it will be yet another undeserving winner much like now forgotten "The Artist" which beat out the much superior and beloved film "Hugo" from Martin Scorsese.

Dopesick (2021)

Most important series of 2021

[10/10 · 9 December 2021]

There certainly have been "better" limited series this year, but none as vitally important and compelling as "Dopesick." It tells the true story of how big pharma, particularly the Stackler family's Purdue Pharma, accelerated the deadly and costly opioid epidemic through its deceptive sale of oxycondin. Once you see this mesmerizing series, you'll wonder how any judge could allow the settlements of all the lawsuits against Purdue Pharma that let the family walkaway as billionaires and ... well walk away without serving years in prison. And the human cost is portrayed all too accurately. Lives lost. Live destroyed. And given how oxycondin changes the chemistry of its victims' brains, requiring two years of being clean to recover, it illustrates how long term sober living homes are so essential to overcoming the opioid epidemic (although the film itself doesn't mention sober homes much at all). If ever a televison series should change state and federal policy, this is the one!

Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace (2019)

What a Joy Full of Memories

[9/10 · 23 March 2020]

My wife and I had the pleasure of seeking this warm, loving hommage to movie palaces at Classic Cinema's York Theater in Elmhurst, IL -- with the added bonus of Director April Wright there to discuss the film afterwards.

It's a joy. My perspective might be tainted by seeing so many movie palaces of my youth again on the big screen -- and this film should be experienced on the big screen. The Granada, Riviera, Uptown, Music Box (still alive and very well), and the Avalon (aka New Regal) where I drove on a date for the first time. Like so many of the other palaces of then and now from around the nation featured in this film, the Avalon in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood still stand in all its glory. I had occasion to attend Avery Brooks' one man show of Paul Robeson there on the centennial of Robeson's birth, and it was amazing how much smaller this grand theater was -- compared to how huge it seemed when I was a kid.

If you remember the joy of seeing a film with hundreds of other movie goers, and remember the astounding over the top architecture of some of these movie palaces, see this film. If you never had the experience, see this film and you'll see why so many miss the movie palace of yore.

Springsteen on Broadway (2018 TV Movie)

Astounding take of empathy

[10/10 · 23 December 2019]

Springsteen strips himself bare in this frequently self-depricating revelatory and moving performance. He readily admits he's never worked in a factory. He never drove a motor vehicle until a cross country trip for a performance.

But his dad worked in a factory. All those around him lived the working class lives he reports upon in his songs. What I came to realize from this extremely skilled spoken word and musical performance, is that Bruce Springsteen has incredible empathy for the working person, for the down trodden, for the subjects of his music. And that's what so many really great artists have. Their music doesn't have to be autobiographical to be genuine. But when they have the degree of empathy that Springsteen has, they can produce the sort of insightful, moving music that characterizes his career.

Even if you're unfamiliar with Springsteen's music, his stories and the tunes selected for this performance (admittedly few are among my favorites) make for an incredibly compelling and entertaining show that works on TV and makes me wish I had had the opportunity to see it live.

Knives Out (2019)

Unless you're a "who dun it" fan, skip Knives Out

[3/10 · 23 December 2019]

Seriously, if you're not a big fan of mysteries, skip this decidedly mediocre film. If you are a big fan, see it -- you will enjoy the flick. It was hard to stay awake for the first 2/3 of the movie as it meandered along. Aside from the lead actress being adorable and Daniel Craig miraculously maintaining his southern accent throughout the film, there was little to draw a viewer's attention. The final third got interesting and at times compelling even to a non-fan of mysteries. But I'd have rather seen an important and thoroughly mesmerizing compelling film like "Dark Waters" a second time to seeing "Knives Out" even once.

That is, unless you are a big fan of the who dun it genre. My wife, who is such a fan, really enjoyed this frequent mess of a movie. I suppose if the film had come with a scorecard and the players names on the backs of their "uniforms," it may have been possible for laypeople (i.e. not big "who dun it" fans) to make sense of what was happening.

The Irishman (2019)

It's the emperor's new clothes

[3/10 · 13 December 2019]

I may be a fan of Scorcese, DeNiro, Pacino and Pesci, but this film is ne of their worst. The acting - except for Joe Pesci - is simply terrible with Pacino the worst in his way off one note impersonation of Jimmy Hoffa. The film is often incomprehensible. I am at a loss why anybody is praising this embarrassing mess of a movie. The extremely fine cinematography does not make up of a jumbled plot, poor acting from Pacino and Deniro, and a general mess of a movie. This emperor really is naked.

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019)

Why hasn't this women been given a Kennedy Center Honor Already?

[9/10 · 10 November 2019]

That's the question that'll be on your mind after viewing this splendid and loving docu-bio of Linda Ronstadt. Far more entertaining and informative than "Echo in the Canyon" which was about the southern California music scene, "The Sound of My Voice" offers more insight and a far more enjoyable song selection. And it's got Linda Ronstadt singing in all her multitude of styles. It's a great story, hr life, one that should inspire young women the world wide to chart their own paths and not let us guys push them around. Ronstadt herself is a refreshing change from the typical ego-centric, take-myself-oh-so-seriously pretentious rock and roll singer. It's hard to image she had so little confidence in herself when the world around her loved her singing. I wish they would have at least noted her frequent covering of songs by the late Warren Zevon (Carmelita, Poor Poor Pitiful Me, etc.) and that her long time manager Peter Asher was half of the delightful British Invasion duo Peter & Gordon. But overall, they produced a lovingly crafted biopic of what seems to have been a very wonderful person. The main thing I cannot understand is why Linda Ronstadt has not received a Kennedy Center honor? Most deserving.

Echo in the Canyon (2018)

Terribly disappointing poor choice of songs and current covers

[3/10 · 10 November 2019]

They coulda done a whole lot better. The choice of songs was poor and the current day covers were generally pretty atrocious with one exception. That exception is the recording studio scene of powerfully-voice Jade and the thin-voice Jakob Dylan recording The Mamas and The Papas' (and Fifth Dimension which had the hit single) tune "Go Where You Wanna Go." She knocks it out of the park dispite the relatively weak musical tracks. While it's nice to see the music remembered, I think the selection of songs and the current day cover versions had to be a gross disappointment to anybody who was in high school or college in that era. They pale in comparison with the originals, in part because the current arrangements and musicians can't match the Wrecking Crew (the legendary studio musicians) which played the instruments on nearly all the original recordings. And the song selection - so disappointing. If you're going to include a song by The Association, at least include one that they wrote, not the painfully dreadful "Never My Love" in an even more painful acoustic version sung by Jakob Dylan and a female vocalist. Stripped of the orchestration, the song loses any reason to listen to it. Now if Jakob Dylan and the producers really knew the era, they would have included a cover of The Association's recording of Bob Dylan's "One to Many Mornings" which is the song that got The Association its recording contract. All in all, the film was a massive disappointment to this viewer who lived the era. Better to see the splendid and thoroughly engrossing documentary "Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice."

The Current War (2017)

What a waste

[2/10 · 26 October 2019]

My wife and I had moderately high hopes for this film. Those hopes were dashed within its first few minutes.

Rarely have I seen such a simply dreadful movie with such a monumental waste of talent. The film's narrative is close to incomprehensible; the acting frighteningly stilted; the editing a disaster. I'm not sure that this director should ever be allowed to direct again. I can enjoy a high quality ;interesting film that moves this slowly -- this lacked quality and interest. You'd better off reading about Edison, Westinghouse, and Tesla at Wikipedia.

Supposedly the "Director's Cut" is supposed to be a better film than the original release two years ago. I cannot fathom how bad the original studio release must have been. Do not waste your time or money on this glossy piece of film making incompetence.

Blinded by the Light (2019)

A Shear Joy of a Movie: Loving, Funny, Moving, and Rockin'

[9/10 · 21 August 2019]

The trailer for "Blinded By the Light" blew me away and I figured the film couldn't possibly be as good as depicted in the trailer. I was wrong, dead wrong. And you don't have to be a Springsteen fan to enjoy this film. My wife tolerates Springsteen (as long as I don't play him too often) and she loved this movie.

It was even better than the trailer suggested. I shouldn't have been so surprised given its pedigree of being directed by the director of the similarly loving and sweet film "Bend It Like Beckham" that introduced filmgoers to the likes of Keira Knightly, Parminder Kaur Nagra (ER), Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and Archie Penjabi (The Good Wife).

Tempting as it is to focus on the Springsteen theme and music, this film is more about finding oneself (without all the cliches most films of this genre mire themselves in) and your relationship with your family, esepcially your father. It also effectively addresses the racial bigotry toward Pakistanis in the 1980s U.K. (all too similar to the racial bigotry expressed toward African Americans throughout our U.S. history that's been stoked by Trump). In some senses it's a lot like "Field of Dreams" in terms of the father-son relationship (and yes, Cat Stevens' most beloved song, "Father & Son" would have fit in beautifully, but the film makers prudently avoided cluttering the flick with that gem).

You will be moved by the stories in this film. While I sported a huge grin during most of the film, a few scenes brought on tears among most of the audience.

And let us not foget the music -- or even more importantly the poetry and lyricism of Bruce Springsteen's songs. Using a savvy screen technique often showing the lyrics on screen (you see this in the trailer, so this isn't a spoiler), and listening to them, you cannot help but recognize that his poetic lyrics are every bit as worthy of a Nobel Prize as Bob Dylan's.

The directing warrants Oscar and BAFTA nomination's. The acting is superb throughout. And when a film as sweet as this also includes Marvel's Agent Carter in the cast as our protaganist's teacher, you just can't lose. The only thing that would have made this a better film would have been including the rarely heard Springsteen gem "Brothers Under the Bridges (83)" from his 3-CD "Tracks" collection, recorded in the mid-1980s but apparently never played in concert.

See this flim and bring the teenagers.

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019)

Overhyped and underwhelming - and I usually love Tarrantino Filems

[5/10 · 5 August 2019]

While I generally love Tarantino films, "Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood" left me cold. I was expecting something great. Instead he gives us a bit of a mess filled with forced 1960s references, really forced, unlike "American Graffiti" which just melded them into the fabric of the film. Even the afterscene was forced and certainly not worth waiting for.

Yes the acting was generally pretty darned good. Yes, the camera work was dazzling. But the film just seemed superficial and artificial.

I realize there are plenty of folks who just adored the film and concluded it was innovative and clever beyond belief. I fear those conclusions are as superficial as this film.

So if you're a fan of Tarrantino films, this could go either way for you. If you don't buy into the hype, you very well may enjoy it. But iIf you're not a fan of his films, this one isn't likely to turn you into a fan. Better you should rent "Reservoir Dogs."

Stan & Ollie (2018)

Totally disappear into their roles

[8/10 · 28 July 2019]

I never was a fan of Laurel and Hardy, but this sweet little film sure appealed to me and my wife. The film just exudes quality -- especially John C Reily as Hardy and Steve Coogan as Stan Laurel. Their performances are not impresonations. Instead the two actors totally disappear into their characters. Both, but especially Reily who is totally unrecognizable as himself, deserve an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. I don't pretend this film is for everyone. But if you want to see two phenomental acting performances in one film, this is the flick to see.

I Am the Night (2019)

Poster Child for Mediocrity

[2/10 · 27 March 2019]

"I Am the Night" illustrates how difficult it is to produce a decent, interesting, coherent, and entertaining mini-series. It fails on all counts.

It starts out weak and never recovers. My wife and I kept watching (over her frequent objection) in the hope that it might find its feet. It never does. Poorly directed with a frighteningly bad script, it tries in vain to achieve a film noire atmosphere. The concluding episode turned into one of the more ludicrous hours of television we've ever seen. When Fauna Hodel finally confronts her dastardly father, the words that spew from her lips do not sound remotely like anything her character could ever say -- totally unbelievable. The final scene is a hoot -- only from the perspective of absurdity. Even if you really enjoy Chris Pine, even if you are intrigued by India Eisle's beauty, do not waste mroe than 7 hours watching this exercise in mediocre television. You will regret it.

Roma (2018)

Beautifully filmed feature that only a critic can love

[5/10 · 11 January 2019]

There is no question that Roma is a beautifully filmed work of art. Every scene is beautifully photographed. But otherwise it is a film that only a critic can love. It is excruciatingly slow -- something critics just love to characterize as lovingly casual (and I've got no problem with slow films as long as there's a good payoff in the end). There is very little in the way of plot -- something that critics just love to characterize as atmospheric or free-form.

Sadly, it's hard to care about any of the characters as the movie meanders along.

But it is beautifully filmed. On a scale of 1 to 10, the cinematography is a 12. And while the film is technically well done, it lacks any soul, anything to really move the viewer. I'd venture that about 30 minutes are actually interesting or gripping. I would very much discourage anybody from seeing this opus unless they really love great cinematrography and technical expertise.

Life of the Party (I) (2018)

One laugh in first 25 minutes

[1/10 · 29 May 2018]

Yes, my wife and I laughed once in the first 25 minutes of this dreadful, brainless, and frighteningly unfunny film (and that was when Melissa McCarthy's character gets blown across the lawn). I realize that this film appeals to the funny bones of some viewers, but objectively speaking it is a very sorry excuse for a comedy. We both like Melissa McCarthy. We really enjoyed her in "The Heat," "Bridesmaids," and "St Vincent" where she really got to act. She's been great on "Saturday Night Live." But in this film, she's got lousy material to work with and she sinks to its level. With one laugh in 25 minutes, we availed ourselves of the local theater's 30-minute satisfaction guarantee and walked out of the theater and received a refund of the ticket price. It's the first time we've done that since "Dennis the Menace" in 1993.

La La Land (2016)

Fun, But Doesn't Live Up to the Hype

[6/10 · 8 January 2017]

Unlike Bruce Springsteen in 1973 (and beyond), "La La Land" just doesn't live up to the hype. I love a good musical (and it's only fair to put this in perspective - subjectively speaking my favorite musicals include South Pacific (film and play), Singin' in the Rain (objectively best film musical), Miss Saigon, My Fair Lady (film), Little Shop of Horrors, Les Miz (play; the film was mediocre at best), and the musical scenes in Gremlins 2).

But while "La La Land" was generally fun, it lacked memorable tunes and outside of the two leads and J.K. Simmons, I'm having trouble remembering any of the other characters. While the "alternative universe" section near the end was very moving, the rest of the film just lacked soul.

I think it's so successful due, in part, to the hype and the mental depression more than half the voters are in following the monster's election Nov. 8. It's escapism that is badly needed. And its success also comes in part from the dumbing down of the American people (which accounts in large part for the results of Nov 8) most of whom wouldn't recognize a high quality musical.

I suspect the film will do well in the awards season, but if it garners the Oscar for "Best Picture," it will be another miscarriage of justice like "The Artist" winning over "Hugo" and "Gandhi" and "Chariots of Fire" winning at all.

Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Not the Sort of Star Trek That Made Star Trek Great

[6/10 · 24 July 2016]

This ain't your daddy's Star Trek (and the 3D is so unnecessary that it is NOT worth the extra cost):

(1) The plot is close to incomprehensible (2) The directing is mediocre (okay, that is a characteristic in common with the original series) (3) The audience manipulation is palpable (4) The action is overblown (5) And did I mention the plot is close to incomprehensible?

Don't get me wrong. The film is generally fun. But it lacked the heart and soul present in all five television series (ain't counting no cartoons). The "Spock Prime" character is about as confusing as it gets. And while the homages to Leonard Nimoy were touching, they were a bit heavy handed.

But worst of all was the loss of any subtlety and heart. This reboot increasing seems to be solely about the money.

And the negative reaction to Zulu being gay -- which was handled with taste and, unlike the rest of the film, subtlety -- was just plain crazy. I would think that fans would have been a lot more upset about the Uhura-Spock romantic relationship given the nature of Vulcans, even half-human, half-Vulcan ones -- now that's moving away from the Roddenberry playbook far more than making Zulu gay.

All in all, Star Trek Beyond is a pleasant, but not very satisfying addition to the Star Trek compendium.

Zootopia (2016)

Far more than just a cartoon

[8/10 · 13 March 2016]

While Zootopia was a very entertaining and pleasant surprise, it is far more than just an animated police procedural.

I don't know how the Disney people did it, but Zootopia is a brilliant political allegory (and sadly I don't think I was able to satisfactorily define the term for my 7 year old grandson who just loved the sloths in the film). Somehow they anticipated today's politics with the government initiated outcasting of predator animals, losing their government jobs, being shifted to positions where they'd have no contact with the public. Somehow they anticipated a "new" politician ready, willing, and able to do to some animals pretty much what that monster Mr. Trump wishes to do to all Muslims. Somehow they anticipated the rampant stereotyping in which Mr. Trump engages.

The political allegory enables this film to transcend its genre and make it a pretty important film given the sorry state of American politics today -- a state made all the more sorry by the GOP's race baiting, stereotyping, and general hatred of anybody who disagrees with it.

The Monuments Men (2014)

What a Waste

[2/10 · 8 March 2014]

Don't waste your time or money on this movie. Despite a stellar cast, "The Monuments Men" is a piece of cinematic dreck, unworthy of its cast and director. Mr. Clooney's directing and acting skills went AWOL in this poor excuse for a motion picture. It is a textbook study of how to make a fascinating story dull and boring. The directing, editing, bland acting, and dreadful script suck all interest out of the movie. The only way you know there is any tension or danger is the sound track -- otherwise the actors and director fail to wring any emotion out of the high school quality script. Scenes just suddenly end. SPOILER: There is simply no tension when Matt Damon is trapped on a land mine. And when the Russian army is descending on our heroes, you could cut the tension with a limp noodle because there just wasn't any.

I wish I could be more positive about this movie, given the pedigree of its cast and director. But sadly there's no escaping the undeniable mediocrity of what could, in the right hands, have been a film nearly as exciting as "The Great Escape." I know that is is not easy to make a good film -- and "The Monuments Men" is the poster child for a simply bad, unentertaining motion picture.

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Most Important -- and Perhaps Best - Film of 2013

[10/10 · 4 February 2014]

It's one thing to have studied slavery way back when in college and another thing to see it so accurately portrayed on the silver screen. "12 Years a Slave" was certainly the most important movie of 2013 and the most difficult to watch film in decades thanks to its spot-on depiction of the horrors of slavery in the American South. Unlike slavery in South America, it was illegal in the U.S. to teach slaves reading or writing, they could not marry, they could not gather in groups except for religious services, they could not own anything, and they were nothing more than chattel. Manumission was generally impossible. The brilliant acting, directly, and writing of "12 Years a Slave" brought this all to life. It is impossible to watch this film and not ask how we could allow the South back into the Union without executing its leaders for treason and how we cannot allow the flag of the rebels, the Confederacy to be flown within our borders. I can't think of any other nation on earth that was so forgiving to those who engaged in high treason and rebellion.

That said, the acting was simply top notch. And the script -- there are not adequate words to praise the script enough. I was amazed at how the actors spoke in the manner of the day and never slipped into current styles of speech. You don't see that very often. While I think the film deserves the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Screen writing, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress, I strongly suspect that like "The Color Purple" before it, the Academy will shut it out because we Caucasian folk just cannot deal with this stain on our nation. It would be a shame because this is a film that all Americans should see, especially those radical right wingers who continue to deny the horrors of American slavery.

About Time (I) (2013)

Just a Sheer Delight

[9/10 · 24 October 2013]

My wife and I saw "About Time" at a special preview at our local theater, knowing almost nothing about the film. Maybe that's one of the reasons it was so immensely enjoyable. The film is not predictable -- you never really know where it's going. There was something incredibly natural about the film. The acting, directing, writing -- they all felt natural, missing the usual phony contrivances so typical of Hollywood. This may have been Rachel McAdams' finest performance yet -- it didn't feel like she was acting and she certainly wasn't anything remotely like her role in "Midnight in Paris." The central family was relatively normal (pun intended) and not dysfunctional. The father and mother were real treats. The considerable humor was so, natural -- not forced, guttural, or contrived. And the occasional tears of sadness and joy that flowed in the viewers' eyes were natural as well -- not forced, not manipulated. I deliberately didn't want to give away anything about the plot and where the film goes, for the fresh path it takes is part of the joy of viewing this refreshing and very entertaining film.

Inequality for All (2013)

Actually pretty nonpartisan

[10/10 · 15 October 2013]

Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich does an excellent job of cutting through all the b.s. perpetrated by the media about the economy to present factual information about how the economy has changed. While I have no doubt that those on the radical right will simply dismiss his film with the usual right-wing name calling, and those on the far left will say he doesn't go far enough, Reich really does explain how our economic policies have allowed the wealthiest amongst us to destroy the middle class so a small portion of the nation can amass incredible wealth. What is especially revealing is the factual information showing that vast wealth does not result in reinvestment in America -- it goes into savings and stocks since they can't possibly spend all that money. The film clearly shows, factually, how the reduction in the size and wealth of the middle class is killing our economy. It shows how salaries for the middle class have actually declined (in constant dollars) since the 1980s. It logically explains why and explains the three phenomena that have resulted. While the facts are very depressing, Reich maintains a self-deprecating sense of humor throughout. He'd make a great president, but he's just too short, insightful, analytical, and honest to have a chance.