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elijahwithaj
Reviews
Wonder Woman (2017)
Go see it!
Loved this movie. I was one of those skeptical people after Superman vs. Batman. I was heartened by the choice of Director Patty Jenkins. As the cast started rounding out and names like David Thewlis started popping up I became more hopeful. This film far exceeded my expectations. Gal Gadot was, of course, everything she was supposed to be and more: strong while still being feminine, engaging, smart, believable and of course beautiful. Robin Wright who I mistakenly had thought was going to play her mother was incredible. Jenkins knows women and obviously respects them. The Amazons were racially mixed and that was a welcome surprise that shouldn't be overlooked. Chris Pine is so reliable. He anchored his portrayal of Steve Trevor in charm, longing, and humor. His chemistry with Gal Gadot worked thru and thru. Of course, David Thewlis couldn't give a bad performance if he tried and Lucy Davis was perfect as Etta Candy. The big question of how they were going to deal with the time frame and get her back to the Justice League and Superman vs. Batman era was answered in the first five minutes. Jenkins knows women and obviously respects them. I thought the fight scenes were shot with originality and purpose. Not once did I mix up who was who or lose sight of Wonder Woman. Patty Jenkins could teach some of these other directors a thing or two about staging. Way back when I was a reader of comic books and knew Wonder Woman's story thru and thru and was not offended by any changes this adaptation brought. In fact, I thought unlike some liberties that were taken in the past, they were an improvement. Sticking with my usual review practice of (trying to) not give anything away I will simply say: Go see this one. you won't be disappointed.
The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
One of the years best!
This series/miniseries was incredibly well written, acted and directed. What more could you ask for? Elizabeth Moss was incredible once again (check out Mad Men if you haven't seen her work before) and I loved Samira Wiley (Orange Is The New Black). It's hard to describe without giving away the plot but it had me from the opening scene until the end. It is depressing, to say the least, though there are admirable traits in the courage that is displayed in some of the characters. I could go into the discouraging foreseeable reality due to our current political climate but that would be doing a disservice to the astounding work here. The best thing I can say is to watch it. Looking forward to season 2.
Project X (2012)
Good fun!
This movie was interesting for me. It was over the top fun. I did not hate it but I didn't thoroughly enjoy it either. But everyone else in the group I was in did (there were six of us). I wanted more of a comeuppance for the stupidity and felt it wasn't given. I wanted the kids to pay a bigger price for what they did than they did. The performances however, were spot on. I could have sworn some of the kids in the movie were in the theater with us. The obnoxiousness and youthful naivety was played perfectly. If it is a commentary of the under 18 crowd then sad as it is, it nailed it. The truth of the matter is a lot of people get away with just about anything and that was definitely underscored in this film. I just didn't think that the audience that was in the theater with me, needed that assurance. At the end of the day (and on the way home) my friends jumped all over me for bringing down the party and I have to say I agreed with them and wanted to enjoy the movie for what it was. Just not sure what to say that is. Obviously I am getting old.
Anderson's Cross (2010)
Laughed and cried.
I really liked this movie. I liked everything about it. Great cast. Good acting. Good music. I liked the story and how it played out. Thought it was going to be less of a quality film than it was. So many independents rely on lack of budget to tell and film a story well. This one didn't. It was great to see a film with good African American leads playing something other than what is stereotypically played. While I have seen a strong African American family on television (The Cosby Show), I don't think I have ever seen an African American family portrayed as strongly on film. I know that is a strong statement but none come to mind. The problems of this family could have been the problems of any family regardless of their ethnicity and that, for me, was refreshingly rare. It was great seeing Michael Warren and Joyce Guy as the parents and seeing the family dynamic between them and their son and daughter portrayed so honestly. Best thing in the movie: Michael Warren.