donald-thomas Reviews

Justified: City Primeval (2023)

I really enjoyed it!

[8/10 · 1 December 2023]

I was a huge fan of the original series, and I'm happy to see Timothy Olyphant return as US Deputy Marshal Raylan Givens. As far as I'm concerned, Timothy Olyphant can do no wrong. Boyd Holbrook I excellent as the villain. He is complexed and nuanced. I still maintain that Margo Martindale was the best villain "Justified" ever had (and she should have gotten her own series) but Boyd Holbrook is close second.

This new adventure is very well written: there's corruption, murders, treasons... Can we ask for more? Well I can, because I really miss the old gang from the past series but hopefully we will get further seasons, and they will be part of them.

Some reviewers have been unkind to Vivian Olyphant in the role of Willa. I think that we must make a difference between an actress and a character. I will admit that I had a rough time with Willa because I'm a boomer (there, I said it!) and I cannot understand the behaviour of teenagers today. But such is the character, and Vivian played her well. Hopefully we'll see her in other roles and some reviewers will give her a fair chance.

Bottom line, I'm very happy for this show because I missed Raylan Givens. Not that many exceptional characters on TV these days. And I hope that we will see more of him (hopefully with other characters from the original series).

The Bloodhound (2020)

Very different and very good

[8/10 · 31 October 2022]

"The Bloodhound" is quite different from standard, uninventive movies. Some reviewers will say "this doesn't make any sense" or "this is never explained" but I don't think it matters. It's not about a plot, it's about characters and their relationship, and it's about atmosphere. It is essentially a film about two characters, well three if you count the elusive sister. Francis visits his friend, the reclusive JP (and his twin sister Vivian). That is the plot. The rest is more dialogues, and about the characters. Are they good people? Are they bad people? What are they expecting from one another? What are they up to?

The film has a "dreamlike" quality. You know, how dreams don't always make sense but you go along? The actors are wonderful, very believable. The house (because everything takes place in this house) looks great. The set decoration is excellent. And Patrick Picard's work as a director and screenwriter is fascinating.

So don't expect this film to fit regular patterns. You never know what to expect because it is a world in itself, unlike anything you have seen before. Well unlike anything I have seen before anyway. But isn't "not knowing what to expect" the best feeling ever when watching a film? Go along for the ride, don't question anything, and enjoy!

Need for Speed (2014)

No computers involved, only awesome stunt driving!

[8/10 · 29 August 2021]

First I will confess: I am not a fan of cars, I am not a fan of racing, hell I don't even own a car! Why did you watch this?, you will ask. Because it was in 3D and I will pretty much watch everything in 3D. There, I said it.

So I watched it, thought it was entertaining enough, and then managed to listen to the commentary from director Scott Waugh and actor Aaron Paul. Early on Waugh mentions that there were no computers involved for the stunts. Everything has been done for real. That is when my jaw hit the floor. There are pretty crazy stunts in there, let me tell you (the "Grasshopper" comes to mind). Scott Waugh is the son of a stunt driver, and he knows lots of stunt drivers in the business, and many of them came in to work on the film. Everything is quite precise: he mentions, for instance, that for one stunt, the car had to speed at precisely 71 mph. Not 70, not 72, 71! One must admire that.

Bottom line, it's about cars, racing, good acting I thought. The plot isn't over complicated. If you want complicated, go watch Christopher Nolan's "Inception". If you want witty dialogues, go watch Joseph Mankiewicz's "All About Eve". But if you want to spend two hours watching great stunts and fun characters, "Need for Speed" should do the trick.

Lizbeth: A Victorian Nightmare (2010)

Very well made

[8/10 · 31 March 2020]

I enjoyed this documentary a great deal. I've read several books on Lizzie Borden, and yet the participants in the documentary brought new aspects of the case, such as the personality of Lizzie, giving her dimension. Oddly enough, what I enjoyed most is not in the documentary, but a "special feature" on the DVD. It's called "Tattered Fabric", and is an interview with Faye Musselman. It is filled with great insight and her "no blood stain clothing" theory is simple and yet quite brilliant. I won't spoil it for you, you'll have to purchase the DVD. :-)

Alex and the Handyman (2017)

Keaton Nigel Cooke is terrific!

[8/10 · 13 July 2019]

"Alex and the Handyman" is a charming short film, obviously revolving around young Alex. It could be tricky if the actor were not up to the challenge but thankfully Keaton Nigel Cooke, in the role, is wonderful. He's got most of the film's dialogue, in fact, and he delivers it perfectly. He is hysterical when he talks about his favourite film "First Wives Club". Nicholas Colia wrote a fine film: Alex is full of surprises and we keep wondering where he will go next, in his quest for friendship or love. I wish we could revisit Alex every 2 or 3 years, to see what he is up to. A bit like Truffaut's Antoine Doinel. Bottom line: great acting, excellent directing, wonderful writing. I also want to congratulate Mike von der Nahmer for this whimsical score. It fits perfectly with the tone of the film.

In the Family (2011)

Is it slow? Yes. Is it wonderful? Hell yes!

[10/10 · 13 May 2018]

NOW before I go any further, I will say this: maybe it's not everybody's kind of film. It is long (3 hours) and VERY slow. It's a bit of a gay film, although homosexuality doesn't seem to be an issue. Two guys are in a relationship, one of them (Cody, very, very cute!) has a son. They raise him together. The son is played by 6 y.o. Sebastian Banes, who is terrific. Anyway Cody dies, and according to his will made years ago, his sister is supposed to take care of the kid. The other guy wants to keep him. It is a journey through that. The camera is usually still, and the scenes are more often than not, single shots (long takes? Well "plan séquence" in French, look it up): no cuts, no interruptions, for 3 or 4 minutes, one is 9 minutes! (one with the kid lasts 2 or 3 minutes, and he performs it to perfection.) Of course it is hard to do, because everything has to be flawless for the whole sequence. But it gives the impression of "real life".

I would describe "In The Family" as "adult": by that I mean that eventually we don't even follow a plot; we follow characters through a slice of life. No spectacular images, no special effects, and no witty dialogue (God knows that this has been in very short supply for the last 20 years!): it is about people, being human, feeling.

I like Roger Ebert's review: "In the Family" is a long film, and truth to tell, could have been made shorter. (One dimly lit confrontation between Joey and a key participant seems unnecessary.) That said, I was completely absorbed from beginning to end. What a courageous first feature this is, a film that sidesteps shopworn stereotypes and tells a quiet, firm, deeply humanist story about doing the right thing. It is a film that avoids any message or statement and simply shows us, with infinite sympathy, how the life of a completely original character can help us lead our own.

Bottom line, be warned: it is long, it is slow, it is "day to day" regular life, there is nothing "out of this world" about it... and it is wonderful. (96% on Rotten Tomatoes, so don't be fooled by the meager 7,3 on IMDb ). Patrick Wang has given us a wonderful film, dare I say a masterpiece? And it deserves to be seen.

Disposable (I) (2017)

Enjoyable and different

[8/10 · 12 May 2018]

Disposable is an excellent film and yet, not easy to talk about without revealing the intricate plot. Let's just say that everything is not always what it seems, but there are clues along the way to help you figure it out... if you pay attention.

Tommy Beardmore plays Bill Thompson, who suffers from some of psychological illness which changes his perceptions at times. He gets mixed-up in a series of young women murders, which he may or may not have committed. Chased by the police, chased by criminals, he finds help along the way as he tries to clear his name.

It is Tommy Beardmore's film. He is hugely likeable and talented, which is fortunate because he is in a good chunk of the film. The other actors are also talented and believable. Special shout-out to Emily Dennis and to Daniel Sobieray, who have large parts in the film, and to Richard Wingert and to young Gavin Maddox Bergman, who appear more briefly but are just as noteworthy.

Director Daniel Cayarga must be praised. He is an "homme-orchestre" as we would say in French. Not only has he directed the film, he was also director of photography, editor, producer and writer. The pace of the film is excellent. Granted it is only 83 minutes but it flows very well. The film looks good (especially on blu-ray), the performances are good. I especially liked the writing though because when something seems far-fetched, a character would address it and "prove" that it made sense. In other words, Cayarga not only wrote the story but made sure that it held up, which is precious these days. Like I said, the clues are there, and if you pick up on them, the fun increased.

So a fun film to watch, well-acted, and well written, and well directed. I will be eagerly awaiting Daniel Cayarga's next feature film.

Tan Lines (II) (2005)

Better than the low rating it is given

[8/10 · 20 May 2014]

I'm not sure why people rated this film so poorly. I enjoyed it a great deal. It all depends on the main reason why one watches a film, I guess.

To me, the most important thing is the characters. Are they interesting? Would I like to spend the next 90 minutes to 2 hours with them? Do I care what happens to them? In the case of "Tan Lines" the answer is "yes".

Some reviewers find that there is no plot. Well that's pretty much how real life is. And this is a slice of real life.

The fact that the actors are not professional ones helps the film to be believable. They are all excellent, and I can't imagine why we have not seen them in anything else. Jack Baxter is especially good, depicting the uncertainty of a 16 year-old, which he was at the time. He is also very cute, which doesn't hurt. :-)

Director Ed Aldridge shot a fine film and should be congratulated. I also enjoyed his commentary tremendously. He is informative and funny, which is great considering that many commentaries are neither.

Bottom line: if you need a super plot and huge special effects, other films will suit you better. If you want to relive your teenage years with believable characters played by good actors, you will spend a nice 109 minutes!

Surprise, Surprise (2010)

Another movie where the gay couple never kisses

[4/10 · 6 November 2010]

As a gay man, I am obviously drawn to gay-themed movies. All I ask of them is to show me gay characters that are believable. I don't need to see them have sex; I only want to believe in their relationship. This was denied to me in "Surprise, Surprise." We are supposed to believe that Den and Colin have been together for six years. I understand that this is not the first week in the relationship and that they are not expected to French kiss every time they meet. But when Den comes back from a working session outside of the country, and he's been gone for days if not for a couple of weeks, upon his return he finds nothing more loving to do than to give a peck on his boyfriend's forehead. You know the kind one gives to his grandmother? That is the extension of their affection. As far as I'm concerned, they may has well have given each other a handshake. Those guys are not lovers: they are roommates. Lips will never touch. I am reminded of other "gay" couples (gay on paper only) in movies like "Friends and Family" or "Advice from a Caterpillar", where the couple is known to be gay and yet the characters never show it.

"Surprise, Surprise" is certainly not a bad movie. It was obviously a theatre play at first, which is fine because we are assured of decent dialogues. The characters don't have a lot of depth, and young David is certainly one of the most obnoxious characters I have seen in quite a while. Such people do exist; but why one would want to be around them remains a complete mystery to me, family ties or not. Then again, I am not family-oriented.

The actors are good, especially Luke Eberl as David. He certainly gives an energetic performance. But the character remains extremely unpleasant.

I think I would have liked it better had we had spent more time with Den and Colin, instead of Den and Junie (no reflection on the actress' work). What was their life like before David shows up? What is their interaction? Are they the least bit in love and was there a time they showed some affection? When did they both become straight? :-)

But that is another movie I guess.