stabnik1 Reviews

My Secret Record (2007)

Fantastic Documentary - Well Done in Every Way!!

[10/10 · 12 August 2007]

I was fortunate enough to see this documentary at the Nashville Film Festival. Being a big fan of Rob Thomas, I knew a little about Gillian Grisman's documentary work from a few other shorter documentaries she had done relating to Rob and Matchbox Twenty. I liked her style of presenting the content of the film and how she seemed to capture the myriad aspects of Rob Thomas as a human being and a singer/songwriter.

In "My Secret Record", we see more of Rob's personality and how he deals with his commitments to the practicalities of being in the music industry - while still keeping his integrity, sanity, and dedication to his music. We get to see how gracious and sweet Rob Thomas is to fans, friends, and his relationship to wife Marisol. But we also see how he must sometimes fight for his art and for being true to himself. There are many funny moments - just from Rob's personality and from interactions with other people in the music business. Some great concert footage!! I was also fortunate to be able to ask Rob at the Nashville Film Festival how it felt to be followed around being filmed all the time by Gillian, and whether he felt like he had to be "on" while being filmed. Paraphrase here - Rob answered that he felt comfortable and not like he had to put up any kind of front, because he considered Gillian a longtime. good friend - so it didn't feel weird to him.

For me, Gillian filmed these glimpses into one of my very favorite musical artists. I don't know how she went about editing all the many (250-350??) hours of footage into this one documentary. But she put it all together brilliantly. Even if you were not a big Rob Thomas fan, the film is just an enticing and fascinating behind-the-scenes work that pulls in your interest.

Highly recommend this film!!!

Meet the Robinsons (2007)

Best in Every Way!!!

[10/10 · 1 April 2007]

"Meet the Robinsons" is just superb in every way - plot, animation, characters, substance, and music. All put together in an astoundingly gorgeous film - easily enjoyed by ALL ages. Clever, clever humor and wit - many things that only adults may understand. Loved the way the story progresses and how it ends.

Love the music. Gorgeous "Little Wonders" by the fantastic Rob Thomas played at the end coordinated with the story ending - beautifully done. And the phenomenal Jamie Cullum doing 2 great songs for Frankie the Frog - 2 bouncy songs, done to perfection by a great artist. Enjoyed Rufus Wainwright's songs - fit in well with the story. And, Danny Elfman's score is wonderful. So, I also highly recommend the soundtrack!!! I really do not have enough superlatives for this movie. It could be my favorite Disney film, (and I've seen them all). I definitely plan on seeing it again in 3-D. But, even in 2-D, it is not to be missed!!

Betrayal (1983)

One of the Most Brilliant Ever

[10/10 · 23 September 2006]

Exquisite play by Pinter, and screenplay has fantastic dialog. Acting by three main characters - played by Ben Kingsley, Jeremy Irons, and Patricia Hodge - is brilliant. You get pulled into watching each expression, each word. As the movie unfolds, and the deeper you get into it, you can see what is "behind" those expressions. Ben Kingsley's performance is truly phenomenal !! Since the plot moves backwards in this movie/play, you see the backward evolution of the relationships here. And the various ways of betrayal within those relationships. It is fascinating and mind-blowing - not in any outlandish special effects way, but in the subtleties and interactions of the 3 characters.

This is one of my all-time favorite movies. HOWEVER, I've been looking for a copy of it in DVD or even VHS - but can never find one. Does anyone have any ideas??

Betrayal (1983)

One of My Very Favorites

[10/10 · 11 November 2004]

This movie is brilliant. All the actors, especially Ben Kingsley, were superb. When Ben Kingsley is in the scene, you are riveted to his every expression. Especially when you watch it for the 2nd time, and know what they know at every given point. Also, thinking about the actual betrayals. I loved the dialogue, references from scene to scene, relationships between the characters, and the backward progress of it all. Pinter's work is incredible. Because of what you know at various points in the plot, you can see what's going on inside the characters. Patricia Hodge and Jeremy Irons give truly amazing performances - and Mr. Kingsley is just mind-blowing.

I sure hope it comes out on DVD one day - my VHS copy is running down.

Criminal (2004)

Criminal is Exquisite!!!

[9/10 · 11 September 2004]

Everything about this movie is superb. Though I never saw the movie it is a remake of, I loved the plot with all its twists and turns. And you are hypnotized by keeping up with "who's scamming who", and what could possibly happen next. The acting is brilliant!! John C. Reilly, Diego Luna, and Maggie Guillenhal are absolutely fantastic. I've always been a fan of Diego Luna, since "Y Tu Mama Tambien", and he doesn't disappoint here, as a young grifter type. As the Richard Gaddis (Reilly) character says, Luna's character just looks like a nice guy, but you never quite know for sure where he's at. It's his little looks and expressions - and Luna handles it brilliantly. And John C. Reilly provides a fascinating characterization of a self-centered, yet somehow "down and out", grifter - who you never quite trust.

Highly recommended movie!!! It pulls you in from the start, and takes you on a ride. Full of surprises, delivered with ease and perfection. I SOOO loved this movie. Don't miss it!!! (I just know that when it's out on DVD, I'll be buying a copy to keep.)