endecottp Reviews

The Beguiled (2017)

The essence

[7/10 · 13 August 2017]

The Beguiled shows how good will, morality and Christian principles go out the window when reality, human desires and human forces come bubbling up in a sheltered world. A world populated by sheltered people containing high ideals. The movie does have it' s weaknesses, mainly an uneven and weak script. Also omissions, like who laundered their impeccable and beautiful white dresses and kept the house running? Of course they had servants( slaves), it was the Civil War and was in Virginia!!. The film set a nice atmospheric mood but was a bit too dark visually ( Barry Lyndon was more successful with candlelit scenes). The Beguiled contained stunningly beautiful shots that looked like old photographs. Good,performances all around with a limited script to use.

Margin Call (2011)

Really good. Go see it.

[8/10 · 24 March 2011]

Saw this at New Directors festival in NYC and really enjoyed and was engrossed in this film. A great cast with splendid performances. The film is very intense and although it is about a company involved in the financial meltdown of 2008, it really is about much more. I particularly liked the way the film depicts the frightening absolute and ruthless power of the corporation over the lives of people that work there as well as the implications and ripples for everyone else.How those people get sucked in to the embrace, security and pleasures of what the corporations have to offer and the consequences and vulnerabilities of those choices.The freedom and comforts that we cherish here in twenty first century USA are not as secure as we might think. Don't want to say much more, other than that "Margin Call" is very involving and in the end affecting and thought provoking.It packs a powerful punch.

Clapham Junction (2007 TV Movie)

Contains one of the most powerful and moving screen moments ever.

[23 June 2008]

While I do agree with many of the comments and criticisms of fellow reviewers on this site that there is much cliché,a narrow, outdated and perplexing depiction of the gay experience today, and some offensiveness.I have to say that the interaction of the 14 year old boy with an older man is one of the most powerful, intense, moving and poetic moments I have seen on film in a very long time. Those scenes are well worth the price of admission. Even though their interaction is between two gay characters and two characters far apart in age it transcends those particulars to capture emotional human truths and longings relevant and recognizable to everyone. I was so moved by those scenes that it took my breath away and left me stunned and fulfilled . I do not say this lightly, see for yourself. Rarely do we get to glimpse a depiction of the inner workings of human desire, longing,loss, repression, redemption, salvation , inner struggle, despair, loneliness, joy and fear crammed into one spectacular moment. The two actors were incredibly focused, present and controlled. It was like watching a very intense dance number, with the pacing and movement timed just right to impart the perfect punch. Do not miss this. This is art.

Dream Boy (2008)

This great American Movie deserves a major release

[12 June 2008]

Wow! What a nice surprise. Saw this gem at Newfest film festival in NYC June 12-08. Was drawn in from the very first moment. The film takes place in rural Louisiana in the mid 20th century. The film has a quiet intensity and power, is beautifully paced with excellent attention to detail, which gives it a very genuine feel. There is a simplicity and sparsity to the film that makes it feel like classic Americana, like the Last Picture Show, Hud or East of Eden or a Eudora Welty story. The two actors Stephan Bender and Maximillian Roeg that play the teenage boys are outstanding and should have very fruitful careers after this film. They give beautifully controlled nuanced performances that give the characters an honesty and depth. Diana Scarwid plays one of the boy's mother and is amazing. This actress is really underused in films and her performance here is a powerhouse and should be nominated for a best supporting Oscar. The singer Rickie Lee Jones plays the other boys mother and in a small part creates a memorable and touching character.Don't want to give too much away about the plot but the center of the story is about two teenage boys. One who just moves into town and the friendship that develops as they gravitate to one another. Keep an eye out for this film, it is a sleeper and true jewel.

Life in Flight (2008)

Shocked that they let this crap in Tribeca Fest.

[4 May 2008]

Seriously one of the worst, most clichéd, extremely boring and annoying movies I've seen in a long long time. The movie ran only 78 minutes and felt like five hours. The script was just awful. The acting not much better. Who let this vanity project get out to the public? All involved should be ashamed and the screening committee at Tribeca should hang their heads low for letting this into the festival. It really tarnishes Tribeca's reputation. You would not want to know or associate with any of the characters in this movie, if they came anywhere near, you would run really fast the other way. They are stupid, vapid and walking clichés, with not an interesting thought or aspect to their beings. The ones that are supposed to be better are even stupider and more empty. While watching the film one can perfectly understand and sympathize with whomever came up withe the slogan "die yuppie scum" . The movie takes place in New York City and uses many familiar locations, the only entertainment value I found as a New Yorker was trying to identify where each shot was filmed . But let me tell you that lasted split seconds so don't even think of going for that reason. It is an insult to New York, New Yorkers and the Tribeca Festival. I really don't like being this harsh on a film because I know no one sets out to make a bad film and everyone works extremely hard to make it all happen. But I felt really ripped off of $15 x3. Why, after seeing the final product would anyone so carelessly and arrogantly consider unveiling it to the public and having them pay for it to boot, while so many good Independent films never get this kind of exposure or even get made.

Southland Tales (2006)

Refreshing- Invigorating-Smashup

[8/10 · 20 November 2007]

Wow! One of the more interesting and stimulating films I've seen in a while. Southland Tales is like David Lynch meets Mel Brooks meets Robert Altman meets Mathew Barney meets Baywatch. Jam packed with ideas and passion this film is all over the place and should be seen with an open mind and by no means try to figure it out while you are watching. Just enjoy. Perplexed as you might be you can not keep your eyes off the screen and its characters and images Although when it's over as jumbled as it might seem at times,it does all make a kind of sense, has a lot to say and leaves you wondering, talking and thinking. There are many moments that are thrilling, hysterical, wacky and dead serious. Richard Kelly mines our trash culture to deliver one smart thrilling joy ride of a movie. One moment of pure joy is Justin Timberlake lip synch-ing the Killers' song"All These Things That I Have Done", while a line of chorus girls does a Busby Berkeley, Mathew Barney style number. A few days before I saw Southland Tales I saw Robert Altman's NASHVILLE by chance and was amazed to see many parallels in those films. I guess it inadvertently prepped me. Many will be tempted to write this film off, but open up and stay with it for it chock full of pleasure and insight.

Persepolis (2007)

Saw it at NYFF really bad unreadable white on white subtitles.

[6/10 · 15 October 2007]

what i saw I liked , the animation was great and the story seemed good but could not read many of the subtitles since they were white on top of white background. This does a real disservice to the film and it's impact on the viewer. I just don't get it. the filmmaker and their team take extraordinary measures to make sure every detail and nuance of a film is just right to convey what the artist has to communicate. But when it comes to adding subtitles, they drop the ball and the film suffers for audiences that don't speak the language. Doesn't anyone take note, are they actually attempting to read it themselves?. It would be so ,easy to fix. Use yellow letters or white ones outlined in black.I mean everyone is always crying that there is no market for foreign films in the USA, but they are alienating the few that still want to see them. Believe me I am not alone in this complaint. I have heard from numerous people about it. Where are the producers that are trying to make a money from the films? Take note this might help. In terms of Peresepolis, it ruined the film experience for me and I would not recommend it unless you spoke French. You could tell there was perhaps a great film there but way too frustrating and distracting to pay complete attention to.