All posts by Tony Hughes

2000, Amusing banter, Art Treasures, Bank Robbery, Based on true facts, Car Chase, Clever Plot, Comedy, Cynical, Detective, Drugs, Gangs, Irish, Motorcycles, Netflix Streaming, Nudity, Satire, Sex Scenes, Torture, Use of Irish Brogue, Violent

Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000)

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From Netflix:

In this taut crime thriller, a charming thief delights in plotting heists with the kind of élan that makes him popular in the very city he plunders.

While browsing Netflix streaming I stumbled on this clever comedy spoken in an Irish brogue. Kevin Spacey plays Michael Lynch. In this film he is also well-known as a bigamist. Both wives have important parts in the film.

From IMDB:

Brilliant, flamboyant master criminal Michael Lynch is more interested in his image and his posterity than the actual profit from his ill-gotten gains.

Michael Lynch’s greatest pleasure comes from eluding and tricking the Irish police, the Garda. Watching one clever stunt after another is the guilty pleasure this film offers.

You will see many familiar faces: Peter Mullan (Death Eater Yaxley in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 “), David Hayman (Jonas in “The Paradise”), Patrick Malahide (Balon Greyjoy in “Game of Thrones”), and of course Colin Farrell.

Yes, there is violence and death. But it is all in fun, after all.

2013, Crude Talk, DO NOT MISS, Drugs, Dysfunctional Lives, Father-daughter relations, Feel Good Not For Children, Love Story, Quiet, Sad small town, Sensitive treatement of emotions, Sex Scenes, Small gem of a film, Teenagers, Unusual, Wonderful acting

Hateship Loveship (2013)

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From Netflix:

Hired to look after an elderly man and his teenage granddaughter, a dowdy caretaker finds herself drawn to the girl’s ne’er-do-well father, never realizing that the subversive teen has been sending her tender e-mails in her father’s name.

Because the film starred Guy Pearce (whose films are usually very good) I took a chance on this film and won the raffle! Small gems such as this are rare finds.

Of course Guy Pearce does well. But the absolute star of the show was Kristen Wiig (young Lucille Bluth in “Arrested Development”) as the character Johanna Parry. Here is a woman who, as far as I can recall, never smiles in the film. Instead she is this determined, stoic, practical, hard-working, and lonely young woman who despite seemingly hopeless circumstances sets her sight on what she wants. Sometimes her doggedness seems a bit unrealistic, but let us remain optimists.

Nick Nolte (who is now 73 years old) plays a wonderful grandfather. In case you are wondering where you have seen her, his eventual girlfriend Eileen is played by Christine Lahti who portrayed Executive A.D.A> Sonya Paxton in “Law and Order”.

But hats off to the two high school girls Hailee Steinfeld as the granddaughter Sabitha and Sami Gayle (Nicky Reagan-Boyle in “Blue Bloods”) as mean-girl Edith. Sabitha is the lonely, sad, insecure, and vulnerable daughter of Guy Pearce (character Ken). In “Blue Bloods” Sami Gayle as Nicky is sweet and mature. In this film Sami Gayle is perfect as the prototypical high school bitch. Look for two moments: At one point Edith’s sex buddy points out that what she is doing is mean and she pauses only for a moment before continuing in her meddling; At the end of the film she is jabbering on about how wonderful her life will be while trying to ignore Johanna’s accusing stares.

In the small gem category I nominate this film as a DO NOT MISS!

2014, Acceptable for children, Acceptable Sci-Fi, Digital Effects, Ethical struggles, Fantasy, Good digital effects, Nothing special, Psychic Phenomena, Sci-Fi, Somewhat ridiculous plot, Thought provoking

Trancendence (2014)

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From Netflix:

A husband and wife team of computer scientists work to advance artificial intelligence as a radical anti-technology organization fights to prevent them from creating a world where computers can transcend the abilities of the human brain.

Two hours of digital effects plus some possibly thought-provoking discussions are more or less the content of this not especially important sci-fi film.

As for actors you might recognize Johnny Deep, Paul Bettany (the priest in “Priest”), Cillian Murphy (Scarecrow in “The Dark Knight Rises”), Kate Mara (Zoe Barnes in “House of Cards”), and Morgen Freeman.

In case the plot is not abundantly clear you can always read the Wikipedia summary.

Long and only so-so.

2014, Based on true facts, British, Could Be Hard To Watch, DO NOT MISS, Human spirit, Japanese WWII Behavior, Military, Psychological Drama, PTSD, Revenge, Sadism, Torture, War

The Railway Man (2014)

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From Netflix:

Decades after his brutal captivity under the Japanese during World War II, Eric Lomax still has nightmares about the ordeal. But when he unexpectedly meets and falls for Patti, a bizarre coincidence brings his past back into focus.

Harrowing is the first word that comes to mind. My initial reaction was either that war makes beasts of men or that the Japanese are genetic sadists. But in seeing the torture sessions I was reminded that:

In 1898 President McKinley fell to his knees in the White House and had a revelation that he should Christianize the Filipinos (most of whom were already Catholic). McKinley did not know where the Philippines were located. In 1899 American soldiers landed in waves in Manila. Their letters to home said that they had come “to blow every nigger to nigger heaven”. Among American torture methods the most notorious was the “water cure” in which sections of bamboo were forced down the throats of Filipino prisoners and then used to fill the prisoner’s stomachs with dirty water until they swelled in torment. America soldiers would then jump on the prisoner’s stomach to force the water out.

[Material comes from Chapter 2 “Bound for Goo-Goo Land” of the book “Overthrow” by Stephen Kinzer. Henry Holt 2006]

Is the CIA’s water boarding torture similar? “President” Cheney says that water boarding is NOT torture. Tell that to Eric Lomax, the true life hero in this film.

Colin Firth delivers an important role in his career. Nicole Kidman is a beautiful, mature actor. Good directing keeps the film from being over sentimental.

If there is a message, it is one of the final lines “The hating has to stop somewhere.”

Be sure to stay for the explanatory lines just before the final credits.

If you can stand to watch, DO NOT MISS!

1991, Basically Sad, Bloody scenes, Brother-Brother relations, Dark, Good Brother - Bad Brother, Nudity, Psychological Drama, PTSD, Suicide, Tragedy, Violent, Wonderful acting

The Indian Runner (1991)

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From Netflix:

Sean Penn wrote and directs this poignant drama inspired by Bruce Springsteen’s song “Highway Patrolman.” When small-town deputy sheriff Joe Roberts (David Morse) takes in his troubled Vietnam vet brother, Frank (Viggo Mortensen), things get very rocky. Joe is determined to help Frank make a new life with his pregnant girlfriend, Dorothy (Patricia Arquette), but Frank’s simmering anger threatens to ruin everything.

Before writing this review I had not fully realized how old the film was – 23 years to be exact. Because David Morse (Dr. Jack Morrison of the 1988 “St. Elsewhere”) looked so young, I should have guessed. Such a powerful lineup of actors:

  • David Morse (Joe Roberts
  • Viggo Mortensen (Frank Roberts)
  • Patricia Arquette (Dorothy)
  • Charles Bronson (Mr. Roberts)
  • Sandy Dennis (Mrs. Roberts)
  • Dennis Hopper (Caesar)

WARNING: This powerful, well-written, well-directed, and well-acted film is a tragedy from beginning to end.

Substitute Vietnam with Afghanistan or Iraq and there is no difference.

Well worth a serious watch!

2014, Acceptable for children, Based on a Book, Corny at times, Digital Effects, Fantasy, Feel Good For All, Horse story, Love Story, Magic Realism, Religious Theme, Ridiculous plot, Sex Scenes, Supernatural, Unusual, Use of Irish Brogue, Violent

Winter’s Tale (2014)

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From Netflix;

Mark Helprin’s novel provides the basis for this film starring Colin Farrell as a thief who breaks into an ill girl’s home and then falls for her. As the action shifts between past and present, the burglar also acquires a flying-horse guardian angel.

Possibly because we had just returned from our daughter’s castle wedding in Ireland, the Irish brogues spoken in this film were music to my ears. We are used to hearing Colin Farrell (as Peter Laks) speaking brogue but this is the first time I have heard Russell Crowe (as the daemon Pearly Soames) also using an Irish brogue. Crowe makes a convincing villain.

Herein is a fantasy fairy-tale for adults. Just when things are going badly, up pops yet another miracle. Sometimes this magic realism seems comical without intending to be funny. Expect some corny dialog.

Will Smith is an unconvincing Lucifer.

Among older actors we find William Hurt. But the biggest such surprise was the “Adult Willa” played by none other than Eva Marie Saint (Edie Doyle in “On the Waterfront”) who is now 90 years old.

Would someone please tell Colin Farrell to get and keep a decent hair cut?

Remember now – it’s all a bit silly.

2013, Action Film, Afghanistan, Based on true facts, Bloody scenes, Could Be Hard To Watch, Crude Talk, Ethical struggles, Grim, Gritty, Human spirit, Military, Navy, Navy SEALs, Suspense, Thought provoking, True Story, Violent, War

Lone Survivor (2013)

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From NetFlix:

Mark Wahlberg stars as Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell in this action-drama based on an ill-fated real-life mission to bring down a Taliban boss. The stakes get even higher when Luttrell and his unit are ambushed in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan.

Photography in this film is very explicitly bloody and violent. Plot is simple: SEALs train hard; SEAL mission ambushed and all killed but Marcus Luttrell; Luttrell reaches Pashtun village which protects him; Helicopters arrive to rescue Luttrell.

As usual the devil is in the details. Whatever your feelings about the war in Afghanistan, you have to admire the courage and dedication of these SEALs.

For me the most notable scene was the moral debate about what to do with villagers tending their goats. Sadly their moral decision sealed their fate.

Be sure to watch till the very end so that you can see the slide show of the actual men and their families. Also there Is some explanation about why the villagers helped Luttrell.

Not easy to watch!

2006, Acceptable Trash, B-movie, Corny at times, Crude Talk, Love Story, Nudity, Revenge, Ridiculous plot, Sex Scenes, Slapstick

My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006)

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From Netflix:

Fed up with his manipulative girlfriend, Jenny Johnson (Uma Thurman), New Yorker Matt Saunders (Luke Wilson) gives her the heave-ho and moves on with his life, leaving the heartbroken Jenny — aka G-girl — to do everything within her superpowers to humiliate Matt. Anna Faris, Rainn Wilson and Eddie Izzard co-star in director Ivan Reitman’s slapstick fantasy comedy about a bitter superwoman scorned.

In a moment of TV Wasteland desperation, Kathy and I happened upon this comedy on one of our many HBO channels. Kathy sniffed in disdain and then joined me in laughing at some of the great sight gags. To be sure, this is a B-film which can be silly, vulgar, corny, and still funny enough to be worth the watch.

Much of the humor centers around sex (shocking, right?). Sex with a powerful super hero woman anyone ? Sex while flying in the sky anyone ? What’s not to like ?

Uma Thurman, Luke Wilson, and Rainn Wilson (Dwight Schrute of “The Office”) are featured in the cast.

Have some off-color fun!

2012, Acceptable for children, Baseball, Clint Eastwood, Father-daughter relations, Feel Good For All, Love Story, Sports

Trouble with the Curve (2012)

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From Netflix:

Slowed by age and failing eyesight, crack baseball scout Gus Lobel takes his grown daughter along as he checks out the final prospect of his career. Along the way, the two renew their bond, and she catches the eye of a young player-turned-scout.

Gather the family for a feel-good Clint Eastwood film. What easily could have been an overly sentimental film is kept in check with good directing.

If there is a bad-guy in the story, it is Matthew Lillard who plays Phillip Sanderson, the character out to get the aging Clint Eastwood’s job. Everyone else is friendly and supportive. Feel-good films have those goose-flesh moments in which “truth” is vindicated (somewhat like hearing “The Lone Ranger ?!?!”). For those moments pay attention to the snotty new baseball talent and the peanut seller.

Lots of old-timers (Clint Eastwood, George Wyner, Bob Gunton, Robert Patrick, and John Goodman, to name a few) fill out the ranks. Among younger actors count Justin Timberlake and Amy Adams.

For what it is worth, Clint Eastwood’s son Scott (Officer Jim Barnes of “Chicago P.D.”) has a minor role.

Watching this film is wholesome time well-spent.

2014, Action Film, Conspiracy, Digital Effects, Human spirit, Love Story, Mixed Martial Arts, Psychological Drama, Sci-Fi, Suicide, Suspense, Thought provoking, Violent, Young Adult

Divergent (2014)

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From Netflix:

Born into a civilization in the distant future, Beatrice is a teenager who learns that her unique cognitive skills make her useful to the authorities. Over time she discovers that she’s a Divergent, and thus slated for elimination by the government.

Another action packed “good guys” versus “bad guys” film populated by zillions of teenagers (or am I just getting older?). Some of the few recognizable older actors are:

  • Ashley Judd (Tris’ mother)
  • Tony Goldwyn (Tris’ father)
  • Kate Winslet (the scheming Erudite)

More than likely Theo James (who plays Four) will do well in films.

Don’t get me wrong: the plot is well constructed, the theme is somewhat thought-provoking (Do we conform, or do we think for ourselves?), the love story is sensitively done, and there is plenty of action to keep you excited. It always amazes me what good shooters the good guys seem to be. Kick boxing anyone?

Have fun.