I believe that when you critique a film, your criteria should differ for each genre. Reality shows may be criticized for the people not being actually real, but for fictional films, an actor is chosen by his/her looks and talent. The lead, Isaac Gonzalez Rossi was natural and charming - what viewers want in romantic comedy. The location didn't have to actually be in Spain. Locations were beautiful in the Sonoma Valley. Viewers enjoy seeing the familar like the recognizable Spanish recipes in the funny cooking classes. Romantic comedies are very popular as a genre. On the first day on Netflix, this film was number seven. A massive number of people want to watch a film with good, relatable characters and a happy ending. I have to say I appreciated that the lighting allowed viewers to see all the perfect facial expressions on the actors. The recent trend of dark lighting, even in daylight scenes, leaves me disappointed. The acting was excellent! I loved that the female lead, Riley Dandy, was so real so that viewers could easily relate to her. Being real takes talented actors. The mother, Nancy Lenehan, was hilarious! Talk about violating boundaries of her daughter. Yet, it was all done out of love! Any mom of an adult daughter can relate to this mom-daughter relationship and laugh and secretly tell themself, "I'm not that bad.". Christina Moore in the role of the boss from Hell was so perfectly comedic. Bryan Craig as the BF from high school, was great as the guy who women usually outgrow! I thought all the actors accomplished all the comedy that the wonderful writers: John Ducey, Tiffany Dupont and Ali Afsfar wrote. The director, Shawn Paul Piccinino, made sure of that! I'm not a psuedo intellectual who has to prove I know filmmaking I just know how to recognize an entertaining and memorable film. Congrats! To all the filmmakers, actors and producers.
Reviews
6 Reviews
Headlock
(2019)
In the Brain of a Coma Victim
9 February 2019
I didn't find this film confusing except in a good way. The basic plot is very clear, and the acting is excellent. If you've ever had a dream where you felt panicky since it was so hard to wake up, you'll probably understand this film better. The fear of a spy in a coma with the need to wake up and prevent international terrorists is very suspenseful. The direction is powerful in conveying the spy's upset, fear and dream state confusion of what he really remembers and what is from his sub-conscious. The wife is courageously fighting the CIA to keep her husband alive when even her own father turns against her. Wonderful ending!
Fences
(2016)
Loved acting and theme
12 January 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Watching "Fences" worried me that it would be another bleak, realistic life drama. I don't enjoy watching those kinds of films since real life is hard enough. Because I appreciate Denzel Washington as a positive person and talented actor, I viewed it to the end. The ending was so worth it. Love is redemption. I so agree that love makes life worth it. Acting was amazing! Viola Davis and Denzel Washington well deserve all acting awards. Washington sympathetically portrayed a flawed character who despite seeming like a really hard man was so much better a father than his father was. Viola Davis's characterization really touched my heart. So many times I wish I could have hugged her. She brilliantly portrayed how difficult it is to be everything for the man you love and yet try to carve out a place in your life to realize your separate dreams too.
Frozen Kiss
(2009)
Young lovers fight to survive in frozen mountains while being chased.
9 January 2010
Because this movie was based on a true story, it's especially poignant. The snowy mountain setting is beautiful and yet dangerous to kids on hallucinogenic drugs. Mimi Rogers is so believable and yet such a complex character. You ought to dislike her for her selfishness as a mother, and yet you emphasize and care about her too. The young leads are so intense in their emotions, and you identify with them so that the suspense builds. The party going kids change into menacing threats as they chase the young lovers in the extreme coldness of the night.
Wonderful direction in a movie that makes you care and think about life's choices.
Wonderful direction in a movie that makes you care and think about life's choices.
Passing Darkness
(2005)
enigmatic film - talented director
5 November 2006
I was privileged to view Passing Darkness at the Big Bear International Film Festival recently. I also enjoyed discussing this film afterwards with the passionate, talented director, Kenneth Mader. It amazed me how much action and mystery was packed into a short. Its enigmatic, although well foreshadowed ending, totally surprised me because of the many plot twists. The acting of Debra Hopkins, especially, was so dramatic but realistic, that I was totally shocked by how I'd been misled as to what the plot was really about. The thrill-building music score by Alan Derian increased the suspense. The writer/director brought out the best possible performances in the memorable actors, created an eerie mood in the cinematography and edited it with increasingly swifter cuts that brought the audience's senses reeling by the movie's end.
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