Good movie and I strongly recommend to see, but be forewarned that you will have to watch a child be severely emotionally abused for what feels like an hour. You will cry so have a box of tissue ready. However, it leaves a lasting impression, truly teaching and creating awareness regarding the behaviors, sufferings and intelligence of children with dyslexia. It's nice, for a change, to have an inspiring example of someone (the art teacher) who not only cares but takes action to help. This movie will surely influence change in society. I give it 8 rather than 10 because it was a bit overdone, contrived.
Reviews
7 Reviews
The Shallows
(2016)
Just as ridiculous as everyone else says! Don't waste your time.
7 May 2017
Gorgeous beach, good acting.
But I've watched Shark Week DVDs a gazillion times. I wrote down the survivors' names and read their real accounts. I've read Rodney Fox's story many times. I've watched real documentaries. The behavior of the fictional shark is ridiculous in the face of current knowledge. When Jaws came out, we didn't know any better. But now we do.
And anyhow, it's not real smart to go swimming/snorkeling/diving/surfing by yourself, so i didn't have much sympathy for the main character.
If you want to hear some scary, true stories, read Peter Benchley's non fictional Shark Trouble or the book called Surfing's Greatest Misadventures. Or read survivor testimony of the USS Indianapolis. Or Ray Boundy, Rodney Fox, etc.
But I've watched Shark Week DVDs a gazillion times. I wrote down the survivors' names and read their real accounts. I've read Rodney Fox's story many times. I've watched real documentaries. The behavior of the fictional shark is ridiculous in the face of current knowledge. When Jaws came out, we didn't know any better. But now we do.
And anyhow, it's not real smart to go swimming/snorkeling/diving/surfing by yourself, so i didn't have much sympathy for the main character.
If you want to hear some scary, true stories, read Peter Benchley's non fictional Shark Trouble or the book called Surfing's Greatest Misadventures. Or read survivor testimony of the USS Indianapolis. Or Ray Boundy, Rodney Fox, etc.
Amazing work of art
6 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The casting, acting, script, story, direction--every detail--is excellent. Apparently the two brothers (main characters) were not actual historical figures, but this story is based on correct historical research, it seems. The production pulls your heart and ultimately wrenches your gut. there is a brief torture scene which will make you gag. You don't really see it, but you know what is happening.
The Murdoch Mysteries
(2004–2005)
Ugly
6 April 2017
Murdoch and Ogden are good characters. The mysteries in and of themselves are intriguing and enjoyable, and there is a wee bit of humor. However, many, perhaps most of the characters and their dialog is ugly. Perhaps this is realistic, but I prefer movies that build me up, not gross me out. Much of the casting and acting was mediocre.
Arrival
(II) (2016)
Cerebral, Sentimental
25 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This movie was difficult to rate.
It is sentimental and cathartic. My guess is that the stereotypical man will view it as a chick flick. It's more about a woman's love for her daughter than it is about the aliens.
Cerebral, slow-paced and lacking in thrills, explosions, and chase scenes, it's target audience is adults (women?). Your stereotypical tween and teen males will find it boring.
Some aspects of it were cringe worthy, other aspects were enjoyable, lovely and intelligent. The sci-fi aspect goes beyond aliens and into the realm of, if I'm not mistaken, the fabric of space and time.
Overall I liked it and will even praise the cringe worthy parts for a good effort.
It is sentimental and cathartic. My guess is that the stereotypical man will view it as a chick flick. It's more about a woman's love for her daughter than it is about the aliens.
Cerebral, slow-paced and lacking in thrills, explosions, and chase scenes, it's target audience is adults (women?). Your stereotypical tween and teen males will find it boring.
Some aspects of it were cringe worthy, other aspects were enjoyable, lovely and intelligent. The sci-fi aspect goes beyond aliens and into the realm of, if I'm not mistaken, the fabric of space and time.
Overall I liked it and will even praise the cringe worthy parts for a good effort.
Kinyarwanda
(2011)
Unique and interesting
6 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This film is very good. I believe its style could be described as emotional and sentimental. Much of it is in English but much is reading subtitles.
The film did not go into very much broad historical detail about the event, such as the stocking of machetes in advance, the plane going down, the massacre of the Belgian soldiers, etc., which is fine because other movies and documentaries have already accomplished this.
It does make verbal references to the "chopping", in the context of confessions. One person confesses to chopping off a baby's head. But there are only two scenes with violence or blood.
What is different and interesting about this film in comparison with others of the same subject is the way the stories of individuals overlap. There is also a discussion among Imams about what to do, and a contrast in actions and attitudes of two Imams toward the same priest.
I have a bad short-term memory which led to confusion but I will happily watch again. The minor flaws in this movie are outweighed by its intelligence and uniqueness, its inspirational characters, and its examination of repentance and forgiveness in the context of that event. The feel-good ending lets you view a lovely African custom.
The film did not go into very much broad historical detail about the event, such as the stocking of machetes in advance, the plane going down, the massacre of the Belgian soldiers, etc., which is fine because other movies and documentaries have already accomplished this.
It does make verbal references to the "chopping", in the context of confessions. One person confesses to chopping off a baby's head. But there are only two scenes with violence or blood.
What is different and interesting about this film in comparison with others of the same subject is the way the stories of individuals overlap. There is also a discussion among Imams about what to do, and a contrast in actions and attitudes of two Imams toward the same priest.
I have a bad short-term memory which led to confusion but I will happily watch again. The minor flaws in this movie are outweighed by its intelligence and uniqueness, its inspirational characters, and its examination of repentance and forgiveness in the context of that event. The feel-good ending lets you view a lovely African custom.
You have to be in the mood
1 November 2016
This movie is excellently acted and directed. It is a true story which focuses on a young German woman, Sophie Scholl. Secretly she, along with others in the White Rose movement, distributes messages which are subversive to Hitler.
It is a German language movie, and maybe half of it is a conversation between her and an interrogator who is trying to determine her innocence or guilt. Therefore, unless you are fluent in German, you must be in the mood to read a long conversation. Yet ultimately this becomes my favorite part of the movie.
After watching the movie, I recommend to do research on the subject. There was so much evil and cowardice at the time, yet this little group put out strongly worded papers about how Jews were being murdered and the complicity of the German people. 'You are guilty, guilty, guilty.' Also there is a lovely monument at the University.
It is a German language movie, and maybe half of it is a conversation between her and an interrogator who is trying to determine her innocence or guilt. Therefore, unless you are fluent in German, you must be in the mood to read a long conversation. Yet ultimately this becomes my favorite part of the movie.
After watching the movie, I recommend to do research on the subject. There was so much evil and cowardice at the time, yet this little group put out strongly worded papers about how Jews were being murdered and the complicity of the German people. 'You are guilty, guilty, guilty.' Also there is a lovely monument at the University.
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