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Seen in 21Stehako added 1 item to Best Movies of 2020 list
Director: Eliza Hittman Her 3rd movie My 1st movie watched from the directorIt's a slow burn, trying to figure out if there is going to be anything more than a girl trying to get an abortion. There isn't. There are some strong emotional moments that make it worth the watch, but it starts as a downer and never really gets better. The mumblecore style lends for good performances by the two leads and even creates some solid supporting characters.
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Movies of 2019 list
Director: Terrence Malick His 10th movie My 8th movie watched from the directorA beautifully engrossing film that is almost too beautiful at times, it's hard to appreciate the continuous switching from one beautiful shot to the next... but that's really my own complaint. The story is incredibly moving, aided by incredible acting.Added to Lists: Top Ten Best Films - Terrence Malick The Incredible Collection of WWII Stories The Films Shot by Emmanuel Lubezki
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Films of 2018 list
Director: Ben Lewin His 8th movie My 1st movie watched from the directorIt's rare to see Paul Rudd play it serious, but when he does he nails it. I think this movie may have suffered from awkward direction and writing. I can also see the ending being too unspectacular to really draw a healthy audience. Too bad because it's an interesting WWII story the cast does a fine job.Added to Lists: Top Ten Performances - Paul Rudd The Incredible Collection of WWII Stories
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Films of 1960 list
Director: Anthony Mann His 35th movie My 2nd movie watched from the directorA remake that is actually better than the original, which erroneously one the Academy Award for best picture. The two female leads are strong and it's a beautiful western epic that spans many years, covering the beginnings and growth of Oklahoma life.Added to Lists: The Remake is Better Name is in the Title; Yet Not the Main Character Top Ten Performances - Maria Schell Top Ten Performances - Anne Baxter Name-Only Titles
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Movies of 2020 list
Director: D.W. Young His 4th movie My 1st movie watched from the directorA documentary about... booksellers. The rare books. It has all kinds of characters in it, which helps it move along nicely. I love learning about niche worlds I know nothing about and this documentary nailed it. Is it wildly interesting? No, but for what it's about it deserves some attention. It's also nicely narrated by Parker Posey; bonus.
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Movies of 2019 list
Director: Dome Karukoski His 8th Movie My 1st movie watched from the director.A nice background to one of the most beloved stories in literature. There isn't anything grand about it, but there are many lovely bits that add up to a worthy story. A story about friendship, love, adventure, and changing the world for better. All themes obviously found in Tolkien's work. I was expecting more of the movie to be about the process for when he was writing, but I actually quite like that it was mostly all before he even put quill to paper.Added to Lists: Origin Stories Top Ten Performances - Lily Collins
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Films of 1994 list
Director: Steve Miner His 9th Movie My 6th movie watched from the director.One of my wife's favorites as a kid and I can see how, as it's about a teenager falling for a boy during a tropical vacation. There are some fun things about it and even some clever decisions. From a technical standpoint it's very rough, but that doesn't really matter for what it is. It's interesting to see Katherine Heigl in a role 12 years before her star-turning debut in "Grey's Anatomy".Added to Lists: The Child Actors of my Adolescence -
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Films of 1997 list
Director: Theodore Witcher His 1st Movie My 1st movie watched from the director.I don't know anything about the director, Witcher, but it's crazy to me to see he didn't have much of a career after this strong debut. The characters are void of most cliches and stereotypes and don't distract us with anything but the relationships. The relationships are faulty and real. The ending is a little Hollywood, but hell, it's a romance.Added to Lists: Talented Black Directors that should have had a long career
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Movies of 2020 list
Director: Thom Zimny His 6th Movie My 1st movie watched from the director.An incredibly personal and beautiful take on the making-of-an-album documentary. Bruce and the band are shown in beautiful black and white throughout, while they play and Bruce gives a little insight into each song on his latest masterpiece.Added to Lists: Favorite Performances Documentaries Best Music Documentaries
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Films of 1975 list
Director: Sam Peckinpah His 11th Movie My 3rd movie watched from the director.Peckinpah, The Godfather of the manly movie, delivers what I'd consider average in his filmography. There are plenty of bright spots in this, but overall the pacing made me antsy and I didn't really like any of the characters, making it tough to truly enjoy. Still, entertaining and a good 70's semi-action movie.Added to Lists: Manly Movies from the 70s Top Ten Films - Sam Peckinpah
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Films of 2007 list
Director: Sarah Polley Her First Movie My 3rd movie watched from the director.A tough movie to watch, not because it's not good, but because I am a husband and this is a scenario I hope I never have to face. It's a beautiful depiction of a devoted husband having to face the reality of his wife's ailment, that most notably, does not allow her to remember things... and eventually him. It's completely frustrating, sad, and lovely. I won't spoil the end, of course, but I am happy with it and I certainly liked this more than I thought I would. The two lead performances are very strong and likely memorable. I love Julie Christie, but I am unfamiliar with Gordon Pinsent. I am not sure how he hasn't been cast in more big-picture work.Added to Lists: Top Ten Performances - Julie Christie
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako posted a review of Young & Beautiful
Young & Beautiful & Worth Watching
“
Marine Vacth is, in fact, young and beautiful. She gives us a lot with minimal dialogue. Sadly the structure of the film is plain and I didn't really get anything new out of it, even if I consider myself entertained in the end.
” read more
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Films of 1976 list
Director: Michael Anderson His 24th Movie My 2nd movie watched from the director.I can definitely see why this is a cult classic. Thankful I finally get the chance to see it. I reveled in the 70's vision of the future where a society is forced to keep their citizens young... by killing them by a certain age. It was also fun to see some of its influence on the Austin Powers trilogy, which makes Michael York's role in that series even more fun. The story itself deserves a nice place in the very long list of how filmmakers see what could happen in the future. I enjoyed the Planet of the Apes type reveal for the third act and found the sole character in that world a strange yet interesting choice.Added to Lists: The Evolution of the Film Twist Visions of the Future The Inspirations for the Austin Powers Trilogy
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Films of 1994 list
Director: Adek Drabinski His 1st Movie My 1st movie watched from the director.A Maki recommendation prompted by a mutual love for PS Hoffman. It's one of his earliest films and a performance that has alluded many. His talent is already on display, in comedic timing, emotion, and commandment. It's strange how long it took people to offer him bigger roles in bigger movies. The movie itself starts off with a BBC made-for-tv feel but once you get past the film and sound quality there is an entertaining film to be seen.
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Films of 1949 list
Director: Michael Curtiz His 121st Movie (Yes, he has directed a lot!) My 9th movie watched from the director.It's obvious Doris Day is one of the most likable stars of her day in this lesser known but still solid 40s musical. Jack Carson plays an uncommon leading, for the era, and it works very well for his role and he has good chemistry with Day. Unfortunately it's all very obvious what's going to happen throughout; but I won't harp too much on that considering the genre. The songs are fine, and the titular song makes for a good base to the story. There is one completely unnecessary and silly song near the climax of the movie, taking the viewer completely out of the build and interest in the story. My thought is, since it's about Bugs Bunny, maybe the studio needed it in for a cross promotion. Unfortunate. Thankfully it doesn't harm the movie too much to still leave with good feelings.Added to Lists: Top Ten Performances - Doris Day Unnecessary Songs in Musicals
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Films of 1973 list
Director: Michael Crichton His 1st Movie. My 2nd movie watched from the director.It's tough to truly enjoy this movie after having watched the series. The series created an entire world full of history and detail this movie can't come close to matching. There doesn't seems to be any clear reason as to why the characters do what they do and why the machines revolt. When the they revolt the mass is barely seen and it's focused on one robot. Now, if I had watched this prior to the series I can definitely say this would have been a fun 'what if?' high concept movie about the future. I can see why it was a cult hit and there are plenty of things to enjoy in this movie when looked at it as a piece on its own. Still, I think Crichton far succeeded in the novel writing medium more than movie directing.Added to Lists: The Show is Actually Better Than the Movie Visions of the Future
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako posted a review of Lola Versus
“
Director: Daryl Wein
His 3rd Movie.
My 1st movie watched from the director.
As likable as Gerwig is she couldn't save this dull movie made by what has to be an amateur director. There is little interest in the writing, too.
First movie of the year ” read more
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Films of 1989 list
Director: John G. Avildsen His 19th Movie. My 6th movie watched from the director.Wow, I can't believe I don't hear about this movie and Morgan Freeman's performance more often. He fucking rocks this role and, with time, I may call this his second best acting performance (Shawshank won't likely ever be beat). I love a restoration-type movie and this one makes all the right moves. The character is based on a real person and they make him a real, dynamic person, something that sometimes gets forgotten in a story like this. The production itself is fine enough, with good music, supporting cast, and sound quality overall. The film is a bit rough and production design fits with the time period but quality lacks a bit.Added to Lists: Top Ten Performances - Morgan Freeman Inspirational Educators
3 years, 4 months ago
Stehako added 1 item to Best Movies of 2020 list
Director: Julia Hart Her 4th Movie. My 1st movie watched from the director.With an intriguing start I thought this was going to be a solid retro-painted mama-and-baby-on-the-run movie. Instead it's a slow-paced non-thriller. The climax is certainly worth it and the mostly-unknown cast turns in memorable performances. I think with 15 minutes taken out of the second act this movie would have been tighter and a tad more exciting. I'm not saying I need a movie for the tiny-attention span culture we live in but some movies just don't need to be slow-paced. Julia Hart doesn't need to be Béla Tarr.
3 years, 4 months ago
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