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Showing posts from January, 2009

Right at Your Door (2006)

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Over the week-end I happen to see "Right at Your Door" and since all eyes are on Washington DC for the inauguration of our next president I thought why not try some real horror. When I mean "real" horror I mean horror that can occur in our lifetime. While growing up it was all about the bomb. Movies like "The Day after", and "On the Beach" were films that showed us alternate futures for mankind. Now in the 21st century it's all about terrorism, and the so-called threat from "dirty" bombs, and biological weapons. The movie " Right at your Door " brings that horror to the screen, and shows us a horrible "what if" scenario. The movie " Right at Your Door " was written and directed by Chris Gorak . Gorak does some interesting things here in the film, and the performances by both Mary McCormack , and Rory Cochrane are very convincing. The jest of the story is this: "A dirty bomb goes off in Los Angeles

Honeymoon (1998)

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" Honeymoon " is a film by filmmaker/critic Dan Sallitt . I'll lift the synopsis from the films press kit " HONEYMOON , written and directed by Dan Sallitt, is the story of Mimi and Michael, in their thirties, who marry suddenly after years of friendship and go on their honeymoon without having had a physical relationship. The honeymoon turns into a nightmare of sexual failure and conflict, which the couple seems powerless to resolve." I've been wanting to see this film for some time, and saw that it was available at " Createspace ". I ordered it the other week, and last week-end I sat down and watched it. The film is an interesting character study of Mimi and Michael. The way the film treats the subject matter is non-flinching. At times I thought I was watching a documentary. Both actors seemed to have slipped into the characters and become them. The camera lingers on Mimi & Michael as they discuss there problems in bed, and it is how the acto

Rails and Ties (2007)

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So this is weird. I didn't plan it this way, but it just worked out. After seeing Gran Torino I happened to catch Rails and Ties directed by Alison Eastwood on HBO. Since I did think it merited mentioning here I figured I review it. To say the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree would be an interesting comparison between Eastwood and her father. Rails & Ties is Alison Eastwood 's only directing credit so far, and she shows a lot of skill here. Though some would say that this type of film is more situated on the Lifetime network then theatrical release I beg to differ. Eastwood does a very competent job at directing the actors and getting good performances out of them. It is these performances that make the film worth seeing. Tom Stark ( Kevin Bacon ) and his wife ( Marcia Gay Harden ) are dealing with his wife's illness. Marcia Gay Harden 's character isn't dealing with the illness that is eventually killing her to well. Both Bacon & Harden's c

Gran Torino (2008)

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I have to say Clint Eastwood will be ultimately know for his body of work as a director then an actor. I'm not taking away anything about Eastwood's performances in his films, but he is a man in his 70's who is churning out good solid films when most of us think about retiring and resting on our laurels. Eastwood has used his star clout to make the films he wants to make. He has always been a solid director, and actor, and one can learn a lot by studying his films. From The Beguiled: The Storyteller to Gran Torino Eastwood has brought audiences attention to intolerance, violence, and the lone individual making a difference. I've heard all the reviews by now, and the accolades that this movie is bringing to Eastwood, and I have to say that I agree. If you only take Gran Torino you have to give Eastwood his due. He is a solid storyteller who uses the camera and editing like nobodies business. Since film making is a collaborative art I have to say that the story in Gran