movie reviews – Page 56 – Unhealed Wound

“Southpaw”—Left-handed Compliment

Written by diana on September 13, 2015. Posted in movie reviews. 3 Comments on “Southpaw”—Left-handed Compliment

The boxing movie genre—Raging Bull, Rocky, Million Dollar Baby, The Fighter (see July 11, 2011 review)—is commonly tackled in movies because of its inherent drama and overt conflict between the protagonist, a down-and-out boxer and a champion. “Southpaw” neatly fits into this mold, but the story has some interesting surprises, not just a...

“Woman in Gold”—A Glimmer of Retribution

Written by diana on September 6, 2015. Posted in movie reviews. 2 Comments on “Woman in Gold”—A Glimmer of Retribution

The movie “Woman In Gold” is based on the remarkable story of the octogenarian Austrian-American woman, Maria Altmann (played by the always sensational Helen Mirren). Maria fights to reclaim the Gustav Klimt masterpiece of her aunt Adele Bloch-Bauer, a wealthy art collector of Klimt paintings. “Portrait of the Jewess Adele”. More...

“Straight Outta Compton”—A Rap on Censorship and Racism

Written by diana on August 30, 2015. Posted in movie reviews.

The critically acclaimed film, “Straight Outta Compton” is an unlikely blockbuster for its “R” rating and timely depiction of the mean streets of Compton, a neighborhood in Los Angeles. Although taking place in the mid-eighties, the clashes with the police resonate today. Chronicling the rise of N.W.A. (”niggaz wit attitude”), this biopic of...

“Patrik 1.5”—“The Kid’s All Right”

Written by diana on August 15, 2015. Posted in movie reviews.

This Swedish sleeper of a film is entertaining and very moving. Sweden is often thought of as the bright light of liberalism, a model for social justice. And less than a month after the passage of the same-sex marriage decision by the Supreme Court, we may think we are catching up. But “Patrik 1.5” shows us even socially liberal...

“Trainwreck”—A Comic Collision

Written by diana on July 26, 2015. Posted in movie reviews. 2 Comments on “Trainwreck”—A Comic Collision

“Trainwreck” is the best and funniest rom-com since “Bridesmaids”, another hilarious feminist film by Judd Apatow, known also for bro-coms like “40-Year Old Virgin”. And like previous Apatow productions “Bridesmaids” (see my June 20, 2011 review) and “Girls” , “Trainwreck” is both funny and a little sad. The scenes that are the most...

“Love and Mercy”– Mostly “Good Vibrations”

Written by diana on July 12, 2015. Posted in movie reviews. 2 Comments on “Love and Mercy”– Mostly “Good Vibrations”

If you remember the 1960’s classic album “Pet Sounds” by Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys, there is a good chance you will enjoy the movie “Love and Mercy”. In an unusual music biopic of Brian Wilson, “Love and Mercy” structures his life through two highly acclaimed actors, Paul Dano and John Cusack, playing Brian the younger and...