Genre: Drama

Year: 2008

Country: UK, Germany

Rating:

Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Jason Isaacs, Jodie Whittaker, Steven Mackintosh, Mark Strong

Director: Vicente Amorim

My Review: This movie examines some of the 'ordinary lives' of Germans as WWII develops and consumes all of Europe. Viggo Mortensen plays Professor John Halder. A mild mannered German academic. With few convictions, a neurotic wife, and a mother suffering from Alzheimer's; he's got bigger things to worry about than the Nazi party. As the war in Europe begins to heat up, his life is slowly but surely twisted and transformed; as his ideas, beliefs and convictions are co-opted, compromised and converted into those of a loyal Nazi in the Führer's Third Reich. How can one man's seemingly inconsequential choices and petty aspirations lead to morals so twisted that they eventually support the 'Final Solution'. The writing is extremely well crafted, and the production flawless. The only drawback in this movie is a lack of passionate direction. The movie felt slow, lacked impact, and really didn't capture the profound statement of the movie's premise. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: John Halder is a 'good' and decent individual with family problems: a neurotic wife, two demanding children and a mother suffering from senile dementia. A literary professor, Halder explores his personal circumstances in a novel advocating compassionate euthanasia. When the book is unexpectedly enlisted by powerful political figures in support of government propaganda, Halder finds his career rising in an optimistic current of nationalism and prosperity. Seemingly inconsequential decisions lead to choices, which lead to more choices... with eventually devastating effect.

Genre: Documentary

Year: 2008

Country: United States

Rating:

Starring: Nova

Director: Nova

My Review: A Nova (WGBH TV series) documentary which examines the trial of Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District. The events leading up to the trial occurred in Dover, Pennsylvania from 2002-2005. The case was brought to court when board members changed school curriculum to present 'Intelligent Design' as an alternative scientific theory on the creation of life. Some parents argued that Intelligent Design was simply 'Creationism' repackaged. Promoting a religious tenet / belief as science would be tantamount to violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of United States (as well as Article I, Section 3 of the Pennsylvania State Constitution). The documentary does a fair job of presenting both sides of this debate (I found the film inherently biased in my views and in the eventual outcome of the trial - History is always written by those who win the war). It took forty days for the trial to run it's course, and the judge took more than three weeks to render his verdict. In the end, the judge ruled (in a 139 page ruling) that Intelligent Design was not science, and it could not be taught or promoted as an alternative to Darwin's theory of evolution. He found that the school board had intentionally introduced and promoted religious beliefs above those of science in the classrooms of this public school. The basic arguments and court rulings in this case can be quite contentious. Doing my best to leave my religious views out of this review, I found the documentary extremely well directed, re-enacted, researched and produced. I give it a 4 out of 5. Hopefully no one will be offended by my movie review. Life's too short for hate, practice love instead.

Summary: Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial captures the turmoil that tore apart the community of Dover, Pennsylvania in a landmark battle over the teaching of evolution in public schools. In 2004, the Dover school board ordered science teachers to read a statement to high school biology students about an alternative to Darwin s theory of evolution called intelligent design the idea that life is too complex to have evolved naturally and so must have been designed by an intelligent agent. The teachers refused to comply, and both parents and teachers filed a lawsuit in federal court accusing the school board of violating the constitutional separation of church and state.

Now, NOVA explores the arguments by lawyers and expert witnesses in riveting detail and provides an eye-opening crash course on questions such as What is evolution? and Is intelligent design a scientifically valid alternative? Featuring trial reenactments based on court transcripts and interviews with key participants and expert scientists, this gripping program presents the celebrated case of Kitzmiller v. Dover School District.

Genre: Drama, Romance

Year: 2009

Country: Ireland, USA

Rating:

Starring: Colin Farrell, Alicja Bachleda

Director: Neil Jordan

My Review: It's a modern fairy tale, a love story, and a tragic drama. Set in a modern day (2009) Irish fishing village. Colin Farrell plays Syracuse, a recovering alcoholic, a fisherman, a father, divorced and lonely. Once upon a time, Syracuse the landsman was out fishing and reeled in a catch. Imagine his surprise when he spied a lovely lady (Ondine, played by Alicia Bachleda) snared in his net. He hauled her in and breathed life back into her lungs. From that day on he was cursed with something he could ill afford. Hope. It's an interesting movie. Mixing Celtic folktale with tragic drama of the real-world. The viewer is often left to wonder whether this is real or some sort of fantasy. Well written, but a bit shallow in the character department, the movie shines in it's editing, camera work and direction. The pacing, colors and costumes were all noteworthy. I thoroughly enjoyed this simple, romantic drama, mixed with a bit of mystery and fantasy. Unfortunately it didn't have English subtitles. 4 out of 5.

Summary: Colin Farrell shows his soulful side in "Ondine", a lovely Irish drama from director Neil Jordan ("The Crying Game", "Breakfast on Pluto"). Syracuse (Farrell), a down-on-his-luck fisherman called Circus by friends and foes alike due to his formerly boozy ways, pulls up his net one morning to find a beautiful, near-drowned woman in it. She calls herself Ondine (Polish actress Alicja Bachleda) and Syracuse's daughter Annie (charming newcomer Alison Barry) thinks she's a selkie (a seal that's taken human form and can grant wishes). Ondine is happy to feed Annie's fantasies, and Syracuse is pretty convinced himself--but things take a dark turn as Annie's illness and Ondine's past intrude on this sweet fantasy. "Ondine" has a different feel than typical Hollywood fare; events that in most movies would be hyped and emphasized (such as a plot-turning car crash) here pass with jolting swiftness. Instead, "Ondine" lingers on the interplay between a sad father and a yearning daughter, between a lonely man and a lost woman. The movie builds a rich and deeply felt web of relationships--when the story takes hold, you'll be all the more gripped as a result. Featuring a delightful comic turn by Stephen Rea ("V for Vendetta") as a skeptical priest. "--Bret Fetzer"

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Year: 2010

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sam Rockwell

Director: Jon Favreau

My Review: This sequel takes place less than a year after Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.) reveals his secret identity - "I am Iron Man". Now the demands on his life are overwhelming. The government wants his 'weapon'; The women want his 'Weapon'; the scammers want his money; business rivals want his technology and his enemies want his head. One particular enemy decides to 'embarrass' Tony in public. He shows the world that Iron Man is vulnerable, and everyone gets in line to take their shot at the once invincible, now vulnerable 'Iron Man'. Add to this hectic mix with a couple more side stories, and you've got one very distracting movie. The Tony Stark character is attacked and distracted constantly, making for a nearly incoherent plot. Mickey Rourke was quite good as Ivan Vanko, and Don Cheadle made a better Major Rhodes than Terrence Howard (in my opinion). The pacing was very fast and the editing emphasized very short shots. The one-liners and explosive action headlined this movie. I would have preferred a better story. I enjoyed the movie, but marginally so. 3 of 5.

Summary: With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, along with Pepper Potts, and James "Rhodey" Rhodes at his side, must forge new alliances - and confront powerful enemies.

Genre: Crime, Drama

Year: 2009

Country: France, Italy

Rating:

Starring: Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Hichem Yacoubi, Reda Kateb

Director: Jacques Audiard

My Review: Malik El Djebena (played by Tahar Rahim) is a French citizen of Arab descent. At the young age of 19, Malik's juvenile record is pretense to a six year prison sentence after he's convicted of 'fighting with police'. Without an ethnic or religious identity, his introduction into the French prison system leaves him vulnerable to the first gang that turns their tainted eye his way. When Malik is forced to commit murder, his life is forever altered. Haunted by his victims revenant, Malik learns to comply, adapt and overcome. He learns to appease, manipulate and negotiate with all the different factions in the prison. The story is brutal, authentic and powerful. The movie focuses on some very subtle social interaction within the confines of this particular prison. Throughout the course of the film, we see the Malik character evolve from innocent victim to hardened crime boss; from simple survivor to complex criminal. It's an amazing transformation, and the outstanding acting by Tahar Rahim made it entirely believable. The writing and direction was extremely well done, but I found the violence abhorrent. Realizing that this is a film about the hardest of criminals, and conditions inside a prison, I cut the movie a bit of slack. 4 out of 5.

Summary: Nineteen year-old Franco-Arab Malik El Djebena is just starting his six year prison sentence in Brécourt. Although he has spent the better part of his life in juvenile detention, this stint is his first in an adult prison. Beyond the division of Corsicans and Muslims in the prison (the Corsicans who with their guard connections rule what happens in the prison), he has no known friends or enemies inside. He is just hoping to serve his time in peace and without incident, despite having no prospects once he's out of jail since he's illiterate and has no support outside of the prison. Due to logistics, the head of Corsican inmates, a sadistic mafioso named César Luciani, co-opts Malik as part of the Corsicans' activities, not only regarding what happens inside the prison, but also continued criminal activities outside. The innocent Malik has no idea what to do but cooperate. This move does not sit well with the other Corsicans, who only see Malik as a dirty Arab, and the Muslims who now mistrust him. But as time goes on, Malik works to save himself while in prison, while setting up his life post prison on his own terms. Both his demon and his salvation in prison is the specter of one of the first people he really got to know during his incarceration.

Genre: Comedy, Romance

Year: 1959

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall, Thelma Ritter, Nick Adams

Director: Michael Gordon

My Review: It's a fantastic romantic comedy from a far more innocent time. Rock Hudson and Doris Day play Brad Allen and Jan Morrow. A couple of singles living professional lives in downtown New York. Brad is a playboy and a cad; Jan is a professional and a sweetheart. Can a miss-matched pair like these two possibly find happiness together? What starts out as a domestic dispute (Over the use of a telephone 'Party Line') quickly turns to romance when the jaded Brad Allen sets his sites on the gorgeous and desirable Jan Morrow. It's the woman he can't have that initially challenges Brad to prove he can have his way with the oh-so-proper Jan Morrow. With Brad masquerading as Rex Stetson, Jan quickly falls for Brads all but perfect pitch and his well practiced charm. When Brad starts to fall for Jan things get a bit more complicated. His deception may be his undoing when a rival beau threatens to blow the whistle on Brad's charade. In the end, the happy couple end up together and this viewer couldn't be happier. It was a light hearted, romantic comedy with good intentions, good laughs and an excellent soundtrack. The focus on telephones and it's integral role in the film also helped to make this film a bit more interesting than the run of the mill romantic comedy. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: Interior decorator Jan Morrow and composer Brad Allen share a phone line. Brad keeps the line occupied all day talking to his girlfriends, which annoys Jan terribly and animosity between them builds up. They however have never met and when by chance Brad sees Jan, he decides to add her to his list of conquests. Knowing however how she feels about him, he poses as an innocent Texan country boy named Rex Stetson to win her, a plan which seems to work.

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2003

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Adam Goldberg, Judy Greer, Andy Dick, Mario Van Peebles, Peter Coyote

Director: Jonathan Kesselman

My Review: The Hebrew Hammer is a tribute/comedy in the tradition of Blaxploitation films. Adam Goldberg star as Mordechai Jefferson Carver, an orthodox Jewish 'Superhero/Detective' known as 'The Hebrew Hammer'. Mordechai hooks up with the Jewish Justice League and Mohammed Ali Paula Abdul Rahim (played by Mario Van Peebles) in an effort to stop Damien - Son of Santa, in his evil plot to wipe out Hanukkah forever. The story was non-stop dialogue and insipid one-liners. Unfortunately, this Shegetz reviewer found the jokes a bit too much. The profanity and continuous racial stereo-typing is way over the top. Adam Goldberg and Andy Dick did a fair job in their respective roles, but the dialog and pacing left absolutely no room for character development. As a movie it rates poorly. With proper treatment, the films material would serve well in a stand-up comedy routine. The sound production was terrible, but there were some good notes in the sound track. I give it a 2 out of 5.

Summary: Mordechai Jefferson Carver, aka the Hebrew Hammer, is an orthodox Jewish stud who goes on a mission to save Hanukkah. When Santa Claus's evil son Damian is pushed over the edge by his father's liberal policies, he does away with the Christian patriarch. Subsequently stepping into his father's role, Damian launches a campaign to eradicate the Jewish Holiday. The Hammer joins forces with Esther Bloomenbergensteinenthal, the gorgeous and dangerous daughter of the leader of the Jewish Justice League; and his brother-in-arms Mohammed Ali Paula Abdul Rahim, the head of the Kwanzaa Liberation Front, to topple Santa's evil progeny and to save Hanukkah for future generations of Jews.

Genre: Adventure, Family

Year: 1950

Country: UK

Rating:

Starring: Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, Basil Sydney, Walter Fitzgerald, Denis O'Dea

Director: Byron Haskin

My Review: Enticed by the prospect of buried treasure and adventure on the high-seas, young Jim Hawkins sets sail with Captain Smollett, Squire Trelawny, Dr. Livesey and crew, aboard the Schooner Hispaniola. With the peg-legged Long John Silver onboard, one can bet there'll be hijinks and double-crossing, as this old pirate can't resist the lure of buried treasure. This adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson novel is a Disney movie, so it's family friendly, and the action remains quite tame for a 'Pirate' movie. Despite it's PG rating, the suspense is great, and the pacing superb. IMDB lists more than thirty movies/shows with this title, but this one consistently rates up there as one of the best. Robert Newton was excellent as the likable pirate Long John Silver. Bobby Driscoll did a fantastic job as Jim Hawkins, and I love the story. I give it a 4 out of 5. Next up, the 1934 version.

Summary: Enchanted by the idea of locating treasure buried by Captain Flint, Squire Trelawney, Dr. Livesey and Jim Hawkins charter a sailing voyage to a Caribbean island. Unfortunately, a large number of Flint's old pirate crew are aboard the ship, including Long John Silver.

Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Year: 1974

Country: Canada

Rating:

Starring: Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, John Saxon, Marian Waldman

Director: Bob Clark

My Review: This early slasher (1974), set the bar for many movies to come. The story is quite simple - as the standard for this genre. In a sleepy Canadian college town one Sorority house is preparing for Christmas. Little do they know that their secure little lives are about to get rocked by Billy! A mad man is on the loose, and he's targeted the girls of this victorian manor for maniacal murder. While it isn't original, it did re-inspire many writers and audiences. It definitely set many standards for the genre. The steady cam shots were excellent. The killer POV was also quite thrilling. Keeping the killers identity a secret was a brilliant stroke. I wish more movies in this genre would follow the lead in this regard. While the production value was a bit low, and the acting less than top notch, the writing was superb. The editing was extremely well done; keeping the movie going, setting the pace, and sustaining the suspense. Netflix is under the impression that I don't like films in this category. Well, I don't like bad films in this genre, and there's tons of bad movies in the 'slasher' category. This one ranks high. I give it a 4 out of 5.

Summary: It's time for Christmas break, and the sorority sisters make plans for the holiday, but the strange anonymous phone calls are beginning to put them on edge. When Clare disappears, they contact the police, who don't express much concern. Meanwhile Jess is planning to get an abortion, but boyfriend Peter is very much against it. The police finally begin to get concerned when a 13-year-old girl is found dead in the park. They set up a wiretap to the sorority house, but will they be in time to prevent a sorority girl attrition problem?

Genre: Drama, Mystery

Year: 2009

Country: USA, Italy, Spain, Argentina

Rating:

Starring: Vincent Gallo, Alden Ehrenreich, Maribel Verdú, Silvia Pérez, Rodrigo De la Serna

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

My Review: Written, directed and produced by Francis Ford Coppola. Staring Vincent Galo (as Tetro), Alden Ehrenreich (as Bennie) and Maribel Verdú (as Miranda). This movie (shot in black and white) takes place in La Boca/Buenos Aires, Argentina. Bennie is 17 year old waiter on a cruise ship. He left his upper-class Argentine turned American Italian family with a case of wanderlust. In search of his older brother Angelo, he's gone ashore in Argentina. Bennie knocks on the door of Angelo and Maribel early one morning. Hoping to rekindle some family ties, Bennie finds his older brother changed. Insisting on the name 'Tetro', Bennie's older brother is reluctant, resistant, vehemently opposed to any sort of family reunion. As Bennie turns 18, he continues to push Tetro. Digging for the truth, he wants to know what happened to their family. Why didn't Tetro disappear on a writers sabbatical? When Tetro resists all attempts to pry open the painful truth of their past, Bennie resolves to create his own closure by completing Tetro's unfinished novel. It's a mystery, a Felliniesque drama, a wonderful story. Dripping with sophisticated characters, deep dark family secrets and outstanding cinematography. The pacing is slow but steady, the ending brings explosive revelations and closure to this rich, operatic story of deceit, secrets, and family dynamics. The acting by all involved was outstanding. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: The week of his 18th birthday, Bennie, who's a waiter on a cruise ship, has a layover in Buenos Aires. He seeks out his older brother, Tetro, whom he hasn't seen in years. Tetro, who lives with Miranda, is a burned-out case; he's hot and cold toward his brother, introducing him as a "friend," refusing to talk about their family, telling Bennie not to tell Miranda who their father is. Thoughts of their father cast a shadow over both brothers. Who is he, and what past has Tetro left behind? Bennie finds pages of Tetro's unfinished novel, and he pushes both to know his own history and to become a part of his brother's life again. What can come of Bennie's pushing?