Genre: Biography, Drama

Year: 2013

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Denis O'Hare, Steve Zahn

Director: Jean-Marc Vallée

My Review: Dallas Buyers Club - 2013 (Biography, drama) With 6 Academy Award nominations, and 3 wins, this movie directed by Jean-Marc Vallée, starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and Jared Leto was totally deserving of the accolades. Another disclaimer - Just so you know. My reviews represent my personal opinions, and I don’t claim to be an expert on any of the topics in this movie. Once again, I’m a white, straight, privileged dude from a suburban home. I grew up in the 60s 70s 80s. I was exposed to all the homophobic attitudes and biases of that era and I haven’t got any idea what it means/meant to be gay in the 80s. Do I have a particular bias? any racial stereotypes? any cultural privilege? Yes to all three. Set in Dallas during the 80s, one can only wonder why this movie didn’t actually depict the social conditions which made gay people the scapegoats for much of the nation’s ills. In this movie, Matthew McConaughey plays Ron Woodroof - an electrician, bull rider, and all around ladies man. He’s a racist, a homophobe and a hard riding cowboy who doesn’t condone condoms or moderation. His heavy smoking, drinking, drug use and days of casual sex come to an abrupt end when he finally realizes that ‘He’ has Aids! The ‘faggot’ disease. What the hell? How could he be afflicted with such a disease? His selfishness is initially replaced by denial, then realization, depression, and then resolve. He doesn’t want to die, and he does what he has to in order to survive. When AZT doesn’t help, he turns to other ‘illegal’ drugs. His quest for the miracle cure leads him through a maze of obstructionist bureaucracies, to illegal doctors in Mexico, to an entire community desperately seeking the same cure. When Ron begins sharing his finding with the rest of the world, the professionals do their best to shut him down. Matthew McConaughey manages to portray this bigoted, selfish character in a complex and nuanced manner. In such a way that you actually feel some sympathy for him, and the desperate community that he’s serving. This biography is based upon the real Ron Woodroof and his mission to beat HIV. A battle that he can’t win, but he won’t stop trying - no matter what. The acting was truly outstanding. Alongside McConaughey’s performance is that of Jared Leto playing Rayon, a cross dressing denizen of America’s sexual underground. Excellent direction, pacing, editing and acting. I give this movie a 5 out of 5.

Summary: Dallas 1985. Electrician and sometimes rodeo bull rider Ron Woodroof lives hard, which includes heavy smoking, drinking, drug use (primarily cocaine) and casual sex. He is racist and homophobic. While in the hospital on a work related injury, the doctors discover and inform him that he is HIV+, and that he will most-likely die within thirty days. Ron is initially in angry denial that he would have a disease that only "faggots" have, but upon quick reflection comes to the realization that the diagnosis is probably true. He begins to read whatever research is available about the disease, which at this time seems to be most effectively treated by the drug AZT. AZT, however, is only in the clinical trials stage within the US. Incredulous that he, as a dying man, cannot pay for any drug which may save or at least prolong his life, he goes searching for it by whatever means possible. It eventually leads him to Mexico and a "Dr." Vass, an American physician whose license was revoked in the ...

Genre: Drama

Year: 1981

Country: West Germany

Rating:

Starring: Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann, Hubertus Bengsch, Martin Semmelrogge

Director: Wolfgang Petersen

My Review: Das Boot - 1981 (Adventure, drama, thriller) Of course I own, and watched the director’s cut. I can’t believe that I’ve owned this movie since the 80s, and I’m just now (2016) writing a movie review about it. One of my all-time favorite movies, and one of the reasons why I own seven movies starring Jürgen Prochnow. Written and directed by Wolfgang Petersen (the NeverEnding Story, Enemy Mine, Shattered, In the Line of Fire, Outbreak, Air Force One, The Perfect Storm, Troy) this movie is based upon a novel by Lothar G. Buchheim. Starring Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann and many others. This is (imo) the best submarine movie ever made. Far better than U-571, Hunt For Red October, Run Silent Run Deep, The Enemy Below, Crimson Tide, Below. Admittedly, I haven’t seen every submarine movie ever made, but this one tops many lists (including mine). Set in 1942, the German submarine fleet is fully engaged in the ‘Battle of the Atlantic’. Sinking as many ships as they can, they’ve also started to take heavier losses due to the recent increase in convoy escorts with heavier caliber guns. This is the story of U-96 and its crew. The crew is professional, well disciplined and their morale is high. These sailors know what they’re doing, why they’re doing it, and what the consequences are. This movie is more than a single tale, it’s a historical document, a period film, an epic film filled with many military and political themes. It explores many of the grand themes of war on a macroscopic scale. All these larger themes are crammed into the confines of a long slender metal tube, navigating the dark cold waters of the North Atlantic - In search of prey, evading hunters. Jürgen Prochnow is perfectly cast as the captain of this boat, and his expressions and mood haunt the movie like a drowned man haunts the place where the ice gave way. The movie begins slowly in the shallows, but tension soon begins to build as the crew sets out into deeper waters. The mission is clear, the consequences dire and the danger great. In mission after mission, the tension grows, the suspense builds, you’re gripping your seat - True terror is just minutes away as the depth charges continue to rain down, and the seafloor rises up like your certain and inescapable fate. The brave members of this sub are made helpless under the crushing weight of the sea, their clueless leaders and the ultimate futility of their nation’s destiny. The story feels so real. It feels like we’re watching a live event. The emotions rise quickly to the surface and you can’t help but feel everything they feel. By the end of the movie, you are one of the crew. You feel for them as if the outcome affects you personally. Perfect writing, perfect direction, perfect acting, truly amazing cinematography and no cgi! I give Das Boat a 5 out of 5. Do yourself a favor. Watch this very long movie (the Director’s cut is 209 minutes) with subtitles. The emotional cues and timing nuances are much stronger in the native language.

Summary: The claustrophobic world of a WWII German U-boat; boredom, filth, and sheer terror.

Genre: Sci-Fi

Year: 1991

Country: France

Rating:

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, Earl Boen

Director: James Cameron

My Review: Terminator 2: Judgement Day - 1991 (Action, sci-fi) Directed by James Cameron (Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, True Lies, Titanic, Avatar). Screen play written by James Cameron and William Wisher Jr. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick, and others. If you're not already familiar with this film, you need to get out of the basement more often. Killing machine (Schwartzeneger) follows T-1000 (Robert Patrick) back into the past. While the T-1000 is relentless in it's quest to slay mankind’s savior, the Terminator does it’s best to protect the young John Connor from an advanced cyborg made out of ‘polymetalic alloy’. While protecting Sarah and John from the relentless T-1000, the terminator learns something about being human. A must see for all Schwartzeneger fans. Linda Hamilton as Sarah Conner is unstoppable. Excellent acting, great story, fantastic special effects. There’s a seat gripping chase scene where semi-rig chases a dirt bike through LA's drainage system. This is an outstanding action flick. Fully deserving on the Oscars it won - For sound, effects (sound and visual), makeup and cinematography. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: A shape-shifting cyborg is sent back from the future to kill John Connor before he can grow up to lead the resistance; a protector is sent, too.

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Year: 2012

Country: Canada

Rating:

Starring: Aaron Poole, James Gilbert, Ian Anderson, Peter Apostolopoulos, Roger Beck

Director: Christopher MacBride

My Review: The Conspiracy - 2012 (Horror, thriller, documentary) A mock documentary - right? This movie is written, directed and edited by Christopher MacBride. It stars Aaron Poole, James Gilbert and A.C. Peterson. Aaron and James play Aaron and Jim. They play the role of documentary film makers in a movie about a conspiracy theory. The two point their camera at Terrance (played by A.C. Peterson). Terrance is ‘Conspiracy Theorist’ who shouts from a soapbox in Times Square New York. With megaphone in hand, Terrance speaks ‘Truth to the People’. As he attempts to explain the convoluted conspiracy that he has discovered, Aaron and Jim do their best to follow along. At first they seem more interested in people like Terrance than his theories. Until… Until Terrance disappears. That’s when they start to pull on the threads of Terrance’s theory. It’s an excellent story that really sucks you in. Filmed in a ‘found footage’ style, you quickly loose track of the fictional premise and start to believe as the two themes - Documentary and Conspiracy Theory - merge. Unfortunately, the movie intentionally lacks a comprehensive and satisfying ending and some of the acting leaves you with a “He’s not sincere” feeling, which tends to spoil the vibe of the movie. The acting by these two ‘documentary film-makers’ (Aaron and Jim) is quite good. They are immediately believable in their roles and involved in the conspiracy they’re investigating. A thrilling, dramatic movie with plenty of suspense. This low-budget film makes good use of its low-budget feel. The story is logical, seamless and believable. The ‘found-footage’ format is alive and kicking. I give it a 3 out of 5.

Summary: A documentary about conspiracy theories takes a horrific turn after the filmmakers uncover an ancient and dangerous secret society.