LORENZO'S OIL - 1992
RATING - PG-13 for a child's life threatening ordeal. Some language. Very intense emotionally.
RATED - 57 Amazon (5/5), 189.877 Netflix (3.7/5), 7,755 IMDB (7/10).
STARRING - Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte.
AWARDS - 1993 Academy Award Nominations for BEST ACTRESS (Sarandon) and BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY.
THEMES - Relationships, justice.
STORY - Based on the real life story of the Odones whose son Lorenze began to suffer from a number of neurological symptoms about age five. It was diagnosed as the rare disease ALD with the medical community giving him no hope of a cure and a limited life expectancy. The Odones would not accept the verdict. They were determined, at any cost and against extreme odds, to find a cure. They became self-educated about the disease and the science behind a potential cure. They mortgaged their home, took leave of their jobs and did everything humanly possible, racing against the clock, to save Lorenzo's life. Part heart breaking drama and part medical mystery this is an extremely well written and well acted film. Nolte and Sarandon are outstanding. It is also a fascinating look behind the scenes as to how medical research is done and how decisions are made as to which projects get priorities. How would we react in a similar situation? Are there areas, perhaps not always life and death, where we have just accepted the 'professional' diagnosis and settled for something less than what could have been. This is an inspiration not to take 'no' for an answer when our instincts tell us otherwise. This is an extremely well done film well worth watching. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 12-05-2010,
LINKS - AMAZON, NETFLIX, IMDB/TRAILER
Sunday, December 5, 2010
THE STONING OF SORAYA M.
THE STONING OF SORAYA M. - 2008
RATED - R for a disturbing sequence of cruel and brutal violence, and brief strong language. The scene is very bloody and brutal.
RATINGS - 65 Amazon (4.5/5), 197,128 Netflix (4.2/5), 3,223 IMDB (8/10).
STARRING - Academy Award Nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo and Jim Caviezel.
AWARDS - 4 WINS & 4 NOMINATIONS including Los Angeles Film Festival AUDIENCE AWARD for BEST FEATURE.
STORY - Based on a true story in 1986 about a French-Iranian journalist (Caviezel) whose car broke down while passing through a remote Iranian village. At the risk of her own life, the aunt of Soraya M. made contact with the journalist to tell the story of her niece in hopes that it would make it to the outside world. It reveals a dark side of Islamic culture and the deep prejudice against women and the double standard they allow for men against women. As horrific as this story is, it is too easy to sit in judgment of these people for what they did. This is a difficult film to watch on the order of THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST for its brutality to an innocent person. We end up asking the same questions - how could, family, friends and neighbors allow this, let alone take part in this horrific act? Yet, we look at our society and the racial discrimination that produced equally violent acts towards fellow Americans. How is that societies end up dehumanizing certain segments of the human race, whether by gender, race or religious belief? How do ordinary people end up being murderers and incredibly violent? For sure, this is a story about Iran and Islam and their dark sides but if we don't go any further than that we have missed an opportunity to see where perhaps we have our ugly sides. This is a powerful film with an incredible visual impact.
LINKS - AMAZON, NETFLIX, IMDB/TRAILER
RATED - R for a disturbing sequence of cruel and brutal violence, and brief strong language. The scene is very bloody and brutal.
RATINGS - 65 Amazon (4.5/5), 197,128 Netflix (4.2/5), 3,223 IMDB (8/10).
STARRING - Academy Award Nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo and Jim Caviezel.
AWARDS - 4 WINS & 4 NOMINATIONS including Los Angeles Film Festival AUDIENCE AWARD for BEST FEATURE.
STORY - Based on a true story in 1986 about a French-Iranian journalist (Caviezel) whose car broke down while passing through a remote Iranian village. At the risk of her own life, the aunt of Soraya M. made contact with the journalist to tell the story of her niece in hopes that it would make it to the outside world. It reveals a dark side of Islamic culture and the deep prejudice against women and the double standard they allow for men against women. As horrific as this story is, it is too easy to sit in judgment of these people for what they did. This is a difficult film to watch on the order of THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST for its brutality to an innocent person. We end up asking the same questions - how could, family, friends and neighbors allow this, let alone take part in this horrific act? Yet, we look at our society and the racial discrimination that produced equally violent acts towards fellow Americans. How is that societies end up dehumanizing certain segments of the human race, whether by gender, race or religious belief? How do ordinary people end up being murderers and incredibly violent? For sure, this is a story about Iran and Islam and their dark sides but if we don't go any further than that we have missed an opportunity to see where perhaps we have our ugly sides. This is a powerful film with an incredible visual impact.
LINKS - AMAZON, NETFLIX, IMDB/TRAILER
Saturday, November 13, 2010
36 HOURS
36 HOURS - 1965
RATED - PG for mild language, non-graphic violence and tense moments. No nudity or sex.
RATINGS - 17 Amazon (4/5), 13,076 Netflix (3.6/5), 1,311 IMDB (7.3/10).
STARRING - James Garner (Rockford Files, etc), Eva Marie Saint (Oscar winner in On The Waterfront), Rod Taylor.
STORY - The story is set during WWII right before D-Day. Garner plays an Army intelligence agent who is assigned to make one more routine mission before the big invasion to keep the Germans thinking everything is still status quo. He has been in on the highest levels of planning and knows the Allied plans. In a surprise move, he is captured by the Germans who are aware of the knowledge he has and have come up with a most creative plan for getting it out of this well trained intelligence officer who can resist all the normal interrogation techniques. This is a psychological thriller with some very clever little twists. It's a plausible story and will keep you involved. Garner is terrific. While not in the category of a 'classic' it's worth watching if you like WWII and spy stories. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11-13-2010.
LINKS - NETFLIX, IMDB
RATED - PG for mild language, non-graphic violence and tense moments. No nudity or sex.
RATINGS - 17 Amazon (4/5), 13,076 Netflix (3.6/5), 1,311 IMDB (7.3/10).
STARRING - James Garner (Rockford Files, etc), Eva Marie Saint (Oscar winner in On The Waterfront), Rod Taylor.
STORY - The story is set during WWII right before D-Day. Garner plays an Army intelligence agent who is assigned to make one more routine mission before the big invasion to keep the Germans thinking everything is still status quo. He has been in on the highest levels of planning and knows the Allied plans. In a surprise move, he is captured by the Germans who are aware of the knowledge he has and have come up with a most creative plan for getting it out of this well trained intelligence officer who can resist all the normal interrogation techniques. This is a psychological thriller with some very clever little twists. It's a plausible story and will keep you involved. Garner is terrific. While not in the category of a 'classic' it's worth watching if you like WWII and spy stories. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11-13-2010.
LINKS - NETFLIX, IMDB
Sunday, November 7, 2010
WINTER'S BONE
WINTER'S BONE - 2010
RATED - R for language and violence and drug content. Certainly not the worst R rated movie by any means. No sex or nudity. Some killing and skinning of animals. Take it seriously for under 15.
RATINGS - 38 Amazon (4.5/5), 34,556 Netflix (3.6/5), 4,954 IMDB (7.6/10).
AWARDS - THE GRAND JURY PRIZE for DRAMA at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
THEMES - Justice, relationships.
STORY - The story takes place deep in the Ozarks. The people in the film would be commonly referred to as 'white trash'. Their homes are more like junk yards than homes and they live in a culture dominated by drugs and violence (or the threat of violence). Ree is a 17 year old young woman left with the responsibility of raising her 12 year old brother and 7 year old sister and taking care of her mother who suffers from depression and is there in body only. The father has been in and out of trouble with the law for 'cooking crank' and spent time in prison. They live in a shack of a home with a 100 acres of woods behind. One of the more poignant moments occurs early when Ree takes her brother & sister to school and as she's leaving she looks in the windows of the classrooms where her peers are learning to care for a baby or practicing ROTC drills or other things that a normal 17 year old girl would be doing in school. But Ree is no ordinary 17 year old no matter how you slice it. She's determined to make it (if only to survive) with the cards she's been dealt. When she finds out that her father used their property as collateral to post bail for his upcoming court appearance and they will lose the home in a week if he doesn't show, she becomes obsessed with finding him to protect the only material possession they have. No one seems to know (or is willing to tell if they do) where her father is. Finding him is the plot of the story. But it is also a social drama on this overlooked subculture in America. This is not a feel good, happy ending film. It's a very realistic and well done drama about people who seem to have very little hope in this world for a better life and spend their lives living on the fringe of society with drugs and their family feuds. The violence and the language are not overly graphic or gratuitous but caution in watching with anyone under 15-16. Well done and well written film about this subculture. Hard to watch and riveting at the same time. Jennifer Lawrence does a great job as Ree. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11-07-2010,
LINKS - AMAZON, NETFLIX, IMDB
RATED - R for language and violence and drug content. Certainly not the worst R rated movie by any means. No sex or nudity. Some killing and skinning of animals. Take it seriously for under 15.
RATINGS - 38 Amazon (4.5/5), 34,556 Netflix (3.6/5), 4,954 IMDB (7.6/10).
AWARDS - THE GRAND JURY PRIZE for DRAMA at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.
THEMES - Justice, relationships.
STORY - The story takes place deep in the Ozarks. The people in the film would be commonly referred to as 'white trash'. Their homes are more like junk yards than homes and they live in a culture dominated by drugs and violence (or the threat of violence). Ree is a 17 year old young woman left with the responsibility of raising her 12 year old brother and 7 year old sister and taking care of her mother who suffers from depression and is there in body only. The father has been in and out of trouble with the law for 'cooking crank' and spent time in prison. They live in a shack of a home with a 100 acres of woods behind. One of the more poignant moments occurs early when Ree takes her brother & sister to school and as she's leaving she looks in the windows of the classrooms where her peers are learning to care for a baby or practicing ROTC drills or other things that a normal 17 year old girl would be doing in school. But Ree is no ordinary 17 year old no matter how you slice it. She's determined to make it (if only to survive) with the cards she's been dealt. When she finds out that her father used their property as collateral to post bail for his upcoming court appearance and they will lose the home in a week if he doesn't show, she becomes obsessed with finding him to protect the only material possession they have. No one seems to know (or is willing to tell if they do) where her father is. Finding him is the plot of the story. But it is also a social drama on this overlooked subculture in America. This is not a feel good, happy ending film. It's a very realistic and well done drama about people who seem to have very little hope in this world for a better life and spend their lives living on the fringe of society with drugs and their family feuds. The violence and the language are not overly graphic or gratuitous but caution in watching with anyone under 15-16. Well done and well written film about this subculture. Hard to watch and riveting at the same time. Jennifer Lawrence does a great job as Ree. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 11-07-2010,
LINKS - AMAZON, NETFLIX, IMDB
Saturday, September 18, 2010
AMISH GRACE
AMISH GRACE - 2010
RATED - PG for mature themes. Closer to G. The violence at the center of the film is only implied. Nothing is shown.
RATINGS - 5 Amazon (5/5), 211 Netflix (4.2/5), 143 IMDB (7.1/10).
STARRING - Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Father of the Bride 1 & 2)
AWARDS - Highest rated original movie shown on Lifetime.
THEMES - Relationships, spirituality, justice.
STORY - Based on the true story of the murder of five innocent Amish school girls in 2006 in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. The main family in the story is fictional, however. Great acting and screenplay. Emotional without being manipulative. Violent without showing any violence. Inspirational without being preachy. I have always been critical of faith-based films that are basically 'sermons disguised as films'. Faith-based films should be great stories where the message is an integral part of the story. This is one of those. At the heart of the story is a horrific crime. A lone gunman backs his pickup to a one room Amish school, walks in and proceeds to kill five young Amish girls and wound five others. What happens after that is almost as unbelievable. Three Amish men, including the father of one of the victims, visit the home of the killer to offer forgiveness and help to the gunman's widow. But not everyone finds it easy to forgive. Ida Graber (Paisley) isn't buying it. 'I will not betray my daughter by forgiving her killer'. What follows is for the most part the struggle between two women, both mothers & wives, struggling with forgiveness and their husbands from two totally different perspectives. While we may all have a tendency to see the Amish as stoic and and almost mechanical or robotic in their faith, this is not at all what comes thru in the film. While raising (but not answering) some inconsistencies in their practices, we see them as real humans struggling to deal with this horrific crime against their community. One of the most powerful scenes is at the funeral for the gunman. This is a movie that will haunt you and stick with you as you consider (at least I did) how to live out a live of forgiving with even just the most mundane grievances. What could this mean for communities, our nation and our world if forgiveness were truly practiced. I highly recommend this film. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/18.2010.
LINKS - IMDB, NETFLIX, AMAZON, The Power of Forgiveness
RATED - PG for mature themes. Closer to G. The violence at the center of the film is only implied. Nothing is shown.
RATINGS - 5 Amazon (5/5), 211 Netflix (4.2/5), 143 IMDB (7.1/10).
STARRING - Kimberly Williams-Paisley (Father of the Bride 1 & 2)
AWARDS - Highest rated original movie shown on Lifetime.
THEMES - Relationships, spirituality, justice.
STORY - Based on the true story of the murder of five innocent Amish school girls in 2006 in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. The main family in the story is fictional, however. Great acting and screenplay. Emotional without being manipulative. Violent without showing any violence. Inspirational without being preachy. I have always been critical of faith-based films that are basically 'sermons disguised as films'. Faith-based films should be great stories where the message is an integral part of the story. This is one of those. At the heart of the story is a horrific crime. A lone gunman backs his pickup to a one room Amish school, walks in and proceeds to kill five young Amish girls and wound five others. What happens after that is almost as unbelievable. Three Amish men, including the father of one of the victims, visit the home of the killer to offer forgiveness and help to the gunman's widow. But not everyone finds it easy to forgive. Ida Graber (Paisley) isn't buying it. 'I will not betray my daughter by forgiving her killer'. What follows is for the most part the struggle between two women, both mothers & wives, struggling with forgiveness and their husbands from two totally different perspectives. While we may all have a tendency to see the Amish as stoic and and almost mechanical or robotic in their faith, this is not at all what comes thru in the film. While raising (but not answering) some inconsistencies in their practices, we see them as real humans struggling to deal with this horrific crime against their community. One of the most powerful scenes is at the funeral for the gunman. This is a movie that will haunt you and stick with you as you consider (at least I did) how to live out a live of forgiving with even just the most mundane grievances. What could this mean for communities, our nation and our world if forgiveness were truly practiced. I highly recommend this film. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 09/18.2010.
LINKS - IMDB, NETFLIX, AMAZON, The Power of Forgiveness
Sunday, July 18, 2010
CAPTAIN ABU RAED
CAPTAIN ABU RAED - 2008
RATED - NR but PG/PG-13 for some violence although almost all is off screen.
RATINGS - 13 Amazon (5/5), 5,729 Netflix (3.7/5), 518 IMDB (7.4/10).
THEMES - Relationships, justice.
AWARDS - 15 wins and 3 nominations at various film festivals including winner of AUDIENCE AWARD at Sundance Film Festival.
STORY - This Jordanian film, nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Film division, is the story of an aging widower who is a janitor at the airport in Amman, Jordan. Mistaken by neighborhood kids as an airline pilot, he begins to tell stories of travel and far away places that awe these poor children. The story develops as "Captain" Raed gets to the know the kids and the challenges they are facing at home. What I like about so many foreign films is that they are built on character development not fancy dialogue or non-stop action. They actually make you think about the characters and what's going on in their lives and what the film is trying to say. At the end of the film, it leaves you wondering about some of the characters and what might have happened. Foreign films often do not have nice, neat, tidy endings like American films. There is some ambiguity. This is true of Captain Raed. If slick screenplay and unbelievable CGI's of action are your thing (nothing wrong with that) this will probably not interest you. If you enjoy realistic characters and a good story this is a worth watching. It is also a slice of life and humanity and geography in a country many of us don't know much about - Jordan. Highly recommend. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 07/18/2010.
LINKS - IMDB & TRAILER, NETFLIX
RATED - NR but PG/PG-13 for some violence although almost all is off screen.
RATINGS - 13 Amazon (5/5), 5,729 Netflix (3.7/5), 518 IMDB (7.4/10).
THEMES - Relationships, justice.
AWARDS - 15 wins and 3 nominations at various film festivals including winner of AUDIENCE AWARD at Sundance Film Festival.
STORY - This Jordanian film, nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Foreign Film division, is the story of an aging widower who is a janitor at the airport in Amman, Jordan. Mistaken by neighborhood kids as an airline pilot, he begins to tell stories of travel and far away places that awe these poor children. The story develops as "Captain" Raed gets to the know the kids and the challenges they are facing at home. What I like about so many foreign films is that they are built on character development not fancy dialogue or non-stop action. They actually make you think about the characters and what's going on in their lives and what the film is trying to say. At the end of the film, it leaves you wondering about some of the characters and what might have happened. Foreign films often do not have nice, neat, tidy endings like American films. There is some ambiguity. This is true of Captain Raed. If slick screenplay and unbelievable CGI's of action are your thing (nothing wrong with that) this will probably not interest you. If you enjoy realistic characters and a good story this is a worth watching. It is also a slice of life and humanity and geography in a country many of us don't know much about - Jordan. Highly recommend. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 07/18/2010.
LINKS - IMDB & TRAILER, NETFLIX
Sunday, July 4, 2010
AMREEKA
AMREEKA - 2009
RATED - PG-13 for brief scene of teenagers smoking marijuana and some language. A pretty mild PG-13.
RATINGS - 11 AMAZON (4.5/5), 57,102 NETFLIX (3.5/5), 1,105 IMDB (7/10).
THEMES - Relationships, justice.
AWARDS - Nominee for BEST FEMALE LEAD & BEST FEATURE in the 2010 Independent Spirit Awards. Winner at 2009 Cannes Film Festival.
STORY - What happens when your life is turned upside down by your husband divorcing you for a slimmer, younger woman and walls are built around where you live adding hours every day to your commute to work and you spend every penny to keep your son in a private school? You take the first best opportunity that comes along to get out of that situation. Muna, a Palestinian single woman, does just that when she receives an offer to relocate free to America. This begins the adventures and misadventures of someone immigrating to America with the hopes and promises of a better life. She lands in a small town in Illinois to live (temporarily is the plan) with her sister and physician husband and teenage children until she can establish herself and son. She has two degrees and has had professional experience in the work world so it shouldn't take long - wrong! Told with humor as well as heartbreak (it's just after 9/11and anyone from the Middle East is the enemy), this National Geographic film is a reminder of why people still come to AMREEKA and how easy it is to be misunderstood and to struggle to make a living no matter how hard you are willing to work. It is worth watching by families whose children may be finding it difficult to accept those who don't talk or dress or act just like us. Changing schools as an American teenager can be very difficult. Try coming from another country, especially one we see as an adversary. Highly recommend. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 07/04/2010.
LINKS - IMDB & TRAILER, NETFLIX.
RATED - PG-13 for brief scene of teenagers smoking marijuana and some language. A pretty mild PG-13.
RATINGS - 11 AMAZON (4.5/5), 57,102 NETFLIX (3.5/5), 1,105 IMDB (7/10).
THEMES - Relationships, justice.
AWARDS - Nominee for BEST FEMALE LEAD & BEST FEATURE in the 2010 Independent Spirit Awards. Winner at 2009 Cannes Film Festival.
STORY - What happens when your life is turned upside down by your husband divorcing you for a slimmer, younger woman and walls are built around where you live adding hours every day to your commute to work and you spend every penny to keep your son in a private school? You take the first best opportunity that comes along to get out of that situation. Muna, a Palestinian single woman, does just that when she receives an offer to relocate free to America. This begins the adventures and misadventures of someone immigrating to America with the hopes and promises of a better life. She lands in a small town in Illinois to live (temporarily is the plan) with her sister and physician husband and teenage children until she can establish herself and son. She has two degrees and has had professional experience in the work world so it shouldn't take long - wrong! Told with humor as well as heartbreak (it's just after 9/11and anyone from the Middle East is the enemy), this National Geographic film is a reminder of why people still come to AMREEKA and how easy it is to be misunderstood and to struggle to make a living no matter how hard you are willing to work. It is worth watching by families whose children may be finding it difficult to accept those who don't talk or dress or act just like us. Changing schools as an American teenager can be very difficult. Try coming from another country, especially one we see as an adversary. Highly recommend. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 07/04/2010.
LINKS - IMDB & TRAILER, NETFLIX.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
PARIS 1919
PARIS 1919 - 2009 (TV)
RATED - NR but probably PG-13 for some graphic archival pictures of dead soldiers in WWI.
RATINGS - 7 AMAZON (4.5/5), 364 NETFLIX (3.2/5), 41 IMDB (7.2/10).
AWARDS- Winner of Banff World Television Award for BEST HISTORY/BIOGRAPHY.
THEMES - Justice, relationships.
STORY - This docudrama with both archival footage and drama tells the story of the peace talks in Paris in 1919 at the end of WWI which ended in the Treaty of Versailles. WWI was truly a world war and at the end dozens of nations wanted reparations or a piece of the spoils. They all convened in Paris for what they thought would be a 3-4 week conference to settle all the post war divisions. Nations' borders were being redrawn and people groups were being shuffled around like livestock. To Paris came kings and queens and caliphs and emirs and THEN the deity, Woodrow Wilson. The United States had entered the war and ended the war so everyone looked to the U.S. for answers and Woodrow Wilson was godlike, at least in the beginning. A large conference room was set up where nations could present their case in front of the representatives from Japan, Italy, Great Britain, France and Woodrow Wilson (U.S.). Japan was eliminated from the group after a short time and Italy had little influence in the end. This is a well done summary of a behind the scenes look at the Paris Peace Conference which stretched on for six months as countries jockeyed for position on the world scene, unknowingly setting the stage for WWII as they punished Germany into the ground, creating a backlash that produced evil like the world had never known and thought impossible. Even today we see and feel the effects of this peace treaty which spawned the League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations and the brainchild of Woodrow Wilson. Another slice of history which helps to understand the world we live in today. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 07/03/2010.
LINKS - IMDB, NETFLIX
RATED - NR but probably PG-13 for some graphic archival pictures of dead soldiers in WWI.
RATINGS - 7 AMAZON (4.5/5), 364 NETFLIX (3.2/5), 41 IMDB (7.2/10).
AWARDS- Winner of Banff World Television Award for BEST HISTORY/BIOGRAPHY.
THEMES - Justice, relationships.
STORY - This docudrama with both archival footage and drama tells the story of the peace talks in Paris in 1919 at the end of WWI which ended in the Treaty of Versailles. WWI was truly a world war and at the end dozens of nations wanted reparations or a piece of the spoils. They all convened in Paris for what they thought would be a 3-4 week conference to settle all the post war divisions. Nations' borders were being redrawn and people groups were being shuffled around like livestock. To Paris came kings and queens and caliphs and emirs and THEN the deity, Woodrow Wilson. The United States had entered the war and ended the war so everyone looked to the U.S. for answers and Woodrow Wilson was godlike, at least in the beginning. A large conference room was set up where nations could present their case in front of the representatives from Japan, Italy, Great Britain, France and Woodrow Wilson (U.S.). Japan was eliminated from the group after a short time and Italy had little influence in the end. This is a well done summary of a behind the scenes look at the Paris Peace Conference which stretched on for six months as countries jockeyed for position on the world scene, unknowingly setting the stage for WWII as they punished Germany into the ground, creating a backlash that produced evil like the world had never known and thought impossible. Even today we see and feel the effects of this peace treaty which spawned the League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations and the brainchild of Woodrow Wilson. Another slice of history which helps to understand the world we live in today. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 07/03/2010.
LINKS - IMDB, NETFLIX
Saturday, June 26, 2010
OFFSIDE
OFFSIDE - 2006
RATED - PG for relatively mild language throughout.
RATINGS - 8 Amazon (4/5), 24,109 Netflix (3/5), 2,254 IMDB (7.1/10).
THEMES - Justice, discrimination, religion.
AWARDS - 4 wins and 3 nominations at various international film festivals.
STORY - It's 2005 in Tehran and Iran is playing Bahrain for the chance to advance to the World Cup. There are 100,000 spectators cheering on the Iranian team. What's wrong with that picture? They're all men - or supposed to be. Iran doesn't allow women to attend sporting events. The official reason is they will be exposed to foul language and men's legs (the players presumably). The real reason, of course, is women are discriminated against in Iran. However, not all the fans are men at the game - they just all look like men. Some are young girls (who are allowed to play soccer) who want to see the game so badly they try to disguise themselves as men and buy a ticket. Some make it but the 'gender police' are out in full force and some are caught. This is a film (banned in Iran by the way) about those who are arrested. They are taken to a holding pen right outside the stadium where they can hear but not see the game. The film is mostly about the interaction between these young female fans and the young male guards who are assigned to make sure they are 'tortured' by hearing but not seeing. While making the point well about discrimination, the film is also a light hearted story about how young men and women in Iran see their roles and the lengths some young women will go to see a forbidden soccer match. Don't expect soccer action (actual game footage is measured in seconds) but a good story about culture and another opportunity to learn about a country we hear so much about but really don't know much about. Much of the film was shot at the stadium the actual day of the big match so it has an authentic feel - a kind of docudrama feel. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews.
LINKS - IMDB & TRAILER
RATED - PG for relatively mild language throughout.
RATINGS - 8 Amazon (4/5), 24,109 Netflix (3/5), 2,254 IMDB (7.1/10).
THEMES - Justice, discrimination, religion.
AWARDS - 4 wins and 3 nominations at various international film festivals.
STORY - It's 2005 in Tehran and Iran is playing Bahrain for the chance to advance to the World Cup. There are 100,000 spectators cheering on the Iranian team. What's wrong with that picture? They're all men - or supposed to be. Iran doesn't allow women to attend sporting events. The official reason is they will be exposed to foul language and men's legs (the players presumably). The real reason, of course, is women are discriminated against in Iran. However, not all the fans are men at the game - they just all look like men. Some are young girls (who are allowed to play soccer) who want to see the game so badly they try to disguise themselves as men and buy a ticket. Some make it but the 'gender police' are out in full force and some are caught. This is a film (banned in Iran by the way) about those who are arrested. They are taken to a holding pen right outside the stadium where they can hear but not see the game. The film is mostly about the interaction between these young female fans and the young male guards who are assigned to make sure they are 'tortured' by hearing but not seeing. While making the point well about discrimination, the film is also a light hearted story about how young men and women in Iran see their roles and the lengths some young women will go to see a forbidden soccer match. Don't expect soccer action (actual game footage is measured in seconds) but a good story about culture and another opportunity to learn about a country we hear so much about but really don't know much about. Much of the film was shot at the stadium the actual day of the big match so it has an authentic feel - a kind of docudrama feel. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews.
LINKS - IMDB & TRAILER
INVICTUS
INVICTUS - 2009
RATED - PG-13 for brief strong language in lockerroom/athletic setting. Some sports violence as rugby is a very physical sport.
RATINGS - 74 Amazon (4/5), 102,561 Netflix (3.8/5), 22,310 IMDB (7.5/10).
STARRING - Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Directed by Clint Eastwood.
THEMES - Justice, relationships.
AWARDS - ACADEMY & GOLDEN GLOBE nominations for Best Actor (Freeman) and Best Supporting Actor (Damon) as well as GG nominee for Best Director (Eastwood).
STORY - It's 1995 and Nelson Mandela (Freeman) has just been elected the first democratically elected black president of South Africa. Not surprisingly, his supporters see this as the ultimate opportunity for pay back to the white community for all the years of oppression. But Mandela is a different kind of leader. He believes in working hard to unite all the people and forgiving those who have harmed him and his people. Everyone assumes Mandela will replace the white leadership of the struggling national rugby team with his own. However, Mandela sees this as an opportunity to unify the country through sports. He commits himself to working with the existing white leadership and particularly the captain of the rugby team played by Matt Damon. He challenges Damon to rise to the occasion and capture the World Cup which they are hosting. He is taking a great risk with the future of his leadership. Based on the true story of Nelson Mandela and South Africa, it is part history, part leadership lesson and a moving sports drama. Highly recommend. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews.
LINKS - IMDB & TRAILER
RATED - PG-13 for brief strong language in lockerroom/athletic setting. Some sports violence as rugby is a very physical sport.
RATINGS - 74 Amazon (4/5), 102,561 Netflix (3.8/5), 22,310 IMDB (7.5/10).
STARRING - Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Directed by Clint Eastwood.
THEMES - Justice, relationships.
AWARDS - ACADEMY & GOLDEN GLOBE nominations for Best Actor (Freeman) and Best Supporting Actor (Damon) as well as GG nominee for Best Director (Eastwood).
STORY - It's 1995 and Nelson Mandela (Freeman) has just been elected the first democratically elected black president of South Africa. Not surprisingly, his supporters see this as the ultimate opportunity for pay back to the white community for all the years of oppression. But Mandela is a different kind of leader. He believes in working hard to unite all the people and forgiving those who have harmed him and his people. Everyone assumes Mandela will replace the white leadership of the struggling national rugby team with his own. However, Mandela sees this as an opportunity to unify the country through sports. He commits himself to working with the existing white leadership and particularly the captain of the rugby team played by Matt Damon. He challenges Damon to rise to the occasion and capture the World Cup which they are hosting. He is taking a great risk with the future of his leadership. Based on the true story of Nelson Mandela and South Africa, it is part history, part leadership lesson and a moving sports drama. Highly recommend. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews.
LINKS - IMDB & TRAILER
Saturday, May 29, 2010
THE VERDICT
THE VERDICT - 1982
RATED - R for language. Mostly early in the movie in onc scene a number of 'f' words. Pretty minor after that. No sex or nudity. One incident of violence where a woman is slapped across the face and shown with bloody nose.
RATINGS - 94 Amazon (5/5), 252.718 Netflix (3.8/5), 10,518 IMDB (7.7/10).
STARRING - Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, James Mason, Jack Warden.
AWARDS - Five 1983 Academy Award and four Golden Globe nominations including BEST PICTURE and BEST ACTOR.
THEMES - Justice, relationships.
STORY - The film opens with down and out attorney Frank Galvin (Newman) spending his day the way he usually does - with alcohol and playing pin ball games. A former editor of his college law review and partner in a prestigious law firm, he is now an ambulance chaser and alcoholic. A professional lapse in judgment which led to almost being disbarred and to the end of his marriage has taken its toll. A friend and former colleague, Mickey Morrissey (Warden) refers him a 'softball' case which should easily settle out of court with the insurance company for a nice fee. With only ten days before the case goes to court (Frank has forgotten) his conscience starts to bother Frank and he really believes he can go to court and win, contrary to the client's wishes and everyone else's advice. What follows is a fascinating courtroom drama as well as character study. Enough surprises and twists to keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. One of Newman's more overlooked gems. If you like legal thrillers and courtroom drama, this is a classic. Great supporting performances from Mason, Warden and Rampling.
LINKS - IMDB/TRAILER
RATED - R for language. Mostly early in the movie in onc scene a number of 'f' words. Pretty minor after that. No sex or nudity. One incident of violence where a woman is slapped across the face and shown with bloody nose.
RATINGS - 94 Amazon (5/5), 252.718 Netflix (3.8/5), 10,518 IMDB (7.7/10).
STARRING - Paul Newman, Charlotte Rampling, James Mason, Jack Warden.
AWARDS - Five 1983 Academy Award and four Golden Globe nominations including BEST PICTURE and BEST ACTOR.
THEMES - Justice, relationships.
STORY - The film opens with down and out attorney Frank Galvin (Newman) spending his day the way he usually does - with alcohol and playing pin ball games. A former editor of his college law review and partner in a prestigious law firm, he is now an ambulance chaser and alcoholic. A professional lapse in judgment which led to almost being disbarred and to the end of his marriage has taken its toll. A friend and former colleague, Mickey Morrissey (Warden) refers him a 'softball' case which should easily settle out of court with the insurance company for a nice fee. With only ten days before the case goes to court (Frank has forgotten) his conscience starts to bother Frank and he really believes he can go to court and win, contrary to the client's wishes and everyone else's advice. What follows is a fascinating courtroom drama as well as character study. Enough surprises and twists to keep you on the edge of your seat until the end. One of Newman's more overlooked gems. If you like legal thrillers and courtroom drama, this is a classic. Great supporting performances from Mason, Warden and Rampling.
LINKS - IMDB/TRAILER
THE HUSTLER
THE HUSTLER - 1961
RATED - NR but probably PG-13. Almost every scene involves alcohol and adult topics. There is no foul language, sex or nudity. There is some minor violence, mostly partially hidden or off screen.
RATINGS - 115 Amazon (4.5/5), 337,363 Netflix (4.0/5), 24,464 IMDB (8.2/10)
STARRING - Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, George Scott, Piper Laurie and Myron McCormick.
AWARDS - Nine Academy Award Nominations including BEST PICTURE, BEST ACTOR, BEST ACTRESS and two BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR. BAFTA BEST PICTURE award and several Golden Globe nominations including BEST ACTOR.
THEMES - Relationships, justice.
STORY - The film opens with a typical scene in a day of the lives of 'Fast Eddie' (Newman) and Charlie (McCormick). Another small town stop pretending to be salesman with car trouble on their way to a sales award convention so they need to spend a few hours at the local pool hall while their car is being worked on. They go into their routine to 'setup' the locals for the big hustle and at the end of the day the locals are a few hundred dollars lighter. The ultimate goal is to 'hustle' the mighty one, Minnesota Fats (Gleason) who hasn't been beaten in 15 years. The big match lasts 36 grueling hours and several bottles of booze. The cocky, swaggering Eddie has met his match but it wasn't the pool skills that did him in. Can he recover or is he the 'born loser' that Bert Gordon (Scott), the 'Fat Man's manager and professional gambler, accuses him of being? Sarah (Laurie) enters the picture and can two 'born losers' rehabilitate each other? The acting is outstanding by all five main characters and the settings in seedy bars, bus stations and pool halls genuinely gives the feeling of life in another world where day to day survival is fueled by alcohol and nicotine and petty pursuits. Can anyone pull themselves out of this environment or are they destined to be 'born losers'? Human nature at its most raw and vulnerable. One of Newman's great performances along with Gleason, Scott and Laurie. A classic!!!
LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB/TRAILER
RATED - NR but probably PG-13. Almost every scene involves alcohol and adult topics. There is no foul language, sex or nudity. There is some minor violence, mostly partially hidden or off screen.
RATINGS - 115 Amazon (4.5/5), 337,363 Netflix (4.0/5), 24,464 IMDB (8.2/10)
STARRING - Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, George Scott, Piper Laurie and Myron McCormick.
AWARDS - Nine Academy Award Nominations including BEST PICTURE, BEST ACTOR, BEST ACTRESS and two BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR. BAFTA BEST PICTURE award and several Golden Globe nominations including BEST ACTOR.
THEMES - Relationships, justice.
STORY - The film opens with a typical scene in a day of the lives of 'Fast Eddie' (Newman) and Charlie (McCormick). Another small town stop pretending to be salesman with car trouble on their way to a sales award convention so they need to spend a few hours at the local pool hall while their car is being worked on. They go into their routine to 'setup' the locals for the big hustle and at the end of the day the locals are a few hundred dollars lighter. The ultimate goal is to 'hustle' the mighty one, Minnesota Fats (Gleason) who hasn't been beaten in 15 years. The big match lasts 36 grueling hours and several bottles of booze. The cocky, swaggering Eddie has met his match but it wasn't the pool skills that did him in. Can he recover or is he the 'born loser' that Bert Gordon (Scott), the 'Fat Man's manager and professional gambler, accuses him of being? Sarah (Laurie) enters the picture and can two 'born losers' rehabilitate each other? The acting is outstanding by all five main characters and the settings in seedy bars, bus stations and pool halls genuinely gives the feeling of life in another world where day to day survival is fueled by alcohol and nicotine and petty pursuits. Can anyone pull themselves out of this environment or are they destined to be 'born losers'? Human nature at its most raw and vulnerable. One of Newman's great performances along with Gleason, Scott and Laurie. A classic!!!
LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB/TRAILER
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
THE SECRETS OF JONATHAN SPERRY
THE SECRETS OF JONATHAN SPERRY - 2008
RATED - PG for mild thematic elements. VERY family friendly.
RATINGS - 4 Amazon (5/5), 5,036 Netflix (3.7/5), 89 IMDB (6.1/10).
STARRING - Gavin MacLeod (The Love Boat) as Jonathan Sperry, Jansen Panettiere as Dustin. Directed by Rich Christiano.
THEMES - Spirituality, relationships.
STORY - First of all, I love films where faith plays an important role in the story and where it fits into the movie but is not necessarily the center of the narrative. The latter tend to come across as sermons disguised as movies or books or whatever. This film has too much of that. The only thing missing was the altar call and I don't say that to be overly critical. For being set in 1970 it still comes across as too much like Leave It To Beaver. The 'good' kids seems a little too good and the 'bad' dude seems a little too good, also. In not wanting to offend the 'church' audience they sanitize it to the point it doesn't seem real. The bullies I remember used language that offended and other gestures that conveyed less than holy thoughts. Even good kids didn't always have it together or behave appropriately all the time. While the acting is pretty decent and it has warm fuzzies, it just doesn't come across as a realistic portrayal of the way life happens even to those whose faith is a priority in their life. Is it a waste of time? No, it has its merits and there are several meaningful lessons to be considered by viewers. Many will be inspired by the message of the film. There is nothing wrong with the movie, it's just that I would love to see people of faith concentrate on developing great stories where faith fits naturally into the story instead of developing a message and trying to fit it into a movie. There is a difference and the difference is between a realisic portrayal of life and what we would like to imagine life to be like. This is a film that has a message but ultimately it will probably 'preach to the choir'.
LINKS - IMDB/TRAILER
RATED - PG for mild thematic elements. VERY family friendly.
RATINGS - 4 Amazon (5/5), 5,036 Netflix (3.7/5), 89 IMDB (6.1/10).
STARRING - Gavin MacLeod (The Love Boat) as Jonathan Sperry, Jansen Panettiere as Dustin. Directed by Rich Christiano.
THEMES - Spirituality, relationships.
STORY - First of all, I love films where faith plays an important role in the story and where it fits into the movie but is not necessarily the center of the narrative. The latter tend to come across as sermons disguised as movies or books or whatever. This film has too much of that. The only thing missing was the altar call and I don't say that to be overly critical. For being set in 1970 it still comes across as too much like Leave It To Beaver. The 'good' kids seems a little too good and the 'bad' dude seems a little too good, also. In not wanting to offend the 'church' audience they sanitize it to the point it doesn't seem real. The bullies I remember used language that offended and other gestures that conveyed less than holy thoughts. Even good kids didn't always have it together or behave appropriately all the time. While the acting is pretty decent and it has warm fuzzies, it just doesn't come across as a realistic portrayal of the way life happens even to those whose faith is a priority in their life. Is it a waste of time? No, it has its merits and there are several meaningful lessons to be considered by viewers. Many will be inspired by the message of the film. There is nothing wrong with the movie, it's just that I would love to see people of faith concentrate on developing great stories where faith fits naturally into the story instead of developing a message and trying to fit it into a movie. There is a difference and the difference is between a realisic portrayal of life and what we would like to imagine life to be like. This is a film that has a message but ultimately it will probably 'preach to the choir'.
LINKS - IMDB/TRAILER
Saturday, May 8, 2010
THE SONG OF SPARROWS
THE SONG OF SPARROWS - 2008
RATED - PG for mild language. Very family friendly.
RATINGS - 2 Amazon (4/5), 9.536 Netflix (3.5/5), 781 IMDB (7.6/10).
STARRING - Directed by Majid Majidi who also directed the Academy Award winning CHILDREN OF HEAVEN and THE COLOR OF PARADISE.
AWARDS - Six wins and two nominations at various major film festivals. The Iranian entry for Academy Award category Best Foreign Language Film.
THEMES - Relationships, spirituality.
STORY - This is the story of Karim, the rural Iranian father of a deaf teen-aged daughter and two younger children. When, at the same time, he loses his job on an Ostrich ranch and his daughter loses her hearing aid right before important school exams, he heads to Tehran on his motorbike to look for work. By accident, he becomes a motorbike taxi driver and begins to make more money than he ever dreamed of. But he also begins to change as his desire for things and his ethics collide. Having promised his wife that the first priority would be to replace their daughter's hearing aid, he finds himself tempted by the material life he now has access to. Several heart breaking incidents cause him to examine what he has become. While the story/parable may be familiar, what is special is the way Majidi presents it. The dialogue is minimal letting the non-verbal actions of the characters speak for themselves as well as the great cinematography. Unlike many (not all)American films, it does not insult your intelligence with shallow dialogue and unnecessary action. Majidi really develops the characters into believable human beings. Reza Naji is great as Karim and the children in the film are so delightful and photogenic. And if you enjoy learning about and experiencing other cultures, it is a great window into Iranian culture, in this case, both rural and urban. With most of us only getting the sound bites about Iran we hear on radio or TV, this will give an insight into the real people and culture.
LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB/TRAILER
Saturday, May 1, 2010
BASEBALL - A FILM BY KEN BURNS
BASEBALL - 1994
RATED - NR but probably G/PG for some thematic elements.
RATINGS - 179 Amazon (4.5/5), 68,259 Netflix (4.0/5), 1228 IMDB (9.2/10).
STARRING - Every well known and not so well known baseball player who has contributed to the success of the sport since its beginning.
STORY - This is Ken Burns' epic series on the history of baseball. It is 10 discs for a total of about 20 hours. You don't have to watch them all and you don't have to watch in the chronological order they were produced but once you start it is hard to stop. Even those who may consider themselves marginal baseball fans can enjoy this amazing series. Baseball is so much a part of the history of our country since it began in the 1850's - yes, that's right they played baseball during the Civil War. Sometimes it reflects our culture (racial discrimination until Jackie Robinson) and sometimes it creates culture (hundreds of leagues at all ages playing the game in the beginning). Nobody does documentaries about our life in America better than Ken Burns and he is at his best with BASEBALL. He does a great job of bringing in political and cultural influences on the sport. The sport of baseball and particularly professional baseball does not exist in a vacuum and is subject to the same outside influences as any other institution in America. And, yes, there really was some good in the 'good old days' but there was also a lot that needed fixing and you will experience both during this series. As someone who once stood countless times along the chalk baseline in a straight row with teammates and sang the National Anthem waiting to hear the umpire say 'let's play ball', I can honestly say this is a priceless story of the game of baseball. Thanks, Ken Burns, for helping all of us understand why baseball is America's pastime and so much a part of American life. And for all those whose overly efficient mothers threw out their boxes of baseball cards when they went away to college, this is for you. And for all those sisters (I know at least four) who had to watch hundreds of their brothers' games growing up, this may help you to understand why he was so passionate about the game. Enjoy!!
LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB
Sunday, March 28, 2010
UP THE YANGTZE
UP THE YANGTZE - 2007
RATED - NR but PG in other countries. Might get PG-13 rating here due to fair number of 'f' words by one of the main characters. Since he is Chinese speaking the word appears in the subtitle each time. Otherwise, very family friendly. Subtitles are only used for Chinese speaking characters, roughly half the dialogue.
RATINGS - 6 Amazon (4.5/5), 28,675 Netflix (3.5/5), 891 IMDB (7.4/10).
AWARDS - Won or was nominated for many awards at various film festivals including Sundance.
STORY - The film is a documentary primarily about a Chinese family living in the town of Fengdu on the Yangtze River. The world's largest dam project, The Three Gorges Dam, will displace about two million people who live along the river when it is completed. Is this progress or destruction? The film does not attempt to answer the question. It simply tells the story of this family and several others whose lives are affected by the new dam. Yu Shui, the 16 year old daughter, wants to be the first to go on to higher education after finishing middle school. The family, however, knows their future is changing as their home (shack really) on the river will soon be underwater when the dam is completed. That means they will have to rent somewhere and will no longer be able to grow their own food. Yu will have to go to work and earn money to go to school. The film follows this shy, young girl and another, outgoing, young man as they are hired by a luxury cruise ship on the Yangtze catering to wealthy European and North American tourists. They must both learn how to please (cater to) these visitors. Her parents also must cope with the changes happening in their lives. This is a film about real people whose lives are being changed by forces beyond their control and they must adapt to a lifestyle that is both unfamiliar and uncomfortable. The contrast between these people and the 'westernized' Chinese of the larger cities that they visit on the ship's itinerary is also portrayed. As China's economy grows and they gain access to more and more of the world's goods and services, the people, whether they want to or not, are being forced to change. The film doesn't judge the merits, it simply tells the stories. One more opportunity to get acquainted with people from this giant country that has come on to the world stage with such great force. Like it or not, we need to know as much as we can about the people we are joined with at the hip in so many ways. Enjoy. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 03/28/2010.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
CRUDE
CRUDE - 2009
RATED - NR but probably PG-13 for several uses of the 'f' word.
RATINGS - 3 Amazon (5/5), 1,700 Netflix (3.5/5), 136 IMDB (8.0/10).
THEME - Justice
AWARDS - Many awards and nominations at various film festivals.
STORY - I watched this video with high hopes after reading the reviews. It did not live up to the reviews. After all that Wall Street and other 'too big to fail' corporations have done to our country, I really wanted to see a story where a big corporation got what was coming to them for raping the environment and leaving a trail of destruction in the country where they made their fortune. While the film skillfully plays on your emotions with the editing of scenes back and forth between sick babies and sludge filled ponds and rivers where the people live, eat and drink, it is short on facts. It is clearly told from the plaintiffs point of view and that's fine (every 'objective' documentary has a story to tell) but you need to make your case. This was billed as a kind of 'legal thriller' documentary. I tried to look at it from a perspective juror's standpoint. As much as I felt emotionally for the people I don't know if I would be able to convict Chevron based on this film. It is woefully short on medical documentation connecting the dots between what Chevron did to their environment and the cancer outbreaks. There were no statistics of before and after cancer cases or how the environment contributed to the cancer. Also, it would be foolish, based on history, to think the government of Ecuador was an innocent player. Clearly, bribery and payoffs are the way business is done in third world countries, and the film did nothing to reveal the relationship between PetroEcuador and Chevron. Who in the government benefited from all this? What is their responsibility? While I have absolutely no sympathy for Chevron, they are all too easy of a target and it does not seem likely they could have pulled this off without a lot of inside help from government officials. It was also not made clear how much the plaintiff attorneys will benefit from this lawsuit. They are asking for $27 Billion. Are they doing it pro bono? If not, what is their take? As they say, 'follow the money'. Lastly, at the end of the film, they brought in a celebrity activist who contributed nothing to the overall story, just took credit for donating some water purification devices. As they used to say on Dragnet, 'just the facts, ma'am'. I wanted to really like this film but give me the facts, not just an emotional appeal for what seems to be a worthy cause. Watch it to be better informed about how multinational corporations and corrupt third world governments rape their countries and leave the citizens to live with the destruction but if you're on the jury and you vote with your head, I don't think you'll be convinced. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 02-27-2010.
Friday, January 1, 2010
CALL NORTHSIDE 777
CALL NORTHSIDE 777 - 1948
RATED - NR but probably G/PG for mature themes. Family friendly but probably not of interest for young children.
RATINGS - 39 Amazon (4.5/5), 17,476 Netflix (3.7/5), 2,393 IMDB (7.5/10).
STARRING - James Stewart, Lee J. Cobb, Helen Walker, Richard Conte.
AWARDS - 1949 EDGAR (Mystery Writers Association) for Best Motion Picture.
THEMES - Justice, relationships.
STORY - Based on a true story, this docudrama-like film is the story of how police corruption in 1930's Chicago resulted in the wrongful conviction of Frank Wiecek for killing a policeman. A newspaper reporter for the Chicago Times (Stewart) responds to a two line personal ad offering a $5000 reward (a large sum then) for information helping to overturn the verdict 11 years later. He finds a hard working, floor scrubbing woman who is the mother of Wiecek. Since his conviction she has worked and saved every penny to free her son. Stewart is initially unconvinced but writes a sympathy article to promote her cause. Little by little, things come to light that indicate there may be some truth to her beliefs. Once convinced, he is relentless in his pursuit of freeing this man he now believes to be innocent. He reaches dead end after dead end but, finally, with time running out, he finds what he's looking for. Will it be enough and will it be in time? In addition to a very interesting story (and great acting by Stewart, etc) much of the film is shot on location in and around Chicago. Definitely an overlooked gem of Jimmy Stewart's great career. If you like law & order and courtroom dramas you will enjoy this. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 01/01/2010.
LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, WIKIPEDIA.
THE PISTOL
THE PISTOL - 1991
RATED - G - Very family friendly. Should be very interesting for Junior High and Senior High athletes, both boys and girls. Great film for coaches to show their teams.
RATINGS - 10 Amazon (4.5/5), 11,067 Netflix (3.7/5), 357 IMDB (7.1/10).
THEMES - Relationships, perseverance, racial issues.
STORY - Pete Maravich is the greatest scorer in the history of NCAA basketball. Think about it. This is a record that has stood for 40 years AND he did it before the three point rule (he was a guard with many of his shots outside today's three point boundary) AND freshman were not eligible when he played so he did it in three years. He averaged 44 points (charts show it would have been an incredible 57 with the three point rule) per game for three seasons. He also went on to become one of the all time great NBA players and was the youngest ever selected for the Hall of Fame. He was also a pioneer of the free wheeling style of basketball that dominates today. Behind the back passes and between the legs dribbling were unheard of in the white dominated basketball culture. Much more common in the segregated black teams and leagues, it was considered show-boating and hot-dogging in the white culture at that time. But Pete had a Dad, Press Maravich (a great player & coach in his own right), who was also a visionary and saw this as the future of basketball. This film is the story of how a father passed on his dream and vision to his talented and determined son at an early age. The film primarily covers Pete's eighth grade basketball, a coming of age experience, for this young man, both socially and athletically. Too good for his age and not politically correct to beat out the coach's son, he sits on the bench for a good part of the season until an injury puts him in the starting lineup. Basketball would never be the same again. While not a big budget film, nevertheless, it is a very satisfying story of this incredible athlete in this particular stage of his career. Adam Guier, who plays the eighth grade Pete, is no slouch as a basketball talent and makes the basketball scenes very real. Get the family or your team together for a fun and inspiring experience. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 01/01/2010.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
