Leib Moshe

I disagree with all the positive reviews. This is a boring documentary about a garden variety creep. Save yourself 2 hours and read the synopsis in 5 minutes on Wikipedia.

This movie proves that the pivotal moment in film history has finally occured where video games have characters and acting better than the movie version. Uncharted, Red Dead Redemption 2, The Last of Us, etc...have better stories and characters than most films today.

I was a kid in the 70s and a teenager in the 80s. George Clooney got the 70s props, wardrobe, and music pretty accurate. But he completely botched the 80s. Everything is anachronistic (the clothes, cars music, typewriters, hair styles, etc...) are 70s not 80s. I was there so I know. Clooney and Affleck were there too, so they should have known better. No excuse. Ruins the realism.

The Dry is set in the dry and flat region of Wimmera in Australia. The plot matches the setting (dry and flat). Eric Bana plays a cop who returns to his smalltown home for a funeral. He stays to assist local law enforcement in a murder investigation and solve the 20 year old death of his girlfriend that has haunted him. I found the movie and plot to be slow, too long, and lacking excitement. However, Bana and his supporting actors did give excellent performances.

On it's surface, this film appears to be a simple popcorn and big screen worthy monster battle. But Godzilla and King Kong originated as metaphors for nuclear war and environmental destruction. In this context, I believe Godzilla vs Kong symbolizes and foreshadows an impending WWIII featuring China and the United States with jet fighters, navy destroyers, and whole cities being reduced to rubble. But in a hopeful ending, the two unite to confront a greater enemy threatening humankind...the catastrophic effects of climate change symbolized here by a man-made monster. This possible intriguing symbolism redeems an otherwise subpar plot. A few high profile actors validate the movie somewhat with compent performances, but the supporting actors delivered cliché and unconvincing characters. However, the CGI and film sets were amazing. It's a little long and tedious, but the potential for analysis makes it a worthy watch.

Anthony Hopkins plays an elderly man trapped in a senility induced delusion. This unique film explores dementia and it's impact on one's sense of time, sense of surroundings, and sense of self and others. Hopkins delivers an Oscar level performance with this challenging role. His co-stars are also exceptional. Small, subtle, and almost imperceptible changes are frequently made to the movie's set to make the audience question their own sanity and share in Anthony's warped sense of reality. This a an excellent and elucidating film that promotes understanding and compassion for this sad condition many elderly endure.

Penguin Bloom is a touching human story based upon the true life events of a woman who becomes accidentally paralized. In the midst of her anguish, she finds some solace in her bond with a wild magpie as she rebuilds her life. Watts gives a powerful performance that may be one of her best and most challenging roles yet. The supporting actors are all great as well. The setting is filled with natural beauty, the musical score is perfectly suited and synced with every scene, and there is an abundance of obvious symbolic cinematography. This is a must see film that will leave you a bit choked up and inspired.

A group of Russian millenials are trapped in a cable car high up in the wintery Ural mountains. The version I watched was in a laughable English voice-over. An authentic Russian version may have done the movie more justice, but I couldn't find one. The plot is a generic survival terror/thriller seen many times before in other variations. The interactions of the main characters were incongruent with their supposed interrelationships. Also, the acting was not memorable, but may have come across better in it's native Russian. On a more positive note, the set and special effects were realistic and convincing. Overall, the movie was of middling entertainment value with a lackluster ending.

This is a somewhat unique and entertaining psychological horror. A man declared brain dead is reanimated by a mad scientist, only to realize he is not quite himself. The plot is intriguing and has a little turn that is not entirely surprising. All the acting is competent, but Phylicia Rashād does not suit these villainous roles since being typecast as a wholesome 80s soccer mom on The Cosby Show. Some of the special effects are well done, but others are a little hokey. The very ending is weak and silly, but I find this to be a common occurrence with too many films nowadays. Despite it's flaws, the movie is a fun watch for just over an hour and a half of your hard earned time.

The Mauritanian is based on the true story of Mohamedou Salahi who was held in the highly controversial Guantanamo Bay prison for suspected terrorism. The film brings to light the appalling violations of fundamental Constitutional legal rights endured by many at the hands of the U.S. government. The movie sets bring to life a very realistic looking prison and courtroom. Tahar Rahim's performance and portayal of Salahi is deserving of at least an Academy Award nomination. Jody Foster also delivers a convincing lawyer championing human rights. I didn't feel Cumberbatch was the ideal actor to portray a U.S. military Colonel, but I applaud his effort and the American accent he mastered. This film is important for all to see for educational purposes and to hold government accountable in the eyes of the demos.