norpatrinidad Reviews

How to Fake a War (2019)

Scary

[8/10 · 5 January 2021]

I loved this movie. The scary part is that it is both totally unreal and totally possible. Fake news at its best.

Hot Air (2018)

Liked it very much

[9/10 · 20 December 2020]

Reviews are so weird. I learned a long time ago that if a movie had ratings that were split 8 to 10s and 1 to 3s that it was a good movie to check out if it fit your mind set or mood. This is a classic example. I'm a 8 to 10er. I cried at the end which I thought was very well done but Im not telling. I thought Taylor Russel was excellent. I don't care if it felt like a real radio show. Its all a stage. And at the end of the day Im glad I watched it. But don't take it from me. A conservative would probably not enjoy it though it's pretty spot on.

Euphoria (I) (2017)

Brilliant

[10/10 · 20 December 2020]

This was one of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. And no I'm not writing this glowing review cause I'm Alicia's boyfriend (though I would love to be). Unfortunately I'm 70 with terminal cancer and in Hospice. I think that might be a key to understanding this movie. I too thought about doing what they do but came to the same conclusion as Alicia. So I didn't. And life is good.

Gemini (II) (2017)

Interesting but yes a bit of a let down

[5/10 · 15 December 2020]

It kept me wanting to see who done it but thats about it. Its not that the ending is bad, just that it could've gone many different ways. But still not bad.

Braking for Whales (2019)

Much better than the ratings

[8/10 · 14 December 2020]

Was glad to see all the positive comments from user reviews, after seeing it only has a 4.9 rating. This was to me an excellent little picture. I especially liked the acting of the lead sister 'Star'. She couldn't be better named because she is definitely headed in that direction.

Nothing special, just an enjoyable romp down the road of life.

Fast Color (2018)

Outstanding

[10/10 · 23 November 2020]

What a great little movie. As everyone points out, it is the slowest of burns but it all makes sense at the end. The acting was superb, especially Lorraine Toussaint, the grandmother. I love slow movies that give this old brain time to think it out as long as the acting going on is good, and this one was that and more. And to think it had the barest of storylines. Just your basic 'Mom has a gift and she passed it on to me'. Cool gift too.

This I guess would be called a Sundance indie flick, if you need to put descriptors on it. The musical score was definitely Sundance. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to someone I thought would like this kind of flick but it's definitely not for everyone.

Money (2016)

Good movie

[9/10 · 13 October 2020]

I have noticed through the years that if a movie like this one spawns half super positive reviews and the other half 'this sucks' reviews then it's usually a good movie. Don't know why. Plus it's the first movie in awhile that I've seen that doesn't have a puke scene. (Why do so many movies have to have a puke scene?).

The acting was excellent except for Mark (Kellan Lutz). Way to staid for his role. No emotional impact. Loved Lucía Guerrero. She is an up and comer.

It's definitely not for everybody. Very methodical. But I'm glad I saw it. I was in the mood for a slow burn thriller and it worked.

Apple Seed (2019)

Fascinating Journey Into the Hearts of Two Men

[10/10 · 5 September 2020]

I only do reviews of movies that move me in a profound way, which means few and far between. One of the reasons is I don't like recommending things period. Who am I to say what someone will like and how they should spend their time. This world is full of a billion different kinds of people and I barely understand myself let alone the rest of the world.

That being said, certain movies strike me in a way that I feel I should at the very least try to point out that a brilliant movie exists. Just in case. This is one such movie, one that assuredly not everyone will like, but for those who do enjoy movies like this, I pray you are as moved as I.

It's basically a slow, beautifully shot, brilliantly acted story about two men 40 years apart who bond in a most beautiful way. But it's so much more than that. In fact, it's not a great movie, but a testament to life, and all the things that we could learn if we only opened the door.

The chemistry between Howard and Worth seems like a long time friendship. I don't know if it is (or was in this case. May you find great happiness Rance) but the warmth is there. And since Michael wrote and directed, his dialogue is truly him.

I cried, I laughed and most of all was plugged in to the entire movie. If it were to ask me "ya feel me man" I would instantly say "yeah....I feel ya".

The Hustle (I) (2019)

Didn't want to but glad I watched the whole thing

[7/10 · 5 August 2020]

I wanted to turn this movie off so many times. Critics hated it, not many fans, and I kept thinking 'why the hell am I watching this POS'. But evey time I was getting ready to switch to something else Rebel did something that cracked me up. Mostly it's her looks and body language, though a couple of lines sparkled too. I like Anne too, always have cause she takes alot of risks, and in this flick she did an excellent job of not making much of an impression which Im sure was written into the script.

Can't remember if I've seen Rebel before, she looks very familiar. I'm gonna check out what she's done and yes, Im glad I watched the whole thing.

E.M.P.: 333 Days (2018)

Good till the ending

[7/10 · 4 May 2020]

The only reason I watched this movie was because of the limited budget. Having dabbled in video I wanted to see what someone could come up with for such a small budget. I was very impressed. It's a slow story but the point is to feel the difference in a non electrical world and that was accomplished. In fact I would have scored it higher except for the ending. I would redue the last 20 minutes completely.

Smoke & Mirrors (2016)

Intrigue at it's Best

[10/10 · 10 March 2020]

This is a fascinating portrayal of Paesa, possibly one, if not the most, intriguing people on this planet. The story is told through his bodyguard and the acting and storyline are perfect. I love hitting the ten button.

100 Meters (2016)

What a Beautiful Movie

[10/10 · 9 March 2020]

I can't believe I never heard of this flick. I love true stories of people fighting against all odds to rise from the ashes, but this baby is in a league of it's own. Absolutely brilliant story, acting, cinematography, locations. This is poetry put to film. And the fact that it's a true story makes it even better.

I especially liked the scenes of the dad and Noelia coming together, walking on the beach (albeit with a metal detector), dancing in the moonlight, that's how you do romantic scenes.

And I totally agree with the other reviewers who say this movie would have been butchered by Disney or any other Hollywood zombie producer.

Why this didn't win an oscar for best foreign film is beyond me.

Horse Girl (I) (2020)

A modern Juliet of the Spirits

[8/10 · 6 March 2020]

This film captivated me, even though there was one time in the middle when I really didn't want to go any further. It was getting too much. I'm glad I stuck with it cause it ended much better than I thought it was going to end. I didn't know anything about the flick except it dealt with mental health issues, and I thought it was heading for a Hitchcock type of ending, but instead it ended beautifully in Fellini style.

Brie was phenomenal. I also really liked Debby Ryans even though she was barely in it. I've seen her in a couple of things and I have a feeling that if ever given the chance she could end up with an oscar.

Life as We Know It (2010)

Fun and loving

[8/10 · 6 March 2020]

I don't care what the critics say, I liked it alot. Had it been made in the 40s it would have had Bogart and Bacall in it. But I'm a sucker for the 'stuck together, can't stand each other, I think we're falling in love' kinda thing. It's probably the best way to start a relationship that will last. Plus there's good chemistry between Heigl and Duhamel. The supporting cast is a bit of a weak spot. Some great, some good, some not so good.

All and all I enjoyed it from beginning to end.

Tallulah (2016)

Ellen Page rocks

[9/10 · 5 March 2020]

I've always been a fan of Ellen Page, seen most of her films, but this one I liked the most. She nails the role of a lost drifter turned child protective services perfectly. The movie held my interest throughout, everybody in it did an excellent job and I would have given it a 10 except for the ending. They had a perfect ending with Page looking out the car window and then added the last thing which didn't really make any sense.

The Tribes of Palos Verdes (2017)

Well done

[9/10 · 25 February 2020]

I don't know how I got sucked into this cause I don't like dysfunctional family dramas. I am really glad I watched this one. Not sure what it was the captivated me. Acting was good. JG as the housewife on her 19th nervous breakdown was excellent, story line was nothing new, but something about this flick cut into my heart. Having been a surfer in my younger days might explain some of it, but there was a gritty realism to this movie that made the storyline and acting come alive. Even though she wasn't in it much, Alicia Silverstone did an excellent job letting you know that the dad's new flame may be another looney.

I wanted to give it a ten, but it wasn't quite that good. Just really emotional.

Virgin River (2019– )

WTF

[2/10 · 25 February 2020]

This is supposed to be in Humboldt County. But it's British Columbia. And pot camps. You've got to be kidding. There are no pot camps in California. The are thousands of grow sites, but no one grows communally as portrayed in this joke of a series. If you're gonna try and portray an image of an area, at least make it somewhat believable.

Two Lovers and a Bear (2016)

Interesting

[7/10 · 23 February 2020]

This movie has a strange after effect, but I don't want to do spoilers so suffice it to say that I'm glad I saw it. I'm a huge fan of the movie The Snow Walker, and if you liked that then you might like this one too, though this movie is not in Snow Walker's league. The acting is excellent but the story line I didn't buy as I find it hard to believe someone would set out on such a perilous journey in wintertime. However, if they did this movie does a good job of conveying the beauty and desolation they might go through.

Mr. Right (I) (2015)

Not too bad

[7/10 · 19 February 2020]

It's your basic theme of hitmen and killers can actually be cuddly and loving people once you get to know them, and they do an ok job with it, but nothing close to classics like "Leon, The Professional". The only reason I gave it a 7 was for Kendricks role. She is so good at playing the innocent young woman with a nasty bravado streak inside waiting to come out I couldn't help but love it.

Vantage Point (2008)

break it up

[9/10 · 18 February 2020]

After watching half this movie and turning it off because like the critics I couldn't stand the constant going back to the beginning, the next night out of boredom I thought I'd watch the rest, and I ended up enjoying the flick immensely. I think the best way to watch this one is in 3 half hour segments over three nights. I know that sounds weird but a) the returning to the beginning won't bother you as much and b) theres enough car chase, explosion, shooting action in this one to last a lifetime.

Fake (II) (2011)

which is better, the fake or original

[8/10 · 6 February 2020]

Good depiction of the world of art forgery. I worked managing artists for many years, and one in particular did restoration and replicas for numerous museums. Though not a forger themselves, they knew the business and described it pretty much as the movie shows. The former head of the Met estimated that up to 50% of the world's famous paintings are fake.

Acting was excellent, especially liked Thorton as the drunk art dealer and Stevens as the FBI agent. The ending was the only thing that didn't totally work for me. It could have been sussed out more, but it was all and all an enjoyable movie that I'm glad to have watched.

Ask Me Anything (2014)

Brilliant

[9/10 · 17 October 2019]

I love well done teen angst movies. Even though I'm 69 I feel 20 inside and can relate to much of what is called teen angst still to this day.

However, this movie is something different all together. Reviewers have said the basic plot, the great acting of Britt, (and I mean great acting) and the confusion of the ending. But to me the ending was what the movie was all about.

I went into this thinking like others it would be a rather light hearted teen angst comedy. And that's what it mostly was. Except it wasn't. First, as others have pointed out, Britt brought a gritty realism to the role that was really refreshing. Superb acting for me.

But more importantly, through the whole movie I felt this edgier, almost spooky context under the surface. For some reason I expected something bad to happen, like when she went to see Sheen, a sex offender, and he locks the door. Or when kissing Slater on his birthday I expected the wife who was in another room to walk in. A strange tension was simmering underneath the movie and it was intriguing me. And when it got near the end and it looked like a fluff ending in the works I still felt the tension. And then the real ending, and all of a sudden it all made sense. Kinda like a dream within a dream.

Absolutely brilliant.