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Reviews
Under sandet (2015)
"They are just boys, who cry out for thier Mama"
Such a breathtaking film of 14 boys who had to endure the tragedies of a post war hostilities. Set to do a job in which most of them know won't finish they get up every morning and go out with hope that they will survive another day. The writer/director weaves a beautiful story and you are captured halfway through the movie and pulling for the boys to survive. The Captain who hated the Germans as depicted in the opening scene ends up stealing the movie as he becomes as emotionally involved as we , the movie goer. Just brilliantly written and filmed along with the soundtrack it just builds and builds till the crescendo. Not as much of a war story as a triumph of the human heart !
Eight Men Out (1988)
Was actually in this movie
Was so lucky to be a part of this film. I appeared as featured extra in this film in the scenes filmed at Bush stadium in Indy which was made into a an exact replica of the Whitesox home park. Was in college and had my SAG card and got a call from my agency saying they need some extras for featured roles in crowd. Being a baseball player all the way through college and a huge fan of the game it was a no braineer. Spent several days at the park shooting long days. Watching Sheen, Cusack, Sweeney and the cast do thier craft up close and personal gave me a greater respect for what they do. Making a film is hard work and a grind, long days and very tedious. Got to meet and talk to a lot of the cast during breaks and lunch's. Sweeney and Sheen were especially gracious and wonderful to the extras working along side of them. The director was very detailed in wanting to ensure he got the baseball scenes right and filmed the action scenes over and over until he thought the were good enough. Some of the actors never played the game but spent alot of time mastering the nuances of the game and it comes through in the baseball scenes. Only appeared in 2 films in my life "Hoosiers" and this one which are still 2 of the best sports movies ever made. Great experience I will never forget!
Born a Champion (2021)
Laughed, Cried, Cheered!!!!
Not just a fight movie but much much more. What a story written by Sean Patrick Flannery, the lead actor. I didn't know he is a jujitsu instructor and practices the art everyday since a young child. This makes the fighting and training very real and top level. But the film was much more than that. The wonderful development of the relationship with his best friend and his wife and son put the film In a different category. It's is heart wrenching at times but exhilarating in others. I was expecting a good movie based on the reviews but was not expecting this. One of the best movies I've seen not just this year but in awhile. Not just a guy film but one that everyone can enjoy as it is multidimensional. Watch it it will be one the best 2 hours you have spent in awhile!!!!
The Dry (2020)
Great storytelling is a lost art!
Having lived their for 2 years I know Aussies are great storytellers but this one blew me away. So well constructed the cut backs to the lead characters youth throughout which weaved the story and created it's own narrative. It's a brilliant way to tell a story and it is so well done. It takes you on several twists and turns and just when you think you have figured it out it pulls you in a different direction. I haven't seen a movie that impacted me this way in a long time! So simple in its construct but so beautiful in the development of it characters. You need to watch it that is all I can say! It will stay with you for a long time!
Momentum Generation (2018)
Moving, Mesmerizing, Beautiful!
Was lucky enough to grow up in California and lived 2 years in Australia where I feel in love with surfing. Surfing is a beautiful, soulful experience more than any other sport I've played and this film captures this. But most of all it tells a wonderful story of a once in a generation group of guys who came together in their teens and changed surfing and became the best in the world. Most of it all it tells the story of friendship and how surfing saved them all from the broken life that could have befallen them if they didn't find this wonderful sport. Wonderful documentary for everyone ur regardless if you know anything about the sport. Watch it today!
Animal Kingdom (2010)
A Classic film not many have seen!!!
Having lived in Australia for a few years I came to love thier films, music and culture but this film was one of the best I have ever seen and blew me away! . A true classic gangster mafia story and all the darkness that torments a family that lives in the underworld of crime. But of all the movies made in this genre this one has a heart and flow to like none other. Some of the best Aussie actors in the last 10 years give incredible performances. Mendleson is amazing as the tormented Pope and gives you chills several times throughout the movie. Guy Pierce who many remember from LA Confidential plays a great role as the detective trying to take down the family and Edgerton who everyone knows know from his big roles in US pictures plays a great but albeit brief role as one of the brothers. This is gritty updated version of The Godfather which many people haven't seen but should. Many people know the series from TNT called by the same name which is based on this movie but is not nearly as good. It's a shame not a lot of people haven't seen this but make sure you aren't one of them, watch it today!
Warrior (2011)
Bond of Brothers!
If you grew up with siblings and understand how deep the love of your brother or sister is than you'll love this movie! Like Rocky this is not just an underdog fight movie but a love story. Except this is about the love of two brothers and how in the end that blood runs deeper than all else! Hardy gives one his earliest best performances that you have seen since then in Mad Max, Dark Knight and Dunkirk. He is amazing with his stoic dark expressions and you can read his pain and torment without him saying a word. Edgerton and Nolte give strong performances that tells how even through deep dysfunction family love conquers in the end. The fight scenes are real and gritty filmed amazingly up close so you feel like your in the ring. The triumph is in the story and the characters that you feel for and are jumping out of your seat for as you root for them to conquer their openents which are hate, fear, and self worth. This movie does not feel like it's 2.5 hour running time as similar films of the same length. Well worth the watch and will leave you feeling exhilarated.
Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017)
Do you want to remember your childhood again.....
Than watch this film. Absolutely an amazing movie that will call to the child in all of us. Whether you have fond memories of Winnie the Pooh or not you will relate to how the director makes you feel back when you were a child. . Tillston does an wonderful job capturing your mind and soul as the young Christopher Robin, so much so that you want to protect him from what comes next as he grows up. The story captures the imagination and wonder that we all had when growing up before the world became so synical and cruel. For those who love the original books you will be transported by simple images that the writer created like Christopher dangling Pooh by one hand as we walks down the path. I haven't been this moved by a picture in a long time watch it today, you won't regret it!