simonize850 Reviews

Padre Pio (II) (2022)

Exceeded my expectations

[3/10 · 22 December 2023]

Having read a number of reviews on this site i was not expecting much. Sadly this film by a director who once stormed the trenches was so disappointing I frequently lost my concentration.

The way Padre Pio is introduced the viewer can be misled into believing he was a novice. And his rants about all the women in his life reinforced that. If you read about his life he was involved in church affairs from a very early age.

The clash between the ruling clasd and the working class is undermined by many of the actors' wretched speaking voices. I would have preferred Italian actors speakibg in a tegional dislevt, and the use of subtitles.

The filmmaker seems to show the Padre's battles with various demons, the first instance minutes into thevfilm. Surely his calling, his strength, the reason for his lofty reputation should reflect his work defending and comforting the oppressed.

Only at the film's conclusion do we learn the infamous massacre took place in 1920.

I'm lucky because I'm.sure i have the earlier Italian TV series on No Shame.

The Wandering Earth II (2023)

I choose hope

[8/10 · 8 February 2023]

I saw this film last night with perhaps twenty others. Most of the audience were young and female. And Mandarin speaking.

My province in Canada - British Columbia - has a large Asian community but this mainland China blockbuster is only being shown in two cities, Vancouver and Victoria.

Pity.

In some ways the film's story surprised me: there is a mission, the mission seems largely Chinese led, but the success of this mission depends entirely on the cooperation of thirty three nations.

We dive in quickly with the arrival of 1138 new recruits who are blasted into space at 9 Gs. We are introduced to key characters who will have a role to play over the next three hours, amd thirty years.

Their mission is almost stillborn because of a successful, well organized and coordinated terrorist attack by 'terrorists' of DIGITAL LIFE. This group strongly disagrees with the coalition to build massive engines to move the earth away from the advancing sun predicted by science to hit Earth in one hundred years.

The balance of the film focuses on efforts to build those engines; preserve space elevators; move or blow up the moon. Obstacles at every point.

I grew irritated by on screen announcements of events that would unfold: in years, months, hours, minutes...

I appreciated how Sfx were used to show the great strides science could implement especially the supercomputer 550 and its successors.

I was able to sort out the leading players: two Chinese officials, a Russian and an American in a futuristic UN; two key Chinese scientists- hello ANDY LAU who looked impossibly young in the scenes with his AI daughter, and a handful of pilots who bond despite their nations' politics.

Indeed the closest I came to shredding a tear came late with said pilots 'volunteered' on essentially asus ice mission.

Did anyone else feel key characters were killed off, only to. Resurrected?

This film should challenge you: it should make you sad; you may feel you are helpless against what fate Mankind is maki f for itself.

If a significant part of the world's population questioned the existence of COVID, a significant number of people believe an election was stolen, I am relieved this film ends with "I choose hope".

Seaside Hotel: Fatale følger (2014) Season 1, Episode 3

Mauritanian Stiller ... another dead parrot

[8/10 · 31 October 2022]

This is a delightful series full of whimsy exploring the strengths and the follies of staff and guests. One of the men is truly despicable ready to sell his factory so he can set up with a young new mistress. Kitty Hansen admits she's a terrible taste in me, and does her best to dissuade Mr Frigh.

Kitty explains the great film director MAURITZ STILLER was so impressed by her role in one film he had forwarded her a ticket/passage to America.

Did no one fact check; STILLER died in 1928.

I enjoy the two reluctant lovers Mrs. ... and her stage actor/piano player whose time looking after her son Severin leads to reflect on his own lonely childhood.

There are two sisters - the spiny one is quite attractive reminding me of severalEnglis actresses: Lesley Manville, Charlotte Rampling, Francesca Annis - a subtle sensual nature almost hidden to nothing.

Rocco Schiavone: Ah l'amore, l'amore (2021) Season 4, Episode 2

Love actually

[9/10 · 8 September 2022]

I'll begin by stating this final episode does not tie up a number of loose ends. Did Covid impact production. Did the author tire of his creation?

Rocco spends much of the time hospitalized but is driven to help the hospital avoid a costly law suit.

We see a lot more of Ugo Casele, and Antonio; we will shake our collective head at the choices one member of the team will take. Love or its facsimile hits two or three couples. There's even closure for the boys from Rome. Rocco becomes a little less irritating because he owes his faults.

Were there a fifth novel or a season 5 I would welcome the arrival.

Cheers!

Rocco Schiavone: Rien ne va plus (2021) Season 4, Episode 1

Rein na va plus

[9/10 · 8 September 2022]

"No more bets" is the anglicized version.

Two days ndividual, one a colleague, the other an absent mother fall prey to 'ludopathy".

One episode has a good amounts not of comedy, which is very welcome. Otherwise these are dark stories, Enough cussing and swearing that' it explains why you either buy the media or stream it.

I enjoyed he occasional analysis Rocco displays when he meets new potential susp CT's. He describes the person as a species of animal term in Latin. Of course the one person Rocco opens up to, he young once annoying neighbour Gabrielle, struggles with Latin. Here in Canada I studied Latin: there were only 3 of us in a school.

Brizio, Furio, Sebastiano - thet look up to Rocco, but argue, he will always be a cop.

Italian films for a long time have to xplored the line between the law and the lawless and conspiracies and cover ups aren't new either.

The conceit of Rocco's dialogue with his dead wife is not novel or original. The best example I can think of was the detective Craven and his daughter,Emmanuel the 1986;BBC mini series EDGE OF DARKNESS.

Rocco Schiavone: L'accattone (2019) Season 3, Episode 2

Referencing the Pier Paolo Pasolini classic film L'ACCATONE

[9/10 · 8 September 2022]

This two part story has been translated as "The tramp". That title isn't enough as Pasolini's film centred upon the dire circumstances of poverty.

The first story of season 3 reveals the murdered priest lived a truly wretched existence and ended his life in abject loneliness. Here Rocco and his team investigate the death of a homeless person in enter months. If you have seen this series with its beautiful outdoors, and attractive housing it comes as a shock that others are living at the bottom of the spectrum.

It may come as a surprise that Rocco can show sympathy fo those fortunate while often being needlessly cruel to colleagues who would benefit from his encouragement or simple acknowledgment (eg. Use first names). He continually challenges his superiors whose support he nfs; he is certainly not a. E lying to them.

The three men he three friends from Rome are hard men harder than the criminals Rocco come up against.

It's refreshing to view how Rocco concludes this case.

It needs to be said, viewers should read the four books that make up the series. Especially as Manzini's scripts for the television series take very different directions.

Rocco Schiavone: La vita va avanti (2019) Season 3, Episode 1

Instant gratication

[8/10 · 7 September 2022]

It seems many rely on streaming to view this series.

I wish more people who buy the physical product, whether it beg the DVD or infinitely better blu ray edition.

That said, I binged on he final seasons, 3 and 4. Courtesy of my local library who have exhibited the ability to stock our shelves with a wide range of prod t, together with excellent service.

The Kino Lorber discs calls the two opening episodes "Life goes on" (49:40 and 56:04). The story is centred on the mysterious death of a solitary priest with a past. One of the key cast members of the first two seasons is gone: if you have seen those episodes you will know he individual and the circumstances.

I like the cast beginning with Rocco's immediate superior the prosecutor and above him the commissioner. I never understood how a female journalist could have been married to the latter: he seems old nough to be his father.

Then there is Italo, the lieutenant who had also pined for a colleague before losing her to his boss; Antonio who proves himself a dark horse and a ladies' man; Ugo Caselli the middle aged cop who doesn't deserve Rocco's barbs, plus a Laurel and Hardy duo who for guru on Rocco's ball buster list.

The series get better or at least makes changes. A nice surprise centres on the medical nvestigator and the head of forensics.

My Name Is Pecos (1966)

The Arrow blu ray box set VENGEANCE TRAILs is the best way of viewing this little known western

[7/10 · 2 January 2022]

The print is clean and clear, with abundant detail. Compared to other DVD and blu ray editions.

There is an Italian language option with English subtitles

The only usual cast adds to this film's appeal: at least five of the eight principal villains have interesting pedigrees (eg. Pier Paolo Capponi; Peter Carsten; MassimoRighi aka Max Dean), and George Eastman), but let's not forget Umberto Raho, best remembered as the ill fated husband in "The bird with the crystal plumage". He is memorable as the vulture like undertaker in this 1966 western. Fans of the spaghetti western genre will surely recognize Sal Borghese, who was featured in all three Sabata films if I remember correctly.

The woman working in the saloon must surely be one of the most beautiful to appear in a spaghetti western.

By today's standards the film is slow going and seems an uncomfortable mix of traditional Hollywood efforts and the newer Euro mix but it is definitely entertaining. You can see why Pecos the Mexican upstart appealed to Third World audiences. Perhaps if Tomas Milian had played the role, the film. Isn't have found a wider North American/cult audience.

There is a part 2 - with infinitely more humour.

Thanks for reading.

La Cacería: Las Niñas de Alto Hospicio (2018– )

A review of this series will be arriving, once I have all eight episodes

[6/10 · 27 October 2021]

This series is being shown on Knowledge Network. Public television, reliant on viewer contribution, and clearly falling short because viewers will not commit when they feel Entitled. So many other streaming servers and zRoku style devices out there. That said, Knowledge has brought in several decidedly non-mainstream series set in Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.

I would Knowledge to bring in MONTALBANO; redundant as our local library system boasts all 34 episodes.

How about the HUNKELER series? My PAL DVDs are 16x9 but German only.

Thanks for reading. Support your public radio and television services, financially, if possible.

Murdoch Mysteries: Love or Money (2021) Season 15, Episode 5

Who is the actress playing Aunty Zinnia Hobson?

[9/10 · 23 October 2021]

She is Debra McGrath - not relatively to fellow Canadian actor, Doug - born in 1954 and married to Colin Mochrie.

Ms McGrath is over the top in this episode and she drags along the rest of the cast from the police station. All of them - they all shine and must have enjoyed jamming and hamming it up, shamelessly.

George drags Effie out of her funk; Julia continues to antagonize the medical community. All the while the tale of a handsome murdered gigolo gives the writers the opportunity to reformat THE STING.

Coincidently Helene Joy celebrated her 43rd birthday this week. I can't understand why the producers insist on making drab even drowsy. Women can be both educated and professional, compassionate and strong willed. Her gallery here on IMDB will witness another side to her.

Lastly what a pain with the APP and log in and seeing and hearing security questions.

Thanks for reading.

At least CBC has this series as an export item. Too bad.certain destinations change the title as they did with ORDE; LEWIS (cannot remember what they tried with ENDEAVOUR... or they would have removed the 'u'.

A footnote: My 4K Cinema Paradiso has both US and UK subtitles for this classic Italian language gem!

Peninsula (2020)

A lot of valid criticism in the reviews I have read

[6/10 · 8 August 2020]

I was one of three patrons of a local theatre showing this film, which opened yesterday, Friday, August 7. Plot wise the story contunues to highlight family, in this instance a captain and the brother in law he is estranged from, and a second anchored by an aging grandfather who could easily been dismissed as senile, his very strong daughter and her two girls. Throw in HK gangsters and a dishounored former military unit doing its best to survive in Inchon. Shake and stir. The action is non stop, which actually distracts from the adversaries' character development and any actual suspense or mystery. Everyone is too well armed, quite the contrary to TRAIN TO BUSAN which was pared down to just the necessary. Its characters served a purpose that propellled the story along, and those characters were of interest, so their demise was felt. I did not know the lead actor, though I have seen enough Korean films. I would not place to much blame on his shoulders. If i wanted to see a Mad Max clone, I wouldn't, I would watch the originals.

Nessun Dorma (2016)

Some questions I have were never answered

[5/10 · 23 November 2017]

Note: I watched this film on OMNI TV, a multicultural station in Vancouver, in a two hour time spot, where, given the film's 86-88 minute running time, there were commercials aplenty.

Mr Yau has a reputation as a filmmaker, as does Wong Jing: I think he's considered somewhat better. We are introduced to two of the three principles as the film begins with a performance of Puccini's TURANDOT. Their response to the aria "Nessun dorma" is so different, one is meant to wonder, why are they together, and then of course, why are they engaged? Though the wedding is upcoming, the fiancé takes off after the performance, to pursue his usual circle of partygoing girls.

We can only guess that she is trying to break loose of her controlling mother, but it's obvious her fiancé is not going to be any less controlling.

Somewhere along the way we meet the third element in this triangle. He's very different, but as we find out, equally controlling in his own way.

My question is, how did the Janice Man character Jasmine meet her fiancé Vincent in the first place, as her work in a dog shelter staffed largely by volunteers suggests someone very likely to meet Vincent, a villain if there ever was.

I rather liked the solution given us about childhood friendships being key to motivating this tale of revenge, but the manner in which it is sprung on the audience, is unsatisfying.

I feel there was better film possible given the story and its main characters; a better script and delivery would have helped.

Dot 2 Dot (2014)

Dot 2 Dot - a film about 2 outsiders in present day Hong Kong

[7/10 · 22 November 2017]

Dim dui dim aka Dot 2 Dot is a quiet intimate look at the lives of two outsiders - one from mainland China, and the other, has lived much of his life in Canada. He is highly educated and possesses an enviable work record; and he is handsome, and so he quickly catches the eye of one of his staff. She is a language teacher but as her principal notes, never smiles, at least in her classes, nor does she mix socially with the staff.

Their lives become intertwined as she begins to research and ultimately solve the dot diagrams that he created before leaving HK. As such the film took me places I knew - subway stations, various districts - came to see in a new light.

The script fleshes out some of the supporting characters, who make a good impression, and I got myself geared up to see what Round 3 would bring about.

A very attractive couple, but lacking in old fashioned social skills, though we come to understand why She is so insular, and why He lives in the past.

I saw this film on a Vancouver multi-cultural television station; in a 2 hour time slot, its 90 minute running time meant a lot of commercials!

The Great Wall (I) (2016)

Is this Andy Lau's English language debut?

[5/10 · 2 August 2017]

I was more interested in this possibly being Andy Lau's debut in an English language production, than this being Zhang Yimou's first film in English. I was disappointed in the latter's presentation, though there are so many creatures, that their relentless attacks and numerous deaths distanced me from the urgency the film tries to project.

The film differs from the graphic novel I read (borrowed from the local library) which is more take no prisoners, give no quarter, and none expected.

There are so many Cantonese and yes, Mandarin films starring or featuring Mr Lau, or filmed by Mr. Zhang, that I would recommend above this effort.

This show is not memorable, though it is not entirely forgettable, either.

If I could recommend a fanciful film, that achieves more by showing less (creatures et al), I would say, Try "The extraordinary adventure of Adele Blanc Sec. And for those whose patience has been worn down by CGI blockbusters, run wild, and go for the Harry Harryhausen that keep being released onto Bluray!

Passengers (I) (2016)

Breathtaking visuals are not enough to entertain or to satisfy this viewer

[5/10 · 2 August 2017]

Breathtaking visuals are not enough to entertain or satisfy this viewer, watched on a 50 inch plasma monitor via bluray. Certainly the visuals would have been that much more impressive but I did not feel the story, slight as it was, provided the two attractive leads much to do.

I would have expected any space travel to use the best automated systems available. Jim waking up to a crewless transport should not have come as a surprise to him. What is surprising is how he and Aurora should cope with the crisis or crises that threaten not only their existence, but also their 5,000 fellow passengers (whom we never see, other than those rows of hibernation pods.

Much better storytelling with considerably lower budgets and better scripts are out there (eg. SILENT RUNNING).

Thanks for reading, and keep watching the skies!

The Tiger (2015)

Full circle... the story brings its characters full circle

[8/10 · 1 August 2017]

Were I teaching I would use this hugely entertaining Korean film to discuss story elements such as man vs man; man vs the environment; man vs himself.... I am sure there is at least one more component. Set in Northern Korea, with Japan occupying this small country, in 1925, Japanese and Koreans, military and civilian forces have their own, and varied reasons why, and why not to hunt down the one remaining tiger.

There are really only six characters of note in this film lasting 135 minutes before end credits. Father and son; the leader of the Korean hunters and his lieutenant; and one Japanese General and his Korean aide. The seventh and title character is The Tiger. The humans are so ably played and stereotyping avoided that it is surprise, the tiger is so immediately and continually seen as real, with feelings, and actions determined by emotions that we, the audience, can help but root for the tiger.

The Koreans know how to tell a story; they know how to pull out all the stops, and very often they take their story somewhere you were not expecting. A film like THE TIGER: AN OLD HUNTER'S TALE also benefits from the usual stellar photography, so we believe the location and how dangerous it is; and then with the music it is never over the top; needless and repetitive loud and signifying nothing.

THE TIGER is a film the makers can be proud of. I wish more foreign language films got a wider release, and Korean film especially because I have lost count of their varied and fascinating successes since I saw JSA, MEMORIES OF MURDER, and others, until I lucked out and found MUSA (the North America DVD suffers by losing a half hour or so of running time).

Rousing; uplifting and tragic; with the final sequence telling you, the audience what you might have already figure out. Great viewing.

Thanks for reading, Simon In BC, Canada

The Neon Demon (2016)

Too much Nicholas Winding Refn

[4/10 · 30 July 2017]

You will see NWF on your screen, more than once; writer and director, and commentator at least on the DVD/Bluray release. Too much for me in this fairy tale of a 16 year old girl Jesse (Elle Fanning) whose beauty incurs the wrath of her rivals, who would literally kill to be her. Unfortunately I did find any of the girls particularly attractive, and thought the revelations these same girls made to achieve success, trite. But no doubt there are those who feel beauty is all. For every one person like that hopefully there is at least one Dean (the young man who sees Jesse's inner beauty).

I felt the character HANK, the motel manager (KEANU REEVES) was a throw away piece, and thought Christina HENDRICKS of MAD MEN wasted in a cameo.

The bluray has a commentary with director and star; I don't think my take on this film will change for hearing it, and I don't want to spend another two hours trying to swallow this. I would do better to go and find my box set of PUSHER.

Thanks for reading! Occasionally nice to look at, and interesting to hear CLIFF MARTINEZ, who has been scoring film for years.

The Girl with All the Gifts (2016)

This UK film puts THE WALKING DEAD season 7 to shame

[9/10 · 29 July 2017]

This 2016 film with three strong female characters and a story that develops those characters and takes them places you don't expect, and provides a conclusion that startles, but given what you have witnessed, makes perfect sense. The film offers essentially a low tech look at the world of zombie apocalypse; it makes no effort to rely on everincreasing gross out makeup and special effects that sadly TWD has come to rely. As much as I like Andrew Lincoln, at this point in TWD series, I feel he was a better actor in an early UK teleseries AFTERLIFE.

I am tired of all the testosterone - Rich, Daryl, whoever the flavor of the season villain is - and the relentless escalation of evil, and acts for which there is no redemption. Sergeant Parks shows growth; as convinced as he is to begin with in treating Melanie as non-human, his final scenes suggest he has come a long way.

GEMMA ATHERTON is the nominal star of the film, while the casting of GLENN CLOSE an actress you sometimes love to hate, is inspired. CLOSE, too, comes around, to seeing what we the audience have come to believe. Science is not always reason. But the film belongs to the young actress SENNA MANUA. Mike Carey's gives Ms MANUA a lot to work with; in fact no one is missed out, with the possible exception of what we once called 'the second banana'.

COLM MCCARTHY did an excellent job with his actors, and with staging the action, so that we feel a party of the group, and its journey from hell, to god knows where.

Technical credits are fine too, especially the music. The fact that enormous resources have not been WASTED on ghoulish makeup is A REMINDER THAT THESE PEOPLE - MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN - were once just like us (And what are We in this year of the Lord 2017?)

Right Now, Wrong Then (2015)

Time travelling

[7/10 · 27 July 2017]

Too bad that reading the back cover of the Grasshopper blu ray reveals as much of the plot as it does. Thankfully the rewards of this film stem from the execution: whereas the two principles in the first rendering seem flawed, and the director cruel and manipulative, and the girl sad and naïve, the second take shows the two in a much better light. When the director embarrasses his hosts, the outcome is much different, as is the aftermath of the lecture the director has come to deliver.

Having seen so many action jammed films from Korea - which are so chauvinistic - it is interesting to see Koreans portrayed as quiet, conservative and relentlessly polite in observing the ceremonies of their society. Sounds like we Canadians! Suwon does exist, and there is a lot to do there as a tourist.

The film is recommended for those who relish Asian film; I hope that your local library carries this film, too.

Simon in Victoria, BC

Stalker (1979)

A film worth banning in its homeland

[9/10 · 27 July 2017]

It is a struggle watching the film and its opening sequence beginning in the bedroom of the Stalker, continuing to the tavern where the three men congregate, and following their evading their pursuers, and finally entering the Zone. Such ugly ugly colours as though one is watching "scorched earth", harking back to the tactics the proud Russians took to leave their various invaders nothing to forage. I think back to those American Civil Wars photos and how their stack sepia hues captured the sad humanity of those years.

But note how life and colour return to the screen when the three come to a stop in the Zone.

Was Tarkovsky using cinema to show us how dreary and hopeless was in the Soviet Union through this device, and of course, the strange dynamics that characterize the relationship between the Stalker, his wife (and of course his daughter>?

Was Tarkovsky saying, Despite everything, we love our homeland?

A virtue of this film - not pure cinema, spun by imagery, one with a provocative script with that peculiar Russian sense of (dark) humour, is there is so much that can be said about it, and it is a film warranting multiple viewings.

I was fortunate to see this on the big screen at Cinecenta, the student run theatre at the University of Victoria, where they had access to the same Criterion Blu Ray I am expecting shortly. w

The Walking Dead: Too Far Gone (2013) Season 4, Episode 8

"Liar" - what did the Governor actually mean

[2 December 2013]

"Liar" - with that one word, the Governor unleashes the dogs of war.

At best he could achieve a pyrrhic victory, and secure the prison but at a considerable loss to the families he has sworn to serve and protect.

So were the writers,those most excellent fellows, so obvious that we should believe that word was directed at Rick. No, in that one moment, the Governor reverted to type, and accepted his self, well before that awful moment when Lilly arrived, bearing the torn body of her daughter.

The Governor listened but did not hear what Rick had to say: eloquently, passionately, and without ego. Acceptance, co-existence rather than apocalypse now.

No wonder then that the sacrificial lamb - Hershel - had that beatific smile on his face. He understood the changes in Rick the man, Rick the leader, and was well pleased, proud at the man's growth.

Yes, the Governor was the liar.

Here in Canada we might ask, who's the liar? is the mayor of one of our most prominent cities; are they senators appointed rather than elected. Of the world are the liars the leaders and the dictators who use military power and fascist policies to ensure they shout the loudest and no one else can be heard.

I am a 63 year old male; this series continues to speak to me, loud and clear.

WE choose our leaders, and we choose who to follow: we get what we deserve.

New World (2013)

A Korean riff on INFERNAL AFFAIRS

[7/10 · 28 October 2013]

I was initially confused by the relationship between the two principal leads, introduced early in the film. Their personalities were so different as to be conflicting. Then with the introduction of a third male lead, one considerably older, just as abrasive but considerably less well groomed things started to fall into place.

The two young men- JANG, stiff and seemingly humourless - appears pitted against JEONG -loud, obnoxious and yet with some charm. They are both members of Korean crime syndicate, that has managed to go legitimate. The third man - Section Chief KANG - is pulling any number of strings to bring down the syndicate before it becomes too powerful to stop.

As such fans and devotees of both INFERNAL AFFAIRS and Martin SCORCESE's remake THE DEPARTED may find parallels in the actors TONY LEUNG; ANDY LAU, and ANTHONY WONG.

I don't think the comparison between NEW WORLD; INTERNAL AFFAIRS, and THE DEPARTED far fetched - there is even a young woman comparable to the psychiatrist in INFERNAL AFFAIRS. This woman plays chess with JANG, though their meetings serve another purpose.

NEW WORLD is a reminder of how we were introduced to contemporary Korean cinema. Heroes and villains separated by the finest of lines; violence ever present and visceral, with hands, knives and assorted other weapons other than guns meting out terrible damage (it's stunning how much one key player survives).

I am giving the film only 7/10 because once I reflected on the key characters and their possible relationships, the story held few surprises for me. Furthermore the length of the film -135 minutes - works against its overall momentum. That said, NEW WORLD is professionally executed and a nice addition to Korean filmmaking.

PS: I was taken aback at how much swearing and coarse language the film contains. Is this a sign of the times in Korean film, or a concession to international markets?