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Reviews
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
A slow trip to nowhere
This is absolutely a hidden movie. The purpose for making it, other than to give the actors some work, is hidden from the viewers with near perfection.
If it was intended to give a "slice of life" view of DownEaster rednoses with coprolalia, it succeeds admirably, I must admit, however. Honestly, after the credits roll, I stared at the screen expecting "Yackety Sax" on a kazoo.
Madcap, it ain't.
The acting was, for the most part, low-key to the point of somnambulism. With the exception of Patrick, the son of the dear departed brother, everyone in this film is numb, stunned, and lifeless as the late brother.
There's two hours of my life I'm never getting back.
Knock Knock (2015)
Never Again!
This was absolute dreck.
What motivation do ANY of the characters have beyond random insanity? Even at their most strained attempts at seduction, any sane man would fear the rampant STDs the two girls must carry.
Zero chemistry between Evan and Karen. Cartoon kids. And don't get me started on poor Louis.
This was some fireside spooky story at Philanderer Summer Camp.
Why would Keanu do this? Did he need the money? Who thought this was a good idea?
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1997)
Faithful but boring
Really close adaptation of Verne's visionary book, but turgid in execution. Disney did it better.
Celia (2015)
Half of a Good Story
The music, sense of place, acting and characters were compelling and wonderful, up until the time jump. The shift in actors was jarring and the "old" versions lacked the charm and energy of the original cast. In particular, the actress who played the "old" Lola, was a pastiche of mannerisms. It appears someone told her that "drug addicts" play with their mouths continually. Her constant touching of her lips and cheeks was distracting, and by all accounts had nothing to do with the real La Lupe, upon whom the character was supposed to be based. The "old" Pedro had the energy of a spent copper-top, running the emotional gamut from A to B. Seriously, this was essentially two novellas, jammed together any old way. Wonderful for the first half, and a slog of amateur hour performances for the second.