Kill Your Darlings

Kill Your Darlings (John Krokidas, 2013)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

 

Allen Ginsberg, Writing, New Vision/Beatnik, Coming of Age, 1945/WWII era

 

What a great film about growing up, being full of passion, breaking rules, and starting a revolution of thought. Terrific acting by Daniel Radcliffe and company. I was pleasantly surprised at how believable everything seemed. These are characters that are daunting to take on (brilliant job, Ben Foster!) and by centering the story around coming of age, it works.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Dallas Buyers Club

Dallas Buyers Club (Jean-Marc Vallee, 2013)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=8, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

 

AIDS, Coping, Grieving, Medicine, Sexuality, Philosophical

 

This film hit me really hard, in a very good way. So many important topics are addressed, most especially coping strategies and the amazing human spirit. Some people freeze, some flee, and some fight. The characters in Dallas Buyers Club belong to that last group, any what tremendous performances. How would you respond if you were told you only had 30 days left to live? What would you do? Survival is only part of the equation

I love that this film shows how people can defy odds, strive to help others through education and awareness, and leave the world knowing they did something for the betterment of all.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Captain Phillips

Captain Phillips (Paul Greengrass, 2013)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=5, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=1
 

Based on Real Events, Thriller, Drama, Piracy, Psychological
 

Glad I watched it, probably won't again. It is a thrilling ride with some very interesting psychological moments, but overall it just didn't do anything for me. Greengrass throws us into the action almost right away with very little background to any of the characters and their motivations. Language barriers are one thing, cultural barriers are another. I think I would have liked the film more with more context. There is no hostage situation where the hostage is the only victim and even though pirates die and Phillips is saved, Captain Phillips still seems to play out this way.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Oscar Dash 2014--The Results

Oscar Results!

Sorry for the delay--a bad cold caught me on Oscar Sunday and lasted until yesterday. Still feeling under the weather but I was delighted by awards, shenanigans, and other Oscar things that happened.

I guessed right on nearly all the awards and can't wait to complete my dash now that I have more time, health, and easier access to the films--most are on Netflix this month!

The big winner, in case you didn't hear: 12 Years A Slave