The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (John Madden, 2011)

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

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

 

India, Culture Shock, Retirement, Aging, Coping/Grieving, Philosophical

I was pleasantly surprised by this wonderful gem of a film. Every person brings to his or her life a unique perspective and personality. Every situation is faced differently- sometimes openly and with optimisim, sometimes with bitterness and intolerance. Maggie Smith, as per usual, shines in the background of this colorful, humorous, and subtley inspiring film. Definitely worth watching if you ever plan to be old and grey. I hope you do...

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Zero Dark Thirty

Zero Dark Thirty (Kathryn Bigelow, 2012)

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Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ

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

9/11, Osama Bin Laden, Political, Intense, Action, Dark

A very dramatic and difficult film to watch. Kathryn Bigelow continues to force us to confront the darker side of the human condition and experience. There is nothing about this film that is happy or light. Torture, revenge, war, hate, bureaucracy, doubt... these are all things we must think about from all perspectives. We must never forget how blessed we (Americans) are for the safe lives we have. Jessica Chastain gives an astounding performance.

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To Rome With Love

To Rome With Love (Woody Allen, 2012)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

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

Rome, Quirky, Romance, Complex Relationships, Comedy, Travel

Woody Allen's latest film is a mixture of everything we've come to expect from his films in recent years: humor, satire, seduction, philosophy, art... To Rome With Love is not one cohesive film but many little vignettes telling the bigger story of Rome itself. Penelope Cruz and Roberto Benigni steal the show, in my opinion, but also great performances by Ellen Page, Jesse Eisenberg, Alec Baldwin, and Woody himself. It's a real treat to see him take the stage again.

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Samsara

Samsara (Ron Fricke, 2012)

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Rating: DOCQ=8, DOCP=8 / Genius

Scale K=4, Scale L=4, Scale M=4, Scale N=4

Vivid Imagery, Social Commentary, Culture, Eclectic, Subtle

I have always been a fan of what I call "image films." Cinematography Ron Fricke is one of the most talented working today. His latest film, Samsara, has the audience traveling all over the remarkable landscapes and cities of our world. We see the faces of dancers, prostitutes, factory workers, mothers, fathers, hunters, chiefs, children, and many others. We see environments that are crowded, polluted, disturbing, beautiful, abandoned, and ancient. A marvelous achievement in photography and non-verbal narrative.
 

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