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Ronen's Rating System:

***** A must watch
**** Worth seeing
*** If you must watch a movie and there is nothing else out there
** Don’t bother
* It’s so bad its almost good... not... These are films I walked out on, or just fell asleep
(K: stars) Rating by my children. As they are easy to please, would typically be higher than mine...

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Ronen Divon's Articles

Eye in the Sky (2015, UK) *****

Eye in the Sky is a British military-political thriller, directed by Gavin Hood to a screenplay by Guy Hibbert. The film presents some very timely ethical issues related to drone warfare, as well as terrorists using civilian populated neighborhoods as a base of operation.

Hail, Caesar! (2016) ****

Was Jesus the first real Commie? (or at least the first socialist?) Hail, Caesar! is the Coen brothers amusing tribute to Hollywood's Golden Age; an homage that both honors the grandiose scale of 1950s Hollywood, while, at the same time, ridicules the actors, directors, screenwriters and producers behind the well-oiled film-producing machine. How is that possible? Leave that to the Coen brothers to manage...

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) ***

There is nothing really wrong with The Force Awakens. It is skillfully written, perfectly directed and masterfully executed. It is entertaining and, for the most part, quite engaging. The filmmakers strove for and were successful in obtaining a balance between the familiar and the new. Yet there is also something quite tiring about this film; an element that feels a little too contrived.

Spotlight (2015) ****

Directed by Thomas McCarthy to a screenplay by McCarthy and Josh Singer, the critically acclaimed Spotlight is as much about journalism as it is about the scandal that stands at the heart of the story. Based on true events – the Boston Archdiocese’s cover-up of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests in Massachusetts, a story that was exposed via a series of articles that earned The Globe the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, Spotlight is like a volcano taking its time erupt.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 (2015) ***

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay II is the second part of the third installment in the dystopian book trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. If you have seen the earlier parts, I presume skipping the final installment is not an option. And, again, this is not a bad film. It is quite loyal to the novel. Still, something did get lost in translation.

Bridge of Spies (2015) ****

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks collaborate again with Bridge of Spies, a historical spy-thriller. Bridge of Spies is based on real events that took place during the height of the Cold War. It involved the 1960's U-2 Incident in which attorney James B. Donovan (Hanks), unofficially representing the US government, negotiated the release of captured U-2 spy pilot Francis Gary Powers in exchange for Rudolf Abel, a Soviet KGB operator who was arrested and convicted for spying in the USA a few years earlier.

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Featured Entries

Game Night (2018) ****

Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, to a screenplay by Mark Perez, Game Night is a comedy-action thriller, that delivers jokes while...

The Last Jedi (2017) ****

If I had to sum-up the experience of watching this film in one word, it would be: impressive. Although, not without hiccups. The Last Jedi counts as ...

Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017) ***

A bio-drama, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women tells the story of psychologist William Moulton Marston, and the two women in his life. Martson, a...

American Made (2017) ****

Life is stranger than fiction; this paraphrase of a Mark Twain’s famous quote may come in mind, when watching American Made. It is a film based on true...

Far Western (2016, Japan, USA) ****

Who would have guessed that in Japan, especially post-WWII, American country music, including Bluegrass, will have not just fans, but actual talented ...

Blade Runner 2049 (2017) ****

Blade Runner 2049, or BR 2049 for short,  is a 2017 neo-noir sci-fi film, directed by Denis Villeneuve to a screenplay by Hampton Fancher and Michael ...

Maudie (2016) ****

An indie bio-drama, Maudie follows the life of Nova Scotia painter Maud Lewis. The film, a Canadian-Irish production, shot to a small budget of $5.6mm...

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) ****

The Guardians Vol. 2's storyline is as thin and infantile as a young twig, yet it serves one purpose – delivering perfect punchlines. And yes, the special...

Frantz (2016, France-Germany) ****

Franz tells the story of a German woman named Anna, beautifully portrayed by Paula Beer, who, in post-WWI Germany of 1919, while grieving Franz, her fianc...

Logan (2017) ***

Directed by James Mangold, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Frank and Michael Green, Logan is based on a story by Mangold. Logan introduces us to...

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Latest Comments

    Re: Logan (2017) ***

    I agree about the relationship with Logan and Charles - added a lot of depth, especially with the next...

    -- ed

    Re: Eye in the Sky (2015, UK) *****

    Great Review Ronen!

    -- Scott

    Re: Top Five (2014) ***

    wonderfully expressed review and very accurately describing the movie...

    -- Zoes mom

    Re: Begin Again (2014) ***

    such great performers - would have expected more of.... very disappointing to hear....

    -- mother of four

    Re: Waltz with Bashir (2008) *****

    Stunned. Speechless. This is a powerful movie. Its objectivity and lack of judgment IS its power, and...

    -- Monroe Movie Lover

    Re: Inception (2010) ***

    Special effects are more than ever present even in drama movies, its almost normal that an action thriller...

    -- Alvaro

    Re: The Real Dirt On Farmer John (2005) ***

    Interesting though i was expecting more of the film.

    -- rondnor

    Re: Midnight Run (1988) *****

    great movie indeed

    -- rondnor

    Re: The Bounty Hunter (2010) *

    wont bother then

    -- superair

    Re: Stardust (2007) *****

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this movie :-)watching Robert De Niro in a dress what could be better.Enjoy

    -- YRD

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