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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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Spotlight (2015) ****

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.
Currently rated 0.0 by 0 people
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 (2015) ***

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.
Currently rated 5.0 by 1 people
Samba (France, 2014) ***

Samba (France, 2014) ***

Samba is a French comedy-drama, co-written and directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano; the due behind the successful 2012 blockbuster The Intouchables. Samba is a well-intended film that attempts at objectively introducing us to the issue of illegal immigrants. While wittingly avoiding loud statements about injustice, the story’s implementation is mediocre at best. The filmmakers choose to soften the harsh reality faced by such foreigners, by using occasional humor, and by intertwining the main plotline with multiple side stories that end up, more than once, serve as distraction, hampering the film’s pace. I found myself siding with Jordan Mintzer, of The Hollywood Reporter, who wrote of Samba that it: "...wears out its welcome without bringing its message home."
Currently rated 0.0 by 0 people
Selma (2014) ***

Selma (2014) ***

A historical drama, Selma was directed by Ava DuVernay to a screenplay by Paul Webb and DuVernay. The story revolves around a turning point in the history of the American Civil Rights Movement; the events that took place in Selma around 1965. It includes the hate-crime in which four young black girls were murdered, followed by the bloody protests and the famous march from Selma to Montgomery, a march that was led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lewis.
Selma should be watched, just with lower cinematic expectations and a high focus at the message at its heart.
Currently rated 0.0 by 0 people
Dear White People (2014) ****

Dear White People (2014) ****

Thought filmmaker Justin Simien claims Dear White People is not about racism but rather about identity and how a person understands themselves to be, there is no denying that skin color plays a major part in the story. Dear White People is a satire about the relationships between Caucasians and African-Americans at an Ivy League college. While I find plenty of issues with Dear White People is it still a daring and noteworthy film, and a promising debut for filmmaker Simien.
Currently rated 0.0 by 0 people
Zero Motivation (2014, Israel) ****

Zero Motivation (2014, Israel) ****

Written and directed by Talya Lavie, Zero Motivation (original Hebrew film title is Zero in Human Relations,) is a gem. Presenting a wide range of topics, the film’s language is crude yet anything but stupid. It portrays several female Israeli soldiers, serving in a remote desert base, trying not to lose their mind out of boredom until their time is up and they can return to civilian life.

Currently rated 4.0 by 1 people

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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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