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***** 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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From category archives: RonenRecommends

Comedy

Trainwreck (2015) ***

Trainwreck (2015) ***

While Trainwreck starts with some originality, placing its protagonist, a woman, as a manizer (that is the female equivalent of a womanizer,) a rule typically reserved for men, the film quickly derails into a trivial romantic comedy with a yawning plotline. I giggled, even laughed hard on occasion, but when it was all over, this film felt more like a shallow quickie than a one-night stand, let alone a long-term relationship.
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Spy (2015) ***

Spy (2015) ***

Spy by writer-director Paul Feig is an amusing parody that will make you laugh, and then laugh some more. Yet it will be all but forgotten the morning after; thus while a good comedy, Spy is not a memorable one. A fun fluffy flick for a pleasant afternoon at the movies; nothing more, nothing less.
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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."
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Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) ***

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) ***

Kingsman is a spy-hero action-comedy, directed by Matthew Vaughn to a screenplay by Vaughn and Jane Goldman. I confess that when the Kingsman’s previews were playing at theaters, months prior to the movie’s release, I was skeptic as to seeing it. Though the coming attractions were amusing, I did not fathom I would much enjoy this production. Coming with very low expectations, Kingsman was a pleasant surprise. If you feel like tasting a summer movie regardless of the weather outside, Kingsman is a good choice.
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Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) *****

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) *****

Standing the test of time, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a real classic. As far as the genre of teen movies goes, if it has a sub-category of high-school films, and then a sub-sub-category of skipping school, Ferris Bueller's Day Off likely occupies the number one spot. Perfectly cast, well-paced, and confidently directed, Ferris Bueller's Day Off is the sort of film that makes us laugh and, ultimately, reminds us that, as Ferris himself so eloquently phrases it at the movie’s end, "Life moves pretty fast; if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!" Thus this film excels above the humdrum and novelty of fart-teen-flicks to a form of true art.
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Birdman (2014) ****

Birdman (2014) ****

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a semi-surreal drama-comedy, produced and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. The story follows Riggan Thomson (masterfully played by Keaton,) a movie actor made famous for staring as a superhero in a series of films called Birdman. Years later, with his glory all but faded, Riggan attempts a comeback via a Broadway adaptation of a Raymond Carver story.
Birdman, with its complex layers, surreal atmosphere and anxious pace, is not a film for everyone. Yet those who will take to the story will enjoy the film long after the end credits roll by.
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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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