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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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Movie Review: Elegy (2008) ***

Being that Ben Kingsley is one of my favorite actors and Penélope Cruz is just beautiful to watch regardless of her talent, the film, whose premise is of substance, is overall a miss. I trust the novel, on which the movie was based, may be much better. Whether it’s the script or the direction, I am not sure. The topics covered in the film are of much interest – including the nature of man, sexuality and maturity, relationships and infidelity, mortality and death, beauty and the degradation of our bodies with old age and sickness. Yet, it does not tie together. The plot is a little too scattered and despite the character-driven acting, the movie leaves you with no satisfaction. There is no definite conclusion set by the director, which is fine, but also no room for your own imagination. It’s a film that could have been so much more and it’s just not.

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Movie Review: Bright Star (2009) ***

The film is a collection of well-acted and beautifully painted moments, taking place toward the end of the British poet John Keats’ life, that somehow just don’t stitch that well together... As a whole, the movie feels like a slow, heavy freight train, whose destination is clear from the start, and you sit and watch it making its way, slowly without any surprises, towards its final destination. It may be, at times, beautiful to watch, but it’s so tiresome…
Jane Campion whose films I've hardly seen, but that left a good impression with me from The Piano, seems to be attracted to characters of strong women at a time / environment were a strong women would be the exception. But without much of a plot to support it, it just doesn’t stick. Furthermore, the other characters in this film, including the main character's family members, seem to float around purely to illuminate her, like ornaments on a Christmas tree, and as if they have no life of their own. Maybe it was Campion’s intention but for me it didn’t work. I waited patiently for the movie to be over and was quite disappointed as I came all prepared and really wanted to like this film.
 

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TV Series Review: Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)****

My favorite TV Sci Fi series remains Star Trek The Next Generation. Character development, storyline, etc were at its heights. Another Sci Fi favorite that unfortunately didn’t stick was Firefly which would take the second place. Galactica comes as number three which is still a respectable place to be. It kept me engaged and interested. Decent character development, mostly good sub-plots, some interesting twists. At times I felt the series didn’t follow its own logic which is a must in Sci Fi. And towards the end I was really ready for it t be over… it felt like it run its course and should retire. But when looking at the entire series in perspective, it’s a good production and a worthy series to watch. And if you disagree, fruck that…

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Movie Review: The Blind Side (2009) ****

Typically not my cup of tea, especially since a Sandra Bullock fan I am not, nor do I usually care for sports films. But given the other poor choices at the local theaters this weekend, and the overall positive reception of this movie by the critics, we gave it a shot. Surprisingly, Bullock actually performs well in this more family than sports movie. Maybe it’s her right calling – playing a control-freak uptight Christian b**ch… Maybe the film struck the right chord with her, or maybe the director had a magic touch. Either way, it works, as well as the subtle and thus effective performance of Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher – the main character. The little kid, S.J. Tuohy, is well-played by a promising Jae Head, bringing joyful moments in good timing. So all in all, a borderline 4-star movie, timed exactly right to warm the hearts this holiday season.

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Movie Review: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) ***

Despite all the hype and the great style of jerky stop-motion animation, as well as the cleverly delivered lines and decent plot, this film just didn’t do it for me. I am a big fan of animation, not to mention the ever-shining Meryl Streep, the favorable George Clooney and the other good members of the cast, and was very much looking forward to seeing this film. Yet, in all honesty, I just didn’t care… I didn’t care for the characters nor for the story. And if a movie cannot move me, despite anything fancy in it, I cannot vouch for it. My kids, whom I took to see the movie, liked it but I didn’t see them talking about it much after it was over. A sign they were not moved either.

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Movie Review: Radio (2003) ****

Based on the true story of T. L. Hanna High School football coach Harold Jones (Ed Harris) and a mentally-challenged young man James Robert "Radio" Kennedy (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), this Mike Tollin’s film did actually strike a chord with me. Yes – it was blamed by many critics to be heavy on syrupy uplift, yet there is something compelling about it. Maybe it is saved by the credible acting, and maybe I personally just needed an uplifting story at the time that I saw it, but though borderline 4 star, I’ll give it a 4 rather than 3.

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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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