Reviews

Couldn't figure out what was going on at first -- and knew nothing about it going in. it was a puzzle, but not in a frustrating way. Turns our there are three intersecting time lines...(past, present and future)...don't want to spoil it but suffice it to say, this is a film that has to be experienced. Like his character says in the film: "You don't discuss it." (BTW --there were a fair number of Shia-haters at the screening that just wanted to trash him. But how could they? This is Shia at his best -- the best I've seen him anyway. And I loved FURY.) Story/theme is basically...the war is coming home. Shia's a Marine. Jai Courtney plays his best friend. Jai is good, but the boy that plays Shia's son steals the show. Really like Kate Mara in this as well. I have not seen other Dito Montiel movies but he has apparently worked with Shia before. Anyway, a film that makes you think (Memento/Inception). Will be interesting to see how an American audience will respond. I was fortunate enough to see it in Venice at the festival. Subtitles were distracting but audience seemed to track with it. Some loved it. Some hated it. I loved it. 10 out of 10!

not for everyone -- semi sweet semi sad, some brilliant elements... and it all ends gloriously! Great job. Great story. Reminded me -- there is life, after life.

(And altho' you can't take the "things" of this world with you – You can take the person next to you…by helping them find life, after life. That's what Billy Kirkfield learns – you can take the person sitting next to you – a son, a daughter, a sister, brother – a friend, by pouring our "spirit" – our lives, into another – we can take them with us on the journey beyond this life).

Christopher Lloyd who plays a caretaker in the movie is EXCELLENT – and talks to the heroes - - 3 fifth grade boys intent on setting a world record. And he asks them how this setting a record, makes other people…happy? He tells the boys of attending a lot of funerals and that when people talk about living a good life…its not so much what we do or did that matters…as to how we did it. That being a good person may be a purpose all in itself. Being a friend – even to someone who doesn't want to be friends.

Isn't that after all what the greatest teacher of all modeled? Highly recommend. Great film.

AMAZING to drive thru traffic being stopped at Wilshire and Sepulveda (where there were over a thousand people dressed in green waving red, white and green Iranian flags on the corner) over to the premiere of this devastatingly powerful film...and then to leave Westwood later that night as see the street corners still crowded with enthusiastic supporters at 11 PM.

The post-film discussion with LAFF guest artist Khaled Hosseini (author of The Kite Runner), Iranian writer and scholar Reza Aslan, the film's director Cyrus Nowrasteh and the star of the film Shohreh Aghdashloo (House of Sand and Fog) was PHENOMENAL. Check out: in The Wrap -- http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/tk-stoning-soraya-m_3794

Kudos to the cast that had the courage to make this movie. And the producers (or whomever) who had the foresight. Talk about timing.