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Subconscious (2015)
Save yourself the time and expense.
I had to stop watching this because of imminent nausea. This may not be the worst movie I've ever seen. But I'm hard-pressed to think of anything in the last few years to top it in that category. I wanted to feel embarrassment for anyone in the cast. Those whose performance was diluted by bad acting around them but, alas, they all were miserable actors. Some were just a little more miserable than others.
I was never a submariner. But I am a retired navy chief. This film is chuck-full of blunders. Bad writing and bad acting make it even less watchable. I could only watch 40 minutes of its two hours. One has to wonder why a film as dreary as this can be produced let alone released.
The Grand Seduction (2013)
A Wonderfully Whimsical Essay on the Human Spirit
The Grand Seduction is a small tale beautifully written in the margins of the big book of life. It's character-driven and presents us with a vibrant acclamation for humanity with all the flaws that make us who we are. Kudos to my Canadian cousins...
For those here that have poo-pooed this film because of perceived flaws in the story line, I say balderdash! One of the prerequisites of watching a work of fiction is your suspension of reality. One shouldn't dissect a film looking for gaffs or other reasons to criticize, especially with one such as this with so much warmth and love for the human condition.
Although it has been said here before, I must say It's refreshing to see a low budget, independent film with quality and impact. Not one violent scene. Not one special effect. Not one swear word.
True Grit (2010)
Move over, Silverado...
The Coen brothers have hit a home run with this film. In my fifty-eight years, I've seen many westerns. I was a boy when westerns were 80% of everything seen on television and at the theater. I was raised on John Wayne. So, my apologies, Duke. This True Grit is a better True Grit. And here's why: This film is faithful to the original story by Charles Portis. Those, on this site and others, who criticize its dialogue should read the book. It takes little imagination to appreciate the disparity in the education (and vocabulary) that surely existed in the American West of the mid-nineteenth century. This phrasing, along with the Coen brothers' obsessive attention to detail give this film an authenticity and believability I've not seen before in any western.
The acting of, then thirteen-year-old, Hailee Steinfeld is simply amazing. Already nominated for two awards for her role as Mattie Ross, I'm predicting an Oscar nomination for her performance. I recently saw an interview with this young lady and I found myself stunned at the differences between the actor and the character she played. Ms. Steinfeld's demeanor, voice inflections, posture, and facial features are nothing like the character she portrayed. To see such sagacity in a young actor is astounding and rare.
There aren't enough acclamations for the cinematography of Roger Deakins. Its magical yet realistic beauty pops from the screen like a Rembrandt masterpiece. Known for his work on such classics as The Shawshank Redemption, Fargo, No Country for Old Men and A Beautiful Mind, True Grit is his best work to date and an Oscar nod may be in his future as well.
For those who don't like remakes of truly great films, please consider this: There is nearly a half century between the two films. With the possible exception of 'A Farewell to Arms,' and films that were originally foreign, I find it hard to cite a remake I like better than the original. True Grit has to be one of them.