Change Your Image
carolamahoney
Reviews
The Deep End (2022)
Very accurate exposure of toxic and deadly cults
I thought this documentary was very honest in revealing a cult leaders self absorption and inability to see people as anything other that objects to serve them and their megalomania . There is no slanting the message or choosing sides here, Swan does that all by herself, over and over. One sickening example of this is when the filmmaker shows Blake leaving the cult after dedicating 17 years of his life to Swan to begin a life with his new bride. Out of total selfishness and lack of any self introspection, Swan calls him a weak loser, and hurls insult after insult at him instead of congratulating him on his nuptials. Swan exposes herself as the 21st century version of Jones, Koresh, or Manson. But she has something none of them had to spread their deceit, social media. Other than that, the dynamics are identical. As long as their are broken people with no-where to turn and are looking for someone to heal them, there will be Teal Swans out there to take everything they have, starting with their minds.
Cruising (1980)
Friedkin's brilliance never turned away from controversy
A very daring & risky film to make at the time, shows Friedkin's a genius, and visionary filmmaker. A lot of people won't understand & be turned off by the culture of secret liberation that gay men turned to during the late 70's, of no strings, anything goes, pre-AIDS time period, which Friedkin captures remarkably accurately, of an oppressed, persecuted, and misunderstood segment of a shunned secret society & humanity. I also wholeheartedly respect Friedkin's bravery to never shy away from taking on police corruption in his movies. As demonstrated in Cruising, the cops had no interest investigating gay murders, as those lives didn't matter to them. Only when the politician gets involved to save his own skin, Edelson frames Richards to can keep his own job. The police were part of the exploitation, therefore the problem, and why a serial killer could continue killing for as long and as many as he wanted, as demonstrated by Friedkin as soon as the movie starts.
To enjoy the movie you must remember, this is an excellent period piece (like art) with realistic scenes of the gay lifestyle then (and sometimes now, but probably less so) as a backdrop to the real themes and messages Freidkin so craftily conveys. You will also enjoy the music scored as it plays against the movie like a baby grand.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
This movie sends a horrible message
What a messed up message this movie sends. It would have been much better without Mildred (McDormand) being domestically abused by her ex-husband, kicking teenagers in the crotch, (assault), and burning down a police station, (federal felony). Not to mention men & women being punched in the face and thrown out windows. It's appalling. She comes out of all the violent crap unscathed, and her arc is murdering an alleged out of state rapist??? That's way too dumb for me. Rockwell's one of the best actors around, but should have gotten the award for another movie. It's painful watching him play a 1 dimensional nitwit. What a waste of his talent.
Foxcatcher (2014)
Well executed, but if you're looking for more than just an internet article, you will be a little let down.
The performance by Steve Carell as Du Pont was award winning. It was hard to tell the difference between the actor, and the late Du Pont. Tatum and Ruffalo were also fantastic. But we never get inside the head of Du Pont, or his family history. The movie read like an old newspaper article. So if you wanted to know more about the man, or what lead to this horrible tragedy, you will not get that here. There were so many opportunities missed, to make an ok movie into a spectacular movie.
Preacher (2016)
Totally awful writing, and filled with stupidity & violence to make up for it
Not having read any of the Preacher comics, or knowing that they existed, I went into the series fresh, being a big fan of Dominic Cooper. It did not take long to be disgusted by the content, and lack of any writing talent going into this show. The characters were wooden, and one dimensional. The story lines were so unbelievably stupid and lacked any humor. All this mess did is glorify drug use, violence, and stupidity, which was a huge turn off. I wanted to get my money back after purchasing the first 2 seasons, as it made no sense, and was just disgusting gore. Unless you are into no plot or story lines, i.e., intestines being dragged by car bumpers, or innocent people having their tongues ripped out and the like, then this would not be the show for you. How anyone could call this trash entertainment says a lot about Hollywood and the crap they peddle to an unsuspecting viewer. If you expect more than garbage for your money, do not walk away from this lemon, but run.
Still Alice (2014)
What an important movie, especially for people living with Alzheimer's to know they aren't alone.
A gripping and emotional movie that pulls no punches, lays it all out on the progression, and then ultimate reality of Alzheimer's disease. There are all A list actors in the movie who bring the story to life brilliantly, and of course, Julianne Moore is always amazing.
Oculus (2013)
So boring
There was no story here, and it wasn't scary, just stupid. Lazy writing, and whatever you pay to watch this bomb is too much. To bad the good acting was wasted on such a dumb movie.
Condemned (2015)
Completely Awful
The daughter of Sean Penn & Robin Wright couldn't do better than this?
Occupant (2011)
Occupant
The acting and direction were excellent. Nice sleeper movie that was not predicable and the suspense had my eyes glued to the screen from start until end. Creepy and scarey, I highly recommend Occupant.