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Reviews
Sound of Freedom (2023)
One Person Can Make a Difference
It's a horrifying subject but an inspiring film about one man's obsession with finding and freeing trafficked children. One DHS agent, tired of nailing pedophiles but never finding the children, goes on a mission that takes him far from home into the jungles of Columbia. He pursues one little girl as she's sold from one trafficker to the next. Because one little girl is important. And one man can make a big difference. It's a look into a world most of us recoil from: supplying children to the adult sex trade. But it turns out there is big money to be made snatching the children of the poor. Because, as a character in the movie says, you can sell a bag of cocaine only once, but you can sell a child over and over.
The ABC Murders (2018)
Dark, Slow, and Engrossing
They used Agatha Christie's name, and her plot, but Dame Agatha never wrote anything so dark. Had I not been a John Malkovich fan, I might not have stuck it out for the first hour. But once I did, I became enmeshed in the story. Who did it? That's the question that keeps mystery fans intrigued, and that's the question this version handles well.
The Hercule Poirot of this production is not the funny little Belgian of Christie's books. This Poirot is elderly, a bit off his game, and a very serious man. He has gravitas, solemnity. By the end of the story, I liked this version and I respected him.
There is no doubt this production is slow. We are treated to shots of Poirot thinking. And then there are flashbacks to Poirot's experience in Belgium during WWI, which seems to be on a circling spool. Poirot's friend Hastings is missing in this production. But the major and minor characters are so well done, Hastings is not missed. The acting here is terrific. Maybe one character is a little weak, but easily forgiven.
The only political aspect of this story, which is set in the 1930s, is that Poirot runs into several people wearing SS insignia pins, which indicate membership in England's National Socialist Party (the Nazis). England did have a National Socialist Party of its own, but it was always a minority party. At one point a minor character wearing such a pin begins criticizing refugees, which Poirot himself was, as a Belgian, and Poirot shuts the door in her face. The association made is that people who criticize refugees are basically Nazis, but it is not emphasized or overdone.
The production does take some liberties with the original story. Throughout, Poirot repeatedly states that he has given his oath to the dead to bring their killers to justice. At the end, we find out how profoundly Poirot feels this obligation.
To recap, the production is very dark, and slower than we're used to in the States, but the acting is superb and the intricate plot well presented. I was never a Poirot fan, far preferring Miss Marple and other Christie detectives, but now I'm curious. It is probably time to revisit the Poirot books. Which is a huge compliment to this production.
Mannix: Search for a Whisper (1973)
Fascinating Comparison
Seldom do you get to see how an individual actor can shape a role without going to Hamlet or another classic play. Here we see distinct differences, and it's fascinating. Charles Drake is handsome and charming in the first version, as was William Shatner in the second. But Shatner adds a layer of vulnerability that underscores his love for his wife, and therefore makes his character more likeable. The real shocker though is the performance of Vincent Gardenia in the original as a secondary character whose wife is also endangered. It was an inspired performance, and Gardenia was given an extra scene to underscore his dilemna. Very interesting to have seen both versions.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas (2014)
Miracles and Faith
A wondrful Christmas story from the Postables, a quirky, lovable division of the Denver Post Office Dead Letter Office. The Postables deliver, regardless of obstacles. And this Christmas they face quite a few: a despertely ill, pregnant mother; a frightened little girl; a mysterious supervisor; and, as always in the Postable films, their own fears and disappointments built up over the years. Yeah, it's a tear jerker. And a perfect Christmas presemt!
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
True Love & Comedy & Family Ties
The movie made me cry. Perhaps I was in a mood that day 'cause I reacted very emotionally to a warm, loving look at the conflict between cultures, between generations, and between individuals. I had read the books, the whole trilogy, so I went in knowing what to expect. The director made strong changes to the plot that rendered the story a terrific film. Movies & novels are different mediums and deserve to be respected as such. The characters are brought to life by well chosen actors: Henry Goldilng is charismatic, Constance Wu is warm and open as an American, Michelle Yeoh stood out in a difficult role as the mother bound by traditions. Ken Jeong goes hilariously overboard and his movie daughter, Awkwfina, is totally embarrassed by him, while being just as outrageous herself. A fun film.
Do not pay attention to the negative reviewers here. Several criticisms are dead wrong. It was the author of the novels who refused to do military service in Singapore; his reasons make perfect sense. It is well known that the Chinese have dispersed throughout southeast Asia over the centuries. Over 70% of the population of Singapore is of Chinese descent. If you think seeing vulgur displays of wealth would offend you, don't go to a film titled "Crazy Rich Asians." If you feel that using the word Asians requires being inclusive of all possible Asians, including Mideastern ones (?), you are simply whining.