John C. Horst's Blog, page 3

Movie Review of You Will be Mine

Title:  You Will be Mine (Je te Mangerais)
Year Released: 2009
Country: France
Language: French
Rating: NR  My Rating: R
Score (out of five stars): 5
Gold: High
Silver: High
Bronze: High
Memorable: High
Temptation for checking the time: Low
Acting: High
Writing: High
Cinematography: High
I consider this a psychological thriller which will have you captivated from start to finish. The characters are so complex and the performers make you care for them, regardless of how creepy or callous. It is beautifully shot in Lyon, the pace is excellent, the supporting characters stellar. I really enjoyed this film.
These are my film reviews. I am not any more qualified to offer them than anyone else. I just love films and seek out works that are not on the radar, especially foreign language and independent films. Many of my friends consult me for interesting stuff to watch, so, I’ve decided to put them on my blog.
I am constantly on the lookout for films that are entertaining and always with an eye toward how they treat subjects and matters of the human condition. I feature myself a moralist, and am especially drawn to works that bring out emotion and treat heavy subject matter with respect. 
I’ve decided, in addition to giving just a number rating, to also give weight to the three basic concepts of the human condition, as described by Plato in his Republic; namely,
The gold, to represent the mind,
The silver, to represent the heart, and
The bronze, to represent, well, you know, the region below the belt.
I think this is useful in describing films.
Some other things of note:
I’ll give a rating whenever the film has not been, to help give the reader a sense of what to expect.
I’ll rate the films 1-5, five being the top score.
I’ll also rate the film on how memorable it was. My good friend mentioned that, and I agree. He stated that he bases a film or book on how long he thought about it after the experience. Great insight.
Temptation for checking the time is just that. Was the film boring? Did I consult my watch, or the little bar at the bottom of the screen when streaming, to see when the thing would end?
Finally, for the more bronze-ish movies, I’ll let the viewer know how explicit the sex is or how much nudity is involved.
Hope these reviews will be useful.
John

��Movie review for The Extraordinary Adventures of Ad��le Blanc-Sec

Title:  The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec
Year Released: 2010
Country: France
Language: French
Rating: PG   My Rating: PG13
Score (out of five stars): 5
Gold: Medium,  Silver: High,  Bronze: Low
Memorable: High
Temptation for checking the time: Low
Acting: High
Writing: High
Cinematography: High
A wild ride. Louise Bourgoin carries the film. She’s fresh, intelligent and completely believable in this completely unbelievable adventure. The special effects are excellent, especially the mummies who are as witty as they are charming. Perhaps not for the younger crowd, and I’m astonished that it got a PG rating. I gave it PG13, and would compare it in violence and grossness to the Lord of the Rings franchise. Otherwise, this is a good one for the whole family, especially if they aren’t squeamish. I certainly hope there will be others, as long as Bourgoin is in them.
These are my film reviews. I am not any more qualified to offer them than anyone else. I just love films and seek out works that are not on the radar, especially foreign language and independent films. Many of my friends consult me for interesting stuff to watch, so, I’ve decided to put them on my blog.
I am constantly on the lookout for films that are entertaining and always with an eye toward how they treat subjects and matters of the human condition. I feature myself a moralist, and am especially drawn to works that bring out emotion and treat heavy subject matter with respect. 
I’ve decided, in addition to giving just a number rating, to also give weight to the three basic concepts of the human condition, as described by Plato in his Republic; namely,
The gold, to represent the mind, The Silver, to represent the heart, and The bronze, to represent, well, you know, the region below the belt.
I think this is useful in describing films.
Some other things of note:
I’ll give a rating whenever the film has not been, to help give the reader a sense of what to expect.
I’ll rate the films 1-5, five being the top score.
I’ll also rate the film on how memorable it was. My good friend mentioned that, and I agree. He stated that he bases a film or book on how long he thought about it after the experience. Great insight.
Temptation for checking the time is just that. Was the film boring? Did I consult my watch, or the little bar at the bottom of the screen when streaming, to see when the thing would end?
Finally, for the more bronze-ish movies, I’ll let the viewer know how explicit the sex is or how much nudity is involved.
Hope these reviews will be useful.
John

Movie review for The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec

Title:  The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec
Year Released: 2010
Country: France
Language: French
Rating: PG   My Rating: PG13
Score (out of five stars): 5
Gold: Medium,  Silver: High,  Bronze: Low
Memorable: High
Temptation for checking the time: Low
Acting: High
Writing: High
Cinematography: High
A wild ride. Louise Bourgoin carries the film. She’s fresh, intelligent and completely believable in this completely unbelievable adventure. The special effects are excellent, especially the mummies who are as witty as they are charming. Perhaps not for the younger crowd, and I’m astonished that it got a PG rating. I gave it PG13, and would compare it in violence and grossness to the Lord of the Rings franchise. Otherwise, this is a good one for the whole family, especially if they aren’t squeamish. I certainly hope there will be others, as long as Bourgoin is in them.
These are my film reviews. I am not any more qualified to offer them than anyone else. I just love films and seek out works that are not on the radar, especially foreign language and independent films. Many of my friends consult me for interesting stuff to watch, so, I’ve decided to put them on my blog.
I am constantly on the lookout for films that are entertaining and always with an eye toward how they treat subjects and matters of the human condition. I feature myself a moralist, and am especially drawn to works that bring out emotion and treat heavy subject matter with respect. 
I’ve decided, in addition to giving just a number rating, to also give weight to the three basic concepts of the human condition, as described by Plato in his Republic; namely,
The gold, to represent the mind, The Silver, to represent the heart, and The bronze, to represent, well, you know, the region below the belt.
I think this is useful in describing films.
Some other things of note:
I’ll give a rating whenever the film has not been, to help give the reader a sense of what to expect.
I’ll rate the films 1-5, five being the top score.
I’ll also rate the film on how memorable it was. My good friend mentioned that, and I agree. He stated that he bases a film or book on how long he thought about it after the experience. Great insight.
Temptation for checking the time is just that. Was the film boring? Did I consult my watch, or the little bar at the bottom of the screen when streaming, to see when the thing would end?
Finally, for the more bronze-ish movies, I’ll let the viewer know how explicit the sex is or how much nudity is involved.
Hope these reviews will be useful.
John

��Movie Review of Am��lie

Title: Amélie, (Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain)
Year Released: 2001
Country: France
Language: French
Rating: R   My Rating: R
Score (out of five stars): 5
Gold: High
Silver: High
Bronze: Medium
Memorable: High
Temptation for checking the time: Low
Acting: High
Writing: High
Cinematography: High
One of my favorite films of all time. Everything is here; humility, kindness, love. Audrey Tautou is perfect as is the rest of the cast. I highly recommend it.   

These are my film reviews. I am not any more qualified to offer them than anyone else. I just love films and seek out works that are not on the radar, especially foreign language and independent films. Many of my friends consult me for interesting stuff to watch, so, I’ve decided to put them on my blog.
I am constantly on the lookout for films that are entertaining and always with an eye toward how they treat subjects and matters of the human condition. I feature myself a moralist, and am especially drawn to works that bring out emotion and treat heavy subject matter with respect. 
I’ve decided, in addition to giving just a number rating, to also give weight to the three basic concepts of the human condition, as described by Plato in his Republic; namely,
The gold, to represent the mind,
The Silver, to represent the heart, and
The bronze, to represent, well, you know, the region below the belt.
I think this is useful in describing films.
Some other things of note:
I’ll give a rating whenever the film has not been, to help give the reader a sense of what to expect.
I’ll rate the films 1-5, five being the top score.
I’ll also rate the film on how memorable it was. My good friend mentioned that, and I agree. He stated that he bases a film or book on how long he thought about it after the experience. Great insight.
Temptation for checking the time is just that. Was the film boring? Did I consult my watch, or the little bar at the bottom of the screen when streaming, to see when the thing would end?
Finally, for the more bronze-ish movies, I’ll let the viewer know how explicit the sex is or how much nudity is involved.

Hope these reviews will be useful.
John

Movie Review of Amélie

Title: Amélie, (Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain)
Year Released: 2001
Country: France
Language: French
Rating: R   My Rating: R
Score (out of five stars): 5
Gold: High
Silver: High
Bronze: Medium
Memorable: High
Temptation for checking the time: Low
Acting: High
Writing: High
Cinematography: High
One of my favorite films of all time. Everything is here; humility, kindness, love. Audrey Tautou is perfect as is the rest of the cast. I highly recommend it.   

These are my film reviews. I am not any more qualified to offer them than anyone else. I just love films and seek out works that are not on the radar, especially foreign language and independent films. Many of my friends consult me for interesting stuff to watch, so, I’ve decided to put them on my blog.
I am constantly on the lookout for films that are entertaining and always with an eye toward how they treat subjects and matters of the human condition. I feature myself a moralist, and am especially drawn to works that bring out emotion and treat heavy subject matter with respect. 
I’ve decided, in addition to giving just a number rating, to also give weight to the three basic concepts of the human condition, as described by Plato in his Republic; namely,
The gold, to represent the mind,
The Silver, to represent the heart, and
The bronze, to represent, well, you know, the region below the belt.
I think this is useful in describing films.
Some other things of note:
I’ll give a rating whenever the film has not been, to help give the reader a sense of what to expect.
I’ll rate the films 1-5, five being the top score.
I’ll also rate the film on how memorable it was. My good friend mentioned that, and I agree. He stated that he bases a film or book on how long he thought about it after the experience. Great insight.
Temptation for checking the time is just that. Was the film boring? Did I consult my watch, or the little bar at the bottom of the screen when streaming, to see when the thing would end?
Finally, for the more bronze-ish movies, I’ll let the viewer know how explicit the sex is or how much nudity is involved.

Hope these reviews will be useful.
John

Movie review of Dean Spanley

Title: Dean Spanley
Year Released: 2008
Country: UK
Language: English
Rating: PG My Rating: PG
Score (out of five stars): 5+
Gold: High
Silver: High
Bronze: Low
Memorable: High
Temptation for checking the time: Low
Acting: High
Writing: High
Cinematography: High
One of my favorite films. The acting is stellar; the story is crazy and wonderful. Peter O’Toole is terrific, as always.
This is most definitely one the whole family can see, though it’s no light comedy, but rather the kind of film that will stay with you for a long time after you’ve experienced it.

These are my film reviews. I am not any more qualified to offer them than anyone else. I just love films and seek out works that are not on the radar, especially foreign language and independent films. Many of my friends consult me for interesting stuff to watch, so, I’ve decided to put them on my blog.
I am constantly on the lookout for films that are entertaining and always with an eye toward how they treat subjects and matters of the human condition. I feature myself a moralist, and am especially drawn to works that bring out emotion and treat heavy subject matter with respect. 
I’ve decided, in addition to giving just a number rating, to also give weight to the three basic concepts of the human condition, as described by Plato in his Republic; namely,
The gold, to represent the mind,
The Silver, to represent the heart, and
The bronze, to represent, well, you know, the region below the belt.
I think this is useful in describing films.
Some other things of note:
I’ll give a rating whenever the film has not been, to help give the reader a sense of what to expect.
I’ll rate the films 1-5, five being the top score.
I’ll also rate the film on how memorable it was. My good friend mentioned that, and I agree. He stated that he bases a film or book on how long he thought about it after the experience. Great insight.
Temptation for checking the time is just that. Was the film boring? Did I consult my watch, or the little bar at the bottom of the screen when streaming, to see when the thing would end?
Finally, for the more bronze-ish movies, I’ll let the viewer know how explicit the sex is or how much nudity is involved.
Hope these reviews will be useful.
John

Movie review of Café de Flore

Title: Café de Flore
Year Released: 2011
Country: Canada and France
Language: French and English
Rating: NR   My Rating: R
Score (out of five stars): 2
Gold: High
Silver: High
Bronze: High
Memorable: Medium
Temptation for checking the time: Medium
Acting: High
Writing: Medium / Low
Cinematography: High
This movie irritated me, in that there was, literally, only one likable character in the entire film, that being   Carole’s, (Hélène Florent’s) best friend Amélie, (Évelyne de la Chenelière) who gets literally zero play in any of the reviews  or news I’ve read about this film. She seems the only wise, loving, and round player in the entire drama.

Probably the least likable character is the protagonist  Antoine, (Kevin Parent), a self-absorbed addict who’s traded his Beefeaters for fornicating with a vapid sex kitten and then spends the balance of the film trying to convince us that destroying his mostly dysfunctional family’s life is okay, so long as he is happy. There was literally not one thing I liked about this character.

Even his father’s impassioned speech offers little value, as the man is a caricature, a recovering drunk capable of expressing nothing more than anger and loathing for his son. His objection is dismissed as sanctimony, his plea for his son to man-up nothing more than a moralizing rant.

The jilted wife’s ultimate catharsis is not enough either as the destruction of her demons does little to convince me that she’s done nothing more than move from victim-hood to martyrdom. There might have been some redemption here had we seen evidence that she would be okay. I didn’t, and that’s a shame when she serves as a symbol for an all too frequent reality in today’s Cialis stoked and driven society.

Director Jean-Marc Vallée has succeeded in force-feeding his audience a serving of Hollywood’s version of reality, and worse, morality, and I came away with a bad taste in my mouth.

I rated the bronze aspect high in this film due to the few rather explicit sex scenes infused here and there. They were distracting and may be off-putting, therefore the high rating.

These are my film reviews. I am not any more qualified to offer them than anyone else. I just love films and seek out works that are not on the radar, especially foreign language and independent films. Many of my friends consult me for interesting stuff to watch, so, I’ve decided to put them on my blog.
I am constantly on the lookout for films that are entertaining and always with an eye toward how they treat subjects and matters of the human condition. I feature myself a moralist, and am especially drawn to works that bring out emotion and treat heavy subject matter with respect. 
I’ve decided, in addition to giving just a number rating, to also give weight to the three basic concepts of the human condition, as described by Plato in his Republic; namely,
The gold, to represent the mind,
The Silver, to represent the heart, and
The bronze, to represent, well, you know, the region below the belt.
I think this is useful in describing films. 

Some other things of note:
I’ll give a rating whenever the film has not been, to help give the reader a sense of what to expect.
I’ll rate the films 1-5, five being the top score.
I’ll also rate the film on how memorable it was. My good friend mentioned that, and I agree. He stated that he bases a film or book on how long he thought about it after the experience. Great insight.
Temptation for checking the time is just that. Was the film boring? Did I consult my watch, or the little bar at the bottom of the screen when streaming, to see when the thing would end?
Finally, for the more bronze-ish movies, I’ll let the viewer know how explicit the sex is or how much nudity is involved.
Hope these reviews will be useful.
John

Movie Review of My Old Lady

Title: My Old Lady
Year Released: 2014
Country: France
Language: English
Rating: PG13   My Rating: PG13
Score (out of five stars): 5
Gold: High
Silver: High
Bronze: Low
Memorable: High
Temptation for checking the time: Medium
Acting: High
Writing: High
Cinematography: High
This film could serve as a case study in Alice Miller’s theory on childhood abuse and its ramifications. The cast is stellar. I believe Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Maggie Smith could entertain us reading the phone book, but there’s a good script and a good story here.
I recommend it.    

These are my film reviews. I am not any more qualified to offer them than anyone else. I just love films and seek out works that are not on the radar, especially foreign language and independent films. Many of my friends consult me for interesting stuff to watch, so, I’ve decided to put them on my blog.

I am constantly on the lookout for films that are entertaining and always with an eye toward how they treat subjects and matters of the human condition. I feature myself a moralist, and am especially drawn to works that bring out emotion and treat heavy subject matter with respect.  

I’ve decided, in addition to giving just a number rating, to also give weight to the three basic concepts of the human condition, as described by Plato in his Republic; namely,

The gold, to represent the mind,

The Silver, to represent the heart, and

The bronze, to represent, well, you know, the region below the belt.

I think this is useful in describing films. 

Some other things of note:

I’ll give a rating whenever the film has not been, to help give the reader a sense of what to expect.

I’ll rate the films 1-5, five being the top score.

I’ll also rate the film on how memorable it was. My good friend mentioned that, and I agree. He stated that he bases a film or book on how long he thought about it after the experience. Great insight.

Temptation for checking the time is just that. Was the film boring? Did I consult my watch, or the little bar at the bottom of the screen when streaming, to see when the thing would end?

Finally, for the more bronze-ish movies, I’ll let the viewer know how explicit the sex is or how much nudity is involved.

Hope these reviews will be useful.

John

Hira would have had to kill them all.

“Sí. I understand. How could this Pierce muchacho have such a rotten family?”

“Don’t know. Seems he’s the black sheep, but not because he’s bad, actually the opposite. He’s good. Had a different mother, an Indio, they say. Some little liaison the Scotsman had and he kept the boy around after the mother died, but treats him like hell. He’s the best one of the bunch and gets treated the worst. Terrible, terrible the names they called him.”

“Darling, how are we to find this Mexican boy? He fell into the river and that’s all we know. It seems it would be easier to find a needle in a haystack.”

“I know.” It was a vexing problem. He looked at her and smiled weakly. “I think the more important job is to keep an eye on the bad son, Thad. We’ve got to track him down before he tracks the Mexican fellow down. The captain says we can arrest him for assault and conspiracy since he failed to heed our warning.  I should have just arrested and taken in him when we had the chance.” He looked at Rosario with bloodshot eyes. “I’m not much of a lawman, darling, but I know he’d have not gone without a fight. Singh would have likely had to kill the whole bunch, father and son and sheriff as well.” He reached to the bedside table and poured a big whiskey. He drank it with shaky hands.

Rosario comforted him. “No, you did the right thing. Sometimes, you just cannot make men do the right thing, and pushing too far, well, you are right, Hira would have had to kill them all.” She shrugged and poured a drink for herself. “It would not have been the right thing, for either you or dear Hira.”

“So, now we get to go running all over hell’s half acre and bring him in, dead or alive.” He grinned and felt silly saying that, as he was not a law dog. He was a secretary to the captain, and a good manager and administrator, but he was not a policeman.

Rosario got out of bed and moved around the room naked and Hobbs watched and enjoyed her. She was working again and he knew he’d sleep no more today. She was packing and this got his attention. Allingham; Desperate Ride

Movie Review: A Five Star Life

Title: A Five Star Life (Viaggio sola)
Year Released: 2013
Country: Italy
Language: Italian
Rating: NR   My Rating: PG13
Score (out of five stars): 5
Gold: High
Silver: High
Bronze: Low
Memorable: High
Temptation for checking the time: Medium
Acting: High
Writing: High
Cinematography: High
A very enjoyable film with a wonderful cast, excellent believable story, and a hopeful, pleasant ending.
Margherita Buy carries the film well, and simply represents someone we’ve all encountered at some point in our lives.  You know, the person those of us with children feel uncomfortable around, especially if we don’t, in fact, hate our offspring. In the instant where we actually do hate our children, then I guess we’d envy her.
And this is the beauty of A Five Star Life. The issues it treats will be immediately palpable to folks of a certain age.
Regrets, lost opportunities, the wonder of whether or not another path could have made us happier. And does so without taking sides, proclaiming the superiority of one choice over another. I think I liked that the best about this film experience.
An excellent way to spend 85 minutes of one’s, oh so precious, time. I highly recommend it.

These are my film reviews. I am not any more qualified to offer them than anyone else. I just love films and seek out works that are not on the radar, especially foreign language and independent films. Many of my friends consult me for interesting stuff to watch, so, I’ve decided to put them on my blog.
I am constantly on the lookout for films that are entertaining and always with an eye toward how they treat subjects and matters of the human condition. I feature myself a moralist, and am especially drawn to works that bring out emotion and treat heavy subject matter with respect. 
I’ve decided, in addition to giving just a number rating, to also give weight to the three basic concepts of the human condition, as described by Plato in his Republic; namely,
The gold, to represent the mind,
The Silver, to represent the heart, and
The bronze, to represent, well, you know, the region below the belt.
I think this is useful in describing films.
Some other things of note:
I’ll give a rating whenever the film has not been, to help give the reader a sense of what to expect.
I’ll rate the films 1-5, five being the top score.
I’ll also rate the film on how memorable it was. My good friend mentioned that, and I agree. He stated that he bases a film or book on how long he thought about it after the experience. Great insight.
Temptation for checking the time is just that. Was the film boring? Did I consult my watch, or the little bar at the bottom of the screen when streaming, to see when the thing would end?
Finally, for the more bronze-ish movies, I’ll let the viewer know how explicit the sex is or how much nudity is involved.

Hope these reviews will be useful.

John