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Reviews
Sister Cities (2016)
Finely crafted, this is funny, beautiful, and deeply touching
I agree with the other reviewers who have noted that this is a fabulous film filled with five strong female characters - the wildly different four sisters (named after cities) who come together after their mother's death. The writing is witty, suspenseful, and with deep character insight... there's not a cliché to be found in this script by Colette Freedman.It is by turns hilarious, touching, surprising, and gasp inducing. The four sisters are acted brilliantly, with Jess Weixler a standout as the writer who tanked after a single best seller, and went home to live with mom. It is she who shows (initially) the most courage, but where this brings the others will surprise you. .. Stana Katic is stunning as the ice princess eldest sister on track to be a judge, with Michelle Trachtenberg on point as a somewhat prissy, uptight woman who harbors her own secrets, and the effervescent Troian Bellisario as the youngest is simply a delight. Flashbacks show both the mom and three of the sisters much younger, and so the cast is almost entirely female (with small but well conceived roles featuring the always excellent Edward Molina and handsome Tom Everett Scott) making this a female dominated film in precisely the way that nearly all Hollywood films are male dominated. And guess what... It's fabulous. Agree with the other reviewer, more of these please.
The Judge (2014)
Genius screen writing, stellar performances, a must see!
This terrific film is vastly underrated. At its base is a powerful, nuanced and witty script which details the conflict between four wounded family members, each fighting battles with each other and the world, and each very understandable and sympathetic in his own way. There's mystery, humor, charm, love and a great deal of tension in this story, and the brilliant performances by Downey and Duvall are remarkably matched by the supporting cast. The director, too has a deft and subtle hand. There's sweetness here but no sap, there's sharp humor but no parody, there's mystery, and lust, and broken dreams, evil and blood, but balanced by great humanity. There's small town Americana and big city callousness but without stereotype, or whitewash. It's surprising at every turn. It's art. Could not recommend more highly. I'll watch it again. And likely again after that.
Little Favour (2013)
Cumberbatch is superb, Monroe debuts powerfully, an engrossing thriller
10 out of 10 for the acting, the cinematography, music, and directing. This stunning short thriller grabs you by the throat and won't let go.
Benedict Cumberbatch is superb - nuanced and physically adept - as the vulnerable yet powerfully skilled ex-soldier (appears to be special forces from his formidable combat skills) and yet his life is a wreck; he gets a nasty text from a date and lives in a hell hole. The character is intriguing and begs for further development.
The action and suspense are handled beautifully by all. Where this film could use some help, however, is in the writing. Neither the characters nor the storyline are developed (at least to this viewer's satisfaction) and while I was riveted throughout, the ending left me with the kinds of questions that suggest less an artistic choice than an omission.
With the addition of a writer in the same league as everyone else in this film, this production company will know no bounds. I look forward to the next offering from Sunny March. Meanwhile, LITTLE FAVOUR is definitely worth watching. An excellent debut.