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***** A must watch
**** Worth seeing
*** If you must watch a movie and there is nothing else out there
** Don’t bother
* It’s so bad its almost good... not... These are films I walked out on, or just fell asleep
(K: stars) Rating by my children. As they are easy to please, would typically be higher than mine...

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From category archives: RonenRecommends

Comedy

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016, New Zealand) *****

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016, New Zealand) *****

Spiced with plenty of humor and lots of heart, Hunt for the Wilderpeople helped restore some of my faith, that the art of storytelling via film is not yet all but lost. Two people, one a troubled city kid (Julian Dennison) who had been moved from one foster home to another, the other a wilder grieving man (Sam Neill), find themselves running together from the law, and subject to a national manhunt. These two outcasts who cannot stand each other, not so surprisingly, would learn to enjoy each other’s company. And while this outcome is somewhat predictable as it is desired, it is the road they take them there, that makes their journey worth seeing.

Currently rated 0.0 by 0 people
Marguerite (2015, France) ****

Marguerite (2015, France) ****

Marguerite, a film directed by Xavier Giannoli to a screenplay by Giannoli and Marcia Romano, is considered a comedy-drama. I find it to be more of a classic tragedy, concealed behind a comic façade. Taking its inspiration from the real life story of Florence Foster Jenkins, the filmmaker set Marguerite’s plot to take place in France, during the Golden Twenties.
Currently rated 0.0 by 0 people
The Lobster (2015) ***

The Lobster (2015) ***

The Lobster is a semi-surreal satire, incorporating romantic comedy elements. If this sounds complex, maybe it is because this film, much like its form, does not fall into one specific genre. Directed by Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos, to a screenplay by Efthymis Filippou and Lanthimos, it is Lanthimos’ first foray into English language filmmaking.
Currently rated 0.0 by 0 people
The Nice Guys (2016) ***

The Nice Guys (2016) ***

The Nice Guys is a film that could have been done much better, but at least Crowe and Gosling elevate it to a more than tolerable level. Despite the many laughs, The Nice Guys is highly uneven on multiple levels. On the upside, The Nice Guys revives the odd couple / forced-to-be-buddies genre, bringing to mind films such as Beverly Hills Cop with Eddie Murphy and Judge Reinhold, and Lethal Weapon with Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.
Currently rated 0.0 by 0 people
The Lady in the Van (2015, UK) ***

The Lady in the Van (2015, UK) ***

The Lady in the Van is a comedy-drama directed by Nicholas Hytner, to a screenplay written by Alan Bennett, based on his own biographical play. The story was previously presented as a theater production and then earned a BBC radio adaptation. As the film’s opening titles announce, The Lady in the Van is based mostly on a true story; a tale about a homeless ragged elderly woman, who spent fifteen years at a rundown van parked on the writer’s driveway in London. Staring Maggie Smith and Alex Jennings in the main roles, the production enjoys a wonderful cast, though, truth be told, Maggie Smith does shadow them all.
Currently rated 5.0 by 1 people
Hail, Caesar! (2016) ****

Hail, Caesar! (2016) ****

Was Jesus the first real Commie? (or at least the first socialist?) Hail, Caesar! is the Coen brothers amusing tribute to Hollywood's Golden Age; an homage that both honors the grandiose scale of 1950s Hollywood, while, at the same time, ridicules the actors, directors, screenwriters and producers behind the well-oiled film-producing machine. How is that possible? Leave that to the Coen brothers to manage...
Currently rated 0.0 by 0 people

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Latest Comments

    Re: Logan (2017) ***

    I agree about the relationship with Logan and Charles - added a lot of depth, especially with the next...

    -- ed

    Re: Eye in the Sky (2015, UK) *****

    Great Review Ronen!

    -- Scott

    Re: Top Five (2014) ***

    wonderfully expressed review and very accurately describing the movie...

    -- Zoes mom

    Re: Begin Again (2014) ***

    such great performers - would have expected more of.... very disappointing to hear....

    -- mother of four

    Re: Waltz with Bashir (2008) *****

    Stunned. Speechless. This is a powerful movie. Its objectivity and lack of judgment IS its power, and...

    -- Monroe Movie Lover

    Re: Inception (2010) ***

    Special effects are more than ever present even in drama movies, its almost normal that an action thriller...

    -- Alvaro

    Re: The Real Dirt On Farmer John (2005) ***

    Interesting though i was expecting more of the film.

    -- rondnor

    Re: Midnight Run (1988) *****

    great movie indeed

    -- rondnor

    Re: The Bounty Hunter (2010) *

    wont bother then

    -- superair

    Re: Stardust (2007) *****

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this movie :-)watching Robert De Niro in a dress what could be better.Enjoy

    -- YRD

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