Category: Reviews

I write movie reviews here, they are are marked when they contain spoilers. I am a big fan of Roger Ebert and the way he talks about a movie while allowing the viewer to keep her/his own impressions. With his reviews as my guide, I seek to post conversation starters about the movies. To see the full list of movies I’ve reviewed click here.

You’ll Never Be Rejected When The true Judge is YOU babe (CJ)

Follow Your Inner Being Only

Ep. 108: Director Focus – Lars Von Trier – The Damien Riley Podcast of Movie Reviews

His serial killer film “The House That Jack Built” (coming soon) prompted Cannes walkouts for twisted violence. But is it?

Ep. 108: Director Focus – Lars Von Trier
He has a long resume of thoughtful, disturbing films. @cinema_recall’s TheVern and I review them in this episode. Please listen & RT!
Listen https://thedamienrileypodcast.com/ep-108-director-focus-lars-von-trier/

Ep. 108: Director Focus – Lars Von Trier
An open discussion with my colleague and critic friend @videovanguard of this visionary filmmaker. FYI: his serial killer film The House That Jack Built is coming soon.
Listen bit.ly/2kcMzNP
#reviews #film
bit.ly/2yCAXxx

Ep. 57 – The Alchemist Cookbook
Disatisfied dude seeks satanic doorway
#movies #film #podcast #horror #moviereview
http://bit.ly/2yJvIw8

21 Grams

No, this film isn’t about drugs as the title hints. It’s a people study. In this heroic film by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, a handful of characters are under the microscope for us to try to analyze. Their lives intersect in odd ways but that really isn’t the amazing thing to watch for. It’s their drives and why they do things that should captivate the viewer. I know it did that for me.

21 Grams (2003)
R | 2h 4min | Crime, Drama, Thriller | 16 January 2004 (USA)

A freak accident brings together a critically ill mathematician, a grieving mother, and a born-again ex-con.
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu (as Alejandro González Iñárritu)
Writer: Guillermo Arriaga
Stars: Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Naomi Watts

Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, & Naomi Watts are the top stars in this dramatic film about what drives people. The writer Guillermo Arriaga has done a fantastic job giving us a dollhouse type view of these normal people engaged in their lives. I first became interested in the director when I saw “Birdman,” another film that puts regular people right up to the screen larger than life. In watching what they do, we can quietly and privately look at ourselves. These films cause us to question our motives.He is an excellent director but I find some of his formulaic conventions unnecessary to make us introspective.

If you like deeply portrayed characters, look no further. I greatly enjoyed this film but personally didn’t need all the “coincidences” to make it powerful for me. I give this film an 8/10.

Hereditary

“Rosemary’s Baby.” “The Omen.” “The Visitor.” Three examples of old school scares. This film is crafted after that time and not as much after today’s films. This film will do well, I have no doubt. In the mire of bad films being made this year, it has no competition. But I have issues with its convoluted plot and overly busy storyline. It could have had better impact with a simplified approach.

Hereditary (2018)
R | 2h 7min | Drama, Horror, Mystery | 8 June 2018 (USA)

When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry.
Director: Ari Aster
Writer: Ari Aster
Stars: Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne

The director is 31. He has done a couple of movies. As I understand, this is his first horror. I watched an interview with him, he seems like someone who will continue making good movies. This film had a few really creepy images that I will forever treasure. Too bad the story was way too complicated for my simple horror loving mind.

When the son comes downstairs and sees a naked man standing there, it reminded me of the final scene of “Rosemary’s Baby.” Loved that! I think if he would have had a simpler story and whittled down the story a bit to a narrow focus, it would have fared better with me. I really wanted to love this film but it was boring at times. I give it a 7/10