Sandy’s Film Reviews

656 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.

Secret Life of Words, The (2005): A remarkable film that gets to you in a devastating way. The story of Hannah is the story of the millions that have been forgotten. Subtle and brilliant; very unusual – nothing else like it!
Sessions at West 54th, Best Of (Vol. 1) (1997): Hangover from 90's replete with checked/striped shirts, prolific instruments but mostly little innovation. Not comparable to NPR's superb Tiny Desk concerts today. Reminds us that the 60's, 70's, & 2000's were the peaks of creativity in pop music
Marat / Sade (1967): Few films can compare with this masterpiece by Brook & the RSC. Even after a dozen viewings it still packs an unrivaled intellectual punch. Profound & timeless, as relevant today as when it was made. One of the greatest theatrical productions ever made.
Time Crimes (Los Cronocrímenes Timecrimes) (2007): Very clever indeed. You'll need all your grey cells to follow the intricacies of this suburban thriller which poses moral as well as dramatic challenges. You need to work hard to stay abreast of the complex plot. Very unusual – terrific!
Keeper of Lost Causes, The (Kvinden i buret) (2013): Scandinavian noir that is seriously black. No wisecracking American toughs with silly pistols here! Edge of the seat gripping right through, with plenty of surprises. Not a soft one for Sunday nights! Recommended.; DVD $19.95
Ida (2013): Intense, quiet b&w exploration of agonizing internal issues faced by many Polish women as late as 1960's with lives ruined by WW2, Holocaust & Russians. Stunning photography and acting. Subtitles too fast but the main story is clear. Highly recommended
Struggle No More (2006): Unique story of a quirky but exceptionally talented NZ band. Thanks to Costa Botes for this very well–produced, structured and recorded film. I'm lucky to have heard Bill Lake since 1968. Excellent commentaries. Highly recommended!
Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey (2002): Poorly edited single CD of part of the original 2 CD set. Wyman's recollections of black blues singers that influenced him. Poor sound. Not comparable with Scorsese's history of the blues, but original 2 CD set well reviewed elsewhere.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016): Crass but convincing. Shot in Albuquerque because 15 years of "pacification" make it impossible to shoot a movie like this in Kabul. Local characters one–dimensional except for Fahim who is (a) real & (b) still there. Entertaining but uninformative.
Broken Circle Breakdown, The (2013): Unexpected tragic events undermine these apparently easy–going alternative lives. Like The Separation (Iran), it dives deep into the courage & shared beliefs important in relationships. Recommended. The hens & jackdaws perform especially well.

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Sandy’s Film Reviews