Sandy’s Film Reviews

656 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.

Under the Silver Lake (2018): Surrealistic, but dumb. Facile & without humour.
Nightingale, The (2019): Brutal portrait of the life of Australian convicts under British rule. The mythical friendship with the last living Aborigine is moving and convincing, even if the Aboriginal actor had to come from the mainland. All Tasmanian Aborigines were murdered.; DVD ~~$20~~ $15
Courted (2015): Very French – entertaining & eccentric. A definitely different romantic film. Subtle acting and direction. Nice!
Late Night (2019): A comedy about comedy. Very witty, progressive & v. topical. Never a dull moment! Great script & good acting. Bitter–sweet, like the very best of comedy.
Little Woods (2018): A very well–acted, convincing & gripping tale of young women 'running on empty' in oil–rich S. Dakota. An essentially crowd–funded movie, well worthy of support.; DVD $29.95
11.6 (2013): Neither intelligent nor funny.
Like Father, Like Son (2013): Wealthy city–folk living well on a single income (unlike NZ) vs humble working–class folk from Okinawa. Complex & unpredictable – therefore interesting. Very sensitive interactions. More about the dysfunctional adults than about the swapped children.
Heiresses, The (2018): Gloomy, slow–moving & rather depressing.; DVD $29.95
Chaperone, The (2018): Much more than just froth! Norma Carlisle (Elizabeth McGovern)–the "Chaperone"–is complex, subtle & unexpectedly convincing. Louise Brooks' character is interesting & progressive. An interesting film about women's lives–privileged, but unhappy.
Two Lives (2012): Slightly awkward pace reduces gripping plot. But so lovely to see the great Liv Ullman, acting since the 60s, here as Ase. Story is made overly complex by somewhat incoherent flashbacks. Better on a 2nd viewing.

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Sandy’s Film Reviews