Sandy’s Film Reviews
104 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.
Stories We Tell (2012)
Cinéma–vérité. Makes a deep impression. Worth re–watching. Unique & realistic despite being a collage of old clips, acting & family members playing themselves. Brilliant direction & an interesting conclusion. 
How to Blow Up a Pipeline (2022)
A sad illustration of the ignorance of ordinary young Americans except on technical issues. Emotion rather than reason is all they know. But is fun to watch, nonetheless. Competently made and pacey. - DVD $29.95 | Blu-Ray $34.95
Annie's Fire (Annie Colère) (2022)- A powerful feminist statement fully relevant today. Extremely sensitive, with fine acting by everyone. It's interesting to compare the revolution in France with the slower progress in NZ. It's very realistic & down to earth – a wonderful film!
- DVD $29.95
Oppenheimer (2023)- A VERY INTELLIGENT film anti–war film but possibly hard going if you don't already know the story. Densely structured and riveting. Expose of how the "movers & shakers" in DC manipulate scientists for their own ends, hence current relevance.
Crimes of the Future (2022)
Unappealing - DVD $29.95 | Blu-Ray $34.95
L'Innocente (1976)- A slow, tedious and unconvincing costume drama that sadly doesn't stand the test of time. Weak plot.
November (Novembre) (2023)
Very intense, demanding, violent and convincing. A strategically–paced wall map would though have helped! - DVD $29.95
Patience Stone, The (2012)- Partly filmed in Herat; beautiful & desperately moving. Shows how women carry the weight of futile wars. Explicitly sexual. Powerful story, unexpected ending, brilliant acting by Farahani. Nothing else quite like it.
Deep Blue Sea, The (2011)- Dated, with very annoying music. Characters not well developed. It's a cruel film & depressing; hard to see the point of it. Not up to the usual Terence Davies standard.
French Dispatch, The (2021)- Best if you know something of US journalism, literature, the French Art Establishment & mental asylums to take this fast–paced satire fully on board. Even Maigret & French cartoons get riffed. A sharp contrast to the junk on TVNZ. Great fun!
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