Sandy’s Film Reviews
656 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.
Amazing Grace (Amazing Grace: Aretha Franklin) (2019)
Young Aretha at the height of her powers singing gospel in church at LA with her father and mentor there. Regarded as the finest–ever film on Aretha by far, but she refused to release it during her lifetime. Top quality reprocessed sound and visuals. 
Jacquot De Nantes (1991)
Remarkably well–dressed 1930s working–class kids play around lots of flash cars with unworn tires. As with so many French movies today, the decoration diverts the theme, if any. 
Human Traces (2017)- Tubbs discerns the theme of this appalling film as profound, instead of obvious. This incoherent melodrama should never have been funded. Partly shot on Campbell I, other fauna is thrown in willy–nilly. A silly distortion of interesting reality.
Wild Rose (2018)
Outstanding British movie, terrific acting & a powerful story, not simplistic. A hard drama on the lives of women, realistic, no romance. Overall a really great movie on all levels. Producer Faye Ward & writer Nicole's extras esp. interesting. 
Sometimes Always Never (2018)- Extremely clever. Much more than just a comedy but about how people of different ages see the same events and cope in their different ways. Very quiet, very English & intense. A great minimalist movie, complex & subtle. I loved Nighy's jersey!
Quest (2017)- Straight, pure doco – life just as it is for poor black families in US cities today. Right up–to–date and very realistic. No romance but a memorable tale of a loving family; no mere statistic. Terrific!
Booksmart (2019)- First impression–silly, facile & pretentious. WRONG! Take another look, watch the interesting extras – lots of subtlety here; super acting & direction. Not a comedy but a good film about the dreams of middle American youth.
Keep the Change (2018)- Very modern & well–filmed. Unusual but moving – this is not a usual predictable romantic comedy –far from it. there is much sweetness in the group characters as well. Serious, but gentle.
Transit (2018)- Incomprehensibly staged in modern France without coherence. Keen reviews from Roger Ebert et al add some missing context but are unconvincing. Certainly Kafkaesque – in a stupid way. Staccato German script makes speed–reading of subtitles essential
- DVD $29.95
Assassination Nation (2018)- Don't allow 21stC teen social media froth deter you. This stylish deconstruction of small town Louisiana packs a helluva punch – the key. Clue is the town name – Salem, where 14 young women were hung in 1692 for "witchcraft". But Southern flavor here.
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