Sandy’s Film Reviews

50 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.

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!
Saint Omer (2022): Beautiful profound & very wise. Powerful feminist movie. Very intelligent & well–acted. Gripping, because it just drip–feeds the plot. A very great film –perfect & agonizing. Requiem for all women, sung by Nina Simone. Grand Jury Prize Cannes 2022.; DVD $29.95
Angela's Ashes (1999): Brilliant acting & dramatic portrait of Ireland in 1930s. Very moving portrait of courage in abject poverty. PROFOUND. Great extras. If hard of hearing, watch the extra "Commentary by Frank McCourt" which has subtitles right through
One Fine Morning (Un Beau Matin) (2022): Everyday charm, contrasting the young & the old. Even if the Director's knowledge of Antarctic mammals is sadly lacking. Otherwise, an intimate & profound portrayal of an intelligent & kind young woman. A nice straightforward film on life's challenges.; DVD $29.95
Science of Sleep, The (2006): I found it stupid rather than amusing. Not even farce. And am not alone in this view. It would be nothing at all without the magic of Charlotte Gainsbourg. Give it a miss!

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Sandy’s Film Reviews