lakeland53
Santa Monica Public Library
lakeland53's Completed Shelf
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Jazz FestJazz Fest, DVDA New Orleans Story
DVD - 2022DVD, 2022
Added Feb 22, 2023
The salt of tearsThe salt of tears, DVD
DVD - 2021 | FrenchDVD, 2021. Language: French
lakeland53's rating:
Added Jul 23, 2021
Portrait of a lady on firePortrait of a lady on fire, DVD
DVD - 2020 | Director-approved DVD special edition. | FrenchDVD, 2020. Director-approved DVD special edition.. Language: French
lakeland53's rating:
Added Jul 11, 2021
Comment:
French, with subtitles. Excellent film. The director/screenwriter, Caeline Sciamma, captures the turning point in two women' lives. A portrait must be painted. The unfolding of events that lead to the finished product are so beautifully done. The music mid-film is extraordinary. The way this story is presented, makes me realize these kinds of events change a person internally forever. Simply beautiful and worth the watch. This is a women's cast almost 100%, almost no males.French, with subtitles. Excellent film. The director/screenwriter, Caeline Sciamma, captures the turning point in two women' lives. A portrait must be painted. The unfolding of events that lead to the finished product are so beautifully done. The…
DeerskinDeerskin, DVDLe daim
DVD - 2020 | FrenchDVD, 2020. Language: French
lakeland53's rating:
Added Jul 11, 2021
Comment:
I do not like this kind of dark humor. The lead would probably be deemed insane if this really occurred. French, with subtitles. Adele Haenel is in another film, "Portrait Of A Lady On Fire", also French with subtitles. That film shows her acting capacity.I do not like this kind of dark humor. The lead would probably be deemed insane if this really occurred. French, with subtitles. Adele Haenel is in another film, "Portrait Of A Lady On Fire", also French with subtitles. That film shows her acting…
A breath awayA breath away, DVD
DVD - 2019 | FrenchDVD, 2019. Language: French
lakeland53's rating:
Added Jun 25, 2021
Comment:
Science fiction in a modern setting. The script is ok, but the actors really bring this thing to life. They are really good. The art direction, sound, is all very well done. We only see the results of what happened, not the resolutions, so that leaves me desiring a little more than the script offers. Over all, ok to watch if you are looking for something to watch & have watched all your English speaking films, as this is in French, with subtitles.Science fiction in a modern setting. The script is ok, but the actors really bring this thing to life. They are really good. The art direction, sound, is all very well done. We only see the results of what happened, not the resolutions, so that…
RififiRififi, DVD
DVD - 2018 | DVD special edition. | FrenchDVD, 2018. DVD special edition.. Language: French
lakeland53's rating:
Added Jun 25, 2021
Comment:
I am a little torn on this film, not because it was bad, but because it is dated. Mind you, the robbery sequence with no music or dialogue for 28 minutes is extraordinary. Master Thieves at work just concentrating on the job at hand. I want to look into other works by this director, Jules Dassin, who was caught in the middle of the house Un-American Activity Committee hearings in the 1950's. He was black-listed and many American actors wold not/could not work with him for fear of losing their own careers. This film was produced after the hearings, was done on a shoe-string budget, and, all in all, is pretty good. Black & White, very good source of costumes from late 1950's. Worth the watch. French.I am a little torn on this film, not because it was bad, but because it is dated. Mind you, the robbery sequence with no music or dialogue for 28 minutes is extraordinary. Master Thieves at work just concentrating on the job at hand. I want to look…
We Got ThisWe Got This, DVD
DVD - 2021DVD, 2021
lakeland53's rating:
Added May 21, 2021
Comment:
I loved this quirky series. George English is an off-beat American fellow, along the lines of a left-over hippie, married to a Swedish woman. He's out of work and by happenstance, falls into an unsolved murder mystery while living in Sweden. It's truly offbeat, very funny. Well written and directed. The supporting cast is very good, quirky and funny as well. The art direction on this is great. The sets are fitting the script. Maybe there will be a Season 2. This will take the mystery into its finality, which would be good. Season 1 was released sometime in 2020. Some really good comedic moments.I loved this quirky series. George English is an off-beat American fellow, along the lines of a left-over hippie, married to a Swedish woman. He's out of work and by happenstance, falls into an unsolved murder mystery while living in Sweden. It's…
Honest ThiefHonest Thief, DVD
DVD - 2020DVD, 2020
lakeland53's rating:
Added May 14, 2021
Comment:
Not the most memorable film. The story is decent enough and the acting too. It is worth the watch. I always enjoy watching Liam Neeson. His characters are full, honest and have strong objectives. Good supporting cast as well.
Let Him GoLet Him Go, DVD
DVD - 2021DVD, 2021
lakeland53's rating:
Added May 14, 2021
Comment:
This film is set in the 1960's. The sets, cars, costumes are fantastic, as well as the scenery. A man who so dearly loves his wife strives to give her everything. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane are fantastic and their relationship is tight. The supporting cast gives these two leads a run for their money. The characters are full and all very believable. Set in the Mid West. People related to each other differently in the 60's; the whole culture was different. When you travelled through these ares, you were on your own.There was no cell phone, no Twitter or Facebook. One could actually live out in the 'boonies', like the Indian in the film, and be undisturbed and be peaceful. Not only can you see character introspection, you can feel it.
Probably a little slow for most people's taste, but extremely well done.This film is set in the 1960's. The sets, cars, costumes are fantastic, as well as the scenery. A man who so dearly loves his wife strives to give her everything. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane are fantastic and their relationship is tight. The…
Made in ItalyMade in Italy, DVD
DVD - 2020DVD, 2020
lakeland53's rating:
Added May 07, 2021
Comment:
Pretty good film, too predictable to really have depth. It is Michael Richardson’s & Liam Neeson’s (son & father in real life), relationship to the story that must have been overwhelming at times, as Natasha Richardson was the mother & husband to these two actors in actuality. It felt as though Michael Richardson was playing the result at times, so it was hard to see what he was feeling til the end. Liam is such a consummate actor that I always knew his feelings & where he was coming from. He is the strength of the film. I enjoyed it, but this is not the film I would reach for to view a second time. Tuscany is absolutely gorgeous.Pretty good film, too predictable to really have depth. It is Michael Richardson’s & Liam Neeson’s (son & father in real life), relationship to the story that must have been overwhelming at times, as Natasha Richardson was the mother & husband to…
Now You See Me 2Now You See Me 2, DVD
DVD - 2016DVD, 2016
lakeland53's rating:
Added May 04, 2021
Comment:
I liked this film very much. The production is grandiose & in your face & I liked its largesse. The sets are amazing, the editing, lighting, sound. And I enjoyed getting to know the characters too. The end was resolved, and that's important for the audience. Ha! The female lead reminds me of Niurka Iam.(That's actually a transformational leader's name! She's on uTube.) I wonder if Lizzy Caplan modeled her character after Niurka.
I thought the through line was strong, as well as each character's direction. A fun film for me.I liked this film very much. The production is grandiose & in your face & I liked its largesse. The sets are amazing, the editing, lighting, sound. And I enjoyed getting to know the characters too. The end was resolved, and that's important for the…
GreenlandGreenland, DVD
DVD - 2021DVD, 2021
lakeland53's rating:
Added May 01, 2021
Comment:
Just an ok movie with an overworked plot. It never reaches a crescendo or an 'ahhh' moment. There aren't very many levels of emotion in the film. It felt lackluster and barely moved from the starting point. Good editing, sound, poor script. I did not believe the story really.Just an ok movie with an overworked plot. It never reaches a crescendo or an 'ahhh' moment. There aren't very many levels of emotion in the film. It felt lackluster and barely moved from the starting point. Good editing, sound, poor script. I did…
WanderWander, DVD
DVD - 2021DVD, 2021
lakeland53's rating:
Added Apr 17, 2021
Comment:
Very mysterious, dark, story about a man who is drawn to solve a murder of a family member. A little quirky, on the side of paranormal. Interesting, though, and the story's a good through line.
EmmaEmma, DVD
DVD - 2020DVD, 2020
lakeland53's rating:
Added Mar 22, 2021
Comment:
Sets, editing, scenery, costumes. beautiful. Even the make-up is incorrect. Supposedly a clever matchmaker, this Emma falls short. I kept waiting for Emma, the lead , to be clever. In fact, her character is flat, one-edged, and almost no color. Everything about this Emma is the same. There is no surprise in her character as to discovery on an internal level. Not good. The best thing about this story, as far as characters, is the supporting cast. They all have more depth, range and color than this flit of an Emma. The audience should be pulling for Emma's success in love and we should see her need for it and be pulling for her. We see no needs of this Emma, and no-one really cares about her love interest, which is another disaster. Waaaay too predictable, which ruins the point of this kind of story. Very bad direction. Watch the Gwyneth Paltrow version if you want to see Emma in action.Sets, editing, scenery, costumes. beautiful. Even the make-up is incorrect. Supposedly a clever matchmaker, this Emma falls short. I kept waiting for Emma, the lead , to be clever. In fact, her character is flat, one-edged, and almost no color.…
The PackThe Pack, DVD
DVD - 2016 | Widescreen version.DVD, 2016. Widescreen version.
lakeland53's rating:
Added Mar 02, 2021
Comment:
Very intense film featuring wild dogs against a family in the Australian wilderness on a farm far away from the city. Defend or die. Scary & blood involved so be mindful of small kids watching without supervision. Well done.
A Million Little PiecesA Million Little Pieces, DVD
DVD - 2020DVD, 2020
lakeland53's rating:
Added Feb 22, 2021
Comment:
This film was very well done. I know that the rehab part of the film is pretty exaggerated. The lead character is addicted and goes to rehab. While I do not want to give the film's final, I do want to say that there are a lot of things that go into the success or failure of an addiction and rehab. Perhaps it is because the lead is only 23, and also had a very mentally closely relatable 'good experience' in life. An older person may have more difficulty in kicking a drug addiction.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is excellent. Billy Bob Thornton is as well. The film's story is pretty clear, and any education about an addiction is worthy of presentation. I actually give the film's story-line, direction, editing, script 4& 1/2 stars. The ease of kicking an addiction is what gets the lower score. In defense of the writing, any time one leaves a habit they want to remove from their daily lifestyle, they must replace the habit with something better. That was touched in the story line. Just maybe not enough time to fully present it. This is one outcome.
It's difficult to watch. Especially if you know someone close who is on drugs. They bring you down & one must be pulled out somehow. And maybe that is part of this story.This film was very well done. I know that the rehab part of the film is pretty exaggerated. The lead character is addicted and goes to rehab. While I do not want to give the film's final, I do want to say that there are a lot of things that go into…
Knives OutKnives Out, DVD
DVD - 2020DVD, 2020
lakeland53's rating:
Added Dec 27, 2020
Comment:
Wonderful cast, writing, sets. The director, Rian Johnson, claims he wanted to create along the lines of Hitchcock, but I found the film more along the lines of Agatha Christie. A lot of melodrama with humor and plot twists. The lighting is very well done as there are a lot of stuffed chair heavy velvets and dark wood interiors. Sets the mood very well. I would have preferred to see some outdoor shots with full sun as the darker shots started to bother me. I think the contrast of the two kinds of set-ups would have added to the film. Kind of like the full sun shots would add to the reality of the situation and given eye relief to the darker sets. None the less, well done & worth the watch.Wonderful cast, writing, sets. The director, Rian Johnson, claims he wanted to create along the lines of Hitchcock, but I found the film more along the lines of Agatha Christie. A lot of melodrama with humor and plot twists. The lighting is very…
Escape From Stalin's Death CampEscape From Stalin's Death Camp, DVD
DVD - 2019DVD, 2019
lakeland53's rating:
Added Dec 27, 2020
Comment:
I thought this was a dreary film. I had no compassion for the characters in a horrible situation. It just dragged on and on for me. I watched to the end hoping for some salvation. It never came. Boring and more boring.
RestlessRestless, DVD
DVD - 2015DVD, 2015
lakeland53's rating:
Added Dec 18, 2020
Comment:
Enjoyed the film despite some inconsistencies. The actors were fine. Some details like the flag & young Ruth vs. older Ruth's eyes shouldn't be that hard for the director to catch. I guess they think that 'people won't notice'. We always do. Pretty good set-up in the story line though.Enjoyed the film despite some inconsistencies. The actors were fine. Some details like the flag & young Ruth vs. older Ruth's eyes shouldn't be that hard for the director to catch. I guess they think that 'people won't notice'. We always do. Pretty…
Sunshine CleaningSunshine Cleaning, DVD
DVD - 2009 | Full screen and widescreen ed.DVD, 2009. Full screen and widescreen ed.
lakeland53's rating:
Added Dec 18, 2020
Comment:
A little slow moving, but the cast really brought the script to life. Fine acting to a rather simple story.
MidwayMidway, DVD
DVD - 2020DVD, 2020
lakeland53's rating:
Added Dec 15, 2020
Comment:
I really enjoyed this film. The time advances very quickly in this film. The war in the Pacific was brutal & very different from the European Front. This is the Pacific and the heroes of the Pacific. Graphic fires & explosions. I thought it was well done.I really enjoyed this film. The time advances very quickly in this film. The war in the Pacific was brutal & very different from the European Front. This is the Pacific and the heroes of the Pacific. Graphic fires & explosions. I thought it was well…
Becoming AstridBecoming Astrid, DVDUnga Astrid
DVD - 2019 | SwedishDVD, 2019. Language: Swedish
lakeland53's rating:
Added Dec 09, 2020
Comment:
The story of a young Astrid Lindgren, a Swedish writer, creator of the ever popular Pippi Longstocking. Very well done. Much investigation went into the study of Astrid's early life, and it is presented in a way that makes her & the people who surround her human. She was a tough gal. The story shows her emotional and mental struggles, and her total disbelief in doing what society says is the right thing to do. I did not know before I watched the extras on this dvd that Astrid Lindgren is a hero in Swedish culture. You could say a super hero. The children are raised on her books and stories.The story of a young Astrid Lindgren, a Swedish writer, creator of the ever popular Pippi Longstocking. Very well done. Much investigation went into the study of Astrid's early life, and it is presented in a way that makes her & the people who…
21 Bridges21 Bridges, DVD
DVD - 2020DVD, 2020
lakeland53's rating:
Added Oct 08, 2020
Comment:
Fast paced cop film. Not high drama, but worth the watch. Actually, glad to see a black cop/detective portrayed as the protagonist with brains and heart. Even if the nutty stuff was not going on in society right now, I still liked that part of the film. Well balanced cast, lots o' swearing, some blood & guns. I liked the backdrop of New York at night.Fast paced cop film. Not high drama, but worth the watch. Actually, glad to see a black cop/detective portrayed as the protagonist with brains and heart. Even if the nutty stuff was not going on in society right now, I still liked that part of the…
Being RoseBeing Rose, DVD
DVD - 2019DVD, 2019
lakeland53's rating:
Added Apr 02, 2020
Comment:
Rose, played by Cybill Shepherd, is an ex cop, who stills carries, BTW. Her gun moments are pretty funny. Ms. Shepherd brings a very complex character to the screen. She does a good job. She has a lot of things to accomplish at this juncture of her life.
While I don't agree with some of the script choices towards the end, and the writing of Rose's personal choices, she has guts, shows determination, and has a lot of friends. Her guilt is pretty overwhelming, and, it shows in her relationship with James Brolin, who is also very good. I would have liked to see Rose be able to resolve her guilt on a practical living level. It really does not serve the character, in my opinion.
The production is tight, and was shot in Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico. I enjoyed the locations. Ms. Shepherd was an executive producer on the film. It has very high marks in sound, editing, lighting. Worth the watch.Rose, played by Cybill Shepherd, is an ex cop, who stills carries, BTW. Her gun moments are pretty funny. Ms. Shepherd brings a very complex character to the screen. She does a good job. She has a lot of things to accomplish at this juncture of her…
GodzillaGodzilla, DVDKing of the Monsters
DVD - 2019DVD, 2019
lakeland53's rating:
Added Mar 10, 2020
Comment:
Really boring and did not hold my interest. Sensationalism without an objective, other than the lead actress thinks setting monsters in motion will be better for mankind than letting mankind work out their own problems. Ugh. Let the monsters kill everything.Really boring and did not hold my interest. Sensationalism without an objective, other than the lead actress thinks setting monsters in motion will be better for mankind than letting mankind work out their own problems. Ugh. Let the monsters kill…
Comment: