pdw123

I am done with Mr. Yorgos Lanthimos and should've been done with him after The Lobster, and should've taken the hint about the artistic control over this MESS. Like another user reviewer, I'm giving the film 1 point for its, yes, gorgeous cinematography, wide screen panorama, production/costumes---and 1 point only for the fine acting---but the film should get zero or negative points for never having a coherent theme, never making us care about any the despicable characters, being one of the worst LGBTQ films probably of all time including being a downer for that whole community, etc. AND---when a film has a high proportion of neg reviews, plus those reviews like mine are not trite at all and are being thoughtfully written up, unlike "trolls" just slamming stuff---I have studied film in college---people had better take note of pro reviewers hyping an art film that doesn't deserve it and being bought off yet again!

If you have Adam McKay as writer/director/etc. with majority creative control over any film, particularly a political one, count me in from now on! The way this is bringing out the right wing trolls plus the Wall Street Journal and other rags of that ilk is not surprising, although the 2 different opinions on Vox are certainly confounding?! This one of the most brilliant landmark films of the last 10 yrs. along with The Big Short. The acting, casting, story, writing should be up for many AA awards plus best picture. And, where is the most important review here which should be The Intercept? Although mainly an independent news organization, they probably had the best film review of anyone, since they have all the facts straight here. To some of the folks griping about Bill Clinton? I think McKay should actually tackle Bubba as a next major project, along with Bale who can just play anybody (although Sam Rockwell and Carell were some of the best casting decisions ever!)

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Biggest disappointment of the oscar season, by far! Del Toro is truly becoming lamestream/mainstream like other directors have o'er the years, take the money and run. Doug Jones just playing the same typecasted character and one of the worst Michael Shannon films to date. Too bad, since Hellboy and Pan's Labyrinth had plots and storylines that were original, and used WWII historical references that were involving and meaningful. These cold war references weren't even utilized well, although it is a style vs. substance film that critics often fawn over, or are obviously being bribed for. And, for icing on this crap cake (have to call a spade a spade here and just like I see it and have seen the film), Richard Jenkins---another incredible actor--delivers one of the worst lines I've ever heard. "I wish I would've f###ked more in my earlier life." Oh please, in America, the land of sexual harassment and Tronald Dump we don't need that also. Another flippant sexual reference in a film about love and depth that really wasn't that at all, enough!! "I Tonya" and "3 billboards..." made their grades and thensome, but this film overhyped as hell....

Absolutely hands down simply incredible, and my best picture of 2017, by a long shot. Notwithstanding the no holds barred scenes, language and very intense subject matter; a film no American should miss. It has it all here: abusive mothers, spouses, but also the abusive and ambulance chasing press and little people who always wanted to be BIG, wanted their Warhol 15 min. of fame---but not in the classic sense. Either Janney or Robbie should garner best actress or supporting or picture.

Probably the most awful Alien film I've viewed to date---just looked at it at the begin of 2018 here. I should've learned quite awhile ago that Ridley had totally lost it as a director and producer, esp. with Blade Runner 2049 this past year, also god awful. Prometheus was really the last good thing from that franchise, so I wouldn't count on anything in the future the way the lamestream/mainstream film industry is going. And, the exact same music/score from Alien is only thing good I'd say, and hacked and copied at that, let alone Fassbender hamming it up and copying every robot from every Alien film ever, not original whatsoever, no matter one or 2 sophisticated quotes.

Watching this finally on DVD in 2018, this seemed way overhyped and way too sentimental, maudlin. The adoptive parents seem a little too perfect, and the college buds too trendy, unreal. It definitely does not have the grit and authenticity that made "Slumdog Millionaire" so famous and it will never be as good as that film. That said, the fact that it IS a true story is amazing, the reason for my non zero vote at least. But, come on Nicole Kidman, her character plays out like something on the Lifetime channel. Even her performance with Cruise--and I abhor Cruise--and pot smoking offered us more depth, alas the great Kubrick the taskmaster in his final film. But, Nicole just seems to be marking time and money here. This is not an artistic nor an AA worthy film.

Truly, the most incredible portrayal of Churchill ever viewed. Can't believe the critic on Vox saying the film didn't have enough historical context or "wasn't much of a film". This gem is right up there with great films like "Sophie Scholl" in displaying that fine historical line and that we could've all ended up under odious fascism. And, that Churchill was a deep thinker weighing many factors and humble man, unlike other accounts falsely describing him as arrogant. Oldman and whole cast are incredible here, PBS worthy.

Fantastic film in the mode of the Coen Brothers. The surreal nature and eerie nature coupled with the totally original screenplay kept me deeply involved throughout, which is a rarity for any film these days to keep me that involved every single minute---bravo!! All the acting deserving of many awards and top notch from all the personnel involved. For people here saying that elements were fantastical, wouldn't ever happen in reality---look at "No Country for Old Men" for the model please, and please watch better than your American lowest common denominator fare before you ever judge this. Only the open ended and unresolved nature of the ending threw me for a major curve, and could've perhaps been handled differently . But perhaps that's the point---that many problems in life are never ever resolved. And, I love the complex portrayal of law enforcement and how Rockwell's character changes due to circumstances over time---since I don't really believe that all of law enforcement are dullards, but complex people with much intelligence and families to care for. And, it IS a taxing occupation. Much thanks for this jewel in the season of Star Wars and superhero fluff this year!

Incredible film, but you wouldn't ever know it reading the critics, aka the national critics who seem to always want to slam rare dramatic and intriguing gems as this these days in favor of the endless stream of truly banal Kevin Smith comic sequels to infinity! Get a clue or get lost, you national reviewer studio sycophant members of the one tenth percent---ruining our American culture for us little people who need to be much more attuned to our bright points in history and films as this--instead of the banal fare like Blade Runner 2049 which you always offer up to us on your fake review platter. And, to other critics here making the point that Reiner didn't want to bog his fine film down with the war and all that, that is totally understandable. Those folks can go see or rent the fine doc about McNamara made years ago, since it was mostly McNamara anyway, or Ken Burns has 20 hours on the war that anyone can view on PBS. Woody's line about 'Nam tells it all anyway when he simply says there is no time in this 100 min. treatment. Finally, for those of us, and there are many, who can't afford HBO to have ever even viewed "All the Way"--or who could never have traveled to see Cranston's fine performance on Broadway---thank you very much for your fine oscar worthy film sir! You are one director who has never let us down, as many other directors have, so that deserves some due respect finally--and the cast is superb and superbly cast.

Went to see this finally, and the info and updates within just as amazing as the first one, longer review later. Sadly, the former VP could not deliver his address in Paris because of the horrible terrorist attack there. The "coal trolls" giving this neg ratings not even having seen the film, need to find something a lot more positive to do with their miserable lives or get off this site entirely. This is the TOP existential issue for humans, but all other land and water species on the planet, and will be the 6th extinction as actual scientists including Neil De Grasse have talked about forever, if we don't get it under control and ****'s called the Anthropocene for a reason, people--e.g. humans will be extinct!!

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

""But what would they have done differently? What would any of us? And how do we know for certain?""---There's a salient line from the Vox review, but the main thing I took from it, as this is one film people will talk about forever afterward. It should be up for Oscars. Other pertinent questions here right off: Why in the world would not the lead officer in this whole predicament not be suspended by his dept. right off, esp. with the Internal Affairs detective saying he will now be investigated for murder for shooting a looter with NO weapon in the back, and then bleeding out?? Why do the Algiers motel interrogees not tell the mean cop that it was a starter pistol fired by Carl, who has just deceased, but instead let the whole ordeal go on and on?? The film is a bit mind numbing in that it forces the viewer to ask more questions than it answers--- but because it's a historical recreation where all the facts still aren't known, that's to be expected to a certain extent. The performances, production design and cinematography, are all awesome here except for one--- Krasinski as the lawyer at the end doesn't come off very well. The film starts off extremely well, involving us deeply in the time period and story, reaches a climax, but then starts to drag towards the end is my only other criticism here. Every white American should see this, talk about it, write extensive synopses on all the scenes for years to come--because this is one of those great films that will grow on folks the more it is viewed. The trolls and their negative reviews and votes here need to be ignored bigly on this one.

Was looking at Heineman's film trailers tonight again, but I remember watching this doc year or 2 ago. Just excellent work, from what I remember, everything about it--has been on PBS too.

No matter what people think about the political correctness of these vigilantes on both sides of the border having to take the drug war into their own hands, this is a valid doc that will make all of us think about how NAFTA shredded Mexican society, and how the drug dealers and gov't leaders moved into the vacuum to produce the drug economy and violence against the people there.

This is an incredible independent film so no reason for the "trolls" on here trying to slam it probably just because of its perceived politics which are debatable, but that's what a great film does--makes you talk about it afterwards. Clocking in at just over 80 minutes, proof that you can edit a film that short and still it just works--the plot, acting, dialogue, everything--even the cinematography and dream sequences she has are beautiful. And, supporting cast is also brilliant. There are very few mainstream/lamestream studio films that I could say that about these days!

A simple review of this film is it is way over rated! Harrelson is OK as the villain, not the best role I've ever seen him in, and the pacing is really slow for this epic saga. How long do I have to look Caesar or the other apes in the face on a big screen as they deliver their lines, spent way too long with this process? Was this once again for CGI effects or so the computer geeks could show off again? Have to give it a very low score to balance out the big studio promoters making their false reviews on here.

Oh boy were those critics wrong here, and I'll also never ever see a film produced by, bleh, I just threw up in my mouth, Steve Mnuchin, current Treas. Sec. and the foreclosure king, good grief! I didn't know that Wall Street real estate gurus were now getting into film production and might be part the reason films are getting so BAD. The trailer consists of the only funny moments here, if you can even call them that, and the rest of the film is so overly long and obnoxious that you will literally lower your poor child's IQ level if you take them to it. The Trump theme of going it alone to fight bad guys is the only theme here, and a hackneyed one at that. A DAWG of the year, really really bad !!!

Excellent comedy about helicopter parents, surprisingly good since I didn't think that was the case at first. Some real belly laughs in the 1st half hour, but then typical to Hollywood, the laughs fade off as it becomes more dramedy as the themes of parenting are so serious and it's hard these days to have kids. The two extremes are visited, the helicopter abusive **** Applegate figure contrasts with the laissez faire make your own breakfast and I'm totally ignoring you parent . Of course, these 2 extremes don't either work is the point, both extremes are just BAD and you need "moderation" to be the GOOD parent, as in all of life.

Hollywood reflexive films have been done before, and please see the master named Woody Allen, to the viewers here, if you yet haven't--he was the master who did it the best. I agree with the other reviewer here saying that these days with Kael and Ebert gone, you now have the AA sycophant reviewers giving stuff a pass, and "the Artist" and "Birdman" are simply prime examples, couldn't have said it better. Chazelle's second film is simply not up to par with his brilliant work that absolutely floored me, "Whiplash". That work was totally original, inspired by personal experience obviously, and held my attention like I was sitting on a pin cushion throughout, and with a dramatic climax like none seen before. It is an amazing piece of work and needs to be listed under "great" films, and there's also NO comparison whatsoever between the JK Simmons performance in it (beyond brilliant) TO this current film--a mediocre bit part. Gosling and Stone are multi-talented, I'll give them that, but Stone is overall a better actor, and Gosling came off too plastic and contrived throughout this. While there are a couple of belly laughs maybe worth 1/3 the price of admission, the overall film had me looking at the time and just dragged on and on waiting for it to end finally. I thought given the fact that Chazelle was a "jazzer" with Gosling trying to transcribe the car radio piece in the first scene, that I would be in for an original treat. However, the bane of Hollywood trying to market films to too many interest groups e.g. Is it a reflexive film, a musical, a jazz film?? It was just trying to be too many things at once without a coherent vision, so better luck next time Damien, and I can't recommend it overall, and the 94 rating is just way way overhyped.

Well, I had seen "Cache" from this director which held my attention all the way through, and which I loved. This is one of his earlier films which proved to be even more challenging for me, and which some prudish Americans will detest because it is a film that is obviously in the more liberal European (character driven vs. plot driven) tradition. However, let me just say that the acting from Huppert is superb. I watched the interview with her after the film, and the transformation she underwent for this looks similar to Charlize in "Monster", truly amazing. The story is one which is very unique and held my attention for the entire 125 minutes, which is definitely a rarity for late night film watching, especially these days. The character Huppert plays is sick obviously, but it is the process of her performance in which her character unfolds like an onion that makes for a wonderful story here, and makes the ending obvious.

Loved this film, simply loved it, although a couple of scenes are really bothersome, but that's **** of the themes of this film, the fact that we all have an impact on other people's lives around us whether we know it or not and on our community, is a theme of social conscienceness which is severely lacking in America today...Everyone should watch this at least once and think about it, whether bothered by it or no!!! Great acting too, hats off, Juliette Binoche and the other actors **** marvelous direction too, Michael Haneke!

I watched this again the other day and am just astounded by the quality of the animation that took 5 years to complete with the clay models. Also, it's rare to find a film these days where I'm literally splitting my sides all the way through, let alone only the first 30 minutes usually of Hollywood films that call themselves comedies. The writing here is very memorable also. When Hutch mocks WAllace, "He's lost all the bounce out of his bungee"...just hysterical stuff, and the dog chase at the end with the toy airplanes takes me back to the old Peanuts gang with Snoopy playing the red baron. Fun for all ages, 5 to 100!!

To me, it's truly amazing how the critics and the critical sites (like rotten tomatoes) can be so HORRIBLY WRONG about this film, and how the viewers can be RIGHT. It makes me wonder if all the national reviewers have upper middle class dysfunctional families of their own, so perhaps the truth about neglectful child rearing hurts a little too much and hits a little too close to home. Ryan Murphy is a MASTERFUL DIRECTOR and has created a MASTERPIECE, period! ALso, critics complaining that Murphy didn't follow Augusten's book are ludicrous since Augusten says point blank on the DVD that Murphy was the one he wanted to option the book to, after many years of searching for one who would honor his work. Thus, critics need to get a clue there also. Finally, all the performances here (especially by Bening, Cox, and Clayburgh) are oscar-worthy, powerhouse performances. The Bill Evans, Vince Guaraldi soundtrack is a powerhouse soundtrack and unique for a film these days, especially for ones that they bathe in Danny Elfmann instrumentations and 70's rock and I'm not knockin' that music but I'm just a-sayin'. Anyone who grew up in any dysfunctional family should watch this film, and critics need to go back to studying their navels (perhaps in their respective "****" as per Dr. Brian Cox) and eulogizing their crappy blockbuster sequels, period!

I disagree with the people who are saying that "Collateral" and "Heat" are better than "Thief". In my mind, this was Mann's masterpiece and I love the development and depth of Caan's character Frank. His acting speaks volumes over the one-dimensionality of "American Gangster" that I just reviewed. Also, the technical aspects of this film are absolutely riveting. John Santucci, who plays the rough talking corrupt cop Urizzi, served as a technical advisor to Mann in how to crack safes and pull heists (being a Chicago ex-con). Other Chicago ex-cons also played cops in the film. This was straight off of Mann's commentary track. The fence that Robert Prosky brilliantly portrays was based on a real criminal in Chicago who ran crews of thieves. In this sense, "Thief" reminds me of "The French Connection", because in that film, Eddie Egan played Gene Hackman's police chief, whereas Hackman was actually portraying Egan in that film. Both movies seem highly authentic because they were heavily researched and based on true stories. Also, I greatly appreciate the technical craft Mann utilizes in the noir-ish looks of the film (the rain, fire escapes, lighting in the first scenes)and in his use of sound. One reason that he had Tangerine Dream score the film was so that he could carefully match the sounds of the tools Caan used with the score. Also, he thought the electronic score gave certain scenes a hellish quality such as the one with the car lot lit brightly at night (giving off a metallic glare). Finally, the fact that he used indigenous Chicagoans in his cast only adds to the sheer edginess of this crime drama, not to forget the supporting roles offered by Tuesday Weld and Willie Nelson. Two thumbs way way way up!!

This is another masterpiece from Mamet, who is an aficionado of jujitsu, which I gleaned from reading my film society's monthly flier here. It's also another tight screenplay with fight promoter and gangster jargon, but since Mamet is known for his gritty screenplays (i.e. "Sparta"), I would only expect this from such a meticulous craftsman. The acting by Ejiofor is superb and the plot and character development by Mamet is superb with the rest of the cast also. The female support roles are right on the mark here and the film (and the action and dramatic aspects of it especially) will definitely keep you on your seat's edge all the way to the end.

Unfortunately, I have to give this film (which could have been directed and adapted much better) only 2 stars, notwithstanding the wonderful performance by Julianne Moore. She had some horrible material to work with here. The resultant story is too shallow to be fully appreciated, although obviously the story of a hedonistic, amoral son growing up in the rich and infamous world could have been much more interesting. Next time, more research guys!!

Well, its 2010 and what are the big budget studios doing? making mediocre and bad films, no surprise there. This adaptation (or total revamp?) started off well and witty, but then got dumbed down to where the scene at the end with the chess game between the red and white queens and what was that other thing? the Cracken?? haha, either made me want to sigh or snore loudly in the theater. I feel like telling Tim Burton that trying to do a post modernist version of Alice... just doesnt work and Phoebe in Wonderland is a much much better independent film (especially if you want to do a different Alice.. and one that involves actual living complex human beings instead of one dimensional cartoon characters). Who is Tim trying to be anyway? Roland Emmerich? Oh, and by the way at least this film was a couple of rungs (or many rungs? if were counting?) above 2012 which really **** $%$%$% bad!! So, I think Ill just be sticking with Sony Pictures Classics or IFC and traveling further to see better films.

I watched this a second time through, and it definitely worked better and is one of those films that grows on you the second time. The sibling relationship is still a little confusing as to what exactly happened in their family, but perhaps thats the point the director is making, is that youre left open ended for discussion. Watching it again though makes you think of a few scenarios that could have occurred (familial abuse? parental abuse? absent or dead parents since the sister has codependency issues with the brother? were the siblings involved in a sexual relationship previously or NOT??) This should have gotten an academy award for the fine acting AND singing/soundtrack but was yet another film that was also snubbed! Ill take this one over Woody Allen for the entire 2011-2012 period where he was playing around in Europe.

This is one of the best films I've ever seen on mental illness or schizophrenia, and should be up for oscar nods this year just for its educational value, if nothing else. The up-and-coming Jessica Chastain from "Tree of Life" is marvelous along with Michael Shannon and Kathy Baker here in giving this very original story a life.

This documentary is the best ever and a keeper, no matter if you're a horseman or not. Also, as a person whose family and extended family has experienced emotional and physical abuse, many more great documentaries about this very subject need to be made, because this is really quite crucial to all our understanding (also considering all the other bad films and forgetful nonsense coming out these days). I have now viewed it a few times in the year since it came out and am still mesmerized by it. Personally, I'd probably give Buck my presidential endorsement. Also, the fact that the average review on here is not 5 stars (which is what this deserves!) is definitely a sign that there is still much abuse and callous insensitivity going on in America, and in secrecy, and I know this to be the case!

Some people saying "Days of Wine and Roses", yes, and I'd add also... "Clean and Sober" was definitely the modern gold standard, for this type of film, as much abuse and fury is involved in AA and ACA (which can affect generations of family underneath, I should know!) ! This makes AA or family dysfunction just too too easy, or the Bohemian/Oregonian granola hipster form applied to alcoholism, gimme a break here, the characters are much too "cleaned up well" for this!! Any of the addicts out of THE WIRE would do nicely over these ones! or the stereotypical nerd male teacher in a Cosby sweater who also is a sheltered pervert, proof that Sundance is starting to sadly become a parody of itself like all the other multiplex lamestream films (It's white people too, I swear! and I should know since I am one!)! Seriously, even Don **** offers more of a character study, even if I have to put up with all the lame commercials on AMC...

I DO NOT understand the "criminal action" of not putting this up for an AA this year, especially given the outstanding performance by DiCaprio, and the wonderful production/period design and direction by Clint. So Meryl got accolades for Thatcher, but personally, I thought "J. Edgar" was a much better film as far as spanning the entire life of a historical figure, whereas "The Iron Lady" only really focused primarily on Thatcher's Alzheimer's and her later life, go figure?? Since "Young Adult" and "Take Shelter" also got snubbed mightily, it's not surprising anymore. The Academy are for the rich and pompous and mainstream.

Noisy wind turbines? Turbines throwing ice? I may be an incredulous Missourian, but please explain to me how the director (who it said was involved in the music video business) managed to leave out all this valuable information in a film that was supposed to convince me that wind energy was a nightmare. Being from the show-me state, I also just went on youtube to do my own research, and I found why this info was left out, because in many cases they run pretty silent and even when youre up close. Oh, and another thing. I know what a soundtrack sounds like, and dubbing synthesizers/music over the video doesnt fool me, although I DID see a trailer for the film that did obviously fool me the first time. The second point is that there is way too much editing and attention deficit disorder also built into the film. I understand the importance of getting townsfolks statements, but all this rough cutting in between literally gave me a headache trying to keep track of all this disjointed material, and so the final conclusion was totally incoherent. But again, reading about her music vid experience, this wasnt surprising. All that said, and being the CENTRIST that I am, perhaps the townspeople had very valid points, but it was all lost in truly one of the worst documentaries Ive ever watched because the baby was thrown out with the bath water (again, there are many statements made, too many and too much BS, without the actual proof and FACTS!!!). The doc I watched on the natural gas industry was much more compelling. Next time, get a documentary director, not one for MTV. Also, this was produced by the CLIMATE SCIENCE DENIAL INDUSTRY, only America denies science!!

This is proof that Tarantino can take the exploitation genre into territory exploring America's most serious social issues. What a film! And David Edelstein of NPR can just get off his preachy sanctimony about this not being one of the year's 10 best because of the violence. And anyway, what does he know about film that we don't, he's on Fresh Air and so above the rest of us in his ivory tower of film criticism? I'd like to tell David, get a clue, exploitation cinema IS fantasy violence and Americans need to get a clue about all the real violence that was in the slavery era anyway because this subject has been too watered down in the past and with the series "Roots" also, good grief!! And this is not among the 12 best, it is one of THE VERY BEST along with Lincoln and best films ever made in the history of cinema! Samuel Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Leonardo Dicaprio should have major awards forthcoming!

One of the finest films of the year along with "The Butler", or Americans need to consider them companion pieces and view both for sure! Even though this is NOT a film to watch for entertainment but for an education about what slavery really was, the "Great Debaters" and the Quentin Tarantino film from last year ARE ones which are going in the proper direction, instead of the direction you usually think of Hollywood as going. The Henry Louis Gates series on PBS now is also quite good, and I think he must've been an adviser on this film. That said, Michael Fassbender and Steve McQueen should be considered to be beyond their time, or it's high time we had a film like this!

Although the production values seemed a bit melodramatic and soap opera-ish (a trademark of Swedish/Danish cinema which had the great Bergman who started in TV dramas certainly), this is a must-see story (and based on a collage of news columns) about how GOSSIP can go so awry in a small school setting, and by folks who are obviously supposed to be professionals, BUT who ACT like the little kids they are supposed to be **** another 2014 AA nominee that probably got snubbed. For another great American film about GOSSIP, I also highly recommend "DOUBT" with the late great Philip Hoffman, but also Amy Adams and Meryl Streep.

This has to be the absolute "worst film that ever won an Oscar" category EVER! Okay, the operating system slash girlfriend that tells you you're great and kisses your butt, what??? How about the opposite is true, "You can't love someone that just kisses your butt!" LOVE relationships ARE supposed to be about growth and challenge, which this film and its stereotypical hackneyed romance plot provided by no means. I noticed the film started off interestingly enough, with a guy who needs an operating system for a "conscience" or a "god figure" (probably for about only the 1st 10 minutes really) AND perhaps this would've been a much more interesting plot line to pursue. However, it devolved so hurriedly into a sappy, romantic mess that I didn't care and should've quit at the half hour point. And, Scarlett Johansson certainly took it and ran here as well, the $$$$$$ anyway. DO NOT WASTE ANY TIME WITH THIS SUPPOSED ACADEMY WINNER!

This is a great little independent film about struggling artists in a loft in New York, but also about a long lived relationship between Japanese-Americans that survives due to RESPECT FOR DIFFERENCES, not taking each other for granted, and value for humanity being three main themes for lasting love. Another film that got snubbed at the oscars, it should and WILL grow on the public over time, because it certainly is a lesser known but exquisite, multicultural gem that is a salient contrast to the American consumer-driven rat race !

Martin Scorsese used to say something along the lines that "Raging Bull" was a great film in spite of being about boxing, which only serves as a "black box" to contain the drama and shots.Even though the black box in this film is jazz, mainly it's about ABUSE. WHIPLASH also deserves the category of great and original films, and is really an anachronism, like the jazz age of old, to the world and mainstream films of today. The surrealism here , along with other notables like "Black Swan" that also has unconventional montage sequences, underscores the horrible abuse by Fletcher's character; obviously present in the real musical world, but makes it into hyperbole. I've had music teachers and mentors in my life that have been emotionally abusive, although the physical abuse in this film seems a bit far fetched and a bit removed from reality. Needless to say, it's all very bad in that abuse is abuse, and planned public humiliation is abuse. JK Simmons is truly and after this feat, one of the most gifted character actors of our day, and his passive aggressive maniacal performance will be remembered for years to come. Also,the bipolar nature of this character is more TRUE to actual drill sergeants I encountered years ago in the Air Force, in that they did yell and berate you, etc. and try to mess with your mind by giving you compliments or letting you relax right before they chewed you a new one! This is Machiavellian and more psychologically intense than the full on physical assault of Lee Ermey in Full Metal Jacket. There are more nuances here. I'll finalize this by saying to those of you out there who've been humiliated or suffered emotional abuse in the music field, you are not alone. But please also, take a Xanax or Valium and don't chug coffee before the film, or you might find yourself wanting to punch someone before you leave the theater. Yes, the film is THAT INTENSE, adrenaline charged, and deserving of many awards!!!

Wow, certainly one of the most technically brilliant films I've ever seen, but one with the storyline and theme severely lacking. 5--for originality, visuals 5-for the sound and score, incredible! 5-for the stage production and breathtaking scenery in Scotland/cinematography, the best ever! 4-Johansson does a great "Blade Runner" replicant or whatever here, she's got it down pat, other indie actors also good. 5-for great pacing in the spirit of Kubrick, "Foxcatcher" also has that pacing with the dialog that I love. Glad filmmakers are starting to "get it", as the ADD chatter and rapid TV editing drives me crazy, as does, of course, watching the news!! 1 or 0--on that storyline, which made the whole film a bit incoherent, which is unfortunate, because would've been a GREAT film, otherwise...

What a BIG BIG disappointment from an auteur as Quentin and would give it 0 stars if I could. I have loved all his exploitation cinema before and know deeply about it, but this was just a boring and tedious mess, and in a theater in Utah that was way too crowded on New Year's also. It's a prime example of way too many establishment and thus highly paid and over paid actors using name recognition to get folks in the seats. Next time, Quentin, please use little known and independent actors who are hungry vs. totally spoiled and get back to the great films that you used to make please.

Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham (his deputy) certainly steal the show, especially with the sarcastic one liners, just great and AA material for sure! The salient themes relevant to ongoing national issues---housing crisis, poverty, and too big to fail banks--- remind me much of that great Coen Brothers film, "No Country for Old Men". There has been a lot of megaplex schlock this past summer, but it's now Fallinter, so my advice: See this if you see nothing else this year!

To all people like me that are into jazz and other interesting music but found Frank to be a little arrogant and over the top o'er the years and didn't care for his music/lyrics that much: See this film immediately, for nothing other, to find out more about this icon and his views about politics, culture, philosophy, family life, music education, and stay until the credits are over, to find out his views on voting. And to the "politically correct liberal" below who's giving the film a zero without actually seeing it. Lordy, you're in the same class with those conservatives who won't watch Michael Moore's films, but wanna trash them also. See the film first FCOL, if nothing else than to learn about a great historical figure and widen your mindset, because you need to!

a totally banal picture, and so bad, that I'll probably have to forego all future Woody endeavors. And, I'm really tired of Eisenberg and his whiny angst and voice, who seems typecast in virtually everything except for the Social Network. A total waste of my valuable time traveling 2 hours on the bus to see it too.

Another quite entertaining and informative documentary by Mr. Gibney about a subject you wouldn't think that, computer science. And, quite prescient indeed to our national security, in understanding there's a much greater threat than when we had just nuclear armed states in the old days; now, we have hackers worldwide, where actions are so covert, you can't attribute those actions easily at all, and demonstrates the need for much more savvy and temperament than ever before in the Presidency. And, gives much weight to the fact we had the Iran deal, and why that was so important.

Wow! What a big big big big disappointment this was at my Utah film society today, after literally waiting weeks for it to come out, and looking at the rave critic scores. After reading the synopsis and watching part of the trailer, I thought it would be a relevant commentary on the newly repressed category of SINGLE folks in America, along with other minority and oppressed demographic groups that are having trouble at the voting polls these days, but discriminated against in other areas of life as well (thus the new portion of the identifier QIA or QUILTBAG, to the LGBT we've known for years now). And for the original and classical piano soundtrack and about only 2 belly laughs that were antithetical to the total and miserable dreariness and snail's pace for the rest of the time, I'll give it only one point. And, I'll say here pointedly to the producers and actors involved: WOW! What an incredibly missed opportunity here, with some new and incredible subject matter in today's world to build upon. But what happened instead was a devolving and true mess, trying to make several points about all sectors of society, and missing the main point about single vs. married stereotypes and thus some really great humor and irony, entirely. IN THE FUTURE, QUIT TRYING TO MARKET TO SO MANY GROUPS AT ONCE, AND FOCUSING ON EVERYTHING, and THUS LOSING THE FOCUS !!! JEEEZZZ!! This was an extraordinary mess, plus waste of money, plus waste of time traveling hours on the bus to see it. And if you want me to see future independent films in theaters anymore, you'll finally quit it with this careless schlock and make real films again along with the money which will follow great art, which this wasn't by any stretch whatsoever. LATER!!