Sandy’s Film Reviews
55 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.
Little Richard: I Am Everything (2023)
Terrific reprocessed footage. Great portrayal of the comet 1932–2020 who changed us all. Fabulous rare footage, well–woven together. He turned his inner pain into joy for so many – what kind of magic is that? You can always see the pain in his eyes. - DVD $34.95
Source, The (1999)
Original footage. 5 US writers change English–speaking world view of itself. Basis for Dylan's obscure lyrics. Big impact on 60s & 70s pop culture. "Road trips" became about experience, not travel. Were they the 1st middle–class kids to rebel? 
Shirin (2008)- Unique, innovative, stunning! Totally different from any other film, but a great success. Imperative to watch the extra, "The Taste of Shirin" after the movie and preferably also read the encl. brochure. Hard to rate because YOU are part of the story.
Notre Dame on Fire (2022)- Outstanding; not just another drama–doco. Saving Notre–Dame was not just for France, but all the world. Relevant to all tourism, e.g. White I. "Chains only as strong as their weakest link". Like a detective story –gripping. A must–see!
- DVD $29.95
Missing (1982)
Incoherent & melodramatic structure. Dated. Bossy Americans in a foreign country where they don't even speak the language. Saw it for Sissy Spacek who made few films but is always such an enigma. Seemed older even than 1982. 
Mothering Sunday (2021)- Great screenplay, acting & camerawork. Stunning lighting. A little bit Downton–ish, but fresher, more meaty, adventurous & complex. The great Glenda Jackson appropriately book–ended a moving film.
Close (2022)
A quiet and very intense film. Outstandingly convincing acting by all. Terrific camerawork. Sadly, style dominated over substance. I kept thinking of all those Allied bodies under the flowers. Not a patch on 'Playground'. - DVD $29.95
Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)- Dated in style, acting & camerawork. Basically silly, but fun! Surrealistic and, typically Woody Allen, strangely convincing.
- DVD
$20$15 
Celia (2018)- Profound meditation on the most important issues in NZ society & a wonderful tribute to a great Kiwi. Every moment gripping. Terrific camera–work. Worthwhile alone for the staggeringly lovely human–sized dreamscapes of Wellington.
- DVD $29.95
Shoplifters (Manbiki kazoku) (2018)- Not a portrayal of family, but an expose of living on the fringe. What's agonizing about ours is shoplifting is not of necessities, but luxuries that we bar from the dreams of the marginalised, unlike initiatives & ethics of this finely–played ensemble.
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