Sandy’s Film Reviews
21 Films have been rated or reviewed by Sandy.
Marriage Story (2019)
Wooden acting & predictable script, this Netflix rom–com is narcissistic & parochial. Covers no new ground nor offers any insights except maybe that marriage is stupid. Only Laura Dern's character says anything interesting, but with faux passion.
Under the Same Moon (La Misma Luna) (2007)
A terrific film full of raw courage, tragedy & humour. A fabulous Mexican film full of love and totally relevant to today's US exploitation of Latin labor.
Reader, The (2008)
Profound. Kate Winslet & Ralph Fiennes are exceptional. The screenplay by top writer David Hare is powerful. But do Michael's weakness at Hanna's trial suggest that such is widespread in Germany, where appearances count for all? Yes. - DVD
$20 $15
David Crosby: Remember My Name (2019)
The most intimate portrait of any popular musician I have ever seen. Raw in places, but Crosby was always known as "difficult". It's very honest, but he doesn't hide his talent – or love of women. He's now 76. Watch Laurel Canyon first.- DVD $24.95
Jeune Femme (Montparnasse Bienvenüe) (2017)
Very French, even the irritating background "music'. Perhaps made just to 'showcase' a new young star? The cat, however, is impressively docile. Consists of serial vignettes. Moving extra 'Body' captures the loneliness of the mother.
Persepolis (2007)
See Teheran in the last days of the Shah & the rise of the Islamic Republic through the eyes of a child (Satrapi). Both funny/sad, great graphics, very realistic. Learn more of this outstanding Director in her interview w/Rosamund Pike, RADIOACTIVE extra.
Radioactive (2019)
Rosamund Pike carries this great story. In the EXTRAS her interview with Marjane casts much light on the movie. Her performance, melodramatic in places and elsewhere naïve for such a brilliant woman successfully merges her passion with realism. - DVD $24.95
Assistant, The (2019)
Shows the viciously degrading exploitation of dedicated young women staff by many men. For me, a bit too realistic to be interesting. Certainly well shows the inefficiency and aggressive nature of open–plan offices, if nothing else.
Laurel Canyon (2020)
Rare footage, tightly edited. Dense account of a decade of great music. Well told by Diltz and another photographer, onlookers of the scene. How living there affected Joni Mitchell. Not nostalgia, but a structured analysis. - DVD $29.95
Souvenir, The (2019)
Sunderland (UK), the town where most people voted for BREXIT because they didn't like Polish migrants. So Nissan moved it's European plant to Poland – surprise! But I found this a weird and dissatisfying film.