A SERIOUS MAN (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.7|5.0 Starsìììì

A Serious Man—another outstanding Coen Brothers film—displays tremendous depth in writing and in presentation. Creatively disturbing, the movie allows an open-end conclusion where the audience, based upon personal philosophical views, will determine the final outcome. Two graphic sexual scenes put the film outside the children/family audience. Watch for the double-whammy ending. It’s terrific.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Larry Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) makes a series of choices within a series of events that lead to the next steps in his story.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Ethan Coen and Joel Coen for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Robert Graf for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Uncle Arthur (Richard Kind), Sy Ableman (Fred Melamed), Judith Gopnik (Sari Lennick), Danny Gopnik (Aaron Wolff), Sarah Gopnik (Jessica McManus), Mr. Brandt (Peter Breitmayer), Mitch Brandt (Brent Braunschweig), Clive Park (David Kang), Danny's Reefer Buddy (Benjamin Portnoe), and Mike Fagle (Jon Kaminski Jr.).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes Viewers will most likely be aware that they just saw something profound. However, the true profundity of this film may not be fully realized without strong grounding in concepts of cause and effect, the orderliness of the universe, and Divine intervention in human affairs. Excellent movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

HEREAFTER (Theatrical Release USA 2010)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

Hereafter—definitely worth watching, not boring for even 1 of its 129 minutes—confirms the talents of Clint Eastwood as a terrific film director as well as completes what everyone knows, that Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon, The Last King of Scotland) is a superb writer. The film, well executed under Eastwood, brilliantly showcases the talents of its actors and actresses, makes one seriously think about life after death subject matter while successfully intertwining three stories into one narrative. Excellent casting choices include Matt Damon, Frankie McLaren, George McLaren, and Cécile De France (as Marie Lelay).

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Journalist Marie Lelay (Cécile De France) sits on a bed in a Thailand hotel room working. She gets up and tells her lover, Television Producer Didier (Thierry Neuvic) to get up; but, he wants to sleep for another half hour. So, Marie Lelay orders room service breakfast after which she goes to the local market stands to shop. The camera shows an ocean tidal wave approaching the beach and surrounding commercial district. As the tidal wave crashes through the town, Marie Lelay tries to save herself and a local girl. A boat hits Marie Lelay in the head, knocking her unconscious. While she is unconscious, she experiences visions of the afterlife. After house residents rescue her, she survives and goes on to research others’ afterlife experiences. Her life intertwines and overlaps the lives of psychic George Lonegan (Matt Damon) and foster child, Marcus (Frankie and George McLaren).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Clint Eastwood for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Frank Marshall, Tim Moore, Peter Morgan, and Steven Spielberg for making the movie possible. Cast include: Cécile De France, Matt Damon, Cyndi Mayo Davis, Lisa Griffiths, Jessica Griffiths, Ferguson Reid, Jay Mohr, Richard Kind, and Steven R. Schirripa, Derek Sakakura.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This film is intriguing and presents an interesting after life scenario for contemplation.

Video Critique Available :Here

Ben Meyers