All is Lost
has one actor (Robert Redford) and literally no dialogue; yet, it manages to
hold spellbound attention for 105 minutes. Natural and realistic, the film takes
us to the Indian Ocean, a damaged yacht, a bad storm, a capsized yacht, a
lifeboat, another bad storm, failed attempts to achieve rescue, resourceful
attempts to preserve life, and a deep dip into a hopeless situation with no
possible resolution.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Additional Thanks
Thank You to Director and Writer J.C. Chandor. Thank you to Executive
Producers Robert Ogden Barnum, Glen Basner, Joshua Blum, Howard Cohen, Eric d’Arbeloff,
Cassian Elwes, Corey Moosa, Zachary Quinto, Laura Rister, and Kevin Turen for
making this film possible. Cast Include: Robert Redford,
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. A really wonderful film that exhibits above par finesse.
The
Conspirator—superbly directed by Robert Redford—is
an American Civil War flick about the story of the persons who conspired to
assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Wow! What a winner!
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Wounded Civil War soldier Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy)
tries to keep his fellow soldier, Nicholas Baker (Justin Long) alive by shaking
him every few moments and telling him a story about two men at the Pearly
Gates. Frederick Aiken hears a noise, calls for aid, and men come to help
Nicholas Baker first, at Frederick Aiken’s request. The camera goes to black
screen and states, ‘Two Years Later’. The film is off and running about the
story behind Lincoln’s assassination.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to
Director Robert Redford for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers
Joe Ricketts, Jeremiah Samuels, and Webster Stone for making the film possible. Cast include: James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Kevin Kline, Evan Rachel
Wood, Tom Wilkinson, Justin Long, Danny Huston, James Badge Dale, and Colm
Meaney.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
It’s very well done. Video Critique Available Here:
Three Days of the Condor—very good story—is structured well. The acting, presentation, and portrayal are very good. It's good to see the eclectic casting mix: Robert Redford,
Max Von Sydow, Faye Dunaway, and Cliff Roberts. That mix aids the surprise elements to maximize and enhances the deadliness of the game that is played. There are some sex scenes, but they are easy to skip. This movie is suspenseful and keeps its audience guessing through its conclusion.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A reader for the CIA is caught in a web of political intrigue and has to find a way to survive assassins.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director Sydney Pollack for directing effort. Thank you to Stanley Schneider for making the film possible. Cast includes Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway, Cliff Robertson, and Max Von Sydow.
Buy a
ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe.
It is a good overall watch for the adult audience with a terrific, novel approach to its story.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier—WOW! what a treat so see—contains lots of
action. Everything about the movie is solid. Anthony Mackie as the Falcon adds value
as does Scarlet Johanson as a wonderful Black Widow. Samuel L. Jackson returns
as Nick Fury along with the unexpected and welcome addition of Robert Redford
playing Alexander Pierce. Great work for
the Directors Anthony and Joe Russo. This entertainment piece makes viewers
smile and leave a viewing room feeling sated and entertained.
Thank you to Directors Anthony
and Joe Russo for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for
making the film possible. Cast includes: Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson,
Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Frank Grillo, and Emily VanCamp.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This movie ranks as one of the better action
films that Hollywood has produced. The film’s story is solidly built and easily
earns its watch. Thanks to all involved in
making this quality action film.
A River Run Through It— well written and greatly acted—deeply engages
its audience from opening to concluding scenes. Down-to-earth, the movie
catches the human element perfectly without preaching, judging, or depreciating
any single lifestyle within this community. This film, directed by Robert
Redford, can easily be missed. Don’t miss the opportunity to see it. The fly
fishing scenes, small town life, interaction with Native reservations perfectly
integrate and synchronize into one harmonious visually symphonic production.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A family completely devoted to fly fishing, as a
recreation, live out their lives in a small town.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Robert Redford for directing the
film. Thank you to Earl Benjamin, Robert Benjamin, Bruce Davey, Bruce Davey,
Tom Engelman, Mel Gibson, Scott Kroopf, Neil Meron, and Craig Zadan for making
the film possible. Characters/cast include: Norman MacLean (Craig Sheffer), Paul Maclean (Brad Pitt) Rev. Mclean (Tom
Skerritt), Mrs. Maclean (Brenda Blethyn), Jessie Burns (Emily Lloyd), Mrs.
Burns (Edie McClurg), Neal Burns (Stephen Shellen), Young Paul (Vann Gravage),
Mabel (Nicole Burdette), Rawhide (Susan Traylor), Chub (Michael Cudlitz), Conroy
(Rob Cox), Humph (Buck Simmonds), and Mr. Burns (Fred Oakland).
Our Souls at Night, when
critiqued strictly on acting and portrayal, performs at a high level of
competence due to the two lead performers’—Robert Redford and Jane Fonda—acting
abilities. However, when examining the premise upon which the story unfolds, much
discussion can be raised about the value of the storyline itself. While the
overall story flows smoothly and ends happily, questions arise over the story’s
basic premise and the movie thereby becomes a great 'after movie discussion' film. For example, does the choice of the two main actors promote moral behavior? Does
it help to establish clean thinking within the community at large? Do personal
image and moral reputation matter? Does a contractual marriage arrangement have
value in advanced age groups? Does placing two seasoned persons in close
proximity and in a setting conducive to sexual contact, without the benefit of
marriage, matter? Is this a viable solution to loneliness in advanced age? Are
seasoned citizens beyond responsibility to set moral example to younger
generations? Depending upon the audiences’ viewpoints and answers to any one of
these questions, the movie will ultimately be rated as a winning piece of
entertainment or as a distorted rationalization of adult choices. At the least, the movie plants a seed in the audience
mind. One question is: What is the desired fruitage from this planted seed?
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Widow
(Jane Fonda) asks widower (Robert Redford) to help combat loneliness by establishing
a long-term platonic ‘sleep over’ relationship.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Ritesh Batra for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers Pauline Fischer and Ben Ormand for making the film possible.
Additional characters/cast include: Holly (Judy Greer), Addie Moore (Jane
Fonda), Louis Waters (Robert Redford), Jamie (Iain Armitage), Dorlan (Bruce
Dern), Gene (Matthias Schoenaerts), Ruth (Phyllis Somerville), Actress (Leana
Lewis), Realtor (Audrey Walters), Café Teenager (Hawley Penfold), and Actor
(Michael Love Toliver).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe.
It is an interesting mature adult romance, but not Ben Meyers’ first pick for a
love/friendship story.
Brubaker
does not do Robert Redford’s acting abilities justice as did Jeremiah Johnson, Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid, and The Sting. Yet, it is a good fictionalized account of attempts
to reform Arkansas prisons during the 1960s and 1970s. The script, however, is
poorly written and the film falls far below a solid 4-star rating. Watch for
Morgan Freeman and Yaphet Kotto (known for Mr. Big in Live and Let Die) in this movie.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
New Warden Henry Brubaker (Robert Redford) attempts reform at an Arkansas prison and finds resistance at high political levels when he makes a remarkable discovery.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Stuart Rosenberg for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producer Ted Mann for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast
include: Richard ‘Dickie’ Coombes (Yaphet Kotto), Lillian Gray (Jane
Alexander), John Deach (Murray Hamilton), Larry Lee Bullen (David Keith),
Walter (Morgan Freeman), Roy Purcell (Matt Clark), Huey Rauch (Tim McIntire), Abraham
Cook (Richard Ward), Zaranska (Jon Van Ness), C.P. ‘Woody’ Woodward (M. Emmet
Walsh), Rory Poke (Albert Salmi), and Carol (Linda Haynes).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe.
For a hardcore Robert Redford fan, the movie will be quite satisfying.
The Electric Horseman
doesn’t sport a strong script, an outstanding storyline, or anything else that
a critic can pick out and say, WOW, that’s a great story. But, somehow, despite its overall lack, this movie
wins. It has a western charm, a magical sense of ‘real’ that reminds one of
movies watched as a child. Robert Redford and Jane Fonda create a class act out
of scrap material. It’s a surprisingly enjoyable watch.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Rodeo
star Sonny (Robert Redford) decides to rescue and release a prize stallion
worth $12,000,000 without the owner’s permission.
Additional Thanks
Thank
you to Director Sydney Pollack for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Ray
Stark for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Hallie
(Jane Fonda), Charlotta (Valerie Perrine), Wendell (Willie Nelson), Hunt Sears
(John Saxon), Fitzgerald (Nicolas Coster), Danny (Allan Arbus), Farmer (Wilford
Brimley), Gus (Will Hare), Toland (Basil Hoffman), Leroy (Timothy Scott),
Dietrich (James B. Sikking), and Tommy (James Kline).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
It reminds one of other animal release stories like Free Willie, but has its own style and character.
Spy
Gamestarts with high intrigue, suspense, and action and keeps its
intensity throughout the film. It’s an excellent entertainment pick with Brad
Pitt and Robert Redford as the main actors. The movie plays well from beginning
to end. The writers, Michael Frost Beckner and David Arata, display outstanding
skill in weaving a complex story line based on CIA and intelligence life styles.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
American
CIA Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt) has been captured near a Shanghai prison camp and
will be executed if the United States does not ask for him. The United States
plans on letting him go, but Bishop’s recruiter Nathan Muir (Robert Redford)
has other plans.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director Tony Scott for directing efforts.
Thank you to Executive Producers Armyan Bernstein, Thomas A. Bliss, James W.
Skotchdopole, and Iain Smith for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Elizabeth Hadley (Catherine McCormack), Charles Harker
(Stephen Dillane), Troy Folger (Larry Bryggman), Gladys Jennip (Marianne
Jean-Baptiste), Dr. William Byars (Matthew Marsh), and Robert Aiken (Todd
Boyce).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
This is a high class spy thriller. Video Critique Available Here:
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