The Man Most Wanted
This was Phillip Seymour Hoffman's last movie. It saddens me to think that such talent was wasted on drug addiction. I feel similarly about Heath Ledger and Amy Winehouse. Their talent was unmatched and they fell victim to their vices.
It's hard to make a spy movie that captivates you for 2 hours. There simply isn't much action when much of the activity is sitting and waiting for someone to do something. This movie had a compelling plot but I was bored. The ending tied everything together nicely so I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars. I would recommend that you wait until it comes out on Netflix or DVD.
Boyhood
This movie was excellent. Richard Linklater family as they grow for 12 years. It centers around a boy and his experiences with his family. His mother is played by Patricia Arquette and his father is played by Ethan Hawke. Both are brilliant. Richard Linklater demonstrated how talented he is as a director and it pleased me to watch the movie.
My only complaint is that it was a 3 hour movie that seemed to go on forever. Don't order a large soda. You will regret it. My husband has stated I am part camel so I was able to go for the whole three hours but he barely made it.
Because the end took so long to come I will only give it 4 out of 5 stars. It was brilliant and if you have some patience and a relatively strong bladder it's worth the price of admission.
Nymph()maniac
The only reason I watched this movie is because it is directed by Lars Von Trier. He also directed Melancholia which was incredible.
It didn't get very good reviews. I don't think the reviewers were prepared for the subject.
Charlotte Gainsbourg plays the adult version of the woman, "Joe", while Stacy Martin plays the younger version of the woman. Charlotte Gainsbourg is brilliant as the adult version of Joe. Stacy Martin who carries the movie is a proficient actress. My favorite character was played by Uma Thurman. She played the wife of a man who left to be with Joe. Joe was trying to get rid of him when she said she loved him and he returned with a suitcase in hand. The scene has humor and is also very dramatic. I think that scene alone could stand to make the movie.
I saw there is a second movie and I hesitate to watch it because the first covered all I needed to see about the subject. Don't watch this movie if you are shocked or bothered by gratuitous sex. It is filled with it. It is the meaningless sex of an addict.
I would give this movie 4 out of 5 stars because it captivated me for the entire film. Some say it's a failed attempt to demonstrate female empowerment. I believe it is about addiction. Addiction has always fascinated me so I was not bothered by the subject matter. I was able to see how she was trying to fill a vacancy in her spirit with sex. I have witnessed friends do it with drugs and alcohol. Some come out of it and some fall victim. I don't think the other reviewers saw it that way.
