Author: stumberry

Stu’s Reviews- #224- Film- Spotlight

Genre:  Film

Grade A-

Notable People:   Mark Ruffalo, Micheal Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Live Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, Directed by: Tom McCarthy

Title: Spotlight

 

Review: Brilliant and disturbing film about the Boston sexual abuse scandal in the catholic church and the news team that broke it. Probably everyone has seen it by now- but it is must see. Ruffalo and McAdams play against every type they have done (McAdams is unrecognizable from her turn in True Detective). Keaton is his usual brilliance though a bit toned down. Schreiber cannot be the am guy who does Ray Donovan and Tucci…is just Tucci- too good. Well filed, well written, great film.

Stu’s Reviews- #226- Novel- A Quiet Flame

Genre:  Novel

Grade A-

Notable People:   Philip Kerr

Title: A Quiet Flame

 

Review: another in a long line of quality books I’ve read in last year that takes place in Berlin in the dark days of the Nazi emergence. This is part of as series by this gifted writer about Bernie Gunther, a Berlin detective genius trying to survive despite his anti-Nazi sentiment. The book moves flawlessly back and forth between his experiences in the late 30s in Berlin and in 1950 after his escape to Argentina- hunted as a war criminal despite being forced into SS duty during the war. The man is a walking ball of guilt and regret and determined to tie the atrocities of the very corrupt Peron regime with unsolved pre-war Berlin atrocities. The portrayals of some of the most heinous war criminals hiding out in Buenos Aires along with the ruthless Peron government are chilling. Gunther remains a man for all seasons despite it all, and no happy endings likely in sight-paying the price for his time and place. A bunch more of these to look forward to. A very quick and quality read.

Stu’s Reviews- #225- Novel- Bruno-Chief of Police

Genre: Novel

Grade A

Notable People: Martin Walker

Title: Bruno- Chief of Police

Review: C’est Magnifique!!!! Absolutely loved this first in a series of “Bruno” novels set in the south of France. Bruno is the chief in the tiny hamlet of St. Denis in the Perigord-Dordogne region in the southwest of France. His classic small town life is disrupted by a heinous murder which leads to all kinds of strange twists and curves. We have French characters of the finest resort, meals we all dream of, Nazis, Arab emigrants, chateaus. the famous Lascaux caves and of course, les romances…all too good to be true….a wonderful read for the sun and sand (happened to read on sojourn in the Keys). Wonderful, wonderful! I

Stu’s Reviews- #224- Novel- The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto

Genre: Novel

Grade A
Notable People: Mitch Albom
Title: The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto

Review: I absolutely loved this beautiful book. Albom has become quite the writer since he wrote Tuesdays with Morrie. An amazing story of a young orphaned musician in Spain who goes on to become a Rock music legend and leads a mega- mysterious life- all told through the narrative of the ethereal voice of music itself. Frankie is the Forrest Gump of the music genre- interacting with musical legends from the 50s until now- Django Reinhardt, Duke Ellington, Jimi Hendrix, Tony Bennett, The Stones, Roger McGuinn…on and on (did I mention the extraordinary story involving Hank Williams?). What a magnificent and touching story-everyone should read this book- one I read in short intervals; the more to savor all its glory. Just beautiful!

Stu’s Reviews- #223- Film- Son of Saul

Genre: Film

 

Grade: A- to C+…this is a tough one…..

Notable People: Geza Rohrig, Directed by Laszlo Nemes

Title: Son of Saul

Review: Whoa- this is as serious film. Hits the ground running at Auschwitz in 1944 and never lets up. Probably safe to say this may be the most hit you-over-the-head concentration camp experience yet portrayed on film. Despicable, hopeless , grim, overwhelming. I barely took a breath for the entire two hours. There is no single uplifting moment in the film, nor much of a redeeming character. The main character, played with amazing grace by newcomer (and non-actor) Rohrig almost becomes sympathetic but is so driven and despairing it is hard to like him much. The striped and numbered people treat each other almost as badly as the filthy Nazis. It’s all unimaginably horrific- which is why we need to think about it. If you are a film buff, this is a must see A level film. If you are a more casual movie-goer and mostly seek entertainment- stay home…you’ll probably hate it.

Stu’s Reviews- #222- Novel- Creole Bell- James Lee Burke

Genre: Novel

Grade: B+

Notable People: James Lee Burke

Title: Creole Bell

Review: Being a serial reader, I have been on a renewed Burke kick. This one is a yin and yang. I do think Burke is one of the pre-eminent writers of our time in the “mystery” genre, but has become somewhat repetitive in later years. This is the 19th in the Dave Robicheaux series (I already reviewed the 20th not too long ago) and is back in his beloved Iberia Parrish, outside of New Orleans. His powers of description remain unparalleled and his stories are humdingers…but the sheer amount of symbolic meandering and philosophical/moral rants has become a negative diversion. The books have also taken on a bit too much of sheer unbelievability. So, A+ for the level of writing, and a B for the rest. If you are interested in exploring Burke, go back to his earlier Robicheaux novels (Neon Rain, Black Cherry Blues). when he was more of a flat out great storyteller and avoid the constant ramblings on the Vietnam experience and the nature of evil.

Stu’s Reviews- #221- Film- Room

Genre: Film

Grade: A-

Notable People: Brie Larson, Jacob Tremblay, Joan Allen, Directed by Lenny Abrahamson

Title: Room

Review: Startling film about a woman and her child kept in a garden shed by a true sicko for seven years and what happens when they escape. Larson and Tremblay as mother and five year old son are remarkable. Allen is wonderful as the reunited grandmother and William H. Macy plays a troubling small part as the lost dad/granddad. Very, very tense movie with amazing shots inside the tiny prison room. A lot of darkness about human nature here. The second half dragged a bit- but a major must see.

Stu’s Reviews- #220- Film- The Revenant

Genre: Film

Grade: A-

Notable People: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, , Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

Title: The Revenant

Review: Sprawling, violent, dramatic story set in the vast wilderness without a whole lot of dialog. Leo is masterful. Hardy is despicably good. The cinematography is by the incomparable Emmanuel Lubezki and is worth going just to see that- absolutely majestic. There’s no doubt this is a very ambitious film and that the cast, direction and art of filming are all of the highest grade. There are some amazingly brilliant moments here…the bear mauling made me want to crawl under my seat. And, this IS one to see on the BIG screen. I did find it a bit long and at times, tedious. May also be adversely affected by the hype around it. Very good film- not great. Want to see great- watch Jeremiah Johnson from early 70s with a youngish Robert Redford- very similar context, shorter and equally compelling.

Stu’s Reviews- #219- Novel- The Company She Kept- Archer Mayor

Genre: Novel

Grade: A

Notable People: Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay, Directed by Andrew Haigh

Title: The Company She Kept

Review: Amazingly, the 26th offering in 26 years for the Joe Gunther series, Archer takes the form to new heights in this one. Circling back to some mysterious, and unresolved characters from books of ten years ago as well as introducing a host of new characters, he takes us on a great ride through the mountains and valleys of his beloved Vermont. His books have gotten more politically informed over time, as well as a lot more life-philosophical (Joe must be 90 by now!). But, his craft just keeps getting better. We had the good fortune to hear him read from the book this Fall, and the passion of his voice is quite sincere as are his musings about the writing process and its evolution, shared with us over coffee and pastry at Java Baba’s in Ludlow. . . fair to say, this is not an unbiased review as most of your know about our longtime acquaintance with Archer…but I wouldn’t let that dater you from going out and getting a copy right now. Well, well done.

Stu’s Reviews- #218- Film- 45 Years

Genre: Film

Grade: A

Notable People: Charlotte Rampling, Tom Courtenay, Directed by Andrew Haigh

Title: 45 Years

Review: A superb, but very depressing film, set in the English countryside- about a childless couple approaching their 45th wedding anniversary. In the midst of their preparations for a celebratory party, a long lost secrete emerges from the past, forcing the 70 something couple to reevaluate their lives and relationship. The acting in magnificent- Rampling especially has enjoyed a major late career resurgence- and the movie is wonderfully shot and composed. The music is haunting and everything just feels really dark-as it is intended to. A very fine movie but a hard one to watch.