Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX

Slick, sophisticated  beginning, quickly sinks into mediocrity, partially because director Rodrigo Cortes’s ambitious mission and script are too erudite; his preoccupation and ardour of science and the cloudy, empirical world of the paranormal becomes detrimental, confusing;  looses its path and the audience. Sigourney Weaver plays “ Dr. Margaret Matheson” a psychologist specializing in debunking, exposing sensational, charlatan psychics. The part ... Read More »

For “Batman” devotees, if you have not seen it, you must. For the rest of the movie-going crowd be forewarned that it is bleak and massively “dark”; possibly because director Christopher Nolan was astute enough to throw in a heavy dose of reality; daily, we witness the fanatics, armed with nuclear might, threaten world security. Christian Bale is “Bruce Wayne” ... Read More »

Anyone who has had their first brush with adolescence has fantasized about the perfect partner; the one who completes the puzzle, the conundrum that is “you”; conforms to your ideal; meets and exceeds all your expectations; plainly put, the “love of your life.” “Ruby Sparks” is one of the most compelling, enchanting films of the summer. Created by, and starring ... Read More »

It is rare, but at times one recognizes a well-made film, beautifully- acted, a tale resonating with verisimilitude but fails to entice, engross or fully entertain ; “Farewell, My Queen” falls into this category. July 14, 1789, Versailles, France; King Louis XVI, and Queen Marie Antoinette are about to meet their historical fates; the imminent bombarding of the Bastille; luxury ... Read More »

Over the last few days I have been overwhelmed by your comments on my site, email, verbally; regarding my post of July 21st; the supreme tragedy is that it should never been written; the events in Aurora, Colorado should not have occurred; so many lives, families, shattered, fractured for eternity, should still be peacefully intact. Young people of promise erased ... Read More »

If you have never ventured, but always wondered, lusted for the exotic, compelling mystique of India, “Trishna” dishes up a savory cacophony of sounds, sights, contrasts so vividly realistic, pulsating with polluted, congested, dark, dusky corridors, blinding, sun- scorched fields, man and mammal wedded by culture and necessity; still imbued with a “class” conscious, constricted society; director Michael Winterbottom, without ... Read More »

I live in movie theatres; my life is defined by film. Entering a darkened theatre I feel cocooned, protected from the heat of politics, problems, weather; with my ticket comes a respite from what troubles me or the woes, aches of the world. Also, never alone, surrounded by strangers, regardless of demographics all there, sharing, sinking into the luxurious oblivion ... Read More »

Rarely will you encounter a book that soars, takes flight from the first sentence, goes into orbit and lives there for its entirety. “The Next Step: A Gobsmacking Odyssey of Reinvention” by Robert Koppel is an imaginary , universal, stratospheric romp that will resonate long after its final introspective,  illuminating pages. “Fishman”/”Weintraub”/ “Palefsky”/ “Goldberg” join the ranks of literary iconic ... Read More »

WILL BE POSTED JULY 14, 2012 Read More »

“Take This Waltz” (previously reviewed 5/27/12), did not improve with a second viewing. Michelle Williams and Seth Rogen star as a couple (“Margot”,  “Lou”) so devoted to each other that their endearments are flavored with untoward, torturous sentiments. She is aimless, rootless, devoid of ambition; he cooks and writes about chicken for a living. Enter Luke Kirby (“Daniel”) as the ... Read More »