Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX

At times, a poignantly realistic portrait of a marriage that  lost its carbonation at the twenty-fifth anniversary bench mark; two individuals, strangers, who have built fortresses around their inadequacies, insecurities, sleeping in separate bedrooms, barely acknowledging each other’s existence. “Kay” (another fine performance by Meryl Streep) recognizes the size of the crater separating her from the man she married and ... Read More »

The first half- hour is thrilling, especially if you have never seen or cannot “recall” the original 1990 version with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone. Not for lack of supreme effort Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel were unable to generate enough interest to illicit a modicum of empathy from the audience. Possibly, it was the condensed script (at ... Read More »

A friend of mine states “money does not care who owns it”; Jackie Siegel (“Queen”) and husband David Siegel, (“King”) reign over the mammoth time-share company, Westgate Resorts. They are the subjects of director Lauren Greenfield’s riches to rags scenario; propitious, that Ms. Greenfield in 2007, focuses on the Siegel’s because they are constructing the largest private residence in the ... Read More »

Tuesday July 31st, Gore Vidal, one of the world’s most prolific and at times, most controversial writers, died at the age of eighty-six; his iconic quotes have been bantered in newspapers, talk shows over the last few days. As I watched this stupendous documentary (made by first time filmmaker Alison Klayman) about Chinese artist and activist, Ai Weiwei, one of ... Read More »

Based on the play by Tracy Letts,  director William Friedkin has remained religiously faithful to this ragingly, raunchy, raw rendition of a family pushed to the edge; options dead, every action a reaction; trailer park trash painfully vitalized and depicted by compelling acting. Matthew McCaughey is brilliant as “Killer Joe”, an amoral lawman for murderous hire. Emile Hirsch is smarmy, ... Read More »

A misleading title. This is a “revolution” of immensely talented contemporary dancers, struggling to make their skills  known to the world, Miami in particular. Under the sobriquet “The Mob” they stage and film their performances on the streets of Miami, Art Museums, City Hall. They are competing for a grand YouTube prize; they have to garnish the “hits”. The silly, ... Read More »

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 »