Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX

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 »

If you are a Marvel comic book fan or simply enamored with the “Spider-Man” mystique you will be satisfied with the newest rendition of, to say the least, “The Amazing Spider-Man”! Andrew Garfield, replacing Toby Maguire, is excellent as the sensitive, seventeen-year-old “Peter Parker/Spider-Man”. With misty-eyed sincerity he imbues the duality with likeability, believability; and is galvanizing in his transformation ... Read More »

Abominable. Detestable.  Dismal.  Deleterious.  Humorless. Salacious. Scatological.  Revolting.  Ridiculous. Vile. Wretched. Only partially describes this disgusting movie, starring Mark Wahlberg  and his foul-mouthed,  bibulous , drug -addicted, good-for –nothing, copulating Teddy Bear. Teddy Bears of the universe unite, join in a class action suit; sue for defamation of character. No matter the monetary reward it will take generations to erase ... Read More »

Oliver Stone’s latest flick can be summed up in a brief sentence.  Good drug dealers versus bad drug dealers. It is engrossing, more than minimally entertaining; not as bludgeoning with the message as the usual Stone scenario; still in a month’s time will be a vague, shadowy memory of a mindless two hours spent in a refrigerated cocoon; a blessed ... Read More »

Achingly poignant, mythically powerful film, told from the perspective of six-year-old “Hushpuppy” (Quvenzhanem Wallis, a forceful sprite with a gift from the gods); living in the disastrously destitute Louisiana bayou; alone, she resides in a shack, next door to her abusive, alcoholic, terminally ill father, “Wink” (brilliant portrayal by Dwight Henry)  in an island of muck, detritus, prehistoric, called “The ... Read More »

Steven Soderbergh’s  intimate portrayal of the lives and performances of “male strippers’ was an enlightening, enticing slice of reality for this neophyte; knew they existed, gave them no thought;  realized for a certain segment of the female population they were a titillating source of entertainment. I was totally bamboozled, mesmerized and shamefully, overwhelmingly, enthralled with the scenario. Matthew McConaughey is ... Read More »

Is an abomination, travesty, an insult to the craft of filmmaking and a humiliating example of a auteur (Woody Allen) gone amuck. Out of respect for my, if at times limited, but still viable insights; I am composing this review in 15 minutes (which is approximately 14 more than it deserves.) 1) All the men in the film are clones ... Read More »