Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX

Comic books were anathema, banned from my home growing up; they were not worthy of reading, in the “eyes” of my parents;  my siblings and I “drank the cool aid” and wallowed in the worlds of Hans Christian Andersen, “Nancy Drew”, “Hardy Boys” and “Cherry Ames”. So the marvelous “Marvel” action figures are refreshingly unveiled in the darkened, contemporary confines ... Read More »

A family of three, being photographed: uncomfortable, squirming in front of the technical, clinical gaze of the camera; they like each other, but there is an underlying awkwardness, a pretense of warmth, a feeling of unfamiliarity emanating from their forced gaiety. A gorgeous, precocious exchange student encroaches upon this fragile family and all vestiges of equanimity are shattered, deep- rooted ... Read More »

Admittedly, I have never given the biblical “Noah” much thought; the ark, pairs of animals and the forty days and nights of rain (Seattle residents can relate to this) sums up my limited level of knowledge or curiosity.  With no expectations I watched Darren Aronofsky’s vividly imaginative interpretation, of what many consider conjecture, myth;  surprisingly, found myself “swimmingly” intrigued. There ... Read More »

Jason Bateman is captivating as misogynistic, “Guy Trilby”, blessed with an eidetic memory; at forty, has discovered a loophole in spelling bee bylaws and despite convention, or protocol demands entry to a grade school competition. What transpires is a hilarious, often forlorn, entertaining narrative, defying transparency; Guy refuses to be bated by a savvy journalist (Kathryn Hahn), who uses feminine ... Read More »

This tiresome, facile, tediously long imitation of “The Hunger Games”; the ubiquitously, depressing theme of a post- apocalyptic age, taking place in the decimated shell of the once viable city of Chicago, plummets the viewer with brutal training scenes; creating a weapon of mass destruction out of “Beatrice” a hundred- pound, determined young woman (Shailene Woodley). Handsome Theo James is ... Read More »

Annette Benning and Ed Harris give genuinely fine and sensitive performances as middle-aged lovers; the camera’s honesty strokes each well-earned wrinkle, with tenderness. “The Face of Love”, realistically addresses the paralyzing depth of grief; no one ever truly recovers from a sudden loss; a loved one ripped, in a nanosecond, from one’s life, nothing prepares you for the cauterization of ... Read More »

The fecundity of director Wes Anderson’s imagination has never been so beautifully luminous, so poignantly poetic as in this enchanting, compelling slice of nostalgia; a pecan of a world and life only treasured,  experienced through the written word and a magical film. “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, influenced by the brilliant, prescient autobiography, “The World of Yesterday” by Austrian, Stefan Zweig ... Read More »

Ellen DeGeneres set the tone; the evening shimmered with grace, style, levity, raucous hilarity and sizzling spontaneity. Stunning acceptance speeches coated with humility, pride; resonating with class and respect: Lupita Nyong’o eloquence, Matthew McConaughey’s uniqueness, Jared Leto’s poignancy, Cate Blanchett’s, aplomb, Steve McQueen’s tribute to historical heroes. No one topped Darlene Love’s musical acceptance of her award for “20 Feet ... Read More »

Weathered, whiskered Liam Neeson is the archetype of a disillusioned, alcoholic Federal air marshal; “Bill Marks”, running on empty, neurotic about flying, shortly after take off on a New York/London flight, receives a “text”, on a secure line, demanding 150 million dollars be transferred to a numbered  account or someone will die every twenty minutes. Hence the flight takes off ... Read More »

PENEFLIX  5th ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARD CONTEST It is that time of year, when once again I prove incapable of separating my mind and heart; they are so entwined that an autopsy would prove inconclusive. I vote for the film and nominees that I consider the best in their category. I do not play the odds; so many “winners” do, regardless ... Read More »