‘The Punisher’ Download and Reviews

December 27, 2009 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Action, Crime, Drama

“The Punisher” Movie Details

The Punisher tagline: This Is Not Revenge. It’s Punishment!
The Punisher - DVD Cover

The Punisher DVD Cover

Actors:
  • Marcus Johns
  • Will Patton
    John Travolta
    Rebecca Romijn
    Roy Scheider
    A. Russell Andrews Jimmy Weeks
    Omar Avila Joe Toro
    James Carpinello Bobby Saint/John Saint
    Mark Collie Harry Heck
    Russ Comegys Tattooed Mike
    Antoni Corone T.J.
    Rick Elmhurst Bay News 9 Newscaster
    Laura Harring Livia Saint
    Ben Foster Spacker Dave
    Michael Reardon Toro Croupier
    Will Hasenzahl EMT
    Thomas Jane Frank Castle
    Eddie Jemison Micky Duka
    Marco St. John Police Chief Morris
    Will Castle
    Directors: Jonathan Hensleigh IMDB Rating: 6.4/10 out of 47,375 votes

    “The Punisher” Movie Review

    “The Punisher” Plot Summary

    After his wife and family are killed, G-Man Frank Castle takes it upon himself to distribute punishment to those responsible for the vendetta.

    GREAT MOVIE! vigilante-style justice done right

    ‘The Punisher’ is a shining example of revenge and vigilante-style justice done right. It’s also yet another comic book adaptation done properly. I thought this movie was one of the best I have seen in a long time. In the compendium of comic movies, this falls just shy of the two X-Men movies and Spider-Man but easily surpasses Batman, Batman Begins, Superman and The Hulk. The fact that it is an R-rated movie will kill any possible chance of decent box-office numbers, but it was a necessary step to take, and the quality of the movie just makes up for it. Hopefully this was Thomas Jane’s breakout role, as he was outstanding and has the potential to be a contender to Ben Affleck, Hugh Jackman, Colin Farrell, and Matt Damon as the next big action star. If you like action movies, check out this movie. If you like comic book adaptations, check out this movie. Heck, if you just like movies in general, The Punisher is two hours well-spent. Like Thomas Jane himself says, ‘Frank Castle is dead. Long live The Punisher.’

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    ‘A Mighty Heart’ Download and Reviews

    December 26, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Biography, Drama, History

    “A Mighty Heart” Movie Details

    A Mighty Heart tagline: It was an event that shocked the world. This is the story you haven’t heard.
    A Mighty Heart - DVD Cover

    A Mighty Heart DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Angelina Jolie Mariane Pearl
    Azfar Ali Asra’s Boyfriend
    San Banarje
    Harvasp Chiniwala Adam Pearl
    Zachary Coffin Matt McDowell
    Dan Futterman Daniel Pearl
    Jacob Gaffney News Reporter
    Demetri Goritsas John Skelton
    Sajid Hasan Zubair
    Aly Khan
    Irfan Khan Captain
    Lala Sloatman
    Mikail Lotia Hasan
    Denis O’Hare John Bussey
    Will Patton Randall Bennett
    Directors: Michael Winterbottom
    IMDB Rating: 6.7/10 out of 12,861 votes

    “A Mighty Heart” Movie Review

    “A Mighty Heart” Plot Summary

    Mariane Pearl embarks on a frantic search to locate her journalist husband, Daniel, when he goes missing in Pakistan.

    A Very Mighty Heart

    I don’t usually type summaries, and this in reality will not be a summary. I am putting in my two cents in defense of a VERY moving VERY soul touching movie

    I have read a lot of people downing Jolie’s performance, saying things such as ‘a white woman playing a woman of color is wrong’. In my opinion in this day and age if that alone is something that will keep you from viewing this movie, then you may need to recheck your mindset. Not only was Jolie handpicked by the character she portrays, but she obviously put her whole heart and soul into this performance. 30 minutes into the movie you forget you are watching Angelina Jolie, and begin to feel nothing but hurt and worry for Daniel and Mariane Pearl

    When I watch a movie I try to put myself in the characters shoes. I viewed this movie imagining myself in Mrs. Pearls situation. If it was MY HUSBAND. I found myself pausing parts and rewinding only to make sure I caught a point just made. I found myself actually hoping that Daniel would come home when I knew good and well he wouldn’t! I had to pause it at one point and take a break, my heart was racing, I was crying, I WAS IN PAIN just watching this movie. To watch it and also KNOW that this DID happen, it isn’t just a story wrote for entertainment moved me in ways I can’t put onto paper

    Don’t watch this movie for entertainment. Watch this movie to see a different view of what is going on in our world today. Watch this movie to feel the pain of a fellow human being going through a horrific experience. Watch this movie to see the best performance this year!!

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    ‘Gone in Sixty Seconds’ Download and Reviews

    December 10, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Action, Crime, Thriller

    “Gone in Sixty Seconds” Movie Details

    Gone in Sixty Seconds tagline: Ice Cold, Hot Wired.
    Gone in 60 Seconds - DVD Cover

    Gone in Sixty Seconds DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • Grace Zabriskie
  • Frances Fisher
    Nicolas Cage Randall ‘Memphis’ Raines
    Giovanni Ribisi Kip Raines
    Angelina Jolie Sara ‘Sway’ Wayland
    T.J. Cross Mirror Man
    William Lee Scott Toby
    Scott Caan Tumbler
    James Duval Freb
    Will Patton Atley Jackson
    Delroy Lindo Det. Roland Castlebeck
    Timothy Olyphant Det. Drycoff
    Chi McBride Donny Astricky
    Robert Duvall Otto Halliwell
    Christopher Eccleston Raymond Vincent Calitri
    Vinnie Jones The Sphinx
    Helen Raines
    Directors: Dominic Sena IMDB Rating: 6.0/10 out of 69,163 votes

    “Gone in Sixty Seconds” Movie Review

    “Gone in 60 Seconds” Plot Summary

    A retired master car thief must come back to the industry and steal 50 cars with his crew in one night to save his brother’s life.

    Good action film

    I have seen a lot of good action films in my day and this one is definitely one of the best ones. If you want to enjoy a film including amazing cars, an interesting and innovative plot and obviously if u want to see the beautiful Angelina Jolie, this is the film for you. The film gives you an interesting view into the life of modern and old school car thief’s. The film always keeps you excited and might have some twists, I don’t know…well…I might know I don’t want to spoil it for you. This film is a one of a kind and i reckon you see it as quick as possible, trust me you will enjoy it. Not only is the plot interesting but all the characters are being so represented in such a cool and interesting way that you just start thinking:’ I would love to be like them.’. Enjoy the film. ;)

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    ‘Remember the Titans’ Download and Reviews

    December 5, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Drama, Sport

    “Remember the Titans” Movie Details

    Remember the Titans tagline: They came together when their classmates and loved ones would not.
    Remember the Titans - DVD Cover

    Remember the Titans DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Denzel Washington Coach Herman Boone
    Will Patton Coach Bill Yoast
    Wood Harris Julius Campbell
    Ryan Hurst Gerry Bertier
    Donald Faison Petey Jones
    Craig Kirkwood Jerry ‘Rev’ Harris
    Ethan Suplee Louie Lastik
    Kip Pardue Ronnie ‘Sunshine’ Bass
    Hayden Panettiere Sheryl Yoast
    Nicole Ari Parker Carol Boone
    Kate Bosworth Emma Hoyt
    Earl Poitier Blue Stanton
    Ryan Gosling Alan Bosley
    Burgess Jenkins Ray Budds
    Neal Ghant Glascoe
    Directors: Boaz Yakin
    IMDB Rating: 7.5/10 out of 46,768 votes

    “Remember the Titans” Movie Review

    “Remember the Titans” Plot Summary

    The true story of a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit.

    Best Movie I’ve Ever Seen !

    Remember the Titans was one of the best movies I have ever seen. It really showed the passions of all of the people in the movie. It showed that a single high school football team can change the minds of a town and what they think about each other. It taught us a good lesson on racism. Most people just think of movies as entertainment but Remember the Titans was so much more than that and people could really learn a lesson by watching this movie. I suggest that every person watch this at least once in their life because it changed the way I look at everybody. Each character in the movie really had an important part and I can’t believe that this really happened in real life. It is a painful thing to think about how messed up our world is and how it is so full of hatred.

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    ‘Ratatouille’ Download and Reviews

    November 23, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Animation, Comedy, Family

    “Ratatouille” Movie Details

    Ratatouille tagline: Dinner is served… Summer 2007
    Ratatouille - DVD Cover

    Ratatouille DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Patton Oswalt Remy
    Ian Holm Skinner
    Lou Romano Linguini
    Brian Dennehy Django
    Peter O’Toole Anton Ego
    Brad Garrett Gusteau
    Janeane Garofalo Colette
    Will Arnett Horst
    Julius Callahan Lalo/Francois
    James Remar Larousse
    John Ratzenberger Mustafa
    Teddy Newton Lawyer
    Tony Fucile Pompidou/Health Inspector
    Jake Steinfeld Git
    Brad Bird Ambrister Minion
    Directors: Brad Bird and Jan Pinkava
    IMDB Rating: 8.2/10 out of 120,107 votes

    “Ratatouille” Movie Review

    “Ratatouille” Plot Summary

    Remy is a young rat in the French countryside who arrives in Paris, only to find out that his cooking idol is dead. When he makes an unusual alliance with a restaurant’s new garbage boy, the culinary and personal adventures begin despite Remy’s family’s skepticism and the rat-hating world of humans.

    GREAT addition to the Pixar family of films…

    I attended a sneak preview of Ratatouille, and I have to say, Pixar has done it again. I enjoyed Cars, but didn’t LOVE it like some of the other Pixar Films (Monsters Inc and The Incredibles are my favorites). This movie, however, was just about perfect. If I had one complaint (and it’s VERY small) it was a just a little too long, but not by much. But the voices, the computer animation, the music, and above all the story were all top notch. I’m continually amazed at how Pixar continues to crank out great films like these that both children and adults can appreciate. I have a feeling most critics and film goers alike will rate this one very high. I wholeheartedly recommend the film – it really was a fun night out at the movies! Congrats Pixar!! Oh, and they also continue to do wonderful shorts that appear before the feature. This one involving aliens(that’s all I’ll say) is really cute and continues that fine tradition

    Can’t wait for the DVD!

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    ‘Dick Tracy’ Download and Reviews

    November 9, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Action, Romance, Thriller

    “Dick Tracy” Movie Details

    Dick Tracy tagline: I’m on my way.
    Dick Tracy - DVD Cover

    Dick Tracy DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • James Keane
  • Charlie Korsmo ‘Kid’/Dick Tracy Jr.
    Michael Donovan O’Donnell Mr. Gillicuddy
    Jim Wilkey Stooge
    Stig Eldred Shoulders
    Neil Summers The Rodent
    Chuck Hicks The Brow
    Lawrence Steven Meyers Little Face
    William Forsythe Flattop
    Ed O’Ross Itchy
    Glenne Headly Tess Trueheart
    Marvelee Cariaga Soprano
    Michael Gallup Baritone
    Seymour Cassel Sam Catchem
    Pat Patton
    Directors: Warren Beatty IMDB Rating: 5.9/10 out of 24,153 votes

    “Dick Tracy” Movie Review

    “Dick Tracy” Plot Summary

    The comic strip detective finds his life vastly complicated when Breathless Mahoney makes advances towards him while he is trying to battle Big Boy Caprice’s united mob.

    Impressive, enjoyable comic book movie (spoilers)

    Released in 1990, Warren Beatty’s take on a popular one-time comic book detective is at once successful and distinctive. It doesn’t have the preachy Americo-centric moralism of the ‘Superman’ movies, neither does it possess the dark and tragic depths of the early ‘Batman’ films. ‘Dick Tracy’ is distinctive as it just tries to be what it is: a literal live action comic strip. In this the cops headed up by a straight-laced detective (and his plucky kid sidekick) are the heroes, with a horde of ugly, scheming gangsters as the villains

    In a town simply named The City, Dick Tracy (Warren Beatty) is an honest but reckless detective who divides his time between chasing villains and going out with his girlfriend Tess Trueheart (Glenne Headly). He finds himself a new sidekick in the shape of the Kid (Charlie Korsmo), a homeless young thief he pulls off the streets. Tracy will need all the help he can get, as his arch-nemesis Big Boy Caprice (Al Pacino) is on the rise. He’s just rubbed out his main rival Lips Manlis (Paul Sorvino), taken over his club and stolen his girlfriend, singer Breathless Mahoney (Madonna). Now he’s preparing for a rampage that will ensure him complete control of The City…..Take the story out of the movie and it would make a fine period melodrama. There are enough twists and turns in the plot to keep it interesting for the bulk of it’s two-hour running length. The script mixes a healthy stock of comic book characters (hard-nosed cop, honest sweetheart, streetwise kid, mean ugly gangster and attractive but sleazy moll) and has the standard surprise ending. This is combined with a show of action scenes (featuring cement baths, punch-ups and tommy gun shoot-outs) but in keeping with the pictures lighthearted tone, there is nothing gory or explicit

    The setting and technical aspect is especially good in this film. The use of primary colours in both the backdrops, sets and costumes is brilliant and makes the whole film really come alive. Enhancing this is a wonderful music score, put to good use in both the action scenes and the quieter, more sentimental moments. Even Madonna’s songs fit in well with the picture, as they’re cleverly used in ways that bring the story forward and add irony to key scenes. The performances are for the most part excellent. Warren Beatty is on form as eponymous detective and he works well in tangent with Charlie Korsmo as The Kid, who is both his partner and surrogate son. If the film has a recurring weakness, it’s in the lack of chemistry between him and leading lady Glenne Headly. There is certainly more discernible tension in scenes between him and Madonna, who turns in a good performance as the scheming, gangster’s moll. She is certainly no Oscar-winner, but neither is she the wooden disaster so many make her out to be

    The cast of prosthetics-clad gangsters reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of vintage character actors: Dustin Hoffman, James Caan, Paul Sorvino, William Forsythe, James Tolkan, etc. The outstanding performance here, though, is Al Pacino as Big Boy. Usually known for his more serious portrayal of villains in films like ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ it is a delight watching him go gleefully over the top here. Big Boy is deluded, cruel and arrogant and makes a worthy adversary for Tracy

    Not one of the most well-known comic book films going around, but it is still a joy to watch.

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    ‘Hitch’ Download and Reviews

    November 6, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Comedy, Romance

    “Hitch” Movie Details

    Hitch tagline: The cure for the common man.
    Hitch - DVD Cover

    Hitch DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • Matt Malloy
  • Amber Valletta Allegra Cole
    Will Smith Alex ‘Hitch’ Hitchens
    Eva Mendes Sara
    Kevin James Albert
    Julie Ann Emery Casey
    Robinne Lee Cressida
    Nathan Lee Graham Geoff
    Adam Arkin Max
    Michael Rapaport Ben
    Jeffrey Donovan Vance
    Paula Patton Mandy
    Philip Bosco Mr. O’Brian
    Kevin Sussman Neil
    Navia Nguyen Mika
    Pete
    Directors: Andy Tennant IMDB Rating: 6.8/10 out of 60,405 votes

    “Hitch” Movie Review

    “Hitch” Plot Summary

    While helping his latest client woo the fine lady of his dreams, a professional “date doctor” finds game doesn’t quite work on the gossip columnist with whom he’s smitten.

    Welcome to Bland World

    Nothing about this movie stands out as either being great or terrible

    In the end, that is what kills it. The blandness is just not good. I can’t say I expected better from Will Smith, but I definitely did from Kevin James of ‘The King of Queens’– but, hey, I’m getting used to saying that a lot lately. This film attempts to make its mark as a witty romantic comedy, but it never hits the bull’s-eye. In fact, it never hits *anywhere* within the target. The allergy scene is disturbing; the fact that Kevin James can’t dance is something that wouldn’t exactly catch anybody off-guard, and is therefore (in a movie like this) not funny. This movie constantly tries to win your heart, but always with the wrong ploy at the wrong time. Some parts are okay (but I’m searching my brain for examples), but I really think this movie should be avoided.

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    ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ Download and Reviews

    October 13, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Comedy, Crime, Thriller

    “Ocean’s Eleven” Movie Details

    Ocean’s Eleven tagline: Hollywood’s A list stars come together to pull off the most daring heist Las Vegas has ever known…11 men, 3 casinos, 150 million dollars, 1 chance to pull it off.
    Ocean's 11 - DVD Cover

    Ocean's Eleven DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • Jorge R. Hernandez
  • George Clooney Danny Ocean
    Cecelia Ann Birt Board Member #1
    Paul L. Nolan Board Member #2
    Carol Florence Board Member #3
    Lori Galinski Blackjack Dealer
    Bernie Mac Frank Catton
    Brad Pitt Rusty Ryan
    Mark Gantt Bartender
    Timothy Paul Perez Security Guard
    Elliott Gould Reuben Tishkoff
    Frank Patton Lockbox Carrier
    Casey Affleck Virgil Malloy
    Scott Caan Turk Malloy
    Eddie Jemison Livingston Dell
    FBI Man #1
    Directors: Steven Soderbergh IMDB Rating: 7.6/10 out of 131,014 votes

    “Ocean’s Eleven” Movie Review

    “Ocean’s 11″ Plot Summary

    Danny Ocean and his ten accomplices plan to rob three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously.

    One of the Best Heist Movies Ever

    When you want to steal $160 million in cash from a huge casino in Vegas, you can either do it with force, or you can do it in a sneaky way. Danny Ocean (George Clooney) and his gang map out the casino and find a way to get down into the vault without anyone knowing what is going on until Rusty (Brad Pitt) calls the owner of the casino, Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) to state the terms. A large reason for the heist was that Benedict was going out with Danny’s sexy ex-wife (Julia Roberts) and he wanted her back. The key to Danny and Linus (Matt Damon) getting into the vault was a device that Basher (Don Cheadle) stole, a bomb powerful enough to wipe out the power of Las Vegas. Not many people would find a movie about stealing money entertaining, but the way that this one was made certainly can catch people’s eye. I really think that it is one of the best of the new decade.

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    ‘The Fourth Kind’ Download and Reviews

    October 11, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi

    “The Fourth Kind” Movie Details

    The Fourth Kind tagline: There are four kinds of alien encounters. The fourth kind is abduction.
    The Fourth Kind - DVD Cover

    The Fourth Kind DVD Cover

    Actors:
    Enzo Cilenti Scott Stracinsky
    Corey Johnson Tommy
    Hakeem Kae-Kazim
    Elias Koteas
    Will Patton
    Daphne Alexander Theresa
    Milla Jovovich Abbey
    Mia McKenna-Bruce Ashley
    Tyne Rafaeli Sarah Fisher
    Alisha Seaton Cindy Stracinsky
    Directors: Olatunde Osunsanmi
    IMDB Rating: 6.2/10 out of 4,997 votes

    “The Fourth Kind” Movie Review

    “The Fourth Kind” Plot Summary

    A thriller involving an ongoing unsolved mystery in Alaska, where one town has seen an extraordinary number of unexplained disappearances during the past 40 years and there are accusations of a federal cover up.

    Great movie!

    This movie was a total surprise, in a good way. The trailer wasn’t particularly amazing, but it did get me excited for the movie. Still though, I came out shocked at how good the movie actually was

    First of all, the so-called archival footage and audio that is supposedly real, is fake…or so I think. You can’t really trust Hollywood these days when they release a movie ‘based on true events’. I’m not one to fall for the marketing hype, so I went into the movie with this in the back of my mind. It had no effect on my overall opinion of the movie

    The movie was filled with a great story in my opinion, had tons of suspense and had its fair share of disturbing and freaky moments. I wouldn’t be surprised if some small percentage of all the abduction phenomenon reports are in fact real. In the case of the movie though, I highly doubt it was real. Still though, movies are meant for entertainment and this movie certainly accomplished this. It was also refreshing to see the movie give a bit of insight into the Ancient Astronaut Theory. It’s finally getting some mainstream light shed on it

    I have no doubt in my mind that extraterrestrial life exists throughout the cosmos, you have to be a truly ignorant and close-minded person to believe that we are alone in this vast, infinite universe. What a waste of space it would be. All in all, great movie, you won’t be disappointed. Go watch it, it will make you question your beliefs.

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    ‘Magnolia’ Download and Reviews

    October 11, 2009 by Paul Wall  
    Filed under Drama

    “Magnolia” Movie Details

    Magnolia tagline: Things fall down. People look up. And when it rains, it pours.
    Magnolia - DVD Cover

    Magnolia DVD Cover

    Actors:
  • Raymond ‘Big Guy’ Gonzales
  • Tom Cruise Frank T.J. Mackey
    Pat Healy Sir Edmund William Godfrey
    Julianne Moore Linda Partridge
    Genevieve Zweig Mrs. Godfrey
    Mark Flannagan Joseph Green
    William H. Macy Quiz Kid Donnie Smith
    Neil Flynn Daniel Hill
    Philip Seymour Hoffman Phil Parma
    Rod McLachlan Stanley Berry
    Allan Graf Firefighter
    Melora Walters Claudia Wilson Gator
    Philip Baker Hall Jimmy Gator
    Patton Oswalt Delmer Darion
    Jeremy Blackman Stanley Spector
    Reno Security Guard
    Directors: Paul Thomas Anderson IMDB Rating: 8.0/10 out of 114,715 votes

    “Magnolia” Movie Review

    “Magnolia” Plot Summary

    An epic mosaic of several interrelated characters in search of happiness, forgiveness, and meaning in the San Fernando Valley.

    An extraordinarily moving and serious film

    Magnolia is an extraordinarily moving and serious film. Its central concern is the question of what happens when people who have done bad things go unpunished in life. The two people in question Earl Partridge and Jim Gator are both being claimed by cancer ‘early’ but also after very prosperous and well-respected lives. They have both damaged their children one by direct abuse, which the film represents with unparalleled honesty and success and the other by leaving him to nurse his dying mother. Claudia Gator and Frank Mackie express this damage in their everyday lives and remain solidly opposed to reconciliation with their dying fathers. These relationships are reflected in a third abusive father-child relationship, which is still at its outset that between Stanley the child prodigy and his father, who violently exploits his son for gain on a child quiz show. Stanley’s possible future is mirrored in the life of ex-quiz quid Donnie Smith, who has been broken by his early ’success’ and is a figure of fun and hopelessness. The culmination of the film is Stanley going to his father’s bedside and delivering the words ‘Dad, you need to be nicer to me’. We are therefore left with the hope that either following a reform of his father’s behaviour or more likely through Stanley’s new found strength of character, Stanley will be saved from the permanent damage we see in Donnie, Frank and Claudia. The foil for this action is Jim Kurring, a policeman who seeks to do good. Against the backdrop of the other characters, his optimism and moral compass seem strongly tempered by naivety. He is also religious, which while it is not condemned is clearly not a solution for the other characters in the film. But his agency is still the main motor for good in the film. In the closing scene we see him providing the beginning of a rehabilitation to Claudia, which is a strongly positive closing note even if there is still along way to go for her. He also lets Donnie off a criminal charge, and we hope that Donnie will respond to this kindness by recognising the problems confronting him and beginning to take hold of his life. In these respects he is the main agency for good in the film. He does not, however, interact with the other ‘victims’ Frank and Stanley. Stanley begins to act as his own saviour. Frank is the least likely to undergo a serious reform or rehabilitation but we do at least see him weeping, which is an advancement on his previous behaviour. This is not the ‘nom (sic) plus ultra of pretentiousness and self-satisfied smugness’ or ‘a relatively unique vision’. This is real art, which examines human relationships with profound intelligence and honesty. There is not ‘much to admire and to cherish’ here: there is much to learn. It is natural for humans, as animals, to put themselves first in certain situations. But selfishness can cross a line when those on the receiving end are left with little hope of ever becoming functional people, let alone happy. The film challenges viewers to reach into their lives and ask which of their own relationships contain these elements. If a viewer empathizes with the parents, they are forced to confront the lifelong consequences of selfish parenting on a younger generation, as well as the non-forgiveness these parents are confronted by before death. But if a viewer empathizes with the children, he or she is also immediately forced to confront the basic humanity of the parent-perpetrators, as well as their obvious fallibility. This is most touchingly evident in Earl Partridge’s second wife falling in love with him for the first time on his deathbed. Depending on their age, they may empathize with both parents and children hence the final song, sung in part by all of the characters, with the chorus line ‘It’s not going to stop till you wise up’. The last line adds ‘ so just give up’, not as a serious incitement but as a challenge to continue. It is a challenge that intelligent viewers will take up.

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