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NLF Film Reviews, 100 independence Way, Danvers, MA (2026)

01/13/2024

Film Review 🎥
(American Fiction )

First off the film only played for the opening release night (which I missed) and it finally came to theaters this weekend locally….

What a remarkable journey of characters and humanity. What has been captured here in art and film is truly truly something. The age old query of "what is the purpose of life" is somehow explained by "live life and see what happens".
What kind of answer is that, well, it's an answer...somehow somewhat this is how this film answers that so eloquently.

The Cinematography by Cristina Dunlap is an ocean of clarity as She plays up the organic spaces,
in outlining and confining intricate streams of interpersonal friendships, families...
in drama-trauma university labs,
and wistfully upon lonely dunes and fretful beaches with salty winds sweeping over low steel blue tides.
There are desperate tantrums in, out, and around cramped cars along with "professional tic tac toe" kerfuffles in book stores, even frantic speaker phone calls to power lunch pitches and deals.

This film sparkles with kaleidescopic coloring and charisma,
the see-thru glass of each human - crystalline personalities - that are so emotionally delicate, so transparently shown while their lives whiz by,
subservient and bounded to the relentless ticking of time.
In so many split seconds decisions, the stars and planets collide and their whole futures are altered unexpectedly.
Then
All of those personal moments are contrasted against the underlying overall "interesting conversation and argument" theme:
Is there is marketing space for artists to freely create and sell what they want to a specific audience who wants to buy those artifacts in those genres... regardless of culture, stereotypes or expectations? A very valid perspective.

Director Writer Cord Jefferson (Based on book: Erasure by Percival Everett)
brings a effervescence of pure life as one can live it.
He cradles so many important issues,
touching upon the tenderness and harshness of middle age and quite profoundly primary care for seniors.
He brings us all to an emotion understanding how fragile life is, feelings are, actions can be.
In a moment's wisp the heaviest of issues dematerialize right before our very eyes everything or everyone all at once, gone...just gone like that!
like the sand being pulled from under our feet by a retreating tide.

We laugh, we cry, and we laugh even harder. It seems to say...
If you don't live "your life" you don't live your life.
You become a victim of not choosing you.
This is a very bittersweet Shakespearean tragedy-comedy. The questions and its answers are contrary and unexpected, just the way life unfolds. How many of us expected our lives to be as they are now as we once thought, dreamed, projected, and realized.
We move so certainly and uncertainly in an unpredictable and predictable world.
American Fiction brings that sword's edge to life with fun and sadness.

Finally, make no mistake this is wonderful in its laughter and pro-humanness and should not be missed. It's a grand carousel in an equally grand carnival called life.

4.8/5 There is no such thing as a perfect film but honestly this is one of the best I’ve seen in a very long time.

12/20/2023

December 17, 1964 "Goldfinger", 3rd James Bond film, starring Sean Connery and Honor Blackman premieres in London.

Goldfinger is a 1964 spy film and the third instalment in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions, starring Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. It is based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Ian Fleming. The film also stars Honor Blackman as P@ssy Galore and Gert Fröbe as the title character Auric Goldfinger, along with Shirley Eaton as the ill-fated Jill Masterson. Goldfinger was produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman and was the first of four Bond films directed by Guy Hamilton.

The film's plot has Bond investigating gold smuggling by gold magnate Auric Goldfinger and eventually uncovering Goldfinger's plans to contaminate the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox. Goldfinger was the first Bond blockbuster, with a budget equal to that of the two preceding films combined. Principal photography took place from January to July 1964 in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the United States.

Goldfinger was heralded as the film in the franchise where James Bond "comes into focus". Its release led to a number of promotional licensed tie-in items, including a toy Aston Martin DB5 car from Corgi Toys which became the biggest selling toy of 1964. The promotion also included an image of gold-painted Eaton on the cover of Life.
Many of the elements introduced in the film appeared in many of the later James Bond films, such as the extensive use of technology and gadgets by Bond, an extensive pre-credits sequence that stood largely alone from the main storyline, multiple foreign locales and tongue-in-cheek humor. Goldfinger was the first Bond film to win an Oscar (for Best Sound Editing) and opened to largely favorable critical reception. The film was a financial success, recouping its budget in two weeks and grossing over $120 million worldwide.

In 1999, it was ranked No. 70 on the BFI Top 100 British films list compiled by the British Film Institute.

#007

10/22/2023

*Thoughts on Flower Moon, not really spoilers *

Okay, a lot to unpack here for such a long movie . This is definitely one of the most detailed accounts of greed and evil that I’ve seen in hollywoods recent catalog .Is this movie long? For sure . I would say most of the length was helpful in illustrating the entire true story of the Osage murders, and how horrific and tragic the impact was on those involved and those lingering nearby.

As always we see a masterclass of acting from DiCaprio and DeNiro as well as a great performance alongside two power houses in the performance by Lily Gladstone, she portrays one of the children of a wealthy Osage family and Is the love interest of DiCaprio’. Throughout the film ,seeing things from her perspective trying to figure out where the true intentions lie of her love was powerful. DiCaprio really sells his character who has caught himself right in the middle of the greed and mischief between the “whites” and the Osage during this time in America. As for DeNiro, he continues even at this age to prove that he is one of the best dramatic actors of our time, with his portrayal of the secretly greedy,suave, savior and “man of the people” he can be outright intimidating, while keeping you guessing his true intentions throughout the first half of the film.

The direction ,photography, sequencing and score are all great . Scorsese spends time on the specifics , especially details of the Osage to truly tell their story . He also develops a very creative ending , in my mind .

Overall this is a great film , but as I said , it is definitely a long one . That being said, I wouldn’t call it slow.

4.1/5 ⭐️

05/07/2023

⚠️ Keeping it short and sweet to avoid spoiling ⚠️

After an 8 hour, 3 film Guardians of the Galaxy marathon all I can say was it was an action packed emotional roller coaster of an experience in its entirety. Watching the films in a sequential order gave a new charm to the development of this band of unlikely guardians making the 3rd installment all the more emotional 🥲

That being said the 32nd marvel film 🎥 Guardians of the Galaxy 3 is an excellent addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, offering a thrilling mix of action, drama, and comedy that will leave audiences thoroughly entertained. The film picks up where the second installment left off, even with all that has taken place between the second and third films we enter back into the world of the Guardians still grappling with their complicated relationships and the challenges of their chosen missions.

As always, the cast is superb, with standout performances from Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, and Dave Bautista (my guy) as Drax. The unbeatable cinematic chemistry between the Guardians is palpable, adding to the film's humor and especially the heart. The addition of new characters, including Pom Klementieff's Mantis, brings fresh energy and that same charming heart to the franchise.

The action sequences are well-choreographed and visually stunning, with director James Gunn showcasing his talent for blending practical effects with CGI. (There’s a full body synthetic Chris Pratt used in making the movie….look it up…it breathes on its own….) The emotional stakes are also incredibly higher in this installment, with several powerful (and much more gore-filled) moments that will leave audiences feeling deeply invested in the characters and their journeys on this strange and sad but familiar twist to cap the trilogy.

As a big no spoiler guy with a film like this I didn’t want to get deep into the film (MESSAGE ME AFTER YOU SEE IT AND LETS TALK) , "Guardians of the Galaxy 3" is a must-see for fans of the franchise and Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole. It's a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy that stands out as one of the best Marvel movies to date, and an excellent movie in its own right.

As my favorite marvel franchise trilogy comes to an end I’d love to end the review with a quote from the film that will make you “🥹” like I did
“ I love you guys”

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04/28/2023

Big George Foreman review:
More than an grill salesman…

Arguably one of the best boxers of all time, an amazing personality and human being has an inspiring tale to tell
By N.L. Filtranti

Big George Foreman

Before he was known as The Godfather of indoor grilling , a young chiseled (not so big) George Edward Foreman of Texas, represented the United States in the heavyweight division of the Mexico City Olympic Games. He the Gold and it lead to a long stinted professional career. Meanwhile, within the walls of the country he was fighting for, “Smokin’” Joe Frazier took the heavyweight title from a previously unstoppable,yet aging Muhammad Ali. Foreman, the little known but well regarded former Olympic champion, would then knock out undefeated Joe Frazier in the second round of their 1973 bout and become the world’s heavyweight champion as a shock to everyone in the much anticipated event watched all over the world. for—as it turns out—the first time.

George Foreman would defend the belt twice successfully before his first professional loss to Ali in 1974’s iconic “ropeadope” style as Ali would say (keeping composure while laying on the ropes while foreman would swing viciously round after round until his punches became that of a sloth showing up to a boxing match.) at the famous Rumble in the Jungle bout. Shortly after the Ali bout, with a heaping amount of doubt in his heart and his mind, Foremans doubts would culminate and lead to his retirement after a loss to Jimmy Young in 1977. But all of that is just the beginning of Foreman’s remarkable story. The heart of George Tillman Jr.’s conventional but inspiring film is what came after boxing in the life of the man whose love of people—specifically his family and his congregation—eclipsed even his love of fighting.
The film stars Khris Davis (Judas And The Black Messiah) as Foreman and the amazing as always, Forest Whitaker as his long-time trainer and mentor, the legendary Doc Broadus. It goes though the poor and anger filled life of a young George growing up on the mean streets of Houston. He was poor to the point of wearing tattered clothes to school (for which he was mocked and not picked to answer questions by his teacher because of) and being severely malnourished as we see his family of 5 splitting 1 cheeseburger after prayer for a dinner. Against all odds George would grow to be 3 times the size of all his classmates around him, looking like a highschool senior amongst his small elementary class. This leads to an angry young boy who grows into a huge, even angrier young man. Much of what BGF is more about the development of the man he would become rather than just another boxer.

As the film progresses cutting between the life of a boxer and the life of a family man, a near-death experience crucial to his spiritual awakening gives Foreman the determination and faith to stage the first of his many comebacks.

But this time, George would not fight for fame, glory, or even the love of his country. This fight would be for the glory of God..and money that was needed to pay the bills after his long time alcoholic business partner loses all his assets. The fight would get both himself and his family and his businesses once again healthy, while also giving him the right to again be called “world champion.” Once again

The film isn’t overplayed or filled with tons of camera tricks, there is nothing fancy about the filmmaking in Big George Foreman; the boxing sequences are solid, raw and real.

This film (and the real life events of Foreman’s life) Take place during some of the sport’s most culturally relevant and popular years, when Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Leon Spinks, and George Foreman were no strangers to the covers of magazines like Sports Illustrated and Time. This was the high of boxing for America (granted “iron” Mike Tyson and Floyd “money” mayweather that would follow) Of all these boxing champions, it’s Foreman whose career lasted the longest, spreading over four decades, taking us from The hard hitting ’60s to the late and flashy ’90s. That encompasses his 1994 comeback fight with 26-year-old Michael Moore, which becomes a crucial turning point in Foreman’s life and in the terrific film that charts its remarkable course. Not the fight itself, which Foreman won in a shocking knockout, but rather what his victory meant; Foreman had completed one of the greatest comebacks in sports history which is all the more astounding in the squared
Circle, where comeback attempts usually end in failure,if not tragedy. George Foreman had his share of failure, tragedy, and triumph but this movie is more about the man himself and the spiritual journey that made his comeback possible.
In a recent social media post, the now 74-year-old Foreman is seen punching the heavy bag with the caption “... power don’t age.” He rumbles the bag with blow after blow while his five sons—all named George—cheer on their dad. Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World is an excellent movie about a beloved figure who indeed seems ageless and whose story includes the kind of comebacks usually reserved for fiction. The way he was hitting that bag—we should not count out another comeback—or a sequel.

4.2 grills / 5

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