Netflix and Beyond

Director Gabriella Cowperthwaite’s documentary about SeaWorld Orlando’s orcas (killer whales, “blackfish”) especially “Tilikum”, captured in 1983, is a transformative, illuminating expose; hauntingly embarrassing for all who have ever visited, thoroughly loved watching the amazing, propelling feats, performed by supposedly domesticated mammals, as they partner and interact with their trainers. February 24th, 2010, Dawn Brancheau a seasoned, vibrant, caring trainer was …

As of July 25th the worst movie of 2013!  Ryan Gosling must have had a petit mal seizure, (expressionless, he moves as if connected to a morphine drip) along with  Kristen Scott-Thomas to denigrate their skills portraying a mother/son wallowing in drug-infested Bangkok; revenging the death of an older son/brother, after he rapes and murders a sixteen-year-old girl. Every taboo …

After seeing “The Kings of Summer” a terrific “coming of age” flick, I decided to skip “The Way Way Back” a repetitive version of the same theme. Fortunately, I listened to major enthusiasts whose approbation infected and inspired my curiosity, I am in their debt. “The Way Way Back” is poignantly, intelligently written, sensitively well-acted, realistic in its tale of …

It has come to my attention that there are periodic lapses in peneflix postings; selective eliminations. Until the problem is resolved many of you may receive second notices of the same review; please accept my apologies for the repetition. For Now…………. Frustrated, Peneflix

There is nothing more salubrious than divorcing oneself from one’s vocation, avocation; fleeing normalcy and tasting the exotic flavors of another world; China, and its explosive economic phenomena, emerging contemporary art market was my harmonic choice. For two challenging, mind-bending, vastly illuminating weeks my friend and I delved into the escalating, enthralling, exponentially expanding sphere of living  Chinese artists, their …

The “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”! Will return in two weeks! In the meantime continue to enjoy life and film! For Now……….Peneflix

Spanish actor, director Pedro Almodovar has blessed the world with some of the most entertaining, creative, formidable films ever visited upon the screen; my favorites: “Volver”, “Broken Embraces”, “All About My Mother”, “Talk to Her”, “The Skin I Live In”. His films have amplified the careers of Penelope Cruz, Antonio Bandaras, Javiar Bardem, and countless others. It was with anticipation …

Going with zero expectations I was pleasantly surprised that “The Lone Ranger” was more than minimally entertaining; primarily because of Johnny Depp’s characterization of “Tonto”, the reluctant Indian sidekick of “John Reid” aka “The Lone Ranger”. Armie Hammer, adequately morphs, from an  Eastern -educated, pristine, nerdy lawyer (John Reid) into the “masked man” after his lawman brother “Dan” ( tough, …

Major, movie- attendee alert: do NOT see this film if this is your first taste of Bollywood fare; its preposterous scenario will leave you bereft of any desire to imbibe again; I have experienced worse but this tedious, torturous rendition of a bank robber slowly, creepily losing his memory, including the whereabouts of the absconded loot, is rivetingly boring, painfully …

Written in 1558, William Shakespeare perpetually inspires with stinging, titillating wit, sagacious repartee and timeless wisdom. The film (a true masterpiece by director Joss Whedon) is a dazzling, scintillating comedic tale, touching every element of the human condition: love, betrayal, intrigue, manipulation; portrayed in a contemporary milieu (Whedon’s home, Santa Monica, CA.) by overwhelmingly gifted actors. One does not have …