Friday, September 29, 2017

Movie review: Banking on Bitcoin

 
 With interviews of enthusiasts and those who were there in the beginning, this documentary examines Bitcoin's birth, imagined and real future, and the technology that makes it all work.

Wences Casares, Nathanial Popper, Gavin Andresen, michael Casey, David Chaum, Andy Greenberg, Charlie Shrem, Nick Spanos, Erik Voorhees.

Banking on Bitcoin is an interesting history lesson in the creation, future, and technology used with Bitcoin. The film focuses largely on the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, the supposed creator of Bitcoin. Along the way numerous early adopters are interviewed, alongside those who have invested in Bitcoin businesses or attempted to bridge the gap from current paper currency to Bitcoin. The documentary wraps up with what happened to some of the players, and the current battle with mainstream capitalism.

Since this is a documentary there is no real acting.

Camera work, sets, backgrounds, and news clips were simple but good. Dialogue was interesting. Sound was okay.

If you are new to Bitcoin this is a nice history lesson, but doesn't do much to help people get involved. Those familiar with Bitcoin may find a lot of the information outdated. Overall a nice look at a potentially disruptive invention.

Nothing her to limit audience age.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 8.29.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Documentary, History, News, Social & Cultural Documentaries

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Movie review: American Pastoral

 
 Living a seemingly perfect life in the 1960's, a college football star and his beauty queen wife have a beautiful home in the country, run the local factory, and love their amazing daughter Merry. But when Merry becomes involved in the anti-war movement, their perfect lives begin to unravel.

Ewan McGregor (Swede), Jennifer Connelly (Dawn), Dakota Fanning (Merry), Peter Riegert (Lou), Rupert Evans (Jerry), Uzo Aduba (Vicky), Molly Parker (Sheila), Valorie Curry (Rita), Hannah Nordberg (12 yr old Merry).

American Pastoral begins well and generates interest quickly as the story jumps around the timeline giving us glimpses of different plot points. What it doesn't do however is express what happened to Merry that caused her to become involved in the anti-war movement, or what may have caused her implied emotional and mental issues. The result is a story that is entertaining but not told well.

Acting was solid with McGregor delivering well. Fanning was also pretty good, but Connelly really delivered with solid emotion throughout. Riegert, Evans, and the remainder of the supporting cast fit nicely and contributed well to the film.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were enjoyable and fitting for the period and overall theme. Action was mild but good. Dialogue had nice depth but suffered from the timeline shifts. Sound and soundtrack were okay.

Overall American Pastoral is an interesting story but this film suffers a bit with the storytelling method. Those who enjoy crime drama with more emotion than crime should enjoy this one.

With some foul language and sexuality, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 8.21.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime, Drama, Dramas based on the book

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

Monday, September 25, 2017

Movie review: Blood Father

 
When her world goes sideways, Lydia calls her ex-con, ex-alcoholic, ex-addict father she hasn't seen since she was a child. With the Mexican drug cartel hot on their trail, Link may finally prove himself as a father.

Mel Gibson (Link), Erin Moriarty (Lydia), Diego Luna (Jonah), Michael Parks (Preacher), William Macy (Kirby), Miguel Sandoval (Arturo), Dale Dickey (Cherise), Richard Cabral (Joker), Daniel Moncada (Choop), Ryan Dorsey (Shamrock), Raoul Trujillo (Cleaner).

Blood Father begins with Link being released from prison and Lydia making stupid choices that end with the Mexican drug cartel wanting her dead. Having been estranged from her father for most of her life, it makes sense she would call Link now that her life is in danger. Of course, Link steps up in hopes of winning back his daughter's heart and the rest of the film is the equivalent of a gang war. Though Link is a one-man gang and the Mexican cartel gang never should have made it past 3rd grade as a gang.

Acting was actually enjoyable with Gibson delivering as always, though his action-hero days are looking numbered. Moriarty was okay but didn't quite fit the rebellious teen character with delivery. Macy was solid and enjoyable, as was Sandoval. Luna, Parks, and the remainder of the supporting cast did nicely.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were pretty good. Action scenes fit well and delivered good energy. Dialogue was okay though a bit more depth would have added greatly. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

Blood Father is a decent action thriller with a reasonably solid plot and good depth that moves along at a nice pace. Gibson fans or crime action fans should enjoy this one. Just don't get hung up on the character backgrounds as there are some obvious missing pieces.

Included in this one is violence, mild gore, a lot of foul language, and some drug use, but this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 8.27.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime, Action, Thriller, Drama, Crime Action

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

Friday, September 22, 2017

Movie review: Misconduct

 
 After a family tragedy, Ben turns to work as an outlet and finally makes partner at a respected law firm. Taking on a high-profile case against a pharmaceutical company executive, Ben realizes he may now be in a league he doesn't understand.

Josh Duhamel (Ben), Anthony Hopkins (Denning), Al Pacino (Abrams), Alice Eve (Charlotte), Malin Akerman (Emily), Byung-hun Lee (Accountant), Julia Stiles (Jane), Glen Powell (Doug), Marcus Brown (Joe).

Misconduct begins with some background and setup around Ben and Charlotte's life and work. From there, the main plot begins to unfold and about the time we get comfortable and think we have things figured out, the plot twists hit full force. As the mystery and suspense builds, audience interest grows as well and the remainder of the film is an enjoyable journey of surprises. The film finishes with a nice twist or two that ties up loose ends fairly well.

Acting was good with Duhamel delivering nicely in his lead role. Eve supported well, and also delivered very nicely. Hopkins and Pacino both delivered as usual and showed their acting chops have not faded in the least. Akerman, Lee, Stiles and the remainder of the supporting cast were enjoyable and contributed well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are all well done. Sets in particular had a nice richness and depth. Action scenes were mild but good. Dialogue was enjoyable and helped move the plot along. Sound and soundtrack were good.

In the end, Misconduct turns out to be a nice crime thriller with a good blend of drama and suspense that moves along at a good pace and holds audience interest well. Fans of crime drama, or crime thrillers, with depth should enjoy this one.

With some sexuality, potentially disturbing violence, mild nudity, and foul language, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 8.24.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime Drama, Crime Thriller, Drama, Thrillers, Suspense

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Movie review: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

 
 The Empire has launched the Death Star, the most destructive weapon known. Discovering a flaw in the Death Star design, the Rebel Alliance sets out to steal the construction plans.

Felicity Jones (Jyn), Diego Luna (Cassian), Alan Tudyk (K-2SO), Donnie Yen (Chirrut), Wen Jiang (Baze), Ben Mendelsohn (Orson), Guy Henry (Gov. Tarkin), Forest Whittaker (Saw), Riz Ahmed (Bodhi), Jimmy Smits (Organa).

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story seems to the be precursor story to the original Star Wars film, Episode IV. While this film definitely has Star Wars roots, the story is a bit more gritty than most of the films in the franchise. The story focuses more on character and plot development, with action and fantasy taking a back seat. The result is a solid story that fits nicely with the Star Wars franchise. Follow along as the Rebel Alliance steals the Death Star plans, setting us up for the saga we all know so well.

Acting was solid with nice delivery from just about everyone. Jones and Luna did a nice job in main roles and were well supported by Tudyk, Yen, and others. Whittaker, Smits, and Mikkelsen were some of the more experienced actors and did nicely.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were all nicely done and impressive. CGI was well done as always. Dialogue was solid and had nice depth. Sound and soundtrack were good.

If you are a Star Wars fan, definitely check this one out. The story fits nicely in the franchise and production, acting, and technical work are well done.

Some mildly frightening scenes, but this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 8.8.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi Adventure

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

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