Gloria 2013:

     As woman of a certain age, she’s 50’ish, Gloria still feels young.  She likes to go to a local club to dance with other single adults.  She’s lonely, an office worker in Santiago and has been divorced for about a decade.  She has a son and daughter but they have their own lives.  She’s a grandmother to her single parent son’s child.  She has met men at the club but nothing has come of the meetings so far.  She meets Rodolfo and everything changes, they enjoy each other’s company.  The only problem is that Rodolfo has been divorced for only a year and he is the sole support for his ex-wife and their two adult daughters.  The ex-wife doesn’t have a job and the daughters are 27 and 31 but still in school. 

     Gloria gives this relationship her all and she’s very happy to find love in her golden years.  There are two major problems in their romance.  Rodolfo is too close to his family and he doesn’t want them to know anything about Gloria.  I thought this was very good, Garcia has only been in a few films but she really nails the role of Gloria.  This film doesn't sugar-coat the fact that the two main characters don't have young, slim, perfect model bodies.  4* (I really liked this movie)

110 min, Comedy directed by Sebastian Lelio with Paulina Garcia, Sergio Hernandez, Diego Fontecilla, Fabiola Zamora, Luz Jimenez, Alejandro Goic, Liliana Garcia, Coca Guazzini, Hugo Moraga, Cristian Carvajal.

Note:  Imdb 7.0 out of 10, 99% critic 64% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 4*.

The Human Scale 2012

     In 2012, 50% of the world’s population lived in an urban setting.  By 2050, this will change to 80% living in urban areas.  The design of a city can be both enchanting and problematic.  Danish architect and professor Jan Gehl has studied human behavior living in cities for 40 years.  Some modern cities repel human interaction but we can build cities that include the coming together of people and also intimacy.  Thinkers, architects and urban planners across the globe explore what happens when people become the center of planning.

     The information is very interesting along with the examples but the presentation is slightly dry.  More like a teaching film for a class on basic architecture or city planning.  It’s easy to become distracted and not pay attention.  3* (This movie is OK)

83 min, Doc directed by Andreas Dalsgaard with Jan Gehl, Rob Adams, Robert Doyle, Lars Gemzoe, Mark Gorton, Iqbal Hahbib, Dongquan He, Akm Abul Kalam, Abu Naser Khan, Hugh Nicholson, Bob Parker.

Note:  Imdb 7.0 out of 10, 60% critic 84% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Film Crave 2.00/4.

Tiger Eyes 2012

     Based on a novel by the same name written by Judy Blume.  The Wexler family has had a severe shock.   Mr. Wexler was working at a sandwich shop and he was killed in a robbery that only netted the thief $67.  Gwen, her daughter Davey and son Jason go to live with family in Los Alamos, New Mexico to try to recover.  Davey and Jason don’t want to start a new school here, they want to go back home but their mom isn’t strong enough yet.  Davey is seventeen and it’s tough to start a new high school.  She does make a friend while she’s out in the desert, his name is Wolf.  He’s American Indian and he teaches her how to climb.  Jason is much younger and he’s in denial and won’t talk about his dad’s death.

     This is a good family movie.  Loss and moving are both hard on families and help can come in unexpected places.   3 ½* (I liked this movie)

92 min, Drama directed by Lawrence Blume with Willa Holland, Amy Jo Johnson, Tatanka Means, Elise Eberle, Cynthia Stevenson, Lucien Dale, Forrest Fyre, Russell Means.

Note:  Imdb 6.4 out of 10, 66% critic 56% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Film Crave 2.50/4.

Special Note:  This is the first of the popular Judy Blume books to be made into a movie. 

Concussion 2013

     Abby is accidently hit by baseball thrown at her by her son.  It was an accident but near her eye and there is a lot of blood.  Abby is in pain and she’s also mad.  After the accident, Abby realizes her life is about the house, the kids and her wife.  There isn’t anything about Abby and she’s now 40 years old.  Abby has a business flipping apartments in Manhattan and Kate has a demanding job as a divorce lawyer.  Abbey decides to take on a new project and she purchases a large loft.  She hires a contractor and gets to work on a major remodel.  Along the way, she decides she will begin to remodel her life.

     I was hit in the eye by a baseball when I was a kid and I didn’t suddenly decide to drastically change me life?  I just got a black eye that I needed to explain but as a kid it’s not too complicated!!  I didn’t know where this was going but it basically floats along.  3* (This movie is OK)  

96 min, Drama directed by Stacie Passon with Robin Weigert, Maggie Siff, Johnathan Tshaikowsky, Julie Fain Lawrence, Maren and Micha Shapero, Janel Moloney, Funda Duval, Claudine Ohayon, Jane Peterson.

Note:  Imdb 5.8 out of 10, 76% critic 52% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3 ½*.

Pulling Strings 2013

     Rachel is working in Mexico City as a diplomatic consul for the U.S. Embassy.  Alejandro comes to the Embassy to get a visa to take his daughter to live with her grandparents in the U.S.  He worries because she doesn’t have a mother to raise her and he is concerned for her safety.  Her mother died and Alejandro believes this will be the best living arrangement for Maria.  Rachel isn’t listening to what he is saying about the reason for the visa and she turns him down.  She is distracted because she will be leaving soon for a new post in London.  There is a going away party for her and she gets very drunk.  She was entrusted with the safekeeping of a computer belonging to her boss and when she wakes up, it is gone.  Alejandro offers to help her.

     This movie is overlong with a LOT of Mariachi singing plus a lengthy roundabout search for the missing computer.  It follows the 1, 2, 3 pattern of a romance movie with just a few changes.   2 ½* (This movie is so-so)

111 min, Comedy directed by Pedro Pablo Ibarra with Laura Ramsey, Jaime Camil, Omar Chaparro, Catherine Papile, Renata Ybarra, Stockard Channing, Tom Arnold, Roberto Sosa, Carlos Macias.

Note:  5.7 out of 10, 55% critic 74% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Film Crave 1.75/4.

Flowers in the Attic 2014

     This film is based on a novel by V.C. Andrews.  The Dollanganger’s are a happy family.  Dad travels but he has a good job and mom stays at home.  There are four children, Christopher and Cathy are the oldest, Carrie and Cory are younger and they are twins.  Everything falls apart for the family when dad gets in a car accident and mom is having trouble paying the bills.  She decides the family will go to Virginia to live with her family.  The children learn their name is really Foxworth and their grandparents are very wealthy with a large estate.  Nothing turns out as they expected when they arrive in Virginia.  No one is there to meet them, they have to walk to the house, they will be living in the attic and they must not make noise.

     I found the basis for this film to be very implausible?  The large home is in Virginia and I wonder how the children were able to live in the attic in an area with high summer temperatures and humidity?  Mom and grandma are loony but wouldn’t the children rebel or escape especially after the way they are treated?  2* (I didn’t like this movie)

86 min, Drama directed by Deborah Chow with Heather Graham, Ellen Burstyn, Kiernan Shipka, Mason Dye, Ava Telek, Maxwell Kovach, Dylan Bruce, Chad Willett, Beau Daniels.

Note:  Imdb 5.9 out of 10, 47% critic 19% audience on Rotten Tomatoes,

Speical Note:  This is a remake of of another film from 1987.  Kiernan Shipka plays Sally, the daughter of Don Draper on Man Men.

Don Jon 2013

     Jon Martello has everything in his life classified in order of importance, his body, apartment, car, family, church, buddies, women and porn.  He’s called Don by his buddies because every weekend he’s able to score with a woman they consider to be a 10.  The women don’t know his computer porn is more important in hierarchy.  When he meets Barbara, she’s different and she finds out about the porn.  Don sets out to change his life so porn isn’t so important.

     I didn’t get very far into watching this film.  It’s like watching porn itself and listening to descriptions of porn?   Of course, Gordon-Levitt always gets what he wants in this film, he’s doing the directing!!  I thought it was much better reading about the movie than having to watch it!!  1 ½* (I really didn’t like this movie)

90 min, Comedy directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt with Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tony Danza, Glenne Headly, Brie Larson, Rob Brown, Jeremy Luke, Paul Ben-Victor, Italia Ricci.

Note:  Imdb 6.7 out of 10, 81% critic 61% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 1 ½*.

Girl on a Bicycle 2013

     Paolo is Italian and he drives a Paris tour bus for his job.  He’s in love with Greta, she is German and she’s an airline flight attendant.  Paolo has become courageous enough to present an engagement ring and propose to Greta.  Soon after, Paolo sees Cecile next to his bus on her bicycle.  Suddenly, Paolo thinks Cecile is the love of his life and she’s perfect for him.  He sees her a couple of more times next to the bus and he accidentally runs into her with the bus one of these times.  He goes to the hospital with her and she has a fractured arm and leg.  He pretends to be her husband to get information about her injuries and to take her home. 

     This film has a lot of “not” going for it.  Not very funny, not well paced, not romantic, not original, not intelligent, not breaking any new ground.  It’s just barely watchable and you keep hoping it will get better but that is another “not!”  2* (I didn’t like this movie)

101 min, Comedy directed by Jeremy Leven with Vincenzo Amato, Nora Tschirner, Paddy Considine, Louise Monot, Stephane Deback Brice Fournier, Kellie Shirley.

Note:  Imdb 6.0 out of 10, 8% critic 65% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert ½*.

You will be my Son 2011

     Paul Marseul inherited the French vineyard estate in Saint Emilion from his father.  The estate has been in the family for eleven generations.  Paul has a son Martin, he has studied winemaking in college and works with the grapes.  Martin is expecting to take over the estate from his father but Paul never misses a chance to belittle Martin.  Paul feels Martin is weak, he doesn’t know anything about winemaking, he has no talents or charisma and will probably not be able to give him a grandson.  Alice, Martin’s wife, hates to see Martin treated this way and she tries to get Martin to stand up to his father.  Paul doesn’t realize he is cruel, critical, domineering, demanding, filled with distain, flippant and seems to care more about his expensive shoes than his family.

     This film is interesting and different plus it takes an unexpected turn.  There are a lot of names suitable for Paul and his behavior but none are good or polite.  Alice and Martin don’t deserve any of the treatment they get from Paul.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

102 min, Drama directed by Gilles Legrand with Niels Arestrup, Lorant Deutsch, Patrick Chesais, Anne Marivin, Nicolad Bridet, Valerie Mairesse.

Note:  Imdb 6.9 out of 10, 89% critic 70% audience on Rotten tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3 ½*.

Dallas Buyers Club 2013

     The setting of this film is in Dallas of 1985.  Ron Woodroof is an electrician and he also is a rodeo bull rider.  He lives life to the fullest with a lot of heavy smoking, drinking, cocaine and he has unsafe sex.  In addition to all this information, he’s a racist and he’s homophobic.  He goes to the hospital with an injury related to his job and the doctors discover he is HIV positive.  They give him only 30 days left to live.  At this time, the most effective treatment is the drug AZT but it is still in clinical trials in the US.   Ron heads to Mexico to find AZT that he can take now.  He meets Dr. Vass, he’s an American doctor who has had his license to practice medicine revoked.

     Maybe my expectations were too high for this film because of the awards received.  I found it to be rather dry and the characters are not as relatable as they need to be since the viewer should have sympathy for them as people.  McConaughey and Leto shed a lot of weight to play their roles but the effort doesn’t make McConaughey likeable?  3* (This movie is OK)

117 min, Bio directed by Jean-Marc Vallee with Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Denis O’Hare, Steve Sahn, Michael O’Neill, Dallas Roberts, Griffin Dunne, Kevin Ranking, Donna Duplantier.

Note:  Imdb 8.0 out of 10, 94% critic 91% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3*.




 

The Invisible Woman 2013

     This film is based on a true story and takes place from 1857 until 1870.  It is adapted from a book by Claire Tomalin.  Ellen Ternan is 18-years-old and she is very interested in the British author, Charles Dickens.  She is a slightly talented actress and she meets Dickens while performing in a family troupe.  Dickens is bored with his wife and attracted to Ternan.  He begins seeing Ternan with the assistance of her mother.  They have a stormy relationship and Ellen is able to live above her means but she hates his emotional cruelty.  Dickens is also very determined that no one know anything about their relationship.  She needs to decide if the relationship is worth it’s price.

     I found this to be very dry and I could not keep interested.  I wasn’t able to finish and just gave up.  All emotions are shown in the Victorian manner of extreme suppression with viewers left to solve the puzzle from aims and motives.  2 ½* (This movie is so-so)

111 min, Bio directed by Ralph Fiennes with Felicity Jones, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ralph Fiennes, John Kavanagh, Tom Attwood, Susanna Hislop, Tom Burke, Tommy Curson-Smith, David Collings, Michael Marcus.

Note:  Imdb 6.3 out of 10, 76% critic 48% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3 ½*.

People of a Feather 2011

     This film features footage from seven winters in the Arctic.  The people are the Inuit on the Belcher Islands in Canada’s Hudson Bay.  This location is the habitat of the eider duck.  The eider down of this duck allows it to be able to live in this harsh cold weather and the eider down also keeps the Inuit people warm.  The people go to the eider duck nests and harvest down left after the eggs have hatched.  The Inuit also eat some of the eggs and birds.  Massive hydroelectric dams to power New York and eastern North American have changed the sea ice and the ocean currents.  Many of the eider ducks have died because they become stranded in very small spaces of open water with the ice closing in on them.  The Inuit save them if they are out on the ice and see this happening.

     I thought it was very sad to see the ducks caught by the sea ice without a chance of safety or survival.  They become very tired from their deep dives trying to feed on the crustaceans, mollusks and mussels on the sea bottom.  They become exhausted and starved.  The Inuit people cannot count on the ice to be thick where it should be because of the changes and they risk going through the ice on their hunting trips.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

90 min, Doc directed by Joel Heath with Dinah Kavik, Johnny Kudluarok, the Community of Sanikiluaq, Joel Heath.

Note:  Imdb 8.1 out of 10, 83% critic 83% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Film Crave 2.00/4.

Special Note:  Proceeds from this documentary are supporting programs working with the Inuit communities to help them show how the dams are changing their environment.  Joel Heath is a biologist and he spent seven years on this project plus he writes biological articles on the Common Eider.

The Mortal Instruments 2013

     This film is adapted from the first book in a six book series by Cassandra Clare.  Clary Fray starts to see things and people that other people don’t see.  Her mother wants to talk to her about what is going on but she doesn’t get a chance.  Clary comes home, their apartment in New York is in shambles and her mother is gone.  Clary learns through others that she is a descendant of a line of Shadowhunters.  This is a secret group of young half-angel warriors involved in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons.

     Another realm of beings started by the Twilight success.  This time it’s demon-hunting killers.  They only kill demons that look like humans?  They can magically “see” the demons and we can’t?  This is too long with too many battles.  Enough already!!  Many things are not explained and it’s probably better they are left a mystery.  2 1/2* (This movie is so-so)

130 min, Action directed by Harald Zwart with Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan, Kevin Zegers, Jemima West, Robert Maillet, Kevin Durand, Godfrey Gao, Lena Headey, Harry VanGorkum.

Note:  Imdb 6.0 out of 10, 12% critic 61% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 1*.

Special Note:  Thankfully, the eyebrows of Lily Collins are not a separate character as in Snow White!!  There will be another installment, City of Ashes.

The Ruby in the Smoke 2006

     This film takes place in Victorian England and is adapted from a best selling novel by Philip Pullman.  Sally Lockhart’s father died when a sailing ship sank.  She sets out to find out what he means in his last letter by the phrase, “the seven blessings?”  She asks about the ship that sank and when she mentions this phrase, an associate of her father falls dead at the shipping firm.  She learns the ruthless Mrs. Holland is seeking a priceless ruby taken from Agrapur, India.  Mrs. Holland feels the ruby belongs to her and she doesn’t care if people need to be killed in order for her to have it in her possession.

     I thought this was interesting and good, I’ve seen it twice.  There is a lot of mystery with assassins, opium dens, Chinese gangs and a royal residence in India.  Sally is down on her luck and doesn’t have any money but she finds friends who help her.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

95 min, Crime directed by Brian Percival with Billie Piper, Matt Smith, Sian Thomas, Kay Lyon, Robert Putt, Trevor Cooper, Robert Glenister, Dominic Coleman, Miles Anderson, Tilly Vosburgh, Chloe Walker, Julie Waters.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 61% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4 out of 5 stars with 22 reviews.

Instructions Not Included 2013

     Valentin is a playboy living in Acapulco.  He doesn’t work,  he just entertains the ladies.  This comes to an abrupt halt when one of his “forever loves” leaves a baby girl with him.  He gives her $10 for a cab and she never comes back.  He traces her to a hotel in Los Angeles and he hitchhikes with his daughter to find her.  He learns she has left for school in New York.  He raises Maggie for six years in Los Angeles and supports them as a top stunt man in Hollywood.  Julie, Maggie’s mother, calls suddenly and she wants to see her daughter.

      Julie doesn’t want a baby and then suddenly she wants to be a mom six years later.  This film has a twist at the end that you don’t see coming.  Interesting, good and entertaining with different relatable characters.  Beware though, Derbez is slightly like Jim Carrey.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

 

122 min, Comedy directed by Eugenio Derbez with Karla Souza, Jessica Lindsey, Eugenio Derbez, Andres Vazquez, Hugo Stiglitz, Sammy Perez, Arcelia Ramirez.

Note:  Imdb 7.7 out of 10, 56% critic 90% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Film Crave 2.00/4.

Odd Thomas 2013

      This film is based on a novel by Dean Koontz.  An ordinary guy working as a fry cook in a small town had a mix-up with his name when he was born.  He was supposed to be Tom Thomas but the paperwork says Odd Thomas.  Maybe it fits because Odd can see dead people and he can see ghostly bodachs.  The bodachs are predators who feed on pain and the possibility of mass destruction.  He has a dream that many people are going to be killed inside the local bowling alley.  He visits Levanna, she is a seer and has had a dream about a large group of local people being killed but she doesn’t know where this will happen.  Odd is working to try to solve the mystery before it happens with his girlfriend Stormy and the Chief of Police, Wyatt Porter.

      I usually don’t like this type of movie and it’s really horror more than comedy.

This may have been a good book but it’s a weak story on the screen.  The main character is an actor I like but his role isn’t fully developed.  He is likable and has the abilities but seems too nice to be in the job.  Special effects and supporting characters are not able to carry more of the load for a stronger story.  3* (This movie is OK)  

100 min, Comedy directed by Stephen Sommers with Anton Yelchin, Ashley Sommers, Addison Timlin, Leonor Varela, Matthew Page, Willem Dafoe, Nico Tortorella, Kyle McKeever, Barney Lanning, Carmen Corley.

Note:  6.8 out of 10, 34% critic 66% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 1 ½*.

 

Seven Days in May 1964

     This film is adapted by Rod Serling from a best-selling novel written by Fletcher Knebel and Charles Waldo Bailey II.  The story was allegedly inspired by the activities of General Edwin Walker.  Jordan Lyman is the President of the United States.  The country is divided over a plan to push a nuclear disarmament treaty with Russia through the Senate.  General James Mattoon Scott believes he is speaking for the people when he states this treaty is a mistake.  He feels Russia will not give up their weapons while the US destroys their supply.  Scott would like to replace the President and he doesn’t want to wait two years for the opportunity.  Marine Colonel Jiggs Casey has found evidence of Scott’s plans and he goes to the president to tell him the information he has gathered.  Each side of this plan is not sure whom they can trust.

     There are a lot of good actors in this film and the story could take place today.  Even though the subject is timely and interesting, it seems very dry.  I had a hard time keeping interested.  Maybe it was all the politics and military?  Ava Gardner is forty-two in this film but she looks harsh and older.  3* (This movie is OK)

118 min, Drama directed by John Frankenheimer with Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Fredric March, Ava Gardner, Edmond O’Brien, Martin Balsam, Andrew Duggan, Hugh Marlowe, Whit Bissell, Helen Kleeb, George Macready.

Note:  Imdb 7.9 out of 10, 100% critic 88% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.7 out of 5 with 170 reviews.

Good Ol' Freda 2013

     Freda Kelly was a shy teenager from Liverpool when she was asked to work as the secretary for a young local band.  The band was hoping to make it big and they were the Beatles.  As their fame grew, Freda was a witness to music and cultural history but she never used her inner access for her own benefit.  She is telling her unique story for the first time in fifty years.

     Freda has kept many pictures and mementos of her years with the Beatles and she has a wonderful inside story to tell.  I found it hard to stay interested in the details and the only one interviewed from the Beatles is Ringo Star at the end credits.  Of course Harrison and Lennon are gone now but McCartney is still in the business.  One good thing, she does not dish dirt, only the facts madam.  3* (This movie is OK)

86 min, Doc directed by Ryan White with Freda Kelly, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr George Harrison, Tony Barrow, Billy Hatton, Billy Kinsley.

Note:  Imdb 7.2 out of 10, 84% critic 74% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Film Crave 2.75/4.

Despicable Me 2 2013

     Gru is a former super villain trying to adapt to civilian life with a family of young daughters.  He’s trying to make an honest living selling his homemade jam.  A secret Arctic laboratory is stolen and the Anti-Villain League asks Gru to help with the investigation.  He’s partnering with AVL agent Lucy Wilde.  Gru thinks the prime suspect is a supposedly dead also former super villain, El Macho.  Unfortunately, El Macho's handsome teenage son is crushing on Gru’s eldest daughter, Margo.

     The first film made more than $540 million and is on it’s way to become the tenth biggest animated film in U.S. history.  Money MUST be made so there MUST be a sequel.  I didn’t see the first film so I cannot compare the two.  There is a lot of manic activity, many characters and various plots.  If you close your eyes, you can miss a lot but I don’t think it really matters.  3* (This movie is OK)

98 min, Animation directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud with the voices of Steve Carrell, Kristen Wiig, Benjamin Bratt, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Ken Jeong, Steve Coogan, Elsie Fisher, Dana Gaier, Moises Arias, Nasim Pedrad, Kristen Schaal.

Note:  Imdb 7.6 out of 10, 74% critic 85% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3*.

The Wedding Dress 2001

     Hannah Pinkham’s fiancé is serving in World War II.  She gets a letter saying he will be coming home soon so they can get married.  She works with her mother to make a beautiful wedding dress.  As soon as the dress is finished, there is a knock on the door, her fiancé is not coming home.  Years later Hannah sends the dress to her nephew for his own wedding.  His bride-to-be only pretends to like the dress but she has plans to wear an entirely different dress.  Travis learns she has told him lies and Cass is not meant for him.  He learns his assistant, Zoe has been in love with him since she took the job.  He takes the dress, puts it in his car and the car is stolen.  This starts the dress on a journey.

     This film was originally a CBS movie.  Some outcomes of the stories can be seen a mile away but this movie is still entertaining and enjoyable.  Definitely a chick flick.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

95 min, Drama directed by Sam Pillsbury with Neil Patrick Harris, Margaret Colin, Tyne Daly, Kathryne Dora Brown, Wolfgang Bodison, Kim Hawthorne, Jay Brazeau, Peter Wingfield, Donnelly Rhodes, Natassia Malthe.

Note:  Imdb 6.7 out of 10, 59% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4 1/2* with 67 reviews. 

Herman's House 2012

     Jackie Sumell is a visual artist and she hears about Herman Wallace.  He’s been in solitary confinement in Angola for nearly 40 years. Herman was sent to prison for bank robbery when he was 25.  A corrections officer was murdered in 1972 and Herman was convicted based on the testimony of other inmates.  His living space is 6 feet by 9 feet and that is his life.  Jackie makes a model of his space to show how he lives.  She visits him and talks to him on the phone.  They start a project for him to plan Herman’s House.  She will have architects design the project and she will look for property to build the house.  The main reason for this project is to focus on the 80,000 prisoners kept in solitary confinement and how it defines them mentally and physically.

     Herman is never shown and his living space is not shown.  I had a hard time keeping interested in this film.  I think the efforts are worthwhile to spotlight the treatment of these prisoners.  I cannot imagine treatment without bias by the guards for anyone convicted of killing one of their own even if they may not be guilty.   3* (This film is OK)

80 min, Doc directed by Angad Bhalla with Jackie Sumell, Victory Wallace, Michael Musser, Anita Young, Melissa Farling, Frank Green. 

Note:  Imdb 6.2 out of 10, 88% critic 76% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.5 out of 5 with 2 reviewers.