Movie Review - Find Me Falling

Director: Stelana Kliris
Genre: Romance/ Comedy
Runtime: 93 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Harry Connick Jr., Agni Scott, Ali Fumiko Whitney, Tony Dimitriou
 
Description: After a failed comeback album, rock star John Allman (Harry Connick Jr.) escapes to a dreamy Mediterranean island, only to discover that his new cliffside home has an unfortunate notoriety that attracts unwanted visitors and an old flame.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 35: A ROMANCE FILM OR LOVE STORY

Review: Unless it is an emphatic theme, it is easy to argue that coincidence does not exist in fiction. Character make utterances that recur later in a story, object or events become relevant later and all help make for a nicely rounded story. Proof of this statement is undeniably provided in the romantic island film “Find Me Falling”.

Rocker John Allmann, after a failed comeback, has set his guitar aside and traded his lucurious rock ‘n roll life in New York for a lonely hut on the coast of Cyprus. What the real estate agent didn’t tell John is that the cliff in front of his house is a popular spot for desperate souls to end their lives. So there is little choice but to build a substantial fence to prevent depressed souls from taking their own lives. Years ago, John already visited the island and left an unforgettable impression on some residents of the nearby village.

John meets the young Melina, who delivers his groceries. The girl turns out not to only speak English without an accent, she is also a very gifted singer. When Melina performs in the town tavern, John comes face to face with an old acquaintance.

I found this a so-so romcom. I liked the fact that it’s people getting a second chance in love and life, in a later stage of their lives. But the romance wasn’t my favorite part of the film. It was actually the bond between John and Melina. And the whole premise of the film, with the cliff side, is rarely touched upon aside from a few short moments. It’s okay for a mindless movie night, but it’s very forgettable.

Rating: 2,5/ 5

90s Movie Review - Copycat

Director: Jon Amiel
Genre: Thriller/ Drama/ Crime
Runtime: 118 minutes
Year: 1995
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney, William McNamara, Harry Connick Jr., John Rothman, J.E. Freeman, Will Patton, Shannon O’Hurley, Bob Greene, Tony Haney, Danny Kovacs, Tahmus Rounds

Description: Agoraphobic psychologist Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver) and female detective MJ Monahan (Holly Hunter) must work together to take down a serial killer who copies serial killers from the past.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 44: A MOVIE WITH A SERIAL KILLER

Review: There are over four hundred potential serial killers in America, criminal-psychologist Helen Hudson states during her lecture. “Maybe there’s even one in the room right now”. And this turns out to be right, since one is waiting for her in the ladies’ room.
Years later, a number of women in San Francisco are murdered within a short period of time. Each under striking circumstances, but detective MJ Monahan can’t detect a pattern. She asks Helen for help, who is now an agoraphobic who locks herself in her own home. At first, Helen doesn’t seem to keen on helping MJ. But files left at her home make for Helen to join MJ in the investigation.
Helen discovers there is a connection between the murders: they imitate the methods of America’s most illustrious serial killers. With this knowledge they can predict with a high degree of probability the killer’s next steps.
For the time this movie was made, the mid-90s, it has a refreshing take on the detective genre. Since the two leading characters are women and they lead the investigation. Both Sigourney Weaver and Holly Hunter offer us solid performances.
Director Jon Amiel has paid a lot of attention to character building, which is a good move. This way the viewer can empathize with them so much more. Amiel makes frequent use of the suspense. The term ‘less is more’ really goes for “Copycat”. Even in seemingly boring moments, Amiel knows how to raise tension. For example, there is a scene in the film which Helen wants to get her newspaper. The paper is in a corridor, tow meters away from her door. Because of her phobia, Helen doesn’t want to walk out the door. Desperately she grabs a broom and try the newspaper. The threatening music and the angle of the camera turn this scene into an oppressive and exciting moment.
“Copycat” is an exciting, skillfully made thriller. The film does everything it’s supposed to do and does it really well. The only thing I didn’t like, is that the identity of the serial killer is revealed earlier on in the film. It doesn’t take away from the tension though, but I always enjoy a climax with a face reveal.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge 2014 - # 51: Dolphin Tale

Director: Charles Martin Smith
Genre: Drama/ Family
Runtime: 113 minutes
Year: 2011
Starring: Nathan Gamble, Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Kris Kristofferson

Description: A story centered on the friendship between a boy and a dolphin whose tail was lost in a crab trap.

Review: Winter is a very special dolphin. In the winter of 2005, when she was only a couple of months old, Winter was found by fishermen. Because her tail was severely damaged by a crab trap, they had to amputate it and she eventually got a prosthetic tail. This true story is combined with the fictional story of Sawyer Nelson, who has trouble socializing with other kids. He helps a fisherman when Winter is found and becomes fascinated with dolphins and other marine life.
For a family movie “Dolphin Tale” manages to check every box. There is a positive moral, it has tension, pace and humor and the characters are real and likeable. Off course you shouldn’t expect memorable performances or mind blowing cinematography. What we do get is a film that was made with love and is a joy for the entire family.

Rating: 3,5/ 5