TV Show Review - Dopesick (Mini Series)

Season: Mini Series
Genre: Drama
Number of episodes: 8
Year: 2021
Starring: Michael Keaton, Kaitlyn Dever, Rosario Dawson, Michael Stuhlbarg, Peter Sarsgaard, Will Poulter, John Hoogenakker, Will Chase, Mare Winningham, Ray McKinnon

Description: The series takes viewers to the epicenter of America’s struggle with opioid addiction from the boardrooms of Purdue Pharma, to a distressed Virginia mining community to the hallways of the DEA.

Review: When Purdue Pharma introduced its new painkiller OxyContin in the US, the opiate was touted as non-addictive. The result was an epidemic of drug abuse that has destroyed tens of thousand of lives since the late 1990s. “Dopesick” charts the epidemic from different perspective.

For people with chronic pain, OxyContin seemed like a panacea: an effective painkiller that gradually absorbed into the body throughout the day, all without the drawback of habitation or addiction. The pills caught on eagerly, and for patients who still felt pain came pills with the double dose. And then pills with fourfold dose, eightfold dose, and so on. Now the drug is used in the US by eleven million people who have no pain symptoms at all, but are addicted to it.

The question, of course, is how on earth doctors, pharmacists and regulators could let this happen. The eight-part series “Dopesick” tries to answer that question, which is not easy. The creators portray the history through the Sackler family (owners of Purdue Pharma) and the sales representatives who convince doctors to prescribe the pills. In addition, we see the doctors and their patients, the cops who see how addiction in turn leads to crime and the drug enforcement agency DEA doing everything in its power to take down Purdue.

What makes “Dopesick” so brilliant is on the one hand the incredible but true story, and on the other the human way it is told. We are introduced to Samuel Finnix, played excellently by Michael Keaton. He is a family doctor in a mining town who initially gets great results with OxyContin, but then sees how addiction destroys lives and families. Betsy Mallum, played convincingly by Kaitlyn Dever, is one of his patients who slips into an existence as a junkie because of the OxyContin. Both actors shine in their performances and Keaton won an Emmy for his role.

Will Poulter also plays one of the better roles, as the smooth-talking salesmen Billy Cutler, who at first picks up fantastic bonuses, but then slowly  falls into conscience. This does not bother Richard Sackler (Michal Stuhlbarg): as boss of Purdie Pharma, he sees the billions pouring in. Stuhlbarg manages to portray Sackler as an emotionless businessman only wanting more. Furthermore, Peter Sarsgaard, John Hoogenakker and Rosario Dawson, among others, play some of the driven agents who want to take the pills of the market. The good fleshing out of all these characters keeps the series from becoming a documentary.

Based on Beth Macy’s book of the same name, the creators of “Dopesick” so not tell the story neatly in chronological order but jump back and forth in time. And it actually helps to see the big picture and connections without confusion.

While watching “Dopesick” you will most definitely feel many emotions and the one most presence is anger. As in how so many people could be so greedy and corrupt to allow this drama of unprecedented magnitude to happen. We never really get an answer to that, which makes it even more frustrating. But “Dopesick” is one of the most intense and realistic mini series based on true events I have seen in a long time. I loved it.

90s Movie Review - Apollo 13

Director: Ron Howard
Genre: Drama/ Adventure
Runtime: 134 minutes
Year: 1995
Starring: Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon, Ed Harris, Gary Sinise, Kathleen Quinlan, Ray McKinnon, Clint Howard

Description: NASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy.

Review: Jim Lovell is working at NASA, in 1970s America. He wants only one thing and that is to set foot on the moon. He has therefore had to wait a long time, but now it’s finally  happening. Due to illness of the original flight leader, Jim and his team are deployed on Apollo 13. During the flight, which initially goes well, some major problems arise. Jim and his team now have to do everything to get back to Earth safely. Jim, and his team members Fred and Jack must survive in a hostile environment, with a dwindling supply of oxygen.
“Apollo 13” tells the true story of the failed trip to the moon on the thirteenth Apollo mission. This was to be the third time humans would walk on the moon, but during the trip, all sorts of things went wrong. Commander of the ship, Jim Lovell, wrote about his experiences in the book “Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13”. This book was the basis for the film, which was directed by Ron Howard. True-life stories van be bogged down quite often in a heavy dose of sentiment and tear-jerking. “Apollo 13” also has several moments where this applies, but overall it is a film that manages to captivate and entertain. the facts told in the story are exciting and dramatic enough in themselves. I actually thought that the whole family drama at home, took the tempo out of the movie a bit. I was more interested in the space part, not the personal lives.
The cast seems to give their all and is extremely empathetic. The roles of the three astronauts are played by Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and Bill Paxton. Hanks is strong as ever, but Paxton and Bacon manage to hold their own alongside him. The trio manages to convey the desperation and mutual tension well. This makes the whole thing come across as authentic and realistic. Ed Harris and Gary Sinise, in smaller roles, also make  an impression.
“Apollo 13” is clearly created with a lot of love and attention to detail and it looks very realistic. It’s an entertaining movie, even on multiple viewings.

Rating: 4 / 5

00s Movie Review - The Blind Side

Director: John Lee Hancock
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 129 minutes
Year: 2009
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Ray McKinnon, Kim Dickens, Kathy Bates

Description: The story of Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All-American football player and first-round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman (Sandra Bullock) and her family.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2020 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 17: A MOVIE SUGGESTED BY A FRIEND

Review: The true story “The Blind Side” is based on, tells the tale of a boy from a bad neighborhood who lives without the safety of a caring family. His name: Michael Oher. Michael goes from school to school and never found a place where he was loved. This changes when he is discovered as a football talent at a Christian elite-school. Sports he can do well, but learning and studying is a bit harder for Michael, since he never learned how. His nickname is Big Mike, because of height and size. One evening, Leigh Anne Touhy sees Michael wandering through the rain and takes him home. From that moment on, Michael becomes a big part of the Touhy family and he gets a chance on a better life, education and sport.
What makes this story so special is that Michael is taken in without any trouble. Leigh Anne, her husband Sean and their kids Collins and SJ don’t mind having him around and welcome him with open arms. The Touhy family is your perfect America family, they live in a big, beautiful house, father and son love football, the daughter is a cheerleader. It’s almost hard to believe that such a wealthy family takes in Michael this easily, since he comes from the this easily. This gives the film a feel-good atmosphere.
It's very easy to see Michael had a tough life. He barely speaks, is shy, doesn’t make contact with other people. Thanks to the Touhy family, Michael can open up, be himself and live his best life. And most of all because of Leigh Anne, who he has a special bond with.
The story is heartwarming and if you are an emotional person like me, you will shed a tear now and then.
Sandra Bullock is fantastic in her role, I loved her portrayal of Leigh Anne Touhy. She is fierce, strong, caring and treats Michael like her own son. Very understandable that Bullock won an Academy Award for this performance.
“The Blind Side” is a beautiful film, based on an amazing story that will fill your heart with joy.

Rating: 4 / 5

10s Movie Review - Ford V Ferrari

Director: James Mangold
Genre: Drama/ Action
Runtime: 152 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Tracy Letts, Jon Bernthal, Josh Lucas, Caitriona Balfi, Noah Jupe, Ray McKinnon

Description: American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car for Ford in order to defeat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of le Mans in 1966.

Review: Some stories are so Hollywood, that no one believes it untill Hollywood filmed them truthfully. The genesis of the Ford GT40 is one of those. An almost childish quarrel between two car manufacturers is finally fought out on the asphalt of Le Mans. The price turns out to be high: many millions disappear in a contest between two men who have their names on cars and factories, but want to prove that they have the biggest. Or in this case: the fastest.
It's a ‘David and Goliath’story. The great Ford, who made more cars in an hour than Ferrari would in a year, was above all the epitome of solidity. Ferrari, on the other hand, was sporty, sexy and exclusive. But also broke. When an acquisition that should have helped both manufacturers ended in nothing, it became personal. And the best place for this was at Le Mans, the most prestigious motorsport event of the year, which moreover, had been dominated by Ferrari for years.
Director James Mangold decided to go more Hollywood for this film. Take for instance the two great leads: Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Matt Damon plays Carroll Shelby, a blue-collar car builder and Bale portrays the rebellious race car driver Ken Miles. Their characters have definitely been made more Hollywood for entertainment purposes. And the same goes for the Ford and Ferrari people.
“Ford V Ferrari is at its best when the relationship between man and machine (because women are relegated to the smallest possible supporting roles) is highlighter in these ways. A ratio that is tested extremely during the famous 24-hour race on the Le Mans circuit in 1966.
But the creator’s ambition goes further: this is also a film about the boring Ford’s attempt to break through the racing dominance of the slick Ferrari in the 1960s. a heroic portrait of two American racing cowboys, designer Shelby and the driver Ken Miles against a pair of Italians. And “Ford V Ferrari” is never subtle. The opponent is caricatural, but somehow this approach is entertaining. It provides much-need perspective in the battle for the best ‘toy’.
“Ford V Ferrari” is a good underdog-type story with strong performance by especially Christian Bale. But overall it’s a story with no subtlety and lots of stereotypical characters. The perfect story for a Hollywood film.

Rating: 3,5 / 5

100 Movie Challenge # 67: Mud

Director: Jeff Nichols

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 130 minutes

Year: 2012

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Sam Shepard, Michael Shannon, Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland, Ray McKinnon, Sarah Paulson

Description: Two young boys (Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland) encounter a fugitive (Matthew McConaughey) and form a pact to help him evade the vigilantes that are on his trail and to reunite him with his true love (Reese Witherspoon).

Review: The American saying ‘his/ my name is mud’ is used when someone does something stupid or dumb. And that is exactly what is going on in “Mud”, by director Jeff Nichols.

Some will know Jeff Nichols from the strong “Take Shelter” (2011). In “Mud” the ‘heartland’ of America is again the setting. The story focusses on the young boy Ellis, who spends time in the outdoors of Arkansas with his friend Neckbone. During one of their adventures, Ellis and Neckbone find a boat stuck in a tree. While investigating the boat, they come to the conclusion someone is living there. When they go back to their own boat, they meet a strange man. He introduces himself as Mud. Mud is the one living in the boat. Because the boys really want the boat, Mud agrees. But first they have to do him a favor.

“Mud” was already a success at the 2012 Cannes film festival. Just like “Take Shelter”, “Mud” is a truly amazing film. Matthew McConaughey really impresses. I’ve come to love this actor over the years. He is finally getting the right roles and films. The rest of the cast, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Shannon and Sam Shephard, all perform at a high level. But the most welcome surprise is the young duo Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland.

“Mud’ can be compared to movies like “No Country for Old Men” when it comes to atmosphere. Some might find it slow, but eventually it comes together.

I’m truly looking forward to Jeff Nichols’ next project, because I really enjoyed “Mud”.

Rating: 4,5/ 5