Report Card---"A Most Violent Year"

The first sign of spring: This is the last Report Card of the winter season.
'A Most Violent Year" was the last DVD that I watched from the slew that were sent me.
It came out too late to be considered for this past season's awards.
If anything, they're aiming for next season's.
The Year in question is 1981.
Everyone had big cars.
It is similar in tone to the great Scorcese and Coppola gangster films: Goodfellows, The Sopranos, On The Waterfront, the Godfather...
It is an intelligently made and played story about big-time corruption in the oil heating business in the 1980's.

On to the scoring:

Is it interesting?

Very.
A.

Compelling even?

Occasionally.
A.

Is it controversial?

It's a morality play, with the lead character having to make controversial decisions.
B.

Is it a story worth telling?

Very much so.
A.

Is it good storytelling?

Very.
A.

Is it well written?

Very.
A.

Is it well cast? Well played?

Yes on all counts. Albert Brooks, looking considerably older, is very good in a supporting part.
A.

Well shot?

Extremely.
A+.

Is it too long? Too short?

Just right.
A.

Is it believable? Do you care about the characters?

Yes, and very much.
A.

Is it predictable? Does it surprise you?

There are surprises at the end.
A.

Do you think about it after you've seen it?

There are haunting images.
A.

Is it funny?

Not really. Albert Brooks being there and not getting laughs underscores that.
C.

Would it have been worth the thirteen bucks it would have cost to see it in the movies?

I wouldn't feel the need, but then, I'm cheap.
B-.

Is it impressive?

Very.
A.

Overall grade: A.

Movies like this should definitely keep being made.


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My books ,"Show Runner" and it's sequel, "Show Runner Two", can be found at the Amazon Kindle Store.
Along with the newer ones, "The Man Is Dead", and "Report Cards".
They are all compilations of blog entries that have since been removed from the blog.
So this is the only way you can find them.
You can search by typing in my name, Cindy Williams, Laverne and Shirley, The Odd Couple, or Happy Days.
Check them out.
You don't need a Kindle machine to download them.
Just get the free app from Kindle, and they can be downloaded to an IPhone, IPad, or Blackberry.
The paperbacks, "Mark Rothman's Essays" and my new novel, "I'm Not Garbo" are not
e-books. But they are available for people without Kindle.
I have many readings and signings lined up for those, and the thing about Kindle is you can't sign one. If you'd like one of the paperbacks, personally autographed, contact me at macchus999@aol.com.

And now, we've got my reading of my "Laverne and Shirley Movie" screenplay on YouTube.

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