Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: The Place Beyond The Pines (2012)

What is it about?

The life of two  men and their eventual encounter causes a ripple effect in their lives, in the lives of their loved ones, and in the lives of their children.

Who is in it?

Ryan Gosling - Luke

Bradley Cooper - Avery

Eva Mendez - Romina

Favorite Scene:

[Spoiler Alert!]

After robbing one too many banks, Luke ends up in a high speed chase which ends in a random neighborhood house, determining his fate and causing a ripple effect in the lives of many.

Favorite Quote:

"Got a kid? You wanna provide for that kid? You want to edge out your competition? You gotta do that using your skill set. And your skill set? Very unique."

Review:

The Place Beyond The Pines is probably one of the best movies you will never hear about. I know I never heard abut it until I randomly came upon it and decied to give it a try.  After all, with star talent like Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, and Eva Mendez in one film, one would think it would be pretty decent, right? 

This film is fantastic. A bit slow in the first half-hour as you attempt to foreshadow the story, but the film's beauty comes with it's storytelling. The Place Beyond The Pines is a combination of three distinct stories in one - starting with the life of "Luke", then moving to that of "Avery", ending fifteen years later with the offspring of both men. 

This film is utterly wonderful because of said storytelling, and for the deep characters and though-provoking ethics it provides. With good people doing bad things, and perceived bad people being good people. It dives into the different shades of characteristics, emotions, and life decisions that make up the human race, and often, how ill-perceived we are in our judgments. 

Again, this film is fantastic. I recommend seeking this one out from under the crushing egos of other well-known, disappointing films. 

Review: 4.25/5

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...

Remembering Hulkamania

What a complicated mess this news leaves me in. Hulk Hogan. Dead. At 71. I was never a fan of Hogan (in the world of pro wrestling)…I was a Macho Man Randy Savage guy, and later on, a Bret Hart guy (and still am). But like every other wrestling fan from the ’80s through now, Hulk Hogan’s presence and legend are undeniable.  Terry Bolea transcended wrestling as Hulk Hogan and helped the art form take its first step into the mainstream of pop culture.  He later reinvented the business once again with the greatest heel turn ever at Bash at the Beach 1996. Many have changed the business once, but twice? Significantly?! Hogan’s run as Hulkamania and as Hollywood makes a case for the best to ever do it - I can't think of anyone on such a high level on both sides of the pro wrestling coin as a babyface and heel. Every pro wrestling Mount Rushmore (as dumb as these lists have become) includes Hulk Hogan, period. But Hogan is also so instrumental in my ever-evolving ability to separate...

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Hello, I Must Be Going (2012)

What is it about? A woman moves back in with her parents following a shocking divorce. An unlikely affair with a younger guy revives her life and perspective on marriage. Who is in it? Melanie Lynskey - Amy Christopher Abbott - Jeremy Blythe Danner - Ruth Favorite Scene: Amy's dad, who is often much easier on her than her mom, comes to her bedside and gives her some money. She refuses, then he insists. She then asks, "whose happiness are you buying?" Favorite Quote: Where the f** is 'bottom'? Where the motherf***ing f*** is motherf***ing 'bottom'? Review: Hello, I Must Be Going was an interesting watch. I've always found Melanie Lynskey to be an intriguing actor, and her role in this was just that.  What makes this film so interesting is that, going into the film, you believed this would be a film documenting Amy's journey from recent divorcee into...well, wherever it is she goes. The beauty of this film is that Amy's journey was just a public...