Movie #772 ........................."Every Day"

Movie #772 "Every Day" is hard film to watch in that it seems to be replaying anybody's life ---- well, let's say, a bad time in one' life -----you know, when everything seems to fall apart at the same time and you aren't sure you are going to get through it --- that kind of time. Some of the situations are a bit stretching it, but that's just to make this family have its unique quirks while being so darn universal..........take the older son ---- he's been gay since age 12, but he's just at that point of connecting with a special someone and he doesn't know how to deal with it --- you might have a son or daughter in high school who is going through the same thing, just not gay (or maybe gay) but the way that plays out, being tempted by a drug situation, is very real and very well done (the kid is the gay guy in "perks of a wall flower" and also the Kevin in the film "we need to talk about Kevin" and I'm looking forward to seeing more from him. The younger kid, equally interesting, is the artistic one who plays violin --- in that way he can connect to his grandpa, but his grandpa is too cranky at first to see that. Once again, A possible situation in the family ----how to deal with an ailing parent who doesn't want to live with you but can't afford not to --- Brian Dennehy plays the curmudgeon and everyone would like to shoot him because of how he swears around the kids and mistreats everyone, but we also know him well --- maybe too well. The dad writes for a t.v. show, and I found that side story the least interesting --- he's tempted by a co-worker, and that's somewhat believable, but his boss was way too much out there for me to believe. At least I hope that isn't the way all t.v. shows are written! Helen Hunt bears the weight of the film ---- she's trying to juggle so many pans that it is heartbreaking to watch her ---- and she's very good in conveying that. But the family soldiers on and grows in the 93 minutes you watch them in their "every day" world --- quite a bit like ours! Every Day 2010 R 93 minutes I would give it 3.8 out of 5 stars Ned is fed up with his unfulfilling work as a writer on a flawed television show and his stagnant marriage to wife Jeannie. Just when he thinks life can't get worse, his teenage son announces he's gay and his ailing father-in-law moves in. Cast:Liev Schreiber, Helen Hunt, Carla Gugino, Skyler Fortgang, David Harbour, Ezra Miller, Eddie Izzard, Brian Dennehy, Tilky Jones, Benita Robledo, Chris Beetem Genre:Indie Comedies, Indie Dramas, Comedy

Movie #771 ........................."Whistleblower"

Movie #771 "Whistleblower" was a tough movie to watch ---- some torture scenes of the women, though not shown in their entirety, are very emotional and difficult to watch. But this is a very good film, just not a "fun" one to watch. It was kind of funny that we chose this over "The Boy with the Striped Pajamas" because we thought that was too much of a downer (one of the saddest pictures I have ever seen), but this one rivals it through almost the entire thing. Very intense, but very, very well acted. So where was a nomination for Rachel Weisz in this one? The Whistleblower 2010 R 112 minutes I gave it 4 out of 5 stars Sent to Bosnia in the aftermath of civil war, an American policewoman uncovers evidence that U.N. peacekeepers are covering up sex trafficking. But when she brings her findings to light, she learns that her foes are more powerful than the law. Cast:Rachel Weisz, Vanessa Redgrave, Monica Bellucci, David Strathairn, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Roxana Condurache, Paula Schramm, Alexandru Potocean, Benedict Cumberbatch, Liam Cunningham, David Hewlett, Luke Treadaway, William Hope Genre:Political Thrillers, Crime Thrillers, Crime Dramas, Thrillers

Movie #770 ........................."The Heat"

Movie #770 "The Heat" --- once you can get past Melissa McCarthy's character's language and total disrespect for everything and everyone (she mistreats everyone pretty much the same), and you realize that almost every rule that the police follow is broken here, then sit back and enjoy the "ride" ---- yes, females take on the bad guys, acting like guys themselves and getting away with it because they are Bullock and McCarthy. There are drop dead funny moments in here, mostly because the two actresses work so well together............eventually, you find yourself laughing at just the pull out of a gun, because it is "here we go again" --- There were some awkward uncomfortable moments here, as well, but they just add fuel to the fire. And such physical comedy pulled off for the sake of the script rather than just thrown in by Adam Sandler and his crew, so this is a cut above all his movies, and a lot of what's out there that they label "comedy" these days. They are both good at what they do, and they are both likable, so you just go along with what's happening and laugh at how their competitive natures get in the way. I wonder if it were two guys, if people would come down so hard on the language and situations in this film ------ check it out, if you want to see strong women in meaty roles.or should I say beefy? The Heat 2013 R 4 stars out of 5 In this action-comedy, Sandra Bullock heads the cast as by-the-book FBI agent Katerina James, who forms an unlikely alliance with unconventional street cop Joyce Nelson to take down a Russian gangster. Cast:Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone, Taran Killam, Kaitlin Olson, Thomas F. Wilson, Michael Rapaport, Bill Burr, Demián Bichir, Tony Hale Genre:Action Comedies, Comedy

Movie #769 ........................."Despicable Me 2"

Movie #769 "Despicable Me 2" Loved this one, too! What's endearing about this franchise is the three little girls --- and although there is a tad less about them (since they were introduced in the original), they are still the driving force behind Gru. There's much less exposition here, since we know all the characters from before, but there's a great addition of Kristin Wiig in a more prominent role in this one (she was in the first one as the leader of the home for the girls) but she is an overeager spy here and she's a hoot (as usual). I like that Gru is now working WITH our government rather than on his own, and the new characters are a stitch, too. What I find most intriguing about "Despicable Me 2" is the minions again, and this time they play an even more prominent role ----- they are so playful in whatever setting you put them in, so fun-loving that they can wear down the hardest of hearts! Oh, one less thing in this one that I welcomed: less fighting scenes, which I find no interest in, esp. in animation. So I highly recommend this one --- is it better than Monsters University? I think it is a tie ----- there's a slow part at the beginning of both, but then full speed ahead. Which would kids like more? can't say, since I left our kids at home for both of them! Despicable Me 2 2013 PG Gave it 5 out of 5 stars Arch-villain Gru and his three orphan girls return for more shady exploits in this wacky animated feature voiced by some of Hollywood's biggest stars. The story features new and eccentric characters and a plot to abduct Gru's team of minions. Cast:Steve Carell, Al Pacino, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Russell Brand, Steve Coogan, Moises Arias, Benjamin Bratt Genre:Family Animation, Family Comedies, Children & Family

Movie #768 ........................."Monsters University"

Movie #768 "Monsters University" --- loved it! I loved the original, as well, so this shouldn't be a surprise to me, but sequels are something tough to review because the original is so beloved. For me, it was all in the characters ----there are lots of cute new ones, well drawn and delineated and very funny, esp. Mike and Sully's teammates. The plot is very different from the original, since it is a prequel. And it's funny in itself, dealing with campus life in a monster's life ----- in that way, it is more adult than the first one and, therefore, some of the jokes may go over the kids' heads, so it's tough to know if kids would like this any more or less than the first. I do know, I missed Boo's character a lot, but that being said, they upped the importance of music in this one,and that's a positive. The emphasis here is on the scaring tactics they learn, and since they got rid of that pretty much in the original one, not sure if there's room for a third of this franchise. And if they have one, what it would be about. this centers on Mike and how he's bullied, and since that's a subject in the forefront of our daily lives, it sends a good message about the topic. I highly recommend it, and want to own it someday so I can show it to more people who haven't seen it! Monsters University 2013 G I gave it 5 out of 5 stars. This prequel to Pixar's popular animated tale Monsters Inc. once again features eccentric monster pals Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan. Set during their college days, the film tells the strange and amusing tale of how the pair became friends. Cast:John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, Dave Foley, Julia Sweeney, Joel Murray Genre:Family Animation, Family Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Family Comedies, Children & Family

Movie #767 ........................."Guilt Trip"

Movie #767 "Guilt Trip" was funnier than I thought it was going to be. I suppose if you don't like Seth Rogen or Barbara Streisand, you wouldn't like it at all, because the film is mostly the two of them bantering back and forth. They seemed really natural and much of what they said, I can believe. And when it gets exaggerated, they point that out. Surprisingly, Babs' acting helps them through some possible clunky moments, but then she reminds you that she was "funny girl" or "Yentl" and she can really act when she has to. There's a turning moment in it, too, that I really, really liked and that's an added bonus. Therefore, I can say I recommend this even though the critics seemed rather harsh in their critiques of this comedy. The Guilt Trip 2012 PG-13 96 minutes I'd give this 3.9 stars out of 5. After Andy Brewster invents a fabulous new organic cleaner, he goes on a cross-country road trip to promote it. His mother, Joyce, comes along for the ride but soon discovers that her son has an ulterior motive: fixing her up with a long-lost flame. Cast:Barbra Streisand, Seth Rogen, Adam Scott, Colin Hanks, Kathy Najimy, Nora Dunn, Ari Graynor, Casey Wilson Genre:Comedy

Movie #766 ........................."Parental Guidance"

Movie #766 "Parental Guidance" was a bit uneven in the script, acting, and tone. There were some very good moments, esp with the oldest child segments, but then with the littlest child, there was a skateboarding scene that was too ridiculous for me (and just stuck in there to get an endorsement from Tony Hawk fans, maybe?). The acting was good with the kids and Billy Crystal, but Bette Midler kept looking at winking at the camera ---- I didn't believe for one moment that she was married to Crystal. As far as tone, it would go for big laughs (pulling on mom's sweater, or the cake scene)in a ridiculously exaggerated way, and then try to be poignant in others. I really did like the baseball moments, and there were several scenes with that, and the kid's invisible friend was universal, too --- in fact, there were lots of universal scenes that parents and kids could laugh at, but there's a lot that is too far fetched --- but if you know that going into it, the film might be a fun diversion for a rainy Saturday afternoon. It's fluff, to be sure. But Billy Crystal tries to keep it real for most of his stuff. Parental Guidance 2012 PG 104 minutes I give it 3 out of 5 stars. When their daughter must leave for a week, Artie and Diane Decker find themselves in charge of their three grandchildren, whose well-regimented and high-tech lives leave Grandma and Grandpa baffled and ready to bring on the old-school parenting. Cast:Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Tom Everett Scott, Bailee Madison, Joshua Rush, Kyle Harrison Breitkopf, Jennifer Crystal Foley, Gedde Watanabe, Rhoda Griffis, Madison Lintz, Brad James Genre:Family Comedies, Children & Family

Movie #765 ........................."Side Effects"

Movie #765 "Side Effects" was a very different film, very low key, but intense, very slow moving, but intriguing. It's full of people you want to watch like Roony Mara (the American Girl with the dragon tattoo) and Jude Law and a really good script with lots of turns along the way. You must be prepared for something different in a film with this, though. It doesn't follow a usual plot line, but when it gets to the end, all the strings seem to be tied up rather neatly. The title refers to the side effects of drugs that are usually prescribed for certain depression drugs, so it tips off what the film might be about, but it's about so much more. I'd recommend this film to those who want to see something rather different but intense. (be aware that it's slow, though) Side Effects 2013 R 105 minutes --- I would give it 3.8 stars out of 5. Emily copes with her depression by taking antidepressant medication. But when her dire state apparently spirals out of control due to her husband's prison release, she turns to a new medication that alters her life forever. Cast:Rooney Mara, Jude Law, Channing Tatum, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Vinessa Shaw, Andrea Bogart, David Costabile, Polly Draper Genre:Psychological Thrillers, Mystery, Suspense, Thrillers