Monday, April 18, 2016

Movie #1183 ........................."Jack Reacher"

Movie #1183 "Jack Reacher" is yet another Cruise film that I enjoyed watching --- different character here.  I have not read the Lee Child books on this character, but I have to say I liked his sense of humor --- the witty dialogue with "Gone Girl's" Rosamund Pike, the lack of guns in most of the fights (lots of head butting, though) and Reacher's attitude all around.  The story was easy enough for me to follow (which means anyone could follow it, pretty much) and there was enough humor and action and surprises that kept me awake through the whole movie.  I'd give it 4 stars out of 5.

Jack Reacher

2012  Rated PG-13130 mins

When ex-military cop Jack Reacher investigates an elite sniper charged with killing five people, he teams up with a beautiful defense lawyer -- and they soon find themselves drawn into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game in this exciting thriller.

Movie #1182 ........................."Coming Through the Rye"

Movie #1182 "Coming Through the Rye" was a delightful movie I got to see as the award winning movie at the Phoenix Film Festival this year.  At the Q and A afterwards, the director said it was totally autobiographical, and 99% of the (2) scenes between him and J.D. Salinger was all true.  So, yes, the director/writer James Sadwith (played by the wonderful Alex Wolf) hunted for and eventually found the reclusive Salinger (played here impeccably by Chris Cooper) to get his permission to make his famous book "Catcher in the Rye" into a stage play for his senior project.  Of course, he did not get permission, but it was still done .....and there's much more to the story and the film.....involving bullying, young love, searching for your dream, etc.  It was beautifully filmed and the story was wonderful and I recommend it to those who did And didn't like the book --- doesn't matter, it's the "Coming through" and not necessarily the "Catching" that is in focus here --- the once in a lifetime journey, and we are able to go along in this film.  Loved it.  Hope it gets universally distributed into a theatre near you!  5 stars out of 5.

Coming Through The Rye (2015)

| Drama | 4 November 2015 (USA)
Coming Through The Rye Poster
1969 Jamie Schwartz, obsessed with Holden Caulfield, runs away from boarding school to find reclusive author JD Salinger. Inspired by actual events, Jamie's search for Salinger becomes a journey into sexual awakening, love and loss.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Movie #1181 ........................."Stereotypically You"

Movie #1181 "Stereotypically You"  was a fun rom com I saw at the Phoenix Film Festival.  The guy and girl were very talented and funny themselves (he just played Danny Zucko in Fox's 'Grease", and she is Chris Elliott's daughter and a former SNL member0  The film is not all that original --- a guy is looking for a lasting relationship, and despite getting advice from friends, family, etc., he tries to go on his own thinking "outside" the box --- the film uses lots of editing techniques to further the search --- quick changes from one scene to next, gimmicky things to keep the modern watcher awake --- and that's what made me keep watching it and ultimately  giving it 4 out of 5 stars.  I thought it was pretty funny, without being raunchy, and that's a credit to the film.

Stereotypically You (2015)

| Comedy
Stereotypically You Poster
"Stereotypically You" is the NYC dating comedy that follows one man's hallucination-fueled post-breakup quest to find new love...and himself.

Director:

 

Writer:

 

Stars:

 ,  ,  , Abby Elliott, Chris Elliott 

Movie #1180 ........................."Dating Daisy"

Movie #1180 "Dating Daisy" was the first film I saw at the Phoenix Film Festival, and I found it most enjoyable.  The characters are full of confusion, and for a rom com, it's very talky, but that's what I liked about it --- Now that I think back, there was only one love scene.  It's full of lots of discussions within families and friends about love and relationships.  I always have to write a disclaimer when I do a critique on rom coms because anyone reading this blog knows that it is the genre I prefer, and I don't say very often the typical things said about this genre --- I am more forgiving.  But I have a few rules that I want followed.....it needs to be refreshing (something about it), the two lovers need to have chemistry, there needs to be humor, it needs to have good dialogue, and the believability factor is important to me, too.  But I also acknowledge that people sometimes act crazy when in love....anyway, no surprise to anyone is that I'm a romantic at heart, and of course I would like everyone in the world to be with their soul mates --- yes, I believe love can conquer all, but it doesn't mean the film has to end this way; it's just that I would prefer it (so that's also why I don't get the "lame" factor that so many critics accuse rom coms of being ---- I don't feel if love conquers all that that thought is "lame" --- anyway, the ending of this film at first bothered me ---- but then when I listened to the Q and A, and got the justification from the director, I changed my mind.  I think some people may react like I did initially to the end of this film --- but if they think about it, they would also change their mind.  That's why I am hesitant to recommend it -- however, if you ever see it, and you want to talk about it, I'd love to do that because I think that's a major purpose of film --- yes, even rom coms.... 4 out of 5 stars!


Dating Daisy (2015)

| ComedyDramaFamily
Dating Daisy Poster
Two passionate twenty-somethings in an on-again / off-again relationship decide to road trip home together for the holidays.

Director:

 

Writer:

 

Stars:

 ,  ,  , Sascha Alexander (Daisy) and Brennan Kelleher (Michael)

Movie #1179 ........................."The Light Beneath Their Feet"

Movie #1179 "The Light Beneath Their Feet" was an excellent film that I had the opportunity to see at the phoenix film festival.  It is a very layered story dealing with a high school senior trying to take care of her bi polar mom who has recently just gotten back the right to live with her daughter.  Her dad is remarried now and expecting a new baby, so the young girl feels ignored by dad, and stifled by the attention mom gives her --- she is the moon and the stars to the mom, but it doesn't stop mom from her crazy behavior at times or it doesn't make her take her medicine.  You would think it would, but if you do, then you don't understand bipolar, and that's what this film tries to get across.  A couple of weeks ago, I watched "Infinitely polar bear" about a dad who is raising his kids while mom goes back to school and he has bouts of bipolar --- Both are well done, but this one shows the daily life even more.  The pressures on all the parties --- what it is like to have loved the woman before she was like this, and then to have to have her institutionalized.  How you stick out in school if your mom acts out once in a while --- how you become the caretaker for your mom..... all these and more are covered in this film, and according to the female director, who researched the topic extensively, bi polars are endorsing the film as "true to life" --- in the final credits, Glenn close's group of bi polars  is thanked --- they gave positive feedback when they previewed it before it was sent out.  If the topic sounds interesting to you, I would recommend checking it out.  It is available on netflix, I noticed.

A Light Beneath Their Feet

2016    i would give this 4 out of 5 stars.Rated NR
Our best guess for you: 4 stars
Average of 2 ratings: 4 stars
At a crossroads in her life, Beth has to choose between attending a far-off college and staying home to care for Gloria, her mentally ill mother. The strong bond between mom and daughter makes the decision particularly agonizing for both. 

Movie #1178 ........................."Home Care"

Movie #1178 This is one of the best films we saw at the Phoenix Film Festival this week -- it won the Audience Award for Best film in World Film Competition --- yes it has subtitles, and it's slovakian.  It's basically about a woman who provides home care on a daily basis (sometimes under difficult circumstances (whether the patient is troublesome, or the weather, or the distance traveled to get there, or the home care itself) and she herself gets a diagnosis that will result in lots of home care in the future.  As a result, she searches for an alternative treatment.  In the Q and A, the director referred to Raki --- I'm not familiar, but the way I interpreted it from the film, while your body is becoming weak and fragile, the techniques taught to you through this treatment help you strengthen the soul.  Just going through a recent death in our family, I found this quite interesting, and very poignant when the home care nurse realizes her body will fail her, but her soul has bloomed!  Loved this film and gave it 5 stars out of 5 ---- the director told us in the Q and A that it was filmed in his hometown, in the house he was born in, with the townspeople as background actors.  It was a well acted, good story that I hope comes to our Naperville Film Festival.


Home Care

2015  Rated NR
Our best guess for you: 2.7 stars
Average of 12 ratings: 2.7 stars
As a home-care nurse, middle-aged Vlasta selflessly tends to the needs of shut-in patients. But when the tables are suddenly turned, Vlasta has difficulty accepting the fact that she's the one who needs to be cared for.

Movie #1177 ........................."Goodbye, Lenin"

Movie #1177 "Goodbye, Lenin" was recommended by an alum, and I finally got to watching this gem of a film last night.  Lots of deadpan humor, quirky characters, and kind of a funny storyline --- Mom has a heart attack right when the Berlin walls falls and there are tons of changes to her beloved Germany.  Grown up kids are worried she wouldn't be able to take the changes once she comes out of her coma, so they go to extremes to make sure she is still living in the past --- her t.v. only plays news videotapes that they recorded years before, etc.  I wanted it to go even further when  the ending just happened, but the getting there was a lot of fun, and I recommend it and give it 3.8 out of 5.
P.S.  Bruhl as the son is very good --- and this was before his break through into American films (he played the German Race car driver in Ron Howard's film with Hemsworth)

Good Bye, Lenin!

2003  Rated R121 mins
Our best guess for you: 3.9 stars
Average of 393492 ratings: 3.8 stars
Alex's mother falls into a coma just as the Berlin Wall is about to come down. But when she wakes up months later, she's too weak to withstand shock -- so Alex goes to great lengths to keep the truth about her country's reform a secret.

Movie #1176 ........................."Divergent Series: Allegiant Part 1"

Movie #1176 "Allegiant Part 1" has a wonderful first half and a mess of a second half.  I made sure to read 1/2 of Allegiant before seeing this, and because it's been a while since Part II, I waited so the third book would be fresh in my mind.  I disliked what I read so far in the book, so I went in not expecting very much from the film, and the movie  actually covered the part I read in the first hour --- and the movie was so much better.  That was because mostly the writing is not really good for Allegiant --- the author seems to be dragging it out, and every few pages she puts in another love scene between 4 and Tris.  The movie had a couple of those moments, but mostly it made the trip very adventurous from   walled in city of Chicago  to the new area.  The new area was sparsely propped, but that was okay because there was a nifty entry, and some special effect-filled pod spaces where Peter and her brother Caleb work to spy on the city of Chicago.  Once they are there, though, the plot spins its wheels --- You know Jeff Daniels has something up his sleeve while he makes nice to Tris -- meanwhile Four is investigating how to get back to Chicago (why?  he just came )--- too quick, I thought, so it's a bit shelter skelter in the second half....in the second half i was also reminded why I find this series more tedious than Hunger Games --- too much shooting -- and there's a lot of it here, too.  Add to that some superhero/cartoon like bad stuff involving a release of some toxic that will erase everyone's memory --- that just came across as silly --- it was all around for a long time while people scattered trying to stop it --- and then the movie abruptly ended.  Didn't make me want to see the next part, but we'll see.  Gotta finish it now.  So I had mixed feelings about this --- I'd give it 3 stars out of 5, because i liked the first part so much.

The Divergent Series: Allegiant

2016  Rated PG-13
Our best guess for you: 2.9 stars
Average of 1403 ratings: 3.7 stars
Based on the last book in Veronica Roth's "Divergent" trilogy, this absorbing sci-fi saga follows Beatrice Prior and Tobias Eaton as they venture into the unknown lands outside the walled city of Chicago, where they discover several shocking truths.

Movie #1175 .........................The Secret in their Eyes

Movie #1175 "The Secret in their Eyes" is a remake of a former Oscar winner for foreign language film, but this is no oscar winner nor contender.  It's kind of blah.  It tries to be moody and tense, and the actors (Julia Roberts, Chiwotel E.) do a good job of angst to the 100th degree (J. Roberts' daughter's body is found in a dumpster and she and Chiwotel are cops).  But it fails in lots of ways ---- it's too long and drawn out, runs out of story......tries to keep us interested by changing time, but costumes (etc.) fail in making it clear just what the time frame is when it changes, so it just is confusing.  And it falls flat in intensity.  Nicole Kidman seems miscast here as the head prosecuting attorney, who just keeps asking for more evidence..... It made me want to see the original, and I think I might.  This was a 3 out of 5 -- I was going to give it a 2, but the ending twist was surprising to me.

Secret in Their Eyes

2015  Rated PG-13112 mins
Our best guess for you: 3.1 stars
Average of 32928 ratings: 3.5 stars
Thirteen years after a colleague's daughter is savagely murdered, former FBI investigator Ray remains haunted by the unsolved case. But as he gets close to nabbing the killer, Ray unearths a shocking truth that casts a different light on past events.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Movie #1174 ........................"Sing Street"

Movie #1174    “Sing Street”

Movie #1174 “Sing Street” —- I LOVED this movie.  We got a chance to see this at the Phoenix Film Festival  before it is widely distributed , and it is one you want to seek out.  What fun!  The cast is so realistic (mostly Irish boys of every color and shape and ability) and one outstanding female whom the camera loves,  Shout out to the older brother, as well — he looks like Seth Rogan, but he seems to be more capable as an actor.  The story line is a winner, as well.  Carney’s movies are all about big dreams, and conflicts reaching them (“once” and “Begin Again”) and this makes you want to stand up and cheer many times throughout the film.  And need I mention that I loved all the songs!  (all original! because this is NOT a cover band!) I liked them so much, I would actually purchase the album in the future just to hear them again!  Highly recommend this one —- 5 stars out of 5 stars!

Sing Street
2016 PG-13
Rated PG-13
rated 3.0 stars

Grappling with a difficult home life, 14-year-old Conor faces more woes when financial problems force his parents to transfer him from a private school to an inner-city public school. Looking for an escape, he forms a band with a group of classmates.

Movie #1173 ........................."My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2"

Movie #1173 “Big Fat Greek Wedding 2”


Movie #1173  “Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” was not as good as the original (what a surprise) but not a bad film at all, for a sequel.  It is true to the original characters, has a plot line that moves along, not entirely original, though.  I had a problem with the humor and jokes, though.  Some, esp. at the opening, fell flat —— because they were pushed too much, and I was surprised because the director is more capable than this showed.  But what worked were the small quiet moments, and the addition of the teenager and her boyfriend (two up and coming actors that we will see more of)  was a plus, as well!  I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.  I liked it, but i’m a huge fan of rom coms and this is a fun one, for the most part.


My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
2016 PG-13
Rated PG-13
rated 3.7 stars
3
In this screwball sequel to the 2002 hit romantic comedy, there's a new wedding on the horizon for the wacky Portokalos clan -- and with it comes a new assortment of family crises and secrets.

Movie #1172 ........................."The Eye in the Sky"

Movie #1172    “Eye in the Sky”

Movie #1172  “Eye in the Sky” is a tight and tense drama about the use of drones and the ethics involved.  Boy, this film pulls you in, but after  , in my opinion, too long of an exposition.  I takes a while to take off, but when it does, it goes full speed ahead.  It was nice, also, to watch Alan Rickman in his last movie role —- and he nails his last line!  We are going to miss him!  Helen Mirren is able to show a very layered main character who is trying to get everyone to agree with her for the benefit of the majority (which everyone learns takes sacraficies, but does it have to be a little girl selling bread?)  A really good story that I highly recommend.  I’d give it 4 stars out of 5.

Eye in the Sky
2016 R
Rated R

Leading an operation to nab a terrorist and her collaborators in Kenya, Col. Katherine Powell ends up in a political and moral quagmire as the mission changes and a drone strike is ordered, putting a young girl at risk of becoming collateral damage.

Movie #1171 ........................."Truth"

Movie #       “Truth”

Movie “Truth” was an intriguing “Spotlight” -like film about Dan Rather’s eventual leaving at CBS, but the film really follows the Cate Blanchett character as producer (person making the major decisions).  She was such a good friend of Dan that he trusted her, and the movie shows the domino effect —- where one falls, the whole squad does, including Quaid and Topher Grace, all good minor characters.  I enjoyed watching how they got their story, how they got back up for it, and how the whole thing started to fall apart.  I take argument with the plot synopsis below that uses the word “erroneosly” and it was more that they had found out the truth about Bush, but no one had the guts to admit it and back it up so the journalists could announce it without litigation.  All the acting here was great, and I enjoyed the storyline and intrigue!  I would give this 4.8 out of 5 stars!

Truth
2015 R
Rated R
121 mins
rated 3.6 stars


In this dramatic re-creation of news anchor Dan Rather's fall from grace, his stellar career comes to an abrupt end after erroneously reporting that President George W. Bush received preferential treatment that kept him from serving in Vietnam.


Saturday, April 2, 2016

Movie #1170........................."Bachelor in Paradise"

Movie #1170 "Bachelor in Paradise" was a Bob Hope/Lana Turner vehicle back in the early 60s , and boy did it show its age.  Much ado about nothing.  Stilted acting and directing doesn't bail this one out --- the jokes fall flat, one after another after another.  The womanizing gets old very quickly, and we end up thinking that lana is way too good for this jerk.  This is a don't bother film I watched on TCM, which is a rarety for me, because I usually like the classics.  But this is NOT one of those!

Bachelor in Paradise (1961)

Bachelor in Paradise Poster
.A. J. Niles is the author of a series of 'Bachelor Books'. These books describe the romantic life of a bachelor in various cities of the world. But when he runs into trouble with the I.R.S. for back taxes, he needs to write another book fast, to pay them. His publisher decides a book about life in the American suburbs would be a hit, and settles him into Paradise Cove. One bachelor plus lonely housewives equals many angry husbands.

Director:

 

Writers:

  (screenplay),   (screenplay)  |1 more credit »

Stars:

 ,  ,  

Movie #1169 ........................."Whiskey Tango Foxtrot"

Movie #1169 "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" was better than I thought it would be.  I enjoyed watching Tina Fey is a straighter role than I have ever seen her in, but still with some sense of humor, which she helped greatly.  I am in the process of reading the book, and it may be kind of early, but I am enjoying the book less; however, it is pointing out the reasoning behind some of her recklessness and naivete that I saw her have in the opening of the film.  I can come back and update my comments if I disagree after I finish the book, but right now, I'm glad I saw and enjoyed the film first.  I rarely do the reading in reverse, but I thought it would work better with this subject matter.   The movie isn't for the faint of heart, and it flits around a bit, but on the whole I enjoyed the plight of this journalist (true story) covering Afghanistan when it wasn't the popular story -- Iraq was.  (p.s.  my one disappointment is that the cast isn't more culturally diverse, esp. in the "native" roles)

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

2016     I'd give it 4 out of 5 starsRated R

Based on reporter Kim Barker's memoirs about her experiences covering the Afghanistan war, this satirical look at a hopelessly confused conflict also chronicles the obstacles encountered by female journalists in a rigidly conservative region.