Movie #1193 ........................."Shelter"

Movie #1193 "Shelter" was a solidly acted day to day account of what it is like to be homeless in NYC  --- the story line was a bit shallow, but it follows a couple --- one white strung out on heroin (Jennifer Connolly) and the other black, illegal and out of work (Anthony Mackie) who meet on the street one evening and slowly start to look out for each other and eventually fall in love.... there's lots of ugliness in the film --- it could change the way you interact with the homeless and may add some understanding to the issue --- it's one that isn't covered a lot in films, and Paul Bethany (Connolly's husband in real life) an the actors show some bravery in tackling such an ugly subject, full of grit and darkness . This is not a happy film, but I think it's worth a look, esp. if you are interested in the subject ---- and we all should be, shouldn't we?

SHELTER

2015    not rated      1 hour and 45 minutes

Set on the mean streets of NYC, this moving drama follows two homeless souls --- a heroin junkie and a Nigerian immigrant --- who join forces for survival and soon fall in love.  But secrets from the past threaten to derail the relationship.

Cast:  Jennifer Connolly, Anthony Mackie

rated 3.3 stars

3.3

Movie #1192 ........................."Trust"

Movie #1192 "Trust" is a tough one to watch and judge.  It goes beyond what I have always thought is acceptable in moviemaking with a teen  because it puts an  actual teen actress into what I would  consider  very uncomfortable filming demands:     her costume includes  the provocative clothes she wears in one scene, the filming itself includes  a confrontation with a pedophile and a rape scene (which isn't completely shown, but very much hinted at)...........if I knew the actress was older than she is portraying, I would feel much better, but this actress is, indeed, 15, so I was very upset for her as I watched it.  Then, an added problem was that I am not the demographic that should be watching this --- a teen should be, but how rough of a film can you show them that would scare them into NEVER writing to an unknown on the internet, and NEVER getting in a car with him!  Well, this is the film, if you , as a parent, are worried about it! (but it is R rated! does a film that shows really what it is all about have to be R rated?  I guess it might have to be)    You just should see it first to make sure it isn't too disturbing for your daughter!  That's all I would suggest.  It is so honestly done, that I have to give it a 4 --- but I would never watch it again or recommend that everyone see it , for the reasons mentioned earlier.  One of the main reasons I watched it is that the title has been recommended to me a bunch of times from various people (for its realness), and I thought it was about time for me to view it --- and it has David Schwimmer as its director, and I have wanted to see how he would handle the subject matter.   Even though there was some clunkiness  in dialogue, occasionally, and a couple of edits that I found odd, I felt  he handled the subject matter quite well --- oh, and an  added twist that I think I can say without giving anything away is that it focuses a ton on the mom's and dad's reactions (plural, on purpose because they were separate reactions) to what was going on with their daughter, esp. the dad's.  Also, there was something in the film I found hard to believe, but I guess it happens, in that there was some misunderstanding on how the daughter was reacting to the whole tragedy (that she was protecting the pedophile because she thought he really loved her ).  I thought it was a bit odd that the therapist didn't pick up on that, nor the family or friends.  But that's the problem with the whole situation --- if the victim isn't talking, and the adults and friends can't get her to talk, they  might have more of a mess than the original problem. A last comment about the ending:   I noticed on IMDB there was a discussion on how some people didn't like the ending, but I thought it was done quite well --- this is not a happy ending type of subject, and the last scene between the father and the daughter is done so so well, the film went from a 3.6 to a 4 for me, in just that scene.

• Rate 5 star4 stars out of 5

TRUST
2010     R rated      1 hour and 44 minutes
4 stars out of 5


After curious and vulnerable teenager Annie falls into a trap set by an online sexual predator, her family begins to disintegrate, uncertain how to cope with such a devastating tragedy.  Utterly consumed by rage, her father sets our for vengeance.
Cast:  Clive Owen, Catherine Keener, Liana Literato (the teenager)

Movie #1191 ........................."Deadpool"

Movie #1191 "Deadpool"was a lot of fun, many times in a raunchy way, but still lots of fun because it was breaking the fourth wall, laughing at itself and its actors, never taking anything (even death) seriously.  Well acted with Rya Reynolds and Vanessa (Morena Baccaran)a were amazing in their roles.  I can't speak on the bad guy because I didn't get into what he wanted and how he was going about it --- found that the least interesting part of this film.  It's very stylish, flashy (like Broadway flashy) and full of self deprecation.  Films don't usually have those parts at all.   So I found it quite original.  I don't really like superhero films and so this one, making fun of the genre made me laugh several times.  When a film's credits, avoid using people's real names and flashing things like:  hot chick, truly bad guy, etc., you know you are in for a treat.  I would rate this 4 out of 5 stars.

DEADPOOL

2016, 1 hr. 48 mins

Prone to ruthless violence, ex-mercenary Wade wilson acquires superhuman healing powers in the wake of a failed research experiment that also leaves him disfigured.  Taking on the alter ego Deadpoolm he's determind to hunt down the man responsible.

Cast:  

 Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein

Movie #1190 ........................"Memory of a Killer"

Movie #1190 "Memory of a Killer" is a very stylishly made film, good script, interesting characters.  Now, it isn't as good as "Memento" but it points back to it with the assassin having to write names, etc. on his arms so he won't forget --- this time, it's alzheimer's.  That mixed with having enough --- he wants to do his job, but when he feels for the last time that he is being yanked around and he's next to be the target, he explodes.  And the film is the explosion.  I really liked this until the end 20 minute sequence --- way too much shooing and violence for me.  But up until the end, it was a really smart film, for the most part.  I'd give it 3.8 out of 5 stars.

THE MEMORY OF A KILLER

2003     2 hr and 3 mins

rated 4.0 stars

During what he hopes will be his last job, a hardened hit man struggles with the onset of Alzheimer's and two detectives who are hot on his trail.  Soon, the pressure of it all prompts the contract killer to turn on his own employers.

Cast:  Jan Decleir, Werner De Smedt, Koen De Bouw

Movie #1189 ........................."Finding Dory"

Movie #1189 "Finding Dory" --- I saw it in 3D, but didn't need to (but I feel that way a lot about 3D, so maybe that's just me) , and I found this as good as the original, but a good sequel.  Lots of heart, like the first one, but less humor and less successful memorable characters.  Dory is a cutie, but at times it seems she plays one note --- we know she has memory lapses --- all right already --- One thing that really works is the action on top of action in the second half of this film --- i.e. just when you think she gets to where she needs to be, another conflict is thrown in her path.  Also, the Ed O'Neill octopus is a stitch and what I think will be a very memorable character that will last from this film --- I recommend this --- lots of fun and a good sequel.













"FINDING DORY"   2016         1 hour and 45 minutes
Continuing her colorful adventures in Nemo's animated underwater universe, Dory sets out to unravel the mysteries of a past she's completely forgotten, accompanied on her quest by aquatic pals Marlin and Nemo.

Cast:  Ellen Degeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neill


I would rank this 3.8 out of 5 stars...

Movie #1188 ........................."Man Up"

Movie #1188 "Man Up" --- I was looking for an 80 minute romantic comedy and ended up with this.  The premise is a typical meet up --- girl in wrong place at right time and holding a book that a blind date (using the internet) is supposed to look for and so he wrongly thinks she is someone else --- she finds him interesting (kind of bored with her life)  so she goes along with it --- result:  some laughs, but only because of the two people involved (Simon Pegg and Lake Bell) and a fairly fast, witty script.  I must say I enjoyed the opening of the movie a tad more than the end  because it was more original (as original as you can get in a rom-com).  There is no new ground here, but very capable comics doing a good job.  If you are looking for the same, maybe you want to check this out?  (I would give it 3.5 out of 5 stars)


"Man Up"
2015, R rated, 1 hour 28 minutes

A single woman seizes an opportunity when, while standing under a train station clock, she mets a stranger who mistakes her for his blind date.
Starring:  Lake Bell, Simon Pegg, Ophelia Lovibond
Genres:  Comedies, Romantic Comedies, Romantic Movies
This movie is Witty, Romantic