Movie #1325 ........................."Test Pilot"

Movie #1325 "Test Pilot" --- Watching TCM in the morning and saw that this film had Myrna Loy, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy ---- I thought that triumvirate sounded very strong so I sat down to watch it for a while.  It looked a lot like "Along Came Joe" with Spence, about test pilots that risk their lives so that others can feel safe when flying.  With that subject in mind, you can guess what the rest of the plot is about in this movie  ....... how both men love the same women, but one will probably die.  No surprises here....and some of the lines of dialogue are not good at all, but in the hands of the likes of these great actors, they are able to elevate the film.  Boy!  when you watch "Sully" this year, you can see how far we've come along in showing the art of flying in film!  I'd give this 3 out of 5 stars!








"TEST PILOT"  1938     1 hour and 59 minutes     3 out of 5 stars

Jim is a test pilot. His wife Ann and best friend Gunner try their best to keep him sober. But the life of a test pilot is anything but safe.

Director:

 Victor Fleming

Writers:

 Vincent Lawrence (screen play),  Waldemar Young(screen play)  | 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Clark Gable,  Myrna Loy,  Spencer Tracy

Movie #1324 ........................."Life, Animated"

Movie #1324 "Life, Animated" is an academy award nominated documentary on the life of an autistic kid who learns how to read and deal with the world through Disney animated films.  What a fun watch!  It follows hims using family films when he was little all the way up to a big speech he gives at a convention on autism.  And what a journey he has made!  I viewed  it while I was prepping for my Oscar gathering, and I had to sit down because it was so watchable!  He's such an endearing person that I immediately googled him after the film to get an update on his life  (and I probably will continue to do that because I feel the film enabled me to get close to him and care about him!) It is a wonder how the films have taught him so much,  and they enabled the person he really is, down deep inside, to come out and blossom. So say what you want about Disney and animation and film, but something is working here, and I hope it opens more doors to better communication with autistics.   The only negative was a scene in the film that was so effective and so meaningful and so wow!  occurred in the middle of the film, and I felt it should have been at the end.  But , otherwise, loved this a lot and give it 4 stars out of 5.

"LIFE, ANIMATED"     2016        1 hour 31 mins

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When once-chatty Owen Suskind stops speaking at age 3, the only stimuli he responds to are Disney films. Four years later, his dad breaks Owen's silence by talking to him as a character from one of those movies -- which suddenly opens up his world. 

Movie #1323 ........................."Blind Vaysha"

Movie #1323 "Blind Vaysha" is an unusual looking animated film amongst the other nominated ones -- it looks hand drawn all the way through.  And the topic of the her eye seeing the past and the other the future must have been said at least 5 times ---- I felt, I got it --- I thought it was a bit preachy.   But the main idea is a good one and symbolically it shows how you can't be one extreme or the other. I just didn't like the style all that much, and I thought it was too much of one note.  But I'd give it  3, for being really different!  But I don't think it's going to win the Academy Award.







"BLIND VAYSHA"    2016       8 minutes

Little Vaysha has a left eye that sees the past and a right eye that sees the future, preventing her from living in the present.

Initial release: June 26, 2016 (France)

Director: Theodore Ushev

Producer: Marc Bertrand

Screenplay: Theodore Ushev

Cast: Caroline Dhavernas

Nominations: Academy Award for Best Short Film (Animated), Canadian Screen Award for Best Animated Short

Movie #1322 ........................."Borrowed Time"

Movie #1322 "Borrowed Time" is an AA nominated animated short.  I think the focus is on post traumatic syndrome --- but not sure what the focus is because I ended up thinking so what? at the end of this short film.  But it looks good. It shows a big carriage accident , and that is handled well, along with the emotion for that scene.  I enjoyed it, but just thought there could be more for it.  3.5 out of 5 stars.


"BORROWED TIME"     2016       6 mins

A weathered Sheriff returns to the remains of an accident he has spent a lifetime trying to forget. With each step forward, the memories come flooding back. Faced with his mistake once again, he must find the strength to carry on.

Movie #1321 ........................."Morris from America"

Movie #1321 "Morris from America" is a feature film that is nominated for a Spirit Award for Saturday night this weekend, with the male lead up for best actor.  I think he has a good shot at it (he's the guy from the "Office").  The kid who plays Morris does a fine job here, too.  I didn't think there was a lot new here --- it's a coming of age film for a 13 year old who is just starting to like girls.  He has no friends yet in this new environment --- he's bullied because he is the only black kid in the school and he's American.  The kids in the school smoke weed and drink at their parties, but in front of teachers and other adults, they act upset that when he raps, he uses bad language.  He doesn't know where he can fit because other than the language he uses to rap, he has been leading a pretty squeaky clean life --- he's a good kid, and his dad has a great rapport with him.  He also has struck a nice relationship with his tutor, who looks out for him above and beyond her hour she spends with him daily.  I liked it, but I was uncomfortable what the film had this 13 year old do, esp. in one scene.  So I wouldn't recommend it to the young set, which is too bad because it is about them, but the language is pretty raw.  I would give this 3.5 out of 5.






"MORRIS FROM AMERICA"  2016      1 hour and 31 minutes     R-rated


 After moving to the provincial city of Heidelberg, Germany, African-American teen Morris Gentry has trouble making friends and takes refuge in hip-hop music -- until pretty Katrin enters the picture.

Cast: Craig Robinson, Markees Christmas, Carla Juri,

Movie #1320 ........................."Joe's Violin"

Movie #1320 "Joe's Violin" is an AA nominated short documentary that I saw today on vimeo, and it is very well done.  Very heartwarming.   The movie juxtaposes the 90+ year old holocaust survivor who was sent to Siberia with his father with a young 13 year old girl who gets the great gift of his detention camp violin that he no longer uses.  He wants to pass it down to someone who will use it and cherish it, and he finds just that person in this young girl.  There's some footage from the holocaust years interspersed with the reaction of the girl and her friends and her school and teachers finding out they are being gifted this prized possession.  I liked this a lot --- it's a feel good story among all the sadness, and we could use that.  I would rate it 3.8 out of 5 because it hit its mark and delivered, but could have given out a bit more information and insight into the situation.







"JOE'S VIOLIN"        24 mins        2016

A 91-year-old Holocaust survivor's violin donation during an instrument drive changes the life of a 12-year-old girl from the Bronx.

Release date: April 2016 (USA)

Directors: Kahane Cooperman, Raphaela Neihausen

Music composed by: Gary Meister

Cast: Joseph Feingold, Kokoe Tanaka-Suwan, Brianna Perez

Producers: Kahane Cooperman, Raphaela Neihausen

Nominations: Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject

Movie #1319 ........................."Fire at Sea"

Movie #1319 "Fire at Sea" is another academy award nominated documentary for this year, and this one I don't get why it was nominated.  It's too long, it has way too many gaps (at one point I was able to read WHILE I was watching it), and I have to admit I never did get to the end.  I think there was a 10 minute discussion about throwing up that I was following (or not)  at one point.  I applaud the topic  -- Europe's immigration struggles, but there isn't enough info given on what is going on --- the film primarily follows a little boy who tries to keep busy on this island, and he is a product of immigrating (doesn't he go to school?) and spends time making slingshots and shooting at cactus (that was a pretty long and boring sequence).  What I found much more interesting is the treatment of all these immigrants that come onto this island with very little infrastructure (like hospitals, etc.) to take care of them once they get there!  We see the guards frisking each and every one of them ---- but that's all I saw after watching it for an hour, but I'm assuming we find out what happens to them once that is over?  But not sure.  I just felt it should be worth the time since it was nominated, but I felt it wouldn't win, so I moved on.  Maybe some day when I have much more time, I might go back and see how it ends, but for now, I have other nominated films to watch.  2 stars out of 5.

"FIRE AT SEA"   2016   1 hour and 48 minutes


An island halfway between Sicily and Libya has become the vortex of Europe's immigration struggles, as observed in this documentary on Lampedusa, where more than 150,000 Africans each year make their first contact with European soil.

Cast: Samuele Puccilo, Mattias Cucina, Samuele Caruana, more...

Movie #1318 ........................."4.1 miles"

Movie #1318 "4.1 miles" is still another academy award nominated short documentary for this year, and it is on a popular subject, refugees trying to travel the 4.1 miles across dangerous sea in their inadequate boats to get from Turkey to a Greek Island.  Two men who man boats (not sure what they did before) find themselves going out constantly to save hundreds of people --- we go on a few boat trips with them and we are there as they try to save a mother and two children who have fallen into the water, and other travesties that occur, mostly to women and children.  It'll break your heart, esp. with what is going on right now all over the world with Syrian refugees.  I wish it gave more information , but it does give the impression that these boatmen are just two of many that find themselves thrown into first responding all of a sudden, and don't know what to do about it!  I'd give this 4 out of 5 stars ---- pretty powerful, what is here.

"4.1 MILES"    2016     26 mins

A coast guard captain on a small Greek island is suddenly charged with saving thousands of refugees from drowning at sea.

Director:

 Daphne Matziaraki

Stars:

 Christos Sapounas,  Giorgos Tsagarellis

Movie #1317 ........................."Extremis"

Movie #1317 "Extremis" is another short documentary nominated for an academy award this year, and it concerns one hospital dealing with a couple of cases that throw doctors and nurses and families into the huge problem of having to play god --- and decide to pull the breathing tube or not .  There's a mother, and the dad and daughter are dealing with the decision; there's a homeless man with no one but himself to make the decision, and a mother and daughter with brothers trying to help make the decision.  I have to admit, this movie puts me someplace I never want to be -- who would want to be thrown into this decision?  So it's uncomfortable in every sense of the word.  I wish there was more info dispensed in the film, and not just raw emotion......I wish it moved out of this one hospital and that it was a bit longer.  What's here is good, but after watching some of the other competitions in this category, I don't judge it as the best.


"EXTREMIS"  2016  24 mins

Available on netflix --- streaming.
A cherished life is slipping away.  In this time of grief, a family's love becomes both their anchor and their guide.

Movie #1316 ........................."The White Helmets"

Movie #1316 "The White Helmets" ---here is an AA nominated short documentary worthy of your watching -- it runs about 40 minutes but boy is it powerful.  It is not for young children, and even adults will find it difficult to watch.  However, what it smartly does is go back and forth from the actual footage of these white helmets pulling people out of recently bombed structures to the white helmets being interviewed about why they do this........It is available to stream on netflix (it is backed by netflix) so it gives it an edge over the other nominees in accessibility, but it's difficult to imagine another short doc that is much better (although I think I read 3 of the 5 nominated in this category concern Syria).  A quick synopsis of this film:  it introduces us to some of the guys saying goodbye to their families and  going to work --- so they look like firefighters, etc.   Then, when you (and they) watch a military (Russian) plane dropping a load of barrel bombs (the most destructive), instead of turning away, they get in their trucks and cars and run TO the destruction, quickly pulling out dead and alive bodies as quickly as they can, running up and down stairs finding out who lived in the building and where he/she is.  Unbelievable footage here --- They have been in existence since 2013, have saved over 58,000 lives (and lost some 125+ of their own)  They respond to scores of airstrikes every day, and since Russia has stepped in, situation has gone from bad to worse because Russia is targeting civilians (even hospitals!) while saying they are helping.... Part of the film goes away from the airstrikes to show how these untrained men are getting some training by traveling to southern turkey to find out how to use sound equipment, etc.  I don't know the film manages it, but by the end, you are smiling and left with some hope since their mantra is:  without hope, we die.  Here's an added thing about this film that brought tears to my eyes.  Here they are nominated and probably will win in this category, and the academy would want to give them an award and possibly a standing ovation for this group of people, but because of the recent ban, they will not be allowed into the country.  (That may change, but that's how it stands now ).  Check it out on netflix and I don't think you will be disappointed.  4.8  out of 5 stars.  I just wish it was a tad longer with more information on who funds them, and a brief history lesson maybe?


"THE WHITE HELMETS"       2016        40mins.

As daily airstrikes pound civilian targets in Syria, a group of indomitable first responders risk their lives  to rescue victims from the rubble .  

Movie #1315 ........................."13th"

Movie #1315 "13th" is a not-to-be-missed documentary that is nominated for an academy award this Sunday.  It deals with the 13th amendment which declared that, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."  It shows you how our government has gotten around this amendment through all the years to the present,  mostly with mass incarceration, because there is a loophole above ("except as a punishment for crime...") I must say that I am a tough audience for documentaries; i.e. I don't like a lot of them because they seem to go on and on to me (they don't seem edited well nor edited enough) and they tend not to use the variety of ways to get across information that are available (and depend on just interview or whatever).  But this is one of the best I have ever seen ---- from the opening statistics that are given to us (that we have 5% of the total world population but have 40% in our jails, and there's a huge statistic of how many of those jailed people have been black) until the very end (where I was moved to tears about all the violence that has occurred these past couple of months in the streets of our cities), I was glued to the screen (it can be streamed on netflix right now).  I noticed that there were so many 5's (which is what I would give it), but then occasionally a 1 --- so I wondered what could be the argument against this obviously fine film (done by a female director, I might add) and the major accusation was that it has an agenda ---- to me, an agenda in documentaries is a focus, and  what good  documentary doesn't have one?  If the accusation is that it leans Republican or Democrat, that's incorrect because this problem of  mass incarceration has been deeply imbedded in our society since the Civil War and through most of the presidencies, whether they were one or the other....one other argument I read was that the film offers no solutions ---- but, once again, a good documentary might support the argument and not give solutions ---- that seemed obvious to me with this problem because it is understood that  there are no easy solutions at all --- the film's purpose was to bring to light a huge problem we have and to educate us on it. In addition, the film was meant  to open some eyes by showing us historically how we've gotten to where we are and why we possibly could have more problems right now --- as long and as informative as this film is, there were still some parts of the problem that weren't addressed, so I hope I can see more on this subject.  But my reaction to this film  was a wow!  not-to-be-missed film here.  Everyone should see it.  5 out of 5 stars.

"13TH"         2016            1 HOUR 40 MINS

In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.  Many people interviewed including:  Angela Davis, Corey Booker, and Newt Gingrich.

Here are comments by  Ava DuVernay, Oscar nominee for her documentary "13th" 

My thanks to the Academy for amplifying the injustices of mass criminalization and mass incarceration that we chronicle in '13th.' Now more than ever, it is important to educate ourselves, explore our shared history and elevate our awareness about matters of human dignity.

It’s an honor be included in a category with such fine documentarians and to be nominated in a year that truly embraces and celebrates inclusion within our creative community.

 

Movie #1314 ........................."Learning to Drive"

Movie #1314 "Learning to Drive"  is a movie I sat down to watch tonight with different ages (two older) and at first I was embarrassed because of the language (it's rated R for it) and a couple of love scenes, but if you look beyond those, it's a very enlightening film about a lot of subjects, handled well by more than capable actors, the great Ben Kingsley, and the equally great Patricia Clarkson (and what looked to be a mostly female tech crew). She's just been dumped after 20+ years of marriage for another woman ---- she has depended on her husband for everything--- she can't even drive!  and now she  decides she must learn, and Kingsley  becomes her teacher, her friend, and maybe something more......and as their relationship builds, they grow into better people because of it.  And we do , too, by watching their journeys.  It is an unusual film that shows you what it is like to be Indian (but labeled Muslim) meeting up with white upper middle class --- you don't think they have a lot in common, but a real relationship can develop if there's listening mixed in with a little respect for each other.   A good lesson for us all in this day and age, I think.  I would give this 4 stars out of 5 --- wish it didn't have the language, but it's there.


"LEARNING TO DRIVE"       2015    R      1 hour 30 minutes

When soon-to-be-divorced Wendy Shields signs up for driving lessons, her instructor is Darwan, a Sikh immigrant to America. Though their cultural perspectives are poles apart, the two begin to develop a bond that transcends their differences.

Cast: Patricia Clarkson, Ben Kingsley, Jake Weber,

Movie #1313 ........................."Hologram for the King"

Movie #1313 "Hologram for the King" was a Tom Hanks' film I hadn't seen in the movie theatre and sat down to watch it the other night.  Not so much here.  It's a not-so-interesting film with a likable character, one whom we can identify with (Tom Hanks) , and that's about it.  By the end you wonder why you watched it all the way to the end, but more importantly, why did Tom Hanks bother doing it?  The only redeeming thing, besides Hanks' performance, is that it is topical ---- it's the ugly American (Trump?) barreling into a country with a big business promotion, but he doesn't bother to follow the very important tourist "law":  When in Rome, do what the Romans do.  So one who sits and watches this film not only can see the constant mistakes Hanks and his crew make dealing with Saudi Arabia, but we also get to learn some things about this country that we can use if we ever travel there.  I am always up for learning about another culture, so for this reason, I might recommend this, but it's so slow, and plodding, and repetitious, and humorless, and awkward in gaps, that the movie is hard to watch because it's so clunky.   So this is a toss up --- I'm glad I watched it because I enjoyed learning a little about the Saudi Arabian culture, and I also enjoyed watching Tom Hanks in some love scenes (he's usually squeaky clean), but it might be uninteresting to many (out of three in my household, only I finished it!)  I give it 3 out of 5 stars.


"HOLOGRAM FOR THE KING"     2016     R rated       1 hour 37 min.

Teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, U.S. businessman Alan Clay tries to reverse his fortunes by landing a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia. As Alan attempts to navigate his way through an unfamiliar culture, he unexpectedly finds romance.

Cast: Tom Hanks, Alexander Black, Sarita Choudhury (excellent portrayal of his doctor!)

Movie #1312 ........................."Laggies"

Movie #1312 "Laggies" -- I enjoyed this one, and I thought I would because of the cast -- Keira Knightly, Chloe Grace Moretz and Sam Rockwell are some of my favorite actors in movies, but I was also surprised that I enjoyed the ideas behind the story, as well.  Here's Keira Knightly who is a 29 year old who finds herself at a crossroads and doesn't know where to go next --- in job, in love, in friends.........she hasn't really "grown up" and changed her boyfriend from high school, her friends, and her idea for a future job --- and she's getting growing pains --- kind of outgrowing all of them.  Now where to turn.  Well, she sees her young self in Chloe and latches on to her to fall back into that life for a few days.  By doing that, things become clearer --- but something happens along the way that clouds the "love" issue for her, something unexpected, and I'm not sure how believable it is ....let's just say,  if it weren't  these people doing the film, I'm not sure I would have  believed her journey in the film .....but because they are all so capable,  I just went along, and found it a nice romantic comedy, with likable people trying to work  their lives out.  For these reasons, I would recommend it (but not for all ages --- the older part of me  just wanted to tell Keira to just grow up, so you might feel that way if you can't identify with her struggle).  I give it 3.8 stars out of 5.

"LAGGIES"     2014        1 hour 40 minutes        R rated

28-year old Megan is stuck in permanent adolescence and unable to find her calling in life. When her boyfriend proposes to her unexpectedly, she panics and runs into a 16-year old girl, who forces Megan to come to terms about her future.

Cast: Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell

Laggies

2014 R Rated R1hr 40m

rated 3.5 stars

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28-year old Megan is stuck in permanent adolescence and unable to find her calling in life. When her boyfriend proposes to her unexpectedly, she panics and runs into a 16-year old girl, who forces Megan to come to terms about her future.

Cast: Keira Knightley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell

Movie #1311 ........................."Hello, My Name is Doris"

Movie #1311 "Hello, My Name is Doris" -- as soon as I saw the trailer, I wanted to see this because I am a fan of Sally Field, and I think she usually makes good decisions on the films she is in. But  this walks on the edge.  I personally enjoyed it, but I am not sure I'd recommend it for lots of people.  What I didn't know from the trailer is that SHE thinks that this young guy is a possibility for  being her soul mate ---- I thought from the trailer that it was a reality, and the film was about someone younger falling in love with someone older.  Wrong! If you know that, and the film still seems intriguing to you, go right ahead and see it, but it has a lot more drama than the trailer suggested.  Yes, there are some fun moments (see Sally Field dancing to a very alternative group is a stitch! And the concert of this same group is fun to watch), but most is about her friendship with Tyne Daly and Daly's grandaughter.  And her coming to terms with hoarding for years and years.  So, bottom line --- if you are a sally field fan, or the above sounds interesting to you, see this.  otherwise, this is a "can skip" one.  I give it 3.5 stars out of 5.

"HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS"     R        1 HOUR 30 MIN., 2016

Inspired by insights gained through a self-help seminar, 60-year-old Doris Miller brazenly steps forward to pursue the affections of a much younger co-worker -- and inadvertently becomes a hit with his hipster cohorts.

Cast: Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs,

Movie #1310 .........................."Free State of Jones"

Movie #1310 "Free State of Jones" was a tough movie to watch (much like "12 years a slave") -- it is a history lesson but from a different angle --- we are following a Confederate soldier who is a medic and he sees how plantation owners who are bleeding are treating better than others; he also feels that blacks are people, too, so when he goes awol, he heads for the swamps and hides among the blacks and other southerners whose houses/land that were taken over by Confederate soldiers.  He starts up a  militia and tries to get more guns from the North --- they are hesitant to give them much, so the militia decides they just will take over the counties that they can and call it a free state.   I had never heard of this story, so it was quite eye-opening to follow where it was going.  Then, the film goes even further, into reconstruction, which includes the rise of the KKK where there are hangings that are so brutal to watch (one in particular of a much loved character in the film) , but also hangings of people who have come out of the swamp because they are afraid of the Confederate soldiers, just to be killed by them anyway.  The whole film is a story within a story --- but there isn't too much said on the outside story except it is a son of jones who wants to marry a white girl, and the court is saying he is part black --- there is some mystery the way this court case is presented, so I guess the director thought it would sustain our interest.  Because there wasn't much there, it seem to distract from the story a little, but I understand why they put it in, just a bit clumsy in the presentation.  Acting is good --- Matthew McConaughey, Keri Russell, Gugu Mbatha-Raw (again great!) and academy award nominee Mahershala Ali (from "Moonlight" and "House of Cards").  3.8 out of 5 stars.

"FREE STATE OF JONES"     2016      R rated       2 hr  19 mins    

As the Civil War rages on, Mississippi farmer Newton Knight, his neighbors and a ragtag group of slaves band together and lead Jones County to secede from the Confederacy, establishing a mixed-race free state in the heart of the South.

Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Keri Russell, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali.

Movie #1309 ........................"Concussion"

Movie #1309 "Concussion" was a movie I wanted to see for a while, and what better time to see it was the night before the Super Bowl, right?  It took a little while to get used to Will Smith's accent (much like getting used to Natalie Portman's Jackie Kennedy), but all over, he did a fine job getting this very highly educated, earnest, but naive neurosurgeon (Brain Expert) across.  But the performance I really enjoyed watching the most here is his roommate/girlfriend/eventual wife and mother of his child played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw (who was in the next movie I am blogging on, too).  She was memorizing to me --- the camera loved her, her eyes, the way she looked at him.  What a find!  But then, when I looked her up, I discovered that she did another performance that I loved --- she was the lead in "Belle,"  a movie overlooked years ago, but one that I loved when I had seen it.  (and if you didn't get a chance to see it, it is available on netflix -- excellent historical film on race relations) Anyway, back to this one .....the storyline is pretty straight forward and ripped from the events we watched unfold in front of us on the news periodically as Pittsburgh Steelers were dying from what this doctor found was their head injuries (from football).  Of course, the NFL tries to shut the info out so it's a david vs. goliath story so nothing new there.  But like the movie Sully, we didn't hear the whole story, so this is played out here in more detail, and I liked that --- I liked getting to be up close to this doctor as the information came across his desk.  But it is slow moving, as his research was --- it was full of starts and stops and he got shut down pretty much wherever he went because of his research on concussions.  The percentage in  the end blurb  (some 25% of football players will be negatively affected by concussions from playing profooball) is pretty frightening and leaves a strong impression on this viewer.  The story deserved to be shown, and I'm glad it got into the theatres.  After seeing it, I wondered why it wasn't mentioned for awards, and I can see why they would feel that Will Smith was passed over last year.  I agree.  I think he should have been there instead of Michael Fassbender (but no one could have beaten Leo last year!  hah!)  But that's water over the bridge, but now I understand why he and his wife and others spoke out last year when there were few nods to blacks and hispanics. Okay, but disclaimer here.....the film was preaching to the choir with me --- not a fan of football, never was, never will be.  I wondered how this played out to big fans of the sport. (p.s.  I watched it alone, so that's why I'm asking).  I give this a 3.5 out of 5 and recommend it.

"CONCUSSION"      2015       2 hours 3 mins      PG-13

When Dr. Bennet Omalu's autopsy studies lead him to conclude that multiple concussions could be the underlying cause of the brain disorders suffered by many U.S. football players, he encounters harsh resistance from the NFL establishment.

Cast: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Albert Brooks

Movie #1308 .........................."Deepwater Horizon"

Movie #1308 "Deepwater Horizon" was an intense movie I saw the other night, on a subject I followed in the news --- the explosion of he oil rig in 2010 that caused several men to die who were walking on it at the time.  Maybe it was just me, but from the beginning of the film, I had trouble following what was going on.  They very rarely made it clear to a layman what they were talking about.  I could follow the gist of it, because I had seen a play on the same subject which was so much better in helping us understand the ins and outs of the oil rig and what basically happened when it blew, but the film did not.  I really gave up after a while and just watched the very good special effects. And that's about all I can say that I really enjoyed about the film.  Perhaps if you like action films,  and you can follow more easily the details in the film, you probably will enjoy it much more.  I just didn't.  3 stars out of 5.


DEEPWATER HORIZON   2016      PG-13       1 hour and 47 minutes

Replaying the catastrophic explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in 2010, this tense drama recounts the horrific experiences of the 126 crew members onboard and the numerous acts of courage that saved untold lives.

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich,