Movie #`1362 ........................."The Big Sick"

Movie #1362 "The Big Sick" --- I Loved this film.  Finally, a good solid comedy, a romantic comedy, no less, but it has so much more!  It really stands out as a very believable comedy --- what do I mean by that?  It doesn't appear to have jokes set up --- the humor comes out of the characters, and the every day things people say --- I found myself laughing a lot, but they weren't "jokes" per say, just normal stuff that comes across funny --- even the stand up comics aren't that funny --- you can tell they are trying out new stuff, just learning to do it.... the actors/actresses act so normally, the audience can't tell they are actually "acting" --- special kudos to the lead 4 --- I have never seen Kumail in a film, and he held his own with actresses like Zoe Kazan (good pedigree) and Holly Hunter --- so believable in really quirky "out there" kind of people.  And Good for Ray Romano --- he held his own, too, and did a fine job.  There wasn't a fake moment that I could see.  I guess one could make a case of how the Pakistani people come across (maybe a bit stereotypical?) but I feel I learned so much about that culture from watching the film, that I didn't think that was forced at all.  But then, I'm not pakistani, so I don't know how they would feel about the portrayal here.  All I can say is that it's about time we get a good solid comedy that would satisfy a lot of people in all age groups (well, not little kids, because the language is a bit raunchy in parts) I give it 4.8 out of 5 stars!!!

THE BIG SICK       2017       R   (it didn't seem like an R rated film , though)    

After meeting at a stand-up comedy show, funnyman Kumail and graduate student Emily embark on a romance. But as the expectations of his strict Muslim family create conflict between the couple, their relationship begins to crumble.

Cast: Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter,

Movie #1361 .........................."Five Flights Up"

Movie #1361 "Five Flights Up" based on the book I read "Heroic Measures" with Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman, playing the married couple who have been living in their Brooklyn place with their dog Dorothy for 30+ years, and now as they are aging, they are encouraged to move closer to Manhattan, where they would have an elevator in the building and a hospital and doctors closer.  If you are looking for a film that has car chases or fights or special effects, this is SO FAR from that kind of film.  It's very quiet, not a lot of action happens, it covers about about 2 days in their lives together, where they have to make a big decision whether to move or not.  It seems to hinge on the news of the day --- there's a possible terrorist situation on the bridge going into Brooklyn, and we know it's important to the rest of the story because it is on everyone's minds and on their t.v.'s through the whole film.  The married couple are also dealing with some other conflicts --- Dorothy is having major surgery, and they are treated like old people in many situations.  I liked the film, but it could have some more life in it -----it's a bit draggy.  Otherwise, I liked the quiet of the film, and I'd recommend it, if not just to see these two act together.  I'd give it 4 stars out of 5.


5 FLIGHTS UP   2015      PG-13          1 hour and 32 mins.

Married for four decades, New Yorkers Ruth and Alex have had a wonderful life together -- most of it spent in their cherished Brooklyn walk-up. But now that it's time to sell, the universe seems determined to thwart them.

Cast:  Diane Keaton, Morgan Freeman, Cynthia Nixon...

Movie #1360 ........................."Love and Friendship"

Movie #1360 "Love and Friendship" --    Well, the critics raved about this, audiences didn't like it near as well as they did, and I think I fell in the middle.  I LOVE Jane Austen, and I thought I had read everything by her, but this one (based on "Lady Susan") must have escaped me.  The story deals with Lady Susan (pretty much penniless) who is trying to marry off her daughter to some jerk guy just because he has money, and she can share in those riches as she ages.  I won't tell you the ending, but that, and the way there, are full of lots of jane austen snarkiness, broken hearts, and some double-dealing on male and female characters as they try to find love, but also try to rise to the top caste.  I liked the story, and most of the characters, and definitely the snappy dialogue, but I was not enamored with some of the actors, esp. the lead Kate Beckinsale (she was just okay --- one note, I felt) and Chloe Sevigny, who is usually a good actress, but I didn't think she fit into this film at all ---- too modern the way she looked and talked.



"LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP"     2016      1 hour and 32 minutes         4.0 stars out of 5

In this adaptation of a Jane Austen novella, scheming widow Lady Susan Vernon retreats to her in-laws' rural estate while waiting for scandalous rumors about her to subside. Soon, she's on the hunt for a husband -- and one for her teenage daughter.

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny, Xavier Samuel, .

Movie #1359 ........................."Life"

Movie #1359 "Life"  -- a sci fi thriller with Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhall?  How could I resist that?  However, it is scary, like "Alien", and bloody like Tarrentino films, with floaty people like "Gravity" and doom and gloom, like "Passengers."  So my point?  I felt it was pretty weak because it was so much like other films...... But it was overall weaker than many of them because  it had a thin plot, and even  thinner characterization.  It just moved from one bloody attack to the next, with not much depth of character --- nothing really to pull me in to the film.    Of course, I care bout Ryan Reynolds, but it shouldn't be that way to be a successful film emotionally --- we should care about the "characters" that are presented, and this film leaves no time for that.  So Yes, the bloodiness works , but the action is all the same and we, as a watcher, don't really care about these characters.

"LIFE"     2017          1 hr and 43 minutes                  i'd give this 3.8 out of 5 stars

Humans have long considered the possibility of life on Mars. So, when an International Space Station crew discovers a one-celled organism in a sample from the red planet, they're ecstatic -- until the tiny life-form displays a freakish intelligence.

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Ryan Reynolds, Rebecca Ferguson

Movie #1358 ........................."The Confirmation"

Movie #1358 "The Confirmation" was a film I personally appreciated, but I'm not so sure everyone would ---- the pacing is very slow --- pauses are taken for real, not staged ---- the whole film really centers around a caper for a boy and his father (who is an alcoholic) to grow closer just by looking for his stolen tool chest.  Not much ends up happening that is earth shattering, but the two (boy and his dad) move closer to each other.  That means that the two really steal the movie, and it's true that their scenes are oftentimes the best.  I'm not a cray fan of clive Owen, but that little boy from St. Vicent his remarkably belieavable!  But once again, I need to remind you just how slowly the film creeps along!  I didn't mind, but you might!  I'd give this film 3.8 out of 5 stars. and I streamed it on netflix.

THE CONFIRMATION       2016          PG13              2 hour and 41 minutes

When boozy carpenter Walt is offered a job, he thinks his bad luck may be changing -- only to find that someone has pilfered his toolbox. As Walt sets out with his estranged young son to hunt down the culprit, the pair unexpectedly form a bond.

Cast: Clive Owen, Maria Bello, Patton Oswalt,  

Movie #1357 ........................"We'll Never Have Paris"

Movie #1357 "We'll Never Have Paris" was a dud of a film --- oh, it had a few funny moments, but it was just way too overblown to be believable, something it has to be to get awkward humor across.  Yes, the lead are competent --- Simon Helberg (playing piano here again like in Foster Jenkins) from Big Bang Theory meets and falls in love with Melanie Lynskey (Rose from Two and 1/2 men).  Granted, I didn't see the very opening, but I saw enough to make a decision on this one --- too silly for me.  I'd give it 2.5.  I DID enjoy the translating scene with the French parents of Lynskey's new boyfriend.  But one scene isn't enough to recommend it to you .  You can skip this one!

"WE'LL NEVER HAVE PARIS"      2015          R rated            

After unintentionally breaking up with his longtime girlfriend while trying to propose, a neurotic, vacillating man-child pursues her to Paris -- only to discover that she's taken up with a handsome young Frenchman.

Cast: Simon Helberg, Melanie Lynskey, Zachary Quinto,

Movie #1356 ........................."Despicable Me 3"

Movie #1356 "Despicable Me 3" was a very strong sequel --- with this franchise, some audiences come to see the three little girls, others come to see Gru and the girl, still others (most of them) come to see the minions, so it's all a matter of how much of each is in the sequels ---- this one is very evenly balanced because of the use of "meanwhile back at the ranch" style editing.  So while Gru and his brother are up to something, the girl and his daughters are up to another, and the minions are always thrown into crazy situations.  So I would say this is a very strong 2nd sequel --- script is full of fun scenes and it goes at a rapid pace, with fine music.  Above all, what I liked the very most about the film is the highpoint fight ----- I'll just say that I was dreading that ultimate "fight" scenes but I loved the way they handled it!  You'll have to see it to understand what I mean.  So, yes, I say, go see this one --- very cute.  Of course, it helped that the little girl sitting behind dave took her hand and when mom wasn't looking was caught rubbing his bald head!  And she sang every minion song, very loud !  (which is quite a feat since they make up all their words, too!)  This is highly recommended and may your audience be as funny as the little girl behind us was!   4 stars out of 5

DESPICABLE ME 3        2017           PG

In the third installment of the franchise, Gru stages a battle with a former child star -- the now-grown Balthazar Bratt -- who's become obsessed with his 1980s screen persona and is intent on achieving world domination.

Cast: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Trey Parker, Steve Coogan