Movie #1490 ........................."Abacus: small enough to jail"

Movie #1490 "Abacus:  small enough to jail" --- well, I am trying to see all the documentaries that are nominated for an Oscar this year, and I had seen "Faces/Places" which I raved about in an earlier blog (and long before it was nominated), and I can say this doesn't come near to that one --- it IS an interesting story, but not to last for as long as this film does.  It goes way way way too long. I got it after 30 minutes.  The rest of the story just seems repetitive.  So I would give it a weak 3 and say:  you really don't have to see this one, unless the topic below intrigues you.

"ABACUS;  SMALL ENOUGH TO JAIL"     2017   NR    1 hour and 30 minutes (60 mins too long)

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail tells the saga of the Chinese immigrant Sung family, owners of Abacus Federal Savings of Chinatown, New York. Accused of mortgage fraud, the indictment and trial forces the Sung family to defend themselves -- and their bank's legacy in the Chinatown community -- over the course of a five-year legal battle

Movie #1489 ........................."Maudie"

Movie #1489 ---"Maudie"  --- what an intriguing film --- and based on a true story about Maude Lewis, the painter, who is quite physically affected by  rheumatoid arthritis and pretty much written off by her family, but she has the will power to go it on her own and meets up with a reclusive farmer (with anger management problems) --- but they click.  They are both so lonely and they serve each others' need.  To watch Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke flesh out these two lonely outcasts of society is something else, and I recommend it if you are in the mood to see a character-driven film.  But turn the volume up or get subtitles, because Sally talks softly and mumbles occasionally (lacks confidence at first), and Ethan grunts a lot.

"MAUDIE"        2017       PG-13      1 HOUR and 55 mins.

This affecting biopic charts the story of Maud Lewis, who rises above the juvenile rheumatoid arthritis that made her a social outcast and finds a passion for painting, becoming a beloved Canadian folk artist in the process.

Cast: Sally Hawkins, Ethan Hawke, Kari Matchett

Movie #1488 ........................."Loving Vincent"

Movie #1488 "Loving Vincent" was an amazing animated film that I really really liked.  It was beautiful.  I only wish I was more familiar with Van Gogh's work (I found the 2 or 3 nods to the famous ones I know he's done, but.....) .I wish I  knew more of his work!   I also wish that it gave even more information on his life ---- when we are done watching the film, we get a lot of info: I just wish there was even more because I found what was here was quite intriguing.  The film is a mixture of real people superimposed on animated figures --- I'm not sure how they did it, but it's a marvel.  You can stream it right now, so please do because I think you will like it, and it's a nomination for best animation --- quite deserving!  I liked it better than "Coco" but I think "Coco" will win this category.  I give this 4 stars out of 5.

"LOVING VINCENT"     2017     1 hour and 35 minutes    PG-13

This animated biopic recounts the life and last days of tormented Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, with each frame of the film consisting of an oil painting executed in the master's style and a plot based on letters he penned.

Cast: Douglas Booth, Jerome Flynn, Robert Gulaczyk, Chris O'Dowd.

Movie #1487 .........................."The Greatest Showman"

Movie #1487 "The Greatest Showman" -- if you like musicals, you will love this film because the music is energetic, all the performers are passionate, the story is easy to follow and has some good conflict , and it is nicely photographed and choreographed.  If it bothers you that people in mid sentence start to sing, don't bother seeing this film.  One thing I have to say is I think out of all the singing, there was only a very small number of ballads that slowed the momentum down.  I have to admit the songs started blending into each other except for three show stoppers:  "The Greatest Show," " Rewrite the Stars," and the academy- award- nominated one, "This Is Me" --- I have seen now all the academy- award -nominated films, and the song here is the best, bar none.  It speaks for all the people P.T. gathers in his "show,"  it speaks for all the women in the me, too movement, and it speaks for all the people being hassled by the Trump administration -- it is all inclusive, topical, and just a wonderful song that is the focus of the film, so it should win!  And it certainly helps that  it was very moving, the way it was presented.  It's unfortunate that the film has had controversy following it ---- P.T. is not the hero that this film makes him out to be.  That's original!  When did we ever take a film at its word???? But I went in with the controversy in mind, and I really didn't see the film was about that.  It shows a human being who makes mistakes, and who maybe could change his ways once he can see how destructive he's been ---- yeah, maybe P.T. never made that change, but I can see why the film  went in that direction --- what a bummer if it didn't end the way it did!!!! So I was entertained, informed and happy after seeing the film, so I would recommend it to people who would like to see a musical --- it was fun and I give it 4 stars out of 5.

"THE GREATEST SHOWMAN"     2017      PG      2 hours

Behind "The Greatest Show on Earth" was one of history's greatest showmen, P.T. Barnum. This musical biopic centers on Barnum's creation of the three-ring circus and his infatuation with Swedish songbird Jenny Lind.

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams

Movie #1486 ........................."Phantom Thread"

Movie #1486 "Phantom Thread" is the think piece of the 2017 batch of films because I saw it about a week ago, and I have  been thinking about it ever since.  There's quite a bit involved in the film, even though the pacing is very slow.  There's a power struggle here, and it was intriguing to watch and study  how it all ends.  There's much to like in the film--- the sets, the costumes, the cinematography, and the acting.  You find out what a famous designer's life is on a daily basis, how he meets his muse, and how she wants more than just to be his muse.  So the film is very topical, making comments on the women's movement in that time period, but also in our time, as well.  If this is Daniel Day Lewis' last film, it's a pity, because he  totally embodies this Mr. Woodcock's character from beginning to the ending of the film, and the women are quite formidable sparring partners --- one his wife, the other his sister, and they give powerful performances, as well.  The film in style is quite Hitchcockian to me, and it was fun watching that style in a today's film.  It isn't for everyone --- I'm afraid it might be too slow and too "out there" for many viewers, but I found the story quite ambitious, entertaining, and challenging.  I give it 4 stars out of 5.

"PHANTOM THREAD"         2017       R          4 stars out of 5

Set in 1950s London, this behind-the-scenes drama centers on the high-stakes world of couture as a headstrong dressmaker sees his career catapult to the next level when members of the royal family begin commissioning his designs.

Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville, Vicky Krieps

Movie #1485 ..........................."Darkest Hour"

Movie #1485 "Darkest Hour" -- I really enjoyed this film.  You could hardly recognize Gary Oldman, the makeup is so believable.  This doesn't go through more than a few weeks of his life, but they are probably the most crucial he even spent --- trying to decide what to do with the soldiers that have been stranded at Dunkirk -- and ultimately to have a standoff or not with Hitler.  It was a deciding factor in WWII, and it was very intriguing to be there in the "room where it happened" --- where big decisions on the fate of the world were being discussed, UK style.  I also enjoyed watching how the British parliament works, along with seeing all the sets, finding out information on his loving wife Clementine (played impeccably by Kristin Scott Tomas) , appreciating the lighting and cinematography.  But make no mistake, this is a very talkie film, but I think it is one of the best of 2017,  and I recommend it.   I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.  P.S.   Gary Oldman has best actor in a bag, in my opinion.  So maybe go see the movie for that, but once in there, I think you'll enjoy the story, too!

"DARKEST HOUR"      2017  PG-13     2 hours and 5 mins

Winston Churchill's stirring defiance of the Nazi threat is the focus of this historical drama that depicts his fearless refusal to surrender Britain to Adolf Hitler and his relentless army during World War II's early days.

Cast: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ben Mendelsohn

Movie #1484 ........................."Marshall"

Movie #1484 "Marshall" was a stylish film --- nice look, good idea for a film --- it was interesting to me to be in the world of Thurgood Marshall for a few months.  He's moving his way up , with one Supreme Court ruling under his belt, and he's now being sent to defend blacks who are innocent but in jail for a wrongdoing they didn't commit -- he goes to the big cases in the present in the film, and in some instances, like this, he needs a shill (Josh Gad, a jewish lawyer with very little experience in a rape trial) to speak for him in the court because he is not allowed to speak in his client's defense.  (He has a reputation for winning most of his cases.  The   Josh Gad character has to learn quite quickly how to act in this kind of trial and really take it all the way to the end when Marshall has to leave because his wife lost the baby she was carrying.  I never got pulled in emotionally --- some dialogue was stilted, the secondary people seemed staged, and the story was predictable, but Chaz Boseman and Sterling K Brown (from "This is us") are so good, it was hard to not watch them work their way through this historical biopic of the future first black on the supreme court. I'd give it 3.8 out of 5.

"MARSHALL"       2017     PG-13       1 HOUR AND 58 MINS.

Recounting an early case of attorney Thurgood Marshall -- who would later become the first African-American Supreme Court justice -- this riveting drama depicts his defense of a black chauffeur accused of sexual assault.

Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Josh Gad, Kate Hudson,

Movie #1483 ........................."The Dinner Game"

Movie #1483 "The Dinner Game" -- French with english subtitles -- what a gem of a film, only runs 1 hour and 20 minutes with a very tight script.  I hate when a story is overly exaggerated to the point of being silly, but this actually made sense all the way through --- it is truly about a nerdy guy who is invited to one of those dinner con games, where guests are asked to bring an idiot!  This to-be guest makes objects like the Eiffel Tower out of matchsticks!  When something happens that the the inviter gets incapacitated and take take the nerd to dinner, he gets all that he deserves and more by spending time with the matchstick guy!  I chuckled several times, but I was most impressed with the witty script.  I recommend it if you are looking for a tease of a film --- this was a nice surprise.  4 stars out of 5.

" THE DINNER GAME"    1998       PG-13         1 hour and 21 minutes

Writer-director Francis Veber's clever comedy shadows a group of French intellectuals who gather each Wednesday night for a dinner game, in which the challenge is to bring along the most idiotic guest. Pierre (Thierry Lhermitte) thinks he's found a ringer in François (Jacques Villeret), a civil servant whose passion is making architectural models out of matchsticks. But Pierre gets more than he bargained for when François becomes his houseguest.

Cast: Thierry Lhermitte, Daniel Prévost, Francis Huster,

Movie #1482 ........................."The Shape of Water"

Movie #1482 "The Shape of Water"    --- I know this movie has gotten a lot of good press --- 96% on rotten tomatoes.com (although 82% from the public) , some golden globe nominations and wins, and probably is considered oscar worthy, but I never bought into it at all.  And I am a huge fan of love stories.  Yes, it was a beautifully shot film , but the story has been done a lot before --- it tries to be E.T. but fails.  It's Beauty and the Beast without fleshing out the Beast at all --- it becomes a sexual relationship after a few hard boiled  eggs, and I found that quite unbelievable.  Here we have a mute character who is so lonely, longing to be loved, to be sexually active (there are some bathroom scenes that show that - ugh! ) , some REAL problems, and some creature from the deep lagoon comes in, eats a hard boiled egg she gave him, somehow communicates with her (how? is he god?) and bam, her desperation to have sex has them couple that quickly?  I didn't buy it as love at all..... there was a creepiness to it --- I know that we usually applaud "different" but "different" doesn't necessarily mean better, if the film fails to engage the viewer --- which it did with me.  I looked at my watch several times as it went on and on and on. There are also holes in the story --- just to point out a few --- the Octavia Spencer character is her best friend, eats lunch with her, works with her on a daily basis --- it's set up she is a creature of habit --- so the bf doesn't notice she goes to the creature to lunch with him a couple of days in a row?  strange.  Why does the Schulbarg character, who knows the Russians are expecting a corpse from him, show up to meet up with them without a weapon or a plan?  He's a smart man, but that seemed foolish.  There's more of those moments that just don't add up --- and it ended up to be not all that different because we know the story and where it will go from the beginning.... no surprises, not a successful love story, not much to see here, in my opinion.   However, it's pretty, the motif with greens and blues, another motif of the importance of films, the nod to film when she has her first sexual encounter, Sally Hawkins and the mute character telling off the bad guy with sign language, Richard Jenkins who  is always fun to watch (though his story doesn't go far enough nor finish), and  the rain scenes -- all add to the visual imagery, and the music is all encompassing and becomes a character itself.  And in a year of mediocre films, this surfaces above others, but not that much.  It's just okay. But I don't need to recommend it nor see it again.  3 out of 5.
P.S.  Make sure you hear the last line --- it's the best line of dialogue in the whole film, to me!

"THE SHAPE OF WATER"      rated R       2017         2 hours

During the Cold War era, lonely Elisa works as a cleaning lady in a top-secret U.S. government laboratory. But her life is altered forever after she and a co-worker stumble upon a hush-hush experiment.

Cast: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins

Movie #1481 ........................."Mudbound"

Movie #1481 "Mudbound" is a good solid rendition of the excellent book by the same name.  The book and movie's storyline follows two major families, one black, the other white, both sharecropping on the white farmer's land.  The time period is in the 1940s, with one white member of one  family and one black from the other  going off to war and then coming back.  The shared PTSD they are both suffering from bring them together, and this bromance causes problems in the KKK-plagued south after WWII, where this book and movie take place.  There are huge differences between the movie and the book, including a different ending in the movie (which my book club preferred).  My book club had read the book, and then we viewed the film together, and we discussed after the film some other differences:  Florence's character was cut shorter, Henry comes across one-sided in the film, a few pieces of action were switched around but that made the telling more dramatic for the film,  & the relationship between Laura and Henry doesn't have the depth it had in the book. The screenplay writer wanted this movie to help elevate the book to  be the most recent "To Kill A Mockingbird," and I wouldn't go so far to praise it that much, but I recommend this book as  a very strong addition to any of our libraries  on racial inequality.  It's definitely a strong condemnation on the inequality between blacks and whites --- the book and movie are very hard to watch/read (for eg., there'a a raw  KKK scene)  and the language and all around lack of respect for the blacks will make you embarrassed and angry, but all the emotions and discussion that the book & movie evoke is good for us to have and to have often.  And there is a glimmer of hope that respect CAN be obtained between the two races, albeit on a one-to-one.... One added comment --- this film has had some Oscar buzz ---- I think Ronsell's character (Jason Mitchell)  does some oscar -worthy acting, but not Mary K. Blige --- her  part is short and one note, pretty much, but her song could  be nominated.  The cinematography union nominated the female dp on this film,  but blade Runner won that award --- I thought the film was really dark on the netflix channel  both times I saw it  (so far, streaming through netflix is the only way to see it) --- it's too bad it wasn't released in a theatre.   I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

"MUDBOUND"       2017      R

In 1940s Mississippi, two families come into conflict after the white McAllan clan acquires the cotton farm lived on by the Jacksons, black tenant farmers who have tilled the land for generations.
Cast: Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Jason Mitchell

Directed by 

Dee Rees

Writing Credits  

Virgil Williams	...	(screenplay by) and
Dee Rees	...	(screenplay by)
Hillary Jordan	...	(novel)

   

Movie #1480 ........................."13 Reasons Why"

Movie #1480 "13 Reasons Why" was a t.v. show I bingewatched , and it is a very important one that needs to be seen by many, esp. parents WITH their kids.  I'm sure you have heard the basic premise:  a h.s. girl, a victim of bullying in her school, commits suicide, and instead of leaving one note, she leaves 13 tapes, each one dedicated to a reason why she has done it.  The t.v. show episodes  unveil each of the kids and the story as it progresses through the tapes, with Clay being the lead guy (Tape 10), who has just received the tapes and is now having an extremely tough time going through listening to them because he was in love with the dead girl and is going through grief.  I can't speak enough on how intricate and witty and successful the editing and storytelling is, esp. when it overlaps in location --- for example, a scene plays out between Hannah and her girlfriend Sherry in the local coffee shop, as the camera pans to Clay who is in the present looking at the table where it happened..... It might not make sense as I put it in writing, but if you watch it, you would understand.  I know this show has been controversial with some parents saying that it might give copycat ideas for  this kind of action, but i disagree --- this is a subject that NEEDs to be talked about, and from what I remember about teaching h.s. kids, it seemed very realistic in many situations.  Yes, there is too much violence (disclaimer, two rapes), too many fights, and the last three tapes, in particular, are very very tough to watch ,  but the bullying and the dynamics within the halls of the school seemed very raw and real to me.  The film doesn't come down heavily on just one area -- it doesn't just blame parents, or the bullying kids, or the counselor and the school, but it says when all of this fails the one girl, then this might happen.  But it doesn't leave them off the hook, though, either.  It is very obvious that everyone should  feel guilty about what has happened .  There's a a way of thinking that many of us use automatically when a tragedy like this happens:  We all tend to  say to others and ourselves that the victim was ultimately to blame for suicide --- after all, he/she took his/her own life, and there's just so much we can do as their friends or family members.  But this t.v. show underlines very much that we DO have a lot to do with it and we need to remind ourselves everyday to look out for others, and be so much more caring than we are.  And this needs to be said over and over again.....this is a subject that we do not talk about enough and we should!!!!! ( give it 4.5 stars out of 5)

"13 REASONS WHY"         2017       1 season

Many suicide victims go to their graves without explanation. But before killing herself, teen Hannah Baker arranges for her audio diaries to be sent to a classmate, who's instructed to pass them along to 12 other students who had a part in her death.

Cast

Katherine Langford, Dylan Minnette,Brandon Flynn, Miles Heizer, Alisha Boe,Devin Druid, Ross Butler, Christian Navarro, Justin Prentice, Derek Luke,Ajiona Alexus, Kate Walsh, Amy Hargreaves, Michele Selene Ang, Steven Silver, Tommy Dorfman, Brian d'Arcy James

Movie #1479..........................."David Letterman: My Next Guest Needs No Introduction"

Movie #1479 "David Letterman: My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" -- we heard about this new show Letterman has, and so we found it on netflix and watched it last night and loved it.  Of course, there's only one one-hour episode with President Barak Obama, so far (the next is George Clooney but not available yet) , but what fun --- it was a relaxed, insightful, intelligent discussion between the two recent out-of-jobbers - a sort of a catch up on what they have been doing since and other pertinent information about the most recent developments in the government.  It is short of an hour, some parts include a brief interview with John Lewis about Selma, and the show leaves you wanting more.  5 out of 5.

"DAVE LETTERMAN:  MY NEXT GUEST NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION" --- 2018   54 mins.
on Netflix.

Movie #1478 ........................."The Post"

Movie #1478 "The Post" -- the other day I saw three movies in one day (trying to catch up on the Oscar frenzy) , and this one ended up to be the best of the lot --- better than many I have seen this year --- one of the best, and I guess it's mostly the quality and the topic of the film.  As the film opens, there are about 10 minutes dedicated to the Viet Nam War, and I couldn't look away --- instead, I was marveling at the lighting on the soldiers' eyes, the beautiful way the ugliness of the war was being photographed --- all a reminder of what a master filmmaker  Spielburg is.  Besides having the movie in the best hands, the actors are exemplary, esp. Meryl Streep.  I thought from the trailer that this was going to be a ho hum production for her, but I couldn't be more wrong.  Yes, at the beginning while she's getting this stiff character of Katharine Graham across, one notices that evidently Graham was cold, stoic, using her face very little, so that's what you see in Streep.  That makes her uninteresting, until you get deeper into her psyche --- and who better than Streep to get that across, sometimes with little dialogue.  Hanks is okay, and helpful, but not Academy Award calibre --- the secondary crew are good, but not really on screen for long enough to show a multisided character --- and it was nice seeing Tracy Letts in still another good job at supporting (he's in "Lady Bird" as the dad, too).  But to the crux of why I preferred this movie over the others --- the subject matter.  It speaks to the times now on a subject that is near and dear to me --- the truth and the importance of journalists speaking the truth.  Esp. now when we have a president in office who very rarely speaks the truth and accuses his opponents of "fake news," we have to get a knock in the head once in a while to remind us just how important journalists are.  In a time period where approximately 75% of the public do not respect the media, this film shows some hard at work to get the truth to the pubic, no matter what the consequences.  That's a valuable message.  And then cap it off with the other story going on here --- one female vs. all the men in the room telling her how dangerous it is to make a decision to publish the Pentagon papers. (or what a wrong decision it would be not to) With the Time's Up attitude, this film couldn't come at a better time.  And Spielburg pushed this film forward when he found out The orangeman would be the next president --- what better time for a film on the hard work most journalists do to get the truth out!  I'd give this a solid 4 out of 5 stars and recommend you see it!

"THE POST"    PG-13         2017

When the "Washington Post" agrees to publish the leaked Pentagon Papers -- which point to a secret escalation of the Vietnam War -- the Nixon administration tries to block publication, setting off an epic legal and political battle.

Cast: Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Alison Brie,

Movie #1477 ........................."I, Tonya"

Movie #1477 "I, Tonya" - what a raw, documentary-style biopic on someone I'm not sure needed a movie  ---- know right away, that when you go see this film, there's a very good chance you won't like anyone in it.  Yes, there are reasons given for why she acts the way she does (relationship with her mother, her poverty, her husband, his dumb friends, her anger issues, etc.) but that didn't make me feel sorry for her to the point of seeing her as a victim by the end of the film.  This is a very "out there" film  --- it's in mockumentary style, with people looking at the camera and talking to us.  It is irreverent in language in action.  It's a story about not very smart people, so the audience finds itself laughing at that and how they react to any minor attacks to them.  They get into situations and never think about thinking their way out of problems..............really daffy, silly actions by daffy silly people whom I really don't want to ever know about.  That's why by the end of the film, when you see the real Tonya, you certainly see her in a different light; for me, that was worse.  I'm not sure that's what the director wanted us to feel.  But I do think it is so different that many people would like that in the film.  I just have to say that there was a lot of abuse from her husband and mother to her, and that was very difficult to sit and watch for me.  I almost walked out one time, but finally the film stopped showing it as much.  It made me feel bad that I didn't feel sorry for her, but you saw the mean side of her many times -- she pushed buttons, she got her slugs in, she angered easily, and she would call the police, but then go right back the next day.  Hard to like her and feel sorry for her.  I'd give the movie 3.8 out of  5 stars.  I respect the acting, but it's pretty cartoon-like to me, and one note, keep. for Janney.

'I, TONYA"  2017      2 HOURS         R

s

This wickedly entertaining biopic looks at the life and doomed career of ice skater Tonya Harding and her connection to one of the most infamous sports scandals in American history: the assault on rival Nancy Kerrigan before the 1994 Winter Olympics.

Cast: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney,

Movie #1476 ........................."Call Me By Your Name"

Movie #1476 "Call Me By Your Name" is the over-rated movie of the year, to me, like "Moonlight" last year --- both films were liked more by the critics than the audience.  They are both good films, and yes, they do break barriers on the subject of homosexuality, but otherwise, the two films didn't seem to stand out for me above all the other films I have seen this year.  I went in with expectations that this would be a quality film, doing so well at Cannes, and other festivals, and I left thinking:  boy, that last moment was probably the best I have seen this year, for a moment, but the rest seemed long, dragged out, and muddled by a lot of extraneous action.  The acting was well done , and there were some beautiful shots (contrary to how I felt about Moonlight) , but I wasn't all that excited about the film.  It was just good, 3.5 out of 5 to me --- with a wonderful last moment, and some very good, strong acting jobs by Armie, Timothy, and Michael Stuhlbarg.  The young girl was good, too.  The story we've seen before, but usually between a guy and a girl, so this film turns that upside down, and it should be seen, if just for that.  But I am not convinced it will be best picture for that.

"CALL ME BY YOUR NAME"        2017         R rated                   2 hours and 12 mins

In the summer of 1983, romance blooms in the sumptuous setting of the Italian Riviera when a 17-year-old boy becomes involved with the 24-year-old American scholar living at the family villa and working for the youngster's professor father.

Cast: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg

Movie #1475 ........................."Coco"

Movie #1475 "Coco" --- saw this animated film today with no kids in the audience, no adults, either, except for us.  Anyway, very surprised this is getting such a high score on rottentomatoes.com because it has a very convoluted story.  The animation is unbelievably well done --- boy, have we come far with animation!  For example, the Coco great grandmother, you would swear, is of human flesh, it is so well drawn!  All the colors, the sets, the costumes, the bone people, all well done.  But the film seems like it is ADD --- it flies around here and there, and the focus is hard to follow --- people chasing the kid, animals running interference, getting introduced to people as they fly in and out of Miguel's chase, and then more people whose names have to be learned in a matter of 20 minutes --- another family, this one his ancestors...........can't imagine kids following this.  And the whole subject is about death and the hereafter.....what happens when you are trying to help your kid understand when you have to  explain that grandma who just died is a bone person? It's scary, too, with this big (but colorful) dragon/bird who attacks Miguel earlier in the film, but then turns nice (missed why) at the end.  If this is heaven, it doesn't look like fun.  They have restrictions on travel, there are Trumpian shyster showmen who are phony and liars (Hector).....I don't know about the plot --- I DO know that the last 1/2 hour is better than the rest of the film. And really, the best part of the film is its last moments.  As a speech coach, I would always tell my kids that audiences forgive you everything else if your high point works well enough, and here's the example --- audiences will forgive all of the convoluted plot and flights of fancy because of the way the "Remember Me" song is sung by Miguel to great grandma Coco!  It is like the scene in "UP" between the husband and wife -- it's that good and might save this film for many audiences.  I'm not sure I would recommend this to kids......I guess I'd like to hear what those kids have to say after watching it.  I'd give it 3.5 out of 5 and recommend it with reservations......it isn't as good as I thought it would be, it's hard to understand, and it presents the world of the dead spirits that might be tough to explain to small children.  Maybe 8-12 year olds? I DO like that it introduces another culture, and the music (although I felt there should be more of it, since that's the whole crux of the film --- how music pulls everyone together....even the dead..... strong theme, but not clear all the way through.  All I can say is that if you decide to see it, be very prepared to get a whole lot of information in the opening that you will have to use later on.......

"COCO"           PG        2017             about 2 hours

Pixar's magical animation lights up this colorful tale of adventure that follows Miguel Rivera, a 12-year-old Mexican boy who unlocks a long-hidden family mystery after he ends up in the Land of the Dead.

Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt

Movie #1474 ........................."Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"

Movie #1474 "Three Billboards Outside  Ebbing, Missouri" is a tough one to put in a genre --- it's indie in style, quirky in humor, hard to watch in places, and probably the goofiest film to come along in a while.  Well, look at the cast ---- a bunch of livewires like  Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell,  Woody Harrelson, John Hawkes,  Zeljko Ivanek and Peter Dinklage. It's almost as if they handpicked all the outside- the- box actors in Hollywood..... then the twists and turns in this script -- one minute someone is shouting, the next a knife is pulled to her neck.  Another, Mildred walks like she is going to kill a man with a bottle in her hand, and the next she is nicely placing it on a table and smiling and walking away.  It's almost as if a bunch of people hunkered in a room and suggested what the next scenes would be, and they all decided it would be the least likely.  This film gets to the bone --- it's raw --- everything about it is terse --- the editing, the dialogue --- the only time it waits on anything, is for a stare.  It's intense.  It's like nothing you have ever seen.  For that, it demands attention, and it will get it.  It won the Golden Globe on Sunday , and it could win the Oscar ---- maybe.  It could be too raw for that, though.  It tackles the subjects that are so timely right now:  racism, strong female and what is feminism, redemption, revenge, what is right from wrong, abuse, alcoholism, forgiveness, and the list goes on...... I know a lot of movies are dealing with these subjects, but it's the way this one does it --- turns them on their heads and makes you emotionally respond --- with humor to boot.  4.5 out of 5 --- it's violent --- to the point of turning your head, but not leaving the theatre.  I recommend it as one of the best this year.

"THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI"  --- rated R    2017

When law enforcement fails to make headway on the months-long hunt for her daughter's killer, Mildred Hayes takes the drastic step of putting up three large signs questioning the motivation of the town's widely respected police chief.

Cast: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell

Movie #1473 ........................."The Christmas Bucket List"

Movie #1473 "The Christmas Bucket List" was a ho hum addition to the Hallmark filing cabinet of films at xmas time.  Plot is basic and the title pretty much says it all --- She has a bucket list for her and her boyfriend who finally is taking a vacation with her at christmas time, he doesn't show up, but another guy starts doing the stuff with her --- voila!  sparks fly.   Dumb plot, but a little of it works because of Alicia Witt -- she always comes across pretty natural to me, and she usually works hard at getting that chemistry with her counterparts (this guy is truly a challenge --- he's a looker, but not much else, kind of a milquetoast)  Anyway, I'd give this a 3 out of 5, and not worth a second look, in my opinion.

Christmas Bucket List (2016)

Christmas List (original title)

TV-G |  1h 24min | Comedy | TV Movie 25 November 2016

Isobel plans a storybook Christmas with her boyfriend, including a cottage in the Northwest and a bucket list of holiday traditions. But when he goes AWOL, the list proves challenging and a tempting new romance turns her life upside down.

Director:

 Paul A. Kaufman

Writers:

 Ella Fairlie (novel),  Duane Poole

Stars:

 Alicia Witt,  Gabriel Hogan,  Peter Benson 

Movie #1472 .........................."Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"

Movie #1472 "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" first season, WAS a wonder! I loved this show.  We binge-watched it in a week in December.  From the pilot (which is, in my opinion, the best of the shows) to the end, what great.........  sense of humor, character development of most of the characters, (esp. Mrs. M, her parents, Joel, Susie and Lenny Bruce), music, setting, costumes, energy, pacing, beautiful shots and transitions, etc.  But esp. what great storylines, infused with an  excellent sense of humor.  Hold on to your hats because it is very fast, but it is so rich in all the filmic tools, too.  It is so much fun to see life in the 50s ---her work in a department store, the tv shows they have on in the background, all the music!  The clothes she wears.  But most importantly, what it was like to work your way up in a comedy club, while also working AND trying to deal with two kids (well, thanks to her mom and dad for always being there to watch them)  --- I am also in love with the character Suzie (which is kind of ironic to say on so many levels!) What a fun character!    Even though it is so uncomfortable to watch comics have a bad night,  I value this show because it  presents the pressure-filled life of a comic -------- more than any of the other films I've watched on the subject!  Can't wait for Season 2 ---- 5 stars out of 5.

"THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL"

It's the late 1950s and Miriam "Midge" Maisel has everything she has ever wanted -- the perfect husband, two kids and an elegant apartment on New York's Upper West Side. Her seemingly idyllic life takes a surprising turn when she discovers a hidden talent she didn't previously know she had -- stand-up comedy. This revelation changes her life forever as she begins a journey that takes her from her comfortable life on the Upper West Side through the cafes and nightclubs of Greenwich Village as she makes her way through the city's comedy industry on a path that could ultimately lead her to a spot on the "Tonight Show" couch. The series was created by Amy Sherman-Palladino ("Gilmore Girls").

First episode date: March 17, 2017, Amazon Prime, Exec. Producers:  Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino

Rachel Brosnahan 
as Miriam "Midge" Maisel

 

Michael Zegen 
as Joel Maisel

 

Alex Borstein 
as Susie Myerson

 

Tony Shalhoub 
as Abe Weinberg

 

Marin Hinkle 
as Rose Weinberg

In 1958 New York, Midge Maisel's life is on track- husband, kids, and elegant Yom Kippur dinners in their Upper West Side apartment. But when her life takes a surprise turn, she has to quickly decide what else she's good at - and going from housewife to stand-up comic is a wild choice to everyone but her. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladi

Movie #1471 ........................."Stronger"

Movie #1471 "Stronger" - had to see this one, since Jake G. is a possible oscar contender, again, and probably will be passed up, again...... He is fantastic in this one ---  he cops a different attitude from his other portrayals (he's a  drunken loser here) and uses a thick Boston accent.  He really puts himself in the place of this guy who tries to show his girlfriend he CAN show up once in a while, and where did he show up?  at the finishing line for the Boston Marathon, where he loses both his legs to the bomb blast.  His girlfriend that he broke up with feels to blame so she comes around to help him, and then falls back in love with him as he mends ---- but he gets more depressed daily --- PTSD -- when she leaves him to fend for himself one day, he starts to get better and better and stronger....the film is not about the marathon but just one story as a result of it.  just one story, but what a story.  This is very good --- a tough watch, but the acting and chemistry of the three leads is good to watch.  I'd give this 4 out of 5 stars.

"STRONGER"          2017        1 HOUR AND 59 MIN.         R - RATED

In this fact-based drama, life changes irrevocably for Jeff Bauman when a bomb goes off at his feet as he's celebrating his completion of the 2013 Boston Marathon. Despite losing his legs, Bauman is determined to help find the culprits.

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson

Movie #1470 ........................."The House"

Movie #1470 "The House" we rented from redbox thinking there might be a slim possibility we might like it because of Will Ferrel and Amy Poehler.  No such luck --- raunchy, silly/stupid, and violent!  (for example, they decide that the way they deal with cheating in their "Club" is to re-enact a scene from "Casino" --- duh!  I think I laughed twice --- after awhile, I was only kind of watching it to the end.  Not worth any more time to write about it.  2 stars out of 5.

"THE HOUSE"          2017         1 hour and 28 min

In this screwball comedy, a suburban husband and wife who squander their daughter's college fund attempt to recoup the loss by opening an illegal casino in their basement, enlisting friends and neighbors to help run the operation.

Cast: Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Jeremy Renner

Movie #1469 .........................."All the Money in the World"

Movie #1469 "All the Money in the World" --- mixed emotions about this one --- I expected more from the film, but not sure why it didn't work for me.  Maybe because I didn't like anyone in it, really.  A 15 year old young man walking through the streets of Paris at 3 in the morning, worth tons of money, and no one thinks that is dangerous?  The way the story is told, we aren't sure what kind of relationship this mother has with her kid, so are those real tears when she goes to his grandfather for the ransom money?  I wanted to like her, but..... then, this grandfather is either despicable (a miser with a pay telephone in his mansion)  or right (refuses to pay the ransom because it wouldn't stop people from kidnapping people at all), or both (which I am guessing is correct), but either way,  he's not likable at all. Here's the thing ---- the movie doesn't cover to me the best parts of the story --- it isn't a complete story, and it lingers on waiting around ---- why is Mark Wahlberg in the film anyway?  to play games with John Paul's brothers and sisters?  I just thought his part wasn't that necessary, and his acting style doesn't fit with the others...... and the real problem is that you have a story that is full of a lot of waiting, but the audience knows the ending of already.  So I don't recommend it very much at all.  Maybe, the one big reason I might suggest a look at it is to marvel at how all of Christopher Plummer's scenes were all done at the end and edited in, seamlessly I felt, after Kevin Spacey was removed from the film.  Amazing job the editor did, so she might get a nod, and so might Mr. Plummer, who is 88 and learned all those lines, etc. in a few days.  That's the amazing part of this film.  3 stars out of 5

"ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD"       2017    R RATED

In a crime that rivets the American public for months in 1973, members of an Italian paramilitary organization kidnap John Paul Getty III. When his oil-rich grandfather balks at paying the ransom, the bad guys up the stakes dramatically.

Cast: Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Christopher Plummer 

Movie #1468 .........................."Wonder Woman"

Movie #1468 "Wonder Woman" --- I know many of you reading this do not agree with me, but this is a film I didn't think I would like, and guess what?  I didn't.  I was told by many that I would after telling them that I don't appreciate the genre, and I didn't appreciate any of it, really.  I am not interested in superheroes (D.C., Marvel, whatever), not interested in movies that culminate in fighting.  Yes, I am all for a strong woman, but I value different strength ---- not what is in this movie.  I couldn't even see past all of this fighting to see any value in film techniques.  Truthfully, I kept watching to hope for something else, but all I felt was:  when will this ever end?  I must admit the opening was okay ---- I guess my interest was piqued to watch Robin Wright (Princess Bride) in such a rare part in a film, wondering why she took the role, imagining all the combat stuff she had to learn and do......but that was about it.  Then, it was just one fight after another after another.   I have liked some previous Chris Pine work, but he seemed to be in here for eye candy to me (like a beautiful woman in a male, testosterone-filled film that we've seen hundreds of times before).  It's just a genre I don't care to see, so I won't ----- although Thor looked intriguing and I heard it had a good sense of humor.  What happened to the superhero films that were ready to laugh at themselves?  And had maybe that last fight, but did much more character work to get there?  3 stars out of 5.  (and PG-13???)

"WONDER WOMAN"    2017      PG-13    2 hours and 21 minutes

Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained to be an unconquerable warrior. Raised on a sheltered island paradise, when an American pilot crashes on their shores and tells of a massive conflict raging in the outside world, Diana leaves her home, convinced she can stop the threat. Fighting alongside man in a war to end all wars, Diana will discover her full powers…and her true destiny.

Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright,

Movie #1467 ........................."Baby Driver"

Movie #1467 "Baby Driver" was a wonderful surprise!  I had heard it was good, but I didn't know what a sense of humor and sense of style it had!  Right from the get-go the music and Baby set the pace for the film, and they carry it throughout.  His job is much like Ryan Gosling's was in "Drive," but that's where the similarities end.  We meet the robbers in the first group, see the first robbery, get a quick intro to Baby and his rommate/foster father and meet the bad guy (played by Kevin Spacey, will it be the last film we actually "see" him in?) all in a matter of about 20 minutes.  This film does not waste time --- and the action scenes ---- wow!  This is normally not my type of movie, but the film is so different from start to finish, and it takes chances, that it won me over.  Then Lily James enters, and she becomes the heart of Baby and the film.  Make no mistake --- this film is way too violent for my money.  And if you have read any of my blogs on films I see, I usually abhor all the violence, but this film deserves a second look because of its style.  I give it 4 stars out of 5, and I think it might have a chance for an Oscar nod or two, maybe?

"BABY DRIVER"     2017      R rated     1 hour and 53 minutes

Hired as the getaway driver for a series of bank heists, angel-faced Baby finds himself in deep trouble when a botched robbery sends him on the run, hunted by the cops and his criminal cohorts.

Cast: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Lily James

Movie #1466 ........................."Molly's Game"

Movie #1466 "Molly's Game" ---- and off we go.......here come the possible  Oscar contenders, and the first we saw was "Molly's Game."  I have a lot of respect for this film --- first, it tackles a tough subject matter and has the challenge of making it (high stakes poker game) interesting to the audience; second, the script is good all the way through with crisp, swift,  tight and  intelligent  dialogue,  and the arc of the main characters is challenging for the actors. (One of the best scenes I have ever seen Costner do well  in a long time)  And of course this is mostly  due to the extraordinary writing ability of one Aaron Sorkin (West Wing, Newsroom, Social Network) who is also directing this film.  I'm not sure it will win anything come awards time, but it is one of the better films this year due to its intelligent script.  I got lost occasionally , I have to admit, but for the most part, the script allowed almost anyone to follow the major parts without talking down to us.  And I learned a lot about high stakes poker.  I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars.

"MOLLY'S GAME"    2017         RATED R

Once an elite skier with Olympic aspirations, Molly Bloom uses her beauty and chutzpah to attain another kind of celebrity by hosting the world's most exclusive poker games -- until it all comes tumbling down.

Cast: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner