Thursday, January 31, 2019

Movie #1670 ........................."Ready Player One"

Movie #1670 "Ready Player One" --- This is not my type of film --- I don't like long battles, choppy fighting, loud noises, searching for magic rings --- This movie was like "Lord of the Rings" meets "Star Wars' meets every other fantasy film you've seen with a driving 80's soundtrack in the background.  I watched this, however, because it is a Spielburg film and one that is nominated for its visual effects and WoW!  Wow!  double wow!  on he visual effects ---- I'm glad I saw them , and I was dumb not to see it in a movie theatre on a bigger screen !  I also liked all the movie references A LOT  and the recognizable music to me!
But the film went on way tooooooooo long!  I thought that last battle would never end.  I give it a 3 for story and dialogue.  And 5 for visual effects and music!


"READY PLAYER ONE"      2 hours and 20 minutes   2018     PG-13

In 2045, the world is on the brink of chaos and collapse. But the people have found salvation in the OASIS, an expansive virtual reality universe created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday. When Halliday dies, he leaves his immense fortune to the first person to find a digital Easter egg he has hidden somewhere in the OASIS, sparking a contest that grips the entire world.

Movie #1669 .........................."The Wife"

Movie #1669 "The Wife"  --- I watched this the first chance I got (it just came out in DVD so redbox had it available) because Glenn Close is nominated for an Academy Award for best actress for her part in it, and I had seen the rest of the nominees.  I was a little disappointed that she shares screen time with the actress who plays her at a younger age, but I do believe she will get the award because she does the whole gamut here ---- i.e. you see her face display so many emotions, I could never name them all. And also, like Emily Blunt in "Quiet Place" (who was wrongly not nominated) a lot of her acting in this film is done without speaking.  And she has a moment toward the end that should win it for her.  It was the best moment I have seen in film all year --- my heart ached for her, and all the misery was on her face --- she didn't need to say a thing.  The story wasn't new to me --- wife living in shadow of husband and not getting her due just rewards..... and even the way it is told isn't groundbreaking (it goes swiftly back and forth (present to past to present, etc.)  But  the transitions are well done, and there's good reasoning why it goes back in time and never disturbs the flow of the fil m  --- this isn't a dumb movie, at all.  In fact, it's a solid drama full of good acting, esp. Glenn Close.  I give it 4.5 out of 5.  Very topical and universal.


"THE WIFE"  1 hour and 40 minutes         rated R

The interwoven story of a couple's youthful passion and ambition with a portrait of a marriage, thirty-plus years later—a lifetime's shared compromises, secrets, betrayals, and mutual love.
Genres 

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

movie #1668 .........;................"Three Identical Strangers"

Movie #1668 "Three Identical Strangers" --- this is a documentary that was recommended to me to see, and when searching the channels the other night, voila it was being shown on CNN so I sat down to watch it.  It kept my interest for the first 40 minutes or so, but then the interest waned for me.  However, just when that occurred, a surprise popped up and took us until the end, so unlike a lot of documentaries, it really only lagged in the last few minutes for me.  I found the rest of it very intriguing.  I would put it in a category of those documentaries that appear to not know the story until during filming it, it becomes..... one I would liken this to is "Grey Gardens," or "Capturing the Friedmans" ........ Those both are a bit better because there's more to them, but this is a very good documentary that I would recommend.  It brings up the nurture vs. nature argument, the specific theory that mental illness is hereditary, the theme looks are deceiving, and many other themes.  I'd give it 3.8 out of 5, and you might want to give it a look see if it comes your way.

"THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS"

This riveting documentary charts the twisty story of identical triplets separated at birth, who reconnect by chance at age 19. But what starts as a happy reunion soon sets off a series of events that lead to shocking and sinister secrets.

Friday, January 25, 2019

Movie #1667 ........................."Private Life"

Movie #1667 "Private Life" (streaming Netflix) This was a very effective, tense movie about what a married couple is going through to conceive a baby.  They try everything possible, and while they are doing that, the viewer gets to see all the options and how difficult each is --- very enlightening, esp. to someone like me who never learned all the ins and outs to the many procedures available.  This movie tears at your heartstrings as they plow on through every adversity to get a child.  The ending is so powerful and I've never seen the credits done in quite this way, and to me, it worked.  I would give this 4 out of 5 --- this film is not for everyone because there are many scenes that are super tough to watch, but it comes across so honest and raw, that I felt I was in their home with them living the experiences with them.  Excellent acting.  In fact, I looked up the young girl to see what else she has done, she was that good.

"PRIVATE LIFE"  2 hrs and 3 minutes        2018

An author is undergoing multiple fertility therapies to get pregnant, putting her relationship with her husband on edge.

Director:

 Tamara Jenkins

Writer:

 Tamara Jenkins


Thursday, January 24, 2019

Movie #1666 ......................."The Kominsky Method"

Movie #1666 "The Kominsky Method" - Season 1:  Binged on this the other night (each episode is about 30 minutes) and there are about 8, and we found it quite satisfying, and at times very funny.  Especially appreciated by me is Alan Arkin --- I find it amusing to see him continue to talk to his wife even after she is dead, and dealing with his quirky, acerbic daughter (who is difficult to love and take care of).  Michael Douglas' scenes I enjoy are in the school --- there's a lot of overacting, or inappropriate choices the students make, and I can relate to those, but then when a scene is done correctly it becomes very powerful.  He's dating one of his students (she's older in comparison to the others in his class) and so that's tough to watch, but their first dates are to a hospital and a funeral so that is cursed from the beginning.  But the one huge strength in the show is the love hate relationship that the two men have here --- it's a friendship that is tested on a daily basis but seems to be withstanding the conflicts of growing old ---- at least they can do that together.  I would give it a 4 out of 5.

"KOMINSKY METHOD" Season 1   2018

An aging actor, who long ago enjoyed a brush with fame, makes his living as an acting coach.

Creator:

 Chuck Lorre

Movie #1665 ........................."Marwencol"

Movie #1665 "Marwencol."  This is the documentary that "Welcome to Marwen" is based on, and because I just saw that one recently, I thought I would seek out the original inspiration for the film.  And I liked this but not as well as the "Welcome to Marwen" one, mostly because "Marwen" is in story form , and it got more of an emotional response from me because I got involved in the story, always trying to figure out the puzzle of Mr. Hogancamp.  This doc also approaches Mr. Hogencamp as a puzzle, carefully going through all the pieces to put the puzzle together.  The documentary is divided into subheadings like "the enemy," or"his dolls" --- all of them introducing some factor of the world he has invented after the awful hate beating that he received from the guys in and outside the bar.  It goes more into why he wears high heels and how that got started with him.  In the movie "Marwen" it is covertly in the background and just becomes a quirky thing about him, but one that might have gotten him the beating.  We get to know the women in his life more in "Marwen," and I appreciated that.  Bottom line is that it was nice to see the real people that inspired the "Marwen" film, but there wasn't that much more info given in the documentary and it ran really slow and went too long.  I would give it a 3.5.



"MARWENCOL"    2010     1 hour and 23 minutes

After a vicious attacks leaves him brain-damaged and broke, Mark Hogancamp seeks recovery in "Marwencol", a 1/6th scale World War II-era town he creates in his backyard.

Director:

 Jeff Malmberg

Friday, January 18, 2019

Movie #1664 ........................."Ellen: Relatable"

Movie #1664 "Ellen:  Relatable" - this was a slow, easygoing discourse on really how relatable she still is, even though she is a celebrity and rich.  In fact, by the end, she is expounding on the fact that we are all basically the same (well minus people like our president) deep down inside, and by acknowledging that, we could learn to be more tolerant of each other.  She covers waiters who memorize what you order, her coming out, dancing, and lots more, one observation added on to the other, with smooth transitions, and lots of time in between the jokes (which I kind of welcome at my age --- sometimes comics get into a patter and just throw it all out to us, and we don't have time to think between the jokes).  She gives us a lot of time here, and I appreciated it.  I'd give this 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it.  No earth shattering, groundbreaking humorous observation here, but a nice easygoing commentary on her life since we last saw her in stand up.

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"ELLEN:  RELATABLE"    2018          1 special;      68 minutes          

In her first special since 2003. Ellen revisits her road to stardom and details the heartfelt -- and hilarious -- lessons she's learned along the way.



Movie #1663 ........................."Ben is Back"

Movie #1663 "Ben is Back"  -- this is a well-acted, emotional and taut suspense film that never gives up its hold on the viewer.  The viewer never sees Ben the way he was way before, as a young kid before drinking, nor does it show his downfall, which has incidentally caused the huge amount of tension when he shows back up.  What did he do to make everyone seem to walk on eggshells in the house?  To make his mom go from room to room and hide any money or drugs or jewelry?  We never get the whole story, but we see it in bits and pieces, and we are on the fence about him --- we want to believe him, like the rest of the family, but we can sense that he hasn't ever really told all of the truth to these people who love him so dearly!  Esp. Mom, who is relentless to keep him abstaining from alcohol, and therefore trying to save his life.  This film was hard to watch, but it was well done and addresses quite well a social issue (increase of opioids) , and one that we need more attention to and now!  I am impressed that the actor playing Ben has this script written for him by his dad, who is also the director.  Well done!  Irony that Tony Chalamet also starred in a film this year ("A Beautiful Boy") on the same subject.  The two kids were nominated for films last year, so it will be interesting if it happens again --- they are both deserving.  I give it a 5 out of 5.  But it is a tough watch.



"BEN IS BACK"

Ben Is Back

 2018 R 1h 43m 


As troubled as he is charming, 19-year-old Ben Burns surprises everyone when he returns  
home for Christmas.  Although his mother cautiously welcomes Ben's arrival, he soon begins
to disrupt the family.  
 

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Movie #1662 ........................."Sierra Burgess is a loser"

Movie #1662 "Sierra Burgess is a loser" --- liked this film a lot.  The film tries to change your mind about judging people on how they look.  It's like Roxanne and all the other romantic comedies about mistaken identities, but what redeems this one and makes it something teens should watch is a strong sense of what teens go through when they are judged so easily by looks.  And it works a couple of different ways --- actually on most of the main characters in the film . Oh, the parents are characterized by hyperbolic strokes, and some other things are way over done, but for the most part the leads are very real ---- and I  esp. appreciated that  the "Mean girl" isn't just all evil (like in Mean girls) and that she has layers that are peeled away, as well.  And the lead girl, Shannon Purser, very impressive ------ I have seen her in "Rise:" and "Stranger Things,"  and because of what I have seen her do in this film, I would seek how what she is doing in the future ---- I'd give this a 4 out of 5.  If you like movies about the ups and down of teen life, this is a fine example.









"SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER"   PG-13   1 hour 45 mins   2018

A wrong number text sparks a virtual romance between a smart but unpopular teen and a sweet jock who thinks he's talking to a gorgeous cheerleader.


Director:

 Ian Samuels

Writer:

 Lindsey Beer




Movie #1661 ........................."First Reformed"

Movie #1661 "First Reformed" --- well, I have heard tons of good things about the film as far as Paul Shrader directing and Ethan Hawke acting, but I went into this not knowing about the story at all, or that Amanda Seyfried (a favorite) was co-starring.  All of the above made me continue watching it when I might have stopped it about 10 minutes in.  Why?  It is so stark, gloomy, and extremely  tense, as if we are sitting in a room waiting for a bomb to go off.  The film escalates in tenseness as the reverend (Hawke) starts to act on what he has become passionate about.  I don't want to say more about the plot (see below for basics) , but there are some very memorable moments here, trademark of Shrader, and his expertise is in  presenting what's in the mind of terribly damaged people.  I have a reserved recommendation here.  Not sure many of you would like it --- it won a critics' choice award for its screenplay tonight, so that tells me that it  is being respected by critics who are and have been fans of Paul Shrader's work for a long time.  The screenplay is a strength here, along with the visuals and Hawke's acting --- so for those reasons I would see it.  But it is terribly gloomy, stark and tense for a very long time, so not sure how many of you would enjoy that.  I give it 3.5 out of 5.


"FIRST REFORMED"   1 hour 48 mins      2018      R-rated

Mired in guilt over his son's death, the pastor of a small church agrees to counsel a pregnant congregant and her environmentalist husband, who challenges the clergyman's views and leads him to embrace the same cause, regardless of the consequences.

Movie #1660 ........................."If Beale Street Could Talk"

Movie #1660 "If Beale Street Could Talk" -- was pretty much what I expected since I read the book last week, so I was acquainted with the plot (don't expect a lot happening --- the strength of the book to me is the beautiful style it is written in (Baldwin stands alone with the ability to serve up beautiful images through his writing  --- I can't put my finger on exactly what he does, but I haven't felt that way about a writer in a long time --- he can capture the universality of the emotions in a moment or scene.  But that is missing in the film, so the director is left with trying to convey the feeling more with the visuals --- Barry Jenkins is probably the best guy for the job here, and he is successful in several moments, but the film is very slow paced, and like I said lacks a lot of story.  As long as you know that, just sit back and enjoy the visuals and the excellent acting because the actors really work passionately at getting this lovely book across to the viewer.  This film just won the  Critics' Choice award for its  screenplay tonight , and I'm not surprised ---- It was a challenge to do it justice, for sure.  And I think overall, it's a better film than "Moonlight" (the last Jenkins' directed film that I saw) --- but then I wasn't a fan of that film at all...... script didn't work for me.  This one is better and has more purpose, and it has Regina King, who is a strong contender for best supporting actress for AA's this year.  I give this a 4 out of 5.



If Beale Street Could Talk

 2018 R 1h 59m 
Based on the novel penned by James Baldwin, this urban drama centers on pregnant Harlem resident Tish as she attempts to clear the name of her fiancé, who's awaiting trail on a false rape accusation.

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Movie #1659 ........................."Christmas Lost and Found"

Movie #1659 "Christmas Lost and Found" --- with this movie, I am done with Christmas Hallmark films --- it was the last one I had the t.v. dvr to save for me, and it is a fitting ending.  I had enough, and this one shows that to me because I found it quite boring.  Oh, it tried to make some kind of mystery of finding ornaments, but that's all the movie was:  finding lost ornaments that her grandmother gave to her about 10 minutes before.  Lost to the garbage.  But not really, and you can guess who retrieved them from the garbage and is now sending her on a scavenger hunt for them.  Oh boy, not much here.  The girl is terrific, the guy bland, and they both have very little chemistry --- it's like watching elementary school kids do the flirty.  Yikes!  No wonder Diana Ladd, the grandma, steals the movie --- she brings class to anything she does, and I'm glad she is in this one.  Other than that, not much here.  2.8 out of 5.

Christmas Lost and Found (2018)

TV-PG | | Drama | TV Movie 7 December 2018
Christmas Lost and Found Poster
An event planner mistakenly throws out her grandmother's Christmas ornaments, and the person who finds the ornaments leads her on a scavenger hunt to retrieve them, helping her to find the magic of Christmas again along the way.

Director:

 Michael Scott

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Movie #1658 ........................."The Favourite"

Movie #1658 "The Favourite"  --- this is an odd one, I have to admit it, but I found it quite enjoyable. It engaged my interest until the end..... It basically is a triad love affair (with women), and each is vying to be  Queen Anne's favorite --- at first, it seems that the way Abigail is pickled on, and considering her previous life in sexual subjugation, we, as the audience, favor her --- the things she does to get in the Queen's favor seem not so bad at all, but then as she steps over a line, we get to see just how cruel she can be and the scales tip to Sarah.  The way it plays out is full of intrigue (not to mention very loud, annoying music, at times, and 17 adorable rabbits) and sarcasm, crafty manipulation and a odd ending that you are expected to talk about afterwards --- which is okay with me, but I guess this director is know for weirdness, esp. in his endings.  I have not experienced any of his other films, but I liked overall the style and sense of humor.  I kept thinking how it was full of wigs (esp. for the men) and stuffy dresses and hat, but actually could be caught commenting on our society today --- it takes a story of backbiting to get political power that years ago would have been seen filmed  with  men in the leads , but with the me too movement has now become a female vehicle.  There's a sub theme:   being truthful shows love, and in our society filled with fakeness and lies , it's a lesson well taken.  And then one other point struck me --- very rarely do you see films that have such strong female leads, and because of the push for equal time for women, this is an excellent example of this strive for equality.  I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.  Possible Academy Award nominations, but not sure the film is for everyone.  The R-rated scenes might put some off.  


"THE FAVOURITE"   2018    1 hour and 59 mins     R-rated

Amid the hornet's nest of rivalries and intrigue that define the court of mercurial Queen Anne in 18th-century England, cousins Abigail Masham and Sarah Churchill (Maubrey)  battle to gain the favor of the monarch and her court.

Movie #1657 ..........................."Incredibles 2"

Movie #1657 "Incredibles 2" ---- What a fast-paced. fun romp this film is!  The characters are fun; the  story hangs well,; there are some surprises along the way;  Furthermore,  the addition of jack jack using (or misusing ?) his powers for the first time and giggling made the film for me.  I remember enjoying the first one, as well, but this one can stand on its own.  But it is always fun to see the woman with the bangs who costumes the super heroes.  Lots of fun and I recommend it.  4 out of 5 stars.  P.S.  I haven't seen the spiderman animated film yet (which won over this one at the Golden Globes on Sunday) , but I'd be surprised if this isn't nominated for an academy award this year!



"INCREDIBLES 2"


In Incredibles 2, Helen is called on to lead a campaign to bring Supers back, while Bob navigates the day-to-day heroics of "normal" life at home with Violet, Dash and baby Jack-Jack -- whose superpowers are about to be discovered. Their mission is derailed, however, when a new villain emerges with a brilliant and dangerous plot that threatens everything. But the Parrs don't shy away from a challenge, especially with Frozone by their side. 

Sunday, January 6, 2019

Movie #1656 ........................."'Tis the Season for Love"

Movie #1656 "'Tis the Season for Love" --- I thought I would like this one, since it is about an actress, but I found it tedious and boring.  The audience never sees this woman do any theatre (except to work with a few kids on a skit that used one dance step and the kids still couldn't get it)  Anyway, how talented is she? because her goal is Broadway, a Mamet play.  Yet, she can't keep our attention in the long, extensive discussions she has with an old boyfriend in her hometown.  Incidentally, he is boring as barn board, as well.  So there's really nothing redeeming here.  What made it worse is that when she makes the NYC broadway show, she quits  because she is the understudy and she thinks she is needed more with the kids that learned one step in the dance routine up above.  The story just doesn't hang well.  I'd give this 2.5 out of 3.  I don't recommend it.  


"'TIS THE SEAON FOR LOVE"    2015        1 hour and 38 mins.

A small town girl who moved to New York to pursue her dreams returns home for the holidays, only to realize that maybe her dreams aren't miles away, but right in her hometown.

Director:

 Terry Ingram

Writer:

 Nina Weinman

Movie #1655 ........................."Entertaining Christmas"

Movie #1655 "Entertaining Christmas" --- well, I'm down to the last couple of Hallmark Christmas films (these were on the DVR that I taped during the season) , and I think I'm glad I'm coming to an end because this one was just okay.  The plus here is the plot --- but it's constantly the same thing over and over.  It revolves around a daughter of a Martha Stewart type woman who can't cook or sew like her mom, and yet she is expected to take over the business.  Mom sends daughter to answer a harmless kid's request which turns into a big local town's christmas festivities that the daughter is now standing in for the mom and finds she can't do any of it!  All that is okay at the beginning of the film because the script has creative ways for her to get out of each scrape, but then the "guy" steps in --- he's a journalist who thinks she is a fake (smart guy!)  Now that would still not be a bad turn except there is absolutely no chemistry in this couple.  The guy is really a stiff --- it's like she is talking to a wall.  So the film doesn't work for me.  I give it a 3 out of 5.  It's the story that shines here.




"ENTERTAINING CHRISTMAS"     2018    1 hour and 30 mins

"Claire is a cookbook author, crafting expert, and television personality whose name is synonymous with perfection. As she contemplates retirement, her daughter Kara (Sweetin) is poised to become the new face of the Livingston brand. The only trouble is, Kara can't cook. Or sew. Or do any of the signature things her mother is known for. When a young girl posts a video online requesting Claire help welcome her deployed father home for Christmas, Kara is sent in her place in an effort to prove herself a worthy successor to the board of directors and win the job. As Kara does her best to make a good impression, she gets more than she bargained for when the young girl's uncle Joe turns out to be a reporter for the local paper, looking for his next story."


Director:

 Robin Dunne

Writer:

 Marcy Holland

Movie #1654 ........................."Tea with the Dames"

Movie #1654 "Tea with the Dames" was a fun documentary --- it's not stuffy at all -- very freewheeling, and how can it be anything else when these  4 "dames" get together:  Dame Judi Dench, Dame Eileen Atkins, Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Joan Plowright.  The Camera is on and they converse.  They are funny, poignant, reminiscent, knowledgeable on anything to do with the theatre and film, and I thought fun to listen to.  But this isn't a documentary for everyone.  Occasionally, they drop names of people and plays, and there's no one explaining who or what those things are. So I guess what I'm saying is not everyone would be interested in what they are talking about --- but if you think discussion on people they have worked with, and shows they have worked on, and how theatre has changed through the years, then you probably would enjoy this doc.  However, if not, don't bother, because that is the substance of their 1 hour and 20 min discussion.  I give it 3.8 out of 8.


Tea with the Dames

 2018 1h 21m 
Acclaimed actresses Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright and Eileen Atkins -- all Dames of the British Empire -- gather for a captivating conversation that includes reminiscences, gossip and untold tales about their stage and film careers.