Movie #1700 ........................."Second Act"

Movie #1700 --- at redbox, looking for a comedy?  Try "Second Act" --- Jaylo's film.  I have always thought she is underrated as an actress, and she once again shows her stuff here, along with one of her best friends, Lee Remini, who plays her best buddy in the film.  The two of them are worth the price you pay to see it because they are the "fun" in the film.  There's a topical subject of trying to get a job these days without that college degree, but then about 1/3 into the film, the topic actually changes focus to something else that deals with Vanessa Hudgens and Treat Williams.  I enjoyed both topics, but the last 30 minutes deal with a competition that I wasn't much interested in and it made the film seem longer to me than was necessary.  Still, it is an entertaining film on topics most of us can understand and relate to.....and Jaylo, as rich and talented as she is, usually plays a very relatable character.  I'd give it 3.5 out of 5.    PS.  the soundtrack is great; -- mostly women singers, starting with Etta James and ending with Jaylo's "Limitless."

" SECOND ACT'     1 hour 44 mins     PG-13     2018

• Overview
• Details

Maya is a 40-year-old woman struggling with frustrations of not having achieved more in life. As an experienced, quick-witted, perceptive employee, she is passed over for a promotion solely because she doesn't have a college degree. Until, that is, she gets the chance to prove that street smarts are as valuable as book smarts, and that it is never too late for a Second Act.

Cast 

Jennifer Lopez, Leah Remini, Annaleigh Ashford, Vanessa Hudgens, Freddie Stroma, Dan Bucatinsky, Milo Ventimiglia, Treat Williams, Larry Miller, Charlyne Yi, Dave Foley, Elizabeth Masucci

Director 

Peter Segal

Genres 

Comedy, Romantic Comedies

Moods 

Romantic, Inspiring

Movie #1699 ........................."Stan & Ollie"

Movie #1699 "Stan & Ollie" was a very heartwarming, but very low key kind of film.  You would think it would deal with the high point of their film success, but the film deals with the back end, in fact, their last work together.  One of them didn't die on stage, mid routine, or anything like that --- they just come to a decision that they will no longer be working together.  And their wives are in- cluded in that decision, along with other factors, which you'll need to see the film to find out.  But, for sure, these two actors bring Laurel and Hardy to life again, for 1 hour and 37 mins at least! And I so enjoy watching them.  It's fun to hear their theme song, to see some of their dance routines, and other routines again.  The way the script is written, they sometimes would talk to each other in the style of their routines so it was fun to catch that once in a while, too.  BUT it is very low key --- you'd think Ollie is quick to argue, but the more pushy of the two is Stan Laurel, and he does it very nicely, being very much a gentle British gentleman.  I'd give the film 3.5 out of 5 --- the back end of the film was better than the opening.

"STAN & OLLIE"      2018

With their glory days as Hollywood's premier comedy team long behind them, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy begin a 1953 farewell tour of England and Ireland, reminding audiences -- and themselves -- of the magic of their partnership.

Cast

Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly, Nina Arianda, Shirley Henderson, Danny Huston, Rufus Jones, Stewart Alexander, Paul Bailey, Conrad Asquith

Director

Jon S. Baird

Genres

Drama, Biographies, Showbiz Dramas, Showbiz Comedies, Slapstick, Period Pieces, 20th Century Period Pieces

Moods

Heartfelt

Movie #1698 ........................."Gloria Bell"

Movie #1698 "Gloria Bell" is a bit of an oddity --- not in the topic (woman mid 50s, somewhat ignored by kids who are busy living their own lives, goes to dance venues to meet people and dance), not in that it is a character study (film weighted on the shoulders of Julianna Moore, who is more than capable to deliver, with a great supporting cast), and not really in the story line --- oh, it does have some surprises, but it moves rather slowly, like her life.  It is odd because the same director back in 2013 directed the foreign film "Gloria" with a chilean star who won some awards for playing the part.  Usually, with a remake, it doesn't have the same director.  And from all the articles I found on line about the differences, there aren't that many.  I gave 3 stars to the original, but somehow, even though, this film is similar quite often from shot to shot, I would give this a 4 out of 5.  Why?  I'm not sure --- I don't think it's because I don't have to read subtitles for this one....I don't think I'm an American film snob.  I think it might be the actors are a tad better.  I remember the actress who played the first Gloria, and I thought she was the saving grace, and Julianna Moore is great here --- she seems more upbeat here, though.  Moore has that luminescent face and smile and laugh that is contagious.  Also the guy she opens her heart, too, is nicer here (played by the super Turturro) in comparison to the jerk who played him in the original.  Then, there's the terrific secondary cast (with not much to do, people like Michael Cera as her son, Brad Garrett as her ex, Rita Wilson as her bf and Holland Taylor as her mother, don't slough off because they have very little to do -- they deliver and well! I also feel there's a different ending --- I couldn't find a supporting article on it, yet, but there was a hint that the director wanted to update it and they refer to a scene or two at the end to support that idea.  Anyway, this is a "worth it" kind of film, but it doesn't have to be seen on a big screen.  When you can stream or rent from redbox or the library, I would suggest seeing it --- it's very slow, but you might not notice it that much because everyone is so good engaging our attention as we watch Gloria Bell search for human contact in her golden years.  (PS -- the soundtrack is terrific! lots of 80s music)

"GLORIA BELL"  2019   1 hour and 42 mins    R - for nudity, a lot of it, just like the first one

Gloria Bell

This English-language remake of director Sebastián Lelio's Chilean drama charts the life of Gloria, an aging divorcée who meets the disarming Arnold at a singles bar. But baggage from his tangled family relationships may upend their romance.

Starring:Julianne Moore, John Turturro

Director:Sebastián Lelio

Genre:Comedy, Romantic Comedies

Movie #1697 ........................."Leave No Trace"

Movie #1697 "Leave No Trace" was an indie film that has won several awards (including spirit awards the night before the oscars) and it was starring Ben Foster, one of my favorite actors, so I have been waiting to see it --- got it from redbox recently, and watched it.  It is very slowly paced, with little dialogue, full of a lot of nature shots and focus on the two characters.  You see how they live in a park on a daily basis until they get caught and thrown into a system that is set up on the outside to look lifesaving, but on the inside, can put stress and limitations on the people just trying to survive.  He has PtSD and is trying to raise his daughter with that baggage, and as she grows to a teen, he finds it hard to justify that kind of life for her, as well.  It's a very emotional ending, but one that had to happen, and I'm glad I got a chance to see this.  Not for everybody, but I found it quite enlightening and one people can talk about for a while.  I give it 4 stars out of 5.

"LEAVE NO TRACE"     2018    1 hour and 49 mins

For survivalist Will and his teenage daughter, living off the grid means residing in a nature reserve on the edge of a city -- a lifestyle that suits them until they're discovered and forced into the social services system.

Cast 

Ben Foster, Thomasin McKenzie, Jeff Kober, Dale Dickey

Director 

Debra Granik

Genres 

Drama, Dramas Based on the Book, Family Dramas, Indie Dramas

Moods 

Understated

Movie #1695 ........................."Pitch Perfect 3"

Movie #1695 "Pitch Perfect 3" is not a good story.  The barrel was scraped to throw this one together, BUT the music is still good, the girls are still fun, and the endings and goodbyes are all still here.  Otherwise, conflicts are forced --- John Lithgow is wasted, and even the two judges who are normally hysterical, get very few funny lines.  I'm glad I saw it because it finally ended the franchise, but it is the worst of the 3, for sure, and I would give it a 2 --- don't bother with this one, unless you want to speed through and watch the musical numbers (that are just forced in to an already thin story).

"PITCH PERFECT 3"  2017    1 hour and 33 mins

In the third chapter of the musical tale about the a cappella group Barden Bellas, the eclectic and opinionated troupe of women try to sort out their personal differences as they prepare for an upcoming competition.

Cast 

Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Elizabeth Banks, Skylar Astin, Adam DeVine, Hailee Steinfeld, John Lithgow, Ruby Rose, Kelley Jakle, Ester Dean, Shelley Regner

Director 

Trish Sie

Genres 

Comedy, Romantic Comedies, Musicals, Contemporary Movie Musicals

Moods 

Feel-good, Goofy

Movie #1696 ........................."Bel Canto"

Movie #1696 "Bel Canto" is a movie I had to look for because I missed it when it was in movie theatre for such a short time.  I had read the Ann Patchett book and really enjoyed it, so when I saw it free on demand for Cox here in Arizona, I dvr'd it and finally watched it.  I must admit it took me quite a while to get through the first 30 minutes because I kept falling asleep --- I kept trying to watch it later in the evening and it is really very very slow.  Now, the reason it is slow is that it deals with a whole bunch of diverse people being held captive in a huge hacienda in South America --- so in order for them to communicate to each other, they need to constantly have a translator (who is a major character in the book/movie).  I found that premise intriguing --- I never saw a movie quite like this, and I have to say, the ending is quite powerful and worth staying and watching throughout.  The film is indie in that it is weighed down by the constant translating and the emphasis on characterization.  I liked it once I got past that first 1/2 hour, but I'm not sure it is for everyone.  It takes a lot of patience to get to that pay off.  P.S.  It isn't as good as the book, but it is a nice attempt!  Oh, forgot to say that opera music is a motif in the book/film, and that isn't a selling feature to a lot of people, so I thought I'd warn you.   (very topical because it deals with diversity!)

"BEL CANTO"   2018   1 hour and 42 mins

When opera diva Roxanne Coss agrees to sing at a rich businessman's swank birthday party in South America, a group of rebel guerrillas takes everyone hostage. During the ensuing monthlong standoff, the hostages and their captors form unlikely bonds.

Cast 

Julianne Moore, Ken Watanabe, Sebastian Koch, Christopher Lambert, Ryô Kase, Tenoch Huerta, Elsa Zylberstein, Olek Krupa, María Mercedes Coroy, Thorbjørn Harr, Noé Hernández

Director 

Paul Weitz

Genres 

Thrillers, Indie Suspense & Thriller, Dramas Based on the Book, Indie Dramas

Moods 

Romantic, Violent

Movie #1694 ........................."Red Sparrow"

Movie #1694 "Red Sparrow" was a movie that came out and I wanted to see, but never got to do that --- then I found it free on Cox on Demand the other night and finally got to watch it.  I have to tell you that it wasn't worth the wait.  Part of my personal problem is that I found it hard to understand --- thick german accents and mumbling at times got in the way of my own personal understanding of a lot  that was said.  With subtitles, I would have fared a bit better, but take sound out of the equation, and I must say this is a really grim story.  I thought it would be more of a spy thriller, but this spy is forced to become a spy due to monetary reasons, and her own uncle is putting her into sexual experiences that she really shouldn't be going through, esp. at a young age.  Jennifer Lawrence for a long time refused to do nude scenes, and this film must be the turning point in that attitude because there are nude scenes galore, along with violence, torture, etc.  I found it quite grim through the whole movie, and that gets stagnant watching it after a while.  You want her to smile or change to any other expression than depression and seriousness --- there's a sequence where she goes to learn her new job and it's really a whore boot camp (their words, not mine).  I really don't recommend it --- gratuitous sex scenes (I felt like saying, we've got it already) added to a long movie already, and it adds up to boredom.    I give it 3 stars out of 5 because I did make it to the end, so the story was adequate.  So was the acting. (nice surprise at the end of the film, so I liked the ending, too)

"RED SPARROW"     2018

Sidelined by a leg injury, ballerina Dominika Egorova becomes a Russian spy tasked with seducing a CIA operative working in Moscow. As their liaison begins to blur her loyalties, Dominika considers becoming a double agent.

Cast 

Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Jeremy Irons, Charlotte Rampling, Mary Louise Parker, Ciarán Hinds, Joely Richardson, Douglas Hodge, Thekla Reuten, Sakina Jaffrey, Kristof Konrad, Sergei Polunin, Bill Camp, Sebastian Hülk

Director 

Francis Lawrence

Genres 

Thrillers, Espionage Thrillers, Dramas Based on the Book

Moods 

Violent, Suspenseful, Steamy, Cerebral

Movie #1693 ........................."Birdbox"

Movie #1693 "Birdbox" ---If you are like me who kind of stays away from scary movies, you might want to watch this during the day, like I did today.  I was waiting for someone to watch it with, but I just gave up today when I was alone and it was too cold to do any outside activities (yep, it's cold in Arizona)  Anyway, I found it a very entertaining film --- to me, I've seen films something like this and you probably have, too ---- it's set up like  a lot of  mysteries where a cast of characters is  trapped in some lodge or something, and each of them is whittled down to one (thank you to Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians")  It's a law of survival in science fiction, and yes, this is a survival film.  It starts with no exposition --- right at the inciting incident where a woman and two children take off on a long boat ride to safety....and then, like modern books today, the story goes back and forth in time to give you the whole backstory and it gradually meets up to the present.  I like the way it is told because the film keeps you on your toes.  I also enjoyed the tenseness --- the acting is believable (even if the story has a few holes in it and is tough to believe), and because the actors , esp. Bullock, are so good, the viewer buys into the story hook, line and sinker  ---- and it increases in intensity.  This is a 4 out of 5 starred- film to me, and I recommend it to anyone who is not faint of heart.  


"BIRDBOX"    2018   R    2 hours and 4 mins

5 years after an ominous unseen presence drives most of society to suicide, a survivor and her two children make a desperate bid to reach safety.

Starring:  Sandra Bullock, John Malkovich, Jacki Weaver

Director:

 Susanne Bier

Writers:

 Eric Heisserer (screenplay), Josh Malerman (novel)

Movie #1692 ........................."The Front Runner"

Movie #1692 "The Front Runner"  --- I was a big fan of Gary Hart and didn't really know the full story of how/why he got out of the race for the Presidency, so when I heard this film came out, I wanted to see it!  And I'm glad I did!  There is so much to like here --- esp. the way the story is told --- overlapping dialogue, camera constantly moving, people constantly talking, & rapid- gun beats in the background with the soundtrack, made the campaign come to life, and I felt I was there with the journalists, with the campaign workers,  & with Gary Hart and his family. It makes a tense movie most of the time --- other times were filled with humor as the campaign workers or journalists sit around waiting for the next time bomb or story to go off..... when I watched the special features the actors said there was a lot of improv on the screen---cast members in the huge cast scenes  were all encouraged to talk about the daily news of the time -- to interrupt each other & to  make catty comments that journalists or campaign workers would make --- Hugh Jackman playing Gary Hart said that when he was being asked questions in those scenes, he didn't always know what was going to be asked or who was asking them  or from where the questions would come from --- and that put Jackman  in the shoes of Gary Hart quite often.  Hart's stance is quite topical   ---- and worthy of further discussion.  He says that politics has become "an athletic competition" --- and the journalists are treating politicians  like everyone in the sports and hollywood world  ---- so they hide in cars and ambush people like Hart in their alleys to ask them questions about adultery, which Hart felt was wrong! and a strong invasion of his privacy --- his bone of contention is what does it matter when you are talking about huge problems in our economy, etc.  But then the film points out the other side --- and deals with what we expect of our leaders.  And a question that comes up daily in our politics is:  what faults will people put up with in our leaders?  the film juggles POV and also doesn't take a stand in the argument, and I liked that about the film.  It definitely presents a topic we should be reckoning with in our political discussions.  I rate it 4 out of 5.      (what happened to Hart seemed to be a precursor of the Kent Starr inquisition of Clinton's activities --- a pertinent quote of LBJ was in this film that was very telling to me - he evidently told journalists at his meet and greet with them that he expected the same courtesy that they gave Kennedy with people going in and out of his bedroom door.  wow!  Here is a link to the crux of the argument that the film covers, if you are interested:  https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-front-runner-review-all-the-news-thats-unfit-1541714932)


"THE FRONT RUNNER"   2018

In this fact-based drama, Sen. Gary Hart is the front-runner for the 1988 Democratic presidential nomination -- but he sees his ambitions short-circuited when reports of an extramarital affair turn up in the media.

Cast

Vera Farmiga, J.K. Simmons, Alfred Molina, Hugh Jackman, Mamoudou Athie, Josh Brener, Kaitlyn Dever, Tommy Dewey, Molly Ephraim, Spencer Garrett, Ari Graynor, Toby Huss, Mike Judge, Alex Karpovsky, Mark O'Brien, Sara Paxton, Kevin Pollak, Steve Zissis, Chris Coy, Nyasha Hatendi, Jennifer Landon, John Bedford Lloyd, Bill Burr, Oliver Cooper, Courtney Ford, Jonny Pasvolsky, Steve Coulter, Jenna Kanell

Director

Jason Reitman

Genres

Drama, Political Dramas, Dramas Based on Real Life, Dramas Based on the Book, Period Pieces, 20th Century Period Pieces

Moods

Understated, Witty

Movie #1691 ........................."Vox Lux"

Movie #1691 "Vox Lux" --- I wanted to see this movie because I am a big fan of Natalie Portman --- ever since I saw her in the small film "Beautiful Girls," and she shared screen time with another favorite Timothy Hutton --- she was his very young  neighbor that he was enchanted with because she seemed so worldly in her thinking.  I remember being so excited about this young girl's acting that I rented the film to show Dave how good she was,  and we sat down and  watched just her scenes because we were so impressed.  So it's no wonder that she has become a top actress in hollywood.  I had heard this film was "out there: and after the first disturbing scene, I was about to turn it off, but I kept watching and I'm glad I did, because I found it very entertaining.  I felt this was the story of someone suffering from PTSD at a very young age who then has to deal with fame in the music industry at an equally young age.  The audience is up front to experience  just how difficult making music, being famous,  and dealing with PTSD is, through the eyes of celeste.  Young Celeste is played very well by Raffey Cassidy, and then when Portman shows up to play older Celeste  about halfway through the film , Raffey slides into the party of Celeste's daughter, and she becomes a different character.  But it's hard to watch anyone else with Portman's "out there" performance --- you may like it, you may not --- it took me a while to settle into it --- it's so difficult of a character to watch and like ---- by the end of the film we are treated to a mini concert of Vox Lux and we finally see what she is like in a performance --- what all the sturm and drang was all about!  And it was quite impressive with Portman singing and dancing & make upped and costumed as the character.  I liked it , but it isn't for everybody.  And it takes a while to get into it.  I would be anxious to hear from others who have seen the film.  When it came out, it was touted for possible awards, and then after a week, the excitement died down --- now that I saw it, I was thinking Portman could have been honored with a nomination because it is a strong performance, but maybe it came out too late, and the Academy didn't know what to do with a performance that only is seen part time in the movie...... I give this a 4 out of 5.


"VOX LUX"   2018    118 minutes             R rated

Vox Lux begins in 1999 when teenage sisters Celeste and Eleanor survive a seismic, violent tragedy. The sisters compose and perform a song about their experience, making something lovely and cathartic out of catastrophe — while also catapulting Celeste to stardom. By 2017, the now 31-year-old Celeste (Natalie Portman) is mother to a teenage daughter of her own and struggling to navigate a career fraught with scandals when another act of terrifying violence demands her attention.

Cast 

Natalie Portman, Jude Law, Jennifer Ehle, Stacy Martin, Raffey Cassidy, Maria Dizzia, Matt Servitto, Daniel London, Meg Gibson, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Abbott, Erik King, Sahr Ngaujah, Mona Fastvold

Director 

Brady Corbet

Genres 

Drama, Showbiz Dramas, Indie Dramas, Musicals

Moods Dark

Movie #1690 "The Girl in the Spider's Web"

Movie #1690 "The Girl in the Spider's Web" -- I wanted to see this movie because I have read and seen all the books in the series, and this is the most recent.  I had seen the trailer, and it looked mostly to show the opening scene where she seems to be avenging another woman who has been abused by her hubby/bf, whoever.....and I couldn't remember any of that in the book, so I was a bit worried that this film didn't follow too closely with the book ---- generally, it did, but then went in a bunch of different directions with the series regular characters (i.e. Salander's sister, Blomquist, and Salander, mostly)  There was much I liked with just a few others I didn't.....I continually enjoy the "look" of Sweden, the coldness, the darkness, the dampness and snow --- it becomes such a mood piece in the series.  I really really liked this Liz Salander --- Claire Foy fits so much the description that is given in the book --- small, muscular, dark, hair in mohawk, the dragon tattoo was prominent in this one and was her ability (and inability, just because of her size) to deal with the enemies (of which there are quite a few in the film.  Another thing I liked is that I saw some special effects I have never seen before (but it could be because I don't always see all the action films) - for example, the effect of her room being filled with fire in one second flat --- amazing!  The guy missing his nose --- amazing again for the makeup artist.  The new Blomquist (since the actor who played the original Blomquist died) was good, and they seemed to have more chemistry than the other ones --- at least this film pushed that a bit more than some of the others...... it's what the audience wants to see, I think.  Once again, I like how there's less fighting and more using tech and their minds to get out of scrapes.  Oh, but not to say there isn't violence --- this series is always filled with violence (wait until you watch what her sister does to her toward the end of the film --- no spoils here...) and I never like a lot of fighting, but because she loses quite a bit here, it seemed more in reality, than some other action films I've seen where the good guy NEVER loses ---- what I missed about this film, though, in comparison to the book was the relationship Salander had with the little autistic boy August --- she had just a tidbit with him here, and their trek together wasn't near as long as it was in the book.  Otherwise, I really responded well to this film --- it moved around at a rapid pace, so action fans will enjoy it, and also the series' fans won't be let down, I don't think.  That is, if you can get through the heart pumping sequences you watch more of than stretches of quiet time discussions between blomquist and Salander.  I'd give it 4 out of 5.

"THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB"    2018

Fired from the National Security Agency, Frans Balder recruits hacker Lisbeth Salander to steal FireWall, a computer program that can access codes for nuclear weapons worldwide. The download soon draws attention from an NSA agent who traces the activity to Stockholm. Further problems arise when Russian thugs take Lisbeth's laptop and kidnap a math whiz who can make FireWall work. Now, Lisbeth and an unlikely ally must race against time to save the boy and recover the codes to avert disaster.

Cast 

Claire Foy, Sverrir Gudnason, Lakeith Lee Stanfield, Sylvia Hoeks, Stephen Merchant, Claes Bang, Cameron Britton, Vicky Krieps, Synnøve Macody Lund

Director 

Fede Alvarez

Genres 

Thrillers, Crime Thrillers, Crime Dramas, Dramas Based on the Book

Moods 

Violent, Suspenseful, Exciting

Movie #1689 ........................."Isn't it Romantic"

Movie #1689  "Isn't it Romantic" is a film that makes fun of romantic comedies --- but while doing that, you can see a slight homage to them, as well.  It has musical numbers, the romcom characters (like the funny best friend, etc.), the telegraphed ending, the fade to black so no graphic scenes, no swearing (words are bleeped), and excerpts from famous rom coms.  I was in the movie theatre by myself watching this, so because of that and because of what I was watching on the screen, I felt the movie was made just for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it!  I know it isn't for everybody, but for a comedy it has quite a high rating on rotten tomatoes, so I know I'm not the only one who laughed out loud several times in this film.  I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars.  P.S.  I enjoyed the Amy Schumer rom com last year ("I Feel Pretty") but the ending wasn't smart --- she ended up giving a wonderful speech about not judging people by their looks in front of big makeup displays, etc.  This one has a better, smarter ending, with even a better message --- You have to love yourself first before you can open your heart to others........ and I like to support that message whenever I can, and it's in this film.











"ISN'T IT ROMANTIC"     1 hour and 29 minutes      PG-13      2019

A young woman disenchanted with love mysteriously finds herself trapped inside a romantic comedy.

Director:

 Todd Strauss-Schulson

Writers:

 Erin Cardillo (screenplay by), Dana Fox (screenplay by)  | 2 more credits »

Stars:

 Rebel Wilson, Liam Hemsworth, Adam Devine 

Movie #1688 ........................."Skin" (live action short)

Movie #1688 "Skin"  the last live action short that was nominated for Oscar 2018, and the ultimate winner!   This is a must-see with all kinds of "nasty" involved ---- the synopsis below sets up the plot well --- but it's difficult to watch this film (did you notice most of them were like that this year?)  and the ending, oh the ending.....  makes it the shocker it is.  It deserves winning and I'd recommend seeing it if you can.  5 stars out of 5 from me.










"SKIN"   2018      21 MINUTES      USA

A small supermarket in a blue collar town, a black man smiles at a 10 year old white boy across the checkout aisle. This innocuous moment sends two gangs into a ruthless war that ends with a shocking backlash.

Director:

 Guy Nattiv

Writers:

 Sharon Maymon (original idea), Sharon Maymon |1 more credit »

Stars:

 Jonathan Tucker, Jackson Robert Scott, Danielle Macdonald

Movie #1687 ........................."Madre" (Mother - live action short)

Movie #1687 "Madre"  is yet another live action short nominated for an Oscar 2018.  Talk about nerve-wracking, this is a movie on pins and needles through the entire time ---- once the phone call is answered by "Madre" it's a terrifying ride through hell by any parent --- as it says below, this covers every parent's nightmare ----- But I give it a 4 out of 5   because of the ending......a disappointment to this viewer.  And I would guess to many others out there who see this.












"MADRE"     19 minutes    2018      Spanish

While at home in her apartment with her own mother in Spain, a woman gets a phone call from her six-year-old son, who's on holiday in France with his father. Every parent's nightmare ensues.

Director:

 Rodrigo Sorogoyen

Writer:

 Rodrigo Sorogoyen

Stars:

 Marta Nieto, Blanca Apilánez, Álvaro Balas 

Movie #1686 ........................."Marguerite" (live action short)

Movie #1686 "Marguerite" - live action short also nominated for Oscar 2018.    It deals with a lot of topical subjects like caregiving, treatment of the aged, loneliness, tolerance, empathy.....and the list goes on.  The film is very deserving of its nomination in its storyline and depth of character development.  I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.










"MARGUERITE"    19 minutes      2018      Canada

An aging woman and her nurse develop a friendship that inspires her to unearth unacknowledged longing and thus help her make peace with her past.

Director:

 Marianne Farley

Writer:

 Marianne Farley

Stars:

 Béatrice Picard, Sandrine Bisson

Movie #1685 ........................."Fauve" (live action short)

Movie #1685 "Fauve"  (live action short nominated for Oscar 2018) This is one of the two best of the bunch, in my opinion.  It's truly a tragic set of circumstances , and it all starts innocently with a power game between two boys.  I appreciated this one most because of the emotional impact of the last visual.....but the rest is filmed beautifully, as well.  And I found the story horrifying but absolutely intriguing --- couldn't pull my eyes away from the screen.  I give it 5 stars out of 5.  A tough watch, though.







"FAUVE"    17 minutes    2018     Canada

Set in a surface mine, two boys sink into a seemingly innocent power game with Mother Nature as the sole observer...

Director:

 Jeremy Comte (as Jérémy Comte) 

Writer:

 Jeremy Comte (as Jérémy Comte) 

Stars:

 Félix Grenier, Alexandre Perreault, Louise Bombardier

Movie #1684 ........................."Detainment" (live action short)

Movie #1684 "Detainment" is a 30 minute Oscar nominated live action short  that you probably would never forget watching.  Very unsettling, disturbing, creepy ---- these are words I would use to describe this "film" --- I put quotes around it because by the end of it, I wondered why it had to be made........ why any director would put kid actors through it, why their parents would okay it, why the original victim's parents would want it done.....so many why's.  Based on a true story and the interview transcripts (see below), it plays more like a documentary --- kids can't say right out what they probably did to this little tot , so the investigators have to keep badgering them with questions, as if they are voyeurs, trying to get every sordid detail out of them --- It doesn't make anyone look justified in this, and it sickens me so much, I really don't want to write any more in this blog on it.  I wouldn't recommend it for anyone, and it's the one in here I questioned why it was nominated.  1 out of 5 stars.  (for photography?)



"DETAINMENT" ----- 30 minutes      20i8      Irish short live action

Two ten year-old boys are detained by police under suspicion of abducting and murdering a toddler. A true story based on interview transcripts and records from the James Bulger case which shocked the world in 1993.

Director:

 Vincent Lambe

Writer:

 Vincent Lambe

Stars:

 Ely Solan, Leon Hughes, Will O'Connell