movie #1716 ........................."Diane"

Movie #1716 "Diane" is the first movie I can remember that showcases Mary Kay Place as the lead, and she's certainly up for the challenge.  She's a woman who makes lists and goes around and visits sick friends in the hospital, or delivers food to sick relatives, serves food in a soup kitchen, and very often checks in on her son, a druggie.  They seem to have history, and in the course of the film we find out what their baggage is.......but not before some really ugly  arguments between the two, with horrible name calling back and forth.  The film is photographed beautifully, and the weather fluctuates from snow to just ugly and dark --- kind of fits the mood of all the sickness and death that she is a witness of ---- we are constantly reminded that life is short and we attend funerals, and some day everyone left that we knew will attend ours ---- like I said pretty grim.  But Place is so darn good that you feel you know her and her son and can commiserate with them.  I have to admit, I don't like the ending --- it's not very clear and the rest of the film is so simply told, I wanted the ending to be a bit more resolute --- but other than that, good strong intensity. I'd give it 4 stars out of 5.  But it isn't for everybody because its pacing is slow and there are a lot of shots of Place's face......we try to identify what's on her mind and sometimes we are correct, and sometimes we are confused. ...

"DIANE"    1 hour and 36 minutes     2019

• 
  

Widowed and in her 70s, Diane spends her days helping others: feeding the homeless, caring for ailing friends and trying to reach her drug-addicted son. But as her obligations dwindle, Diane reluctantly confronts her past -- and her mortality.

Cast 

Mary Kay Place, Jake Lacy, Deirdre O'Connell, Estelle Parsons, Andrea Martin, Phyllis Somerville, Glynnis O'Connor, Joyce Van Patten, Ray Iannicelli, Charles Weldon, Danielle Ferland, Patrick Husted, LaChanze, Barbara Andres, George Riddle

Director 

Kent Jones

Genres 

Drama, Indie Dramas

Movie #1715 ........................."The Miseducation of Cameron Post"

Movie #1715 "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" was a movie I saw on Xfinity on demand (but it is also available as a dvd from netflix) , and it is the same subject as the Lucas Hedges' film earlier in 2018 entitled:  "Boy Erased."  Subject matter in both films is conversion therapy used to try to cure homosexuality --- both terribly unsuccessful.  Both films pretty grim, but "Boy Erased" drew me in a bit more because the filmed focused on the various treatments that were used, so the audience could see how much these kids went through when they went to one of these camps..  I didn't get pulled in to the "Miseducation of Cameron Post" because we didn't see a lot of the therapy --- there was a lot of pushing the religion, which I didn't care for (neither did  Cameron) --- This film is pretty grim throughout, but it  does have a more hopeful ending in comparison to the other one.  I'm a big fan of Chloe Grace Moretz and John Gallagher (from "Newsroom")  and both are theatre actors and they are very strong in this film.  The rest are more caricatures of kids you might see at a  camp like this ---It was just okay ---- although it got the grand prize at Sundance in 2018, so critics liked it quite a lot.  3.5 out of 5 stars for me.


"THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST"  1 hour and 30 minutes

Teenager Cameron Post sees her life turn topsy-turvy when she's caught having sex with another girl on prom night and is packed off to a conversion-therapy facility to be "cured." Instead, she forms a bond with the two renegades in the group.

Cast 

Chloë Grace Moretz, John Gallagher Jr., Sasha Lane, Forrest Goodluck, Jennifer Ehle, Marin Ireland, Owen Campbell, Kerry Butler, Quinn Shephard, Emily Skeggs, Melanie Ehrlich, Steven Hauck

Director 

Desiree Akhavan

Genres 

Drama, LGBT, LGBT Dramas, Dramas Based on the Book, Period Pieces, 20th Century Period Pieces, Coming of Age

Moods 

Cerebral, Emotional

Movie #1714 ........................."On the Basis of Sex"

Movie #1714 "On the Basis of Sex" is a very talky movie, but one I most enjoyed.  There are several intelligent conversations about the the lack of equality between the sexes.  Not only does the film instruct on the main cases RBG took on early in her career, it shows how she tried to juggle several jobs over the course of those first couple of years of studying, teaching, taking care of Marty (who had a health issue) and the home.....so much to do, and her strength to get the job done.  We've heard that she hardly slept in those years, but it is so inspiring to see the whirlwind we now known as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. If you saw the documentary, this one fleshes out those first few years that laid the foundation for all the work she did to change the laws that were gender discriminating.  What a heroine!!! and worthy of many movies on her.  I give this 4.5 for a very intelligent script, but one that almost totally relies on dialogue.  So not for everybody!






"ON THE BASIS OF SEX"   2 hours

Sex depicts a then-struggling attorney and new mother facing adversity in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a ground-breaking case, she knows the outcome could alter the courts' view of gender discrimination. Stronger together, Ruth teams up with her husband, Martin Ginsburg, to fight the case that catapults her into one of the most important public figures of our time.

Cast 

Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Sam Waterston, Kathy Bates, Jack Reynor, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen Root, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Francis X. McCarthy, Angela Galuppo, Joe Cobden, Gary Werntz, Holly G. Frankel, Arthur Holden

Director 

Mimi Leder

Genres 

Drama, Biographies, Political Dramas, Period Pieces, 20th Century Period Pieces

Moods 

Inspiring, Cerebral

Movie #1713 .........................""Coiette"

Movie #1713 "Colette" --- rented this from the local library and I liked it marginally.  It took a long time for me to get into it - so, for me, the exposition was a bit too long.  I have seen other movies on this topic in history, except in the music circles ("Impromptu" came to mind) with women dressing up like men and fight for equality in European class society.  I don't think it's unknown that Colette (author of "Gigi") wrote books that her husband got credit for, but it's nice to know more of the story than just that.  The two lead actors are good, though she seems more invested in the role than he does, and her lover (dressed like a guy) is a scene stealer, as well.  I guess I liked the way the struggle was portrayed and the two characters, but the plot meandered a bit, esp. in the opening.  I'd give it 3.5 stars out of 5.  The film definitely proves that she is an important figure in the feminism struggle for equality.

Colette

 2018 R 1h 51m 

After marrying a successful Parisian writer known commonly as "Willy", Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette is transplanted from her childhood home in rural France to the intellectual and artistic splendor of Paris. Soon after, Willy convinces Colette to ghostwrite for him. She pens a semi-autobiographical novel about a witty and brazen country girl named Claudine, sparking a bestseller and a cultural sensation. After its success, Colette and Willy become the talk of Paris and their adventures inspire additional Claudine novels. Colette's fight over creative ownership and gender roles drives her to overcome societal constraints, revolutionizing literature, fashion and sexual expression.

Cast 

Keira Knightley, Dominic West, Denise Gough, Fiona Shaw, Eleanor Tomlinson, Aiysha Hart, Robert Pugh, Caroline Boulton, Ray Panthaki, Shannon Tarbet, Arabella Weir, Máté Haumann, Masayoshi Haneda

Director 

Wash Westmoreland

Genres 

Drama, Biographies, Period Pieces, United Kingdom

Moods 

Understated, Witty

History

Movie #1712 ........................."The Tomorrow Man"

Movie #1712 "The Tomorrow Man" was the final film we saw at the phoenix film festival , and it was quite good.  There were four of us that saw it, and two thought it was a bit slow, but being billed an indie film, I knew that the film would not be heavy on plot, but more on character development.  And that character work was left in the hands of the two, more than adequate leads, John Lithgow and Blithe Danner --- both exceptionally good here.  And both are for the better in their journey together in the film --- and the audience gets a nice theme out of the experience as well.  It's quirky, but good --- my kind of film, and it looks to be distributed out to theaters in the near future, so if you see it offered, you might like it, if you aren't looking for car chases or fights with guns in your movies.  I'd give it a 4 out of 5.  With a nice resolution!  Director is an up and coming african american director/writer, known for nice images, which we saw many of in this film!

The Tomorrow Man

 2019 PG-13 1h 34m

Retiree Ed Hemsler is focused on the future, specifically on the disaster he's certain is just around the corner. But in the midst of his doomsday preparations, he meets shopaholic Ronnie Meisner, and the two quirky characters develop a bond.

Cast 

John Lithgow, Blythe Danner, Derek Cecil, Katie Aselton, Sophie Thatcher, Eve Harlow

Director 

Noble Jones

Genres 

Drama, Romantic Dramas, Indie Dramas, Indie Romance

Movie #1711 ........................."Doc Martin" - the prequel

Movie #1711 "Doc Martin", the prequel to the t.v. series (there are two full length movies) I found at the library and wanted to see what it was like, since we are great fans of the t.v. series.  I wouldn't bother with this one --- the mystery wasn't intriguing, and he came across quite normal, except for his thing about blood.  It's like watching Monk without his little OCD tics.  Bottom line?  not very interesting.  I'd give it 3 stars out of 5 and urge you to watch the t.v. series.  Very funny!

Doc Martin 

 2001 1h 27m 

In this feature-length prequel to the hit series, London-based obstetrician Dr. Martin Bamford leaves his cheating wife and goes on holiday in a quaint Cornish village, where he soon finds himself swept up in a peculiar mystery.

Cast 

Martin Clunes, Dominic Rowan, Richard Dillane, Oliver Fox, Lynsey Baxter, Mark Heap, Tristan Sturrock, Tony Maudsley, Paul Brooke, Stephen Moore

Director 

Ben Bolt

Genres 

Drama, Mystery, Made-for-TV Movies, United Kingdom

Movie #1710 ........................."August Rush"

Movie #1710 "August Rush" -- I saw this a while a go, before I did blogs, so I thought I'd do a blog on this one, since a musical was just recently made on the film (and it is coming to the Paramount in Aurora).  I had company here in Az who planned to see the show, so we decided to see the movie first so we were acquainted with the characters and basic plot.  The acting is well done, esp. with the kid and Keri Russell ("Americans" and "Felicity"), and JR Meyers ("Matchpoint") , also including two fantastically talented kids who sing and play instruments, and Robin Williams (who plays a Fagin-like character).  Plot is simple (down below) and deals with lots of fantastical elements (hard to believe, but it seems a fantasy, and it deals with the power of music, so most viewers go with the flow).  We were impressed with the abilities of the key players so much, we looked up just how much they played their instrument and how much they had to rehearse for the film.  There are links if you google it, if you are interested.  This further  intrigued us about the play because they won't be able to "fake" any playing when on stage , usually! ( surprise surprise if you have seen "Beautiful" and think the lead plays all the piano stuff!) I enjoyed it because it is so different --- yes, it is a romantic story, and yes, the boy is mistreated by people of the streets, at times, like Oliver's Fagin, and yes, the ending is a bit of a stretch!  But the power of music is so contagious in the film, that I enjoyed it a lot.  You might want to see it , too, esp. if you plan to see the musical.  There were many songs in the film that maybe will be found in the musical?  we don't know, but it was a very tuneful movie.  4 stars out of 5.  (PS  I gave it 4 stars on netflix the first time I saw it, too, so it's nice to know I was consistent with my liking it)  It is available as DVD on netflix, and I'm sure in libraries.







"AUGUST RUSH"    2007     PG      1 hour 52 mins

After cellist Lyla (Keri Russell) and guitarist Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) share an enchanted night together, circumstances rip them apart, and the child (Freddie Highmore) produced by the union is raised by an opportunistic stranger (Robin Williams) who nurtures the boy's musical talent. Determined to find his parents, the boy -- known as August Rush -- relies on music to draw his mother and father to him. Terrence Howard co-stars.

Cast 

Freddie Highmore, Keri Russell, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Robin Williams, Terrence Howard, Jamia Simone Nash, William Sadler, Alex O'Loughlin, Leon G. Thomas

Director 

Kirsten Sheridan

Genres 

Drama, Family Dramas, Romantic Dramas, Tearjerkers

Moods 

Romantic, Emotional

Movie #1709 ........................."The Mustang"

Movie #1709 "The Mustang" --- this film, with a very quiet lead character in Roman,  drew me in from the very beginning.  It must  be said, though, this is a tough watch in that it takes place entirely in a prison.  So that being said, it still has so much humanity in it, and I found it quite touching.  It is filmed beautifully, esp. in the way the horses are filmed.  The lead Matt Shoenaerts demands attention in all of his scenes, and it's so wonderful to see Bruce Dern still acting up a storm in a small but important part.  I only had a couple of small complaints --- one is that we could use more info on the characters --- this film, for sure, does not want to tell you too much in each  scene --- it wants to withhold information to keep your attention to the very end, and I get that, but still I wanted just a bit more backstory (esp. with the only female in the film.  The other complaint is that I sure could have used subtitles because the characters, being in a prison, are kind of sloppy in talking and articulating, and they use slang that we aren't familiar with, and I think the audience could use a bit more help there.  But that could be an age thing --- but I didn't think so with this particular film.  I give it 4 stars out of 5 and I strongly recommend it --- I thought it was going to be a horse whisperer film (like the ones I have seen already), but this one takes a different course.....

PS.  this is a sundance film, with Redford taking the reigns (sorry for pun) in producing it, and you c oould tell in the quality of the piece straight out of the gate!  (I could have put gait, but that would have been too much!  hah!)












"THE MUSTANG"    2019      1 hour and 37 mins

The story of Roman Coleman, a violent convict, who is given the chance to participate in a rehabilitation therapy program involving the training of wild mustangs.

Director:

 Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre

Writers:

 Brock Norman Brock, Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre |

Stars:

 Matthias Schoenaerts, Jason Mitchell, Bruce Dern

Movie #1708 ........................."What Men Long For" (Czech. film with subtitles)

Movie #1708 "What Men Long For" was the last film  we saw on Sunday at the phoenix film festival, and this was the one I esp. wanted to see because the director is Rudolf Havlik, who directed one of my very favorite movies "Fairy Tales for Emma" that I saw at the Phoenix Fest. a couple of years ago, and we brought it to the Naperville Film Festival where it won the Best Feature Film. So I was anxious to see it, and I'm glad I did.  However, the opening was difficult to watch --- in this me, too movement, it is tough to watch this chauvinistic pig address women who work for him and just people generally --- he's mean, cruel,  bullish and narcissistic........no humor there, and in fact, there were groans in the opening of the film from the audience.  But then as he changes to female (not tootsie-like because the woman is played by a female actress who resembles the man she is replacing), and he/she starts to understand what it is really like to be a woman in a man's world, then we get to laugh at him learning all of this.  And it doesn't even cover half the jobs women do in the world.....it makes him generally more sensitive to others, esp. women, and who wouldn't want to see someone learn that?  Some of this film is  slapstick, some is even farcical, but there's some that is poignant and terribly charming, and it's those parts and the variety of humor  that make the film a 4 stars out of 4 stars rating  for me.  Hope it gets picked up by a distributor.

"WHAT MEN LONG FOR"

• The charismatic and self-confident man, Karel Král, is the editor-in-chief of men's magazine. Although a chauvinistic type, he is very popular with women. However, he struggles in his personal life. He frequently argues with his ex-wife over their 17 year-old daughter Julie, who despises his new way of life. Then the consequences of his behavior catch up with him. He loses his job, and the editor-in-chief position is given to a young and beautiful woman. But his bad luck does not end there. After another fight with his ex-wife and daughter, and a woman driver crashing into his car, Karel and his best friend Cestmír have an evening of binge drinking. During the wild night, he expresses a wish to be a woman. When he wakes up the next morning he discovers that his wish has been granted.
  
  
  
  

  Director:

   Rudolf Havlik

  Writer:

   Rudolf Havlik

  Stars:

   Anna Polívková, Jirí Langmajer, Tatiana Pauhofová 

Movie #1707 ........................."Hudson"

Movie #1707 “Hudson” —- this one was the one we saw that just won the audience awards for the festival, and I enjoyed it. A term I would use to describe it is quirky, and very much an independent film in spirit and pacing.  There isn't much to the story, and if you expect huge changes in the flawed characters, you won't be seeing that either, but I found it a fun watch, mostly because I enjoyed the characters.  Hudson is the cousin who just lost his mom and wants to bring her ashes to a special tree that he and his cousin (the other lead guy, who is an actor) used to play on.  In the Q and A , the director said they didn't work from much of a script, and you can tell a lot of this is improvised.  Once in a while it turns out charming like this one....but it is very rare.  And this is a rare film.  Hope people get to see this, if they are searching for a quirky, light comedy with some poignant moments. Ii gave it 4 stars out of 4.  

"HUDSON"    

A man embarks on a trip with his estranged cousin Hudson to spread his late mother's ashes. They meet an unusual woman along the way and their simple road trip turns into a dysfunctional adventure.

Director:

 Sean D. Cunningham

Writers:

 Sean D. Cunningham, Gregory Lay

Stars:

 Gregory Lay, David Neal Levin, Mary Catherine Greenawalt

Movie #1706 ........................."The Grounds"

Movie #1706 " THE Grounds"  was the third film I saw in the Phoenix Film Festival, and it was a winner. I was sitting next to the writer's mom, so it's a good thing I liked it and didn't groan through it.  hah!  Anyway, it's about a loser guy you've come across before --- gets drunk every night, smokes weed and parties incessantly, can't keep a job (opening, he's passed out on a golf course in his underwear, and he's the groundskeeper for it so he gets fired on the spot!)  --- a directionless guy with average good looks but thinks he is so much better when meeting women.  He gets interviewed  by this pretty blonde( he hits on in the interview!) to be a groundskeeper for this rich estate  and surprise!  He gets the job (well, after scaring others away).  All he is not supposed to do is talk to the owner (who doesn't leave the place nor talk to anyone).  I think I'll stop there and yes, with only that info, it could be a comedy or a tragedy, but I can tell you it becomes funny --(I say "becomes" funny because to me, this guy's loser qualities are not funny, but he becomes a bit more endearing as the film goes on)   By the end, it has become a poignant journey these two men go on, and I thought that was pretty tough to mix the comedy with the poignancy so I gave it 4 stars out of 4.  I learned from the writer's mom that the idea for the film came from a stay in Pasadena at this particular house, and the story developed from there --- it is one beautiful estate!  and fun to watch them use the location.  I recommend it if it gets released.

P.S.  Of the 5 movies I saw at the film festival this year, the actors here have the most credits on IMDB --- and the lead guy here (the loser) is from Chicago -- I thought he looked familiar.  I've seen him in some Sundance movies -- he's won some awards.  The other one (the rich guy) is on Station 19 right now.  So this might be bought by netflix.  I wouldn't be surprised. 

" THE GROUNDS"  1 HOUR 28 mins    2018

Alcoholic Calvin cons his way into a job tending the grounds of a hillside mansion owned by the reclusive Jack. On the night Calvin stumbles into a bathroom to see Jack with a gun to his head, an unlikely friendship is born.

Director: Peter O'Melia

Writers: Gregory Thirkhill II (story), Gregory Thirkhill II |3 more credits »

Stars: Michael Welch, Trevor Morgan, Ashley Hinshaw

Movie #1705 ........................."The Worlds of Ursula K Le Guin"

Movie #1705 " Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin" was the least intriguing film I saw at the festival (out of 5 films).  I thought it would be more creative and insightful from the description of it (and the trailer I viewed).  It is just a discussion on this female science fiction writer's books -- and in an attempt to pull the audience in, it sometimes shows the story line with paint strokes, animation,  etc.  But this doc relies too heavily on interviews --- I thought I would get some insight into her life and her books, and I did, a bit, but after the plots of several of her books were  revealed, I discovered she's more a fantasy writer, and the stories didn't seem that interesting to me.  I did get a suggestion or two on a book title I might look into, because she is considered somewhat of a feminist before her time (esp. in science fiction) -- one book in particular sounded cool, and more sci fi, because it concerned a genderless society and the positives and negatives of that idea (I think the title was "The Left hand of darkness" --- One idea was suggested to the "teacher" part in me  (i.e. I would consider using in a classroom) --- there's evidently a story  of hers concerning a society that is all based on happiness, except it only exists because one child is locked up and mistreated.  If he weren't there being abused, the rest of the world would be happy no more ---- there's a section in the film that shows a teacher using this in a classroom, and the kids were having a great discussion on if they would continue to live in this happy society (knowing about this little child being abused), or walk away from it, or confront the situation and help the kid escape (and then there would be no more happiness for the rest of the people).  To me, it sounded like a nice story to pair with something like "The Lottery" --- anyway, that's all I came away with, but it was enough to give it 3 stars out of 4.  This is an American Masters film so it may appear on t.v. in the future?  or available to be streamed?  For me, I am going to look for that story --- I didn't get the title, and this film made me want to read it!

PS:  the synopsis below makes this film sound much better than it was.  I wish the Hogwarts part was really focused on in the film -- the book "Earthsea" did not sound like Rowling to me from what was said in this film ---- If you have read it, please let me know how it compares.

"THE WORLDS OF URSULA K. LE GUIN"     1 hour 8 mins      documentary  2018

• Decades before Hogwarts, Ursula K. Le Guin invited young readers to wizard school in her classic Earthsea fantasy series, and dazzled the science fiction world with masterworks like The Left Hand of Darkness and The Dispossessed. Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin tells the groundbreaking author's story in her own words, sprinkled with stunning animation and commentary from literary luminaries like Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, David Mitchell, and Michael Chabon. Produced with Le Guin's participation over ten years, Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin is a breathtaking journey through the late writer's career and her worlds, both real and fantastic.

Director: Arwen Curry

Writer: Arwen Curry

Stars: Michael Chabon, Neil Gaiman, Ursula K. Le Guin

Movie #1704 ........................."Finding Alice" (Phoenix Film Festival)

Movie #1704 "Finding Alice" was the first movie I saw at the Phoenix Film Festival, and I really found it a good watch.  The actors are capable, the location (Sweden, although it's supposed to be middle america) shooting is excellent, the film's content is one you will be talking about upon leaving the theatre.  If I were the filmmaker, I would have changed a few things because it is a bit unsettling to me, but then it might not have been as powerful.  I can't say anything more really because I feel I would give something away, but I gave this 4 stars out of 4, and would recommend it to you if you ever get a chance to see it.  But it deals with adult situations, so young kids wouldn't get anything out of it.

"FINDING ALICE"  

 Erin lives on the streets. Desperate for money she cheats her way into a job at a nursing home & ends up stealing from them and  going on the run, kidnapping one of the patients in the process:  a seventy-year-old man with dementia problems.  This is a twist on a road trip with two apparent lost people trying to find answers.   

Director:

 Pablo Fernandez

Writer:

 Pablo Fernandez

Stars:

 Emma Melkersson, John La Briola, Minna Nordström