Movie #1743 ........................."Where'd you go, Bernadette?"

Movie #1743 "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?"  I had read the book for book club so when the film came out, we wanted to see it and compare it.  I guess I would have to leave the more specific and detailed  comparisons for those who read the book more recently, but I can say I saw only small differences (in getting to the end more quickly and  in her relationship with Audrey) &  I enjoyed the movie as much as the book --- they both had their focuses all over the place, and it was  hard to follow the story, at times.  So there were some script problems.  The movie had pacing problems, too --- it could have gone more quickly, as far as I was concerned.  But the acting is top draw, including the new young actress who plays her daughter, who  comes from Barrington, Illinois.  What a find!  In the film, I might have wanted a bit more history as to why the mother and daughter  are tied to each other so much ---- esp. with the antics that this mother plays, one wonders why the daughter never fails to love and believe in her.   Another main difference in book and movie is that the story in the book was told mostly through emails, police reports,  letters, legal documents, and a little narration by the daughter, all while examining the loving relationship between a mother and her daughter and making a spoof about suburban life. The movie changes into more narration on the daughter's part and much more dialogue.  Oh, and there's a pregnancy in the book that comes from Bernadette's husband and his assistant, but that is missing in the movie --- and I'm glad because this makes the movie more PG.    Overall, the movie had a good sense of humor (in an odd way --- QUIRKY is the word),  and it  definitely got me thinking about creative people who could be menaces if not able to let out their creativity (Like Bernadette).   A little shout out for Kristin Wigg, who plays a secondary character in here but with much strength.  I give this 4 out of 5 stars.


"WHERE'D YOU GO, BERNADETTE?"    2019   PG-13    2 hours and 10 minutes

After eccentric architect Bernadette Fox vanishes without explanation, her 15-year-old daughter, Bee, is determined to find her. But while searching for clues to Bernadette's whereabouts, Bee uncovers her mother's troubled past.

Cast 

Cate Blanchett, Kristen Wiig, Judy Greer, Emma Nelson, Billy Crudup, Laurence Fishburne, James Urbaniak, Steve Zahn, Megan Mullally, Troian Bellisario, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Richard Robichaux, Claudia Doumit, Patrick Sebes

Director 

Richard Linklater

Genres 

Comedy, Mystery, Dramas Based on the Book, Indie Comedies, Indie Dramas

Moods 

Suspenseful

Movie #1742 ........................."The Art of Racing in the Rain"

Movie #1742 "The Art of Racing in the Rain" was based on a book that I read but can't remember a thing about --- I remember it was a fast read, it was sad in parts, and I liked it --- but that is about it.  And I felt the same about the movie --- sad in parts, and I liked it, but it's nothing to run to the theatre about --- not a Wow film at all.  The lead guy is from "This Is Us," and his acting ability seems suspect to me ---- he's okay in this part, but it doesn't expect a lot from him.  The weight of the acting is on someone more capable --- his wife Amanda Seyfried (the daughter from "Mama Mia").  And the best part of the film is that Kevin Costner narrates the dog's point of view, which the entire film is in.  He's rather humorous, and he adds some thematic moments to the film.  When I came out of this film, I felt like it was a racing  "Marley and Me"  film with a dog narrator .  I would give it 3.8 out of 5.  And it's  a film for the whole family (unless you don't want to explain death of people or animals to anyone).

"THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN:    PG    1 hour and 49 mins

In this heartfelt dramedy based on  the best-selling book of the same name, insightful family canine Enzo reflects on his life through the lessons he's learned from his owner, race-car driver Denny Swift.

Cast 

Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried, Kathy Baker, Martin Donovan, Gary Cole, Kevin Costner, McKinley Belcher III, Marcus Hondro, Donald Heng

Director 

Simon Curtis

Genres 

Drama, Dramas Based on the Book

Moods 

Emot

Movie #1741 ........................."Please Stand By"

Movie #1741 "Please Stand By" was a movie I got to see by getting the dvd sent to me from Netflix. and I'm glad I did.  I enjoyed this a lot!  I started thinking about how much I've enjoyed watching Dakota Fanning in the past and wondered what she has been doing lately, and I saw that I missed this film in the theatre and rented it.  It concerns an autistic young girl whose sister, now left without a mom and dad to take care of her younger sister, finds she is unable to give her the care she needs, esp. with having a brand new baby in the house, so she puts Dakota into a home, under the watchful eyes of Toni Collette.  Dakota spends her days trying to learn how to be socially less awkward, wearing the same color clothes on all Mondays, Tuesday,s etc. , and most importantly to her writing a sc riot for "Star Trek" for a contest.  When she realizes she must get her script in to the contest by a certain day and time, she finds she must hand deliver it and goes on a quest with her dog (dressed in a star trek outfit) to the Hollywood set.  Dakota is an amazing actress and she totally withdraws into this person and makes her quite charming in her way.  Toni Collette is a bonus to watch working with Dakota.  Even though I don't know much about Star Trek, I found the movie very inspiring and it has one of the best high points I have seen in a long time --- and it's very humorous, as well.  I would give this a 5, and it shows me again why I keep up my dvd rental part of netflix.  There are so many good indie films available, that I just can't give it up yet. Oh, and the title's meaning?  Toni Collette has taught Dakota that when she loses her cool, she has to stop lashing out and screaming, and say "Please Stand By" --- it's a gimmick, but it works!


"PLEASE STAND BY"  2018   PG-13  1 hour and 34 minutes

Intent on submitting her 500-page script to a writing competition, autistic young Wendy sneaks away from her care home and heads for Hollywood. In hot pursuit is her caregiver, Scottie -- who inspired Wendy to begin writing in the first place.

Cast 

Dakota Fanning, Toni Collette, Alice Eve, Marla Gibbs, Jessica Rothe, River Alexander, William Stanford Davis, Stephanie Allynne, Tony Revolori, Shawn Roe, Michael Stahl-David

Director 

Ben Lewin

Genres 

Indie Dramas, Comedy

Moods 

Heartfelt, Feel-good, Emotional, Inspiring

Movie #1740 ........................."Chaos Theory"

Movie #1740 "Chaos Theory" --- this little gem came up on t.v. the other night so I sat down to watch it.  I missed the first couple of minutes, but it was easy to figure out what I had missed.  I was intrigued that it was a Ryan Reynolds film that I hadn't seen, and an added bonus was that Emily Mortimer played his wife (She's a favorite from "Lars and the real girl," and the t.v. show "Newsroom")  I wasn't disappointed in their acting --- it was very good, and atypical of what Ryan Reynolds usually does -- romantic comedies.  He made the character that he was playing almost watchable, because he played an overblown OCD geek who relishes in doing the same things every day --- to the point of being boring and too predictable to his wife (Emily).  I was impressed with the relationship he had with his daughter, and the believability of the conflict.  It was gut wrenching, at times, to watch what these two people were dealing with, so in that way, people expecting Ryan Reynolds to be glib like he always is , might be disappointed. I rated this 3.7.

• "CHAOS 
•   THEORY" 
• 
  

Efficiency expert Frank Allen lives his life exactly how he wants it until his well-meaning wife decides to set their clock back a mere 10 minutes. Suddenly, Frank's once-safe and predictable life is spinning dangerously out of control which is the one thing he never bothered to plan for.

Cast 

Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, Stuart Townsend, Sarah Chalke, Mike Erwin, Constance Zimmer, Matreya Fedor, Elisabeth Harnois

Director 

Marcos Siega

Genres 

Drama, Romantic Dramas, Romantic Comedies

Moods 

Quirky, Romantic

Movie #1739 ........................."Kingsman: Secret Service"

Movie #1739 "Kingsman:  Secret Service" --- checked this out when I discovered that the lead was the same actor as in "Rocketman" and wanted to see him in a different part.  I'm glad I watched this --it was a very creative story-line with quirky edits and characters.  The addition of Colin Firth and Michael  Caine gave the film more of a James Bond feel to it.  The only big complaint I had was that the ending seemed to take forever ---- I LOVED all the tests he had to go through to be in the order (disclaimer --- if you love dogs, you might not want to see this film, although none are supposedly hurt in the filming of this....but there's one tough scene to watch concerning dogs) but once it started getting to the ending, it took about 20 minutes to finish off and I felt it was way too long.  Other than that, I highly recommend --- 4 stars out of 5.  Fun and entertaining.  I want to see the second one, as well.

Kingsman: The
Secret Service

 2015 R 2h 9mins

Seeing untapped potential in a wayward teenager, veteran secret agent Harry Hart recruits the young delinquent and schools him in the skills that will ultimately transform him into a superspy.

Cast 

Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Caine, Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Sofia Boutella, Sophie Cookson

Director 

Matthew Vaughn

Genres 

Action & Adventure, Action Comedies, Espionage Action, Blockbusters, Comic Books and Superheroes

Moods 

Exciting