"HUSTLERS" 2019 R 1 hour and 47 minutes
Angry about being taken advantage of by their employer and their customers, a group of former strip-club employees turns the tables on their wealthy Wall Street clients in this true-life tale.
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Movie #1751 ........................."Hustlers"
Movie #1751 "Hustlers" ---If you read the little blurb below on what the film is about, it almost seems to give a good reason to see this film --- seems topical, about hardworking women, etc. But the film is a very uneven story about the lives of some women who feel they have to break the law and endanger people's lives (granted they are sexist CEO males, for the most part) to enable them to succeed monetarily in the world. It is different if they weren't giving drugs to these guys they were fleecing --- it would also be different if they were making ends meet, but there's a 15 minute party scene where they lavish gifts upon each other , including a chinchilla coat that just seems way too extravagant for these working girls. I know these trinkets serve as symbols of success and their dream lives, but it just served to me another scene that didn't ring true. Here's another one --- Jennifer Lopez (whom I respect as a singer and esp. as an actress) took 6 months to learn how to pole dance correctly and she does about a 5 minute scene where she is teaching Constance Wu how to do it --- nice idea and very well done, I thought at first --- the scene shows us the ropes, gives us background info so we can better understand that business, but more importantly, reveals the artistry of the whole thing. Yet, when Jaylo is performing, it turns into a demeaning display of sexual manipulation as she gyrates on the ground scooping up the money she has just collected. The Art went out the window --- are we supposed to lament that fact? But we weren't fully invested in the "art" idea of it, yet, so how could we feel bad that these women can't show the artistry? Confusing...And it really is difficult to like these women --- there are some scenes in there to get us on their side, and yes, probably the major focus of the film is the building friendship of Wu and Lopez, which is desperately needed for both women, but by the time we hit those moments in that scenario, it is long past caring about these women, who are constantly drinking and fleecing these men in the bars. So overall, the film is a disappointment --- the opening sets up quite nicely what Wu does for money in one night --- and lets us know just how little she takes home, which she ultimately gives mostly to her grandmother. It looked to be about how much working women have to work to get the little amount they take home --- but then it weakly went through the rest of the plot --- maybe in the hands of a better director? I don't know --- the actors are competent, but it misses saying what it should have been saying about working women in our society. One point I did get from the film is the difference in relationship these two women have in comparison to two con men working together. If they are men, I would have no doubt that one would give up the other to the police and not be full of anguish for doing such a thing --- maybe that's stereotyping on my part, but it's what we see in films over and over again --- here, it is different --- you are dealing with two working mothers, and when their kids are on the line, the consequences change for them. And they anguish emotionally over their decisions. More of that, might have helped the film --- I give this a weak 3 and I don't recommend it --- the other two women I went with I think felt the same way. We didn't like this film, but wanted to.
"HUSTLERS" 2019 R 1 hour and 47 minutes
"HUSTLERS" 2019 R 1 hour and 47 minutes
Movie #1750 ........................."The Goldfinch"
Movie #1750 "The Goldfinch" - Various members of my bookclub went with me to see this film based on that national bestseller book by the same title, and one we had read for our book club.
And I am happy to say, we all liked the movie a lot (and some of us, like me, didn't care that much for the book). The parts it gets rid of (a lot of the Arizona experience with his dad and his girlfriend and the childhood adventures Theodore has with new friend Boris) are only skimmed over, but that was okay with me (it lasted maybe 300 pages in the middle of the book and they were a tough read). There were some characters missing (which makes sense, since the book is very lengthy) and his relationship with Kit is cut short and just shows a few major scenes between the two. Because the book is so long, we lose sight of the painting and forget about it at times and for long passages in the book --- but in the movie, we tend not to --- and he keeps moving it to various places that he goes to (Like Arizona, and working with Hoby at the woodworking shop, etc.) And there's a nice summary on what that painting meant to him. One more comment --- this film's cinematography is divine (Roger Deakins -- one of the best in the business) and the bombin in the museum that starts it all off is effective because the audience sees bits and pieces of it through out the whole film, which builds to a climax, when we see all the pieces put together. I recommend this, whether you read the book or not because it is an intriguing story, more concise here in the film than the book. Here are some links to check out if you are interested inn movie vs. book --- but only AFTER you have seen the film!
link to article on movie “Goldfinch” and its adaptation —
And I am happy to say, we all liked the movie a lot (and some of us, like me, didn't care that much for the book). The parts it gets rid of (a lot of the Arizona experience with his dad and his girlfriend and the childhood adventures Theodore has with new friend Boris) are only skimmed over, but that was okay with me (it lasted maybe 300 pages in the middle of the book and they were a tough read). There were some characters missing (which makes sense, since the book is very lengthy) and his relationship with Kit is cut short and just shows a few major scenes between the two. Because the book is so long, we lose sight of the painting and forget about it at times and for long passages in the book --- but in the movie, we tend not to --- and he keeps moving it to various places that he goes to (Like Arizona, and working with Hoby at the woodworking shop, etc.) And there's a nice summary on what that painting meant to him. One more comment --- this film's cinematography is divine (Roger Deakins -- one of the best in the business) and the bombin in the museum that starts it all off is effective because the audience sees bits and pieces of it through out the whole film, which builds to a climax, when we see all the pieces put together. I recommend this, whether you read the book or not because it is an intriguing story, more concise here in the film than the book. Here are some links to check out if you are interested inn movie vs. book --- but only AFTER you have seen the film!
link to article on movie “Goldfinch” and its adaptation —
Here is an article on the differences between movie and book:
One more:
THE GOLDFINCH 2 hours and 29 minutes R 2019 4 stars out of 5
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Movie #1749 ........................."Downton Abbey" - the movie
Movie #1749 "Downton Abbey" --- I was so looking forward to this film, and it never disappointed me. I LOVED it. It was first of all fun to revisit the place, and then to catch up on what we missed with each of the characters. I had forgotten that Mosley quit serving and went into teaching --- that Carson had retired --- when I saw the little kids, I thought, oh yeah, look, they got older....it's like putting on comfortable shoes and feeling comfortable again when watching this show. I loved the story ---- the conflict was set up to be more like a heist movie (you'll understand that more when you see it) and at the very end, they left room for still another one, if they wanted to have one and continue the story. This one deals with the royal family coming for a visit, and they added Imelda Staunton (professor Umbrage from Harry Potter films) as one of them and I so enjoyed watching her with Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton --- knowing they all have played in several films together as they have aged. There's a substorm with Barrow that makes the movie more thematic, there's a substory with Daisy and her boyfriend that shows her growth through time. And for those of you like me who expected to see Matthew Goode (Mary's hubby) in more of the film, you might be a little disappointed because he is in it only for a short time ---- but he was well worth the wait. It's a sumptuous feast for the eyes, the characters are all excellent actors, the story is good and solid and never tedious (although always stylishly talkie), and in our audience it received applause afterward. I highly recommend --- however, if you never watched the t.v. show, not sure you will find it as rich of a film as we fans do. 5 out of 5.
"DOWNTON ABBEY: THE MOVIE" 2019 2 HOURS AND 2 MINS PG
"DOWNTON ABBEY: THE MOVIE" 2019 2 HOURS AND 2 MINS PG
Set in the period between world wars, this big-screen adaptation of the beloved British TV series continues to follow the lives of the patrician Crawley family and those of the servants who keep the sprawling estate running.
Movie #1748 ........................."Late Night"
Movie #1748 "Late Night" -- I have been wanting to see this movie ever since it came out, and finally the other night I sat down and watched it (streamed it on Amazon Prime). Great potential here with a story based one the comedy room of the only female late night hostess, but I didn't feel the script as good as its potential. It had ups and downs, so it was a bit hit or miss. Some parts were funny --- like Emma's character working with her staff and not learning names so she calls them numbers..... but from the trailer, I thought the film would be more on the actual writing, or showing more of the t.v. show itself and her in action, but it wasn't. I even thought there should be more on how the Mindy Kaling character helped her get better, but not of that was really covered very much at all. The film's script seem to manufacture their relationship, and so it wasn't as believable as I thought it would be --- or insightful. I have to say that I'm not much of a Mindy Kaling fan --- I always thought she was a weak actress on the office --- never believed her character, and like that she was always winking at the camera, and she was just okay here. Playing opposite Hugh Dancy should be a win/win for her, but I just didn't think she was in the moment. However, Emma is amazing, as usual. It's just this vehicle didn't seem good enough for her and what she is capable of doing. But that being said, I liked the film ---- it was fine, and I found it enjoyable in most places, so I would give it a 4 out of 5. It just didn't cover what I wanted it to do.
"LATE NIGHT" 2009 R-RATED 1 HOUR AND 42 MINUTES
"LATE NIGHT" 2009 R-RATED 1 HOUR AND 42 MINUTES
Accused of being antifeminist, late-night talk-show host Katherine Newbury hires her first female writer, Molly Patel. But what begins as a "marriage of convenience" evolves into more as Molly injects a much-needed fresh viewpoint.
Cast
Director
Genres
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Movie #1747........................."Broadchurch" Season 1
Movie #1747 "Broadchurch" Season 1 --- This series was recommended to us by several people, but we were disappointed by the time we got to the end of season 1 and have no intention to see the rest. Why? Well, it is a murder mystery which had so much baggage for each person (except the murderer), that it became a soap opera to us. We just didn't like the writing --- the filming was good and there were some nice shots, but just not enamored with the writing. In the second episode I sat back and pointed out the person who I thought had done it if you use the theory that the "least likely" one does it --- and guess what? That's who it was. But it seems "least likely" because it was the one character that didn't have a lot written about him/her. It was a gyp to the watcher, in my opinion, and so we feel we wasted some time on this one --- but it does have some good points to it, including the acting --- and it introduced Jodie Whittaker to us ---- she was very believable, and of course, this was another vehicle that enabled us to enjoy watching the great Olivia Coleman!!!!! Oh, and a Dr. Who is the lead detective (ironically, the mother Jodie was the first female Dr. Who, I hear). I give this 3 out of 5 stars.
"BROADCHURCH" 3 SEASONS (2013-2017) 24 episodes, 8 season 1, 48 mins each
"BROADCHURCH" 3 SEASONS (2013-2017) 24 episodes, 8 season 1, 48 mins each
The murder of a young boy in a small coastal town brings a media frenzy, which threatens to tear the community apart.
Creator:
Chris ChibnallMovie #1746 ........................."In the Time of the Butterflies"
Movie #1746 "In the Time of the Butterflies" --- saw this at the library and since I had read the Julia Alvarez book and enjoyed it, I thought I'd like to see if the movie was as good, and I think it is. Selma Hayek is the star and Minerva Mirabel, who gets the eye of the dictator Trujillo (Dominican Republic) when she is young, and he expects her to do things for him when he pays her way to be a lawyer --- she succeeds graduating, but he prevents her from every getting a job, and he tortures her and her husband for trying to fight his repression of their people. She and her sisters are killed in a field and have become heroines of the country's fight for freedom. And this film does the women justice --- it shows their plight, their flight and their fight for freedom. Good film, but disclaimer: there are some router scenes (the book had much more!) I give this a 4.
"IN THE TIME OF THE BUTTERFLIES" PG-13 1 hour 35 minutes 2001
"IN THE TIME OF THE BUTTERFLIES" PG-13 1 hour 35 minutes 2001
In the Time of the Butterflies is inspired by the true story of the three Mirabal sisters who, in 1960, were murdered for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the government.
Director:
Mariano BarrosoMovie #1745 ........................."The Secret Life of Pets 2"
Movie #1745 "The Secret Life of Pets2" ---this isn't as good as the first one, but it IS very busy. Max gets a kid as a friend, but then when he goes to school, Max looks for other adventures to spend time during the day. Snowball is up to antics , and he is outrageously played by Kevin Hart. I have to say the plot is way too involved to cover just in this blog --- not realistic, at all, but who wants it to be. There are some scary bad guys like wolves and some russian agent. But all ends up all well, and after the credits, snowball even has a cute music video to finish off the film. I give it a 3, but of course, I am not the target audience. I've heard lots of good buzz on the film, so I think a kid would find it most enjoyable --- I showed it to a room of 4 kids and it kept them busy watching it through most of the film.
"SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2" 2019 1 hour and 26 minutes rated PG
"SECRET LIFE OF PETS 2" 2019 1 hour and 26 minutes rated PG
The Secret Life of Pets 2 continues the story of Max, Gidget, Snowball, and the rest of the gang as they take on new adventures and are pushed to find the courage to become their own heroes. Explore the emotional lives of our pets - the deep bond between them, the families that love them - and find out what your pets are really doing when you're not at home.
Monday, September 2, 2019
Movie #1744 ........................,."Blinded by the Light"
Movie #1744 "Blinded by the Light" --- It can kind of be compared to "Yesterday," but this film delves more into how a musician (in this case Bruce Springsteen) /poet can inspire you in many ways --- Here's this pakistani college student who is expected to turn his job salary over to his dad weekly, who should never think about being a writer (which is his dream) because "writers aren't successful "-- "make friends with jews, instead, because they are successful" says strict dad, but who discovers the music of the boss and it changes him forever. Based on a true story (they show the real people in the credits -- I like that!), it is a slow paced film, but very inspiring to watch --- and it builds to a terrific ending (so you forgive any weaker points in the plot earlier). All the cast is more than competent, especially his girlfriend and the teacher and of course , the dad, and the female director (same director of "Bend it like Beckham") takes her time developing the story, and also to get some nice moments for us to ruminate on along the way. I think if I were even more of a fan of the boss I would have enjoyed it even more --- but I found the film overall very entertaining and inspiring, and that was good enough for me. I recommend it. 4 stars out of 5.
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