Movie #2018 ........................."The Trial of the Chicago 7" (netflix streaming)

 Movie #2018 "The Trial of The Chicago 7" (netflix streaming) This is a Wow film --- from the opening masterpiece in editing  and juxtaposition of the 7 main characters serving  as the exposition ......to the powerful ending, the film takes on  a "hold--on-to-your hat" momentum to make this story thrilling to watch!  Not only that, but it is so timely.  Aaron Sorkin is a god in writing ,  and like a juggler, he masterly weaves in and out  each and every separate (and might I add distinctive) voice of  the  Chicago 7, added to that a crazy judge, a prosecutor with integrity, a cunning defense lawyer , and a female working for one side but having a heart for the other.  And how timely this presentation comes to Netflix for all of  us  to see and think about --- right before a bitter election where both sides have so much to lose, where the struggle for "law and order"  vs. speaking up for what is right  are on the ballot ---  he seeks out the answers to the questions:  Is it possible to peacefully protest?  Why do we protest?  What is there to gain?what is there to lose?   Ultimately,  which side  is right?  Who has integrity?   (and more)  This was a Wow film, and I feel I learned so much , but more importantly I "felt" and thought  so much while watching -- feelings and ideas  that I think I will carry with me  forever.  It's that good!  a 5 out of 5.  And I haven't even pointed out how great the casting is!   

"THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7"  (netflix streaming) 2 hrs, 9 mins    2020   R rated

The story of 7 people on trial stemming from various charges surrounding the uprising at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois.

In Chicago 1968, the Democratic Party Convention was met with protests from activists like the moderate Students for a Democratic Society led by Tom Hayden and the militant Yippies led by Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin, which led to violent confrontations with the local authorities. As a result, seven of the accused ringleaders are arraigned on charges like Conspiracy by the hostile Nixon administration, including Bobby Seale of the Black Panthers who was not involved in the incident. What follows is an unfair trial presided by the belligerent Judge Hoffman (No relation) and prosecuted by a reluctant but duty-bound Richard Schultz. As their pro bono lawyers face such odds, Hayden and his fellows are frustrated by the Yippies' outrageous antics undermining their defense in defiance of the system even while Seale is denied a chance to defend himself his way. Along the way, the Chicago 7 clash in their political philosophies even as they learn they need each other in this fight.

Director:

 Aaron Sorkin

Writer:

 Aaron Sorkin (screenplay) 

Stars:

 Eddie Redmayne, Alex Sharp, Sacha Baron Cohen 

Movie #2017 ........................."Love on Iceland" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2017 "Love on  Iceland" (Hallmark)   I really liked this film --- the characters are likable but most importantly the scenery is gorgeous.  I have always wanted to go to Iceland, and I think the photographic opportunities could be amazing for Dave, so this film just cemented that belief for  me,  and I'm glad I watched it.  There were some subplots, besides the conflict over the two jobs of the lovebirds, and one about another possible couple hook up.  We got introduced to some of the food, and I kept track and wrote down some of the places they visited, and now I'm ready to go.  So this film was a fun watch.....that is, until the end.  He's a photographer and diligent in getting up early in the mornings  to chase the light, and I get that, being married to a photographer , so at the end, the lovebirds are kissing, and what happens?  The Aurora Borealis appears, and what does he do?  He continues kissing her.......really?  He should have picked up his camera to take the photographs --- it would have been a laughable, but believable moment!  I just laughed AT  the ending and thought it was silly!      I still give this a 4.5 .  

"LOVE ON ICELAND"  (Hallmark)    1 hour 24 minutes      2020

Seeking inspiration for work, Chloe gathers her college travel group back together for a trip to Iceland. When her ex, a member of the group, shows up uninvited, sparks fly.

Director:

 Clare Niederpruem

Writers:

 Liz Sczudlo (teleplay), Yulin Kuang (teleplay)  | 

Stars:

 Kaitlin Doubleday, Colin Donnell, Preston Sadleir

Movie #2016 ..........................."Love & Sunshine" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2016 "Love & Sunshine"{ (Hallmark) A dog bringing two lovebirds together is not unique in these hallmark films, but this seem to go really smoothly in the believability department --- in fact, at one point (specifically 30 minutes in) there's a kiss (surprise! the first kiss is usually in the last minute of the film, and usually interrupted up until that time, after many attempts)!  So I actually was trying guess where the story was going to go next --- and there was foreshadowing, and I don't want to give anything away, but what happens is again very believable and the reaction is, too.  For these reasons, I would rate this 4.5 out of 5 and one of my favorites.  The Girl is Winnie from "Wonder Years" and always a Hallmark favorite, but the guy I didn't really know --- he was quiet and easygoing and took us calmly from one scene to the next --- and he was so darn likable, he drew me in to the story, as well as Danica.  I happily recommend this one. 

"LOVE & SUNSHINE"   1 hour and 24 minutes     2015

A woman has been fostering a dog as she recovers from a broken heart. As the owner returns to claim the dog will sparks fly or will it just lead to another broken heart?

Director:

 Ellie Kanner

Writers:

 Bart Baker, Glenn Rabney

Stars:

 Danica McKellar, Mark Deklin, Christine Chatelain

Movie #2015......................... "October Kiss" (hallmark)

 Movie #2015  "October Kiss" (hallmark) -- I have seen nanny films before, with the theme that the kids fall in love with the nanny as the boss does --- but he works too hard to notice until almost too late.  That being said, the backdrop is Halloween, so it made it more fun to watch it right now.  And I really like Ashley Williams and she seems to be able to work with all the guys they throw at her in these movies, so I enjoyed it, even though I had seen the storyline before.  I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars 

"OCTOBER KISS"  (hallmark)   1 hour and 24 mins     2015

Poppy Summerall is hired near Halloween as a temporary nanny by Ryan Larson, a widowed, work-obsessed executive. Through a series of adventures, the eternally optimistic Poppy sets out to teach Ryan and his two young children what's important in life - unconditional love, family and the joy of everyday occurrences.

Director:

 Lynne Stopkewich

Writer:

 MacKenzie Austin

Stars:

 Ashley Williams, Sam Jaeger, Laura Mitchell 

Movie #2014 ........................."On the Rocks" (netflix streaming)

 Movie #2014 "On the Rocks" (netflix streaming) The film is a pleasant "caper" with daughter and father.  It starts with audio of Bill Murray as Dad telling his little girl, "You are mine until you're married...then, you are still mine."  It's an apt opening because it deals with a manipulative dad who figures a way to bond more with his daughter, who is pretty busy in her own life and doesn't realize he's all that lonely --- but he is.  He has money, and a driver (who is a lot like the Hector Elizondo character in "Pretty Woman") but no where really to go or nothing really to do ---- until he thinks of a way to con her  back into his life with an "adventure."  It is a rare film that focuses on father and daughter, and it makes you think how fragile your parents can be as they get older ---- the stories and advice seem repetitious to the daughter/son and  they no longer feel like they are the most important items in your life, and how lonely they can feel as you, the child, grows away from them.  Good film, and I'd give it 4 out of 5 --- the dialogue is stilted a bit, sometimes static because father is very laid back, and so is the daughter so they fall into a pattern when they discuss --- but, of course, the daughter has a fine passionate scene with her dad at the high point, so that is something to look forward to ---until then film has  lots of dialogue at a slow pace , but Director Sofia Coppola (yep, daughter of the director of "Godfather") has a great eye for setting up images.  

"ON THE ROCKS"      1 hour and 36 minutes      R      2020

A young mother reconnects with her larger-than-life playboy father on an adventure through New York.

Director:

 Sofia Coppola

Writer:

 Sofia Coppola

Stars:

 Bill Murray, Rashida Jones, Marlon Wayans

Movie #2013 ........................."For madmen Only" (Chicago film fest streaming)

 Movie #2013 "For Madmen Only"  (Chicago film fest streaming)

 The subtitle:  The Stories of Del Close -- who was an Improv guru in  the 70s at Second City so he worked with all the biggies that came through:  John Candy, John  Belushi, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carrell, Adam MacKay, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch --- and many others --- you see fleeting glimpses of them, occasionally one speaks, and it seems to be a mystery drama of who exactly he was.   There were no real answers here --- and no real organization?  except a little chronological?  I know that because it ended with his dying wish:  his skeleton would be left to the Goodman Theatre to be used in Hamlet soliloquies "Alas , Poor York, I knew him well" --- irony is that it couldn't be done but for years it was thought the skeleton that was purchased to be Del's skeleton was real --- then, after several years, his partner Carol confessed.  But it seems everyone in the improv business had a story about Del, and they threw them all together here.   I just saw it as a sad life looking for purpose but drugs got in the way.  He did invent some improv rules, and for that the theatre world seems to be in his debt.  The film doesn't really convince us of anything else, really.   I'd give  it a weak 3 out of 5 and I don't recommend it.

"FOR MADMEN ONLY"   87 minutes (too long)     2020         

no plot ---  which  coincides with what we felt about the film.

Del's mantra:  "Chaos for the sake of Chaos"  and that's how he handled his life. 

Director:

 Heather Ross

Writers:

 Adam Samuel Goldman, Heather Ross

Stars:

 Andrew Alexander, Ike Barinholtz, Bernadette Birkett

Movie #2012 ........................."The Road Up" (Chicago film fest streaming)

 Movie #2012 "The Road Up"  (Chicago film fest streaming)This presented a very cool job-training project in Chicago, and it made me proud to be in the city that it has worked.  It would be nice  if this became a model for other cities to use and perhaps gives a good reason to put the documentary together and for us to watch it.  I found it depressing but inspiring , but like a lot  of documentaries it was too long --- and it needed to be edited more.  I give it a 3.5 for that reason.    

'THE ROAD UP"   (chicago film fest streaming)  93 minutes      documentary    2020

The Road Up follows four participants in Cara, a Chicago job-training program, as they seek to make the long journey from rock bottom to stable employment. Throughout, they are guided, goaded, and challenged by their impassioned mentor, Mr. Jesse, whose own complicated past drives him to help others find hope in the face of poverty, addiction, homelessness, and trauma. Taken together, their stories create a powerful mosaic of the struggles millions of Americans face every day in a precarious and unforgiving economy, the daunting and often interconnected challenges that prevent so many from getting-and keeping-a job. 

Directors:

 Greg Jacobs, Jon Siskel

Movie #2011 ........................."Farewell Amor" (chicago film fest streaming)

 Movie #2011 "Farewell Amor" (Chicago film fest streaming) This was a very interesting, albeit slow, study of immigrants of Angola getting back together after being separated  by war in their country -- husband has been in US for 17 years and just now, after going through tons of red tape, he is reunited with his now 18 year old daughter and his wife (who has changed and become tied to the church in every decision she makes). The daughter has the bug to dance (like her dad has) and so the "family ties" are pretty contentious for most of the film.  Does absence make the heart grow fonder?  The film takes that up, but also how the US appears to the immigrant experience (which is always good to study).  This is what the father says at one time to his daughter:  "This country is very hard for black people, especially in always having to carry yourself in such  way that white people don't have to worry...." our systemic racism is easily seen by immigrants.......and he goes on:  "Dance is one way I can show myself, see myself"  -- speaks highly of the arts, which has gotten a raw end of the deal with this pandemic (among others, of course).  So the film presents thoughtful studies on a number of items covered in the film.  Besides being painfully slow in some parts,  several parts are garbled --- when they talk to each other, they speak in their native language and because I was streaming from the Chicago film fest website, I couldn't get subtitles for the entire film, and they didn't have them in those parts.  I felt left out, but that's okay because these people coming to our country feel left out, too, for so many reasons, and the film covers them well.  I would give this 3.8 out of 5, and I noticed it was an offering in the Milwaukee Film Festival, too, so I wouldn't be surprised if it is released into a bigger streaming app for more general viewing.  I hope so, because it is really handled well and it  opens our eyes to how the outside world sees the US right now.

"FAREWELL AMOR'   2020    1 hour 35 minutes    (chicago film fest )

Reunited after 17 years, an Angolan immigrant is joined in the U.S. by his wife and daughter. Now strangers sharing a one-bedroom apartment, they discover a shared love of dance that may help them overcome the distance between them.

Director:

 Ekwa Msangi

Writer:

 Ekwa Msangi

Stars:

 Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Zainab Jah, Jayme Lawson

Movie #2010 ........................."Little Girl" (Chicago film fest streaming)

 Movie #2010 "Little Girl" (Chicago film fest streaming)  Sasha is 8 years old, and she was born a boy but since age 2 has told everyone she is a girl.  This will break your heart the way her school and society treats her and her family, as they support her through the long journey through her journey to find freedom to be herself --- at one point she asks, "Is it all worth it?"  Oh my, I could cry just thinking about this.  Everyone should see this film to start OUR journey in accepting everyone's endeavor to be free to be themselves.

"LITTLE GIRL" (Petit fille)    2020    90 min    French    Documentary     4 out of 5 stars

The touching portrait of eight-year-old Sasha, who questions her gender and in doing so, evokes the sometimes disturbing reactions of a society that is still invested in a biological boy-girl way of thinking.

Director:

 Sébastien Lifshitz

Writer:

 Sébastien Lifshitz

Star:

 Sasha

Movie #2009 ........................."The Columnist" (Chicago film fest streaming)

 Movie #2009 "The Columnist" (chicago film fest streaming) --- this is the best of the fest of what I saw this past Chicago Film Fest (which  ended yesterday).  But I have a huge disclaimer that this is very violent and for that reason, I was left watching the second half of this film alone..... It is dark humor at its height, and I can say quite assuredly that I will always remember this movie because of the powerful message and images it provides.  I am not sure how/if it will be released, but I can say with all sincerity that Halloween would be the best time for this..... it is done with such style and realism, nothing is shied away from, including the language.  The names that this columnist is called, the trolling conspiracy theories that are made up about her would make anyone mad.  But being a journalist, she is expected to take it all in --- but she just can't look away from the comments.  Still, as a journalist, she is supposed to suck up and take them in, but to Femke, "enough is enough."  There are other stories going on in the film too, like her developing love relationship with her biggest competitor (as a novel writer) and some of those scenes where they are typing (or not) their latest creations at the same table are very humorous.  She is also dealing with her daughter who is (humorously, again) dealing with freedom of expression in her high school, which is being run by a very rigid principal who doesn't believe in it.  Halfway through the film goes into Hitchcockian style/horror film, and I found it a very sound commentary on how destructive the negative comments on facebook/twitter, etc. can be  --- The  results are eye-opening, to say the least.  I would give this 4 out of 5 stars, and the main female is quite good.

"THE COLUMNIST" (chicago  film fest streaming)   2019      R-rated     86 mins (Netherlands)

Columnist and author Femke is flooded with anonymous nasty messages and death threats on social media. One day she has enough and decides to take revenge.

Director:

 Ivo van Aart

Writer:

 Daan Windhorst

Stars:

 Genio de Groot, Katja Herbers, Rein Hofman

Movie #2008 ........................."Warren" (t.v. series - amazon Prime) Season 1

 Movie #2008 "Warren" (t.v. series - amazon prime) Season 1

We were surprised when we noticed how much Martin Clunes has done besides Doc Martin, as far as t.v. series.  We watched the entire series of "William and Mary," a drama/comedy in which   he plays  an undertaker, and now we came across still another one that we enjoyed. In this one he plays Warren, an angry soul who is a driving instructor.  He seems to hate everything , and he runs a continuous whine --- we know people like Warren, and it's fun to laugh at people like him who are never ever satisfied.  After a few couple of episodes, we were worried he would get so annoying that it would get in the way of the humor, but the writers are pretty smart about giving him just a couple of endearing qualities --- but very little ----he seems to try to appease his female partner (they aren't married  whenever he can, but he constantly makes fun of her two kids that came to him through the relationship.  And the two guys are quick to say he isn't their dad!  We don't  blame them!  We aren't sure if there will  be a season 2, but if you like this kind of humor, check this one out --- we give it 4 out of 5

"WARREN"    2019       6 EPISODES, 30 minutes each - comedy   --- series 1

An original comedy series about the life of Warren Thompson, a pedantic driving instructor who believes the world is against him.

Creators:

 Jimmy Donny Cosgrove, Paul Mckenna

Stars:

 Martin Clunes, Lisa Millett, Tim Preston

Movie #2007 ........................."The Goes Wrong Show" (Season 1 - Amazon Prime)

 Movie #2007 "The Goes Wrong Show" (Season 1 - Amazon Prime)  We saw a show on Broadway entitled "The Play That Goes Wrong," found it very funny, and when it came to Broadway in Chicago, we took a group in it to see it and they found it enjoyable.  One day recently we were looking at what was available on Amazon to stream and found this gem --- They are little vignettes where the show can go wrong.  There are 6 episodes, about 30 minutes each, and they are also pretty funny.  We saw all of them in season 1, (there is a season 2 being planned, evidently, for 2021, but with pandemic, who knows?  and the first three below we found the best (however, we liked them all).  We like when the set is not working for the actors, and one in particular below is a very tiny set (the trial to watch).  All  together we would rate this series 4 out of 5 stars.  And the episodes are explained below, so you could pick what you want to see.

"THE GOES WRONG SHOW" (Season 1 - Amazon Prime) 2020     29 minutes, 6 episodes

A series of brand new, hand-crafted, half hours of theatrical catastrophe as The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society undertake more (overly) ambitious endeavours.

Stars:

 Henry Shields, Bryony Corrigan, Jonathan Sayer 

The Pilot (Not the Pilot) - a spy thriller  (One of the Best)

This week the Cornley Drama Society have chosen to put on a Second World War drama, rarely performed because of its historical inaccuracy and poor research. Director Chris plays Rufus Heal, a dashing pilot reduced to a desk job solving German codes in a top secret Allied facility after losing his leg, assisted by uptight Englishwoman Valerie Sky and French codebreaker Camille, under the watchful eye of Wing Commander Wickham. They also find a part suitable for Dennis' dubious skills - a telegraph machine. Will they crack the code and unmask the spy in their midst in …

A Trial to Watch (Courtroom drama where set is too small) (A Best)

A legal drama is performed this week, but a design error has rendered one of the main sets 'a little snug' and the team's plan to move the remaining sets in and out baffles the stage crew. Add in a nervous first-time actor and the result is disaster.

The Lodge (like the play they did “Play that Goes Wrong”) (A Best)

Our gang present a sixties-set horror this week, as the mysterious Albert Fortenoy welcomes a young family to his crumbling old house. What is the secret behind the death of Albert's late wife Vera? Who is the creepy vicar's daughter playing outside? A number of clever theatrical horror devices are used to create a creepy atmosphere and plenty of jump scares, and every single one manages to go horribly wrong. Worse, the designers have taken 'crumbling' to heart and the cast contrive to fall off, out of and through everything. A stairlift develops a life-threatening … (set is split here)

Harper’s Locker

This week the gang turn their attentions to a period romance, a classic tale of family, duty and love across the class divide. A beautiful set has been built to replicate a grand country home, soon to be rocked by a literal and metaphorical storm. Sadly, the literal storm involves a water effect that threatens to flood the set, though that's the least of their worries, as a horse turns out to be more of a danger to body parts than expected, gunshot effects occur seemingly at random and a ceiling fan threatens to decapitate a table of diners. Oh, and a cat gets stuck .

Ninety Degrees

The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society takes on Tennessee Williams. A tale of southern passion, greed and 90 degrees heat. Just a shame about the wrongly built set and some crude language.

The Spirit of Christmas

A joyful Christmas tale as the Cornley Drama Society present the story of Santa and his elves trying to bring festive happiness to a sad little girl and her constantly-fighting parents. Can the magical toy machine restore her Christmas cheer? Or perhaps Mr Snowman and his enchanting dance will raise her spirits? We'll never know, as an already surly Santa indulges in too much Christmas sherry and contrives to ruin everything. Crackers explode, an elf is trapped in a confined space for the duration of the show and the toy machine attempts to eat the snowman alive. Also..

Movie #2006 ........................."The Story of Us" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2006 "The Story of Us" (Hallmark)  This was a good valentine movie (even though I am watching this in October) and I liked the heart (excuse the pun) of this film, and esp. Maggie Lawson from  "Psych" --- she is one of my favorites, so I try to watch all that she does.  This was pretty typical --- in a bookstore, high school sweethearts who grew apart and now coming together  over a renovation of the town --- the leads are bookshop owner and architect and they are on opposite sides of the issue and lock horns through most of the film.  The film relies on their past to convince the watchers that they belong together, so that was kind of a weakness in the film.  But the one thing I liked is that the stage business to keep their working together is that they were trying to set up another two people.  I hadn't seen that in one of these films before.  So because they were busy and giggling and hugging over that, it convinced us that as long as they can continue to hook other people up, they probably will share a fine life together.  3.8 out of 5.  I liked it, but you might not --- because it is pretty sappy in parts....

'THE STORY OF US"   1 hour and 24 mins      2019

Jamie learns that her first love Sawyer is the architect of a development that wants to change her beloved neighborhood and threatens her bookstore. Can old valentines help them see eye-to-eye?

Director:

 Scott Smith

Writers:

 Tracy Andreen (teleplay) (as Tracey Andreen), Deborah Jones (story) 

Stars:

 Maggie Lawson, Sam Page, Marco Grazzini

Movie #2005 ........................."Sweet Autumn" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2005 "Sweet Autumn" (Hallmark) --- I never warmed up to this plot --- it started with a will reading of an Aunt Dee who seems to be important to the two leads, even after she is dead.  They are always quoting her, reading letters from the grave (those were slow parts of this film) and finding locked boxes of her moments.  But I was somewhat forgiving of the plot because the two leads are usually so good.  I esp. like Andrew Walker in these Hallmark films ---the girl usually plays a contrary  type  of a character who is stubborn in her ideas, but  she bends a lot here and that's good.  And they both ride motorcycles, so they must belong together...... Walker played a somewhat quieter guy than his usual nice self, and with her being less pushy than she normally is, they managed to make the film more enjoyable for me.  3.8 out of 5 stars.  

"SWEET AUTUMN"    2020     1 HOUR AND 24 mins

Maggie (Nikki DeLoach), a successful entrepreneur, returns home for a will reading and discovers she's inherited half of her aunt's famed maple candy business. What she doesn't understand is why Aunt Dee's maple supplier, Dex (Andrew Walker), inherited the other half. Her return also coincides with the town's Sweet Autumn Fest, and through a series of letters Aunt Dee left, Maggie and Dex search for the reason behind her aunt's final wishes. As she and Dex grow closer, Maggie must decide if the life she built is the one she wants.

Director:

 Gary Yates

Writer:

 Tyler Straessle

Stars: Andrew Walker, 

 Eugene Baffoe, Nikki Deloach, Anna Anderson Epp

Movie #2004 ........................."Valentine Ever After" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2004 "Valentine Ever After" (Hallmark)   This was kind of a goofy film that grew on me, but it is a bit hard to believe that she has to do community service because her friend, while dancing, fell into some statue in a bar.  Also, it was hard to believe that the community service meant she had to stay  at a dude ranch in Wyoming  and help fix it up --- two city girls??? Aren't they worried about their nails?  How do they know to put in new windows?   .  Meanwhile, her fiancé is back in the city kind of planning their wedding??  Okay, put that aside, because then the girl sees they can't help the ranch that much, so she figures out how they can do it much better with a marketing strategy.  And that wins the cowboy over --- he's convinced she is relentless to get what she puts her mind to ---- well, then it becomes him, the cowboy.  But she has to break up with her fiancé first (and that ring was gorgeous)  Anyway, the girl is a winning spirit here  --- he's an aw shucks, quiet guy --- but he has kind eyes and so won me over as deserving of this spitfire.  I'd give this 3.8 out of 5 stars ---- kind of unbelievable, but the scenery in Wyoming is gorgeous!

"VALENTINE EVER AFTER"   2016      1 hour and 24 mins    

When socialites Julia and Sydney (early 30's) leave their cushy - if stagnant - lives in Chicago to embark on a road-trip, they end up on the wrong side of the law in a tiny town in Wyoming. Forced to serve 30 days community service, Sydney discovers there's more to life than can be purchased with a gold card and Julia learns that her "perfect" life back home might be a sham and what she thought she wanted isn't what she wants at all.

Director:

 Don McBrearty

Writers:

 Dylan Neal (story), Alana Smithee (story)  |

Stars:

 Autumn Reeser, Eric Johnson, Vanessa Matsui 

Movie #2003........................."Autumn Dreams" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2003 "Autumn Dreams" (Hallmark) I missed this one the first time around, I guess, because this is a 2015 movie, but it is a bit different from some of the others because it has a rather complex plot.  It intrigued me that these two were married but supposedly annulled --- they find out the annulment did not go through when they both are ready to move on and get married to someone else (several years down the road).  The opening was very different for hallmark movie because it was two young people running away to get married.....it looked like the ending, but it was just the beginning --- a joke on all of us Hallmark fans, huh?  After that, the wrench thrown in (annulment did not go through) carries the heavy duty conflict throughout the plot --- there's a limo driver that she confides in that reminded me of the hotel concierge in "Pretty Woman."  I liked the girl a lot, but the guy was a bit stuffy --- by the end, he grew on me so I would recommend this one, for the different storyline.    4 stars out of 5

"AUTUMN DREAMS"   1 hour and 24 minutes        2015

Years after the annulment of their spontaneous marriage a couple discovers a mistake in the paperwork that means they are still husband and wife.

Director:

 Neill Fearnley

Writer:

 Laurie Stevens

Stars:

 Jill Wagner, Colin Egglesfield, Rachel Hayward

Movie #2002 ........................."Wedding Every Weekend" (Hallmark)

 More Hallmark movies ---- nice balance to the awful news these days.....

Movie #2002 "Wedding Every Weekend" (Hallmark) Even though a lot of Hallmark movies focus on weddings, when I read this plot I was struck with the variation --- 4 weddings...... it seems kind of crazy, but it came across as believable ---- they are all about the same age, some went to school together, and there was a lot of coincidence, too, but the actors pulled it off.  I also liked the sidebar story of what the guy does for a living ---- fixes up classic cars, but he's a man with integrity and wants to put in authentic, classic parts, and that makes his job very difficult.  They were both independent, quiet people --- which made the film go along at a slow pace, but I respected that they weren't that outgoing and that made them even more interesting to follow in their relationship and how it grows.  One more thing that is different is that in this one, the girl ends up apologizing --- it is usually the other way around, as if the guy in rom-coms is always the one who doesn't listen, or flubs up, and we all know that isn't true.  No wonder guys don't watch these movies as much as women, right?  This one she clearly misunderstood, but apologized and therefore it was a bit different.  I liked it and would give him 4 out of 5.

"WEDDING EVERY WEEKEND"  2020     1 hour and 24 minutes and 4 weddings....

Nate and Brooke are going to the same four weddings, four weekends in a row. To avoid set-ups, they go together as "wedding buddies." But what starts as a friendship soon becomes deeper.

Director:

 Kevin Fair

Writer:

 Julie Sherman Wolfe

Stars:

 Kimberley Sustad, Paul Campbell, Brandi Alexander

Movie #2001 ........................."The Way I See It" (MSNBC special)

 Movie #2001 "The Way I See It" (MSNBC special)  -- Pete Souza was the White House photographer during the Reagan years and for the Obamas, and we are true fans of his --- we have seen him a couple of times talk to big crowds about his craft and the families he worked for.  This film  spends about 1/2 hour on the Reagans and the rest on the Obamas and how he has grown into an activist against the Trump administration.  He explains how he started out bipartisan, working for several years with the Republican Reagan and then with the Democrat Obama....the film is kind of free flowing in its presentation, kind of like Pete, who is so flexible in being everywhere and at the President's beck and call,....... he shows very little stress (although, the job must have been demanding; it's just that we don't see it much here) as he moves from one major historical event to the next --- then he covers the presidents with their families --- he explains that his major job is to NOT ever be seen --- to be absorbed into the woodwork, so to speak. If you are familiar with his two books, one is on the Obamas, and the other is "Shade:  a Tale of Two Presidents" where he throws shade on the President in office now --- He started doing it once he was out of the white house and Impotus would flub up or just "be Trump" and a picture was given to the news --- then, on instagram Pete would post that picture and juxtapose it with a picture he had taken of Obama doing a comparable thing.  Yes, he was "throwing shade" -- he didn't even know what it meant at first, but then he started to enjoy it.  Then, it became more taking umbrage to the way this president was disrespecting the office Pete valued so much so he has now become an activist against all that this president preaches.  The film is amazing!  He is such a skillful photographer and such a kind  man --- as much as I dislike documentaries because they tend to go on and on, I would have preferred this documentary to be even longer.  I highly recommend it. Not sure how it is going to be distributed, but they've shown it a couple of times on MSNBC so you should look there first if you want to see it ....for now.

"THE WAY I SEE IT"   1 hour 40 mins        2020      PG-13      4.8 out of 5 stars

Former Chief Official White House Photographer Pete Souza's journey as a person with top secret clearance and total access to the President.

Director:

 Dawn Porter

Stars:

 Pete Souza, Barack Obama, Ben Rhodes 

Movie #2000.........................."I'm Your Woman" (Chicago Film Fest 2020 virtual)

Movie #2000 "I'm Your Woman" (Chicago Film Fest 2020 virtual --- this was the movie we were looking forward to because Rachel Brosnahan (Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) is starring in it, and it has a female director.  However, it was a crime drama, so there was a lot of violence (shooting, etc.) and chasing by the underworld.  She is the wife of a bad guy , and she and her baby get interrupted in middle of night when he is gone on one of his "jobs" and is swept into a car and dropped off at a hotel "for her safety"  and from then on, she's being chased by more bad guys trying to find her husband.  Ms Brosnahan is very good in the part ---- and she shows major growth in this crime drama.   I'd give it 4 out of 5 and recommend it if/when it gets distributed.

"I'M YOUR WOMAN"      120 mins      2020        Rated R

In this 1970s set crime drama, a woman is forced to go on the run after her husband betrays his partners, sending her and her baby on a dangerous journey.

Director:

 Julia Hart

Writers:

 Julia Hart, Jordan Horowitz

Stars:

 Rachel Brosnahan, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Arinzé Kene

 

Movie #1999 ........................."Finding YingYing" (Chicago Film Fest 2020 Virtual)

 Movie #1999 "?Finding YingYing" (Chicago Film Fest 2020 Virtual)  This was the third movie I watched virtually with my Chicago Film Fest pass.  This was a long documentary about a chinese student who went missing while attending U of I in Champaign.  There is a big surprise 60 minutes in that changes the direction of the film, and made it tough to watch.  The whole film proves that no matter what a good person and student you are, if you make a  mistake (in her case, she got into a stranger's car --- so don't EVER do that) it could change the direction of your life.  The film really didn't need to go to China to investigate the relationship between mom and dad and how it was disintegrating due to her being missing --- An interesting addition, though, to this documentary is the comparison of Chinese treatment of one who confesses to a murder and the U.S. treatment.  We can't use the tactics used in China that would help the whole situation so much more.  But no can do here.

I'd give this documentary 3.5 out of 5.  Lots of subtitles (I was surprised because many of the people interviewed speak in English, but all her family needed translators.

"FINDING YINGYING"    98 minutes       2020

After a young Chinese student goes missing on an American university campus, her family travels to the U.S. for the first time, hoping to unravel the mystery of her disappearance.

Director:

 Jiayan 'Jenny' Shi

Movie #`1998 ........................."Sylvie's Love" (Chicago Film Fest 2020 Virtual)

 Movie #1998 "Sylvie's Love" (Chicago Film Fest 2020 Virtual)  This is the second film we watched, and we liked it, esp. the music, the story and Tessa Thompson's acting.  I had seen in her in "Creed" a while ago and was very impressed with her, and when I saw she was in this, I decided to watch it --- It follows several years (so shows growth) of one relationship between two people who from the minute they meet, sense that they are soulmates.  But so much gets in the way.  The film could be a tad shorter, in my opinion, and the guy could show more energy in his acting, but other than that, I find it quite enjoyable, esp. with all the music that was included, because it was about a jazz musician.  I'd give it 4 stars out of 5.  And is supposed to be released at xmas time, but with the pandemic, not sure what will happen with its distribution.  

"  SYLVIE'S LOVE"    1 hour , 54 minutes    PG-13 (just one scene)   2020

A woman working at her father's record store in Harlem in the late 1950s meets an aspiring saxophone player.

Director:

 Eugene Ashe

Writer:

 Eugene Ashe

Stars:

 Tessa Thompson, Nnamdi Asomugha, Eva Longoria 

Movie #1997 ........................."Shorts 6: It Hurts to Laugh - Comedy (Chicago Film Fest 2020 virtual)

Movie #1997 "Shorts 6:  It Hurts to Laugh - Comedy (Chicago Film Fest 2020 virtual) -- This is one of 10 on this list that we watched in the Chicago  Film Festival (we have a 10-show festival pass).  We are usually attending it in one or two days and see them all in one day, but this year we are watching one or two a night when we can.  This one is the first we watched, and what a disappointment.  We thought this would have laughs, but we didn't laugh once!   In fact, I went back to the website for the festival and told them that very thing --- a bunch of comedy shorts that weren't funny AT ALL!  Here are the individual ones.  If you ever come across any of these titles, know that we don't recommend any of them.

"Blocks" (U.S.)  woman seems bored with taking care of the kids, doing their laundry, making them dinner, etc. and one day as she is putting away the leggos, she has to run to the bathroom and she throws up --- but when she looks in the toilet bowl, she sees she has thrown up legos.  The movie goes on and has an ironic ending.  But it's pretty static just throwing up the legos scene after scene.

I give it 3 out of 5 --- it was the best of the bunch.

"Play Schengen" (Norway ) A gaming company is making a videogame for kids about the EU. You play a national bird needing to breed and nest across borders, but you can only fly according to your VISA. We follow two game designers as they transform the European Union into pixel graphics, in an effort to make Schengen catchy for young people. The question is whether it is possible?

one "Joke" film --- unclear in a lot of places

I give  it 2 out of 5

"Sticker" (Macedonia)  18 minutes

After an unsuccessful attempt to renew his car registration, Dejan falls in a bureaucratic trap that tests his determination to be a responsible father.

Director:

 Georgi M. Unkovski (as Georgi Unkovski) 

Writer:

 Georgi M. Unkovski (as Georgi Unkovski) 

Stars:

 Sasko Kocev, Xhevdet Jashari, Simeon Moni Damevski

Very much a drama rather than a comedy -- once again, a little irony, but he's bleeding through a lot of this film.  2 out of 5

"David" (US) 11 minutes

A therapy session goes off the rails.

Director:

 Zach Woods

Writer:

 Brandon Gardner

Stars:

 William Jackson Harper, Fred Hechinger, Will Ferrell

This is like watching an accident happen.  The old idea that the psychiatrist has more problems than his patient is shown here when Will Ferrel, the therapist dealing with a suicidal patient, is confronted by his son, who wants him to attend his wrestling meet and he has a mental breakdown when his dad says he has to help this guy in the chair rather than his son.

2 out of 5 and not funny!

Stump the Guesser (Canada)

• He works at the fairground as "Stump the Guesser", who can guess anything for a fee. But suddenly his tricks stop working. And then he unwittingly falls in love with his sister whom he believed to be lost. He sets out to scientifically disprove the theory of heredity and marry his beloved as soon as possible. An absurdist firework of a silent film in black and white.

Directors:

 Evan Johnson, Galen Johnson  | 1 more credit »

Writers:

 Evan Johnson (Writer), Galen Johnson (Writer)  |1 more credit »

Stars:

 Adam Brooks, Brent Neale, Stephanie Berrington 

Have to admit, by the time we got to this one, we never finished it --- 

1 out of 5 stars