Movie #2094 ........................."All of My Heart" (Hallmark)

Movie #2094 "All of My Heart" (Hallmark)  I noticed this was a nonChristmas Lacy Chabert film, so I thought I'd look into it.  It kind of had a plot line like a xmas one I watched this season about two people sharing the ownership of a vineyard, but this wasn't near as good as that one. This guy was worthless --- he couldn't even hammer in a nail --- and he had this passion for money and the corporate world, and we are supposed to believe that experiencing baby goats being born would change his mindset?  Not even Lacy could bail this one out --- or Ed Asner, who was this funny old coot sitting on a park bench making funny comments to anyone who walks by.  I'd give this a 2 and say don't bother! The best part was watching the bakery goods she was making..... 

"ALL OF MY HEART"      2015       1 hour and  21 minutes

After inheriting half of a house, a young woman develops an unexpected friendship with her co-owner.

Director:

 Peter DeLuise

Writer:

 Karen Berger

Stars:

 Lacey Chabert, Brennan Elliott, Edward Asner 

Movie #2093 ........................."Run" (Hulu)

 Movie #2093 "Run"(Hulu)   this is a thriller that my sister-in-law and I watched recently, and even with an overnight break in the middle, we still thought it was a good nail biter.  We even had to look up afterwards if the  young girl in the wheel chair was in real life disabled, and she is, which  makes what she goes through to make this film even more memorable!  I have seen movies on this  topic before (like "The Act"),  and  even though some of it seem "way out there" as far  as behavior, you are convinced because of the acting of the young girl and the great Sarah Paulson (who steals every show and movie that she is in, in my opinion!)  I give it a  4  out of 5, but not for the faint of heart!   

"RUN"                2020           1hour, 30 min        PG-13

A homeschooled teenager begins to suspect her mother is keeping a dark secret from her.

Director:

 Aneesh Chaganty

Writers:

 Aneesh Chaganty, Sev Ohanian

Stars:

 Sarah Paulson, Kiera Allen, Sara Sohn  |

Movie #2092 ........................."Wild Oats"(dvd)

Movie #2092 "Wild Oats" (dvd) I had purchased this dvd a while ago for 1/2 price  and took it out and watched it finally because it ran  about 1hour and 1/2 and I was walking in my living room  (which I do  a lot of these days when it is slushy and cold outside.)  I thought it had a funny premise: woman's husband dies (not funny) and she is going through grief (as Shirley MacLaine can easily do, she's an excellent actress), and when she gets her insurance check which she thinks will be $50,000 , it is a  mistake on the  insurance company's part to send  her 5 million dollars instead.  After  some hysterical discussions on the phone with a robot answering service, she and her best friend (Jessica Lange) take off for an island where there are cabanas, lots of water and gambling --- she dabbles in  the gambling, making a lot more money (which is important when the insurance guy who has to tell her there's been a mistake (Howard Hessman from WKRP Cincinnati) finally tells her.  There are some  funny moments, some universal mistreatment of old people (example with daughter Demi Moore with big horned-rimmed glasses)  2 awkward bedroom scenes (they don't show much at all) but most of it is just fluff and silliness, and the ending folds  a bit too quickly  and tightly.  I'd give it 3.5 out of  5.  I dropped it off at the retirement home for them to enjoy, which I know they will!

"WILD OATS"     2016      1 hour 26 mins PG-13

Everything changes for Eva when she receives a life insurance check accidentally made out for five million dollars instead of the expected fifty thousand dollars. She and her best friend take the money and head out for the adventure of a lifetime.

Director:

 Andy Tennant

Writers:

 Claudia Myers (screenplay by), Gary Kanew (screenplay by)  | 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Shirley MacLaine, Jessica Lange, Demi Moore 

Movie #2091 ........................."Soul" (Disney+)

 Movie #2091 (Disney +)   I loved the visuals and  the  music and some wonderful moments about creativity and  the  Carpe Deum philosophy.  But, I  have some negative's.  One is the story line --- it was all over the  place to me --- esp. in  a transitions like the one from  Greater Beyond to the Greater Before.  Someone likened that to a video game, and I thought  --- oh , that's why I didn't appreciate that --- I don't  play video  games so I was getting confused with what was going  on and thinking :   how can I kid navigate through this?  But the answer is easy--- the kid has some knowledge of video games, and I don't. I still hesitated recommend it  to kids because I am more a straight line thinker, and this was like I said "all  over" --- but then again, a film that is up with creativity would probably work best with an "all over" kind  of plot line --- So I don't fault it for that, as much  as that  the theme seemed "all over" too --- I thought there were moments that a theme would come out loud and strong (like the scene with  the teacher  on  the steps watching the little kid playing the trombone and getting a good feeling  that he had helped her).  By the end, though, we aren't sure that teaching is valued as much by him.... I probably missed an  important point, but I just was looking for more clarity there.  The voices are good --- there are too many Geralds!   3.5 because I wanted it to be better.  As far as recommending?  I have to think about this one  more --- but maybe that was what they were trying  to accomplishment here --- to make a think piece about music--- and like Jazz, it appears free and easy and calming, but it can be  complicated!  and make you think!

"SOUL"      1 hour 40     2020  

A musician who has lost his passion for music is transported out of his body and must find his way back with the help of an infant soul learning about herself.

Directors:

 Pete Docter, Kemp Powers (co-director) 

Writers:

 Pete Docter (story & screenplay by), Mike Jones (story & screenplay by)  | 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton

Movie #2090 ........................."Ava" (netflix)

Movie #2090 "Ava" (netflix)  --- this story line reminded me of the t.v. show "Barry" who is also an assassin  ---  but that show doesn't show as much fighting  and killing and this film does.  It also has a huge sense of humor which is lagging here, as well.  Although  John Malkovich's character tries to infuse some in --- and he puts in some emotional scenes, as well. It just had way too much violence for me.  I thought  it was not  up to the quality of a Jessica Chastain film ---she can and  has acted in much better films.  So  I would suggest watching one  of them like  "The  Help" or "Zero Dark Thirty."  She and Malkovich elevate this action thriller, but I wouldn't recommend it.  When she isn't killing someone, she is either drinking herself into a stupor and viciously fighting off people.

"AVA"  netflix   2020     1 hour and 36 minutes  rated R

Ava is a deadly assassin who works for a black ops organization, traveling the globe specializing in high profile hits. When a job goes dangerously wrong she is forced to fight for her own survival.

Director:

 Tate Taylor

Writer:

 Matthew Newton

Stars:

 Jessica Chastain, John Malkovich, Common

Movie #2089 ........................."Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey" (Amazon Prime)

 Movie #2089 "Jingle Jangle:  A Christmas Journey" (Amazon  Prime)  What  fun!  I LOVED this gem  of a film  -- I liked the cast (esp.  the  young granddaughter -- what a  find!)  the sets and props, the music (John Legend) and what stellar choreography! It is  so  "in your face" ---  the characters  are  fast and furious but many are a bit  shallow ---  like  assistant  Gustofson and the robot, and the wife.  But the above strengths of the movie make  it a  wonderful watch in the holiday season. I   Highly  recommend-- 4.5.  And what a strong job Keegan-Michael Key and Annika Noni Rose  do, as well.  The granddaughter stole the show, to  me as Journey --- her  name is Magdalene Mills.  Wow!  What  a talent! 

"JINGLE JANGLE:  A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY" (Amazon Prime)  2020     2 hours, 2 mins

An imaginary world comes to life in a holiday tale of an eccentric toymaker, his adventurous granddaughter, and a magical invention that has the power to change their lives forever.

Director:

 David E. Talbert

Writer:

 David E. Talbert

Stars:

 Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville

Movie #2088 ........................." The Hillbilly Elegy" (netflix)

 Movie #2088 "The Hillbilly Elegy" (netflix)  I had a chance to read the book and got just so far (maybe P. 60?)  and put it down because I wasn't getting  to the story, but  I must say, the story starts  out quite  strong here  in this film, and it kept my interest throughout.  So much so, that now I am interested  in going back and reading the book to see how they compare ---  because I have been hearing that there are some big differences.  Since I didn't read the book, I just have the movie to comment  on --- and it was a winner to me, and a for sure academy award nomination for Glenn Close as the grandma , and another possibility to Amay Adams as the mom.  I didn't really realize that this story was about a kid growing  up in a really bad situation, raising himself up by his boot strings to graduate from Yale (a story similar to one that occurred in "Educated" , too, but I disliked that book a lot because of the amount  of abuse the reader is expected to read).  In  this film, in the hands of Ron Howard, the abuse is there  --- but it is done in such poignant  scenes and just enough to keep our interest to continue watching  --- Oh, it's hard to watch at times, with mom and her weaknesses, but the boy and his grandma have such a strong relationship, it is inspiring to watch.  In comparison to "Educated,"  I believed this one --- at least, the  story I saw here in the film.  I'd give it a 4 and recommend --- it is an eye opener on  a story we don't hear a lot about except in general terms.  This one is  up close and personal.

"THE HILLBILLY ELEGY"  (netflix)

An urgent phone call pulls a Yale Law student back to his Ohio hometown, where he reflects on three generations of family history and his own future.

Director:

 Ron Howard

Writers:

 J.D. Vance (based on the book by), Vanessa Taylor

Stars:

 Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Gabriel Basso

Movie #2087 ........................."A Christmas Prince: the Royal Baby" (netflix)

 Movie #2087 "A Christmas Prince:  the royal baby" (netflix) --I had seen the other "A Christmas Prince" movies and so when I saw this come up in my Christmas  list on netflix, I  set out to watch it.  However, I could barely get it done ---- it was not good.  In fact, it was the weakest of the series of films about his couple.  The main characters were the  same,  and that was fine, but the conflict was manufactured.  It  didn't sustain interest with me, even though  it was some sort of mystery, dealing  with a curse, etc.  Dumb.  and corny.  And my favorite character in the other movies on  these people was the little girl  --- and she has very little to do  in this film.  So that made  it even weaker for me.   I'd give it a weak 3.

"A CHRISTMAS PRINCE:  THE ROYAL BABY" (netflix)  1 hour and 24 mins       2019

It's Christmastime in Aldovia, and a royal baby is on the way. Amber and Richard host royals from a distant kingdom to renew a sacred truce, but when the treaty vanishes, peace is jeopardized and an ancient curse threatens their family.

Director:

 John Schultz

Writers:

 Karen Schaler (based on characters created by), Nate Atkins

Stars:

 Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Alice Krige 

Movie #2086 ........................."Taking a Shot At Love" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2086 "Taking A shot At Love" (Hallmark)This is one of my favorite of the season (it actually starts 2021 -- what a good  opening).  The reason I enjoyed it so much was that it was a film that  showed that the art of dance (ballet, specifically) has a lot in common with a sport (Hockey, specifically).  What a great idea for a film ---- shows respect to both art and athletics!  The actors are more than  capable and very convincing in their reverence for their respective passion but then both grow to appreciate the other person's passion, as well.  That's a lot to do in 1 hour and 24 mins. but it was well done.  I highly recommend this one and it is an excellent starter to the new  year on the Hallmark channel.

"TAKING A SHOT AT LOVE" (Hallmark)   2021    1 hour and 24 mins

A former professional dancer is using ballet to help a hockey player get back on the ice.

Director:

 Kevin Fair

Writers:

 Laura Grant (as Laura Gasbarro Grant), Julie Sherman Wolfe

Stars:

 Alexa PenaVega, Luke Macfarlane, Nolen Dubuc

Movie #2085 ........................."The Christmas Wedding Planner" (netflix)

 Movie #2085 "The Christmas Wedding  Planner" (Netflix)the premise was silly to me,  and the ending came too quickly and was hard to believe (it was one of those --- oh, since one wedding is botched up, why don't we just get married after knowing each other for just about a week!  yikes!)  but other than that, i DID like how the plot was a bit different than the normal Christmas fare.  The SHE has a best friend as a bride, and the HE is supposed to be investigating the husband to be and needs help --- so he illicit help from the SHE.  So it was kind of a merge between a typical  Private Eye t.v. show and a Hallmark meet cute and end up married kind of movie.  It was very entertaining to me while I was walking around my living room at the lake so  I'd give it a 4.  I think a lot of people might enjoy this one just because it is a tad different.  And the SHE and  HE  have cute banter together.  

"THE CHRISTMAS WEDDING  PLANNER"     2017    1 hour and 26 mins

Wedding Planner, Kelsey Wilson, is about to have her big break: planning her beloved cousin's lavish and exclusive wedding. Everything is going smoothly until Connor McClane, a devilishly handsome private investigator, shows up and turns Kelsey's world upside-down. Hired by a secret source, Connor quickly disrupts the upcoming nuptials but wins Kelsey's heart in the process.

Director:Justin G. Dyck

Writers:

 Stacy Connelly (novel), Keith Cooper (screenplay written by) 

Stars:

 Jocelyn Hudon, Stephen Huszar, Kelly Rutherford 

Movie #2084 ........................."Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (netflix)

 Movie #2084  "Ma Rainey's BlackBottom" (Netflix)  We have seen  this play a few times, and I couldn't tell you what it was about --- perhaps, the show was  in the hands of inadequate  directing/acting when I have seen it, but this rendition was excellent and very memorable.  And there's an oscar nomination for Chadwicke Boseman on the horizon  -- unfortunately, it is  post mortem.  He and  Viola Davis run the film, supported quite well by the secondary players.Overall,  This was a Wow! and in ,  what looks to be a weak year  in film so far, this  film hits it out of the  park. The action  takes place in 1927  in Chicago, mostly in one rehearsal room,  and it is  in the middle of August Wilson's series of plays that  he wrote (and won pulitzer prize for),   and I think it numbers one  of his  best.  And George C. Wolfe's direction makes it a very strong candidate to be awarded and appreciated by many.  I give it 4.5 out  of 5.

"MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM"   

Chicago, 1927. A recording session. Tensions rise between Ma Rainey, her ambitious horn player and the white management determined to control the uncontrollable "Mother of the Blues". Based on Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson's play.

Director:

 George C. Wolfe

Writers:

 Ruben Santiago-Hudson (screenplay by), August Wilson (based on the play written by) 

Stars:

 Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman

Movie #2083........................."Heart of the Holidays" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2083 "Heart of the Holidays"(Hallmark)  I watched  this at the beginning of the season and remembered   liking it.  I just noticed that the lead guy is also  directing it, and that makes it a bit  more special  to me---proves he is multi-talented and he cared more for the project --- I thought he did both jobs well.  This  is a Christmas  Carol  kind of story where the lead (in this case a  female) learns to be more of a humanitarian ---and to me, that is always a rewarding  watch  for me. The guy wasn't pushy at all, and things rolled  easily in the film--- there was an ease about it, which I  really welcomed --- made the film different from some of  the others...I'd give it a  4 out of 5.  

"HEART OF  THE HOLIDAYS"

• After her life in New York unexpectedly falls apart, powerhouse stockbroker Sam Wallace returns to her small town for the holidays and reconnects with her high school sweetheart who helps reignite her humanitarian spirit just in time to help their community on Christmas.

Director:

 Corey Sevier

Writer:

 Kate Pragnell

Stars:

 Vanessa Lengies, Corey Sevier, Maria Ricossa 

Movie #2082 ........................."Christmas at Dollywood" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2082 "Christmas at Dollywood" (Hallmark)  --- I  remember not thinking there was chemistry between the two stars here, really.  I don't think it was  the actors  because  I have enjoyed them both before in other movies, but this script had way too much"annoying" of each other--- not balanced enough with  working- well- together -scenes. But Dolly Parton makes a special appearance by the end of this,and  all's well!  Thank God for Dolly ,right? 3 out  of 5. 

"CHRISTMAS AT DOLLYWOOD" (Hallmark)  2019   1 hour, 30 mins

A New York City event planner travels home to Tennessee for the holidays and ends up working on the thirtieth anniversary Christmas event at Dollywood alongside the theme park's Director of Operations.

Director:

 Michael Robison

Writer:

 Nina Weinman

Stars:

 Danica McKellar, Niall Matter, Zoë Noelle Baker

Movie#2081 ........................."Christmas Catch" (Netflix)

Movie #2081 "Christmas Catch"(Netflix) Well,  the  first one I tried on netflix wasn't bad, so I tried another one --- this one wasn't as good, but still kept my interest because of the bizarre storyline:  female cop with her partner do a  stakeout on a guy she had a "meet-cute" with the night before she finds out he might be a  jewel  thief.  What I didn't like about  this one was the humor at first  was all  based on her awkwardness  on  dates. That would have been easier to swallow IF it was balanced with how good she  is as  a cop. But it wasn't. So she came across as a  dumb female playing a cop and possibly endangering  our lives. I hated  that. And the guy  is not a good actor --- just good to look at.  So through the whole movie I was  hoping she'd get her partner like in the Miss Congeniality movies, but no such luck. Oops! sorry, told the ending, kind  of.  Oh well, this  is one  you don't have to ever see.  3.5  out of 5.   

"CHRISTMAS CATCH"   1 hour, 27 mins       2018

A small-town policewoman falls for a suspected diamond thief at Christmas time.

Director:

 Justin G. Dyck

Writer:

 Patrick McBrearty

Stars:

 Emily Alatalo, Andrew Bushell, Franco Lo Presti

Movie #2080 ........................."Christmas with a Prince" (Netflix)

 Movie #2080 "Christmas with a Prince"  (Netflix)  This is the  film I  happened upon when I ran out  of Hallmark xmas movies I wanted to watch while walking in my  living room and wondered:  What's on netflix that is christmassy, and voila!  This was pretty hoaky at first:  prince of some strange named country gets hurt, and a really good pediatrician is forced to take him in her children's wing for the holidays because it supposedly is the most comforting/private?  didn't get a good answer.  Her brother was best  friends with him (how convenient)  but she never liked the guy. Well, this guy, if served  well, promises money to the hospital, so now she HAS to take him in.  The best part of the film was the kids in the ward ---they really showed  you what it is like to be stuck in a hospital for long lengths of  time, and ESPECIALLY at Christmas--- very sad, but very powerful! For that, I  give this a 4 and recommend it!

"CHRISTMAS WITH A PRINCE" (NETFLIX)     2018     1 HOUR, 30 mins

• Pediatric specialist Tasha Mason is focused on keeping the kids in her ward as healthy as possible. But when the handsome Prince Alexander Cavalieri breaks his leg on a nearby ski-slope, Tasha is forced to allow him to secretly get well on her floor, and she's furious that a spoiled Royal is interrupting the precious healing time her kids need. Soon, however, Tasha learns that some tough love and a lot of Christmas spirit could turn this royal pain into a knight in shining armor.

• Playboy crown prince Alexander Cavalieri of (ficttious) San Saarzze breaks his leg on a Connectictut ski-slope, and is discretely hospitalized nearby. There work his boarding school friends, cheerful nurse Jeff Mason and his jealously grumpy workaholic sister Dr. Tasha, who only reneges on refusing to treat and hide the spoiled-rotten player in her children's ward to earn a royal donation preventing her budget being crushed. Charmer Alexander soon proves himself a born kids friend and even wins sympathy with Tasha. King Edward III virtually arranged Alexander to be engaged to princess Miranda , but he sees Tasha as an alternative to get out of that on occasion of a royal ball, and the brand new couple surprisingly impresses the king, who sees through Miranda's dirty tricks.

  
  

  Director:

   Justin G. Dyck

  Writer:

   Keith Cooper

  Stars:

   Kaitlyn Leeb, Nick Hounslow, Josh Dean

Movie #2079 ........................."When Calls the Heart: Home for Christmas" (Hallmark)

Movie #2079 "When Calls the Heart: Home for Christmas(Hallmark)  I had heard about this  series, and my smart t.v started DVRing it for me without  my asking(I guess it looked at my track record for recording Hallmark  xmas movies)but I didn't really watch one of them until this year.  I  thought it was pretty blah --- but disclaimer,I just picked it up several years into this series.  To  do right by it, I  should watch the pilot and watch  a few examples of the  show.  I noticed  Michael Landon, Jr did the first few in the series, and now someone else is  writing and directing.  And maybe that has affected the  quality of the show somewhat, but  this one looked like a watered down "Little House on the Prairie" movie --- tries to be it, but fails.  There were a few good moments, and some  of the characters and their everyday stories were entertaining, but this did not make me ever want to watch this series again.  Maybe just at Christmas. I'd give it a very weak 3-- with -a shout out for the best story in the movie--- it  concerned an African American man, new  in town, learning how to be a good salesman  with  integrity ---  and he learns it from the town  doctor.  

"WHEN CALLS THE HEART: Home for  Christmas" 1 hr, 30 mins      2019

As Christmas approaches in Hope Valley, Elizabeth prepares for Little Jack's first Christmas and birthday surrounded by her closest friends, but she misses Jack more than ever. Nathan receives a prestigious job offer in Union City but weighs the promotion against the downside of leaving Elizabeth and taking his niece away from Hope Valley. Lucas holds a Christmas festival to bring some of his family's traditions to Hope Valley... and to impress Elizabeth

Director:

 Mike Rohl

Writers:

 Janette Oke (based on the novel by), Alfonso H. Moreno(written by: Part 1)  | 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton, Jack Wagner

Movie #2078 ........................."Love in Design"(Hallmark)

 Movie #2078 "Love in Design" ( Hallmark)My favorite Hallmark actors together at last!  I am not a big fan of HGTV, but  people who are will absolutely LOVE the storyline.  I enjoyed learning a bit about what  goes  into  renovating successfully a historical landmark --- that's the conflict here ---a modern decorator with integrity  is renovating an old building  and comes into conflict with the historical guy who  has been hired to preserve the integrity of the prized building. Two stresses are added---she  is doing all this work  on camera;  he and she had a past relationship, so they have locked horns a lot in their past!  The humor works, and the two are very likable and congenial competitors. Throw in a trivia night  and a focus on people not agreeing but meeting each other on common  ground, and you have a fun, inspiring  watch for these times.5  out of 5 for this one!

"LOVE IN DESIGN"    2018    1 hour,26 mins

Hannah returns to her small New England hometown and must work with Jeff, an old flame, to renovate a historical Manor.

Director:

 Steven R. Monroe

Writers:

 Nicole Baxter, Brian Gottlieb (story)  |

Stars:

 Danica McKellar, Andrew W. Walker, Alvina August

Hannah McElroy is the host of Los Angeles based Love in Design, a nationally broadcast home renovation show, where she completes one home renovation per episode. Hannah's design style is modern, she seeing it as not having any design boundaries to whatever the possibilities for a space. Despite strong albeit slightly declining ratings after four years, Wally, the head of the network, wants to try a different format, where Hannah will do a more extensive renovation over several episodes, the first taking Hannah back to her small New England home town of Lewisburg to renovate the historic Lewisburg Manor, the owner, Margot, wanting to convert it into a bed and breakfast. Hannah would have five weeks to complete the renovation, Margot wanting a specific completion date to reopen for the manor's sesquicentennial. Despite this renovation not being up Hannah's alley being a historic building, she has no other option but to agree to appease Wally and the network.

Movie # 2077 ........................."Autumn in the Vineyard"(Hallmark)

 Movie #2077"Autumn in the Vineyard" (Hallmark) back to back good movies about wine and vineyards and  healthy competition from one place to the next.  This one, however, needs some sharing on the part of the two lovebirds (at least, they  were that in  h.s. -- yes,  they have a past  relationship involving a  bad breakup) who no longer get along all that well, with added pressure of feuding relatives.  Anyway, the viewer watching this film gets a good knowledge of  what it is like to work in a vineyard day after day to make sure you can yield  a  good crop. Of  course, as the note says below, it will be a little easier to solve the sharing problem by having the couple rekindle their first love. I liked this one lot, too. Rachael Leigh Cook is one of my  favorite Hallmark divas. 4.5 out of 5.

"AUTUMN IN THE VINEYARD"    2016     1 hr and 24 minutes 

When Frankie Baldwin and Nate Deluca both have a claim to ownership of Sorrento Farm, they are forced to divide the vineyard right down the middle and work the fields alongside each other to bring in the harvest leading up to the Best Wine competition at the annual Autumn Harvest Festival - only this rivalry won't be settled in the fields, because in spite of their contentious bickering, the simplest way to settle this particular legal dispute is with a romance.

Director: Scott Smith

Writers:

 Marina Adair (book), Suzette Couture (as Souzette Couture) 

Stars:

 Rachael Leigh Cook, Brendan Penny, Jill Teed

Movie#2076 ....,....................".Paris, Wine & Romance"(Hallmark)

 Movie #20767 "Paris,  Wine,  & Romance" (Hallmark) The wow factor is here --- my favorite city in the world "Paris" is  introduced to us viewers by a charming, handsome, French guide, and the movie is all  about love with a happy ending , Paris and wine!  What could be better, right? Dueling wineries making award -winning pinot noir --- the young with the old. Competitors helping each other out, rather than playing the cut throat game.  I  really enjoyed this one --- the  lovers were so  likable.  And I had to have some wine while watching it! 4.5 on the movie out of 5. The wine?  just a 4.

"PARIS, WINE, & ROMANCE"     2019     1 hour and 24 mins

Isabella, the owner of her family's Oregon winery, takes a big leap and enters a prestigious wine competition in Paris. There she meets her biggest competitor, Jacques, from one of the world's foremost winemaking families.

Director:

 Alex Zamm

Writers:

 Joelle Sellner, Alex Wright

Stars:

 Jen Lilley, Dan Jeannotte, Roxanne McKee 

Movie #2075 ........................."Home for Christmas Day" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2075 "Home for Christmas Day" (Hallmark)  This  one was a sad one.... dealt with a soldier who is called back into action during the holidays and the girl he leaves behind --- new, young love. And the mom, who lost her soul mate the same  way, is upset and tries to keep her daughter away from the same tragic feelings she  had years ago --- and learns she can't -- she is busy opening up finally to a guy who has been pursuing her for years, but whom  she has dismissed dealing  with her own grief all these years. So there are parallel stories  going on here.  It definitely has the  spirit of the Christmas season in the background, but it is so sad, and wracked with stress, that I wanted to turn it off (like this whole year!)The film definitely serves as a reminder of how sensitive we ned  to  be to the sadness of others during the xmas  season, when grieving people are espeially  missing their loved ones.,  Certainly makes you  appreciate what you have!  I give  this a 4 out of 5.

"HOME FOR CHRISTMAS DAY"  (HALLMARK) 1 hr, 24minutes      2017

A young woman begins a long-distance relationship with an active-duty soldier.

Director:

 Gary Harvey

Writers:

 David Golden (teleplay), Jennifer Aspen (story) 

Stars:

 Catherine Bell, Victor Webster, Matreya Fedor

Movie #2074 ........................."Let Them All Talk" (HBO Max)

 Movie #2074 "Let Them All Talk" (HBO Max) This blog  will be short and sweet.  I didn't find this interesting at all, over all. There were a couple of good scenes, but  it was  very disappointing. as a  whole.   I like all the actors, and I  mostly like Soderbergh films, but I felt you could tell a lot of  the  scenes were improvised,  and Candice Bergen was the weakest at this, I felt.  Story wasn't significant enough to make a film about it.....    Slow,meandering, with lots of talky, insignificant scenes.... Woody Allen -like but without his   wit. I give it a very weak 3 out of 5 and do not recommend.

"LET THEM ALL TALK"  2020         1 hr and 53 mins      

A famous author goes on a cruise trip with her friends and nephew in an effort to find fun and happiness while she comes to terms with her troubled past.

Director:

 Steven Soderbergh

Writer:

 Deborah Eisenberg

Stars:

 Meryl Streep, Gemma Chan, Dianne Wiest , Candice Bergen, Lucas Hedges

Movie #2073........................."The Prom" (netflix)

 Movie #2073 "The Prom:(netflix) Well, we saw the  play on Broadway, and I felt the play failed with the theatre people, but was  a big success with showing the young kids, esp. the two girls  who kissed midstage toward the end of the play. I can't say enough  how important I  felt that kiss was to Broadway--a first, and it  was done with such  sublime and natural beauty--- and so contrary to the phoniness of the theatre people.  I resented  the whole stereotyped look at theatre people in this play, esp. the gay male on Broadway who was played way too broadly for me ---- I  thought it was  offensive to the gay population -and so most everything  the theatre people  said  was  not  funny or  poignant to me in this play.  I remember being bowled  over by the exuberance of the young dancers at the prom--- choreography was a stand out.  But it wasn't a  show I wanted to see  again nor one I wanted to take people to see if it ever came to Broadway in  Chicago. Then, I heard it was  being done  for  Netflix,  and I really didn't intend to see  it, BUT  I found  out it had all these actors that  I admire ---Meryl Streep and James Cordon playing the two characters I least liked on Broadway, with backup by the  inimitable Nicole Kidman  and equally  talented Andrew Rannels, so I  wanted to see  if it was any better, and it was. At least the theatre people  because now the lines were in  the hands  of better actors ---  who just more did it tongue in  cheek --- like they were mocking who they were playing and somehow it was easier to  watch --- and  James Cordon was just funnier to me because he didn't play up the mean spiritedness of the character as much.But I  sure  did miss the two young girls from Broadway to play the girls in love.  Their purity in voice  --- their essence. The two girls were  okay, but just not as good.  Kerry Washingtonand Keegan Michael Key were wonderful adds to the film. All in all, I would recommend this to people who embrace musicals as a legitimate genre because it can be a very powerful, and entertaining,   teacher of tolerance, if given the chance.  I'd give  it 4 out of 5.  

"THE PROM"  2020   2 hours 10 mins,  PG-13    2020

A troupe of hilariously self-obsessed theater stars swarm into a small conservative Indiana town in support of a high school girl who wants to take her girlfriend to the prom.

Director:

 Ryan Murphy

Writers:

 Bob Martin (screenplay by), Chad Beguelin (screenplay by)  | 4 more credits »

Stars:

 Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman,Andrew Rannels,  Keegan Michael Key, Kerry Washington 

Movie #2072 .........................."The Flight Attendant"(HBO max)

 Movie #2072 "The Flight Attendant" (HBO max)  We liked this story  a  lot --- lots of  turns and  twists --- esp. liked the  way it is filmed  ---  from the opening credits, to the split screen and the nicely decorated sets, the show is an example of one that is always  trying to keep your interest. Granted, there are some limitations in Cuoco's  acting, but they  put her in scenes with capable  people like Rosie Perez and Michiel Huisman --- who is the most interesting character she engages with. However,  It is to her  credit that  Kaley has such  a  likeable persona  that she is able to continue to be  interesting to follow even if she is quite a drinker and has this  habit of being doom and  gloom to whomever she asks for  help. The one big  complaint I have is that the Rosie Perez story seemed stuck into the  main  plot ---- and  incomplete.  But there's a second season just announced, so that might be why.  I recommend  this with a 4.5 out of 5.  

"FLIGHT ATTENDANT"    9 episodes, 42-48 mins each    2020

A flight attendant wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man - and no idea what happened. When questioned by FBI agents and still unable to piece the night together, she begins to wonder if she could be the killer.

Creator:

 Steve Yockey

Stars:

 Kaley Cuoco, Michiel Huisman, Zosia Mamet, Rosie Perez