Movie #2104 ........................."I Care A Lot" (Netflix)

 Movie #2104 "I Care A Lot" (Netflix) --- looking for something very different?  with a little violence? an eye- opening con game involving the elderly?  Then, this one might be titillating to you..... You won't like most everybody in the film, so I hope that is okay.  If you are a feminist, you might be pulled both ways as you watch the story unfold --- because this is a feminist doing wrong.  And revenge is the name of the game .  This part shouldn't be too difficult for Rosamund Pike because she played this kind of person in "Gone Girl" -- and she does it well again, here.   As phony as ever,  she's like a spider spinning her web with agility and cunningness.  It's that self assuredness , that confidence , that slickness in getting people to do what you want, that make  her hard to dislike --- I almost stepped back a couple of times thinking, "Now that was a smart move" ---- but don't be fooled.  She's a con artist, and it is actually interesting (might  I say fun, at times?) to watch her in action.  Like I said, this one is a "twisted" film, and not for everybody, at all.  I give it 4 out of 5.  (what I disliked was Dinklage --- I always think he chews up the scenery in whatever he is in --- but I didn't watch any of "Game of Thrones" --- I can only imagine what he did there!)  If you see this one, I'd love for you to come back to this blog and let me know what YOU thought.   

"I CARE A LOT" (netflix)   1 hr, 58 mins     R-rated      2020

A crooked legal guardian who drains the savings of her elderly wards meets her match when a woman she tries to swindle turns out to be more than she first appears.

Director:

 J Blakeson

Writer:

 J Blakeson

Stars:

 Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González 

Movie #2103 ........................."One Night in Miami" (Amazon Prime )

 Movie #2103 "One Night in Miami" (Amazon Prime) this wasn't as good as I thought it would be --- it was really mostly a filmed play, but unlike "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,"  it moved in the environment less --- it was mostly all in one room in a hotel.  The acting was good, but it never made the story in the film come alive to me --- it was very slow.  These characters are bigger than life and you would think they didn't have to move as much, but I felt I wanted them to move more --- their words weren't as dynamic as the people saying them.  I'd give it a 3 out of 5 --- and not really recommend it to many people, except maybe if you are interested in the history -- and maybe intrigued by any one of the real people in this fictional meet up?

"ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI"    1 hour, 54 minutes     R-rated     2020

A fictional account of one incredible night where icons Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, and Muhammed Ali gathered discussing their roles in the Civil Rights Movement and cultural upheaval of the 60s. 

Director;  REGINA KING

Writers:  Kemp Powers (screenplay), Kemp Powers (based on the stage play by him)

Stars:  Kingsley Ben-Adir (Malcolm  X), Eli Gore (Cassius Clay), Aldis Hodge (Jim Brown),  and Leslie Odom, Jr. (Sam Cooke) 

Movie #2102 ........................."The Undoing" (HBO)

 Movie #2102 "The Undoing" (HBO)  is a limited series full of twists and turns, with exceptional acting from the major 4 cast members:  Kidman, Grant, Sutherland, and the little boy Jupe (who impressed me for the first time as the best friend in the movie "Wonder") .  One time, in particular, I said "what?" to the t.v. and had to go back because it was such a surprise --- that doesn't usually happen to me.  But then, I am one of those people that watches something like this and tries to make a guess halfway through to see  at the very end I am  correct.  In this one, I was correct, kind of because   the way it got TO the revealing moment was the surprise to me.   I recommend it, and boy Kidman is deserving of the golden globe, but so are the other 4.  I am glad I am not choosing who is best out of her fellow nominees:  Blanchett, Edgar-Jones, Haas or Taylor-Joy.  Wow!  So much talent in that list --- I have seen them all this year and appreciated every one of their performances!!!! I highly recommend this one (4.5 out of 5)  ---- it ranks up there with "Defending Jacob" and "Your Honor" --- although I didn't finish "Your Honor" because I don't have showtime.  Does anyone know any other way to watch that if you don't have showtime?  I just got to see the first episode!  Darn!   I guess I will have to wait on that one. 

"THE UNDOING"    5 hours, 37 mins     6 episodes, about 56 mins per episode   2021

A modern twist to a classical "whodunnit" tale, when the life of a wealthy New York therapist turns upside down after she and her family get involved with a murder case.

Creator:

 David E. Kelley

Stars:

 Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Noah Jupe 

Movie #2101 ........................."The Little Things" (HBO)

 Movie #2101 "The Little Things" (HBO) This was a nice, slow moodpiece.   All the 3 major characters were quiet, hesitant and awkward --- Jared Leto is nominated for a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the bad guy.  I would be surprised if he gets an award for this part, since he blended with the cops.   Even with the "close to the vest" acting, this does come across as somewhat of a psychological thriller because of the mind games (but there have been scripts better).  It isn't as violent as some.  It picked up toward the end --- not a typical procedural thing with a couple of twists and an interesting back story.  I'd give it 3.5 out of 5.

"THE LITTLE THINGS"   2021     2 hours, 8 mins     rated R

Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe Deacon is sent to Los Angeles for what should have been a quick evidence-gathering assignment. Instead, he becomes embroiled in the search for a serial killer who is terrorizing the city.

Director:

 John Lee Hancock

Writer:

 John Lee Hancock

Stars:

 Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto

Movie #2100 ........................."Da 5 Bloods" (netflix)

 Movie #2100 "Da 5 Bloods" (netflix) Disclaimer:  War pictures are not my favorite at all ---- in fact, when I taught war genre films in the high school, I chose to show "The Best Years of our Lives" that covered quite well (academy award for best picture)  the coming home part of war, which I can sit through a little better --- just can't watch man's inhumanity to man to the extreme.....I start shouting at the screen, which is not good for anybody!)  That being said, why would I watch this one?  Well, two major reasons and they deal with two names:  Chadwick Boseman (one of his last movies) and Spike Lee.  I have seen most of the filmography of both men so I am a big fan of both.  Chadwick, once again, throws himself full on into this film, and his story (tied to Delroy Lindo) is, to me, the best part of this film.  Delroy plays a loudmouth Trumper (donning a MAGA  hat through most of the film (albeit, turned backwards most of the time! Thanks, Spike!) but in the hands of a sharp director, he is able to humanize this obnoxious guy even while the actor chews up most of the landscape in the film.  The other cast members are able to, for the most part, get enough time to get their individual stories out and to do it quite competently --- I was most impressed with Clarke Peters.  But that's probably because he is the sanest of the bunch, and the lynchpin of the film.  Yes, they are all suffering from PTSD, and if you think that is fake news, you need to watch this film and it should change your mind.  What our soldiers are expected to go through........ohmygod.  Anyway, You get the idea of what Spike's objective is in this film, and he ends with real footage from the Nam war at the end for his closing remarks!  Generally, the film was a bit long to me, oddly edited at times, music too loud at times, too.  And too much shooting for me, but Chad's speech toward the end is worth the wait, and the overall ending was a good one.  Film overall a bit preachy, but that's Spike Lee's touch ---- and it's okay with me.  I'd give it 4 out of 5. (but a tough watch!)

"DA 5 BLOODS"    2 hrs 34 mins                 2020               R rated, for sure!

Four African-American vets battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide.

Director:

 Spike Lee

Writers:

 Danny Bilson, Paul De Meo (as Paul Demeo)  

Stars:

 Delroy Lindo, Jonathan Majors, Clarke Peters , Chadwick Boseman, Norm Lewis, Isiah Whitlock, Jr

Movie #2099 ........................."Color of Rain" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2099 "Color of Rain" (Hallmark)I saw this a while ago but can still remember the sadness, because usually in Hallmark movie one family is hit with grief, but this is two.   But then, double the happiness at a the end, right?  I remember the guy mumbled a lot, but I just looked him up and I had seen him before in a t.v. series entitled "Alphas" and liked him --- he has a bit of a Irish accent, so maybe downplaying that was what he was doing?  also, he probably wanted to show more inward grief in comparison to Lacy Chabert's outward stuff.  The kids were okay and helped with making the story line more interesting for me.  BUT this is a very sad one for 3/4's of the way through.  I'd give it 4.8, though.  Very worthwhile watch -- and although a lot of people would say it was unbelievable that two families could get together by the end of a Hallmarkian movie time span, I felt this one made that believable.

"COLOR OF RAIN"    1 hour and 24 mins                  2014

After cancer claims Matt Kell's life on Christmas Day 2005, his widow, Gina and two young boys are left to cope with the pain of his loss while their close church community gathers around them for support. Wanting to be close to her kids, Gina starts to volunteer at their elementary school and meets the Spehn children, Jack, Danny and Charlotte. In a gut-wrenching coincidence, just weeks after Matt's death, the Spehn's mom, Cathy, also suddenly succumbs to cancer, leaving her distraught husband, Michael, to care for their three kids on his own. Sensing the hopelessness in Michael she so recently saw in herself, Gina reaches out to Michael and his kids and the two families begin to forge an unlikely friendship and close bond. Over the year that follows, their lives become intertwined as they learn to lean on each other during the at-times insurmountable obstacles, tears and adversity and begin to heal with laughter, compassion and faith. As Gina and Michael realize their newfound friendship is so much more, they struggle against some surprising resistance from their families and community to unite their two grieving families as one and eventually learn to open their hearts to love again.

After cancer claims Matt Kell's life on Christmas Day 2005, his widow, Gina and two young boys are left to cope with the pain of his loss while their close church community gathers around ... See full summary »

Director:

 Anne Wheeler

Writers:

 Gina Kell (book), Nancey Silvers (screenplay)  | 2 more credits »

Stars:

 Warren Christie, Lacey Chabert, Callum Seagram Airlie

Movie #2098 ........................."Love on Ice" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2098 "Love on Ice (Hallmark)  -- I like this Hallmark guy Andrew Walker and I noticed he was having to skate in this one, so that seemed intriguing to me --- that and the storyline that she might be too old to be in competition seemed interesting as well (feeling too old for many things, these days).  But then the plot got kind of silly, even for Hallmark.  The actor I liked never showed any ability of skating or coaching it -- just once in a while he would stay  "nice"  and stuff  like that --- it was obvious most of what the girl was doing was done by a stunt woman so only the story is left ---- because she is hiding something about herself through most of the film, the love relationship is distant...... and the ending was just absurd to me --- it dealt with competing with your student.......and that would always be a bit muddied, but not in a Hallmark movie --- there were some redeeming points that dealt with the young girl with the pushy mother ......but otherwise, not needed to see unless you like figure skating and the drama all that entails.   3.8 out of 5.

"LOVE ON ICE"                  2017                 1 hour and 24 mins

Emily James (Julie Berman), now 27 years old and considered a relic in the world of figure skating, gets an improbably shot to reclaim skating glory, when a young coach sees greatness in her. Together, they find their love of skating goes beyond the ice.

Director:

 Bradley Walsh

Writer:

 Matthew Coppola

Stars:

 Julie Berman, Andrew W. Walker, Linda Kash

Movie #2097........................."News of the World"(netflix)

 Movie #2097 "News of the World" (netflix movie) I had read the book , and there's a lot more reading of the news by  Kidd (main character), and a lot more hassles with Native Americans and sordid people hanging around  in the terrain eager to steal money from each other.  However,  the movie  has one big shoot out(which uses a clever turn that I remembered from the book) --- so I feel that  the movie could have used more action.  (which was in the book, so I'm  not sure why more wasn't used) The director here Greengrass did "Captain Phillips"  with Hanks, and it was full of action, even though, the environment was contained in a small area --- but this one, needs to draw us in more.  The environment is beautifully filmed, and the little girl does exactly what she is asked to  do, in the book I remember her having and showing more of a personality as she learns how to speak and read.  In fact, at  the end of the book, she is the one who is reading the "news of the world" --- In the book Kidd is more a curmudgeon whose stubbornness is put to the test with this girl --- but Hanks has a tough time being tough here --- so she is left to be more stubborn  ---there's some made up story not in the book that is  in the movie about going back to his wife -- some reason to move on after dropping off the girl with her relatives that really I would have done without, and I would  rather have seen even more of development of a relationship between the girl and  Kidd -- and just show  he needs her probably about as much as she needs him.  I still liked it and would give it a 4, but not for people looking for action.

"NEWS OF THE WORLD"     2020     PG-13      1 hour and 58 mins

A Civil War veteran agrees to deliver a girl, taken by the Kiowa people years ago, to her aunt and uncle, against her will. They travel hundreds of miles and face grave dangers as they search for a place that either can call home.

Director:

 Paul Greengrass

Writers:

 Paul Greengrass (screenplay by), Luke Davies (screenplay by)  | 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Tom Hanks, Helena Zengel, Tom Astor 

Movie #2096 ........................."Richard Jewell"

 Movie #2096 "Richard Jewell" (HBO movie)

I didn't like this movie much at all --- except for Sam Rockwell. I  usually like Clint Eastwood films, but this one I think has problems.  First, the guy who plays the lead is so odd, we aren't sure where he is coming from --- I get it if he's truly a shy person, but the way he is presented, living with his mom, doing very  little without consulting her, etc.  it is questionable how capable he is to be a security guard--- I thought that he  had some mental problems --- and that isn't good to Eastwood's argument:  that he IS capable of doing a good job that day  as a security guy who found the bomb in the case.  And the film takes, in my opinion, way too long for him to take a stand against what he is being set up for --- and if he would have said something earlier, he wouldn't have gotten mistreated as much as he did.  Kathy Bates was nominated for this part? hmmmmm.  It seems a pretty staple character in film generally,  i.e.  pretty much like a lot of mothers that cry through the whole film and try to give advice to her bullied son.  Nothing new there. Finally, the FBI and journalists come across  all  weak and manipulative? ---don't need to see that right now when these two groups of people have been maligned so much  in the past  4 years --- and the relationship between Wilde (journalist) and Hamm (FBI) is so shallow, it is hard to believe  that is the lynchpin that causes the mistreatment of Jewell..... it is suspect and it seems that Eastwood's politics were coming into this film, maybe? Overall, I don't think we saw anything close to the real story here --- at least this viewer felt there was way more to the story than what was shown in this mediocre film.  I give it a 3 out of 5

"RICHARD JEWELL"          2 hours, 11 mins   2019     rated R   

Security guard Richard Jewell is an instant hero after foiling a bomb attack at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but his life becomes a nightmare when the FBI leaks to the media that he is a suspect in the case.

Director:

 Clint Eastwood

Writers:

 Billy Ray, Marie Brenner (based upon the article "American Nightmare: The Ballad of Richard Jewell" by)  | 2 more credits »

Stars:

 Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley 

Movie #2095 ........................."Brockmire" (Amazon Prime) tv series

Movie #2095 "Brockmire" (Amazon Prime) t.v.series-season 1 --- I must admit, we never got to the end of season 1 because we felt we got the main idea of  the show, we stopped laughing after a while (with all the drinking and debauchery in this)  and got tired of the minor characters and their arc.  Hank Azaria is one of the most talented chameleons in the business, but the voice and characters here got pretty tiring after a few shows.  So I would say this would have worked for a movie, but  it doesn't work for me in a series.  Liked Amanda Peet's work here, but  thought she was better than the material the show offered for her.  This show is pretty vulgar, and I can see how,throuigh baby steps, he is getting to be a better person, but I lost the care in seeing that.  I'd give it 3.5 and I don't recommend it to many people.  I truly like baseball, and that got me through some of the shows, but after awhile.....

"BROCKMIRE"    2017-2020,  32 episodes    about 30 minutes each

A famed major league baseball announcer who suffers an embarrassing and very public meltdown live on the air after discovering his beloved wife's serial infidelity decides to reclaim his career and love life in a small town a decade later.

Creator:

 Joel Church-Cooper

Stars:

 Hank Azaria, Tyrel Jackson Williams, Amanda Peet