Movie #2158........................."The One and Only Ivan" (Disney +)

Movie #2158 "The One and Only Ivan" (Disney +)  Now here's a really good film for kids and parents to watch, if you can get past the talking animals (like "Babe") And that is fairly easy to do when the gorilla's voice is Sam Rockwell!  and the little stray dog is Danny Davito.  And Bryan Cranston isn't the traditional mean owner, but one who really cares about Ivan, since he had him since he was a baby.  There's lots of good themes about animals deserving freedom, showmanship, friendship, helping others, and a very tender story that has a bit of mystery in it as well.  I'd give it a 4 and recommend it.  I found it a very tender, entertaining story.  And the visual effects were cool --- I kept looking at these animals and wondering:  How did they do that?  

'THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN"        2020             PG      1 HOUR, 35 mins

A gorilla named Ivan tries to piece together his past with the help of an elephant named Ruby as they hatch a plan to escape from captivity.

Director:

 Thea Sharrock

Writers:

 Mike White (screenplay by), Katherine Applegate (book) 

Stars:

 Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Phillipa Soo , Danny Davito, Angelina Jolie

 

Movie #2157 ........................."Midnight Sky" (netflix)

 Movie #2157 "Midnight Sky" (netflix) Even though this is considered a sci fiction fantasy and I usually don't like fantasies, I liked this story a lot.  I liked the way it connected the two stories (one in the Arctic, where there only seems to be an older man and a little girl who doesn't talk) and the other a crew on a plane that is supposed to go to U.S. but is warned by the older man that something has happened and they shouldn't do that.  There's some mystery, some good visual effects, mighty bad weather the two have to travel through, but a nice ending.  I give this 4 out of 5 stars. 

"MIDNIGHT SKY"   PG-13           2020                1 HOUR, 58 mins

This post-apocalyptic tale follows Augustine, a lonely scientist in the Arctic, as he races to stop Sully and her fellow astronauts from returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe.

Director:

 George Clooney

Writers:

 Lily Brooks-Dalton (based on the book 'Good Morning, Midnight' by), Mark L. Smith(screenplay by) 

Stars:

 George Clooney, Felicity Jones, David Oyelowo

Movie #2156 ........................."Mulan" with real people (Disney plus)

 Movie #2156 "Mulan" with real people (Disneyplus) --- too much fighting ---- I know, it is a steady rant from me, but I just don't like all of it.....it doesn't matter if it is a capable female, just too much, and the film is too long --- I saw it a few weeks ago, and I remember just image upon image of regimented soldiers, all decked out in the same costumes, marching into battle.  Of course, I like a story that sets up the female as stronger than some of her male counterparts, and she is in disguise, but that story I have seen done even better than the one played here.   The pluses are a few:  the female is very strong in a quiet way;  the visual effects are stunning, the amount of people on film is amazing, and just that it is a film with Eurasian elements, entire cast, etc. makes it a winner to me.  Besides the above complaints on the fighting, one big negative is the story --- there isn't much to it, and it becomes repetitive with two final big battles, one too quickly following another.  Also, I felt it spent too much time on the witch character. I would give this a 3.  It earned its nomination, for visual effects,  but I wondered why a song wasn't nominated from here --- the two songs sung at the end by Aguilera were terrific and a huge reward for getting to the end to me!

"MULAN"       2020                  1 hr, 55 mins                    PG-13

A young Chinese maiden disguises herself as a male warrior in order to save her father.

Director:

 Niki Caro

Writers:

 Rick Jaffa (screenplay by), Amanda Silver (screenplay by)  | 3 more credits »

Stars:

 Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Gong Li 

MOVIE #2155 ........................."Hunger Ward" (oscar-nominated doc short 2021)

 Movie #2155 "Hunger Ward" (oscar-nominated doc short 2021) focuses on the starving in Yemen, and I thought it was nicely done (in comparison to the others) --- this is a messy topic to US because the Saudis are air striking and then they put up blockades to medicine for their civilians, and the U.N. and US are allies of the Saudis, so very controversial. This short doc  shows overworked doctors who can't deal with all the injuries and deaths as a result.  It makes a case for deportation of children while adults go to war.  I'd give this 4 stars out of 5.   And it made me want to give to Hungerward.com to try to help with this problem. 

"HUNGER WARD" 

Filmed from inside two of the most active therapeutic feeding centers in Yemen, HUNGER WARD documents two female health care workers fighting to thwart the spread of starvation against the backdrop of a forgotten war. The film provides an unflinching portrait of Dr. Aida Alsadeeq and Nurse Mekkia Mahdi as they try to save the lives of hunger-stricken children within a population on the brink of famine.

Director:

 Skye Fitzgerald

Stars:

 Aida Alsadeeq, Omeima Essa Salem Abdullah, Mekkia Mahdi

Movie #2154 ........................."Do Not Split" (oscar-nominated doc short 2021)

Movie #2154 "Do Not  Split" (oscar-nominated doc short 2021)  this was a not a very clear doc short --- it dealt with protests in Hong Kong against police (like in our country)  -- because there was lack of narration, it just showed one protest after another --- and unlike our protests, the police look to just plow over everyone, even when they have no weaponry.  This had little effect on me except appreciate that we have more semblance of order in our protests, most of the time.  I'd give this a 3 out of 5, and I liked it the least of all of these nominees.

"DON'T SPLIT"                  2020                 35 MINS             USA/Norway

• In 2019 Hong Kong was rocked by the largest protests since Britain handed back the area to China in 1997. This is the story of the protests, told through a series of demonstrations by local protesters that escalate into conflict when highly armed police appear on the scene.

  Director:

   Anders Hammer

  Stars:

   Joey Siu, Rocky S. Tuan

Movie #2153 ........................."A Concerto is a Conversation" (oscar-nominated Doc short 2021)

Movie #2153 "A Concerto is a Conversation" (oscar-nominated Doc short 2021)  This was a nice homage to an elderly grandad from his grandson.  They interview each other but I found it not as competitive as the others --- and it never pulled me in.  I thought it might win only because of the topicality of the subject --- the grandad is  an african american jazz musician.   But once again, it depended on just interview techniques.  I would give it a 3 out of 5.

"CONCERTO IS A CONVERSATION"       13 mins                 2020         USA

A virtuoso jazz pianist and film composer tracks his family's lineage through his 91-year-old grandfather from Jim Crow Florida to the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Directors:

 Kris Bowers, Ben Proudfoot

Writer:

 Ben Proudfoot

Stars:

 Kris Bowers, Horace Bowers Sr., Jim Burke

Movie #2152 ........................."Collette" (oscar-nominated Doc shorts 2021)

 Movie #2152 "Collette" (oscar-nominated Doc Shorts 2021)  This is the one in the package of doc shorts that I purchased through Milwaukee Film Festival and the ones you could see if you rent or buy the bundle of doc shorts.  I wouldn't recommend that for this year because none of them were outstanding --- this one won the oscar, and it is on one of my favorite topics --- Holocaust/Resistance WWII, and I still just found it moderately interesting --- it never pulled me in.  Woman goes to Germany to honor her brother and a younger woman interviews her.  The style of this short doc is mostly using interview --- could have used more variety.  I would give it 3.8 out of 5.

"COLLETTE"     USA      24 MINS                  2021

In Nazi-occupied France, resistance took courage. Seventy-five years later, facing one's ghosts may take even more.

Director:

 Anthony Giacchino

Writer:

 Anthony Giacchino

Stars:

 Colette Marin-Catherine, Lucie Fouble

Movie #2151 ........................."Quo Vadis, Aida" (amazon prime, $2.99)

 Movie #2151 "Quo Vadis, Aida" (amazon prime, $2.99)  This was the one I would have voted for --- it kept me interested through the whole time.  It centered on a translator in Srebrenica and the genocide that happened there in a UN camp.  There are shots I will never forget in this film.  Here are two examples:  1) the translator finds out her family may be in danger, so she goes out to the area where the crowds of civilians are gathering, and she stands up on top of a roof of a building to see if she can find her family and there's a crane shot of the thousands and thousands all gathered there (comparable to a famous shot in GWTW of the wounded soldiers in Atlanta --- to show the extent of the Civil War), 2) another shot is at the end, where we see the women in this town trying to identify their male family members from bones on a sheet and the shoes they might have worn.  These moments will never leave me --- very effective film, and I would give it 4.8.  I just wish the ending would have been more final, but maybe that was the whole idea --- it never will be final --- there will always be genocide until we can work together to put a stop to it.  

"QUO VADIS, AIDA"     2021  Serbian subtitles           1 hr, 44 mins         Bosnia, 1995   

Aida is a translator for the UN in the small town of Srebrenica. When the Serbian army takes over the town, her family is among the thousands of citizens looking for shelter in the UN camp.

Director:

 Jasmila Zbanic

Writer:

 Jasmila Zbanic (screenplay by) 

Stars:

 Jasna Djuricic, Izudin Bajrovic, Boris Ler

Movie #2150 ........................."The Man Who Sold His Skin" (amazon Prime, $5.99)

 Movie #2150 "The Man Who Sold His Skin" (amazon prime, $5.99)  this was the oddest of all the films in this category --- very , very slow burning film.  When he thinks getting tattooed on his back will give him freedom, he learns otherwise.  He has to be available to the artist's beck and call to be in art displays.  Then, once he is in a display, he can't talk to his fans, etc.  Very strict, oppressive laugh, and he tries to get free to go after the love of his life --- who happens to be married to an abusive hubby.  Nice love story, but "Better Days" was more emotional.  I give this 3.8 out of 5.

"THE MAN WHO SOLD HIS SKIN"  subtitles  1 hr, 44 mins            2020

His own body turned into a living work of art and promptly exhibited in a museum, Sam, a Syrian refugee, will soon realize to have sold away more than just his skin.

Director:

 Kaouther Ben Hania

Writer:

 Kaouther Ben Hania

Stars:

 Yahya Mahayni, Dea Liane, Koen De Bouw 

Movie #2149 ........................." Better Days" (amazon prime, $3.99)

Movie #2149 "Better Days" (amazon prime, $3.99) --- this one was very much about bullying--- in fact, the young girl meets the young boy (who eventually becomes her protector and who falls in love with her) when she sees him being attacked and bullied and she calls for help.  A wonderful love story surrounds them without showing any sex scenes ---- it's a quiet film, and occasionally because of that, I got lost for a minute or two --- it's also a cold film, but a wonderful love story and it has some memorable moments.  I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.  I recommend it --- pulled me in from the get-go.

"BETTER DAYS"    in Mandarin, subtitled    2019   2 hrs, 15 mins

A bullied teenage girl forms an unlikely friendship with a mysterious young man who protects her from her assailants, all while she copes with the pressures of her final examinations.

Director:

 Derek Tsang (as Kwok Cheung Tsang) 

Writers:

 Wing-Sum Lam (screenplay by), Yuan Li (screenplay by)  | 3 more credits »

Stars:

 Dongyu Zhou, Jackson Yee, Fang Yin  

Movie #2148 ........................."Another Round" (Hulu, available to rent from Amazon at $2.99)

 Movie #2148 "Another Round" (Hulu, netflix dvd, Amazon ($2.99) This won the oscar last weekend for best International Film, and I wasn't rooting for it.  I had seen Venterberg's previous international hit ("The Hunt") with the same people and liked it so well, I purchased it to have in my cabinet up at the lake to show to others some day.  This one --- not so much.  Because disclaimer:  Teachers and parents and who knows who else would not buy into this film at all.  Why?  because of the subject matter.  And that the theme is covered up and not handled as well as I would have liked it to be handled.  The subject is drinking ---- it's supposed to be a comedy, and parts of it are, but not the drinking.  They are worn out teachers, tired of it all, and they read a scientific treatise about how everyone would perform better if they had a little bit of alcohol in their system.  They use breathalyzers and try the experiment out --- and what do they find out?  it is true.  The main guy gets closer to his students by trading alcohol stories and using alcohol in his examples of historical figures they are studying.  Another teacher/coach gets closer to his kids on the soccer field; The music teacher gets looser and more understanding of his pupils, as well. I knew while watching this that the obvious would happen.  They would keep pushing the envelope to see where the stopping point should be --- and like predicted, one guy in particular has a big scene in a teachers' meeting when he passes out roaring drunk.  Because of their drinking ability, the kids they have been teaching make it through their tests ---- of course, the teachers have to give up the drinking to keep their jobs and the end scene suggests by just that boost that they now enjoy life more --- the last scene is wonderful to watch because it shows pure freedom and happiness of the main character --- but it didn't make me forgive what I saw before.  I didn't think the subject was handled well at all.  They didn't learn enough as drunks, and I think too many people could see the film and see that it is a pro-alcohol film.  One scene, in particular bothers me the most..... one of the teachers doing the experiment is proctoring a test, and he has learned that the student in front of him has test anxiety in the worst way.  What does he do?  He offers him a water bottle full of alcohol and suggests to him to use it to take the test.  That's where the film stepped over the line to me.  I am only writing this because if you agree, you needn't see the film because I don't think you will like it.  I would give it a very weak 3, and say in all certainly that not everyone will accept this premise and therefore like the message in this film.  This was, to me, a poor choice for the Oscar ---   But it does have some good moments, and the lead is very strong!

"ANOTHER ROUND              1hour, 57 mins                 2020     subtitles    I would rate it R

Four high school teachers consume alcohol on a daily basis to see how it affects their social and professional lives.

Director:

 Thomas Vinterberg

Writers:

 Thomas Vinterberg (screenplay), Tobias Lindholm (screenplay) 

Stars:

 Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Magnus Millang 

Movie #2147 ........................."The Letter Room" (oscar-nominated live action short 2021)

 Movie #2147 "The Letter Room" (oscar-nominated live action short 2021)Oscar Isaac plays a man working in the prison system trying to add some humanity to it --- seemed out of  touch of the times to me, but maybe that was the point --- to show that there are some good people trying to make a difference --- he has a job reading letters and gets involved in the lives of a murderer and the woman who is writing to him.  This is written and director by Isaac's real life wife --- but I had trouble staying awake through this one --- Had a poignant ending, but it came very slowly.  I'd give it a 4 out of 5.  Well acted.

"THE LETTER ROOM"    33 mins              2020     USA

When a corrections officer is transferred to the letter room, he soon finds himself enmeshed in a prisoner's deeply private life.

Director:

 Elvira Lind

Writer:

 Elvira Lind

Stars:

 Oscar Isaac, Alia Shawkat, Brian Petsos 

Movie #2146 ........................."White Eye" (oscar-nominated live action short 2021)

Movie #2146 "White Eye" (oscar-nominated live action short 2021) - this film brought to mind to me the classic "Bicycle Thief" --- the repercussions of stealing such a small item when so many other things are going on --- the ending turned me off of this, but the rest of the film is well done.  I'd give it a 3.8 out of 5.

"WHITE EYE"      2020           Israel

Shot in a single take and blocked with balletic precision, “White Eye” turns a small inconvenience into a moral quandary with devastating real-life consequences. The film opens with an Israeli man Omer (Daniel Gad) finding what he believes to be his stolen bicycle in a desolate but not entirely empty street corner. As Omer calls the police, hoping to get help or permission to break the lock, life stirs behind him in a subtle yet relentless trickle. There’s a woman in heels approaching darkened cars, a group of guys smoking cigarettes, and factory workers taking much-needed breaks.

When one such worker, an Eritrean immigrant Yunes (Dawit Tekelaeb), reveals he bought the bicycle at a bus stop, Omer is convinced the man stole it himself. Omer is unmoved by Yunes’ explanation that he takes his daughter, a one-hour trip each way, and that she begged him to get a white bicycle. By the time the cops arrive, Omer’s change of heart comes far too late to make any difference. The filmmaking mirrors Omer’s selfish focus on his minor problem at the expense of this man and his family. As the world spins around him, all he sees is the bicycle, blind to the damage he is about to cause.

White eye or white privilege of the main character.

director:  Tomer Sushan

Movie #2145 ........................."Two Distant Strangers" (oscar-nominated live action short 2021)

 Movie #2145 "Two Distant Strangers" (oscar-nominated live action short 2021) Wow!  This takes the movie "Groundhog" 's idea to keep replaying the same dream over and over --- this time the story deals with a white cop cornering a black guy in the streets of NYC.  Very powerful.  The film suggest how much a person of color has to worry about every day of his/her life.  And the film, more importantly, faces the challenge:  can a white and black person every come together and agree if they just sat down and talk everything out?????  I give this one a 5 out of 5.

"TWO DISTANT STRANGERS"   32 mins       2020     USA

In "Two Distant Strangers", cartoonist Carter James' repeated attempts to get home to his dog are thwarted by a recurring deadly encounter that forces him to re-live the same awful day over...See full summary »

Directors:

 Travon Free, Martin Desmond Roe

Writer:

 Travon Free

Stars:

 Joey Bada$$, Andrew Howard, Zaria 

Movie #2144 ........................."Feeling Through" (oscar-nominated live action short 2021)

 Movie #2144 "Feeling Through" (oscar-nominated live action short 2021) Tareek (young teen -- homeless and trying to find a place to stay the night) meets up with Artie -- deaf and blind man who needs help getting home. Another nice ending here, shows growth or change in character --- just, a bit slow getting to it.  I'd give this a 4 out of 5

"FEELING THROUGH"     18 MINS         2020            USA

A late-night encounter on a New York City street leads to a profound connection between a teen-in-need and a DeafBlind man.

Director:

 Doug Roland

Writer:

 Doug Roland

Stars:

 Steven Prescod, Robert Tarango, Francisco Burgos 

Movie #2143 ........................."The Present" (oscar-nominated live action short 2021)

Movie #2143 "The Present" (oscar-nominated live action short 2021 -- The opening didn't seem to fit with the rest of the film, or at least it was tough to figure out what was going on until he got back to his family --- but the ending was right on the money --it's the refrigerator story --- you'll get that if/when you get to see it.  I'd give it 4 out of 5.    Pacing is very slow here and could give us more explanation on what is going on --- he has a little girl that the dad could be explaining things , too....why not put that in the movie?  More dialogue!  but I love the message!

"THE PRESENT"      24 mins              2020            Palestine

On his wedding anniversary, Yusef and his young daughter set out in the West Bank to buy his wife a gift. Between soldiers, segregated roads and checkpoints, how easy would it be to go shopping?

Director:

 Farah Nabulsi

Writers:

 Farah Nabulsi, Hind Shoufani

Stars:

 Saleh Bakri, Maryam Kanj, Mariam Basha 

Movie #2142 ........................."Yes People" (oscar-nominated short animation 2021)

Movie #21412 "Yes People" (oscar-nominated short animation 20212) --- very funny and memorable --- I liked this one a lot --- especially its sense of humor ---- 

"YES PEOPLE"      8 mins                 2020      Iceland

One morning an eclectic mix of people face the everyday battle - such as work, school and dish-washing. As the day progresses, their relationships are tested and ultimately their capacity to cope.

Director:

 Gísli Darri Halldórsson

Writer:

 Gísli Darri Halldórsson

Stars:

 Helga Braga Jónsdóttir, Jón Gnarr, Thor Kristjansson 

Movie #2141 ........................."If anything Happened" (oscar-nominated short 2021)

Movie #2141 "If Anything Happens" (oscar-nominated short 2021)  you can watch this one on netflix  --- you may recognize the three words as a famous text --- I don't want to say more because it would give too much away.  This comes from a very real but very sad story ---- very emotional --- strangely filmed with symbolic shadows behind the drawn figures.   I would give this a 5 out of 5.  Very effective and very emotional.  Maybe it will change someone's mind on the main subject?  One can only hope.

"IF ANYTHING HAPPENS"            13 MINS             PG     2020     USA NETFLIX

In the aftermath of tragedy, two grieving parents journey through an emotional void as they mourn the loss of a child.

Directors:

 Michael Govier, Will McCormack

Writers:

 Michael Govier, Will McCormack

 

Movie #2140 ........................."Opera" (oscar-nominated animated short 2021)

 Movie #2140 "Opera" (oscar-nominated short 2021)  --- beats me what this one was about --- the only note I have down for this one is "interesting" --- very committal --- It kept my interest but I really didn't get much out of it at all ---- 3 out of 5

"OPERA"     9 min             2020               U.S./South Korea

Erick Oh’s “Opera” is an outlier in the race for Best Animated Short. Inspired by Bosch, Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Renaissance fresco mural paintings, it consists of a giant pyramid with cyclical activities revolving around human conflict. “There are a lot of things happening,” he said, “but it’s about polarization: division, discrimination, and conflict caused by… religion, politics, racism, ideologies and contests.”

Oh, who was an animator at Pixar (“Finding Dory,” “Inside Out”) before joining the anime-influenced Tonko House (“Pig: The Dam Keeper Poems”), made “Opera” as an 8K installation before adapting it into a nine-minute 2D short as one continuous motion. It took four years to complete with a team of 34 volunteer animators, and nearly a year was devoted to the intricate design and world building. “It was almost like making an old-fashioned clock,” he said, “planning every action with different story lines that represent humanity [based on cause and effect].”

Our society and history, which is filled with beauty and absurdity

Director:

 Erick Oh

Movie #2139 ........................."Genius Loci" (oscar-nominated animated short)

 Movie #2139 "Genius Loci" (oscar-nominated animated short) - nice graphics but I got nothing from this -- I'd rate it a 2 out of 5.  

"GENIUS LOCI "           Kazak Productions     16 mins

In its shifting lines, morphing colors, and elegant writing the film immerses us into the mind of the lonely soul, seamlessly capturing her fears, joys, relationships and eventual peace. A beautiful film that explores the chaos of our world while celebrating the subjectivity of the human experience.

directed by:  Adrien Merigeau)

Movie #2138 ........................."Burrow" (Oscar-nominated animated short)

 Movie #2138 "Burrow"  ---- I hate to say it (since Disney/pixar has won so many times in this category), but this looks to be  another winner.  It's quick, economically used well, and has a nice theme for covid times.  I found it quite engaging and recommend it.  Google it and you might find it.  If you want to see these films, the Milwaukee Film Festival (and I would imagine several theaters) are zooming this package of animated shorts that have been oscar nominated for a price.  (it's usually the price of a ticket if you went to the theatre and saw the package)

"BURROW"     DISNEY/PIXAR       6 minutes      G-rated          2020

A young rabbit embarks on a journey to dig the burrow of her dreams, despite not having a clue what she's doing. Rather than reveal to her neighbors her imperfections, she digs herself deeper and deeper into trouble. After hitting (bed)rock bottom, she learns there is no shame in asking for help.

Director:

 Madeline Sharafian

Writer:

 Madeline Sharafian

Movie #2137 ........................."The White Tiger" (netflix streaming)

Movie #2137 "The White Tiger" (netflix streaming) I watched this movie because it has been popping up on lists for best screenplay, one in particular, it is nominated for an Oscar.  It is really odd for a nominated movie in this category to be not nominated for best picture or something else (it was also nominated for a BAFTA).  So I wanted to see what all the hubbub was about --- I must admit I expected it to be a bit better than it was, but I did find it an intriguing story --- one that you really don't know where it is going, esp. when it starts in the middle of action, and then backs up and shows you what led up to that.  I thought it was going to be more a "con" game, but what it ended up being is an in depth study on what it is like to be a "slave" in India to some kind of war lord (property owner) -- in order to get out of his poverty and do more with his life than marry and have kids he can't feed, he agrees to be this guy's driver forever...... well, until he can figure out a plan to get out from under.  There are lots of twists and turns, good music, Nick Jonas' wife Priyanka Chopra is in it, and the lead is likable and interesting.  I'd give this 4, and yes, the screenplay is the best part of it.  

"THE WHITE TIGER"  2 hrs, 5 mins     2021      rated R

An ambitious Indian driver uses his wit and cunning to escape from poverty and rise to the top. An epic journey based on the New York Times bestseller.

Director:

 Ramin Bahrani

Writers:

 Ramin Bahrani (written for the screen by), Aravind Adiga (based on the book by) 

Stars:

 Adarsh Gourav, Rajkummar Rao, Priyanka Chopra 

Movie #2136 ........................."My Octopus Teacher" (netflix streaming)

 Movie #2136 "My Octopus Teacher" (netflix streaming)This is the last documentary that I watched that is  nominated for an academy award this year,  and the whole time I was watching it, I wondered:  How are they filming this?  Unbelievable!  You have to see it to believe it.  It is an unusual relationship this swimmer  fosters with an octopus, and he learns so much about it and the world under water, which he passes on to the viewers if they can sit through the 300+ days he moves under the water to meet up with his mentor.  Just a few things you can see the octopus do:  catch a crab, use the swimmer to hide behind to get his target, run away from a shark, mate, have kids and eventually.....die. This doc just won the Bafta award, and it is, indeed, worthy of honor to me, but I just don't think the oscar will go to it --- my bet is on the "Collective" --- but personally, I enjoyed the Mole Agent the most --- but I don't usually pick the right one in this category.  I'd give this a 4 out of 5.  PS if you are interested in documentaries , all of these are available to watch (for free, I think). and they are all a tad too long!  But I always say that! 

"MY OCTYPUS TEACHER"       documentary    1 hour and 20 mins      2020

A filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world.

Directors:

 Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed

Writers:

 Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed

Stars:

 Craig Foster, Tom Foster

Movie #2135 ........................."The Mole Agent" (hulu )

 Movie #2135 "The Mole Agent" (Hulu) If this film were fiction, it would have been far funnier, but it is a documentary so the humor comes right from the naturalness of the characters.  There's an ease about this documentary --- it is approached with so much humanity dealing with  loneliness of the elderly.  It is a funny story to have an 84 year old mole[spy in a nursing home, and at first I was worried that the residents would be catatonic and therefore too sad to watch.  But eventually he is able to get them to talk to him and be more social and the story becomes  warmer and maybe more heart breaking but with a message:  to care for our elderly -- they are our prized possessions, and in no time we will join the precious group.   The main character is such a nice man, you want to hug him so many times --- esp. when he fumbles with the technology, but always tries to work with it, when the elderly women flirt with him in the home and he continues to be nice, when he checks in daily with people who are sick, etc.  There isn't much action in this documentary, but it is fun to watch how the 80 year old man moves from "spy" to "hero/friend" in this nursing home.  I enjoyed it a lot, but it isn't for everyone --- it's very slow and meticulous about its treatment of the various characters the mole agent meets at the home.  I'd give this a 4 out of 5. 

"THE MOLE AGENT"  1 HOUR, 24 mins          documentary with subtitles        2020  Chilean

A private investigator in Chile hires someone to work as a mole at a retirement home where a client of his suspects the caretakers of elder abuse.

Director:

 Maite Alberdi

Writer:

 Maite Alberdi

Stars:

 Sergio Chamy, Romulo Aitken, Berta Ureta 

Movie #2134 ........................."Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon" (netflix streaming)

Movie #2134 "Shaun the Sheep Movie:  Farmageddon" (netflix streaming) this movie I really loved --- but then, I'm not a little kid, but I think any kid would find this quite a funny adventure.  The cute alien is adorable and warms your heart, and the sheep, as usual crack me up with all their costumes, props and situations they get into.  There are just a couple of negatives --- it went a bit long for me, esp. the high point, and occasionally it was difficult to follow, but I don't think kids would notice either.  This is a delight, and if "soul" didn't have that musical score it has, I would think this is the film that should take the oscar, but since it wasn't even nominated for a BAFTA and "Soul" won that this past weekend, I am going to make a prediction that this is the year of "Soul."  But, if you get a chance and you want to see a cute animated movie, this is one you might want to check out.  4.8 out of 5.

"SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE:  FARMAGEDDON"     1 hr, 26 mins     G rating    2019

When an alien with amazing powers crash-lands near Mossy Bottom Farm, Shaun the Sheep goes on a mission to shepherd the intergalactic visitor home before a sinister organization can capture her.

Directors:

 Will Becher, Richard Phelan

Writers:

 Mark Burton, Jon Brown  | 2 more credits »

Stars:

 Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Amalia Vitale  

Movie#2133 ........................."Promising Young Woman" (netflix dvd)

 Movie #21433  "Promising Young Woman" (netflix dvd) I saw this movie about a week ago, and it is still firmly imbedded in my memory.  I think it's a movie I will never forget because of its raw handling of a revenge situation in the me too revolution.  I have long been a fan of Carey Mulligan, and I think this is the best I have seen her --- let's just say, she wears this character like a glove --- she's comfortable being smarmy and smart aleck, acting needy, appearing helpless and hopeless, dealing with her folks who constantly tell her she has a promising future while giving her disappointed looks, acting awkward with a guy she actually takes a liking to, can be  mean and curt with females she feels are shallow, but  kind and loving to her best friend who doesn't follow the norms of female behavior,  then angry and vindictive with men who clearly are trying to take advantage of women and the situations they are in..... and so much more.  She does the gamut here, and that's why, after seeing all the females nominated for best acting, I will be rooting most heartily for her --- she doesn't do the singing and portrayal of billie holiday like Ms. Day does, but she shows so much variety in acting choices here that she makes the film come alive.  I thought it was going to be more violent than it is --- I thought it was going to be a horror flick, but it is really a dark comedy,/female revenge film --- You can pretty much guess that there will be some violence at the high point --- but it came along with some twists and turns that surprised me and I appreciated them.  Before I end, I need to give a shout out to the film's score --- it is a compilation of the weirdest choices of music I have ever heard.  For example, there was a "King & I"  song about standing by your man when it clearly mocked the scene it was showing.  I liked that the music was used for a variety of reasons and demanded attention.  The script is witty, the acting by Mulligan and Alison Brie was well done, and it speaks to us right here and now.  However, it is NOT for everybody --- it is very raw, very hard to watch in parts, and it will make you mad.  It is NOT a feel good film; so if you aren't up for watching something like that, avoid this like the plague.  But I welcomed its one-of-a-kind mood that it conveyed, and  I'd give it 4.5 out of 5. 

"PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN"    1 hr, 53 mins                 R    2020

A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against those who crossed her path.

Director:

 Emerald Fennell

Writer:

 Emerald Fennell

Stars:

 Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie