Movie #2188 ........................."Luca" (disney)

 Movie 2188 "Luca" (disney) This was a good watch for us, and I am not always drawn to animation.  The lead boy (Jacob Tremblay from the movies "Room" and "Wonder") has a great voice for this mostly because he is playing a young boy and he is one --- his compatriot is also still in his teens, and so is the girl who plays "Guilia" in the film ---- Put those voices with Maya Rudolph and Jim Gaffigan and you got a powerhouse for the cast.  The story rapidly moves from one part to the next --- the trick here is done quite smoothly by the disney artists --- that is, every time the sea fish (Jacob, Maya and Jim G. ) are out of water, they take on human form, but when they are in the water, they are sea monsters --- and you have to buy that premise to get through the film.  Not surprising (Hey, this is Disney), this gimmick is used in a variety of ways.  The two lead boys have a bromance much like the two sisters in "Frozen" -- and that's what drives most of the beginning part of the film --- when they meet Guilia (about 1/3 of way through) the story turns to a great race (like a triathlon, but since it is in Italy, the entrants have to be able to swim, bicycle and eat pasta).  I really appreciated that the movie doesn't have a big fist  fight between the good guys and the bad at the end ---- it's more a bike off, so  there's lots of action to keep kids interested in the film.  Up to the point, the movie tries to keep everyone's interest with mini chases and learning how to bicycle, etc.  I would say the story meanders a bit, but this is so much easier to follow in comparison to "Soul" --- and quite universal in themes.  I'd give it a 3.8 out of 5 and recommend.  You'll have to let me know if your kids see it, what they thought, but I thought kids would find it enjoyable.  But it isn't "Beauty and the Beast "--- but more interesting to me than "Brave," for example.  

" LUCA"  2021       PG            1 hour and 35 mins

On the Italian Riviera, an unlikely but strong friendship grows between a human being and a sea monster disguised as a human. 

Director:  Enrico Casarosa

Writer:  enrico Casarosa, Jessie Andrews, and Simon Stephenson

Stars:  Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Maya Rudiolph, Jim Gaffigan 

Movie #2187 ........................."Good on Paper" (netflix)

 Movie #2187 "Good on Paper" (netflix)  - I was looking for something light to watch, and this caught my eye.  This is another movie about a stand up comic and her love life --- but this was quite brave in its comedy --- some of it hits, and some of it was a bit too silly for me, but I can say that overall, I liked it.  There are lots of funny parts that balance out  the raunchy ones.  It has the comedienne narrate the bits in between as she tells this story of the meeting of this guy who appears "good on paper" --- The ending is satisfactory and surprised me  in the direction it took.  The film overall made me think about how women are mistreated in the dating world, and the voice of the actress (who is also the writer) comes through quite strongly on that subject.    I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 and moderately recommend it.

"GOOD ON PAPER"      2021      1 hour and 32 minutes     unrated (I'd give it an R)

After years of putting her career first, a stand- up comic meets a guy who seems perfect :  smart, nice , successful and possibly too good to be true.

Director:  Kimmy Gatewood

Writer:  Lliza Shlesinger

Actors:  Lliza Shlesinger, Margaret Cho, Ryan Hansen

Movie #2186 ........................."Coda" (Apple)

 Movie #2186 "Coda" (apple) LOVED this movie!  Loved the story, loved being thrown into this family to see what it was like being in a deaf family, loved the young girl -- she does an outstanding job.  I thought the teacher was a tad too effusive for the part, but that's just me.  (I have seen him before and he always seems to overact for film)  I love watching sign language --- to me it is ballet for the hands.  The conflicts are so real, and boy they face a lot of them in the film --- it seemed from the get go, everyone was on pins and needles --- a stressful, struggle from the outset --- I would have wanted a few more calm moments, and eventually the film offered them past the halfway mark, and I was grateful.  I don't want to ruin the high point of the film , but sufficeth it to say, that I wondered why we hadn't seen her be more inclusive of her own family in regards  to her singing, but when you get to the end you will understand why.  I liked this film so much that I checked on line to see if the original is available - and I think I found it to stream free on Amazon Prime --- entitled "The Belier Family" --- it is in French, but I hope they offer subtitles with it.  I will come in and update this if/when I do.  I will not ever forget many moments in this film --- moments that made me appreciate my sense of hearing ---- made me appreciate and empathize with those who don't have the sense of hearing --- made me appreciate if a member of the family is set apart from the others to no fault of his/her own  and how that must feel --- made me realize the importance of making connections in any way possible --- made me appreciate the quiet moments as well as the singing ones!  I must say that it takes getting used to their communicating --- it goes by swiftly, and sometimes it looks overdone, but the hands are so expressive and lovely to watch, that the viewer gains an appreciation of it as the film goes on --- you get used to it, just like subtitles, just like accents, just like so many other things, if it is worth it. And THIS IS WORTH IT!  5 out of 5.

"Coda"    PG-13 (language, very little tho)       1 hour and 51 mins

As a CODA (child of deaf adults)  Ruby is the only hearing person in her deaf family.  When the family's fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her love of music and her fear of abandoning her parents.

Director:  Sian Heder (female)

Writers:  Sian Heder (screenplay) , Victoria Bedos & Stanislas Carre de Malberg ((motion picture La Famille Belier) )

Actors:  Emilia Jones, Marlee Matlin (her family is played by deaf actors - Emila took 9 months to immerse herself in ASL )

Movie # 2185 ........................."Three Wishes (netflix)

 Movie #2185 "Three Wishes" (netflix) Here is an example of a good director, but a lame movie.  I don't ordinarily expect much from a Patrick Swayze movie (except for a couple of titles), so when I saw the title whiz by me and noticed the film was in the capable hands of Martha Coolidge ("Real Genius," "If These Walls Could Talk," and my favorite "Lost in Yonkers") , and a bigger AND - Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio was in it, I checked out the story line --- (see below)  that looked to be interesting, so I watched it.   It was just okay --- lame in spots (due to dialogue and story line) but I liked the frame of the story --- Older guy, upset with his life, almost hits a dog in the street while his wife and kids are yammering in the car, and it reels him back to when he was a little kid in a similar situation.  That dog changed everything.  Actually, if the film stuck with that dog even more, it would have been a lovely kids' movie.  It showed a woman trying to raise her two kids, and one gets sick and she doesn't know where to turn.  A dog brings this vagrant into her house because she accidentally hits him while steering away from hitting a dog.  Swayze comes into the boys' lives at just the right time that they could use some fatherly love (their dad is away in the service).  So a nice father-son thing going on there with a mother who is trying to be strong with no dad's advice,   So why throw  some magical dog into the story that would scare the bejeebers out of any kids in the audience, and put a love scene in there to boot?  This is not a kids' movie --- not that the  love scene is hot and sexy, but I can't imagine trying to explain all the reasons why this woman would engage in a love scene with this vagabond --- it's just too adult.  There are some pretty filmic moments, the kids are great, Mary Elizabeth always is a wonder to watch, but here's an example of something that doesn't work.  It's Father's Day, and the little boy gives a shaving mug and brush to Swayze.  A possible wonderful "Aw" moment in the film.  What does Sw,ayze's character say?  Thanks but I don't shave!  Balloon bursts.  Yikes, becomes a lame moment to me.  Why show it?  Is this guy that shallow?  By the end, aren't we supposed to see him as some kind of "angel" that came to help them?  The very end works with the rest of the tone of the film, but like I said, some of it just doesn't seem to mesh.  But then I look back at the other films she's done, and I guess there are a lot of misses, and this is one of them.  I'd give it a 3 out of 5.

"THREE WISHES"   1995           PG (should be PG13)          1 hr, 55 mins

In an unexplained act of charity , Jeanne picks up an injured apparent tramp and takes him home to care for him little realizing who he was (note:  it was never clear) or the effect he would have on her life and those of her family.

Director:  Martha Coolidge

Writer:  Clifford Green (Story), Ellen Green (story), Elizabeth Anderson (screenplay)

Stars:  Patrick Swayze, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Joseph Mazello (great little boy)

Movie #2184 ........................."Schmigadoon" (apple, miniseries)

 Movie #2184 "Schmigadoon" (apple, miniseries) Make no mistake, this film is not for everyone, but it was nearly perfect for us!  What fun!  Making fun of musicals, and having one character (the guy) dislike musicals and yet put him in a big musical number whenever the film could!  A very funny premise --- the cast is competent --- the songs are hummable --- and the musical numbers are spot on (esp. the one in the schoolhouse).  I found myself looking forward to sitting down and watching every night we binged this. It was also fun to watch what musical each of the musical numbers or situations here were similar to --- or paying homage to.  The list of shows  was enormous what this mock musical gave a nod to --- and we greatly appreciated all the creativity shown here.  We give it 4.5 and highly recommend to those who enjoy musicals in the first place.

"SCHMIGADOON"                t.v.series 2021      6 episodes, about 35 minutes each

a couple on a backpacking trip discovers a magical town in which everyone acts like he/she is in a musical from the 1940s.

Creators:  Ken Daurio, Cinco Paul

Stars:  Keegan-Michael Key, Cecily Strong, Fred Armisen, and many others

Movie #2183 ........................."Lupin" (t.v. netflix)Season 1

Movie #2183 "Lupin" (t.v. series on netflix)  Season 1 --- we really enjoyed this  show for several reasons.  One, it is a heist type show, which we love.  Two, Omar Sy, whom we are great fans of since the wonderful movie "The Intouchables."  Three, anything with magic, and this is based on the fictional gentleman thief (film flam artist) named ARSENE Lupin.  The basic story concerns a guy  (Assane)who met his soulmate in an orphan home where they both lived, and as they grew, they had a son, whom he loves and tries to be the best father for him like his own dad.  But Assane's dad's  reputation was besmirched by being accused of stealing a necklace and was supposedly so guilt ridden, he hanged himself.  Lupin doesn't believe the story about his dad so season 1 is investigating that "story." It does come to an end, but there's a hint that this show will return.  I do hope so because we found it most enjoyable.  Nice twists and turns.  I would give it 4.5 out of 5 --- disclaimer:  this show is in French with subtitles (or you can dub in other people's voices).

PS --- supposedly not that faithful to the Lupin books.

"LUPIN"     2021             10 episodes, 45 mins each

Inspired by the adventures of Arsene Lupin, gentleman thief Assane Diop sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family.

Creator:  George Kay

Stars:  Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Herve pierre

Movie #2182 ........................."The Glorias" (netflix)

 Movie #2182 "The Glorias" --- this is a documentary on Gloria Steinem in the hands of one of the most creative creatures on earth , Julie Taymor ("Lion King").  Yes, she directed this , and it was a had -to -see for me to see what she would do with the information.  The creativity is in each and every shot in the film --- there are some beautiful filmic moments, and I really appreciated them.  Also, she took a creative point of view for telling the story with using several women/girls to play Gloria  --- and third, the storytelling is creative in that it isn't told in a linear way --- it bops around in time.  The result?  the film is quite entertaining for a documentary, for sure, but I don't feel like I got that much information from it, like I would a traditional documentary, and maybe that is just me.  I kept thinking....I'm not smart enough to follow this.....  I wanted to know more about who she was talking to, more info in dialogue given to us so we aren't just thrown into a scene -- it is a film that the director expects more previous knowledge of the subject than we usually bring to a documentary.  Therefore, I would give this 3.5 out of 5 --- beautiful images but not a clear story.  But it has a kickass ending --- the shot on the bus at the very end --- don't miss that one!  It was so well done and brought wonderful closure to the project.  

'THE GLORIAS"       2020     2 hours and 27 mins  (long for a docudrama)

Julie Taymor(screenplay by)

Sarah Ruhl(screenplay by)

Gloria Steinem(based on her book 'My Life on the Road')

Stars:  Julianna Moore, Alicia Vikander, Janelle Monae

The story of feminist icon Gloria Steinem 's itinerant childhood and its influence on her life as a writer, activist and organizer for women's rights worldwide.

Movie #2181 ........................."Kiki's Delivery Service" (animated DVD)

 Movie #2181 "Kiki's Delivery Service" (animated DVD)  This was recommended to me a long time ago, and I finally got to watching it and I'm glad I did because it was well done.! It has a nice story with a strong female girl --- a girl on her broom leaves her family for her rite of passage into adult witchhood.... The animation and story are wonderful (due to the famous director who put it together), and the music and voices are good, as well.  I just thought the film went about 15 minutes too long.  Otherwise, I  highly recommend  it --- nice, strong theme for kids, esp..  I would rate it  4 stars out of 5

"KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE"   1989      1 hour, 43 minutes   

a young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.  

• Director
  • Hayao Miyazaki
• Writers
  • Eiko Kadono(novel)
  • Hayao Miyazaki(screenplay)
  
  

                                             Voice:  Kirsten Dunst

Movie #2180 ........................."Stillwater" (movie theater)

 Movie #2180 "Stillwater" -- I really enjoyed this film -- from the get go, I was pulled into this story of a very quiet man trying to help his daughter who is in Jail serving time in a foreign country.  His life seems to rotate around her, trying to help her, and yet their relationship is very strained.  One day when leaving his hotel room, he  happens across a little girl  and they take a shine to each other --- it helps that her mother is drop dead gorgeous, friendly to the Dad (Matt Damon) and offers a room in her apartment so he can stay and continue trying to free his daughter.  She knows the language and he is able to take her with him at times when he needs an interpreter.  I didn't always get the dialogue because the French slides to English and back to French at a moment's notice, but I still would rate this a 4.5 out of 5 --- the story pulled me in that much!  This is a story that could be nominated  for an Oscar , but parts of it were familiar to me --- I think it is loosely based on the young girl who was accused of killing her roommate in Italy and was tried there and acquitted for the crime.  I highly recommend it.   

"STILLWATER"         2021       rated R        2 hours and 19 minut

Tom McCarthy, director.

• Writers
  • Tom McCarthy
  • Marcus Hinchey
  • Thomas Bidegain
• Stars
  • Matt Damon
  • Camille Cottin
  • Abigail BreslinI

Movie #2179 ........................."Home" (animated, DVD)

Movie #2179 "Home" (animated, Dvd) This film was very cute.  I watched it myself and loved the characters and the plight the major characters are in .  Jim Parson voices an adorable alien with lots of personality, and he helps a young girl get back to her mother.  There's lots of action, the humor is smart at times, and the story is easy to follow --- themes are strong!  I was emotionally pulled in to the story and I felt most kids would find it quite entertaining.  I'd give it 4 out of 5 and recommend strongly.

"HOME"         1 hour, 34 mins      2015       PG

An alien on the run from his own people makes friends with a girl. He tries to help her on her quest, but can be an interference. 

Director:  Tim Johnson

Writers:  Tom J. Astle (screenplay), Matt Ember, Adam Rex (the book)

Stars:  Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin   

Movie #2178 ........................."My Life As Zucchini (animated, dvd)

 Movie #2178 "My Life As Zucchini (animated, dvd)  I had been wanting to view this movie since it was nominated for an academy award in 2016, and since it was a bit short, we put it together with something else, and this was liked by the kids that were in my audience, and the adults really liked it .  Disclaimer:  the opening (where his mother dies) is a bit harsh/cold (she is an alcoholic and an accident happens that involves Zucchini )--- so if you are worried about your child watching that part, just start it a few minutes into the movie (maybe 5?)  the rest is so much worth watching --- it is beautifully told, and leaves a great impression of what it is like to live in a foster home ---- a subject not handled in other animated films, that I can remember.  I'd give this a 5 out of 5 and highly recommend it. (P.S.  and make sure you watch Zucchini interviewed at the end of the film , after the credits)

"MY LIFE AS A ZUCCHINI"   2016   PG-13,   1 hour and 10 mins

After losing his mother, a young boy is sent to a foster home with other orphans his age where he begins to learn the meaning of trust and true love.

Director:  Claude Barras

Writers:  Celine Sciamma (screenplay) , Claude Barras, Morgan Navarro

Stars:  Gaspard Schlatter, Sixtine Murat, Paulin Jaccoud

 JaJn

Director:  Claude Barras

Movie #2177 ........................."Hookwinked" (animated DVD)

 Movie #2177 "Hoodwinked" (animated DVD)  Yikes!  I disliked this one a lot!  Would kids like it?  Evidently, because the kids that were here did.  It told the red riding story in 4 different Points of view --- the story is originally thin, but do it this way?  ugh!  It was silly, not funny to me, and I can't remember seeing a more annoying film in its loudness and nonstop action --- but that's probably what kids would enjoy about this.  Not me.  I give it a 2 out of 5  (for me).  

"HOODWINKED"      2005     1 hour and 20 minutes

Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, the Woodsman, and Granny all tell the police the events that led up to their encounter.

Directors:  Cory Edwards, Todd Edwards, Tony Leech

Writers:  Todd Edwards, Cory Edwards, Tony Leech (screenplay)

Stars:  Anne Hathaway, Glenn Close, Patrick Warburton

Movie #2176 ........................"Turbo" (DVD)

 Movie #2176 "Turbo" (animated, DVD)   - I had a bunch of animated films that I hadn't seen, so we watched several of them with the kids we had over.  The first was "Turbo" with Ryan Renolds --- which should be a selling feature to me, since I love everything he does, usually.   I must mention that I am not a crazy fan of animation --- never watched cartoons when I was a little kid, and the stuff I like or expect in good animation is a good story, competent voices,  entertaining to adults and kids, and a good strong theme.  So if I judged this one, I'd say it has most of those things, but it just was too long for me.  It sustained my interest for about an hour, but that was it.  I think where it lost me was the actual race, because just going around and around and around in a race seems very boring to watch.  I guess that was my only complaint for this one --- it just never pulled me in to care about the story.  I'd rate it 3.5 out of 5

PS -- a kid, esp. one who liked "Cars,"  would probably enjoy this film a lot!  lots of action and noise.

"TURBO"  1 hr, 36 mintes         PG                 2013

a freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream:  winning the Indy 500

Director:  David Soren

Writers:  Darren Lemki and Robert Seigel and David Soren (screenplay by) .

Voices:  Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Maya Rudolph 

A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500.

• Director
  • David Soren
• Writers
  • Darren Lemke(screenplay by)
  • Robert Siegel(screenplay by)
  • David Soren(screenplay by)
• Stars
  • Ryan Reynolds(voice)
  • Paul Giamatti(voice)
  • Maya Rudolph(vo

  A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500.

  • Director
    • David Soren
  • Writers
    • Darren Lemke(screenplay by)
    • Robert Siegel(screenplay by)
    • David Soren(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Ryan Reynolds(voice)
    • Paul Giamatti(voice)
    • Maya Rudolph(vo

    A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500.

    • Director
      • David Soren
    • Writers
      • Darren Lemke(screenplay by)
      • Robert Siegel(screenplay by)
      • David Soren(screenplay by)
    • Stars
      • Ryan Reynolds(voice)
      • Paul Giamatti(voice)
      • Maya Rudolph(vo

A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500.

• Director
  • David Soren
• Writers
  • Darren Lemke(screenplay by)
  • Robert Siegel(screenplay by)
  • David Soren(screenplay by)
• Stars
  • Ryan Reynolds(voice)
  • Paul Giamatti(voice)
  • Maya Rudolph(vo

A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500.

• Director
  • David Soren
• Writers
  • Darren Lemke(screenplay by)
  • Robert Siegel(screenplay by)
  • David Soren(screenplay by)
• Stars
  • Ryan Reynolds(voice)
  • Paul Giamatti(voice)
  • Maya Rudolph(voice)

A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500.

• Director
  • David Soren
• Writers
  • Darren Lemke(screenplay by)
  • Robert Siegel(screenplay by)
  • David Soren(screenplay by)
• Stars
  • Ryan Reynolds(voice)
  • Paul Giamatti(voice)
  • Maya Rudolph(voice)

A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500.

• Director
  • David Soren
• Writers
  • Darren Lemke(screenplay by)
  • Robert Siegel(screenplay by)
  • David Soren(screenplay by)
• Stars
  • Ryan Reynolds(voice)
  • Paul Giamatti(voice)
  • Maya Rudolph(voice)

  A freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indy 500.

  • Director
    • David Soren
  • Writers
    • Darren Lemke(screenplay by)
    • Robert Siegel(screenplay by)
    • David Soren(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Ryan Reynolds(voice)
    • Paul Giamatti(voice)
    • Maya Rudolph(voice)