Movie #2204 ........................."55 steps" (DVD from Netflix)

Movie #2204 "55 Steps" (DVD from Netflix) I have a lot of respect for the two main actresses in tis film, so that's a big reason why I rented it.  In addition, I was interested in this case --- Even thought this seems to be a huge case in court history,  I had not heard of Eleanor Riese before seeing this film.  There were some opening scenes in the mental ward that were difficult to watch, but the rest of the film focuses on her court case defining mental patients who are given these antipsychotic drugs without being consulted and how destructive they can be (they eventually killed her, when she was age 47).  However, the real focus is in how wonderful this Eleanor character was, even though almost everyone and everywhere she is dismissed because she looks a bit different, dresses in wild clothes, and speaks loudly and with authority. Because she doesn't seem to have a filter, she can be seen as a bit annoying, but as Colette her lawyer, and later her friend, changes her attitude toward her, so do we --- she becomes quite lovable, and the focus of the film switches to their friendship even moreso.  There's also a subplot about the lawyer being a workaholic but as the lawyer helps her, Eleanor helps Colette become a better person.  I liked the film a lot --- it's about how we need to be kind to everyone --- and we sure need to be reminded of that every day.  I give this a 4 out of 5 and recommend it, esp. if people are interested in learning something about this court case. Incidentally, the title refers to just how many steps it takes Colette to get into and out of her house every day --- it doesn't matter to her because she finally has a place on her own!  and she loves that!

"55 STEPS"      2017    PG-13        1 hour, 55 mins

When patients' rights lawyer Colette Hughes goes to meet her new client, Eleanor Riese, a patient in the psychiatric unit of a San Francisco hospital, she has no idea that besides taking on an uphill legal battle to improve treatment for mental patients in hospitals, she is meeting a woman who will make it her mission to transform Colette's workaholic life.

Director:  Bille August

Writer:  Mark Bruce Rosin

Stars:  Hillary Swank, Helena Bonham Carter

Movie #2203 .........................."Only Murders in the Building" (hulu) Season 1, 10 episodes

 Movie #2203 "Only Murders in the Building" (Hulu) Season 1, 10 episodes -- this was an enjoyable show to watch with Steve Martin and Martin Short running it, along with Selena Gomez, who plays her part quite calmly because of the over-the-top Martin Short acing style.  This is well written, albeit a bit stretched out (aren't they all, when they go 10 episodes?) , full of funny, interesting characters who mostly live in the apartment building that the two Martins and Selena live in.  They are all interested in solving crime and listening to podcasts, so while they are trying to solve a murder in their building, Martin Short (a broadway director) decides to make a podcast on their crime solving --- a creative idea.  Put Nathan Lane and Amy Ryan in the building as residents, as well, and you definitely have quality casting.  And the best show was the lat episodes.  I'd give this 4.5 out of 5 --- just a bit long, and one too many red herrings.

"ONLY MURDES IN THE BUILDING"  hulu, Season 1, 10 episodes   2021        30 minute episodes

Three strangers who share an obsession with true crime suddenly find themselves caught up in one.

Creators: John Hoffman, Steve Martin

Stars:  Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, Nathan Lane

Movie #2202 ........................."Hotel Transylvania" (Hulu, and others)

 Movie #2202 (Hulu) I am not usually a big animation fan, but this film was wonderful!  It was funny all the way through with all kinds of humor, and speedily goes from one adventure to the next with wit and energy.  Written by an Snl writer, voices are great, too.  4.5 out of 5.  And I highly recommend it.

"HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA"  2012     PG   1 HOUR AND 31 MIN

Dracula, who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, goes into overprotective mode when a boy discovers the resort and falls for the count's teenaged daughter.

Director:  Genndy Tartakovsky

Writers:  Peter Baynham, Robert Smigel, Todd Durham, Dan Hageman, Kevin Hageman

Stars:  Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Kevin James

Movie #2201 ........................."Vivo" (Disney+)

 Movie #2201 "Vivo" (Disney+) What a wonderful find in this animated film, music by Lin -Manuel Miranda.  It is like a tribute  to his homeland --- nice bouncy music, cute characters, a nice story and a good theme --- If you liked Hamilton, you would like this, too ---- Lin's songs are in rap style, so hold on to your hat, and put the subtitles on, so you get the smartness of the lines. Even though it goes fast through most of it, it continues to entertain.  And I must admit that I enjoyed this story more than "In the Heights" --- this story touched me more.  I would give it 4.5 out of 5 and highly recommend it.

"VIVO"     2021    PG       1 hour and 35 minutes

Vivo, Sony Pictures Animation's first-ever musical adventure featuring all-new original songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, will take audiences on an epic adventure to gorgeous and vibrant locations never before seen in animation.

Director:  Kirk DeMicco

Writers:  Kirk DeMicco, Quiara Alegria Hades, Peter Barsocchini

Stars:  Lin-Manuel Miranda, Zoe Saldana

Movie #2200 ........................."No Time To Die" (movie theatre)

Movie #2200 "No Time To Die" (movie theatre) There's lots of violence and shooting and by the end, I honestly didn't care (Disclaimer:    I oftentimes feel that way with action movies, but no so much with James Bond --- there's usually some woman having an important part (esp. lately with Judi Dench in charge) and lots of humor --- but Dench is gone and there's a lack of humor in this one.)  This movie  should have been special since it is Craig's last, but he's always been a cold James Bond to me. - way too serious.    I would think with the little girl and the love interest, I would've been pulled into this one emotionally, but I wasn't, and I think it was a combination of things.  Many questions that I and the people in my group had weren't ever answered, the bad guy wasn't clearly delineated and he wasn't in the film all that much to understand him, And his lines weren't clear all of the time, either (that could be an age thing, but I somewhat  blame him and the accent he used) .  In addition, the movie is too long and the story too convoluted --- still, there was beautiful photography, a true sense of an ending, a love story with an adorable little girl, unbelievable stunts and special effects ---- and for my money, the love interest was great in it.  With her big doe eyes and honesty in her acting, she came across so different from the army of Bond girls who came before.  I'd give this a 3.8 out of 5.   

"NO TIME TO DIE"       2 hours and 43 minutes      PG-13      2021

James Bond has left active service.  His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond ont0 the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

Director:  Cary Joji Fukunaga

Writers:  Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Cary Joji Fukunaga

Stars:  Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Rami Malek

Movie #2199 ........................."Dear Evan Hanson" (movie theatre)

Movie #2199 "Dear Evan Hansen" (movie theatre) I have waited so long to see Ben Platt do this lead part, and so I think you can guess what my reaction would be ......I loved it.  And, contrary to what critics on facebook say, he does not look too old for the part --- All the looks, mannerisms, facials, nuances that go into the making of a character are all delivered by Ben in this part, and the story came out so much clearer to me with this film than when I saw it in Chicago with the touring company. performing the play.  Everyone seemed outstanding - Kaitlyn Dever, Julianne Moore, Amy Adams,; And Amandla Stenberg (from "The Hate You Give") was especially outstanding, esp,. when you know that she wrote the song "Invisibles" that she sung, and they added into the film.  As I said, the critics were not kind to this film --- but audience ratings are  twice as high as the critics', and I agree with them this time.  I heard some criticism about the ending and a comparison with the play, and I really liked the closure on this film.  It was rather abrupt on stage, and I don't think I got the true impact like I did with the film.  One thing I really really liked about this filmed musical is that the powers that be really tried to make it seamless -- there are reactions of others while the singer sings, as if he continues talking, and we hear it as a song in place of a line of dialogue.   You  hardly notice when they go into song because several times, words are spoken within the song and the songs never interrupt the story line, but rather they move it forward...it is just that music was chosen to get across the moment rather than a piece of dialogue.  This is what songs should do, in my opinion.  For all these reasons, I'd give it a 5.  And I was not a Dear Evan Hansen crazy fan before seeing it. 

"DEAR EVAN HANSEN" (movie theatre)     2021   PG-13      2 hours, 17 min 

Film adaptation of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical about Evan Hansen. a high school senior with Social Anxiety disorder and his journey of self-discovery following the suicide of a fellow classmate.

Director:  Stephen Chbosky

Writers:  Steven Levenson )screenplay), Justin Paul & Benj Pasek (wrote  music and lyrics for stage play)

Stars:  Ben Platt, Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever

Film adaptation of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical about Evan Hansen, a high school senior with Social Anxiety disorder and his journey of self-discovery and acceptance following the suicide of a fellow classmate.

• Director
  • Stephen Chbosky
• Writers
  • Steven Levenson(screenplay by)
  • Justin Paul(based on the musical stage play with music and lyrics by)
  • Benj Pasek(based on the musical stage play with music and lyrics by)
• Stars
  • Ben Platt
  • Julianne Moore
  • Kaitlyn De

Movie #2198 ........................."Ted Lasso"( Season 2 - Apple)

 Movie #2198 "Ted Lasso" (Season 2 - Apple)  The episodes in this season do not disappoint -- they are a whirlwind of diversity, including one of the best xmas shows we've ever seen (Episode 4), another that is pure fantasy following just one of the coaches - Coach Beard, and an ending that left us quite surprised!  This season sure dug deep into the characters and left  much to be desired for the future!  Can't wait for next season!  Even mental health was tackled quite well this season!  and with some appropriate humor in dealing with this ever important subject!    5 out of 5, highly recommended!!!

Movie #2197 ........................."9 Perfect Strangers" (hulu)

 Movie #2197 "9 Perfect Strangers" (hulu) No, don't bother, this was a mess, in my opinion.  I read the book and didn't like the ending and actually the second half of the book (way too soap-operish), and I watched this for a couple of reasons.  I was hoping they made it better ---- I like most of what the author writes, but this was not good to me.  I was also hoping that the cast would elevate it, and some did ---- Melissa Mccarthy, Bobby Carnivale, some other secondary  people that aren't as famous as those two, and of course Nicole Kidman --- but  that character was all over the place and very hard to like.  This is a spa that exists in places like Arizona, Colorado, etc. with beautiful landscapes, and rich people are told they can start all over --- they don't realize that the program is completely propelled by drugs.  After all the episodes  of this limited series that  show   pushing drugs, the hulu show ended  on somewhat of a positive note about spas like these --- huh?  Because the people changed (because they were afraid to die?) ????

 In the book, I think they stage a protest and that kind of proves they got some strength, and they also   grouped together to commit a coup (these people were all loners and had lots of baggage) so it shows strength in number.  But in the hulu show, they were too drugged to be able to do that, and   I don't remember as much of the drugs that were pushed in the book (I could be wrong) .  So bottom line?  I didn't like the book because it was hard to believe, and this show was worse --- and a mess.  I gave the book 2.8, I would give the t.v. show 2.5 out of 5, with only Melissa McCarthy and Bobby Carnivale's story the most believable.  I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS MESS! (the first couple of shows where you meet them is nice and slow and easy to follow, but not the rest)

"9 PERFECT STRANGERS" 2021       6 hours and 28 minutes, 8 episodes

Nine stressed city dwellers visit a boutique health-and-wellness resort that promises healing and transformation.  The resort's director is a woman on a mission to reinvigorate their tired minds and bodies.

Creators:  John-Henry Butterworth, David E. Kelley

Stars:  Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Shannon

Movie #2196 ........................."Detroit" (Netflix Dvd)

 Movie #2196 "Detroit" (Netflix DVD)  - this was one of the hardest films to watch, and I wonder why I made it through the whole thing, really.  So many times I wanted to turn it off --- but it is based on a true story, and I wanted to know how it ended.  In that way, it reminded me of "Central Five" documentaries.  I actually had to do something while I was watching so that the intensity of it didn't make me turn it off. The acting for the most part was really good ---- the start of it was a bit hard to follow because the way the characters were introduced could have been clearer...... In fact, I was still trying to figure out who was who halfway through..............maybe my fault, who knows.  Just a lot of people involved and they weren't individually introduced so that we would remember the major ones. I'd give this 4 out of 5.  I don't recommend it for the faint of heart at all!  P.S.  too long, too!  PPS:  this

"DETROIT" (Netflix dvd)  2017     rated R    2 hours and 23 mins

Fact-based drama set during the 1967 Detroit riots in which a group of rogue police officers respond to a complaint with retribution rather than justice on their minds.  PPS:  this could be so hard to watch because in the hands of such a great director, it seemed sooooooo real!

Director:  Kathryn Bigelow

Writer:  Mark Boal

Stars:  John Boyega, Anthony Mackie, Algee Smith

Movie #2195 ........................."Here Today" (netflix)

 Movie #2195 "Here Today " (netflix) -- when we saw that Billy Crystal was in this, we had to see it.  Disclaimer --- not huge fans of TiffanyHaddish, but we decided to watch it anyway, and it ws pretty good. Nice sentiment, most of the time.  Some good laughs, but not a laugh riot.  It is character and situational humor, for sure.  If you decide to turn it off, wait until you see the spoof of SNL where Billy does a long monologue rage on humor and why this one guy screws up jokes by the cadence of his words.  Hysterical but full of so much sadness..... the whole movie walks that line due to Billy's awareness of the dementia that is taking over his mind ---- something he wants to stop but knows he can't.  I really got into this film and would rate it 4, but I know it isn't for everyone.

"HERE TODAY"     netflix 2021     PG13                  1 hour, 57 mins

When veteran comedy writer Charlie Burnz meets New York street singer Emma Payge , they form an unlikely yet hilarious and touching friendship that kicks the generation gap aside and redefines the meaning of love and trust.

Director:  Billy Crystal

Writers:  Alan Zweibel , Chad Jennings, Deidre Friel

Stars:  Billy Crystal, Tiffany Haddish

When veteran comedy writer Charlie Burnz meets New York street singer Emma Payge, they form an unlikely yet hilarious and touching friendship that kicks the generation gap aside and redefines the meaning of love and trust.

• Director
  • Billy Crystal
• Writers
  • Alan Zweibel(inspired by the short story "The Prize" by)
  • Billy Crystal
• Stars
  • Billy Crystal
  • Chad Jennings
  • Dierdre Frie