Movie #2068 ........................."Spencer" (redbox)

 Movie #2068 "Spencer" (Redbox)  When I saw who directed this and that it was the same director as "Jackie,"  I guessed I would have mixed feelings about it.  And I was right.   Both movies are about women I liked so very much, and both left me surprised at their supposedly inner angst.  And that would be an easier pill to swallow if I knew that the movies were founded on mostly facts, with a few changes here and there --- but they aren't.  As with the movie "Jackie, " we are reminded right from the start that this is a "fable" based on true characters.  Hmmmmm.  I guess that gives the director a whole lot of making- up ground in each of the films, and I don't like that aspect of it.  But then, on the other side of the coin, they are both well-acted, and beautiful photographed.  The director focuses on symbols a lot --- they are artsy in their approach to the subjects.  So it is hard for me  to just zap the films  just because I am not enjoying the portrayal of these two beloved women.  But how can you make Princess Diana so unlikeable, as in most of this film?  Well, you can take away a lot of dialogue and have her brooding constantly, and when she speaks, it is usually in short choppy words (or is that Kristen Stewart's work with the accent?  because I felt a lot of her lines were the same one after the other --- she actually does better with the quieter moments --- )    You can also take away most of the lovey lovey moments with her boys, and in their place, put her in constant dilemma (as done in this film where it is the xmas right after Charles tells her about Camilla), have her smile only once in the whole film, have her interact abruptly, and sometimes rudely, with everyone except her chef and her dresser, and one or two scenes with the kids, & overall,  take away the scenes where she can be more motherly and caring to the kids, which is the Princess Diana I am fairly sure existed.    I think you can guess that I really didn't like her in this film --- And I don't think it is Kristin Stewart's fault, necessarilly --- I have the greatest respect for this actress --- I have seen her do many good things, but this one portrayal I am not crazy about --- And I think it's for all the reasons I gave above --- I guess  in real life I liked Princess Diana so much that I didn't expect all the coldness she seemed to exude in every scene in this film  she walked into --- I  do have to say that the film kept you watching because the way it is edited you aren't always sure the scene was happening in the present or just a hallucination of hers.... so the story is murky --- it is a possible version of what she was going through --- I just choose to think that  as much angst as she had, that she put her best foot forward  more times for the boys --- I guess I wanted to see that movie instead of this one  ( a more balanced one)--- but that's just me.  Now, on the good side of it, and the reason it might get some awards during the awards season :  beautifully filmed and framed, edited to keep us on our toes, nice effort of Kristin Stewart (though I think many of the lines were  said the same), her  arc was nicely done to the high point, which I really liked! And I especially appreciated the very end  scene in the car with the boys,which really capped off everything nicely, too.  Sally Hawkins was amazing!  But then, she always is ---- I hope to god, Princess Diana had someone like her in her life --- the necklace of pearls moment -- wow!, and that jacket out in the field on the scarecrow --- those symbols will stay with me forever.  Sorry, this was so long, but my feelings were cloudy, like the film.  I give it 3.5 out of 5 --- not a must see.  Anxious to see what others have to say.   (PS -- I liked the way the  film saved to the very end why it is titled the way it is) PPS:  it is tradition to weigh royalty at the holidays --- google it --- kind of interesting.  That was one truth!

"SPENCER"  (redbox)         R      1 hour, 57 mins                  2021

During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, Diana Spencer, Struggling with mental health problems, decides to end her decade-long marriage to Prince Charles.

Director:  Pablo Larrain

Writer:  Steven Knight

Stars:  Kristen Stewart, Timothy Spall, Sally Hawkins

Movie #2067 ........................."And Just Like That (Sequel to "Sex in the City" on HBO)

 Movie #2067 "And Just Like That" (Sequel to "Sex in the City" on HBO) I wasn't sure I would watch this, since I was an on again, off again kind of fan of this show -- I never had HBO on any of my t.v.'s but watched all of the episodes  in syndication.  But I'm glad I tuned in for this "continuation in later years" because revisiting these characters and seeing them at an age closer to mine made me enjoy them even more.  The years have changed their looks (even though they (and all of us) try not to show that --- the clothes change (for SJP they seem to get even bigger and more of a statement here) , music changes (it still goes well with the various stories the show is telling) and the story lines still  have a little bit of the raunchy (even moreso, this time around)  but a lot of the poignancy that I like about the show --- It seems nothing is off limits to what these ladies share with each other --- I can't even list some of the outlandish stuff that is covered --- but to me, it is a breath of fresh air, like I'm a fly on the wall of the various beautiful restaurants they frequent, and I can listen and laugh along on the ride they provide.  That's the crux of the show --- their conversations.  And this show was esp. bittersweet to me because I tuned in knowing that Stanford (I always refer to  him as Mozzie because of his "White Collar" role for 6 years)  had died in real life and wondered how they would handle it.  Then I heard of the death of another major character IN the show at the outset that precipitates the funeral and overall grief in the  rest of the season, so I'm sure that put the show in a conundrum --- since they have dealt with a fictional death already and aren't ready to deal with the real thing.  In the 5th episode, they offer a short scene about Stanford and where he is and supposedly that's the way the actor Willie Garson (who was suffering with pancreatic cancer for a while) wanted to leave the show ---(he had originally signed on for the entire season and was given quite an arc, but the writers busily changed that after he died.)  That was a pall on the whole season for me, but there was still a lot here that I enjoyed.  It's always great to see strong capable women take the lead in a show, so in that way this show does not disappoint!  It always inspires me to reach better heights after watching each episode.  So I'm glad they are back and hope there's a season 2. 

"AND JUST LIKE THAT"  (Sequel to "Sex in the City" on HBO)   10 episodes, about 30 mins each

The series follows Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s.

Creators:  Michael Patrick King, Darren Star (although Star hasn't anything to do with the show)

Stars:  Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davies (Samantha is gone and referred to quite often)

PS --- the first 3 episodes are directed by King, the rest are directed by females, one by Cynthia Nixon. 

Movie #2066 ........................."Harry Potter 20th Anniversary's Return to Hogwarts" (HBO)

 Movie #2066 "Harry Potter 20th Anniversary's Return to Hogwarts" (HBO) --- what fun to sit down and take  in all this beautiful world of Hogwarts for about 2 hours --- it went by far too quickly, for me.   It made me want to watch the movies over and over again ---- the organization uses the 8 films and how one changed from the next to the next --- how each film uniquely added to the franchise --- we met most of the directors, heard from Rowling (too little, though, but probably on purpose ), the many actors and actresses that are still living (though, I missed words from Maggie Smith, and others) -- mostly narrated by Harry, Hermione and Ron, which was quite fitting.   It seemed like a reunion for all of us because we spent so much time with them (well, I had read all the books and seen all the movies, so maybe I am speaking for a smaller number?  but I don't think so)  This is a franchise that is bigger, I think, than we can imagine with hope it lives on to the next and next and next generations.  What a feat they accomplished here with a beautiful, and albeit sometimes dark, but mostly  magical  story of one little boy named Harry Potter.  What an amazing story!     I give this 4.8 out of 5.    

"HARRY POTTER 20TH ANNIVERSARY'S RETURN TO HOGWARTS"   HBO   1 hr, 42 mins.

Cast members from all "Harry Potter" films reunite in a retrospective special to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first film, including interviews and cast conversations.

Stars:  Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint

Movie #2065 ........................."Emily in Paris," Season 2 (netflix)

Movie #2065 "Emily Paris," Season 2 (Netflix) We still find this show entertaining and fluff --- it's a break for us from the heavier stuff we sometimes watch --- we love Paris, so watching it in the background of every scene delights us and makes us want to go back --- occasionally, we'll say we walked by this and that, and that's so much fun.  Then, like Mrs. Mazel, we love the costumes and the music, and like "Mazel" they appear oftentimes  in the foreground of this show.  The disdain many of the French have for us, and the way we Americans can sometimes be "ugly" at times (no, not us!) can be funny to watch, as well.  Finally, Emily herself is a delight --- she's so young and naive at times, but then knowing and creative when it comes to what sells --- she has a pulse on the public and it is good to be reminded that the young have great ideas if only trusted and listened to.  The love story line is  investigated moreso in Season 2   with a new boyfriend for Emily in addition to  a love triangle with her, her best friend Camille and  her neighbor Gabriel,  and added here this season is the new relationship her roommate makes while busking with a band --- and the roommate  is quite the singer!  Then, the business is dealt with in every episode which  builds  up to a big change by the end of the season.....and her workers are delineated even more here, and their closer  relationships are built, even after their first disdain for her.  I hope we get to see a season 3.  I'd give this 4 out of 5 for this season....not quite as good as the opening, but almost.

"EMILY IN PARIS"  SEASON 2             NETFLIX     10 episodes, about 30 mins each

A young American woman from the Midwest is hired by a marketing firm in Paris to provide them with an American perspective on things.

Creator:  Darren Star (sex in the city)

Stars :  Lily Collins, Philippine Leroy-Beautlieu, Ashley Park

Movie #2064 ........................."Free Guy" (redbox)

 Movie #2064 "Free Guy" (redbox) Finally, a fun film to recommend, because I really liked this one, and I don't know a thing about video-gaming.  I just watched the story unfold, laughed a lot,  loved the visuals, and so much enjoyed Ryan Reynolds AGAIN!  I really can say, in all sincerity, that I did not understand most of it.  But I liked the humor, the whimsy, and the theme that I got at the end (but forgive me, if I didn't get it right?) that ultimately, the gamers enjoyed watching the people in the free city rather than fighting them.  And that was enough for me.  If you have read my blogs before, you know I HATE watching continual violence in a film, and I guess that's a comment that could be made here, but what I liked about this violence is that it is so fake that I didn't mind it --- so a lesson to these video programmers  might be to stop making it look so real ?  That made sense to me, too.  I give this 4.8 out of 5 and highly recommend, if you don't mind your films fast and furious, at least once in a while!

"FREE GUY"    PG-13        2021                     1 hour and 55 mins

A bank teller discovers that he's actually an NPC inside a brutal, open world video game.

Director:  Shawn Levy

Writers:  Matt Lieberman, Zak Penn, 

Stars:  Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, (from Killing Eve),  Taika Waititi

Movie #2063 ........................."The Lost Daughter" (Netflix)

 Movie #2063 "The Lost Daughter" (Netflix)  On my quest to see the nominations for Critics' Choice Awards (for a ceremony now postponed to who knows when?), this was an obvious one to see since it is available to stream on Netflix.  But before you check into it, you need to know that it is one of those art films with an indie feel to it--- translation:  not much happens storywise, but probably good in the tech/style stuff --- and this one is, with quality acting from a wonderful cast, starting with Olivia Colman and her younger self, Jessie Buckley, and the young mom Dakota Johnson, and great visuals in Greece.  But the story?  Well, it's gutsy, trying to cover just how stifling being a mother can be, in any time period -- that is aptly shown from  the daily watching Coleman's character gives to this new mother's life with a demanding daughter which in turn  conjures up stifling moments of the younger Coleman raising her two demanding girls.  Ed Harris is in this film, but for what reason, I don't know --- it was nice to see "Normal People's" Paul Mescal, and I wondered if he was really necessary to remind everyone, including her, what might have been for her if she weren't so saddled down with her daughters.  But then, he was a bright spot  with his big smile and affable personality in this really dimly lit story/film.  And that lost doll!  Wish the payoff on that was better than Coleman's answer as to what happened to it. (I don't want to give anything away)  --  disappointment there.  But I guess it underlines the style of the film --- the importance of what is and is not said.  It's just at that moment , I kind of wanted her to tell finally what was on her mind to Dakota.  But then that isn't in her character, is it?  Overall,  I didn't need to see this film, really --- I'm not the audience for it, but I wondered how mothers felt about the characterizations. But then, I'm not sure you will get a lot of people talking about this subject --- that's why Maggie G probably tackled it it in this film.  But thank god, the ending hits a good point , and I'm glad I watched it until the end --- I felt better, anyway, for doing that.  That's the second movie this film season that I ended up saying that the ending might have made the slow journey through the film worthwhile.  Hmm. Interesting. It is probably that kind of year!

"THE LOST DAUGHTER"      2 hours and 1 min           2021    R-rated

A woman's beach vacation takes a dark turn when she begins to confront the troubles of the past.

Director Maggie Gyllenhaal

Writers:  Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elena Ferrante (novel)

Stars:  Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson

Movie #2062 ........................."Where the Heart Belongs" (Hallmark)

 Movie #2062 "Where the Heart Belongs" (Hallmark)  One of the last watched this season, but not a very good one --- I noticed they are replaying it right now as I write this.  Not much here --- a high powered marketing lady who is losing points at her job , and she needs to come up with a way to get new accounts agrees to run her friend's wedding in a few weeks --- Yeah, right.  And to make matters more difficult, she is supposed to make this wedding low key --- simple --- Even though she tries to persuade her friend/bride that the dresses she brings from NYC would be better to use for this "simple" wedding.  The set ups are silly, the guy is hardly characterized --- he walks into scenes just to look pretty --- and they still all like each other by the end of this film.  Go figure.  This is a warning to me to stop watching the Hallmark films now because without the Christmas magic, they are not the feel-better films they are at Christmastime. 

"WHERE THE HEART BELONGS"    2022  1 hour and 30 mins

When a NY marketing executive (the girl) returns home to help with her best friend's wedding , she learns the hard way that the love and support of family and friends means more than she'd ever imagined.

Director:  Christie Will Wolf

Writers:  Catherine Reay, Kathryn Hudson, Christie Will Wolf

Stars:  Jen Lilley, Christopher Russell, Jimm Morrison

Movie #2061 ........................."Encanto"(Disney)

 Movie #2061 "Encanto" (Disney)  I was recently reminded that I hadn't done a blog on this one that I saw a couple of days ago, and it's maybe because I had mixed feelings about it and put it on hold.   The animation was outstanding, the colors out of this world, the characters were many ( a few more delineated than others ) and no real villain!  A win for families, I am sure.  But like "Soul," I felt the story could have been clearer.  The pacing of the film right from the get -go was quite fast, and I think Disney thinks it has to be to keep the kids entertained, and I get that, but after viewing the film I really couldn't tell you the details of the whole story --- and that's okay, because I am not the designated audience here, so I hope kids could follow easily.  Or maybe kids should be challenged by a story line in their animation?  But I hope there's some universality that comes through here, since it deals with a diverse culture.  A job here is to teach at least a little of another culture, and I guess it does that............but kind of fast and furious.   Also, thank god for Mirabel, who IS likable and like us, even though she is in a fantastical world .  Her lesson is a good one --- that it takes everyone working together to get things done, but I just wish that last number stood out a bit more --- because the rest of the film had quite a few ballads from each character, so music wise, that last one has to cinch the theme --- it probably was just me because after an hour and 1/2 of splashing of color,  busy dance numbers, and characters mostly loud and in my face, I was searching for more quiet moments, more poignancy and an ending number that pulled it all together.  I don't know if this makes sense, but sufficeth to say, I liked the film, but I liked Manual's "Vivo" better --- I even liked "Luca" a tad more, storyline-wise --- at least, I stuck with both of those longer.  I am eager to see what you parents think if you have seen these 3  films lately and compare them with your kids.   With this one, I was a little less excited about, but once again, it could be me........ I'd give it 3.8 out of 5.  Liked the music and colors and Mirabel, not so much the story.

"ENCANTO"           2021      PG     1 hour and 42 minutes

A young Columbian girl has to face the frustration of being the only member of her family without magical powers.  (this one written by IMDB)

Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Columbia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called Encanto.  The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal-every child except one, Mirabel.  But when she discovers that the magic of Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal , might just be her exceptional family's last hope.   (this one written by Disney Studios)

Directors:  Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Caatro Smith

Writers:  Charise Castro Smith, Jared Bush, Byron Howard

Stars:  Stephanie Beatriz, Maria Cecillia Botero, John Leguizano

PS - 8 original songs  by Lin-Manual Miranda

Movie #2060 ........................."Life with Elizabeth" (dvd)

 Movie #2060 "Life with Elizabeth" (dvd 1) -- At the death of Betty White, I felt it was a good time to take this little gem out that I had purchased for a couple of bucks from a Half Price Books  store (or wherever) that had put together her first show, "Life with Elizabeth," which focussed  on the ups and downs of a newly married couple --- We watched at least 8 vignettes to see how she was when she first started out --- before the beloved characters she played in MTM show, Golden Girls, and Hot in Cleveland, etc.  She comes across so authentic here, even when she is driving her new husband crazy while she is sewing and he is trying to balance their financial records, or he is trying to fix some electrical problem while also dealing with her fear of coming down into the basement to help, or a nice first goodnight kiss while they are on their seventh date!  (do you believe that one? )  The world around has changed, but the way she acts in this show convinces us that things haven't changed that much, really, she is that honest in her acting.  These past couple of days I have been thinking back to my favorite Betty White moments in a film,  esp. those coming from  one of my favorite films "Proposal,"  where she fakes her death to get her grandson and son to acknowledge that they do have common ground --- caring about her.  And that wonderful , funny wake up she does in the plane! --- I wish that would happen now because the world seems a little less authentic since she is gone.  I am of an age where I am having to get used to a lot of loss, and to help get through this one  I need to realize  that she is  just moving on to her final gig --- to brighten up heaven with her niceness. but  I feel I  have lost a mentor because she made getting old look so easy, and was able to mix the naughty with the nice at the same time.  That's why I want to take a moment to  salute you, Betty White, on a life well lived. You did such a wonderful job of entertaining and caring for animals here on earth --- now Rose Nyland the heck out of heaven!