Movie #3449 ........................."Swingers" (Paramount +)

 Movie 

#3449 Movie "Swingers"  - really enjoyed this film even after several times of seeing it.  We recently saw Vince Vaughan interviewed and he mentioned tis film as his breakthrough, and we couldn't remembered most of it so we rewatched it --- and in Vince's language, "this film is money!"  Seriously, it's still really funny with all the repartee among Jon Favreau and his friends, who are trying to make him feel better, after 6 months of being broken up with the woman he thinks is his soul mate.  He is so heartbroken over the break up that he decides to move , change jobs, etc. just to make himself feel better -- which he doesn't through the whole movie.  He even tells new possible dates about why is ex-girlfriend and how much he miss3s h3r --- that's a real date-killer, according to best friend Vince Vaughan.  There are some crude remarks at times (the guys act like middle school kids at times) but all in all, this is a fun watch.  And a good sign of the times.  

'"SWINGERS"       1996      1 hour and 36 minutes Paramount Plus

A wannabe actor has a hard time moving on from a break-up, but he is lucky to have supportive friends

Director;  Doug Liman

Writer Jon Favreau

Actors;  Vince Vaughan, Heather Graham, Jon Favreau

Movie #3448 ........................."Heretic" (on the plane)

 Moie #3448 "Heretic" (on the plane)  I am not the usual viewer of films that would be mostly classified in the Horror genre, but because Hugh Grant was in it, I thought I'd try it.  Ugh!  I fell for the new trick with selling Horror pictures these days  --- get a famous star to raise the quality of the film in acting, etc.  and you may possibly get more people suckered into watching these films.  He's good,  and that and the set and the music, and the two girls he has imprisoned in his home all raise the quality of this one.  But I don't care how much quality there is in a film like this, I question the theme.  I don't feel any better after watching something like this; I don't feel I have learned anything, and I am usually left with a so what.  There is an interesting debate on religion here, for a few minutes, but the rest of the time is filled with creepy talk and blood.  Not for me.  I give it 2.8, and I don't recommend it.

"HERETIC"        2024       R    1 hour and 51 minutes (no wonder i thought it was long!)

Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man.

Directors:  Scott Beck, Bryan Woods

Writers:  Scott Beck, Bryan Woods

Actors:  Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East

Movie #3447 ........................."Mid-Century Modern" (Hulu)

 Movie #3447 "Mid-Century Modern" (Hulu)  This is a show that is too liberal about LGBTQ to be on the major channels, but it deserves to be seen by many because it talks about things that are happening but not being talked about.  It isn't censored , so whatever comes out in the dialogue is pretty funny and very unfiltered. Too raucous for many viewers, I'm afraid.  It personally did not offend me;  and, in fact,  I found the three actors very capable , and as a result, they were able to get across many funny, sometimes silly (or too silly) but poignant things that happen when three gay guys  decide to live together in Palm Springs with the plan that as they age , they would take care of each other. And in this day and age, I found it quite fun to watch --- we need some laughs in our lives these days.  The best part of the series was built around a tragedy --- the death of Linda Lavin, who was playing Nathan Lane's mother who lived with these three guys.  So there's a dear tribute to her in Episode 9, and it is definitely worth the watch! I'd give this a 4 out of 5, but it isn't for everyone.

"MID-CENTURY MODERN"     10 episode, about 30 mins each      Hulu     2025

After an unepected death, three best friends-gay gentlemen of a certain age -- decide to spend their golden years living together in Palm Springs, where the wealthiest one lives with his mother.

Creators:  David Kohan, Max Mutchnick (Ryan Murphy, producer)

Actors:  Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, Nathan Lee Graham, Linda Lavin 

Movie #3446 ........................."Grace & Gloria" (Amazon Prime)

Movie #3446 "Grace & Gloria" (Amazon Prime)  Diane Lane and Gene Rowlands at their best makes this  a film worth watching.  Gene Rowlands just wants to die on her own, at her home with all the beautiful trees, She doesn't want to be beholding to anyone or to any pills.  Hospice worker Diane Lane is assigned to watch over her, and it changes both of their lives.  The film is basically about this elderly lady's last few days of her life and the very caring hospice worker who helps her through it; by doing this particular good deed, she helps her damaged self.  The film has a powerful message, and it is well done.  I recommend it and give it a 4 out of 5.

":GRACE & GLORIE"       1998      PG     1 hour and 38 mins

A former New York City executive moves to the country with her husband and befriends an illiterate elderly farm woman.

Director:  Arthur Allan Seidelman

Writers:  Grace McKeaney, Tom Ziegler

Actors:  Gena Rowlands, Diane Lane, Neal McDonough, Emma Rossum, Viola Davis

Movie #3445 ........................."The Royal We" (Hallmark)

Movie #3445 "The Royal We" (Hallmark) Interesting Story (for Royal Hallmark Genre) in that the sister in first scene of film decides to marry a plumber instead of the prince in the warring neighborhood country  --- but her sister gave up all the royal stuff and lives and works in NYC, until the prince to make peace between the two countries visits her and suggests they get married so the two countries are at peace.  Farfetched, right?  I though so, and we are left watching all the royal we people  walk in and out of scenes and they are all seem uppity and shallow.  Her one friend reminded me of Aquafina, with the quick smarmy remarks and naive to everything that is royal.  So there's humor there.  Usually the woman would be naive to it all, but this one IS a princess so they had to deal with a new angle --- she tries to soften up the prince by doing regular things --- and because of that difference it was interesting at times.  But stage business was pretty much just let's look at stars or let's go on a tour of the castle I own.  I'd give it a 3.5.

"THEW ROYAL WE"       2025       Hallmark 1 hour and 24 mins

When the older sister elopes with a non-royal Princess Be a who has lived her life away from her royal duties must now step in and honor the arranged marriage to a small kingdom prince.

Director:  Claire Niedererem

Writers:  C. Jay Cox, Anne Black, Claire Niederpruem

Actors:  Mallory Jensen, Charles Carrick, Rae Lim 

Movie #3444 ........................."Just My Type" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3444 "Just My Type" (Hallmark)  I try to watch everything Bethany Lenz does for Hallmark, but I have to say this was not my favorite.  She came on too strong to get him, and he was weak in seeming to be worthy of her.  I didn't see much chemistry either, but she's usually good at that....Lotys of ho hum waiting and waiting in this one and then conflict seemed resolved in minutes.  Timing is everything?  I'd give it 3.8 out of 5.

"JUST MY TYPE"      2020   Hallmark     1 hour and 24 minutes

Vanessa, a magazine writer, tries to land the interview of a lifetime with renowned mystery author Martin Claiborne.

Director:  Paul Ziller

Writer:  Steven Sessions

Actors:  Bethany Joy Lenz, Brett Dalton, Aleque Reid

Movie #3443 .........................."So You Said Yes" (Hallmark)

Movie #3443 "So You Said Yes" (Hallmark)  I watched this because I have been a fan of Kellie Martin since she was a kid in a t.v.  show "Life Goes On." I have usually seen her as intelligent, soft spoken, and sarcastic, but in the first few minutes of this film, I could tell she was doing a free-thinking, creative dress designer who likes to talk --- and that seemed different for her, so I continued to watch it, and I'm glad I did because it was good.  I esp. liked the guy they paired her with, too, mostly because he isn't one of those terribly good looking guy --- he was more the "interesting" intelligent looking type.  The topic of the film was intriguing , as well --- vintage bridal gowns vs.  fancy ones.  The title refers to her shop name, and of course the guy who falls for her has the mother who owns the fancy shop in the town.  Thus, the conflict  I liked this and thought it was a 4.  I would recommend it if you see it come around again.

"SO YOU SAID YES"      HALLMARK    2015    1 hour and 24 mins

The owner of a bridal shop unknowingly falls in love with the son of her main competitor, then must thwart her rival's attempts to destroy their relationship.

Director:  Christie Will Wolf

Writer:  Robin Palmer

Actors:  Kellie Martin, Chad Gillett, Patricia Isaac  

Movie #3442 ........................." TheWish Swap" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3442 "TheWish Swap" (Hallmark)  Well, this one has one of the goofiest story lines in the Hallmark world --- get this -- two strangers make wishes on their birthday in a restaurant, and because of close proximity to each other, their wishes are swapped --- and granted.  She wants to win some dance contest, and he wants to own his own farm.  Okay, if that isn't silly, wait for this --- he hates the thought of dancing, and she just inherited a relative's farm..... yeah, right.  I wanted to like it because the couple was cute and they worked well together, but it was just too much of a fantasy for me.  But the way it worked out was good because I think a good message is for people to learn they can't run away from a situation --- they should face it and talk it out --- and that was the most believable thing in the film.  The unforgivable turn that caused the conflict was her keeping a secret on the computer and open and on for him to see --- duh!  I'd give this a 3.8 out of 5.  

"THE WISH SWAP"      HALLMARK      2025      1 hr and 24 mins

When Casey and Henry celebrate their birthdays at the same restaurant, they make birthday wishes at the same time, which are granted.  However, they end up getting each other's wishes.  

Director:  David I. Strasser

Writer:  Betsy Morris

Actors:  Emily Tennant, Jake Foy, Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe      

Movie #3441 ........................."Eat, Play, Love," (Hallmark)

Movie #3441 "Eat, Play, Love," (Hallmark)  Another dog movie?  Yep.  The dogs are cute, and the main girl I liked, but the sister was way too pushy to the point of being hard to believe, and the guy came across to me as whipped.  He had this shallow girlfriend who treated him badly, and couldn't tell the old girlfriend didn't treat him better.   I got annoyed at times watching this movie --- it seemed silly after a while (in a Hallmark film?  are you kidding?)  And I don't say that very often --- my "silly" bar is pretty high with most things, but with love, I give a lot more room.... but this passed it.  So because I liked the girl and the dogs, I would give it 3.6 out of 5.

"EAT, PLAY, LOVE"        2017      HALLMARK     1 hr and 23 mins - well, that's why it wasn't good! It needed one more minute!

Veterinarian Dr. Carly M<onroe falls for Dan Landis, the owner of a dog shelter she frequently visits.  Unfortunately, Dan is about to marry his glamorous girlfriend and move to NYC.

Director;  Christie Will Wolf

Writers:  Joel Canfield, Lisa Canfield

Actors:  Jen Lilley, Jason Cermak, Lee Majors 

Movie #3440 ........................."Love on the Menu" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3440 "Love on the Menu"  (Hallmark)  Autumn Reeser is one of my favorite Hallmark women, and cooking is always fun for me to watch, so this was a win win.  And I learned about all the things involved in freezing good food. I am still not sure I would readily do it, as the chef in this movie feels at the beginning of this film, but it makes sense if you have made or ordered really gourmet food why you can't savor it one more day and freeze it.  So it is an interesting subject in the food industry.  Woman was organized and could run the business, man was the chef and didn't have mind for organization, so the reverse stereotype worked here.  I'd give it a 4 out of 5.

"LOVE ON THE MENU"   2019     Hallmark    1 hour and 30 minutes (really? it's supposed to be 24, hm)

A chef makes a deal with a frozen food executive in order to save his restaurant.

Director: Ellie Kanner

Writers:  Kavan Smith, Alex Wright

Actors:  Autumn Reeder, Karan Smith, Jordyn Ashly Olson

Movie # 3439 ........................."Marry Go Round" (Hallmark)

 Movie #3439 "Marry Go Round" (Hallmark)  This was on again the other day , and I noticed i had seen it before.  But when I checked my blogs, there wasn't one there on this film, so here it is....and I did rewatch so it ws clearer in my mind. It was an interesting conflict -- childhood sweethearts grew apart --- do they have a chance to rekindle their romance?  The cast is strong, conflict is interesting, the stage business was just re-living the life together before now --- catching up, but they were interesting, committed, in love, people so it wasn't boring to me.  And the ending was nice.  dramatic.  I'd give tis a 4.

"MARRY GO ROUND"        2022      1hr and 24 mins 

Abby is a successful executive with a perfect life:  she's moving to Paris and planning to marry Edward. Then she discovers that her divorce from her high-school sweetheart Luke is not exactly official.

Director:  David Weaver

Writer:  Robert Tate Miller

Actors:  Amanda Schull, Brennan Elliott, Mary-Beth Manning

Movie #3438 ........................."Baby, It's Cold Inside" (Hallmark)

Movie #3438 "Baby, It's Cold Inside" (Hallmark)  Cute title, but frigid story.  Hardly a story.  A travel agent who usually likes the warm weather has to go check out an ice house hotel. That's the "coolest" (sorry for the pun) part of this movie --- the story is pretty bland, girl says her lines fast and without feeling -- he's okay, but kind of a milquetoast character - I honestly don't remember how they got together?  shared a blanket?  a hot toddy?  anyway, it's a 3 and only because of the set.  Cool!

"BABY,  IT'S COLD INSIDE"        2021    1 hour and 24 minutes

When a travel agent up for a promotion is directed to forget her tropical vacation and instead visit the world-famous Ice Hotel, she discovers that her sacrifices are more than compensated.

Director:  Marita Grabiak

Writer:  Barbara Kynlicka

Actors:  Jocelyn Hudon, Steve Lund, Kathryn Kohut

 

Movie #3437 ........................."The Reluctant Royal (Hallmark)

 Movie #3437 "The Reluctant Royal (hallmark)  This one was an odd one, and I don't think I would have stuck with it if it weren't for one of my favorites, Andrew Walker, was the reluctant royal.  It was pretty funny him just walking around trying to make each scene work -- I am thinking he might have been reluctant working on this one, too.  Anyway, he's some guy that this female  close confidante of a Duke  thinks would make a good one to take over his throne --- get this -- he's actually a son of this king, and she hunted him down and dragged him to the palace -- so there were these meet cute scenes not only with the close confidante but the king as well.  And of course a jerky relatives who really wants the thrown is in there for conflict.  Pretty odd story, right?  To make matters worse, the female is pretty stiff and hard to get to like, but 3/4's of the way in, it was a little better, and Andrew really played a different character --- funnier than most of the time -- and it tested his comic ability.  I'd give it a 3.5.  Once again, not a must - see, but different!

"RELUCTANT ROYAL"    Hallmark    2025

Philly mechanic Johnny is surprised to learn that his long-lost father is a duke.  But the duke isn't quite what he expected, nor ate his growing feelings for the duke's advisor Prudence.

Director:  Kevin Fair

Writers:  Neal H. Dobrofsky, Tippi Dobrofsky, Samantha Herman

Actors:  Andrew W. Walker, Emilie de Ravin, Simon Coury

MOVIE #3436 ........................".Royalish:(HALLMARK)

 Welcome back to Hallmark --- Bring it on, is my motto these glum 100 days of Agent Orange --- I can only take an hour of Rachel Maddow (and she's been pretty positive about how our protests are going ) and then I find I need a happyeverafter ending after that --- the result?  Quite a few Hallmark movies I've been watching  these past few days.... You might want to catch some of these better ones as we deal with more gloomy days of politics ahead........... (it can't get worse, can it?)  

"Royalish" (Hallmark)  This one?  not so good.  Someone who plays a princess falls in love with a real prince --- hmmm.  The daughter is cute, but the rest are pretty stiff --- in acting and playing the equally stiff royal people.  They ended up reciting lines a lot.  The biggest problem , though, is that the conflict was resolved lickety-split !  For younger readers that means too fast!  But the very end was cute so kept it in the close to 4 range, but not quite 4.  3.5 out of 5.  not a must see at all.

"ROYALISH"        2025         Hallmark

lacey is an amusement park princess who befriends 8-year-old Rose, a real-life princess and is recruited by her handsome father to travel to their kingdom and be the new governess.

Director:  Roger M. Bobb

Writer:  Teri Wilson

Actors:  Nichole Sakura, Sophia Adi, hannah Brady