Movie #3479 .........................."Stick" (Season 1, Apple)

Movie #3479 "Stick" (Season 1, Apple)  We weren't terribly involved in this show until around the 3rd episode --- not sure what pulled us in, but the show  started covering more than Owen Wilson  --- golf can be boring, but the show helps us along with the golfing that is shown.  And the two supporting players are very good, esp. the young golfer -- he's fun to watch, very expressive -- his girlfriend is an out-of-the-box kind of person and she's fun, too.  His best friend who goes along has good advice to give out when necessary and he has very little filter on him, so once again, good humored.  Then, the young golfer's mom I have grown to appreciate --- I enjoyed her in Tom Hanks "A Man called Ove" and she's very good here, too.  By the end of the season we were hooked and anxious to see more.  I'd rate it 4.5.

"STICK"  TV SERIES ON APPLE     2025      11 episodes about 35 mins each

An over-the-hill ex-golfer, fired from his job, sees hope in coaching a troubled teen prodigy after his wife leave him, staking his future on the youth's success.

Creator:  Jason Keller

Actors:  Owen Wilson, Peter Dager, Lilli Kay, Judy Greer 

Movie #3478 ........................."The Seed of the Sacred Fig" (on plane to Peru)

Movie #3478 "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" (on plane to Peru)  I did not like this movie at all --- esp. the second half, when the dad turns against his kids --- the women are terribly mistreated in the film, and I don't feel the need to see films like that -- it turns my stomach.  I know it happens , and I just feel sick after watching films who show all the details.  So I don't recommend this one -- it got recognition at Cannes, but that didn't make me like it any more..  I'd give it a mild 3 and not recommend it.  

"THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG"     2024     PG-13     2 hours and 47 mins (it was Looooooong)

An investigating judge struggles with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran caused by the death of a young woman.  When his gun goes missing, he suspects his wife and daughters, imposing harsh measures that fray family ties.  (you think)

Director:  Mohammad Rasoulof

Writer:  Mohammad Rasoulof

Actors:  Shelia Golestani, Missagh Zareh, Setareh Maleki 

Movie #3477 ........................."Amateur" (on plane to Peru)

 Movie #3477 "Amateur " (on plane to Peru)  This film was a huge disappointment --- the trailer suggested it would be more of a thinkpiece --- that he was a smart guy with technology.  It was just all action and very little left of a story --- I watched it because I am a Malek and Rachel Brosnahan fan, but neither kept my interest in this film.  I'd give it a 3 --- mildly entertaining.  I can't really comment any more because it was hard to stay awake watching this.

"THE AMATEUR"       PG-13              2025       2 hours and 2 min

When his supervisors at the CIA refuse to take action after his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack, a decoder takes matters into his own hands.

Director:  James Hawes

Writers:  Robert Little, Ken Nolan, Gary Spinelli

Actors:  Ramie Malek, Rachel Brosnahan

Movie #3476 ........................." The Friend" (plane to Peru)

Movie #3476  " The Friend" (plane to Peru) I was looking forward to seeing this because the trailer looked good --- and it was even better than I thought because I would give it a 5.  Bill Murray is hardly in it, but his one or two scenes are necessary and very poignant.  It's Naomi Watts' film all the way --- well, she shares a lot of screen time with a very good acting colleague -- a dog!  And he doesn't die in the film (that's for all my dog loving friends who refuse to see a movie where a dog dies.  Anyway, the film is about friendship, what's a true friend, how dogs can be true friends of mankind, and much more.  I highly recommend it and give it a 5.  It can be streamed on prime video.

"THE FRIEND"     2024       R     1 hour and 59 minutes          

When a solitary writer adopts and bonds with a Great Dane that belonged to a late friend, she begins to come to terms with her past and her own creative inner life.

Directors:  Scott McGehee, David Siegel

Writers:   Scott McGehee,. David Siegel, Sigrid Nunez

Actors:  Bill Murray, Naomi Watts