Movie #3671 ........................."The Odyssey" (movie theater - true IMAX at Seven Bridges)

 Movie #3671 "The Odyssey" (movie theater - true IMAX at Seven Bridges)  Yep, we had to make a reservation two months in advance to see this one at 7:45 a.m. on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago.  One person in the audience was from Minnesota because there wasn't a rue  Imax theatre in his state. (this Seven Bridges one is the only one in Illinois!  and we happened to live near it, so we thought we should see it that way.  I am glad we did because I was NOT going into this thinking I would like the movie -- not a fan of the Iliad or Odyssey when I had to read it for a classics class, not a fan of the period in history, not a mythology fan, and don't like to see lots of fights!  However, I really liked the film -- the pacing, the hugeness of the visuals, the realness of the visuals, the clear sound, the vastness of the ocean, the remoteness of the locations, the excellent acting and direction -- I could go on and on, but it's a film that we should be proud of have done in by our American film industry.  And it was reasonably priced!  I couldn't believe all the work that went in to make this happen.  I was wowed.  but another however.... I would give it 4.5 because there was way too much fighting at the end.  I would have shortened that so much more -- but that's just one vote .  I highly recommend it, and if you can see it in true IMAX, do it.  I don't think you'd be disappointed at all!  and you may like it and appreciate it even more (like I did!)

"THE ODYSSEY"        2026       R      2 hours and 52 minutes        Imax theater

After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops, Sirens,  Circe, and Calypso along the way.

Director:  Christopher Nolan

Writers:  Christopher Nolan, Homer

Actors:  Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Samantha Morton

Movie #3670 ........................."Colin from Accounts" Season 2 (Paramount +/Amazon Prime)

 Movie #3670 "Colin from Accounts" Season 2 (Paramount +/Amazon Prime)  After  Season 1 and the meet cute (car hitting a dog (Colin))  and sharing of the care of the dog (and even sharing a house to do that even though they are like oil and water) , they are now a couple in Season 2.  So the show deals with how oil and water their friends and relatives are, as well.  And, of course, they get into the weirdest discussions and situations that turn out to be more funny stuff --- we can't believe the stuff that happens in these shows --- so crazy and awkward and out there.  They have to deal with their jobs, as well -- his brewery is in dire need of money, and her job is tough because she has such a misogynist for a boss (she's trying to be a doctor).  Then there are dealings with previous exes.  Still funny, so we are still watching and just started Season 3 last night.  Season 2 I'd give 4.5.

"COLIN FROM ACCOUNTS"         Paramount Plus    2025     8 episodes, 27 mins each

A microbrewery owner and a student doctor are brought together by a car accident that injures a stray dog (Colin) whom they agree to adopt, forcing them to navigate each other's vulnerabilities.

Creators are the actors:  Patrick Brammall, Harriet Dyer (and they are married)

Movie #3669 ........................."Patience" Season 2 (PBS)

Movie #3669 "Patience" Season 2 (PBS)   - continuation of season 1 with one big difference -- a different detective for Patience to work with -- this time the woman is bossy, mean to Patience, and has a backstory we have to get to know before we better understand her.  It took 4 episodes to like this woman, so it was tough continuing this series; however, the last episodes in this series were the best from both seasons, we thought.  So we are looking forward to Season 3.  Patience in this season has an on again off again courtship with a cute guy who is on the forensic team.  And we get to know more about Patience's backstory and some important information is revealed.  I'd give this one a 4.5, too.

"PATIENCE"      PBS     2026    7 episodes , about 45 minutes each      

the same info as last time except Bea Metcalf, the new detective Frankie Monroe,  is played by  Jessica Hynes.     

Movie #3668 ........................."Patience " - Season 1 (PBS)

Movie #3668 "Patience" Season 1  (PBS)  What a lovely character in the series.  She is on the spectrum, works in criminal records and has a gift of keen observation and memory that is put to use in the crime department in York, England (beautiful walled-in city that we got to visit when traveling to the UK).  It takes a while for the main detective in this series to learn how to get the most out of Patience's abilities -- she finds she really needs to have patience to deal with her!  and what makes it more important to this  detective  is that her son has a lot of the same characteristics that Patience has.  They learn to build a functioning  relationship, and it's a shame that the actress who plays the detective does not show up for Season 2 due to other commitments.  I'd give this season a 4.5 --- steady and strong all the way through --- a few of the cases were kind of out there, but still the characters pull the story back in to the audience.

"PATIENCE" - Season 1     2025     7 episodes, about 45 mins each     PBS

Patience catalogues evidence in the Yorkshire Police records department.  A brilliant self-taught criminologist with keen crime scene instincts, her talent is spotted by Metcalf, opening new worlds for the archivist.  The detective Bea  Metcalfe and Patience form an unlikely but brilliant team for solving the most complex of murders committed within the historic city of York.

Creators:  Laurent Burtin, Alexandre de Seguins

Actors:  Ella Maisy Purvis,  Laura Fraser, Mark Benton Nathan Welsh, 

Moie #3667 ........................."Mayday" (Apple)

 Movie #3667 "MayDay" (Apple)  Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Brannagh!  How could I not see the two of them in a movie!  And I'm glad I did .  It's funny, fast paced, topical, big train scene, everything in an action movie you would want, and then some -- I can do without the massive and long fight scenes, but that goes with the genre.  And surprise!  No time for romance....rather it's a  bromance!  A building of a friendship even though one is a Navy fighter pilot (hard to believe how good he is) and the other a Russian whose dream is to live in America (that's not hard to believe! ) Some twists and turns along the way make way for a very entertaining film that I would give  a 4 to.  See it because it's fun to watch these two work with each other!

"MAYDAY"     2026      PG-13     1 hour and 50 mins     Apple

Lieutenant Troy Brennan's reconnaissance mission over Soviet territory goes awry, forcing him to crash-land and survive in Russian wilderness while evading capture or rescue.

Dirrectors:  John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein

Writers:  see above

Actors:  Ryan Reynolds, Kenneth Branagh

Movie #3666 ........................."Juror #2" (netflix)

Movie #3666 "Juror #2" (netflix)  This was Clint Eastwood's last directorial job, and I can't remember liking one of his movies more.... This was definitely a think piece, and it kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end..... and I wanted to talk about it afterwards, which is a big selling feature for me, as well.  IF anyone is reading this and has seen the film, let me know so we can exchange thoughts on it.  Anyway, a couple of big twists I didn't see coming, and it made me think a lot about lawyers and how much power they can wield within the confines of a case.  And how we can get in trouble by just not saying anything... I don't want  to give anything away, so I will just make a comment or two on the acting -- very well done -- (Love Zoey Deutch and she is outstanding as the wife of the juror in this one and actually the main reason I watched the movie in the first place).  The pacing is good, too.   Never boring to me.  I'd give this a 4.5.

"JUROR  #2"      Netflix   2024     PG-13     1 hour and 54 mins

While serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial, a family man finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma, one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict or free the wrong killer.

Director:  Clint Eaastwood

Writer:  Jonathan A Abrams

Actors:  Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J.K. Simmons, Zoey Deutch 

Movie #3665 ........................."The Five Star Weekend" (Peacock)

Movie #3665 "The Five-Star Weekend" (Peacock)  Usually don't like to watch a series like this - (I turned off "White Lotus" and other popular shows like it), but this was well-acted and the script was pretty strong.  It was laugh-out-loud  funny in some spots, and could move you to tears in the next.   There were  some clunker lines here and there, but for the most part very universal about friendship, old and new, marriage and what holds that together,  & mother-daughter very definitely was put under the microscope....Because it was a series, I felt some of the arguing and confrontations were forced and mean, to stretch in out into a miniseries, but the ending was satisfactory to me --- show  could have been shorter -- but I say that for most series these days.  I'd give it a 4, and I am starting to trust Jennifer Garner a bit more in what she is in. (Beautiful house and scenery)

"THE FIVE-STAR WEEKEND"   2026     9 episodes, about 50 mins each    Peacock

A beloved food influencer grappling with loss hosts four friends from different chapters of her life for a weekend on Nantucket, where hidden truths emerge and relationships evolve amid coastal luxury. 

Creator:  Bekah Brunstetter

Actors:  Jennifer Garner, D'arcy Carden, Gemma Cha, Regina Hall, Chloe Sevigny

Movie #3664 ........................."People We Meet On Vacation" (Netflix)

 Movie #3664 "People We Meet on Vacation" (Netflix)  I had never heard or seen these two actors (that I remember), but I was very impressed with them.  This movie had very funny moments -- not all that believable at times, but the conflict came across real to me, and the couple spoke truth many times and showed a great amount of chemistry.  I love rom-coms so this was a movie I would probably like anyway, but I have seen so many of them now,  I rarely see something new within the confines of the genre, but this one made me laugh - the personalities of the couple - nice combo.  And I might add better than the Glenn Powell one recently with Sweeney as the girl.  I'd give this a 4.5 out of 5. PS - based on a popular book, which is possibly why the plot moved smoothly along?)

"PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION"      2026   PG-13    1 hr, 57 mins       Netflix

Poppy wants to explore the world and Alex prefers to stay home with a good book, but somehow they are the very best of friends .  They live far apart, but for a decade they have spent one week of summer vacation together -- then seem to bring out the best in each other?

Director:  Brett Haley

Writers:  Yulin Kuang, Amos Vernon, Nunzio Randazzo (Emily Henry, author of book)

Actors:  Emily Bader, Tom Blyth, Sarah Catherine Hook

Movie #3663 ........................."Dumplin'" (Netflix)

Movie #3663 "Dumplin'" (Netflix)  Well, after I revisited Dolly in "9 to 5,"  I thought I would check out a movie I knew she had worked on music wise, rather than acting in it.  Jennifer Anniston and this young girl playing her daughter did a really good job of handling a difficult subject --- overweight girls and their place in a beautify pageant.  Aniston plays the mom and main pusher of this traditional event in town, and her daughter, dealing with grief (her aunt died) feels compelled to enter the contest  for the first time to honor her aunt.  This puts mom in a pickle because she worries a lot about what others think, and her daughter doesn't seem to be beauty pageant material...... like I said, a difficult subject to tackle in a film, but it is done in good taste here.  There's even a high school romance that adds to the charm of the film.  Not to mention the Trans chorus line from the local bar who help the young girl with her confidence and talent portion of the pageant.  Oh, and I should mention the whole film revolves around the young girl admiring Dolly Parton and singing to her music constantly.  This was a fun watch, and I thought it handled the touch subject well.  I would give it a 4 out of 5.  And hats off to Parton's music -- she wrote all the songs in here and again established just what a prolific composer she was .   

"DUMPLIN'"    2018      PG-13      1 hour and 50 mins

Willowdean (Dumplin) the plus-size teenage daughter of a former beauty queen, signs up for her mom's Miss Teen Bluebonnet pageant as a protest that escalates when other contestants follow her footsteps, revolutionizing the pageant and their small Texas town.

Director:  Anne Fletcher

Writers:  Kristin Hahn, Julie Murphy

Actors:  Danielle MacDonald, Jennifer Aniston, ODeya Rush

Movie #3662 ........................."9 to 5" (Disney+)

Movie #3662 "9 to 5" (Disney+)  Who didn't watch this show shortly after Dolly Parton died?  Like so many others, we had to watch it again to remember just how good she and the other two women were in the film.  It came across a bit dated in the feminism department esp. but the laughs were still there --- and Fonda, Tomlin and Parton were at their best.... The cute vignette dreams the women had were a stitch , too.  The script was tight and nominated for a Golden Globe, and Dolly got most of the acting accolades bestowed upon the film ....but that song..... fits the film so well, and will forever remain a great memory of the movie.  5 out of 5 from me.

"9 TO 5"   1980      PG      1 hour and 49 mins

Three secretaries turn the tables on their obnoxious boss.

Director:  Colin Higgins

Writers:  Colin Higgins, Patricia Resnick

Actors:  Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton     

Movie #3661 ........................."Enola Holmes - 3" (Netflix)

 Movie #3662 "Enola Holmes - 3" (Netflix)  We like this franchise so we moved on to this one.... we like the rapid repartee , the way it is filmed (uses trick camera moves to keep it busily going on from one plot point to the next, and the settings are great, too, not to mentioned the humor.  Anyway, the same stuff we enjoyed in this one, too -- but the mom was even better in this one!  And there was romance added to it which made it better, and this one moved better through the middle.  I give it a 4.2 out of 5.  Looking forward to the next one, if there is one?

"ENOLA HOLMES - 3"        2026      PG-13      1 hour and 45 mins (shorter is better in this franchise?)

   Director:  Philip Barantini

Writers:  Jack Thorne, Nancy Springer

Actors:  Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter

Movie #3660 ........................."Enola Holmes - 2" (Netflix)

Movie #3660 "Enola Holmes 2" (Netflix)  The opening on this one caught my interest right away, but the middle dragged a bit, but once it started building to the end, it hit that part of the movie quite solidly.  This one had more humor (especially. with the mother ) and good repartee with brother Sherlock when he showed up.  I would rate it a 4 out of 5.

"ENOLA HOLMES - 2"      Netflix      2022     PG-13       2 hours , 9 mins

Now a detective-for-hire, Enola Holmes takes on her first official case to find a missing girl as the sparks of a dangerous conspiracy ignite a mystery that requires the help of friends -- and Sherlock himself -- to unavel.  

Director:  Harry Bradbeer

Writers:  Jack Thorne, Harry Bradbeer, Nancy Springer

Actors:  Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, David Thewlis