Movie #1173 ........................."My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2"

Movie #1173 “Big Fat Greek Wedding 2”

Movie #1173  “Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” was not as good as the original (what a surprise) but not a bad film at all, for a sequel.  It is true to the original characters, has a plot line that moves along, not entirely original, though.  I had a problem with the humor and jokes, though.  Some, esp. at the opening, fell flat —— because they were pushed too much, and I was surprised because the director is more capable than this showed.  But what worked were the small quiet moments, and the addition of the teenager and her boyfriend (two up and coming actors that we will see more of)  was a plus, as well!  I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.  I liked it, but i’m a huge fan of rom coms and this is a fun one, for the most part.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

2016 PG-13

Rated PG-13

rated 3.7 stars

3

In this screwball sequel to the 2002 hit romantic comedy, there's a new wedding on the horizon for the wacky Portokalos clan -- and with it comes a new assortment of family crises and secrets.

Cast: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Lainie Kazan

Movie #1172 ........................."The Eye in the Sky"

Movie #1172    “Eye in the Sky”

Movie #1172  “Eye in the Sky” is a tight and tense drama about the use of drones and the ethics involved.  Boy, this film pulls you in, but after  , in my opinion, too long of an exposition.  I takes a while to take off, but when it does, it goes full speed ahead.  It was nice, also, to watch Alan Rickman in his last movie role —- and he nails his last line!  We are going to miss him!  Helen Mirren is able to show a very layered main character who is trying to get everyone to agree with her for the benefit of the majority (which everyone learns takes sacraficies, but does it have to be a little girl selling bread?)  A really good story that I highly recommend.  I’d give it 4 stars out of 5.

Eye in the Sky

2016 R

Rated R

Leading an operation to nab a terrorist and her collaborators in Kenya, Col. Katherine Powell ends up in a political and moral quagmire as the mission changes and a drone strike is ordered, putting a young girl at risk of becoming collateral damage.

Cast: Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul, Alan Rickman,

Movie #1171 ........................."Truth"

Movie #       “Truth”

Movie “Truth” was an intriguing “Spotlight” -like film about Dan Rather’s eventual leaving at CBS, but the film really follows the Cate Blanchett character as producer (person making the major decisions).  She was such a good friend of Dan that he trusted her, and the movie shows the domino effect —- where one falls, the whole squad does, including Quaid and Topher Grace, all good minor characters.  I enjoyed watching how they got their story, how they got back up for it, and how the whole thing started to fall apart.  I take argument with the plot synopsis below that uses the word “erroneosly” and it was more that they had found out the truth about Bush, but no one had the guts to admit it and back it up so the journalists could announce it without litigation.  All the acting here was great, and I enjoyed the storyline and intrigue!  I would give this 4.8 out of 5 stars!

Truth

2015 R

Rated R

121 mins

rated 3.6 stars

In this dramatic re-creation of news anchor Dan Rather's fall from grace, his stellar career comes to an abrupt end after erroneously reporting that President George W. Bush received preferential treatment that kept him from serving in Vietnam.

Cast: Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford, Topher Grace

Movie #1170........................."Bachelor in Paradise"

Movie #1170 "Bachelor in Paradise" was a Bob Hope/Lana Turner vehicle back in the early 60s , and boy did it show its age.  Much ado about nothing.  Stilted acting and directing doesn't bail this one out --- the jokes fall flat, one after another after another.  The womanizing gets old very quickly, and we end up thinking that lana is way too good for this jerk.  This is a don't bother film I watched on TCM, which is a rarety for me, because I usually like the classics.  But this is NOT one of those!

Bachelor in Paradise (1961)

1h 49min | Comedy, Romance | 1 November 1961 (USA)

.A. J. Niles is the author of a series of 'Bachelor Books'. These books describe the romantic life of a bachelor in various cities of the world. But when he runs into trouble with the I.R.S. for back taxes, he needs to write another book fast, to pay them. His publisher decides a book about life in the American suburbs would be a hit, and settles him into Paradise Cove. One bachelor plus lonely housewives equals many angry husbands.

Director:

 Jack Arnold

Writers:

 Valentine Davies (screenplay),  Hal Kanter (screenplay)  |1 more credit »

Stars:

 Bob Hope,  Lana Turner,  Janis Paige

Movie #1169 ........................."Whiskey Tango Foxtrot"

Movie #1169 "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" was better than I thought it would be.  I enjoyed watching Tina Fey is a straighter role than I have ever seen her in, but still with some sense of humor, which she helped greatly.  I am in the process of reading the book, and it may be kind of early, but I am enjoying the book less; however, it is pointing out the reasoning behind some of her recklessness and naivete that I saw her have in the opening of the film.  I can come back and update my comments if I disagree after I finish the book, but right now, I'm glad I saw and enjoyed the film first.  I rarely do the reading in reverse, but I thought it would work better with this subject matter.   The movie isn't for the faint of heart, and it flits around a bit, but on the whole I enjoyed the plight of this journalist (true story) covering Afghanistan when it wasn't the popular story -- Iraq was.  (p.s.  my one disappointment is that the cast isn't more culturally diverse, esp. in the "native" roles)

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

2016 R    I'd give it 4 out of 5 starsRated R

rated 3.5 stars

3.5

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Based on reporter Kim Barker's memoirs about her experiences covering the Afghanistan war, this satirical look at a hopelessly confused conflict also chronicles the obstacles encountered by female journalists in a rigidly conservative region.

Cast: Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman

Movie #1168 ........................."Grandma"

Movie #1168 "Grandma" was pretty bland ----- very little of highs and lows is the story line or even in the dialogue.  I did like the relationship between the grand daughter and the grandma , but it was washed aside by other past problems Lily Tomlin had in her lifetime.  So I guess I disliked the focus, too.  I fell asleep in spots and I felt i hadn't missed much, and when it was over, it was one of those, "Really?  That's it?"  So I wouldn't recommend it.  It came out about the same time as "Lady in a Van" with Maggie Smith, and the latter one was so much better!

Grandma

2015 R Rated R79 mins      I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.

rated 3.7 stars

3.7

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Elle Reid (Lily Tomlin) has just gotten through breaking up with her girlfriend when her granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner) unexpectedly shows up needing $600 before sundown. Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash, as their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets.

Cast: Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden

Movie #1167 ........................." Making A Murderer"

Movie #1167 "Making a Murderer" -- we watched the first episode the other night, and it was just okay.  Not sure why people are binging on it so much, because one episode was enough for me.  But then, I'm an avid watcher of this type of program on t.v. -- only better shows, with tighter scripts, and good acting (Castle, NCIS and all he CSI stuff).  Investigation has always interested me, and I know this is real life, but documentaries have always been way too slow for me --- I get disinterested mighty fast, which is what happened here.  The court process usually bogs the story down for me, and that happened here.  I would rate it a 3 out of 5 stars, and unless you are drawn to watch long investigations, this wouldn't be for you.  There are so many other things you can find time to do instead.

Making a Murderer, 2015, season 1, episode 1

Filmed over 10 years, this real-life thriller follows a DNA exonerate who, while exposing police corruption, becomes a suspect in a grisly new crime.

t.v. documentaries, t.v. shows, crime t.v. shows, dark, provocative