Movie #1854 ........................."Bombshell"

Movie #1854 "Bombshell" is a film we should all take a look at and discuss after we see it --- I heard Charlize Theron interviewed, and she pointed out something I lost sight of when I was watching --- she reminded me that the heroes are a squad of women from Fox news, and that's a good thing to point out in this divisive society we live in today... It's so hard to recognize the actresses we know so well underneath the makeup (prosthetics, etc.) that are applied to esp. Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman. (and John Lithgow as Roger Ailes) A lot of the names are real so it was fun to look for people we might have seen on t.v. in the past decade. The story is ripped right from the headlines, and we remember some of the key points and it is intriguing to see the story play out --- more disgusting, I would say. Meghan Kelly's story is not as clear as I wanted it to be, but I heard she said in an interview that she wishes she had done more --- the movie isn't clear just what she does......but it sure elevates Gretchan Carlson (Nicole Kidman) to hero status. It's amazing how long of a reign that Roger Ailes had. And it's good to be reminded that Fox news once was much more balanced in their news footage until it became a political tool. That will be the next Bombshell movie, right? I give this 4 stars out of 5.

"BOMBSHELL" 2019 1 hour and 49 minutes rated R

A group of women take on Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic atmosphere he presided over at the network.
Director: Jay Roach
Writer: Charles Randolph
Stars:
Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie

Movie #1855........................"Star Wars: Rise of Skyuwalker"

Movie #1855"Star Wars :  Rise of Skywalker" ---- I have seen them all, but I'm not a purist fan at all. I have heard a lot of complaining about this one, but I liked it and found it a good ending to the saga.  I could follow the story pretty much, all the main characters (even if they had died) came back, there was a fun bar scene, a good amount of chasing in between narrow obstacles (which is to me signature to this franchise), a good amount of humor, and great visual effects. It was a nice send off to anna the fun I've gotten watching this franchise , and I am glad I saw the finale on a big screen.  There was a lot of heart, too.  And a strong female, and I esp. found poignant the last moments.  I give this a 4 out of 5, and I'll miss the force being with me.

"STAR WARS:  RISE OF SKYWALKER"  2019         2 hours and 22 mins     PG-13

The surviving members of the resistance face the First Order once again, and the legendary conflict between the Jedi and the Sith reaches its peak bringing the Skywalker saga to its end.

Director:

 J.J. Abrams

Writers:

 Chris Terrio (screenplay by), J.J. Abrams (screenplay by) | 5 more credits »

Stars:

 Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver

Movie #1853 ........................."Uncut Gems"

Movie #1853 "Uncut Gems" --- THIS IS NOT A GEM AT ALL!  Don't believe the critics, this film is a mess ---- it's ugly, no one is redeemable, it meanders something AWFUL! and as far as "great acting" by Sandler , he is playing Al Pacino --- honest to goodness, he looks and acts like Al Pacino --- but Al Pacino was too smart to be in this part.  And don't be fooled --- these directors have a lot of learning to do to be getting any laudits for this film --- they have very little credited to them  ---- they haven't broken into the mainstream yet, and if this is their entrance, yikes!  I can't remember seeing a movie so bad that the critics liked so much, since "No Country for Old Men" --- when that won any awards, I took my oscar ballot and threw it out the door --- I will do the same with this one --- Seriously, John Q. Public will NOT like this movie !!!! so why not say that in their reviews? you can tell I am not the only one --- check out rotten tomatoes, and critics are giving it in the 90s , but audience is giving it in the 50s.  This film is all about betting -- and betting money you don't have because it depends on the bet you just made, over and over and over again, so anyone watching this (like his wife, etc.) gives up following and can't wait until it's over.  One saving grace!  Julia  Fox --- she enters as a "ditz"  but becomes  a chameleon who learns the ropes fast and is very loyal to the lead, Sandler.  She was the only one reason the film was worth watching for me --- I honestly looked at the people around me in the theatre for most of the film --- I give this a 2 (would be 1 if not for Julia)


"UNCUT GEMS"    2019    2 hours and 15 wasted minutes    rated R

A charismatic New York City jeweler always on the lookout for the next big score makes a series of high-stakes bets that could lead to the windfall of a lifetime. Howard must perform a precarious high-wire act, balancing business, family, and encroaching adversaries on all sides in his relentless pursuit of the ultimate win.

Directors:

 Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie

Writers:

 Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie  |

Stars:

 Adam Sandler, Julia Fox

Movie #1852 ........................."The Report"

Movie #1852 "The Report" -- this is an important film, but very difficult to watch.  It can be streamed on prime video, and I am glad I did because I found it so informative.  That's after you can get past the beautiful Annette Benning playing senator Diane Feinstein.  Enough said about that.  The film  pretty much uses  "that's the facts, ma'am" kind of style --- Adam Driver doesn't move his face or body much, and Diane Feinstein doesn't flinch much --- I didn't know Dan Jones' name and I should (and everyone should) because this staffer worked on this story for years and years and years.  The powers that be put him in a small room with two other people and a bunch of computers and then when he resurrects with a story, one of the people quits and everyone tries to muzzle him and the other guy.  The story is very cold, but if you are in it for the information, I would recommend it.  I'd give it 4 out of 5.  Important story to know, but geez, not sure I wanted to see waterboarding in action.  But I guess that's the point!, isn't it? 

"THE REPORT"    2019     1 hour and 59 mins      rated R (shows torture techniques)

Idealistic Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones, tasked by his boss to lead an investigation into the CIA's post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program, uncovers shocking secrets.

Director:

 Scott Z. Burns

Writer:

 Scott Z. Burns

Stars:

 Adam Driver, Annette Bening, Jon Hamm 

Movie #1851 ........................."Marriage Story" (2019)

Movie #1851 "Marriage Story" --- I really got into this film --- I think I have seen most of Noah Baumbach's work, and usually like what I see, but this one I really absorbed.  There is so much to like --- how real it is, how the  audience can go back and forth in the arguments that are presented, how universal the discussions are, how good the acting is, how good the script is.....BUT this is not an action movie --- and if you dislike watching confrontational discussions (and I realize a lot of people do not), I would not recommend this movie to you.  I recently found out that Noah's partner in life is Gerta Gerwig (I sensed it earlier, I think, because she acted in so many of his films, but now that she has moved into directing, I forgot it!  duh!)  and I can see the influence they have on  each other's work and I'm glad they are both succeeding so much lately (I like to think with each other's help)  It does help Noah  that he has cast two formidable actors who have great chemistry together here --- (well, let me amend that --- I think Adam Driver is helped by being cast with Scarlett J, because up until now, I have been very unimpressed with his work --- he doesn't use his face much, but he is working on that, I think)  I was hooked from beginning to end here, observing that these two people seem to "get" each other artistically, but are stifling each other together (kind of the opposite of what I just said with Gerwig and Baumbach, above).  At least , it looks like these two being portrayed work together, fall in love, continue working together, produced  together, esp. a child whom they both adore, but then slowly grow apart.  It is so hard to watch.  They have two "Big" monologue moments (well, his is a song "being Alive") that will probably earn them an oscar nod each, but it just tears you apart at how much is really being said, without saying it.  Does that make sense?  Anyway, the little details in the film have a crushing blow on the whole vast scheme of things (example, the tying of a shoe at the end) and I just enjoyed he complexity of the characters, their lives together and apart and the effect on their families and the complexity of life and love itself (and the complexity of that sentence, I guess!)  Anyway, I'd give it 4.5 out of 5 and am rooting for it for oscar nominations!

"MARRIAGE STORY"   2019    2 hours and 17 mins      

Noah Baumbach's incisive and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and a family staying together.

Director:

 Noah Baumbach

Writer:

 Noah Baumbach

Stars:

 Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Julia Greer

Movie #1850 ........................."The Irishman"

Movie #1850 "The Irishman" refers to Frank Sheeran, played by Robert DeNiro, friend/upfront witness to Jimmy Hoffa's mob  life (played by  Al Pacino).  This very long (3 hours and 20+ minutes) film goes back and forth in time to show us the "possible" beginning and ending of Jimmy Hoffa's career as Teamster Union president and his ties to the mob.  Joe Pesci is the go between who introduces them both --- their first phone call is very telling when DeNiro introduces himself as a great "painter" of houses --- code word for assassin.  It's tough to like anyone in the film, knowing what they are all capable of doing, but this saga does follow Frank, since it is based on his deathbed confession to a journalist.  (that's why I put quotation marks around "Possible" interpretation of his demise --- no one is sure --- it's amazing how closed mouth these mobsters were on this particular subject!)  It shows glimpses of his family (wish there was more --- why pay for Anna Paquin's casting of his daughter  (who likes Hoffa) for her to just give looks occasionally?  The wives are weak and of the times --- they are windowdressing, sitting by the pool sunbathing, or making the men stop so often on long journeys to use the bathroom, or cooking up a big Italian dinner while their men figure out how to "paint people's houses" and bully the other men (men, men, men)  into falling into line.  Maybe that's why I don't care for mobster films any more ---  And if you have seen "Godfather" you have seen the best, in my opinion, but this one was a bit better than the others because I (among many others) always wondered what the heck happened to Jimmy Hoffa --- so this helped me answer that question.  I also liked how it showed Frank slowly getting drawn in to the mobsters' way of life ---- because at first, he was just driving a truck and making  deliveries.....and then it escalates to much more.  I was also interested in the makeup that so many people/critics have complained or delighted in ---- I thought it was an innovative way to use the actors you are most comfortable  working with and put them all in one film.  However, I don't see a reason why Scorsese couldn't have put more up and coming actors on the payroll to play their younger counterparts -- like De niro did for Marlon Brando in "The Godfather" --- but when you look at how many people that would involve, perhaps Scorsese made the correct decision --- film would have been even more confusing with the amount of people you need  to tell this story.  There are some beautiful shots, much of the dialogue is pretty terrific (thanks to Zaillian) , the acting is outstanding, esp. DeNiro and Pesci (who plays a quiet, but powerful mob head here), but it is long --- Marty needs someone over his shoulder to "paint houses" to some of the characters and subplots here!  I'd give it 4 out of 5.  And I usually don't like mob movies! (oh, I said that already!  )



"THE IRISHMAN"   2019    3 hours and 29 mins.     rated R
a mob hitman recalls his possible involvement with the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.

Director:

 Martin Scorsese

Writers:

 Steven Zaillian, Charles Brandt (book) 

Stars:

 Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci

Movie #1849 ........................."Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" Season 3

Movie #1849 "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" Season 3 was marvelous again.  How does this show bat 1,000 every season?  How does it rank with the other two?  A tad better than Season 2 for me, I think, but even steven with 1.  8 episodes and so much growth, so much humor, so much of promises of new stories.  Why did I like this one so much?  The opening episode I had to watch twice because there was so much going on, I couldn't take it all in on one session.  She was performing in  a USO type activity, and it's where we meet the whole SHI world ---- he's a black singer I liken to Johnny Mathis --- his wonderfully smooth voice, with female backup singers, and one female musician we get to know even better than the others.   Mrs. Maisel is much less blue now that she has crawled out from the basement (having -to -prove -herself) type places...... Susie, or what Mom refers to as "the little guy with the plunger," has a lot of stress in this season and really shares the best acting time with Midge as they travel from one place to another (the Florida scenes in the pool were my favorite).  Sterling K. Brown (from This is Us) joins the cast here as Shi's agent, Jane Lynch appears quite a bit and she's always a welcome, Cary Elwes (Men in Tights) does a stint, too, Lennie Bruce has some great scenes, esp. with Dad, Mom and Dad share a house with Midge's in-laws (hoy vey!) and even come for a visit with Midge in Florida.  The Productions Value of this show is out the wazoo with Costumes, props, sets, etc.  Meanwhile, the kids stay with their dad and Midge's folks and folks-in-law, while she is traveling, and her ex is building a nightclub that shares property with a Chinese gambling casino --- and that presents problems and several laughs.  There's so much going on, and for sure, there's another season, because it can't end like that, can it?  (the reason I say that is I just read that  Fleabag creator is thinking of just ending her show with season 2, and it beat Mrs. Maisel last night at the Golden Globes, so who knows......but I was confused if Season 2 Fleabag beat season 2 Mrs. Maisel  or season 3?  .......which I don't think could happen because Season 3 just came out in December for Mrs. Maisel, but it gets confusing, and as much as I liked Season 2 Mrs. Maisel, I could see Fleabag 2 beating it because of that Catholic priest story!)  But I digress --- I'd give this a 5 out of 5.  Loved it and want more and can't wait for Season 4.  If you are interested in reading what a Mrs. Maisel script would look like, here's a link to the pilot:   http://www.zen134237.zen.co.uk/The_Marvelous_Mrs_Maisel_1x01_-_Pilot.pdf