Movie #1950 ........................."The Assistant" (hulu)

Movie #1950 "The Assistant"(hulu) is a bit of a controversy, and I'm in the middle about my feelings toward the film.  If you look at what the plot is (below) you can kind of tell that it won't be a searing plot full of twists and turns.  That being said, you can't really tell just how glaringly  abusive it is --- and I can answer that it is quite understated.  The one "stated" time she takes to the HR guy, who treats her condescendingly  (expected) and becomes part of the abuse at work, as well.  Because it was so low key, and in documentary style (not a surprise if you look at the director's credits and up until this film, she has only done documentaries) it is painstakingly S-l-o-w.  And too long (like most documentaries I see).  This film definitely has an indie feel to it ---- one that I could have seen at a film festival and would come  out of it saying, "Well, that was kind of good"  but needed some work.  But I suspect that others that see it, and work in an environment similar to the one shown here (and I feel this is becoming quite universal) will think differently.  So those are the negatives -- but the film has great visuals, stark opening in lighting and the way the office is filmed, as she comes first person in and goes through routine of turning on lights and coffee machine, etc.  She, Julia Garner, shows a very minimal character here, and along with the camera, we search for a look of dismay on her face --- a roll of the eyes --- and we get maybe a look away, or just a stare.  Her toolbox is small, but sometime  effective.  (She is from "Ozark" and "The Americans").  I guess as a viewer watching a non-action story, I just wanted more.  And I definitely wanted more information here --- just a tad more dialogue in the office with her boss (we never see him, so can we have a few more lines from him?).  When she talks to the HR guy (the high point?)  I definitely wanted more --- I know that the  whole purpose of the discussion is to show she is shut down at every turn, but gosh..... just a little more.  But after saying more, more, more, I wanted less time in this film.  I feel, with a concise short film, this film could've been so much more effective.  Why go on and on and on?   We got it maybe in the first scene....... so elevate it even more when you go to the next examples, instead of replaying over and over again the same "abuse." (how many times do we have to see her washing dishes at the office?   I'd give it a 3, and I don't recommend it ----- unless you want to see the effective opening.  But know, to me, it doesn't get much better.  But I would like to hear from people who have seen the whole thing and find out  what they though (and I missed)?  I do applaud it for taking a risk in the filming technique.  

"THE ASSISTANT"      2019             1 hour 27 mins          Rated R

A searing look at a day in the life of an assistant to a powerful executive. As Jane follows her daily routine, she grows increasingly aware of the insidious abuse that threatens every aspect of her position.

Director:

 Kitty Green

Writer:

 Kitty Green

Stars:

 Julia Garner, Owen Holland, Jon Orsini  |

Movie #1949 ........................."Hamilton" (Disney + streaming)

Movie #1949 "Hamilton" --- do everything you can to see this great film of the Broadway show --- and see  it as many times as you can.  (if you are like us, we got a month of free use of Disney just to see it, and we've watched it  many times already) Why see it even if you saw the show already?  Well, you don't miss a word because of the subtitles, you have the best seats in the house to watch it, you are allowed a few times to see the turntable at work from above (birdseye view) and the camera  uses closeups and moves  behind the king as he walks in (subjective camera), and the cast is the most rehearsed cast of a film because they had been performing the play  for a year --- and when you see it, you are experiencing  karma  -- the best cast/crew/show all come together for your entertainment!  I can't gush over this film enough!   And the more  times you see it, the more you get out of it!  and there's a possibility that when/if you see this, you will be  watching the best picture of the year  (whether it is nominated for an oscar or not!)  It has my vote already!  5 out of 5.

"HAMILTON"  PG-13    2 hours and 40 mins          2020

The real life of one of America's foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Captured live on Broadway from the Richard Rodgers Theater with the original Broadway cast.

Director:

 Thomas Kail

Writers:

 Lin-Manuel Miranda (book), Ron Chernow (inspired by the book Alexander Hamilton by) 

Stars:

 Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr. 

Movie #1948 ........................."Anne of Green Gables" (Parts 3 and 4) DVD

Money #1948  "Anne of Green Gables" :  the Sequel" and  "The Continuing Story"  DVD -- the 1985 (Megan Fellowes) version - I had really nothing to compare to this version, so I just happily watched this to see where the character would go.  I liked the school story, but disliked the principal and had trouble believing her character because she seemed to make strange acting choice --- the same with the rich boyfriend, the competition with Gilbert.  Never warmed up to  either of them because of their acting.  I was disappointed Gilbert wasn't in this more and that it took so long to realize they were made for each other.  Anne grew on me, and because she came across as an old soul in Parts 1 and 2, I felt these parts fit her better, and I felt she got better in her acting, too. I  was esp. glad to see the teacher she so liked as a child to reappear  here and help her get her first teaching job!  The job on the newspaper was good, and I really found the guy whom she looked up to as a writer (kind of a mentor) was intriguing and complex.   The war stuff seemed unbelievable that she could travel and look for Gilbert and get caught in the trauma of war, so it came across kind of soap opera-ish.   But I realize that Sullivan is following the book at this point.  I must say the ending surprised me.  (disclaimer -- please don't read more if you haven't read the book) To be able to leave Avonlea so easily at the point she comes back, seemed to make the ending to me kind of sad.   But once again, it is probably how the book ends it, so you can't mess with that!  I would give this part 3.5 out of 5.  I am glad I got to see how this well -loved book ends.  I appreciated the scenery on Prince Edward Island and all the effort it took to film the war scenes. 

"ANNE OF GREEN GABLES :  THE SEQUEL"    3 hours and 50 minutes, 1987

Anne Shirley accepts a teaching position at a girls boarding school in a town dominated by a rich and belligerant family determined to make her life miserable.

"ANNE OF GREEN GABLES:  THE CONTINUING STORY"  3 hours & 50  mins, 2000

The continuing adventures of Anne Shirley in New York and in France during World War I.

Movie #1947 ........................."Anne of Green Gables" (the Megan Fellowes' one) DVD

Movie #1947 "Anne of Green Gables" (with Megan Fellowes)  Parts 1 and 2 .  I borrowed the DVD  from an alum so I could see the Megan Fellowes' rendition of this famous book (that I never read) to compare it to "Anne with an E"that I so raved about in an earlier blog. First big  comparison of the two is that for this one I watched her growing up in 3 hours and 19 minutes, so  I felt that the director (Sullivan) went too fast  from one event (probably from the book) to the  next----  there was very little down time just to spend time talking to the Cuthberts, making friends with her circle of friends, spending time with the townspeople, the teachers, Gilbert Blythe and her best  friend Diana and building those relationships.  In "Anne  with an E" there was so much more time to see her grow and develop into the woman that is covered in Parts 3 and 4 in the 1985 mini series.  Let's think about that -- the viewer spends 27 episodes at 50 minutes each watching Anne with an E grow, so it makes sense that we might like that little girl a little better than Meghan Fellowes.  But then fans of "Anne with an E"  are robbed from seeing her grow and develop into the woman that is shown in Parts 3 and 4 (in the 1985 version), and that is too bad.  But back to blogging on this one --- I have to say, this Anne looks older from the get go, and she approaches the character as an old soul, whereas the Anne with an E little girl comes across young and immature --- her fits of passion come through loud and at times annoying --- and that was missing in this version.   Two different ways to play the character, but I preferred the latter.  Then, if you  compare the two Marilla Cuthberts, I found them both competent --- but  Colleen Dewhurst, who has always been a favorite of mine, usually shows her complexity with a twinke in her eye --- ie. she is mean at first, but you can tell by studying her that she isn't really.  The one in the Anne with an E scared the heck out of me at first,  and it took a long, slow process to break her down.  And still she was stern on the outside far more than Colleen Dewhurst, but once again, it could be the amount of screen time  they have to play with the character.  I love Richard Farnsworth --- the steady gaze, the smile --- but that was all they asked him to bring to that character; whereas, the actor playing Matthew Cuthbert in Anne with an E was the most charming, unassuming, precious male character I've seen in a long long time.  I couldn't take my eyes off of him whenever he was in a scene with her.  Once again, amount of screen time is helpful --- Anne and he had a lot more moments shared together, esp. in the episode where Anne was writing love notes to his  old, lost love in the dress shop.  Jerry and her gay friend were missing in this version, and it took me sooooo long to warm up to Gilbert and Diana, and still I  prefer them in Anne with an E than in this version.  So overall, I still prefer "Anne with an E" the modernized version for the above reasons, and would give this 3.5 out of 5.  If I hadn't seen the other first, and hadn't spent so much time getting close to that cast, I am sure I would feel differently. But I am glad I saw this one because I have a feeling it follows the book so much more.

"ANNE OF GREEN GABLES"    1985     3 hours and 19 minutes , t.v.  miniseries

An orphan girl, sent to an elderly brother and sister by mistake, charms her new home and community with her fiery spirit and imagination.

Stars:

 Megan Follows, Colleen Dewhurst, Richard Farnsworth

Movie #1946 ........................."The Money Heist" Seasons 3 and 4 (Netflix streaming)

Movie #1946 "The Money Heist" Seasons 3/4 (netflix streaming) -- we loved the first 2 seasons and although this second heist isn't as good as the first one to us, the production values of the show are much better, the editing is whiplash great! and the characters get even more complex, some leave and some are  added, and  they don't affect the main business --- thrilling the audience with all the twists and turns  in the plot.  And you should know this ends on a cliffhanger, so we can't wait for the next season.  It's  amazing how, as an audience, we just can't  turn away from this --- well, yes, because it has subtitles that we must read, but also the rhythm of the show is amazing --- strong editing and juxtaposition of two or three scenes of simultaneous action.  We give this one a 4.5 out of 5 and highly recommend.  But it isn't for the faint of heart!

"MONEY HEIST"  EPISODES 3/4 , 16 EPISODES, ABOUT 45 MINS EACH  

In the midst of celebrating on the laurels of the first heist, one of them is captured and the group once again comes together to get that person free --- and also conduct a second heist, this one even bigger in the planning.  

creator:  Alex Pina

Cast:  Ursula Corbero, Alvaro Morte, Itziar Ituno, Pedro Alonzo, Alba Flores, Miguel Herran, 

Spanish t.v. show/thriller - mature  audiences

Movie #1945 .........................."King of Thieves" (netflix, dvd rental)

Movie #1945 "King of Thieves" (netflix, dvd rental) -- I rented this because we like heist films, and this  is based on the largest heist in British history, but it is perpetrated by a gang  of retired criminals.  It sounded funny, and it was , but just occasionally.  The acting is very competent with Michael Caine, Tom Courtenay, Ray Winstone and Jim Broadbent.  But the script could explain more, esp. when they have a new young guy with them --- while explaining to him, the audience could get some knowledge of how they are doing things.  Of course, the idea that Kenny (Courtenay),  the lookout, is very deaf so he misses a huge alarm that they didn't shut off is just one of many of the  old-timer jokes --- but when the heist isn't going on, the action is a bit slow.  I would give it 3.5 out of 5.     

"KING OF THIEVES"   1 HOUR AND 48 mins       Rated R       2019

Based on an improbable true story, this star-studded crime drama recounts the 2015 robbery of London's Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Co. -- the largest and most audacious heist in British history, perpetrated by a gang of retired criminals.

Cast 

Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent, Tom Courtenay, Charlie Cox, Michael Gambon, Ray Winstone, Francesca Annis, Paul Whitehouse, Kellie Shirley

Director 

James Marsh

Genres 

Drama, Crime Dramas, Dramas Based on Real Life, Heist Films, United Kingdom

Moods 

Suspenseful, Violent

Movie #1944 ........................."Lovebirds" (streaming netflix)

Movie #1944 "Lovebirds" (netflix streaming)" --- well, this was recommended to us and I'm glad it was because it really turns the rom-com genre on its head --- very silly, awkward, but charming in its own way --- we had guests and they laughed out loud and much of this film, just because it was so goofy.  Maybe if I just told you the premise, then you could decide.  Two people have a relationship , and it is waning down, and just when they are talking about breaking up, they are involved in a crime, and they spend the rest of the film trying to get out of the situations the crime has put them into.  If you are looking for something very different, but funny and you are willing to suspend your belief somewhat, check this out.  Very entertaining.   I'd give it 4 stars out  of 5.

"LOVEBIRDS"    2020    1 hour and 27 mins     rated R

A fizzling romance.  A shocking crime.  A ridiculous plan.  They can't even figure out their relationship.    How will they solve a murder?  

Director:  Michael Showalter

Actors:  Issa Rae, Kumail Nanjiani

quirky, non reverent