Movie #1185 "The Nice Guys"

Movie #1185 "The Nice Guys" was a fun oddball film that stands alone in its style.  Here's the thing:  it tries to go in the opposite direction from where the audience thinks it will go.  I liked that a lot, but then at times, I felt it went a bit too far and manipulated the story so that the characters weren't true to themselves ---- but that happened just occasionally.  More with Russell Crowe's character, than with Ryan Gosling.  That might be because Crowe was left doing more of the heavy duty acting; whereas, the humor comes more easily to Gosling, who has done some comedies in the past.  What's fun is watching these two work off each other --- some of the bits are funnier than others, but as a whole, the film is action packed and creative (and a tad violent) , and I found it enjoyable, esp. the second half of the film.  There's a little girl that is a very strong character here, almost steals the movie from the likes of Crowe and Gosling.   Almost.  Lots of good secondary characters.  I'd give this 4 out of 5 stars.

The Nice Guys

2016 R Rated R

rated 3.7 stars

3.7 I

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Set in 1970s Los Angeles, this noirish mystery tracks a private eye who teams with a hired bruiser to investigate a missing persons case and a porn star's suspicious suicide. In the process, the pair stumbles onto evidence of a vast conspiracy.

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Russell Crowe, Matt Bomer

Movie #1184 ........................."The Jungle Book" 2016

MOVIE #1184 "THE JUNGLE BOOK" (2016)  -- we took our in-laws to see this film the other day because they are huge fans of Bill Murray, and we had heard nothing but good thing about it, and we were not disappointed.  I have to admit that I have never liked this book in any way shape or form that I have experienced  it---- whether it was the stories themselves, the animated version,  or the musical on stage when we saw it in Chicago.  But this was an amazing piece of entertainment from beginning to end.  I enjoyed the story (this time), the acting was strong, the voices were terrific, and this film made me jump out of my chair at least 3 times (I was that involved!) Over everything else, though, I was enthralled with two strong points --- the background and the little kid.  I kept wondering how Favreau did the filming!  I had read bits and pieces and I still sat in awe at how it was all put together and so well!  And that little boy!  So natural, in 100 percent of the movie, in every way.  He made the film for me, and I am so glad I went to the theatre to see this wondrous film.  I didn't opt for 3D, but I'm thinking it might have been even better!  One drawback, and it's big --- the movie is pretty violent and way too scary for young kids.  I'm not sure what it is rated but it is definitely PG and I'd say PG 13, although some older 10-12 year olds might be able to handle it.  So, parents, this is well done film (90+ percent on rotten tomatoes scale!) , but too violent for the little ones!

The Jungle Book

2016 PG I'd give tis 4.5 stars out of 5.Rated PG

rated 3.4 stars

  I

Inspired by the animated Disney classic, this live-action adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's beloved novel follows young Mowgli as he navigates a jungle full of wonder and peril with his animal allies Bagheera the panther and Baloo the bear.

Cast: Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Christopher Walken, and Neel Sethi as Mowgli

Movie #1183 ........................."Jack Reacher"

Movie #1183 "Jack Reacher" is yet another Cruise film that I enjoyed watching --- different character here.  I have not read the Lee Child books on this character, but I have to say I liked his sense of humor --- the witty dialogue with "Gone Girl's" Rosamund Pike, the lack of guns in most of the fights (lots of head butting, though) and Reacher's attitude all around.  The story was easy enough for me to follow (which means anyone could follow it, pretty much) and there was enough humor and action and surprises that kept me awake through the whole movie.  I'd give it 4 stars out of 5.

Jack Reacher

2012 PG-13 Rated PG-13130 mins

rated 4.0 stars

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When ex-military cop Jack Reacher investigates an elite sniper charged with killing five people, he teams up with a beautiful defense lawyer -- and they soon find themselves drawn into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game in this exciting thriller.

Cast: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins,

Movie #1182 ........................."Coming Through the Rye"

Movie #1182 "Coming Through the Rye" was a delightful movie I got to see as the award winning movie at the Phoenix Film Festival this year.  At the Q and A afterwards, the director said it was totally autobiographical, and 99% of the (2) scenes between him and J.D. Salinger was all true.  So, yes, the director/writer James Sadwith (played by the wonderful Alex Wolf) hunted for and eventually found the reclusive Salinger (played here impeccably by Chris Cooper) to get his permission to make his famous book "Catcher in the Rye" into a stage play for his senior project.  Of course, he did not get permission, but it was still done .....and there's much more to the story and the film.....involving bullying, young love, searching for your dream, etc.  It was beautifully filmed and the story was wonderful and I recommend it to those who did And didn't like the book --- doesn't matter, it's the "Coming through" and not necessarily the "Catching" that is in focus here --- the once in a lifetime journey, and we are able to go along in this film.  Loved it.  Hope it gets universally distributed into a theatre near you!  5 stars out of 5.

Coming Through The Rye (2015)

1h 37min | Drama | 4 November 2015 (USA)

1969 Jamie Schwartz, obsessed with Holden Caulfield, runs away from boarding school to find reclusive author JD Salinger. Inspired by actual events, Jamie's search for Salinger becomes a journey into sexual awakening, love and loss.

Director:

 James Steven Sadwith

Writers:

 James Steven Sadwith,  James Steven Sadwith

Stars:

 Alex Wolff,  Chris Cooper,  Adrian Pasdar

Movie #1181 ........................."Stereotypically You"

Movie #1181 "Stereotypically You"  was a fun rom com I saw at the Phoenix Film Festival.  The guy and girl were very talented and funny themselves (he just played Danny Zucko in Fox's 'Grease", and she is Chris Elliott's daughter and a former SNL member0  The film is not all that original --- a guy is looking for a lasting relationship, and despite getting advice from friends, family, etc., he tries to go on his own thinking "outside" the box --- the film uses lots of editing techniques to further the search --- quick changes from one scene to next, gimmicky things to keep the modern watcher awake --- and that's what made me keep watching it and ultimately  giving it 4 out of 5 stars.  I thought it was pretty funny, without being raunchy, and that's a credit to the film.

Stereotypically You (2015)

1h 25min | Comedy

"Stereotypically You" is the NYC dating comedy that follows one man's hallucination-fueled post-breakup quest to find new love...and himself.

Director:

 Benjamin Cox

Writer:

 Benjamin Cox

Stars:

 Aaron Tveit,  Jason Ralph,  Jason Jones, Abby Elliott, Chris Elliott 

Movie #1180 ........................."Dating Daisy"

Movie #1180 "Dating Daisy" was the first film I saw at the Phoenix Film Festival, and I found it most enjoyable.  The characters are full of confusion, and for a rom com, it's very talky, but that's what I liked about it --- Now that I think back, there was only one love scene.  It's full of lots of discussions within families and friends about love and relationships.  I always have to write a disclaimer when I do a critique on rom coms because anyone reading this blog knows that it is the genre I prefer, and I don't say very often the typical things said about this genre --- I am more forgiving.  But I have a few rules that I want followed.....it needs to be refreshing (something about it), the two lovers need to have chemistry, there needs to be humor, it needs to have good dialogue, and the believability factor is important to me, too.  But I also acknowledge that people sometimes act crazy when in love....anyway, no surprise to anyone is that I'm a romantic at heart, and of course I would like everyone in the world to be with their soul mates --- yes, I believe love can conquer all, but it doesn't mean the film has to end this way; it's just that I would prefer it (so that's also why I don't get the "lame" factor that so many critics accuse rom coms of being ---- I don't feel if love conquers all that that thought is "lame" --- anyway, the ending of this film at first bothered me ---- but then when I listened to the Q and A, and got the justification from the director, I changed my mind.  I think some people may react like I did initially to the end of this film --- but if they think about it, they would also change their mind.  That's why I am hesitant to recommend it -- however, if you ever see it, and you want to talk about it, I'd love to do that because I think that's a major purpose of film --- yes, even rom coms.... 4 out of 5 stars!

Dating Daisy (2015)

1h 29min | Comedy, Drama, Family

Two passionate twenty-somethings in an on-again / off-again relationship decide to road trip home together for the holidays.

Director:

 Neel Upadhye

Writer:

 Neel Upadhye

Stars:

 Erica Dasher,  Jon Manfrellotti,  Diane Robin, Sascha Alexander (Daisy) and Brennan Kelleher (Michael)

Movie #1179 ........................."The Light Beneath Their Feet"

Movie #1179 "The Light Beneath Their Feet" was an excellent film that I had the opportunity to see at the phoenix film festival.  It is a very layered story dealing with a high school senior trying to take care of her bi polar mom who has recently just gotten back the right to live with her daughter.  Her dad is remarried now and expecting a new baby, so the young girl feels ignored by dad, and stifled by the attention mom gives her --- she is the moon and the stars to the mom, but it doesn't stop mom from her crazy behavior at times or it doesn't make her take her medicine.  You would think it would, but if you do, then you don't understand bipolar, and that's what this film tries to get across.  A couple of weeks ago, I watched "Infinitely polar bear" about a dad who is raising his kids while mom goes back to school and he has bouts of bipolar --- Both are well done, but this one shows the daily life even more.  The pressures on all the parties --- what it is like to have loved the woman before she was like this, and then to have to have her institutionalized.  How you stick out in school if your mom acts out once in a while --- how you become the caretaker for your mom..... all these and more are covered in this film, and according to the female director, who researched the topic extensively, bi polars are endorsing the film as "true to life" --- in the final credits, Glenn close's group of bi polars  is thanked --- they gave positive feedback when they previewed it before it was sent out.  If the topic sounds interesting to you, I would recommend checking it out.  It is available on netflix, I noticed.

A Light Beneath Their Feet

2016 NR   i would give this 4 out of 5 stars.Rated NR

rated 4.0 stars

4.0

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At a crossroads in her life, Beth has to choose between attending a far-off college and staying home to care for Gloria, her mentally ill mother. The strong bond between mom and daughter makes the decision particularly agonizing for both. 

Cast: Madison Davenport, Taryn Manning, Maddie Hasson,