Movie #1825 ........................."Queen & Slim"

Movie #1825 "Queen & Slim" -- went to see this by myself at the theatre because I had heard good things about it , and I found it quite good.  There was a movie last year "The Hate U Give" that I would liken this to, but that was more looking at the black vs. cop issue through a teen's eyes.  This is more like "Bonnie & Clyde" and shown from an adult's point of view --- two adults, one a lawyer and the other a peaceful, normal black man on a first date with the lawyer.  What happens turns their lives --- in a moment ---- 360 degrees from where they begin.  They come across very universal, but at the tragic moment and from then on, the viewer takes a an eye-opening ride through life on what it is like to be a black couple in society --- the decisions they make and  the way they are treated covers new territory when being viewed by caucasian eyes ---- I would love to go into a classroom afterwards and discuss this film with a diverse crowd, but I can only say that everyone should be seeing this and experiencing what is experienced on a daily basis by a black member of our society.  The film has so many fine discussions, nice poignant moments, memorable lines, that any negative I have about its pacing or muddled sound in some places is minimal to the powerful themes of the film.  Highly recommend it.  4. 5 out of 5.  (the female actress was a bit stiff, but it fit the character for the most part, but he's soooo good, that I followed him through the whole film --- he pulled me into the action very easily!)


"QUEEN & SLIM"    2019   2 hours and 12 mins

A couple's first date takes an unexpected turn when a police officer pulls them over.

Director:

 Melina Matsoukas

Writers:

 Lena Waithe (screenplay by), James Frey (story by)  | 1 more credit »

Stars:

 Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bokeem Woodbine

Movie #1824 ........................."Frozen 2"

Movie #1824 "Frozen 2" I like this sequel A LOT --- I didn't bring a little kid with me to discuss what he/she liked or didn't like about it, so this is from an adult's point of view, but I walked in thinking it wasn't going to be as good as the first one, and also that Toy Story 4 wowed me so much earlier in the year, I was thinking this would have to be outstanding to come near it ---- and I think it was very good!  It will give 'TOY STORY 4" a run for its money for best animated film, that's for sure.  In comparison, this one is way busier, full of lots of special effects, and  focused on a very strong female searching for self ----- on her own for the most part, and that is a strong declaration in this me-too movement.  No new characters, really (another comparison with toy story) with a heavy emphasis on plot ---- lots of turns and adventures along the way.  I would give it a 4.5 --- songs are cute, not sure as memorable as in the first one, but very effective, I thought.  I highly recommend this.  Even for an adult.  I didn't see the IMAX, not sure it was necessary for me --- can only think it was even busier!








"FROZEN 2"    one hour and 43 minutes   2019

Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa's powers in order to save their kingdom.

Directors:

 Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee

Writers:

 Jennifer Lee (screenplay by), Jennifer Lee (story by)  |4 more credits »

Stars:

 Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad , Jonathan Groff

Movie #1823 ........................."Homecoming for the Holidays"

Movie #1823 "Homecoming for the Holidays" --- wanted to check in on this one because  Laura Osnes was in it --- a broadway star (two time nominated best actress in a musical-- most recently for "Cinderella") who is a singer/dancer puts her talent to good use here --- she plays a famous country western star who comes back to home town for xmas, but she of course has a deadline on her next album --- the cool thing about the movie, besides her, is that her brother is a shoulder and so is the guy she falls in love with --- and they all work on building houses for vets, etc.  There's a guy who is going through PtSD and gets a comfort dog to help him through it ---- we rarely as a society talk about these things so to watch them up close and personal (well, as personal as you can get in a film) was really a nice bonus here.  She is quite a pollyanna in this film and that can get tiring, and he is nice but so hesitant most of the time (one0note) and the conflict is the career one again --- HE is too focused on it , surprisingly, since she's the one that you'd think had more restrictions --- but anyway, I'd give it a 3.8 --- her energy is infections and keeps the interest up in this one.

"HOMECOMING FOR THE HOLIDAYS"   2019

Country singer Charlotte (Laura Osnes) is home for the holidays and brother Ryan's fellow ex-soldier Matt (Stephen Huszar) is in town. Writing her new album, Charlotte works with Matt to build a house for a friend in town.

Director:

 Catherine Cyran

Writers:

 Zac Hug (story by), Zac Hug  |  »

Stars:

 Laura Osnes, Stephen Huszar, P. Lynn Johnson

Movie #1822 ........................."On the Twelfth Day of Christmas"

Movie #1822 "On the 12th Day of Christmas" has kind of an unusual structure --- it starts in past and then after about a 20 minutes scene, it goes to the present --- the radio guy that this girl works for in college, comes back into her life and he is still doing radio work --- however, he is now depressed that he hasn't made something more of himself, so she starts secret santaing him --- that structure because pretty static and boring, and the guy is a stick, but she's so good, she's fun to watch --- and it has a good ending.  3.8 suit of 5.

"ON THE 12TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS"    2015    1 hour and 24 mins

Maggie is thrilled when Mitch, her long time crush, moves back to town. When she learns Mitch's love for Christmas has drastically changed, she tries to bring his holiday spirits back by showing him the magic of Christmas.

Director:

 Harvey Crossland

Writers:

 Carley Smale (story), Robin Dunne  |

Stars:

 Brooke Nevin, Robin Dunne, Dani Kind 

Movie #1821 ........................."A Christmas Love Story"

Movie #1821 "A Christmas Love Story" Kristin Chenoweth, a talented young kid and Scott Wolf ----- what more do you need?  there's a lot of stretching of believability here (dealing with an adoption) but two likable people to watch --- just too much coincidence for me, and of course, ends on a really big singing number!  3.5 out of 5

"A CHRISTMAS LOVE STORY"    2019

A youth choir director (Chenoweth) needs to write a big song for the Christmas Eve show but "finds herself distracted" when a boy with a golden voice (Kevin Quinn) joins her choir, which will come as news to his widowed father (Wolf).

Director:

 Eric Close

Writer:

 Nicole Baxter

Stars:

 Kristin Chenoweth, Scott Wolf, Eva Albright

Movie #1820 ........................."A Christmas Song"

Movie #1820 "A Christmas Song" --- two feuding music teachers (a boys' academy joins with a girls' academy and both the teachers, one of each gender comes along for one more year until one of the two will be chosen for the job of the boys and girls) --- and how will they figure out which one will stay as the teacher of all genders at this high school?  a Christmas song contest --- which is pretty lame --- we are supposed to believe that it will be on t.v., and that all you have to do to win is sing noel  or angels we have heard on high with two part harmony --- tough job there.   Some devious stuff done (hey, it's a high school, what do you expect?)  and some learning going on, too, with the kid competitors and the couple --- two times on tinder they are matched when they show  hatred for each other  --- I think personally, I would never use that app again!  Well, bet you can guess how this one ends --- doesn't take a lot of guessing --- but because it takes place in a hs setting, which I feel comfortable watching, and the ending has a good lesson of people needing to work together, I rated it a 4 out of 5.

"A CHRISTMAS SONG"      2012         one hour and 28 mins

Romance blossoms between two music teachers who compete for the same job.

Director:

 Timothy Bond

Writer:

 Kevin Commins

Stars:

 Natasha Henstridge, Gabriel Hogan, Amanda Thomson

Movie #1819 ........................."Check Inn to Christmas"

Movie #1819 "Check Inn to Christmas" --- cute title, good film.  This Hallmark Christmas one (new this year) centers on two feuding inns in the same town --- they learn they must work together to get rid of the conglomerate that is trying to buy up real estate to put in one of those hi-rise luxury motels, instead of a nice country inn, which both of these are.  And bet you can't guess who the lovebirds are?  Romeo and juliet?  Nope, Julie and Ryan, one from each of the feuding inns --- too cute for words, I know.  But I liked the feuding couple and their families and their plight --- but, of course, there were all the gratuitous xmas activities but presented in a creative manner (well, for hallmark movies, anyway).  I give it 4.5 out of 5.

"CHECK INN TO CHRISTMAS"   2019

Julia comes home to spend the holidays with her family running their inn only to get caught up in a longstanding feud with a rival business. To complicate matters, the competition is an irresistible guy called Ryan.

Director:

 Sam Irvin

Writer:

 Anna White

Stars:

 Rachel Boston, Wes Brown, Richard Karn