Movie #3642 ........................."Housemaid" (plane)

 Movie #3642 "Housemaid" (plane)  Well, the major thing I would say about this movie is that it is better than the book..  Thank goodness, because I found the book quite silly and wondered why I even read it --- except it is a popular one that people were talking about.  I like thrillers but the book was just too silly to take seriously.  Anyway, in the hands of this director and two very capable actresses (Seyfried and  Sweeney)  the script seemed a tad more plausible and I was quite entertained by the film.  Still there are problems with it --- it borders on horror, I think, and that's a genre I don't care about at all!  If you google the differences film vs. book, there are several --- movie characters aren't as deeply structured (that makes sense since there is less time to develop them) the punishments are more violent in the movie (to keep watchers more entertained?) , the little girl shows she understands by using a doll house to show her feelings (shortcut method used in film) the atmosphere of the house was evidently better in the movie, and I agree with that, too.  What's the big deal to me is the ending --- I don't want to give anything away, but the movie ending has both women involved and to me that was more satisfying to watch.  Made it smarter, to me.  I would give this a 3.5 and not overly recommending it.  I watched it to compare it to the book, and I'm glad I did.

"HOUSEMAID"     2025     R    2 hours and 11 minutes

Millie a struggling young woman becomes live in maid for a wealthy couple Nina and her hubby Andrew.  She enters a mansion of secrets, manipulation, and escalating psychological games that pull her into a dangerous relationship dynamic.  

Director:  Paul Feig (the director who won best director  oscar for "One Battle after Another" this year)

writers:  Rebecca Sonnenshine , Freida McFadden (author of the popular book)

Actors:  Sydney Sweeney (Millie), Amanda Seyfried (Nina ) Brandon Sklenar

Movie #3641 ........................."Roofman" (plane)

Movie #3641 "Roofman" (Plane)  This was a fun one I watched on the plane --- fun with a mixture of drama --- very poignant ending.  Billed as a true story it concerns a guy who is in need of money and goes about getting money in an unconventional way.  Enough said, because I wouldn't want to give anything away.  Lots of chuckles here, a competent staff, and a storyline that kept me interested all throughout the time I spent on the plane watching it.  I'd give it a 4.5 and recommend it for its quirkiness.

"ROOFMA"      R    2 hours and 6 minutes      2025

A charismatic criminal, while on the run from the police, hides in a hidden space of a toy store.  There,l he adopts a new identity and becomes involved with an employee, beginning a relationship as unlikely as it is risky.

Director:  Derek Cianfrance

Writers:  Derek Cianfrance, Kirt Gunn

Actors:  Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, Lakeith Stanfield 

Movie #3640 .........................The History of Sound (on a plane)

 Movie #3640 "The History of Sound" (on a plane )  Why did I watch this?  Well, I was on a plane for many hours and didn't feel like reading and there wasn't much to pick from.  And the second reason is the cast:  it had Josh O'Conor and Paul Mescal, two of my favorites so I chose it.  I have to say it is not a film for everyone --- it is sooooooo slow paced  that many viewers might say:  "Nothing much happens here."  And it is about a very particular subject that not a lot of people will probably be interested --- the making of sound canisters of folk songs , but what made the story a tad more significant or universal is the relationship between the mentor and his assistant --- it struck me as a "Brokeback Mountain" kind of love, ie., what was considered "forbidden love" at this time in history they are recording the songs.  The two guys are outstanding so if nothing else, the film not only gives you the flavor of the music at the time, but a tremendous exercise in acting.  I'd give it a 3.5 but not recommend it to everyone.  (beautiful cinematography, forgot to add)

"THE HISTORY OF SOUND"    2025      R    2 hours and 8 mins

Two young men during WWI set out to record the lives, voices nd music of their American countrymen.

Director:  Oliver Hermanus

Writer:  Ben Shattuck

Actors:  Paul Mescal, Josh O'Connor, Chris Cooper

Movie #3639 ........................."Hacks" Season 5 (HBO Max)

 Movie #3639 "Hacks" Season 5 (HBO Max)  We hate to see this show leave because it was always something we would look forward to for so many reasons, mostly the amount of humor in each show, dependent on mostly character, but sometimes on the stories they brought with or some bit of physical comedy. I must say, this season had a slow start --- some real out of the box kind of things happening, especially. some clown choreography that jean Smart did with her daughter for a contest (which i remember her losing) -- and a lot of drinking, and carousing, and hanging out in beautiful locations, mostly Vegas (and that's not bad) but the story lines weren't as tight as other seasons.  But what a sendoff!  The two women walking off into the sunset with Barbra and Judy (Streisand and Garland) singing  their famous duet of "Happy Days are here again" --- all the little sub stories ended, and we were left with a reminder of just how far these two women grew throughout the show and how they cemented this special relationship even though they were years and years apart.  Loved it and miss it already -- I would give the very last show a 5, but the season a 4 out of 5.

"HACKS"  SEASON 5    HBO MAX  2026     30 min episodes, 10 episodes 

This show explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance, a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old writer.

Creators:  Lucia Aniello, Paul  Downs, Jen Statsky

Actors:  Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs

Movie #3638 ........................."The Cases of Mystery Lane: Death is Listening" (Hallmark)

 Movie #638 "The Cases of Mystery Lane:  Death is Listening" (Hallmark series) I haven't really watched many of the Hallmark mystery offerings, but this one caught my eye because:  1) paul campbell had something to do with it, 2) husband and wife team up to solve the crimes, and    3)  they seem like a bumbling, typical couple who enjoy mystery podcasts, but who have better than average detective skills.  I am glad I tuned in because the story revolved around a podcast guru who was killed on her show and her two big fans, this couple, try to solve the case.  It has a silly substory with Paul campbell being deathly afraid of mice, and some exaggerated moments, but otherwise, it was a fun watch.  I'd give it a 4 and need to look for more in this series.

"THE CASES OF MYSTERY LANE:  DEATH IS LISTENING"   Hallmark   2024  1 hr, 24 m

As Birdie and Alden's relationship grows, they share a love of true crime podcasts.  When their favorite host dies, they help Officer Newton investigate sinister suspects.

Director:  Mike Rohl

Writers:  Joel Dovey, Margaux Froley

Actors:  Aimee Garcia, Paul Campbell, Matt Hamilton

Movie #3637 ........................."Devil Wears Prada 2" (theatre)

 Movie #3637 "Devil Wears Prada 2'"(theatre)  I saw this a couple of weeks ago,but was on a trip and not able to get to blogging how really good this movie is --- It's rare when the sequel is as good as the first one, but I think this is one of those examples of that happening.  The women are all strong in their parts and Stanley Tucci, too)  , and they all have substantial moments here and are important to the plot.  And the plot is logical, costumes are delicious,  and the pacing is strong,; that is, after the slowness of the opening where they re-introduce the major characters, which is necessary to catch us up from Part 1.  I must say this film is not for the filmgoer who enjoys slowly-paced storylines, with more stress on character study than action -- no chase scenes, here ,though --- just rapid firing of lines in usually a smarmy way.  I would give it a 4.5 and recommend it, esp. to those who enjoyed Part 1, costumes .  But this is still watchable even if you skipped the first one --- 

"DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2"     theatre     PG-13  1 hr and 59 mins

Andy Sachs reunites with Miranda Priestly as they navigate their careers amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing.

Director:  David Frankel

Writers:  Aline Brosh McKenna, Lauren Weisberger

Actors:  Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci

Movie #3636 ........................."How We Met This Christmas" (GMA channel)

 Movie #3636 "How We Met This Christmas"  (GMA channel)  The reason I watch this channel (ugh) is for Danica 's films == though she is on Hallmark periodically, as well.  This has the same tropes as all amnesia films -- and yes, this is another amnesia =romance film that is so popular , it might as well be a genre in itself ----but  it rarely differs .  This one has beautiful scenery, and an extra added ugh to it --- that is, the guy she doesn't know when she wakes up was an exboyfriend in the past , so the film is about how she falls in love with him again.  It's a 3.8 --- no need to see unless it might get you into the Christmas spirit.  I watched it during the Christmas season, but just noticed I hadn't done a blog on it.  Well, here it is.

"HOW WE MET THIS CHRISTMAS"    2025    1 hr 24 mins      

After a car wreck leaves her with amnesia, a real estate exec recovers at a small town inn at Christmas.  Unaware of their past connection, she falls for the innkeeper's son - until her returning memories jeopardize their budding romance.

Director:  John Morrison Newman

Writers:  Danica McKellar, Riley Weston

Actors:  Danica McKellar, Jesse Hutch, John Posey