Brokedown Palace 1999

     Alice and Darlene have been best friends for a long time.  They decide they need to do something special before they start college.  They are going to take a trip to Thailand to celebrate their high-school graduation.  Darlene doesn’t tell her father they are going to Thailand, she tells him they are going to Hawaii.  They meet Australian Nick Parks.  He pays for their drinks after they had them charged to a hotel room that was not their room.  He convinces them to take a weekend side trip to Hong Kong.  At the airport they are caught smuggling drugs.  They are sentenced to 33 years and have a show only trial.  Yankee Hank is an American lawyer based in Thailand and he says he can help them with the courts.  Of course, this will require money from their families.

     Alice is headstrong and she has gotten into some kind of trouble all her life.  But, she always denies she has done what she is accused of?  This time the girls have been taken advantage of and they had no idea there were drugs in their bag.  The prison where Alice and Darlene are held is a hideous place.  Hank is trying to help them but they still have to live the reality of the prison.  They begin to doubt each other too.  I thought this was interesting and I was very glad not to be anywhere near this prison!!  The ending was unexpected??  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

100 min, Drama directed by Jonathan Kaplan with Claire Danes, Kate Beckinsale, Bill Pullman, Jacqueline Kim, Lou Diamond Phillips, Daniel Lapaine, Tom Amandes, Aimee Graham, John Doe, Kay Tong Lim, Beulah Quo, Henry O, Bahni Turpin, Amanda De Cadenet, Inthria Charoenpura.

Note:  Imdb 6.4 out of 10, 31% critic 66% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3*, Metacritic 44 out of 100 with 21 critics, Empire Online 3* out of 5*, Amazon 4.5*out of 5* with 189 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Bangkok, Don Mueang International Airport and Metro Manila, Philippines.  Originally, Jennifer Love Hewitt was to play the role of Darlene but she had scheduling conflicts.  Paul Walker formerly of the Fast and Furious Franchise has an uncredited cameo as a boyfriend in the opening moments of the film.  Claire Danes complained in an interview about the conditions in the Philippines.  She talked about the heat, humidity, filth, cockroaches, poor and disabled people.  She was declared “persona non grata” by the Philippine government and barred from entering the country.  She may not have been disappointed by this action??  This film was also banned in Thailand and filmed in the Philippines because of the unfavorable portrayal of Thailand.  The title comes from a song by the Grateful Dead.  The film was not a success and failed to make back half of its $25 million budget.  There are similarities in the plot and Return to Paradise of 1998.

Lee Daniels’ The Butler 2013

     This film begins with Cecil Gaines working as a sharecropper’s son in the 1920’s.  The plantation owner’s son Thomas Westfall kills his father and Cecil becomes a domestic servant for Mrs. Westfall.  Cecil knows he needs to leave this place or eventually he will be killed like his father.  He becomes a hotel valet and in the 1950’s he becomes a butler in the White House.  In this position, Cecil served numerous US Presidents over decades.  He also became a passive witness to the American Civil Rights Movement.  Cecil’s wife Gloria struggles with her addictions.  His oldest son Louis strives for a just world.  Cecil must decide what actions he needs to take in his own life.   

     Four decades of time are covered in this film.  From a young age, Cecil learned the value of silence.  But, can he continue to be silent and always live in fear from his past experiences?  Amazingly, US Presidents are turning to Cecil for advice as from a man the on the street.  In can be comforting to a person with real power to consult someone who is powerless, invisible and virtually non-speaking!!  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

132 min, Bio directed by Lee Daniels with Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Robin Williams, John Cusack, David Banner, Michael Rainey Jr., La Jessie Smith, Mariah Carey, Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Redgrave, Aml Ameen, Clarence Williams III, John P. Fertitta, Jim Gleason, Isaac White, David Oyelowo.

Note:  Imdb 7.2 out of 10, 71% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 2525 reviews, Roger Ebert 3*, The Guardian 2* out of 5* Peter Bradshaw, Metacritic 66 out of 100 with 47 critics 6.8 out of 10 with 198 reviews, The Washington Post 2* John Anderson.

Special Note:  Filmed in Houma, Lafourche Parish, New Orleans; Raceland and Thibodaux, Louisiana.  The character of Cecil Gaines is based on Eugene Allen.  This film is also inspired by a feature article published in the Washington Post on November 7, 2008 titled A Butler Well Served by This Election.  Gaines was the White House butler for over 30 years and served 8 presidents.  Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan.  Archival footage is shown of President Obama meeting Cecil Gaines.  A picture on Gloria’s vanity mirror shows two children, one is Oprah Winfrey as a child. 

Bright Leaf 1950

     The setting of this film is 1894 in North Carolina.  Cigar making tobacco magnate Major Singleton has run the Royles out of the Kingsmont North Carolina tobacco country.  They dared to make lowly cigarettes and not cigars.  Brant Royle is back in town and his father has passed way.  He’s the last of his family name.  Brant is determined to re-establish the Royle name by any means necessary.  Sonia loved Brant, she still loves him and she’s waited for him.  She’s made a success of her life and she has become prosperous.  Margaret Singleton is the daughter of Major Singleton and she has both an intense hatred and desire for Brant.

     I wish this film didn't telegraph the outcome for Brant from the beginning?  I knew right away the decisions he would make and the repercussions of those choices.  I didn't know that cigars were king at this time and cigarettes were looked down upon?  I also didn't know what kind of establishment Sonia owns?  If Margaret's father were any stiffer in his thoughts, feelings and view of society, he would not be able to bend his body?  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

110 min, Drama directed by Michael Curtz with Gary Cooper, Lauren Bacall, Patricia Neal, Jack Carson, Donald Crisp, Gladys George, Elizabeth Patterson, Jeff Corey, Taylor Holmes, Thurston Hall.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 52% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, 3 ½* out of 4* by Slant Magazine, TCM Leonard Maltin 2.5* out of 4* average user rating 3.5* out of 5*, Amazon 4.5* out of 5* with 35 reviews.

Special Note:  A turn-of-the century cigarette maker was purchased as a prop to make the film authentic.  Patricia Neal was involved in a 3-year off screen romance with Gary Cooper.  She wanted to play the role of Sonia but Warner Brothers refused to test her.  This was the last Bacall film on a 7-year contract with Warner Brothers.  Documentary filmmaker Ross McElwee thought this film mirrored his great-grandfather’s contributions to the Bull Durham tobacco Industry along with his rival James B. Duke in post-Civil War Durham, NC.  He filmed a documentary with the title Bright Leaves in 2003 about this subject.  Amazon has 3.7* out of 5* with 9 reviews for the 2003 film.

The Party

     Janet is having a party to celebrating her long-awaited prestigious post as a Shadow Minister for Health.  She is hoping this position will be a stepping-stone to British party leadership.  Janet is married to Bill and he is a self-denying academic.  He gave up a position in education so Janet could campaign.  A guest is April a sourly cynical American best friend.  Gottfried is April’s unlikely German husband.  Jinny and Martha are a couple expecting triplets.  Tom is a smooth talking banker in an expensive suit.  His wife Marianne will be coming later.

     This film seems like it was based on a play?  To me plays sometimes feel like oil and water when they are made into films, never mixing together?  This film feels like that.  There are many arguments back and forth and nothing else?  I would like to ask for my time spent to be returned and used toward something more interesting profitable or anything other than watching this film!!  1 ½* (I really didn’t like this movie)

71 min, Drama directed and written by Sally Potter with Timothy spall, Kristin Scott Thomas, Patricia Clarkson, Bruno Ganz, Cherry Jones, Emily Mortimer, Cillian Murphy. 

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 80% critic 62% audience, Roger Ebert 3 ½*, Metacritic 73 out of 100 with 31 critics 6 out of 10 with 24 reviews, The Guardian Mark Kermode 4* out of 5*, The Telegraph 3* out of 5*, Amazon Australian import 4.5* out of 5* with 406 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in West London Film Studios and London, England, UK.  This film was shot in two weeks.  From 2010 though 2012, Timothy Spall battled cancer.  (I wondered why he seemed so thin?)  All the actors were paid equally and they all have successful careers as stage actors.  Selected to compete for the Golden Bear at the 67^Th Berlin International Film Festival.  Awarded the Guild Film Prize at the Berlinale in 2017.   This film is in black and white but the end credits include one colorist and three color assistants?  There is another film with the same title from 1968.

My Old Lady 2014

     Mathias Gold is a penniless and bitter 50-year old New Yorker.  He uses the last of his money to fly to Paris.  He plans to sell the mansion his father left him in his will.  He is expecting a healthy profit since the home is located in a wealthy district.  One item of information about the inheritance was not included in the will about the mansion!!  The property was acquired as a life lease.  It is a French custom, he will not be able to sell the house and he will have to pay Mathilde a pension of 2400 Euros a month as long as she lives!!  Mathilde also has a daughter Chloe and she lives there as well!!    

     These circumstances are very complex and Mathias is now not only still penniless but he will be in debt for 2400 Euros a month.  He is hoping this situation will not last forever since Mathilde is over 90 years old!!  I thought this was interesting and the acting is good.  The story is also unusual.  I didn’t know how this was going to come to a resolution and I had never heard of a life lease?  3 ½* (I liked this movie)  

107 min, Drama directed by Israel Horovitz with Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas, Maggie Smith, Dominique Pinon, Noemie Lovovsky, Stephane De Groodt, Jean Christophe Allais, Jocelyne Vignon.

Note:  Imdb 6.3 out of 10, 60% critic 43% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3*, Empire Online 2* out of 5*, The Telegraph 2* out of 5*,  The Guardian Peter Bradshaw 3* out of 5*, Amazon 3.7* out of 5* with 5984 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Paris, France.  Originally, a play by Israel Horovitz premiering in 1996 at the Gloucester Stage Co. founded in East Gloucester, MA by Horovitz.  Maggie Smith and Kristin Scott Thomas also played mother and daughter roles in Keeping Mum of 2005.  Kevin Kline and Kristin Scott Thomas were also together in Life as a House of 2001.  Mathias claims he doesn’t speak French in the movie but in reality Kevin Kline is fluent in the language.  This is playwright and writer Israel Horovitz’s directorial debut at the age of 74.  Jane Birkin was originally cast as Chloe Girard.  There is a mistake when Lefebvre says he bought his boat with a viager and he was lucky because the owner died six days later.  Under French law, the seller must live for at least 20 days after contracts are signed.

Truth 2015

     This is the story of The Killian Documents controversy.  It was also known as Rathergate.  Before the 2004 presidential election, Dan Rather and CBS News head Mary Mapes aired a segment on 60 Minutes about President George Bush.  They were given documents stating that President Bush avoided being drafted to go to Vietnam.  He pulled strings through his father’s political advantages and contacts.  According to the documents, President Bush was enlisted in the Air National Guard but he did not serve.  He could not be rated on his performance because he was not there to serve.

      Both Dan Rather and Mary Mapes thoroughly investigated the documents and they believed they were accurate.  The question of the truth of the documents didn’t matter?   It was the authenticity of the documents that was questioned?  Everything about their investigation was blown apart because of political influences and suppression of the truth.  The retraction of statements made and so called Internet experts contributed to the chaos.  Both Rather, Mapes and their team did not come out of this unscathed.   3 ½* (I liked this movie)

126 min, Bio directed by James Vanderbilt with Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford, Dennis Quaid, Elisabeth Moss, Bruce Greenwood, Stacy Keach, John Benjamin Hickey, David Lyons, Dermot Mulroney, Rachael Blake.

Note:  Imdb 6.8 out of 10, Roger Ebert 3*, Metacritic 66 out of 100 with 35 critic, The Guardian 3* out of 5* Mark Kermode, Amazon 4.2* out of 5* with 463 reviews, Decider 4* out of 5* with 4 votes.

Special Note:  Filmed in Sydney, Penrith, Kensington, Fox Studios, Auburn, New South Wales, Australia and Los Angeles, California.

Christmas Next Door 2017

     Eric Randall is a famous author and he writes about how to stay a bachelor.  He doesn’t want this job but he is forced to look after his niece and nephew over the holidays.  Christmas is his least favorite time of the year.  He has help from his Christmas-loving next-door neighbor.  April Stewart may be able to change Eric’s mind??

     This is a Hallmark movie so the plot follows their set in stone guidelines.  You already know what will happen as soon as the film begins!!  Of course, it’s filmed in Canada no matter what location the movie tells you it’s located.  Hallmark must get special perks from the Canadian Government?  3* (This movie is OK)

96 min, Family directed by Jonathan Wright with Jesse Metcalfe, Fiona Gubelmann, Brittany Bristow, Jenna Weir, Liam MacDonald, Brent Crawford, Mary Long, Eugene Clark, Evan Cleaver, Tara Yelland, Joy Tanner, Andrew Jackson, Jacob Blair, Kevin Claydon, Christian Potenza.

Note:  Imdb 6.7 out of 10, 60% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.2* out of 5* with 37 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Nathan Phillips Square, Auberge du Pommier restaurant 77 Front Street, Old City Hall in Calgary, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  The character of April is supposed to be a master violinist but there are several scenes in the movie where she is clearly not really playing?? 

Belle Epoque (The Age of Beauty) 1992

     The setting of this film is in a sunny rural district of Spain in 1931.  Fernando is a young soldier and he deserts from the army.  He arrives at a country farm and Manolo the owner welcomes him.  They seem to have the same political ideas.  Manolo has four daughters, Rocio, Violeta, Clara and Luz.  Fernando begins to like all of the daughters.  They also like him but he needs to choose only one to love.

     There must be many cultural differences that we don’t understand?  Especially concerning social, political and literary references.  This is definitely not for younger viewers.  The scenery of the countryside is very beautiful.  3* (This movie is OK)

 

109 min, Drama directed by Fernando Trueba with Fernando Fernan Gomez, Jorge Sanz, Penelope Cruz, Miriam Diaz-Aroca, Gabino Diego, Michel Galabru, Ariadna Gil, Agustin Gonzalez, Chus Lampreave, Mary Carmen Ramirez, Miribel Verdu, Juan Jose Otegui, Jesus Bonilla.

Note:  Imdb 7.2 out of 10, 95% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, 4* out of 5* with 51 reviews on Amazon, Roger Ebert 3 ½*, Empire Online 3* out of 5*, Reel Views 3*, TCM average user 3.6* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed in Arruda dos vinhos, Azambuja, Sobral de Monte Agraco, Lisbon; Rios, Portugal; Estremoz, Portalegre, Portugal.  Director Fernando Trueba received an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.  This movie was filmed in Portugal because Trueba couldn’t find any place similar to what he had in mind in Spain.  Also, the use of the Portuguese location allowed him to empathize the tone of fable the story required.  Juanito serenades Rocio with Las Mananitas.  This song is used in Mexico instead of Happy Birthday to You.  Amalia sings En un pais de fibula from Pablo Sorozabal’s zarzuela La Tabernera del Puerto.  This zarzuela was first staged in 1936 before the time setting of this film.

Special Note:  The meaning of belle époque is golden age or renaissance.  The setting is between the end of the monarch and the rise of fascism.  There will be a terrible war and the country will be frozen in the Franco years.  Penelope Cruz was 20 years old 2 months after the films release.  This film won an Academy Award as best foreign film.  

The Farmer’s Daughter 1947

     Katrin ‘Katie’ Holstrom is a Swedish-American farmer’s daughter.  She leaves the farm to study nursing in Capital City.  Adolph Petree is a painter and he’s just finished painting the side their barn with a picture of their farm.  He offers Katie a ride to the city and she can save her bus fare.  Adolph gets very drunk.  Kate ends up spending all the money she has saved on towing and repairs for his truck plus a room for the night.  This money was for her tuition and expenses.  She sees a job offer as a domestic maid for congressman Glenn Morley and his mother Agatha.  The butler is difficult to get along with but Katie thinks she can handle Clancy.

     This is good and interesting.  The plot goes in a different direction than I expected??  The countryside where the Morley’s live is beautiful.  There is a frozen pond on the property and Katie goes ice-skating with Glenn.  Mrs. Morley is always making small wagers with Clancy and she usually is the winner.  They bet less than 25 cents!!  The era of the 40’s was an entirely different time than these days!! 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

97 min, Drama directed by H.D. Potter with Loretta Young, Joseph Cotton, Ethel Barrymore, Charles Bickford, Rose Hobart, Rhys Williams, Harry Davenport, Tom Powers, William Harrigan, Keith Andes, Harry Shannon, Lex Barker, Thurston Hall, Art Baker, Don Beddoe, James Arness, Anna Q. Nisson, John Galludet, William B. Davidson.

Note:  Imdb 7.4 out of 5, 100% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, TCM Leonard Maltin 3.5* out of 4* average user rating 4.56*, TV Guide 3* out of 4*.

Special Note:  Filmed in Los Angeles and Petaluma, California.  Loretta Young won an Academy Award for Best Actress.  Everyone expected Rosalind Russell to win for Mourning Becomes Electra.  Young had been acting since 1928 and this was her first award.  Charles Bickford was nominated for Best actor in a Supporting Role.  In 1963, a television series based on this film was produced staring Inger Stevens, Cathleen Nesbitt and William Windom.  There is another film with the same title from 2000.

A Bramble House Christmas 2018

     Willa Fairchild had been taking care of Mr. Conrad.  He is elderly man and they really bonded during his illness.  He talked to her about living her life and not being afraid.  She talked to him about the wife and two children he left behind.  He thought they deserved a better husband and father.  Mr. Conrad left Willa the gift of a two-week vacation at Bramble House in Marietta Montana for the Christmas holidays.  He also left her $100,000 to pay medical bills for her son Scout.  They had thought he might not live long enough to grow up but he had a new type of surgery and now he's OK.  Finn Conrad and his sister Savannah think that Willa used undue influence on their father during his illness.  This must be the reason he left her the vacation and the money?

     This is good and interesting except the plot telegraphs what is going to happen from the beginning.  There are very little surprises as the story moves along.  I would like to spend time at the Bramble House myself!!  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

     

84 min, Drama directed by Steven R. Monroe with Autumn Reeser, David Haydn-Jones, Liam Hughes, Teryl Rothery, Andrew Airllie, Bruce Dawson, Hilary Jardine, Lyla Marlow.

Note:  The book written by C.J. Carmichael has 4.6* out of 5* with 409 reviews on Amazon, Imdb 7.2 out of 10, 67% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon DVD 4.7* out of 5* with 45 reviews,

Special Note: The town of Marietta Montana is a fictional town but there are more than 181 books using this town as the setting.  David Hayden-Jones is the actor playing the character of Finn.  In real life, Autumn Reeser’s son’s name is Finn.  An unusual coincidence?   

Christmas with Holly 2012

     Mark’s sister named Mark Nagle as the guardian for his niece Holly and she is six years old.  No one expected Holly’s mother to pass away but she did in a tragic car accident.  Holly is in first grade but the teacher and the principal believe Holly should spend another year in kindergarten.  Holly has not spoken since her mother died.  Mark decides it would be better for Holly if they move back to Seattle where his is part owner of a coffee company.  Mark has two older brothers in Seattle, Alex and Scott.  Alex is a contractor renovating a Victorian home and Scott is working to receive a grant for his biological research.  Mark and Holly paths cross several times with Maggie Conway.  She has just opened a toy shop in Seattle.

     This is a Hallmark Movie and unfortunately there are no surprises in store from this film.  The middle and the end are laid in stone loudly and clearly from the beginning.  The scenery of this area is very beautiful and the film is enjoyable.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

88 min, Drama directed by Allan Arkush with Sean Faris, Eloise Mumford, Daniel Eric Gold, Dana Watkins, Catherine Berube, Alex Paxton Beesley, Josie Gallina, Vanessa Matsui, Rhonda McLean, Adam Baldwin, Fiona Forsythe, Jean Yoon Cynthia Galant, Wade Carroll. 

Note:  Imdb 7.1 out of 10, 79% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 5* out of 5* with 4 reviews.

Special Note:  Set in Puget Sound outside Seattle but actually filmed in Nova Scotia, Canada.  T.A.N. Coffee is an actual café in Nova Scotia.  The shooting took place in late summer days with high humidity.  Many cast members were required to wear fall and winter clothing during temperatures of 90 degrees.  Twin sisters Lucy and Josie Gallina play Holly Nagle.  Sean Faris referred to them as Juicy instead of using their first names.  

Welcome to Christmas 2018

     Hallmark Christmas movie.  Madison Lane is a resort developer and she is tasked with finding a location for a new ski resort.  Her boss asks her to take a trip to Christmas Colorado.  This location may be what they are looking for and an incentive package might sweeten the deal for the town?  Madison has a minor fender-bender on her way into town to meet with the mayor.  She accidentally ran into the town’s welcome sign!!  Town Sheriff Gage McBride gives Madison a ride into town.  She can still attend the meeting while her car is towed and repaired.  Madison doesn’t know that the town is on a mission to convince her that Christmas is the best place for the new ski resort? 

     Madison begins to realize what a perfect little town Christmas actually is!!  It’s a wonderful community and it has the true spirit of Christmas.  Madison begins to love  the town of Christmas and she wonders if a resort is really the right move for this area?  Would Christmas be better off keeping its unique charm and traditions intact? 

Madison and Gage also have good chemistry together.   3 ½* (I liked this movie)

85 min, Family directed by Gary Harvey with Jovanna Burke, Sarah Edmondson, Jennifer Finnigan, Taylor Hastings, James Kirk, Payton Lepinski, Eric Mabius, Lauren McNamara.

Note:  Imdb 6.4 out of 10, I Hate Green Beans.com B+.

Special Note:  Filmed in Revelstoke and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Hallmark Channel Trivia:  More than 85 million people watched one of its channels during November and December last year.  Hallmark easily won the ratings race among female viewers during the holidays.  Also, able to rival powerhouse channels Fox, ESPN and Nickelodeon at times for overall household viewership.  For the year 2017, the network produced 33 original holiday movies.  That's up from 6 original holiday moves in 2010, 12 in 2014, 211 in 2015 and 28 in 2016.  136 Hallmark Christmas movies have been filmed since 2008.  The production cost is about $2 million for each Hallmark movie.

Let There Be Light 2017

    Sol Harkens is the world’s most famous atheist.  Despite his far-reaching fame, he’s really a lonely man and a lousy part-time dad.  Sol and his ex-wife Katy suffered the loss of their nine-year-old son David because of cancer.  Both Sol and Katy have not recovered from this loss.  Katy is doing a lot better than Sol but she has two other boys to take care of while Sol is alone.  Sol has a near death experience while driving drunk and wrecking his car.  He sees their son David and he tells Sol to “let there be light?”  Sol is in worse condition after seeing David and he doesn’t understand what David meant?  Everything he knows and believes has been challenged?  He’s having a difficult time coming to grips with what may be his new reality?

     Sol is all over the place and he really likes vodka!!  It doesn’t help that his publicist and his assistant don’t tell him the truth!!  They are interested in furthering Sol’s career because that’s what lines their pockets.  They want sales of his latest book to go through the roof!!  They want him to give many lectures and sell out the venues every time!!  His assistant is more on Sol's side than his publicist.  This film had a lot of promise but sometimes it turns hokey!!  3* (This movie is OK)

100 min, Drama directed by Kevin Sorbo, written by Sam Sorbo and Dan Gordon with Kevin Sorbo, Sam Sorbo, Daniel Roebuck, Donielle Artese, Gary Grubbs, Travis Tritt, Joe Herrera, Leander Suleiman, Walnette Marie Santiago, Olivia Fox, Dionne Warwick.

Note:  Imdb 4.8 out of 10, 43% critic 75% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 706 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Birmingham, Alabama and New York City, New York.  This film is the directorial debut for Kevin Sorbo.  His real life wife and sons play his wife and sons in the movie.  Let There Be Light Productions is the distributor for this film.  There is a post of Kevin Sorbo in his apartment in the role of Hercules on television in the 1990’s.  Travis Tritt is a country singer and he the role of a doctor.  Michael Franzeze (Pastor Vinnie) is a former member of the Columbo crime family.  He had a prison conversion and travels the country preaching about his former life and how he has changed.  There are three other films with the same title from 1946, 2011 and also 2017.

Christmas Joy 2018

     This a Hallmark Movie based on a book by Nancy Naigle.  Joy Holbrook is a market researcher in Washington DC.  Joy received an urgent phone call from home and she rushes back to Crystal Falls NC.  She is going to help her Aunt recover from surgery.  Joy also reunited with her former boyfriend Ben.  Joy volunteers to take her Aunt’s place in the town’s legendary baking competition, the Cookie Crawl.  Joy doesn’t realize how daunting the task will be ahead of her.  Ben offers her his help but Joy turns him down.  Ben knows how difficult the Cookie Crawl will be but he can't force Joy to accept his offer.

     Joy begins to remember that life in Crystal Falls is so much different than life in DC.  She realizes that there truly is no place like home.  Her heart begins to open to the magic of the Christmas season.  The big question is, can she make as many cookies as it takes for the Cookie Crawl??  She doesn't want to let her Aunt down!!  I thought this was good, family and home are more important that corporations!!  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)   

   

84 min, Family directed by Monika Mitchell with Danielle Panabaker, Matt Long, Lucia Walters, Beverley Elliott, Shannon Chan-Kent, Gabrielle Rose, Susan Hogan, Fred Henderson, Taylor Hastings, Sarah Hayward.

Note:  The book has 3.95* out of 5* on Goodreads, Imdb 6.5 out of 10, Escape Into Film 2* out of 5*, Letterboxd 2.9* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed in Vancouver, Langley, Ladner Village and Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Canada.  Joy was about to receive a promotion at her job.  Her boss comes to the Cookie Crawl and asks Joy to come back to DC.  Joy says no and she's fired.  Things turn out OK because a higher up boss makes it all right.

Miss Stevens 2016

     Miss Stevens is a teacher and she chaperones three of her students on a weekend trip to a drama competition.  Billy, Margot and Sam are in her class and they have prepared scenes to individually act for the judges.  Margot panics and forgets some of her lines.  Billy does very well during his scene for the competition.    

     Miss Stevens is 29 years old and I think she shows very bad judgment in her behavior at the competition!!  Her job is to be a chaperone but she spends a lot of time drinking and not taking a position of leadership.  She makes other bad decisions as well.  But, there is not much going on in this film??  2 ½* (This movie is just so-so) 

86 min, Drama directed by Julia Hart with Lily Rabe, Timothee Chalamet, Lili Reinhart, Anthony Quintal, Oscar Nunez, Rob Huebel, Larry Bam Hall, Noah Gra-Cabey, Jammie Patton, Mike Holley, Tracey Wigfield, Nikhil Pai, Tamir Yardenne, Kristin Slaysman, Temple Dean.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 91% critic 65% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2 ½*, Metacritic 65 out of 100 with 11 critics 7.9 out of 10 with 8 reviews, Slant Magazine 3* out of 4*, Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 39 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Santa Monica, California.  Ellen Page was originally going to direct this project and it would have been her directorial debut.  Anna Faris was to star in the role as Miss Stevens.  There is a mistake with the headrests on the front seats of Miss Steven’s car.  They are incorrectly positioned and would cause a safety issue in a crash.  Timothee Chalmet has been getting a lot of press lately.  He's been acting since 2008 but now he getting roles in higher profile films.  Interstellar 2014, Call Me by Your Name 2017, Lady Bird, 2017, Beautiful Boy 2018.  He was born and raised in Manhattan and he is 23 years old on December 27, 2018.

Adrift 2018

     This film is based on a true story set in 1983 about Tami Oldham and Richard Sharp.  It’s adapted from Tami Ashcraft’s book Red Sky in Mourning: The True Story of Love, Loss, and Survival at Sea.  They met after a chance encounter in Tahiti.  Tami arrived on the schooner Sofia and Richard is a British sailor.  Richard invites Tami for dinner onboard his boat the Mayaluga.  Peter and Christine Crompton are owners of the Hazana and it is a luxury Tintella 44 yacht.  The Crompton's offer Richard $10,000 and a return first class ticket to Tahiti if he will sail their boat to San Diego.  They aren't able to sail the boat themselves because of a family emergency.  Richard agrees as long as Tami can have the same deal.  The Crompton’s agree to this arrangement.  Richard and Tami unintentionally sail the Hazana into catastrophic Hurricane Raymond.

     Over 90% of this movie was filmed at sea.  It goes back and forth between history and now.  History is on Tahiti and now is on the Hazana.  There are scenes in the now where I don’t know if Tami is seeing reality or she is imagining?  Don’t watch this film with anyone that knows about sailing.  They will point out any of mistakes!!  3 1/2* (I liked this movie) 

  

96 min, Action directed by Baltasar Kormakur with Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin, Jeffrey Thomas, Elizabeth Hawthorne, Grace Palmer, Tami Ashcraft, Siale Tunoka, Kael Damlamian, Lei-Ming Craine, Neil Andrea.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 70% critic 66% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3*, Metacritic 56 out of 100 with 31 critics 6.2 out of 10 with 57 reviews, Empire Online 2* out of 5*, Amazon 4* out of 5* with 291 reviews, Common Sense age 14+,  Positive 4*, Role 4*, Violence 2*, Sex 4*, Language 3*, Consumerism 1*, Drinking, Drugs & Smoking 2*.

Special Note:  Filmed in Pacific Harbor, Rakiraki, Suva, Fiji.  Some filming days began at 4AM with a two-hour boat ride from land.  A daily shoot could last up to 12 hours without any land in sight.  There were times on the open sea when everyone except the director and cinematographer threw up due to severe seasickness.  Richard and Tami actually met in San Diego, not Tahiti.  Tami had been a cook aboard a tall ship before they met.  Richard was sailing around the world with an English girlfriend.  He broke up with the girlfriend to be with Tami.  The Hazana was a 1970’s model Trintella and it had a double- hull design.  The air sealed within the hull gave more buoyancy.  Any outer hull damage would cause a serious leak and increase drag.  Also, water inside the cabin space would cause more drag and weight.

Executive Decision 1996

     A 747 is bound from Athens to Washington DC.  Terrorists take over the plane and they demand that their leader be released from prison.  El Sayed Jaffa is an imprisoned terrorist leader and Nagi Hassan is one of his lieutenants.  Intelligence expert David Grant suspects there are also other reasons for the takeover.  He convinces the US military that the plane should not be allowed to enter US airspace.  Grant is correct in his assumption and there is a bomb on board the plane with the capability of blowing up the entire east coast of the US!!  The decision is made that a specially equipped plane designed for mid-air crew transfers will connect with the bottom of the plane.  Grant and a team of military anti-terrorists must defuse the bomb and overpower the terrorist team.

     Everything about this mission is very risky.  The person with the expert knowledge of bombs is hurt during the transfer to the plane.  He has to be stabilized and not moved while he instructs engineer Cahill how to defuse the bomb.  A camera is inserted into the passenger space to allow the military team to see what is going on with the terrorists and the passengers.  They also know there is an unknown terrorist onboard acting as the trigger man for the bomb.  There is also an armed sky marshal on board and he can help the military team.  There is a LOT of tension because you don’t know what the terrorists will do next, if the bomb can be defused, who is the trigger man and will the terrorists discover that there is an air marshal on board?  Slightly dated.  3* This movie was OK)  

    

133 min, Action directed by Stuart Baird with Kurt Russell, Halle Berry, Steven Seagal, John Leguizamo, Oliver Platt, Joe Morton, David Suchet, BD Wong, Len Cariou, Whip Hubley, Andreas Katsulas, Marla Maples.

Note:  Imdb 6.4 out of 10, 63% critic 53% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3*, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 298 reviews, Metacritic 62 out of 100 with 20 critics, Empire Online 3* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed in San Bernardino, Sierra Madre, Mojave, Chino, Burbank, California; Mobile, Alabama; San Juan, Puerto Rico.  John Leguizamo frequently improvised and this angered Kurt Russell so much that they got into a shoving match.  Steven Seagal physically attacked Leguizamo because he laughed at something Segal said.  Leguizamo thought it was a joke but Segal also wanted his actions to scare the cast and crew.  Originally, Halle Berry refused her part in this movie.  She changed her mind when she was offered her first one million dollar paycheck.  The US Navy Tomcats were from the squadron VF-4 Jolly Rogers and the Navy agreed they could be used in this movie.  Kurt Russell is shown taking flight lessons but in real life he is an FAA licensed pilot holding ratings for several aircraft types.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor 2018

     Fred Rogers was a unique presence on television for generations.  He was charming and soft-spoken but he powerfully expressed his profound ideals.  Fred wanted to be a pastor and he was ordained but he found a different calling.  He provided an oasis for children in the media of television.  It was a safe haven in a sea of constant bombardment.  Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood started in 1968 and it gently delved into important subjects no other children’s show was daring to air.  Rogers had sweet-tempered idealism and he influenced the world on TV and also authorities in government.  Inwardly, he had deep self-doubts about himself and he had occasional misjudgments.  The world did not always understand a man of such noble character!!!

     I thought this was very good and the actual footage is shown from many of the programs aired on television.  In the cast are Fred's widow Joanne, son John, son Jim and sister Elaine.  There are also interviews with some of the cast members.  Fred knew what bothered children and he knew how to talk them them about their problems.  He used many puppets to explain difficult subjects to children.  He had Anna Platypus, Betty Okonak Templeton-Jones, Bob Dog, Collette, Cornflake S. Pecially, Cousin Mary Owl, Cousin Steven Owl, Daniel Striped Tiger, Donkey Hodie, Dr. Duckbill Platypus, Edgar Cooke, Elsie Jean Platypus, Grandpere, Harriett Elizabeth Cow, Henrietta Pussycat, J.J. Elephant III, Hula Mouse, Ino A Horse, King Friday XIII, Lady Elaine Fairchilde, Mrs. Frogg, Prince Tuesday, Princess Margaret H. Lizard, Purple Panda, Queen Sara Saturday, Robert Troll, Tadpole Frogg and X the Owl.  5* (I really loved this movie)  

94 min, Doc directed by Morgan Neville with Fred, Joanne, John and Jim  Rogers, Bill Isler, Hedda Sharapan, Junlei Li, Max King, Margaret Whitmer, Tom Junod, Betty Seamans, Joe Negri, David Newell, Elaine Crozier.

Note:  Imdb 8.5 out of 10, 99% critic 95% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3 ½*,  Common Sense Media age 10+, Positive Messages 5*, Positive Role Models 5*, Violence 2*, Sex 2*, Language 2*, Drinking, Drugs, Smoking 1*, Metacritic 85 out of 100 with 41 critics 8.5 out of 10 with 85 reviews, Plugged In 4* out of 5*, Rolling Stone 3 ½* out of 4*.

Special Note:  Yo-Yo Ma felt mentored by Fred Rogers on how to be a celebrity and use his fame for good purpose.  The trailer for this film was released online on the day that would have been Roger’s ninetieth birthday.  It was released a few months after the fiftieth anniversary of the debut of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in 1968.  Fred Rogers saved public television funding when he testified before the US Senate Subcommittee on Communication because Presided Richard Nixon proposed slashing funding for television programming like Mister Roger’s Neighborhood.  This film made $475,419 from 29 theaters in its first weekend and $1 million from theaters in its second weekend.  It expanded to 34 theaters the following week and grossed $1.9 million.  By July 227, 2018, this film became the highest-grossing biographical documentary of all-time and on August 12, 2018 it passed Bowling for Columbine to become the 21st-highest-grossing documentary overall with a gross of $22 million.  Also, many awards were won for best documentary and other categories.

Let There Be Light 2017

     This is the story of a group of dedicated scientists working to build a small sun on Earth.  Perpetual, cheap and clean energy would be created for mankind.  There have been decades of failed attempts but a massive push is now underway to crack the mystery of energy creation.  This process is possible and it is really inevitable.  The changing factors are money and time.

     In the south of France approximately 50 miles north of Marseille is an enormous nuclear experiment.  It is called an ITER, 37 countries are funding this project and it has been funded by billions of dollars.  It is one of many possible methods to create nuclear fusion.  In order to create the energy, hydrogen gas must be heated to 15,000,000 C, the hotter the atom, the faster it will move.  The atoms collide at very high speeds.  This amount of heat is ten times higher than the hydrogen reaction occurring in the Sun.  The sun has an immense gravitational force and high temperatures that facilitate confining the hydrogen nuclei.  A different approach is needed to achieve fusion reactions on Earth.  There is a natural electrostatic repulsion existing between the positive charges of their nuclei and the fusion of the atoms.  The fusion of light hydrogen atoms produces a heavier element, helium.  Great amounts of energy have been gained and some mass has been lost.  I thought this film was very interesting and the scientists can be very unusual people too.  Once you break down the essential components of the process, it does seem easier to understand but there are still no guarantees that this process will work on Earth??   4* (I really liked this movie)

80 min, Doc directed by Mila Aung-Thwin and Van Royko with Bernard Bigot, Alessandro Bonito-Oliva, Sibylle Gunter, Mark Henderson, Michel Laberge.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 100% critic 72% audience, Amazon 3.9* out of 5* with 40 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in La Spezia, Liguria, Italy; Greifswalk, Mecklenburg-Wester Pomerania, Germany and in France.  Construction of the ITER in France began in 2017 and it is scheduled to achieve first plasma in December 2025.  The reactor will be able to generate a molten mass of electrically charged gas known as plasma inside its core.  Currently between 2018-2015, the work is on assembly phase I.  In 2035, Deuterium-Tritium Operation begins.  Deuterium and tritium are two isotopes of hydrogen.  There will be three phases of the operation with the ITER processing in a closed cycle.  There will be three phases, hydrogen operation, then deuterium operation and then full deuterium-tritium operation.

The Book Club 2018

     Long time friends Diane, Vivian, Sharon and Carol have been reading selected books and then talking about it later.  This time they are reading the bestseller Fifty Shades of Grey written by E L James.

     Everything about this film is lukewarm!!  The acting is OK and all the actors are professionals.  It must be the writing?  There isn’t one thing that is new or anything that causes any excitement or stirring of the emotions!!  The choice of hair color for Diane Keaton is terrible and that’s all I can say about it.  The other women look good in the colors chosen for them and Jane Fonda looks nice as a redhead.  2 ½* (This film is so-so) 

104 min, Comedy directed by Bill Holderman with Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen, Andy Garcia, Craig T. Nelson, Don Johnson, Ed Begley Jr., Richard Dreyfuss, Allicia Silverstone, Katie Aselton, Mircea Monroe, Tommy Dewey, John Shartzer.

Note:  Imdb 6.1 out of 10, Roger Ebert 3*, Common Sense Media, age 14+, Positive messages 4*, Positive Role Models 3*, Violence 0*, Sex 4*, Language 3*, Consumerism 4*, Drinking, Drugs & smoking 4*, Metacritic 53 out of 100 with 37 critics 5 out of 10 with 49 reviews, Amazon Video  3.7out of 5* with 784 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Santa Clarita and Arcadia, California.  The women are supposed to be in their 60’s but Keaton will be 73 in January, Fonda will be 81 this December, Bergen will be 73 in May and Steenburgen will be 66 in February.  The author James and her husband are in a scene walking their dog when Mary Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson are arguing in their front yard.  Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda and Candice Bergen have all dated Warren Beatty.

Double Sin, The Adventure of the Cheap Flat 1990

     Hercule Poirot is anxious to keep his little gray cells invigorated.  He takes on two cases that look like they may run together?  Poirot and Hastings meet the Robinsons at a party.  They are a young married couple and they are telling everyone their AMAZING story.  They have rented a fabulous flat in a gorgeous apartment house for a very low price.  The neighborhood is excellent and they can’t believe their luck?  Soon after meeting the Robinsons, Inspector Japp calls Poirot ask for help on an espionage case.  The U.S. Navy learns secret plans for a submarine have been stolen.  Scotland Yard is involved and the FBI sends an agent to assist Inspector Japp.  Poirot is worried that somehow the Robinsons are caught up in this case?

51 min, TV episode directed by Richard Spence with David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Pauline Moran, Samantha Bond, John Michie, Jemma Churchill, Peter Howell, Jenifer Landor, Ian Price, William Hootkins.

Note:  Imdb 7.5 out of 10, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 71 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Twickenham Studios, London, England, UK.  In the beginning of this film, Japp, Hastings & Poirot are watching the film G-Men of 1935 starring James Cagney.  Later, a comment is made that Bonnie and Clyde are running around the American Mid-west.  Bonnie and Clyde were killed May 23, 1934 before the release of G-Men. 

Boardwalk Empire Season Four 2013

     This season continues in Atlantic City, New Jersey during the Prohibition Era between February 1924 and January 1925.  In February Nucky begins staying in his room in the Alabatross Hotel and he keeps away from the Boardwalk.  Harlem kingpin Valentine Narcisse pressures chalky White.  Nucky is setting up shop in Tampa and he meets bar owner Sally Wheet.  Margaret and the children have moved to Brooklyn.  Willie takes revenge on a fellow student and it goes badly.  Willie sticks to a false alibi and Nucky pays off the Philly DA.  Nucky and Margaret meet at Penn Station before he travels south to Florida.  Al Capone is still in raging grief over the death of his brother Frank.  Dunn tries to kill Chalky White.  Surprisingly, Richard asks Nucky for a job because he needs the money.   Margaret does an insider-deal for Rothstein in return for a new place to live with her children.  There is pressure on Eli to set up a meeting between the East Coast bosses in the network.  Chalky White and Nucky have a confrontation at gunpoint over Valentine Narcisse.

     This season is very good and it really makes you wonder what will happen in Season Five, the final season??  Some characters are eliminated and new ones are added.  There is still unrest between the bosses in the North and those in the South.  Also, there is a dust up between Chalky and Narcisse.  There has been more cooperation between Chalky and Nucky than between the bosses but sometimes they don’t see eye-to-eye either.  I was surprised about the outcome for Gillian Darmody, Chalky and his family, Richard, Torrio, Capone, Narcisse and Agent James Tolliver??  4 ½* (I really liked this series)

Each Episode is 55 min, 12 episodes created by Terence Winter with Steve Buscemi, Kelly Macdonald, Michael Shannon, Shea Whigham, Stepehn Graham, Vincent Piazza, Michael Kenneth Williams, Paul Sparks, Gretchen Mol, Michael Stuhlbarg, Anthony Laciura, Jack Huston, Ron Livingston, Anatol Yusef, Brady and Connor Noon, Lucy and Josie Gallina.   

Note:  Imdb 8.6 out of 10, 92% critic 95% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.7* out of 5* with 4004 reviews, Metacritic 77 out of 100 with 13 critics 8.5 out of 10 with 202 ratings, IGN.com 8.4* out of 10*.

Episode Titles:  New York Sour, Resignation, Acres of Diamonds, All In, Erlkonig, The North Star, William Wilson, The Old Ship of Zion,  Marriage and Hunting, White Horse Pike, Havre de Grace, Farewell Daddy Blues.