Fox Tales 2017

     Red foxes are featured in Newfoundland, Canada.  They are nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the borders of an old grove forest.  The matron gives birth to small pups in a cave den among rocks.  She brings food for the pups as they grow, learn to hunt, adapt and survive.  The father fox is nearby until the pups are older.  He also hunts and brings food for the family until they have more growth.  Scientists in Madison Wisconsin and Bristol England also talk about their studies on urban red foxes.  In Madison, many foxes live in cities and they are able to find plenty of available food and dens.  In Bristol, foxes come into the yards of people and food is left for them.  Some neighbors don’t appreciate the food attracting foxes but they are the minority.  Red foxes have also branched out to the Arctic tundra and they are surviving in one of the harshest landscapes.  The Arctic foxes are more adapted to the region than the red foxes.

     This is an interesting subject and there was a lot of information that I didn’t know.  I was surprised that people are feeding the red foxes in their backyards in Bristol.  It’s common to see them running down the streets there and also in American urban areas.  3 ½*  ( I liked this movie)

60 min, Nature presented by PBS Nature and directed by Susan Fleming, Roderick Deogrades, narrated by Michella Moss.

Note:  Amazon 5* with 1 review.

American Made 2017

     Barry Seal works as a pilot of TWA until he is recruited by the CIA in 1978.  He begins running a smaller but faster plane to South America.  He brings in drugs for Pablos Escobar of the Medellin Cartel.  Then he begins smuggling guns and money laundering.  He receives the nickname, ‘The Gringo that always delivers!!’  He moves his family to rural Mena, Arkansas.  Barry was making so much money that the local bank gave him the main vault and built a smaller vault for the money belonging to other people living in the town.  Barry buried duffel bags filled with money in his backyard. 

     This movie is interesting and it seems like none of this could be true??  How can a pilot possibly make this much money?  How can he bring in drugs to the USA without getting caught?  How can he run guns without getting caught?  Doesn’t the bank think a little bit about the amount of money they are holding for him?  Along with all this action there is comedy too.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

115 min, Action directed by Doug Liman with Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Wright, Jesse Plemons, Caleb Landry Jones, Lola Kirke, Jayma Mays, Alejandro Edda Benito Martinez, E. Roger Mitchell, Jed Rees, Fredy Yate, Mauricio Mejia, Robert Farrior, Morgan Hinkleman.

Note:  Imdb 7.2 out of 10, 86% critic 78% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2*, Amazon 4.2* out of 5* with 976 reviews, Metacritic 65 out of 100 with 50 critics 6.9 out of 10 with 201 reviews, Pluddged’n 1* out of 5*, IGN 4* out of 5*, Common Sense Media 4* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed in Ball Ground, Atlanta, Madison, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Caqueta, Aracuara, Colombia.  Tom Cruise has a pilot’s license and he did all of his own flying scenes.  The plane is a Piper Aerostar 600.  On the last day of filming on September 11, 2015, stunt pilot Alan D. Purwin and he Venezuelan co-pilot were killed when their plane crashed during foggy conditions in the Andes.  A survivor, Jimmy Lee Garland suffered serious injuries.  Featured on the 20914 Black List of the most liked unproduced film script.  Barry talks to a man in the hallway of the White House.  He was George W. Bush and he mentioned that he flew with the Air National Guard from 1968-74.  The real Barry Seal looks nothing like Tom Cruise.  He was larger and heavier and nicknamed ‘El Gordo’ (the fat one) by the Cartel.  The first R-rated film for Tom Cruise since Tropic Thunder of 2008.  The budget was $50 million and the worldwide gross was $134 million.

The Sweetest Heart 2018

     Maddie has always wanted to be a baker for a living.  She has opened her own cupcake business but she needs money for improvements.  If she doesn’t update the equipment, she may need to close the shop.  She contacts a company that might want to help her with the money she needs.  She’s feeling a LOT of stress over the inspection and approval process.  He first love Nate unexpectedly returns home after 14 years.  She’s not sure about restarting a relationship with him because he left?

     This is a Hallmark movie!!  Right in the beginning you know almost everything that’s going to happen??  It’s easier just to go along for the ride with the business problems and relationship problems.  Focus on the 14 different types of cupcakes Maddie makes in her shop!!  3* (This movie is OK)

82 min, Romance directed by Steven R. Monroe with Julie Gonzalo, Chris McNally, Tammy Gillis, Victor Zinck Jr., Andrea Brooks, Jordan Burtchett, Clayton Chitty, Jill Teed, Malcolm Stewart, Catherine Lough Haggquist, Mark Brandon.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, Letterboxd 3.3* out of 5*,

Special Note:  Filmed in British Columbia, Canada.

Once Upon a Prince 2018

     A Hallmark movie based on a novel by Rachel Hauck.  Susanna’s family runs a local garden store.  Her sister Avery, her father Gib and her mother Glo all work at the shop.  Susanna is driving and she has a flat tire.  Nate is walking along the road and he stops to help her even though he’s never changed a tire before.  Next, Susanna’s father is taken to the hospital and he needs a rest from the nursery work.  The family asks Nate if he would be able to help out at the shop and he says he can.  He’s staying with a neighbor Mrs. Waller and he’s just visiting but he’s glad to help.  Surprisingly, a photo of Nate and Susanna is leaked to the press?  Everyone learns that Nate has been called back home for his coronation as King Nathaniel of Cambria!!

     Susanna actually has a degree in landscaping design and Mrs. Waller asks her to work in her garden.  Then, Susanna is asked to apprentice for a famous gardener in Cambria.  This is a Hallmark movie so of course there needs to be a prince!!  Susanna and her sister Avery both go to Cambria.  Avery is shopping every day and Susanna is toiling without ceasing in the garden!!  3* (This movie is OK)

120 min, Romance directed by Alex Wright with Megan Park, Jonathan Keltz, Kayla Wallace, Charles Jarman, Colleen Winton, Sara Botsford, Marlie Collins, Frances Flanagan, Jake T. Roberts, Andrew Moxham, William Samples, Yasmin Abidi, Blair Penner, Adam Beauchesne. Dalias Blake.

Note:  Imdb 6.4 out of 10, 20% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Letterboxed 3.5* of 5*.

Special Note:  The setting is Georgia but filmed during 15 days in Vancouver, Victoria, Colwood, Oak Bay and Metchosin, British Columbia,  Canada.  Hatley Castle was used for the castle scenes. 

The Disaster Artist 2017

       This film is based on a non-fiction book written by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell.  It's also a remake of The Room film.  The book chronicles the making of Tommy Wiseasu’s film The Room from 2003.  It’s considered to be one of the worst films ever made.  Greg Sestero wants to be an actor.  He moves away from home after he meets Tommy Wiseau.  They are going to Hollywood together to be actors and become famous.  Both Greg and Tommy are not having any luck breaking into the movie business.  Tommy decides to write, direct, produce and star in his own movie along with Greg.  The movie is titled The Room and it reaches cult status as the Citizen Kane of bad movies.  No one knows how Tommy made his money or how old he really is?

     I had never heard of the film The Room?  Also, I didn’t know this film was a remake.  This film is terrible!!  I can see that the original film could be bad but I wonder if it could be worse than this film?  There are scenes at the end showing sections of the first film and the second film side by side.  They are identical except for the actors.  I could not finish watching these scenes!!!  I had seen enough and couldn’t take one more scene, especially doubled!!  I watched this film because the ratings were good???  1* (I hated this movie)

104 min, Bio directed by James Franco with James Franco, Dave Franco, Ari Graynor, Alison Brie, Jacki Weaver, Paul Scheer, Zac Efron, Josh Hutcherson, June Diane Raphael, Megan Mullally, Jason Mantzoukas, Andrew Santino, Nathan Fielder.

Note:  Imdb 7.5 of 10, 91% critic 87% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2*, Amazon 4.1* of 5* with 340 reviews, Rolling Stone 3 ½* of 4*, Metacritic 76 of 100 with 44 critics 7.6 out of 10 with 290 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and Soho, London, England, UK.  Tommy Wiseau stated that the only two actors to play him in this adaptation would be James Franco or Johnny Depp.  Wiseau was a fan of Franco’s performance in Sonny of 2002.  Wiseau and Sestero gave their approval to cast Dave Franco as Sestero.  Seth Rogen and Johan Hill were early devoted fans of the Wiseau film.  Hill saw Wiseau at a grocery store in LA and he secretly took a photo because he was so star-struck. 

I, Tonya 2017

     Former competitive figure skater Tonya Harding always knew she wanted to be an ice skater and she started lessons at the age of 4 years old.  She was born in November 1970, her dad left and her mother LaVona raised her.  LaVona was a waitress and all her money went to the skating lessons.  Tonya started to rise up in the ranks but the skating world never really accepted her.  She was poor and supposedly from the wrong side of the tracks?  She dropped out of high school to skate and in 1991 at the age of 21 she was the second woman to successfully land a triple axel in competitions. Midori Lto was also able to do this maneuver at the age of eight in 1977.  Tonya’s career started to fall apart on January 6, 1994.  Harding’s ex-husband Jeff Fillooly and her bodyguard Shawn Eckhardt hired Shane Stant to break Nancy Kerrigan’s right leg to take her out of the 1994 Winter Olympics.

     This film was nothing like I thought it would be?  Initially, I wasn’t interested in seeing this film until I saw the ratings seemed to be so high?  There is a LOT of good music and fantastic acting by Robbie and Janney.  The skating scenes are good too.  It was interesting how Tonya wasn’t able to overcome her background and be judged only on her skills?  What does her family and her persona have to do with how she can skate?  One of the judges said she didn't represent the image they want to portray?  4* (I really liked this movie)

120 min, Bio directed by Craig Gillespie with Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janey, Julianne Nicholson, Paul Walter Hauser, Bobby Canavale, Bojana Novakovic, Caitlin Carve r, Maizie Smith, McKenna Grace, Suehyla El-Attar, Jason Davis, Mea Allen, Cory Chapman, Amy Fox.

Note:  Imdb 7.5 out of 10, 89% critic 88% audience on Rotten Tomaotes, Roger Ebert 3 ½*, Metacritic 77 out of 100 with 47 critics 7.8 out of 10 with 286 reviews, Guardian Mark Kermode 4* of 5*, Amazon 4.1* of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed in Macon, Atlanta, Decatur, Georgia.  Allison Janney filmed her role in eight days.  Janney had seriously trained to become a figure skater throughout her childhood and teen years.  At the age of 17 she accidentally walked into a sliding glass door and seriously injured her right leg.  Robbie trained extensively for her role but she was not able to perform a tipple axel.  Her skating double was not able to do this either.  Only six women since Tonya have done a triple axel and the jump was accomplished using visual effects.

Coco 2017

     Miguel’s is a 12-year-old boy and his family has a generations-old ban on music.  Despite the pressure from his family, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician.  His idol is Ernesto de la Cruz.  Miguel finds himself in the colorful Land of the Dead because of a mysterious chain of events.  He meets Hector and they set off together to unlock the real story behind the Miguel’s family history.

      I wonder about the scenes of the Land of the Dead and young children?  It seems the skeleton people would be scary?  This film is recommended for children aged 7+. As an adult viewer, I thought there was a lot of repetition in the scenes?  The animation is good and there is a lot of color.  3* (This movie is OK)

105 min, Animation directed by Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina with the voices of Anthony Gonzalez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renee Victor, Jamie Camil, Alfonso Arau, Herbert Siguenza, Gabriel Iglesias, Lombardo Boyar, Ana Ofelia Murguia, Natalie Cordova-Buckley.

Note:  Imdb 8.5 out of 10, 97% critic 94% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 4*, Amazon 4.7* out of 5* with 1218 reviews, Empire Online 5*, Peter Bradshaw The Guardian 4* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed at Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios, California.  The look of the Land of the Dead is inspired by the Mexican City of Guanjuato.  This city has colorful houses placed on hillsides that give them the appearance of being stacked.  The orange flower shown in the film is the Aztec marigold.  It is used in the traditions of Dia de Muerttos in Mexico to guide the deceased to the living.  Originally Miguel was only going to play guitar.  When Lee Unkrich found out that Anthony Gonzalez was a talented singer, it was decided he would also sing.

Against the Wild 2013

     Zach and his younger sister Hannah are living with their mother Susan Wade since their parents separated.  Their dad Robert Wade sends a plane to pick them up so they can spend some time with him.  Charlie Foster is an experienced pilot but they experience an engine fire and the plane crashes in a forest.  The plane doesn’t have an upgraded transmitter and a rescue team hasn’t been able to locate the plane.  Zach and Hannah see that Charlie is hurt and they decide to leave the plane to get help.  They leave some of the food and water for Charlie and a note telling him they left. Their dog Chinook is with them and he's a Husky.  He can help them find the lake water to get water and help with being alone in the woods.  Their parents are extremely concerned about finding the children and Charlie right away.

     Zach was a Boy Scout for three years and he does know some things about being in the woods.  The rescue team is worried about bears in the woods since it’s their mating season.  This can lead to more aggression by the male bears.  There is a little bit of scariness with the bears!!  The scenery is very beautiful and you don’t know how this will turn out?  This family film does have positive messages and role models.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

90 min, Adventure directed by Richard Boddinton with CJ Adams, Erin Pitt, Natasha Henstridge, Ted Whittall, John Tench, Rainbow Francks, Jennifer Gibson, Sarta Keakins, Shawn Storer, Greg Campbell, Chuck Willcocks.

Note:  Imdb 4.7 out of 10, 32% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 3.5* out of 5* with 66 reviews, Letterboxd 2.8* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed in Lions Head and Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada.  Georgian Bay is in this area and it’s on the east side of Lake Huron.  Not released in theaters but direct-to-video.  The budget estimated to be $2 million and the video profit was also $2 million.  Houston is playing Chinook and he ran off for an hour to chase a squirrel during production.  The filmmakers talked about taking him out of the scene but he wandered back.  A second film Against the Wild 2: Survive the Serengeti was released in 2016.

Janet King: Series 3 2017

     A young Firecrakers cricket player commits suicide and Janet King takes a job for the National Crime Commission to investigate crime linked to game fixing and enhancing drugs.  One of the teams under suspicion is the Northern Devils.  An added element to the investigation is scrutiny of the death of Clay Nelson, the captain of the Firecrackers.  He was an established cricket player and he was coming in to testify before the Commission.  Instead, he walked out in front of a city bus?  Tyler was punched by one of his teammates and an unknown substance was detected in his blood sample.  The Commission is under time and financial constraints to solve these crimes before more criminal events take place.

     In this series, Janet’s estranged father re-enters her life.  He is one of the suspects in the game fixing.  He is chairman of the rental car company Pax Car Rentals and they are the main sponsor for the Northern Devils.  It will be a conflict of interest if Janet becomes closely involved in the investigation of her father.  The commission will also need to identity the illegal drug and determine if it contributed to Tyler's death.  This is a very tense series and you don’t know for sure who is behind fame fixing and if it’s really going on?  I was surprised about the ending?  4* (I liked this series)

1 hour each episode, TV Series with Marta Dusseldorp, Damian Walshe-Howling, Hamish Michael, Andrea Demetriades, Peter Kowitz, Christopher Morris, Anita Hegh, Andrew Ryan, Geraldine Viswanathan, Terry Serio, Jude Hyland, Matilda Graham, Adam Demos, Zoe Terakes, Susie Porter.

Note:  Imdb 7.9 out of 10, Amazon 4.2* out of 5* with 46 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Forever My Girl 2018

     This film is based on a young adult book by Heidi McLaughlin.  Josie is at the church waiting for her wedding to begin.  She’s marrying Liam Page and he’s her high school sweetheart.  Just before it’s time to go down the aisle, she learns that Liam is not coming?  She doesn’t know why he’s made this decision to run away?  Seven years pass and Liam has become a country music super-star.  He’s left everything behind including his Southern roots in a small community.  Josie doesn’t know that Liam still has the same flip phone that has a message she sent after he left and he listens to it every day.

     I think is like a country-western Hallmark or Lifetime movie with a LOT of music.  There isn’t anything new here at all except Josie’s daughter has lines that seem like she is in college?  Supposedly, that's cute??  Maybe everyone was wrung out by the humidity during production and they had nothing left to give this movie?  It’s also possible that secretly Nicholas Sparks was the author?   2* (I didn’t like this movie)

108 min, Drama directed by Bethany Ashton Wolf with Alex Roe, Jessica Rothe, Abby Ryder Fortson, Travis Tritt, Peter Cambor, Gillian Vigman, Judith Hoag, Tyler Riggs, John Benjamin Hickey, Morgan Alexandria, Lauren Gros.

Note:  Imdb 6.6 out of 10, 21% critic 86% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 1 ½*, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 254 reviews, Metacritic 36 out of 100 with 18 critics 5.5 out of 10 with 17 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Georgia during a 110-115 degree heat wave and with a 24-day shooting schedule.  Sometimes production was forced to stop because of lightning storms.  The schedule was short, there was a modest budget and there were ambitious set pieces.  Alex Roe prepped for 5 months before shooting to perfect singing, playing guitar and performing.  Director Wolf took Alex to a CMA fest in Nashville just before he began his rehearsals.  She contacted Travis Tritt’s team over a 3 month period to get him to play the character Walt and sing a song.

All I See Is You 2016

     Gina was in the car during a hideous car crash that killed her parents.  She lost her eyesight when she was a teenager because of the accident.  She is married to James and they live in Bangkok.  Gina depends entirely on James to help her in the outside world.  She usually doesn’t leave their apartment alone.  They hear about a cutting-edge and highly experimental cornea transplant that could give Gina her sight back in her right eye.  The optic nerve was too badly damaged in her left eye.  Gina does get her sight back and she is overwhelmed by colors.  She hasn’t seen her husband and her own reflection since she lost her sight.  Gina starts to go out into the world again now that she has vision.

     It seems that James is very happy for Gina to regain her sight but he also feels slighted that she doesn’t always needing him now.  James and Gina are trying to have a baby but they haven’t had success yet.  There are a several twists in this film after Gina regains her sight.  I think there are too many scenes showing Gina’s impaired and distorted vision.  We can get the picture without seeing it over and over.  There is also a very unusual and unnecessary series of scenes when James and Gina visit Gina’s sister, her husband and their son.  3* (This movie is OK)

109 min, Drama directed by Marc Foster with Blake Lively, Jason Clarke, Ahna O’Reilly, Miquel Fernandez, Yvonne Strahovski, Wes Chatham, Danny Huston, Kaitlin Orem, Stacee Vatanapan, Sirinya Bishop, Bonne Zellerbach.

Note:  Imdb 5.2 of 10, 29% critic 33% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 1*, Indie Wire 3* of 5*, Plugged In .5 of 5*, Amazon 2.6* of 5*, Metacritic 43 out of 100 with 25 critics 5.6 out of 10 with 10 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Bangkok, Phuket, Thailand and Barcelona, Spain.

A Ghost Story 2017

     C and M move into an old house together.  C feels connected to the house but M feels a grim premonition of danger.  C gets into a car accident near the house and he dies.  He becomes an unseen sheet covered ghost in the house.  He sees M packing up and moving away.  A mother with two children moves into the house but C feels like they don’t belong there and he drives them away.  More people come to the house and then bulldozers tear this house and the house next door down.  C has see another sheet covered ghost in the house that was next door. 

     This may be the strangest and quietest movie I’ve ever seen?  I didn’t know if I was going to be able to continue until the end?  Time is moving forward but the pace and the amount of time is a mystery?  I can see this is a dividing film with some viewers loving it and others hating it!!  3* (This movie is OK)

92 min, Drama directed by David Lowery with Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, McColm Cephas Jr., Kenneisha Thompson, Grover Coulson, Liz Cardenas, Barlow Jacobs, Richard Krause, Dagger Salazar, Sonia Acevedo, Carols Brmudez, Yasmina Gutierrez, Kimberly Fiddes, Daniel Escudero.

Note:  Imdb 6.9 out of 10, 91% critic 65 % audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 3* out of 5* with 480 reviews, Roger Ebert 4* out of 4*, Metacritic 84 of 100 with 46 critics 6.9 out of 10 with 164 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Irving and Fort Worth, Texas.  David Lowery used the funds he made from Pete’s Dragon to finance this film.  Filming was hidden from the public and the project wasn’t announced until months after filming wrapped.  Lowery wrote the screenplay after reading a 2015 New Yorker article titled The Really Big One by Kathryn Schulz.  The article discusses potential natural disasters that could destroy humanity.  Rooney Mara eats an entire pie in a scene and she's never eaten pie before?  The pie is vegan chocolate flavored and it tasted terrible to Mara but Lowery said it was delicious?

The Snowman 2017

     During the first snow of winter, an elite crime squad’s lead detective investigates the disappearance of a female murder victim.  An elusive serial killer may have become active again?  Are decades-old cold cases connected to a new series of murders?  Harry Hole is an inspector with the Norwegian Police Service’s Oslo district.  The first missing person is Britte Becker and she vanished from her house.

     There is a lot of violence and gore in this film with some scenes shown during the murder and some afterwards.  The scenery is very beautiful but harsh and unforgiving of any mistakes.  There are very few positive messages in this film and it’s so full of violence that you almost don’t notice the drinking, drugs and smoking?  I wonder if the actors thought about any of this before they signed on?  2* (I didn’t like this movie)

119 min, Crime directed by Tomas Alfredson with Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jonas Karlsson, Michael Yates, Ronan Vibert, J.K. Simmons, Val Kilmer, David Dencik, Toby Jones, Genevieve O’Reilly, James D/Arch, Jete Laurence, Adrian Dunbar, Cloe Sevigny.

Note:  Imdb 5.1 out of 10, 8% critic 19% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 2.9* with 34 reviews, Roger Ebert 1 ½*, Rolling Stone 1* out of 4*, Empire 2* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed in Telemark, Oslo, Hordaland, Notodden, Buskerud, Norway.  Michael Fassbender was in Assassin’s Creed for 2016 and he started this movie just two days after the wrap.  Val Kilmer’s lines are dubbed, Kilmer said was healing from cancer and his tongue was still swollen but healing.  Marin Scorsese was originally set to direct but he was executive producer instead.  There is another film The Snowman from 1982.  This film is not a remake and it’s based on the 2007 novel from Norwegian crime-writer Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole series.  Norwgian kids in a small town make the snowmen in the film with help from DesignIce from Trogstad.  Production budget was $35 million with worldwide gross of $43.1 million.

All That Heaven Allows 1995

     Cary Scott is a widow and she’s been living a quiet life since her husband passed away.  She has two adult children and they are both away at school.  They don’t live with Carey but they come home every weekend.  Cary thought she was happy but she starts to realize how bored she really is?  Her friend Sara Warren suggests that Cary get a television set for company?  Ron Kirby owns his own nursery and he has taken over the care of her trees since his father passed away.  He’s thinking of starting to work on trees only and not continue with the nursery.  Ron is much younger than Cary and they begin to fall in love.  They plan to marry but everyone in her circle of friends are not shy about expressing their feelings.  The rumor mill begins to work overtime!!  Her children Kay and Ned think this is a ridiculous idea?

     There is a LOT of emotion in this film!!  Cary doesn’t know if she should follow her heart or her head?  She regrets her friends are so against the idea and she’s amazed at the stance her children have taken.  She doesn’t know what to do?  I was surprised to learn this was filmed on studio lots and not in the countryside?  I also found it difficult to focus on Rock Hudson as a leading man since revelations about him in his later years?  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

99 min, Drama directed by Douglas Sirk with Jane Wyman, Rock Hudson, Agnes Morehead, Conrad Nagel, Virginia Grey, Gloria Talbott, William Reynolds, Charles Drake, Hayden Rorke, Jacqueline deWit, Leigh Snowden, Donald Curtis, Alex Gerry, Nextor Paiva, Forrest Lewis.

Imdb 7.7 out of 10, 93% critic 80% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 189 reviews, TCM Leonard Maltin 3* out of 4* average user rating 3.58* out of 5*, Slant Magazine 4 ½* out of 5*

Special Note:  Filmed in Circle Drive and Colonial Street, Backlot, Universal Studios, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California.  Jane Wyman was 38 and Rock Hudson was 30.  Selected for the National Film Registry, Library of Congress in 1995.  Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die edited by Steven Schneider.  The title is from the last line of the poem ‘love and life’ by Jhn Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester. 

The Great British Baking Show: Series 1: 2010

     There are many home bakers entering this competition but ten bakers are selected to start as contestants for three baking challenges each week for 6 weeks.  The judges are Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry.  Their reward for their baking will be their crowning as Britain’s best amateur baker.  At the end of each set of challenges, one baker will not be coming back for the remaining challenges.  The contestants are baking in a large white tent equipped with everything thing they will need for their challenges. Stephen Noonan presents commentary on the action. 

     The first challenge in each bake off section are signature bakes, then technical bakes and finally a showstopper bakes.  There are specific time limits for each challenge.  The final product is judged on appearance, taste and complexity.   Various locations were used across the UK with different themes.  Episodes on puddings took place in Bakewell and bread baking near Sandwich.  At the end of the five bake off challenge sections there is a final signature and showstopper bake off to determine the winner.  There can be a LOT of tension in the tent!!  Some of the finished creations can be judged as not fulfilling the requirements for taste, shape or look.  Many of the bakes have been practiced at home by the bakers before beginning the competition.  4* (I really liked this series)

Note:  Imdb 8.6 out of 10, 93% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 469 reviews.

60 min, Reality-TV, 3 discs in each season with Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins, Ronald Hutton, Edd Kimber, Marc Meltonville, Diane Purkis, Lea Harris, Mark Whithers, Annetha Mills, Jonathan Shepherd, David Chambers, Ruth Clemens, Jasminder Randhawa, Miranda Gore Browne.

Special Note:  Episode One: cakes, Episode Two Biscuits, Episode Three Bread, Episode Four Puddings, Episode Five Pastry Episode and Episode Six Tea Party (Final).

Billions: Season 3 2018

     Bobby “Axe” Axelrod is the head of Axe Capital.  His team handles money raised from wealthy and powerful investors.  This season he has been on suspension from trading and Taylor Mason has been running the company since he’s in a hands-off position.  His nemesis is Chuck Rhoades in the job of U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.  Chuck is continually trying to nail Axe for infractions.  Wendy Rhoades works for Axe as a psychiatrist and in-house performance coach.  She is married to Chuck and this is a complication.  There are many characters, investors, traders, government officials, lawyers, friends and families.

     This is a very exciting season and you don’t know where it’s going to end?  You also don’t know when this season is over if there will be a Season 4?  This series shows the highs and lows of the chase for money and power.  The characters are very interesting and the writing this season has a lot of wit in the dialog.  There are many battles back and forth between bosses and underlings too.  4* (I liked this series.  

60 min, 12 episodes, created by Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Andrew Ross Sorkin with Paul Giamatti, Damian Lewis, Maggie Siff, Malin Akerman, Toby Leonard Moore, David Costabile, Condola Rashad, Daniel K. Isaac, Dan Soder, Kelly Aucoin, Jeffrey DeMunn, Glenn Flkeshler, Asia Kate Dillon, Kira Visser, Zina Wilde, Terry Kinney, Chris Carfizzi.

Note:  Imdb 8.4 out of 10, 85% critic 88% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 90 reviews, Metacritic 77 out of 100 with 5 critics 6.8 out of 10 with 20 ratings.

Special Note: Filmed in Orangeburg, Brooklyn, New York City, New York.  This is Showtime’s second-highest-rated drama behind Homeland.  Damien Lewis was in Killybegs, Ireland with his family and someone called the FBI because they thought he was a real hedge fund banker on the run.  The series shoots in Paul Giamatti’s actual New York City neighborhood.  Taylor Mason is the first non-binary gender character on a mainstream television series.  The color blue is featured throughout every episode.  It is used in the clothing of Axe and Chuck, other character and tones throughout Axe Capital offices.

Janet King, Series Two 2016

     The title of this Series is The Invisible Wound.  This is a crime and mystery drama featuring Senior Prosecutor Janet King.  She has been assigned to the job of Royal Commissioner by The Attorney General to look into serious gun crime in New South Wales.  There have been 19 unsolved murders in Sydney and the Commission hopes to find answers for all of these cases.  One of the cases is personal because it has been two years since her partner Ashleigh Larsson was shot in the doorway of their home.  She recruits some of her former team from the Department of Public Prosecutions for this new team.  Some of the investigation may overlap the inquiry into the unsolved death of Ashleigh.  Despite the seriousness of their task, they become a target for both criminals and politicians. 

     Janet already has a LOT on her plate and now she has this new position as Royal Commissioner.  She has twin children, a boy and a daughter to raise alone in the absence of Ashleigh.  Also, she has been served papers from Deborah Larsson the sister of Ashleigh.  There is one embryo left in frozen storage and Deborah wants to claim it for herself.  A determination needs to be made if this embryo is property?  This series is very good, it's interesting and I like their Australian accents.  All crimes are tough in the investigations but the usual rule can be applied.  Follow the guns and the money.  3 ½* (I liked this series)

60 min, 24 episodes, TV Series 2, 2016 starring Marta Dusseldorp, Damian Walshe-Howling, Hamish Michael, Andrea Demetreiades, Peter Kowitz, Christopher Morris, Anita Hegh, Melissa Bonne, Leeanna Walsman, Aimee Pedersen.

Note:  Imdb 7.9 out of 10, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 74 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.  Some of the scenes of the area around Sydney include a monorail that was decommissioned in 2013.

The Star 2017

     Bo is a small but brave donkey and his job is to grind grain at the village mill.  He is accompanied by an older donkey that knows this is all he will have in life.  Bo dreams about being out in the world and away from the mill.  He discovers a way to leave the mill and he starts out on an adventure.  He teams up with Ruth and she is a sheep that has left her flock.  He also meets Dave, a dove that doesn’t really know how to fly.  They begin to follow a new star that shines brightly in the sky. 

     This film is about the Nativity told from the view of the animals.  Some of the details of the real story are left out but otherwise it’s interesting and enjoyable.  The film is nicely animated and very cute with different personalities and problems for the animals.  Also told from the perspective of Mary and Joseph.  Even though this is animated, Mary and Joseph seem like real people living real lives in this time period.  Their future was changed from what they planned and they anticipate more responsibility in parenthood than they expected.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)

86 min, Animation directed by Timothy Reckart with the voices of Steven Yeun, Keegan-Michael Key, Aidy Bryant, Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Christopher Plummer, Ving Rhames, Gabriel Iglesias, Kelly Clarkson, Anthony Anderson, Patricia Heaton, Kris Kristofferson, Kristin Chenoweth.

Note:  Imdb 5.9 out of 10, 45% critic 71% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2*, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 232 reviews, Metacritic 42 out of 100 with 12 critics 6.1 out of 10 with 23 reviews,

Special Note:  Released in November month earlier in order to be out before Christmas. 

Blood and Sand 1922

     Juan Gallardo is the son of a poor widow in Seville, Spain.  He pursues a career as a toreador to escape from his poverty.  He gains fame and he marries his childhood sweetheart Carmen.  They have two sons but then he meets Dona Sol, the daughter of the Marquis.  Juan’s friends try to help Juan get away from Dona Sol but she follows him to the area where he lives.  She pretends that her car has broken down and she needs a place to stay for the night. 

     There is a scene with harp playing and I noticed how annoying the organ music was when I heard the harp instead.  I turned off the organ music so I didn’t have to listen anymore.  The storyboards with language about the scenes are left up too long.  Viewers need to pay close attention to know what’s going on.  Bullfighting is still legal in Mexico, Spain, France, Portugal, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador.  About 250,000 bulls are killed in bullfights and it’s a slow agonizing death.  The killing lasts 20 minutes and multiple bulls are slain.  A total of 533 bullfighters have been killed in Spain since 1700.  Deaths are uncommon but injuries are frequent.  A popular bullfighter has earned 5 million Euros in a year. 

80 min, Drama directed by Fed Niblo and Dorothy Arzner with Rosa Rosanova, Rudolph Valentino, Nita Naldi, Leo White, Lila Lee, Rosita Marstini, Chalres Belcher, Fred Becker, George Field, Jack Winn, Harry Lamont.

Note:  Imdb 7.2 out of 10, 100% critic 60% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 77 reviews, TCM Leonard Maltin 2.5* of 4* average user rating 5* out of 5*, Three Movie Buffs 3* of 4*.

Special Note:  Valentino and Rambova wanted the film to be shot in Spain but the studio decided it would be filmed on a back lot in Hollywood.  Valentino also wanted the director to be George Fitzmaurice but the studio chose Fred Niblo.  Valentino liked to eat traditional Italian foods that were heavily spiced with garlic.  Lila Lee requested their love scenes be shot in the morning to avoid his garlic breath.  Stock bull-fighting footage is merged with shots of Valentino to make the scenes look realistic.  This was one of the top grossing films of 1922.  A popular Prohibition-era cocktail was named after this film.  There is another film from 1941 with the same title.

Wonder 2017

     The film is based on a New York Times bestselling book by R.J. Palacio.  August Pullman has been homes chooled through the 4^th grade.  He lives in a Brooklyn with his mother Isabel, father Nate and older sister Via.  Now, Isabel has decided attending school in the 5^th grade will be the next step in his life.  Auggie was born with facial differences because both his parents have a certain gene type.  Everyone in the family including older sister Via are aware this will be tough on Auggie.  There will be bullies but Auggie has a tour at the school before classes start.  The tour was scheduled by the Principle and three other students will show him the different classrooms.  Usually, stares are a first reaction when they see Auggie and then they try to hide the stare.  Everyone is hoping the teachers, the staff and some of the other students can keep the bullying to a minimum.

     Auggie has had three surgeries for facial reconstruction but he still has scars and his face is somewhat misshapen.  I thought this movie was very good.  Auggie has more knowledge than the other students at his grade level.  His mother did a very good job with homeschooling.  Another plot running alongside is about his sister Via, how she feels like her childhood has been much smaller since Auggie needed more attention.  This film has a positive message about being different.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)  

113 min, Drama directed by Stephen Chbosky with Jacob Temblay, Owen Wilson, Isabela Vidovic, Julia Roberts, Mark Dozlaw, Rukiya Bernard, Jennifer March, Mandy Patinkin, Noah Jupe, Gryce Ghesar, Elle McKinnon, Daveed Diggs, Ty Cosiglio, Kyle Breitkopf, James A. Hughes.

Note:  Imdb 8 out of 10, 85% critic 88% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 3*, Amazon Video 4.8* out of 5* with 1379 reviews, Common Sense Media age 10+ 4* out of 5*, Plugged’n 4* out of 5*.

Special Note:  The name of Auggie’s facial disease is mandibulofacial dystosis also known as Treacher Colloins syndrome.  The Children’s Craniofacial Association retreat brings together children and their families dealing with this syndrome.  Author R.J. Palacio was inspired to writh this book after her son cried when he saw a boy with this syndrome.  The prosthetic makeup was designed and created by Arjen Tuiten and it took 90 minutes to apply.  The prosthetic covered Jacob’s entire face and he also wore a wig.  Jacob his sister Emma and their father Jason are also in the movie.  Jacob Trembly was the boy in the film Room of 2015.

Violet & Daisy 2011

    Daisy is now eighteen years old and formerly she was considered a minor.  Violet is worried that Daisy can be tried as an adult for crimes committed in their job as hit women.  They wear nun habits to take out a group of men on one of their jobs.  They want a vacation, they want to buy expensive dresses and they decide not to take their next job.  They change their minds and they realize they need the money.  They are sent to do a hit on Michael.   He’s a thief who dared to steal from a criminal kingpin.  Nothing goes as they planned on this hit?  He is asleep, then they fall asleep and he makes them cookies.  They especially like the cookies and wonder if he can also make brownies.

     There is something OFF about this movie, like it’s not real and just pages from a comic book?  Would two young women both just over eighteen, be hired as killers for gangsters?  The material is thin and weak for all the actors.  2 ½* (This movie is so-so)

88 min, Action directed by Geoffrey Fletcher with Saoirse Ronan, Alexis Bledel, James Gandolfini, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Danny Trejo, Tatiana Maslany, Cassidy Hinkle, Lynda Gravatt, Cody Horn, John Vetigmiglia.

Note:  Imdb 6.1 out of 10, 22% critic 33% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 2*, Metacritic 43 out of 100 with 16 critics 6.9 with 34 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed in Bronx, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York.  Geoffrey S. Fletcher said that Pulp Fiction, Superbad and Thelma and Louise were influences for this film.   Geoffrey’s brother Alphonse managed a hedge fun that filed for bankruptcy and $8 million from the fund went to produce this film.  Unfortunately, this is  one of the last acting roles for James Gandolfini and he passed away June 19, 2013.  Carey Mulligan was cast as Violet but she decided to take a role in Drive of 2011 instead.  Bruce Willis was considered for the role played by James Gandolfini.  Saoirse Ronan also played a teenage assassin in Hanna of 2011.  Her character in How I Live Now of 2013 was also named Daisy.  Violet & Daisy was filmed in 2010 but not released in theaters until 2013.

The Bitter Tea of General Yen 1932

     This film is based on a novel by Grace Zaring Stone.  Megan Davis is engaged to marry American missionary Dr. Robert ‘Bob’ Strike.  He has been working in China to spread Christianity to the Chinese people.  The couple have been separated for a while but now their marriage has been arranged.  Dr. Bob arrives for the ceremony but the wedding will need to be delayed.  There is a military revolution taking place in China and they leave to gather a group of children at an orphanage.  Davis becomes separated from Dr. Bob and she is being cared for at the complex of warlord General Yen.  Davis has asked General Yen to return her to her friends but as yet he has not complied.

     This film was a box office failure mainly due to its miscegenation theme.  This term means marriage or living together by two people of different races.  It was denounced by women’s groups and religious organizations and banned in the British Empire for the interracial love story.  There is also criticism of the missionary work in China.  Swedish actor Nils Asther in the role of General Yen is not at all Asian.  He has makeup and his eyebrows are slanted upward to make him appear Asian.  Despite it’s flaws, this film was chosen as the first attraction to be shown at the new Radio City Music Hall.  There is a LOT of violence with mass executions and also a violent street fight.  I was surprised about the ending.  3 ½ (I liked this movie)

89 min, Drama directed by Frank Capra with Nils Asther, Barbara Stanwyck, Gavin Gordon, Toshia Mori, Lucien Littlefield, Richard Loo.

Note:  Imdb 7.1 out of 10, 100% critic 63% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 18 reviews, TCM Leonard Maltin 3.5* out of 4* user average 3.4* out of 5*, TCM Leonard Maltin 3.5* out of 4* average user review 3.4* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Filmed in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California.  Grace Zaring Stone, the author of the book, was impressed by the realism of the set.  She thought Barbara Stanwyck miscast and that she was wrong for the role of Megan.  Chinese embassy officials in Washington DC complained about the depiction of the treatment of war prisoners and their treatment was toned down.  Some dehumanizing language about the Chinese people was also toned down.  Included among the 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die edited by Steven Schneider.