Kokone is thinking of attending university and she has exams to prepare for. Instead, she dozes off. Her car mechanic father is arrested and put into a cell? Kokone and her friend Morio manage to track him down. She finds herself taking refuge from her father’s problems in sleep. There are thrills in dreams that await her when she is asleep. It is possible that her dreams have more meaning than she knows?
Kokone could have narcolepsy? She is dreaming about a patriarchal kingdom known as Heartland. Kokone and her friend Morio seem to have a bond that can’t be broken? The animation is very beautiful and I really like Japanese style. Heartland is a kingdom with both sci-fi and fantasy but a lot of action too. The composer of the background music is Yoko Shimomura. She is also known for her video game songs. There are a LOT of elements that are left unexplained? There is violence in some of the action and a couple of deaths. Some mass explosions and destruction. Supernatural fights between mechanical creatures operated by humans. There are messages about teamwork, following your dreams and standing up for your loved ones. The female main character is curious, brave and smart. There is a complaint from a reviewer that the entire movie is a commercial for self-driving cars?? 4* (I really liked the movie)
111 min, Animation directed and written by Kenji Kamiyama with the voices of Mitsuki Takahata, Shinnosuke Mitsushima, Jamison Boaz, Ray Chase, Ben Diskin, Yosuke Eguchi, Doug Erholtz, Arata Furuta, Wayne Grayson, Kyle Heberft, Rie Kugimiya, Tomoya Maeno.
Note: Imdb 6.3 out of 10 with 1,001 views, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen, age 10+, 4* out of 5*, 4* positive message, 4* role models, 2* violence, 1* sex, 2* language, Rotten Tomatoes 65% with 17 critics 53% audience with 134 ratings, Metacritic 69 out of 100 with 5 critic reviews (4 positive, 1 mixed) 4.3 out of 10 with 11 user scores (4 positive, 2 mixed, 5 negative), The Guardian 2* out of 5* Mike McCahill, Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 59 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in the United Kingdom by Anime Limited and in Taiwan by Garage Play. Featured on The Month in Movies: March 2018, TV Episode with the trailer shown and the film discussed. There is a possibility that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics could be cancelled because of the carnivorous virus?
Friday, February 28, 2020
The Kitchen 2019
This mafia-type film is based on the 1970’s-set DC Vertigo comic series. Three wives of an Irish New York crime family in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood in 1978 continue to operate their husbands’ rackets after they have been locked up in prison. The men and their wives are Kathy and Jimmy, Ruby and Kevin, Claire and Rob. The men were busted by FBI agents and receive three year sentences. Little Jackie becomes the new head of the mob and he tells the wives they will be take care of them. The money isn’t enough for the women to survive in New York and they take matters into their own hands. Helping them is the fact that the local businesses paying protection fees to Little Jackie are not happy with him!! This makes Little Jackie go on a war path against the women!!
This film is dark, violent and bloody with a very high body count. The deaths are from being shot, beaten or pushed. A woman is punched, kicked and injured enough that she needs to go to the hospital. The language is extremely strong with swear words in almost very scene. The characters also drink and smoke in nearly every scene plus there are drug references and a romantic subplot. There is female empowerment but it dissolves into betrayal, corruption and each woman is out for herself alone. You might think there would be some comedy elements because Melissa McCarthy and Tiffany Haddish are in the cast but that is not the case!! Everything about this film is what I really don’t like???!!!
102 min, Action directed by Andrea Berloff and written by Ollie Masters, Ming Doyle and Andrea Berloff with Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, Elisabeth Moss, Domhnall Gleeson, James Badge Dale, Brian d’Arcy James, Jeremy Bobb, Margo Martindale, Bill Camp, James Badge Dale, Common, E.J. Bonilla Myk Watford, Wayne Duvall, Pamela Dunlap.
Note: Imdb 5.3 out of 10, Rotten Tomatoes 23% with 221 critics 69% audience with 2,978 ratings, Roger Ebert 2* Matt Zoller Seitz, RollingStone 1* out of 5* Peter Travers, Metacritic 35 out of 100 with 42 critics (2 positive 24 mixed 16 negative) 4 out of 10 with 562 ratings (12 positive 20 mixed 20 negative), Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 3,419 reviews, Letterboxd 2.4* out of 5*, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen, age 16+, 2* positive, 1* role models 4* violence, 3* sex, 5* language 4* drinking, drugs & smoking.
Special Note: Film in New York City, East Harlem and The South Bronx, New York.
This film is dark, violent and bloody with a very high body count. The deaths are from being shot, beaten or pushed. A woman is punched, kicked and injured enough that she needs to go to the hospital. The language is extremely strong with swear words in almost very scene. The characters also drink and smoke in nearly every scene plus there are drug references and a romantic subplot. There is female empowerment but it dissolves into betrayal, corruption and each woman is out for herself alone. You might think there would be some comedy elements because Melissa McCarthy and Tiffany Haddish are in the cast but that is not the case!! Everything about this film is what I really don’t like???!!!
102 min, Action directed by Andrea Berloff and written by Ollie Masters, Ming Doyle and Andrea Berloff with Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish, Elisabeth Moss, Domhnall Gleeson, James Badge Dale, Brian d’Arcy James, Jeremy Bobb, Margo Martindale, Bill Camp, James Badge Dale, Common, E.J. Bonilla Myk Watford, Wayne Duvall, Pamela Dunlap.
Note: Imdb 5.3 out of 10, Rotten Tomatoes 23% with 221 critics 69% audience with 2,978 ratings, Roger Ebert 2* Matt Zoller Seitz, RollingStone 1* out of 5* Peter Travers, Metacritic 35 out of 100 with 42 critics (2 positive 24 mixed 16 negative) 4 out of 10 with 562 ratings (12 positive 20 mixed 20 negative), Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 3,419 reviews, Letterboxd 2.4* out of 5*, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen, age 16+, 2* positive, 1* role models 4* violence, 3* sex, 5* language 4* drinking, drugs & smoking.
Special Note: Film in New York City, East Harlem and The South Bronx, New York.
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Driven 2018
This is an intense thriller with a collision between politics, big business and narcotics. It is supposedly based on real events that became the celebrity scandal of its generation!! The time period is the early 1980’s in California. Jim Hoffman has been busted for smuggling coke on his plane. He has a chance to start over in a rich and affluent suburb of San Diego. Jim and his wife Ellen are surprised to find maverick auto mogul John DeLorean in the neighborhood!! He lives in a glamorous house down the street. An unexpected friendship forms between the two men. John’s new venture, the DeLorean Motor Company is just taking off. The FBI is pushing Jim to inform on his flashy former dealer and friend Morgan Hetrick. John’s financing is falling through the cracks!! The circumstances are not ideal and it is about to take a dark turn.
On the bad side there is drinking and swearing almost constantly?? I not sure people actually swore so much in this time period?? There is an instance of drug use with snorting a few lines of coke laced with angel dust. There also is a drug deal going wrong and the destruction of careers by cocaine possession, use and intent to distribute. I am not sure about the accuracy of anything portrayed in this film?
113 min, Bio directed by Nick Hamm, driven by Colin Bateman with Jason Sudeikis, Lee Pace, Judy Greer, Isabel Arraiza, Michael Cudlitz, Erin Moriarty, Jamey Sheridan, Iddo Goldberg, Tara Summers, Justin Bartha, Corey Stoll, Daniel Salinas Gonzalez, Yuji Okumoto, Tyler Crumley, Asher Miles Fallica.
Note: Imdb 6.3 out of 10 with 3,268 views, Rotten Tomatoes 621% with 50 critics 70% audience with 111 ratings, Roger Ebert 2 1/2* Nell Minow, Metacritc 55 out of 100 with 11 critics(3* positive 8* mixed) 6.2 out of 10 with 5 ratings (2* positive 3* negative), Common Sense Media Tara McNamara, age 15+, 1* violence, 4* sex, 4* language 2* consumerism.
Special Note: Filmed in Puerto Rico. The first DeLorean sticker price was $25,000. Actor Lee Pace managed to find an original DeLorean car in Italy. He wanted to show it at the Venice Film Festival. It broke down and had to be pushed onto the red carpet for the publicity photos!! Lee Pace is wearing a silver wig as John DeLorean and that takes some getting used to!!! There is also a documentary film Framing John DeLorean of 2019. This film may have more of the truth since it features archival footage.
Comments from the DeLorean family and historians: The film has been criticized as being wildly inaccurate? Supposedly, there never was a friendship between Delorean and Jim Hoffman. The character Katy Connnors is said to be a fictional person created for the film? The DMC-12 automobile used in the film was provided by the Puerto Rico DeLorean club. The Club has since expressed regret for loaning the car for the production. The Club was disappointed by the negative story line of DeLorean and the car history.
On the bad side there is drinking and swearing almost constantly?? I not sure people actually swore so much in this time period?? There is an instance of drug use with snorting a few lines of coke laced with angel dust. There also is a drug deal going wrong and the destruction of careers by cocaine possession, use and intent to distribute. I am not sure about the accuracy of anything portrayed in this film?
113 min, Bio directed by Nick Hamm, driven by Colin Bateman with Jason Sudeikis, Lee Pace, Judy Greer, Isabel Arraiza, Michael Cudlitz, Erin Moriarty, Jamey Sheridan, Iddo Goldberg, Tara Summers, Justin Bartha, Corey Stoll, Daniel Salinas Gonzalez, Yuji Okumoto, Tyler Crumley, Asher Miles Fallica.
Note: Imdb 6.3 out of 10 with 3,268 views, Rotten Tomatoes 621% with 50 critics 70% audience with 111 ratings, Roger Ebert 2 1/2* Nell Minow, Metacritc 55 out of 100 with 11 critics(3* positive 8* mixed) 6.2 out of 10 with 5 ratings (2* positive 3* negative), Common Sense Media Tara McNamara, age 15+, 1* violence, 4* sex, 4* language 2* consumerism.
Special Note: Filmed in Puerto Rico. The first DeLorean sticker price was $25,000. Actor Lee Pace managed to find an original DeLorean car in Italy. He wanted to show it at the Venice Film Festival. It broke down and had to be pushed onto the red carpet for the publicity photos!! Lee Pace is wearing a silver wig as John DeLorean and that takes some getting used to!!! There is also a documentary film Framing John DeLorean of 2019. This film may have more of the truth since it features archival footage.
Comments from the DeLorean family and historians: The film has been criticized as being wildly inaccurate? Supposedly, there never was a friendship between Delorean and Jim Hoffman. The character Katy Connnors is said to be a fictional person created for the film? The DMC-12 automobile used in the film was provided by the Puerto Rico DeLorean club. The Club has since expressed regret for loaning the car for the production. The Club was disappointed by the negative story line of DeLorean and the car history.
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Pygmalion 2000
Henry Higgins is a snobbish and intellectual professor of languages. He makes a bet with his friend Colonel George Pickering that he can take a London flower seller from the gutter and pass hr off as a society lady. Her name is Eliza Doolittle and she is a human being with ideas of her own!!
Pygmalion was a mythological character who dabbled in sculpture. He made a statue of his ideal woman, Galatea. It was so beautiful that he prayed to the gods to give it life. His wish was granted. Shaw gives a modern interpretation of this theme in his famous play. The film raises all sorts of questions about nature versus nurture, class and morality, misogyny and what it is to be a woman, notions of the self, nature and aspects of love. No one knows what is in their future?? A gutter snipe one day and a wealthy woman the next day or vice versa!! I'm not sure why but it must be due to the fact that I've seen this movie before because I just could not get interested enough?? 3* (This movie was OK)
89 min, Comedy directed by Anthony Asquith and Leslie Howard, written by George Bernard Shaw, W.P Lipscomb and Cecil Lewis with Leslie Howard, Wendy Hiller, Wilfrid Lawson, Marie Lohr, Scott Sunderland, Jean Cadell, David Tree, Everyday Gregg, Leueen MacGrath, Esme Percy, Violet Vanburgh, Irene Browne, Kate Cutler, O.B. Clarence, Ivor Barnard.
Note: Imdb 7.8 out of 10 with 7,418 views, 94% with 17 critics 86% audience with 3,405 ratings, Letterboxd 3.7* out of 5*, Amazon 3.9* out of 5* with 40 reviews, the book has 4.3* out of 5* with 261 reviews on Amazon, Silver Petticoat 5 bustles.
Special Note: Filmed in Pinewood Studios, Ever Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK. Eliza accidentally swallows a marble during an elocution lesson and this scene doesn’t appear in the original play. Wendy Hiller told Leslie Howard that she had swallowed one? He replied, “Never mind there are plenty more.” It caused all the crew to laugh and it was added to this movie and also My Fair Lady, the musical version of Pygmalion. George Bernard Shaw died in 1950 and his Oscar was found to be used a a door stop. It was so tarnished that the curator assumed it had not value? Shaw was the first person to win both the Academy Award and the Nobel Prize. The next person to win both was Bob Dylan, he won an Oscar and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. Originally, Charles Laughton was selected to play Professor Henry Higgins. Wilfrid Lawson was only thirty-eight in the role of Eliza’s father.
Pygmalion was a mythological character who dabbled in sculpture. He made a statue of his ideal woman, Galatea. It was so beautiful that he prayed to the gods to give it life. His wish was granted. Shaw gives a modern interpretation of this theme in his famous play. The film raises all sorts of questions about nature versus nurture, class and morality, misogyny and what it is to be a woman, notions of the self, nature and aspects of love. No one knows what is in their future?? A gutter snipe one day and a wealthy woman the next day or vice versa!! I'm not sure why but it must be due to the fact that I've seen this movie before because I just could not get interested enough?? 3* (This movie was OK)
89 min, Comedy directed by Anthony Asquith and Leslie Howard, written by George Bernard Shaw, W.P Lipscomb and Cecil Lewis with Leslie Howard, Wendy Hiller, Wilfrid Lawson, Marie Lohr, Scott Sunderland, Jean Cadell, David Tree, Everyday Gregg, Leueen MacGrath, Esme Percy, Violet Vanburgh, Irene Browne, Kate Cutler, O.B. Clarence, Ivor Barnard.
Note: Imdb 7.8 out of 10 with 7,418 views, 94% with 17 critics 86% audience with 3,405 ratings, Letterboxd 3.7* out of 5*, Amazon 3.9* out of 5* with 40 reviews, the book has 4.3* out of 5* with 261 reviews on Amazon, Silver Petticoat 5 bustles.
Special Note: Filmed in Pinewood Studios, Ever Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK. Eliza accidentally swallows a marble during an elocution lesson and this scene doesn’t appear in the original play. Wendy Hiller told Leslie Howard that she had swallowed one? He replied, “Never mind there are plenty more.” It caused all the crew to laugh and it was added to this movie and also My Fair Lady, the musical version of Pygmalion. George Bernard Shaw died in 1950 and his Oscar was found to be used a a door stop. It was so tarnished that the curator assumed it had not value? Shaw was the first person to win both the Academy Award and the Nobel Prize. The next person to win both was Bob Dylan, he won an Oscar and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2016. Originally, Charles Laughton was selected to play Professor Henry Higgins. Wilfrid Lawson was only thirty-eight in the role of Eliza’s father.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Westward the Women 1951
Roy Whitman has a farm in a California Valley. The West at this time ends in Texas and only California is slowly being populated by white men. There is a severe lack of women to work on the farm. Roy goes back east to Chicago to recruit 150 women willing to become wives for the men he employs. He selects 138 women who seem like they would be able to endure the long journey across the desert and the Rocky Mountains.
This is the first true women-orientated Western ever produced in Hollywood. Robert Taylor is the tough, experienced trail guide with a condescending attitude toward the women. He famously disliked working with women in real life?? He also acted this way in the film Yellow Sky 1948. Some scenery is very beautiful and other areas have rough weather, barren territory and Indian raids. The women were told that one-third would not complete the trip but they would die along the way?? The women are really working as hard as they can and most are not used to the environment and the labor required. Some have the advantage of strength, smarts in this type of country and they also know how to shoot!! The best actor is a little dog on the journey!! 4* (I really liked this movie)
118 min, Drama directed by William A. Wellman and written by Charles Schnee and Frank Capra with Robert Taylor, Denise Darcel, Hope Emerson, John McIntire, Julie Bishop, Lenore Lonergan, Henry Nakamura, Marilyn Erskine, Beverly Denis, Renata Vanni.
Note: Imdb 7.6 out of 10 with 2,600 views, Rotten Tomatoes 84% audience with 455 ratings, Amazon 4. out of 5* with 465 ratings, Letterboxd 3.7* out of 5*, radiotimes.com 2* to of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed in Kanab, Surprise Valley and Paria Utah; Tuscon, Arizona; Mohave Desert, Los Angeles, Death Valley, California. Frank Capra planned to direct this film himself and cast Gary Cooper in the lead. Later the story was sold to his neighbor Director William A. Wellman. This film has the Leo the Lion roar in the introduction. There are three known films (Westward, The Next Voice You Hear 1950 and Ben-Hur 1959) without the Leo the Lion roar in the opening credits. A Space Odyssey 1968 used the illustrated lion from MGM’s record label, he was not a real lion and he doesn't’ count) A promotional short for this movie, Challenge the Wilderness 1951 was produced by MGM. This is the first film for Pat Conway.
This is the first true women-orientated Western ever produced in Hollywood. Robert Taylor is the tough, experienced trail guide with a condescending attitude toward the women. He famously disliked working with women in real life?? He also acted this way in the film Yellow Sky 1948. Some scenery is very beautiful and other areas have rough weather, barren territory and Indian raids. The women were told that one-third would not complete the trip but they would die along the way?? The women are really working as hard as they can and most are not used to the environment and the labor required. Some have the advantage of strength, smarts in this type of country and they also know how to shoot!! The best actor is a little dog on the journey!! 4* (I really liked this movie)
118 min, Drama directed by William A. Wellman and written by Charles Schnee and Frank Capra with Robert Taylor, Denise Darcel, Hope Emerson, John McIntire, Julie Bishop, Lenore Lonergan, Henry Nakamura, Marilyn Erskine, Beverly Denis, Renata Vanni.
Note: Imdb 7.6 out of 10 with 2,600 views, Rotten Tomatoes 84% audience with 455 ratings, Amazon 4. out of 5* with 465 ratings, Letterboxd 3.7* out of 5*, radiotimes.com 2* to of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed in Kanab, Surprise Valley and Paria Utah; Tuscon, Arizona; Mohave Desert, Los Angeles, Death Valley, California. Frank Capra planned to direct this film himself and cast Gary Cooper in the lead. Later the story was sold to his neighbor Director William A. Wellman. This film has the Leo the Lion roar in the introduction. There are three known films (Westward, The Next Voice You Hear 1950 and Ben-Hur 1959) without the Leo the Lion roar in the opening credits. A Space Odyssey 1968 used the illustrated lion from MGM’s record label, he was not a real lion and he doesn't’ count) A promotional short for this movie, Challenge the Wilderness 1951 was produced by MGM. This is the first film for Pat Conway.
Sunday, February 23, 2020
The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith 2019
This film is based on the memoirs of Mormon missionary Elder John H. Groberg. He returns to Tonga in the 1960’s with his wife and their five young daughters. He had previously been to Tonga but not with his family. He is the President of the Tonga-Fiji Mission. They have a sixth child on Tonga and it is a son!! The baby is born with a serious illness and the medical community on Tonga doesn’t have the resources to treat him. The baby is only saved by a miracle and this breaks down the religious strife in this area. There is tension between the Church of the Latter Day Saints and the Protestant churchgoers. They disagree with each other and they are prejudiced against the Mormons.
Many non-Tongans portray the Tongan Islanders. A miniature was used for certain wide shots of the boat during the storm scene. The storm is pictured much worse that it would actually be?? In the original, Anne Hathaway was in the role played by Natalie Medlock as Jean Groberg. It was felt that Hataway would be too expensive for their budget. One drawback for this film is that there are a lot of extremes. The storm, the score, the pouring of emotions could use more subtlety and that would be welcome!! 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
117 min, Adventure directed and written by Mitch Davis with Christopher Gorham, Natalie Medlock, Ben Baker, Alex Tarrant, Nicole Whippy, Russell Dixon, Neil Amituanai, Christopher Auva’a, Salamo Bakani, Taylah Bentley, Anne Mare Betts, Lina Clare, Luck Doloi, Sima Draunidalo, Marama Dunn.
Note: Imdb 5.1 out of 10 with 258 views, Rotten Tomatoes 71% with 7 critics 95% audience with 353 ratings, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen, age 10+, 3* positive, 3* role models, 2* violence, 1* sex, Roger Ebert 1 1/2*, Letterboxd 3.1* out of 5*, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 114 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in New Zealand and Fiji. This is a sequel to the previous movie The Other Side of Heaven 2001. Mitch Davis said he was encouraged by John H. Groberg to make this film. But, the sequel was not going to be made until they had the resources to replicate the scale of the original film. The budget was a little under ten million dollars. The filming was done in Fiji where the tax rebate was 47%. The time setting is 10 years after the original film. The Nuku’alofa Hospital is shown but in real life the hospital is called Vaiola Hospital. Other films with Christopher Gorham are Reign of the Supermen, The Death of Superman, Justice League vs. Teen Titans, Throne of Atlantis, War, Somebody’s Hero, The Ledge, Answer This!
Many non-Tongans portray the Tongan Islanders. A miniature was used for certain wide shots of the boat during the storm scene. The storm is pictured much worse that it would actually be?? In the original, Anne Hathaway was in the role played by Natalie Medlock as Jean Groberg. It was felt that Hataway would be too expensive for their budget. One drawback for this film is that there are a lot of extremes. The storm, the score, the pouring of emotions could use more subtlety and that would be welcome!! 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
117 min, Adventure directed and written by Mitch Davis with Christopher Gorham, Natalie Medlock, Ben Baker, Alex Tarrant, Nicole Whippy, Russell Dixon, Neil Amituanai, Christopher Auva’a, Salamo Bakani, Taylah Bentley, Anne Mare Betts, Lina Clare, Luck Doloi, Sima Draunidalo, Marama Dunn.
Note: Imdb 5.1 out of 10 with 258 views, Rotten Tomatoes 71% with 7 critics 95% audience with 353 ratings, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen, age 10+, 3* positive, 3* role models, 2* violence, 1* sex, Roger Ebert 1 1/2*, Letterboxd 3.1* out of 5*, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 114 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in New Zealand and Fiji. This is a sequel to the previous movie The Other Side of Heaven 2001. Mitch Davis said he was encouraged by John H. Groberg to make this film. But, the sequel was not going to be made until they had the resources to replicate the scale of the original film. The budget was a little under ten million dollars. The filming was done in Fiji where the tax rebate was 47%. The time setting is 10 years after the original film. The Nuku’alofa Hospital is shown but in real life the hospital is called Vaiola Hospital. Other films with Christopher Gorham are Reign of the Supermen, The Death of Superman, Justice League vs. Teen Titans, Throne of Atlantis, War, Somebody’s Hero, The Ledge, Answer This!
Frozen II 2019
Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. The reason they are heading to this area is to find the origin of Elsa’s powers and to save their kingdom. Anna and Elsa believe their parents were searching for a sacred river when they left in their boat for a journey? Their parents had also wanted to learn the source of Elsa’s powers.
This edition of Frozen is slightly darker and more difficult to follow?? The characters take a dangerous journey to learn more about their parents. There is humor, big musical numbers but more intensity. There are perilous events, elemental spirits attacking Arendelle, chases and battle scenes. Positive messages about sisterhood, empowerment, acceptance, tolerance, perseverance and true love. Ana and Elsa are strong women who lead confidently, communicate with and support each other. It seemed like this film went quickly from the theater to DVD? The normal release time is between 12-16 weeks and this was 12 weeks and 2 days so it was short time. Release is usually delayed for a movie doing exceptionally well in theaters and lesser performers can be released at the 12 week time span. I did see one drawback in this film!! Why was there a musical number with Kristoff and Sven?? I wanted to fast forward?? 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
103 min, Animation directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, screenplay written by Jennifer Lee and Allison Schroeder, story by Chris Buck, Kristen Anderson Lopez, Robert Lopez, Marc Smith and Jennifer Lee with Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff, Sterling K. Brown, Evan Rachel Wood, Alfred Molina, Martha Plimpton, Jason Ritter, Rachel Matthews.
Note: Imdb 7.1 out of 10 with 74,289 views, Rotten Tomatoes 77% with 312 critics 92% audience with 48,718 ratings, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen age 6+ 5* out of 5*, 2* educational, 4* positive, 4* role models, 3* violence & scariness, 1* sexy, 1* consumerism, Roger Ebert 3 1/2* Nell Minow, Letterboxed 3.4* out of 5* with 179 reviews, Metacritic 64 out of 100 with 47 critics (29 positive 17 mixed 1 negative) 6.9 out of 10 with 372 ratings (236 positive 78 mixed 58 negative), Amazon 4.6* out of 5* with 679 reviews.
Special Note: This film is set 3+ years after Frozen 2013. The song used to call Elsa to the enchanted forest is a type of Scandinavian herding call called kulning. It was briefly used in the score of the first Frozen movie. Released in theaters November 7, 2019, out on DVD February 26, 2020. The performance of this sequel may influence having a third sequel? It depends on the money numbers??
This edition of Frozen is slightly darker and more difficult to follow?? The characters take a dangerous journey to learn more about their parents. There is humor, big musical numbers but more intensity. There are perilous events, elemental spirits attacking Arendelle, chases and battle scenes. Positive messages about sisterhood, empowerment, acceptance, tolerance, perseverance and true love. Ana and Elsa are strong women who lead confidently, communicate with and support each other. It seemed like this film went quickly from the theater to DVD? The normal release time is between 12-16 weeks and this was 12 weeks and 2 days so it was short time. Release is usually delayed for a movie doing exceptionally well in theaters and lesser performers can be released at the 12 week time span. I did see one drawback in this film!! Why was there a musical number with Kristoff and Sven?? I wanted to fast forward?? 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
103 min, Animation directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, screenplay written by Jennifer Lee and Allison Schroeder, story by Chris Buck, Kristen Anderson Lopez, Robert Lopez, Marc Smith and Jennifer Lee with Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff, Sterling K. Brown, Evan Rachel Wood, Alfred Molina, Martha Plimpton, Jason Ritter, Rachel Matthews.
Note: Imdb 7.1 out of 10 with 74,289 views, Rotten Tomatoes 77% with 312 critics 92% audience with 48,718 ratings, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen age 6+ 5* out of 5*, 2* educational, 4* positive, 4* role models, 3* violence & scariness, 1* sexy, 1* consumerism, Roger Ebert 3 1/2* Nell Minow, Letterboxed 3.4* out of 5* with 179 reviews, Metacritic 64 out of 100 with 47 critics (29 positive 17 mixed 1 negative) 6.9 out of 10 with 372 ratings (236 positive 78 mixed 58 negative), Amazon 4.6* out of 5* with 679 reviews.
Special Note: This film is set 3+ years after Frozen 2013. The song used to call Elsa to the enchanted forest is a type of Scandinavian herding call called kulning. It was briefly used in the score of the first Frozen movie. Released in theaters November 7, 2019, out on DVD February 26, 2020. The performance of this sequel may influence having a third sequel? It depends on the money numbers??
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Wycliffe 1994
Supt. Wycliffe keeps the Cornish coastline free from crime as he tackles arsonists, kidnappers and the odd psycho. Charles Wycliffe is an old fashioned and grumpy detective dedicated to his profession. He uses only conventional means to solve his cases and tries to stay within the realm of the law. He is usually wearing a long trench coat, the classic detective garment. In this episode, a bookshop owner in Penzance is brutally murdered. Wycliffe discovers that there is a LOT of friction among the members of the family.
The scenery of this area is very stunning. The characters can be quite quirky!! Many times Wycliffe is speeding around tight and winding roads to gather evidence or track a suspect. I don’t know how Wycliffe was able to solve this murder?? It seemed like too many people were involved and they all had motive and opportunity. I didn’t have a clue about who was the guilty person?? 3 1/2* (I liked this episode)
50 min, Crime, TV Series created by W.J. Burley with Jack Shepherd, Helen Masters, Jimmy Yuill, Tim Wylton, Aaron Harris, Adam Barker.
Note: Imdb 7.1 out of 10, Amazon 3.7* out of 5*.
Special Note: There are five seasons of this series from 1994-1998. Filmed in Cornwall with a production office in Truro. Music was composed by Nigel Hess and he was nominated for the Royal Television Society award for the best original television theme in 1997.
The scenery of this area is very stunning. The characters can be quite quirky!! Many times Wycliffe is speeding around tight and winding roads to gather evidence or track a suspect. I don’t know how Wycliffe was able to solve this murder?? It seemed like too many people were involved and they all had motive and opportunity. I didn’t have a clue about who was the guilty person?? 3 1/2* (I liked this episode)
50 min, Crime, TV Series created by W.J. Burley with Jack Shepherd, Helen Masters, Jimmy Yuill, Tim Wylton, Aaron Harris, Adam Barker.
Note: Imdb 7.1 out of 10, Amazon 3.7* out of 5*.
Special Note: There are five seasons of this series from 1994-1998. Filmed in Cornwall with a production office in Truro. Music was composed by Nigel Hess and he was nominated for the Royal Television Society award for the best original television theme in 1997.
Getting Home 2007
This film is based on a true story and the Chinese title is from the saying, “A falling leaf returns to its roots.” Zhao is a farmer and he vows to bring home the body of his friend. This man died a long way away from their town in Sichuan province. Liu Quanyou was a long-time co-worker and drinking buddy. Human life is a journey and we all have promises to keep. The farmer meets people with different natures and experiences along the way but they don’t change him personally. Nothing is going the way Zhao planned but he is very determined to keep going on his journey.
At times this film is funny, other times quite unusual and with sad moments. Zhao manages to find joy in his small victories. Benshan Zhao portrayed a similar unlucky fellow in Zhang Yimou’s Happy Times 2000. Yang Zhang is considered to be one of the Sixth Generation of major filmmakers. He is the son of a film director, he graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and he uses a realistic style. His focus is on ordinary people and their lives. He also directed Shower 1999. I wanted to give up on this film several times and finally I did!! 3* (This movie is OK)
110 min, Comedy directed by Yang Zhang and written by Yao Wang and Yang Zhang with Benshan Zhae, Qiwen Hong, Dandan Song, Degang Guo, Jun Hu, Haiying Sun, Fan Liao, You Xia, Ww Ma, Jinshan Liu, Qi Zhang, Tao Guo, King Chen, Yuanyuan Liu, Yi She Na.
Note: Imdb 7.4 out of 10 with 1514 views, Empire Online 5* Liz Beardsworth, Rotten Tomatoes 91% audience score with 615 ratings, Amazon 4.5* out of 5* with 8 ratings, Letterboxd 3.6* out of 5*, Fandor 4.1* out of 5*.
At times this film is funny, other times quite unusual and with sad moments. Zhao manages to find joy in his small victories. Benshan Zhao portrayed a similar unlucky fellow in Zhang Yimou’s Happy Times 2000. Yang Zhang is considered to be one of the Sixth Generation of major filmmakers. He is the son of a film director, he graduated from the Central Academy of Drama and he uses a realistic style. His focus is on ordinary people and their lives. He also directed Shower 1999. I wanted to give up on this film several times and finally I did!! 3* (This movie is OK)
110 min, Comedy directed by Yang Zhang and written by Yao Wang and Yang Zhang with Benshan Zhae, Qiwen Hong, Dandan Song, Degang Guo, Jun Hu, Haiying Sun, Fan Liao, You Xia, Ww Ma, Jinshan Liu, Qi Zhang, Tao Guo, King Chen, Yuanyuan Liu, Yi She Na.
Note: Imdb 7.4 out of 10 with 1514 views, Empire Online 5* Liz Beardsworth, Rotten Tomatoes 91% audience score with 615 ratings, Amazon 4.5* out of 5* with 8 ratings, Letterboxd 3.6* out of 5*, Fandor 4.1* out of 5*.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Love, Lies and Records 2017
Registrar Kate Dickinson tries to balance her personal life with the daily drama of births, deaths and marriages at the local Registry. Also, there is the impact the registrations have upon her and her staff. Some of the happenings at the Registrar’s Office are funny, others seem to be some kind of marriage scam and then there are the ones that will bring a tears to your eyes. Kate is very diligent in doing her job and she doesn’t want to let anything get by her concerning the records.
Originally broadcast on BBC One from 16 November to 21 December 2017. Episode 1: There is security footage of Rob and Kate. Episode 2: There are problems with the marriage of Kristina and Amir. Episode 3: Kate and Rob call the police over the disappearance of Lucy. Episode 4: Judy has sent Rob a USB stick of the security footage. Episode 5: New deceptions come to light. Episode 6: Kate faces the reality of her choices. There is one thing that is different about this movie and it features the same subject for a LONG time. If you can hang in there to see how it goes, then this is a good series. If you get tired of watching and waiting than this is not for you!! 3 1/2* (I liked this series)
TV Series, each episode 58 min, 6 episodes, Drama with Ashley Jensen, Adrian Bower, Kenny Douguhty, Mark Stanley, Rebecca Front, Rochenda Sandall, Mandip Gill, Rhys Cadman, Matthew Marsh, Lily Mae, Kaya Moore, Gaja Filac, Katarina Cas, Noof McEwan, Jonas Khan, Lelila Mimmack, Maja Juric, James Burrows, Grace Ruiz, Charlotte Emmerson, Sally Carman, Victoria Bailey.
Note: Imdb 7.1 out of 10 with 583 views, Rotten Tomatoes 88% with 8 critics, Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 57 reviews, The Telegraph 4* out of 5*.
Special Note: The Registry Office is actually the City Museum in Leeds and based in Leeds Town Hall.
Originally broadcast on BBC One from 16 November to 21 December 2017. Episode 1: There is security footage of Rob and Kate. Episode 2: There are problems with the marriage of Kristina and Amir. Episode 3: Kate and Rob call the police over the disappearance of Lucy. Episode 4: Judy has sent Rob a USB stick of the security footage. Episode 5: New deceptions come to light. Episode 6: Kate faces the reality of her choices. There is one thing that is different about this movie and it features the same subject for a LONG time. If you can hang in there to see how it goes, then this is a good series. If you get tired of watching and waiting than this is not for you!! 3 1/2* (I liked this series)
TV Series, each episode 58 min, 6 episodes, Drama with Ashley Jensen, Adrian Bower, Kenny Douguhty, Mark Stanley, Rebecca Front, Rochenda Sandall, Mandip Gill, Rhys Cadman, Matthew Marsh, Lily Mae, Kaya Moore, Gaja Filac, Katarina Cas, Noof McEwan, Jonas Khan, Lelila Mimmack, Maja Juric, James Burrows, Grace Ruiz, Charlotte Emmerson, Sally Carman, Victoria Bailey.
Note: Imdb 7.1 out of 10 with 583 views, Rotten Tomatoes 88% with 8 critics, Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 57 reviews, The Telegraph 4* out of 5*.
Special Note: The Registry Office is actually the City Museum in Leeds and based in Leeds Town Hall.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Lots & Lots of Big Trains Volume 1: Giant Railroads in Action 2012
If you like trains, this is the movie for you!! There are 17 of the most colorful and spectacular Big Trains in the world. From the engines to the cabooses are shown. They are traveling through mountains, country sides, cities, towns and countries. There are two sections to this film. You can watch the trains with music or you can watch them with just their own sounds.
There are steam and diesel engines with their unique horns blasting. Separate scenic locales in North America are shown along with areas of South Africa, Wales, Java and Poland with very beautiful scenery. There are camera angles from above, front, back and on board to show all views of the locomotives. You can tell when the engines are struggling up hills. I would have liked narration stating the specifics of the different types of trains and the fuel used for each type? 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
112 min, Family produced by Marshall Publishing & Promotions and directed by Tom Edinger.
Note: Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 25 ratings, aadl.org/catalog 5* with 2 ratings, eBay.com 5.
Special Note: There is another movie with the same title but Volume 2 from 2007.
There are steam and diesel engines with their unique horns blasting. Separate scenic locales in North America are shown along with areas of South Africa, Wales, Java and Poland with very beautiful scenery. There are camera angles from above, front, back and on board to show all views of the locomotives. You can tell when the engines are struggling up hills. I would have liked narration stating the specifics of the different types of trains and the fuel used for each type? 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
112 min, Family produced by Marshall Publishing & Promotions and directed by Tom Edinger.
Note: Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 25 ratings, aadl.org/catalog 5* with 2 ratings, eBay.com 5.
Special Note: There is another movie with the same title but Volume 2 from 2007.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Experiment Perilous 1944
This film is based on a book by Margaret Carpenter published in 1943 and Goodreads gives the book 3.50 with 8 ratings and 3 reviews. The time period of this film is early 1903. Dr. Huntington Bailey encounters a very strange woman on a train. Later, he hears that she has died under unusual circumstances at the Bederaux home? Dr. Bailey becomes acquainted with the Bederaux family. The young son has nightmares, he has trouble going to sleep and staying asleep. The entire family seems to be neurotic and secretive? The wife/mother Alida Bederaux is very beautiful and he first sees her portrait before he meets her in person.
I thought this film was very complicated and there were scenes that I didn’t understand in spite of paying close attention? I do think they are resolved as the film continues. Hedy is very beautiful in her scenes and also in her portrait. I don’t know how the woman Dr. Bailey met on the train died? I don’t know what the medical diagnosis is concerning the husband/father Nick Bederaux? I do know what was causing the nightmares and lack of sleep for the young son. Dr. Bailey keeps his opinions and medical concerns about the Bederaux family to himself!! There are some interesting scenes at the end with horses and the equipment of this time period. 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
91 min, Film-Noir directed by Jacques Tourneur with Hedy Lamarr, George Brent, Paul Lukas, Albert Dekker, Carl Esmond, Olive Blakeney, George N. Neise, Margaret Wycherly, Stephanie Bachelor, Mary Servoss, Julia Dean, William Post Jr.
Note: Imdb 6.4out of 10 with 1,306 views, Rotten Tomatoes 100% with 6 critics 34% audience with 189 ratings, DVD Talk: Movie excellent, video good, sound good by Glenn Erickson, nicksflickpicks.com B-, chicagoreader.com3* J.R. Jones, Amazon 3.8* out of 5* with 12 ratings, Letterboxd 3.1* out of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed at RKO Studios, 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. The title is a common variation of a line from Hippocrates, the Greek Father of Medicine. The meaning is life is short, art is long, decision difficult and experiment perilous. The singing voice of Hedy Lamarr was dubbed by Paula Raymond. 100 tons of ice and 6 snow machines were used to create the snow supposedly in New York City. Lamarr was on loan to RKO for this film. She made only one more for MGM before leaving the studio in 1945 at the end of her 7-year contract. Unusually, several aquariums are along one wall on the first floor of the large Bederaux home. Originally Cary Grant and Gregory were to star in the role of Dr. Bailey.
Hedy Lamarr: She was married six times and she adopted a son James in 1939 during her marriage to Gene Markey, this was her second marriage. She had a daughter Denise in 1945 and a son Anthony in 1947 during her marriage to her third husband John Loder and he adopted James. She died at the age of 86 in January 2000 in the community of Casselberry just north of Orland Florida.
I thought this film was very complicated and there were scenes that I didn’t understand in spite of paying close attention? I do think they are resolved as the film continues. Hedy is very beautiful in her scenes and also in her portrait. I don’t know how the woman Dr. Bailey met on the train died? I don’t know what the medical diagnosis is concerning the husband/father Nick Bederaux? I do know what was causing the nightmares and lack of sleep for the young son. Dr. Bailey keeps his opinions and medical concerns about the Bederaux family to himself!! There are some interesting scenes at the end with horses and the equipment of this time period. 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
91 min, Film-Noir directed by Jacques Tourneur with Hedy Lamarr, George Brent, Paul Lukas, Albert Dekker, Carl Esmond, Olive Blakeney, George N. Neise, Margaret Wycherly, Stephanie Bachelor, Mary Servoss, Julia Dean, William Post Jr.
Note: Imdb 6.4out of 10 with 1,306 views, Rotten Tomatoes 100% with 6 critics 34% audience with 189 ratings, DVD Talk: Movie excellent, video good, sound good by Glenn Erickson, nicksflickpicks.com B-, chicagoreader.com3* J.R. Jones, Amazon 3.8* out of 5* with 12 ratings, Letterboxd 3.1* out of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed at RKO Studios, 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. The title is a common variation of a line from Hippocrates, the Greek Father of Medicine. The meaning is life is short, art is long, decision difficult and experiment perilous. The singing voice of Hedy Lamarr was dubbed by Paula Raymond. 100 tons of ice and 6 snow machines were used to create the snow supposedly in New York City. Lamarr was on loan to RKO for this film. She made only one more for MGM before leaving the studio in 1945 at the end of her 7-year contract. Unusually, several aquariums are along one wall on the first floor of the large Bederaux home. Originally Cary Grant and Gregory were to star in the role of Dr. Bailey.
Hedy Lamarr: She was married six times and she adopted a son James in 1939 during her marriage to Gene Markey, this was her second marriage. She had a daughter Denise in 1945 and a son Anthony in 1947 during her marriage to her third husband John Loder and he adopted James. She died at the age of 86 in January 2000 in the community of Casselberry just north of Orland Florida.
Monday, February 17, 2020
The Shadow Riders 1982
This film is based on a novel written by Louis L’Amour. After the Civil War between 1861 and 1865, two brothers are demobilized from the army, one fighting for the Union and the other fighting for the Confederates. They return to the Traven home and learn that the Union man was reported dead?? They also learn that a marauding band of guerrillas has kidnapped the women except for their mother and also a younger brother was taken. Dal’s fiancee has also been taken and Dal learns she was courted by someone else since she thought he was dead?? That makes him plenty mad!! Mac and Dal Traven set out to locate the women, the brother and also bring them home. Their parents are very worried!! They also find out that their Uncle ‘Black Jack’ Traven is in jail?? They will need to rescue him to help with their mission.
The Traven family members and Dal’s fiancé are going to be transported to Mexico by human traffickers. Mac and Dal along with Uncle ‘Black Jack’ will need to quickly reach the location where they are waiting to be put on a ship. If they are taken to Mexico, they will probably never be found?? It’s possible the younger brother will be killed or forced into slave labor. The fate of the women will be much worse!! One of the kidnappers takes a shine to Dal’s fiancé too!! 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
100 min, Western directed by Andrew V. McLagen, written by Jim Byrnes with Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott, Dominique Dunne, Ben Johnson, Scanlon Gail, Geoffrey Lewis, Jeff Osterhage, Gene Evans, Katharine Ross, R.G. Armstrong, Marshall R. Teague, Ben Fuhrman, Jane Greer, Harry Carey Jr., Natalie May.
Note: Imdb 6.8 out of 10, Rotten Tomatoes, 72% audience with 2,770 ratings, Amazon 4.5* with 592 ratings, Letterboxd 3.2* out of 5*, ebay.com 5* with 38 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in Jamestown, Sonora, Columbia and Santa Cruz, California. Sam Elliott, Tom Selleck and Jeff Osterhage wanted to do another western together after they did The Sacketts 1979. They contacted Louis L’Amour and asked him to write a story ideas for them. This film was the result. In the book for this film, Mac and Dall are flip-flopped in their descriptions. The locomotive pulling Holliday Hammond’s train is Sierra Railroad No. 3. It was built in 1891 and nicknamed the movie star engine. It has been featured in numerous Westerns and also in Back to the Future Part III 1990. Katharine Ross is married to Sam Elliott and they have a daughter Cleo Rose Elliott.
The Traven family members and Dal’s fiancé are going to be transported to Mexico by human traffickers. Mac and Dal along with Uncle ‘Black Jack’ will need to quickly reach the location where they are waiting to be put on a ship. If they are taken to Mexico, they will probably never be found?? It’s possible the younger brother will be killed or forced into slave labor. The fate of the women will be much worse!! One of the kidnappers takes a shine to Dal’s fiancé too!! 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
100 min, Western directed by Andrew V. McLagen, written by Jim Byrnes with Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott, Dominique Dunne, Ben Johnson, Scanlon Gail, Geoffrey Lewis, Jeff Osterhage, Gene Evans, Katharine Ross, R.G. Armstrong, Marshall R. Teague, Ben Fuhrman, Jane Greer, Harry Carey Jr., Natalie May.
Note: Imdb 6.8 out of 10, Rotten Tomatoes, 72% audience with 2,770 ratings, Amazon 4.5* with 592 ratings, Letterboxd 3.2* out of 5*, ebay.com 5* with 38 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in Jamestown, Sonora, Columbia and Santa Cruz, California. Sam Elliott, Tom Selleck and Jeff Osterhage wanted to do another western together after they did The Sacketts 1979. They contacted Louis L’Amour and asked him to write a story ideas for them. This film was the result. In the book for this film, Mac and Dall are flip-flopped in their descriptions. The locomotive pulling Holliday Hammond’s train is Sierra Railroad No. 3. It was built in 1891 and nicknamed the movie star engine. It has been featured in numerous Westerns and also in Back to the Future Part III 1990. Katharine Ross is married to Sam Elliott and they have a daughter Cleo Rose Elliott.
Sunday, February 16, 2020
99 River Street 1953
Boxer Ernie Driscoll has lost his heavyweight championship match. It was a brutal fight and Ernie has a scar above his right eye plus damage to the eye. He is married to Pauline and she blames him for her lack of social status and their low income. Ernie is driving a cab for a living and Pauline works at a florist shop. What Ernie doesn’t know is that Pauline is romantically involved with jewel thief Victor Rawlins. They are exchanging diamonds for $50,000 cash. There is a snag in the exchange and the man with the $50,000 doesn’t like to do deals with women involved??
This is a good movie for one filmed in 1953. It is in black and white and the people who come up against Ernie don’t know that he is a former boxer. He can knock them out and do damage to their faces with just a few bare handed punches!! Pauline really gives him a rough time with constant browbeating and nagging!! He goes back to his former gym to try to get a fight but his manager says no. If Ernie fights again, he could lose the sight in his damaged right eye. Plus, he is not in shape and he has not been working out or training. Ernie wants to earn more money and this is his reason for wanting a fight. Maybe this could improve his status and relationship with Pauline? 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
83 min, Action directed by Phil Karlson and, Frank Faylen,m Peggie Castle, Jay Adler, Jack Lambert, Glenn Langan, Eddy Waller, John Daheim, Ian Wolfe, Peter Leeds, William Tannen.
Note: Imdb 7.4 out of 10 with 2,363 views, 100% with 5 critics 79% audience with 381 ratings, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 49 reviews, Letterboxd 3.6* with 879 votes, eBay.com average rating 4-5* from $18.94 to $34.95.
Special Note: Filmed on The Lot -1041 N. Formosa Avenue, West Hollywood, California. Ernie buys a box of candy to give to Pauline. It is $5 but that would be about $48 in 2019!! Originally, producer Edward Small wanted Linda Darnell to play the lead in this film. There is a mistake when Ernies is waiting for Pauline at a bar. The bartender takes his beer bottle but in the next scene the bottle is in front of Ernie again? A cop tells Ernie to move his cab from beside a fire plug or he will be ticketed. The police car is across the street but when Ernie gets into the cab, the police car is right behind him?
This is a good movie for one filmed in 1953. It is in black and white and the people who come up against Ernie don’t know that he is a former boxer. He can knock them out and do damage to their faces with just a few bare handed punches!! Pauline really gives him a rough time with constant browbeating and nagging!! He goes back to his former gym to try to get a fight but his manager says no. If Ernie fights again, he could lose the sight in his damaged right eye. Plus, he is not in shape and he has not been working out or training. Ernie wants to earn more money and this is his reason for wanting a fight. Maybe this could improve his status and relationship with Pauline? 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
83 min, Action directed by Phil Karlson and, Frank Faylen,m Peggie Castle, Jay Adler, Jack Lambert, Glenn Langan, Eddy Waller, John Daheim, Ian Wolfe, Peter Leeds, William Tannen.
Note: Imdb 7.4 out of 10 with 2,363 views, 100% with 5 critics 79% audience with 381 ratings, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 49 reviews, Letterboxd 3.6* with 879 votes, eBay.com average rating 4-5* from $18.94 to $34.95.
Special Note: Filmed on The Lot -1041 N. Formosa Avenue, West Hollywood, California. Ernie buys a box of candy to give to Pauline. It is $5 but that would be about $48 in 2019!! Originally, producer Edward Small wanted Linda Darnell to play the lead in this film. There is a mistake when Ernies is waiting for Pauline at a bar. The bartender takes his beer bottle but in the next scene the bottle is in front of Ernie again? A cop tells Ernie to move his cab from beside a fire plug or he will be ticketed. The police car is across the street but when Ernie gets into the cab, the police car is right behind him?
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Overcomer 2019
Unexpected news cause changes overnight for Coach John Harrison. His high school basketball team and state championship dreams are possibly going away? The largest manufacturing plant shuts down and hundreds of families leave the town. John questions how he and his family will face an uncertain future? He reluctantly agrees to coach cross-country. John and his wife Amy meet an aspiring athlete, Hannah Scott who’s pushing her limits on a journey toward discovery of herself. She has a troubled past but she can run and run fast!! She lives with her grandmother and she’s unhappy. John becomes inspired by the words and prayers of his new friend he met in the local hospital. John is the least likely coach helping Hannah the least likely runner. They will attempt the impossible in the biggest race of the year!!
The central theme of this film is forgiveness. It is demonstrated on many levels. There is also compassion, humility and the importance of communication. There is a character with past drug use and there a reference to a young mother who died from a drug overdose. There is a teen who steals items like headphones and cell phones, parents that were meth-addicted and a father who leaves his baby and the mother. Some of the reviews object to this film being too churchy? The Kendrick brother produce church movies, what else can I say. You need to know that when you start watching or you don't watch!! 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
119 min, Drama directed and written by Alex and Stephen Kendrick with Sahri Rigby, Aryn Wright-Thompson, Alex Kendrick, Cameron Arnett, Priscilla C. Shirer, Ben Davies, Holly A. Morris, Bruce Marchiano, Jared Staley, Kendrick Cross, Elizabeth Becca, Elijah B. Moore, Caleb Kendrick, Myke Holmes, Denise Armstrong.
Note: Imdb 6.5 out of 10 with 2,516 views, Rotten Tomatoes 50% with 16 critics 98% audience score with 7,213 ratings, Common Sense Media Tara McNamara, age 10+, 4* positive, 3* role models, 1* violence, 1* consumerism, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, Roger Ebert Mark Dujsik, Metacritic 17 out of 100 with 5 critics (0 positive, 1 mixed, 4 negative) 6.9 out of 10 with 40 ratings (26 positive, 4 mixed, 10 negative), Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 1907 reviews, Facebook 5* out of 5* with 2,617 opinions, dove.org 5* faith 5* integrity 1* sex 2* tension, there stealing, death, grief and a heated confrontation between a woman and a couple, Letterboxd 2.7* out of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed in Columbus and Columbus State University Georgia, Albany Georgia and Nashville, Tennessee. Other films by the Kendrick brothers are Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous. War Room, The Grace Card and Unconditional.
The central theme of this film is forgiveness. It is demonstrated on many levels. There is also compassion, humility and the importance of communication. There is a character with past drug use and there a reference to a young mother who died from a drug overdose. There is a teen who steals items like headphones and cell phones, parents that were meth-addicted and a father who leaves his baby and the mother. Some of the reviews object to this film being too churchy? The Kendrick brother produce church movies, what else can I say. You need to know that when you start watching or you don't watch!! 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
119 min, Drama directed and written by Alex and Stephen Kendrick with Sahri Rigby, Aryn Wright-Thompson, Alex Kendrick, Cameron Arnett, Priscilla C. Shirer, Ben Davies, Holly A. Morris, Bruce Marchiano, Jared Staley, Kendrick Cross, Elizabeth Becca, Elijah B. Moore, Caleb Kendrick, Myke Holmes, Denise Armstrong.
Note: Imdb 6.5 out of 10 with 2,516 views, Rotten Tomatoes 50% with 16 critics 98% audience score with 7,213 ratings, Common Sense Media Tara McNamara, age 10+, 4* positive, 3* role models, 1* violence, 1* consumerism, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, Roger Ebert Mark Dujsik, Metacritic 17 out of 100 with 5 critics (0 positive, 1 mixed, 4 negative) 6.9 out of 10 with 40 ratings (26 positive, 4 mixed, 10 negative), Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 1907 reviews, Facebook 5* out of 5* with 2,617 opinions, dove.org 5* faith 5* integrity 1* sex 2* tension, there stealing, death, grief and a heated confrontation between a woman and a couple, Letterboxd 2.7* out of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed in Columbus and Columbus State University Georgia, Albany Georgia and Nashville, Tennessee. Other films by the Kendrick brothers are Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous. War Room, The Grace Card and Unconditional.
Friday, February 14, 2020
Victoria 2015
This movie is shot in a single take with a hand held camera. A young Spanish woman has recently moved to Berlin and she is actually a runaway party girl. She finds her flirtation with a local guy turn potentially deadly as their night out with his two friends reveals a dangerous secret.
I didn’t last very long watching this movie. Maybe it is cutting edge with the single take hand held camera but there needs to also be something interesting to watch?? Maybe it’s because of the age group and the things this group is drawn into doing? If you are a viewer fitting into this category, it could possibly be good? If you are older or younger or what they are doing is not your scene, you probably will not like this movie?? I could see right away that what Victoria was doing could be dangerous!! 1 1/2* (I really didn’t like this movie)
138 min, Crime directed and written by Sebastian Schipper and Olivia Neergaard-Holm, Eike Frederik Schulz with Laia Costa, Frederick Lau, Franz Rogowski, Burak Yigit, Max Mauff, Andre Hennicke, Eike Frederik Schulz, Hans-Ulrich Laux, Lena Klenke, Philipp Kubitza, Martin Goeres, Andreas Schmitka, Jan Breustedt, David Micas, Timo Honsa.
Note: Imdb 7.7 out of 10 with 47,156 views, Rotten Tomatoes 82% with 131 critics 83% with 4918 ratings, Roger Ebert Brian Tallerico 3*, The Guardian 5* Jonathan Romney, Metacritic 77 (21 positive mixed 6) with 127 critics 7.7 user score (74 positive, 10 mixed, 10 negative), Amazon 3.9* out of 5* with 68 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in Berlin, Germany. The dialogue is almost all improvised from a 12 page script. The plot moves the cast and crew across seven locations. A review says one city, one night, one take, one wow!! The film unfolds in real-time and hits life’s imperfections and meandering beats along the way. Generous reviews are for the filming and not the movie? There isn’t a lot going on at first and it can be very slow. It does pick up as it goes along and the actors don’t seem like actors. It feels like a real night out but it lacks a story, is annoying at times and the happenings are off screen? It’s like spending too many hours in a bar??
I didn’t last very long watching this movie. Maybe it is cutting edge with the single take hand held camera but there needs to also be something interesting to watch?? Maybe it’s because of the age group and the things this group is drawn into doing? If you are a viewer fitting into this category, it could possibly be good? If you are older or younger or what they are doing is not your scene, you probably will not like this movie?? I could see right away that what Victoria was doing could be dangerous!! 1 1/2* (I really didn’t like this movie)
138 min, Crime directed and written by Sebastian Schipper and Olivia Neergaard-Holm, Eike Frederik Schulz with Laia Costa, Frederick Lau, Franz Rogowski, Burak Yigit, Max Mauff, Andre Hennicke, Eike Frederik Schulz, Hans-Ulrich Laux, Lena Klenke, Philipp Kubitza, Martin Goeres, Andreas Schmitka, Jan Breustedt, David Micas, Timo Honsa.
Note: Imdb 7.7 out of 10 with 47,156 views, Rotten Tomatoes 82% with 131 critics 83% with 4918 ratings, Roger Ebert Brian Tallerico 3*, The Guardian 5* Jonathan Romney, Metacritic 77 (21 positive mixed 6) with 127 critics 7.7 user score (74 positive, 10 mixed, 10 negative), Amazon 3.9* out of 5* with 68 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in Berlin, Germany. The dialogue is almost all improvised from a 12 page script. The plot moves the cast and crew across seven locations. A review says one city, one night, one take, one wow!! The film unfolds in real-time and hits life’s imperfections and meandering beats along the way. Generous reviews are for the filming and not the movie? There isn’t a lot going on at first and it can be very slow. It does pick up as it goes along and the actors don’t seem like actors. It feels like a real night out but it lacks a story, is annoying at times and the happenings are off screen? It’s like spending too many hours in a bar??
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Mother and Child 2009
Nearly forty years ago, Karen was a young girl of fourteen, she is pregnant and she gives her baby up for adoption. Now, it is the present day and we meet three very different women. Each woman struggles to maintain control of her life. Karen, is a now a health care professional and she has a lot of heart but she never shows it. Karen gave up her daughter and she thinks about her every day. She is married to Paco and they met at work. Karen has never recovered from giving her daughter away. Some of her feelings have turned to bitterness and she can suddenly lash out at the people around her. Paco persuades Karen to write a letter to her adult daughter. She leaves the letter at the Catholic agency that arranged the adoption. Elizabeth is a smart and successful lawyer. Elizabeth is Karen’s adopted daughter, she becomes pregnant and she dies while giving birth to her child. No one knows about the baby and no one steps forward to claim the child. Lucy wants to have a child and she has applied to adopt a baby. She adopts Elizabeth’s baby.
There is a LOT going on in this film!! There is a gentleness along with being strong, moving, powerful and there are also funny elements. The subject matter portrayed is heavy and some adults and older teens may become overwhelmed. The pace is slightly slow but it allows you to absorb, contemplate and feel emotions along with the characters. 5* (I really liked this movie)
125 min, Drama directed and written by Rodrigo Garcia with Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington, Alexandria M. Salling, Connor Kramme, Eileen Ryan, Samuel L. Jackson, Cherry Jones, David Ramsey, Kay D’Arcy, Bradford Alex, Jimmy Smith, Elpidia Carrillo Simone Lopez, Carla Gallo.
Note: Imdb 7.2 out of 10, Roger Ebert 3 1/2*, Rotten Tomatoes 78% critic with 127 critics 76% audience with 6950 ratings, The Guardian 2* out of 5* Peter Bradshaw, Common Sense Medai S. Jhoanna Robeldo age 17+, 3* positive 1* role models, 2* violence, 4* sex, 4* language, 1* drinking, drug, smoking, Pop Sugar 4* out of 5*.
Special Note: Naomi Watts spent only eight days on set for her leading role. The director and writer Rodrigo Garcia is the son of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Gabriel was known affectionately as Gabo or Gabito throughout Latin America. He is a writer of Columbian novels and he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982 for his 1967 novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude. He died at the age of 87 on April 17, 2014.
There is a LOT going on in this film!! There is a gentleness along with being strong, moving, powerful and there are also funny elements. The subject matter portrayed is heavy and some adults and older teens may become overwhelmed. The pace is slightly slow but it allows you to absorb, contemplate and feel emotions along with the characters. 5* (I really liked this movie)
125 min, Drama directed and written by Rodrigo Garcia with Naomi Watts, Annette Bening, Kerry Washington, Alexandria M. Salling, Connor Kramme, Eileen Ryan, Samuel L. Jackson, Cherry Jones, David Ramsey, Kay D’Arcy, Bradford Alex, Jimmy Smith, Elpidia Carrillo Simone Lopez, Carla Gallo.
Note: Imdb 7.2 out of 10, Roger Ebert 3 1/2*, Rotten Tomatoes 78% critic with 127 critics 76% audience with 6950 ratings, The Guardian 2* out of 5* Peter Bradshaw, Common Sense Medai S. Jhoanna Robeldo age 17+, 3* positive 1* role models, 2* violence, 4* sex, 4* language, 1* drinking, drug, smoking, Pop Sugar 4* out of 5*.
Special Note: Naomi Watts spent only eight days on set for her leading role. The director and writer Rodrigo Garcia is the son of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Gabriel was known affectionately as Gabo or Gabito throughout Latin America. He is a writer of Columbian novels and he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1982 for his 1967 novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude. He died at the age of 87 on April 17, 2014.
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Lemon 2017
A man is watching his life unravel after his girlfriend of 10 years leaves him!! A lemon is a person or think that proves to be defective, imperfect or unsatisfactory. Isaac Lachmann is a dud as a person and he is 40 years old. He is a man in free fall and immobilized by mediocrity. His career is going nowhere and his overbearing family doesn’t help matters. He wonders what he did to deserve this?? He had big dreams and life was supposed to turn out differently for him?? He didn’t expect this kind of life and to watch it unravel as time moves on?? The first third of Lemon can be entertaining but it tells us very little about the main character Isaac. Then, it simply maintains a pulse for the remainder of the film?? What I did not like was that Isaac is basically an unappealing character, how can you generate sympathy for him?? There is some unneeded talk about violent or gruesome acts but they are not shown?? A phone falls into a toilet that isn’t flushed and there is a pair of dead birds. These scenes are unnecessary and only for shock value!!! A LOT of racial slurs and more poop as if the toilet episode wasn’t enough?? 1 1/2* (I really didn’t like this movie)
83 min, Comedy directed by Janicza Bravo and written by Brett Gelman and Janicza Bravo with Brett Gelman, Judy Greer, Michael Cera, Gillian Jacobs, Jeff Darlin, Kayla Harrity, Shiri Appleby, Megan Mullally, Robin McDonald, Nia Long, Jon Daly, Hank Chen, Rhea Perlman, Fred Melamed, Elizabeth De Razzo.
Note: Imdb 4.8 out of 10* with 12,446 views, Rotten Tomatoes 46% with 45 critics 31% with 772 user ratings, Roger Ebert 2* Sheila O’Malley, Metacritic 59 out of 100 with 20 critics (9 positive, 9 mixed 2 negative) 5.8 out of 10 with 8 user scores (4 positive, 2 mixed, 2 negative), Common Sense Media Jeffrey M. Anderson, age 15+, 2* violence, 3* sex, 4* language, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, Amazon 2.6* out of 5* with 46 reviews.
Special Note: Writer/director Janicza Bravo and writer/actor Brett Gelman are married in real life. When the movie premiered, their families had not seen the film yet. Their families learned that they are portrayed as dysfunctional!! I wonder what kind of reaction they had?? That may be better than the film!! The world premiere was held at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
83 min, Comedy directed by Janicza Bravo and written by Brett Gelman and Janicza Bravo with Brett Gelman, Judy Greer, Michael Cera, Gillian Jacobs, Jeff Darlin, Kayla Harrity, Shiri Appleby, Megan Mullally, Robin McDonald, Nia Long, Jon Daly, Hank Chen, Rhea Perlman, Fred Melamed, Elizabeth De Razzo.
Note: Imdb 4.8 out of 10* with 12,446 views, Rotten Tomatoes 46% with 45 critics 31% with 772 user ratings, Roger Ebert 2* Sheila O’Malley, Metacritic 59 out of 100 with 20 critics (9 positive, 9 mixed 2 negative) 5.8 out of 10 with 8 user scores (4 positive, 2 mixed, 2 negative), Common Sense Media Jeffrey M. Anderson, age 15+, 2* violence, 3* sex, 4* language, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, Amazon 2.6* out of 5* with 46 reviews.
Special Note: Writer/director Janicza Bravo and writer/actor Brett Gelman are married in real life. When the movie premiered, their families had not seen the film yet. Their families learned that they are portrayed as dysfunctional!! I wonder what kind of reaction they had?? That may be better than the film!! The world premiere was held at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Here and Now 2018
Vivienne is an established singer/songwriter in New York and she gets a grim diagnosis that puts her life and dreams into perspective. Her career has been successful and she is on the eve of a major performance. She crisscrosses the busy streets of New York and she thinks about balance. Her music tour, family and friends. She contacts her overbearing mother Jeanne, her long-time manager Ben and her ex-husband Nick. She tries to put her past and present situation into perspective. She has already made important decision and sacrifices, what should her answer be at this time??
Vivienne has lived an extraordinary life but she also has regrets. She is an absentee mother with a time-consuming career. She has a prickly relationship with her mom. She has a string of broken relationships past and present. As this film goes along, Vivienne gives us insight about how someone with a terminal diagnosis would process and cope with this event. The subject is very heavy but the film is not. It is really a LOT of Sarah Jessica Parker walking around New York for a day looking sad and disappointing people right and left? She is beautiful in her several outfit changes and she walks perfectly in high heels? Is this what should be going on when you are facing your own death?? Will talking to herself continually give her the decision she needs to make? 1 1/2* (I really didn’t like this movie)
91 min, Drama directed by Fabien Constant and written by Laura Eason with Renee Zellweger, Simon Baker, Sarah Jessica Parker, Taylor Kinney, Jacqueline Bisset, Common, Waleed Zuaiter, Gus B irney, Phillipa Soo, Mary Beth Peil, Michael Potts, Doris McCarthy.
Note: Imdb 4.3* out of 10 with 1,038 views, Rotten Tomatoes 23% with 22 critics 10% with 62 audience scores, Common Sense Media Tara McNamara, age 14+, 3* positive, 1* role model. 4* sex, 4* language, 2* consumerism, 2* drinking, drugs & smoking, meteoritic 45 out of 100 with 10 critics (10 mixed), observer.com 2* Rex Reed, Amazon 2.6* out of 5* with 61 reviews, Letterboxd 2 1/2* David Ehrilch.
Special Note: This is a remake of a French New Wave film from 1962 titled Cleo From 5 to 7. Simon Baker previously played a character called Nick in the TV-Series The guardian.
Mistake: When Viv goes into the bar for Tessa’s party a guy looks at a wine bottle and asks her if she would like some Chablis and then he pours red wine from the bottle?
Vivienne has lived an extraordinary life but she also has regrets. She is an absentee mother with a time-consuming career. She has a prickly relationship with her mom. She has a string of broken relationships past and present. As this film goes along, Vivienne gives us insight about how someone with a terminal diagnosis would process and cope with this event. The subject is very heavy but the film is not. It is really a LOT of Sarah Jessica Parker walking around New York for a day looking sad and disappointing people right and left? She is beautiful in her several outfit changes and she walks perfectly in high heels? Is this what should be going on when you are facing your own death?? Will talking to herself continually give her the decision she needs to make? 1 1/2* (I really didn’t like this movie)
91 min, Drama directed by Fabien Constant and written by Laura Eason with Renee Zellweger, Simon Baker, Sarah Jessica Parker, Taylor Kinney, Jacqueline Bisset, Common, Waleed Zuaiter, Gus B irney, Phillipa Soo, Mary Beth Peil, Michael Potts, Doris McCarthy.
Note: Imdb 4.3* out of 10 with 1,038 views, Rotten Tomatoes 23% with 22 critics 10% with 62 audience scores, Common Sense Media Tara McNamara, age 14+, 3* positive, 1* role model. 4* sex, 4* language, 2* consumerism, 2* drinking, drugs & smoking, meteoritic 45 out of 100 with 10 critics (10 mixed), observer.com 2* Rex Reed, Amazon 2.6* out of 5* with 61 reviews, Letterboxd 2 1/2* David Ehrilch.
Special Note: This is a remake of a French New Wave film from 1962 titled Cleo From 5 to 7. Simon Baker previously played a character called Nick in the TV-Series The guardian.
Mistake: When Viv goes into the bar for Tessa’s party a guy looks at a wine bottle and asks her if she would like some Chablis and then he pours red wine from the bottle?
Monday, February 10, 2020
The Sun is Also a Star 2019
This film is based on a New York Times bestselling book by Nicola Yoon. Natasha believes in science and facts, she doesn’t believe in fate or destiny or dreams!! She isn’t the type to meet a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and fall in love?? Her family is just 12 hours away from being deported!! This can’t be happening to a studious and serious girl like Natasha?? Daniel has always been a the good son, good student, living up to high expectations and never a poet or a dreamer. But, when he sees Natasha, he forgets everything that he is?? He thinks that fate has something extraordinary in store for both of them!! There are a million futures before them, which one will come true??
There is actually some substance in this film beneath the fluff!! The ending is perfect and almost daring. But, there is a natural stopping point that feels right but it keeps on going? This can bring on the giggles!! It is a coming of age love story. There is a fistfight between brothers ending with visible bruises. A car almost hits a cyclist and someone else. There are historical, cultural and scientific details plus falling in love and following your dreams. There is a also clear theme of empathy.
100 min, Drama directed by Ry Russo-Young with Year Shahidi, Anais Lee, Charles Melton, John Leguizamo, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Miriam A. Hyman, Jordan Williams, Jake Choi, Kenos Sim, Cathy Shim, Shamika Cotton, Camrus Johnson, Hill Harper, Harry Chambarry, Tash Neal.
Note: Imdb 5.8 out of 10 with 3,792 views, Rotten Tomatoes 51% with 98 critics 62% with 782 user ratings, Roger Ebert 2 1/2*, RollingStone 3* out of 5* David Fear, Amazon 4.6* out of 5* with 1,054 ratings, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen,age 13+, 4* positive, 4* role models, 2* violence, 3* sex, 3* language, 2* consumerism. Goodreads gives the book 4.08* out of 5* with 148,727 ratings and 20,921 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in New York City, New York. Shahidi was the first choice for the role of Natasha by director Ry Russo-Young and the studio. Charles Melton is half Korean and half British descent in real life. The age difference between Yara (2000) and Charles 1991) is 9 years. There are elements from the film Serendipity 2001 and near the end of both movies, the Caffe Reggio Original Cappuccino Shop is seen. Loosely based on the life of Nicola Yoon and her husband. But, neither faced immigration issues like those in the film. The ending is different from the book.
There is actually some substance in this film beneath the fluff!! The ending is perfect and almost daring. But, there is a natural stopping point that feels right but it keeps on going? This can bring on the giggles!! It is a coming of age love story. There is a fistfight between brothers ending with visible bruises. A car almost hits a cyclist and someone else. There are historical, cultural and scientific details plus falling in love and following your dreams. There is a also clear theme of empathy.
100 min, Drama directed by Ry Russo-Young with Year Shahidi, Anais Lee, Charles Melton, John Leguizamo, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Miriam A. Hyman, Jordan Williams, Jake Choi, Kenos Sim, Cathy Shim, Shamika Cotton, Camrus Johnson, Hill Harper, Harry Chambarry, Tash Neal.
Note: Imdb 5.8 out of 10 with 3,792 views, Rotten Tomatoes 51% with 98 critics 62% with 782 user ratings, Roger Ebert 2 1/2*, RollingStone 3* out of 5* David Fear, Amazon 4.6* out of 5* with 1,054 ratings, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen,age 13+, 4* positive, 4* role models, 2* violence, 3* sex, 3* language, 2* consumerism. Goodreads gives the book 4.08* out of 5* with 148,727 ratings and 20,921 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in New York City, New York. Shahidi was the first choice for the role of Natasha by director Ry Russo-Young and the studio. Charles Melton is half Korean and half British descent in real life. The age difference between Yara (2000) and Charles 1991) is 9 years. There are elements from the film Serendipity 2001 and near the end of both movies, the Caffe Reggio Original Cappuccino Shop is seen. Loosely based on the life of Nicola Yoon and her husband. But, neither faced immigration issues like those in the film. The ending is different from the book.
In the Bedroom 2001
This film is based on a short story by Andre Dubus titled Killings 1979. The setting of this film is Mid-Coast Maine. The Fowler family has one son Frank, he’s home from his freshman year at college and he is on summer vacation. His mother Ruth is the school choir director and she is unhappy with Frank dating soon-to-be divorced mother Natalie. She is several years older than Frank with two children. Matt is the town doctor and Frank’s father, he doesn’t see a problem with the relationship? Natalie’s jilted husband causes all kinds of problems until a tragedy shakes this community to its very core.
This film is very accurate with the mannerisms, dialect and social customs of this area. It is a complex film that can be troubling at times and too intense for many teens. There is a lot of grief in the lives of the characters and it could be too much for young viewers. Especially those that have lost a relative or friend. A few violent scenes that are graphic and wrenching. There is minimal family communication, sharing and children witness abuse that is not shown. There are times that this film feels and seems like something ordinary, everyday and real. It also seems up close and personal to your own life. You have to remind yourself that this is not your story!! Some reviewers found the movie to be boring? Others didn’t want the movie to end? 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
130 min, Crime directed by Todd Field and written by Andre Dubus, Robert Festinger, Todd Field with Tom Wilkinson, Sissy Spacek, Nick Stahl, Marisa Tomei, William Mapother, William Wise, Celia Weston, Karen Allen, Frank T. Wells, W. Clapham Murray, Justin Ashforth, Terry A. Burgess, Jonathan Walsh, Diane E. Hamlin, Camden Adams, Henry Field, Bill Dawkins.
Note: Imdb 7.4 out of 10 with 36,380 views, Roger Ebert 4*, Rotten Tomatoes 93% with 138 critics 81% with 20,107 user ratings, Metacritic 86 out of 100 with 31 critics (27 positive, 4 mixed) 7.4 out of 10 user scores with 70 ratings (52 positive, 11 mixed, 8 negative), Common Sense Media, Chloe Mead, age 16+, 3* violence, 3* sex, 3* language, 3* drinking, drugs, smoking, Reel Views James Berardinelli 4*, Amazon 3.8* out of 5* with 480 reviews, Letterboxd 3.7* out of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed in Camden, Old Orchard Beach, Belfast, Owls Head, Rockland, Rockport, Wiscasset and Tevett, Maine. There were 15 takes with Sissy Spacek slapping Marisa Tomei. In the final version of the film the first take was used. The title refers to the rear compartment of a lobster trap known as the bedroom. It can only hold two lobsters and they can turn on each other. Spacek decorated the house in which her character lives. This is the highest grossing non-IMAZ film in history to never reach the top 10 in a given week? The poems are William Blake’s Auguries of Innocence and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s My Lost Youth. Many of the products used in the film are real regional products commonly found in seacoast Maine.
Awards: Sissy Spacek for Best Actress, Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, New York Film Critics, Independent Spirit Award, Satellite Award, LA Film Critics Assn. Todd Field and Rob Festinger Satellite Best Adapted Screenplay, Todd Field National Board of Review. Tom Wilkinson Best Male Lead Independent Spirit, New York Film Critics Award.
This film is very accurate with the mannerisms, dialect and social customs of this area. It is a complex film that can be troubling at times and too intense for many teens. There is a lot of grief in the lives of the characters and it could be too much for young viewers. Especially those that have lost a relative or friend. A few violent scenes that are graphic and wrenching. There is minimal family communication, sharing and children witness abuse that is not shown. There are times that this film feels and seems like something ordinary, everyday and real. It also seems up close and personal to your own life. You have to remind yourself that this is not your story!! Some reviewers found the movie to be boring? Others didn’t want the movie to end? 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
130 min, Crime directed by Todd Field and written by Andre Dubus, Robert Festinger, Todd Field with Tom Wilkinson, Sissy Spacek, Nick Stahl, Marisa Tomei, William Mapother, William Wise, Celia Weston, Karen Allen, Frank T. Wells, W. Clapham Murray, Justin Ashforth, Terry A. Burgess, Jonathan Walsh, Diane E. Hamlin, Camden Adams, Henry Field, Bill Dawkins.
Note: Imdb 7.4 out of 10 with 36,380 views, Roger Ebert 4*, Rotten Tomatoes 93% with 138 critics 81% with 20,107 user ratings, Metacritic 86 out of 100 with 31 critics (27 positive, 4 mixed) 7.4 out of 10 user scores with 70 ratings (52 positive, 11 mixed, 8 negative), Common Sense Media, Chloe Mead, age 16+, 3* violence, 3* sex, 3* language, 3* drinking, drugs, smoking, Reel Views James Berardinelli 4*, Amazon 3.8* out of 5* with 480 reviews, Letterboxd 3.7* out of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed in Camden, Old Orchard Beach, Belfast, Owls Head, Rockland, Rockport, Wiscasset and Tevett, Maine. There were 15 takes with Sissy Spacek slapping Marisa Tomei. In the final version of the film the first take was used. The title refers to the rear compartment of a lobster trap known as the bedroom. It can only hold two lobsters and they can turn on each other. Spacek decorated the house in which her character lives. This is the highest grossing non-IMAZ film in history to never reach the top 10 in a given week? The poems are William Blake’s Auguries of Innocence and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s My Lost Youth. Many of the products used in the film are real regional products commonly found in seacoast Maine.
Awards: Sissy Spacek for Best Actress, Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, New York Film Critics, Independent Spirit Award, Satellite Award, LA Film Critics Assn. Todd Field and Rob Festinger Satellite Best Adapted Screenplay, Todd Field National Board of Review. Tom Wilkinson Best Male Lead Independent Spirit, New York Film Critics Award.
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Mystery Road: Series One 2018
Detective Jay Swan is assigned to investigate the mysterious disappearance of two young farm hands on an outback cattle station. One of the boys is a local and the other a backpacker. Police Sergeant Emma James works with Jay on the investigation and they uncover a past injustice that threatens the structure of the whole community.
This series is a six part spin-off from Ivan Sen’s feature films Master Road 2013 and Goldstone 2016. There is a LOT going on in this film!! Judy Davis has been in films from 1977 to 2015. She has been in television productions from 1980 and her latest is an upcoming series titled Ratched of 2020. I’ve seen her in My Brilliant Career 1979 and A Passage to India 1984. In this series, she is very thin and always in her police uniform. She has red straight short hair and this doesn’t do her any justice or help her with not looking old?
The scenery of Australia is very beautiful and also very vast and desolate in some places!! The makeup of their culture is about 91% white or multiracial people, mostly white and part white. There is 5% East Asian, 2% Indian 2% Aboriginal. There are approximately 123,000 full or partial Spanish descent. A large number of minorities put white in addition to their other race. There are three states/territories. Population of South Australia 1,717,000, Tasmania 519,100, Australian Capital Territory 406,400.
57 min each episode, directed by Rachel Perkins, produced by David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin with Aaron Pedersen, Judy Davis, Deborah Mailman, Wayne Blair, Colin Friels, Anthony Hayes, Tasia Zalar, Madeleine Madden, Aaron L. McGrath, Rohan Mirchandaney, Meyne Wyatt.
Note: Imdb 7.6 out of 10 with 1,542 views, 6 episodes, Rotten Tomatoes 100% with 15 critics 78% with 13 ratings, The Guardian 4* out of 5* Larissa Behrendt, Metacritic 72 out of 100 with 4 critics (3 positive, 1 mixed), Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 129 ratings, dailyreview.com 4* out of 5* Luke Buckmaster, acorn online 4 1/2* out of 5*, Letterboxd 3* Mark Cunliffe.
Special Note: Filmed in Kununurra, Western Australia. Judy Davis and Colin Friels play a sister and brother but they are actually a married couple since 1984 and they have two children. The first season was dedicated to Jessica Falkholt in the role of Genevieve Leclaire. Her family died in a car accident and later Jessica also died on January 17, 2018 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
This series is a six part spin-off from Ivan Sen’s feature films Master Road 2013 and Goldstone 2016. There is a LOT going on in this film!! Judy Davis has been in films from 1977 to 2015. She has been in television productions from 1980 and her latest is an upcoming series titled Ratched of 2020. I’ve seen her in My Brilliant Career 1979 and A Passage to India 1984. In this series, she is very thin and always in her police uniform. She has red straight short hair and this doesn’t do her any justice or help her with not looking old?
The scenery of Australia is very beautiful and also very vast and desolate in some places!! The makeup of their culture is about 91% white or multiracial people, mostly white and part white. There is 5% East Asian, 2% Indian 2% Aboriginal. There are approximately 123,000 full or partial Spanish descent. A large number of minorities put white in addition to their other race. There are three states/territories. Population of South Australia 1,717,000, Tasmania 519,100, Australian Capital Territory 406,400.
57 min each episode, directed by Rachel Perkins, produced by David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin with Aaron Pedersen, Judy Davis, Deborah Mailman, Wayne Blair, Colin Friels, Anthony Hayes, Tasia Zalar, Madeleine Madden, Aaron L. McGrath, Rohan Mirchandaney, Meyne Wyatt.
Note: Imdb 7.6 out of 10 with 1,542 views, 6 episodes, Rotten Tomatoes 100% with 15 critics 78% with 13 ratings, The Guardian 4* out of 5* Larissa Behrendt, Metacritic 72 out of 100 with 4 critics (3 positive, 1 mixed), Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 129 ratings, dailyreview.com 4* out of 5* Luke Buckmaster, acorn online 4 1/2* out of 5*, Letterboxd 3* Mark Cunliffe.
Special Note: Filmed in Kununurra, Western Australia. Judy Davis and Colin Friels play a sister and brother but they are actually a married couple since 1984 and they have two children. The first season was dedicated to Jessica Falkholt in the role of Genevieve Leclaire. Her family died in a car accident and later Jessica also died on January 17, 2018 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Friday, February 7, 2020
Take Me Home 2011
Thom is broke and jobless and he lives in New York City. He is illegally working as a taxi driver just to make some quick cash to pay his rent. Claire also lives in New York City and she is a successful business woman. Her personal live is in shambles and she believes her husband is having an affair. Also, she gets a call from her mother and her father is in the hospital. Claire doesn’t know what to do?? She hails a cab and orders him to drive. They end up in Pennsylvania and they decide to drive to California where her mother and father live. They have some bumps along their road trip with detours, obstacles and their own secrets force them to get to know themselves and each other.
When Thom is turned down by a photography agency, he goes to his apartment and finds his landlord throwing all of his belongings out into the hallway. His only choice is to drive his illegal taxicab around the streets of New York. Claire’s life is also in ruins and she decides on a whim to go to California. I didn’t know that Amber and Sam were married when I watched this film? There is a lot of interesting scenery and they get into several jams during their trip. It is funny when Thom stops at his parents house, he doesn’t knock or ring the bell but he secretly breaks into the house? Claire doesn’t know that Thom’s parents live here or what he is doing!! 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
97 min, Comedy directed and written by Sam Jaeger with Victor Garber, Amber and Sam Jaeger, Christine Rose, Lin Shaye, Bree Turner, Brennan Elliott, Michelle Krusiec, Eli Goodman, Amanda Lund, Avner Garbi, Dennis Romer, Freida Jane, Ed Vaughn, Doreen Dunn.
Note: Imdb 6.8 out of 10 with 7,087 views, Rotten Tomatoes 67% audience with 1,048 ratings, dove.org sex 3*, language 4*, violence 1*, nudity 1*, death and grief, filmgatereviews.com 6* out of 10*, jaredmobarak.com 7/10*, Amazon 4* out of 5* with 3,496 reviews, Letterboxd 3.1* out of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed in Santa, Clarita, California. Surplus commercial vehicles such as taxi cabs and police cars are stripped of their specialized equipment (light bars, meters, signage and other details) prior to auction. Thom's cab still has some of this equipment? The destination is Encinitas, CA but once they arrive it is not Encinitas. Thom and Claire spend one of their nights in the cab in a parking lot. It is located in Westerville Ohio and Raisin Rack is a natural health food store at this location.
When Thom is turned down by a photography agency, he goes to his apartment and finds his landlord throwing all of his belongings out into the hallway. His only choice is to drive his illegal taxicab around the streets of New York. Claire’s life is also in ruins and she decides on a whim to go to California. I didn’t know that Amber and Sam were married when I watched this film? There is a lot of interesting scenery and they get into several jams during their trip. It is funny when Thom stops at his parents house, he doesn’t knock or ring the bell but he secretly breaks into the house? Claire doesn’t know that Thom’s parents live here or what he is doing!! 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
97 min, Comedy directed and written by Sam Jaeger with Victor Garber, Amber and Sam Jaeger, Christine Rose, Lin Shaye, Bree Turner, Brennan Elliott, Michelle Krusiec, Eli Goodman, Amanda Lund, Avner Garbi, Dennis Romer, Freida Jane, Ed Vaughn, Doreen Dunn.
Note: Imdb 6.8 out of 10 with 7,087 views, Rotten Tomatoes 67% audience with 1,048 ratings, dove.org sex 3*, language 4*, violence 1*, nudity 1*, death and grief, filmgatereviews.com 6* out of 10*, jaredmobarak.com 7/10*, Amazon 4* out of 5* with 3,496 reviews, Letterboxd 3.1* out of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed in Santa, Clarita, California. Surplus commercial vehicles such as taxi cabs and police cars are stripped of their specialized equipment (light bars, meters, signage and other details) prior to auction. Thom's cab still has some of this equipment? The destination is Encinitas, CA but once they arrive it is not Encinitas. Thom and Claire spend one of their nights in the cab in a parking lot. It is located in Westerville Ohio and Raisin Rack is a natural health food store at this location.
Thursday, February 6, 2020
The Exception 2016
This film is based on the novel The Kaiser’s Last Kiss by Alan Judd. The time period is during the onset of WWII. Kaiser Wilhelm II is living in an isolated countryside estate near the Nazi-occupied Ultrecht in the Netherlands. At this time he is an abdicated German emperor. He is still considered to be an influential man. The biggest problem is that he would be a desirable assassination target? A German soldier, Wehrmacht Captain, Stefan Brandt is put in charge of his security. He tries to determine if the Dutch resistance has planted a spy. If so, the spy would infiltrate the home of the Kaiser in Holland. During his investigation he falls in love with a young Jewish Dutch woman, Mike de Jong. This situation is already dangerous and volatile. The powerful Reichsfuhrer Henrich Himmler is scheduled to pay the Kaiser a visit. Will Brandt be able to protect the Kaiser and Mike, the love of his life??
When the Kaiser learns that Heinrich Himmler is coming to pay a visit, he mentions that they should start counting the silver?? This is a veiled reference to a Samuel Johnson quote: “If he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.” This is a romantic WWII drama/thriller. It is fictional but it has historical elements. Guns and shooting are shown, there are images of dead bodies and one beaten, bloodied character. There is Nazi imagery and dialogue about the Nazi agenda. This could be an introduction to a part of history for some older teens.
107 min, Drama directed by David Leveaux and written by Simon, Burke and Alan Judd with Lily James, Jai Courtney, Christopher Plummer, Aubeline Barbieux, Janet McTeer, Stephane Auberghen, Ben Daniels, Martin Swabey, Martin Savage, Mark Dexter, Kris Cuppens, Eddie Marsan.
Note: Imdb 6.8 out of 10 with 9,533 views, Rotten Tomatoes 75% with 56 critics 67% with 3,489 ratings, The Guardian 2* out of 5* Peter Bradshaw, Roger Ebert Susan Wloszczyna 2 1/2*, Amazon 4.4* out 5* with 535 reviews, Letterboxd 3* out of 5*, Metacritic 60 out of 100 with 15 critics (9 positive, 6 mixed) 6.1 out of 10 with 22 user scores (12 positive, 8 mixed, 2 negative), Common Sense Media Jeffrey M. Anderson, age 17+, 2* positive, 2* role models, 3* violence, 5* sex, 4* language, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, Amazon gives the book 4.1* out of 5* with 43 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in Flanders and Brussels, Belgium. Filming was partly done at the real house of the Kaiser at Huize Doorn. The Kaiser has a withered arm and this is due to a breach birth with his left arm wrapped behind his head. The nerves to his left arm were permanently damaged and never properly developed. By adulthood, his left arm was six inches shorter than his right and his left hand withered and smaller than the right. He would conceal his condition by holding a pair of gloves in his left hand to make his left arm appear longer. Jai Courtney had to dramatically slim down for this role. It was shot immediately after Suicide Squad 2016 and he weighted up to 230 pounds with a very muscular and shredded superhero physique. The filmmakers thought this would be completely inappropriate for his role as a war time German officer. Also, he would not be able to fit into his tight military suits. He did a LOT of cardio to lose this excess muscle mass. Sigurd tells Captain Brandt to call the Kaiser and his wife Sir and Madam. The Treaty of Versailles prohibited otherwise. Brandt immediately calls him Your Highness. The WW2 Germans had utter contempt for the Treaty and everything it represented!! There are some references to Winston Churchill throughout the film. Lily James starred as Churchill’s secretary, Elizabeth Layton in Darkest Hour 2017.
Comment: Eddie Marsan is in the role of Heinrich Himmler. He makes some comments during dinner. Himmler must have been inhuman and just a low life animal creature. Also, his haircut is atrocious!!
When the Kaiser learns that Heinrich Himmler is coming to pay a visit, he mentions that they should start counting the silver?? This is a veiled reference to a Samuel Johnson quote: “If he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.” This is a romantic WWII drama/thriller. It is fictional but it has historical elements. Guns and shooting are shown, there are images of dead bodies and one beaten, bloodied character. There is Nazi imagery and dialogue about the Nazi agenda. This could be an introduction to a part of history for some older teens.
107 min, Drama directed by David Leveaux and written by Simon, Burke and Alan Judd with Lily James, Jai Courtney, Christopher Plummer, Aubeline Barbieux, Janet McTeer, Stephane Auberghen, Ben Daniels, Martin Swabey, Martin Savage, Mark Dexter, Kris Cuppens, Eddie Marsan.
Note: Imdb 6.8 out of 10 with 9,533 views, Rotten Tomatoes 75% with 56 critics 67% with 3,489 ratings, The Guardian 2* out of 5* Peter Bradshaw, Roger Ebert Susan Wloszczyna 2 1/2*, Amazon 4.4* out 5* with 535 reviews, Letterboxd 3* out of 5*, Metacritic 60 out of 100 with 15 critics (9 positive, 6 mixed) 6.1 out of 10 with 22 user scores (12 positive, 8 mixed, 2 negative), Common Sense Media Jeffrey M. Anderson, age 17+, 2* positive, 2* role models, 3* violence, 5* sex, 4* language, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, Amazon gives the book 4.1* out of 5* with 43 reviews.
Special Note: Filmed in Flanders and Brussels, Belgium. Filming was partly done at the real house of the Kaiser at Huize Doorn. The Kaiser has a withered arm and this is due to a breach birth with his left arm wrapped behind his head. The nerves to his left arm were permanently damaged and never properly developed. By adulthood, his left arm was six inches shorter than his right and his left hand withered and smaller than the right. He would conceal his condition by holding a pair of gloves in his left hand to make his left arm appear longer. Jai Courtney had to dramatically slim down for this role. It was shot immediately after Suicide Squad 2016 and he weighted up to 230 pounds with a very muscular and shredded superhero physique. The filmmakers thought this would be completely inappropriate for his role as a war time German officer. Also, he would not be able to fit into his tight military suits. He did a LOT of cardio to lose this excess muscle mass. Sigurd tells Captain Brandt to call the Kaiser and his wife Sir and Madam. The Treaty of Versailles prohibited otherwise. Brandt immediately calls him Your Highness. The WW2 Germans had utter contempt for the Treaty and everything it represented!! There are some references to Winston Churchill throughout the film. Lily James starred as Churchill’s secretary, Elizabeth Layton in Darkest Hour 2017.
Comment: Eddie Marsan is in the role of Heinrich Himmler. He makes some comments during dinner. Himmler must have been inhuman and just a low life animal creature. Also, his haircut is atrocious!!
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Gracie’s Choice 2004
This film was inspired by a true story. Seventeen-year-old Gracie has three younger brothers and one sister. Her mother, Rowena is addicted to drugs, alcohol and unreliable men. Gracie and the other children are always last on her list. All of the children have different father’s and many times they all end up at their grandmother’s house. For a time, their grandmother is taking care of them but she gives the money she receives to Rowena. Gracie decides there is only one thing she can do. She will apply to the court for custody of her brothers. Her sister has moved on, gotten married and she has a child of her own.
An outsider can see what is going on but living in this family is difficult for everyone. Gracie sets aside everything to provide a home for her brothers and she still keeps up at school. At the last moment, Rowena swoops in to try to get the boys back. She hasn’t changed a bit or learned anything from her past?? Kristen Bell is good in this film and I can see why she has gone forward in her career as an actress. 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
90 min, Drama directed by Peter Werner and written by Rena Dictor Le Blanc and Joyce Eliason with Kristen Bell, Diane Ladd, Shedrack Anderson III, Anne Heche, Roberta Maxwell, Kristin Fairlie, Brian Akins, David Gibson McLean, Jack Armstrong, Robert Seeliger, Sandra Caldwell, Diego Matamoros, Jackie Torrens, Roger Dunn, Cecil Wright.
Note: Imdb 7.6 out of 10 with 3,044 views, 87% audience with 1,973 ratings, Amazon 4.8 out of 5* with 185 ratings, DVD Talk 3* content, 3 1/2* video, 2 1/2* audio, 2* extras, 2 1/2* replay, Letterboxd 3.2* out of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
An outsider can see what is going on but living in this family is difficult for everyone. Gracie sets aside everything to provide a home for her brothers and she still keeps up at school. At the last moment, Rowena swoops in to try to get the boys back. She hasn’t changed a bit or learned anything from her past?? Kristen Bell is good in this film and I can see why she has gone forward in her career as an actress. 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
90 min, Drama directed by Peter Werner and written by Rena Dictor Le Blanc and Joyce Eliason with Kristen Bell, Diane Ladd, Shedrack Anderson III, Anne Heche, Roberta Maxwell, Kristin Fairlie, Brian Akins, David Gibson McLean, Jack Armstrong, Robert Seeliger, Sandra Caldwell, Diego Matamoros, Jackie Torrens, Roger Dunn, Cecil Wright.
Note: Imdb 7.6 out of 10 with 3,044 views, 87% audience with 1,973 ratings, Amazon 4.8 out of 5* with 185 ratings, DVD Talk 3* content, 3 1/2* video, 2 1/2* audio, 2* extras, 2 1/2* replay, Letterboxd 3.2* out of 5*.
Special Note: Filmed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Captain Jack 1999
Jack Armistead is the Captain of a vessel not deemed sea worthy by the ship inspectors. He assembles a motley crew from Whitby, the local village and he intends to sail to the Arctic. He wants to follow the path of Captain Scoresby He is a sea captain who sailed from Whitby in Northern England to the Arctic in 1791. Captain Jack wants to place a plaque on one of the large rocks dedicated to Captain Scoresby. His crew includes two bickering sisters, an Australian hitchhiker hiding from his previous girl friends and a man who runs a local trader park. The local authorities amass an all out search to locate the boat when they realize it’s not at the dock!! There are both helicopters and other boats trying to locate the ship!! They believe it is too dangerous for the crew to be on an unreliable ship like this one??
This boat is carrying an unlikely group of ordinary people. They want to overcome their differences and fulfill Captain Jack’s dream. The journey seems of little consequence to others but it will require sacrifice and adventure. Their differences begin to change into ideas to obtain solutions. There is a good cast, good acting, a good story line, screenplay, direction and production. 5* (I really liked this movie)
90 min, Drama directed by Robert Young, written by Nick Davies and Jack Rosenthal with Bob Hoskins, Sadie Frost, Gemma Jones, Anna Massey, Peter McDonald, David Troughton, Maureen Lipman, Patrick Malahide, Michele Dotrice, Michele Dotrice, John Goldschmidt.
Note: Imdb 6.2 out of 10, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 31 ratings, Empire Online 2* out of 5* Ben Falk, Letterboxd 5*.
Special Note: Also known as An Inch Over the Horizon, filmed in Whitby, North Yorkshire, England, UK. Behind-the-scenes footage of the filming was shown on Timeshift: Jack Rosenthal: The Voice of Television Drama 2004, TV Episode.
This boat is carrying an unlikely group of ordinary people. They want to overcome their differences and fulfill Captain Jack’s dream. The journey seems of little consequence to others but it will require sacrifice and adventure. Their differences begin to change into ideas to obtain solutions. There is a good cast, good acting, a good story line, screenplay, direction and production. 5* (I really liked this movie)
90 min, Drama directed by Robert Young, written by Nick Davies and Jack Rosenthal with Bob Hoskins, Sadie Frost, Gemma Jones, Anna Massey, Peter McDonald, David Troughton, Maureen Lipman, Patrick Malahide, Michele Dotrice, Michele Dotrice, John Goldschmidt.
Note: Imdb 6.2 out of 10, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 31 ratings, Empire Online 2* out of 5* Ben Falk, Letterboxd 5*.
Special Note: Also known as An Inch Over the Horizon, filmed in Whitby, North Yorkshire, England, UK. Behind-the-scenes footage of the filming was shown on Timeshift: Jack Rosenthal: The Voice of Television Drama 2004, TV Episode.
Monday, February 3, 2020
A Promise to Astrid 2019
This movie is based on an award winning book and a true story written by Mike Tourville. Astrid is a remarkable woman and she uses unconventional methods to change the lives of an entire community. She has a quirky personality and she doesn’t take no for an answer when she has decided you need her help!! Astrid and her husband are not pretentious and they live in a simple house. Astrid notices what is going on with people. She can sense when they are troubled or down on their luck. When she sees opportunities to help, she doesn’t shy away but dives right in. She is always smiling and happy even when she has a problem.
The story in this film is very good but I have a few things to say about it. Astrid is the lead character and couldn’t the production company afford for her to have a decent wig?? Also, sometimes the good parts are not just shown and stated but shoved down your throat too? 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
88 min, Drama directed by Jason Campbell and Gary Lee Vincent and written by Mike Rouville and Jason Campbell with Dean Cain JoAnn F. Peterson, Jeremy Gladen, Luba Hansen, Carson Campbell, Keith Hastman, Madison and Grace Hansberry, Timothy E, Goodwin, Donna Elsey, Barry Michael Dailey, Maizze and Gabby Christie.
Note: Imdb 6.6 out of 10 with 42 views, Amazon 3.9* out of 5* with 74 ratings, dove.org 2* language, 1* violence 1* drugs, 1* a death and grief, a lie, a mention of divorce, Goodreads gives the book 4.44 out of 5* with 9 ratings and 2 reviews.
Special Note: In the film, Mike’s beloved truck was a Chevrolet but Mike’s truck was a Toyota.
The story in this film is very good but I have a few things to say about it. Astrid is the lead character and couldn’t the production company afford for her to have a decent wig?? Also, sometimes the good parts are not just shown and stated but shoved down your throat too? 3 1/2* (I liked this movie)
88 min, Drama directed by Jason Campbell and Gary Lee Vincent and written by Mike Rouville and Jason Campbell with Dean Cain JoAnn F. Peterson, Jeremy Gladen, Luba Hansen, Carson Campbell, Keith Hastman, Madison and Grace Hansberry, Timothy E, Goodwin, Donna Elsey, Barry Michael Dailey, Maizze and Gabby Christie.
Note: Imdb 6.6 out of 10 with 42 views, Amazon 3.9* out of 5* with 74 ratings, dove.org 2* language, 1* violence 1* drugs, 1* a death and grief, a lie, a mention of divorce, Goodreads gives the book 4.44 out of 5* with 9 ratings and 2 reviews.
Special Note: In the film, Mike’s beloved truck was a Chevrolet but Mike’s truck was a Toyota.
Sunday, February 2, 2020
Peace, Love & Misunderstanding 2011
Diane Hudson takes her two teenagers to her hippie mother’s farmhouse in upstate New York. This is a family vacation and the weekend getaway turns into a summer adventure. There is romance, music, family secrets are revealed and there is also self discovery.
I thought Fonda stretched the hippie role a little too far? This is supposed to be a vacation but Manhattan lawyer Diane's husband has asked for a divorce? There are some good songs performed in this film. My favorite is What’s Been Going On by Amos Lee. It does seem impossible that a small town would have love interests for three generations of women? Sometimes there are no love interests in both large and small towns?? There are times when a hippy and lawyer have a clash of values. The biggest issue for parents will probably be that almost everyone is smoking pot including the high school students? Hippie grandma is arrested for dealing too. 3* (This movie is OK)
96 min, Comedy directed by Bruce Beresford with Jane Fonda, Chattering Keener, Elizabeth Olsen, Kyle MacLachlan, Joseph Dunn, Ann Osmond, Teri Gibson, Robert Bowen Jr., Wayne Pyle, Alison Ball, Nat Wolff, Joyce Van Patten, Laurent Rejto, Edward Morgan.
Note: Imdb 5.59 out of 10 with 7,612 views, Rotten Tomatoes 30% with 70 critics 39% audience with 7,613 ratings, Metacritic 45 out of 100 with 25 critics (6 positive mixed 14, negative 5) 6.1 out of 10 user score (5 positive, 6 mixed, 3 negative, Amazon 4.6* out of 5* with 282 reviews, Letterboxd 2.6* out of 5*, Common Sense Media S. Jhoanna Robledo, age 17+, 3* positive, 1* role models, 1* violence, 3* sex, 3* language, 4* drinking, drugs & smoking.
Special Note: Filmed in Woodstock, Kerhonkson, Rhinebeck, New York City, Rosendale, New York. The character played by Jane Fonda (Grace) attended the Woodstock Festival in 1969. She was having a baby and her water broke during the concert and the character acted by Catherine Keener (Diane) was born. Actually Catherine Keener was born in 1959 and this is ten years before her character was born? The release was after two other films but this is Elisabeth Olsen’s first feature film acting role. Australian Director Bruce Beresford also directed Tender Mercies and Driving Miss Daisy.
Error: The town of Woodstock New York is portrayed as the geographical setting for the music festival of the same name. Actually, the festival was intended to be in Woodstock but it was held in Bethel New York. This is over 50 miles from the town of Woodstock.
I thought Fonda stretched the hippie role a little too far? This is supposed to be a vacation but Manhattan lawyer Diane's husband has asked for a divorce? There are some good songs performed in this film. My favorite is What’s Been Going On by Amos Lee. It does seem impossible that a small town would have love interests for three generations of women? Sometimes there are no love interests in both large and small towns?? There are times when a hippy and lawyer have a clash of values. The biggest issue for parents will probably be that almost everyone is smoking pot including the high school students? Hippie grandma is arrested for dealing too. 3* (This movie is OK)
96 min, Comedy directed by Bruce Beresford with Jane Fonda, Chattering Keener, Elizabeth Olsen, Kyle MacLachlan, Joseph Dunn, Ann Osmond, Teri Gibson, Robert Bowen Jr., Wayne Pyle, Alison Ball, Nat Wolff, Joyce Van Patten, Laurent Rejto, Edward Morgan.
Note: Imdb 5.59 out of 10 with 7,612 views, Rotten Tomatoes 30% with 70 critics 39% audience with 7,613 ratings, Metacritic 45 out of 100 with 25 critics (6 positive mixed 14, negative 5) 6.1 out of 10 user score (5 positive, 6 mixed, 3 negative, Amazon 4.6* out of 5* with 282 reviews, Letterboxd 2.6* out of 5*, Common Sense Media S. Jhoanna Robledo, age 17+, 3* positive, 1* role models, 1* violence, 3* sex, 3* language, 4* drinking, drugs & smoking.
Special Note: Filmed in Woodstock, Kerhonkson, Rhinebeck, New York City, Rosendale, New York. The character played by Jane Fonda (Grace) attended the Woodstock Festival in 1969. She was having a baby and her water broke during the concert and the character acted by Catherine Keener (Diane) was born. Actually Catherine Keener was born in 1959 and this is ten years before her character was born? The release was after two other films but this is Elisabeth Olsen’s first feature film acting role. Australian Director Bruce Beresford also directed Tender Mercies and Driving Miss Daisy.
Error: The town of Woodstock New York is portrayed as the geographical setting for the music festival of the same name. Actually, the festival was intended to be in Woodstock but it was held in Bethel New York. This is over 50 miles from the town of Woodstock.
Saturday, February 1, 2020
The Painting 2013
This film is based on a parable and it is a French animated adventure dubbed into English. There is a kingdom that is divided into three castes. The first caste is the impeccably painted Alldunns who reside in a majestic palace. Alldunns treat both the Sketchies and Halfies inhumanely. The Sketches are the second caste and the Halfies are the third class. Aldunns force both the Sketchies and the Halfies to do their bidding plus they stomp and kill Sketchies. This film inspires thoughts about prejudice and how to overcome it with tolerance instead.
There are three classes of people depicted in an unfinished painting. The Alldunns are figures completely colored in. Then there is the somewhat done Halfies and then the charcoal drawing Sketchies. The themes show discrimination, tyranny and forbidden love. It isn’t proper for one caste to be attracted to another caste. This film has a wonderful story, it is beautifully animated and full of imagination. It can be recommended for tweens and up. There are some sad scenes that could scare some children (7 years old or under). Older children above 9 and will be okay with these scenes. 4* (I really liked this movie)
76 min, Animated directed by Jean-Francois Laguionie and Brahim Fritah, written by Anik Leray and Jean-Francois Laguionie.
Note: 82% with 22 critics 78% audience with 1074 ratings, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen age 9+, 3* positive, 3* role models, 3* violence, 2* sex, 1* language, 1* drinking, drugs & smoking,
There are three classes of people depicted in an unfinished painting. The Alldunns are figures completely colored in. Then there is the somewhat done Halfies and then the charcoal drawing Sketchies. The themes show discrimination, tyranny and forbidden love. It isn’t proper for one caste to be attracted to another caste. This film has a wonderful story, it is beautifully animated and full of imagination. It can be recommended for tweens and up. There are some sad scenes that could scare some children (7 years old or under). Older children above 9 and will be okay with these scenes. 4* (I really liked this movie)
76 min, Animated directed by Jean-Francois Laguionie and Brahim Fritah, written by Anik Leray and Jean-Francois Laguionie.
Note: 82% with 22 critics 78% audience with 1074 ratings, Common Sense Media Sandie Angulo Chen age 9+, 3* positive, 3* role models, 3* violence, 2* sex, 1* language, 1* drinking, drugs & smoking,
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