The Bench 2018

      This is a story about six people living in London who cross paths on a park bench in Haggerston.  Henry and Willa are friends but it seems as if they both want something more.  Natalie has just moved to London and she is constantly writing letters to Ed but this is a one way correspondence?  Tommy simply wants quiet to read his book but he can’t ignore Natalie sitting next to him?  Glen and Gemma have been dating for years but Glen wonders if now is the right time to propose?  Gemma's father is in a nearby hospital and she doesn’t know if he will survive?  Her mother had been in a hospital and she passed away?

     Sometimes people are afraid to say what they really feel?  One couple goes out to dinner and they have a great time.  But, she doesn’t see him on the bench again?  What happened?  A younger couple decide that they might be right for each other?  Glen doesn’t know if Gemma wants to get married?  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

57 min, Drama directed by Mary Mullan and written by Tony Sands with Robert Bradley, Charlotte Campbell, Paul Dewdney, Gaz Hayden, Nicola Howard, Bethan Lee, Rowena Lennon, Mac McFadden.

Note:  Imdb 6.2* out of 5* with 54 reviews, Amazon 3.3* out of 5* with 17 ratings.

Song One 2014

     Franny has been out of the country working on her PHD in Anthropology.  She immediately returns home when her mother phones to tell her that her brother has been in an accident.  Henry was hit by a car when he was crossing a street and he is in a coma.  Franny tracks down his favorite musician, James Forester.  James comes to the hospital room to sing for Henry.  Franny is trying everything she can think of to bring Henry out of his coma.  Franny and James go to the clubs and coffee shops to see those involved with the indie music scene in Northern Brooklyn.

     Franny feels terrible because she had angry words with her brother and it’s been six months since they have had contact with each other.  James is very supportive with the grief Franny is feeling and her anxiety over Henry’s recovery.  Franny and her mother Karen are very worried about whether or not Henry will come out of his coma!!  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)   

86 min, Drama directed and written by Kate Baker-Froyland with Ann Hathaway, Johnny Flynn, Mary Steenburgen, Li Jun Li, Lola Kirke, Sarah Steele, Ben Rosenfield, Sharon Van Etten, Grace Rex, Shawn Parsons, Peter Francis James, Al Thompson, Kitty Crystal, Gideon Glick, Roderick Hill.

Note:  Imdb 5.8* out of 10* with 9,041 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 33% with 51 critics 29% with 2,657 audience scores, Metacritic 48 out of 100 with 23 critic reviews 6.9 out of 10 with 7 user scores, Roger Ebert 2* Susan Wloszczyna, The Guardian 2* out of 5* Henry Barnes

Special Note:  Jenny Lewis and Jonathan Rice co-wrote the original songs for the film.  Johnny Flynn is the guitarist and singer.  He is an English musician, singer, songwriter and actor.  He is also the lead singer and songwriter of the band Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit since 2006.
 

South Mountain 2019

     Lila lives in a New York’s Catskill mountain home she shares with her husband of 20 years Edgar and their two teen daughters.  Lila is an art teacher at a community college.  After the girls leave for summer adventures, Edgar tells Lila that he has an infant son with another woman?  Lila didn’t have a clue that any of this was going on??  Lila is mourning a loss, feeling grief and anger.  What will she tell their daughters when they come back home?

 
     The scenery of this area is very beautiful.  Lila raises her own fruit and vegetables during the summer months.  It’s a home base for her children when they are away at school and traveling during the summer.  What is happening to family is an unexpected complication for everyone involved.  3* (I liked this movie)

82 min, Drama directed and written by Hilary Brougher with Talia Balsam, Scott Cohen, Andrus Nichols, Michael Oberholtzer, Macaulee Cassaday, Midori Francis, Naian Gonzalez Norvind, Isis Masoud, Guthrie Mass, Violet Rae.

Note:  Imdb 5.2* out of 10* with 149 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 100% with 24 critics 33% with 6 audience scores, Metacritic 79 out of 100 with 6 critic reviews, indiewire.com Grade B+, Amazon 3.4* out of 5* with 74 reviews, Letterboxd 3.1* out of 5*, Common Sense Media, Nell Minow, 3* out of 5*, age 14+, 3* violence, 3* sex, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking.
 

Counting for Thunder 2017

     This film was developed from a one-man show like Sling Blade and My Big Fat Greek Wedding and it is based on a book written by Phillip Irwin Cooper.  It was inspired by the three years when Phillip Irwin Cooper was very unlucky in work, money and love.  He went home to the Gulf Coast of Alabama to see his mother who has lung cancer.  The Stalworth family is a complicated family.  Phillip still has some friends from high school and some hometown friends.

     There are twists in this film that I didn’t see coming??  His parents Tina and Garrett Stalworth have problems in their marriage now that Tina is sick.  She doesn’t stop herself from speaking out about what she has on her mind.  A lot of years of silent grumbling are coming out vocally.  Everyone feels the heavy weight of Tina’s illness.  Phillip had been trying to get acting jobs in LA but they did not work out.  Maybe he needs a break from the rat race?  2 1/2* (this movie is so-so)     

103 min, Drama directed and written by Phillip Irwin Cooper with Phillip Irwin Cooper, Marietta Hartley, John Heard, Peter Stebbings, Alison Elliott, Erica Shaffer, Valeri Ross, Stephanie Ittleson, Scott Anthony Leet, David Schroeder, Rene Ashton, Myles Cranford, Callum Joyce.

Note:  Imdb 6.7* out of 10* with 30 reviews, Amazon 3.7* out of 5* with 23 ratings, Goodreads gives the book 5* with 1 rating and 1 review.

Alice in Wonderland 1951

      This movie is an animated interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s story Alice in Wonderland.  Alice is a daydreaming young girl.  She loves stories with pictures and living inside her imagination.  She doesn’t like learning poems and listening to literature.  One day, she is listening to a poetry reading and she starts to day dream.  She spots a large white rabbit dressed in a jacket and carrying a large watch?  He runs off quickly and he says he’s late for a very important date?  Alice follows him through the forest.  When he disappears down a rabbit hole, Alice follows him down the hole.  This leads her to all kinds of discoveries, characters and adventures.

     I don’t know why but this is the first time I have seen this movie even though it is almost 70 years old?  There is some scariness when Alice meets the Queen of Hearts.  There is taunting language like stupidest and fat.  Three animal characters smoke either a pipe or a hookah.  Parents will need to decide if younger children might be concerned and/or confused?  Everything is very colorful, the music and songs are very inventive.  The message of this film is to appreciate the world around you.  5* (I really liked this movie)
    
Note:  Imdb 7.4* out of 10* with 126,907 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 81% with 32 critics 78% with 574,323 audience scores, Metacritic 68 out of 100 with 10 critics 7.9 out of 10 with 37 ratings, Common Sense Media, Nell Minow, 4* out of 5*, age 4+, 1* educational, 3* positive 3* role models, 2* scariness 1* language 2* drinking, drugs, smoking, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 6142 reviews, Letterboxd 3.7* out of 5* with 485 fans, dove.org 1* sex, 1* language, 2* violence, 2* drugs, 1* nudity, 2* other (a character steals something and magic potions are used)

Special Note:  The character Knave of Hearts is based on an alternative name for the playing card Jack of Hearts.  The word knave is an English term for a male servant of royalty.  In French decks of cards, he is named after Etienne de Vignolles, 1390-1443.  He was a French military commander of the Hundred Year’s War.  In the Walrus and the Carpenter scenes, the R in the word March on the mother oyster’s calendar flashes.  This refers to the adage about only eating oysters in a month with an R in the name.  In the months without an R (May, June, July, August), these are summer months in England and oysters will not keep due to the heat in the days before refrigeration.
 
Error:  When Alice eats the cookie in the White Rabbit’s house and she grows, she says, “Oh, no, no, not again!”  Alice’s mouth does not move to these words?

There Will Be Blood 2007

     This film is based on a novel by Upton Sinclair.  It is about the intersecting life stories of Daniel Plainview and Eli Sunday in the early twentieth century of California.  Daniel Plainview is a miner turned oilman and he will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.  He works hard but he takes advantage of those around him at their expense.  His business partner is his son H.W.  This is not his biological son because he was acquired when his father H.W. was killed in a work related accident.  Daniel is protective of H.W. for what he brings to the partnership.  

     Eli Sunday is one in a pair of twins.  Daniel purchased their family farm for the major oil deposit.  Eli is the local preacher and self-proclaimed faith healer.  He wants money from the sale of the property to be used to finance a church.  There is a competitive clash between Eli and Daniel because Daniel pumps oil off the property.  Also, Daniel tries to acquire all the surrounding land at bargain prices in order to build a pipeline to the coast.  5* (I really liked this movie)

158 min, Drama directed and written by Paul Thomas Anderson and also written by Upton Sinclair with Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Ciaran Hinds, Martin, Matthew Braden and Jacob Stringer, Joseph Mussey, Barry Del Sherman, Harrison and Stockton Taylor, Paul F. Tompkins, Dillon Freasier, Kevin Breznahan, Jim Meskimen. 

Note:  Imdb 8.2* out of 10* with 507,401 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 92% with 236 critic reviews 86% with 255,190 user ratings, RollingStone 4* Peter Travers, Common Sense Media Cynthia Fuch, age 16+, 5* violence, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, Roger Ebert 3 1/2*, The Guardian 5* Peter Bradshaw, Amazon 4.6*, 2,185 reviews.  

Special Note:  There is a scene with Daniel Plainview lecturing and horribly insulting Eli.  Daniel says, "You're just the afterbirth, Eli, that slithered out of your mother's filth!!"  I have never forgotten this very unusual line!!

Girl with a Pearl Earring 2003

     This movie is adapted from a work of fiction by author Tracy Chevalier.  It is a story about the events surrounding the famous painting Girl With a Pearl Earring by 17th century Dutch master Johannes Vermeer.  Not very much is known about the girl, there is no historical evidence but it is thought that she was a maid and she lived in the house of Vermeer.  She lived with Vermeer’s family and his other servants?  Vermeer had a wealthy patron and that was his sole means of support.  Van Ruijven commissions Vermeer to paint Griet with the idea of moving her to his household after the painting is completed.  Griet must pose secretly for the painting without the knowledge of Vermeer’s wife.  She will also need to avoid the grasp of Van Ruijven’s and protect herself from the gossip surrounding a 17th century servant!!

     It is possible that Griet is a shortened form of Marguerite.  A relationship developed between Vermeer and Griet.  It was certainly meaningful and impacted both of their lives and the Vermeer household.  There are clashes of art and commerce, sex and power, master and servant, parent and child.  Griet’s job is to do what she is told and keep to herself.  She is learning things during the painting sessions that she would never have known.  She doesn’t wash the windows in the studio because it will change the look of the light.  She helps Vermeer mix his paints and he shows her some of his painting techniques.  Van Ruijven’s interest in the Vermeer family is vital for their livelihood.  Vermeer’s mother-in-law will do anything she can to keep Van Ruijven happy!!

100 min, Bio directed by Peter Webber and written by Tracy Chevalier and Olivia Hetreed with Colin Firth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Wilkinson, Judy Parfitt, Cillian Murpy, Essie Davis, Joanna Scanlan, Alakina Mann, Chris McHallem, Gabrielle Reidy, Rollo Weeks, Anna Popplewell.

Note:  Goodreads gives the book 3.89* out of 5* with 626,223 ratings and 9,805 reviews, Imdb 6.9* out of 10* with 71,522 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 72% with 178 critics 68% with 62,699 audience scores, Roger Ebert 4*, Amazon 4.5* out of 5* with 1,252 ratings.

Special Note:  The screenplay is based on Tracy Chevalier’s novel and it is largely fictional or hypothetical.  It is based on real historic figures.  Chevalier sold the film rights and did not have any involvement in the film or screenplay.  She did say she was pleased with the results.  The date of this painting is 1665 and it has been in The Hague since 1902.  In 2006, the Dutch public selected it as the most beautiful painting in the Netherlands.
 

Donnie Darko 2001

      Donnie Darko doesn’t get along very well with his family, his teachers and his classmates.  He does manage to find a sympathetic friend in Gretchen and she agrees to date him.  He also has a compassionate psychiatrist.  The doctor discovers hypnosis is the means to unlock hidden secrets.  Donnie his a friend named Frank but he may not be a true ally?  Frank is a large bunny and Donnie is the only who can see him?  An engine falls off a plane and destroys Danny’s bedroom?  Fortunately, Donnie was not there at the time!!  The engine falling and Donnie’s escape seem to have been caused by supernatural events?

     There are disturbing undercurrents in this film.  Donnie receives bulletins about the future from the large and demonic rabbit Frank?  None of the airlines have reported that an engine is missing from one of the jets?  Donnie begins to see time lines in front of his family.  A series of semi-transparent liquid arrows seem to lead into the future?  Donnie becomes fascinated by the theory of worm holes and he discovers that a key book, The Philosophy of Time Travel was written by a neighbor woman?  Donnie has a skewed state of mind and he says, “The dreams where I’m dying are the best I’ve every had?” 3* (This movie is OK)

     This is a dark thriller with a cult like following.  There is frequent swearing from teens, adults and a young child.  Frequent sex talk, an angry and possibly mentally ill teen?  Classroom vandalism, disrespect of teachers and authority figure adults.  References to pornography and violence plus a death at the end.  3* (This movie is OK)

     
113 min, Drama directed and written by Richard Kelly with Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Daveigh Chase, James Duval, Arthur Taxier, Patrick Swayze, Mark Hoffman, David St. James, Tom Tangen, Jazzie Mahannah, Jolene Purdy, Stuart Stone, Gary Lundy.

Note:  Imdb 8* out of 731,539 reviews, Rotten tomatoes, 86% with 117 critics 80% with 30,984,568 audience scores (this may be the highest number I have seen?), Roger Ebert 2 1/2*, empire online 5* Alan Morrison, The Guardian 5* Peter Bradshaw, Metacritic 71 out of 100 with 21 critics (16 positive 4 mixed 1 negative) 7.8 out of 10  user reviews (365 positive 31 mixed 51 negative) Common Sense Media, Charles Cassady Jr., 4* out of 5*, age 17+,  5* violence, 3* sex, 3* language #* consumerism 3* drinking, drugs & smoking.

Special Note:  At the wrap party for this film, Seth Rogen and Jake Gyllenhaal agreed that they had no idea what this movie was about?  When Jake Gyllenhaal is driven by Frank, he uses the strategy of rarely blinking to enhance his psychotic creepiness??  Drew Barrymore and Richard Kelly agreed that Flower Films, Drew’s production company would produce this film for 4.5 million and Barrymore would play Miss Pomeroy.  If Barrymore had not stepped in, the movie could have gone straight to video or cable television?  The black and white poster in Donnie’s room of an eye reflecting a skull is a reproduction of an etching by M.C. Escher. 

Parker’s Anchor 2018

      Krystal Parker has a happy marriage, she lives with her husband in New York and they would like to have a child.  Krystal and her husband seem to be having difficulty and they visit a physician to see if there are any problems.  The doctor tells them that Krystal will never be able to have a baby!!  Her husband leaves her immediately!!  Krystal decides to return to the place where she was the happiest, Fayetteville Arkansas.  She shows up on the doorstep of her best friend.   

     This film was inspired by a true story about a family close to the writer’s family.  Laurie is very happy that Krystal has come to visit her but she’s very surprised about the reason.  Laurie starts helping Krystal get out and about in Fayetteville and meet new people.  Laurie also knows that it will take time for Krystal to grieve for her marriage and her inability to have a child.  4* (I really liked this movie)  

 
110 min, Drama directed by Marc Hampson and written by Jennica and Ryan Schwartzman with Michael Beach, Chris Marquette, Penny Johnson Jerald, Brandon Keener, Sarah Colonna, Amy Argyle, Deborah Lee Smith, Claire Donald, Jennica and Ryan Schwartzman, Jason Suel, Mark Landon Smith, Peter Weidman, Mutiyat Ade-Salu.

Note:  Imdb 5.2* out of 10* with 135 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 67% with 17 user ratings, Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 41 ratings, Fandango audience score 67%.  

Special Note:  Jennica and Ryan Schwartzman are married actors and producers.  They wrote, produced and acted in this film through their production company Purpose Pictures.  The director Marc Hampson is Jennica’s brother.  A Kickstarter campaign raised $25,000, a portion of their small budget.

Something’s Gotta Give 2003

     Harry Sanborn is an aging music industry executive with a fondness for younger women.  Marin is his latest trophy girlfriend.  Everything gets a little awkward when Harry suffers a heart attack at the home of Marin’s mother Erica.  Erica and her doctor step in to take care of Harry.  Is is possible that Harry might begin to like Erica, a woman more near his own age??

     Jack Nicholson plays a notorious bachelor who always “escaped the noose” of marriage.  Diane Keaton plays a divorcee.  In real life it is the other way around?  Nicholson is a divorce and Keaton is a bachelorette.  The interior of Harry’s house is the same townhouse used as Miranda Priestly’s house in The Devil Wears Prada 2006 with Meryl Streep.  The American poster for this film featured large pictures of Nicholson and Keaton.  In Japan the poster also included a large picture of Keanu Reeves, presumably because his popularity there at the time?  

     Jack Nicholson sings La Vie En Rose during the end credits.  The film is at the R end of the PG-13 range with very strong language, brief nudity, a bare behind, explicit sexual references and situations.  There are jokes about Viagra and menopause.  Characters smoke, drink and one gets tipsy.  There are also some tense situations.  Entertaining but nothing new!!  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

128 min, Comedy directed and written by Nancy Meyers with Jack Nicholson, Diane Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Frances McDormand, Amanda Peet, Jon Favreau, Paul Michael Glaser, Rachel Ticotin.

Note:  Imdb 6.7* out of 10* with 110,488 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 72% with 171 critics 69% with 208,023 user ratings, empire online 3* out of 5*, Roger Ebert 3 1/2*, Common Sense Media Nell Minow, 4*, age 15+ 3* violence, 5* sex, 5* language, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, reelviews.net 2 1/2*, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 10,869 reviews, VUDU 4 1/2* with 12,539 reviews.

Special Note:  20th Century Fox declined to make this film because they thought the leads were too old!!  Erica kisses Harry in the scenes outside the restaurant in New York City.  This was an improvisation by Diane Keaton.  Writer and director Nancy Meyers liked it so much that she decided to use it in the final cut of the movie.
 

Heaven Must Wait 2001

      The original title of this film was Diggity’s Treasure or Diggity: A Home at Last.  Raymond is the black sheep of his family.  He relies on handouts from his half-brother Otis.  He’s lost his job, his apartment and all his confidence until he learns he has inherited an English countryside property.  Otis buys a one-way ticket for the his new role as the new Lord of the Manor!!  His inheritance is not a manor house but a small and crumbling stone church.  Malcolm Slee is frantically searching for a valuable chest of gold hidden in the village by King Charles at the end of the English Civil War.  Slee believes the money is hidden under the Church?  Slee offers to purchase the church from Raymond??  Of course, Slee doesn't mention there could be a treasure?

     Some of the plot lines are paper thin and you know right away what is going to happen.  You just don’t know the small details.  Everyone in town knows that Slee does nothing good for anyone but himself.  He would take your last 10 cents even if you were starving!!  His grandson is just as mean and he treats the local kids the same way.  This still entertaining if you set aside your theories and just let the movie play out.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)  

91 min, Drama directed and written by Tom Reeve, also written by Bob Brabham and Michael Burks with Andrew McCarthy, Louise Lombard, Bill Treacher, Stefan Jurgens, Lynda Baron, Sonny Shroyer, Jamie Treacher, James Carroll Jordan, Fiona Fullerton, Max Dolbey.
Note:  Imdb 5.9* out of 10* with 172 reviews, netflix.com 3* out of 4*, Amazon 4* out of 5* with 59 ratings. 

Special Note:  There is another film with a similar title, Heaven Can Wait of 1978 with Warren Beatty and Julie Christie.

The Marriage Story 2019

     This film is based on Noah Baurmbach’s own experiences the he divorced Jennifer Jason Leigh in 2013.  Charlie and Nicole are a married couple and they have a son Henry.  Charlie and Nicole have decided they want to end their marriage.  

     In reality, this couple wastes a lot of money during the process of the divorce.  They set out for the divorce to be in a certain way but then they don’t follow that plan.  The divorce also generates a hate that was’t there before their desire for the divorce.  Basically, this was supposed to be a simple divorce and it turns into the opposite.  In reality, there is blame on both sides and they realized that in the beginning but the process has moved them into different corners where it is the other person’s fault?  The one person that this divorce hurts the most his their son Henry.   He doesn’t have a say in any part of this big event that is happening?  There are good reviews and awards for this film but I have to say that I didn’t like it at all.  The only winners are the divorce attorneys when they haul away their bags of money!!  1* (I hated this movie)

Note:  Rotten Tomatoes 94% with 380 critics 85% with 184 ratings, Imdb 8* out of 10* with 232,812 reviews, Metacritic 94 out of 100 with 53 critics (53 positive) 8.2 out of 10 with 597 ratings (437 positive, 31 mixed, 39 negative), Roger Ebert 4* Brian Tallerico, The Guardian Peter Bradshaw 5*, Amazon 4.8* out of 58 with 138 reviews.

137 min, Drama directed and written by Noah Baumbach with Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson, Laura Dern, Alan Alda, Ray Liotta, Julia Greer, Azhy Robertson, Wallace Shawn, Matthew Maher, Eric Berryman, Mickey Sumner, David Turner, Gideon Glick, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Motell Gyn Foster, Raymond J. Lee.

Special Note:  There is a mistake in the courtroom scene.  It is in a California state court but the wall behind the judge bears the Great Seal of the United States.  This seal would be found in a federal court?  Laura Deren’s character as the attorney for Nicole is loosely based on Los Angeles celebrity attorney Laura Wasser.
 

A Very Long Engagement 2004

     This film is based on a novel by Sebastien Japrisot.  During the Battle of the Somme, five desperate French soldiers shoot themselves.  This is either by accident or with purpose in order to be invalided back home.  A court-martial convenes and determines their punishment is to banishment to No Man’s Land.  It is expected that the Germans will kill them??  A man’s life is briefly explored along with their next of kin.  Methilde, the fiancee of one of the men, tries to determine the circumstances of her lover’s death?  Her task is not easy and it is made more difficult because she had polio as a child.  Along her journey, she discovers the heights and depths of the human soul.

     Unusually, there is a combination of heart-wrenching emotions, quirky humor, bloody war footage and goofy comedy?  This seems impossible but somehow they blend together into a beautiful story of romantic love.  There are scenes of death and destruction during trench warfare.  The battle and murder scenes can be difficult for viewers.  Despite all this, rising above the war and mystery there is romance?  5* (I really liked this movie)

133 min, Drama directed and written by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, written by Sebastien Japrisot and Guillaume Laurant with Audrey Tautou, Gaspard Ulliel, Dominique Pinon, Chantal Neuwirth, Andre Dussollier, Ticky Holgado, Marion Cotillard, Dominique Bettenfeld, Jodie Foster, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Clovis Cornillac, Jean-Pierre Becker, Denis Lavant, Jerome Kircher.

Note:  Imdb 7.6* out of 5* with 70,388 reviews, Roger Ebert 3 1/2* out of 4*, Rotten Tomatoes 78% with 148 critics 85% with 65,385 ratings, Slant Magazine 1 1/2* out of 4* Nick Schager, Common Sense Media Brian Costello, 5*, age 17+, 4* positive messages, 4* role models, 5* violence, 4* sex, 2* language, Amazon 4.4 out of 5* with 401 reviews.

Special Note:  Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet also filmed Amelie.

Up 2009

     When Carl Fredricksen was a boy, he wanted to explore South America.  He wanted to find the forbidden Paradise Falls.  About 64 years later he begins his journey.  Along with Boy scout Russell, Carl lifts his house by using thousands of balloons.  They make many new friends on their journey.  They meet a talking dog and they discover that someone has evil plans.  Carl realizes that this evildoer is his childhood idol?

     There are a few potentially frightening scenes with a band of talking dogs, characters almost fall from the floating house and some guns are fired.  There is a discussion about a wife dying, a man is kicked out of his home, there is depression, greed and death.  Some viewers thought this is too adult and scary for kids but too simple for adults?  I thought this move was very good!!  Good animation, story line and characters. 5* ( I really liked this movie)  

96 min, Animation directed and written by Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy with the voices of Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo, Jerome Ranft, John Ratzenberger, David Kaye, Elie Docter, Jeremy Leary, Mickie McGowan, Danny Mann, Donald Fullilove, Jess Harnell, Josh Cooley.

Note:  Imdb 8.2* out of 10* with 917,299 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes, 98% with 296 critics 9% with 1,204,012 audience scores, Common Sense Media, Sandie Angulo Chen, age 6+, 5*, 1* educational, 4* positive, 4* role models, 2* violence, 3* consumerism, 1* drinking, drugs & smoking 1*, Roger Ebert 4*, Letterboxd 4.1* out of 5* with 1.3K reviews, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 10,325 reviews, Metacritic 88 out of 100 with 37 critics (34 positive 3 Mixed 0 negative) 8.8 out of 10 with 1351 ratings (1252 positive 73 mixed 26 negative), Rolling Stone 4* Peter Travers.

Special Note:  This is the only Best Picture nominee to have just two letters in the title.  But, the record for shortest Best Picture nominee title belongs to the film Z of 1969.  Before the release of this film, Pixar let 10-year-old Colby Curtin see the film before she died from cancer.  A Pixar employee flew to Colby’s home and screened a DVD for the family.  All the characters are based upon circles and rectangles, except for the villains.  They are triangles.  Objects around them are also based on their shape

Losing in Love 2016

     Ronnie Blevins is an undiscovered writer and he is writing a narration of his life.  He has recently been released from prison.  He is  tasked by his overanxious literary agent to re-write a classic love story set in Los Angeles.  He writes at a local diner in Venice.  He meets Amber, she is street wise and a sexy mercurial waitress with a troubled past.  Reality and imagination influence his screenplay as it develops.  Ronnie and Amber are trying to hold on to each other to weather their personal storms.  Their love could be woven into the story and allow it to become the inspiration for a great love story in the city of Los Angeles?

     Amber and Ronnie feel lost but their relationship may pull them back from the edge of their darkness?  In the beginning, I almost quit watching and I didn’t like this movie.  It started to get better and it does turn out to be a good movie.  Ronnie believes in his work and he doesn’t care what his agent thinks.  He pushes back against the people asking him to change the ending of his work.  This becomes tricky for a few minutes but is a good thing and everything smooths out.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

96 min, Drama directed and written by Martin Papazian with Marina Benedict, Ronnie Gene Blevins, Martin Papazian, Claudie Doumit, Saun Duke Connie Marie Brazelton, Melissa Pino, Janice Bergere, Mark Valley, Tristan Lake Leabu, Keili Lefkovitz, Shane Johnson, Alex Desert.

Note:  Imdb 6.8* out of 10* with 138 reviews, Amazon 4.2* out of 5* with 133 ratings. 

Special Note:  There is a mistake, when Ronnie tears out a page in his journal, there is already writing on the next page?

Y Tu Mama También 2001

     The setting of this film is Mexico and two 17-year old boys find an older woman very attractive.  They embark on a road trip and they learn a thing or two about life, friendship and each other.  Late teen friends Tenoch Iturbide and Julio Zapata are feeling restless.  Their girlfriends are traveling together though Europe before they head off to college.  At a lavish family wedding, Tenoch and Julio meet Luisa Cortes.  She is the 20 something wife of Tenoch’s cousin Jano.  The boys are unfamiliar with Mexico because they just moved here from Spain.  Tenoch and Julio tell Luisa that they will be taking a trip to the most beautiful secluded beach in Mexico called la Boca del Cielo (Heaven’s Mouth).  They have made all this up to impress Luisa??  She learns of her husband Jano’s latest marital indiscretion and she decides to go on this road trip!!  Their friend Saba suggests a real road trip and they opt for the plan to go to Boca del Cielo.

     This film is one of my favorites!!  There are amazing character studies and insights into the structures of society.  The translation of the title is And Your Mama, Too.  The Mexico they are driving through has police checkpoints, drug busts, traffic accidents, shanty towns and a roadblock of flowers by villagers demanding a donation for their queen.  She is a girl in bridal white and she represents Mary.  Mexico is a prosperous country but it has left an uneducated and penniless peasantry behind.  When they arrive at the beach, they are greeted by a fisherman and his family.  They have lived here for four generations, they sell them fried fish and rent them a place to stay.  5* (I liked this movie)
     
106 min, in Spanish with subtitles, directed and written by Alfonso Cuaron and also written by Carlos Cuaron with Maribel Verdu, Gael Garcia Bernal, Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Diego Luna, Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Ana Lopez Mercado, Nathan Grinberg, Veronica Langer, Maria Aura, Giselle Audirac, Arturo Rios, Andres Almeida, Diana Bracho, Emilio Echevarria, Juan Carlos Remolina.

Note:  Imdb 7.6* out of 10* with 114,210 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 92% with 138 critics 88% with 69, 797 audience scores, Roger Ebert 4*, RollingStone 5* Peter Travers, Common Sense Media, Andrea Beach 4* out of 5*, age 18+, 2* positive, 2* role models, 2* violence, 5* sex, 5* language, 1* consumerism, 5* drinking, drugs, smoking, Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 620 reviews, Letterboxd 4.1* out of 5* with 2.1K fans, Empireonline 4* Mark Denning.

Special Note:  At many of the beaches the crew had to rake the footprints in the sand.  Frank Zappa’s song Watermelon in Easter Hay was only to be played only from the album.  Frank’s widow, Gail Zappa saw the edited movie and agreed to make an exception.  She thought Zappa would be proud to have his song in the film.  This film grossed $2.2 million in its first week and this is the biggest opening ever for a Mexican film.  
 

More Beautiful for Having Been Broken 2019

     This film is based on a true story.  FBI Agent McKenzie (Max) De Ridder has recently lost her mother.  She was McKenzie’s best friend and greatest champion.  McKenzie has been suspended from the FBI and she is on administrative leave for not following orders.  McKenzie’s current behavior is erratic, frenzied, drinking and lost.  She escapes to the small ranch town of Merveille where she used to visit on Star Adventures with her mother.  McKenzie meets Freddie, he is a young special needs boy and he has a rare disease called Fanconi Anemia.  His hands are not formed properly, he has frequent fevers and illnesses.  He also has a short life span.

     McKenzie begins to heal as she learns other people also have problems in their lives and they are not just in her own life.  McKenzie has not disclosed to anyone that she is an FBI Agent.  This may be a mistake and come as a shocking surprise?  Perhaps she should have revealed this fact in the beginning?  The scenery is this area is very beautiful.  Also, Freddie’s grandmother met Mackenzie previously and she is starting to remember meeting her.  

   
111 min, Drama directed and written by Nicole Conn with Harley Jane Kozak, Kay Lenz, French Stewart, Felissa Rose, Bruce Davison, Brooke Elliott, Lesley Nicol, Zoe Ventoura, Gabrielle Christian, Kayla Radomski, Cale Ferrin, Wally Kurth, Patti Tippo, Joe Charbanic, Ally Iseman.

Note:  Imdb 5.8* out of 10* with 417 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 80% with 15 audience scores, The Guardian 1* out of 5* Peter Bradshaw, Amazon 4.1* out of 5* with 691 ratings, Letterboxd 3.1* out of 5*.

Special Note:  Director Nicole Conn has also written the novels A Perfect Ending and Elena Undone plus she directed the film The Advocate.   

Starfish 2017

     Lily lives near the ocean and she is grieving over the death of her dog and her father.  Her estranged sister Eva calls Lily to ask her to take care of Eva's 14 year-old daughter for two weeks.  Eva won’t say why she needs Lily to watch Chloe?  Lily doesn’t expect that having Chloe living with her for this short time will change her way of looking at things.  Lily has been unable to address unresolved issues and open her heart.

     There is family fighting and arguing between the two sisters.  Lily is very sensitive and her sister Eva is not like that at all.  Lily has special friends that she loves very much and she works as a librarian and artist.  Eva is always concerned that she is still the same size to fit into her wedding dress?  Lily doesn’t care anything about that type of worry.  People experiencing grief over the loss of an animal are often ignored and their emotions are not as respected as those who grieve over the death of a person.  

99 min, Drama directed and written by Shira Levin with Margaret Curry, Christopher L. McAllister, Boo Radley, Elizabeth M. Van Houten, Sophie, Pascal Yen-Pfister, Greta Roswech, Jax Horne, Tyler, Linette Roe, Sophia Colon Roosevelt, Lois Marple, Judith Greentree.

Note:  Imdb 6.9* out of 10*, Rotten Tomatoes 89% with 61 reviews, Amazon 3 1/2* with 45 reviews.

Special Note:  This film was primarily filmed in Westbrook Ct.  It is a small shoreline town.  Filming was completed in 19 days plus three days in New York City.  This film was inspired by the director’s love of dogs Boo and Tyler.  Intense grief was experienced after the passing of Tyler.  There are other films with the title of Starfish from 1952, 2004, 2016, 2017, 2018.

Awards:  Official Selection LA Femme International Film Festival 2018, Black Bear Film Festival, Mystic Film Festival, Chain Film Festival, Veritas Film Fest.

Stardust 2007

     This film is based on a novel written by Neil Gaiman.  The passage from this world to the fantasy kingdom of Stormhold is through a breach in a wall beside an English village.  In the 1800s, a boy becomes a man when he ventures through the beach in pursuit of a fallen star.  He is trying to prove his love for the village beauty.  The star is no lump of rock!!  It’s actually a maiden, Yvonne.  Tristan is the boy and he is not just looking for Yvonne.  He is also looking for three witches led by Lamia.  They want her heart to make them young.  The sons of the dead king of Stormhold want her because she holds a ruby that will give one of them title to the throne.  Also with Tristan, are his mother and she is the victim of a spell.  There is a cross-dressing pirate of the skies.  Will Tristan win his true love?

     The plot line is a unique story.  It isn’t corny, tacky or ridiculous and it is actually entertaining and funny?  The soundtrack has a magical feeling and it adds to the film.  There are sword fights, unlikely friends, transformations, personal discovery and above all LOVE.  There is a dark side to this film and it is surprisingly violent.  There are several deaths and lots of fights with knives and swords.  An evil witch unleashes her fury and this can be frightening.  One witch has a voodoo doll that she transforms into an old hag.  Brothers are vying for their father’s crown and trying to kill each other.  5* (I really liked this movie)

127 min, Adventure directed and written by Matthew Vaughn and also written by Jane Goldman, Neil Gaiman with Ian McKellen, Bimbo Hart, Alastair MacIntosh, David Kelly, Ben Barnes, Kate Magowan, Melanie Hill, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Henry Cavill, Nathaniel Parker.

Note:  Imdb 7.6* out of 10* with 251,361 reviews, 76% with 193 critics 86% with 468,451 audience scores, Roger Ebert 2 1/2*, Common Sense Media, S. Jhoanna Robledo, age 12+,4* out of 5*, 5* violence 3* drinking, drugs, smoking, Letterboxd 3.5* out of 5*, Metacritic 66 out of 100 with 33 critics (25 positive 7 mixed 1 negative) 8.6 out of 10 with 365 ratings (327 positive 26 mixed 12 negative), Amazon 4.7* out of 5* with 5516 reviews.

Special Note:  All the Princes wear clothing with a pattern spelling out their number in Roman numerals.  Septimus wears a vest with the numeral seven on each button.  Much of Ferdy’s dialogue was ad-libbed by Ricky Gervais.  Matthew Vaughn had great difficulty shooting the scenes at the inn where Lamia entices Yvonne, Tristan and Primus.  There were very few days when more than one cast member was available for filming.  He used a lot of stand-ins in the closer shots to give the impression that all of the cast members were present.
 

The White Countess 2005

      The setting of this film is Shanghai of 1936.  Sofia is a Russian Countess and she has been left destitute by the Revolution.  She is forced by her reduced circumstances to support herself and her family as a bar girl.  She forms a relationship with Jackson.  He is a blind former diplomat who opens an elegant bar with the name The White Countess.  They have a curious relationship and they are caught up in the fall of Shanghai to the Japanese invaders.

     There are strong performances from the cast and a Merchant Ivory production is always a good ride.  A gentleness on the outside and a blow up on the inside with one sided love.  There are complications involved with the family situations and with warring nations added into the mix.  I love the clothing, hairstyles and makeup of this time period.  The bar is calm with a storm raging outside. 5* (I really liked this movie)  

135 min, Drama directed by James Ivory and written by Kazuo Ishiguro with Ralph Fiennes, Natasha Richardson, Vanessa Redgrave, Madeleine Potter, Madeleine Daly, John Wood, Vanessa Redgrave, Allan Corduner, Timur Engalyschev, Lucy Sutton Amir Marimon, Itay Eltahan, Dan Herzberg, Aislin McGuckin, Dong Fu Lin.

Note:  Imdb 6.6* out of 10* with 6,115 reviews, Roger Ebert 3*, Rotten Tomatoes 49% with 89 critics 50% with 20,233 audience scores, The Guardian 1* out of 5* Peter Bradshaw, Slant Magazine 2* out of 4* Joe McGovern, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 254 reviews.

Special Note:  The Countess, Natasha Richardson and her family also includes her real-life mother Vanessa and aunt Lynn Redgrave.  Ralph Fiennes observed a blind man’s average day with help from the Royal Society for the Blind.  He wore special glasses to simulate blindness before each take.  The racehorse scene uses stock footage taken from Seabiscuit 2003.  The real-life mother of Madeleine Daly in the role of Katya is Madeleine Potter who played the Countess’ sister-in-law Greshenka.  This is the final film directed by James Ivory and produced by his longtime business and romantic partner Ismail Merchant.  Ismail died shortly before the film’s premiere.

Sideways 2004

     This film is based on a novel written by Rex Pickett.  Two men are reaching middle age and they don't have much to show for their lives except disappointment.  They leave on a week long road trip through California’s wine country before Jack is to be married.  Miles is the best man and he’s also along for the trip.  They are seeking a week of fun, rest, relaxation and wine drinking, of course.  Miles does his best to teach Jack some facts about the art of appreciating great wines.  Jack just cares about drinking, carousing and he’s a former soap star reduced to commercials!!  

     Jack meets attractive Stephanie at one of the vineyards.  Miles is the opposite of Jack.  He’s a sad sack, a high school English teacher and a failed writer.  Miles also has not gotten over the fact that his wife has divorced him.  She has remarried and he now faces the nerve racking wait to hear from a prospective publisher.  Miles meets Stephanie’s friend Maya.  He drops the bomb that Jack is about to married and this may have killed a budding relationship??

     Jack has rude charm and quiet desperation?  Miles sees himself as a temperamental wine expert but does he really know anything about what he is talking about?  This film contains very mature material.  Some violence, sexual references and situations.  Drinking but the wine is treated as a work of art and not drinking to numb feelings or get drunk.  Some very strong language.  Giamatti and Church have very good chemistry together.  4* (I liked this movie)  

127 min, Comedy directed and written by Alexander Payne, also written by Rex Pickett with Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, Sandra Oh, Marylouise Burke, Jessica Hecht, Missy Doty, M.C. Gainey, Alysia Reiner, Shake Tukhamanyan, Shaun Duke, Robert Covarrubias, Patrick Gallagher, Stephanie Faracy, Joe Marinelli.

Note:  Imdb 7.5* out of 10* with 177,572 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 97% with 233 critics 79% audience with 197,683 audience scores, Metacritic 94 out of 100 with 42 critics (41 positive 1 mid 0 negative) 7 out of 10 with 524 user scores (353 positive, 80 mixed, 91 negative, Roger Ebert 4*, RollingStone 4* Peter Travers, The Guardian 5* Peter Bradshaw, Letterboxed 3.7* out of 5*, Amazon 4.5* out of 5* with 2196 reviews, Common Sense Media Nell Minow, 3*, age 17+, 3* violence, 5* sex, 5* language, 3* drinking drugs, smoking.

Special Note:  Miles’ mother made dinner at her house for Miles and Jack.  The food gave all three actors food poisoning??  Sales of Pinot Noir wines rose by more than 20% over the 2004-05 Christmas/New Year period after Miles talks about this wine with great passion.  Miles was disparaging about Merlot and sales dropped after the film came out.  Paul Giamatti admitted faking every bit of wine knowledge and he didn’t understand why anybody would care about it??  He also thought his casting in the lead role was a practical joke??  M.C. Gainey runs naked down a street.  The police blocked off the entire street.  People who lived in houses on the street were paid by the crew to stay inside their homes during filming?  I wonder if they peaked out the windows?

New in Town 2009

      Lucy Hill is a high-powered food consultant and she is in love with her upscale Miami Florida lifestyle.  Also, she wants to move up to a vice presidency job.  Her boat is rocked when she is sent to New Ulm Minnesota!!  She is to oversee the restructuring of a blue collar manufacturing plant.  Their manufacturing processes need to be streamlined.  Her reception from the locals is frosty and that's not all that is frosty!!  The roads are icy and weather is freezing.  She likes the small town's charm and over time she is accepted by the local community.  In news from her headquarters, she is ordered to close down the plant instead??  Now, Lucy becomes the real bad guy!!  This action will put the entire community out of work!!  Lucy must examine her own goals and priorities?  Is there a way she could save the town and their livelihood?  

     There is some romantic comedy but it relies on stereotypes.  The career driven woman falls in love with the right guy?  There must be Midwestern accents and there is also learning to appreciate more of life.  Some mild swearing, a few scenes of drinking, some kissing, no nudity.  Also, parents should be aware that there are some rude scenes and rude talk.  This film would be good to watch on a very hot day!!   Rated PG but more like PG-13.  Predictable but not exactly rocket science either.  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

97 min, Comedy directed by Jonas Elmer and written by Ken Rance and C. Jay Cox with Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr. Siobhan Fallon Hogan, J.K. Simmons, Mike O'Brien, Frances Concroy, Ferron Guerreiro, James Durham, Robert Small, Wayne Nicklas, Hilary Carroll, Nancy Jane Drake.

Note  Imdb 5.6* out of 10* with 21,417 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 28% with 170 critics 37% with 129,417 audience scores, Common Sense Media S. Jhoanna Roblledo, 2*, age 13+, 1* violence 3* sex, 3* language, 3* consumerism 3* drinking, drugs and smoking, Roger Ebert 2*, SF Gate CA, Peter Hartlaub 1* out of 5*, Metacrtic 20 out of 100 with 32 critic reviews (4 positive 7 mixed 21 negative, 5.3 out of 10 with 43 ratings (5.3 out of 10 with 43 ratings (positive 14 16 mixed 13 negative.

Special Note:  J.K. Simmons is not wearing a fat suit for his role as Stu Kopenhafer, he gained more than forty pounds!!  Filming was done in Winnipeg Manitoba and Renee Zellweger said the temperatures were as low as -55 degrees or -67 degree.  The camera could only run for up to one minute per take.  This action was taken to prevent the heat generated by the camera's electric motor from cracking the icy lens!!  The pictures on Siobhan Fallon Hogan's desk are her actual family.  Director Jonas Elmer left halfway during post-production.  There were disputes between Elmer and the producers.  His aim was for the film to appeal to a mature audience.  Originally, the producers supported this and then they changed their minds midway during production?  Elmer left the movie behind and he has decided not to ever work in the US again?

White Lies 2016

     This film is based the novel Whale Rider written by Witi Ihimaera.  Paraiti is a Maori medicine woman during the early 20th century in New Zealand.  She is a healing herbalist and a midwife for her rural tribal people and she believes in life.  When she was a child, white men came to her village and killed the people.  Paraiti was struck in the face by one of the men.  She was unconscious but she lived and now she still has the scar.  New laws enacted in 1907 are in force prohibiting unlicensed healers.  Paraiti practices her healing in strict secrecy.  Paraiti makes a rare trip to the city and she is approached by Maraea, she is the Maori servant of a wealthy woman, Rebecca.  The servant is seeking help for a miscarriage of the baby Rebecca is carrying.  Paraiti, Maraea and Rebecca have a conflict of beliefs, there is deception and an ultimate conclusion.

     Paraiti is grief stricken when she is approached by Maraea.  One of the local young woman was taken to the doctors in town for the delivery of her baby.  Both the young woman and her baby died.  Paraiti believes she could have saved both their lives if she had been present at the birth.  There is a clash in this community between the town people and the native people.  The town people think they know everything but sometimes they are wrong!!  There are some circumstances that I wasn't sure about until the end?  5* (I really liked this movie)

99 min, Drama directed and written by Dana Rotberg with Whirimakeo Black, Rachel House, Antonia Prebble, Nancy Brunning, Te Eaimarie Kessell, Kohuorangi Ta Whara, Elizabeth Hawthorne, Te Ahurei Rakuraku, Tahiti o the Rangi Trainor Tait. Kyle Pryor, Rawiri Waiariki.

Note:  Imdb 6.9* out of 10* with 388 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 100% with 6 critics 56% with 66 audience scores.

Special Note:  The setting of this film is in New Zealand.  This film is the first feature made by Mexican writer-director Dana Rotberg and New Zealand is her adopted country.  

Like Sunday, Like Rain 2014

     Reggie is 12 years old.  His parents are wealthy and he is a child prodigy.  He lives in a big apartment in New York and he is surrounded by wealth but he is living a lonely life.  His parents are frequently traveling.  Eleanor is a young woman and she has growing pains.  She is having problems with her boyfriend and she was recently fired from her job.  She finds out from a friend that she could apply at an agency for a job as a nanny.  She is very fortunate because she is interviewed and she is hired right away for a job.  Reggie and Eleanor become friends and she is not just a nanny.  Reggie is wise beyond his years and he helps Eleanor through some tough times.  They treat each other friends and that's what they are!!

     I was surprised about how good this movie is!!  I was really drawn into the story and the bond between Reggie and Eleanor.  They both have dysfunctional families and they have reserved exteriors.  Reggie has a cook and chauffeur but his relationship with his mother is distant and his father died.  He has one friend at school.  Eleanor has given up on her boyfriend.  He doesn’t come home and his own life and needs are more important?  He doesn’t get what happened?  Eleanor also has problems with distance both physical and mental in her family relationships.  5* (I really liked this movie)

104 min, Drama directed and written by Frank Whaley with Julian Shatkin, Olga Merediz, Debra Messing, Wayne Pretlow, Leighton Meester, Georgia Ximnes Lifsher, Alfredo Narciso, Bille Joe Armstrong, Sabrina Machado, Darcy Fowler, Heather Whaley, Sammy Pignalosa, Frank Shattuck, Tamara Torres, Buster Whaley.

Note:  Imdb 6.9* out of 10* with 4231 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 53% with 19 critics 65% with 566 audience scores, Slant Magazine 1* out of 4* Wes Greene, Amazon 4.2* out of 5* with 659 reviews, mxdwn.com 2* out of 5* John Wedemeyer.

Special Note:  In the role of Eleanor’s boyfriend is Billie Joe Armstrong.  I can't say this is a flattering role??  He is the Green Day frontman and this is his first film role other than minor roles in Riding in cars With Boys and This is 40.  He had a cameo in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues 2013.

Wild Prairie Rose 2016

      The setting of this film is 1952, Rose Miller returns to her rural hometown of Beresford South Dakota to care for her ailing mother.  Over a short time, Rose falls in love with a deaf and mute man, James Hansen.  She must decide if she has the courage to follow her heart.  The roles of women in America were changing in 1950’s America.  Rose learns that people who have great differences can learn to communicate with each other.  This is a focus on one woman’s story but it challenges assumptions about a good life.  Some of the people in Beresford believe that people who are deaf should not have been allowed a life? 

     The scenery of this area with fields and prairies is very beautiful.  Rose Miller has been living in a big city.  She spent WWII as a Rosie the Riveter and in 1952 she works as an executive secretary in a large company.  Rose’s mother is a longtime widow and she is struggling with arthritis and possibly other problems with her health.  She needs help taking care of herself and her home.  Pearl can’t understand why her only child seems not to want anything to do with the place where she grew up?  In some ways, Pearl feels a personal rejection.  

     Rose would like to see a movie but the local theater is closed and the drive is to another one is 40 miles.  She decides she will film her own movie.  James Hansen runs the area repair shop and he is the only one who seems to know anything about cameras?  He uses sign language and this is seen as unacceptable and forbidden in the current schools for the deaf?  Rose begins to learn sign language to communicate with James.  5* (I really liked this movie)

      
90 min, Drama directed by Deborah LaVine and written by Sharon Greene with Betsy Berenson, Maya Brattkus, Deanne Bray, Courtney Jones, Troy Kotsur, Donne McRae, Montana Murphy, Trystan Olbertson, Tara Samuel, Amy Schulz, Cliff Schulz, Samuel Schulz, Suzanne Spoke, Christine Wood.

Note:  Imdb 7.2* out of 10*, theindependentcritic.com 3*, Amazon 4.6* out of 5* with 47 ratings, 1314 likes on Facebook, thefilmyap.com editor rating 3 1/2* user rating 4*, pureflix.com 3.5*.

A Marriage of Convenience 1998

      This film is based on a novel by Georgia Bockoven.  Chris Winslow Whitney is a successful business woman.  Her sister is killed in a car accident and she had an emergency caesarean section to deliver a premature baby boy.  Chris didn’t know that her sister was pregnant and she is thinking of giving Kevin up for adoption.  The couple bows out when Kevin needs emergency surgery.  Chris decides she will raise Kevin herself for her sister.  Chris doesn’t know who Kevin’s father is and he doesn’t know he has a son.  

      Chris traces Kevin’s estranged father and eight years later, his father finds out he has a son.  He wants to claim custody of the child and this will not work for Chris!!  They go to court and Kevin tells the judge that he wants Chris and Mason to get married.  They must make a decision this day.  Chris and Mason Whitney decide to marry so they both can raise Kevin together.  Would it be possible that they could fall in love during their convenient marriage.  Maybe Kevin will be able to bring them together?  This would be a win-win for everyone involved and this is what Kevin wants!!  5* (I really liked this movie) 

120 min, Romance directed by James Keach and written by Georgia Bockoven, David J. Hill and Renee Longstreet with Jane Seymour, James Brolin, David Kaye, Lorena Gale, Kari Matchett, Karen Barker, Shirley Knight, Frank Adamson, Tom Anniko, Mauralea Austin.


Note:  Goodreads gives this book by Georgia Bockoven 3* with 75 ratings and 6 reviews, Imdb 6.2* out of 10* with 401 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 18% with 54 audience scores, Amazon 4* out of 5* with 34 reviews.

Special Note:  Jane Seymour’s sister is played by her real sister Anne Gould.  This film is well-produced and directed with a very good love story.  James Brolin is underrated as an actor and he is excellent and capable.  James is married to Barbra Streisand.  His son Josh Brolin is also in the motion picture industry.  This film is sweet and simple plus enjoyable.  Jane Seymour has always had long beautiful hair!! 

Robin Hood 1973

     This is an imaginative Disney version of the Robin Hood legend.  Fun and romance are all around in this film but also moments of peril.  The swashbuckling hero Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest and his valiant sidekick plot one daring adventure after another to outwit the greedy Prince John voiced by Sir Peter Ustinov and his partner as they put the tax squeeze on the poor.  This film is not was historical as Kevin Costner’s film.  It is not always as laughable and ridiculous as Mel Brooks’ film but this is still good.

     Disney's effort comes off as likable.  It's very much a product of its times but has a timeless quality that is unmatched.  The humor doesn't date itself as quickly as some of the jokes in other Disney features. The voice acting (as in almost every Disney film) is superb, and contains a few outstanding stars such as Peter Ustinov's in his especially well-done role.  All in all, a film well-deserving of all the praise it receives.  What I really noticed is how Prince John takes money from poor people who don’t have much to give??  He doesn’t do this himself but has has his henchman the Sheriff of Nottingham take the last coins from a widow and a young boy!!  Prince John’s brother is Richard the Lionheart and John usurped the throne while Richard was fighting in the Crusades.  5* (I liked this film and found enjoyable to watch)   

     This film is tame for the most part but does contain examples of bad behavior.  Greediness, gullibility, stealing, punishment.  Some medieval weaponry, some hitting, fighting, characters held at knifepoint, oppression, references to a noose and hanging.  Includes having having compassion for those who are less fortunate.  Usually, their being poor is through no fault of their own.  Parents will need to judge the maturity level of their children before allowing them to watch this film.    

93 min, Animation directed by Wolfgang Reitherman and David Hand, written by Larry Clemmons, Ken Anderson, Vance Gerry, Frank Thomas, Eric Cleworth, Julius Svendsen, David Michener with the voices of Roger Miller, Peter Ustinov, Terry-Thomas, Brian Bedford, Monica Evans, Phil Harris, Andy Devine, Carole Shelley, Pat Buttram, George Lindsey, Ken Curtis.

Note:  Imdb 7.6* out of 10* with 113,267 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 54* with 28 critics 81% with 271,687 user ratings, Common Sense Media, Rafael Munsi, age 5+, 4* out of 5*, 3* positive, 2* role models, 3* violence and scariness, Metacritic 57 out of 100 with 9 critic reviews (5 positive 3 mixed 1 negative), 7.6 out of 10 with 36 user scores (26 positive 10 mixed 0 negative).  
 

Painted Horses 2017

      There is a new teacher at the beginning of school.  The principle has warned Ms. Hoog that this is a tough class and other teachers have given up!!  Ms. Hoog can’t give up, she needs this job for the health plan.  Her 18 month old son has club feet and he has already had one unsuccessful surgery.  His doctor is recommending another surgery of a different type as soon as possible.  There is no way that Ms. Hoog can pay for the surgery without the health plan.

     The students start out the year with some of them being rude and uncooperative.  Their teacher can’t throw in the towel so she will have to come up with something to make them want to learn history.  Ms. Hoog has documents from her family that date back to the Civil War.  Supposedly, there is a treasure possibly hidden in the area near the school.  She gets her students interested by the idea of a treasure hunt.

     Things are going much better in the class with the students but a parent makes a complaint to the principal.  She is a member of the school board and she threatens to hold a meeting to remove Ms. Hoog from her position???  Even the students don't want to their teacher forced out from her job!! 

     The students finally have a purpose and they are working together.  They are not used to doing either one of these things!!  They are assigned into teams of three students each and they learn how to work together for a common goal.  They don’t have to participate but there is a tiny chance they will find money.  Those who are not involved will not share in the money!!  This film has good themes about facing adversity as a teen and as an adult.  The students learn to encourage each other and see other people for what is inside, not what is outside.  This film is best for 12+ ages.  5* (I REALLY liked this movie!!)

91 min, Drama directed by Damian X. Fulton and written by Mark Cramer with Grace Fulton, Madelyn Deutch, Caleb Emery, Kendall Ryan Sanders, Deana Carter, Karson Kern, Linc Hand, Alexa Yeames, Alexis Wilkins, Harrison Stone, Kurt Krause, Rick Bucy, Terri Minton, Clark Harris, Tommy Cresswell. 

Note:  Imdb 6.8* out of 10* with 206 reviews, dove.org 1* sex, 2* language, 1* violence, 1* drugs, 1* nudity, 1* other (being disrespectful to others, lying to others, trying to get a teacher fired), Amazon 4.4* out of 5* with 110 reviews.

Judy 2019

     This film is a loose adaptation of End of the Rainbow by West End and Broadway Olivier nominated playwright Peter Quilter.  This story needed to be true and more precise with fewer elements of fantasy than the play.  Thirty years after starring in the Wizard of Oz (1939), actress and singer Judy Garland arrives in London in late 1968.  She is to perform a five-week run of sold-out shows at London’s Talk of the Town nightclub.  She has financial problems plus debts and that means she can’t afford to live in plush hotel suites with her two children  She reminisces with friends and fans on stage.  Sometimes she suffers from destructive anxiety and stage fright.  She doesn’t properly, get enough sleep and she drinks excessively.  On top of this already toxic combination, Judy takes pills to combat her nerves and she begins to suffer from depression.  Judy began taking pills at an early age in her career.  Her London stage manager has to step in to babysit and make sure she gets on the stage.  She is often late or she doesn’t show up!!  Her manager can’t keep Judy from falling down on stage!!  Judy begins a whirlwind romance with musician Mickey Deans and he will become her fifth husband.            

     There are minor discrepancies in the film’s version of events.  Garland and Deans did not marry until March 1969 and it was after her Christmas performances.  Deans is presented more sympathetically than as he was as a real person.  In reality, he was dreadful and a most unsuitable person for Judy.  Most of the film is an accurate portrait of Judy’s final months.  She died of a drug overdose on June 22 1969 at the age of 47 in Chelsea London.  4 1/2* (I liked this movie)

     
118 min, Bio directed by Rupert Goold and written by Tom Edge, Peter Quilter with Renee Zellweger, Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock, Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon, Richard Cordery, Royce Pierreson, Darci Shaw, Andy Nyman, Daniel Cerqueira, Bella Ramsey, Lewin Lloyd, Tom Durant Pritchard, John Dagleish, Adrian Lukis.

Note:  Imdb 6.8* out of 10* with 35,743 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 82% with 327 critic reviews 85% with 5777 audience scores, Amazon 4.3* out of 5* with 14,639 reviews, RollingStone 3 1/2* out of 5* Peter Travers, Roger Ebert 2* Monica Castillo.

 
Special Note:  Renee Zellweger was born in 1969, the year Judy Garland died.  Renee spent a year training with vocal coach Eric Vetro before shooting began.  She rehearsed with musical director Matt Dunkley for four months to master her vocals.  Make-up designer Jeremy Woodhead prosthetically extended the tip of Renee’s nose slightly to better match Judy’s profile.  Dark gray contact lenses were used to approximate Garland’s dark brown eyes.  A cropped walnut-brown wig was clipped to resemble Judy’s iconic hairdo.  Renee plans to release her first solo album with songs by Judy Garland.

 

 

The Only Living Boy in New York 2017

      Thomas Webb is the son of a New York publisher and his mother is an artist.  He has just graduated from college and he is trying to find his place in the world.  He moves from his parents’ Upper West Side apartment to the Lower East Side.  He meets a neighbor, W.F.  He is an alcoholic writer and he dispenses world wisdom along with his shots of whiskey.  Thomas happens to see his father with another woman in a restaurant.  This makes Thomas very worried because his mother is very fragile!!  If she found out, it would shake the very foundation of her life!!  Thomas decides to get to know this other woman.   He wants to break up the relationship she is having with his father.  Thomas has a girlfriend Mimi but she is planning to leave the USA and go to another country to broaden her horizons.  She has asked Thomas to come with her but he’s not sure about that step?

     Thomas is a privileged 20 something young man.  He is working through maturity but he has some missteps in judgement.  He stalks his father’s mistress.  He is also following his own dreams to write despite his father’s disapproval.  There are surprises and twists in this film that I didn’t see coming!!  3 1/2* (I liked this movie)

89 min, Drama directed by Marc Webb and written by Alan Loeb with Callum Turner, Kate Beckinsale, Pierce Brosnan, Cynthia Nixon, Kiersey Clemons, Tate Donovan, Wallace Shawn, Anh Duong, Debi Mazar, Ben Hollandsworth, John Bolger, Bill Camp, Richard Bekins, Ryan Speakman.

Note:  Imdb 6.3* out of 10* with 10,995 reviews, Rotten Tomatoes 34% with 88 critics 49% with 1645 audience scores, Roger Ebert 1 1/2* Glenn Kenny, RollingStone 1 1/2* Peter Travers, Common Sense Media Barbara Shulgasser-Parker 3*, age 15+, 2* positive, 1* role models, 1* violence, 3* sex, 4* language, 3* drinking, drugs & smoking, Amazon 4.3* with 913 reviews.

Special Note:  The screenplay written by Alan Loeb sat for 10 years in the Hollywood Blacklist of best unproduced screenplays!!  The film was in development from 2012.  It was announced on August 25, 2012 that the director of 500 Days of Summer of 2009 would be working on this film.  This was just over a month after the release of Webb’s previous movie, The Amazing Spider-Man 2012.  There were days of various actors and actresses joining the team and then leaving.  Different drafts of the script written and various other problems.  Once the film was cast, the script written, after Webb finished the Spider-Man movies and Gifted 2017, the shooting would begin.  Five years since it was announced that the film would be made.  A total of 12 years before release.

Chemical Hearts 2020

     Henry Page is seventeen years old and he’s never been in love.  He thinks of himself as a romantic but he just hasn’t found the once-in-a-lifetime love he’s been hoping for??  On the first day of his senior year, he meets transfer student Grace Town.  He starts to think about her as possibly this love he’s been thinking about??  Grace and Henry are chosen to co-edit the school paper and he is immediately drawn to her.  He learns that Grace has a heartbreaking secret that has changed her life.  He feels he’s falling in love with her or at least the person he thinks she is.  

     What Henry doesn’t fully know yet is that Grace is broken and she is trying to fix herself but it’s very difficult!!  She was in a relationship with someone she planned to marry and he died.  The overall tone of this film is dark.  It’s about teenagers dealing with grief, trauma, heartbreak, sexual feelings, drugs, alcohol, death of peers.  The two main characters both learn that heartbreak feels the same as physical pain.  4 1/2* (I liked this movie)

93 min, Drama directed and written by Richard Tanne with Lili Reinhart, Austin Abrams, Sarah Jones, Adhir Kalyan, Bruce Altman, Kara young, D.J. Hoff, Robert Clohessy, Meg Gibson, Catherine Curtin, Coral Pena, Shannon Walsh, Jon Lemmon, J.J. Pyle, Lan Zhong, The Guardian 3* out of 5* Wendy Ide.

Note:  Imdb 6.3* out of 10* with 5050 reviews, Roger Ebert 3* Sheila O’Malley, Rotten Tomatoes 62% with 82 critics 72% with 238 audience scores, Common Sense Media, Jennifer Green 8*, age 15+, 3* positive, 3* Role Models, 3* violence, 3* sex, 4* language, 1* consumerism, 4* drinking, drugs and smoking.

Special Note:  Lily Reinhart acted as the character Betty Cooper on the CW teen drama series Riverdale.  She was also Annabelle in Lorene Scafaria’s black comedy crime drama film Hustlers.  She had been in a relationship with Cole Sprouse but forced distancing due to the pandemic influenced their decision to end their relationship.  Austin Noah Abrams acted as Ron Anderson in the 5th and 6th seasons of The Walking Dead and as Ethan Lewis in Euphoria.  He has also been in the films The Kings of Summer, Paper Towns, Brad’s Status, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.