2026 * PG-13 * 1h 57m Every once in a while I indulge myself and watch a sappy romance. Most times I'm disappointed. They're usually so formulaic you know exactly what's going to happen and how it's going to turn out. Well this one was a little predictable but the storyline was a bit different. And the two leads had definite chemistry.
Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth) meet by chance one day. They both just happen to be from the same small town in Ohio. But they're total opposites. Poppy has a dream job as a travel writer that takes her all around the world. She's always up for anything. Alex on the other hand, is a total homebody. He's just happy wherever is happens to be. Well, they become fast friends and decide to go somewhere exotic together, once every summer.
Cut to the present day (Nine years later). The two have had a falling out and haven't spoken in a couple years. But they end up reconnecting at his brother's wedding in Spain. The movie jumps back and forth from the present to just about every year they vacationed together. It's a fun, light film that features some beautiful and exotic locations. And as I mentioned earlier, their chemistry is fantastic, and totally believable. If you're in the mood for a well done romantic film, be sure to check it out.
2025 * Not Rated * 1h 35m I frequently check the streaming service Kanopy to see what films have been added. When I noticed a film starring Glen Close, adding it to my queue was a no brainer. I don’t think Ms. Close has ever made a movie that was less than great. The legendary actor has made a career out of challenging roles in films such as “Fatal Attraction,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” and “The Wife.” This is definitely up there with the best of them; actually it’s probably the finest performance I’ve seen from her.
“The Summer Book” is based on the 1972 best-selling novel of the same title by Tove Jansson. The screenplay was by Jansson and Robert Jones and the film was directed by Charlie McDowell (“The One I Love,” “Windfall,” and “The Discovery”). Hania Rani contributed one of those subtle yet effective scores that beautifully enhances the overall tone of the movie. And the brilliant camera work of Sturia Brandth Grovlen, masterfully captured the breathtaking location—especially the glorious sunrises and sunsets.
This is one of those magical films that gently washes over you like waves lapping against a rocky shore. There’s very little action and it’s character and dialogue driven. But that okay. We need a healthy dose of films like this to rejuvenate our souls once in a while. “The Summer Book” is a film that makes you a bit jealous of a family’s summer vacation. How amazing would to be to spend a summer on rocky island in the middle of nowhere?!
A father (Anders Danielson Lie), his daughter Sophia (Emily Matthews), and her Grandmother (Glen Close), return to their cabin on a remote island off the coast of Finland. As they enter their family cabin, they spot a straw hat hanging on a coatrack. Grandmother quickly snatches it and puts it away. It’s a subtle hint that the wearer (Sophia’s mother) is no longer with us. We learn later that she recently passed away.
Almost as soon as they arrive, father sets to work on a project. He’s an artist and is usually to be found at his drawing board, working on a series of illustrations. He seems a little distant and sad, and you feel he’s using his work to help put off dealing with his grief. He doesn’t intentionally ignore his daughter, he’s just totally engrossed in his work.
While father toils away at his illustrating, Sophia and Grandmother spend their days exploring the island. The rich flora and fauna are a delight, and the cinematography is almost like something you’d see in a National Geographic TV special. Grandmother admits that she was largely responsible for bringing the Girl Scouts to the country and she proves to be a fount of information, much to Sophia’s delight. She also tells amusing tales of her youth, especially the time she spent on the island.
There are a couple scenes that I especially enjoyed. One is when Sophia and Grandmother take the rowboat out and visit a neighboring island. They’re greeted by a “No Trespassing” sign which they duly ignore. Then the owners, a young couple and their son arrive. I was sure that they were going to prove to be annoying outsiders who were on a mission to modernize their island and destroy its natural beauty. I was pleasantly surprised when they proved to be strict conservationists. They invite them into their home for a snack and have a great time together.
Another delightful scene is when one afternoon Sophia and her dad leave the island for the day. Grandmother takes advantage of the situation and has a grand day to herself. She takes a dip in the ocean. Smokes a cigarette. Prances through the forest in the buff. And spends some time lying on her back, gazing at the sky and reminiscing about her youth. It’s a segment that you simply don’t want to end.
When Ms. Close makes her first appearance in the film, I was shocked. “She can’t be THAT old,” I said to myself. Well, she isn’t. The makeup artists spent hours to make her appear in her mid-80s. If there’s an Oscar for makeup, the crew involved in this movie certainly deserve it, hands down! But a good deal of kudos also goes to Ms. Close. Her facial features did as much communicating as her voice—which had a perfect Scandinavian accent, I must say. She also nailed the stiff gate of an octogenarian. And her eyes just sparkle with amusement when she tells Sophie about her past.
I absolutely love this sweet, gentle movie. It’s one of those timeless tales that could have taken place just about anywhere or any time in history. Everything in it was sheer perfection. It’s a film the whole family can enjoy. As with quite a few of the movies I review, I can’t for the life of me figure out why it isn’t better know. I think once you’ve seen it, you’ll tell your friends about it.
5 out of 5 stars
Streaming for free on Kanopy with your library card and to rent on Apple TV, Fandango, YouTube and other streaming services.
2025 * R * 1h 32m The best way to describe this unusual film would be "Noir Buddy Flick." It's a bit on the dark side, but quite amusing. The two leads Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Jack Quaid are on the screen for about 90% of the film and both deliver phenomenal performances.
Simon (Quaid) has just recently been released from a mental hospital. Even with his meds, he's still only totally lucid about 75% of the time. One day he catches sight of a woman being smacked around and thrown into a van. When he reports this abduction to the police, he's not taken seriously, due to the fact that they discover he's a mental patient. So he turns to his neighbor Ed (Morgan) for help.
Ed's a bitter loner who's recently been fired as the head of security at the local university. He's your typical bossy, alpha male and the two make for an entertaining screwball team. The more digging they do, the more evil criminals they encounter. The film takes a bunch of twists and turns. So hold onto your hats folks--you're in for a wild ride!
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Hulu and to rent on Amazon, Fandango, Apple TV, YouTube and other services.
2025 * Not Rated * 1h 39m Sidney Price (Minka Kelly) works in acquisitions at a wine and spirits conglomerate. She’s one of those all work and no play types. Before she travels to Paris to try and buy a prestigious champagne vineyard, her sister advises her to have a day to herself and just enjoy the experience. So, soon after she lands, she goes out exploring the city and along the way, bumps into a handsome Frenchman Henri Cassell (Tom Wozniczka), at a bookstore. Of course, the two immediately fall for each other. And guess what? His father just happens to own the vineyard she’s on a quest to purchase!
After making her pitch to Chateau Cassell’s owner Hugo (Thibault de Montalembert), she and the other three reps vying to buy the winery are invited to the Chateau for the weekend. Her fellow reps are a bunch of lively characters. There’s Roberto (Sean Amsing), a flamboyant millionaire who loves to have a good time and always serves the vineyards’s champagne at his parties. The German Otto (Flula Borg), is a very serious, philosophic type who constantly makes dark comments. And there’s Brigitte (Astrid Whettnall), who seems to have the inside track since she’s French. Let the battle begin!
The movie is well written and well acted and is just full of surprises. The interaction between the guests was hilarious, and there was a definite spark between the two leads. If you’re in the mood for a delightful romantic comedy, set in Paris and the beautiful French countryside, you should enjoy this movie.
2025 * TV-PG * 4-30m episodes I'm going to break from tradition and review a tv show. The reason being is that I wanted to review something new in the way of holiday movies. Unfortunately, this year's offerings are really lame. So when I noticed a four-part tv show starring Rowan Atkinson, I had to check it out. I was not disappointed. I've been a huge fan of his since his wonderful "Black Adder" series. I know he can get goofy at times, but hey, I grew up watching the Three Stooges, so that's my excuse!
Naturally, the story takes place over the holidays. Trevor Bingley is the custodian at the local elementary school. After he helps put on the annual Christmas play, the infant that played the part of Baby Jesus is left behind. Everyone has split for the Christmas break, and he doesn't know where it came from nor what to do with it. Then he gets a very lucrative opportunity to housesit at a posh apartment in London. But the catch is, he can't have any guests with him. So he heads down to London, baby in tow, without a plan as to how he'll hide the baby.
As you'd expect from a Rowan Atkinson production, everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. But the situations are so ridiculous, they're laugh out loud funny. And without too much of a spoiler, let's just say there's a happy ending to this caper. If you're looking for something refreshingly different to watch over the holidays, be sure to catch this one.
2020 * PG-13 * 1h 39m When it comes to action flicks, Liam Neeson is pure royalty. I don't think he's made a bad one. Add this one to his collection of heart-pounding, exciting movies where you're just along for the ride. And what a ride this one is!
Tom Dolan (Neeson) is a notorious bank robber. He's amassed a whopping $9 million in a series of robberies. But one day, that all changes when he meets and falls in love with Annie (Kate Walsh). He decides he's going to come clean and turn the money over the the authorities in exchange for a reduced prison sentence. But there's a snag. When he turns over part of the money to a couple of FBI agents, the tempting deal gets the best of them. They're both corrupt and decide they can take the money and kill Tom and no one will be the wiser.
However there's a little problem--they've decided to mess with the wrong guy. Neeson, as usual is the total badass. There's no way they're going to get away with it. What ensues is a solid hour of chase scenes and close calls. Hang on to your hats folks, you're in for a wild ride! If you're looking for some mindless entertainment, don't miss this one!
4 out of 5 stars.
Streaming on Netflix, Prime, Pluto, Plex and the Roku channel. And to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango, and other services.
2025 * R * 1h 35m I thought this was a fresh and offbeat take on the traditional rom-com. The writing was good., and the acting was great as well. If you're in the mood for something out of the ordinary check this one out. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Iris (Molly Gordon) and Isaac (Logan Lerman) have been dating for four months. They decide to get away for the weekend and rent a cabin in the woods. You can tell the young couple is truly in love. Or are they? Their relationship is tested the first night they're away. They discover some bondage equipment locked in a closet. So they decide to have some fun with it. Iris ends up handcuffing Isaac to the bed. And he makes a huge mistake. He tells her she's not the one and he's not ready to make a commitment to their relationship. In fact, he's actually been cheating on her.
So Iris refuses to unchain him. No matter how hard he pleads, she keeps him shackled to the bed. Iris then starts to panic and gives her best friend Max (Geraldine Viswanathan) a call and invites her to the cottage to help her figure out what to do. Max brings her boyfriend Kenny (John Reynolds) along. Things were already weird before her friends arrived, but it gets even crazier once they get there. At this point it could get real dark, or it could have a happy ending. You'll just have to see it to find out which way it went.
31/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix. And to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango, Amazon, and other services.
