"Band on the Run"

 2025 * Not Rated * 1h 28m Let me come right out and say it: I'm a life-long Detroiter and always go out of my way to see any movie that has anything remotely tied to this fair city. So this one went right into my viewing queue. And it did not disappoint.

The film takes place in the late 90s, at the hight of the garage band era. Now you have to remember, Detroit is one great music town. Whether it's jazz, or good ol' rock and roll. The whole punk movement was started by our very own MC5! But I digress.

The main theme is about two rival groups, Hot Freaks and Bull Roar. The two bands have a heated rivalry as they both head down to South by Southwest to perform. It's a fun roadtrip/buddy flick with plenty of amusing encounters along the way. And the drummer's dad, who has his share of medical problems, is along for the ride.

I really enjoyed the film from beginning to end. I thought the acting and storyline were both great. I especially like the fact that the drummer was in advertising. I'm a former copywriter myself and could relate to his encounters at work. I would have loved to have told my employers to "Shove it!" like he did. But alas, I had to put bread on the table.

Anyway, if you looking for a fresh take on the road trip genre, be sure to check out this fine flick!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Hoopla with your library card. And to rent on Prime, Apple TV, Fandango, and other services. 

"Room 8"

 2024 * Not Rated * 50m If you're not moved by this wonderful tribute to a remarkable cat, you need to check your pulse. I didn't know anything about this movie before watching it. What a great surprise. It's about a cat that wanders into the classroom of an elementary school in Los Angeles in 1952. He quickly decides this is where he's going to spend his days, much to the delight of the young students. They take to the cat and the rest is history.

The cat became a beloved member of the school. Every morning he'd arrive when the school bell rang, and he'd spend the day with the kids. A huge honor was to be selected as the official feeder of the cat. By the way, since he hung around room 8 at the school, the students officially named him "Room 8."

Room 8's photo was included in the school year book, both as faculty and as a student. This little documentary is a loving tribute to a well loved cat. And a cat that was known around the world! He even got tons of fan letters from children and adults the wold over. What a beautiful movie!

A great big "thank you!" goes out to anyone involved in the making of this sweet film!

4 out of 5 stars

Watch for free on Hoopla (with your library card), Tubi, YouTube, and Prime Video. And to rent on Amazon.

"Red Eye"

2005 * PG-13 * 1h 25m  I know this isn't a new film, but for some reason I never saw it when it came out. Ya just can't see everything, can ya? But it popped up on Netflix recently and I put it in my queue, because hey, who doesn't like a good thriller? And this one had me on the edge of my seat, right until the end. Wow!

Lisa (Rachel McAdams) is a hotel manager, forced to take a red eye flight home back to Miami. At the airport, she runs into Jackson (Cillian Murphy)and the two strike up a conversation. They bump into each other several times and it just so happens, they're sitting next to each other on the plane. What are the odds, eh? Right from the start, you get creepy vibes from Jackson. There's just something about him. 

Well, my inner creep-o-meter paid off. It turns out, Jackson is part of a plot to kill the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. Lisa is forced to call the hotel and make arrangements for the Secretary and his family to be transferred to a new suite or her father will be killed. Not one to give in easily, she makes several bold attempts to thwart the assassination attempt. Each nerve-racking attempt is foiled and it all makes for one intense, exciting movie. I haven't seen a film that was this thrilling in quite a while. If you like nail-biting thrillers, don't miss this one!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Fandango. 

"Wild Goat Surf"

 2023 * Not Rated * 1h 43m I love little indie flicks like this. Just about everything about it was perfect. The acting, writing, story, and even the cinematography.

The story is about a young girl nicknamed Goat (Shayelen Martin), who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her single mom Jane (Caitlyn Sponheimer). They rent a house in a small town and illegally sublet it over the course of the summer. The two move into their motorhome and live in an RV park. Mom works a couple jobs and is just getting by while the Goat is left on her own.

She hooks up with a young boy Nate (Leandro Guedes) who's her own age and lives next door. The two of them spend the summer together getting into a little trouble, but have a great time together. They love to bomb around town on their skateboards, and Goat is absolutely obsessed with becoming a surfer. That's mainly due to her deceased father who was a profession surfer. What a sweet little movie. I thought it was funny that the young girl looked almost like the spitting image of Woody Harrelson! Check it out and I think you'll agree with me.

If you're in the mood for something different, be sure to put this gem in your queue!

4 out of 5 stars

"Lake George"

 2024 * Not Rated * 1h 58m If you're in the mood for something a little different, give this one a shot. It's sort of a noir-crime caper-buddy-road trip movie. If that makes any sense. It reminded me of a comedic take on "Bonnie & Clyde." The acting, writing, and cinematography were all great. 

Don (Shea Whigham-"F1: The Movie" "Non-Stop") has just gotten out of prison. He visits his former gangster boss Armen (Glen Fleshler) who owes him some money. Armen agrees to pay him back as long as he kills his former girlfriend Phyllis, played by Carry Coon ("White Lotus" "Gone Girl"). Well, Don is no killer and when he takes Phyllis out into the country to do the deed, he chickens out. Then she makes him an offer he can't refuse. Since she was Armen's money handler/accountant, she knows not only where he has his money stashed, she knows the combinations to all his safes. 

So, the two of them go on the lam. At first they barely converse, but as time goes on, they open up to each other. It's great fun to see two actors of this calibre interact. The film takes a few twists and turns, both predictable and unexpected. It all adds up to an enjoyable caper I really enjoyed. Another one of those movies that definitely deserve more attention. Not sure why this one isn't better known.

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Hulu and to rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube, and other services. 

"Get Hard"

 2015 * R * 1h 40m  I was looking for something bit light and corny and noticed this film pop up on Netflix. Wow, it was just what the doctored ordered. It was as outrageous and entertaining as I thought it would be. Because Kevin Hart was in it, it crosses the line into politically incorrect territory on numerous occasions. But that's okay, if anyone can pull it off, it's him.

The story is a bit farfetched. And that's what made it refreshing. James (Will Ferrell) is a super rich investor and financial advisor. One day, he's wrongly accused of illegal trading and is arrested. He has thirty days until he is going to prison. He's absolutely terrified. He ends up hooking up with Darnell (Hart) and being a clueless racist, he assumes he's a former criminal. Darnell is saving up to buy his family a house, so he pretends he's an ex-con. He convinces James to hire him to prepare him for his time behind bars. 

It's a funny, off-the wall caper that had me chuckling out loud throughout the film. The two comedians worked well together. I just don't know why I've never heard of this little gem. If you're looking for an evening filled with laughs, check this one out!  

4 out of 5 stars

"Plane"

 2023 * R * 1h 47m Who doesn't like a good thriller? Every once in a while I need a little bit of escapism. And this movie delivered in spades. It's an action thriller where you check your brain at the door, sit back, and just enjoy the ride. 

Pilot Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler) is on a routine flight across the Pacific Ocean when his plane is struck by lightning. He's forced to crash land the plane on a remote island in the Philippines. As if that wasn't bad enough, the island is run by a band of ruthless outlaws. When he heads out looking for help, the passengers are taken hostage. He's accompanied by Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter) who's a suspected murderer being transported by an FBI agent to the U.S. 

The two of them go into hyperdrive and are total badasses dealing with the situation. It turns out that Louis was a highly trained soldier so Brodie has an able accomplice to do battle with. The film has all the usual cliches, but it's full of nail-biting scenes, from start to finish. If you're the type that gets a bit nervous about flying, you might want to skip this one. The scenes of the plane going down are pretty harrowing!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix, Starz, and Prime and to rent on Amazon, YouTube and other streaming services.