Fellow Movie Buffs

Friday, March 15, 2024

"Ode to Joy"

 2019 * R * 1h 37m  I think everyone of us is dysfunctional in a way. So we can relate to people like the main character in this funny, offbeat rom-com. It deals with a condition called Cataplexy, which I'm not sure is actually a real thing. At least not the the extent it's depicted in this movie. It causes people to fall asleep when experiencing strong emotions, which in this case is joy. 

Charlie (Martin Freeman) has a nice, quiet job working in a library. It's a safe haven, hidden away from a public and situations that could cause him to react to joy. It's hilarious watching him walk to work, and how witnessing other people's happiness starts to effect him. He simply has to look away from people smiling or even holding hands! Then one day a beautiful and unsuspecting woman Francesca (Morena Baccarin) walks into his life. He's attracted to her, but he has to be careful not to fall in love with her and actually experience joy. (The horror! The Horror!) 

The film takes a number of twists and turns--some expected and some out of the blue. All adding up to a fun, and funny romp. This is just a charming, funny little indie film that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Both Freeman and Baccarin are fabulous and they have wonderful chemistry together. We sure could use a few more movies like this in our lives!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card, YouTube and Tubi. Also on AMC+ and IFC Films Unlimited.  



Saturday, March 9, 2024

"Little Fish"

 2020 * Unrated * 1h 41m  I'm a huge fan of sci-fi movies of all types. In general I think they pretty much fall into two categories. The first are the ones where you suspend your belief in reality. They either take place in an alternate universe or are set way into the future. The second category are the movies that take place either now or in the very near future and are entirely plausible .I feel these have quite a bit more impact. "Little Fish" falls into the latter category. 

In the film, a catastrophic pandemic is sweeping the planet. It's called NIA, which stands for Neuro-Inflammatory Affliction, and it causes people to lose their memories. In some, the change is immediate, while in others itthe loss is gradual. The movie reminds me a little of the fine "Perfect Sense." in which people lose their senses, one at a time. It's equally as devastating and moving. Especially with two remarkable leading actors as fine as Olivia Cooke and Jack O'Connell. 

Emma (Cooke) and Jude (O'Connell) are a happily married couple. The film jumps back and forth between the present day to when they first met and started dating. We're also treated to scenes from their wedding day. Then tragedy strikes when Jude begins forgetting things. The couple go to the hospital where it's confirmed that he does indeed have the disease. After the initial shock wears off, they make a plan to deal with the affliction. They create a wall of photos with sticky notes identifying the various people in their lives. 

The couple is so in love, it's absolutely heartbreaking to see Jude forget his past. But they soldier on, and continue to cling to each other and their memories as best they can. It's interesting that "Little Fish" came out during the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Tragic losses aren't that far behind us. 

Just about everything about this touching, powerful, and beautiful film are perfect. I especially enjoyed the cinematography and the haunting soundtrack. If you're looking for something a bit different, give this fine film a viewing. You won't be disappointed. 

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy.com with your library card. Also on Hulu and to rent on YouTube and Prime Video. 





Monday, March 4, 2024

"Spaceman"

2024 * R * 1h 47m  I'll say this right off the bat: I'm not a huge Adam Sandler fan. In fact, when I see what looks like an interesting film on Netflix, I'll put it in my queue. But when I find out Sandler is in it, out it goes. But every once in a while he surprises me. And lately, he's been appearing and shining is some pretty dramatic roles. I especially enjoyed his performance in "Uncut Gems."

I sort of had my doubts with this one. But I'm glad I watched it. I'm a huge sci-fi buff. In fact, my favorite movie all time is "2001: A Space Odyssey." I think this one is almost as deep. It's more about being a human than anything else. And it's ultimately about coming to terms with who we are.

Jacob Prochazka (Sandler) is an astronaut on a long mission to collect dust from the outer atmosphere of Jupiter. His pregnant wife Lenka (Carrie Mulligan) is back on earth. The two are having marital problems and seldom communicate. One day he meets a spider-like creature on his ship. He's a bit shocked at first but eventually he gets comfortable with the creature.  Over the course of time, the two of them have some very heady conversations. His presence makes the viewer wonder whether he really exists or is he a figment of Jacob's imagination?

I won't say much more about this film except that just about everything is perfect. The acting. Storyline. Special effects. And the beautiful soundtrack. If you want an action flick, avoid this movie. But if you want something deeper and moving, give it a shot. Kudos to everyone involved in making this fine film. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix 

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Thursday, February 29, 2024

"Next Exit"

 2022 * Not Rated * 1h 46m  I love a good buddy road trip flick. Well, this isn't your typical one. Not by a long shot. It's the sci-fi debut for writer/director Mali Elfman, and what a terrific first outing it is. The film takes place in the very near future, where a scientist is doing controversial experiments with sending people into the afterlife, with the hope of taking humans to the next stage of evolution. A pretty dark premise. 

Well two New Yorkers volunteer to participate. They're strangers, but they end up sharing a ride out west, where the project is taking place. The couple, Rose (Katie Parker) and Teddy (Rahul Kohli) are at each other's throats right from the get-go. They fight about everything, and it's amusing yet uncomfortable at the same time. They both have troubled pasts, which they eventually open up about. Like most good road-trip movies, they meet plenty of characters along the way, which makes the adventure that much more interesting. 

Naturally, since opposites attract, especially in the movies, they end up reluctantly falling for each other. However, this could be problematic since at the end of their trip, they've volunteered to commit suicide as part of the research. I won't say anything more about the outcome of the film, you'll just have to watch it to see what happens. Overall, I really enjoyed the film. The two leads were terrific, the story was very engaging, and the cinematography was spot on. My only complaint was the soundtrack. I thought it was petty annoying at times. It reminded me a bit of the sounds Yorgos Lanthimos incorporates into his films. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy. Also on Hulu and to rent on Prime Video. 



Friday, February 23, 2024

"Ben is Back"

2018 * R * 1h 43m I don't know how I missed this one when it came out. You'd think with a star like Julia Roberts in it, it would have garnered more attention. And with Oscar-worthy performances by her and Lucas Hedges, this film should have been way more popular than it is. The story deals with a tough subject, drug addiction, and the tough love a family uses to attempt to control it. What a powerful, intense, and thoroughly captivating movie it is. 

Holly (Roberts) is returning home with her kids after a rehearsal for the Christmas Eve service at their church. As they pull up in the driveway, her oldest son Ben (Hedges) is waiting for them. He's been in rehab for drug addiction and wasn't expected home. He reassures them that the visit was approved by his sponsor. Well, that's the first in a series of lies you expect from a hard-core junkie. And it's just the beginning of the problems the family faces. 

Holly reluctantly agrees to let her son spend one day with the family, as long as he stays by her side the entire time he's there. While the family attends Christmas service, someone vandalizes their home and steals their beloved dog. So Holly and Ben go out on a mission in search of the dog. It's an intense journey, and will have you biting your nails until the credits roll. Just about the entire movie takes place over the course of one evening. Sort of a long day's journey into night, if you will. The story takes a number of twists and turns, and you never know what's going to happen next. 

If you're looking for a well made, well acted thriller, give this one a whirl! 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Hoopla (with your library card). Also on Plex, Pluto TV, and Prime Video.

It says "Video Unavailable" but click on "Watch on YouTube" and it plays! 





Friday, February 16, 2024

"How to Build a Girl"

2019 * R * 1h 42m  When it comes to whacky, offbeat coming of age flicks, the Brits really shine! If you're looking for a fun, well written and acted indie movie you'll definitely love this little gem. It features some familiar actors in supporting roles. But the real star is Beanie Feldstein who's an absolute delight to watch. She almost singlehandedly carries the entire film. 

Johanna Morrigan (Feldstein) is a young, precocious, and nerdy kid, living with her working-class family in Wolverhampton. Her life is pretty mundane until one day she decides to reinvent herself. She decides since she has a gift for writing, she's going to start doing music reviews for a hot magazine, loosely based on NME in London. She quickly learns about the business and at first it's fun to watch her adapt. But her popularity quickly goes to her head and she turns into an insufferable, egotistical pain in the butt. 

She even turns on her own family.  And when you see her interact with her peers, you wonder if they like her or are merely tolerating her and secretly despise her? Does she figure out what a horrible person she's become and redeem herself in the end? You'll just have to watch this one and find out for yourself.  

I really enjoyed this one. I especially liked Ms. Feldstein's performance and look forward to seeing what she does next. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy. Also on AMC+, and IFC Films Unlimited. 




Tuesday, February 13, 2024

A short video I just made

I don't normally do this, but I'm posting a short movie of mine. Pardon the crudeness of it, but I'm trying to figure out how to use iMovie.