2001 1h 30min This charming movie stars John Cusack as Jonathan and Kate Beckensale as Sara. It begins with the words “A few years ago…” and we witness them at the glove counter of a New York department store just before Christmas. They’re negotiating who gets to purchase the last pair of leather gloves. While they both have significant others, they’re immediately smitten with each other and end up spending the entire evening together. Cusack and Beckensale have remarkable chemistry and we root for them right from the start. However, they decide that if they were truly meant to be together, they’d find each other again in the future and they go their separate ways.
“A few years later…” we catch up with the couple. They’re both engaged to their respective mates, and in fact, Jonathan is to be married in just a few days. Here is where things get fun. The two soul mates spend their time searching for each other, convinced that their relationship was meant to be. They keep missing each other in an amusing series of events, which is exasperating to witness. It’s almost Shakespearian in nature. Will they eventually find each other and live happily ever after? You’ll just have to check it out and find out for yourself.
Four out of five stars
Currently streaming on Netflix, Epix, Hulu, Pluto, Plex and other services.
1987 55min An absolutely enchanting adaption of the classic Dylan Thomas poem. I read it out loud to the family every year and it’s become a Christmas tradition. Several years ago I discovered this version, which stars Denholm Elliott. If you’re not familiar with him, let’s just say he played the quintessential Sherlock Holmes back in the day—smart, but also kindly and warm--something lacking in most of the other interpretations of this famous character.
Here he plays a sweet grandpa, spending Christmas Eve babysitting his young grandson Thomas (Methonwy Reeves). He starts telling the story of his childhood Christmases, growing up in a small Welsh village. He recites the classic poem and the scene then dissolves to reveal the story live as it unfolds. It seamlessly jumps back and forth in time, like an imaginative adventure story. It’s a beautifully nostalgic look at Christmas in a bygone era. It’s so charming and delightful, you’ll want to watch it again when it’s over!
Five out of five stars
Currently streaming on IMDB TV, Youtube, BritBox, Tubi, and other services.
I’m amazed at how many Christmas movies have been made over the years. I’ve found sites that feature the 100 best Christmas movies! A hundred? Who knew? Here are a few of my other holiday favorites, not in any particular order: “A Christmas Story”, “The Holiday”, “Love Actually”, “A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas”, “Home for the Holidays”, and “Joyeux Noel”. Happy Holidays from this movie (chest)nut!
I couldn't find an official trailer but here's a clip from the movie:
2021 1h 33m What a little gem of a film. When I read the description of it, I thought this one could get a bit sappy. Which I'm okay with. But it wasn't at all. It's about a young, teenage girl Beverly (Gemma Brooke Allen)who's being raised by her grandmother Gail (Julie Bowen). Her parents died in a car crash when she was two and she knows very little about them because her grandma rarely talks about them. One day, while sorting through a box of her parents belongings, she discovers a mix tape they made. It's full of 80s rock tunes and when the tape is ruined the first time she plays it, she goes on a quest to hear all the songs convinced they're actually a message to her.
Beverly engages the help of Anti (Nick Thune), an eccentric record store owner and a couple of her friends. Not only does she gain some understanding of her parents, her grandma begins to open up about them, as painful as it is. In the process, the two begin to heal and look at life a bit differently. The film takes place in 1999, right before the potential Y2K meltdown, and they get just about everything about the time period perfect. I thought the acting was terrific, the soundtrack engaging, and the message beautiful. It's just an overall sweet and heartfelt film the whole family will enjoy.
After he falls off a roof at a New Year's eve party, Owen (Bryan Greenberg) decides he needs to change his life. He attempts to reconnect with his estranged son and looks for romance. He's drive a truck for a vending machine company and he takes on his brother who's just gotten out of jail on as an assistant. Eventually he starts courtingVera (Claire van der Boom), a bank teller and fellow divorcee. There's not a lot of action in this film, but I thought it was well written and well acted. It's just one of those entertaining films that goes a bit beyond your usual rom-coms. There are some unexpected plot twists and it has a nice message--that change is good! 4 out of 5 stars Streaming on Hoopla, Tubi, and Prime
I was hooked, right from the opening scene. In it, two strangers meet at the front desk of a deserted hotel. They wait awkwardly for service as they listen to a couple making loud, passionate love in an adjacent room/closet. It sets the tone for this well-written and we'll-acted movie. It's described as a rom-com but, while there are amusing scenes and situations, I'd be hard pressed to call it a comedy. And it's not a romance, in the traditional sense of the word--more like an exploration of relationships and emotions.
The film centers around Luke (Rupert Henry-Jones) who's in town for his high school reunion, and Abby (Natasha Little) who's spending a few days to deal with her recently deceased brother's house. The two have a palpable chemistry you can feel the moment they first meet. They spend part of the evening together, until Kayla (Rachel Blanchard), Luke's old high school flame arrives on the scene. She's drunk out of her good and is determined to jump his bones. Hilarity ensues.
The film spans the weekend and it involves a number of twists and turns. Just when you think something is about to happen, it doesn't. And the ending caught me totally off guard. Overall, I thought it was a smart, mature look at relationships. I had no idea what the films was going to be about, and I was very pleasantly surprised.
This is not your typical science fiction film. And that’s a good thing. While I’m a big fan of sci-fi movies with plenty of action, CGI, and special effects, I also appreciate the more subtle, thought-provoking iterations as well. In reading the backstory of “Cosmos” I was surprised to learn that it was made with absolutely no budget, and most of the equipment used was borrowed. With that kind of challenge, a film has to work pretty hard to keep the viewer engaged. This one succeeded.
Mike (Tom England), Harry (Joshua Ford), and Ray (Arjun Singh Panam) are three friends who have dubbed themselves “Astro-nuts”, and they’ve got the cool baseball caps with the logo on them to prove it! They head out into the country in their little station wagon crammed with all sorts of sophisticated scientific equipment. Their quest is to scan the night sky for intelligent life forms. There’s a bit of underlying tension at the beginning of the film. Ray had been working for an aerospace company, building a satellite. Just before it’s completion, his company was taken over and Mike replaced him on the project He was let go just before the satellite launched.
His agitation is palpable until Harry, who’s an easy-going jokester finally brings the two together and they work out the animosity. Soon after, while monitoring the satellite as it passes overhead things get a bit strange. The first thing that occurs is Mike picks up an unexplainable pulsing sound on his equipment. After sending out a welcoming radio message into space, he receives the distorted message back repeatedly, after an hour delay. The third thing that occurs is the satellite disappears for a few minutes as it passes overhead.
The trio gets extremely excited about what has just occurred. They decide to record as much of visuals and radio transmission as possible the next time the satellite passes by. While they’re successful doing so, the batteries they’ve used are suddenly low on power. This poses as a huge threat since they’re out in the country, miles away from their home base and a power source. What’s more, they’ve contacted a local observatory, and even when they tune into the same radio frequency, they don’t hear the same signals.
I know this type of movie isn’t for everyone, but I really found it engaging. Due to the superb cinematography, you feel you’re right there in the car with the three scientists. The dialogue was well written, although you had to listen closely to hear it at times. Adding to the atmosphere was the unique film score. It reminded me of something you’d hear in a classic Hollywood film, ranging from moody and melancholic to soaring, majestic crescendos. In a way, it felt out of place, but then again, a discovery like this deserves this type of treatment.
****1/2
Currently streaming on Kanopy, Hulu, Tubi, and Prime.
2021 1h 57m Just a wild and crazy ride of a film. It's part jewelry heist, part comedy. But it's all non-stop action. John Hartley (Dwayne Johnson) is an FBI profiler in pursuit of Nolan Booth (Ryan Reynolds), the world's second most famous art thief. The two of them become reluctant partners in their quest to nab the world's number one art thief, "the Bishop" (Gal Gadot). Of course, Interpol is right on their heels, wherever they turn up. The adventure takes us all around the world in this mad-cap caper. It's great fun to see the two leads as they constantly bicker, and there are plenty of good chuckles along the way. The story has plenty of plot twists to keep you wanting more. If you're up for a couple hours of mindless entertainment, I'd highly recommend this one.
2017 1h 33min An engrossing biopic about Nico, the Velvet Underground singer and Andy Warhol protege. The film covers the last year of the stars life where she struggles with a number of issues--drug addiction, being taken seriously as a musician, dealing with her past, and trying to reconnect with her son. Trine Dyrholm does a brilliant job portraying Nico who is a character you can empathize with. It also stars John Gordon Sinclair as her faithful manager. He's one of those actors that make you say, "He looks really familiar. What have I seen him in?" We follow Nico on tour playing small venues, staying in third-rate accommodations, and performing with some sub-par musicians. I'm not a big fan of biopics in general, but when it comes to an intriguing personality I know next to nothing about, I give it a shot. In this case, I'm glad I did.
2019 1h 24min I knew next to nothing about this film but it was a (un)pleasant surprise. I say that because it was way creepier than I anticipated. A perfect film for Halloween! Morfydd Clark plays Maude, a young hospice nurse who gets a new assignment caring for a dying Amanda (Jennifer Ehle) who lives in a mansion overlooking the coastal Irish town. After some unknown trauma, Maude not only finds God, she starts having ecstatic religious visions/seizures. When she discovers her new charge has led a racy life as a modern dancer, she's determined to save her soul. This is where the film starts to get weird. At a birthday party Amanda throws for herself, she ridicules Maude in from of her friends. After Maude slaps her, she's fired and descends even further into her religious fervor. The film ends with not one, but two plot twists. I did anticipate the first one, but the second took me by surprise. Great acting and storytelling make this a film work watching.
3 1/2 out of five stars.
Streaming on EPIX, Hulu, Paramount, and other services.
Ethan has proven he can play a wide range of roles. He’s done everything from the “Before Sunrise” series and “Boyhood” to “Training Day” and “Gattaca”. When you look at his Filmography, it shows a remarkably broad scope of characters. But nothing I’ve seen him in prepared me for his acting in “Adopt a Highway”. He was absolutely riveting. While he was on screen for about 90% of the time, his performance was so nuanced, it was a joy to witness. I feel this film can be interpreted as a play in four acts.
Act I takes place while and immediately after Russ Mullings (Hawke) is released from prison. He served 21 years for possession of a small amount of marijuana under California’s ridiculously harsh Three Strikes law. Mullings is now in his early 40s and is totally out of touch with the real world. He’s painfully shy and has difficulty relating and communicating with other people. It’s not clear whether being incarcerated for so long has made him this way, or if he’s been like this since childhood. After he’s released he gets a job as a dishwasher in a fast-food burger joint and lives in a dumpy motel room.
In Act 2 he finds a crying infant in a dumpster behind the restaurant. He names the baby Ella and takes her home where he goes through the usual routines of the clueless dad trying to figure out feeding and diaper changing rituals. He relates to Ella because the two of them have been abandoned by society and have difficulty fitting in. Through his one-way conversations, he reveals quite a bit about himself including his childhood and his relationship with his father. When Ella falls out of bed and is injured he takes her to child services and is forced to give her up.
Mullings leaves California in Act 3, when he discovers his father has passed away. He takes a bus to Casper, Wyoming to visit his father’s grave and find out about his dad’s will. Along the way, the ultra-introverted Mullins meets fellow passenger Diana Spring (Elaine Hendrix). She’s a lively character and takes great pleasure in teasing him. The two have wonderful chemistry together and, even though she gets off in Denver, in the back of our minds we think the two just may hook up again in the future.
The closing act sort of comes out of nowhere. I really can’t say much more than you’ll be in a good mood when it’s over--I sure didn’t see that ending coming! This is a perfect example of a perfect indie film. I really enjoy the fact that actors like Hawke make traditional Hollywood movies, but occasionally work outside the box on projects like this. It’s nice to see him take on something that’s really challenging.
2020 1h 51min Pablo Schreiber plays Wayland, a thirty something who just served 15 years in prison for a robbery. He took the fall for a bunch of guys who owe him big time. After his release he hooks up with his high school sweetheart, Delores (Jena Malone). The movie is almost painful to watch as we see him almost slipping into his old ways. He hangs out with his motorcycle gang buddies but his heart just isn't into it. He also has to deal with Delores's three children from three different flings. Wayland is quite rough around the edges, but deep down, he's a good person. In fact, he has more morals than Delores, who's never been behind bars. I almost gave up on the film several times, but I'm glad I stuck with it. No spoilers, but the last ten minutes of the film are so beautiful, well...you'll just have to see for yourself.
2012 1h 28min This is the most outrageous, over the top, teen party spirals out of control movie ever! I really don't know how you could top it! Thomas Kub is about to turn 17. When his parents go out of town for the weekend, his two buddies arrange to throw a birthday party for him. He's kind of a loser, and they figure this bas will put them all on the map. Well, they notify a local radio station about it and post it on Craig's List and things get way out of hand. Busloads of kids start showing up and things go rapidly downhill from there. It gets so crazy I simply don't know how you could top this movie. There's something here to offend just about everyone--sex, nudity, drinking, drugs filthy language. If any of these things bother you, you need to skip this movie. It was everything I thought it would be, to the third power!
31/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix, HBO Max and other platforms
2019 1h 40min Julie Delpy wrote, directed, and stars in this subtle yet moving story of a mother's undying love for her daughter. She plays Isabelle, a brilliant researcher living in Germany. She's going through a difficult divorce while having an affair with another man. One day her daughter Zoe, who she dotes on, becomes ill and ends up in the hospital. There's no explanation for what happened to her, and she goes into a coma. Both she and her ex husband are devastated when their beloved daughter dies. While her husband thinks they need to move on, Isabelle saves a bit of Zoe's skin and is determined to have her cloned. This sounds futuristic, but the way the story is told, it could actually happen today. I got totally sucked into the story and found the acting brilliant. Although it's slow paced, there's an undercurrent of tension that kept me glued to the screen right until the end.
When a movie stars Chris O'Dowd and Keven Kline, you know it's going to be good. I can't recall either actor being in anything unwatchable. However, I was a little reluctant to see this Netflix film when I saw Melissa McCarthy's name in the credits. She can be hit or miss with me. But in this film, she does a great job. She proves she some acting chops, although her range is a bit limited, I feel. The story is about a couple, McCarthy and O'Dowd, who have lost their child to SIDS. O'Dowd ends up institutionalized white McCarthy's character soldiers on working her menial job at a War-Mart type store. A counselor at the mental institution suggestions she visit Kline, who's a psychiatrist turned veterinarian for help. He reluctantly talks to her and guides her through her grief. Meanwhile, a pesky starling makes her life miserable while she attends to her garden. It constantly attacks her and the situation necessitates her wearing a football helmet in her yard.
The movie was well done and I thought all three actors had great chemistry. It was a bit predictable at times and formulaic--I'd say Hollywood-ish, but since Netflix produced it, I guess I'd have to say it was Netflix-ish. But overall, it was well worth watching.
2019 2h 13min After a school fire in a black school in Durham, NC in 1971, the school district has to decide what to do with the students. It becomes a battle for integration and pits Ann Atwater (Taraji P. Henson) and C.P. Ellis (Sam Rockwell). Atwater is a civil rights activist and Ellis is the head of the KKK. The film is based on a true story and I had no idea that conditions like this existed in my lifetime. Both leads give amazing performances which is not surprising and I was drawn into the film right from the start. I must say, Sam Rockwell plays an absolutely vile character and it's a rare actor that makes you really hate him! This is one of those films where you sort of know how it's going to turn out but simply can't stop watching. In the end, the two became close friends and went on to tour the country, spreading the word about their story and promoting integration. Streaming on Netflix.
Coda is a musical term defined as: a more or less independent passage, at the end of a composition, introduced to bring it to a satisfactory close. CODA stands for a Child of Deaf Adults, which is a new term to me. It’s also the clever title for this heartwarming new release on Apple TV (and in theatres). I must say, it’s worth all the buzz it’s been getting.
The film is about a high-school girl Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones), whose family is deaf. Her family commercial fishes for their livelihood off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts. While out at sea, Ruby entertains herself by singing along with the radio. And what a voice she has.
Just for kicks, Ruby tries out for the school choir. She’s extremely shy and is reluctant to even sing at the tryout. After some coaching by the school’s inspiring and super-dedicated teacher, (Eugenio Derbez), she not only makes the choir, but also is encouraged to attend the Berklee College of Music. Unfortunately, the only way she can attend is if she receives a scholarship.
Adding to the drama is the situation with the fishing industry. It’s being micro-managed by the government, which is enforcing strict fishing limits. And the large distributors are driving the price of fish down to the point where it’s almost impossible to make a living in the commercial fishing business. Several families including Ruby’s decide to form a co-op to keep them competitive.
Ruby comes from a very supportive and close family. The charismatic Marlee Matlin plays her mom and Troy Kotsur plays her scruffy, feisty dad. And then there’s her devilishly handsome brother, Leo (Daniel Durant). All three actors are deaf in real life, which is a refreshing change for Hollywood. Interesting trivia: Emilia spent nine months learning American Sign Language, taking singing lessons, and learning how to operate a fishing trawler for this film.
This is one of those feel-good films that have you rooting for the underdog all the way. And while the plot and ending are somewhat formulaic, it’s so well done, I didn’t mind at all. When I heard the title, I thought it sounded familiar. Indeed, a film with the same title starring Patrick Stewart and Katie Holmes was released in 2019. It’s also about music and I really enjoyed it as well.
2019 1h 23min Brian Dennehy had a lengthy career, both on the stage and screen. He played a wide range of characters from tough sheriffs to the kindly alien in Cocoon.In this film, he lives a pretty boring life as an aging widower. His day constitutes mundane tasks, the highlight being an afternoon of bingo at the local VFW hall.
One day, a single mom with her young son Cody (Lucas Jaye) moves in next door. She’s inherited the house from her recently deceased sister, and has the monumental task of clearing out all her junk and putting it on the market. Cody, who’s smart and exceedingly shy, starts talking to Dennehy and the two become fast friends. It morphs into one of those cross-generational relationships that are truly heart warming. This is a rare feel-good movie I didn’t want to end. And it’s the perfect swan song to wonderful career.
Every once in a while a movie comes along that just knocks me out. Watching this film was like being hit by a velvet sledgehammer. I saw it a couple weeks ago, and I decided to watch a little bit of it last evening to refresh my memory. It hooked me in a second time and I ended up seeing the whole thing again. This indie film is why I’m so in love with movies.
“Before I Go” stars Annabella Sciorra and it could almost be considered a one (wo)man play. She’s on the screen for most of the movie, and what an amazing presence she is. She plays Samantha, a former folk singer that lives in New York and for the last 20 years or so, has had a series of mundane jobs. The movie opens with a series of angsty vignettes with her interacting with fellow New Yorkers. They’re rather comical and sort of set the tone for the rest of the film.
After one encounter with a nasty driver, she injures her leg. She’s treated at a local clinic and when she gets a bottle of painkillers, she briefly considers suicide. Samantha runs into a gentleman who she thinks is a priest and has an extended, albeit one-sided conversation with him. Without giving away too much, let’s just say the scene takes an amusing turn.
One of the ongoing themes is her relationship with her father, brilliantly played by Robert Klein. He’s one of those actors who’s instantly recognizable. Like me, you’ve probably seen him in a million things without knowing his name. He’s a widower-his wife committed suicide years ago-and he has an apartment full of memories (mainly junk) he just can’t part with. The two constantly talk about uncluttering their respective abodes.
The movie is absolutely full of surprises, which include Internet dating, quirky characters, revelations about her mother, and believe it or not, an endearing relationship Samantha develops with an earthworm! I won’t say anything more about said earthworm except you’ll just have to see this film to know what I’m talking about. I simply loved everything about “Before I Go.” The acting, writing, cinematography, and music are all perfect.
As a special bonus, even though this movie was just released at the end of July of this year, it’s available to view for free on Hoopla.com! It’s also available through Amazon Prime.
Harry Dean Stanton was a supporting actor over a long career, usually playing offbeat, eccentric characters. His movies include “Alien,” “Repo Man,” and “The Green Mile.” In his last film, he plays Lucky, a cantankerous old coot who lives alone in a small town in Texas. His daily routine consists of shaving, a short workout routine, working the crossword puzzle at the diner, and spending the day watching game shows. Every evening he hangs out at the local saloon with a bunch of unusual characters.
This film is dialogue heavy-- my kids would call it boring but I like the term subtle. Not a whole lot happens, but Stanton can be deep and introspective at times. He’s a philosopher and a sage of sorts. After a career playing a sideman, it’s nice to just let the camera roll and let him have his say. And he sure has a lot to say. The film also stars David Lynch (Yes, that David Lynch), Ed Begley Jr., and Tom Serritt. Such a beautiful ending to a long and interesting life. 4 out of 5 stars
Streaming on Hoopla, Tubi, HBO and other platforms
The days of Hollywood dominating the Oscars are long gone. Over the years, indie films made significant inroads into the spotlight. Today, the studios of the major streaming companies have been pumping out films on a par with the traditional studios. Take Netflix for example. Last year, the streaming giant had 37 films nominated for Oscars including noteworthy ones like “Mank”, “The Trial of the Chicago 7”, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, and “My Octopus Teacher”.
If you enjoy a well-written and acted romance, I think you’ll enjoy the recently released Netflix movie “The Last Letter From Your Lover”. It stars the sweet and charming Felicity Jones and the remarkable Shailene Woodley. Jones plays a young columnist at an English newspaper that uncovers some old love letters from a society matron (Woodley) in the paper’s vault. Intrigued, she works with the archivist to unearth more letters.
The story jumps back in time to the late 1960s where we see Woodley’s character on holidays with her wealthy, entrepreneurial, jet-setting husband. Anthony O’Hare (Callum Turner), a financial journalist from the same paper, joins them while doing research for a story about them. With her husband largely absent, she begins a torrid yet ill-fated love affair with the journalist.
As expected, Jones starts falling for her archivist accomplice and their affair soon blooms into an all-out romance. I thought the movie was quite enjoyable and in spite of some of the reviews I’ve read complaining that the book was much better than the movie, it’s great for a couple hours of escapism. The way the 1960s was depicted was absolutely spot on.
In closing, let me just say that I felt the pandemic has made the last year and a half a bit grim. I think the Oscars reflected that feeling—all the Best Picture contenders were pretty dark. I know we’re all ready for some brighter movies in our lives and I wouldn’t be surprised if this one was nominated for an Oscar or two. Remember, you heard it here first!
2021 1h 54min Once in a while, I enjoy a good creepy movie, so this new one on Netflix grabbed my attention. What really intrigued me was it was based on a true story. About 15 minutes in I was about to give up. The story wasn't that scary and the acting was so-so. But then things got more and more bizarre, and the fact that it was all true, kept me watching. I'm glad I did. A young couple who are having some marital problems buy a home that was recently the scene of a murder-suicide. They get a great price on a unique, custom-built home. Then things start to unravel. The wife starts seeing and hearing mysterious and unexplained things. Her husband is convinced that she's having a breakdown, since he doesn't witness all the unusual activity. I have to admit, there were a couple scenes that literally made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Overall, a pretty decent addition to the scary movie cannon.
2016 1h 27min Joe (Martin Starr) and his wife Emily (Mae Whitman) are happily married. Joe is a programmer and is working on AI communication software for a medical insurance client. When the voice he proposes is rejected, he asks his wife to work on some demos for his project. She's a huge hit, and this creates some problems--mainly that Joe becomes obsessed with his wife's voice. Not her real one, but the recorded one and the artificial personality that goes along with it. It gets to the point where he calls her at all hours of the day and night. Joe is subject to panic attacks, and also has to deal with his, shall we say "eccentric" mother, played brilliantly by Christine Lahti. I found the film to be quite thought provoking, and I enjoyed the fact that it didn't have one of those "and they all lived happily after" endings. (Warning:there are several movies with the same title.)
I don't watch or review too many documentaries, but when I see one this good, I feel a need to tell everyone I know about it. If you grew up in the 1960s and 70s, you couldn't help but be a big Star Trek fan. And if you were a nerd like me, Mr. Spock was your hero. He was the epitome of cool. Alway logical and even keeled in the face of danger. This documentary was made by Leonard Nimoy's son and you can just feel the love he had for his dad. The film covers his entire life, but obviously focuses on his relationship with the character he's best known for. It covers the relationship the two had, which was rather rocky at times. And it discusses the battle he faced with alcohol and his beating his addiction. And you come away with the sense that not only was he a Renaissance man of sorts, he ultimately grew into and accepted his role as a loving family man.
When I read the description of this film, I was a bit skeptical. Another teen suffering from a debilitating disease. But I found "Babyteeth" very moving. Indeed, a young girl Milla (Eliza Scanlen) is being treated for cancer. She comes from a fairly dysfunctional family. Her dad, (the brilliant Ben Mendelsohn), is a low-key psychiatrist who manages to keep his wife pleasantly sedated with an assortment of prescription drugs. Along comes Moses (Toby Wallace), a small-time dope dealer and all round loser. He befriends Milla, and the two of them bond, even though they have almost nothing in common. Add a sensitive, Eastern European violin teacher and a whacky pregnant neighbor to the mix, and you have all the makings of an off-beat and heart-warming story. I though Eliza's performance was nothing short of Oscar material. And Ben Mendelsohn confirmed he's one of the most underrated and underutilized actors working today.
Anyone who was 5-years old or older remembers what they were doing when September 11th occurred. It was a powerful event that is deeply engrained in our collective memories. The period right after it was a time of uncertainty, dread but also a coming together as a nation. This time is the setting of the film “American Folk”. It’s a perfect title in that it not only refers to the musical genre, but the spirit of the American people and all its quirky manifestations.
The movie opens on a flight from California to New York just as the events of 9/11 unfold. Two folk musicians, Elliott and Joni are seated next to each other when it’s announced that the plane has to return to L.A. They both need to get to NYC, and Joni has a family friend who’s willing to lend them her beat up old microbus to take them on their trek. Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth, who are singer/songwriters in real life, and have a natural chemistry on screen, play the two.
What enfolds is a remarkable road trip. While they’re driving, we hear radio reports of the events unfolding back east. In the days following 9/11, very little was known, and this adds to the eerie vibe of their journey. However, as they grow comfortable with each other’s company, they not only open up, they begin to make music together. It’s such a joy to see two talented musicians interact like this.
The movie slowly progresses and we’re treated to all the natural beauty this country has to offer. Our travelers also encounter numerous characters along the way. They include a young gay couple that hitch a ride with them on their way to meet their family, and ultimately, come out to them. We also meet Fargo, an old coot who lives out in the desert and helps them repair their vehicle.
It’s a gently paced film that I found quite haunting. It gives you a sense of the compassionate nature of Americans and displays the powerful effect of music. If you’re looking for something that’s both entertaining and inspiring, add this little gem to your queue.
Part rom-com. Part road trip movie. All heart. It's a sweet, smart little film I can't recommend highly enough. When Claire discovers her husband cheating on her, she's predictably distraught. She hails a cabbie and tells him to just drive. Well, the crafty NYC cabbie drives all night and the next morning they're out in the middle of Pennsylvania. At this point, she decides to drive across the country and visit her ailing father in California, cost be damned. A series of adventures and misadventures ensues. The couple get into all sorts of predicaments. Along the way, they discover their true selves. The couple work well together, perhaps because they're husband and wife in real life (Amber and Sam Jaeger). Add the backdrop of beautiful scenery and a sensitive folky soundtrack by Jordan Becket AKA Bootstraps, and you've got a winning film that deserves wider recognition.
What a powerful movie. It's one of those films where, when it's over you say to yourself, "What just hit me?!" It stars Bill Hader? and Kristen Wiig, two former SNL alum. And while it's certainly offbeat, it's not really a comedy in the traditional sense. Milo (Hader) is a struggling actor eking out a living in L.A. The film opens with him attempting suicide while his twin sister Maggie (Wiig) contemplating the same thing, gets a call from the hospital explaining what happened. She brings him back east with her and the two reconnect after not communicating for ten years. The siblings have major issues with their lives they've been brushing under the rug for years.The film does have some funny moments, but also some heavy duty scenes as well. It's one of those movies that sort of sneek up on you, and by the end, you almost feel like you're part of the family.
The perfect movie for Father's Day. The film stars Kevin Hart in a heartwarming and true story. It opens at a funeral and wake. We discover that Hart's character has just lost his wife. The movie jumps back in time to him as a father-to-be and his wife leading up to the birth of their daughter. Just after giving birth, his wife dies. A bit of turmoil erupts when his mother and mother-in-law get involved and want him to move back to Minnesota so they can help raise his daughter. There are some amusing scenes when he's trying to figure out the whole dad thing. We jump ahead a few years and his daughter is now a precocious little six- or seven-year old. I won't give away any more of the story, but it's all fairly light, somewhat predictable. But the acting is good, especially his young daughter, and it's a fun hour and fifty minutes of movie viewing.
This film could be subtitled “Martin Landau’s Last Movie” for that’s precisely what it is. I grew up watching “Mission Impossible” in the 1960s and Martin Landau played one of the coolest characters on TV. Everyone I knew wanted to be like him. So it was a bit shocking to see him years later in Woody Allen’s “Crimes and Misdemeanors” where he played a successful ophthalmologist who has his wife bumped off. And gets away with it! I know he’s been in quite a few movies over the years, and when I saw he was in this one, I had to see it. What a pleasant surprise.
In his swansong film, Landau plays Dr. Abe Mandelbaum, a retired doctor who has decided to sell his home and move into an assisted living facility with his wife. He’s a kindly, intelligent, and fairly reserved older gentleman. His wife Molly suffers from dementia and is usually fairly normal. Every once in a while she has a panic attack and can only be comforted by wrapping herself in her favorite fur coat.
Abe soon meets Phil (Paul Sorvino) who’s quite a character. Phil was a gambler and real lady’s man in his day and loves to brag about his many conquests. The two become fast friends and it’s amusing to hear them talk about sex. Abe is somewhat shocked at how frank Phil is but eventually opens up. I have to admit; there are a couple of cringe-worthy scenes.
As Abe starts getting comfortable at the facility, Angela (Maria Dizzia) a new nurse befriends Phil and Abe. She’s an orphan and is looking for her biological father. Angela was given a mysterious note that indicates he’s actually living in the assisted living center. When they get wind of the situation, they’re convinced they‘re the long-lost father.
It’s a heart-warming little film that offers several delightful surprises. And as you’d expect, the acting is superb. I’m not sure how many other actors could pull it off quite as well. While there is a bit of a melancholy feel to it, ultimately it’s an hour and a half of satisfying movie viewing. As a side note: the movie was written, directed, and co produced by Howard Weiner, who is a Professor of Neurology. Nice work, Prof!
A gripping political thriller that I somehow missed when it first came out. In it, Ben Affleck plays a Senator investigating the actions of a Blackwater type company. His aid is killed and Russell Crowe and Rachel McAdams, who work for a Washington newspaper start doing some digging. Things start to get interesting. It's a well written, well acted movie I just couldn't stop watching. Even Ben Affleck, who I don't think much of as an actor, does a credible job here. It'll keep you guessing right until the end. The film also stars Dame Hellen Mirren, Jason Bateman, and Jeff Daniels.
What a powerful movie. It's about Steve Harmon, a young, Black high school Senior who is captivated by film and the arts. Everything seems to be going in his favor when he happens to be at the scene of a robbery and murder. He's brought to trial and is called a monster. He's brilliantly played by Kelvin Harrison Jr. and you really empathize with his plight. Through a series of flashbacks, we witness the events that led up to the murder, as well as get a sense of just how normal his life is. His defense attorney Maureen O'Brien (Jennifer Ehle) does everything in her power to get him acquitted. However, while she appears calm and self assured on the surface, you get the sense that deep down, she's afraid she's going to lose her case. The movie is based on the best-selling novel. I've seen my share of courtroom dramas, and this ranks right up there with the best of them.
In a recent article I read in the New York Times, it stated that for the first time ever, all three of the top-grossing movies in Australia were actually Australian. "Penguin Bloom" was one of them and I can definitely see why. This is one of the most heartfelt and moving films I've seen in quite a while. It stars Naomi Watts and Andrew Lincoln as Sam and Cameron Bloom. While on vacation with their three young boys, Sam has a near fatal accident and is rendered paralyzed. After they return home, she naturally has a difficult time coping with her new reality and goes into a deep depression. Enter "Penguin", an injured Magpie who they adopt. Or more fittingly, adopts them. She's quite the character and quickly becomes part of the family. While on her road to recovery, she helps the family recover as well. I absolutely loved everything about this movie. The acting, writing, directing, and of course, the amazing scenery. It's one of those films that'll make you want to hop on a plane and spend a couple weeks exploring Australia!
A monster movie. Sort of. It's the story of Conor ( Lous McDougal), who is trying to come to terms with his terminally ill mother, played by Felicity Jones, and bullies at school. He's visited by a tree monster, who tells him a series of allegorical tales and helps him cope with life. He's looked after by his grandmother (Sigourney Weaver) and the two of them have a less than ideal relationship. The acting and the special effects are remarkable. Liam Neeson is the voice of the monster, although with the audio distortion, you'd never recognize him. If you're looking for something different, I'd highly recommend this one. It's not really scary, just an excellent movie the whole family will enjoy!
When I read the description of this film, I thought it would be a total action film--along the lines of “Grand Prix”. However, it’s more of a character study than anything else. It stars Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Bruhl as James Hunt and Niki Lauda, two race drivers in pursuit of the 1976 Grand Prix title. While there are a fair share of driving scenes, the film focuses on the two contrasting personalities. Hunt is a shoot-from-the-hip, party animal that loves to carouse and womanize while Lauda is a serious student of racing, and rarely lets his hair down. It’s based on a true story and is extremely well shot and acted. When the end credits rolled and I saw that Ron Howard directed it I thought to myself, “No wonder it was such a well-crafted film. He never disappoints. My only regret s that I didn't see it on the big screen.
This remarkable true story takes place in Warsaw during WWII. After the Germans invade Poland, a zookeeper, Antonina (Jessica Chastain) and Jan (Johan Heldenbergh) scramble to figure out a way for the zoo to stay operational. They’re approached by the head of the Berlin Zoo, who cuts a deal with them. Most of the animals will be taken to Berlin for safekeeping and their zoo will raise pigs to help feed the occupying army Daniel Bruh plays the evil Nazi perfectly and we can sympathize with Antonina for putting up with his amorous advances.
While all this is going on, the zookeepers harbor a large number of Jews, right under the Nazi’s noses. As you’d expect, there are numerous times where their dealings are almost discovered, which makes for some tense viewing. Jessica Chastain gives her usual remarkable performance and I thought her Polish accent was impeccable.
This blockbuster of a movie is a tale of courage, perseverance, and smarts. There’s a soft spot in my heart for true tales of WWII, whether it’s a book or movie. I never seem to tire of witnessing the immense power of the human spirit.
2021 1h 56min Starring Anna Kendrick, Toni Collette, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson,
I love well-done sci-fi dramas, and this certainly qualifies. As the title suggests, it's about a stowaway, albeit an accidental one, on a two-year mission to Mars. Shortly after takeoff, the three-person crew discovers a young engineering student inadvertently trapped on their ship. The mission was initially only supposed to take two astronauts, but with a great deal of paring down the weight aboard the vessel, they decide they can accommodate a third scientist. A fourth person puts them at great risk. When their oxygen-converting unit is damaged beyond repair, the crew desperately scrambles to figure out a solution. The film is well shot and you really get a sense of the confinement and claustrophobia aboard the craft. Adding to the feeling of isolation is the way their communication with mission control is depicted. All their conversations are filmed from their perspective--you don't hear the other end of their one-way conversations. As you'd imagine, it's a pretty intense drama that will keep you riveted until the final moments of the film.
2021 1h 46min Starring John David Washington and Zendaya
This film could easily have been titled "Night of the Livid Rant". A filmmaker and his girlfriend return home from the premier of his latest movie. Thus begins a whole night of alcohol-fueled observations and diatribes. The topics cover everything from film critics and their erudite reviews, race relations, Hollywood, to selfishness and ultimately their own relationship. While Marie lets Malcolm do a majority of the venting, she's a master at responding with the perfect observations, barbs, and witticisms. It's quite a tour de force of acting on both their parts, and while it does get exhausting at times, it's ultimately a rewarding experience. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it was originally staged as a play--it has that vibe to it.
Confession: I’m not a huge Al Pacino fan. I think he’s a decent actor, but he seems to play the same role, over and over. So when this movie came out, it wasn’t on my radar. In fact, I didn’t even know it existed until I saw it was a recommendation for me on Kanopy.com. I’m glad I took a chance. In it, Pacino plays Danny Collins, an aging rock star that just won’t give up his drinking, drugs, and womanizing ways. Think Neil Diamond. Actually, he sings one of his huge hits, which shares the melody of “Sweet Caroline.”
He gets a letter from John Lennon as a birthday gift. It was in response to a letter he sent Lennon when he was first starting out in the biz, but he never received it. It has a huge effect on him and he decides to change his life. And that includes connecting with a son he’s never actually met. Well, things don’t go according to plan. His grown son (Bobby Cannavale) wants absolutely nothing to do with him. His daughter-in-law, (Jennifer Garner) is a bit more receptive and tries to help them reconnect.
Christopher Plummer plays his agent, and as usual, does a wonderful job. Collins helped him when he was a bottoming out as a raging alcoholic, got him into rehab, and looked after him through the years. The two became life-long pals and business partners. And Annette Benning, playing a hotel manager who is relentlessly wooed by Pacino, is her usual superb self.
The movie is based on a true story. I instinctively guessed it was about Neill Diamond, since they used the music to “Sweet Caroline” to represent his huge hit but I was mistaken. It’s actually the story of Steve Tilston, who I’ve never heard of. Not exactly a household name in the world of rock. But it made for a pretty entertaining movie.
As an aside, I particularly enjoyed the beginning of the movie. A rock magazine writer is interviewing Danny Collins as a young star. I kept looking at the longhaired hippy and thinking his voice sure sounded familiar. It was Nick Offerman, who plays Ron Swanson on Parks & Rec--just about the opposite of a bearded hippy! Too funny.
When a Black teenager is expelled from school for fighting, his mother takes him to Philadelphia to spend the summer with his father. While there, the young boy, Cole, has some growing up to do. He falls in with a childhood friend who is a drug dealer. His father, who is truly an urban cowboy, wants him to work in the stable and attend to his horses. It's an interesting story, or stories I should say. I had no idea that there was a tradition of Black owned stables within the confines of a major city like Philadelphia. Of course, with urban renewal and gentrification, there's a battle brewing between the Black horse owners and the developers, itching to make a buck. Overall, I enjoyed the movie, however I thought the filmmaker couldn't make up his mimd what story he wanted to follow. I think it would have been a stronger film with one storyline instead of two.
Let me preface this review by saying I haven’t seen a movie this wonderful in ages. That said, how could a movie titled “The Kindness of Strangers” not be charming? It stars Zoe Kazan, Tahar Rahim, Bill Nighy and a few other lesser-known actors. It opens with a mom and her two children against the backdrop of a spectacular view of Manhattan. They’re there ostensibly on vacation. However, we quickly learn they’re escaping an abusive dad, who happens to be a cop. We then encounter several other characters that are dealing with various personal problems of their own. Serendipity is the underlying theme here, as their lives intersect in mutually beneficial ways. I enjoyed everything about this film. It’s rare when great writing, natural acting, and remarkable cinematography converge in a movie. I just wish there were more movies like this being made. It almost seems like something from the Golden Age of movies. The films of Frank Capra come to mind. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. And if you happen to know of any other films like this one, please let me know!
Every once in a while, I'm up for a good revenge movie. And this one was pretty satisfying. It stars Jennifer Garner, who usually stars in lighter romcoms, so I was surprised to see her take on a role like this. But she did a credible job playing a badass, I must say. When her husband and young daughter are brutally murdered by a drug cartel, she's out to get even. She goes off the grid for five years, to train for her mission. And she comes back with a vengeance, aiming to knock off anyone remotely related to the death of her family. She amasses an over-the-top arsenal, but when that's seized, she uses her physical strength and wits to carry out her revenge. As you'd expect, things get bloody. So if you're at all squeamish, you may want to take a pass. I found myself totally on her side, rooting for her every time she went after someone on her hit list.
I only knew peripherally about the case of Edward Snowden while it was occurring. I just knew that many folks were passionate about their opinion of him. While my wife thought he was a trailer, my father regarded him as a hero. In this film, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Zachary Quinto and others, we witness all the events that led up to his whistle blowing. It's a tense drama that beautifully (I use this term loosely), unfolds. We witness a young man who truly loves his country become disillusioned with the overreaching surveillance our government is engaged in. The film jumps back and forth in time to great effect. I had mixed feelings before seeing "Snowden" but by the time it was over I wanted to tell everyone who had negative feelings about him to "just see the movie!" It sure made a believer out of me.
Based on its title, you'd think this was a movie from the Marvel Comic universe you'd never heard of. It's far from it. Viggo Mortensen plays a middle-age hippie who's raising his family off the grid. somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. He's training them survival techniques while giving them a home education that's light years ahead of anything they'd get in a conventional school system. When he learns that his institutionalized wife has committed suicide, he has to decide whether to attend her funeral in New Mexico or not. After he's warned by his father-in-law (Frank Langella), that he's not welcome, he opts to make the trek. This film is much more than a fun road trip adventure. It's about relationships, redemption, being true to one's self, and much more. As an aging hippie myself, I could totally relate to the lead character. And I enjoyed it so much, when it ended, I was tempted to start it over again. As a bonus, much of the soundtrack featured music from one of my favorite groups, Sigur Ros. My only beef is with the title. But after ruminating on it for a while I decided, what else could it be called?!
Vince Vaughn can actually act. Who knew? This is the first film I've seen of his where he's not playing a nutty character in a screwball comedy. Here he plays a guy who implausibly plots heists, then hires criminals to do the job for him. He's a negligent and absent dad, who takes out a huge life insurance policy on himself, so his daughter will be taken care of after he's gone. But he has to live long enough for it to be valid. When he robs a vault that contains evidence against dirty cops along with some significant cash, both drug lord and a bevy of corrupt police are after him. The movie contains enough over-the-top action scenes to keep a fairly predictable plot moving along. Not a bad way to kill an hour and a half.
Another feather in the cap of the Australian film industry, this quirky little indie movie is thoroughly delightful. A precocious12-year old girl (think Anne of Green Gables) befriends a new student who claims to be a visitor from another dimension. Her home life is somewhat unsettled--her mom suffers from depression due to losing her infant daughter and her father is a recluse, because of a fallout with his fabulously rich brother. The story takes a number of amusing twists and turns as she tries to reunite her family. It's pretty offbeat while remaining just this side of being campy.
A middle-aged Irish American man is called home because his dad is allegedly on his deathbed. When he gets back to the small village where he was raised, he finds out his father had tricked him to get him to visit. As the story unfolds, we discover his mom had died when he was a child and his dad never talked about her. And he and his cantankerous dad haven't gotten along for years. As luck would have it, he meets an American woman who's visiting the village to discover her roots and they strike up a friendship. The story plays out slowly, and some may find it boring. But the scenery is so beautiful, it's worth watching just for that! There were numerous times where I said to myself, "That would make a great painting!" And the Celtic influenced soundtrack is gorgeous as well.
If a film has Sam Neill in it, you can bet it'll be worth watching. And this one is no exception. The film, based on a true story is about a widower raising his six children. They raise race horses and all his children train to become jockeys. His youngest daughter, played brilliantly by Teresa Palmer, is a smart, strong-willed girl who is determined to become the first female jockey to win the coveted Melbourne Cup. We follow her through life trials and tribulations as she strives to reach her goal. Everything about this film is great--the cinematography, acting, and writing. My only negative comment would be that it seems to skip over parts of the story. I'm sure the director had a hard time deciding what to cut to pare it down to an acceptable viewing length. It could easily have been a three-hour movie.
I remember thinking while reading "The White Tiger" years ago, "This would make a great movie!" It did. This is one of those epic rags to riches movies that I thoroughly enjoy. It begins with the hero reading his letter to the president of China telling him that now is the time for the Red and Yellow people to conquer the world. Then the story returns to his early days growing up in abject poverty in a poor, rural village. You empathize with him, even though he certainly isn't all good, by any means. But fighting a lingering caste system makes you do things you wouldn't normally have to resort to. If you enjoyed "Slumdog Millionaire" I think you'll like this.
I had no idea radium was used in watch faces, and I was particularly shocked to learn that it was used to promote good health and a miracle cure for all sorts of diseases in the 1920s. This movie was a real eye-opener. It's based on the true story of a factory that hired young women to paint watch faces with radium to make them glow. When several of the women get sick and die, they become concerned and decide to take on the company. It's a well written and well acted film, if somewhat predictable. I've seen many social issue movies over the years, but I particularly enjoyed this one.
Not to be confused with the Rolling Stones documentary, this is the true story about Apple, a streetwise teen who runs away from her abusive mother, hoping to be taken in by her wealthy father. She's turned away when his wife learns she's pregnant. Apple is forced to fend for herself on the streets until she's guided to a shelter by a kindly priest (James Earl Jones). I thought Vanessa Hudgens did an absolutely amazing job and while the story is downright painful to watch at times, it certainly will stick with you for quite a while.
This movie has one of those titles that makes you say, "Yea, I think I saw that one." That's what I thought until I decided to "watch it again"! It's based on the best-selling book by Jon Krakauer and stars Emile Hirsch, a recent graduate of Emory University. After graduation, the young man from a wealthy family gives his inheritance away and embarks on his dream--to hitchhike to Alaska where he plans to live out in the wilderness. Along the way, he encounters several characters who impact his life. This true story is fascinating and will keep you glued to your tv right to the end. I loved the story, acting, and most of al, the amazing scenery. It'll make you want to quit everything and start exploring our beautiful country.
I read this outstanding book a few years ago and didn't know it had been made into a film. It stars Mel Gibson and Sean Penn, so I was a bit hesitant to see it. But I was very pleasantly surprised. It's the true story of a brilliant scholar played by Gibson, who wants to compile what would become the Oxford English Dictionary--a huge tome that would include every word in the English language. Oxford University reluctantly agrees to fund his mission and along the way, he meets an American refugee, who is haunted by demons from the Civil War and is institutionalized. The two share a love of the English language and work together on this daunting project. If you don't know about this amazing story, I highly recommend watching this. However, I'd suggest reading the book first.
