"The Landline Detective"

 2020 1h 58m  The title of this little indie film pretty much sums up the plot. In it, Jimmy Furuta (Dann Seki) a sweet retiree is home alone. His wife has just left on a trip with her friends and he's decided to use his time to start an ambitious project--to organize a lifetime of photographs and put them in albums. While perusing the photos, he noticed something unusual in a Polaroid snap his daughter took 35 years ago. It's revealed that his sister-in-law was murdered in 1982 while her husband was away fishing.The date on the photo reveals that his car was parked in the neighborhood of the murder the day before the murder was committed. 

This starts Jimmy on some sleuthing using only his landline as his gateway to the truth. He's, shall we say, somewhat technical challenged. He doesn't have a smartphone or internet. So he uses his wits to try to solve a crime that has been largely forgotten. 

The film was made over a five-day period with a limited budget. This shows at times as in the use of still photographs for flashbacks. Some of the effects are a bit cheesy, but this adds to the overall charm of the film. We never see any of the people he communicates with, but only hear their voices. He's an engaging enough actor to pull off this one man play, er, movie. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Hoopla, Plex, Tubi, and Prime. 

"Long Story Short"

 2021 * R * 1h 30m   What an unexpected surprise this film is. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm glad I watched it. It's a little bit like "Groundhog Day" but not as goofy and much more romantic. If fact, "Groundhog Day" is referenced several times in the movie. The story revolves around Teddy (Race Spall), who is the ultimate procrastinator. One day he meets an older woman in the cemetery, where he's having a conversation with his deceased father. The woman basically tells him to "seize the day", and make every moment count. This is where the story really begins. 

Right after he gets married to Leanne ( Zahra Newman) weird things start to happen. Every hour or two, he wakes up to find a whole year has passed and it's his anniversary. As you'd expect, a lot happens from year to year, and he tries to figure out what's going on and how to react. Spall does an outstanding job acting befuddled, trying hard to fill in the blanks. Although his relationship takes a major turn for the worse, he's never been out of love with his wife. 

This is another one of those great Australian films you never hear about in the States. Just a fun little film I really enjoyed. Without giving away the ending, lets just say you'll smile when it's over. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix and Prime Video.

"The Peanut Butter Falcon"

 2019 * PG-13 * 1h 37m  I saw this film a couple years ago and just loved it. The oddball title intrigued me, and sure enough, it lived up to its quirky name. I thought I’d give it another watch before reviewing it, and it was just as delightful the second time around. It’s described as a modern-day take on the “Huckleberry Finn” story, and I think that’s an apt description. But it’s a whole lot more. I remember reading Mark Twain’s classic novel as a kid and wanting to run away from home and travel by raft through the Great Lakes.  Watching The Peanut Butter Falcon may have the same effect on you. 

 We first meet Zak (Zach Gottsagen), a Downs syndrome patient who’s been placed in a nursing home. While dining in the facility’s lunchroom, he surreptitiously slips the older woman across from him a note, telling her to fake choking to create a diversion so he can escape. Well, he’s immediately caught and when he returns to his room, there are now bars on the window. Not five minutes into the film, I knew I was in for something special. 

 

Zach’s roommate is Carl (Bruce Dern), who’s in cahoots with him. He helps Zak flee and the adventure begins. We then meet Tyler (Shia Labeouf), in one of his finest performances to date.  Tyler is a down on his luck fisherman who gets into a bit of trouble. After committing arson, he’s on the lam. As luck would have it, he and Zak run into each other. Not only do the two of them become partners in crime, they quickly form a close friendship. I have to say, these two are so convincing, I quickly forgot they were acting and just being themselves. Tyler sort of becomes a big brother to Zak.

 

The duo builds a raft and continues on their way to freedom. Tyler’s dream is to settle down and buy a charter fishing boat while Zak fanaticizes attending wrestling school with the “Salt Water Redneck” and become a big time wrestling champion. Behind the scenes, they’re being pursued by a couple of fishermen whose traps Tyler has destroyed. And Zak is being tracked down by Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), a sweet, good-hearted nurse from his nursing home. To add to the story, the two of them meet a number of characters along the way. And they spend a lot of time talking about life and their futures. 

 

The Peanut Butter Falcon is one of the most delightful movies I’ve seen in quite a while. Just about everything about it is perfect—beautiful scenery in the Outer Banks, excellent acting, a charming story, and noteworthy cinematography. There are also quite a few laugh out loud moments, and several tender scenes as well. The only criticism I have is that I felt the ending was a bit abrupt. Especially considering the rest of the movie had such a subtle, gentle pacing to it. But if that’s the only negative, that’s still pretty good! 

 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the story behind how the movie came to be—it’s absolutely magical. Apparently the directors met Zach Gottsagen at a camp for disabled people and he told them he wanted to star in a movie. They were so taken with him; they ended up writing a movie around him and his dreams and aspirations. Thus, The Peanut Butter Falcon was born. How great is that? 

 

Ah, and where does the title come from? You’ll just have to watch this little gem and find out for yourself.

5 stars! 

 

Currently streaming for free on IMDB TV and on Prime Video

"Into the White"

 2012 * R * 1h 44m   Definitely not your typical WWII movie. Into the White is based on a true story. In it, a British pilot and gunner are shot down over Norway. In the same air battle three Germans also crash. During a blinding snowstorm, the five men arrive at a hunting cabin in a remote part of the country. Since the Germans arrive first and are armed, they decide they control the cabin and take the Brits prisoner. At first, there's an air of tension as the two sides bicker and test each other's wills. Slowly, they come to the realization that they need to cooperate in order to survive. 

As the movie progresses, they open up about their lives and a guarded friendship develops between the men. The film was well scripted and acted. And the way it was shot really gives you a sense of claustrophobia. It hits home that we're all just humans trying to get along in the world, in spite of what out leaders would have us believe. 

Four out of five stars

Numerous watch options including Hoopla, Tubi, Plex, and Pluto TV.