2009 * R * 1h 29m This is one of those movies that can't help making a big impression on you. The story is powerful, and the acting from the two principals, Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt is truly Oscar worthy. I'm not sure if it's based on a true story, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was wasn't inspired by real life. It's a film about violence and reconciliation. It has the feeling of a play since the two lead characters are on the screen for a majority of the film.
"Five Minutes of Heaven" takes place in war-torn Norther Ireland in 1975. 17-year old UVF member Alistair Little murders Jimmy Griffen in his home. The horrible crime is witnessed by Jimmy's younger brother Joe. Alistair ends up serving 12 years for his crime. Years later Alistair (Neeson) now travels the world helping resolve conflicts by getting opposing parties to sit down together to work out they differences. A tv network arranges a meeting between Alistair and Joe (Nesbitt), hoping the two can eventually heal.
A large part of the movie is witnessing the two men dealing with their inner pain, relieving their horrible memories of the crime, and hoping for them to move on. I found both the story and the performances absolutely riveting. It amazes me that this film isn't better known. Bravo to everyone involved in the making of this fine movie.
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
Streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card and Tubi. Also on AMC+, IFC Films Unlimied, The Roku Channel, and to rent on Prime Video.
2019 * Not Rated * 1h 39mThe Holidays are all about family and friends, tradition, nostalgia, and memories. This film delivers all that in spades. It’s set in the 1970’s in a small town in coal country, and involves a sprawling Italian-American family and their friends. As the narrator informs us, preparing the food for Christmas Eve is a major event, and involves the cooking of seven fishes—which would be better described as “The Feast of the Seven Sea Creatures” since it includes shrimp, squid, eel, and oysters—but that doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.
You’ve no doubt seen the older generation of actors here in supporting roles before. They all do a wonderful job. The impressive cast of younger actors include Skylar Gisondo, Madison Iseman, Jess Darrow, Addison Timlin, and Josh Helman, who I can guarantee, you’ll be seeing a lot more of in the very near future. The movie involves the Italian uncles as they cook the various dishes, leading up to the big feast. It also centers around young Tony (Gisondo), an aspiring artist and his exploits. After breaking up with his childhood sweetheart, he’s set up on a blind date with Beth (Iseman). Unlike Tony, she comes from money and is looking for a bit of fun while her rich boyfriend is on a ski trip in Europe.
The story jumps back and forth between madcap cooking scenes, and the slowly evolving romance with Tony and Beth--sort of a “Romeo and Juliette” if you will. It all makes for a very entertaining story. I have to say, this is not your typical, mindless Christmas movie. It’s a well written, involving, and heartfelt film that will definitely put you in the holiday mood. I just wish they’d make more movies like this!
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Tubi. Also on Netflix, Peacock, Plex, The Roku Channel, and Pluto TV.
2023 * R * 2h 18m If you're a regular follower of my reviews, you know that I usually review under-the-radar, indie flicks. This latest offering from Netflix is hardly that. But I thought it was so good, it was definitely worth covering. It's a creepy, well-executed movie that will definitely stick with you for days after you see it.
A NYC couple Amanda (Julia Roberts) and Clay (Ethan Hawke) and their two children head out to a remote part of Long Island for a weekend vacation. Almost as soon as they get there, strange things start to happen. All communication is cut off including cell phones and TV & radio broadcasts. While at the beach, a huge oil tanker crashes into the shoreline. Then a pack of deer mysteriously appear out of the woods. Later that evening a black man and his daughter (G.H. Scott and Myha'la) arrive and claim they're the owners of the house and need a place to stay. They inform the family that things are getting crazy in the city and they needed to escape.
From here, things get weirder and weirder. I didn't know anything about the film before watching it. I wasn't sure if it turned out to be a monster movie or what it was going to evolve (devolve?) into. But there are a ton of surprises that'll keep you guessing right until the end. If you're in the mood for something unsettling, give this one a watch. Caution, if you watch it at night, you might want to watch something lighter before hitting the hay!
2016 * TV-MA * 1h 44m When I started watching this bizarre little film, I wondered where I'd seen the lead actor before. Turns out Jim O'Heir played Jerry in "Parks & Recreation," one of my favorite TV shows. I looked him up on IMDb and was amazed to find he's been in 183 movies and TV shows! That's an astonishing number for an actor that young.
Anyway, back to "Middle Man." Lenny Freeman (O'Heir) is a boring accountant. When his mother dies, she leaves him nothing but debt and her old Chevy. Lenny uses this as an excuse to pursue his dream--to head to Vegas and become a famous comedian. Problem is, he isn't funny. Not at all. His favorite comedies are old 1940s and 50s radio shows. But on the way out west, he picks up a mysterious character "Hitch" (Andrew J. West), a sleezebag who volunteers to be Lenny's manager.
Lenny goes on stage at a small bar/comedy club and bombs terribly. After his dismal performance, he has an encounter with one of his hecklers outside the bar. He wakes up the next morning to discover the man has been murdered, so he stuffs him in the trunk of his car. Hitch convinces him to go on stage that night and recount the story of him killing his heckler, bloody shirt and all. And lo and behold, the audience response is amazing! They love his "act" figuring he's fabricated the whole story.
From here on out, the story gets crazier and crazier. Sure, things get a little bloody, but it's only a movie. I've never seen anything quite like it. If you're in the mood for something truly different, you owe it to yourself to check out "Middle Man."
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Hoopla (with your library card) and Tubi. Also on Plex and to rent on Prime Video.
2015 * Not Rated * 1h 49m This movie is part coming-of-age drama, part teen romance, and part road trip. It all adds up to a sweet, offbeat indie flick I really enjoyed. The film stars three young actors India Ennenga, James Frechevile, and Onata Aprile, with support from some solid stars including Ellen Burstyn, Danny Glover, and Jane Seymour.
Scout (Ennenga) and Lulu (Aprile) live with their grandmother (Burstyn) and are largely unsupervised. One day, young Lulu is taken away from her grandmother and given to her dad, who never wanted children. He works in a traveling circus and is constantly on the road. So the rebellious Scout decides to take matters in her own hands. She helps a young, suicidal mental patient Sam (Frecheville) escape the mental institution and the two hit the road in search of her little sister.
They steal a car and drive around Texas getting into all sorts of mischief. It's great fun watching the two young actors interact and watching them stay one step ahead of the law. While all this is taking place, they're being pursued by Red (Glover) who's been hired by Sam's wealthy mom. to bring him back home to NYC. This is an indie film in the truest sense of the word, even though it has some well known actors. What a pleasant surprise!
4 out of 5 stars.
Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card), Freevee, and Tubi. Also on Peacock, The Roku Chanel, and to rent on Prime Video.
2011 * PG-13 * 2h 7m I vaguely remember when this movie came out. I didn't know anything about it except that some of it was fixed in Detroit (my hometown), and I was pretty excited about that. Well, I finally got around to seeing it, and what a fun movie it turned out to be.
The story takes place in the near future where people are fascinated with robot boxing. Charlie (Hugh Jackman) is a retired boxing champion who has taken up robot boxing. He's just barely scraping by when he finds out his ex and the mother of his chile Max (Dakota Goyo) has died. His sister-in-law wants to adopt him but before the deal is sealed, Charlie negotiates to get his son for the summer and a bunch of cash. He uses the money to buy a new robot which is quickly destroyed. Then Max discovers an old, previous generation robot in a junkyard, which he rehabs and starts using to win bout after bout.
I thought the movie was great fun. It's wonderful to see the two learn about each other and bond. And the fight scenes are extremely engaging. Of course, the film is fairly predictable, but that's what you want in a family movie. If you've never seen "Real Steel" I encourage you to check it out.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime Video.
2007 * R * 2h 4m Director Alan Ball has mainly worked in tv and has "Six Feet Under"to his credit. He's also made interesting films and controversial movies like "American Beauty," and "Uncle Frank." His 2007 film "Towelhead" isn't for everyone, that's for sure. It tackles several difficult topics like teen sex, racism, and pedophilia. It's hard to watch at times, but ultimately, I thought it was excellent.
The story revolves around a young girl Jesira (Summer Bashir), who after her parents divorce, goes to live with her super-strict Lebanese-American father Rifat (Peter Macdissi) in Texas. The movie takes place during the onset of the first Gulf War and as a result, she has to deal with overt racism, both in school and her neighborhood. She just starting to awaken sexually, and is preyed upon by her neighbor's father, played by Aaron Ekhart. He's really creepy and you just want to smack him in the face. You keep your fingers crossed that something terrible will happen to him.
She starts hanging out with a young black schoolmate, and feels the backlash when her father forbids her from seeing him, due to his own racism. Just when things look terrible, she's taken under the wing of a kindly neighbor Molina (Toni Collette), who knows what she's going through. Without giving away the anding, let's just say things get resolved.
I thought the acting in this was terrific. Ms. Bashir really shined as did Toni Collette (as you've come to expect). If you're looking for something pretty powerful, check this one out.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Note to parents: This is definitely not for kids.
Streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy.com. And to rent on Amazon Prime.
2011 * R * 1h 52m If you're in the mood for some raunchy, guys humor, I thought this one was pretty funny. It's one of those switched identity movies that, while pretty predictable, is good for lots of laughs.
Dave (Jason Bateman) and Mitch (Ryan Reynolds) have been friends since college. They haven't seen each other win ages and arrange an evening out for some drinks. The two of them are polar opposites, Mitch is pot-smoking, lazy bum, who acts like he's still in college. Dave is a successful, corporate laywer who's married with three kids. After talking about their lives, they each wish they were in the other's shoes. As luck would have it, they make this wish while peeing in a magical fountain. And PRESTO! They switch bodies.
2019 * R * 1h 59m Who doesn't love a good revenge movie? Ive noticed that there are two types of movies that fall into this category. The ones featuring a total badass and includes a lot of explosions and over the top violence. Then there are the ones where an average Joe takes his revenge methodically. "Cold Pursuit" falls into the latter category. And with an actor like Liam Neeson, it's great fun.
The movie starts out when Nels' (Neeson) son is inexplicably killed by some drug dealers. Slowly, Neeson starts discovering everyone involved in the death. One at a time he starts picking them off. The head dealer is "The Viking" ((Tom Bateman), who's a total sleezebag. Through a mix up, the local Native American drug dealers get involved in the turf war. But Neeson bides his time as he works towards extracting his revenge.
It's one amusing ride where you root for the good guys the whole time. Adding to the adventure is the beautiful location. The film takes place in the Rockies and the scenery is just gorgeous. Laura Dern is also great in a supporting role. She's married to Nels, however she leaves him when he won't talk about the loss of their son. If you're looking for a fun action flick, don't miss this one.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime Video.
2010 * TV-14 * 1h 34m For some reason, I've been seeing a lot of excellent teen movies lately. Maybe the algorithms have been pointing me in that direction. Anyway, this is one of those "Rebel with a Cause" type films. It was somewhat predictable, but I thought the acting and writing was above average. Very entertaining little flick.
Eddie "Gonzo" Gilman Ezra Miller) is a smart young upstart. He works on the school paper which is run by the super jock Gavin (Jesse McCartney). Gavin doesn't like to make waves and runs boring articles. When Gonzo has finally had enough, he starts his own radical paper. And what a stir he makes. He teams up with Evie (Zoe Kravitz) and runs the paper with a bunch of misfits, who are totally into bucking the system. They run articles about the school and its bullies that soon get the attention of the principal. As you'd expect, it gets Gonzo suspended. Then he takes it a little too far and he manages to make enemies of every single classmate.
Does he end up learning a lesson? You'll just have to give it a watch and see for yourself!
If you're looking for a fun movie with a bunch of young stars on their way to making it big, check out "Beware of the Gonzo."
Streaming for free on Kanopy and Hoopla (with your library card), Tubi, and Freevee. Also on Plex, Peacock, Pluto TV, and The Roku Channel.
2018 * Not Rated * 1h 45mOne of my favorite movie genres is science fiction. I’ve been a science nerd since I was a kid. So when I first saw the movie“2001: A Space Odyssey,” when I was a teenager, it blew me away. To this day it’s my favorite movie of all time. I’ve probably seen it at least a dozen times. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed numerous other sci-fi flicks like “Contact,” “Arrival,” and “Interstellar” to name but a few. What they all have in common is they’re intelligent movies that are totally believable, they’re well crafted, and they feature great performances.
I recently stumbled upon the film “Clara.” When I saw it described as a romantic science fiction movie I was a bit skeptical, to say the east. After all, romance and science are somewhat opposite notions. But that’s one of the main themes in this remarkable movie. It’s the sophomore effort of director Akash Sherman and what an impressive outing it is. “Clara” is a gently paced movie where the story slowly unfolds. You won’t find a lot of action but that’s its strength. What you will find is a beautiful story, sensational acting, and an ending that I can assure you, will take you by surprise.
We first meet Dr. Isaac Bruno (Patrick J. Adams), a professor of astrophysics giving a lecture. The good doctor is not exactly a people person, to say the least. In fact, he’s downright rude and condescending to his students. It’s this attitude that not only gets him in trouble, it gets him fired. At first he’s shocked, but he soon realizes that it’s a blessing in disguise. Bruno has long been obsessed with searching for intelligent life out in the universe, and this newly found free time could prove to be beneficial to his quest.
One day he spots a young woman in the atrium painting a mural of a colorful galaxy and he makes a mental note of her. Bruno is excited about a couple of recent events related to space exploration. One is the launch of the TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) Space Telescope, which is an upgrade of the Kepler, which discovered a huge number of planets. The second event is the future launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, which will significantly enhance the search for new planets.
The race in on for scientists to discover potentially habitable planets using data gathered by TESS. The winner will be the first one to engage the use of the Webb Telescope. Isaac decides to hire an assistant and is a bit miffed when only one person responds to his flyers—Clara (Troian Bellisario), the muralist he noticed earlier. She turns out to be a bit of a mystery. When he interviews her he discovers she has no scientific training, and in fact, she hasn’t taken any college classes at all. She’s spent the past several years vagabonding around the world. Clara’s been living on the streets with her stray dog, and since no one else applied for the position, he hires her.
Clara turns out to be exactly what Isaac needs. She’s a hard worker, and brings a sense of passion and creativity to their work. While Isaac is the quintessential scientist, Clara is a freethinking, romantic soul. The scientific methodology for their search is explained in layperson’s terms, and it’s easy to understand. It adds credibility to the story and makes the film even more engaging. Isaac also relies on assistance from his colleague Dr. Charles Durant (Ennis Esmer) and his ex-wife Dr. Rebecca Jenkins (Kristen Hager). The pace of the film picks up as it heads to a conclusion that caught me totally off guard.
I really enjoyed the seamless blending of the romantic and scientific sides of the story—neither one overwhelmed the narrative. I thought the cinematography was decent as well. You might be surprised when I tell you the soundtrack included a mix of early Bob Dylan and quiet electronics from composer Jonathan Kawchuk. But trust me, it really does work. It enhanced an already wonderful viewing experience.
5 out of 5 stars
Note to parents: The film is Not Rated and I thought it would probably garner a PG-13 rating.
Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy and Hoopla. Also on Plex, Crackle, and to rent on Prime Video.
2016 * PG-13 * 1h 42m If you're looking for a heartfelt, offbeat, powerful drama, be sure to check out this wonderful film. I don't know why it didn't receive more attention when it was released, but that's Hollywood for you. It features some outstanding performances, gorgeous settings, and a beautiful story.
Wes (Jacob Tremblay is an eccentric young boy. His parents, Alise (Vera Farmiga) and Connor (Marton Csokas) are having a difficult time moving on after the loss of a child. One day Wes decides he's actually a Mongolian goat herder. At first his parents humor him, but eventually they have to come to terms with the fact that he really believes it. Wes befriends Ismail (Sure Sharma), a twenty-something man who works at the local car wash. Ismail dreams of becoming a filmmaker, and begins documenting Wes's story.
After posting clips of Wes on social media, the young man becomes an international celebrity. Then, Wes is off to Mongolia with his mom to meet with his peeps. And of course, Ismail is along for the ride to document the journey.
This is one of those films that you can't help but fall in love with. It's an emotional, tear-jerker that'll have you puddling up.more than once. The actors all do a great job, especially Jacob Tremblay. I think we're going to see a lot more of this young lad. Bravo!
5 out of 5 stars
Streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com and on Tubi. Also on Prime Video,
2017 * Not Rated * 1h 25m Another one of those off-beat indie coming-of-age gems. Not sure how I found this one, but I'm glad I did. It features an interesting story, fine writing, and an unbeatable cast. Asa Butterfield, Ellen Burstyn, Nick Offerman, and a young actor I wasn't familiar with, Alex Wolf.
Sebastian (Butterfield) lives with his grandma Josephine (Burstyn) in a geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller in rural Minnesota. One day Alan (Offerman) leads a tour group of young kids through the house. It's there his son Jared (Wolf) strikes up a friendship with Sebastian. He's lived a life of seclusion and has ben homeschooled by his idealistic grandma, who not only was a friend of Fuller's, but is an aging hippie to boot. Sebastian soon finds out how much he's missed out in life and becomes a rebel.
Jared has recently had a heart transplant, but he doesn't let that stop him from living life to its fullest. He takes Sebastian on as a sort of protege and introduces him to the world of punk rock. The two decide to form a punk band and it's great fun to see them interact. They certainly manage to get into their fair share of trouble.
While it's somewhat predictable, the fine acting elevate "The House of Tomorrow" to the next level. If you're looking for a fun little flick, you won't be disappointed.
4 out of 5 stars
Streaming for free on Tubi and Freevee. Also on Peacock, Plex, Shout! Factory TV, and The Roku Channel.
2023 * Not Rated * 1h 30m "Another teen, coming-of-age rom/com," you're probably saying. Nope. Not by a long shot. Just when you think you've seen it all, a refreshing take on high school comes along. And what a fun outing this one proved to be.
Sid (Joey Bragg) just wants to get through high school unscathed. In order to do so, his mantra is to stay under the radar. By not attracting attention, he figures everything will turn out okay. However, one day he called the class bully Chuck a douchebag. And that becomes is undoing. Or more accurately, his doing. Before the bully is sent off to anger management camp, he vows to kill Sid when he returns.
So Sid figures since he only has a couple weeks to live, he might as well try anything and everything. He works his way through his personal bucket list and has an absolute blast doing it. He surprises himself by just how much fun he has. And he becomes a role model for a lot of his classmates. If you're looking for a different take on high school movies, don't miss this one!
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy.com. And on Prime Video.
2015 * R * 1h 40m This is not your typical teen drama. Not by a long shot. It stars Nat Wolff, Sarah Silverman, and Mickey Rourke. And it was a big surprise to me. An excellent little film, just about no one has heard of. Gotta love indie flicks!
Ed (Wolff) and his mom June (Silverman) are new in town. She's recently divorced and is looking for a stable relationship. But in the meantime, casual hook-ups will do. Ed is a bright student who gets an assignment to interview a friend or relative and write an essay about him or her. He picks his next-door neighbor Ashby (Rourke), a grizzly old codger who is supposedly a retired napkin salesman. While interviewing him one day, he sneaks down into Ashby's basement where he discovers a huge cache of military-grade weapons. After being confronted, Ashby admits to being a government hit man.
Thus begins the adventure. Ashby has been given only a few months to live, so Ed volunteers to be his personal chauffeur, and the two have some interesting times together.--including bumping off some of Ashby's old bosses. Ed also strikes up a friendship with a quirky young girl Eloise (Emma Robert), and the story plays out in a fairly unpredictable manner.
While all four leads were excellent, I especially enjoyed Mickey Rourke's performance. He plays a gruff, cantankerous old guy with a heart of gold, perfectly. It all adds up to a fun, different kind of film.
4 out of 5 stars.
Currently streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com. And to rent on Prime Video.
2010 * PG-13 * 1h 48 m Wow! Talk about a riveting political thriller. I knew a little about the story before watching this fine film. But it plays out like a work of brilliant fiction. It's a well-crafted, well-acted movie everyone who cares about this country needs to see. Just more damning evidence about how corrupt the Bush administration was. Shame on us for not putting all these criminals behind bars.
The story centers around Ambassador Joe Wilson (Sean Penn) and his wife Valery Plame (Naomi Watts). When Joe discovers the fact that the United States has been fabricating lies about the supposed cache of Weapons of Mass Destruction the Iraqi's had, he speaks out about it. The Bush administration, to discredit him, outs his wife who is an undercover operative for the CIA. It's one of the lowest points our government has ever reached. And it makes this move a must-see for all Americans.
If you're looking for a great spy thriller, don't miss this excellent film.
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card) and Tubi (free with commercials). Also on The Roku Channel, Plex, Pluto TV, and to rent on Prime Video.
2013 * R * 1h 36m I first saw this film shortly after it was released and I was blown away. I recently re-watched it and it had the same effect on me. Not only is it one of the finest indie flicks I’ve ever seen, the cast of relatively unknown actors (at the time) was equally impressive. It’s sort of like “The Breakfast Club” or “Diner” where a director assembles a group of young unknowns who eventually have meteoric careers shortly after. Here we have Brie Larson (“Room,” “Captain Marvel”) in her first starring role, John Gallagher Jr. (“Hush”), Rami Malek (“Bohemian Rhapsody”), Kaitlyn Dever (“Booksmart”) and Stephanie Beatriz (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) to name just a few.
“Short Term 12” is the second feature-length film for writer/director Destin Daniel Cretton, and it’s based on his experiences as a counselor at a foster home for at risk teens. He originally released a short film with the same title in 2009. It received so much praise, he decided to make a full-length movie on the same subject. The film was made on a paltry budget of $600,000 and was filmed in just six weeks. It’s won numerous and well-deserved awards and should be better known.
The film opens with several counselors standing around welcoming the new hire Nate (Malek) to the group. Mason (Gallagher) is retelling an amusing story the rest of the gang has heard a million times before. Then suddenly, one of the kids in their care bursts out of the facility and makes a mad dash for the front gate. They’re immediately in hot pursuit and when they nab him, they all work together to calm him down. We find out that the policy is, if a kid makes it past the gate, the counselors aren’t allowed to touch them.
Most of the film revolves around Brie Larson’s character Grace. She’s a very complex person. On the one hand, she’s a competent, disciplinarian who the teens look up to. She’s also a sensitive, vulnerable soul who we eventually learn has had to deal with her own personal demons. She and Mason are romantically involved and are both products of foster homes themselves. This gives them a deeper insight into what the kids in their charge are going through. I thought Ms. Larson’s performance was nothing short of breathtaking. You never feel like she’s acting—all this could have really happened to her.
Contributing to the slice-of-life tone of the film is the camerawork. A fair amount of the movie is shot with a hand-held camera and while this can often can be irritating, here it draws the viewer in and makes you feel like you’re one of the gang. It has an intimate, almost conspiratorial vibe to it. The beautiful soundtrack also adds to the emotional aspect of the movie. It’s never front and center, but has a subtle, quietly understated quality to it. It’s often a bit sorrowful.
I felt a couple scenes in “Short Term 12” were really pivotal to the story. They both involve one-on-one interactions between a counselor and a teen. In the first, Mason sits down with Marcus (LaKeith Stanfield) in his room. He’s soon to be released from the facility and is a brooding, angry kid. Mason plays percussion accompanying Marcus as he recites a very personal rap tune that reveals his deepest feelings about his relationship with the world at large.
In another similar scene, Grace tries to get a new kid Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) to open up. She’s a smart but aloof teen who’s convinced she’ll only be at the facility for a short spell until her dad comes to get her. Grace convinces her to read a short, children’s story she’s written where it becomes apparent her father has abused her. This is something the two have in common as it’s revealed further on in the film.
“Short Term 12” is a powerful, heartfelt drama. It deals with some pretty heady subjects, and you can’t help but feel for just about every character in the film. While it’s a fairly serious film overall, it’s not depressing. And there are plenty of humorous moments to keep the mood on the lighter side. When it was over I thought to myself, “That’s it? I wish I could spend a bit more time with these folks!”
5 out of 5 stars
Note to parents: The film is rated “R” mainly because of strong language and the subject matter.
You have a ton of viewing options. Currently streaming for free on Hoopla and Kanopy (with your library card), Freevee and Tubi. Also on The Roku Channel, Plex, Pluto TV, Peacock and other services.
2017 * Not Rated * 59m Take a road trip theme, mix in some Northern Irish, add a generous amount of Down's Syndrome, stir in some comedy and you'll end up with a charming, sweet movie called "Ups and Downs". If you're in the mood for something a bit different, then you're going to love this little indie gem.
Conal (James Martin) is a 22-year old Northern Irish lad with Down's Syndrome. He lives with his younger sister Gemma (Rosie Barry) and his mom Fionnula (Susan Lynch). Both he and his deceased dad were big fans of the heavy metal band Ash. One day he tricks his sister into going with him to Belfast to hear them in concert. Naturally, nothing goes according to plans, which is what makes this such a fun movie. Of course as soon as his mom discovers he's missing, she's in hot pursuit of her two children.
I loved just about everything about this movie. The acting, storyline, writing, and scenery were all great. Mr. Martin was absolutely captivating--he seems like a very cool kid. About the only negative is it was a bit hard to understand the dialogue at times. Maybe I should have watched it with subtitles.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Kanopy.com (with your library card) and YouTube.
2006 * Not Rated * 1h 47m If you're looking for some offbeat, off-the-wall fun, you'll enjoy this film. And if you're a fan of Steve Buscemi, even better. I've loved him in just about everything I've seen him in. In "Deleiious" he takes crazy to a whole new level.
Buscemi plays Les, a celebrity photographer, determined to get the shot heard around the world. He's a whacky paparazzi, always chasing pop singers and actresses for the perfect shot. And he's just barely eking out a living doing it. One day he befriends a homeless kid Toby (Michael Pitt) who dreams of becoming an actor. As luck would have it, Toby meets and falls for a cute young pop star K'Harma Leeds (Alison Lohman). This makes Les furious and he soon plots revenge. I won't tell you any more about this hilarious movie.
The film is just a fun romp and Steve Buscemi is at his best here. If you're looking for something whacky, give this one a shot!
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Kanopy (with your library card), Freevee, and Tubi. Also on Peacock, Plex, Pluto, and other services.
2008 * R * 1h 22m Every once in a while I like to watch a good, scary movie. You know, the kind s that scare the crap out of you. Well, somehow I missed this one when it came out. And it sure delivered. Like most horror movies, it was a little bit predictable. But it was so well done, I didn't mind.
Seth and Polly (Paulo Costanzo and Jill Wagner) plan on spending the weekend camping. When they mess up their tent while trying to set it up, they decide to head into town and rent a cheap motel room. On their way, they run into Dennis and Lacy (Shea Wigham and Rachel Kerbs). He's a criminal on the lam and she's his junkie girlfriend. They take the couple hostage and when they hit an animal on the road, their troubles begin.
The animal is a bizarre beast full of splinters. It attacks Lacy who turns into a zombie. When their truck overheats they are forced to stop at a gas station. They're soon trapped inside the station with zombies trying to break in and eat them. The film is fairly low budget, but I thought the acting, script, and the alien creature were all above average. Pretty scary overall.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com. Also on Tubi, Plex, Pluto TV, and to rent on Prime Video.
2016 * Not Rated * 1h 36m I ask you, who doesn't love a good heist movie? When I think of the genre, a ton of action packed, intense films come to mind. The Sting. Reservoir Dogs. The Usual Suspects. Dog Day Afternoon. Ocean's Eleven. And that's just the tip of the iceberg of the list of great ones that have been made over the years. Golden Years, while not quite in the same class as those films, is definitely worth watching.
This film centers on a couple of senior citizens who get into the life of crime, quite by accident. Arthur and Martha Goode (Bernard Hill and Virginia McKenna) are happily retired. Then one day, they're informed that their pension has been cut. And this is something that has a huge impact on their circle of friends. So Arthur decides to take matters in his own hands and he proceeds to rob a bank. Eventually his wife finds out and she agrees to help him in their quest to supplement their incomes.
What proceeds is just a fun romp as we follow them on their vacation visiting National Trust properties, while robbing banks in each town they visit. I wouldn't dub the film a classic by any means, but I thought it was great fun. And it's as charming as you'd expect from an excellent cast of British actors you've seen in a dozen other films.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com, The Roku Channel and Tubi. Also to rent on Prime Video.
2004 * PG * 1h 30m I've been a "Winnie The Pooh" fan for ages. Unfortunately I didn't read it as a kid, but came to it later on in life. However, I read it several times a year. It's just so charming, funny, and comforting to reread this wonderful classic. However, I never knew the story behind the lovable bear's origins until I saw this excellent movie.
The story takes place during the beginning of WWI. The story begins with a group of soldiers who live in Western Canada are training to serve in the Veterinary Corp in Europe. One of the soldiers Harry (Michael Fassbender) adopts a bear cub. At first his superiors order him to get rid of the lovable cub. But when it's brought to the commanding officer's attention that they're allowed to have a pet as a mascot, he agrees to let them keep the bear. They proceed to smuggle the bear who they've named "Winnie" since he's from Winnipeg, overseas with them.
Before they're sent to Europe to the battlefront, they're stationed in England. Harry lends Winnie to the London Zoo for safekeeping. It's there that the friendly bear becomes the favorite attraction of hundreds of English children. And it's there when AA Milne first encounters the wonderful bear. Supporting actors include David Suchet and Stephen Fry. It's such a great story, I don't know why this film isn't better known.
4 out of 5 stars
Streaming for free on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com (with your library card), Freevee, and Tubi. Also on The Roku Channel, and Pluto TV.
I couldn't find an official trailer so this will have to suffice:
2013 * R * 1h 23m If you're looking for a fun, laugh-out-loud comedy as only the Irish can do it, check this one out. It's a madcap adventure with a dysfunctional family. It's a story that's been done before, but I still got a kick out of it. And I loved Fionnulla Flanagan. What an excellent performance.
One day Nan's(Flanagan) family decide to do something nice for her. They hustle her out of the house to spend the day with her granddaughter Emma (Kelly Thornton). While they're out the whole family cleans out her cluttered house and redecorate it while they're at it. When she comes home she's totally shocked. And the whole family is shocked when she reveals that the old mattress they dumped had her entire life's savings in it. To the tune of close to a million Euros!
Thus the chase begins to find the fabled mattress. At first they search all the landfills and dumps around Dublin. Then they put up a huge cash reward to find it and the entire city goes mad. It's great fun and there are a couple of plot twists you'll enjoy. There's a brilliant practical joke involving the lottery that's absolutely hilarious! I especially liked the way Nan and her granddaughter bonded. Overall, it's just a great story, well told.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com. And to rent on Prime Video.
2022 * TV-14 * 1h 54m I watch a lot of pretty heavy-duty movies. So every once in a while I need something light and funny to view. And there's nothing like a good old-fashioned, rom-com for therapy. I put this one in my Netflix queue a while back, and I finally got around to watching it. What a pleasant surprise! Sure it was fairly predictable--show me a rom-com that isn't--but that's what made it so enjoyable.
And it'll come as no surprise that the couple eventually make up. Even though their personalities clash, they have quite a bit to offer each other. I really enjoyed the movie for what it is--a simple, pleasant tale where everything works out in the end. The views of the city are worth the price of admission alone. And I thought the two leads really did have some chemistry together. I hadn't heard of either one of them, and I look forward to seeing what they each do next.
If you're looking for the perfect date night movie, "Love in the Villa" will certainly fit the bill!
2019 * Not Rated * 1h 45m This is a remake of the Belgian film "Hasta La Vista" and if the original is as good or better than this, I'll definitely have to add it to my queue. I thought it was a touching, well-made movie about a topic that's largely overlooked by filmmakers--people with disabilities. It was one of the recommended movies on Kanopy, in celebration of Disability Month. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised.
A trio of guys with disabilities, Scotty, Matt, and Mo (Grant Rosenmeyer, Hadyen Szeto, and Ravi Patel) decide they need a "field trip." Scotty has done some online research and discovered there's a brothel in Montreal that caters to people with special needs. So he convinces his buddies in the facility where they live, to pool their money together, hire a van and driver, and head to the Great White North to lose their virginities. It's a road trip you won't soon forget.
All three actors did a great job. As did their driver, Sam (Gabourey Sidibe), who's a real character. The trio sneak off in the middle of the night and head out. When their families discover they've gone missing, they alert the police who interrupt their trip. It's the confrontation that's the turning point in the movie. But let's just say the resolution is a happy one for all parties.
If you're looking for something a bit different to watch, you definitely need to see "Come As You Are."
4 out of 5 stars
Tons of viewing options. Streaming for free on Kanopy and Hoopla (with your library card) and Tubi. Plus Peacock, Plex, Pluto TV, Prime Video, and The Roku Channel.
2012 * R * 1h 50m Before we get going, I should warn you about this film. It's full of over-the-top violence, and just about the most swearing you could jam into a movie. So if either of these two things bother you, give this one a pass. However, if you're looking for a wild ride, with a crazy, unpredictable plot, and sensational acting from an all-star cast, you're in for a treat.
Marty (Colin Farrell) is a screenwriter, struggling to write a script. He's friends with Billy (Sam Rockwell), who steals dogs and returns them to their owners for the reward money. He also has a sordid background, which I'll let you discover for yourself. They're also buds with Hans (Christopher Walken), an older gentleman who spends part of every day visiting his wife in hospital, as she undergoes cancer treatment.
One day Billy swipes a Shih Tzu, the beloved pet of a notorious and ruthless gangster Charlie (Woody Harrelson). This is where things get crazy. He'll do whatever it takes to get his dog back. And Woody does a great job playing an insane mobster. The plot takes so many twists and turns, it's hard to keep up. But hang on to your hats, kiddies--it's a wild ride you won't soon forget!
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com. And to rent on Prime Video.
2022 * NR * 1h 32m On the surface, it's a laugh-out-loud comedy, filled with drinking and pot-smoking antics, led by Adam Pally. He reminds me a little of the late, great John Belushi. He's funny, crazy, and has that infectious mantic quality Belushi had. But this film goes a bit deeper than that, and I found it to be a solid, touching look at family life and dysfunction.
The story revolves around a New York couple and their son. Rosie (Jordan Brewster) and Phil (Reid Scott) and their son Max (Peter Dager) decide to leave the city and spend time at their summer home in the Hamptons. The film takes place during the beginning of the pandemic, which I thought was a bit annoying. Get used to it folks, I think we're going to see a lot more of them in the near future. The couple has some problems to work out, and their son is incredibly shy. The one day Charlie (Pally) shows up, unannounced. He's a total wild man, sucking down booze and smoking pot all day.
At first the family is on edge, but eventually things begin to click. It's implied that several years ago, Phil stole an idea that Charlie had and ran with it--and ended up making a pile of dough from it. But Charlie doesn't begrudge him for doing it. And while he's there, he gets the couple to try to work out things.He also helps Max come out of his shell. I had a feeling that it was going to turn into an "Animal House" crazy film, but I thought it went a lot deeper than that. It was an overall solid flick.
4 out of 5 stars
It's streaming for free on Kanopy with your library card. And to rent on Prime Video.
2016 * R * 1h 33m I love indie flicks like this. It's a slow-moving drama that's set in the Arctic Circle in Canada. As you'd expect, the scenery is absolutely stunning. The story is a simple one. And the acting is quite good.
Lia (Devery Jacobs) is sent up north to spend time with her Gwich'in grandmother. Her mother passed away and her father feels he just can't handle her. Lia is a jaded city girl and soon gets bored with life in the sleepy Arctic community. She longs for the city and soon runs away. Lia has no idea how to survive in the wilderness and when she runs into Alfred (Duane Howard), a First Nation older gentleman, he takes her under his wing. He's a hunter in search of a legendary caribou herd that hasn't been seen in a while. The two form a special friendship and he's a philosopher and shares his knowledge freely. He's very low keyed, and when he philosophizes, he reminds me a little of Chief Dan George if you remember him. He's almost Buddha-like in his approach to life.
While searching for the herd, Alfred is severely injured after being mauled by a bear. It's at this point where Lia rises to the occasion. She has to act quickly or Alfred could die. The outcome was fairly predictable, but I enjoyed it none the less. It's just a great little flick almost no one has ever heard of.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Hoopla.com (with your library card) and Tubi. Also on Plex, and to rent on Prime Video.
2011 * PG-13 * 1h 47m When I see a film with a goofy title like "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" I almost always jump on it. And nine times out of ten, I'm richly rewarded. This movie is no exception. I have no idea why I'd never heard of t before, especially considering the all-star roster of actors in it.
Here's the story. When things start to go badly in Afghanistan for the English, they need a feel good story to distract the increasingly war-weary public. The Prime Minister's press secratary Patricia Maxwell (Dame Kristin Scott Thomas) latches onto an obscure story about a ultra-rich Yemeni, Sheik Muhammed (Amr Waked) who wants to introduce salmon to a dammed up river in his country. She gets a fishery expert Dr. Alfred Jones (Ewan McGregor) involved in the project. He knows the project is absolutely absurd, yet he's forced to head up the mission, Dame Thomas is hilarious--she's an intelligent, foul-mouthed woman who's always conniving to get what she wants.
Harriet (Emily Blunt) is tasked with assisting the good doctor, and it's no surprise that even though he's married, and she has a boyfriend, a romance is in the offing. The story is well written and takes a number of unexpected plot twists and turns. I thought this was a delightful, slightly offbeat rom/com that had a lot of soul. Everyone turned in a great performance, and ultimately created a warm-hearted film well worth your time.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com. Also on Paramount+ and to rent on Prime Video.
2013 * R * 1h 50m If you're a fan of Jason Sedeikis, then you're in for a real treat with this film. I love him in "Ted Lasso" but this guy has made an absolute boatload of other great films over the years. And a good deal of them are comedies. This little gem is truly laugh-out-loud funny.
David (Sedeikis) is a pot dealer. While all of his college buddies have moved on, he's still stuck in his old ways. One day he gets robbed and owes his supplier, played by Ed Helm, a ton of money. He's forced to go down to Mexico and bring back a shipment of dope. So he concocts this hair-brained idea to rent an RV, and head south of the border with a made-up family. His make-believe family includes Rose (Jennifer Anniston) a stripper who pretends to be his wife. I've never seen Ms. Anniston this foul-mouthed before. I think it's one of the best parts she's played. It turns out to be one of the whackiest road trip films I've ever seen. While on the road he encounters another couple, played by Nick Offerman ("Parks and Rec") and Katheryn Hahn. And the film takes so many twists and turns you never see coming. It all adds up to a hilarious, madcap adventure you're sure to enjoy!
I have no idea how I missed this when it first came out but I'm sure glad I watched it. It's one of the funniest movies I've seen in a while!
Warning: The film is full of raunchy dialogue and action.
4 out of 5 stars.
Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime Video.
2007 * TV-PG * 1h 28m This is a sweet little indie film about the friendship between a British soldier and a young Israeli boy. When I first saw Alfred Molina, I said to myself, "I've seen this guy in a bunch of stuff before." I checked his IMDb profile and was flabbergasted by just how many films and tv shows he's appeared in. Just looking at the number of productions he's been involved in since 2020 is incredible.
The Little Traitor take place in Israel just after the Second World War and before the country was recognized by the rest of the world. The English were stationed there to help keep the peace. A young boy Proffy (Ido Port) hangs out with two friends who have their own little brotherhood of English-hating kids. One day, Proffy is out on the streets after curfew and is nabbed by a kindly English soldier Dunlop (Molina). He escorts him home and lets him go with a warning. The two become fast friends and Proffy spends with Dunlop at the officer's club almost every afternoon.
The two learn about each other's cultures and Dunlop acts as sort of a big brother to Proffy. When it's brought to the attention of the local Jewish authorities that he's been flirting with the enemy, Proffy's brought before a tribunal and is questioned. It's just one of the many adventures he encounters in this excellent movie.
I really enjoyed this film. The two lead characters felt so natural together. And it's always nice to watch a film where nothing horrible happens. If you're looking for a pleasant film the whole family will enjoy, don't miss this gem.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com and Kanopy.com. Also free on Freevee and Tubi. Plus Plex, Pluto TV, and to rent on Prime Video.
2022 * PG-13 * 1h 32m This is a great example of why I enjoy well-made indie flicks. It has a cast of relatively unknown actors (at least to me), with the exception of Kevin Bacon, it has a relatively flat story arc, and a tight, well-written script.
The story is about the McAllister family, headed by Jeff (Bacon) and Jane (Carrie Preston). Their son Alex (Kyle Allen) is a brilliant, young twenty something who is focused on participating in a supposed mission to Mars. The program is not part of NASA but is a privately funded effort. It really smells tome of a scam, but he's totally on board, since he's one of the finalists among all the volunteers. His family owns a flower farm and is just barely getting by. Just about everyone he encounters tries to tell him it's probably not real, but he's determined to venture out into space.
As the film progresses, we learn about the oldest son who died in a car crash and the effects it's had on the family. And it explains how it's caused Alex to be totally in denial. It's one of those films where dialogue trumps action, and you feel you're right there with the family. I thought the entire cast was great, and I've always enjoyed anything that has Kevin Bacon in it. If you're looking for something a bit different, give this one a go.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com.
2015 * R * 1h 50m If you're looking for a tense, nail-biting drama based on true events, this should do the trick. It takes place in Chile during the military coup of 1973, and stars a trio of great actors who all turn in award-worthy performances: Emily Watson, Daniel Bruhl, and Michael Nyqvist.
Daniel (Bruhl) and Lena (Watson) are young lovers who are in the wrong place in the wrong time. He's a photojournalist living in Chile. Lena is a stewardess who, during a layover, spends some time with Daniel. He's arrested for taking potentially damaging photographs and is sent to Colonia Dignidad, a mysterious "religious" compound in the heart of the jungle. There he's tortured and held prisoner by the cult leader Paul Schafer (Nyqvist). He's the total embodiment of evil, and from the moment he appears on screen, I found my stomach churning. Lena pretends she's a nun and volunteers to join the order there,
A bulk of the movie is spent revealing the horrible conditions of the compound and the attempt of the young couple to escape. This was some of he most tense and realistic movie viewing I've ever experienced. Naturally, you pull for Daniel and Lena and it's almost painful to watch. What a great film! not sure why it didn't get more attention when it was released.
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Kanopy and Hoopla (with your library card) and Freevee. And to rent on Prime.
2014 * TV-MA * 1h 45m This is not a happy film, but I think it deals with an important topic that's largely ignored in this country. Homelessness. It's all around us, and yet we rarely see it. And it's even rarer to to get an inside glimpse into the causes of it. This is the writing and directing debut for the British actor Paul Bettany, and what a powerful film it is.
The story centers around Tahir (Anthony Mackie) and Hannah (Jennifer Connelly). Tahir is a Nigerian Muslim who's in this country on an expired visa. He lives on the street and earns a bit of money drumming on plastic buckets. Hannah is a suicidal heroin addict, who dumpster dives to survive. The two meet one day, and eventually fall in love. "Shelter" follows their gritty existence over the course of a couple years They move from shelter to shelter and gradually open up about their tragic histories and what brought them to life on the streets.
While the film is not for the faint of heart, it grabs you right from the opening scene. As you learn about what brought them to the streets of New York, you really get involved in their lives and feel for them. I thought the acting from the two leads was terrific. And the camerawork puts you right there with them. If you're looking for something a bit different, give this film a shot.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Currently streaming on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com (with your library card).
2022 * TV-MA * 1h 23m I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. And I was very pleasantly surprised. I thought the acting was terrific. The story and writing were both great. I just love little indie films like this. It's sort of a sci-fi, but not really. It's about a woman Vanessa (Jillian Bell) who just lost her business partner and friend from childhood Jennifer (Natalie Morales). She goes to a villa out in the country that she had originally rented to celebrate their business. But now she's going to spend the weekend on her own.
When she gets there, the caterer show up and she's told she can't cancel her arrangements, and she's already paid for the party. So they set up for a big bash, complete with a ton of food and booze.Then a woman arrives who looks exactly like her partner. But, in fact, it's an alien doing research on humans. The two end up getting into a bunch of mischief together. I know it sounds corny, but it's actually very well done. And it's pretty touching as well.
I especially liked the scene where the dj shows up and they end up trashing the place while celebrating.
If you're looking for something a bit different, give this one a chance.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Hoopla.com (with your library card), and Hulu. And to rent on Prime Video.
2017 * R * 2h 15m Here's a perfect example of a good film that flew totally under the radar. With stars like Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig, you'd think it would have gotten more publicity. Before I get into my review, I should warn you that the trailer is a bit misleading. It's billed as a comedy, and the trailer sure makes it seem like one. But, while it has a few amusing bits, it's not a comedy at all.
In the near future, a scientist discovers a way to shrink humans down to five inches tall. This is sold as a way to solve many of the worlds problems. If the entire population is shrunk down, they'll consume less natural resources and reduce global warming. So Paul Safranek (Damon) and his wife Audrey (Wiig) decide to undergo the transformation. After Paul has been shrunk, he discovers his wife has chickened out and he has to live in the small persons community by himself.
While there, he meets some interesting characters. One is his neighbor Dusan (Christoph Walz), a Bosnian entrepreneur and playboy. He also encounters his cleaning woman Ngoc Lan Tran, played by Hong Chau ("The Menu" and "The Whale"). He helps her with her physical problems and in her quest to feed her needy neighbors. Eventually he falls for her. I thought it was an interesting story and the film was quite engaging. Not your typical Hollywood fare, and something quite a bit different for a Matt Damon movie.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy.com. And on Paramount+ and to rent on Prime Video.
2014 * Not Rated * 1h 37m It's refreshing to see Elijah Wood branch out from his "Lord of the Rings" days. And this was a pretty challenging role for him. I don't know how much you know about the poet Dylan Thomas, but he was an out of control drunk and madman. Just imagine being responsible for his behavior?!! That's exactly what Wood's character has to do.
The film is about Dylan Thomas's "Celyn Jones) first trip to the United States. John Malcolm Brinnin (Wood) is a professor of poetry and volunteers to keep the rowdy Welsh poet out of trouble before and during his poetry-reading tour of the country. Upon his arrival in NYC, Thomas gets in all sorts of trouble driving and carousing. Brinnin takes him to his family cabin in rural Connecticut. Even there, miles from the nearest big city, Thomas manages to find his fair share of liquor. I think I got a bit of a hangover watching the movie!
The film takes place in the late 1940s, and the B&W footage, perfect costuming, and excellent use of vintage cars and locations, really give one the feel for the time. And the acting is just remarkable. While I've long been a fan of the amazing poet, it sure shows the sad and hopeless side of him.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy and Hoopla. And to rent on Prime Video.
2010 * Not Rated * 1h 40m What an absolutely gorgeous film. It's a gently-paced story about love, loss, and healing. "The Tree" stars the always wonderful Charlotte Gainsbourg and the young and immensely talented Morgan Davies. If you're looking for a film that's just pure poetry in filmmaking, don't miss this one.
Dawn (Gainsbourg) lives in the Australian Outback with her husband and four children. While returning from a job delivering a pre-fab home, her husband suddenly dies. After the initial shock, the family members deal with his passing in their own way and move on. While climbing a massive and gnarly tree adjacent to their house, six-year old Simone (Davies), hears her father's voice speaking to her through the rustling leaves. Dawn also gains comfort in sitting in the tree and conversing with her late husband. In order to pay the bills, Dawn takes a job with a plumber George (Marton Csokas), and the two become romantically involved.
The film is shot in the beautiful part of northern Australia, and it provides a perfect backdrop for the action. The family takes a vacation to the shore, and the scenery is stunning. Just miles and miles of pristine shoreline. George joins them, and it causes a bit of friction with the children. When they return home, it's discovered that the roots of the gigantic tree are ruining their plumbing. Theft that they need to cut it down is more than a bit upsetting to young Simone. I thought it beautifully symbolized her inability to let go of her father. When the film was over, I just sat there for a bit to collect myself. It's quite a moving experience.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Kanopy.com (with your library card).
2001 * R * 1h 46m I have to admit, I wasn't sure about this film after reading the description of it. It had the potential to be really sappy. But I was totally blown away by it. It delivered on everything--the writing, the story, and the acting. It was ultimately an emotionally draining experience.
The story revolves around Jerry Lipman (Paul Reiser), a Jewish New York psychologist. After being diagnosed with leukemia, his mother, played by Olympia Dukakis, tells him he was actually adopted. His real birth mother was/is a Catholic woman from Liverpool, England. When he discovers she's still alive and has two other sons who might be possible bone marrow donors, he pays them a visit. This is where the majority of the film takes place and what a wild ride it is!
His mother Sheila (Dame Julie Walters) is quite a character. She's a sweet, loving matriarch who is overjoyed to finally be reunited with her son. Dame Walters delivers an incredible performance. While trying to reconnect with his two brothers, he ends up falling in love with his brother's ex-wife. Maureen (Amy Robbins), which further complicates the story. Without giving away any more of this excellent movie, let's just say you'll need to have some tissues handy. It's a fun, complicated, and yes, gut-wrenching journey. Just a solid hour and a half of solid movie viewing.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Hoopla.com (with your library card), Youtube, Freevee, and Tubi. Also on Crackle and Peacock.
2017 * Not Rated * 1h 39m I'm a big fan of J.K. Simmons. Part of it is because he hails from my hometown--Grosse Pointe, MI. But mostly it's because he's a tremendous and versatile actor. And his talents really shine in this heartfelt movie. Maybe his best performance to date. And he's not the only one that turns in a great performance. Josh Wiggins, Odeya Rush, and Julie Delpy are all amazing here.
In "The Bachelors," we follow Bill (Simmons) and his son Wes (Wiggins) as they move to a new town and school, a year after the loss of his wife. Bill was married to his true soulmate and he has a difficult time dealing with the devastating loss. Meanwhile, Wes, who's an excellent student, is assigned to tutor a classmate Lacy (Rush). She's a troubled girl who cut's herself, as a way to deal with her parents abusive relationship. Of course he's attracted to her, but she want nothing to do with a relationship. Bill also is attracted to a fellow teacher Carine (Delpy), but is afraid to make a commitment.
I found the story quite moving. The way both father and son deal with their loss is heartbreaking, and the way it affects their relationship is powerful. As mentioned earlier, the performances by all the leads are incredible. And the writing and directing are both outstanding. If you're in the mood for some heavy-duty drama, don't miss this fine film. I simply don't know why it isn't better known.
4 out of 5 stars.
Currently streaming on Hoopla.com (with your library card). Also on Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Prime Video.
2014 * PG-13 * 1h 30m Sometimes you just need a no-brainer, funny rom-com to lift your spirits. And this film fits that to a "T". I'll admit it, the writing is okay, the storyline is totally implausible, the acting is pretty good. But overall, it adds up to a delightful hour and a half of escapist movie viewing. Actually, the acting is quite decent, especially from Evan Rachel Wood and Scott Speedman, who have wonderful chemistry in the film
Jay Wheeler (Speedman) comes from a wealthy family. However he's down on his luck and is on parole, working at a psychiatric hospital. When he gets invited to his brother's wedding, he wants to show his family that he's back on his feet. But who to take to the big event? One evening, he inadvertently helps a young patient Daisy (Wood) escape. Then he hatches a plan. Why not take her as his girlfriend. Well, Daisy is not exactly worldly--she's been raised in isolation practically her entire life. Which is the basis for most of the humor in the movie.
It's a lot of fun watching the two of them in their various awkward situations. It's somewhat predictable, but is a blast nonetheless. And the addition of J.K. Simmons and Treat Williams round out a decent cast.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime Video.
2021 * Not Rated * 1h 42m I don't know why this movie isn't better known. After all, it does star the always wonderful Michael Caine. I know he's made some mediocre films in the last several years, but this one was a lot of fun. It also stars Aubrey Plaza, who's taken on a few more challenging roles since her "Parks & Recs" days. The two have great chemistry in this fun, heartfelt film.
Lucy Stanbridge (Plaza) has inherited a publishing company. The firm gained fame by releasing a best-selling and controversial novel by the irrepressible author Harris Shaw, some forty odd years ago. The business has fallen on hard times and Lucy pays a visit to the reclusive, hard-drinking author with the hopes he has a follow-up novel to publish. As luck would have it, he does . However, there's a stipulation in his contract that says he's obligated to go on a book tour when its published.
This is where the story gets interesting. Lucy goes on tour with him, and as expected, the cranky and unpredictable author behaves quite badly. It's fun to see the two interact. The story is somewhat predictable, but what a wild ride it is. There are a few surprises, which makes it all the more enjoyable. And there's an ending that I sort of saw coming, but it's charming nonetheless.
Note to parents: While the film is unrated, there's quite a bit of swearing and drinking in the film.
Currently streaming for free on Hoopla.com (with your library card and to rent on Prime Video.
2012 * Not Rated * 1h 57m It's always fun to see a new young actor in a film. And when you see three promising stars in one movie, that's a rare treat. Camilla Dickinson stars Adelaide Clemens, Gregg Sulkin, and Colby Minifie in a beautiful coming of age film. It's based on a novel by Madeleine L'Engle who wrote it several years before penning her famous Wrinkle in Time classic.
The story takes place in the late 1940s and is set in New York City. Camilla (Adelaide Clemens) is from a wealthy family and lives a relatively sheltered life. Her best friend is Luisa Rowan (Colby Minifie) and the two of them share all their secrets and dreams. Camilla's parents are constantly battling, mainly over her mother having an affair. Luisa's parents don't exactly have a harmonious relationship either--they're both drunks and her father is a borderline bum. Camilla begins to look for an outlet by befriending Luisa's brother Frank (Gregg Sulking) who has an unwarranted reputation for being a bit of a hoodlum.
I'm not sure why the critics panned this film. I thought it was an absolutely sweet film. I also really enjoyed the beautiful soundtrack--it added to the emotional impact of the movie. And the sets and costumes perfectly captured New York in the late 40s. Ms. Clemens reminded me a little of a young Michelle Williams. She hails from Australia and she did a great job of losing her accent. I think the future looks bright for all three young stars.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com (with your library card) and Tubi.
2004 * R * 2h 8m I knew next to nothing about the famous painter Amedeo Modigliani, so this was a great introduction to his life. And Andy Garcia and Elsa Zylberstein both do a marvelous job bringing the two star-crossed lovers to the big (or little, depending on where you view this) screen.
This biopic takes place in 1919 Paris and focuses on the last years of his life, and his ongoing rivalry with Pablo Picasso. Modigliani has a child by his lover Jeanne Hebuterne, however since he was Jewish and she was Catholic, her parents sent the illegitimate baby away to be raised in an orphanage. Modigliani was a drunk and a druggie, and just barely scraped by. However, he enters a lucrative and prestigious art competition, with the hopes of raising enough money to take care of his lover and child.
The film does a commendable job depicting Paris in the beginning of the last century. The acting overall was remarkable. I especially enjoyed the chemistry between the two leads, and the interactions between Modigliani and Picasso (Omid Djalili). I also thought the use of flashbacks was quite effective in revealing the backstory about the great painter's life. This film made me want to do a bit more research into his life. And that's a perfect compliment to a well-made biopic, in my opinion.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on both Kanopy (with your library card) and Tubi. Also on Plex, Pluto TV, Prime Video, and The Roku Channel.
2014 * R * 1h 43m Not sure how I missed this one when it came out, but I'm glad I saw it. What an excellent all-around movie. It has an interesting plot great writing, and a cast that can't be beat. When you have stars like Jane Fonda, Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, and Adam Driver, you just know you're in for an interesting ride. And what a ride it is!
The film is all about the Altman family. It's starts with Judd (Bateman) catching his wife in bed with his boss. Then he gets a call informing him his father has just died. So he heads home to join his brothers and sister for the funeral. His mom Hilary (Fonda) informs her children that their dad's last wish was for a traditional Jewish funeral, and for them to sit Shiva--which means they had to stay together in the family home for seven days. It's here that all their marital problems come out.
This Is Where I Leave You is an emotional roller coaster, and that's what makes it so much fun. There are plenty of laughs, but there are also a fair share of angst and sad moments as well. If you're looking for a solid, well-made film, I highly recommend this one. The entire cast does an excellent job and we the viewer are better off for having witnessed it!
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix and available to rent on Prime Video.
If you enjoy quirky, off-the-wall British comedies, this is definitely a movie for you. “Brian and Charles” really caught me by surprise. I discovered it in the “More like this” section of IMDB while looking up some other film. It stars David Earl, who was great in the Ricky Gervais TV show “After Life.” If you haven’t seen that one, you might like it, even if you’re not a Gervais fan. The movie evolved from a 2017 short with the same name, and can be seen on YouTube. The full-length movie was a crowd favorite at the Sundance Festival.
Earl plays Brian, an eccentric, lonely inventor who lives in a rural area of northern Wales. The film begins in mocumentary mode where the viewer is very aware of the camera. Brian takes us on a tour of his rundown abode and along the way he proudly shows off a few of his madcap inventions—products of what he calls his “Infamous Inventions Pantry.” They include a pinecone bag, an egg belt, a flying cuckoo clock, and a trawler net for shoes. You know right from the get-go you’re in for a fun time. I don’t know how Earl managed to keep a straight face while giving the tour, but he did.
One day he discovers a mannequin head and he has a eureka moment. Since he’s so lonely why not create a robot to keep him company? He looks around his workshop for usable parts and cobbles together a bizarre looking creation. His creation has a washing machine for a torso and long legs for mobility. It’s a thoroughly comical companion. When a storm hits and a bolt of lightning strikes, his robot comes to life. It’s a nod to the birth of Mary Shelly’s “Frankenstein” character.
After coming to life, the robot and Brian brainstorm on a name for him, and he settles on Charles Petrescu for a moniker. Chris Hayward is the voice of Charles, and he delivers his lines in a monotone, machine-like voice, a bit like Max Headroom, if you remember that wonderful show. He has a child-like curiosity about him, which slowly evolves into a rebellious teen-age persona. Charles marvels at the world around him and he’s prone to asking philosophical questions like “Can birds do what they like?” and “How far does the outside go? Does it stop at the tree?”
It’s so wonderful to see the two interact. Charles is just a big, gangly, loveable lug, all seven feet of him. There’s a playful series of vignettes where the two are goofing around together, including a hilarious pillow fight scene that made me laugh out loud. It’s all set to the tune “Happy Together,” the old Turtles tune. It captures a sense of childhood wonder and joy. If only we all could have a bud like Charles!
Brian makes an occasional foray into the village where he interacts with the kindly general store owner June (Cara Chase). He’s also friends with Hazel (Louise Brealey), who lives with her mother and a chatty parrot. The two are rather awkward around each other, however Brian fancies her and with the encouragement of Charles, starts seeing more of her. The village is also home to a bully Eddie (Jamie Michie), whose family terrorizes the place. You know after Brian’s first confrontation with Eddie, it’s going to eventually lead to a showdown of some sort.
“Brian and Charles” is the first feature film for Jim Archer, who has done a few notable projects for British television. The director of photography Murren Tullett does a fine job capturing the stark beauty of the Welsh countryside. But the big kudos has to go to David Earl and Chris Hayward who co-wrote the movie. They’ve delivered one the funniest, most endearing movies I’ve seen in a long time. I hope we see more of them in the future.
Note: Be sure to stick around when the end credits roll. Charles delivers an amusing rap that I missed the first time I watched it.
If you like AI- and robot-themed movies, here are a few I’ve enjoyed over the years: “Robot & Frank,” “I, Robot,” “Blade Runner,” “Ex Machina,” and “Silent Running.”
2017 * TV-14 * 1h 30m This is not your typical coming-of-age, teen romance film. It's quite a bit darker and will take you by surprise. I had no idea what to expect, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Especially because of the remarkable performances by the two leads, Kaitlyn Dever and Tye Sheridan.
The film starts out with Conrad as an adult (Pablo Schreiber), reminiscing about the events that took place when he was a 16-year old kid. He and a couple of his buddies decide to pull a prank by driving around and stealing a bunch of garden statues on the 4th of July. Young Conrad (Sheridan) is starting a relationship with Grace Turner (Dever), a young girl his age. When the trio swipes a flower pot from her front porch, her older brother spots them in action, he hops in his car and chases after them.
While in hot pursuit, he happens to hit a deer and is severely injured. While Conrad wants to send for help, his two buddies think it's better to ditch it and if they don't tell anyone, they'll get away Scott free. As his relationship with Grace heats up, his conscience starts nagging him. You can almost feel the pain he's going through. I thought Sheridan did an amazing job, and think he's going to become a major talent. I look forward to seeing what he does next. And Ms. Dever isn't too shabby either.
I've read some reviews that panned the film. I have to disagree with them. I thought it was quite well done and delivered a powerful message.
Note to parents: There's some mild swearing and one tasteful scene of teen sex.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com (with your library card), Tubi and Freevee. Also on YouTube, Pluto TV, Peacock, Prime Video, and other services.
