"Who Invited Charlie?"

 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. 

"The Sun at Midnight"

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. 

"Salmon Fishing in the Yemen"

 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. 

  

"We're the Millers"

 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. 

"The Little Traitor"

 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.