"Life's a Breeze"

 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.

"Love in the Villa"

 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. 

Julie (Kat Graham) has dreamed of visiting Verona, Italy since she was a little girl. She's a hopeless romantic and yearns to visit the home of "Romeo & Juliette." Just as she's about to embark on her trip with her boyfriend/fiancé Brandon (Raymond Ablack), he drops the bomb and says maybe they need some time apart. So she decides to make the trip by herself. When she arrives at her apartment, she discovers it's been accidentally double booked. And the "gentleman" who's already there Charlie (Tom Hopper), isn't willing to share the place. Thus begins a minor feud which snowballs into an all-out war between the couple. It's this battle that makes for some very funny moments. 

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!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Currently streaming on Netflix.

"Come As You Are"

 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. 

"Seven Psychopaths"

 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.