"Five Minutes of Heaven"

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. 

"Feast of the Seven Fishes"

 2019 * Not Rated * 1h 39m  The 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. 

"Leave the World Behind"

 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!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix.

"Middle Man"

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. 

 

"About Scout"

 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.