"The Forgotten"

 2004 * PG-13 * 1h 31m  If you're looking for a nail biting, sci-fi thriller, this one will not disappoint. I saw it many years ago, and when  it popped up on Kanopy I decided to give it another viewing. I must say, it was just as exciting the second time around. It's one of those mind-boggling flicks that you have to Google when it's over to find out exactly what happened. 

"The Forgotten" stars one of my favorite actors--Julianne Moore. She really makes this film something outstanding. She plays Telly,  a mother whose son died in a plane crash a little over a year ago. She's struggling to get over her grief. Then, things start to change. And not for the better. First her husband and then her shrink tell her she never had a son. Or more properly, he died in childbirth. One day she meets Ash (Dominic West) in a local park whose daughter was a friend of her son's. Only he claimed he never had a daughter. That is until she jogs his memory. 

It's not long before the NSA starts asking questions. Soon, she and Ash are on the lam, in hot pursuit by a relentless gang of suspicious characters. It's quite a ride right up until the end of the film. And it'll keep you guessing just what in the heck is going on. What an offbeat, exciting thriller it is!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card) and to rent on Prime Video. 

"Nancy"

 2018 * Not Rated * 1h 25m I put this one in my queue because it looked mildly interesting. I finally get around to watching it, expecting it to be an amusing diversion. But it turned to be quite captivating and far different that the description I read about it. I thought it would be one of those creepy films where a young woman poses as the dead child of an unsuspecting couple. 

Nancy (Andrea Riseborough) is a woman in her early 30s who's taking care of her ailing mom. We get a glimpse into her strange existence when she meets a man online and pretends she recently lost her baby. After her mother passes away, she hears a story about a couple whose child was kidnapped some 25 years ago. When the image of a computer generated photo of what their daughter would look like today appears on a tv special about the case, Nancy thinks she matches the girl almost exactly. She contacts the couple, who are extremely skeptical, but agree to meet with her. 

She drives to the home of Betty (Ann Down) and Leo (Steve Buscemi) and explains to them she was adopted and her past is a bit cloudy.. There's more hope than deception in her intentions, and while Leo is a bit suspicious, you can sense Betty is ready to accept her as their long lost daughter. I won't give any more of the story away, but it grabbed me from the opening minutes until the credits rolled. I thought the acting was fantastic, especially from Ms. Riseborough. Just another little film no one's ever heard of in spite of it winning several international awards including Sundance. 

4 out of 5 stars

Streaming for free on Kanopy and Hoopla (with your library card) and Tubi. Also on Plex, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Prime Video. 

"This is Martin Bonner"

2013 * R * 1h 23m I reviewed the fine movie "Little Fish" a couple weeks ago. And it piqued my interest about the other films directer Chad Hartigan has done. I saw his "Morris from America" a few months back and enjoyed it. "This is Martin Bonner" looked right up my alley and I'm glad I watched it. Like his other films, this one is definitely character driven. There's not a lot of action and it takes its time to unfold. But what a beautiful film it is. That's due to the sensitive writing and the brilliant acting from the two leads--Paul Eenhoorn and Richmond Arquette. 

We meet Martin (Eenhoorn), an older gentleman who's recently moved from Maryland to Reno to start his life over. He has a job helping prisoners who are about to be released transition to their new lives. He's a gentle, kind man who speaks regularly with his daughter via phone, and tries relentlessly to reconnect with his son. Travis (Arquette) is free after serving 12 years for manslaughter while drunk driving. The two men meet and Martin takes Travis under his wing. 

The two men spend a great deal of time together. They engage in thoughtful discussions about their lives, and life in general. Martin is a loner, but never really lonely. He's a volunteer ref for the local girls soccer league. He also does a bit of speed dating at his daughters' insistence. Travis, meanwhile, tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter, who's bitter about him not being there during her formative years. 

Eenhorn's performance is an absolute wonder. He's quiet, unassuming, and has an almost priest-like aura about him. When you watch him, you wish you could hear his inner thoughts. When I did a quick check on him on IMDb, I noticed he hadn't played in any major films, which is a shame. I was also saddened to see he passed away in 2022. Godspeed to you Mr. Eenhoorn. 

"This is Martin Bonner" is a classic indie film. Like most movies of this ilk, it features excellent writing, great directing, and above all, fantastic acting.  Not surprisingly,  it's won several awards including the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card) and YouTube. Also available to rent on Prime Video. 

"Ode to Joy"

 2019 * R * 1h 37m  I think everyone of us is dysfunctional in a way. So we can relate to people like the main character in this funny, offbeat rom-com. It deals with a condition called Cataplexy, which I'm not sure is actually a real thing. At least not the the extent it's depicted in this movie. It causes people to fall asleep when experiencing strong emotions, which in this case is joy. 

Charlie (Martin Freeman) has a nice, quiet job working in a library. It's a safe haven, hidden away from a public and situations that could cause him to react to joy. It's hilarious watching him walk to work, and how witnessing other people's happiness starts to effect him. He simply has to look away from people smiling or even holding hands! Then one day a beautiful and unsuspecting woman Francesca (Morena Baccarin) walks into his life. He's attracted to her, but he has to be careful not to fall in love with her and actually experience joy. (The horror! The Horror!) 

The film takes a number of twists and turns--some expected and some out of the blue. All adding up to a fun, and funny romp. This is just a charming, funny little indie film that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Both Freeman and Baccarin are fabulous and they have wonderful chemistry together. We sure could use a few more movies like this in our lives!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card, YouTube and Tubi. Also on AMC+ and IFC Films Unlimited.  

"Little Fish"

 2020 * Unrated * 1h 41m  I'm a huge fan of sci-fi movies of all types. In general I think they pretty much fall into two categories. The first are the ones where you suspend your belief in reality. They either take place in an alternate universe or are set way into the future. The second category are the movies that take place either now or in the very near future and are entirely plausible .I feel these have quite a bit more impact. "Little Fish" falls into the latter category. 

In the film, a catastrophic pandemic is sweeping the planet. It's called NIA, which stands for Neuro-Inflammatory Affliction, and it causes people to lose their memories. In some, the change is immediate, while in others itthe loss is gradual. The movie reminds me a little of the fine "Perfect Sense." in which people lose their senses, one at a time. It's equally as devastating and moving. Especially with two remarkable leading actors as fine as Olivia Cooke and Jack O'Connell. 

Emma (Cooke) and Jude (O'Connell) are a happily married couple. The film jumps back and forth between the present day to when they first met and started dating. We're also treated to scenes from their wedding day. Then tragedy strikes when Jude begins forgetting things. The couple go to the hospital where it's confirmed that he does indeed have the disease. After the initial shock wears off, they make a plan to deal with the affliction. They create a wall of photos with sticky notes identifying the various people in their lives. 

The couple is so in love, it's absolutely heartbreaking to see Jude forget his past. But they soldier on, and continue to cling to each other and their memories as best they can. It's interesting that "Little Fish" came out during the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Tragic losses aren't that far behind us. 

Just about everything about this touching, powerful, and beautiful film are perfect. I especially enjoyed the cinematography and the haunting soundtrack. If you're looking for something a bit different, give this fine film a viewing. You won't be disappointed. 

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy.com with your library card. Also on Hulu and to rent on YouTube and Prime Video. 

"Spaceman"

2024 * R * 1h 47m  I'll say this right off the bat: I'm not a huge Adam Sandler fan. In fact, when I see what looks like an interesting film on Netflix, I'll put it in my queue. But when I find out Sandler is in it, out it goes. But every once in a while he surprises me. And lately, he's been appearing and shining is some pretty dramatic roles. I especially enjoyed his performance in "Uncut Gems."

I sort of had my doubts with this one. But I'm glad I watched it. I'm a huge sci-fi buff. In fact, my favorite movie all time is "2001: A Space Odyssey." I think this one is almost as deep. It's more about being a human than anything else. And it's ultimately about coming to terms with who we are.

Jacob Prochazka (Sandler) is an astronaut on a long mission to collect dust from the outer atmosphere of Jupiter. His pregnant wife Lenka (Carrie Mulligan) is back on earth. The two are having marital problems and seldom communicate. One day he meets a spider-like creature on his ship. He's a bit shocked at first but eventually he gets comfortable with the creature.  Over the course of time, the two of them have some very heady conversations. His presence makes the viewer wonder whether he really exists or is he a figment of Jacob's imagination?

I won't say much more about this film except that just about everything is perfect. The acting. Storyline. Special effects. And the beautiful soundtrack. If you want an action flick, avoid this movie. But if you want something deeper and moving, give it a shot. Kudos to everyone involved in making this fine film. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix 

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