"Band on the Run"

 2025 * Not Rated * 1h 28m Let me come right out and say it: I'm a life-long Detroiter and always go out of my way to see any movie that has anything remotely tied to this fair city. So this one went right into my viewing queue. And it did not disappoint.

The film takes place in the late 90s, at the hight of the garage band era. Now you have to remember, Detroit is one great music town. Whether it's jazz, or good ol' rock and roll. The whole punk movement was started by our very own MC5! But I digress.

The main theme is about two rival groups, Hot Freaks and Bull Roar. The two bands have a heated rivalry as they both head down to South by Southwest to perform. It's a fun roadtrip/buddy flick with plenty of amusing encounters along the way. And the drummer's dad, who has his share of medical problems, is along for the ride.

I really enjoyed the film from beginning to end. I thought the acting and storyline were both great. I especially like the fact that the drummer was in advertising. I'm a former copywriter myself and could relate to his encounters at work. I would have loved to have told my employers to "Shove it!" like he did. But alas, I had to put bread on the table.

Anyway, if you looking for a fresh take on the road trip genre, be sure to check out this fine flick!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Hoopla with your library card. And to rent on Prime, Apple TV, Fandango, and other services. 

"Room 8"

 2024 * Not Rated * 50m If you're not moved by this wonderful tribute to a remarkable cat, you need to check your pulse. I didn't know anything about this movie before watching it. What a great surprise. It's about a cat that wanders into the classroom of an elementary school in Los Angeles in 1952. He quickly decides this is where he's going to spend his days, much to the delight of the young students. They take to the cat and the rest is history.

The cat became a beloved member of the school. Every morning he'd arrive when the school bell rang, and he'd spend the day with the kids. A huge honor was to be selected as the official feeder of the cat. By the way, since he hung around room 8 at the school, the students officially named him "Room 8."

Room 8's photo was included in the school year book, both as faculty and as a student. This little documentary is a loving tribute to a well loved cat. And a cat that was known around the world! He even got tons of fan letters from children and adults the wold over. What a beautiful movie!

A great big "thank you!" goes out to anyone involved in the making of this sweet film!

4 out of 5 stars

Watch for free on Hoopla (with your library card), Tubi, YouTube, and Prime Video. And to rent on Amazon.

"Red Eye"

2005 * PG-13 * 1h 25m  I know this isn't a new film, but for some reason I never saw it when it came out. Ya just can't see everything, can ya? But it popped up on Netflix recently and I put it in my queue, because hey, who doesn't like a good thriller? And this one had me on the edge of my seat, right until the end. Wow!

Lisa (Rachel McAdams) is a hotel manager, forced to take a red eye flight home back to Miami. At the airport, she runs into Jackson (Cillian Murphy)and the two strike up a conversation. They bump into each other several times and it just so happens, they're sitting next to each other on the plane. What are the odds, eh? Right from the start, you get creepy vibes from Jackson. There's just something about him. 

Well, my inner creep-o-meter paid off. It turns out, Jackson is part of a plot to kill the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security. Lisa is forced to call the hotel and make arrangements for the Secretary and his family to be transferred to a new suite or her father will be killed. Not one to give in easily, she makes several bold attempts to thwart the assassination attempt. Each nerve-racking attempt is foiled and it all makes for one intense, exciting movie. I haven't seen a film that was this thrilling in quite a while. If you like nail-biting thrillers, don't miss this one!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Fandango. 

"Wild Goat Surf"

 2023 * Not Rated * 1h 43m I love little indie flicks like this. Just about everything about it was perfect. The acting, writing, story, and even the cinematography.

The story is about a young girl nicknamed Goat (Shayelen Martin), who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her single mom Jane (Caitlyn Sponheimer). They rent a house in a small town and illegally sublet it over the course of the summer. The two move into their motorhome and live in an RV park. Mom works a couple jobs and is just getting by while the Goat is left on her own.

She hooks up with a young boy Nate (Leandro Guedes) who's her own age and lives next door. The two of them spend the summer together getting into a little trouble, but have a great time together. They love to bomb around town on their skateboards, and Goat is absolutely obsessed with becoming a surfer. That's mainly due to her deceased father who was a profession surfer. What a sweet little movie. I thought it was funny that the young girl looked almost like the spitting image of Woody Harrelson! Check it out and I think you'll agree with me.

If you're in the mood for something different, be sure to put this gem in your queue!

4 out of 5 stars