"Greenland"

 2020 * PG-13 * 1h 59m I call this a Pre-Apocalyptic movie. It's near what could turn out to be the end of life on earth as we know it. It's a nail-biting, action thriller, taken to the next level by fine performance by both Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin. The special effects are also worth mentioning. They're incredibly realistic and will scare the bejesus out of you!

John Garrity (Butler) designs skyscrapers for a living. He lives a comfortable life with his wife Allison (Baccarin) and their son Nathan (Roger Dan Floyd). A potential cataclysmic event is looming on the horizon. A huge comet is heading for the earth. It's going to break up and potentially destroy most of life on the planet. John has been chosen to be transported to Greenland to be a part of a team to rebuild earth. Only one problem: his son has diabetes and the government won't allow sick people to join the rebuilding folks. 

So John and his family opt for "plan B" and are going to head for Canada and make their way to Greenland on their own. The clock is ticking and there's little time left until the major part of the comet is going to hit. Their journey is about an hour and a half of some of the most intense movie viewing I've seen in quite a while. If you like a good thriller, don't miss this one!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on HBO/Max. And to rent on Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon, Fandango, and other services. 

"This is Happening"

 2015 * Not Rated * 1h 24m I'm a big fan of Cloris Leachman. I think she's one of the most underrated actors of all time. I've enjoyed everything I've seen her in, especially her role in the hilarious and off-beat comedy show, "Raising Hope." She an absolute riot in this funny movie. Actually, she outshines everyone else in it. 

Phillip (James Wolk) and his sister Megan (Micky Sumner) are charged with driving their grandmother Estelle (Leachman) up to Seattle where they're going to put her in an assisted living facility. Well, Estelle wants nothing to do with traveling with her grandkids and hops in her car and takes off. Unbeknownst to her, Megan has stashed a bunch of drugs in the trunk of her car. So the siblings are soon in hot pursuit of their grandmother. But Estelle isn't traveling alone. She had her favorite pet dog stuffed after it died, and she keeps her beloved pet with her at all times!

The movie is filled with the usual road trip antics. And Ms. Leachman is a hoot, delivering her usual filthy and caustic comments. I thought the rest of the actors were passable, but Leachman certainly more than made up for the mediocre supporting actors. If you're looking for a funny road trip flick, give this one a try!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Hoopla, Tubi Pluto, and Plex. And to rent on Apple TV, Prime Video, YouTube, and other services.