"Cowboys & Aliens"

 2011 * PG-13 * 1h 59m  I remember when this film came out, I blew it off because of the title. I figured it was some animated screwball comedy aimed at kids. When it popped up on Netflix, I put it in my queue and after seeing the trailer, decided to give it a whirl. What a pleasant surprise. 

Just as its title implies, it is indeed about cowboys and aliens. When I thought about it, why do all alien-themed movies take place in the present day.? If aliens do indeed exist, they could visit our planet at any time in history. So the juxtaposition of aliens in the wild west could actually take place. The story is basically about ETs visiting earth to mine for gold. When humans interfere, they start killing us. 

An unlikely coalition is formed to battle the invaders. Townsfolk team up with a bunch of bandits ,and a large group of Native Americans. The action scenes are very real and believable, not comical like I was expecting. The film is aided by a stellar group of actors which includes Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano, Olivia Wilde, and Abigail Spencer. It's an exciting shoot 'em up Western with a twist. If you like action flicks, give this one a try. Trust me on this one. I was pretty skeptical, but I was not disappointed. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime Video.

"Days of the Bagnold Summer"

 2019 * NR * 1h 26m  I experienced firsthand what angsty teenagers are like. So I could definitely relate to the mom in this charming, humorous little British indie film. The movie features great performances from its two leads: Monica Dolan and Earl Cave. It's well written and has a very English sensibility about it. While there aren't a lot of laugh out loud moments in the movie, it'll certainly put you in a happy mood. 

A young teen Daniel is supposed to spend his summer holiday with his father and his new wife in Florida. At the last minute, the dad bails because his wife is expecting a baby soon, and he thinks it'll be too much stress on them. So he's resigned to hang out with his quiet, bookish librarian mom Sue (Dolan). Daniel is your typical teen, who's totally into heavy metal and listens to bands like Metallica round the clock. 

Sue does her best to entertain her son, but sadly, he finds almost noting in life very entertaining. It's this strained relationship that's at the crux of the story. Daniel is pretty abrasive at times, but in the end, the two come to terms with each other. And while the film doesn't have a totally happy ending, they do come to an appreciation for each other. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card), and Tubi, and YouTube. Also on The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Prime Video. 

"After Yang"

 2021 * PG * 1h 36m  This movie could loosely be categorized as a sci-fi film. But it's really a zen-like reflection on life and what it means to be human. It's gently paced and subtle. Not a lot happens, but what does happen, I found deeply moving. If you're looking for an action flick, avoid this one at all costs. 

"After Yang" takes place in the near future. A couple, Jake (Colin Ferrell) and Kyra (Jodie Turner-Smith) buy a second-hand AI robot Yang (Justin H. Min) to look after and be a companion to their adopted daughter Mika (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja). Mika was born in China and the couple want her to learn about her birth country. One day Yang starts to fail and it turns out he can't be repaired. Jake finds out that Yang has been secretly recording snippets of his time with the family over the years. When he starts reviewing the video vignettes, it's revealed that Yang's hidden a part of his life from the family. It's almost as if Yang was becoming human. 

I thought the performances, along with a beautiful storyline, and a quiet soundtrack combined to make a gorgeous film. I can see why it isn't better known. I've rarely seen a film that was this profound, as a result of being this subtle. It gently sweeps over you like an ocean tide. Yang delivers a line that I particularly enjoyed, and I'll paraphrase it: "Something isn't anything without nothing." 

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy and Hoopla with your library card. And on Prime Video. 

"The Best Offer"

2013 * R * 2h 11m  Who doesn't like a good thriller/mystery? This is one of the best I've seen in quite a while. Of course, nobody does it better than the British. This one grabbed me right from the beginning and had me guessing what was going to transpire right up to the end credits! It doesn't hurt that there were amazing performances from Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Donald Sutherland, and Sylvia Hoeks. If you're looking for some  compelling viewing, don't mis this one.

We meet Virgil Oldman (Rush), a fussy art dealer and auctioneer. He's made a fortune in the business and has amassed an incredible collection of art. He's been aided by his old friend Billy Whistler (Sutherland) who conspires with him during auctions to buy seriously undervalued paintings. Then one day he's invited to appraise a mansion full of art and furniture. There he encounters the mysterious owner of the estate--Claire Ibbetson (Hoeks). She speaks to him from behind the walls of the house, and it turns out she suffers from agoraphobia and hasn't left the house in years. 

While he's searching through her house, he begins to find mechanical parts which he takes to his friend Robert (Sturgess), a gifted young watchmaker. It turns out that the parts are part of a priceless antique automaton. 

That's all I'll tell you about this captivating movie. It's full of plot twists and turns and is great fun to watch. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card) and Tubi. Also on AMC+, IFC Film Unlimited, Showtime Anytime, and to rent on Prime Video. 

"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.