2013 * R * 1h 28m If you're looking for a whacky, action-packed rom-com, don't miss this one. It features an all-star cast which includes Adam Scott, Richard Jenkins, Catherine O'Hara, Jane Lynch, and Amy Poehler. It's well-written, unpredictable, and just plain fun to watch.
When Carter (Scott) finds out his younger brother is getting married, he's charged with getting his divorced parentsHugh (Jenkins) and Melissa (O'Hara) to at east be on speaking terms at the upcoming wedding. As if that wasn't problematic enough, he finds out he was part of a study done by Dr. Judith (Lynch) about Adult Children Of Divorce (A.C.O.D.) and is looking do do a follow up book on the subject.
The movie is non-stop shenanigans and it's almost exhausting keeping up with what's going on on screen. But it's a mindless, hour and a half of entertaining movie-viewing.
3 1/2 our of 5 stars
Streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy and Hoopla. Also on Pluto and to rent on Prime Video.
2016 * R * 1h 36m I just love discovering new cinematic talent, especially talented young directors. Case in point--the gifted Canadian Kim Nguyen. He's produced an interesting body of work in the world of indie films which includes the award-winning War Witch, The Hummingbird Effect, Eye on Juliet, and the absolutely charming and endearing TV series Anne with an E. It's sort of like being introduced to a new author who's written several books you can't wait to devour.
The title alone should tell you this is going to be a quirky little film. And you wouldn't be wrong with that assessment. It takes place near the North Pole, in a small Canadian town. Roman (Dane DeHaan) and Lucy (Tatiana Maslany) are young lovers. They are both dealing with traumatic pasts and find comfort in each other. When Lucy reveals that she's been accepted at a University in the south, Roman is so upset he attempts suicide. He's airlifted to a hospital for treatment. Lucy spends all the money she's been saving to visit him and the two realize they were destined to be together,
The couple decide there's really no place for them in the civilized world and begin a sojourn into the Great White North. Their grueling trek is cathartic for the couple. The scenery is absolutely stunning, and during a heatwave like we're experiencing in the Midwest, offers a bit of relief to viewers like me. Along their journey Lucy is astonished to discover Roman can communicate with polar bears. It's a bit of magic realism that makes an already mystical film even more enchanting.
I highly recommend checking out this fine bit of filmmaking. If you're like me, I think it'll make you want to search out Nguyen's other films.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Kanopy and Hoopla (with your library card) and Tubi. Also on Plex and to rent on Prime Video.
Just viewed "Bigfood Unleashed, Part VII" and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a short vignette which is going to be incorporated into the upcoming film "The Haunting of Prince Dom Pedro." It's a campy, tongue-in-cheek take on those cheesy horror films from the 1950's and 60's. In it, a terrified young woman is stalked by Bigfoot and is eventually caught by the ferocious beast. He leaves her by the side of the road where she's found by a couple of stereotypical redneck cops. It's a fun little clip that makes me looking forward to seeing the full-length movie. Can't wait! Here's a link with more info:
2018 *Not Rated* 1h 45m As the movie opened I thought to myself, "This is going to be cheesy." And I thought I'd give a half hour and was probably going to bail. But I'm really glad I stuck with it. This is why I love indie films.
I am That is about a nun Skylar (Amielynn Abellera), who's taken the vow of silence. When she finds out her sister has died, she decides to go on a journey to visit her grave. She has eight days to complete her sojourn and then has to decide whether to rejoin the convent or not. On her trek she runs into a handsome drifter Rob (Paul Blott) and Ezra (Ezra Colon) who thinks he's a Samurai warrior. The three of them quickly bond and it's fun to see them interact. And like any road trip flick, they run into their fair share of quirky individuals.
The acting was much better than I expected. The writing was solid. And the story was, well, captivating. You just had to stick with it and see where it's going. It has a mystical quality, mainly due to various almost psychedelic scenes in it. They add a spiritual element to the film, without being too bizarre.
Overall all the elements added up to a very unique film that I'll probably end up watching again. Kudos to everyone involved in the making of this little gem. I can almost guarantee it'll put a smile on your face! I can't wait to see what the director does next!
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free on Hoopla.com (with your library card), Tubi and Freevee. And to rent on Prime Video.
2014 * R * 1h 56m I put off watching this because I thought it was your typical Western and I'm not a huge fan of the genre. Well, there's almost nothing typical about this hilarious movie. Think Blazing Saddles with a whole lot more swearing. This is one, raunchy cowboy movie.
The film is from Seth MacFarlane, the man who brought you Ted and Family Guy and is just as funny and irreverent as Ted. Albert (MacFarlane), is a wimpy sheep farmer whose girlfriend Louise (Amanda Seyfried) has just left him for the owner of a mustache grooming supply store Foy (Neil Patrick Harris). A new arrival in town Anna (Charlize Theron), strikes his fancy and they start a relationship. Which is fine until he finds out she's married to a natorious gunslinger played by Liam Neeson.
The movie has a ton of humorous characters including Ruth (Sarah Silverman), a hooker who works at the saloon/cathouse. I especially love when the dialogue is written in modern language and slang. One of the funniest scenes is in the beginning of the film where Albert goes on an extended diatribe describing all the ways you can die in the west. It's truly laugh out loud funny. I have to admit, I watched this while I was working out and had to stop and catch my breath I was laughing so hard.
This is one of the funniest films I've seen in quite a while. I just wish I had seen it when it first came out. Obviously it's not for everybody and it gets pretty juvenile at times with the bodily function style of humor. But overall, it appealed to the 12-year old in me. And I look forward to seeing what Mr. MacFarlane does next! Bravo!
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime Video.
2011 * R * 1h 30m I love it when established stars like Emily Blunt decide to do an indie film. Frequently they get typecast, and their roles are dictated by Hollywood and their agents. I don't think Ms. Blunt is in that category and can be a bit more selective in the films she stars in. And she's in good company in this movie. It also happens to star Mark Duplass and Rosemarie DeWitt.
Your Sister's Sister begins at a gathering, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the death of Jack's (Duplass) brother. Speeches are given about what a great guy he was until Jack takes center stage. He basically focuses on what bully his brother was when they were kids and how full of himself he was. After the awkward diatribe, Iris (Blunt) takes him aside and tells him he needs to take some time for himself and heal. She offers him the use of her parent's cabin on an island off the coast of Seattle.
He takes her up on her offer and when he arrives, he's surprised to see someone is already staying at the cabin. It turns out to be Iris's sister Hannah (DeWitt), a lesbian who's just broken up a long-term relationship with her girlfriend. The two start hitting the bottle and end up getting rather drunk. And as a surprise to both parties, they end up sleeping together. The very next day, Iris shows up and things get rather awkward.
The story takes some interesting twists and turns, mostly of the unexpected nature. When the film started, I thought it was going to be one of those erudite, "we're smarter and hipper that you are" type movies. But ultimately, I found it quite engaging and well worth the hour and a half of my time.
4 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy. Also on Sundance Now, YouTube Movies, and to rent on Prime Video.
2011 * PG-13 * 1h 40m Ever since The Big Chill came out in 1983, Hollywood has inundated us with reunion movies. And for the most part, they're largely formulaic and forgettable. But every once in a while one comes out that covers some new ground and is actually worth watching. I thought 10 Years was one of them.
The movie has a stellar cast of folks you've seen on tv and in films. They include Channing Tatum, Chris Pratt, Justin Long, Kate Mara, and Aubrey Plaza. As expected, the film is about a ten-year high school class reunion. It's a nice blend of comedy, pratfalls, and some very tender moments as well. And there are several stories to follow, which really keeps you on your toes.
One of my favorite bits revolves around Pratt's character Cully. He's married with children and has had to grow up. However he regrets being a jerk in high school and wants to make amends with the kids he picked on. Especially Peter Jung (Aaron Yoo). The night starts out okay with him apologizing to Peter, but then Cully really starts hitting the bottle. And the drunker he gets, the more obnoxious he gets, to the point where he acts even worse to Aaron than he did in high school.
But that's just one of the stories. Other ones are not as over the top, and there's naturally some rekindled romances. It all adds up to a very entertaining film. It almost makes me wish I had gone to my most recent reunion. Almost.
3 1/2 out of 5 stars
Streaming with your library card for free on Kanopy and Hoopla. Also on Prime Video.
2018 * R * 1h 40m Who doesn't love a good revenge movie? Well, this one is part old-fashioned revenge flick. Part "Blade Runner." But 100% excitement and action right until the closing credits.
Set in the near future where technology basically runs ever aspect of human's lives, Grey (Logan Marshall-Green), lives in his own world. He's an auto mechanic who loves working on old-fashioned muscle cars. One day, after delivering a car to Eron (Harrison Gilbertson), a tech guru, he and his wife get into an accident in their auto-driven vehicle. Some thugs rob them, kill his wife and he's shot and paralyzed.
As luck would have it, Eron, is not only the head of a cutting edge company, he's developed a special chip, which can reconnect the nerves in his body to his brain. After surgery, when he's miraculously restored to normal, he goes down the revenge path. And what a journey he takes. While he's offing his assailants, a cop begins to get suspicious and he becomes a suspect. As an interesting twist, the chip installed in his neck can communicate with him and helps him on his way. But this also leads to some interesting plot twists, and an ending you'll never see coming.
If you're looking for something a bit different, check this one out!
3.5 out of 5 stars
Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime Video.
