"Moon Manor"

2022 * Not Rated * 1h 43m  I have mixed feelings about this movie, mainly due to the subject matter. It's about assisted suicide. For some reason, it's listed as a comedy. Huh? While there were some lighter moments in the film, it's hardly a comedy. But you can't watch it without being affected by it. So I liked it with reservations.

The plot is pretty straight-forward. Jimmy (James Corrozo) is suffering from Alzheimer's and decides he'd rather step out in style while he still has his faculties. So he decides to throw a FUN-eral party to celebrate his life, on the night he's going to take his life. We meet his Death Doula, who is going to help him die. A reporter from the local paper shows up, with the assignment of covering the event. And his estranged brother, who's a Christian minister visits him with the hopes of convincing him to change his mind. 

Then, the rest the movie focuses on the wild, surreal party he has in his honor. Things get progressively weirder and weirder as we approach his inevitable death. I found this part of the film hard to watch. So while this movie isn't for everyone, I did think it was worth seeing. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy, Hoopla (with your library card), Tubi, Freevee, and Prime Video.

"Cunk on Life"

 2024 * Not Rated * 1h 11m  If you like offbeat, dry humor and enjoy people like Ricky Gervais and This Is Spinal Tap, I think this is right up your alley. Diane Morgan plays Philomena Cunk, a totally clueless, dimwit who explains in her own way, the mysteries of life. She meets with various scholars and asks them, point blank, some of the dumbest questions ever. And they keep a straight face as they try to answer her. 

This latest installment is on Netflix as was her previous outing. While I thought it was hilarious, it fell just a  tad short of her earlier work. I think it was mainly due to the nature of her quest--it was a bit more abstract than her other shows. They dealt with history instead of trying to define the nature of life and religion. So if you like this one, look for her other shows such as Cunk on Britain and Cunk on Earth. They're available to stream on YouTube. 

Note to parents: While the  movie is not rated, there is some foul language and a scene graphically explaining intercourse. 

4 out of 5 stars

"My Old Ass"

2024 * R * 1h 29m  I'll come right out and admit it, I love Aubrey Plaza and everything I've seen her in. For me it all started with her wonderful performance in Parks & Recreation and continued right up to this fine film.  She's smart, attractive, and adds a quirkiness to all her roles. 

Here she costars with the delightful and talented young actor Maisy Stella. The film opens with Elliott (Stella) and her two best pals. She's a couple weeks away from heading off to college and the three of them decide to take a trip on magic mushrooms. After ingesting them, Elliott is shocked by the appearance of her 39-year old self, played by Aubrey Plaza. The two of them have some heavy-duty conversations. To keep the the dialogue going, she gets her older version to put her number in her phone, which she IDs as "My Old Ass." 

And lo and behold, they end up continuing their communications, and she receives quite a bit of advice.  She isn't told too much about her fate, but is given some words of wisdom regarding love, life, relationships, and dealing with her family. 

Obviously this is one of those movies that could loosely fall into the category of magic realism. But ultimately I though it was a sweet, heartfelt, and well-acted film. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Prime Video. 

"Break Glass"

2003 * Not Rated * 1h 53m This is why I love indie flicks. "Break Glass" has all the elements that make this genre near and dear to my heart. It features a lineup of relatively unknown actors who all turn in decent performances. It also is well written, with some witty dialogue and a compelling storyline. Sure you can definitely tell it was made on limited budget, however the director certainly made the best of it.

Ryan (Ricky DeRossa) is in a deep funk. His ex-wife is going to get remarried in a couple days and he plans on killing himself the next day. He's back living at home and his mother is concerned about him. So she has his older brother Trevor (Jeff Raiano) come home to help him out. He introduces Ryan to a self-help (cult) group he's in, hoping it will help him heal. Part of the process is making amends with people from ones past. And so they hit the road, along with a woman he was briefly attached to. 

At first, I thought it was going to be another one of those predictable films, but it definitely took me by surprise. I'm a big fan of road trip films, and this one had a home-made vibe to it. One of the only beefs I have with the film is the cinematography--at times it was way overexposed. But when I found out the film was made for a mere $1,800, I'll definitely cut them some slack. 

I thought overall it was a heartfelt, believable, and smart little film. Kudos! 

Currently streaming for free on Hoopla (with your library card) and to rent on Amazon. 

4 out of 5 stars

"A Sunburnt Christmas"

 2020 * Not Rated * 1h 31m I'm not a big fan of Christmas movies. Most of them are so cheesy and Hallmark-ish, I just can't stand them. But once in a while, one'll come along that grabs my attention. This is one of them. I can almost guarantee you've never seen anything quite like this zany holiday flick from Down Under! And as I always say, "Opals aren't the only gems to come out of Australia!

The film begins in a hospital where a criminal Daryl (Daniel Henshaw) is being treated. He manages to escape by stealing the outfit from a Santa and drives off in his holiday themed van. Daryl ends up in the Outback at a farm which has been ravished by drought. The family may soon lose their property to foreclosure and are in dire straights. When the two children discover Daryl hiding in their barn, he convinces them that he's really Santa Claus and they promise to keep him secret. We soon discover that there's buried treasure on the farm, which is why Daryl is there in the first place. But it's not long before another criminal is looking for the money as well. And of course, the local constabulary gets involved too. 

Just about the entire cast is made up of unknown actors. But they all turn in solid performances. It's simply a fun, madcap adventure with a big heart. Another perfect example of why indie flicks are so entertaining! Enjoy, and have a Merry Christmas!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

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

Unfortunately I couldn't find a trailer on YouTube, but here's a link to the IMDb one:

https://www.imdb.com/video/vi1276166425/

"The Fall"

 2024 * Not Rated * 1h 48m I didn't have great expectations for this movie. It had a high IMDb rating with only 28 people voting. But what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be. The story was a bit scattered, much like the main character Lacey Huxley (Jocelyn Hudon). I thought her performance was absolutely riveting. I'm glad I watched this film and definitely feel it deserves more attention. 

Lacy's life is a mess. In the description it says she's suffering from her mother's suicide, but I don't recall it even being mentioned in the film. However, she's on a mission of self-destruction. She goes out boozing at the local watering holes. Shows up late for her jobs as a photographer. And has to deal with her aging grandparents who she lives with. And to make matters worse, her old boyfriend of 6 years moves in a couple doors down with his new fiancee. 

This is one of those films that constantly keep you guessing where it's heading. The movie is loaded with interesting characters especially her Grandpa Robert (Robin Gammell), who's a sweet, good-hearted gentleman, and her Grandma Martha (Annie Abbott), who's suffering from dementia. You'll recognize several other actors as well.

If you're looking for something a bit different, I can't recommend this movie strongly enough. I just don't know why it isn't better known. And it's one I'll be watching a second time for sure. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming for free on Hoopla with your library card and Tubi. And to rent on Prime Video. 

"Amerikatsi"

 2022 * Not Rated * 2h 1m  You'd think a movie about life in a Soviet-era prison would be depressing as all get-out. But in this case, it really isn't. In fact, it's an uplifting tale that simply exudes hope and charm. If you're dubious, read on. 

The film is about Charlie (Michael A. Goorjian), who managed to escape the Armenian Genocide and fled to America as a young boy. When the Russians offer Armenians who were part of the diaspora to return to their homeland, he jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, not long after he returns, he's captured and sent to prison. As you'd expect, life in a Soviet prison isn't exactly  picnic. But Charlie makes the best of it. 

His method of survival is by living vicariously through another couple. From his prison cell, he can view an Armenian couple's apartment. The husband, who's secretly an artist,  has been forced to be a prison guard because he was considered a dissident for painting churches. So Charlie pretends to dine with them, celebrate holidays with them, and learns about Armenian life and customs through them. All in all, it's an uplifting story that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy and Hoopla. And to rent on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.