"Fall"

 2022 * PG-13 * 1h 47m  Here's the plot in a nutshell: Two women get trapped on top of a 2000-foot radio tower. Now you might be asking yourself, how could this be entertaining for close to two hours? Well, I wondered the same thing. Then I saw this gripping, nail-biter. I was hooked 10 minutes in. And even though I'm afraid of heights, I couldn't look away. What an experience. 

The story is pretty simple. Becky (Grace Caroline Currey) is in a year-long funk after her husband fell to his death while mountain climbing. She's withdrawn from society and has gone on an extended bender. Her best friend Shiloh (Virginia Gardner) is her lifelong buddy and the two of them have always dared each other to do crazy things. One day she shows up and challenges Becky to do something to have her reconnect to the real world. She proposes they climb a 2,000 ft. tower out in the middle of the desert. 

So the two them indeed climb it. Only there's a snag. A huge snag! When they reach the top, the ladder falls to the ground and they're stranded. They don't have phone service and they're basically screwed. Talk about terrifying! The camerawork makes you feel you're right up there with them. If you're at all afraid of heights, you'll probably want to skip this one. But if you want to have the daylights scared out of you, check it out. You won't be disappointed. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Streaming on Netflix and to rent on Apple TV, Fandango, YouTube, and other services. 

"Backyard Village"

 2021 * Not Rated * 1h 32m What an absolute indie gem. Just about everything about it is wonderfu. Great acting, writing, cinematography, and a gorgeous score. Plus it's set in the austere and beautiful Iceland. What's not to like?

The story in "Backyard Village" unfolds slowly, yet before you know it, you've been snagged. It's a dialogue-heavy film that could easily been a play. Brynja (Laufey Eliasdottir) has just left a wellness/rehab facility on the outskirts of Reykavik. She rents a small cottage and before she can settle in, there's a knock on here door. It's a neighbor Mark (Tim Plester), who wants to borrow some paprika for a dish he's preparing. He comes back a few minutes later to join him for dinner.

At first their interactions are a bit awkward and their conversation is light and witty. But as the film progresses, they each reveal their inner struggles and what brought them to this relatively desolate part of the country. They're both in a great deal of pain and even though they're total strangers, they soon help each other heal from their traumas. 

What a tender, emotional film. It's one of those movies that you just know you're going to watch again. 

Five out of five stars.

Watch for free on Hoopla (with your library card), Plex, Tubi, and the Roku Channel. Also on Prime. 

"The Map of Tiny Perfect Things"

2021 * PG-13 * 1h 38m I'm a big fan of time travel movies. But the sub-genre of time loop films usually don't do a whole lot for me. Mainly because they so often are just variations of "Groundhog Day." If you're going to do a remake, at least do something different with it.  I though this one was a little different with the teen romance element added to it. 

Meet Mark (Kyle Allen), your average teenager growing up in middle-class suburbia. We first see him as the family has breakfast, getting ready to start the day. He goes through the motions of anticipating everything his various family members will do, a spit second before they do it. You wonder, what the heck is going on here? Then you find out he's in a time loop where, no matter what he does, the day will repeat itself at midnight and he he starts the same routine over and over again. 

Then one day he spots a cute girl Margaret (Kathryn Newton), who he suspects may be facing the same, weird predicament. Sure enough, she's caught in the same time loop! So the two of them start having fun with their situation, doing more outrageous things with each passing day. And needless to say, they eventually strike up a romance.

I thought the film was a slightly different take on "Groundhog Day," and they even reference the classic movie in this movie. The two leads had a definite chemistry and everyone seemed to have fun filming it. If you're up for a fun, teen rom-com, check this one out. 

3 1/2 out of five stars. 

Streaming on Prime Video. 

"Light of My Life"

 2019 * R * 1h 59m I really enjoy post-apocalyptic movies. Both the action-packed thriller ones, and the subtle ones like this. The film is mainly set out in the wilds of nature where a dad (Casey Affleck) and his young daughter Rag (Anna Pnlowsky) live off off the land. It's been ten years since an epidemic wiped out half the world's population, including almost all the females. So he has to be very careful to disguise his daughter and pretend she's a boy. 

The film was written and directed by Affleck, who did a marvelous job crafting an engaging and beautiful film. Its main focus is survival, but it's also about the love between child and parent. There is not a ton of action in the film as they spend their days roaming the countryside, trying to avoid people, mainly out of fear that Rag will be taken from him. In the final third of the movie, the couple is taken in by a trio of elderly gentleman. They suspect early on that Rag is actually a girl, but are fine with keeping it a secret.

One of the only negative comments I can make about it is Affleck's acting. I con't know what it is about him and his brother Ben, but they always seem so wooden in their delivery. Almost like they're reading the script for the first time. It's funny that the 12-year old Pnlowsky definitely outshined him here! I suspect we'll be seeing a lot more of her in the near future.  

If you're looking for a gentle character study that takes place primarily in the deep woods, I think you'll enjoy this film. I'm not sure why it's rated "R". There's a violent sequence near the end of the movie, but I think it wold be fine for a mature teen to view. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Hoopla (with your library card. Also on Prime,  and to rent on Apple TV and YouTube. 

"Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates"

2016 * R * 1h 38m Every once in a while it's nice to sit back with a really stupid movie full of juvenile humor and give your mind a vacation. I thought this one perfectly fit the bill. If you're ready for a laugh out loud funny flick, check this one out. 

Mike (Adam Devine) and Dave (Zac Efron)are a couple of intellectually-challenged brothers whose main goal in life is to get drunk, pull pranks, and in general, have a good time, all the time. Problem is, through their various capers, they've managed to ruin every major family gathering. So when their sister decides to get married, they're told they can't attend unless they both have dates. Mom and dad figure that a date will keep them in check. 

Well, that's well and fine except the two women they end up inviting to the destination wedding in Hawaii are as rowdy as they are. Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza) and Alice (Anna Kendrick) trick them into thinking they're sensible adults. Let the craziness begin. Sure, just about everything in the movie is cliche and predictable. But that doesn't stop you from having a good laugh or two. You can just tell everyone had a blast making the movie. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

 Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Apple TV, Prime, Fandango, and other services. 

"The Roses"

 2025 * R * 1h 45m  Any film that stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch has got to be good. I've heard that this was a remake of an older film and it wasn't as good as the original. But that's fine. I thought this one was quite entertaining. 

The film starts out with the couple in a therapy session. It would appear that they're at the end of their marriage and essentially, their therapist tells them that they're done. Which takes them by surprise. Then the film jumps back in time and we see them first meeting and the early part of their marriage. Theo Rose (Cumberbatch) is an architect and Ivy Rose (Colman) is an amazing cook. So with a great deal of encouragement, Ivy opens a restaurant which becomes hugely successful. Meanwhile Theo creates a unique building on the coast. When a devastating storm hits, it completely destroys his creation and thanks to social media, he's known around the world for his epic failure. 

Theo is consigned to raising their children while Ivy opens several new restaurants and is a big success in the culinary world. The tension slowly builds until an outrageous ending with an absolutely over the top fight scene. I'm including a trailer, but if you want to be surprised at just how crazy the final battle is, don't watch it. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Hula, and to rent on Apple TV, Prime, YouTube, Fandango, and other services. 

"People We Meet on Vacation"

 2026 * PG-13 * 1h 57m  Every once in a while I indulge myself and watch a sappy romance. Most times I'm disappointed. They're usually so formulaic you know exactly what's going to happen and how it's going to turn out. Well this one was a little predictable but the storyline was a bit different. And the two leads had definite chemistry. 

Poppy (Emily Bader) and Alex (Tom Blyth) meet by chance one day. They both just happen to be from the same small town in Ohio. But they're total opposites. Poppy has a dream job as a travel writer that takes her all around the world. She's always up for anything. Alex on the other hand, is a total homebody. He's just happy wherever is happens to be. Well, they become fast friends and decide to go somewhere exotic together, once every summer. 

Cut to the present day (Nine years later). The two have had a falling out and haven't spoken in a couple years. But they end up reconnecting at his brother's wedding in Spain. The movie jumps back and forth from the present to just about every year they vacationed together. It's a fun, light film that features some beautiful and exotic locations. And as I mentioned earlier, their chemistry is fantastic, and totally believable. If you're in the mood for a well done romantic film, be sure to check it out.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming on Netflix.