Lincoln—very smartly written political script—portrays American President Abraham Lincoln as a more than astute politician deeply committed to ensuring future generations of African slaves their personal rights to freedom while defining American destiny. The film becomes another Steven Spielberg classic that not only entertains, but teaches and inspires. Daniel Day-Lewis (My Left Foot and Last of the Mohicans) is, as usual, at the top of his form, as he interprets the character of Abraham Lincoln. Sally Fields, brilliantly cast as Mrs. Lincoln, creates an absolutely perfect male/female tension between herself and Daniel Day-Lewis. The movie deserves an A+ rating across the board. The script, deeply thoughtful, makes its audience feel like we purchased insider seats on the actions that changed the course of a nation’s conscience.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director Steven Spielberg for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jonathan King, Daniel Lupi, and Jeff Skoll for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: William Seward (David Strathairn), Robert Lincoln (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), W. N. Bilbo (James Spader), Preston Blair (Hal Holbrook), and Thaddeus Stevens (Tommy Lee Jones).
Ocean’s Twelve—sassy,
smart, and fun—uses an all-star cast to tell its story. It follows the Ocean’s
series format and doesn’t fail to deliver its usual action-packed formula.
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Storyline
Terry
Benedict (Andy Garcia) demands the return of the $150,000,000 stolen from him.
Ocean’s gang travels to Europe to steal a Faberge Egg for payback. But this
story does not follow a predictably straight path as doublecross follows
doublecross between professional thieves and liars.
Additional Thanks
Thank
you to Director Steven Soderbergh for his directing efforts. Thank you to
Executive Producers Bruce Berman, Susan Ekins, and John Hardy for making the
film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Frank Catton (Bernie Mac),
Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt), Linus Caldwell (Matt Damon), Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott
Gould), Virgil Malloy (Casey Affleck), Turk Malloy (Scott Caan), Livingston Dell (Eddie Jemison), Basher Tarr (Don Cheadle), and Tess Ocean (Julia Roberts).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The film is a great continuation story to Ocean’s
Eleven.
I Am Ali works
on an entirely different level than Will Smith’s 2001 Ali movie. I Am Ali rounds
out Muhammad Ali’s story with a profound look at his familial relationships.
The documentary becomes a winner from its opening scenes with a wonderful
format that does not follow a bulleted, boring chronological storyline. Director
Clare Lewins retells Ali’s story with freshness and skill.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
This
documentary details Muhammad Ali’s story through taped conversations and
archival film footage with heavy focus on personal family relationships.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Clare Lewins for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers John Battsek and Simon Chinn for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Himself (Muhammad Ali Jr.), Herself (Hana Ali),
Herself (Maryum Ali), Himself (Muhammad Ali), Himself (Rahman Ali), Himself
(Jim Brown), and Himself (Carl Fischer).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The film has emotional depth accompanied with unanticipated glimpses
into Muhammad Ali’s tremendous desire to succeed.
Godfather: Part II—even
better than the first Godfather due
to backstory additions and continued outstanding casting choices—makes the
story untouchable for criticism. It’s perfection at every juncture with
unbelievably smooth transitions between past, present, and predictable future
scenes. Director Francis Ford Coppola capitalizes on the talents of Al Pacino, Robert
Duvall, Diane Keaton, Robert DeNiro, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Lee Strasberg,
and Michael V. Gazzo to create a BRAVO! BRAVO! film that literally walks away
with six Oscar Awards. This movie holds nothing back. Heavy on violence with
some language, the film shows for an adult audience.
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Storyline
The
Corleone Family’s story continues with Michael Corleone as the new Don.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Francis Ford Coppola for directing efforts. Thank you to
Executive Producer Robert Evans and Producer Francis Ford Coppola for making
the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Michael (Al Pacino), Tom
Hagen (Robert Duvall), Kay (Diane Keaton), Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro), Fredo
Corleone (John Cazale), Connie Corleone (Talia Shire), Hyman Roth (Lee
Strasberg), and Frankie Pentangeli (Michael V. Gazzo).
Shawshank Redemption delivers
an unbeatable Stephen King story via Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, and an
excellent supporting cast. This ‘stand up and cheer for excellence’ movie, directed
by Frank Darabont, quickly establishes itself as a one-of-a-kind classic film.
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Storyline
Andy
Dufresne (Tim Robbins) insists he has been wrongly convicted of murdering his
wife and her lover. Sentenced with two back-to-back life sentences, he must find
a way to re-establish a life.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Frank Darabont for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers Liz Glotzer and David V. Lester for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding (Morgan Freeman), Warden
Norton (Bob Gunton), Heywood (William Sadler), Captain Hadley (Clancy Brown),
Tommy (Gil Bellows), and Bogs Diamond (Mark Rolston).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
It’s a ‘must see’ for the late teen/adult audience.
Undefeated—well
worth your money and viewing time—shows what heart and hard work can do to
change lives. This WOW! Encore! Bravo! documentary takes Dream Maker Coach Bill
Courtney into a world where dreams have difficulty birthing and materializing due
to long standing losses that have entrenched a losing, poverty-stricken mindset.
This film, a WONDERFUL piece of work, details a process of completely changing
lives through consistent, persistent struggle under the guidance of a good
coach who never gives up. This film stands as one of the best documentaries of
2011.
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Storyline
The
Memphis Manassas Tigers follow the coaching of Bill Courtney to change years of
high school football losses into wins.
Additional Thanks
Thank You to Directors Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Martin for
directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Sean Combs, Paolo Coppola,
Michele Farinola, Neeraj Kohli, Jillian Longnecker, Chris Miller, Nigel
Sinclair, and Ralph Zipper for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Himself (Montrail ‘Money’ Brown), Himself (O.C.
Brown), Himself (Bill Courtney), Himself (Chavis Daniels), and Himself (Jeff
Germany).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
This film is an absolute, award-winning ‘must see’ for families and anyone
involved in struggles against all odds of achieving dreams.
A Serious Man—another
outstanding Coen Brothers film—displays tremendous depth in writing and in
presentation. Creatively disturbing, the movie allows an open-end conclusion
where the audience, based upon personal philosophical views, will determine the
final outcome. Two graphic sexual scenes put the film outside the
children/family audience. Watch for the double-whammy ending. It’s terrific.
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Storyline
Larry
Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) makes a series of choices within a series of events
that lead to the next steps in his story.
Additional Thanks
Thank
you to Directors Ethan Coen and Joel Coen for directing efforts. Thank you to
Executive Producers Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Robert Graf for making the
film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Uncle Arthur (Richard Kind), Sy Ableman (Fred Melamed), Judith Gopnik (Sari Lennick), Danny Gopnik (Aaron Wolff), Sarah Gopnik (Jessica McManus), Mr. Brandt (Peter Breitmayer), Mitch Brandt (Brent Braunschweig), Clive Park (David Kang), Danny's Reefer Buddy (Benjamin Portnoe), and Mike Fagle (Jon Kaminski Jr.).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes Viewers will most likely be aware that they just saw something profound. However,
the true profundity of this film may not be fully realized without strong
grounding in concepts of cause and effect, the orderliness of the universe, and
Divine intervention in human affairs. Excellent movie.
Vengeance:
A Love Story—like Dirty Harry with heart—fills itself with
some very realistic acting by Anna Hutchinson and Talitha Eliana Bateman. While
Nicolas Cage seems a little weak for his role as an avenger, that weakness
works as he matter-of-factly takes care of a deadly situation. Graphic sex
scenes move this film to a mature audience. The overall film? Worth watching.
Watch for Deborah Kara Unger from The Way.
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Storyline
A
young mother (Anna Hutchinson), brutally raped in front of her daughter (Talitha Eliana Bateman), finds no justice until
the intervention of the detective (Nicolas Cage) who covers her case.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Johnny Martin for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers Harold Becker, Patricia Eberle, Michael Nilon, and Richard Rionda Del
Castro for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: John
(Nicolas Cage), Teena (Anna Hutchison), Bethie (Talitha Eliana Bateman), Agnes
(Deborah Kara Unger), Jay Kirkpatrick (Don Johnson), Marvin (Joshua Mikel),
Lloyd (Rocco Nugent), Jimmy (Joe Ochterbeck), Fritz (Carter Burch), Irma
(Charlene Tilton), and Walt (Dikran Tulaine).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
One man takes care of justice one criminal at a time.
Seeing Allred—a
few facts about Gloria Allred’s professional pursuits—documents her involvement
in high profile causes such as: establish gay
rights, increase stringency for rape penalties, retain abortion rights, and campaign for predominantly feminine causes. Daughter Lisa Bloom follows her mother’s footsteps. The film educates
and informs.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Attorney
Gloria Allred takes on feminist/women rights cases to include rape cases.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Directors Roberta Grossman and Sophie Sartain for directing efforts. Additional
characters/cast include: Gloria Allred
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The documentary is worth a view to keep abreast of drivers behind the scenes of
current events.
Iron Man distinguishes
itself with good concept and excellent casting. Robert Downing, Jr. once again
stamps his excellence on a film and receives good backup from Jeff Bridges. Marvel
Comic fans will love this film.
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Storyline
Billionaire
Tony Starks (Robert Downey, Jr.) becomes injured in Afghanistan, captured by
terrorists, and forced to work on developing a special missile for the
terrorists. He builds himself an Ironman suit instead and becomes a superhero.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Jon Favreau for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers Ari Arad, Peter Billingsley, Louis D’Esposito, Ross Fanger, Jon
Favreau, Stan Lee, and David Maisel for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Rhodey
(Terrence Howard), Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), Pepper Potts (Gwyneth
Paltrow), Christine Everhart (Leslie Bibb), Yinsen (Shaun Toub), Raza (Faran
Tahir), Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg), General Gabriel (Bill Smitrovich), Abu
Bakaar (Sayed Badreya), and JARVIS (voice of Paul Bettany).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
If you’ve got to see an Iron Man movie,
it doesn’t get any better than this one.
Where the Red Fern Grows—faultless
jewel that needs no polishing—does not falter in natural, simple, and realistic
presentation of Wilson Rawls’ classic novel. Bravo! Special thank you to
Director Norman Tokar for outstanding direction.
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Storyline
Billy
(Stewart Petersen) desperately desires two purebred coon hounds and develops a
plan to acquire and train them.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Norman Tokar for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers George Ellis Doty for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Grandpa (James Whitmore), Mother (Beverly Garland),
Father (Jack Ging), Sheriff (Lonny Chapman), Alice
(Jill Clark), Sara (Jeanna Wilson), Sam Bellington (Bill Thurman), Ben Kyle
(Bill Dunbar), Rubin Pritchard (Rex Corley), Rainie Pritchard (John Lindsey),
and Mr. Pritchard (Garland McKinney).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. The movie commands a permanent place in the family's home film library collection.
Saints and Soldiers serves
up A-grade entertainment for the war movie fan. It sports a very good script
and delivers an excellent story, well told. The film results in two sequels.
It’s flare and unique style make it a
good watch.
Film Poster Courtesy Wikipedia
Storyline
During
World War II Allied soldiers, who just escaped from the Malmedy Massacre,
attempt a twenty-mile trek through bitter winter weather to deliver
intelligence information.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director Ryan Little for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers Charlie Chan and Sunny Chen for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Corporal Nathan ‘Deacon’ Greer (Corbin Allred), Medic
Steven Gould (Alexander Polinsky), Flight Sergeant Oberon Winley (Kirby
Heyborne), Private Shirley ‘Shirl’ Kendrick (Larry Bagby), Staff Sergeant
Gordon Gunderson (Peter Holden), Rudolph ‘Rudi’ Gertz (Ethan Vincent),
Catherine Theary (Melinda Renee), Sophie Theary (Ruby Chase), and Radio
Announcer (Jeff Birk), and Private McKinley (Benjamin Gourley).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The movie details an important piece of history while presenting entertainment
for the war movie fan as well.
Raiders of the Lost Ark has
mesmerizedaudiences, as of this 2018
writing, for 37 years and continues to be the definition of action/adventure
films based on its unique storyline, well-written script, perfectly timed
sequencing, exotic stage settings, casting choices, ‘fresh’ action scenes, and
satisfying breaks of unforgettable comedy. Kudos to Director Steven Spielberg
and Producer George Lucas for creation of an entirely satisfying saga.
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Storyline
Nazis
search for the Ark of the Covenant, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) finds it, and
the fight is on to establish control of the priceless archaeological find.
Additional Thanks
Thank You to Director Steven Spielberg for directing effort.
Thank you to Executive Producers Howard G. Kazanjian and George Lucas for making
the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Marion (Karen Allen),
Bellog (Paul Freeman), Toht (Ronald Lacey), Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), Brody
(Denholm Elliott), Sapito (Alfred Molina), Dietrich (Wolf Kahler), Gobler
(Anthony Higgins), Barranca/Monkey Man (Vic Tablian), and Colonel Musgrove (Don
Fellows).
Arrival—a
‘do not miss this story’ film—explores what humans may learn from aliens when
we choose not to shoot ‘em with guns first and talk later. The movie sports a little
suspense while shooting to the top of the sci fi entertainment class. The
acting is very good with Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forrest Whitaker
strutting their skills in every scene. This is one of best science fiction
films of 2016 and is actually rewatchable due to its well-written, in-depth
script. Watch for the light twist at the end that is more than worth the 116-minute viewing time.
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Storyline
Linguist
Louise Banks (Amy Adams) becomes capable of using an alien language that gives
power to see the future and the past.
Additional Thanks
Thank
you to Director Denis Villeneuve for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producers Dan Cohen, Eric Heisserer, Karen Lunder, Tory Metzger, Milan Popelka,
Stan Wlodkowski, Glen Basner for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), Colonel Weber (Forest
Whitaker), Agent Halpern (Michael Stuhlbarg), Captain Marks (Mark O’Brien),
General Shang (Tzi Ma), 8-year-old Hannah (Abigail Pniowsky), and 12-year-old
Hannah (Julia Scarlett Dan).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
Like The Day the Earth Stood Still when
first introduced to the big screen, Arrival
serves as a ‘best’ sci fi film that introduces fresh concepts well-worth
exploring. Don’t miss this completely satisfying movie.
Indiana Jones and the Last
Crusade—may be the best of the series—spices it up a bit with the addition
of Sean Connery’s performance as Indiana Jones’ father. The relationship and dynamics
between the two are unforgettable. Great performance for both actors. Once
again, the audience gets the treat of non-stop adventure, journeying to unknown
regions and, believe it or not, pushes its envelope beyond even that. Thank you
to Steven Spielberg and George Lucas for providing an adventure that audiences will
not soon forget and love to view time and time again. Best work by all
involved. This movie is the third installment in a four-set saga. It takes 19
years to release the next story in the series: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
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Storyline
Indiana
Jones (Harrison Ford) and his father, Dr. Jones (Sean Connery) search for the
Holy Grail.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Steven Spielberg for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producers George Lucas and Frank Marshall for making the film possible.
Additional characters/cast include: Marcus Brody (Denholm Elliott), Elsa
(Alison Doody), Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), Walter Donovan (Julian Glover), Young
Indy (River Phoenix), Vogel (Michael Byrne), and Kazim (Kevork Malikyan).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
It’s worth every dime and every minute of your time to see this movie. The special
effects are spectacular. Sean Connery works with Harrison Ford like a dream.
Meru—breathtaking—takes
viewers on a vertical climb to the top of Meru with great camera shots documenting the journey. Well
done. Thanks to all involved for an inside view into what it takes to achieve
exceptionally difficult physical goals.
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Storyline
This
is the first documented ascent of Shark’s Fin on Meru.
Additional Thanks
Thank
you to Directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi for directing effort.
Thank you to Producers Jimmy Chin, Shannon Ethridge, and Elizabeh Chai
Vasarhelyi for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Conrad
Anker, Grace Chin, Jimmy Chin, Amee Hinkley, Jeremy Jones, Jon Krakauer,
Jennifer Lowe-Anker, and Renan Ozturk.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The ultimate rock climbing film provides terrific inspiration for the late
teen/adult viewer.
Indiana Jones and the Temple of
Doom falls into that elite ‘multiple-rewatch-is-absolutely-gonna-happen’
classification that only a few films achieve. The movie captivates its audience
with superlative background sets, terrific actors, outstanding script, tense
action sequences laced with comedic episodes to break tension, and balances
everything with that unique aura that dominates the Indiana Jones series. Watch
for the cameo appearance of Dan Aykroyd.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Indiana
Jones (Harrison Ford) finds himself involved in an adventure to rescue children, retrieve
Sankara stones, and defeat members of the Thuggee cult.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Steven Spielberg for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producers George Lucas and Frank Marshall for making the film possible.
Additional characters/cast include: Willie Scott
(Kate Capshaw), Short Round (Jonathan Ke Quan), Mola Ram (Amrish Puri), Chattar
Lal (Roshan Seth), Captain Blumburtt (Philip Stone), Lao Che (Roy Chiao), Wu
Han (David Yip), Kao Kan (Ric Young), Chen (Chua Kah Joo), Maitre d’ (Rex
Ngui), Chief Henchman (Philip Tan), and Weber (Dan Aykroyd).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The film works as a classic study in non-stop action placed in outrageously exotic
settings while being completely entertaining.
