Stan & Ollie—a rare Wow! biopic—features John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan in this terrific
movie about the comedy duo, Laurel and
Hardy. Despite being panned by many major critics, the movie completely wins in
its ability to catch the emotion of aging entertainers as health issues and/or
other factors hinder ability to entertain. The film finishes sweetly and
provokes good discussion after viewing.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Laurel and Hardy attempt to revive their careers.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Jon S. Baird for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Faye Ward for making
the film possible. Characters/cast include: Stanley Laurel (Steve Coogan),
Oliver Hardy (John C. Reilly), Lucille Hardy (Shirley Henderson), Ida Kitaeva
Laurel (Nina Arianda), Bernard Delfont (Rufus Jones), Hal Roach (Danny Huston),
James W. Horne (Joseph Balderrama), Nobby Cook (John Henshaw), James Finlayson
(Keith MacPherson), Harry Langdon (Richard Cant), and Cynthia Clarke (Susy
Kane).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Anyone who loves Laurel and Hardy should
enjoy this trip down memory lane.
The Host—WOW!—shows good timing, realism in acting, and non-stop excitement. Director
Bong Joon Ho, a South Korean director, shows good ability to transcend international
entertainment borders by engaging the human factor so well that an audience may
find themselves rooting for the actors and actresses who pit themselves against
the mutant monster. The movie uses great subtitles to translate into English. The
sea monster catches the intimidation factor well. The movie, overall,
completely earns its watch.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
A mutant creature hunts humans.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Bong
Joon-ho for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Choi Yong-bae for making
the film possible. Characters/cast include: Park Gang-du (Song Kang-ho), Park
Hee-bong (Byun Hee-bong), Park Nam-il (Park Hae-il), Park Nam-joo (Bae Doona),
Park Hyun-seo (Go Ah-sung), Gawoemul (Voice of Oh Dal-su), Se-jin (Lee
Jae-eung), See-joo (Lee Dong-ho), Homeless man (Yoon Je-moon), Namoil’s senior
(Yim Pil-sung), Yellow 1 (Kim Roi-ha), Inquiry officer (ParkNo-sik), Hostage
nurse (Go-Soo-hee), Donald White (David Joseph Anselmo), U.S. Military doctor
(Scott Wilson), American doctor (Paul Lazar), and Korean doctor (Brian Lee).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. This film completely surprises. Thank you
Director Bong Joon-ho for the outstandingly good directing of this movie.
Back to the Outback—good animation—has difficulty in several areas
of presentation. The music, while good, most of the time does not match the
storyline scenes that it is meant to underscore. For example, the scene where Pretty Boy, the
Koala Bear, randomly stops in the middle of a city street and looks up at a
digital billboard does not have music that helps the audience to feel what the
Koala Bear is feeling. The crude humor makes this animated feature unfriendly
for children. The film does not serve a family audience well nor does it draw
an adult audience.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Australia’s most dangerous creatures decide to
break out of their zoo environment.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Directors
Clare Knight and Harry Cripps for directing effort. Thank you to Producer
Daniela Mazzucato for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Maddie
(Isla Fisher), Pretty Boy (Tim Minchin), Chaz (Eric Bana), Frank (Guy Pearce),
Zoe (Miranda Tapsell), Nigel (Angus Imrie), Doug (Keith Urban), Jackie (Jacki
Weaver), Chazzie (Diesel La Torraca), Susan (Kylie Minogue), Jacinta (Rachel
House), Kayla (Celeste Barber), Phil (Wayne Knight), Legs (Aislinn Derbez), and
Dave (Lachlan Ross Power).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
No. Monsters Vs Aliens has higher
entertainment value than this movie.
Venus and Serena—documentary—does not waste time on the reality
of their childhood; but, focuses on the drivers that create a different reality
than they would experience outside those drivers. Many positive thinking books
touch on how lives can modify. This movie follows the actual process and shows
the hard work necessary to change life ‘facts’ into something new. It allows
the focus to move from the wishing state to devotion to the dream, to the day-by-day
work necessary to materialize the dream, the realization of the dream. Wonderful
watch, especially for those who desire change but may be uncertain how that
change accomplishes in real life. The movie places small snippets of the girls’
life events in an order that becomes very easy to understand. Excellent watch
that does not dumb down the process of making the dream into the reality.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
The movie investigates the lives of professional tennis
players, Serena and Vanessa Williams, from early youth to adulthood.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Directors
Maiken Baird and Michelle Major for directing effort. Thank you to Producers
Maiken Baird and Michelle Major for making the film possible. Characters/cast
include: Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Richard Williams, Oracene Price, and
Billie Jean King.
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. The movie allows an inside look at how a
family can reshape its pre-defined future into something much different. Good
watch for everyone.
A Boy Called Christmas—great concept—makes another origination story
about Kris Kringle (Santa Claus). It works more for an adult audience than the
child audience. This hard-to-get-through movie with its complicated storyline
fails to entertain even though it creates a visually interesting character for
Kris Kringle. The cinematography and the lighting of the entire movie borders
on unreal weirdness…almost
as if there is a digital overlay that makes everything seem fake. The movie
lacks heart and the human factor that relates to general audiences.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
A young Kris Kringle searches for his father and
an elf finds the youth collapsed in the snow.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Gil Kenan for directing
effort. Thank you to Producers Graham Broadbent and Pete Czemin for making the
film possible. Characters/cast include: Nikolas “Christmas” (Henry Lawfull),
King (Jim Broadbent), Aunt Ruth (Maggie Smith), Mother Vodol (Sally Hawkins), Joel
(Michiel Huisman), Father Topo (by Jones), Anders (Rune Temte), Little Noosh
(Indica Watson), Miika the Mouse (Voice of Stephen Merchant), and Matt (Joel
Fry).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
No. The film does not deliver the entertainment value
of The Christmas Story or The Christmas Chronicles.
Peter Rabbit 2: Runaway uses great animation as does its prequel, but the
live acting works on the average level without the intricacies of story and
dialogue the first movie contains. The script does not serve the child audience
due to its complicated presentation and does not appeal to the adult audience
due to the storyline that runs on the tired theme of street animals interacting
with animals who do not belong to their environment.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Peter Rabbit learns a lesson on the definition of
good and bad, love and lack of love.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Will Gluck for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Will Gluck, Zareh
Nalbandian, Catherine Bishop, and Jodi Hildebrand for making the film possible.
Characters /cast include: Bea McGregor (Rose Byrne), Thomas McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson), Nigel
Basil-Jones (David Oyelowo), Peter Rabbit (Voice of James Corden), Flopsy (Voice
of Margot Robbie), Mopsy (Voice of Elizabeth Debicki), Cottontail (Voice of
Aimee Home), Benjamin (Colin), Barnabas (Voice of Lennie James), Tom Kitten
(Voice of Damon Herriman), Mittens (Voice of Hayley Atwell), Samuel Whiskers
(Voice of Rupert Degas), and Mrs. Tiggy Winkle (Voice of Sia),
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. If someone wants to see this sequel, be
aware that it does not have the quality of its prequel.
Shaun the Sheep:The Flight Before Christmas—cute and likeable short film—becomes a quick and
light child/adult share stop motion animation movie. It’s a good choice for a
bedtime share movie.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Christmas begins to go awry, and the animals need
to fix it.
Additional
Thanks
Thank
you to Director Steve Cox for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers
Mark Burton, Sarah Cox, Peter Lord, Nick Park, and Carla Shelley for making the
film possible. Shaun (Voice of Justin Fletcher), The Farmer (Voice of John
Sparkes), Laura Aikman, Marcus Brigstocke, Timmy’s Mother (Voice of Kate
Harbour), Anna Leong Brophy, and Additional Voices (Simon Greenall, Andy Nyman,
Richard Webber).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Aardman Studios makes a good Christmas
special. Thank you for a sweet watch.
Maverick—Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner—delivers terrific comedy
via an exceptionally well-written script with outstanding dialogue. Watch for the
legendary actor, Graham Greene. With an outstanding supporting cast (Afred
Molina, James Coburn, Art LaFleur, Denver Pyle, Clint Black, and Dub Taylor),
the movie moves into first class entertainment despite the fact that it bases
itself within the western genre. It easily earns its right to addition to the
home video collection as it can be multiply viewed throughout the years without
losing its entertainment edge. This witty movie serves the adult entertainment
community well.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Gambler Brett Maverick, despite severe
challenges, attempts to raise the funds necessary to enter a high stakes card
game.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
Richard Donner for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Bruce Davey and
Richard Donner for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Bret
Maverick (Mel Gibson), Annabelle Bransford (Jodie Foster), Zane Cooper (James
Garner), Joseph (Graham Greene), Angel (Alfred Molina), Commodore (James
Coburn), Room Clerk (Dub Taylor), Twitchy (Dan Hedaya), Archduke (Paul L. Smith),
Matthw Wicker (Geoffrey Lewis), and John Wesley Hardin (Max Perlich).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. Mel Gibson does a terrific job of filling
the Bret Maverick character. No challenges found in presentation, timing, or pacing.
The movie fills itself with small surprises that delight and entertain. Excellent
writing. Mature presentation works best for the adult audience.
Mank—inhouse production not for the layman—does not serve audiences
outside the entertainment industry. This movie tries to make a biopic out of a
small snippet of Herman Mankiewicz’s (the screenplay writer of the Orson Welles’
classic Citizen Kane) life. Gary Oldman plays Herman Mankiewicz to
perfection within a black and white film format that emphasizes awesome camera shots
liberally littering the movie. Read a Wikipedia plot line before diving in for
the watch as the movie does not follow a simple, straightforward pattern. The
film does try to ground itself for the wider audience by placing dates and locations
where the story occurs…but without good knowledge of San Simeon, Publisher
Hearst, and the people who entertained at his table, the movie seems a bit convoluted.
In the end, however, the story, no matter its audience, will not soon be
forgotten.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Herman Mankiewicz attempts to finish a script on
time despite several handicaps to include a type of writer’s block.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director
David Fincher for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Cean Chaffin, Eric
Roth, and Douglas Urbanski for making the film possible. Characters/cast include:
Herman Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman), Marion Davies
(Amanda Seyfried), Rita Alexaner (Lily Collins), Louis B. Mayer (Arliss
Howard), Joseph Mankiewicz (Tom Pelphrey), William Hearst (Charles Dance), John
Houseman (Sam Troughton), Irving Thalberg (Ferdinand Kingsley), Sara Mankiewicz
(Tuppence Middleton), Orson Welles (Tom Burke), and Charles Lederer (Joseph
Cross).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. While the movie serves a niche market, it
introduces a personality that persons outside the entertainment industry may
enjoy meeting.
Come Away Home lacks depth in story, but makes its point well. The movie needs timing and pacing. Its rocky start smooths after the
female lead settles into the real guts of the story and then the film follows
to its natural, predictable conclusion. Richard Gibson (Dharma
and Greg), Martin Mull, Lea Thompson (Back to the Future), Jordan-Clair
Green (School of Rock), and Paul Dooley (200+ professional
credits) create a movie that is okay, almost borders on a message movie, but
finally delivers an overall better than average entertainment piece.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
A young girl reconnects with a grandfather and
gains appreciation for a much different lifestyle.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Doug McKeon for directing
effort. Thank you to Producers Gregg Russell and Robert Slane for making the
film possible. Characters/cast include: Annie Lamm (Jordan-Claire Green),Holly (Macey Cruthird), Jason (Will Denton),
Carol Lamm (Lea Thompson), Gary Lamm (Thomas Gibson), Grandpa Donald Brooks
(Paul Dooley), Barney Green (Martin Mull), Woodsy Warner (Doug McKeon), Ashley
Green (Kristen Rentort), Chris (Asher Monroe), Chris’ Brother (Michael Rae),
Sonya Warfield (Sonya Eddy), Sheriff Steve Jantz (David Keith), Bearded Man
(Gregg Russell), and Doug (Jimmy Walsh).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. The movie serves the young audience as an afternoon watch.
Here Comes the Boom—worth watching—accesses Kevin James' talents to produce a
personable, clean movie that makes good family entertainment. This film makes
an excellent addition to the family home entertainment library.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A high school biology teacher gets his groove
back when he helps save the school’s music department.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Frank Coraci for directing
effort. Thank you to Producers Todd Garner and Kevin James for making the movie
possible. Characters/cast include: Scott Voss (Kevin James), Bella Flores
(Salma Hayek), Marty Streb (Henry Winkler), Duke Betcher (Greg Germann),
Himself (Joe Rogan), Eric Voss (Gary Valentine), Malia De La Cruz (Charice),
Niko (Bas Rutten), Mollie Streb (Nikki Tyler-Flynn), De La Cruz (Reggie Lee),
Patrick Murray (Jason Miller), Romero (Mark Munoz), and Lauren Voss (Melissa Peterman).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. The movie completely earns audience money
and time investment…good comedy with a great moral and a fine conclusion.
Miracle on 34th Street—1955 television short film—originally releases on
The 20th Century Fox Hour Season 1 Episode 6. It runs for
approximately 40 minutes in black and white format. The movie charms with its
innocence and sweet storyline. The movie works as an exceptionally clean,
holiday, family share film.
Fim Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A young girl and her logical mother learn to
dream again.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Robert Stevenson for
directing effort. Thank you to The Twentieth Century Fox Hour for making
the film possible. Characters/cast include: Fred Gaily (Macdonald Carey), Doris
Walker (Teresa Wright), Kris Kringle (Thomas Mitchell), Susan Walker (Sandy
Descher), Mr. Shellhammer (Hans Conreid), Judge Harper (Ray Collins), Thomas
Mara (Dick Foran), Dr. Sawyer (John Abbott), Mr. Macy (Don Beddoe), Dr. Pierce
(Whit Bissell), Woman Shopper (Sara Berner), Postal Clerk (Herbert Vigran),
Miss Prossy (Maudie Prickett), Store Clerk (Paul Smith), Mr. Gimbel (Herbert
Hayes), Peter (Louis Towers), and Tommy Mara Jr. (Earl Robie).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. The movie particularly deserves a watch to
compare attitudes and how they’ve changed between 1955 to the time of this
review (2021).
Misha and the Wolves—unusual documentary—attempts to overturn a legal
judgement, a court case that has been settled and dismissed. Truth becomes
challenged and the outcome, of this movie, lacks consistency and clarity as it
creates more questions than it answers. The movie cannot be fully appreciated unless
one understands how resistance movements work, how a very young child may
interpret events in her life, and how that same child attempts to resolve her
life narrative as an adult. There is more than what meet the eye here. It is
very well put together for a cursory examination, but for justice to be
established it needs an analytical group discussion afterward. Then, the
question arises…why was the film made and what purpose did it hope to serve.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
An aged Jewish woman tells her childhood narrative, as she knows and interprets it, from an adult perspective of trying to make sense of all the scattered memories.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Sam Hobkinson for directing
effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Mandy Chang, Vesna Cudic, Thomas
Hoegh, Stewart Le Marechai, Jonny Persey, Martin Pieper, Hayley Reynolds,
Adrian Sibley, Barbara Truyen for making the film possible. Characters/cast
include: Publisher (Jane Daniel), Misha’s Aunt (Emma De Wael), Misha’s Neighbor
(Pat Cunningham), Professor Deborah Swork), Genealogist (Evelyn Haendel), Misha’s
Attorney (Ramona Hamblin), Psychology Instructor *Marie-Claire Mommer), Radio
Show Host (Candy O’Terry), Forensic Genealogist (Sharon Sergeant), Friend
(Karen Schulman), Animal Sanctuary Host (Joni Soffron), Military Historian
(Jean Philippe Tondeur), Belgian Journalist (Marc Metdepenningen).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe. This is a movie that needs to be carefully
thought through with a kind eye and a thoughtful, unprejudiced mind.
Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas—the last drawn animation of DreamWorks before
going to computer animation—relies on well-chosen voicing talent and a good
script. It deserves its watch. The character animation is very good for drawn,
animated movies of the early 2000 era and defines the peak of that art.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Sinbad becomes involved in a battle over the
“Book of Peace”.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Directors Tim Johnson and Patrick
Gilmore for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Mireille Soria and Jeffrey
Katzenberg for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Sinbad (Brad
Pitt), Princess Marina (Catherine Zeta-Jones), Eris (Michelle Pfeiffer), Prince
Proteus (Joseph Fiennes), Kale (Dennis Haysbert), Rat (Adriano Giannini), King
Dymas (Timothy West), Luca (Jim Cummings), Jed (Conrad Vernon), Jin (Raman
Hui), Li (Chung Chan), Grum and Chum (Andrew Birch), Spike (Frank Welker), and
Tower Guard (Chris Miller).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. The movie, solidly written, serves as a good
child/adult share. Some of the metaphors used may need some explanation before
watching for the younger child to gather meaning from the film. Wikipedia
provides a plot line for this film.
The Legacy of a White Tail Deer Hunter, in its own way, delivers an ‘in-your-face-flaunting’
rebellion toward political correctness, environmentalism, vegetarianism, gun control, and a host of
other ‘isms’ and manages to deliver a unique, low-key, likeable comedy that
works for the forgiving audience. An
interesting take on an avid deer hunter, this film delivers a touching
conclusion involving both a son and a best friend. The movie serves an adult
audience. Josh Brolin, Danny McBride, and Montana Jordan manage to deliver a
good performance.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
A man endeavors to reconnect with his son through
a deer hunting trip.
Additional
Thanks
Thank you to Director Jodi Hill for directing
effort. Thank you to Producers Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, and Jody Hill for making
the film possible. Characters/cast include: Buck Ferguson (Josh Brolin), Jaden
Ferguson (Montana Jordan), Don (Danny McBride), Linda Ferguson (Carrie Coon),
and Greg (Scoot McNairy).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. The style of the movie borders on ‘spoof’
but it will bring memories back for anyone who has shared a deer hunting trip
with family.
