Begin Again My constant struggle in talking about movies is giving enough information to encourage viewing, while not spoiling the fun bits that are so much more enjoyable when you don’t know they’re coming. The trailer for this movie gives away some good moments, but not all of them, so if you see it fine, if you don’t see it, that’s even better. Unfortunately it’s insufficient to say “Please go see this movie,” and leave it at that. You will want to know…
Maleficent Bad guys wear black, are ugly, torture small animals, and are just downright mean, right? When someone’s name actually means evil, you should be able to count on them to be 100% despicable. But these days everything is complicated, without blacks and whites, just shades of gray. Good guys have bad habits, and bad guys are likable and have a backstory that explains, if not justifies, their evil ways. This new retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty shines the spotlight on…
New to Netflix: Short Term 12 Looking for a solid drama to stream tonight? Look no further. Grace and Mason run a group home for teens not placed by the foster care system. These teens are troubled, hurt, angry, and unwilling to be helped, just like most kids but more so. Parenting is hard, but without the advantage of a biological connection it’s almost impossible. Grace slowly builds trust while overcoming her own childhood traumas. Great writing, directing, and acting make…
Stories We Tell (2012) Winston Churchill said “History is written by the victors.” and one advantage of the victors is to add narration, and guide interpretations of the past. Great story telling not only entertains, but it can subtly persuade. Each storyteller adds their own narrative and highlights their version of the truth in a sea of confusing issues, and opinions. In Stories We Tell the power of a single narrative and the confusing nature of multiple narratives is only one…
Her (2013) “Her” is a love story, but not one you’ve heard before. It’s a sure thing you’ve seen a movie about a boy and his dog, or even about a girl and her horse. But a love story about a boy and his computer is not nearly as creepy as you might think. In “her” we are immersed in a highly believable and not-so-distant future. Details have been removed except those essential to the viewer. The object of desire…
Saving Mr. Banks I was five years old when I saw “Mary Poppins” in the theatre. My first film viewed on the big screen mesmerized me and started a love affair, or addiction, that continues to this day. Fast forward forty plus years and I couldn’t wait to see “Saving Mr. Banks” which describes the making of the “Mary Poppins” movie and the story that inspired it. Emma Thompson stars as P.L. Travers author of the beloved children’s book who…
2013 Ticket Stub Review. Fifty six tickets stubs were in my 2013 manilla envelope that I use as a memory aide. Some movies I had to look up on in IMDB in order to recall (not a good sign for my memory or the movie’s quality). In short order I narrowed it down to my favorite eight. Four of them I had reviewed previously, and the remaining four movies I highlight below. American Hustle (2013) Absolutely the most fun I had…
Chronicle (2012) Does power corrupt? According to “Chronicle” the answer is sometimes. Do teenagers engage in reckless and dangerous behavior? The answer is a resounding yes. Is this movie fun and intense? I think it’s both. Three teenage boys wind up going to a party, descend into a hole in the ground, touch some glowing rocks, and wind up with telekinetic powers. A common story right? It’s happened to us all at least once in our life. What makes this…
The great thing about streaming is if you don’t like it, you can bail. Here are six Netflix streaming movies I watched all the way through. I am not saying they are good, just that I liked them. Safety Not Guaranteed – Is he crazy? Is he a genius? You have to watch to the end to find out. Jeff, Who Lives at Home – He is a clueless loser stoner, but pot allows him to see “the fundamental interconnectedness of all things”….
Silver Linings Playbook I love to champion little movies and “Silver Linings Playbook” feels like one to me. And even though it garnered eight Oscar nominations I still maintain it’s just a little movie that was in the right place at the right time. I am also fond of movies with flawed characters and this is full of them. Pat, a man recently released from a mental institution and off his meds, is determined to restore his broken marriage. Pat…