Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Hotel Artemis

In a futuristic sci-fi story, Hotel Artemis is an exclusive emergency room for criminals. The premise is super weird, but after a while I settled in and it grew on me. The performances are very good, I wish I liked sci-fi more. Well done.

Monday, November 26, 2018

Skate Kitchen

Skateboard culture is the setting for Skate Kitchen, a heartfelt coming of age film. I think I would have enjoyed this film in the theater more. There is a lot of brooding that is meant to build a feeling that was lost on a middle aged woman in her living room. Still, I appreciated the story and performances. A good film.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

Ralph Breaks the Internet

For his eight birthday party, my grandson chose the movie Ralph Breaks the Internet to share with the family. I liked Wreck it Ralph and remembered enough about the characters to follow the set up. The characters are still cute and charming. The quest part of the story takes Ralph and Vanelope to the internet. I loved the way the internet was depicted, creative and giggle inducing for me. The other bright spot was a story line with the Disney Princesses. So funny. The kids said that they preferred the first movie, but I preferred this one. Lots of fun.

Friday, November 23, 2018

Crazy Rich Asians

The beauty and joy in the movie Crazy Rich Asians gave me all the warm feels. All the synopsis I had real made the female lead sound like an idiot which turned me off. Watching the movie I learned that she wasn't dumb, she had been lied to and bullied. The good part was that her character used her support system, her smarts and her words to get through it all and left me with a good feeling. This film is visually gorgeous and well written. I look forward to more time with these characters. This movie left me wanting to read the books. Good stuff.

Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindewald

Visiting my family for Thanksgiving, we chose Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindewald as our post-holiday movie. I was a bit lost in the first Fantastic Beasts film, so I read the Wikipedia entries on both films. At breakfast my grandsons were a fountain of details and refreshers on the world and I felt prepared. As we watched the movie I felt so grateful for that conversation. After the film the chat around details and backgrounds was lively and detailed. It was delightful. The movie was OK. Not much plot, but all kinds of asides to the wizarding world which are more in the books than the films. I still enjoyed it, but more-so the conversation. Thanks to my family for enhancing my movie experience.

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Boy Erased

That conversion therapy is a thing has always bothered me. After seeing Boy Erased, it angers me. That anyone feels they have the right to tell someone who to like, and try to force their thinking and behavior is outrageous. The portrayals are sincere and powerful. As much as I liked Lucas Hedges' performance, Nicole Kidman really shows depth in her portrayal as his Mother. Based on Garrard Conley's memoir, this is a film worth seeing.

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Widows

Take 4 thugs, kill them off and leave their spouses to deal with the rest. The result is the film Widows. The strength of this film is the writing and the performances. The women are fleshed out characters, and not all-for-one at all times. There were several holy-shit moments that pleased me and one that angered me. All gave the story dimension. I really liked this movie and look forward to seeing it again.

Friday, November 16, 2018

Ant-Man and the Wasp

The Marvel story of Ant-Man and the Wasp is told with a light touch.The theme is family, and this is done well...with superheroes.Ant-Man and his daughter work to rescue his Mother. It's pretty cute. This was a fun movie.

Thursday, November 15, 2018

We the Animals

Set in a chaotic family situation, the film We the Animals is a story of survival and escapism. Three brothers cling to family amidst their parents' volatile relationship. One of the boys escapes into writing and drawing to cope. This is portrayed through animation that is primitive and powerful. The editing weaves the perspectives well. This film deals with coming of age in a hostile environment with heart and sensitivity. Wonderful film.

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Juliet, Naked

In the film Juliet, Naked we meet a couple in a terrible relationship. The man is a self-absorbed jerk and the woman feels trapped. The woman unwittingly starts a texting relationship with an old rock star that her boyfriend idolizes. When they meet in person it is awkward, but sweet. There is a motivation for both to be involved. There are a few twists that keep things interesting. I liked this film a lot more than expected. As likeable as all of the actors are, I could not stand the boyfriend. A sign of good acting I guess. Good film.

Saturday, November 10, 2018

The Hate U Give

The film adaptation of the novel The Hate U Give is powerful and poignant. A young African-American is shot by the police and his friend is the witness. The aftermath is intricate as there is a gang element, a family element, a legal element and a loyalty element. The call to activism is strong, this is an intense story. The performances are outstanding. Good film.

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

The title of the film Can You Ever Forgive Me? are stolen words. This story is all about stolen words. The author Lee Israel takes to forging celebrity letters to make a living. Her desperation is evident. This cast is outstanding and their chemistry works well. Melissa McCarthy is the glue, but Richard E. Grant's performance is the heart. I really liked this film.

Wednesday, November 07, 2018

Amazon Women on the Moon

The very clever anthology Amazon Women on the Moon weaves several through-lines through many comedy vignettes.They are short, they are well cast and they are very funny. The bits land well and the through-lines tickled my funny bone. And yes, there are Amazon women on the moon. I would totally watch this movie again. Well done.

Tuesday, November 06, 2018

Animal Farm (1954)

It was a little sad to watch Animal Farm from 1954 and see that the depiction of prejudice, oppression and power is no different today. Human nature projected on to animals makes for an interesting social satire. Amazing that one actor does all the voices in this beautifully animated film.

Thursday, November 01, 2018

The Invisible Man

For 1933 the effects in The Invisible Man are absolutely amazing. The story is compelling when a scientist tries to find an antidote for his invisibility. As he goes mad, there is mayhem. Great classic horror film.