Jayne Mansfield's Car

Generational differences and experiences make for family drama in the film Jayne Mansfield's Car. Two very different families gather for a final farewell. War, relationships, drugs, culture, cars and history all amplify emotions. I liked this interesting film.

Long Shot

The movie Long Shot is a solid romantic comedy. A reunion of two people with little in common than their past relationship, leads to an interesting fish-out-of-water story. This movie earns it's R rating and delivers the laughs. The chemistry between these two is great and it is beautifully shot. The extras on the DVD are worth watching.

Raya and the Last Dragon

I was invited to watch Raya and the Last Dragon to take part in Movie Night. Fun with the family from 200 miles away. Technology rocks. Beautiful animation and cool story. I learn about water dragons and "butt-kickery". Wonderful movie and a good time with the kids.

Cold Comes the Night

Unusual circumstances of a kidnaping and robbery set the stage for tension in Cold Comes the Night. Desperation and money drive the plot of this gritty drama. Alice Eve's character and performance are that glue that holds this crime thriller together. Cranston is understated and menacing. Good film.

Father's Little Dividend

 In Father's Little Dividend a father who has just adjusted to his daughter's marriage, struggles with the news he will soon be a grandfather. A little silly, but the performances make this film worth seeing. I enjoyed this.

The United States vs Billie Holiday

The story told in The United States vs. Billie Holiday is tragic, enraging and dramatic. Andra Day is a force. Holiday's treatment was true low point in the history of law enforcement. Good film.

We Are Freestyle Love Supreme

I'm so sorry that I missed this show live, but the documentary We Are Freestyle Love Supreme is very satisfying. "Fit me like a well worn hoodie." Shows that happen for the first and last time...that's improv...that's art. Well worth watching.

Pieces of a Woman

The heavy drama surrounding a huge loss is portrayed in Pieces of a Woman. The first half hour is brutal, but sets the stage. Weighty performances make this a drama worth watching..

Ghostbusters (1984)

I watched the original Ghostbusters for the first time in decades. Joining this crew of scientists battling the paranormal, I had forgotten what a masterpiece it is. The story, performances and production value are top notch. What a fun classic.

Drive He Said

Jack Nicholson made his directorial debut with the film Drive, He Said. Set in the 70s it deals with themes of sports, war, relationships, education and adult decisions. Great cast. Well done.

Night Catches Us

The film Night Catches Us depicts the Black Power movement on a personal, family level. Powerful film.

The Accused

After listening to a few interviews with Jodie Foster, I decided to revisit the film, The Accused. As disturbing as the subject matter is, this was worth watching. Justice does not come easy. It is as good as I remembered.

The Little Things

The Little Things is an unconventional crime thriller that takes an unexpected turn. Looking for evidence in a serial killer case is more than they bargained for. Good film.

Patrice O'Neal: Killing is Easy

The documentary Patrice O'Neil: Killing is Easy helped me understand Patrice O'Neal and his comedy better. It was nice to be back in the Comedy Cellar. ~"Great comics have instant opinions."

I Care a Lot

Awful people doing awful things to awful people. I Care A Lot is a thriller that takes many typical crime tropes and turns them on their head. What a watch. ~"If we make each other rich, the trust will follow. "

Nomadland

The story in Nomadland strikes a chord in many ways. Lifestyle choices are dealt with in a very thoughtful, sensitive way. The film is in the hands of masters from the creators to the performers. Poignant film.

The Climb

The film The Climb is a creative, funny, weird, dysfunctional look at friendship and relationships punctuated by punches. I really like the structure of this film. There is a certain poetry of how it moves from chapter to chapter. At its core there's a big heart. Worth a look.

Mermaids

The stellar cast of Mermaids has great chemistry in this unconventional family drama. Christina Ricci is a charmer. This is a beautiful story that makes for a very entertaining film. What a pleasure.

The Lady and the Dale

The Lady and the Dale is a docu-series that follows the rise and fall of Elizabeth Carmichael. She promoted a fuel-efficient, three-wheeled car known as The Dale. There was a lot of drama and intrigue in her story. This is worth a watch.

Patrice O'Neal: The Elephant in the Room

In his first full length special, The Elephant in the Room, comedian Patrice O'Neal tackles tough topics with crowd work and a strong point of view. A bit prophetic in places. Well done.

Judas and the Black Messiah

Fred Hampton was an integral part of the Black Panther Party in the 60s. In Judas and the Black Messiah, dynamic performances take us through this important chapter of American history. Fortitude, justice and betrayal are all addressed as the painful events unfold. I watched this more than once, it holds up to multiple viewings.

Anna Lucasta

Anna Lucasta is a heartbreaking story of family, love and loss. Fantastic performances. Eartha Kitt and Sammy Davis Jr. have great chemistry. And oh that snare. Excellent rental.

Insignificance

What would happen if Marilyn Monroe, Joe DiMaggio, Senator Joseph McCarthy and Albert Einstein met? We find out on one night in a hotel room with these 4 historic figures. In the film Insignificance we take this crazy ride with wonderful performances, especially Theresa Russell as Monroe. The conversations take us back forth in time with skillful editing. This film is a solid rental worth seeing.

Palm Springs

When I watched Palm Springs I had these reactions. This film is charming, quirky, funny, edgy. confusing, delicious. The less you know going in, the better. I loved it.

The King of Staten Island

 It took me a long time to warm up to Pete Davidson. The King of Staten Island helped. His character comes to terms with his grief, and embracing an adult life. This is a poignant coming of age story I liked. 

Let Him Go

The drama Let Him Go quickly becomes a thriller. When grandparents find out that their grandson is in peril, they act. They are no-nonsense and do what they need to do. This film is darker than I expected, which worked for the story. Well done.

Wild Mountain Thyme

Wild Mountain Thyme is a sweet love story with a bit of an edge. Family, land and attraction drive this romance. The likeable cast helps too. I enjoyed this film.

Locked Down

 A couple finds themselves Locked Down together by the pandemic at the time they were intending to break up. This drama turns into a very satisfying heist film with some complicated details. I liked this film.

The Late Show (1977)

 The 1977 film The Late Show pairs two gifted comedic actors in a story of mystery and murder. I like a who-done-it and I like these performances. A bit silly at times, but I thought it was entertaining.

Genius

The film Genius takes us inside the world of publishing and editing in 1929. It explores the relationship between writer and editor in a very personal way. This is an intimate look at the literary world. I liked this film.

Dead Again

A mysterious story of past lives in the present is the premise of Dead Again. Working out the mysteries of a disturbing dream, we go back and forth in time to reveal the truth. It's a wild ride. Great performances. I always enjoy Robin Williams in a dramatic role. Thompson and Branagh shine.

Tiger

The documentary TV mini-series Tiger follows the rise and fall of golf superstar Tiger Woods. This is a  sad story of self destruction. In some situations it seems that there is an element of abuse, in others, a tendency of self-sabotage. An interesting, disturbing story.

Some Kind of Heaven

The documentary Some Kind of Heaven explores the retirement community The Villages in FL. Several personalities are highlighted and some of the stories are doozies. An interesting look inside an interesting lifestyle. 

An American Pickle

The fish-out-of-water story is told in An American Pickle. A 100 year old man navigates present-day Brooklyn with his great grandson. This film is funny and sweet.

David Byrne's American Utopia

The Broadway presentation of David Byrne's Utopia is available to enjoy on HBOmax. For this Broadway fan who especially loves music, dance and creativity, this is a treat. Lockdown has curtailed my Broadway attendance, so a show like this brought into my home is a dream. I'll be back in the theater some day, but for now, I will be grateful for presentations like this.

Easy to Wed

As classic films go, Easy to Wed is a gem. How many times can you marry? Public opinion 40s style plays a big part. Lucille Ball and Ester Williams knock it out of the park. This is a good one.

Ammonite

The film Ammonite examines female roles, both personal and professional. We are treated to stunning performances in this intricate story of profession, friendship, intimacy and class. Honest, warm and sexy. I liked this film.

Blackbird

The film Blackbird tells the very emotional story about choosing your end of life. A woman brings her family together to present her plan. The family dysfunctions are magnified by being together. Drama ensues. I thought this was a powerful film.

Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President

The film Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President is an interesting documentary. Carter was the first President I voted for. I still remember getting my absentee ballot notarized at the general store in Bethany, WV when I was in college. It Was fun to see Providence, RI gets a moment. Carter is is honest and sincere. Worth a watch. 

Music is the voice of the heart ~ Garth Brooks

Outrage

Closeted politicians are discussed in the documentary Outrage. Making decisions based on anyone's sexual orientation, is government at its worst. This is a disturbing, yet important documentary.

The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart

Watching The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart  I realized that their music was the sound track of my formative years. The Bee Gees' music was always on the radio or in films when I was a teenager and young adult. So singable and fun to dance to. What a contribution their talents brought to our culture. This is an excellent music documentary about a family of talented performers. What a ride!

The Rental

 As modern horror films go, The Rental is a good addition to the genre. Two couples rent a house for a weekend getaway and soon fall into issues of voyeurism and infidelity. The plausibility brings the scares, especially in the last half hour. Creepy rental that I liked.

Words on Bathroom Walls

 In Words on Bathroom Walls we get a coming of age story with an interesting premise. Charlie struggles in his senior year of high school, but finds support in places he did not expect. The performances in this film are strong. I really liked this one.

All is Bright

 I had one more Christmas movie on my list. A dismal story of a quick money scheme set at Christmas, All is Bright is dark, but I liked it. The performances are excellent.

Kajillionaire

The film Kajillionaire is a thoughtful story of family, survival, cons and acceptance. The performances are outstanding. I watched this film twice in one day, it's that good.

Tickled

 The film Tickled is not the documentary I expected. When a reporter delves into a tickling competition, he finds more than he bargains for. The less you know going in, the better. What a crazy story.

Ratatouille the Musical

 My first virtual performance experience was so fun! Ratatouille the Musical was creative, energetic, funny and heartfelt with wonderful performances. Post-show meet up on FaceTime after with my family was icing on the cake. Bravo!!

Let Them All Talk

 It's kind of fun to watch women in their 60s act like middle-schoolers. In Let Them All Talk we get that and more. I liked the story, I liked the characters, I liked the performances. I liked this film.

Holiday (1938)

 The classic film Holiday takes an interesting look at life choices. A young man wants to be on "holiday" while he is young. Not everyone in his life is supportive of his decision. A charming film.

Wonder Woman 1984

 In  Wonder Woman 1984 we learn the power of Diana as she is in the year 1984. Saving the world with strength and confidence she is thrilling to watch. The story and stunts are great. It is fun to see her story play out.

Soul

 The beauty of the film Soul lies very much in the love of music. The concept of where souls exist is pretty abstract, but it is played out with a lot of sincerity. I really liked the characters and the concept. Well done.

The Apartment

A man rethinks the use of his abode in The Apartment when he meets a woman he wants to romance. There are complications, and many moments play to comedy. This film is sweet, awkward and heartfelt. 

The Bishop's Wife

 In The Bishop's Wife an angel's visit changes a couple's perspective and lives. This Christmas classic is very satisfying.

Critical Thinking

 Based on a true story, Critical Thinking is the story of an inner city high school chess team. Their journey is interesting and heartfelt. Watch the credits to see interviews with the actual students. Good film.

Pottersville

Pottersville is an off the wall small town story with a kink. Set at Christmas, this story of mistaken identity is rather entertaining. I got a chuckle out of this quirky comedy.

White Christmas

 I first saw White Christmas on late night television when I was babysitting. This romantic story suited a young teenage me. The music and banter are delightful. A holiday film I enjoy.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Dynamic writing, performances and soundtrack make Ma Rainey's Black Bottom a solid portrayal of art, discrimination and principles. So good.

This Christmas

 In This Christmas we watch a family's holiday reunion with drama, secrets, loyalty, love and moves...so many moves. The last scene is a gift. I really liked the relationships and how they played into the reunion. Well done.

March of the Wooden Soldiers (Babes in Toyland 1934)

 I have a memory of seeing March of the Wooden Soldiers when I was young. I have no idea how I would have seen a 1934 film in the 50s or 60s, but it must have been on network TV during the holiday season. I loved it as a kid and I still like it now. The story is a little off and the villan is scary. It is slapstick and trilling at times. The story is there and the performances stand up. A bit of nostalgia.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

In Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey there is lots of creativity, lots of joy, lots of music, lots of dance. There's a lot in this movie, but it all comes down to a lot of heart. Fun Christmas watch.

Christmas on the Square

 Christmas on the Square is such a cheesy movie, but I enjoyed it for the cast. 

Tig

I had a ticket to see Tig Notaro live in PVD in 2020. It was rescheduled twice and ultimately canceled due to the pandemic. The last reschedule date was Dec. 4th so her show has been on my mind. I have seen her live before and really like her comedy. The documentary Tig, is a nice behind the scenes to her career and personal life. Such a talented performer and genuine human. As Tig likes to say, "I guess God was right, I can handle this." I'm a big fan, and I liked this documentary.

The Prom

 I love musical theater, but The Prom did not do it for me. Most of the performances were good, the story was OK, but many times it just seemed silly. I did like the music. Maybe I expected too much.

The Ward

 In The Ward a young woman is institutionalized. In time, she experiences terrors. Are the experiences real, or are they supernatural. A decent thriller.

What We Did on Our Holiday

A family drama that goes off the rails, What We Did on Our Holiday is edgy with a lot of heart, and the right amount of laughs. The kids will do anything for Granddad, and they do. I love this cast, and the ending is just right.

Mank

 An interesting look at film history, Mank covers a lot of ground. This dramatization of the writing of Citizen Kane shows an unattractive side of Hollywood and the early movie making machine. It's not all glamour. There is a constant narration in this film that is a bit much, but there is a lot of explaining to do. The film takes on a lot. 

Wildlife

Wildlife is a poignant family drama involving separation. Everyone is trying to find themselves. I found this film to be very touching. Well done.

Emma

 The 2020 film Emma is a charming interpretation of the Jane Austen classic. What a cast! The performances won me over and this film just makes me smile. Well done.

It's Always Fair Weather

 Great music, dance numbers and charm makes It's Always Fair Weather worth a look. I've never seen anyone tap dance in roller skates or trashcan lids. The editing is creative and makes this fun to watch. Great DVD rental. Watch the extras.

Hillbilly Elegy

 In Hillbilly Elegy we learn that no matter how they behave, family is still family. You choose how to deal with it. A shared legacy is in the hearts of these characters. Based on a memoir, I liked this film.

Road House

 In a bout of nostalgia, I rented Road House to get a little young Patrick Swayze. Playing a bouncer at a bar in Missouri, he keeps order with his martial arts prowess. His performance is strong, sexy and heartfelt. This film is a classic that is worth a watch.

The Queen's Gambit

 I was not expecting there to be so much drama around chess, but The Queen's Gambit proved me wrong. The performances, writing and editing make this series interesting and dramatic. I liked this series a lot.

My Octopus Teacher

The documentary My Octopus Teacher is fascinating. Beautifully shot. Emotionally narrated. This is a thrilling story I did not expect. Wish I had been able to see this in the theater. Nature up close is amazing, and at times, brutal. I really liked this film.

Relic

Generations are haunted in the film Relic. Is it a specter? Is it the house? Is it reality? Getting to the bottom of strange goings on is a good horror ride. Sometimes reality is more frightening than the supernatural.

Unhinged

In Unhinged overblown road rage goes down a violent road. With little motivation, a man wreaks bloody havoc. Anxiety plus. This was a very disturbing rental

The Current War

The complications of progress are explored in The Current War. A period film about the war of technology. Interesting rental

Amanda Knox

 The documentary Amanda Knox chronicles the story of a college student arrested for murder in Italy and her journey to freedom. OK rental if the subject interests you.

Let's Scare Jessica to Death

A creepy thriller with a 70s vibe, Let's Scare Jessica to Death keeps you guessing what's real, what's not? The production design is cool. For some reason I was obsessed with the glass doorknobs. Good rental.

To Catch a Thief

 In To Catch a Thief a retired burglar must defend his honor and figure out who is framing him. Great performances from Grant and Kelly.

Parting Glances

 In Parting Glances a group of friends gather for a going away party. Relationships, careers and family are all discussed with drama, humor. The social commentary is very interesting. We see the 80s in all its glory. Good film, great performances.

ANN

 The one-person show ANN is a wonderful portrayal of Ann Richards. Holland Taylor portrays the former Texas governor skillfully and with a lot of heart and grit. Her no-nonsense approach to life and politics is inspiring. I'm glad that I watched this. 

The Impostors

A silly slapstick ride, The Impostors is jam-packed with talented stars, drama and laughs. A lot of comedy makes this a fun watch.

Hardball

There is a lot of good early work from Keanu Reeves, Diane Lane and a great group of young actors in Hardball. Gambling, little league and urban survival delivers a heartwarming drama with a sobering look at violence. I really liked this film.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a great sci-fi, mystery horror film. What's in those pods? Well shot and oh that score. Great rental

The Long Dumb Road

An odd couple end up on a road trip in The Long Dumb Road. The journey has its ups and downs and a lot of heart. Funny with a touch of raunchy. I liked this movie a lot.

Pick of the Litter

The Pick of the Litter is a documentary about the work involved in training guide dogs. The amount of work involved for both the dogs and he trainers is impressive. Inspiring and heartfelt rental.

DVD.com in Lock-Down

 When I first experienced the Empty Nest in the late 90s I had more time to watch movies. My older daughter was a bit of a cinephile, and I was fascinated when she and her friends would see a film on it's opening weekend. I liked movies, but did not consume them as voraciously as she. As my idle hours increased this changed. I got used to going to the cinema by myself and trips to the video store were frequent. In 2002 my daughter started talking about something called Netflix. I was skeptical of getting DVDs in the mail, but she signed me up as a birthday gift. And what a gift it was! As I merrily scrolled through the library, adding films to my queue, I realized that many titles I tried to find at the video store or the library were now at my fingertips from the comfort of my home. In no time I eased into a routine of renting 3 movies a week. Quite a value and great entertainment.

 My other form of movie consumption was the cinema. Every weekend I would follow my daughter's lead and head to that room in the dark to see the latest releases. From big studio blockbusters to art house gems, I was a consumer. If the reviews on a film were so-so I would put the title in my Netflix queue for a low risk, high value viewing at home. Over time, I learned how to get the latest releases and classic gems delivered to my door. 

A few years ago, I was approached to be part of a group to promote the newly branded Netflix service dvd.com. Swag arrived at my door and reward points could be earned by posting on social media and participating in activities.#DVDNation #ad I was even fortunate enough to meet the people in this Directors group on a visit to one of the Netflix distribution hubs. Seeing the process of how they turned around thousands of DVDs a day was fascinating. We joked about who had the most movies in their queue and reveled in the joy of our mutual love of film and physical media.

When we went into lock-down in March, the closing of theaters made sense. Though I understood, it left a void in my film world. The comfort that I took in my Netflix subscription was valuable. Movies delivered to my house? Sweet! Since I had been to the hub and knew that they sanitized the discs, I was not worried about exposure. The USPS handled the deliveries like a champ. At first, I leaned toward light fare and comedies, but I was feeling and unsettled restlessness. Renting the 1927 film Wings taught me a lesson. I found comfort in a film made over 90 years ago. The themes of comradery and loyalty, along with some amazing cinematography was very comforting. Then the movie Auntie Mame (1958) was recommended as a movie to watch with the family. Once again I was comforted by a film of a certain age. The movies kept coming and I kept finding satisfaction in films from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. The best part was never leaving the house to get them. The service from the dvd.com hubs and the USPS has been flawless. I have never appreciated their services more. Since March, I have made sure to write my thanks to both the USPS and Netflix on the return envelopes. I hope they know how sincere those messages are. If you love movies DVD.com is the way to go with the best DVD library around and unbeatable service. Thanks so much to Netflix!

The Spiral Staircase (1946)

Halloween season is the perfect time to watch The Spiral Staircase. Trapped in a house with a serial killer, a young woman is in peril. This is a perfectly crafted thriller. Great rental for this scary season.

Bug

The wild thriller Bug is a crazy ride through delusion, paranoia and conspiracy. Agnes: "I am the super Mother bug!" Cool film.

The People Under the Stairs

If you like something creepy with a touch of social justice check out The People Under the Stairs. Wes Craven takes us to a house and a hidden world that becomes an unexpected adventure to make things right. Well done.

The Hot Rock

The Hot Rock is a classic heist film with a great cast. Films from the 70s hit a chord with me through the cars, hair and clothes. Seriously, what was going on with Redford's hair? There are a lot of bare chests in this film as well. Some good, some not so much. Sad what they did to that Mustang and I question the handling ability of that Mercedes. The driving sequences are harrowing, sometimes terrifying. The lower Manhattan skyline with the Twin Towers under construction really set us in the time period of the early 70s. I really liked this film.

Being There

The film Being There is an interesting exploration of what's real. The most realistic quote in this film is, "All you've got to be is white in America to get whatever you want." This film has a lot of heart and the ending is the "aha" moment. The performances and story are so good and so satisfying. I really liked this movie.

The Trial of the Chicago 7

If you like historical drama, The Trial of the Chicago 7 portrays an important time in American history. Excellent film. Outstanding performances. Disturbing look at our justice system. "The whole world is watching." Well done.

The Hospital

In The Hospital things just keep going wrong. The distortion of power and bureaucracy is depicted well. I saw this in the theater back in the day and it still holds up. Outstanding performances.

Inheritance

Not every Inheritance is about money. A mystery man surfaces after a wealthy man dies. Who he is and why he's there makes for a mystery that takes some startling turns. I liked this movie a lot, but it's pretty bizarre.I liked it.

Exeter

A supernatural horror film, Exeter, was made in RI at an alleged haunted site. Teenagers awaken the supernatural to a creepy effect. There are plenty of jump scares. This is a decent scary movie.

Making The Boys

Making the Boys is an excellent documentary about making The Boys in the Band, both the play and the film. Mart Crowley tells the story along with the cast and collaborators. The film is personal and powerful. Great rental.

No Time for Sergeants

 The classic No Time for Sergeants is a military themed comedy. The interactions between all of the different personalities makes for very funny scenes. This is a great cast. Very entertaining.

Charlie's Angels (2019)

The 2019 version of Charlie's Angels is a cool action film that stays true to the source material...and then some. The story is interesting and the chase and fight scenes rock. Well done. Good rental.

Winter Kills

I got classic 70s vibes from the drama Winter Kills. Wardrobe and cars are spot on. Basically, this is a murder mystery that goes many different ways. I won't spoil it, but there is a yellow Pinto in a chase scene. The last half hour is the best part of the film. Wonderful performances.