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Lonely Planet (2024)
Not much there there
Performances are great, including the secondary characters, such as an arrogant memoir writer and the kind retreat owner. The setting is wonderful and is used well, allowing the audience to experience the exotic sites and sounds along with the characters. However, the story unfolds with all the usual cliches but without any real depth. We don't really get to know the characters beyond their basic background - he is an surprisingly ethical finance bro and she is a tempermental writer grappling with the end of a long term relationship. They fall into a predictable holiday romance which includes a car breakdown and a moped ride. Very typical stuff. Then they have a little fight and split up and then the excruciatingly trite make-up. I really expected more.
One final note: despite my dissatisfaction with the film, I was surprised to read several reviews suggesting that Liam Helmsworth's character would never find Laura Dern appealing due to her age. That seems laughable to me - she is gorgeous and brilliant. Anyone would find her appealing. Plus, it's such a weird and frankly unrealistic critique - lots of younger men find older women intriguing - there are many current books and movies about this exact situation, and it has been explored many many times before as well.
Music from Another Room (1998)
Should have been better
The cast in this movie is great and that raised my expectations quite a bit. The whole time I was watching it, I wondered if I would have enjoyed it more if I had seen it 25 years ago, when it was released. I have certainly raised my standards since then. It's rather ambitious to remake Anna Karenina in a modern tale with a happy ending. Sadly, this doesn't really succeed, though the movie makes more sense as you start to realize the parallels. Unfortunately, Jude Law as Danny and Gretchen Mol as Anna have no chemistry. And Anna has no discernable personality, her only appeal is that she is rail thin and pretty. I suppose there was a time when I would have been captivated watching Danny fall magically and instantly in love with her, but that time is past. Jennifer Tilly's Nina is a much more appealing character and her romance and character development are much more charming. Watch the movie for her.
Queen Bees (2021)
Charming but uneven
I enjoyed this film, and it's nice to see older people being treated like full human beings, with an interest in sex and romance. However, this film suffered from a rather uneven tone - it didn't know if it wanted to be a comedy or a rom-com or a family drama or an exploration of various issues faced by aging people. The title makes you think the film is going to focus on the female friendships, but it was clearly always intended to be more about senior romance, because the end credits scroll past many photos of older couples getting married, which is lovely but also not really what the movie focussed on. The original title "It's Never Too Late" would have made a lot more sense and would have set the audience's expectations more accurately. Ellyn Burstyn is great of course, but the standout is Alec Mapa as the Filipino masseusse - he brings real authenticity and sweetness to his role. Matthew Barnes' understated turn as the grandson also contributes some nice balance. This is worth watching, but not a home run unfortunately.
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
Not completely effective
This review is for people who already saw the movie because I have so many questions! Why was Erik under the water? Why is the cat immediately attached to him? Why is he still wearing a tie three days after the world collapsed? Did the aliens really only land in Manhattan? We know from the other movies that they don't stay just there - why don't get an explanation for that? What were the aliens eating in the construction site? Why do the people in this movie never need to eat anything or even drink water? And most importantly, why would you create a whole survival movie around a person who isn't going to survive???
Anyone But You (2023)
Such a waste
I'm a fan of this genre, but some people just shouldn't be trying to write romantic comedies, because not everybody can do it. This whole cast looks so uncomfortable saying the crap lines that comprise this script. And it's a real shame, because the leads have great chemistry. They are individually adorable and quite appealing together. But the comedy is not funny, and the scenario, of ruining a lovely wedding, is an odd choice for the setting. There were a couple of moments where I thought it might not be a complete waste of my time, but ultimately, this really is not worth watching. Everyone in this movie, and everyone in the audience, deserves so much better.
Maggie Moore(s) (2023)
Weird and fun
I'm surprised so many reviews are saying this movie isn't good. It's exactly what it's billed as: a dark comedy. Jon Hamm and Tina Fey are fantastic in their roles. The other actors are wonderful and don't miss a beat. You never know what's gonna happen next, which is especially gratifying in the current film landscape of sequels and reboots. I enjoyed every strange, off-kilter moment of this, and the ending is pitch-perfect. A delightful film except for the inexcusable outcome for Deputy Reddy. If you like the Coen brothers' movies, you should connect with this - it very much strikes the same notes as Raising Arizona and Fargo - lots of death and deadpan characters.
A Tourist's Guide to Love (2023)
Strong finish but not great
My expectations were low for this Netflix rom-com, but I was getting pretty fed up around the halfway point - the film was just too saccharine and predictable, though the lush setting and cultural sites elevated the experience and kept me going. Once a little tension was added to the situation, the film became more watchable, and I especially enjoyed the ending. I really like Rachel Leigh Cook and she has made several charming rom-coms since she matured a bit (I highly recommend Love, Guaranteed). Scott Ly is suitably hunky and soulful as the local love interest, and Ben Feldman is always great. The respectful presentation of Vietnam earned the movie an extra star, as did the completely casual and normalized inclusion of a Black lesbian couple. I was interested to read that the story is loosely based on the screenwriter's actual experience of an unexpected breakup before a trip to Vietnam, where she met a free spirit who she realized suited her best. (I wish I had known this before I watched - I might have been a bit more patient with the film.)
Oppenheimer (2023)
A great film
I had originally thought this was a flawless film but upon reflection, I changed my mind. It is a magnificient film, with a splendid cast. It makes the science interesting and understandable (which could not have been easy) and it doesn't avoid the provocative politics of the situation. My complaint is that the audience does not necessarily understand why Oppenheimer is so arrogant and so celebrated. The film opens by showing how insecure and troubled he was, and then jumps ahead to the Manhattan Project without showing how he came to be so admired and so impressed with himself. It also shows many contenious relationships he had, leaving one to wonder why the Project scientists supported him decades later despite their dismay over the use of the bombs. I would have liked just a bit more showing his intellectual growth in his earlier years as well as his management of the Project. (I supposed I should read the book.)
Gentleman Jack (2019)
1st season was spectacular
I loved the 1st season of this show - Anne Lister was such an interesting character and Suranne Jones was just riveting - I loved the way she broke the 4th wall and gave side eye to the audience. That the show was based on Anne's actual journals made it so much better - that she was a real character in history. The 2nd season was more about what a money grubbing, social climbing, pompous jerk Anne was, who didn't care at all about the working class, especially in the mine she owned and her own household staff. I didn't enjoy the 2nd season nearly as much as the first, even if it was historically accurate. I hated how cruel and manipulative she was to her wife. It just wasn't nearly as fun.
A Little Chaos (2014)
Wonderful but a little uneven
A beautiful film of course and the cast is just pitch perfect. However, it loses its way a little in the middle, when I found myself wondering "what is this movie about"? They try to keep a few too many balls in the air (garden design, budding romance, managing grief, court intrigue, etc) to be completely satisfying, but its well worth watching, especially for some really poignant moments, all of them anchored by the luminous Kate Winslet.
The Dressmaker (2015)
Good but not what I was expecting
Such a great cast, just acting the heck out of this, but the story is so uneven and the ending is not what I was expecting. I got a definite Cold Comfort Farm vibe at first (a movie I really loved) - satirical and weirdly funny. But by the then end it was a bit more MacBeth (kind of weird and dark). Not a waste of time but not as satisfying as I had hoped.
tick, tick...BOOM! (2021)
Confusing but entertaining
I think if you are not familiar with Jonathan Larson, this story needs a little more context than it's given. It's clearly a labor of love and a love letter to musical theater in general and Broadway in particular. The music is terrific of course, and all the performances and many VIP cameos are delightful.
However, this is a slice of Larson's life before he wrote Rent. References to Rent are clear in the film (AIDS and HIV references abound for example) and the film opens (and closes) by talking about Rent. But I kept waiting for the main character to start writing Rent. He doesn't - the film ends before Larson begins working on Rent. It's kind of confusing and a little disappointing. If I had been clear what this film was (it's mostly a staging of, and exploration of, a show Larson wrote prior to Rent called tick tick boom), I would have enjoyed it more instead of expecting it to be something it wasn't.
The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021)
Relentlessly depressing
Of course marvelous performances and excellent evocation of the time and place. But the story needs a lot more art and more cats. I understand his life was sad, but the movie devotes way too much time to his failures and so little to his triumph and the joy he brought to so many.
I Am Mother (2019)
Disappointing
This is an interesting film - it really sucks you in, and its slick looking. But I was so disappointed in the ending. They had a lot of ways they could have gone with the story that would have been a lot more intriguing. SPOILER ALERT. I thought it was not coincidence that the adult and teen looked almost identical, but it turns out that was nothing. WTF? And who shot Hillary Swank? That was never explained. Did she shoot herself to get inside? If you're going to make a smart sci fi movie, treat your audience like it's smart...
Brazen (2022)
Underwhelming
I really wanted to love a film that has a woman over 30 years old as the protagonist. And nothing at all against the actors in this movie. But the story is just so improbable and this terrible murder is sort of treated like a way for the main couple to get together, which makes it seem so trivial. I'm not familiar with this author - maybe the book has more substance. If you like this genre, this is a perfectly acceptable addition to it, but it's not my cup of tea.
We Need to Talk About Cosby (2022)
Devastating
Like Kamau, I grew up with Cosby. I adored Fat Albert, I laughed until I couldn't breathe listening to his comedy albums. It is incredibly heart wrenching to discover what a terrible person he was. It's also truly horrifiying to confront how many people over the years helped him keep that secret. And it's awesome in the worst possible sense of the word to realize how one person can be two utterly different people, one who does tremendous good in the world and one who is a monster. Thank you, Kamau, for this amazing and heartbreaking retrospective!
Destination Wedding (2018)
Fun
This is not for everybody. But if you like smart dialog and delightful performances from beloved actors, then you should take the time to watch this quirky film.
Miss You Already (2015)
Ok
An amazing cast elevates a very predictable story. I have to admit, I expected a little bit more than what this ended up being. Treacle galore but the performances are wonderful.
The Power of the Dog (2021)
Blew me away
This movie is not at all what I was expecting - I thought it would be a more traditional Western. It's just an astounding character study of several people. It's a little slow getting started, but it's so worth it by the time you get to the end. If Benedict Cumberbatch doesn't get an Oscar, there is no justice in the world. Watch this movie.
The Unforgivable (2021)
Wow
I cannot imagine why there are so many negative reviews of this movie. People clearly watched this movie expecting it to be something other than what it was. I thought it was amazing. Sandra Bullock totally delivers. The rest of the cast is just perfect. I cried at the end. What more can you want from a film?
Single All the Way (2021)
A for effort, C for execution
I know this movie meant well. It has some charming moments. It has some funny moments. It has a delightful ending. But the leads have no chemistry. And what is the point of spending the 1st half of the movie insisting that gay men can just be friends when, according to this movie, they cannot. I love a good romantic gay romance. The Broken Heart's Club is literally a top 10 film of mine. This was a wasted opportunity. It could have been better.
Love, Guaranteed (2020)
Adorbs from start to finish
Completely winning film: great acting, great story, excellent use of the Seattle location. This rom-com has its heart firmly in the right place and you can't help but cheer for this couple to get over themselves and get together. Charming addition to the genre!
Little Italy (2018)
Adorable modern romance
The comparison to Romeo and Juliet is odd because the story plays out quite differently. Leo and Nikki are childhood friends. Their fathers' feud started when they were still kids, but they remained friends. Nikki leaves for culinary school and, when she returns, sparks fly. There's a lot of nice modern touches, such as a side story about an octagenarian love affair, and some colorful secondary characters, including a flaboyant gay bar owner. The Toronto setting is used well and the leads have great chemistry. A charming addition to the rom-com genre.
Love Hard (2021)
Worth watching
This is not a perfect movie, but it has a lot going for it. Winning performances by the leads for starters. There are many funny lines and the movie has its heart in the right place. The message about being yourself is always a good one. The rewrite of Baby It's Cold Outside is destined to be a new classic. And yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie!
Also a plus: it has a definite The Truth About Cats and Dogs vibe, which is a top 10 favorite of mine.
I do have to knock it for a few things. Natalie and Josh have almost no chemistry to speak of. Jimmy Yang is handsome, but they could have sexed him up just a little - a better haircut would be a great start. The cringy proposal scene could have been cut completely and does anyone believe Josh and Natalie got every copy of the newspaper in the entire town (what if Tag's family gets home delivery?)
But every rom-com has red herrings and contrivances - you have to be willing to suspend disbelief if you want to enjoy people finding true love in 120 minutes or less. This is not a bad addition to the genre.
The Harder They Fall (2021)
Very much worth watching
Not a perfect movie but a very good movie. It's a bit long - it wouldn't have spoiled any aspect of the film to trim a bit here and there and get the movie in at a more manageable 2 hours. But that's such a minor complaint. The casting is pitch perfect and it's just a master class for everyone watching. The film strikes an excellent balance of traditional western with some modern sensibility thrown in, including terrific music.
I just loved the twist at the end and it allowed Idris a spectacular scene. The women kick ass, which is important for me (as much as I enjoy the male actors). And the kisses - so hot!
There are so many untold or forgotten stories of westward expansion from the perspective of the other people who were there and impacted by it, I hope this is the beginning of a lot more westerns.