Movies: California Typewriter, The Mountain Between Us

California Typewriter

Last week, over the top designer shoes!  This week the resurrection of the typewriter!  This documentary is about the growing trend and popularity of the old fashioned typewriter and the passion/commitment behind it.

There is also a keen focus on a Berkeley, CA mom and pop typewriter and repair shop that has been around since 1949 that has the same name as the movie title.  Now, before you conclude I have lost my marbles, consider this:  Tom Hanks, John Mayer, Sam Shepard and David McCullough all appear in this film with more than just energy on the topic, but passion as well.

Then there are the folks that repair typewriters!  And the artists that use old typewriter parts to create works of art for both prominent individuals and corporations, and the history of typewriters…

This movie is not rated.  Its genre is Documentary.  It runs 1 hour, 43 minutes.  It is different, interesting and thought provoking.

Rating

The Mountain Between Us

This film was just released today and since this was the last chance to catch a  movie before our trip tomorrow, we decided spontaneously to check it out.

It is different.  Two strangers are stranded on a mountain in the middle of winter after a tragic plane crash.  Within a few days it was apparent a rescue was unlikely so they decided to find a way off the mountain.

The performances are believable for the most part but just.  The story line is less than perfect.  That is offset by the relationship that is forged between the two lead characters, Kate Winslet and Idris Elba.  Dermot Mulroney and Beau Bridges have important but bit parts.  There are half a dozen other small roles as well.

Critics and audiences were not very kind to this film.  In fairness, the first third was kind of clunky and the dog was a bit annoying.  But we got into it and the plot got better and better with time.  And…there is a surprise ending.

It’s rated PG-13 for sexuality, peril, injury images and some strong language.  We would think twice for viewing by children.  The genre is Drama/Thriller with a running time of 1 hour, 49 minutes.

Rating