Month: August 2023

Movie 1: Landscape With Invisible Hand

Set in 2036 this is a satirical sci-fi drama that depicts how our planet tries to survive when taken over by seemingly nonviolent aliens. Seen mostly through the eyes of teenagers, this movie blends social commentary with science fiction. Very well done and very thought provoking. Based on M.T. Anderson’s 2017 novel of the same name.

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Movie 2: Golda

Helen Mirren transforms into Golda Meir. This is a biopic set during the Yom Kippur War. This historical drama is tense and almost claustrophobic as the camera focuses on extreme closeups of Golda’s face and constant chain smoking. The scenes between Golda Meir and Henry Kissinger (Liev Schreiber) are Academy Award quality.

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Movie 3: Blue Beetle

This is a fun action-packed movie about one of the lesser known DC comic characters. A young college kid comes home looking for a job. There is plenty of humor and social commentary. The special effects are very good. The movie is about a half hour too long.

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Movie 1: Fatale

This is a very good psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns. Hillary Swank is a detective investigating a murder in a wealthy Los Angeles neighborhood. Not exactly a remake of Fatal Attraction, but the similarities are inescapable. On Netflix.

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Movie 2: Red White & Royal Blue

This is a charming and delightful romantic comedy. The son of the first female President of the United States and the second heir to the British throne fall in love. This has all the right ingredients for a fun fairytale. It’s the number one movie worldwide on Prime Video.

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Movie 3: Strays

This is a very funny, and at times intelligent, comedy about a stray dog trying to find his way home. And the sidekicks who accompany him. But, unfortunately, the relentless vulgarity is a total distraction from an otherwise pretty good movie.

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Movie 1: Painkiller

This is a very good six part Netflix series about the opioid epidemic and the pharmaceutical company and doctors responsible for it. Based on true events, this docudrama has a frantic urgency about it. The acting, especially Uzo Aduba, is very good.

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Movie 2: The Last Voyage of the Demeter

As far as Dracula movies go, this one is ok. Based on the seventh chapter of Bram Stoker’s book Dracula, dangerous cargo sails between Romania and London. The movie has a moody, dark, gothic feel. Good acting and eerie cinematography.

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Movie 3: Jules

This is a charming movie. Anyone who has seen ET will know the premise. Three senior citizens befriend an extraterrestrial whose spaceship lands in one of their backyards. The real life topics of aging, dementia, loneliness are poignantly and beautifully portrayed. Try not to miss this gem.

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Movie 1: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

This is the 10th Ninja Turtle movie in the franchise, dating back to 1990. In this version, the turtle brothers, having spent their lives in the sewers of NYC, venture out to live with the humans. The animation is amazing, meticulous and dark. The dialogue is witty and timely. If you are a Ninja Turtle fan, you will enjoy this movie.

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Movie 2: My Fault (Culpa Mia)

This is a Spanish romantic drama set near the beautiful beaches of southern Spain. A divorced mother with a teenage daughter marries a wealthy divorced father with a teenage son. There is typical stepsister/stepbrother angst and rivalry until, well, there isn’t…. It is a very well-done movie with good acting and believable dialogue. On Amazon Video. In Spanish with English subtitles. We watched the dubbed English version.

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Movie 3: Shortcomings

This was a very pleasant surprise and a wonderful little movie. It’s a romantic comedy/drama with witty humor and perfect casting. A young Japanese American couple, living in Berkeley California, decide to take a break and she moves to New York City. What follows is a very touching and funny realistic look at life.

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Movie 1: River Wild

This is a pretty good remake/reimagining of the 1994 Meryl Streep and Kevin Bacon movie The River Wild. Two brothers take a white-water rafting trip with a small group of women. One of the brothers is a convict recently released on parole. There is good dialogue, plenty of tension and beautiful mountain scenery. On Netflix.

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Movie 2: Meg 2: The Trench

This is a horror action movie with bland not-so-special effects. Not sure why the shark is supposed to be eating everything in sight. And where a humongous octopus came from is still a mystery. OK action but otherwise pretty dull overall. If you liked the first Meg movie, you may enjoy this one. If you didn’t like it, then one Meg is enough.

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Movie 3: Dreamin’ Wild

This is a very well-cast, written and directed drama based on a true story. Two teenage brothers create an album that a Seattle record promoter finally discovers 30 years later. Set in Eastern Washington state, the look and feel of this movie is very affecting. Casey Affleck gives a strong performance.

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Movie 1: Cobweb

An eight year old boy hears sounds coming from his bedroom walls. His parents don’t believe him. This is a horror film that just falls apart. Interesting premise but amateurish acting. Something definitely goes bump in the night, but by the end we don’t care much.

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Movie 2: Haunted Mansion

This is a fun movie, but not as much as we had hoped. A mother and son buy a mansion that is, you guessed it, haunted. The movie does not take itself seriously, and that’s part of the appeal. Anyone who has been on the Haunted Mansion ride at any of the Disney theme parks will recognize the very good special effects.

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Movie 3: Talk to Me

This Australian horror film started out really well done with good acting and plot. A group of friends discover an embalmed hand that can conjure up past memories and spirits. Then it just took itself too seriously and collapsed. It’s extremely violent and gory. We finally couldn’t wait for it to end.

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Special Note: We have seen Oppenheimer, Mission Impossible and Barbie twice each. Movies get no better than this.