Month: November 2024

Movie 1: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Assassin

This is a very good and insightful movie about the life of the celebrated German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It’s a period drama that spans the Nazi Third Reich in Germany, from Hitler’s rise to power, him creating his own Bible, to wars end. Based on actual events and Bonhoffer’s own writings. In theatres now and soon on Amazon Prime.

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Movie 2: Wicked

This is an absolutely dazzling movie. A prequel to the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, we meet all the witches and characters pre-Dorothy. Spectacular costumes, sets, cinematography. This is an emotionally rich blockbuster, to be seen more than once.

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Movie 3: Gladiator II

This is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2000 Oscar winning Best Picture. It does not disappoint. The cinematography is stunning, especially the aerial scenes of ancient Rome. The story has more action and violence than the first Gladiator, as this film depicts Rome near its collapse as an empire. Denzel Washington is excellent as a bisexual slave trader. Sure to get numerous Oscar nominations.

Special Note:  We are off on an adventure to Austria, Germany, Italy and Croatia.  Movie reviews will resume first of the year.  Happy Thanksgiving to you all and a peaceful and joyous Holiday Season.

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Movie 1: Red One

This is a Christmas action movie fantasy where Santa Claus is kidnapped, and his security team (Dwayne Johnson) hooks up with an infamous bounty hunter (Chris Evans) to rescue him. Yes, this makes little sense and yes, this is not great film making. But that’s totally ok. Just sit back and enjoy this fun ride. One of the most entertaining Christmas movies in a long time.

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Movie 2: Small Things Like These

This Irish drama is deliberately slow and very thought provoking. It shows how young pregnant women were treated by Catholic nuns when they were forced/sent to convents for the remainder of their pregnancies. Based on historical facts, these were very sobering events that didn’t end until 1998. Both film critics and friends liked this historical drama better than we did.

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Movie 3: Terrifier 3

This is a low budget Christmas horror film. Critics, though, seem to like this movie franchise; we found it dumb and a waste of time, and not exactly sure what it’s about.

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Movie 1: Blitz

Director Steve McQueen (Oscar winner for 12 Years a Slave) creates a WWII drama about the German nighttime bombings of London. He does a good job of depicting the despair of London residents as fires blaze out of control. The movie unfolds slowly, and the cinematography adds to the tension. While an interesting movie, this film falls just short of being really good.

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Movie 2: Weekend In Taipei

This is a fun, action-packed movie. A former DEA agent reconnects with a former love interest in Taipei, setting off a lot more than just sparks. Filmed in Taipei with all the requisite chase scenes, this movie is very entertaining.

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Movie 3: Memoir of a Snail

This Australian animated film is heartfelt and beautifully made. There is so much more going on here than just the narration of a young women following the daily lives of a family of snails. Friendship, mental health, sadness, anger and hope. Not for younger children. Should receive an Oscar nomination.

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Movie 1: Elevation

The storyline and optics of this movie are really interesting. Machine-like creatures invade the earth and destroy most of mankind, all below 8,000 feet in elevation. They are unable to go higher, so what’s left of mankind must move above the snowline. Beautifully filmed in the Colorado Rockies, this is a fun sci-fi thriller.

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Movie 2: Heretic

This is a really well done and intelligent horror film. Two young women from the Church of Latter Day Saints wring the wrong doorbell, are invited in, and things slowly go downhill from there. There is a lot more going on here than just the usual horror flick. Religious beliefs, zealotry and the reason for human existence to name a few. Interesting and tense cinematography adds to a very entertaining movie. Hugh Grant is eerily good.

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Movie 3: A Real Pain

This is an absolutely brilliant comedy/drama. Two cousins take a small group tour to Poland to visit the hometown and concentration camp where their grandmother was from. The chemistry between Jessie Eisenberg (writer and director) and Kieran Culkin is melancholy, uplifting and nothing short of perfect. There should be several Oscar nominations for this one. And it was good to see Jennifer Grey again.

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Movie 1: Here

This is a very unusual movie, in both the way it is filmed and the narrative. The movie takes place over a couple hundred years, all in the same room of the same house. The camera seldom moves, just focusing on the one room. Once you get use to that, the film becomes interesting and draws you in. Very good directing and acting, especially by Paul Bettany, who plays Tom Hanks father. Not a movie for everyone, but very creative nonetheless.

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Movie 2: Juror #2

This is a very entertaining crime drama directed by Clint Eastwood. An unsuspecting juror finds himself with a compelling moral issue. Good directing and acting all around. Not one of Eastwood’s best, but still well done. At 94 years of age, this may be his last movie.

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Movie 3: Emilia Perez

Wow, what an overwhelming experience! Original and fascinating from beginning to end. A notorious Mexican drug lord has a sex change operation, and we literally follow the entire transition. Part drama, part musical and all very entertaining. Winner of the Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize and also winner of the Best Actress Award (shared by all four actresses in the movie). In theatres now, coming to Netflix November 13. Spanish with English subtitles.

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