Month: September 2025

Movie 1: The History of Sound

This is an intentionally slow moving story, with beautifully muted colors and cinematography.  Two young men meet in a bar and discover they have a mutual love of music, and eventually a love of each other.  But as WWI is about to start, that is a love that cannot happen.  The gorgeous soundtrack is loud and fast moving, in direct contrast to what we are watching on screen.  The acting is perfect, as you would expect from two top notch actors.

Rating:

Movie 2: Him

Supposedly a movie about an up and coming football quarterback, at a private training camp, this horror film is anything but.  We aren’t sure how or why this movie is in theaters, but our advice is to stay far, far away.  An expensively made mess.

Rating:

Movie 3: Sunday Best

This is an absolute gem of a documentary.  It tells a story about Ed Sullivan we knew nothing about.  It’s an hour and a half of wonderful footage and powerful commentary.  And more than appropriate for these bleak times.  On Netflix.

Rating:

Movie 1: The Long Walk

This drama/thriller is based on a Stephen King short novel from the late 1970’s. Back then he wrote under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Set in a desolate postwar America, one teenager from every state walks a long highway until only one person remains standing. If you stop for longer than ten seconds you are shot and killed after two warnings. At times the tension is palpable. Unlike most movies that are filmed out of sequence, this one is filmed from day one until the end. Adding realism to the exhaustion and horror of the walkers.

Rating:

Movie 2: The Conjuring: Last Rites

This is the 4th movie in The Conjuring franchise, and arguably one of the better ones.  At least me (John) kept my eyes closed half the time.  So I think I liked it.  The Warrens (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) are back and casting out evil in a small Pennsylvania town.   Based on actual events (supposedly) there are the prerequisite daytime and nighttime horror and scary happenings but done in a (somewhat) believable and intelligent way.  If you are a fan of this genre or like jumping out of your seat, you will enjoy this movie.

Rating:

Movie 3: A Big Bold Beautiful Journey

The cinematography is beautiful and the acting very good in this not very typical road trip.  The best part of this movie is the enduring chemistry between Margot Robie and Colin Ferrell.  They meet at a wedding and fall in love on the ride home. The movie draws the viewer in, but we aren’t exactly sure why.  Other than visually interesting it can be quite confusing.  And we walked out of the theatre asking ourselves what just happened? 

Rating:

Movie 1: Twinless

This is a very clever and inventive drama/comedy that has several twists and turns.  Two young men meet in an emotional support group for twins who have lost a sibling.  The acting is very good and James Sweeney does a superb job as actor, writer and director.  Grief and loneliness is portrayed in a realistic way, sometimes with humor and sometimes with alarming reality.   

Rating:

Movie 2: Splitsville

This is a very intelligent and realistic comedy about two couples who assume their spouses want an open marriage.  There are some very funny scenes.  And it explores different reasons why some couples want open relationships.  The acting and writing are well done.

Rating:

Movie 3: Downton Abby: The Grand Finale

This is a beautifully filmed, scripted and acting finale to the Downton Abbey franchise.  It ties up all loose ends.  The sets and costumes are glorious and deserve Oscar consideration.  If you are a Downton fan (or not particularly) you will enjoy this movie.

Rating:

Movie 1: The Roses

This is a remake of the 1989 movie The War of the Roses.  This is a dark comedy, watching a seemingly very good marriage disintegrate in front of us.  But there is a lot more going on here with this modern approach to the original.  The acting, directing, and especially the writing, are all Oscar caliber.  Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch are perfect as the loving/waring couple.  Beautiful cinematography.  Set in Northern California, it is actually filmed in Devon, England. 

Rating:

Movie 2: Caught Stealing

This is an excellently acted, directed and scripted thriller, with lots of twists and turns.  A Brooklyn bar tender, and his girlfriend, get caught up in a Ukrainian/Jewish/Chinese mobster drug and money caper because of a British neighbor.  Director Darren Aronofsky is at the top of his game and Austin Butler continues to impress.  Fun and bloody at the same time.  We will see this one again.

Rating:

Movie 3: Relay

This is a fast paced, suspenseful thriller.  A little bit difficult to follow at first, a bribe broker (who knew such a thing existed) works with corrupt companies and corrupt people who try to blackmail them.  Lots of conflicts and deceit all around.  We found it a fascinating movie with really good acting.  Riz Ahmed is very good as the broker. 

Rating: