Movie 1: Speak No Evil

This is a really good and fun thriller/horror/drama. Based on a Danish movie of the same name, two couples with kids meet in Tuscany and become friends. Brits living in the West Country of England and Americans living in London. A weekend visit goes terribly wrong. Smart and very well done.

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Movie 2: Will & Harper

This is an excellent and heartfelt documentary, a funny, honest and beautiful ode to friendship. Will Farrell and Harper Steele take a road trip from NYC to LA. It’s Harper’s first time out of New York since transitioning to a woman. In theatres now and Netflix September 27. Try not to miss this excellent movie.

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Movie 3: Slingshot

This Syfy space odyssey/thriller is really well done. Humans go deep into space. So deep they need intermittent months of sleep to reach an outermost destination. With a small cast of only a few actors they capture the mental and physical fatigue really well. Many national critics found this movie slow, boring or insulting. We found it entertaining.

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Movie 1: Spencer

This historical drama has been in the theatres several weeks. Nonetheless, if you have not already seen this film, it’s absolutely worthy of a watch. (The British Royal Family is always worth a watch. If for no other reason, recent events yield a never ending saga.) The acting, sets and clothing are excellent.

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Movie 2: King Richard

Now here is a fascinating contemporary story about Richard William’s, the father and trainer to tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams. That said, the PG rating sounds tame but some content is challenging to watch.

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Movie 3: tick, tick … BOOM!

This semi-autobiographical story about New York composer Jonathan Larson and his theater/play musical is equally fascinating, tragic, overwhelming, inspiring with a global afterlife. It’s well worth seeking out. Currently in theatres and on Netflix.

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Movie 1: Reminiscence

This most unusual film seems to showcase a wide range of genres: sex, drugs, strong language, violence, and mystery. Critics are all over the board trying to make sense of it all. It’s a neo-noir thriller which we thoroughly enjoyed.

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Movie 2: The Protege

Don’t miss this one if you are in the mood for a bit more bad language, creative slaughtering and brief nudity. The leading lady is an assassin. Another film just under 2 hours. Nonetheless it’s intriguing and unique. Samuel L. Jackson is always fun.

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Movie 3: The Lost Leonardo

This is a fascinating insider documentary based on real events. It’s ultimately a global topic of power, politics and greed. It’s also quite intriguing! There is no shortage of opinions, expense, and mystery.

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Movie 1: Respect

If you are a fan of Aretha Franklin, this is a NOT TO BE MISSED film! It covers most of her career and many of her challenges and barriers in life, good, bad and quite a bit more. Jennifer Hudson practically morphs into Aretha! DO NOT MISS IT!!

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Movie 2: Flag Day

Based on true events, this drama, thriller, mystery is simply remarkable film making. Sean Penn is both the director and actor along with his daughter Dylan Penn. Some critics have not been kind to this film. We felt it was one of the best father/daughter films in a while. Dylan Penn makes a stunning debut. Do see it!

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Movie 3: Free Guy

We didn’t have high expectations for this video game film. It turned out to be a clever, funny movie. It was quite inventive with unique concepts. The critics get picky about a few petty ideas, pay no attention. We found it fresh and enjoyable.

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Movie 1: Old

This thriller is about a family on a secluded tropical beach vacation. It’s the latest film by M. Night Shayamalan. It’s not very intelligent science fiction that’s haunting. Be warned, there is violence, nudity and such.

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Movie 2: Joe Bell

Finally a true story willing to confront audiences with tough real life issues.  Mark Wahlberg delivers a stunning father figure as the bereaved father of his son Joe Bell.  His character decides to journey across the country to protest bullying.  Sad but powerful!

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Movie 3: Jungle Cruise

This latest Disney release is sure to be a crowd pleaser.  It takes the theme park ride to a new level.  Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt are perfectly cast.  It has a great balance of comedy, fantasy and adventure.  The two hour production flies by!

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Movie 1: Below Zero (Bojocero)

It’s an interesting concept. Prisoners are transported to a new location. An older rogue cop wanted revenge on one of the prisoners for a previous assault. There are moments of inspiration, but nothing really notable. Spanish, dubbed in English.

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Movie 2: Penguin Bloom

It’s based on the book by the same name. It’s the true Australian story of a mother of two young sons who breaks her back in an accident. Her family cares for her when suddenly a wild magpie bird becomes the newest family member.

It’s concurrently painful and joyful to watch. Some scenes are uplifting, others range from depression to perseverance. It’s ultimately about love and healing.

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Movie 3: Black Beach

First…this Spanish film is confusing, somewhat slow but gets better with time. US oil company intrigue in an impoverished African country. The acting is moderate, the script drags a bit too much. Its very much a melodrama with a bit too much violence. Overall…just ho hum. Spanish dubbed in English.

 

Movie 1: Cut Throat City

This crime action drama is based on Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it caused. It says a lot about racism, gentrification and drug trafficking. We are sorry to say the message goes off the rails by the end of the film.

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Movie 2 : Outside the Wire

This action war thriller is set in the near future. It’s fast paced, often confusing and confounding at the same time. Drone pilots threaten the planet. The concept is both intriguing and thought provoking but that’s about all.

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Movie 3: The Vanished

Oy! It’s an intriguing concept. Overall it’s a thriller film. It’s also all over the place with plot twists, suspense and frankly implausibility. It’s sad because with just a bit more attention the film might have flowed better.

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Good day to all our family and friends.  This coming Sunday, February 9 is this year’s 92nd Academy Awards, 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time.

Below are our PICKS for all the Oscar nominations.  It reflects our predictions for this years categories.

Feel free to print this e-mail or use the following link to a printable voting sheet that you can use on Oscar Night.

Here’s a BIG SHOUT OUT to our blog host JOHN for his efforts on our behalf. 

We would love to hear back from you about your experiences this year.  Last year we set a new personal record of seeing 243 movies.  Here is hoping to break that record this year!

Best wishes and thanks to all our friends and family.  J&J

2020 Oscars
	John & Jim
Best Picture
Ford v Ferrari
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
1917
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood	X
Parasite
Best Director
Martin Scorsese, The Irishman
Todd Phillips, Joker
Sam Mendes, 1917	X
Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Bong Joon Ho, Parasite
Best Actor
Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory
Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Adam Driver, Marriage Story
Joaquin Phoenix, Joker	X
Jonathan Pryce, The Two Popes
Best Actress
Cynthia Erivo, Harriet
Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story
Saoirse Ronan, Little Women
Charlize Theron, Bombshell
Renée Zellweger, Judy	X
Best Supporting Actor
Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Anthony Hopkins, The Two Popes
Al Pacino, The Irishman
Joe Pesci, The Irishman
Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood	X
Best Supporting Actress
Kathy Bates, Richard Jewell
Laura Dern, Marriage Story	X
Scarlett Johansson, Jojo Rabbit
Florence Pugh, Little Women
Margot Robbie, Bombshell
Best Original Screenplay
Knives Out
Marriage Story
1917
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood	X
Parasite
Best Adapted Screenplay
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women	X
The Two Popes
Best Costume Design
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Joker
Little Women	X
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Best Original Score
Joker
Little Women
Marriage Story
1917	X
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Best Original Song
“I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away,” Toy Story 4
“(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” Rocketman	X
“I’m Standing With You,” Breakthrough
“Into the Unknown,” Frozen II
“Stand Up,” Harriet
Sound Editing
Ford v Ferrari
Joker
1917	X
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Sound Mixing
Ad Astra
Ford v. Ferrari
Joker
1917	X
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Best Animated Feature
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
I Lost My Body
Klaus
Missing Link	X
Toy Story 4
Best Animated Short
Dcera (Daughter)
Hair Love	X
Kitbull
Memorable
Sister
Best Live Action Short
Brotherhood
Nefta Football Club
The Neighbors’ Window
Saria	X
A Sister
Documentary Feature
American Factory	X
The Cave
The Edge of Democracy
For Sama
Honeyland
Documentary Short
In the Absence
Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)
Life Overtakes Me
St. Louis Superman	X
Walk, Run, Cha-Cha
Best International Feature Film
Corpus Christi
Honeyland
Les Misérables
Pain and Glory
Parasite	X
Best Production Design
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
1917	X
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Parasite
Best Film Editing
Ford v Ferrari
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit	X
Joker
Parasite
Best Cinematography
The Irishman
Joker
The Lighthouse
1917	X
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Best Visual Effects
Avengers: Endgame	X
The Irishman
The Lion King
1917
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Bombshell	X
Joker
Judy
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
1917