Author: James Hathaway

Movie 1: The Wedding Banquet

This is an enjoyable remake/update of the much loved 1993 Ang Lee movie of the same name. A Korean young man must decide if he wants to marry the man he loves, and in doing so get a green card to remain in the United States, but also risk being disowned by his wealthy grandparents. This drama/comedy has a realism and warmth that is very fun to see. Excellent writing and acting. And, thankfully, devoid of the usual LGBTQ stereotypes.

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Movie 2: Sinners

Set in the early 1930’s Mississippi, this is a Gothic style horror/ vampire movie that takes place in one long, steamy night.  But unlike any vampire movie we’ve seen before.  Twin brothers move back south from Chicago, buy an old cotton mill, and turn it into a juke joint.  Well told and very well acted.  Michael B. Jordan is perfect as he plays both roles of the twins.

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Movie 3: Warfare

Early in the Iraq war, Navy Seals have randomly selected a house in Ramadi to monitor enemy troop movements.  A true story based on the memories of those who survived, the realism of the visuals and sounds cannot be described as “entertainment”.   Even though bloody and gruesome, this is a brilliant homage to all who served in the Iraq War.  SPECIAL NOTE:  We are off on another adventure to Northern England, Wales and Scotland.  And hopefully several movies along the way.  Movie reviews will return late May.

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Movie 1: The Amateur

The wife of a CIA agent is murdered and he travels the globe looking for her killers. This spy thriller is very entertaining. While not great film making, and many national critics give it so-so reviews, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Kinda like a computer nerds Jason Bourne. And Rami Malek plays the perfect nerd.

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Movie 2: Sacramento

This is a buddy road trip comedy/drama.  Two friends travel from Los Angeles to Sacramento, supposedly on a spare of the moment whim. There is so much in this movie that should have been really well done.  But it misses the mark in almost every scene.  Kristen Stewart is the only bright spot in this slow and not very comedic film.

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Movie 3: Pride and Prejudice

This masterpiece is being re-released 25 years after its 2005 opening.  Based on the Jane Austen historical and romantic novel, an upper class British mother tries to marry off her five daughters.  This is a sumptuous and delightful movie with a pantheon of British and American actors.  In theaters this weekend for a limited 25th anniversary run.  Also on Netflix.

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Movie 1: The Friend

This is a sweet, slow developing story about a woman who “inherits” a Great Dane after the death of a dear friend. Set in New York City where it’s difficult for such a large dog to live in a small apartment. Very good performances by Naomi Watts and Bill Murray. Adapted from the 2018 bestselling novel by Sigrid Nunez.

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Movie 2: A Nice Indian Boy

This is a touching and tender gay romantic comedy. An Indian man marries a man adopted by Indian parents. The couple meet at a Hindu temple and the fun and romance starts from there. The chemistry between Jonathan Groff and Karan Soni is a winning combination.

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Movie 3: Drop

Set almost exclusively in a Chicago restaurant on the 38th floor, this is a thriller about a first date going terribly wrong. A widowed mother meets an assistant to the mayor on a dating app. After having seen the previews for this movie for months, we wanted to like it more than we did. It’s entertaining enough, but weak and predictable writing along with a preposterous plot.

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Movie 1: The Penguin Lessons

An aging and tired English teacher (Steve Coogan) lands a job at a private boys school in Buenos Aires. Set in 1976 during the height of the Argentinian social and political unrest, this feel good “buddy” movie is a little gem. Very good acting and writing. Based on the 2016 Tom Mitchell memoir. This may not be showing everywhere, but if you find it try and see it.

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Movie 2: The Life List

This is a fun romantic comedy/drama which touches on lots of family topics. A family matriarch dies at a young age and her three adult children try and pick up the pieces. It can seem predictable at times but is also very heartwarming. On Netflix.

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Movie 3: October 8

This is a fascinating documentary about the rise of antisemitism on college campuses following the October 7 attacks on Israel. Interviews with attack survivors, college students and professors. Debra Messing is an executive producer. Limited release in theatres and also on Amazon Video.

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Movie 1: Bob Trevino Likes It

This is a very enjoyable and heartwarming drama. Two unrelated people with the same last name meet over the internet and start an unlikely, yet special, friendship. This is a very well done and tender movie based on a real story. John Leguizamo as the older friend is really good.

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Movie 2: A Working Man

This is another well done and fun action packed drama we’ve come to expect from Jason Statham. The daughter of his construction company boss is kidnapped by human traffickers and Statham’s character goes out to bring her home. The usual chase and shoot-em-up scenes, but an entertaining movie.

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Movie 3: Death of a Unicorn

This is a very unique, and sometimes gruesome, horror-comedy. A driver and his daughter are on back country roads and accidently hit a baby unicorn, and its parents come looking for it. The acting and script are well done. Richard E. Grant is perfect and a different kind of role for Paul Rudd.

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Movie 1: La Dolce Villa

This is a very pleasing romantic comedy on Netflix. Set in the beautiful Italian countryside a young American woman buys a dilapidated farmhouse for 1 Euro. When her father comes to visit to talk her out of it, the fun begins.

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Movie 2: The Assessment

This is an odd, dystopian near-future Syfy. If a couple wants a child they must first go through a seven day “assessment” to see if they qualify. If they do, a baby shows up at the front door. Natural procreation is outlawed due to over population. There are lots of twists and turns that make no sense. Given the good cast, we wanted to like this more than we did.

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Movie 3: The Residence

This is a murder mystery comedy set in the White House. During a state dinner for Australia the White House Chief Usher is murdered. Uzo Aduba is brilliant as the bird watching detective. This is a very fun whodunit. Four part mini-series on Netflix.

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Movie 1: Locked

A petty thief breaks into a luxury SUV, setting off dangerous and deadly events. This remake of a 2019 Argentinian movie is a tense thriller that pulls you in. Bill Skarsgard gives an excellent performance and Anthony Hopkins is once again psychopathic and spooky.

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Movie 2: Snow White

This is an audience pleasing musical remake of the 1937 Walt Disney classic. The sets, colors, costumes and songs are all very well done. While critics are giving this movie mixed reviews, we found it very enjoyable. Although nowhere near as magical as the original.

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Movie 3: Adolescence

This four part Netflix series excels on every level. A13 year old is accused of killing a high school classmate. This is an intense, gripping psychological thriller made all the better by being filmed with one camera. Owen Cooper, who plays the accused murderer is outstanding in his first professional role. It would help a lot turning on the English subtitles, as the British accents can be difficult to understand.

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Movie 1: The Alto Knights

Based on a true story about the beginning of the New York crime bosses of the 1950’s. Robert DeNiro is excellent as he plays two roles as childhood friends grow up in NYC to become infamous mobsters. Debra Messing as DeNiro’s wife is very convincing. This is a very well acted and directed period piece.

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Movie 2: Novocaine

This is a very funny, and at times gory, action comedy. A young man has a genetic disorder where he cannot feel any pain. He then sets out trying to rescue a girlfriend who was kidnapped during a bank robbery. While not great film making, this movie is very entertaining.

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Movie 3: Black Bag

This is a very intelligent and sexy spy thriller. Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender are a husband and wife team working for British Intelligence to find a security leak within the organization. Lots of twists and turns with palpable tension. Director Steven Soderbergh delivers a really well done nail biter drama.

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Movie 1: Companion

This is a cleverly done movie that is part romantic comedy and part sy-fi thriller. A weekend trip to a lakeside estate goes very wrong. We hadn’t read anything about this movie before seeing it. The chemistry between Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher adds to this black comedy.

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Movie 2: Last Breath

This is a very well done, claustrophobic underwater thriller based on actual events. A diving crew has an accident while repairing cable at the bottom of the North Sea. The acting is very good, especially Woody Harrelson, and the tension and fear is palpable.

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Movie 3: Mickey 17

This is the highly anticipated new film by acclaimed director Bong Joon-ho. What a disappointment. This is a very disjointed, messy spectacle of a futuristic movie. Science has created humans that die and can be reborn the next day (we think). At 2 hours, 17 minutes this movie feels very long, and the very talented cast seem out of place.

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Movie 1: The Monkey

This is a horror film based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. Twin brothers group up with a stuffed monkey that has supernatural and demonic powers. While many national critics found much to praise about this movie, we found it violent, stupid and more than a little insulting. We watched this film in a theater in Paris, and the very large, young audience seemed to enjoy it a lot. But we say stay away.

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Movie 2: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy

This is the fourth film in the Bridget Jones franchise and we found it as enjoyable as the first film 24 years ago. Many of the original characters have returned, albeit older and not necessarily wiser. As a romantic comedy, this London based film works on several levels. Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant are very, very good. We were fortunate enough to see this in a theater in Paris, but in the USA it is only streaming on Peacock.

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Movie 3: Captain America: Brave New World

Part political thriller and part over the top action adventure, this latest addition to the Marvel universe is a lot of fun. Anthony Macke and Harrison Ford comprise an action-packed duo with very good special effects. If you are a fan of the Marvel adventures, you will not be disappointed.

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