Author: James Hathaway

Movie 1: This is Not Berlin

This youth inspired reflection on Mexico City in the mid-80’s is filled with all the angst and torment most generations experience at some point in their lives.

This film just happens to benefit from a great cast, the expert mix of revolt, underground nightlife, drugs and sexual liberty. Spanish with English subtitles.

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Movie 2: David Crosby: Remember My Name

Wow! What an unexpected revealing look at singer-songwriter David Crosby, a music icon, now in his 70’s. This documentary is jammed with fear, regret, drugs, sex, heartbreak and soul searching.

It’s also a powerful reminder of incredible talent, perseverance and forgiveness. What a roller coaster ride through music history during our lifetime.

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Movie 3: Official Secrets

This film is based on true events from the Bush and Blair administrations. The US and the British Intelligence ensnare UN Security Council members with blackmail to approve the invasion of Iraq.

It’s masterful film making and a reminder of a dark chapter in global events. Keira Knightley is superb.

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Movie 1: Adam

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This is an odd little film that is showing in limited release.  Adam just finished his Junior year in High School.  With no plans for the summer, Adam manages to tag along with his older sister to New York in hopes of meeting a girl…

Adam ends up involved with a group of LGBTQ in his age group and quickly makes friends he is ill-equipped to engage.  That’s where we lose interest.  It’s one part comedy but a larger part tragedy.

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Movie 2: Aquarela

This film is also in limited release. It is well worth seeking out. It’s a Russian Documentary about the earth’s water, it’s ice and the evolving climate change.

What makes this a must watch film is first its staggering beauty. Overall, there is virtually no soundtrack except for wind blowing, ice cracking and an annoying heavy metal episode. Otherwise it’s masterful film making.

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Movie 3: Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles

This is a Documentary film that chronicles the history and background of the stage musical that opened on Broadway in 1964. It’s perhaps one of the best of the best to date: Fiddler on the Roof.

It’s a classic, a religious celebration, a legendary miracle, a social commentary, and a historic phenomenon. It has reached universal status and not to be missed.

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Movie 1: One Child Nation

This is a remarkable documentary about China’s “one -child” policy in effect from 1979 to 2015. Moreover, this is a film about forced sterilizations, abortions, kidnappings and unknown numbers of newborns left to their deaths.

Be forewarned. This film is painfully difficult to watch. It unflinchingly exposes the systemic and institutional exportation of children to other countries. Mandarin and English with English subtitles.

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Movie 2: The Other Story

Where to begin…First, it’s unique. It’s a film that is one part suspense, one part light comedy, one part tragedy and one part commentary on modern life in Jerusalem, Israel.

It’s filled with tension and conflict, confusion and angst. While it is a challenge to watch, it is also a rare peek behind the curtain to the current reality for many in Israel today. Hebrew with English subtitles (the subtitles flew by!).

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Movie 3: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Set in Mill Valley, Pennsylvania (and NOT our beloved Mill Valley, California) this inventive and effectively eerie film begins on Halloween night at a drive in theater.

It’s unique, clever, creepy, demonic with just the right amount of tension. It has all the right elements for the Mystery/Thriller PG-13 rating although we strongly feel this is not appropriate for children.

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Movie 1: Angel Has Fallen

First, some background on this movie, the franchise and a few changes. Aaron Eckhart was cast as the President in the first two episodes in the series. This third in the series has Morgan Freeman as the President.

Apparently, the script was toned down from “rabid jingoism” replaced by better non-stop action. Our audience applauded the screen when the film ended. That’s increasingly rare in our experience.

We saw the film in a Dolby cinema. It’s worth a couple of extra dollars for the upgraded seats, sound and visuals if you are so inclined.

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Movie 2: Piranhas

Having traveled to Naples just last year we were not surprised with the story line. Much of Naples was and is still subject to Mafia control that spans centuries.

This film delivers a somewhat mild, albeit gritty, look at the modern conditions where young men and women yearn for status, power and its trappings in turn for drug dealing while sacrificing their innocence and families. Italian and Neapolitan with English subtitles.

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Movie 3: 47 Meters Down: Uncaged

By now you can tell the number of newly released films has dwindled to single digits. This entire film is collectively absurd, claustrophobic and dark.

We were surprised to see this was a sequel. Apparently the first film was successful. The characters are generally bland. The giant sharks are unrealistic. The total package was a disappointment. It was no surprise this morning to see the film is no longer showing…apparently anywhere!

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Movie 1: Good Boys

Why would you make a movie about 12 year old kids that is rated R?! The Parent Guide notes “strong crude sexual content, drug and alcohol material, profanity, pornography and language throughout.”

The child actors in this production are too young to see their own performances for heaven sakes! While some of the story is mildly funny, borderline charming, most of it is crude, rude and frankly unacceptable.

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Movie 2: Ready or Not

This Horror, Mystery, Thriller doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it a bit more eccentric, occasionally intriguing, and a tad funny now and then.

It’s also a lot sassy, often down right snarky. One critic rightfully said “it isn’t a great horror film but it sure was a fun thrill ride.” The ending is a hoot and not to be missed.

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Movie 3: After the Wedding

This film with the same title was originally a 2006 Danish drama. This rendition flips the characters around a bit with the women characters doing the heavy lifting.

Good acting makes for a good movie along with plenty of intrigue and more than a few twists and turns. There will be lots to talk about when this films ends. See it with friends and/or family and let us know what you think.

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Movie 1: Where’d You Go Bernadette

Movie watchers…many many critics poo pooed this film, crucified is more accurate. It’s one of those situations where audiences threw the baby out with the bath water. Or something like that.

It boasts a super cast, a world class production and a unique, intriguing story. Cate Blanchett’s performance alone is worth much more than the price of the ticket. We’d really love to hear your thoughts!

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Movie 2: The Peanut Butter Falcon

It’s an odd title and an equally odd story. It’s also intriguing in such a way that it slowly but surely draws you in bit by bit. The ultimate results are layered in heart warming themes of redemption and friendship.

It’s not obvious at first but there is a universal message about love, kindness, forgiveness, and hope that transcends any small quirks or blemishes.

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Movie 3: Blinded by the Light

If you need a reminder about the immigrant family experience, the confusion and angst of High School or a reflection on the 1980’s in the London suburb of Luton, this is your movie.

It’s a true story based on the memoir by Sarfraz Manzoor. There is a heavy dose of Bruce Springsteen music. If you are a”Boss” fan you will want to watch the credits at the end. Overall, it’s charming, a little cheesy but thoroughly delightful entertainment.

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Movie 1: The Art of Racing in the Rain

This film is based on the best selling novel by the same name. It’s as good or better than similar films of recent years mainly because the script is honest and faithful to its story line.

Its critics offer resentment to “gimmicks and weepy cliches” but if you focus on the family drama and the core story without the distractions, you might discover a heartwarming and tender underbelly.

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Movie 2: Honeyland

This unusual movie is based in Macedonia (part of the former Yugoslavia) where beekeeping is an important part of rural life, both as a food source and a revenue.

This documentary film captures the importance and difficulty of everyday life in a remote corner of the world and has received numerous awards for cinematography and originality. It is well worth seeking out. Macedonian with English subtitles.

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Movie 3: Tel Aviv on Fire

The story line highlights the absurdity of the Israel/Palestine reality in Jerusalem and beyond. In this film the production crew for a popular Palestinian soap opera is forced to alter the script to avoid conflict. It’s interesting at first but ultimately dissolves into political satire. Hebrew and Arabic with English subtitles.

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Movie 1: The Kitchen

My my my…the critics did NOT like this movie! Perhaps a bit to violent…or perhaps too racist, sexist, shocking, unnerving. It’s a shame because the acting is excellent. The story line is…let’s say uncomfortable. Nonetheless, McCarthy, Haddish and Moss transform themselves into impressive characters. Our favorite tagline from a critic…”The Kitchen needs a remodel.” Wish we had thought of that!

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Movie 2: The Nightingale

This is the second film by Jennifer Kent. This one is more than a bit grittier. Frankly it is a lot grittier, violent and brutal on so many levels.

While difficult to watch, it’s still a story that should be told and is deserving of an audience. It’s based on real history of 1825 Australia when British troops controlled the land with a heavy hand. Gaelic, Aboriginal, English with English subtitles.

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Movie 3: Them That Follow

A preacher of a Pentecostal congregation in deep Appalachia, with the support of its congregation, believe in atonement of sin by potential dead-dealing snakes. Yup!! We are ‘off the grid on this one!’

The acting is good, the story unique. That said, it was incredibly difficult to watch. Frankly, it’s a bit of a let down.

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Movie 1: Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love

Set in the 1960’s and 70’s, mostly on the Greek Island of Hydra, Marianne was the inspiration/muse for several of Leonard Cohen’s hit songs. This film is a documentary about the famous couple.

Marrianne was a Norwegian ex-pat and Leonard a Canadian poet. The film received mixed reviews but we found it both interesting and entertaining.

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Movie 2: Mike Wallace Is Here

Wow! This documentary is a thorough look at his television career and unique style as an interrogative reporter. It’s concurrently interesting and annoying. It’s also a wild romp through history and well worth the watch.

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Movie 3: Luce

This film is unique, relevant, well acted. It’s filled with provocative scenes. Excellent character acting makes this production work even with its occasionally awkward story line. It’s well worth a watch.

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Movie 1: The Farewell

We love the tagline! “The Farewell is an uplifting tale based on an actual lie.” It’s the story of a Chinese family whose matriarch has only weeks to live. The family gathers in Changchun, China under the guise of a wedding.

It’s simple, complicated and believable all at the same time. The acting is excellent and compelling. Do seek this film out. It’s in wide release in major markets but may be challenging to find or in limited release in smaller markets.

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Movie 2: Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

It had to happen sooner or later. Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham’s characters join forces to thwart evil doer, Idris Elba. It’s concurrently funny, goofy, unique and satisfying.

The script and production won’t garner any major industry awards but it will attract audiences. It’s a little goofy but still worth a watch.

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Movie 3: Maiden

It’s not often a Documentary film gets attention or credit for its impact on a global scale. This film chronicles how a 24 year old female charter boat cook became the skipper and leads her all female team in the Whitbread Round the World sailing competition in 1989.

It’s simply brilliant film making and an inspiration to anyone challenged to stretch conventional limits. That should come as no surprise to those of us who already know that women are very much the equal to men.

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