The charming town of West Bend, Wisconsin hosts an equally charming art museum. We went for another visit and discovered two new collections.
Bicycleing is a popular activity in Wisconsin. So why not an exhibit that incorporates art? It seemed a bit odd at first but once incorporated with fine art, it made a nice juxtaposition.
We hope you enjoyed. J&J
Tully
This is a unique story about a suburban New York couple having their third child while balancing careers and the stress on a growing household. The wife seems to carry the brunt of the load until they accept an offer for a ‘night nanny’ hired by her brother. Suddenly, their lives and the household finds a growing sense of ‘normal’.
Charlize Theron gained 50 pounds for the role and shines. Ron Livingston plays the clueless husband. Mackenzie Davis is scary good as the nanny. Mark Duplass plays the brother.
It is rated R for language and some sexuality/nudity. It is not suitable for children due to the adult subject matter. The genre is listed as a drama/comedy, but it is also a suspense, mystery, surprise ending story as well. The run time is 94 minutes. We think if this film was released later in the year there would be Oscar buzz.
Rating 
Rampage
This Action Adventure release is directed by Brad Peyton and stars Dwayne Johnson as a primatologist and caretaker to a rare and exceptionally intelligent albino gorilla who was rescued as a youngster.
Meanwhile, back at the lab, mad scientists with Energyne are creating new pathogen genes designed to make any recipients bigger, faster killing machines intended as biological weapons.
Dwayne Johnson is the leading actor. Breanne Hill and Naomie Harris are the leading ladies. Lots of good bad guys include Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Joe Manganiello, Urijah Faber, Matt Gerald and Demetrius Grosse.
The movie was rated PG-13 for violence, action, destruction, brief language and crude gestures. It is not suitable for younger children. It is listed as and Action Adventure, Drama, Sci Fi, and Fantasy running 1 hour, 55 minutes. It is an enjoyable romp, highly entertaining albeit a bit far fetched.
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Little Pink House
This is a true story of the court battle between the City of New London , Connecticut and Susette Kelo, an EMT worker. It is a classic ‘David and Goliath’ story that made history, resulting in an unprecedented US Supreme Court ruling.
At odds are the City wanting to collect more revenue from a redevelopment project benefiting the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and a modest residential neighborhood with river views and a nearby sewer plant.
The cast is compact but excellent. Two time Academy Award nominee Catherine Keener stars along with popular theater actor Jeanne Tripplehorn.
This film is not yet rated and we see no reason movie goers of all ages should not attend a showing. It is listed as a Drama running 1 hour 39 minutes.
Rating:
Avengers Infinity War
This is the latest in the Marvel Comics Avengers franchise. The evil character Thanos vows to inflict his dominance over the Earth and much of the universe once he acquires all six Infinity Stones.
It is epic in scale. Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, and most of the rest of the Avengers come together to stop Thanos. The result is an intense, nonstop action film with just the right amount of humor, surprises and intensity to keep viewers on the edge of their seats for the 2 hour, 40 minute run time.
You already know all the actors: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Pratt, Chris Evans, Josh Brolin, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch and a dozen more A list actors.
We are not sure what is next to come but this seems to be a build up for Marvel’s next Fantasy/Science Fiction blockbuster.
It is rated PG-13 for intense Sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and crude references.
Rating:
Traffik
Reviews and audience approval have been all over the board. We thought it was a good film about a very serious topic and worthy of an audience.
A Sacramento couple head to the mountains for a romantic weekend in a pristine setting. It is an intense thriller that is both realistic and brutal. It is occasionally difficult to watch.
It has a small cast. Paula Patton and Omar Epps are the romantic couple. Roselyn Sanchez and Laz Alonso are their best friends. Missi Pyle plays the Deputy Sheriff. Luke Goss is a really good, really bad guy.
It is rated R for violence and disturbing material, language throughout, some drug use and sexual content. It is not suitable for children. The genre is listed as a Mystery/Suspense. The run time is 96 minutes.
Rating
The Rider
Set in South Dakota, this is a coming of age film about a young cowboy whose life takes a turn after a severe rodeo accident.
What is unique about this film is most of the characters are real people playing themselves. At least six of the actors are Sioux cowboys from South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation. Director Chloe Zhao created a gem of a movie with a remarkable cast of nonprofessionals. We found it gripping, sensitive, heart breaking and uplifting at the same time.
It is rated R for language and drug use. It is listed as a drama with a run time of 104 minutes.
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Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami
This is a fascinating and intimate documentary about the life and performances of super model, singer and actress Grace Jones. There is both public and personal footage showcasing her career.
Director Sophie Fiennes collected footage from four years beginning in 2008 in Jamaica and continuing through the world tour.
The result is a fascinating peek at the life journey of a truly one of a kind global icon. This film is very entertaining.
This film is not rated. We do not feel this film is suitable for children as there is simply too much drug use, nudity and adult subject matter. It is listed as a Documentary running 1 hour, 56 minutes. English, Jamaican English and French with English subtitles.
Ms. Jones will turn 70 next month.
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Ismael’s Ghosts
This 2017 French film spans a large part of a movie director’s life: his wife who disappeared 21 years earlier, his new girlfriend/muse and his career as a world renowned film Producer/Director.
The compact cast includes Mathieu Amalric as Ismael Vuillard, Marion Cotillard as his wife Carlotta, Charlotte Gainsbourg as the muse. There is a short list of additional French actors rounding out the cast.
We found the story confusing with repeated flashbacks and flash forwards leaving us unsure of what was occurring. By the end of the story we didn’t much care who did what to whom or why.
It is rated R for sexuality including some graphic nudity, language and brief strong violence. Children should not view this movie. It is listed as a drama. It runs 2 hours, 15 minutes. French with English subtitles.
Rating 
The Pima Air & Space Museum is one of the largest private Air & Space museums in the country.
Hanger 1 is the largest interior space housing Admissions, a Museum store, the Flight Grill and over 40 aircraft. There are three additional hangers housing another 30 or so aircraft.
There is an additional 150 aircraft outside in what is called “the boneyard”. The outside area is accessible by foot, or our option, a one hour tram ride with the guide’s narration. The result was a wonderful experience that has something for everyone.
Here our some of our favorites!
1945
This holocaust film adds to the list of dramas and documentaries on post WWII. This one is set in a small village in Eastern Hungary when the deported Jewish father and son come to bury “something” in the town’s cemetery. The villagers panic thinking the Jews have returned to claim missing properties and possessions.
The story is unique, powerful and absorbing. The mostly Hungarian cast are authentic and believable. It is filmed entirely in black and white by design.
It is not rated. The genre is Drama. It has won eight International Film Awards. In our opinion it is a must see film if you are interested in WWII stories. Run time is 91 minutes. Hungarian with English subtitles.
Rating
Kodachrome
This is a film about a struggling music executive, his aging famous photographer father and his caregiver nurse. The father has cancer in his last days when they embark on a road trip from New York City to Kansas to develop his last rolls of Kodachrome film.
It might sound odd but the story will draw you in bit by bit. It’s a real gem with excellent acting by Elizabeth Olsen as the nurse and Jason Sudeikis as the son. Ed Harris is extraordinary as the father.
The movie is not rated. There is brief nudity, strong language and significant tension. We do not think it is suitable for children. It is listed as a drama. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes. It is currently in theaters and is also available on Netflix.
Rating 
I Feel Pretty
We are not huge comedy fans but decided to see this film because the concept seemed intriguing. It’s about a insecure woman struggling with her self image until a bump on the head changes her perspective.
Amy Schumer is the headliner. Busy Philipps and Aidy Bryant play her girlfriends. Rory Scovel plays the boyfriend. Michelle Williams transforms as the business owner while Lauren Hutton is awesome as the grandmother.
The film is rated PG-13 for sexual content, some partial nudity and language. We do not recommend viewing by younger children. It is listed as a Comedy. We found it one part charming, occasionally funny but somewhat off putting. That said, it does deliver a positive message about self esteem. Run time was 1 hour, 50 minutes.
Rating
On a morning walk, we encountered a little wildlife!
We made a visit to San Xavier del Bac mission. Founded by Spanish Franciscans in 1797. It is popular with locals and tourists alike.
We had a quick trip to Arizona this week to visit long time travel friends Jim and Dee. It is amazing how much you can cram into a few days.
Here are a few pictures of a toasty warm desert Spring day. Enjoy!! J&J
Lean on Pete
Every once in a while an unexpected film release strikes a cord with audiences and magic happens. This is one of those movies.
Great acting: Travis Fimmel is riveting as the Dad. Steve Buscemi is exceptional as the horse owner. Charlie Plumber may be destined for super stardom as the 15 year old son. And another dozen or so actors fill out the cast.
Audiences and critics agree with high ratings. “Traumatically beautiful drama”, and “moving and haunting” are two descriptions we fully agree with.
It is rated R for language and brief violence. Unfortunately we do not feel it is appropriate for children. (There is too much to explain.) The genre is listed as a Drama. It runs 2 hours, 2 minutes.
If you miss this in the theaters, seek it out from ‘pay per view’. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Rating
Beirut
There has been a lot of negative chatter in recent years about the image the international film industry creates by using the Middle East as the “location” and “bad guys”. Ironically, this movie was filmed in Morocco.
This film is set in 1982 during the Lebanon Civil War. The CIA sends a former Diplomat to negotiate a prisoner release.
The story is occasionally confusing and often intense but the acting and sets are generally believable. John Hamm plays the American operative. Rosamund Pike plays a supporting CIA agent. Dean Norris, Shea Whigham, Mark Pellegrino and Leila Bekhti round out the headliners.
The movie is rated R for language, some violence and a brief nude image. It is listed as a Drama. It is not suitable for children. It runs 1 hour, 49 minutes.
We liked this film. It was a reminder of a crazy time we remember all too well. We think it is worth a watch.
Rating
You Were Never Really Here
We first heard about this film in London. The early hour and heavy rain detoured us at the time. Unfortunately we had no such deterrent today!
Both audiences and critics loved this film. We did not! From our perspective the movie was violent, more than a little unsettling, confusing and very intense.
None of the characters were likable. Joaquin Phoenix plays Joe, the hit man or fix-it guy depending on your perspective. Alessandro Nivola plays the Governor. Ekaterina Samsonov plays the kidnapped daughter. Judith Anna Roberts plays Joe’s Mom. There are another half dozen actors with bit parts.
The genre is noted as a Drama/Mystery. It is more of a slasher horror story with lots of blood and really creepy violence. It is rated R for strong violence, disturbing and grisly images, language, and brief nudity. Children should not see this film. Thankfully the run time is only 89 minutes.
Rating: A rare 
Love After Love
Let us be clear right up front, the critics really liked this film! We did not.
A family mourns the death of the patriarch. The two sons, played by Chris O’Dowd and James Adomian struggle to cope and recover from their loss. The wife/mother, played by Andie MacDowell, adapts faster which causes angst with her sons.
What bothered us most were the characters, with the exception of MacDowell’s role, who are not very likable people. There was a mean spirited undercurrent that just annoyed us both.
This film is not rated but we do not feel it is suitable for children. It is listed as a drama and runs a painful 91 minutes.
Rating
A Bag of Marbles
This movie is the first of this year that should attract an Oscar consideration in the Best Foreign Film category!
First, it’s the true story of two young Jewish brothers in German occupied France during World War II. They are purposely separated from their family in order to survive. The French cast is world class. Patrick Bruel plays the Father. Elsa Zylberstein plays the Mom. Dorian Le Clech plays the younger son while Batyste Fleurial plays the big brother. Another dozen actors round out the cast.
The story is gripping and heart wrenching. It is a brilliantly constructed story with a fair amount of tension.
It also is not rated. Again, we do not feel this is suitable for children. The genre is listed as a Drama. It runs 1 hour, 50 minutes. French with English subtitles. This film is an absolute gem.
Rating
Where is Kyra?
Forget “Where”!? The real question is Who is Kyra?! To be clear, Kyra is the lead character played by Michele Pfeiffer. She is really the only reason to see the film. Ms. Pfeiffer’s performance of a fragile character whose mother dies is stunning and desperate. Kiefer Sutherland costars as the supportive love interest.
Overall the story is depressing, dark, desolate and painfully drawn out. One critic said it was “paralyzed by a numbing bleakness.” That said, most critics and audiences liked this movie much more than we did.
This is yet another movie release that is not rated! It is listed as a Drama with a run time of 98 minutes. We do not feel this film is suitable for youngsters.
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