James Hathaway – Page 55

Movies: Bad Samaritan, Truth or Dare, Disobedience

Bad Samaritan

We hadn’t paid much attention to this film until we read a good review from our home town SF Chronicle. We generally disagree with its reviews. Nonetheless, yesterday we found ourselves the only ones in very nice theater in Menomenee Falls, WI.

The story is pretty messed up. Parking valets engage in petty theft and see things they should not see. The bad guy is nuts. The police are clueless…

The acting isn’t half bad. David Tennant is chilling as the bad guy. Robert Sheehan’s character, or his friend played by Carlito Olivero, are not the sharpest guys. Kerry Condon is the victim. Lisa Brenner is the girlfriend. There is lots of tension and angst. The last scene is quite good.

The reviews have not been complementary. It is rated R for violence, language, drug use and brief nudity. It is absolutely not appropriate for children. The genre is noted as a Drama/Thriller running 107 minutes.

Rating:

Truth or Dare

This film is odd, creepy, intense and not the Truth or Dare from our young adult days. The rules are simple: tell the truth or die, do the dare or die, if you stop playing you die. Doesn’t that sound like a lovely plot?!

Six college students and close friends begin the game in Mexico and quickly realize the danger they are in. Lucy Hale, Tyler Posey, Violett Beane, Sophia Taylor Ali, Landon Liboiron and Hayden Szeto play the core characters.

It is rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing content, alcohol abuse, some sexuality, language and thematic material. It is listed as Horror, Mystery Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy (pick any combination of your liking). It is not at all suitable for children. The run time is 1 hour 43 minutes.

Rating

Disobedience

This film explores the rare but restrained Jewish territory where mutual female attraction shatters the boundaries of faith and sexuality.

The film is an intense peek at a thought provoking and sophisticated topic. The collateral fallout impacts a Jewish community, its patriarchal leaders and their community.

The cast is superb. Rachael McAdams, Rachel Weisz, Alessandro Nivola, Anton Lesser, Alexis Zegerman and Allen Corduner round out the lead characters.

It is rated R for strong sexuality. It is not suitable for children. It is noted as a Drama, Romance. The run time is 1 hour, 54 minutes.

Rating

Travel: Introducing Ms. Gracie Albright

This last weekend we had a visit and dinner at John’s parents house along with John’s niece Brianna, her husband John and little 5 month old Gracie.

It was our first visit with little Gracie. There is nothing quite like a little baby.

Here are a few photos:

Gracie loves her new new book from Great Grandmother Kay. It plays classical music. (That’s Trumpet music on the next page…)

Travel: Winter yeilds to Spring, Pike Lake, WI.

Big HELLO to all!

It’s been one week at the lake house. The weather, flora and fauna changes quickly. A week ago, no leaves on the trees. Today everything is bursting with life, leaves and blossoms. The absence of critters has yielded with birds, squirrels, turkeys, deer, possums and newborns daily. Based on last year, there is so much more to come!

Here are a few photos we thought you might like.

Predawn landscape with perfectly still water.

Our first pair of Mourning Doves of the season.

Sunrise and scattered clouds after early morning rainstorms.

The first leaves on our 100+ year old tree.

Early workout…or seeking predawn snacks.

Travel: Museum of Wisconsin Art 2018

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.

Bicycles along side Wisconsin fine art and furniture by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Bicycles of all types for varied purposes are displayed in this Wisconsin gallery.

This spiffy bicycle with gold trim is displayed with a massive glass sculpture overhead.

Carl von Marr, Funeral in Friesland, 1882.

John Stuart Curry, Wisconsin Farm Scene, 1941.

Ruth Gotenrath, Unloading a Riverboat at Hudson, 1942.

Robert Frank Albert von Neumann, The Woodcutters, 1940.

This is one of our favorites. You Carried Me, (Private Collection).

We hope you enjoyed. J&J

Movies: Tully, Rampage

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.

Rating

Movies: Little Pink House, Avengers Infinity War, Traffik

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

Movies: The Rider, Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami, Ismael’s Ghosts

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.

Rating

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.

Rating

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

Travel: Tucson, AZ. Part 3

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!

TWA Constellation circa 1950s, built in Burbank, CA by Lockheed.

Private jet for First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy and Rosalynn Carter. Note: Mrs. Kennedy selected the blue, silver and white color scheme for the Presidential jets.

President Dwight Eisenhower flew back from WWII in this plane and later used it as the Presidential plane. He named it Columbine after the city where his wife was born.

WWII bomber, note the 6 propeller engines and the jet engines on the tip of each wing.

One of the largest bombers with the longest range at the time.

This was the live Air Traffic Control screen showing the actual 100s of aircraft in the sky at the time the photo was taken.

Movies: 1945, Kodachrome, I Feel Pretty

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