Category: Movies

Movie 1: Primetime

This is a very entertaining look at an immensely popular NBC crime series in the early 2000’s. It follows reporters trying to ensnare potential pedophiles before they commit their crimes. There is a lot going on here, and threads a fine line between entrapment, corruption, morals and TV ratings for the sake of profit. We have no idea how much, if any of it, is based on reality as we didn’t watch the show twenty plus years ago. But the writing and acting, especially Robert Pattison, is very, very good. In theaters now, streaming on HBO later this year.

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Movie 2: Verity

This is a psychological thriller set in beautiful Vermont. A popular author becomes disabled and requires a ghostwriter to help her finish the book. There are lots of twists and turns we didn’t see coming. Several disturbing images and lots of tension. We got drawn into the story and found it entertaining. Anne Hathaway has had quite the year, as this is her fifth movie in the past several months. In theaters now and soon to be streaming on Amazon Prime.

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Movie 3: Digger

This is an immense work by both director Alejandro G. Inarritu and actor Tom Cruise. Difficult to explain, as it was difficult to watch, it is a dark comedy and an over-the-top satirical farce and drama. It’s basically about extremely rich and powerful people who deny climate change exists and then try to shape themselves as the saviors of all mankind. Tom Cruise gives an amazing performance. Among his best. This movie is not for everyone. You will love it or hate it. No in between. Thus far it is becoming a box office disaster.

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Movie 1: Heart of the Beast

This is a really well done drama and survival thriller. Brad Pitt plays a former special ops sergeant who did tours in Afghanistan. He returns to the wilds of Alaska with his retired military dog, Odin. They survive a plane crash while on a camping trip. The cinematography, acting and directing is first rate. The tension and emotions are palpable. Filmed on the south island of New Zealand, which stands in beautifully for Alaska.

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Movie 2: Unabomber

We stumbled across this Netflix movie, and because of the title thought it was an older film. It’s actually a very well done and interesting 2026 film. This movie focuses on the Unabomber’s youth and college days at Harvard. Jacob Tremblay, as a young Ted Kaczynski and Russell Crowe as his college professor are very, very good.

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Movie 3: The Musical

Knowing nothing about this movie as we went in, thinking maybe it was some kind of musical. Wrong! It’s a dark comedy about a high school teach out for revenge. Some critics actually thought the humor well done and mature. We saw it with a friend and the three us agreed, it’s just a total mess. What was Rob Lowe thinking?

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Movie 1: Practical Magic 2

This is a sequel 25 years in the making. Four of the original witches have returned for this comedy. And once again the family curse of falling in love continues. By no means great filmmaking. But we found the acting and sets fun and entertaining to watch.

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Movie 2: The Uprising

Set in 1398 England, this is a dark, violent and tense drama. Shortly following the black plague the people of England rise up against the cruelty and over taxation of a very young King Richard II. Very good acting all around. The cinematography adds to the oppressive mood of the movie. The final scenes take on a Robin Hood motif, much to the chagrin of several movie critics. Paul Greengrass (the Bourne movies) directs a huge and diverse ensemble.

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Movie 3: Runner

This is an action comedy movie with an interesting humanitarian twist. A young Australian girl is waiting for a liver to arrive from Hawaii. A drug cartel has other ideas and the action and drama begin. Filmed entirely in and around Brisbane Australia, the two lead actors, Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson, have chemistry together and make the movie fun to watch.

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Movie 1: Idiots

This is a vulgar and crude adult comedy. It’s equal parts a crime caper, a road movie and a buddy film. Two very unqualified “chauffers” escort a drug addict to rehab. It took us awhile to get into this movie, but once we did there is a lot of intelligent and funny humor going on, in addition to some really good acting. This may not be for everyone, but it’s worth a look.

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Movie 2: The Whisper Man

This is a tense and interesting Netflix movie about a serial killer of young children. Robert DeNiro is very good as the ex-cop and grandfather of one of the kidnapped children. Very good acting with realistic suspense. Some critics gave this a weak review, but we found it a solid drama and thriller.

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Movie 3: The Secret Woman

This is a Danish thriller on Netflix. A woman with amnesia discovers who she really is, a wealthy heiress. She then tries to recapture her life and finds she has a young son and a husband. We found this drama interesting with realistic scenes. Danish, but we watched with dubbed English.

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Movie 1: The Dog Stars

This is a thriller and a survival drama set in 2035. Most of the worlds population is destroyed by an apocalyptic style virus. Pockets of survivors live in the mountains of Colorado. We thought the acting was very good, the situations tense and not predictable and stunning cinematography. The movie is actually filmed throughout Italy. This movie has become a box office flop and most critics give it so-so reviews. But what do they know?? We’ve seen it twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times.

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Movie 2: Coyote vs. Acme

This is a fun and interesting hybrid of a movie, part animation and part live action. Brings back decades old cartoon characters with present day situations. There is humor and heart throughout and very clever slapstick scenes. Children of all ages will enjoy this.

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Movie 3: The Madison

This is a six part Season One miniseries on Paramount. The husband of a wealthy New York City family spends a week or two each year fly fishing with his brother, who lives in Montana. Lots of grief, humor and beautiful Montana scenery. Michelle Pfeiffer is the matriarch of a very dysfunctional family and delivers a powerful performance. Season Two has been announced.

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Movie 1: Spa Weekend

A group of longtime friends decide they need a weekend together at a luxury spa. This is a comedy “gal pal” movie that mimics the endless amount of male bonding comedies over the years. As with much of this genre, the humor is over the top, seldom funny and mostly ridiculous. All four actresses are appealing and can be fun to watch. But this movie is predictable and just falls flat.

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Movie 2: Tony

This is an interesting biopic about a young Anthony Bourdain as he spent a summer in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Young, cocky and totally self-absorbed he knew he wanted to be a writer and perhaps even a chef. Dominic Sessa, who plays Tony, has the uncanny ability to look, sound and mimic the real Bourdain. The supporting cast is very good and adds to what feels like a very heartfelt and earnest movie.

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Movie 3: Freefall: A Reckoning for Boeing

This is a whistleblower investigative documentary. It documents how Boeing allegedly rushed production of the 737MAX aircraft, and the supposed coverup and retaliation against employees. With actual interviews and factory footage this is a harrowing movie and should make the flying public very, very nervous. Rory Kennedy does a really good job of directing and tying it all together. On Netflix.

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Movie 1: The End of Oak Street

This is a really entertaining drama/adventure/sci-fi. A mysterious solar event opens up a hole in a small Michigan town and prehistoric dinosaurs and ancient plants inhabit the area. The acting is perfect, especially Anne Hathaway. It is edge of your seat suspense. Kinda like Jurassic Park meets the suburbs. We’ve seen the movie twice since it opened a week ago.

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Movie 2: Mutiny

This is another high energy action movie from the always reliable Jason Statham. This time he is a bodyguard who finds himself seeking revenge on a cargo ship that is trafficking Thai nationals. Good action scenes, even though the dialogue is very predictable. An entertaining movie, especially on a rainy summer afternoon.

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Movie 3: The Magic Faraway Tree

This movie is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Enid Blyton. A London family moves to the countryside to live a slower down to earth life. The three young children are not happy until they discover a magic tree with all manner of colorful residents. The costumes and sets are beautiful, And it’s always good to see Claire Foy.

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Movie 1: Six: The Musical

This is a glorious musical about the six wives of Henry VIII.  They join forces in a contest to see who is the most popular queen amongst them.  The energy, songs, costumes and humor are absolutely pitch-perfect.  We are sorry we’ve not seen this musical in a live theater, but hope to.  Filmed in London in 2022 this is a rollicking good time at the movies. 

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Movie 2: The Brink of War

This is a historical look at the Reagan/Gorbachev meeting in Reykjavik Iceland in 1986.  This is a tense movie depicting the negotiations to end nuclear proliferation and ultimately the cold war.  The acting is very good.  And the location and sets are the actual house and furniture used by the two world leaders.  Yet something, somehow was off with this movie.  There was almost a religious, “holier than thou” aspect to it that we found off putting.  People of a certain age and history buffs may find this movie of interest. 

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Movie 3: Ride or Die

This is an eight part Amazon Prime miniseries that is very entertaining.  It’s an action adventure/comedy where two best friends try and solve a whole lotta political problems.  Filmed all over Europe the chemistry between the two main stars, Oliva Spencer and Hannah Waddingham is fun to watch.  Lots of twists and turns.  At times it reminded us of an updated Thelma and Louise.  Each episode is about 53 minutes and very bingeable.  A second season is planned.

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Movie 1: Ueck

This is a wonderful documentary about one of America’s most beloved sportscasters. It chronicles the life of Bob Uecker, in and out of baseball.  Growing up in Chicago this movie brought back lots of great memories.  Unfortunately it’s only in limited release in the Midwest.  But keep a lookout for it.  It deserves national distribution.

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Movie 2: One Night Only

We weren’t expecting much from this romantic comedy and were pleasantly surprised that we found it entertaining.   The absurd premise is the government allows single people to only have sex one night a year.  And folks are given wrist monitors to follow their activities.  There were several comedic moments amid the craziness.  And the chemistry between the two lead actors is fun to see. 

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Movie 3: , Super Trooper 3

From what we’ve read the troopers in this third sequel are trying to bring down a local drug ring.  Well, if the critics say so, but we can’t really verify it.  We dozed on and off thru this absolutely vulgar mess of a comedy.  We know now why we hadn’t seen the first two.  And won’t be seeing the upcoming fourth one.

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Movie 1: Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Once again Peter Parker (Spider-Man) spends most of his time protecting New York City from all manner of criminals, crime and terrorists.  This really is a feel good spectacular.  The chemistry between the young stars is palpable on screen.  We aren’t huge Spider-Man fans, but this latest edition is by far the best.  Worldwide it’s setting box office records, making just under one billion dollars in three days.

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Movie 2: I Want Your Sex

This is yet another movie we didn’t know anything about before seeing it.  Were we pleasantly surprised.  This is a wickedly funny and sexually charged adult comedy/satire.  The writing and acting are brilliant.  The avant-garde owner of a Los Angeles art gallery picks and chooses her staff with sexual escapades in mind.  This movie will not be for everyone, but the acting and directing are a fun tour de force to watch.  The sons of Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Cuba Gooding Jr. are a hoot.

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Movie 3: The Beach House Murders

This is an interesting Netflix movie.  A writer, who has had a very difficult past, goes to a Santa Barbara area beach house to finish a book.  Several murders seem to follow her.  Some good twists and turns.  Not great film making but entertaining enough.

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