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Reviews
Bullet Train (2022)
Brilliant and hilarious adventure
I watched this amazing comedy on Netflix over the holidays, and I gotta say, it's become a cult favorite for me. I didn't know much about this film and didn't realize it was even going to be a comedy until Brad stepped in the puddle. Watched it first with my daughter who is not a fan of action or gore, and she loved it and nearly died laughing. She understands Japanese and liked that some of the dialogue was in Japanese (plus Spanish and Russian...what fun). Same enjoyment when I watched again with my husband and son. Takes a lot now to wow my son, and he thought it was the best movie he has seen in a long time. I think it's Brad Pitt's best role in a long time...maybe of all time? Loved the intricate plot lines, brilliant dialogue, intertwined themes of martial arts, trains, and psychology, and well choreographed slapstick comedy. The cast did an amazing job with this insane set of characters, especially all the fight scenes and discussions of Thomas and friends. Bravo!
The Kids in the Hall (1988)
Delighted with the Return of the Kids in the Hall
Any time I was parched for comedic entertainment, I always wondered why the Kids in the Hall could not be found anywhere on streaming and had not returned to reclaim their throne of zany wit. Always wished they could have continued their show to the present because no one has come close to rivaling them. Delighted they are finally back with their show on Amazon Prime, with the same hilarious format.... why tinker with perfection? They are as clever as ever, roasting everything from gender reveals to preppers to Marvel to over the top cuisine.
Don't wait another 30 years! Renew the series now, PLEASE!!!
Waffles + Mochi (2021)
Creative, heartwarming, and absolutely yummy
This new series is just spectacular for the young and the young at heart. From their unique origin story to their many escapades learning about ingredients and recipes, Waffles and Mochi are adorable tributes to the fine art of puppetry and storytelling for children. Michelle Obama's rooftop hangout over her grocery store where Waffles and Mochi begin and end each adventure feels a lot like Hooper's store in the original Sesame Street series or a scene from Mister Rogers Neighborhood, and Michelle has clearly found a new calling here as actress in a children's show. She is lovely. The writing is so creative, and the many growers, chefs, and other professionals featured in each episode explain about the featured ingredient and how they grow, produce, and use it. There is so much wholesome learning here, such as an adorable workshop on making pickles, or even just complete silliness, such as a Queer Eye makeover for a potato. Kudos to all involved in making this series, and I hope it will be renewed for many seasons to come. Don't miss this!!!
The Flight Attendant (2020)
Living vicariously through Cassie, the Flight Attendant
I use a Roku and was disappointed for many weeks seeing headlines about this series and not being able to watch it. I was elated to discover I could get the HBO Max app on the Roku last week and finally indulge in this series. During a tragic pandemic when most are not traveling by plane much less even in a car anywhere, this intriguing and wildly entertaining series couldn't be more perfectly timed. Kaley Cuoco delivers amazing performances as Cassie, and she is the big anchor that holds the series together. Her shaping of this character is one of the best in a series since Bryan Cranston's Walter White. The rest of the ensemble also delivers great characters and so many funny moments, especially Rosie Perez. The writing is excellent, and besides the thrilling plot lines and hilarious situations, it covers interesting ground in the topics of addiction, trauma, and the role of the subconscious. The cinematography is very creative with many split screen and montage sequences as well as the interesting Catch Me If You Can meets A Clockwork Orange animation in the opening credits. Bravo!!!
The King of Staten Island (2020)
Being Pete
While it must be disappointing that The King of Staten Island didn't have its chance to debut on the film festival circuit and in movie theaters, this rollout on streaming at home gives a fitting quirky twist to this offbeat but lovable film. While the film is not an autobiography or documentary, it does weave many personal details of Pete's life into a very compelling story with some hilarious moments. Two of my favorites were the rundown why college is a ripoff and the ringtones during a botched burglary that help the victims fight back! Great choices for the cast, especially Marisa Tomei iin the role as Scott's mom.
Gentefied (2020)
Warms the soul!
What a gem of a series! Fantastic writing, characters, and cast! Love the sets, art, and especially the music too....it is just so beautiful to watch. On the surface, it is the story of a creative and interesting family from Boyle Heights in LA, but under the surface, it is the story of us all. I am a big fan of America Ferrera, and I think she has created a wonderful series. Can't wait for Season 2!!!
You Can Choose Your Family (2018)
If only Frank could be frank ...
I really enjoyed this clever comedy about Frank, and its deep dive down the rabbit hole of the life of a creative bigamist. The script and characters are hilarious, and I knew from the moment the plot and cast were revealed in the trailer that this was going to be a riproaring little gem. This is the directorial debut for Miranda, and it's great to see a female director and Skidmore alum step up and excel with such a bold film. Don't miss it!
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
Saving the best for "last"?
Honestly, I think it would be a shame if this is QT's last film. He's reached a new level of quality where his technical and artistic excellence match his originality. I hope he reconsiders and continues making more films. This film is clearly his best one so far, and I have enjoyed many of his other films.
Having grown up in the era in which the film is set, I was in awe of how flawless all the visuals were as well as all of the cultural cues in dialogue and music. The film captures many nuances of this era so perfectly. The attention to even the smallest details is impressive. Even the inside jokes like all the fictitious spaghetti western posters with people like Telly Savalas were rendered flawlessly. It's hard not to be swept up in the nostalgia of it all.
The script is brilliant with absolutely hilarious scenes and so many hidden jokes. With various artistic montages of movie footage, fictional TV footage, as well as real TV footage, the cinematography and editing is equally brilliant. It doesn't hurt to have amazing actors giving some of their funniest performances ever. Leonardo and Brad are the best duo in decades, and why it took QT to elicit this, we'll never know. Al Pacino and Bruce Dern also provide some hysterical characters.
This is a movie not to be missed, especially if you lived through the 60s and 70s. It has a long running time, but it passes quickly because it is so damn funny.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (2019)
Clever series inspired by the classic movie
As a devoted fan of the original movie, I was skeptical of a series inspired by it. But the series has a very clever script with interesting characters and a wonderful ensemble cast. I've enjoyed all of the episodes so far, but my favorite is Zara's foray into reality TV. Hope to see more seasons and other series from the creators.
Find Me (2018)
Trail to your heart
I've been hiking our National Parks since I was a child, so the scenery in the trailer drew me right in! The film weaves some amazing hikes through a few different parks into an interesting plot about two friends' quest for meaning in life. I think the cinematography of the hikes really captures the moment of awe and wonder when you completely lose yourself in a beautiful spot where you have hiked. Credit to the crew for some careful walking and great editing to really "bring you there". Well done! I really liked the characters in this very unusual plot, and as a survivor myself, I can attest that second chances renew your love of our wonderful parklands and their sacred spots. I didn't realize that the protagonist in the film also wrote and directed this lovely gem until the credits at the end, making this an indie film in the truest sense of the word.
Leave No Trace (2018)
A journey to the heart of trauma
This movie delivered a level of insight that I didn't expect into a condition that so many suffer from and are misunderstood - trauma and PTSD. On the surface, there is an unusual plot about a father and daughter living in the wilderness, with spectacular cinematography in the majestic forest of the Pacific Northwest. The lush plant life and peaceful surroundings are simply breathtaking. They are an amazing team that has mastered camping as a lifestyle and made the woods their home. Beneath the surface, however, there is a constant undercurrent of fear, primarily of being evicted from the government-owned park that they are illegally camping in. On a trip into the city to get monthly supplies and stop at the local VA office, the father reveals he is a veteran suffering from PTSD, struggling to raise his daughter in the only environment where he feels safe...isolated from other people and outside any community. After returning to the park, someone spots the daughter, and shortly thereafter, they are evicted and turned over to social services. The manner in which the social workers attempt to help the family demonstrates a lack of understanding of trauma. The father must complete a lengthy questionnaire containing hundreds of questions that repeatedly trigger his anxiety. When he is reunited with his daughter and they are placed in subsidized housing, they are settled hundreds of miles away from the forest in a farming area. Ironically, he is given a job cutting Christmas trees where he is subjected to loud industrial cutters and helicopters all day long. While the social workers meant well and tried to avoid settling them in a city, they didn't really meet his needs or provide any therapy or services for his disability. When the father and daughter leave to return to the woods, the daughter realizes that she not only wants but needs to be part of community with other peers and families. Because they go further North instead of returning to the woods where we see them at the beginning of the film, they encounter challenges from the cold and unexpected injuries. The daughter takes action to get help and in doing so, brings them to a community that is more well suited to their needs. The people live simply and harmoniously, but also understand the father's struggles and accept him as he is. As her father recuperates there from injuries, she decides she wants to live there and not return to camping alone in the woods. I think the movie is aptly titled - Leave No Trace. It's a great guideline for camping and hiking in our beautiful parklands...but it's also a matter of survival for soldiers to leave no trace for the enemy to find and kill them. And unfortunately, it can also be the end result of trauma ... where we find no trace of the vibrant person we knew before. Great performances, excellent writing, and beautiful scenery.
Skate Kitchen (2018)
Skate Kitchen cooks up an interesting and different genre of filmmaking
I watched this little gem of a film recently with my teenage daughter, and we were pleasantly surprised and intrigued by the style of this film. It's got a documentary feel to it that is very natural and freewheeling. The freedom of the kids that comprise Skate Kitchen gave me nostalgia going back 40 years to the summers I spent with my teenage tribe roaming free and having fun together. A beautiful thing. The storyline of Camille who feels so alone until she reaches out and connects with her tribe of female skaters is so relatable - it's a great coming of age theme and a great feminist theme as well. Besides this layer of finding your tribe, the film also explores the whole culture of urban skateboarding - something I knew nothing about and really enjoyed immersing myself in during the film. The other layer of the storyline that I thought was well done was Camille's journey of shifting custody among her parents to try to get what she needed at different stages of her childhood and adolescence - it was heartbreaking and gave insight into her character.
After watching the film, I was very curious how it was made, and I think it's really interesting that Skate Kitchen collaborated on the script and formed part of the ensemble for the film. My daughter thought so much of the film, especially the dialogue, felt very natural/real. I think the director and the cast did a great job with this film. It's a big risk to put your real life and real story on the screen and dedicate so much time scripting and telling it in a novel way.
Escape at Dannemora (2018)
Great filmmaking and storytelling
Ben Stiller did a fantastic job bringing this epic crime story to the screen. I spent my college years in the "North Country" of New York, and the cinematography and scenes capture the character of this region so perfectly. This backdrop is an important layer to the story. I am a fan of many members of this great cast - Patricia, Paul, Benicio, David, Bonnie, and Eric were amazing in the way they developed these complex characters. I'm glad that Patricia won the Golden Globe - her performance was outstanding. I think the pacing and the seven parts to the story were very effective, especially the episode devoted to the crimes committed by Matt and Sweat that earned them life sentences. At the time this escape unfolded, I was taking one of my kids on college tours in New York State, and the news had us rattled. When I heard about this limited series, I wanted to see it, especially because Ben Stiller was directing. I loved his work with Walter Mitty (one of my faves), and I heartily applaud his work with this challenging tale of conspiracy and prison escape.
Love, Simon (2018)
At last, Simon
I liked the way this movie used the anonymous email exchanges between Blue and Jacques as a way of conceptualizing what it's like to be in hiding about your true identity. I think it was a really powerful vehicle as Simon saw various clues and thought several different guys could be Blue. The script revealed how loving family members and friends make assumptions about identity through the various jokes and comments that were clearly missing the mark with Simon. I think this movie sends a powerful and positive message that is long overdue. There are so many teens across the world who stay in hiding like Simon did at the beginning of the film. Even in the most liberal of places, teens are cruel and hateful to any kid that is not uber heterosexual, and adults look the other way. I hope the film inspires more validation and acceptance.
The Breadwinner (2017)
An inspiring and unusual story
This is a remarkable film that deserved a longer run in theaters. I was elated when Netflix picked up this film so I could finally see it.
What I really liked about the film was the layering of three stories together: the story of an Afghan girl who must pretend to be her dead brother to support her family (the primary animation style of the film), the mystical story of a young Afghan boy (her brother) who must fight evil forces (a secondary animation style in the film), and the story of the Afghan people through history (an oral story told by the girl's father to her). The weaving of these stories together is really artistic and beautiful.
The story of the Afghan girl is an inspiring one for all women, who often make significant sacrifices to support their families and hold them together no matter what the odds or the circumstances. She is just a girl, yet she is heroic beyond her years.
I think the filmmaker has done a remarkable job with this film, not just in terms of the quality of the animation and the layers of the story. The filmmaker took a big risk choosing this specific story because of both the geopolitical and cultural taboos. Despite those risks, SHE brought this story forward and told it in a very thoughtful way. Bravo!
Ófærð (2015)
A modern-day Icelandic saga
Wow! Trapped is totally riveting and amazing from the opening episode to the conclusion! Despite being in Icelandic with subtitles, the story carries amazingly well because of the clever storytelling and acting. All of the characters are fascinating, and the many intersecting storylines and plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat during every episode. The cinematography is not only beautiful but conveys even the smallest plot details. Standing ovation to everyone involved with this production. Can't wait for the second season, and please bring more Icelandic productions to world audiences.
One Day at a Time (2017)
This remake total reimagines the original!
I grew up watching Norman Lear shows, and it's really cool to be watching this reimagining of the original One Day at a Time with my teenage daughter. We both love this show, and I think that speaks volumes to how hilarious and relatable the characters and episodes are. It takes talent to create a show that is compelling across a 40 year difference in age! In particular, we really like the reimagining of the family as Cuban-American, and the single mom being a combat veteran. The writing on all episodes is superb - hilarious, heartwarming, and yet still thought provoking with regard to current issues in families and in our country. They've handled so many hot topics in various episodes, and done so in a thoughtful way. The entire cast is simply amazing - each actress and actor makes a very special contribution to the show. Hats off to both Rita Moreno and Norman Lear who are still going strong.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
Before there were tweets, there were billboards
I'm not sure where the seed for this gem of a story originated, but I can't help but wonder if the three billboards so central to the plot were inspired by the modern catharsis we see pouring out on a daily basis on social media. Before social media, you needed to put your message on billboards to really put yourself relentlessly out there in people's faces. The movie has all the essential elements - a flawlessly written tale, award-worthy acting, and beautiful cinematography and editing. It is both eccentrically funny and tragically sad at the same time, but manages to make so many philosophical points about crime, justice, bigotry, hypocrisy, ignorance, death, and grief. Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell, and Woody Harrelson create three larger-than-billboard characters whose lives become angrily and hilariously entangled over an unsolved murder. Frances McDormand's Mildred is astonishing, from the tender moments in the car imagining the billboards, to her smoldering conversation with the parish priest (best.thing.ever), to her guilt-ridden reminiscence of her last hours with her daughter. A brilliant film not to be missed.
The Florida Project (2017)
A pure and honest film with some amazing performances
Ironically, I saw this film because my first choice sold out at the theater. I had seen the trailer but wasn't excited to see the film because it focused on poverty, something I'd prefer not to think about. But I'm really glad I saw this beautifully honest film. The film is set at a motel near Orlando, but there are many motels like this one all across America (including a couple very close to where I live).
The film tells the story of Mooney, a six-year-old girl living with Hailey, her single unemployed mother, in a motel that rents week to week to families that cannot afford an apartment of their own. The story is told from Mooney's point of view to the point where you feel like you are a child again. No other film has made me recall the summers of my own childhood quite like this one. Despite the many harsh struggles depicted in this film, it captures the freedom and joy of childhood in a touching way.
The most surprising aspect of this film is the three powerhouse acting performances. Two come from complete newcomers to acting, Brooklynn and Bria, as daughter Mooney and mother Hailey. And the third is from Willem Dafoe as Bobby, the motel manager who is also a part-time mediator, guardian angel, enforcer, and comedian. These three performances are just so pure, honest, and amazing - they really carry the film and its message.
Hailey is one of three mothers in the film, and Bria brilliantly conveys Hailey's character flaws and chaotic emotions. The other moms are the moms of Mooney's close friends Scooty and Jancey. The various experiences of the three mother characters compare and contrast the sacrifices and mistakes of single mothers faced with poverty.
It will be interesting to see what the future brings for Brooklynn and Bria, given this great debut.
Loving Vincent (2017)
Unique and new achievement in animation
Loving Vincent is a remarkable film that vividly brings the paintings and last years of Vincent Van Gogh to life. Every frame has been lovingly and painstakingly oil painted, and the animation connecting them all is amazing in its artistry. The storyline, characters, and setting are compelling and historically accurate. You feel immersed in 19th century France. The film cleverly casts actors for the historical characters from Van Gogh's paintings and life and melds them together with beautiful animation. The film lives up to its muse and then some.
13 Reasons Why (2017)
An amazing series - not to be missed
Wow. I am so impressed with the accuracy and artistry of this series. The themes and complexity that are woven in to each episode are so accurate with respect to the real experience of teen bullying, rape, and suicide in our schools. One of our kids was bullied for many years, and this series is the first public validation of our experience - the humiliation, abuse, trauma, denial, and retaliation. I hope that this series starts a new dialogue about how we treat each other and the value of truth. I want to compliment and thank the writers, actors, directors, and producers of this series for bringing these vital issues out into the open in such a profound way.
Well Wishes (2015)
Clever and fun adventure
What a remarkably great directorial debut for Anderson Boyd. I decided to take a chance on this film scrolling through recent releases on Netflix. Just the still photo of Miles (the lead character) wearing a Statue of Liberty costume and the short blurb about the quirky plot drew me in. Part of the fun for me with watching an unknown film like this is to google afterward to find out where did this film come from? Reading that this was the director's first film and that it was made on an extremely small budget motivated me to write this review. I hope the filmmaker is writing more scripts and planning to make more films. I really enjoyed this film.
What I loved about this film was the clever and unique plot...I crack up just thinking about it. Coins and fountains will forevermore remind me of this funny movie. Besides the twists and turns of the story itself, there is some unstated commentary about life, compassion, trust, money, and what matters. The film rises a bit above pure entertainment and leaves you with something to think about. I don't agree with the other reviewer who feels there is some libertarian conspiracy. (But hey, that's another idea for a funny movie plot :-)) I also liked all the scenery of North Carolina throughout the film. I didn't realize that's what I was watching and that it was a local production until googling afterward. The ensemble of actors did a great job bringing the story to life, even some of the folks with the smallest of parts.
A Girl Like Her (2015)
Disturbingly real psychological thriller
This review contains spoilers
A Girl Like Her is a disturbing film that delves into the criminal mind of a female bully and the hostile environment of a suburban high school, and asks the question "is bullying murder?" This film has the same emotional shock value as the Silence of the Lambs, except this film has no protagonist like Clarice. What's a bit unique about the film is its format, which is a fragmented mockumentary of hidden camera footage of the crime and its aftermath in the school and surrounding community. The characters and dialogue are disturbingly real, including the bully, victim, friends, families, teachers, and administrators.
This film is now available on Netflix, and I highly recommend that it be shown in as many middle schools and high schools as possible.