Frozen II

My View: Frozen 2 (2019) PG   Anna (Kristen Bell), Elsa (Idina Menzel), Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Olaf (Josh Gad), and Sven leave Arendelle to find the origin of Elsa’s powers to save the kingdom. While not quite measuring up to the wonder and brilliance of the first Frozen film, this movie still hits all the right spots and makes it an enjoyable experience for you and your family. The film doesn’t have a showstopper song like ‘Let it Go,’ it does have several songs that hit the mark, including ‘Into the Unknown’ sung by AURORA and Idina Menzel. What makes this film such fun to watch is the antics of Olaf, expertly voiced by Josh Gad. Olaf, the dim but always overly optimistic snowman, provides just the right amount of comic relief that will make you not only giggle but laugh out loud. The film’s animation is stunning, and many of the scenes are just draw-dropping gorgeous. I think families will enjoy this film with its central message of girl power and how family is there to stand right by our sides when faced with obstacles that seem bigger than maybe we can handle.    My Rating: Full Price     Frozen II Website

My View:  A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood   (2019)  PG  Journalist Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys) is a hard-hitting reporter who is known to ruffle the feathers of the people he interviews. Lloyd’s outlook on life is about to change as his next assignment is to interview the legendary nice guy, Mr. Rogers (Tom Hanks). Let me tell you right off that Mr. Rogers is not the focus of this film. In fact, Tom Hanks will probably be nominated for a Best Supporting Actor for his role and not leading role. The film centers around the journalist, Lloyd, a disliked reporter who doesn’t want to do a profile on someone he considers beneath his journalistic skills. Lloyd, while in a loving relationship with his wife (Susan Kelechi Watson) and just born baby but is troubled by his past with a father (Chris Cooper) who abandoned Lloyd and his mother early in Lloyd’s childhood. Matthew Rhys gives a winning performance as the reporter, but it's Tom Hanks that makes this film work. It would be hard to pick an actor who could do a better job in this role as a fascinating and lovely man who only wants to help children deal with their feelings and how to interact with the world around them. While it takes a little while to warm up to the structure of the film (which I won’t go into so I don’t ruin it), you will enjoy this film that has a mission at its core, to make you, the viewer, a better person.    My Rating: Full Price     A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood Website

Indiefest:  Waves  (2019) R   The story of a suburban family, led by a domineering father (Sterling K. Brown), that starts to fall apart when an accident turns deadly. Writer/director (It Comes at Night (2017), Krisha (2015)) brings us a film that is separated into two parts. The first part centers around Tyler (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), a popular high-school student who seemingly has everything going for him until it comes crashing down. The second part revolves around Tyler’s sister, Emily (Taylor Russell), who struggles to keep going in the aftermath of a horrible accident. The performances in this film are powerful and moving, with Sterling K Brown standing out as the father who knows he pushed his son too hard and too fast. This is a deep and weighty dive into a family's dynamics, where each member must ask the question, ‘Is there something I could have done to prevent this from happening to my family?’. You will be thinking about this film long after the final credits roll.    My Rating: Full Price     Waves Website

My View:  The Report (2019) R A Senate staffer (Adam Driver) is given the lead in an investigation into the CIA’s post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program. What he finds will cause shockwaves across the nation. This isn’t a film that you can just sit down and let it wash over you. You are going to have to think, sometimes really hard, while watching this film that is less about action and more about reaction. Adam Driver once again proves that he is one of the best actors out there, giving a complex and multi-faceted performance of a man who is driven to find out the truth, no matter the cost. It’s a intricate tale that will make you mad at times on how our government could have made the choices that it did in a quest to find terrorists, even if they weren’t always there. This isn’t a film for everyone, but for those that choose to see it, it will keep you interested until the end.  My Rating: Full Price     The Report Website

Indiefest:  Marriage Story (2019) R   The story of a couple (Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson) whose marriage is falling apart, told from the separate viewpoints of the husband and the wife. The heartbreaking story of a marriage that is crumbling before the eyes of both the parents and their young son. The story starts out with two people trying to make this break as quick and painless as possible, but as soon as lawyers get involved, the divorce becomes messy and ugly, with both sides making horrible mistakes that they both will regret. Driver and Johansson do remarkable jobs as the couple, with Johansson shining in a role that sometimes makes her the bad guy. Laura Dern is brilliant as Johansson’s characters lawyer, a woman who is all about taking as much as she can from the father, even if its not in wishes of her client. This is a devastating and powerful film that is often very painful to watch as two people we learn to care about are going through something that can destroy not only a relationship but the family dynamics as well.     My Rating: Full Price   Marriage Story Website 

Forgotten Film: Comfort and Joy (1984)   Just in time for the Holiday season is this film about a depressed Scottish morning radio host, Alan ‘Dicky Bird’ (Bill Paterson). Alan is the witness of an attack on an ice cream truck by a bunch of vandals (one who stops to make a song request for ‘Dicky Bird’ to play on the radio). Alan becomes enamored with the truck’s worker, a woman named Charlotte (C. P. Grogan) and because of her, he decides to find a solution to the great ice cream van wars, where two Italian families are battling over the rights to sell ice cream on the streets of Glasgow. Paterson gives a winning performance as the DJ that just may lose his mind over trying to solve this problem, and the film is greatly enhanced by a brilliant score by Dire Straights frontman Mark Knopfler.   My Rating: Full Price      Comfort and Joy Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Waves: Crafty Assistant

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Knives Out (2019) PG-13 World famous mystery writer Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) has committed suicide, throwing his extending family into a jumbled mess. Private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is on the case and thinks that Harlan’s death might just be murder, with a house full of relatives that are all suspects. An all-star cast that includes Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, and Katherine Langford make this mystery/comedy one of the holiday’s must-see films.     Knives Out Website

Until Next Time!

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Family Faire: Ralph Breaks the Internet  (2018)  PG    Ralph (John C. Reily), and his pal Venellope (Sarah Silverman) go on a search on the internet for a new joystick for Ralph’s game. If they don’t find the joystick, Ralph’s game will be turned off. I liked this film more than the first film, Wreck it Ralph. I think it’s funnier and has a better message than the first film. This film is all about friendship and putting other peoples needs and feelings in front of yours. I loved that they got a lot of the Disney princesses voices, like Kristen Bell and Ming Na to do their characters voices. The film is enjoyable for both kids and adults, though some adults may not get all the jokes, as some of them are aimed at the ‘YouTube’ generation. The film moves at a quick pace and is fun to watch. This is the perfect film for families to go out to see this holiday season.  My Rating: Full Price  

 My View:  Creed II (2018)  PG-13   With Rocky’s (Sylvester Stallone) help, newly crowned light heavyweight champion Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) faces off against Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), the son of the man that killed Adonis’ father. This is a disappointing film because the first Creed film was one of the best of that year. Sylvester Stallone co-wrote this film, and it has his heavy hand all over it. This feels more like a Rocky picture than a sequel to Creed. What is surprising is how good Dolph Lundgren is as Ivan Drago, the boxer who lost everything when Rocky beat him thirty years ago. Lundren makes Drago a real character who wants revenge through his son and it’s the best performance in the film. I just wish the movie wasn’t so over the top and is much too long.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee

In Case You Missed It (A movie just released on DVD/Blu-Ray):  Dog Days  (2018)  PG    A group of interconnected people in Los Angeles are brought together by the dogs that fill their lives with love and hope. This very bland movie has a few cute dogs in it, but that’s about it. The film is made up of a bunch of stories about people and their dogs. A morning TV hosts (Nina Dobrev) gets a new on-air partner, and their dogs get along better than they do. A husband (Rob Corddry) and wife (Eva Longoria) adopt a young girl who seems unhappy until a dog enters their life. All the stories are dull and lifeless, and worse yet, highly predictable. Go walk your own dog around the block rather than going to the theatre to see this film.   My Rating:  Cable   Dog Days Website

Indiefest:  Maria by Callas  (2017)  PG  Documentary on the life and loves of the Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas. This is a celebration of a singer of extraordinary talent that wanted desperately to be a wife and mother but was driven by her mother and later her husband to concentrate on her career. If you are a fan of opera or great singing, this film is for you as there are some extraordinary clips of Maria singing. The whole movie is told through Maria herself as she was interviewed by the media on almost a constant basis. The film also looks at her private life, including her relationship with Aristotle Onassis, her great love who left her to marry Jacqueline Kennedy. It’s a sad tale about a woman who left us too soon but left a legacy of music to remember her by.  My Rating: Full Price   Maria by Callas Website

Indiefest:  Chef Flynn  (2018)  Documentary about Flynn McGarry who started cooking gourmet meals at age 9, by 11 had a supper club in his home and age 19 has his own restaurant in NYC. Let me say up front that I am a meat and potatoes kind of guy, so the small portion fancy meals that Chef Flynn creates with tweezers is not my idea of a meal. Having said that, he is incredibly creative, and his food is beautiful to look at. His success (at 15 Chef Flynn is charging 160 dollars a head at pop-up restaurants around the world) comes at a price, as the intent trolls are continually attacking him but the good news is famous chefs think Chef Flynn is talented and his cooking is lauded by them. One thing that bothers me about this film is that it never explains how he and his mother can afford this lifestyle, especially in the early days when he wasn’t charging his friends and family for extremely exorbitant meals. If you are a foodie and love artful cooking, then Chef Flynn is worth checking out.     My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Chef Flynn Website

Forgotten Film:  Drugstore Cowboy  (1989)  R    Led by Bob (Matt Dillon) two couples travel from on seedy motel to another in search of drugs. Dillon gives one of the greatest performances of his life as he and his friends travel to find any drug that they can find or steal. While not a happy film it is worth seeing for Dillon’s performance and the interaction of the 4 characters who treat each other like they are family.   My Rating: Full Price   Drugstore Cowboy Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Creed II:  Contact Lens Painter

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Mary Poppins Returns  (2018)  PG-13    Decades after her last visit, Mary (Emily Blunt) returns to help the Banks family through a difficult time in their lives. The trailer is amazing, and I will go see anything that Emily Blunt is in.   Mary Poppins Returns Website

Until Next Time!

Fifty Shades Freed

My View:  Fifty Shades Freed  (2018) R  Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) and Christian (Jamie Doman) are married, but their marriage is threatened by Jake Hyde (Eric Johnson). For a movie that has a ton of sex scenes, this is one unsexy film. With a plot that makes very little sense, the film moves from one sex scene to another; sometimes there is almost no space between them. The dialogue is laughable. Early on Anastasia says, “Boobs in Boobland” to give you an idea of the sparkling wit this film displays. The two leads have absolutely no chemistry on screen, and the sex scenes feel like two actors doing a sex scene instead of two passionate people in love. You can almost hear the director off camera giving them cues on what they should do to each other next. If you took out all the sex in this movie, you would have a beautiful travelogue about some very rich tourist spots, but it would still be a very dull movie.    My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See It Again   Fifty Shades Freed Website

Indiefest:  Spilled Milk  (2017)  A documentary about two lifelong friends, Omar and Jaqai (the director of the film), and how Omar’s Sickle Cell Disease affects both of their lives. Using animation and humor, the film explores what Sickle Cell Disease is, the effects that it has on the people who have it, and the possible cure for it. We get an inside look at just how devastating this disease is as it continually puts Omar in the hospital when he experiences so much pain. The film also spotlights just how little doctors and nurses know about the disease since they rarely encounter someone who has it. Spilled Milk is an imaginative and fascinating look at a disease that I knew very little about, but this isn’t just a documentary about a disease, it’s also about friendship.   My Rating:  Full Price   Spilled Milk Website

In Case You Missed It (Movies just released on DVD/BluRay):  A Bad Moms Christmas (2017)  R   The bad moms (Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis, and Kathryn Hahn) are back, and they are tired of creating the perfect Christmas, so they plan to rebel like the bad moms they are. I liked the first film, but this one misses the mark. I only laughed once and giggled a couple of more times, but that’s it because most of the material just isn’t funny. I love the three leads, but they are let down by a very skimpy plot that you can see coming from almost the film’s first frame. I also missed Christina Applegate, who was the villain in the first film but only makes a cameo in this one.   My Rating:  Cable    A Bad Moms Christmas Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  Acrimony (2018)  R  A faithful wife (Taraji P. Henson) tires of standing by her cheating husband (Lyriq Bent) when she discovers that he is leaving her for another woman. Now it’s time for revenge. Look, I love Taraji P. Henson, but all I have to say about this film is that it’s written and directed by Tyler Perry.    Acrimony Info

Forgotten Film:  Zathura: A Space Adventure  (2005)  PG  Two brothers (Jonah Bobo, Josh Hutcherson) began playing an old board game, and suddenly their home is hurled through space. Think Jumanji in space, but a whole lot more fun. As the brothers play the game (they figure out that the only way they are going to get back to earth is to finish the game) their actions become more dangerous. The film is a blast to watch, and the two kids work well with each other on the screen. I enjoyed the performance of Dax Shepard who plays an astronaut they pick up along the way.    My Rating: Full Price   Zathura: A Space Adventure Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Fifty Shades Freed:  Truck Costumer

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Deadpool 2 (Untitled Deadpool Sequel)  (2018)  I have no clue what this film will be about (read the IMDB summary, it’s hilarious). All I know is I loved the first one and can’t wait to see this one.   Untitled Deadpool Sequel Website

Until Next Time!

Jason Bourne

My View:  Jason Bourne  (2016)  PG-13  Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) now remembers who he is, so, it's time to find some answers.  I have liked the Bourne series, especially the action sequences. After a great opening scene where Bourne takes a fighter down in one punch,  the film quickly goes downhill with sloppy fight sequences shot in “shaky cam” style and a car chase sequence that was so badly done it was hard to figure out what was happening. The chase through the streets of Las Vegas was so ludicrous that, when the chase ends with one of the cars crashing into a casino, I was expecting a close up of a slot machine dinging and giving up coins. Some of the dialogue, especially those delivered by Tommy Lee Jones, are laughable. I was disappointed in the bland performance that Alicia Vikander gave, though I suspect that the script, which has her n line to be the CIA director at age 28, had a great deal to do with said performance. Mr. Bourne, it's time to retire.   My Rating: Cable   Jason Bourne Website

My View:  Nerve  (2016)  PG-13  A high school Senior, Vee (Emma Roberts), tries out an online game of truth or dare. At first, the game is easy, and the rewards are worth the risk, but soon, it is very evident that Vee is in over her head, and this game could become deadly.  Back in 1995, when The Net was released, we didn't know enough about computers to know that Sandra Bullock couldn't really bring down the internet with a floppy disk. It's 2016 and even I know that a couple of teen hackers are not going to be able to take down an internet game with a couple of keystrokes, but that's what this film wants you to believe.  I enjoyed the first half of this film, mostly because the dares that Vee gets were creative and fun. The film starts running out of gas when the dares become more dangerous and less creative. I did enjoy the performance of Emily Meade, who plays Roberts’ more adventurous best friend, which gives some life to the film. Unfortunately, the film's ending, which can be seen from a mile away, is just too simple to really work.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Nerve Website

My View:  Bad Moms  (2016)  R  Three moms (Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell) have been pushed to their limit by the PTA, making lunches and managing after-school activities for their kids. It's time for the moms to hit back and have some fun. I had a great time watching this movie.  While it takes a little while to take off, once Kathryn Hahn’s raunchy mom shows up, the film is a blast to watch. The three women play off each other effortlessly and they all have great comedic timing. Christina Applegate is perfect as the mom who runs the PTA with an iron hand. Go have a glass of wine and enjoy your time with some “Bad Moms.”   My Rating: Full Price   Bad Moms Website

Indiefest:  Café Society  (2016)  PG-13  Bobby Dorrman (Jesse Eisenberg) leaves his home in New York in the 1930's and moves to Hollywood to try and make a name for himself. He lands a job with his Uncle Phil (Steve Carrell).  While in Hollywood, Bobby meets Phil's secretary, Vonnie (Kristen Stewart). He begins dating Vonnie not knowing that she is secretly having an affair with his uncle.  Who would have thought that after that first Twilight film I would be saying this, but Kristen Stewart has become one of my favorite actresses, and she doesn't disappoint  with a dazzling performance in this latest Woody Allen film. This is a beautiful film to watch, and it's clear that Allen has a reverence for the Hollywood of yesteryear. This is an enjoyable film, though I did want it to be funnier as it has too little out and out laughs.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Cafe Society Website

Indiefest:  Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words  (2016)  R  In-depth documentary about the life and music of legendary avant-garde musician Frank Zappa. This is one of the best documentaries of the year. The film does not have a narrator but lets Zappa, appearing on talk shows and interviews with reporters, tell his story. I never have been a fan of his music, finding it very strange and involved, but I always was a fan of the man, himself, and this film just confirms my admiration. The film is full of rare footage of concerts that show just how crazy Zappa's music was.  This is a fascinating film about a very complex and complicated man.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Eat That Question Website   

Forgotten Film:  The Night Before  (1988)  Winston (Keanu Reeves) wakes up in the middle of the street, his date is missing, his car is gone, and his tux jacket is full of money. When he starts remembering his night, he will probably want to forget it. This is a strange coming-of-age teen comedy that I like because halfway through the film, it becomes a little dark. It seems that Winston, in a drunken state, has sold his prom date (Lori Loughlin) to a local pimp, and he has to rescue her before she gets sold to a sex slave dealer. I told you it goes a little dark. It's not a great film, but if you want something a little different, this will fill the role.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   The Night Before Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Jason Bourne: Special Effects Teeth

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:   The Edge of Seventeen (2016)  High school life for Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) is already pretty bad, but it gets worse when her best friend (Haley Lu Richardson) starts dating her popular older brother (Blake Jenner).  I love Woody Harrelson in the trailer as Nadine's teacher that she looks to for guidance.   The Edge of Seventeen Info

Until Next Time!

Need for Speed

My View:  Need for Speed (2014)  PG-13  Fresh out of prison, Tobey (Aaron Paul), a mechanic and part-time street racer, is out for revenge. He, though, must first travel from New York to California via a Shelby Ford Mustang to race in the ultimate street race.  This film is downright stupid at times, with plot holes the size of the expensive race cars in the film.  The racing sequences are fun and fast, some based on the “Need for Speed” video games.  Unfortunately, for us, though, the plot and the dialogue also seem to come from video games.  Aaron Paul isn’t asked to do much with his part other than look tough while driving a fast car.  Imogen Poots, as the love interest in the film, is given even less to work with.  But, you don’t come to a film like this for acting or the plot, you come for the racing scenes, and it has plenty for an action fan to enjoy.  My Rating:  Cable  Need for Speed Facebook Page

My View:  Veronica Mars: The Movie  (2014)  PG-13  It’s been years since Veronica (Kristen Bell) has been a private eye or been back in her old hometown of Neptune. She has a good life in New York, but she is about to throw it all away when her old boyfriend, Logan (Jason Dohring), is accused of murder. I was a big fan of the show and admit that I did back the making of the movie through Kickstarter.  As a fan of the show, I really enjoyed this film.  It brings back many of the memorable characters from the TV series.  It retains the humor of the show, and Veronica continually quips the snarky remarks that she is known for.  It’s a fun ride and a very enjoyable mystery.  Be sure and stay through the first part of the closing credits for a bonus scene.    My Rating:  Full Price  Veronica Mars Website

Indiefest: The Grand Budapest Hotel  (2014)  R  Gustave H (Ralph Fiennes) is one of the best concierges in the world, and he works at the famous Grand Budapest Hotel. He hires Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori) as a lobby boy.  Now, Gustave and Zero are about to go on a great adventure.  An absolutely joyride of a film that takes a Wes Anderson (the director) type of film and adds the Marx Brothers to it.  Fiennes is hilarious in the role of the stuck up, pompous concierge with a heart of gold. Revolori, as the “Lobby Boy,” perfectly works off of the energy of Fiennes creating great chemistry between them.  The color scheme of the film is incredible and there is the typical Anderson use of different perspectives and camera angles that make his films look so unique.  There are a ton of cameos like Bill Murray, that just make this so much fun to watch.  It’s a film you might want to see twice because it’s jammed packed with so much stuff, you just might miss a thing or two on your first view.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See It Again  The Grand Budapest Hotel Website

Indiefest:  Better Living Through Chemistry (2014)  R  Doug (Sam Rockwell) is a by-the book-pharmacist who is in a very unhappy marriage to Kara (Michelle Monaghan). Doug’s life changes when he meets Elizabeth (Olivia Wilde), a trophy wife customer who likes to party. Now, Doug is in for the ride of his life. This is a fun and funny film that had me guessing how it was going to end.  Olivia Wilde is becoming quite the actress, making some excellent Indie films, and she has a blast with the role of the boozy Elizabeth.  But, this is Sam Rockwell’s movie, and he exceeds in the part.  He reminds me of Bill Murray early in his career in films such as Stripes (1981) and Meatballs (1979). Rockwell gives us a winning performance of a man who starts as a man who is controlled by everyone but ends being in control of his life and his happiness.   My Rating:  Full Price  Better Living Through Chemistry Info

Indiefest:  Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me  (2014)    This is a documentary on the Broadway legend Elaine Stritch, who, at 87 years old, is still doing her one-woman show about her life. It’s a film that shows Stritch, warts and all.  She is struggling with old age, diabetes and alcoholism, while trying put on her show.  She is a force of nature on stage, but we see her struggle to survive outside of her performances.  It’s a fascinating film about an extremely determined, feisty woman who realizes that she doesn’t have much time left to perform on the stage she desperately loves.    My Rating:  Full Price  Elaine Stritch: Shoot Me Info

Forgotten Film:  Mona Lisa  (1986)  R  George (Bob Hoskins) is an ex-con who gets a job from his old crime boss, Mortwell (Michael Caine).  His job is to drive Simone (Cathy Tyson), a high-priced call girl, from job to job.  George and Simone develop a relationship that is only gets them in big trouble with Mortwell.  Tyson is beautiful and sensational as the headstrong Simone, but it’s Hoskins who dominates this film with his presence.  It’s an astounding piece of acting and well worth the Oscar nomination that he got for the role.  My Rating:  Full Price   Mona Lisa Info  

Weird Credits: From the credits of Need for Speed:  Hair Designer

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Dom Hemingway  (2013)  R  After 12 years in prison, Dom (Jude Law) tries to fit back into society, including re-establishing his relationship with his daughter.  Jude Law running rampant for 2 hours as an ex-con?  I’m in!   Dom Hemingway Info

Until Next Time!

Frozen

Family Faire:  Frozen  (2013)  PG   In the kingdom of Arendelle, there are two Princesses: Elsa (Idina Menzel), who is soon to be Queen and who has the strange ability to make snow and ice out of nothing, and her sister, Anna (Kristen Bell). When Elsa lets her emotions get the better of her, she accidentally triggers a magical winter that freezes the entire kingdom. Elsa, known now as the “Snow Queen,” goes into hiding, and Anna must set out on a journey with a mountain man named, Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), and a reindeer sidekick named, Sven, to find her sister and save the kingdom.  This the best Disney film in years with great songs, fun sidekicks and a winning cast.  Both Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel have beautiful singing voices, and several of the songs in the film are breakout hits.  The storyline has plenty of twists and turns, and the animation is eye-popping.  The film is worth seeing in 3-D if just for the opening animated short that is one of the best uses of 3-D animation that I have ever seen.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again

Indiefest:  Philomena  (2013)  PG-13   In an effort to resurrect his journalistic career, Martin (Steve Coogan) agrees to do a human interest story on Philomena (Judi Dench), a woman who is searching for her son and whom she gave up for adoption almost 50 years ago. Judi Dench is amazing in this touching, and, at times, funny film.  Her portrayal of Philomena, a kind-hearted, religious woman who is determined to find her long lost son, is worthy of an Oscar.  She plays her part perfectly and matches up well with Coogan, who plays a hard-hearted journalist who is very full of himself and really thinks her sob story is beneath his talents.  As the film develops, Philomena’s charm works over Martin, and he comes to truly enjoy his time with her.  But, it’s Dench who is the film's star, and she carries it off beautifully.  My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again  Philomena Website

Indiefest:  Nebraska  (2013)  R  Woody (Bruce Dern) is convinced that he has won a million dollars and wants to travel from Montana, where he lives, to Nebraska to collect the winnings. Against the wishes of Woody’s wife, Kate (June Squibb), and brother, Ross (Bob Odenkirk), David (Will Forte), Woody’s youngest son, decides to take his father cross-country to the company that has issued the ticket.  This is a brilliant film and my favorite at this year’s Austin Film Festival.  Dern gives a performance of a lifetime as the broken down, alcoholic Woody.  We never really know what Woody is thinking as Dern plays him as a man of very little words.  Forte does a nice job playing the son who desperately wants to reconnect with his father.  June Squibb steals the film as Woody’s opinionated, speak-her-mind wife.  The film is a road trip film where the people don’t seem to ever move.  My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   Nebraska Website

My View:  Black Nativity  (2013)  PG  After Langston (Jacob Latimore) and his mom (Jennifer Hudson) have been evicted from their apartment, he is sent to New York City to spend the holidays with the Reverend Cornell Cobbs (Forest Whitaker) and his family. There Langston discovers the strength of family and friends.  This musical works much better when the cast is singing as both the dialouge and the storyline are very weak.  I did enjoy the songs, especially when Jennifer Hudson sang but that doesn't make up for the very predictable story.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee  Black Nativity Website

Forgotten Film:  Citizen Ruth  (1997) R  Ruth (Laura Dern) is an unlikely poster child for the “Right to Life” movement.  She is a drug-sniffing addict who has had four children taken away from her, and the cops know her by name.  When she is arrested again, and a judge finds out that she is pregnant, he orders her to have an abortion.  A group called “Baby Savers” finds out about the judge’s order and they take up her cause.  She then becomes a pawn in the game between the Baby Savers and a pro-choice group.  This is a smart, and, at times, a very funny satire directed by Alexander Payne (The Descendants) that makes fun of both sides of the abortion battle.  Dern is brilliant as Ruth, who really doesn’t care about anything other than her next high.  The film is full of amazing performances and interesting characters who make this a fun film to watch.  My Rating:  Full Price  Citizen Ruth Info

Weird Credits:  From the film Philomena:  Snow effects floor supervisor

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues  (2013)  Just in time for Christmas, the further adventures of our favorite TV anchorman (Will Ferrell) who takes the gang to New York to be on a 24 hour news channel.  The big question:  Will we be quoting lines from this film as much as we do from the first?  Anchorman 2 Website

Until Next Time!