Winchester

My View:  Winchester  (2018)  PG-13  An eccentric firearm heiress (Helen Mirren) believes she is haunted by the souls of people killed by the Winchester repeating rifle. I was hoping because it is based on a true story and it has Helen Mirren in it that it would be good. Instead, we get a rather ordinary jump out of the dark, scary movie. Mirren is ok in the role, but I would have liked her to camp it up a bit just to make the storyline more interesting. The special effects are few and far between, though I did enjoy the house (which is still around and a big tourist draw) which is full of dead ends and staircases that go nowhere, much like this film.  My Rating: Cable   Winchester Website
Full disclosure: This film is released by CBS Films and I work for a CBS owned station.

In Case You Missed It (Movies just released on DVD/BluRay):  Professor Marston and the Wonder Women  (2017)  R    The true story of psychologist William Moulton Marston (Luke Evans) who was in a polyamorous relationship with his wife (Rebecca Hall) and his mistress (Olive Byrne). Marston went on to create the legendary and controversial (for its time) comic book character Wonder Woman. This is a movie about the choices we make in our relationships and how those choices sometimes take great courage to make. This film isn’t for everyone as it contains a bit of nudity, along with some bondage. I liked Hall and Evans’ performances, but it’s Rebecca Hall who makes this film worth watching. Playing the hard-headed, opinionated, and brilliant wife, Hall dominates every scene that she is in. I think you will be shocked at Marston’s ideas that he incorporated into his creation of Wonder Woman. This is a complex, moving tale about the exploration of what love means and if it, indeed, can conquer all that life gives us.   My Rating:  Full Price   Professor Marston and the Wonder Woman Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Only Seen in Trailers but Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): Sherlock Gnomes  (2018)  The garden gnomes, Gnomeo & Juliet are back, and this time they get the help of detective Sherlock Gnomes to find out what happened to the other lawn ornaments in the yard that went missing. I heard the first one was pretty bad, so I doubt a sequel will be any better.   Sherlock Gnome

Forgotten Film:  The Late Show (1977)  PG  An old, retired Private Investigator (Art Carney)decides to take on one last case - find the lost cat of a woman (Lily Tomlin). While searching for the cat, the P.I. gets involved in solving a robbery and a murder. Part comedy, part crime drama (there is quite a bit of violence) this film is a blast to watch and will keep you guessing up until the end. Tomlin and Carney work off each other brilliantly, and the dialogue is smart and, at times, hilarious. While an amusing film, The Late Show also captures the look and feel of the classic gumshoe crime films of the 40’s and 50’s.  My Rating: Full Price    The Late Show Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Winchester: Stand By Props Assistant: Casual

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  I Kill Giants  (2018)  Barbara (Madison Wolfe) is a young loner who struggles through life by escaping into a world of magic and monsters. Barbara is convinced that her town is going to be attacked by giants. The question is, is Barbara crazy or does she know something that no one else knows?  The trailer looks phenomenal, and it has one of my favorite actresses in it, Zoe Saldana.   I Kill Giants Info

Until Next Time!

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Arrival

My View:  Arrival  (2016) PG-13  When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team led by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks, and the team, race against time for answers. With splashes of Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Nolan's Interstellar and Zemeckis's Contact, director Denis Villeneuve brings us highly creative, original and moving film about attempting to communicate with a species that seems so different from us, but just might be coming from the same common ground. Louise has to use not only her intellect to try to communicate with the aliens but also must use her humanity as well. Adams is scintillating as the woman who is the key to being able to communicate the aliens. She gives a multi-layered performance that shows Louise's strength and her vulnerability, sometimes at almost the same time. Adams has always projected a likeability in her performances, and it's essential in this film as we, the audience, have to be able to root for her character to persevere, no matter how small the rabbit hole she is taking us down. Arrival is full of wonder and amazement while creating a tension-filled ending that you will be thinking about long after this film has left the theaters. If we do ever encounter aliens, let's hope we have the brains and leadership that are displayed in this film.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Arrival Website

Indiefest:  Christine  (2016) R  Christine (Rebecca Hall) works as a reporter for a small TV news station.  All she wants is to be the best reporter that she can be, but she just may be her own worst enemy. Director Antonio Campos brings us this film based on a real person, Christine Chubbuck, a troubled and awkward reporter who had lofty goals but was probably destined to work in small markets for the rest of her career. Campos does the almost impossible, making Christine a sympathetic character, humanizing a very complicated person who had a lot of problems. Much of the credit for making a rigid and sometimes unlikable person come to life is Rebecca Hall. Her performance is dazzling, as she makes this socially awkward, determined person come to life. Hall has Christine's mannerism down, making her a person who has trouble relating to ideas such as dating or dealing with a boss you don't agree with. Hall works well with the other actors in the film, especially Michael C. Hall, who plays George, the cocky anchor that Christine is so enamored with. While I did not enjoy the final scenes of the film, those can be overlooked because of the Academy Award level performance by Rebecca Hall. You may not always like Christine, but because of Hall, you get to know her and understand why she ultimately did what she did.     My Rating: Full Price   Christine Website

My View:  Almost Christmas  (2016)  PG-13   Widower Walter (Danny Glover) wants his children to spend Christmas at his house. If they survive the experience, it will be a “Christmas miracle. Will Packer, who has produced films such as Think Like a Man (2012), About Last Night (2014) and The Wedding Ringer (2015), makes films that audience have a good time watching but are highly predictable. There will be a break up (probably due to infidelity), there will be a star-crossed couple that will get back together, family is placed first in importance, and there will be some sort of happy ending. While I found this film mildly amusing, there were three women seated next to me at the screening that laughed so hard I was worried one of them would have a heart attack.  Almost Christmas isn’t a bad film. I just don’t think it was as funny as it could have been and it’s simple, predictable ending could have been written better.    My Rating:  Bargain Matinee     Almost Christmas Website  

Indiefest:  Loving  (2016)  PG-13  Richard (Joel Edgerton) and Mildred (Ruth Negga) get married in 1958. They are sentenced to prison in Virginia because they are an interracial couple.  It’s a story of incredible courage, and we suffer at every indignity the Loving’s suffer in this film. Being told that your love is illegal and you must leave your home and family if you want to stay together, is heartbreaking and focus the Loving’s to make incredibly tough choices. Nichols lets us into their world slowly, letting us understand the time-period and just what they were dealing with on a daily basis. Joel Egerton absolutely embodies Richard Loving, the bricklaying country boy who falls in love with his whole head and heart. It’s an incredible performance of a man who takes simple pleasures and makes them his to savor. He has found a channel into this man’s soul and lets us all understand the man with a screen presence that while strong, also seems to sink a little into doorways. Ruth Negga gives an equally powerful performance as the woman who is defiant in her love for a man that is her soul mate. Negga gives Mildred an air of strength and steely resolve, whether trying to survive alone in a cell or deciding where to have her child. Nichols has done a masterful job of making this true story real and meaningful. The Loving’s story is one for the ages, and this film will stay with you for a long time.    My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   Loving Facebook Page

Indiefest:  Tower  (2016)    Fifty years ago a man rode the elevator to the 27th floor of the University of Texas Tower and opened fire, killing 16 people and wounding 32 others. This film doesn’t tell his story but the story of the people on the ground, some of which risked their lives to help others. The film uses rotoscoping animation and actors to retell in a documentary format this harrowing day in American history. This engrossing film is as suspenseful as any big, edge of your seat Hollywood suspense film. The animation is distinctive and really helps the storytelling. This is one of the best films of the year and should not be missed.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Tower Website

Forgotten Film:  Cross Creek (1983)  PG  In the 1930’s Marjorie Rawlings (Mary Steenburgen) moved from New York City and high society to Florida’s Everglades so that she could write. But the surroundings are not as isolated as she would like and she encounters an old, grizzled man (Rip Torn), a young store owner (Peter Coyote) and a young girl (Dana Hill). All these people along with the setting would be the inspiration for her novel “The Yearling.”  Steenburgen shines as the fish out of water but determined Rawlings. Peter Coyote, playing the love interest and Alfre Woodard, as the neighbor who takes Rawlings under her wing, give masterful performances. The real star of this film is the outstanding cinematography that highlights the rugged but beautiful land.   My Rating:  Full Price   Cross Creek Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Christine: Chicken Wrangler

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Manchester by the Sea  (2016)  R  When his brother Joe dies, Lee (Casey Affleck) is forced to take care of his teenage nephew (Lucas Hedges)  in his hometown. The big problem is coming back to your hometown; you have to see people you left to avoid.  Critics that have seen this movie are saying that Affleck and Michelle Williams, who plays the ex-wife, give Oscar caliber performances.   Manchester by the Sea Website

Until Next Time!

Deadpool

My View:  Deadpool  (2016)  R  Wade (Ryan Reynolds) is a former Special Forces operative who is now a mercenary for hire. He finds out he is dying of cancer and decides to accept an offer to try a rogue experiment. While it does cure his cancer, the experiment leaves him badly scarred. Now he is using his accelerated healing powers and his finely tuned reflexes to find the man who is responsible for the experiment going wrong.  If you are easily offended, then, please don’t see this film. Don’t see the trailer or even go near a theatre showing this film. On the other hand, if you love hilarious, irreverent humor that makes fun of everything, including its own genre, then this is a movie for you. The film is funny and witty from the opening credits. The Deadpool character is someone who can find humor (sometimes in a dirty way) in almost any situation, even life or death. Fans of the comic book are going to be euphoric with this movie, as am I.  I love this film and want to see more of his adventures. Make sure and stay through the credits for a bonus scene you will not want to miss. And a bit of a warning, don't take the kids! This is a hard R rated film and unless you want Child Protective Services after you, leave the kiddos at home.  My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   DeadPool Website

My View:  Zoolander 2  (2016)  PG-13   The “world’s most beautiful people” are being assassinated and left with the “Blue Steel” look on their faces. Interpol recruits Derek (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson) to find out who is doing this murderous deed.  To make matters worse, Derek’s rival, Jacobim Mugatu (Will Ferrell), has been set free from prison and is out for revenge.  I was not a big fan of the first Zoolander film, so it should not be a surprise that I am not a fan of this movie either. I will give the filmmakers props for creating a whole new storyline and not just carrying on from where the first film left off. The jokes are too far and few between long stretches of unfunny material. I am not a fan of the fashion lifestyle, so I am sure a few of the jokes went over my head. There are quite a few cameos, just like the first film, some working better than others, and few are so quick you might not notice them. The Justin Bieber death scene at the start of the film is quite funny. I just wish that they had kept that up.  My Rating: Cable   Zoolander 2 Website

My View:  How to be Single  (2016)  R    Four friends (Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Alison Brie, and Leslie Mann) struggle with being single in New York City. While displaying all the aspects of a typical rom-com, this film is a little smarter than most of its brethren.  Dakota Johnson makes an acceptable “everywoman,” Rebel Wilson is her usual off the cuff self, Alison Brie does an excellent job as the girl who over-analyzes everything, and Leslie Mann is fantastic as the headstrong doctor who is too busy for a family. This is a fun date movie (or girls night out film) where not everyone ends up with who you think they will. It’s fun, moves fast and doesn’t go for the lowest joke every time, so it’s a winner in my book.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee   How to Be Single Website 

Indiefest:  The Lady in the Van  (2015)  PG-13    A playwright, Alan Bennett (Alex Jennings), makes the mistake of letting a homeless woman, Miss Shepard (Maggie Smith), park her van in his driveway.  It’s the start of a relationship that lasts fifteen years. This film is based on a stage play, and I bet, it works better on stage than it does here on film. While it’s always a joy to watch Maggie Smith perform, the material never gave her enough to work with to make this performance memorable. The weak point of this film is the character of Alan.  Throughout the movie, Bennett is seen as two different characters (one real, one imaginary), the playwright and the mild person that is dealing with Miss Shepard.  While things happen in the storyline,  the playwright Alan(imagined) sits and makes judgments on the real Alan while he deals with day to day life with a woman in a van. These dialogues become very tedious and uninteresting, giving us very little insight into his character. I never got the emotional moment that I needed from this film and was never invested in either character.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   The Lady in the Van Website

Indiefest:  The Final Project  (2016)  The film follows six college students as they set out to create a documentary about one of the most notorious haunted houses in America, Lafitte Plantation. Venturing deep into the backwoods of Louisiana, the students set out to record live footage of supernatural activity at the abandoned plantation, but one unsettled spirit gives more than they asked for.  This is a found-footage horror film that, while I did enjoy some of the storyline, took too long to develop and never quite delivered the scary moments that it needed. For a “found footage” concept, the production values were well done, especially the audio part of the film (very often that is the weak link in a smaller made film), which was crisp and clear. But the film is brought down by the idea that the first part of the film was used to make this film a full-length feature. The Final Project never can sustain any tension, and the ending is extremely predictable.  My Rating: Cable   The Final Project Website

Indiefest:  Where to Invade Next  (2015)  R  Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore travels around the world to seek out alternative methods of dealing with the social and economic problems that the United States is experiencing.  I enjoyed Michael Moore’s early documentaries that were quite funny while hitting some serious subjects, but his last few haven’t quite hit the mark. I think it’s because Moore now overshadows his subject matter. It used to be that Moore was an everyman fighting for the little guy, but I just don’t get that feeling from his films anymore. The idea of this film is that other countries are doing things that could solve some of America’s biggest problems, like healthcare, the cost of education and the overburdened prison system. The film is very one-sided, showing us only the happy, harmonious side of the offered solution, but never delves too deeply to discover the problems with other countries’ systems. My biggest issue with this film wasn’t that it was one sided, it was that I rarely found it funny.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Where to Invade Next Website

Indiefest:  Southbound  (2016)  The film is made of five interlocking tales of horror as it follows the fates of a group of travelers as they travel through the desert. Some of the tales are better than others and most don’t deliver enough horror to make them work, but I did like two of the stories, and I also liked how they all interconnected, even at the end. There are some nice homages to “The Twilight Zone” and one of the tales is funny in a strange kind of way, so some of the pieces work. I just wished that they all had. This is the type of film that you would probably enjoy more if it were showing at a horror fest and it was the midnight movie.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Southbound Facebook Page

Indiefest:  Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words  (2015)  Produced with the full cooperation of Ingrid Bergman’s family and friends, In Her Own Words is a film that is loaded with personal photos and home movies of the actress and her family. Bergman had a fascination for cameras from an early age. Her mother died when she was young, and her father seemed to want to document Ingrid’s life with photos and even home movies to make sure that she remembered everything from her childhood.  The film documents the struggles that Bergman went through, giving us insight into her thought process in the letters that she wrote to family and friends. Ingrid Bergman kept every correspondence and home movies that give us a complete picture of what it was like in the Bergman home. The home movies are wonderfully shot, primarily by Ingrid, and most are in color.  While a little long and spending a little too much time on footage showing the kids playing, Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words is a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes footage that will make any fan happy to rediscover this amazing actress and the life she led.    My Rating: Full Price   Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words Website

Indiefest:  Tumbledown  (2015)  Hannah (Rebecca Hall) is a widow of a musician who only recorded one album before he died. She still lives at their home in Maine, never quite getting over his death. A brash, New York professor(Jason Sudeikis) comes to town wanting to write a book on her husband. After much indecision, she decides to let him into her world and the grief that she has for her husband. I loved this film. It’s smart, witty and touching with great performances by Sudeikis and Hall. They have great chemistry on screen, and their banter back and forth is hilarious. It’s a film about grief, and when is it time to let that person go. Go see this rare film that combines romance and drama with a bit of comedy to make a winning combination.     My Rating: Full Price   Tumbledown Website

Forgotten Film:  Marjoe (1972)  PG   Marjoe Gortner, at the age of four, felt the call to preach to the masses and heal the sick. He went on the evangelical circuit, becoming famous for his sermons and making a boatload of money for his parents.  In 1972, at the age of 28, he went back on the evangelical circuit, this time, to expose the shady dealings and false healings that he had done in his childhood (most of which he didn’t know about). Sounds like a work of fiction, but this is one of the most fascinating documentaries that you will ever see. Because of this film, Marjoe went on to have a moderately successful acting career.  My Rating:  Full Price   Marjoe Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Deadpool:  Truck Costumer

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Whiskey Tango Foxtrot  (2016)   Kim (Tina Fey) is tired of being behind the scenes and volunteers to be a war correspondent in Afghanistan and Pakistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. She finds a fellow woman correspondent (Margot Robbie) who shows her the ropes and lets her know that she may have been a “four or five at home but is a ten here.”  Kim, who always was in the background in the states, is suddenly front and center and has the attention of a dashing war photographer (Martin Freeman). The trailer makes this film look like a blast to watch. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Website 

Until Next Time!

  

Getaway

My View:  Getaway  (2013) PG-13   Brent (Ethan Hawke) is in a race against time after he' is forced to get behind the wheel of a tricked-out Mustang and do a mysterious man’s (Jon Voight) bidding to ensure that his kidnapped wife is not harmed. Along the way, he is joined by a computer savvy young woman (Selena Gomez) in his quest to get his wife back unscathed.  I’ll just say this right from the start - this is a bad film.  The staging of the car crashes/chases is horribly done.  There were times where I had no idea what was happening. Cars continually crash but often we don’t really know what caused the crash because the film direction is so bad.  We are asked to believe that Selena Gomez’s character can break into a computer system using just her iPad and that a majorly modified car can survive numerous shootouts and crashes.  The dialogue seems to be written by a twelve year-old, and I think the plot was conceived by Ford to show how much a Mustang can take. My Rating:  You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again.   Getaway Website

My View:  Closed Circuit  (2013)  R  Terrorists set off a bomb in a crowded shopping area in London that kills more than a hundred people. A suspect has been arrested, and it’s up to two lawyers, Martin (Eric Bana) and Claudia (Rebecca Hall), to see to it that the suspected terrorist gets a fair trial. Martin and Claudia soon discover that there is more than just terrorism going on here. There may be a government conspiracy covering up certain aspects of the bombing. Not only are Martin and Claudia’s reputations at stake, their lives could be, as well.  This is a well done legal thriller with all the twists and turns you want in a suspenseful tale. I think the chemistry between Bana and Hall is fascinating as we see from their first meeting that there is a bit of history involved.  The movie seems to be ripped directly from today’s headlines, but, while there isn’t a lot of action, it’s an interesting story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and wondering if everything is going to turn out alright. My Rating:  Full Price   Closed Circuit Website

My View:  One Direction: This is Us  (2013)  PG  A behind-the-scenes look at the British boy band as they embark on a worldwide tour.  Fans of the group will love this film as it gives them quite a bit of behind-the-scenes as the tour goes from city to city. The film shows their origins on the British X-Factor where Simon Cowell hand-picked all members of the group.  The concert footage does a good job of helping the audience experience what it's like to go to one of their shows.  Overall, though, I think the film doesn't really give us a good idea of who these guys really are and what they are like as I feel everything we are shown is staged to present the group in the best light. While the film was shot in 3-D, I don't think it adds anything to the experience.  It’s not a bad film, but to the non-fan, it could be boring.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   One Direction: This Is Us Website

Indiefest:  Ain’t Them Bodies Saints  (2013) R  Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) and his pregnant girlfriend, Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara) are on the run from the law. Their luck runs out, and they are captured after a shootout. Bob makes it his life’s mission to escape from prison and find his way back to his true love.  Affleck and Rooney are first rate in this film and they play off each other with ease, so much so that you really believe they are deeply in love.  Rooney gives a performance that has depth as her character is conflicted between the life she has now, and the one Bob will give her if he returns from prison. The film perfectly captures small town life in 1970’s Texas.  It’s an extremely well done film about two star-crossed lovers, a movie that just might break your heart.  My Rating:  Full Price

Forgotten Film:  Nashville (1975) R  This film takes place over five days and leads up to a political rally at the Parthenon in Nashville.  It centers around the music industry in the city where you see the country superstars mix with the up-and-coming singers.  The cast in this film is huge - more than twenty-four major parts.  Most of the cast wrote their own music for the film, including Keith Carradine, who won an Oscar for Best Original Song for ,“I’m Easy.”  The film was directed by Robert Altman, and with most of Altman’s movies, a great deal of the dialogue was made up on the spot, with the script being used as only a guide for the storyline.  Many of the performers are based on real C&W stars - Henry Gibson’s character Haven Hamilton is based on Porter Wagoner and Ronee Blakely’s Barbara Jean is based on Loretta Lynn.  The film contains lots of musical performances, some of which are outstanding.  It’s a strange movie as most of Altman’s films are, but it’s worth seeing this cast do some magic on-screen  My Rating:  Full Price   Nashville Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD): The Great Gatsby  (2013)  PG-13  I did not enjoy this film.  It’s too long, and I think the use of hip-hop music doesn't fit the film.  I also feel that the director, Baz Luhrman, didn't let his cast act and put them in a very long music video. The cast of this film deserves a much better script.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The Great Gatsby Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Getaway:  Shelby interior maker

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Prisoners  (2013)  R When Keller Dover’s (Hugh Jackman) young daughter and her friend goes missing, the families of the two girls start to panic,  A main suspect is released due to lack of evidence, and that's when Keller decides to take matters into his own hands.  How far will he go to find his daughter?  The cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo, Terrence Howard, Maria Bello, and Paul Dano.

Until Next Time!