You, Me & Tuscany

My View: You, Me & Tuscany  (2026)  PG-13  You, Me & Tuscany follows Anna (Halle Bailey), who finds out that a Tuscan villa is empty all the time, goes to Italy, and is mistaken for the owner’s fiancé, Matteo (Lorenzo de Moor). Anna is about to become tangled in a mess of lies, romance, and a whole lot of trouble. You, Me & Tuscany is a cross between While You Were Sleeping and any Hallmark movie you have seen that doesn’t involve a small American town. Halle Bailey is very cute, and her love interest, Regé-Jean Page, playing Matteo’s brother (sort of), Michael, is very handsome and has a British accent. Like the explanation for why Matteo has a British accent, the rest of the film is built on very flimsy plotlines that ask you not to think about them too much. Now, you get a lot of the Tuscany scenery, but the film was disappointing in its kitchen sequences, where I expected to be dazzled by Anna (who had to quit culinary school when her mother got sick), but got very little flair, and, like the rest of the film, a questionable outcome. I think the other problem was that Page and Bailey didn’t radiate the chemistry we needed to root for them. In fact, there was more chemistry between Anna and her taxi driver/confidant than there was between the two love interests. There are a couple of blooper takes during the credits, where two actresses with minor roles in the film keep yelling out one quip after another. That’s about as much fun as I had through the entire film.  My Rating: Cable  You, Me & Tuscany Website Now playing in theaters nationwide

My View:  Outcome  (2026)  R  Outcome is about Reef Hawk (Keanu Reeves), a major Hollywood star, who is about to make his comeback after disappearing for a few years due to “personal problems”, i.e., a drug habit. His life is upended when a mysterious, potentially career-ending video is threatening to be released. To identify the blackmailer, Reef sets out to make amends with everyone he has wronged. It’s a big list. Co-written and directed by Jonah Hill, this is a comedy? Or maybe it’s a satire? I don’t have any idea. All I know is that it is rarely funny, seems much longer than its brief one hour and twenty-three minutes run time, and has an incredibly miscast, notable nice guy in real life, Keanu Reeves, as a Hollywood pretentious asshole who has pissed off everyone throughout his career as the biggest star in Tinseltown. It took me about 30 minutes in to recognize Jonah Hill as Reef’s egomaniacal lawyer, whom Reef always uses to get him out of trouble. Hill’s character spends too much time on camera, mostly because almost everything he says or does isn’t funny. Reeves isn’t asked to do much in the role. In fact, he does a lot of listening to people tell his character what a jerk he was, then asking for forgiveness, or, with his friends, yelling at them for moral support. The supporting cast is huge, with lots of cameos, the best being Marty Scorsese, who plays Reef’s first manager, discovering Reef when he was just a kid. It’s a fun part as Scorsese plays a man whose office is in a personalized booth at a bowling alley. I wish the rest of the cast had put as much heart into their performances as Scorsese did. Even the blackmail video is a letdown, and the film's resolution is as unfulfilling as the rest of the film.  My Rating: Cable  Outcome Info  Now playing on Apple TV+

Indiefest:  Exit 8  (2025)  PG-13  Exit 8 is about a man (Kazunari Ninomiya) who is having a horrible day when he realizes he is trapped in a subway station with an endless maze of hallways. The “Lost Man” will have to solve the puzzle and identify subtle anomalies if he is ever to escape. I understand that this film is based on a video game, but unlike the Mario Brothers film, it doesn’t feel like one. The film has a few horror elements, but for the most part, it builds tension with every hallway turn our hero takes. The “Lost Man” gets stuck in a maze of subway halls that continue in a loop. If the man doesn’t turn back when he sees an anomaly, the exit count goes back down to 0. This is a problem because you are looking for exit 8. This mystery to solve is fascinating and at times frustrating, because just when you think you have figured out how our hero can solve the maze, something new is thrown in his path. This is a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you guessing where it’s going. For anyone who has gotten lost in a mall or a parking garage, this is a movie full of nightmares that keep playing over and over with no end in sight. At least not Exit 8.   My Rating: Full Price Exit 8 Website Now playing in select theaters 

Indiefest:  Hamlet  (2025)  Hamlet is based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet but set in contemporary London. Haunted by his father’s ghost, Prince Hamlet (Riz Ahmed) leaves elite London society and descends into the city’s underground, seeking to avenge his father’s murder. If you are someone who loves Shakespeare and can quote multiple plays, then this film isn’t for you. This is like reading an abridged novel, where only the highlights show up, and a lot is left on the editor’s desk. We get all the big scenes, but they are all in a modern setting, with the most unusual being the famous ‘To sleep: perchance to dream' speech given while Hamlet is speeding down a highway in a sports car contemplating suicide. For newcomers to Shakespeare, especially in this day of iPhones and YouTube, this is a perfect way to enjoy Hamlet without having to figure out too much of the dialogue. The film is carried by a brilliant, fiery performance by Riz Ahmed, who puts the film on his back and, through his charisma, makes this very stylized film work. The second half of this film is where the movie takes off, and the dance sequence when the King realizes Hamlet knows he was behind Hamlet’s father’s death is a magical moment in the production. This is not your parents’ or grandparents’ play, but a film that is gritty, bloody, violent, and heartbreaking, as Hamlet grapples with grief and his journey into madness and revenge.  My Rating: Full Price  Hamlet Website  Now playing in theaters

My View: Faces of Death  (2026)  R In Faces of Death, a content moderator, Margot (Barbie Ferreira), is tasked with removing violent content on a website. She discovers a group reenacting murders from the original Faces of Death film. She must determine if the acts are real or staged. Back in the 70s, when every town had a drive-in and Hollywood figured out that there was an audience for cheaply made films that promised a lot of shocking scenes, a very small film called Faces of Death came out, which claimed that it was so shocking, it had been banned in over 40 countries. While yes, some scenes had actual deaths, most involving animals or scenes where it was hard to see exactly what was going on, much of the film was staged, and the deaths were not real. The film was a hit, made a ton of money when VHS tapes hit the scene, and became a staple of many a high school and college overnight party experience. Margot discovers that someone is sending videos to the web content company (think YouTube) that recreates the scenes from the 70s film. The filmmaker uses mannequins to carry out the killing, but Margot is convinced that the person being attacked is really being killed. She breaks her company protocol and finds out who is doing the killing. Little does she know that by doing the sleuthing, she alerts the killer, and the cat-and-mouse chase in on. What makes this film interesting is that Margot has a history of being on YouTube with a horrific accident. So horrible that people recognize her in stores. While not a true horror film, it is horrifying to see how the internet has made us numb to the horrors of the world and how commerce has found a way to profit from showing us those horrors. Faces of Death, for fans of this genre, gives us a lot to think about while also shocking us with a few horrific deaths by a slasher who brings to life what was once fake, and a hero who is flawed but wants to make a difference and is willing to die trying.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Faces of Death Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  Beast  (2026)  R  Beast is about MMA legend Patton James (Daniel MacPherson), who is pulled back into the cage when his brother is in trouble. Patton reunites with his old coach, Sammy (Russell Crowe), as he commits to fighting the brutal champion Xavier Grau (Bren Foster). This is a run-of-the-mill Rocky-like film (it even has the wife telling Patton to fight after not wanting him to) that is pretty bland and tells a tale that's been told many times before. Fans of Russell Crowe will be disappointed as, even as the co-writer of the script, his part is purely off to the side and doesn’t even show up for the final fight (his character lets his daughter do the training). The fight sequences are well done, but the film has almost no surprises, and Daniel MacPherson struggles when he has to show any emotion other than yelling his grief. And Sammy and Patton have the stupidest mantra that they chant to fire him up. I kept wondering what the heck they were talking about and why they were getting so excited. The final fight is predictable, and you can see the sequence of events coming from a mile away. MMA fans might get some enjoyment out of this film, but for the rest of us, it’s a bit of a slog to get through.  My Rating: Cable  Beast Website  Now playing in theaters

My View: Thrash  (2026) R  Thrash is about a group of people trapped in a coastal town during a Category 5 hurricane. Not only has the town been cut off from any rescue attempts, but the storm surge is bringing more frightening than rising water and crashing waves: hungry sharks. We all know that Sharknado is stupid fun. Thrash is just stupid. Filled with characters you don’t care about, not even to root for the sharks to eat them, and some terrible special effects, you have a movie that just isn’t fun to watch. Instead of being on the edge of my seat, working if the pregnant woman (why are you in this Phoebe Dynevor?) is going to save her just-born baby with a stick, I was thinking how horrible it must have been to be an actor on this film where you were wet and swimming while dodging furniture. There is one glorious Sharknado moment in the film, and unfortunately, it’s near the end of the movie. I just don’t think you want to sit around watching actors play “The Floor is Lava,” jumping on floating breakfast tables while waiting for a shark to show up.  My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again  Trash Website Now playing on the Netflix platform

Forgotten Film: Cannonball!  (1976) This is a perfect example of a 70s drive-in movie. A group of car nuts get in a bunch of exotic cars and go on a race across the country, from L.A. to New York, as cars crash, people get hurt, and cars crash again, all really crashing, sometimes bursting into flames. This was another legendary filmmaker, Roger Corman’s doing, taking the same format and some of the same actors, including David Carradine, from the highly successful Death Race 2000, and this time set in present-day. What makes this film different and worth watching is that not only does the director, Paul Bartel, co-star, but it also features six other directors, including Joe Dante, Roger Corman, and Martin Scorsese. Even Sly Stallone appears uncreated in the film. While not even close to Death Race 2000 or the Ron Howard-starring Eat My Dust, and shouldn't be lumped in with the big budget Hollywood Cannonball Run movies, Cannonball! is a great example of the 70s drive-in movie staple people would go and see on a Saturday night, when not making out or going to the snack bar.  My Rating: Cable  Cannonball! Info  The film is available on Amazon and a few other streaming services

Weird Credits:  From the credits of You, Me & Tuscany:  Crowd Marshall Rome

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: #Skyking  (2026)  #Skyking is a documentary about Richard ‘Beebo’ Russell, a troubled 28-year-old ground service agent with no pilot experience, who made an impulsive decision to hijack and pilot a commercial plane, shocking a nation. I remember thinking when I first saw this on the news, how did this happen? Now, we just might find out.  #Skyking Info   Premiering on the Hulu platform on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Until Next Time!

Sound of Metal

Note to readers: I currently am not willing to risk my health (I’m 62 and an asthmatic) by visiting a theatre. All films that I have seen for review have been screened in my home. I am not going to tell you whether or not to attend a theatre. Just be aware of the risks, do your research, and follow the instructions to the letter.

My View:   Sound of Metal (2019) R  A heavy-metal drummer, Ruben (Riz Ahmed), life is changed when he begins to lose his hearing, and he thinks that his life and music career are over. With the help of his band and his girlfriend (Olivia Cooke), Ruben checks into a secluded sober house for the deaf in hopes it will prevent a relapse with heroin and help him adapt to his new world. What would happen if you had something taken away from you that you loved doing? How would you handle it? That is what Sound of Metal explores. Ruben is happy, touring in a band with his girlfriend, Lou. They live in a motor home where Ruben makes smoothies and puts on jazz records to wake Lou up. It's all good, and because of Lou, Ruben has been clean and sober for four years. Then Ruben suddenly loses his hearing, learning that he will never hear properly again. Fearing for his life and his sobriety, Lou persuades Ruben to go to a sober house for the deaf, and now Ruben has to figure out how to live in this world of silence. Riz Ahmed gives a brilliant and moving performance as the troubled Ruben. It’s stunning how good Ahmed is, how he can convey so much by doing so little. The tension slowly builds as we wonder if Ahmed will adapt and accept his new life or is he going to rebel and go down a terrifying rabbit hole. Ahmed gives one of the best performances of the year, and the storyline does not disappoint as it treats him and his fellow sober housemates with dignity and lets you in to see them working on themselves and each other. The ending of this film will have you thinking about Sound of Metal for a long time to come.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Sound of Metal Website    The film is currently playing in select theatres and available on the Amazon Prime on Dec. 4th.

Indiefest: The Last Vermeer (2019) R   During World War II, Joseph Piller (Claes Bang) was fighting in the Resistance while Han van Meegeren (Guy Pearce) was hosting parties and selling Dutch art treasures to the Nazis. Now that the war is over, the two men cross each other's path as Piller is investigating war crimes and van Meegeren has been accused of collaboration. As Piller investigates, he becomes convinced that van Meegeren is innocent and tries to save his life. I enjoyed this mystery that turns into a bit of a courtroom drama. Guy Pearce is the reason to see this film as his performance as the outlandish and flamboyant Han van Meegeren is a sight to be seen. With his mop of hair and his eyebrows turned up at an angle, Pearce is a force on the screen as he commands us to watch him weave his magic. After wars, people must justify how they acted, and van Meegeren is no different. Did he do what he is accused of? Did he do it for the money and fame? We will probably never know the full truth. The amazing bit about this story is that it is based on actual events, and that makes for a good story.    My Rating: Full Price   The Last Vermeer Website      The film is currently playing in select theatres.

Indiefest: Dating Amber (2020)   Eddie (Fionn O’Shea) is gay but is afraid that his parents and classmates will find out. Amber (Lola Petticrew) is a loner with an attitude. The two decide the only way they will survive their last year of school is to pretend that they are in a straight relationship. I loved this movie, which is a new take on the coming of age, romantic comedy film. O’Shea and Petticrew are hilarious together, as two start up a friendship that begins with necessity but ends with a meaningful and deep relationship. Set in Ireland in the 90s, the fashion and music is fun, and the situations the two characters get into seem real and have emotional pull. Both Eddie and Amber don’t want to disappoint their parents. Eddie’s parents are on the verge of splitting up, and Eddie’s dad (Barry Ward) wants his son to follow in his footsteps and join the Army. Amber is dealing with her mom is dealing with a tragedy in her past. Amber has accepted her homosexuality and is planning to escape to London as soon as she graduates. Eddie is deep in the closet, resigned to the fact that he will join the Army, even if it kills him. The film moves at a quick pace, and I was surprised by how emotional the ending was for me. Dating Amber is a wonderful film full of funny and sweet moments, with two characters that you will want to spend time with and root for.    My Rating: Full Price    Dating Amber Website   Available for rent on participating on-demand services.

Indiefest: Born to Be (2019)   The documentary follows the work of Dr. Jess Ting at the groundbreaking Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery in New York City. The film follows the doctor as his work impacts his patients' lives while he becomes a pioneering gender-affirming surgeon. This is an emotional and sensitive film on how one doctor is almost single handily changing the lives of men and women who have longed to physically be what they have always mentally seen themselves. We follow Dr. Ting as his practice grows, so much so that by the end of the film, he has a waiting list just to be considered for the surgery. We get an inside look at how complex the decision is to have this type of surgery and its toll on the psychological makeup of the patients who are getting the work done. We see what a great man Dr. Ting is as he treats each person with compassion and respect, wanting only to change how his patients feel about themselves. Born to Be brings the world of transgender to the front and lets us see and feel how it is to accept who you are.   My Rating: Full Price    Born to Be Website   The film is currently playing in select theatres and is available to rent on participating on-demand services.

Indiefest: Crazy, Not Insane (2020)   This documentary examines the research by forensic psychiatrist Dorothy Onto Lewis, a pioneer in the study of the psychology of murderers and serial killers. Fans of the ‘true crime’ genre will love this film about controversial forensic psychiatrist Dorothy Lewis's life and work. The film goes through Dr. Lewis's career as she looks at her past case files, including video and audiotapes. Dr. Lewis has been at the forefront of diagnosing people with multiple personalities and how those personalities can cause some to commit murder. Dr. Lewis is a feisty woman with a rich sense of humor, who isn’t afraid to speak her mind (she has a great showdown with Bill O’Reilly over what the definition of evil is), and she has many people in her field that don’t believe in multiple personalities. The film even brings out the star of ‘true crime,’ serial killer Ted Bundy, who gave Dr. Lewis his last interview with. I think by the end of Crazy, Not Insane, you will be either on Dr. Lewis's side, or you won’t believe in her theories, but you won’t be able to say that this film didn’t entertain you.   My Rating: Full Price     Crazy, Not Insane Website    Available on the HBO platform.

Forgotten Film: Beauty Is Embarrassing (2011)   This is a funny and fascinating documentary about the extraordinary life of artist and performer Wayne White. Wayne grew up in the Tennessee mountains and, after graduating college, moved to New York City. There he got a job designing sets and puppets on the first season of the Saturday morning TV show, Pee-wee’s Playhouse. He was the creative force behind the legendary music videos, Peter Gabriel’s "Big Time" and The Smashing Pumpkins' "Tonight, Tonight." He also branched out as an artist of paintings and sculptures. White is a fascinating man, and the film does an exceptional job capturing his humor and energy in a movie about a highly creative man.   My Rating: Full Price    Beauty is Embarrassing Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of The Last Vermeer: Lead Matchmover

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: The Loss Adjuster (2020)   Martin (Luke Goss) is having a bad day. His wife Angie (Kym Marsh) Leaves him for another man one week before Christmas. His job as an insurance loss adjuster is hard, especially when you deal with a flirtatious widow, a corrupt Doctor, and a dead rat, all while trying to do your job. The world seems to be set against Martin, but thanks to a few new friends and a bit of Christmas magic, life might turn out for the better. This looks like a film to get us in the mood for the holidays.    The Loss Adjuster Website

Until Next Time!