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Reviews
80 for Brady (2023)
Just plain old fun!
This is a fun brain-candy movie. I've watched it a number of times when I was in need of a laugh. Each of the four leads capture each of their characters with a wink.
Jane Fonda playing the sexy one does great and has her quips here and there. Sally Field playing the retired math professor fits her quantitative insights here and there, but always with a degree of vulnerability. Lily Tomlin does a wonderful job as the catalyst of the group whose cancer may or may not have returned. But, my all-time favorite of this movie is Rita Moreno.
This movie is worth watching if for nothing more than watching Rita Moreno's character, a woman not shy about gambling, stoned on cannabis gummy bears and wandering around a mansion wearing a ceramic cat mask. I laugh just thinking about it.
The Gilded Age (2022)
Incredible costumes! Great acting. Entertaining storylines.
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!
I cannot express how much I appreciate the commitment to quality in this show . . . The costumes, the sets, and so much more. The Gilded Age has also brought on some amazing talent to play fictional and non-fictional characters.
So much centers on Bertha and George Russell. Strong, passionate, and committed to their family. This show also has some of the best characters that I love to hate.
Julian Fellowes does it again . . . But, on this side of the Atlantic. I look forward to each and every episode. Then watch them again and again. I hope there will be more seasons to come.
Barbie (2023)
Fun . . . and much more complicated than it appears
I laughed a lot! I even teared up a few times. I felt a bit uncomfortable a couple of times.
When I first heard about this movie, I couldn't have been less than enthusiastic. In fact, I thought it sounded like a waste of time and money and I kept wondering "Why???" Then the movie came out and I had to pay attention. I decided to see a morning showing while my dogs were being groomed and I'm so glad I did!
Barbie is fun. It's also a movie for adults and I believe children could be entertained by the sets and costumes . . . But, the story is more mature and complicated. It could have gone in the direction of ludicrous and absurd. This is where I'm going to give kudos to Greta Gerwig for her writing and direction.
Margot Robbie is excellent, but the scene stealer is Ryan Gosling. I hope some day they will release a short film of the outtakes. I can't imagine this movie wasn't plagued by characters loosing focus and cracking each up or having blunders with props.
Well done! A great escape!
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Entertaining and exciting . . . however,
The latest installment in the Mission Impossible movie franchise is entertaining and exciting. It's well worth the money and time to see it in a movie theater. The action sequences are amazing . . . However, the movie is mostly about the action sequences. There is little to the plot ("Get the key!" alternating with "What does the key do?"). This is combined with lots of slight of hand (literally)
Tom Cruise is solid (again) as Ethan Hunt. And I always wish there was more of Simon Pegg (Benji) and Ving Rhames (Luther). There are lots of bad guys . . . Which means lots of fights. And I don't ever want to see Pom Klementieff (Paris) behind me in traffic. The Rome car chase seen is one of the best car chase scenes I've ever watched. Too bad Paris died.
I predict that Ilsa Faust is truly not dead. Rebecca Ferguson contributes too much to the franchise. Plus, it goes back to what Ethan tells Ilsa early in the movie "You're dead! Stay dead!" I suspect she's already a step ahead in locating the submarine. After all, she was able to locate one half of the key early on. She knows more than we've seen so far.
Esai Morales (Gabriel) is not fully developed and does little more than give sinister looks. Vanessa Kirby (The White Widow) gives her helter-skelter look while uttering the line "But, I'm merely a broker.", but also felt underdeveloped. Since these characters will continue into part II, perhaps they will become more developed.
Briggs and Degas seem superfluous to the story and movie. Their looks of "What are we doing here?" are probably in sync with how the actors feel about their characters in the movie. Perhaps their presence will make more sense in part II.
Whether Kittridge (Henry Czerny) is good or bad is left to be seen. Cary Elwes as Denlinger seems miscast. Playing a conniving and powerful character just seems too much of a stretch for him. I felt relief when Gabriel slit his throat and leaves him for dead (and unlike, Ilsa, I do believe Denlinger is dead).
One thing that Tom Cruise doesn't get enough credit for is the creation of characters for women that hold their own in the storyline, in fights, and more. Yes, these women can throw a punch and kick a$$. But, once again, they are not treated with kid gloves and take beatings too. The premise that 'you don't hit girls' is unknown to these people.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (2023)
A more complex set of intertwining stories . . . and I loved it!
Dear Gentle Viewer,
If you loved either or both of the Bridgerton series, you may or may not love this one. It's different in a variety ways. The intertwining stories are more complex and many reach into darker territory.
The center of the series is Charlotte's story. It begins with her in a carriage with her brother discussing his decision to sign a marriage contract to marry her off to the King of England. I was immediately laughing at her description of the possibility of being killed by her whalebone undergarments.. Shortly afterward, she meets the King . . . Although, she does not know who he is at first. They seem smitten with each other and things look up for them both . . . But, only for a short time.
I thought it was interesting to compare and contrast the arranged marriages of Queen Charlotte and Lady Danbury. Eventually, Charlotte embraces her role as Queen and her marriage. At the same time, we come to learn more about Lady Danbury. She is a dutiful wife, but we understand why she ultimately decides to 'breath her own air.' Adding intrigue is the friendship they strike up early in the series.
The back-and-forth stories of the older and younger Queen Charlotte, Lady Danbury, Violet, Brimsley (Who? You may ask), and especially King George allows the viewer to better understand who they were and who they became . . . And why.
The introduction of a storyline about 'The Great Experiment' invents history. This surprised me in a way, but it brings about issues regarding opinions and roles surrounding race.
There dark moments, especially surrounding a physician's tortuous treatments for King George. I couldn't wait for the scenes to pass, but I believe they are intentional at making the viewer uncomfortable with how people suffering from mental illness were treated.
The storyline of the older Queen Charlotte's impatience with her children having offspring is getting some criticism from other viewers. Keep in mind, procreation was a priority for royalty in order to maintain the bloodline. Queen Charlotte does not see evidence of any progress. After all, she did her job and they need to do their job. We learn she is not considered a good mother by her children (and others) . . . But, keep in mind, she was Queen and married to a King suffering from mental illness. She had a lot going on from the moment she married and then throughout her life.
The ending is tender and beautifully wraps up the series . . . Which means, I doubt if there will be a sequel to this prequel.
The Fabelmans (2022)
I expect more from Spielberg . . . a lot more!
This movie is way too long. The majority of the movie is so slow and boring that I have a difficult time believing Spielberg had anything to do with it.
There are some solid performances in the movie, but you forget all of that while begging for the movie to move forward.
My favorite part was the last five minutes. The movie ends with a bit of a bang. Nothing too over-the-top, but it does deliver a quick punch that will bring a smile to a viewer's face.
I'm not sure how this movie receiving the accolades and recognition that it did. It must of been more for Spielberg's body of work than this long drawn semi-autobiographical story.
Maybe I Do (2023)
What a waste of talent . . . and time
OMG! I thought with actors like Diane Keaton, William H. Macy, Susan Sarandon, and Richard Gere that something actually watchable would be possible. This is an embarrassment. Too many contrived plot points to mention. There wasn't one character that was interesting or likable.
William H. Macy and Diane Keaton play the weakest and lamest characters of their career. I'm still not sure what Richard Gere was supposed to be doing. Susan Sarandon plays one of the nastiest characters and you beg for her to go away every time you see her.
This is the first time I've ever seen Emma Roberts act . . . If you want to call it acting. It was one dimensional . . . Although, I think her character is supposed to be one dimensional and needy. The idea of spending a lifetime married to her is painful to consider.
Don't waste your time watching this movie. You will desperately want the time back to do other things . . . Like cleaning out the lint trap on your dryer.
Let Them All Talk (2020)
What a waste of talent!
This film cast some amazing actors and wasted them with glacial pacing and sub-par dialogue. Plus, this movie is categorized as a comedy and there was absolutely nothing I found funny or humorous.
At first I thought the movie started with a slow pace to introduce the viewer to the characters and expected it would speed up. But, it plodded along like an exhausted donkey climbing out of the Grand Canyon. Even worse is that the film introduces possible storylines, but just about everything in this movie is left incomplete and unresolved.
This movie is one of the most unsatisfying movies I've seen in decades.
Babylon (2022)
Overhyped, way too long, and a waste of 3+ hours
I am completely bewildered how Babylon is getting so many positive reviews and praise. First, at over three hours, it's way too long. Second, the editing feels self-indulgent. Third, the movie is mostly predictable and you can guess the fates of just about everyone, especially Margot Robbie.
Frankly, the most interesting storyline received the least amount of attention and that was the storyline involving Sidney Palmer, the black trumpet player. I would love to have seen a lot of the movie on the cutting room floor in exchange for a more inclusive storyline for him and the band he played in. The addition of the band and Sidney Palmer felt shoehorned in to balance race. I thought Jovan Adepo portrayal of Sidney Palmer was complex, yet subtle . . . And will probably be overlooked because of the overrated performances by other characters.
Ticket to Paradise (2022)
Pleasant . . . albeit, boring
I had to wait a few hours while my dogs were being groomed the other day, so I decided to drop in to the movie theater nearby and watch "Ticket to Paradise". I smiled a few times, but when a movie has talented actors like George Clooney and Julia Robert, it feels like a waste of talent. Both of these actors are capable of comedy, drama, and more . . . But, they have so little to work with on this film.
The story is contrived and predictable. I would love to see these two actors in something that would engage them more and leverage their skills and experience.
This film will likely be enjoyed on many airplane flights when it has run its course in the theaters . . . Which I predict will be fairly soon.
Ad Astra (2019)
Mediocre movie with a solid performance by Brad Pitt
First, I thought Brad Pitt's performance was one of his best in recent years. However, the movie is so sluggish that it was almost painful to finish watching. Usually I would find something interesting about a movie in this genre, but I can't quite figure out what the genre is.
Downton Abbey (2019)
Completely satisfying and nearly perfect!
From the first notes of the first episode of the first season, I have enthusiastically followed Downton Abbey. I was sorry to see the series end . . . however, I knew it would eventually. I was thrilled when I learned there was going to be a Downton Abbey movie.
I saw the Downton Abbey movie yesterday and it did not disappoint. I knew it would be different. Whereas the series had the ability to continue story lines across episodes . . . the movie had to keep things tidy and contained to a two-hour feature.
The costumes are stunning. The story lines are limited and basically each cast member had one. The theater was full of Downton Abbey enthusiasts and I don't think I laughed as much watching the series. Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley) had great one liners. And so did Isobel (who is now Lady Merton). Their banter was wonderful.
I can hardly wait for the movie to come out on DVD. I want to see again. Plus, I hope they fill it with extras . . . especially on the costuming.