nwauntie Reviews

The Good House (2021)

Good drama with strong leads

[8/10 · 1 June 2023]

I too, like others, thought the trailers seemed to be about a long, lost love. So far from this story. I enjoyed it more than expected, so many little stories wrapped around the lead character, and her battles. Sigourney Weaver, who looks that good in their 70's?? She is fabulous! I've enjoyed watching many of her films over the past 4 decades. She does it again in this role, she is believable in this role. The story has so many twist and turns, almost with every character. Kevin Klein did great, he is another actor who has aged well and is still at the top of his game. I may need to get the book, since movies are rarely better than the book. If you enjoy a drama about how life can affect us all, if you ever experienced a secret that leads you to make poor choices, if you are close to anyone that is bull headed, stubborn and think it's weak to ask for help... well, I suspect you may enjoy this movie.

The Lost Husband (2020)

Life always goes on

[8/10 · 21 May 2023]

I really enjoyed this movie, way more than the low reviews. I think anyone who has suffered great loss, a tragic death (or any death most likely) of a loved one will likely connect with this movie. The acting was good and believable, every single part. It was in my Netflix cue for awhile and I recently removed it just because of the low reviews, my Netflix cue was getting way too long. Then I stumbled across it again in a row of, "Trending Now," so gave it a go, glad I did. Not once did I want to turn it off and look for something else. When your heart is so broken that you literally can't breathe, that everything is shattered and wonder how you will ever go on... this is that movie. Of course for me my tragedy was 10 years ago, not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if it had been years sooner. Its an easy movie to watch, more of an inspiration to move on when you wonder how you can ever do that. So, just sit back and enjoy.

Leanne Morgan: I'm Every Woman (2023)

Hillarious, a must see

[9/10 · 16 May 2023]

A must see. Luckily, I found LeeAnn Morgan comedy during covid while looking for videos on YouTube and have seen most of her sets through her years as a comic. What is nice about her is that her sets are not repeats of her previous material, always new insights. Her take on everyday things have hillarious twists and turns, you actually feel you are right there experiencing what she is talking about. Many times I almost peed myself from laughing so hard. This show was an easy hour long and I wanted more! I absolutely love her and I suspect you will too, laughter is so needed with all the troubles in our world. So glad Netflix finally gave her a special and I look forward to many more.

A Tourist's Guide to Love (2023)

Beautiful scenery

[8/10 · 23 April 2023]

Okay, I do enjoy a Rom-Com now and then, decided to watch this because I needed something "easy" tonight, so I chose something that wasn't in my saved LIST. Yes, its a predictable rom-com but I typically liked the whole "start new...find a new you" after something negative in one's life. I expected giving a rating of 5-6 but I rated higher because the scenery (and some authentic music). I've visited before and now will need to go back...maybe see more authentic Vietnam, especially since I've already seen most of the touristy spots. I may go on their New Year to experience their traditions. My experience was mainly beach scene so next time I will spend more time in the city and countryside. There is a calm to this country, the people and with everything going on in the world I for one, could use some of that.

Your Place or Mine (2023)

It's a strong Rom-Com

[7/10 · 11 February 2023]

I was surprised by the low ratings so early after release, assuming people that liked these kinds of films were the first to watch it when it came out. I mean it's a Rom-Com. It stars favorites Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kusher with strong support staff to include Zoe Chao, Tig Notaro, Jessie Williams and Steve Zahn (good to see him). Partnered with scenery from New York City and Los Angeles. It was actually better than I expected, again due to the actors, actresses.

Will it change your life like an epic film that won Golden Globes, no, but it is exactly what it is supposed to be. If you are looking for a casual, feel good Rom-Com then you will probably enjoy it, most likely more if you are a certain older age that grew up watching these actors/actresses.

Uncoupled (2022–2023)

Enjoyable, relatable

[8/10 · 30 July 2022]

Very relatable to any person (any sexual orientation) who had been in a relationship for decades and finds themselves starting over. The grief of losing that person, the self doubt, all the insecurities coupled with great, supportive friends. That said the cast was great! Looking forward to Netflix renewal for season 2, want to see what's next for ALL of the characters.

Extra (1994– )

What happened?

[2/10 · 30 May 2022]

Not sure what happened to this show, it never has interesting stories anymore. For decades it was always on while cleaning up after dinner, now there is nothing worth watching or listening to. Not a fan of Billy Bush, I just can't look at him without remembering that leaked audio of him and Trump talking about "grabbing women...." and laughing about it, I tried to get past it but he just seems to bring a creepiness to the show. It's time to let it go, hasn't it been almost 10 years since it won awards? Sorry, I'm done with it.

The French Dispatch (2021)

Wonderful escape

[8/10 · 28 March 2022]

With all the craziness in the world (covid, Ukraine attack by Putin) this latest escape is just what I was hoping for. I suppose everyone isn't a fan of Wes Anderson, but I find it an absolute delight just like his other stories, like Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom, Life Aquatic just to name a few. His characters always bring me deep into every story only wanting more when its over. Perfectly mixed with satire, comedy, dramedy. I like that he often has the same actors but with new parts, only to forget their other roles (briefly) in his other movies to only see them in each new role he assigns them. Love it, love it. Enjoy.

City of Trees (2019)

Not a snooze as others said

[8/10 · 26 March 2022]

Did it start a little slow? Yes, as does all shows that are starting to tell a story. I really enjoyed it, it was better than the negative reviews (believe the GOOD reviews). I found it mixed up the story by treading on the insecurities of high school, going "home" after you have been away and yet facing some of those same fears when you came back home, never really getting over them. Haven't we ALL had something we experienced growing up, whether it was people at high school, an experience in town that made us want to just keep it hidden away? What I didn't like was the odd ending, just seemed to stop in its tracks. But way better ending than the usual, "Girl meets girl, girl falls for girl and one girl leaves girl for a guy" ending that so many of these stories have. But I felt the leads had chemistry made it seem like a more realistic connection they had. All in all I'm glad I watched it. What I really found amazing was that the lead actress acted in it, wrote it AND directed it! That is some talent, I hope she keeps it up, can't find much from her.

A Castle for Christmas (2021)

Its a "Christmas movie" haters!

[7/10 · 30 January 2022]

A Christmas movie with "seasoned" lead actor and actress. "Seasoned" in that the stars give away my age, lol. So of course I enjoyed it, I grew up watching them. For me it was a Christmas movie with a dab of Scotland romantic charm AND stars I grew up with which made it more enjoyable than a regular Christmas movie in that I'm not familiar with the lead actors. And "Hamish," stole a few of the scenes, I enjoyed him too. So, the many low ratings? I guess people expected something else than Christmas movie! Although I do expect the other women my age enjoyed it, just to see the leads! Enjoy.

Broken Diamonds (2021)

Mental illness and effects

[7/10 · 13 January 2022]

It's a very realistic story of how a loved one with mental illness, how it effects of all the family members. Lola K. Did an incredible job as Cindy, the person with mental illness. Her brother has been affected by the issues it brought to their family, often feeling left behind, with no support in his needs as he grew up, complicated relationship with his older sister. Very moving story. Mental health is not talked about or discussed much in our society, glad this shows some of one families story.

The Tender Bar (2021)

A must see for the 70's-80's generation

[8/10 · 11 January 2022]

Not sure why so many low reviews, I loved it. I suspect the haters are too young to appreciate this time piece, which for me was very nostalgic. I loved the characters as well. Ben Affleck who played Uncle Charlie was this JR's male role model when the father was an absent, deadbeat dad who left when the child was young and showed up just enough times to show this kid who he did NOT want to be or resemble when he grew up. I enjoyed watching Tye Sheridan who has grown up in the movies, my first time seeing him was in 2012 "MUD" with Mathew McCaugnehey (sp?). Here he is playing the lead role of JR. The story follows JR growing up with a single mom and a loving family, not just blood family but also all the guys who hang out his Uncle Charlies bar. One of the patrons is Max Casella who like Tye Sheridan started out as a young actor in the original Doogie Houser! Yes, another hint of my age, late 50's (lol). JR goes off to college, becomes a writer and writes a novel, now an adapted screenplay for the story of this film. George Clooney Directed (and Produced) this film, he did a great job of telling the story. I really enjoyed it, will be looking up JR to read this novel and see his other works.

Love Sarah (2020)

Soothing after year of covid

[8/10 · 25 May 2021]

To start, this movie was a very nice change after of all the bad that followed the world 2020 due to Covid. Although the story starts out very sad it turns into a very heart warming tale. If our movie theaters were open (they are not yet in the Pacific NW of USA) I would have gladly paid full price to go see it. There isn't much trivia about it here on IMBD but I wonder if it was written from the writers own personal experience, in relation to loss. At the end of the movie there was a "remembrance" of a person who passed, as well as the song at the end, about love, missing you, its all for you (or something like that)? Maybe I just noticed (or perceived that) because I have felt that tremendous loss after my son passed. Anyway, I found this to be a joyful, wonderful story of love, loss and resilience. Thumbs up to the writer, directorial staff and the actors and actresses!