This was the most bizarre film of the year.
Cassius Green (Lakeith Stanfield) is a young guy who just wants a job and he finally finds one in telemarketing, especially after he finds his 'white' voice. But this isn't a typical world. There is a main group, organization called WorryFree which makes basically everything in the world but they use the equivalency of slave labor to do so. But Cash buys into everything as it is finally providing him the steady paycheck he needs to get ahead in life and it finally lets him get out of his scrap of metal car and out of his uncle's (Terry Crew's) garage. Unfortunately, by looking after only himself, Cash has turned his back on his friends, the strike and even his beloved fiance, indy artist Detriot (the amazing Tessa Thompson) dumps him.
It is at a party at the house of WorryFree's founder, Steve Link (Armie Hammer, never more bizarre) when Cash finally sees the light. He is given an offer most would never refuse but fortunately, he does. WorryFree is modifying people to make them, stronger and better workers by turning them into hybrid horse-people, which is disgusting and wrong. He is back on the front lines of the strike and right back to where he started, in his uncle's garage only to have an ending that will knock your socks off, in the most bizarre way possible.
While the plot is wild, it brings up many important issues such as how even assimilating doesn't work to your advantage and how no matter what you do, it will never be enough. You should always be true to yourself, as that is all that really matters. Fortunately, this odd, little film is boasted by its great cast including Steven Yeun as the union leader, Omari Hardwick as one of the other elite telemarketers, Jermaine Fowler as one of Cash's good friends and Danny Glover as the seasoned telemarketer who instructs Cash to use his 'white' voice while making the calls. Still, the film missed the mark as it wasn't funny, just super, super weird but the message was good and the performances were good. Needless to say, I'm glad the most popular show on TV doesn't involve people getting literally punched in the face. Grade: B
Monday, December 31, 2018
Sunday, December 30, 2018
A Very English Scandal (2018): Recap and Reaction
This three-part series covers quite a lot of ground and spans eighteen years before the first accidental meeting of Parliament member of the Liberal Party, Jeremy Thorpe (Hugh Grant) and stable boy Norman Scott (a brilliant Ben Whishaw).
They begin a brief but passionate albeit illegal homosexual relationship and consummate it at all places in his mother's house. Jeremy's mother's house to be specific. But then things fall apart, to no one's surprise and Jeremy doesn't help Norman get back his National Insurance card which he left behind in haste to join Jeremy. This card is necessary so he can gets the benefits he is entitled to as a citizen. In the long run, it would have been far easier to get him a replacement card than to go through all the hassle of paying to keep him silent. But that isn't enough as Norman will not be silenced so Jeremy even wants to have him killed.
This gets blown out of porporation and he even hires people so this can be done, but that plan goes arye when the dog, poor Trinka is killed instead.
Finally, the scandal is forced into the spotlight and Jeremy and the others do stand trial for conspiracy to commit murder. Though Jeremy's career is ruined, he is found not guilty without ever even taking the stand while Norman does and comes off looking like a rose while Jeremy is a coward for keeping his mouth shut.
The series is certainly an interesting one. I do wonder whether the two men were truly in love or not as both eventually married women and each had a son. In fact, Norman wore a wedding ring during his brief marriage while Jeremy never did and his second lasted decades. His second wife was a saint, sticking with him though his trial and then later as he battled Parkinson's disease for the finale two decades of his life.
Norman, unlike Jeremy, is still alive to see his story be told and has all the animals he could ever want as ultimately, he liked animals far more people, which is understandable most days. Also, Norman is a far more interesting character than Jeremy though he has plenty of struggles with drugs and alcohol.
It is undoubtedly an interesting story and is anchored by the tight script which has colorful characters to spare, including a fascinating performance by Alex Jennings from The Crown, great as one of Jeremy's closest friends though in order to save his own skin, he testifies against him at the trial.
There is a very English feel to this whole series but that is what makes easily one of the most well-done series of the year, fully deserving of all the nominations it has received thus far and Emmys, please remember this one next year. There are many twists and turns and I certainly wasn't expecting that ending, which you cannot describe as happy for anyone involved. Next time, just help someone replace their National Insurance card, it will save plenty of sweat, stress, blood and tears later on. Grade: A-
They begin a brief but passionate albeit illegal homosexual relationship and consummate it at all places in his mother's house. Jeremy's mother's house to be specific. But then things fall apart, to no one's surprise and Jeremy doesn't help Norman get back his National Insurance card which he left behind in haste to join Jeremy. This card is necessary so he can gets the benefits he is entitled to as a citizen. In the long run, it would have been far easier to get him a replacement card than to go through all the hassle of paying to keep him silent. But that isn't enough as Norman will not be silenced so Jeremy even wants to have him killed.
This gets blown out of porporation and he even hires people so this can be done, but that plan goes arye when the dog, poor Trinka is killed instead.
Finally, the scandal is forced into the spotlight and Jeremy and the others do stand trial for conspiracy to commit murder. Though Jeremy's career is ruined, he is found not guilty without ever even taking the stand while Norman does and comes off looking like a rose while Jeremy is a coward for keeping his mouth shut.
The series is certainly an interesting one. I do wonder whether the two men were truly in love or not as both eventually married women and each had a son. In fact, Norman wore a wedding ring during his brief marriage while Jeremy never did and his second lasted decades. His second wife was a saint, sticking with him though his trial and then later as he battled Parkinson's disease for the finale two decades of his life.
Norman, unlike Jeremy, is still alive to see his story be told and has all the animals he could ever want as ultimately, he liked animals far more people, which is understandable most days. Also, Norman is a far more interesting character than Jeremy though he has plenty of struggles with drugs and alcohol.
It is undoubtedly an interesting story and is anchored by the tight script which has colorful characters to spare, including a fascinating performance by Alex Jennings from The Crown, great as one of Jeremy's closest friends though in order to save his own skin, he testifies against him at the trial.
There is a very English feel to this whole series but that is what makes easily one of the most well-done series of the year, fully deserving of all the nominations it has received thus far and Emmys, please remember this one next year. There are many twists and turns and I certainly wasn't expecting that ending, which you cannot describe as happy for anyone involved. Next time, just help someone replace their National Insurance card, it will save plenty of sweat, stress, blood and tears later on. Grade: A-
Vice (2018)
This film highlights the life of the largely unknown former vice-president Dick Cheney (an unrecognizable Christian Bale) who comes from what is likely a poor background in Wyoming. It isn't until the love of his life, Lynne (Amy Adams) whips his drunken ass into shape that he finally has some motivation to do something with his life and that he certainly does. He is the youngest chief of staff under President Ford, then State Representative of Wyoming for ten years before becoming Secretary of Defense under the first Bush and then joins the private sector earning vast amounts of money for an oil company. He initially doesn't want to take George W. Bush's (Sam Rockwell's) offer of being the Vice President as it is a thankless job but he manages to persuade George that he wants far more responsibility and along with his lawyer, unearths the doctrine which will give the President absolute power and can make whatever he says law and legal solely because he is President. And after 9/11, he conjures Al Quada in Iraq mainly because he wants Saddam Hussein out of power so the American public is lied to. After accidentally and foolishly shooting a man (fortunately not fatally) he doesn't apologize for being an idiot. Instead, the victim apologizes to the Cheneys for what they've had to deal with.
Now, Cheney tries to be a family man and he does love his daughters dearly, including Mary (Alison Pill, great in a small role) and while he doesn't have a huge problem with her homosexuality, it isn't something he's proud of and will toss her under the bus if it helps him get more power. Ultimately, he's not a Republican, he's for advancing his own agenda and making millions.
The film is a daring portrayal of a man so close to the presidency but doesn't seem to care much about the truth or kind ways others should be treated, torturing others most of whom likely don't deserve it. It is a jarring scene when the Cheney's loving family dinner is interrupted by bombing Iraq. Imagine how it would have been for those innocent civilians in Iraq meaning a death they never deserved all because he wanted one man dead.
The film also has an interesting narrator, Jesse Plemons, who knows so much about this man. I won't tell you how, but that was actually the most jarring and shocking moment of the film, the one that made me gasp.
While the film covers a lot, probably too much, it is nevertheless a great film with great performances including a good Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld and a very good Tyler Perry as Colin Powell (a sentence that I'd never thought I'd write). Adams is great as the driving force behind her husband and relishes playing such an unlikable character, scolding other women for burning their bras and telling her daughters that once power is achieved, no one will ever stop trying to take it away from you. Real kind and upbeat people, if you ask me. Still, the imagery of fishing scenes mixed in with other current events is genius and the film is very interesting to watch. I would hardly call it a comedy as there are only about three funny moments scattered throughout but it is a film worth seeing nevertheless and it will you terrified at how absolute the President's power can be. These checks and balances were written for a reason and we can never forget that there existence is a help not a hindrance. Grade: B+
Now, Cheney tries to be a family man and he does love his daughters dearly, including Mary (Alison Pill, great in a small role) and while he doesn't have a huge problem with her homosexuality, it isn't something he's proud of and will toss her under the bus if it helps him get more power. Ultimately, he's not a Republican, he's for advancing his own agenda and making millions.
The film is a daring portrayal of a man so close to the presidency but doesn't seem to care much about the truth or kind ways others should be treated, torturing others most of whom likely don't deserve it. It is a jarring scene when the Cheney's loving family dinner is interrupted by bombing Iraq. Imagine how it would have been for those innocent civilians in Iraq meaning a death they never deserved all because he wanted one man dead.
The film also has an interesting narrator, Jesse Plemons, who knows so much about this man. I won't tell you how, but that was actually the most jarring and shocking moment of the film, the one that made me gasp.
While the film covers a lot, probably too much, it is nevertheless a great film with great performances including a good Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld and a very good Tyler Perry as Colin Powell (a sentence that I'd never thought I'd write). Adams is great as the driving force behind her husband and relishes playing such an unlikable character, scolding other women for burning their bras and telling her daughters that once power is achieved, no one will ever stop trying to take it away from you. Real kind and upbeat people, if you ask me. Still, the imagery of fishing scenes mixed in with other current events is genius and the film is very interesting to watch. I would hardly call it a comedy as there are only about three funny moments scattered throughout but it is a film worth seeing nevertheless and it will you terrified at how absolute the President's power can be. These checks and balances were written for a reason and we can never forget that there existence is a help not a hindrance. Grade: B+
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Colette (2018)
This is film is merely another chance to highlight Keira Knightley's talent in a period costume.
She shines as the title character, Colette (originally Gabrielle) a poor peasant girl from the countryside in Paris who marries Willy (Dominic West), a man whom she believes to be the love of her life. Willy marries her despite the lack of dowry but he is having financial struggles himself. Sort of the James Patterson of 1890s Paris, Willy is the idea man with his name on the books but he has minions to do all of the dirty work for him and soon, Colette joins the ranks. She writes about her childhood, more or less and these books make Willy famous and a very wealthy man, which in turn, makes Colette wealthy also. But she is the true writer but very few actually know that, as he is the famous one and is the one who enjoys taking credit for the work of others.
In addition to this being a cause of contention in their marriage, Willy is also not faithful to Colette. Then again, she cheats on him also, but only with women, including the lovely Louisiana heiress, Georgie (Eleanor Tomlinson) who also sleeps with Willy and Missy (Denise Gough), who is struggling with her sexuality.
The film covers a lot of ground, including Colette's time performing on the stage though her true talent rests with her ability to write. It isn't until Willy foolishly sells the rights to Colette's creation, Claudine, that she finally throws him under the bus and files for a divorce. She also decides to write about her experience being a showgirl and publishes under her real name and becomes famous in her own right. The truth does come out in the end. Justice is finally served.
While the ending is a bit squishy, the film nevertheless covers over a decade and details both Colette's professional and personal life. Knightley is excellent and West is also very good and the supporting cast is top-notch. And I do love a period piece. This film would make a great companion piece to this year's other very good film, The Wife, as they both detail how much power husbands can have over their wives. The answer is, they can have as much power as they are given. Grade: B+
She shines as the title character, Colette (originally Gabrielle) a poor peasant girl from the countryside in Paris who marries Willy (Dominic West), a man whom she believes to be the love of her life. Willy marries her despite the lack of dowry but he is having financial struggles himself. Sort of the James Patterson of 1890s Paris, Willy is the idea man with his name on the books but he has minions to do all of the dirty work for him and soon, Colette joins the ranks. She writes about her childhood, more or less and these books make Willy famous and a very wealthy man, which in turn, makes Colette wealthy also. But she is the true writer but very few actually know that, as he is the famous one and is the one who enjoys taking credit for the work of others.
In addition to this being a cause of contention in their marriage, Willy is also not faithful to Colette. Then again, she cheats on him also, but only with women, including the lovely Louisiana heiress, Georgie (Eleanor Tomlinson) who also sleeps with Willy and Missy (Denise Gough), who is struggling with her sexuality.
The film covers a lot of ground, including Colette's time performing on the stage though her true talent rests with her ability to write. It isn't until Willy foolishly sells the rights to Colette's creation, Claudine, that she finally throws him under the bus and files for a divorce. She also decides to write about her experience being a showgirl and publishes under her real name and becomes famous in her own right. The truth does come out in the end. Justice is finally served.
While the ending is a bit squishy, the film nevertheless covers over a decade and details both Colette's professional and personal life. Knightley is excellent and West is also very good and the supporting cast is top-notch. And I do love a period piece. This film would make a great companion piece to this year's other very good film, The Wife, as they both detail how much power husbands can have over their wives. The answer is, they can have as much power as they are given. Grade: B+
Friday, December 28, 2018
Operation Finale (2018)
This film is sort of mix between Argo and Judgment at Nuremberg, both of which are great films.
It is 1960 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. World War II is over, long over but the memories of the Holocaust still hold firm in the minds of many working for Mossad so they discover that Adolf Eichmann (Ben Kingsley), the architect behind many of the mass executions of the Holocaust.
In an epic game of cat and mouse, a secret group of the Mossad led by Peter Macklin (Oscar Isaac) journey to Buenos Aires to extract Eichmann and bring him to Jerusalem for a trial.
The film does meander a bit as once Eichmann is captured, they are unable to board their flight so they need to continue holding him hostage until they can get another plane in and sneak him out of the country. It is during this period of the film that both Isaac and Kingsley can shine and shine they do as the film hinges on their performances.
And Eichmann's family in Argentina is wondering where he is, so the Argentinian police are hot on the Mossad's trail. The scene where they finally have Eichmann on a plane but a landing permit goes missing is no less thrilling than the epic finale of Argo.
In this case, there is no happy ending as nothing can erase the deaths of ten million people in the Holocaust, but Eichmann does stand trial, is found guilty and the whole world is watching. He is hung and his ashes are spread at sea. He claims that he tried to send the Jews to other countries to save them, but nevertheless thought they were the scum of his country and that is a mindset that he has passed onto his children.
Though the two leads shine, the supporting cast including Nick Kroll, Haley Lu Richardson (as a pawn for the Mossad), Joe Alwyn and Melanie Laurent whose character is far more than just a love interest for Peter though she is pregnant at films end without any explanation as to who the father is.
There are some minor problems with the film including the one I just mentioned and it is not mentioned how Peter escapes Buenos Aires, with the police right on his heels. Still, it is a great film nevertheless with a plot that covers a lot of ground, quite literally with a lot of difficult elements coming together in the end. Grade: B+
It is 1960 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. World War II is over, long over but the memories of the Holocaust still hold firm in the minds of many working for Mossad so they discover that Adolf Eichmann (Ben Kingsley), the architect behind many of the mass executions of the Holocaust.
In an epic game of cat and mouse, a secret group of the Mossad led by Peter Macklin (Oscar Isaac) journey to Buenos Aires to extract Eichmann and bring him to Jerusalem for a trial.
The film does meander a bit as once Eichmann is captured, they are unable to board their flight so they need to continue holding him hostage until they can get another plane in and sneak him out of the country. It is during this period of the film that both Isaac and Kingsley can shine and shine they do as the film hinges on their performances.
And Eichmann's family in Argentina is wondering where he is, so the Argentinian police are hot on the Mossad's trail. The scene where they finally have Eichmann on a plane but a landing permit goes missing is no less thrilling than the epic finale of Argo.
In this case, there is no happy ending as nothing can erase the deaths of ten million people in the Holocaust, but Eichmann does stand trial, is found guilty and the whole world is watching. He is hung and his ashes are spread at sea. He claims that he tried to send the Jews to other countries to save them, but nevertheless thought they were the scum of his country and that is a mindset that he has passed onto his children.
Though the two leads shine, the supporting cast including Nick Kroll, Haley Lu Richardson (as a pawn for the Mossad), Joe Alwyn and Melanie Laurent whose character is far more than just a love interest for Peter though she is pregnant at films end without any explanation as to who the father is.
There are some minor problems with the film including the one I just mentioned and it is not mentioned how Peter escapes Buenos Aires, with the police right on his heels. Still, it is a great film nevertheless with a plot that covers a lot of ground, quite literally with a lot of difficult elements coming together in the end. Grade: B+
Monday, December 24, 2018
The Favourite (2018)
This film is truly bizarre but you should see it anyway solely for the three brilliant performances of its leads.
Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) has numerous health problems, namely numerous painful sores on her legs and she is still wallowing in grief having buried all seventeen of her children (most died as newborns, her oldest died at age 8). Her husband is never mentioned, but one can assume he died also. Given her poor health, she relies on her right-hand man, Sarah (Rachel Weisz) for advice and affection. However, Sarah often makes decisions that are not hers to make as she is not the Queen. There is a war going on between France and England and Queen Anne makes her decisions without doing her own research but depending on others to provide her with the whole story which is never the case, everything she is given one-sided only.
Everything changes when Sarah's woebegone cousin, who has fallen from grace and doesn't know the basics of being a scullery maid, arrives. Abigail (Emma Stone) used to be a lady but her father lost her in a simple game of cards but she is determined to fight her way back to the top which is what happens. She is manipulating and filled with evil machinations just as Sarah is. Abigail slowly takes Sarah down as the film progresses and eventually becomes a lady again and the Queen's chambermaid but she will never have the power of Queen Anne and is probably upset that for some time, she will have to spend time petting bunnies (I don't know how the bunny torture scene was done without harming the bunnies.) and rubbing the sores on Queen Anne's legs which despite everything she's gained, still cannot be that fun. Okay, the bunnies would be fine but not rubbing the sores.
Each woman is greedy and power hungry and use the situation to their advantage to mixed results.
While the film may not be the most historically accurate, as both Sarah and Abigail sleep with Anne, it is great to see the men ultimately have very little power, they certainly do have some but everything rests with who has Queen Anne's ear.
Now, the film is absolutely bizarre, like that one ridiculous scene with tomatoes being thrown at a naked guy in a wig for an unknown reason though he does seem to be enjoying it. And the 'c' word is used liberally throughout. The score is often overpowering but the interesting story and performances will always make this film worth seeing. The unique camera angles are also a great surprise. It is a crazy ride but one worth going on. Grade: A-
Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) has numerous health problems, namely numerous painful sores on her legs and she is still wallowing in grief having buried all seventeen of her children (most died as newborns, her oldest died at age 8). Her husband is never mentioned, but one can assume he died also. Given her poor health, she relies on her right-hand man, Sarah (Rachel Weisz) for advice and affection. However, Sarah often makes decisions that are not hers to make as she is not the Queen. There is a war going on between France and England and Queen Anne makes her decisions without doing her own research but depending on others to provide her with the whole story which is never the case, everything she is given one-sided only.
Everything changes when Sarah's woebegone cousin, who has fallen from grace and doesn't know the basics of being a scullery maid, arrives. Abigail (Emma Stone) used to be a lady but her father lost her in a simple game of cards but she is determined to fight her way back to the top which is what happens. She is manipulating and filled with evil machinations just as Sarah is. Abigail slowly takes Sarah down as the film progresses and eventually becomes a lady again and the Queen's chambermaid but she will never have the power of Queen Anne and is probably upset that for some time, she will have to spend time petting bunnies (I don't know how the bunny torture scene was done without harming the bunnies.) and rubbing the sores on Queen Anne's legs which despite everything she's gained, still cannot be that fun. Okay, the bunnies would be fine but not rubbing the sores.
Each woman is greedy and power hungry and use the situation to their advantage to mixed results.
While the film may not be the most historically accurate, as both Sarah and Abigail sleep with Anne, it is great to see the men ultimately have very little power, they certainly do have some but everything rests with who has Queen Anne's ear.
Now, the film is absolutely bizarre, like that one ridiculous scene with tomatoes being thrown at a naked guy in a wig for an unknown reason though he does seem to be enjoying it. And the 'c' word is used liberally throughout. The score is often overpowering but the interesting story and performances will always make this film worth seeing. The unique camera angles are also a great surprise. It is a crazy ride but one worth going on. Grade: A-
Tuesday, December 18, 2018
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
This is a film that is almost like the Hallmark movies of today but this one is definitely dated.
Nurse Mary (Joyce Compton) falls in love with one of the naval men rescued from the sea and to convince him that the domestic life is truly for him, she enlists the help of magazine editor, Alexander Yardley (Sydney Greenstreet) to let him have an old-fashioned Christmas in Connecticut. Mr. Yardley also enlists sensational food editor and storyteller Elizabeth Lane's (Barbara Stanwyck's) farm. Only, she is a fraud. She isn't married and doesn't have a child so she has to pretend and she does, only to fall in love with Jefferson Jones (Dennis Morgan) instead of her fiance, John Sloan (Reginald Gardner), who can bore anyone with his expertise of his craft of architecture.
Craziness ensues, with a surrounding Christmas theme. And there are good moments, with good performances. Jefferson knows more about babies than Elizabeth but he is also a bit assaulty, following her around when he realizes that she isn't actually married.
However, there are plenty of nitpicks such as Jefferson's claim that he's never had a happy home or a family and later mentions a sister whose children he has helped with. Still, the film was interesting and I couldn't wait for everything to fall apart, which it did, delightful moments sprinkled in. Grade: B+
Nurse Mary (Joyce Compton) falls in love with one of the naval men rescued from the sea and to convince him that the domestic life is truly for him, she enlists the help of magazine editor, Alexander Yardley (Sydney Greenstreet) to let him have an old-fashioned Christmas in Connecticut. Mr. Yardley also enlists sensational food editor and storyteller Elizabeth Lane's (Barbara Stanwyck's) farm. Only, she is a fraud. She isn't married and doesn't have a child so she has to pretend and she does, only to fall in love with Jefferson Jones (Dennis Morgan) instead of her fiance, John Sloan (Reginald Gardner), who can bore anyone with his expertise of his craft of architecture.
Craziness ensues, with a surrounding Christmas theme. And there are good moments, with good performances. Jefferson knows more about babies than Elizabeth but he is also a bit assaulty, following her around when he realizes that she isn't actually married.
However, there are plenty of nitpicks such as Jefferson's claim that he's never had a happy home or a family and later mentions a sister whose children he has helped with. Still, the film was interesting and I couldn't wait for everything to fall apart, which it did, delightful moments sprinkled in. Grade: B+
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Support the Girls (2018)
This film starts out strong but fizzles out and almost makes you forget why its important.
Lisa (Regina Hall) is the manager of a Hooter-like restaurant called Double Whammies. The uniforms are half-shirts and short shorts but nevertheless, they are a family and one member is in trouble. In a scene that is fleshed out enough, Shaina (Jana Kramer) runs over her abusive boyfriend's leg and gets tossed into jail so Lisa needs the girls help so Shaina has money for a lawyer. So they hold an impromptu car wash but there are also other problems including a near theft and some new hires. But it is most important for Lisa to protect the girls and she tells off a customer when he merely implies that a waitress is fat, making her feel uncomfortable. She doesn't take any shit, thank goodness. The film starts to fall apart when the building owner, Cubby (James Le Gros) show up. He is a complete asshole ever but at least he isn't particularly bright, forgetting about the money when he is cut off in traffic and just has to track that guy down. But Lisa didn't tell him about the theft and he threatens to fire her over that. Given that Lisa is going through some stuff, her marriage is falling apart, and the fact that she has to fire one of her employees, Krista (AJ Michalka) over a side belly tattoo, she decides to give Cubby what he wants. She quits, thinking that Danyelle (Shayla McHayle) will have things in hand, which is not the case.
The film gets incredibly awkward after that, which is beyond unfortunate. Lisa, Maci (Haley Lu Richardson, in a pitch perfect performance) and Danyelle will probably all get jobs at The Mancave, which is just like Double Whammies but more commercialized without the family feel and not letting the girls stand up for themselves, which is a bad choice.
It is such a shame that this film loses its strength as it progresses which is a shame. Not to mention, Shaina is making a stupid choice, staying with that jerkface Chris (Sam Stinson) while Maci seems perfectly happy with a guy old enough to be her grandfather but at least he treats her right.
The atmosphere and performances are great but the plot lets them down and that is unacceptable. This film had so much promise and was such a great concept and it ultimately failed. Lisa is a selfish person, though you should take care of yourself before you can take care of others but the film needs her in it just as Double Whammies should have her as manager. She really is the best manager any of us has ever had. Double Whammies isn't worth going to without her and neither is the film. Great first half, pointless second half. Grade: B
Lisa (Regina Hall) is the manager of a Hooter-like restaurant called Double Whammies. The uniforms are half-shirts and short shorts but nevertheless, they are a family and one member is in trouble. In a scene that is fleshed out enough, Shaina (Jana Kramer) runs over her abusive boyfriend's leg and gets tossed into jail so Lisa needs the girls help so Shaina has money for a lawyer. So they hold an impromptu car wash but there are also other problems including a near theft and some new hires. But it is most important for Lisa to protect the girls and she tells off a customer when he merely implies that a waitress is fat, making her feel uncomfortable. She doesn't take any shit, thank goodness. The film starts to fall apart when the building owner, Cubby (James Le Gros) show up. He is a complete asshole ever but at least he isn't particularly bright, forgetting about the money when he is cut off in traffic and just has to track that guy down. But Lisa didn't tell him about the theft and he threatens to fire her over that. Given that Lisa is going through some stuff, her marriage is falling apart, and the fact that she has to fire one of her employees, Krista (AJ Michalka) over a side belly tattoo, she decides to give Cubby what he wants. She quits, thinking that Danyelle (Shayla McHayle) will have things in hand, which is not the case.
The film gets incredibly awkward after that, which is beyond unfortunate. Lisa, Maci (Haley Lu Richardson, in a pitch perfect performance) and Danyelle will probably all get jobs at The Mancave, which is just like Double Whammies but more commercialized without the family feel and not letting the girls stand up for themselves, which is a bad choice.
It is such a shame that this film loses its strength as it progresses which is a shame. Not to mention, Shaina is making a stupid choice, staying with that jerkface Chris (Sam Stinson) while Maci seems perfectly happy with a guy old enough to be her grandfather but at least he treats her right.
The atmosphere and performances are great but the plot lets them down and that is unacceptable. This film had so much promise and was such a great concept and it ultimately failed. Lisa is a selfish person, though you should take care of yourself before you can take care of others but the film needs her in it just as Double Whammies should have her as manager. She really is the best manager any of us has ever had. Double Whammies isn't worth going to without her and neither is the film. Great first half, pointless second half. Grade: B
Friday, December 14, 2018
Juliet, Naked (2018)
This was a decent film, thank goodness.
Duncan Thomson (Chris O'Dowd) is a professor of American films but his biggest obsession is that of cult musician, Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke) who had one hit album more than twenty years ago and has since long faded from the limelight. He really needs to get another hobby.
Annie (Rose Byrne) Duncan's girlfriend, doesn't get what the hype is surrounding Tucker Crowe and posts that Tucker's album isn't such hot stuff and Tucker, of all people, agrees with her. They begin a secret email relationship while Duncan actually has the nerve to cheat on Annie.
Sure, the film is somewhat predictable, naturally, Tucker and Annie fall in love but Tucker is a truly fascinating character. He clearly doesn't know what a condom is as he has five children with four different women. The reunion in his hospital room after he has a mild heart attack is an epicly awkward scene.
Still, Annie doesn't have the courage to leave her hometown in England to be together with Tucker and Tucker is still living of his residual checks from his album so he certainly can't support Annie. And though Annie has had a tough life, she longs for a baby while Duncan didn't.
Finally, in the end, she leaves Duncan, for good and leaves for London, begins the process of having a baby on her own, and rekindles things with Tucker. And Tucker finally comes out with a new album, shocking the world by proving he's actually alive but Duncan hates it as apparently, being in love doesn't give Tucker good material to sing about. Thank goodness that isn't the case for everyone.
The plot is actually more complicated than it sounds and it is good, though the ending (the epilogue) does come from out of nowhere but the performances are good, natural performances with realistic dialogue so the film is a delight to watch and should be enjoyed by many. Grade: B+
Duncan Thomson (Chris O'Dowd) is a professor of American films but his biggest obsession is that of cult musician, Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke) who had one hit album more than twenty years ago and has since long faded from the limelight. He really needs to get another hobby.
Annie (Rose Byrne) Duncan's girlfriend, doesn't get what the hype is surrounding Tucker Crowe and posts that Tucker's album isn't such hot stuff and Tucker, of all people, agrees with her. They begin a secret email relationship while Duncan actually has the nerve to cheat on Annie.
Sure, the film is somewhat predictable, naturally, Tucker and Annie fall in love but Tucker is a truly fascinating character. He clearly doesn't know what a condom is as he has five children with four different women. The reunion in his hospital room after he has a mild heart attack is an epicly awkward scene.
Still, Annie doesn't have the courage to leave her hometown in England to be together with Tucker and Tucker is still living of his residual checks from his album so he certainly can't support Annie. And though Annie has had a tough life, she longs for a baby while Duncan didn't.
Finally, in the end, she leaves Duncan, for good and leaves for London, begins the process of having a baby on her own, and rekindles things with Tucker. And Tucker finally comes out with a new album, shocking the world by proving he's actually alive but Duncan hates it as apparently, being in love doesn't give Tucker good material to sing about. Thank goodness that isn't the case for everyone.
The plot is actually more complicated than it sounds and it is good, though the ending (the epilogue) does come from out of nowhere but the performances are good, natural performances with realistic dialogue so the film is a delight to watch and should be enjoyed by many. Grade: B+
Thursday, December 13, 2018
The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)
Well, this film wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'm not saying it was good but it could have been worse.
Audrey (Mila Kunis) is going through a bad break-up after her ex, Drew (Justin Theroux) abruptly leaves her after a year of dating. Turns out, he works for the CIA and one of the items left in her apartment contains a flash drive with some top secret information on it.
Fortunately, she's not in the fight for her life alone. She has her best friend, Morgan Freeman (Kate McKinnon), with a poor choice of names. It's supposed to be a joke but it falls horribly flat.
There are twists and turns throughout as the two run around Europe (though how they can afford this is beyond me as both have minimum wage jobs) trying not to get killed, unsure of who to trust. Turns out, Drew is actually one of the bad guys as the flash drive doesn't have important information on it, well, it does but not the sort of information that can save lives.
Audrey is finally doing something worthwhile with her life and she dumps Drew this time around, just as he deserved.
However, the most important aspect of the film to me was the strong friendship between Morgan and Audrey and how Morgan had no problem whatsoever with not wanting a serious relationship. McKinnon did a great job of portraying her and Kunis wasn't bad either. Unfortunately, the supporting characters were flat and underdeveloped and the plot was terribly weak with too many plot twists to keep track. Still, not the worst way to spend an evening. Grade: B-
Audrey (Mila Kunis) is going through a bad break-up after her ex, Drew (Justin Theroux) abruptly leaves her after a year of dating. Turns out, he works for the CIA and one of the items left in her apartment contains a flash drive with some top secret information on it.
Fortunately, she's not in the fight for her life alone. She has her best friend, Morgan Freeman (Kate McKinnon), with a poor choice of names. It's supposed to be a joke but it falls horribly flat.
There are twists and turns throughout as the two run around Europe (though how they can afford this is beyond me as both have minimum wage jobs) trying not to get killed, unsure of who to trust. Turns out, Drew is actually one of the bad guys as the flash drive doesn't have important information on it, well, it does but not the sort of information that can save lives.
Audrey is finally doing something worthwhile with her life and she dumps Drew this time around, just as he deserved.
However, the most important aspect of the film to me was the strong friendship between Morgan and Audrey and how Morgan had no problem whatsoever with not wanting a serious relationship. McKinnon did a great job of portraying her and Kunis wasn't bad either. Unfortunately, the supporting characters were flat and underdeveloped and the plot was terribly weak with too many plot twists to keep track. Still, not the worst way to spend an evening. Grade: B-
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Green Book (2018)
An excellent film with two superb performances.
Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), real name Frank Vallelonga is a hard-working Bronx Italian. He is not that educated but he does value his wife dearly and just wants to put a roof over his family's heads and food in their stomachs, which is a tall order given his appetite.
After he is forced to take a hiatus from his main job (a bouncer at the Copa), he needs to find a new job. In the end, he takes a job driving a world-famous musician, Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) to his concerts around the mid-west and the deep south. Though he states he won't have working for an African American, he probably isn't the biggest fan of them as only a few days before, two plumbers fixed the sink at his apartment and he put the glasses in the trash after they finished their drinks.
The two form an odd couple sort of relationship as they go on their journey. Sure, Tony is in it for the money but eventually he grows to truly respect the deep talent Don has in spades. He has to rescue Doc (Donald Shirley has no less than three doctorates) from a bar in Louisville, Kentucky and truly doesn't like how the southerns treat him and no one sums that up better than Don himself. The southerns want him so they can appear accepting, but once he's off the stage he's no better than the help. In Raleigh, Don's asked to use the outhouse and when he states that he'd rather not, Tony needs to take him back to his crappy hotel to do his business.
Tony also has to bribe the police in Atlanta after Don is caught having some sort of relationship with a white man. So that was the true reason his marriage didn't work out, not just because he was a traveling musician. Ironically, Tony probably has less of a problem with that than Don's class status. But when Tony is pulled over for having an African American in the car after dark, Don remains calm but Tony punches the cop out.
Almost until the end, Don tolerates the abuse dished out at him until his last show in Birmingham when he cannot join Tony and his trio partners in the restaurant even though he's the guest of honor and they got a Steinway in all the way from Atlanta just for him. And Tony finally turns down some money in exchange for the right thing.
And this film has a happy ending, Tony arrives home in time for Christmas, and Don changes his mind and takes Tony up on his invitation to the sheer delight of Tony's loving wife, Dolores (a great Linda Cardellini, in a small role). If Don hadn't joined them, he would have been all alone in his shiny apartment filled with exotic trinkets. The best line of the film is actually from Tony, "This world's full of lonely people waiting to make the first move." Something did happen between Don and his brother which caused that relationship to break and not repair for unknown reasons, perhaps because of Don's true self. However, that didn't stop Tony and Don for remaining friends until their deaths in 2013, I'm mildly surprised Tony survived that long given his eating habits and chain-smoking but he was loyal to his wife and adored his children so his heart was always in the right place.
This film is anchored by its excellent performances, sure Mortensen is probably twenty years older than Tony should be but you don't feel like any of them are acting, they inhabit their characters which is always so refreshing to see. The script is tight, though the ending is somewhat abrupt. The score is seamlessly blended into the film along with scenery and set designs. You feel like you are in 1962, as the atmosphere is realistic and brilliant. This is without a doubt one of the best films of the year. Grade: A-
Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), real name Frank Vallelonga is a hard-working Bronx Italian. He is not that educated but he does value his wife dearly and just wants to put a roof over his family's heads and food in their stomachs, which is a tall order given his appetite.
After he is forced to take a hiatus from his main job (a bouncer at the Copa), he needs to find a new job. In the end, he takes a job driving a world-famous musician, Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) to his concerts around the mid-west and the deep south. Though he states he won't have working for an African American, he probably isn't the biggest fan of them as only a few days before, two plumbers fixed the sink at his apartment and he put the glasses in the trash after they finished their drinks.
The two form an odd couple sort of relationship as they go on their journey. Sure, Tony is in it for the money but eventually he grows to truly respect the deep talent Don has in spades. He has to rescue Doc (Donald Shirley has no less than three doctorates) from a bar in Louisville, Kentucky and truly doesn't like how the southerns treat him and no one sums that up better than Don himself. The southerns want him so they can appear accepting, but once he's off the stage he's no better than the help. In Raleigh, Don's asked to use the outhouse and when he states that he'd rather not, Tony needs to take him back to his crappy hotel to do his business.
Tony also has to bribe the police in Atlanta after Don is caught having some sort of relationship with a white man. So that was the true reason his marriage didn't work out, not just because he was a traveling musician. Ironically, Tony probably has less of a problem with that than Don's class status. But when Tony is pulled over for having an African American in the car after dark, Don remains calm but Tony punches the cop out.
Almost until the end, Don tolerates the abuse dished out at him until his last show in Birmingham when he cannot join Tony and his trio partners in the restaurant even though he's the guest of honor and they got a Steinway in all the way from Atlanta just for him. And Tony finally turns down some money in exchange for the right thing.
And this film has a happy ending, Tony arrives home in time for Christmas, and Don changes his mind and takes Tony up on his invitation to the sheer delight of Tony's loving wife, Dolores (a great Linda Cardellini, in a small role). If Don hadn't joined them, he would have been all alone in his shiny apartment filled with exotic trinkets. The best line of the film is actually from Tony, "This world's full of lonely people waiting to make the first move." Something did happen between Don and his brother which caused that relationship to break and not repair for unknown reasons, perhaps because of Don's true self. However, that didn't stop Tony and Don for remaining friends until their deaths in 2013, I'm mildly surprised Tony survived that long given his eating habits and chain-smoking but he was loyal to his wife and adored his children so his heart was always in the right place.
This film is anchored by its excellent performances, sure Mortensen is probably twenty years older than Tony should be but you don't feel like any of them are acting, they inhabit their characters which is always so refreshing to see. The script is tight, though the ending is somewhat abrupt. The score is seamlessly blended into the film along with scenery and set designs. You feel like you are in 1962, as the atmosphere is realistic and brilliant. This is without a doubt one of the best films of the year. Grade: A-
Monday, December 3, 2018
Poldark: Season Four Recap and Reaction
Again, tons of stuff happened this season and not all of it was for the better.
Ross (Aidan Turner) finally accepts a life in politics, meaning he spends most of his time in London, six hundred miles away from the lovely Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson).
George (Jack Farthing) is still really bad but Oswald (Christian Brassington) is the worst, trying to get his wife, the lovely but meek Morwena (Ellise Chappell) committed to a mental institution.
And then he dies. Sorry, I know I shouldn't sound excited about that but I am. However, Morwena's struggles are far from over. She has her dreadful mother-in-law (Rebecca Front) to deal with, who is convinced that her son is murdered (which he sort of is) and continues his battle to have Morwena committed to an institution. Morwena does suffer from a late-term miscarriage and is strangely okay with that, as she knows that she wouldn't be allowed to love this child and sadly, she's right.
At least her story has a happy ending, mostly because Drake's (Harry Richardson's) a rare saint among men, I mean, he's wretched to his fiance, leaving her at the altar but while they'd be content, they would not be truly happy. I mean, Morwena has deep scars from the constant raping delivered by her jerk-face of a husband but she is getting there as she and Drake have a far deeper connection.
On the other hand, Demelza and Ross aren't in a good place by the end of the season mainly because Demelza is nearly assaulted by the jerk with an inappropriate name of Monk (Max Bennett). He's also in the parliament and preys on the difference in class and background and tries to get Demelza to sleep with him but it doesn't work. Unfortunately, Ross doesn't believe her and things get worse between the two of them and for whatever stupid reason, Ross and Monk Adderly duel and Monk ends up dead, which is just great. Demelza returns home, upset.
The Poldark marriage is not the only one in trouble. The Enys family is also in trouble. Dwight (Luke Norris) and Caroline's (Gabriella Wilde's) baby dies from a heart defect and both are distraught, a familiar position for the Poldarks but they deal with grief in different ways. Caroline needs to the thriving social life of London while Dwight needs his work. But they fortunately seem to be moving in the right direction by the end of the season, thank goodness.
The biggest surprise is that Elizabeth (Heida Reed) dies at the eleventh's hour. She is finally pregnant again, the mere thought of her and George having sex literally makes me want to throw up. However, George still doubts the paternity of Valentine (with good reason) so Elizabeth drinks this gross sounding concoction to induce her labor early, which works but she gets this weird infection and dies. But at least George believes that she just goes into labor early for whatever reason.
The main problem with this season, other than London is just more boring than Cornwall, is the aging of Geoffrey Charles. He's really old now, like sixteen and already boozing and gambling. He should only be around twelve so, yeah, this is an issue. However, I think he will really be able to stand up for himself against George and that is setting up to be an epic battle next season. Also, they need to give Sam (Tom York) a love interest, ASAP.
That all being said, the scenery and acting is excellent, absolutely the best in the business, even though all the men are jerks, except for Dwight and Demelza's brothers. Grade: B+
Ross (Aidan Turner) finally accepts a life in politics, meaning he spends most of his time in London, six hundred miles away from the lovely Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson).
George (Jack Farthing) is still really bad but Oswald (Christian Brassington) is the worst, trying to get his wife, the lovely but meek Morwena (Ellise Chappell) committed to a mental institution.
And then he dies. Sorry, I know I shouldn't sound excited about that but I am. However, Morwena's struggles are far from over. She has her dreadful mother-in-law (Rebecca Front) to deal with, who is convinced that her son is murdered (which he sort of is) and continues his battle to have Morwena committed to an institution. Morwena does suffer from a late-term miscarriage and is strangely okay with that, as she knows that she wouldn't be allowed to love this child and sadly, she's right.
At least her story has a happy ending, mostly because Drake's (Harry Richardson's) a rare saint among men, I mean, he's wretched to his fiance, leaving her at the altar but while they'd be content, they would not be truly happy. I mean, Morwena has deep scars from the constant raping delivered by her jerk-face of a husband but she is getting there as she and Drake have a far deeper connection.
On the other hand, Demelza and Ross aren't in a good place by the end of the season mainly because Demelza is nearly assaulted by the jerk with an inappropriate name of Monk (Max Bennett). He's also in the parliament and preys on the difference in class and background and tries to get Demelza to sleep with him but it doesn't work. Unfortunately, Ross doesn't believe her and things get worse between the two of them and for whatever stupid reason, Ross and Monk Adderly duel and Monk ends up dead, which is just great. Demelza returns home, upset.
The Poldark marriage is not the only one in trouble. The Enys family is also in trouble. Dwight (Luke Norris) and Caroline's (Gabriella Wilde's) baby dies from a heart defect and both are distraught, a familiar position for the Poldarks but they deal with grief in different ways. Caroline needs to the thriving social life of London while Dwight needs his work. But they fortunately seem to be moving in the right direction by the end of the season, thank goodness.
The biggest surprise is that Elizabeth (Heida Reed) dies at the eleventh's hour. She is finally pregnant again, the mere thought of her and George having sex literally makes me want to throw up. However, George still doubts the paternity of Valentine (with good reason) so Elizabeth drinks this gross sounding concoction to induce her labor early, which works but she gets this weird infection and dies. But at least George believes that she just goes into labor early for whatever reason.
The main problem with this season, other than London is just more boring than Cornwall, is the aging of Geoffrey Charles. He's really old now, like sixteen and already boozing and gambling. He should only be around twelve so, yeah, this is an issue. However, I think he will really be able to stand up for himself against George and that is setting up to be an epic battle next season. Also, they need to give Sam (Tom York) a love interest, ASAP.
That all being said, the scenery and acting is excellent, absolutely the best in the business, even though all the men are jerks, except for Dwight and Demelza's brothers. Grade: B+
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Instant Family (2018)
The plot is fairly simple plot. A couple, Pete and Ellie Wagner (Mark Wahlberg and Rose Bryne) who has launched their own successful house flipping business decide that they do want children after all, after years of putting the subject on the back burner. So they become certified foster parents to the mixed reviews from Ellie's family so they go through with it anyway.
They end up getting a set of three siblings, Lizzie (Isabella Moner), Juan (Gustavo Quiroz) and little Lita (Julianna Gamiz) to mixed results. Things start off great but turn ugly quickly. Lizzie is resentful and longs for reunification with her birth mother while Juan is accident-prone (though not all are his fault) and careless with his actions while Lita throws temper tantrums like many kids her age.
While Juan and Lita adjust, Lizzie still longs for her mother and jumps at the chance to go back and live with her while Juan and Lita go reluctantly.
Things come to a head when Pete and Ellie discover that the adult janitor sent a picture of his penis to Lizzie which was such a dumb move on his part. They beat him up and all three are arrested. The kids are placed back with their mother but that also falls through. The bio mom has relapsed and is not ready to take the kids. Turns out that Lizzie filled out all the paperwork for her mom.
Lizzie once again sacrifices herself, urging them to adopt the younger two while she re-enters the system though Pete and Ellie don't give up on her and the film ends happily with the kids getting adopted by the Wagners.
While this film deals with a serious topic, it still deals with the major issues, getting a child addicted on drugs, sexual molestation of a minor and fear of abandonment among others though it still is too polished. For a more gritty, realistic film on the topic, try 2012's Short Term 12.
However, this film is not to be missed. Wahlberg and Bryne have great chemistry and truly do seem like a real couple and the supporting cast is great from Julie Hagerty and Michael O'Keefe as Ellie's parents to Margo Martindale as Pete's overbearing but loving mother to Tig Notaro and Octavia Spencer as the odd couple social workers who guide Pete and Ellie through the process. The other foster parents are also a bunch of interesting characters including one woman, for reasons never explained, she wants to adopt a athletic teenage boy so he can win a scholarship to a Division I college and that's only one of them, the rest are probably more realistic. Keep an eye out for Charlie McDermott and Joan Cusack cameos.
I certainly had some problems with the film. It is never explained why some described Pete as damaged goods but overall, it is great. Pete and Ellie get Ellie's sister, Kim (Allyn Rachel from the short-lived series Selfie) to get off her high horse of only having a blood child and it shows that there is no such thing as a perfect parent but with enough love and attention, mountains can be moved nevertheless. Grade: B+
They end up getting a set of three siblings, Lizzie (Isabella Moner), Juan (Gustavo Quiroz) and little Lita (Julianna Gamiz) to mixed results. Things start off great but turn ugly quickly. Lizzie is resentful and longs for reunification with her birth mother while Juan is accident-prone (though not all are his fault) and careless with his actions while Lita throws temper tantrums like many kids her age.
While Juan and Lita adjust, Lizzie still longs for her mother and jumps at the chance to go back and live with her while Juan and Lita go reluctantly.
Things come to a head when Pete and Ellie discover that the adult janitor sent a picture of his penis to Lizzie which was such a dumb move on his part. They beat him up and all three are arrested. The kids are placed back with their mother but that also falls through. The bio mom has relapsed and is not ready to take the kids. Turns out that Lizzie filled out all the paperwork for her mom.
Lizzie once again sacrifices herself, urging them to adopt the younger two while she re-enters the system though Pete and Ellie don't give up on her and the film ends happily with the kids getting adopted by the Wagners.
While this film deals with a serious topic, it still deals with the major issues, getting a child addicted on drugs, sexual molestation of a minor and fear of abandonment among others though it still is too polished. For a more gritty, realistic film on the topic, try 2012's Short Term 12.
However, this film is not to be missed. Wahlberg and Bryne have great chemistry and truly do seem like a real couple and the supporting cast is great from Julie Hagerty and Michael O'Keefe as Ellie's parents to Margo Martindale as Pete's overbearing but loving mother to Tig Notaro and Octavia Spencer as the odd couple social workers who guide Pete and Ellie through the process. The other foster parents are also a bunch of interesting characters including one woman, for reasons never explained, she wants to adopt a athletic teenage boy so he can win a scholarship to a Division I college and that's only one of them, the rest are probably more realistic. Keep an eye out for Charlie McDermott and Joan Cusack cameos.
I certainly had some problems with the film. It is never explained why some described Pete as damaged goods but overall, it is great. Pete and Ellie get Ellie's sister, Kim (Allyn Rachel from the short-lived series Selfie) to get off her high horse of only having a blood child and it shows that there is no such thing as a perfect parent but with enough love and attention, mountains can be moved nevertheless. Grade: B+
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