Though this film was nice, the stakes were relatively low and while there were references of the changing times, Downton still seemed immune to those sort of things.
In this case, the King and Queen are coming to Downton as part of their tour of estates in southern England.
So, we have Tom Branson (Tom Leech) foil an assassination attempt, find a new love interest in Lucy Smith (Tuppence Middleton), Bertie (Henry Hadden-Paton) gets an opportunity he can't pass up, Edith (Laura Carmichael) is pretty sure she's in the family way, Anna (Joanne Froggatt) discovers a thief among the Queen's servants, Mary (Michelle Dockery) convinces Carson (Jim Carter) to come out retirement because she doesn't believe Barrow (Robert James-Collier) isn't up for the task, Barrow himself finds himself under arrest, Daisy (Sophie McShera) doesn't seem to be looking to forward to planning her wedding with Andy (Michael Fox) and poor Granny (Maggie Smith) has some terrible news.
First of all, since when were Daisy and Andy together? Also, Andy is a jerk and has a jealous streak when the plumber comes over and makes eyes at her. But when he admits that to Daisy, she doesn't get mad that he purposely damaged the water heater, that make her happy. So I disagree with that whole plot line.
Fortunately, Tom's made up for it. Also, Imelda Staunton's character was a welcome addition. Her younger years would make a great stand alone film themselves.
Now, this film does have way too many characters and plenty get lost in the shuffle, including Brendan Coyle's Bates. Not even Robert (Hugh Bonneville) and Cora (Elizabeth McGovern) get the screen time they deserve.
That being said, this film reminded me of why I miss this series as you are invested in the characters and the set is impeccable and the costumes are to die for. Grade: B
Side Notes:
-Lady Mary's (Kate Phillips's) husband (Andrew Havill) is a royal asshat, but instead of leaving him (she lacks her parents' support), she decides to work out her marriage and pull out the good qualities of this man, when I doubt any exist as he didn't want to bring his children to a parade as they would just a nuisance.
-Moseley (Kevin Doyle) is way too excited to see the King and Queen.
-Anna is full of machinations to sabotage the royal staff so Downton's staff can actually do their jobs.
-Mary's new child is a girl named Caroline.
-Also, why was Matthew Goode barely in this film, probably so they wouldn't need to find something for him to do until the ball.
-Edith isn't as happy as she appears. If they do another sequel, it should focus on her.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Imitation of Life (1959)
While this film is now sixty years old, it still deals with some relevant issues, especially the scene where the hotshot agent tries to get Lora Meredith (Lana Turner) to have sex with him so he'll 'help' her career grab hold.
However, the film is not about the dated relationship of Lora with the men in her life, it is the film about two sets of mothers and daughters. There is Lora, who finally becomes an established, successful stage actress, able to get her daughter, Susie (Sandra Dee) everything material Lora never had growing up while only loving her from afar and the story of her housekeeper, friend and confidante, the African American Annie (Juanita Moore) and her light-skinned daughter, Sarah Jane (Susan Kohrer). There is plenty of tension between both sets as Susie falls helplessly in the love with Steve (John Gavin) who only has eyes for Lora. But the troubles between Sarah Jane and Annie are more than the rich, superficial problems. Sarah Jane favors her light-skinned father who abandoned her, so light-skinned, she passes for white and wants to. She hates being treated as less than and no amount of reasoning from Annie or Lora can get her to change her mind. Annie does eventually accept that though it breaks her heart and does hurt Sarah Jane more than she will ever admit.
However, in the end, I don't think anyone wins. Annie dies, Sarah Jane feels guilty as hell, Susie moves away to college to avoid Steve and Lora together, and Lora happily gives up her successful career to be a professional wife, but I suppose it is on her terms.
While the film is dated, in parts, it nevertheless has some issues that bare discussing and shows that living the life you want can hurt others and that matters. Filled with good performances, the film is worth watching. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-The men in this film are the worst. There is the agent who is this close to sexual assault (Robert Alda), the controlling Steve (Gavin) who does it in the name of love and Frankie (Troy Donovan) who beats the crap out of Sarah Jane when he finds out that she's African American. The only acception is the playwright David Edwards (Dan O'Herlihy) who mostly listens to Lora's opinion and respects it but he also becomes controlling of her career as they have had so many successful plays together.
-Susan Kohrer is actually half-Hispanic, half Caucasian. Her casting would not pass today.
-Why in the world would Annie want to splurge on her funeral as she won't be around to enjoy it?
-The most remembered line is when Annie states it is difficult to explain to her daughter that she is set up for a world of hate.
However, the film is not about the dated relationship of Lora with the men in her life, it is the film about two sets of mothers and daughters. There is Lora, who finally becomes an established, successful stage actress, able to get her daughter, Susie (Sandra Dee) everything material Lora never had growing up while only loving her from afar and the story of her housekeeper, friend and confidante, the African American Annie (Juanita Moore) and her light-skinned daughter, Sarah Jane (Susan Kohrer). There is plenty of tension between both sets as Susie falls helplessly in the love with Steve (John Gavin) who only has eyes for Lora. But the troubles between Sarah Jane and Annie are more than the rich, superficial problems. Sarah Jane favors her light-skinned father who abandoned her, so light-skinned, she passes for white and wants to. She hates being treated as less than and no amount of reasoning from Annie or Lora can get her to change her mind. Annie does eventually accept that though it breaks her heart and does hurt Sarah Jane more than she will ever admit.
However, in the end, I don't think anyone wins. Annie dies, Sarah Jane feels guilty as hell, Susie moves away to college to avoid Steve and Lora together, and Lora happily gives up her successful career to be a professional wife, but I suppose it is on her terms.
While the film is dated, in parts, it nevertheless has some issues that bare discussing and shows that living the life you want can hurt others and that matters. Filled with good performances, the film is worth watching. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-The men in this film are the worst. There is the agent who is this close to sexual assault (Robert Alda), the controlling Steve (Gavin) who does it in the name of love and Frankie (Troy Donovan) who beats the crap out of Sarah Jane when he finds out that she's African American. The only acception is the playwright David Edwards (Dan O'Herlihy) who mostly listens to Lora's opinion and respects it but he also becomes controlling of her career as they have had so many successful plays together.
-Susan Kohrer is actually half-Hispanic, half Caucasian. Her casting would not pass today.
-Why in the world would Annie want to splurge on her funeral as she won't be around to enjoy it?
-The most remembered line is when Annie states it is difficult to explain to her daughter that she is set up for a world of hate.
Sunday, September 15, 2019
Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)
Brittany Forgler (Jillian Bell) is the sort of character we need to see. Her BMI is high, her self-esteem is low. She's overweight, her health isn't good for a person of her age and her career is going nowhere. Her love life is pathetic, men are just using her for sex but she always fines a way to sneak in a joke.
She starts running and though she is out of breath and sweaty, she slowly starts getting better and the pounds do (mostly) keep falling off. She also finds good support in her neighbor, Katherine (Michaela Watkins) who is a former drug addict (way former) and is going through a divorce and fellow out of shape young person, Seth (Micah Stock) who couldn't even do a simple potato sack race with his son.
Together, almost on a whim, Brittany decides to run the New York City marathon, which inspires her to clean up her life. She gets a second job, house sitting and forms an awkward relationship with the fellow housesitter, Jern (Utkarsh Ambudkar), which is half brother-sister, half sexual. It isn't a traditional sort of rom-com relationship, but it oddly works.
But despite her efforts to rebuild her life, Brittany still doesn't like or understand when people are nice and kind and do sweet things for her and pushes even her new friends away. And then she gets hurt, and can't even run the marathon. She has to move back to Philadelphia and live with her sister and brother-in-law who helped raise her.
Eventually, after telling off another overweight person, Demetrius (Lil Rey Howery) inspires her that even more than losing weight, she needs an attitude change. Which is true.
After that, she moves back to New York, revitalizes her career in marketing, makes up with Seth and Katherine, even slowly prepares herself for a relationship with the odd-named Jern. She even makes it to the marathon the following year. When she nearly drops out, due to stomach cramps and cries, you cry with her.
But she finishes with the support of her friends and family both near and far. While it may not be as inspiring as they want it to be, I'm thrilled that Brittany got her life together and fully contributed to society as she has a lot to give. I'm glad she finally accepted that people are going to like her and look past her weight; I just wished she realized that sooner.
Bell does give an inspiring performance as Brittany could be my neighbor or former high school classmate. In fact, all the performances are good; the set is realistic and the film coheres very well together. My main problem is that the ending credits are boring. Still, that is a minor nitpick. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Brittany is finally able to get a dog by the end of the film as previously she couldn't even adopt a dog from a kill shelter, which is just sad.
-Brittany also creatively pads her resume. Apparently, she used to babysit for the Bidens.
-However, she has a low opinion of marriage and when Jern wants to stop having sex out of wedlock and plays the wedding march, she merely says that they'll stop having sex. I hope not, I like them together, once Jern gets his crap together.
-You do choose to be happy, regardless of what others think about you.
She starts running and though she is out of breath and sweaty, she slowly starts getting better and the pounds do (mostly) keep falling off. She also finds good support in her neighbor, Katherine (Michaela Watkins) who is a former drug addict (way former) and is going through a divorce and fellow out of shape young person, Seth (Micah Stock) who couldn't even do a simple potato sack race with his son.
Together, almost on a whim, Brittany decides to run the New York City marathon, which inspires her to clean up her life. She gets a second job, house sitting and forms an awkward relationship with the fellow housesitter, Jern (Utkarsh Ambudkar), which is half brother-sister, half sexual. It isn't a traditional sort of rom-com relationship, but it oddly works.
But despite her efforts to rebuild her life, Brittany still doesn't like or understand when people are nice and kind and do sweet things for her and pushes even her new friends away. And then she gets hurt, and can't even run the marathon. She has to move back to Philadelphia and live with her sister and brother-in-law who helped raise her.
Eventually, after telling off another overweight person, Demetrius (Lil Rey Howery) inspires her that even more than losing weight, she needs an attitude change. Which is true.
After that, she moves back to New York, revitalizes her career in marketing, makes up with Seth and Katherine, even slowly prepares herself for a relationship with the odd-named Jern. She even makes it to the marathon the following year. When she nearly drops out, due to stomach cramps and cries, you cry with her.
But she finishes with the support of her friends and family both near and far. While it may not be as inspiring as they want it to be, I'm thrilled that Brittany got her life together and fully contributed to society as she has a lot to give. I'm glad she finally accepted that people are going to like her and look past her weight; I just wished she realized that sooner.
Bell does give an inspiring performance as Brittany could be my neighbor or former high school classmate. In fact, all the performances are good; the set is realistic and the film coheres very well together. My main problem is that the ending credits are boring. Still, that is a minor nitpick. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Brittany is finally able to get a dog by the end of the film as previously she couldn't even adopt a dog from a kill shelter, which is just sad.
-Brittany also creatively pads her resume. Apparently, she used to babysit for the Bidens.
-However, she has a low opinion of marriage and when Jern wants to stop having sex out of wedlock and plays the wedding march, she merely says that they'll stop having sex. I hope not, I like them together, once Jern gets his crap together.
-You do choose to be happy, regardless of what others think about you.
Friday, September 13, 2019
Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
This is one of Alfred Hitchcock's most underrated films.
Teresa Wright delivers a career-best performance as young Charlotte 'Charlie' Newton, bored with life after graduating high school and is thrilled when her namesake and world traveler, Charlie Oakley (Joseph Cotton), comes to Santa Rosa to visit the family.
At first young Charlie is thrilled, but things quickly take an unexpected turn when two detectives show up. The detectives, Jack Graham (MacDonald Carey) and Fred Saunders (Wallace Ford) disguise themselves as men trying to get a glimpse of a typical American family, but they are actually investing Uncle Charlie, wanting for murdering three wealthy widows.
Young Charlie is shocked, but a newspaper clipping and heirloom ring given to her force her to link everything together. And her fear is still there even after he's in the clear. Charlie then turns his attention into killing his beloved niece, things coming to a head when uncle tries to throw niece off a train, but instead accidentally gets tossed off himself. The fool.
Now, while it is great in many ways, with the two other Newton children Ann (Edna May Wonacott) and Roger (Charles Bates) have real personalities and each character is real and authentic. However, Jack and young Charlie fall in love way too quickly, after just a three meetings and one date. Please, that's ridiculous and I don't care what time period this is. That being said, they are good people and deserve the happiness the other can provide.
Still, this is Hitchcock's domestic thriller that didn't get the credit it deserved and this is one of his best films. You won't be disappointed in watching it. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-I found it odd that young Charlie was alone with Jack or the other detective as much as she was.
-Ann made a vow to read two books a week.
-Charlie bounces back too quickly after being nearly murdered by carbon monoxide.
Teresa Wright delivers a career-best performance as young Charlotte 'Charlie' Newton, bored with life after graduating high school and is thrilled when her namesake and world traveler, Charlie Oakley (Joseph Cotton), comes to Santa Rosa to visit the family.
At first young Charlie is thrilled, but things quickly take an unexpected turn when two detectives show up. The detectives, Jack Graham (MacDonald Carey) and Fred Saunders (Wallace Ford) disguise themselves as men trying to get a glimpse of a typical American family, but they are actually investing Uncle Charlie, wanting for murdering three wealthy widows.
Young Charlie is shocked, but a newspaper clipping and heirloom ring given to her force her to link everything together. And her fear is still there even after he's in the clear. Charlie then turns his attention into killing his beloved niece, things coming to a head when uncle tries to throw niece off a train, but instead accidentally gets tossed off himself. The fool.
Now, while it is great in many ways, with the two other Newton children Ann (Edna May Wonacott) and Roger (Charles Bates) have real personalities and each character is real and authentic. However, Jack and young Charlie fall in love way too quickly, after just a three meetings and one date. Please, that's ridiculous and I don't care what time period this is. That being said, they are good people and deserve the happiness the other can provide.
Still, this is Hitchcock's domestic thriller that didn't get the credit it deserved and this is one of his best films. You won't be disappointed in watching it. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-I found it odd that young Charlie was alone with Jack or the other detective as much as she was.
-Ann made a vow to read two books a week.
-Charlie bounces back too quickly after being nearly murdered by carbon monoxide.
Sunday, September 8, 2019
Trial by Fire (2019)
This is another film that highlights the injustice of the American justice system, putting an innocent man to death.
Cameron Todd Willingham (Jack O'Connell) is found guilty of murder, arson which caused his three young daughters to burn to death. Due to some commending witnesses and a public defender who failed to cross examine anyone or bring any witnesses in defense, Todd is found on death row, where slowly educates himself and somehow almost befriends his guard, Daniels (Chris Coy), and through some rather bizarre events, a playwright, Elizabeth Gilbert (Laura Dern) starts writing him letters and fights to exonerate him, and the evidence does come to light, his former cellmate has a change of heart, but his ex-wife, Stacy (Emily Meade), who is at first the only person to defend him, refuses to do so when it actually matters.
While this film has been done before (see: Brian Banks), it still needs to be made as the system is broken and needs to be fixed, when new evidence comes to light, it needs to be given the credit it deserves and everyone deserves a fair trial, even those who have a prior record and you should never assume that someone is guilty before reviewing all the evidence.
Though the material has been done before, the performances are solid, with everyone acting as those their lives depend on it, from the cameos of the others being hauled away to die to Elizabeth's children and Todd's fellow inmate (McKinley Belcher II) and the fellow guards, but O'Connell's performance is the strongest and without it, the film would fail. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Todd's fellow inmate is killed for killing another man while trying to rob a bank and was high. I thought that was only second-degree murder, but I'm not a lawyer so what do I know?
-Though Todd was far from an upstanding citizen, you don't get why everyone automatically assumed he killed his daughters?
-Though he moved his car, he did try to get back into his house to save them, though they were already long dead.
-It appeared that Stacy's grandmother had some money, why was none of it given to Stacy to help out with the kids?
-I do wish they hadn't shown Todd's death.
-Elizabeth is in a bad car accident which is why she can't say good-bye to Todd. I wonder who was at fault for that accident?
Cameron Todd Willingham (Jack O'Connell) is found guilty of murder, arson which caused his three young daughters to burn to death. Due to some commending witnesses and a public defender who failed to cross examine anyone or bring any witnesses in defense, Todd is found on death row, where slowly educates himself and somehow almost befriends his guard, Daniels (Chris Coy), and through some rather bizarre events, a playwright, Elizabeth Gilbert (Laura Dern) starts writing him letters and fights to exonerate him, and the evidence does come to light, his former cellmate has a change of heart, but his ex-wife, Stacy (Emily Meade), who is at first the only person to defend him, refuses to do so when it actually matters.
While this film has been done before (see: Brian Banks), it still needs to be made as the system is broken and needs to be fixed, when new evidence comes to light, it needs to be given the credit it deserves and everyone deserves a fair trial, even those who have a prior record and you should never assume that someone is guilty before reviewing all the evidence.
Though the material has been done before, the performances are solid, with everyone acting as those their lives depend on it, from the cameos of the others being hauled away to die to Elizabeth's children and Todd's fellow inmate (McKinley Belcher II) and the fellow guards, but O'Connell's performance is the strongest and without it, the film would fail. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Todd's fellow inmate is killed for killing another man while trying to rob a bank and was high. I thought that was only second-degree murder, but I'm not a lawyer so what do I know?
-Though Todd was far from an upstanding citizen, you don't get why everyone automatically assumed he killed his daughters?
-Though he moved his car, he did try to get back into his house to save them, though they were already long dead.
-It appeared that Stacy's grandmother had some money, why was none of it given to Stacy to help out with the kids?
-I do wish they hadn't shown Todd's death.
-Elizabeth is in a bad car accident which is why she can't say good-bye to Todd. I wonder who was at fault for that accident?
Monday, September 2, 2019
Rocketman (2019)
This is a bizarre film, but you sort of have to just go with it.
The framework is Elton John (Taron Egerton) telling his story after he finally checks himself into rehab.
It details his wretched childhood, with a father (Stephen Mackintosh) seemingly incapable of even hugging his young son, yet, he has no problem showing affection to his other two from his second marriage, and a mother (a good yet miscast Bryce Dallas Howard) who probably should have never married or have children.
At least his grandmother (Gemma Jones) supported his talent at playing the piano and he was certainly talented. He soon found success at the piano, playing as part of a band and then being joined with lyricist/poet Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell, probably the nicest character in the film). Together, the two are magic and despite his extreme shyness, Elton does well with his fame until he meets and foolishly falls in love with manager, John Reid (Richard Madden), who only wants to make a buck. And Elton's mother ruined him when she told him that he would never be loved.
After meeting John, Elton's spiral with drugs begins and he nearly dies several times. It isn't until he opts to change his life that something finally happens and he checks himself into rehab, where he forgives the demons of his past and faces his future with fresh eyes.
Now, the film has some deep flaws, including the incomplete scenes with Renate (Celine Schoenmaker), whom Elton marries and divorces just as quickly, likely because of his drug problems. She's only a flash on the screen.
Still, the film covers a lot of ground and manages to do seamlessly and gracefully, succeeding where many other films have failed, and the performances are brilliant, and the songs are great too. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-Pay attention to a good little cameo from Tate Donovan, who manages the club where Elton performs for the first time.
-Elton has the craziest glasses ever, and the costumes are pretty wild as well.
The framework is Elton John (Taron Egerton) telling his story after he finally checks himself into rehab.
It details his wretched childhood, with a father (Stephen Mackintosh) seemingly incapable of even hugging his young son, yet, he has no problem showing affection to his other two from his second marriage, and a mother (a good yet miscast Bryce Dallas Howard) who probably should have never married or have children.
At least his grandmother (Gemma Jones) supported his talent at playing the piano and he was certainly talented. He soon found success at the piano, playing as part of a band and then being joined with lyricist/poet Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell, probably the nicest character in the film). Together, the two are magic and despite his extreme shyness, Elton does well with his fame until he meets and foolishly falls in love with manager, John Reid (Richard Madden), who only wants to make a buck. And Elton's mother ruined him when she told him that he would never be loved.
After meeting John, Elton's spiral with drugs begins and he nearly dies several times. It isn't until he opts to change his life that something finally happens and he checks himself into rehab, where he forgives the demons of his past and faces his future with fresh eyes.
Now, the film has some deep flaws, including the incomplete scenes with Renate (Celine Schoenmaker), whom Elton marries and divorces just as quickly, likely because of his drug problems. She's only a flash on the screen.
Still, the film covers a lot of ground and manages to do seamlessly and gracefully, succeeding where many other films have failed, and the performances are brilliant, and the songs are great too. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-Pay attention to a good little cameo from Tate Donovan, who manages the club where Elton performs for the first time.
-Elton has the craziest glasses ever, and the costumes are pretty wild as well.
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