Rye Lane (2023)

 Pros: While this is ultimately a rom-com and has so many of the traditional tropes, it still manages to feel fresh, from the meet-cute between Yas (Vivian Orapah) and Dom (David Jonnson), who are as different as two people can be and both are dealing with the aftermath of a rough break-up for each of them, but they are drawn together nevertheless. The screenplay is clever and the two leads are brilliant and it isn't overly long so it's like goldilocks, it's just right.

Cons: It does start off weird, with some bizarre flashbacks or memories personified, but you eventually get used to it and those grand romantic gestures just don't happen in real life but it sure makes a good film.

Recommend: Yes

Grade: B+

Side Notes:

-Colin Firth makes a cameo appearance, it's great.

-Meeting each other forces the leads to grow-up which is so sweet.

-When asked Yas describes her relationship with Dom as low-key screwing, which is utterly hilarious.

-It is never appropriate to save your urine in old wine bottles.

The Holdovers (2023)

 Pros: This film is top-notch from top to bottom, even though Paul Giamatti's character is a wretched sod of a human being, though he does redeem himself by the end. He portrays with brilliance Paul Hunham, a history and ancient civilizations teacher whom no one likes; he's tough on his students, sometimes fair but way too strict but he's livid that he's in charge of the left behinds over Christmas break, though eventually, it's just Angus Tully (Dominic Sasso) left as his mother picks her new husband over her teenager son along with head cook, Mary (Da'vine Joy Randolph, superb). Together, they have some interesting adventures and learn fascinating truths about each other and grow as people. The screenplay is great along with a truly realistic setting along with pitch-perfect performances, this film is undoubtedly one of the best of the year.

Cons: Honestly, there isn't a true con, despite all the smoking which was unfortunately, realistic as the film is set in 1970 though it does take you a little bit to figure out that Lydia Crane (Carrie Preston) is a secretary. 

Recommend: Yes

Grade: A-

Side Notes: 

-Mary is actually a great cook, making the most with a little but she's also in deep mourning, her only son was killed in Vietnam as he couldn't afford to go to college and thus missed out on a deferment. 

-Ironically both Paul and Angus are nearly the same person as both had rotten and depressing childhoods. 

-Paul's book idea is actually a monograph on ancient cameras.

-Kids shouldn't get a free ride even if their parents are rich. 

Dumb Money (2023)

 Pros: This film deals with stocks and finances during the darkest days of the pandemic and actually truly captures what the pandemic was like, including most, save the super rich, don masks to prevent the spread of the disease. And that's not the only thing that the rich seemed exempt from, getting prosecuted from being charged with crimes despite ganging up on each other to shut down websites and prevent GameStop stock from being bought, which has got to be all sorts of illegal. This film details the resilience of those hard-working people, determined not to let Wall Street executives win.

Cons: Despite the screenplay explaining the financial terms well, investing money still confuses me and the whole concept of dumb money is still muddled. Still, the film is solid.

Recommend: Probably

Grade: B

Side Notes:

-The cast is brilliant and stacked with talent from top to bottom with Paul Dano leading the way, Pete Davidson as his brother, Shailene Woodley as his wife, Kate Burton and Clancy Brown as his parents and then there's America Ferrera as the hard-working nurse, Anthony Ramos as the actual Game Stop worker who hates his mask, and then Seth Rogen, Nick Offerman, Sebastian Stan and Vincent D'Onofrio as the rich executives.

-Vincent D'Onofrio's character has a pot-bellied pig that follows him around his estate.

-DoorDash driver's should not eat the food they are delivering.

-We don't know what happens Paul Dano's character or any of them really, except the executives, who lose money but not are not publicly charged with anything. However, they will still pay for their poor actions.