2020M

December 26, 2020: The Last Six Movies I’ve Watched

I’ve spent the last two weeks watching movies and rewriting. Now that we are even closer to the New Year, December deadlines are fast approaching. Some I will meet and others in the beginning of January. I ended up sitting outside on my little balcony in a tank top, soaking up that crisp 45-degree air last night. For some reason I felt the need to sit alone in the dark and get some solitude. Anyway, here are the movies I recently watched. Some were mediocre, some were good, and some were great. Antebellum and Skin could have dug even deeper into their stories. Love, Simon and Little Italy were predictable movies but still watchable. Dark Waters and Wonder Woman were the best because of their story and overall content.

Little Italy (2018) is a rom-com about two adult children whose Italian fathers are still at war with each other. It’s rated R and is one hour and 42 minutes. The highlight is Alyssa Milano as the overbearing Italian mother. If you’re into Hayden Christensen, well Hayden Christensen too, as the male eye candy. There’s not much more you can include in this genre of movie that hasn’t already been done.

Antebellum (2020) is a mystery about a black woman who finds herself being held captive and her goal to escape. It’s rated R and is 1 hour and 45 minutes. The highlight is the cinematography and 80% of the story. It ended too abruptly for me and wish it had included more depth of Janelle Monáe’s character as Veronica as it did with Eden.

Wonder Woman (2017) is an action/fantasy about an Amazonian woman named Diana and what happens when she goes outside of the lifestyle her mother has created for her. It’s rated PG-13 and is 2 hours and 21 minutes. The highlights are Gal Gadot and the special effects.

Love, Simon (2018) is a coming-of-age drama about a teenager who has an online pen pal. They exchange their feelings and emotions with being closeted. It’s rated PG-13 and is one hour and 50 minutes. The highlight is its realism. Some things will never change in high school. There will always be pure pressure, after school drinking, sexual escapades, and acceptance by others.

Skin (2018) is a biographical drama about man who leaves his skinhead family even when it jeopardizes his own life. It’s rated R and is one hour and 58 minutes. The highlight is Jamie Bell’s portrayal as Byron Widner. He adds conflicted rawness to his characters very well.

Dark Waters (2019) is a biographical drama about a lawyer who takes on a case regarding DuPont’s negligence. It’s rated PG-13 and is two hours and 6 minutes. The highlights are seeing the actual people in that were affected by DuPont’s disregard for human life in the movie and the perseverance of Rob Bilott to hold the major players accountable.

December 16, 2020: Three Christmas Movies to Watch

No descriptions as they speak for themselves. It takes your mind off reality. They are funny, warmhearted, and meaningful in their own ways.

November 30, 2020: Last Five Movies I’ve Watched

I’ve watched these movies when November started and now that November is almost done, well here they are. I’m going to give a quick recap of each one and why I think you should watch them or not.

The Ride (2018) is based on a true story, a drama. Boy raised by an abusive father and given his right of passage with his Aryan beliefs. He later is adopted by an interracial couple. It has some cliché moments, but John Buultjens owes his new beginning to his adoptive parents, Marianna and Eldridge. I won’t say skip it, but I found it’s in the same vein as The Blind Side.

Holidate (2020) is a holiday comedy about love. It’s a little excessive with the raunchiness, but overall it’s funny. It has the drinking, occasional sex, and ugly Christmas sweaters. Luke Bracey’s Australian accent and Emma Roberts sarcasm is a good match on screen. I’d say watch it because December is right around the corner, like tomorrow.

Bewitched (2005) is a comedy based from the TV show. I like the premise, but it just doesn’t have enough dazzle throughout. Will Ferrell is a great comedic actor but the material fell short. He did what he could as well as Nicole Kidman. I watched it just to say I watched it. I’d say skip it. There are other movies starting Ferrell or Kidman much better.

Vice (2018) is the biography of Dick Cheney as Vice President during George W. Bush administration. I didn’t know too much about him minus him shooting his friend while hunting and a few other blunders. Christian Bale is superb as Cheney. The way it was filmed and edited made it all the better. Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, Independent, Libertarian, or none of them, I’d say watch it. It has humor and drama all mixed into any presidency and what could happen that did happen in the White House.

A League of Their Own (1992) is a sport comedy and drama of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during WWII. From Tom Hanks as Jimmy Dugan urinating in the sink to the women coming together for a common cause. It’s not so much a feel good movie, but one where circumstances (war) open the doors for some that can’t ever be closed again. Remember Rosie O’Donnell? Lori Petty? Téa Leoni? Madonna? I’d say watch it.

November 14, 2020: Last Five Movies I’ve Watched in October 2020

Since I’m way past when I should have posted Halloween movies, I’m not going to say much about these movies except to watch them. I’ve seen Sleepy Hollow and The Vampire’s Assistant for a second time now, but the others were the first time watching them. They were good movies to take your mind off of what is going on currently except the Green Room as it deals with Neo Nazis but Patrick Stewart gives a great performance as their leader as does Imogen Poots. The most lighthearted of the movies are The Addam’s Family and The Vampire’s Assistant. 9 had great special effects. Maybe watch them next year for Halloween or this year as it was just Friday the 13th. Although in some cultures it is known as a lucky number and I consider it lucky as well, but given 2020 is still 2020. What else could happen? Hopefully not much more.

July 8, 2020: Last Five Movies I’ve Watched

I’m not going to list what I usually do such as director, actors, actresses, genre, length of movie, rating, and more. I’m going to give a brief summary of each movie, overall rating of the movie, and whatever else comes to mind. Watch at your own accord as I’m not responsible for time lost or experienced gained.

A Quiet Place is about living in a post apocalyptic world with creatures that have excellent hearing but can’t see because they have no eyes. I’m not quite sure how they don’t run into trees and cars, but hey that shouldn’t detract from the movie. I liked the movie because I didn’t really know how it was going to end and the relationship between father and daughter was good. The dynamic between hearing and seeing was played out well between daughter and creature. I’m excited to see what the sequel has in store. I rate this movie GREAT at 90%.

Parasite is about comparing two different families. One is rich and the other is poor. The parents are nothing out of the ordinary in both families. The kids are kids in both families. I wasn’t sure how the movie would end, but it was different from what I had envisioned. I preferred the beginning and middle compared to the ending as I thought it went a little off the rails. It was an interesting concept and storyline and it obviously made an impression because I was legitimately sad when it ended. I rate this movie GREAT at 90%.

Tortoise vs Hare is a children’s movie about the race between the tortoise and the hare. It doesn’t have much to it except child like humor and the theme of working together. Let’s just say I wouldn’t recommend it if you are looking for an animation movie with more adult references. It was the movie I least paid attention to and one I have no ambition to keep. It’s part of a three movies created by Jim Henson but with this being said, it still was good. I rate this movie GOOD at 77%.

The Wolverine is about the superhero, Wolverine, and this time he is in Japan trying to unravel what is happening to a family and how the Yazuka fit into the picture and a man he met from a long time ago. I will say this reminded me of the “good old days” when Hugh Jackman was one of the IT guys in Hollywood. It took a while for the movie to catch speed, but once it did, I was pleasantly surprised and satisfied. I enjoyed the middle and ending the most. The scene on the train was spectacular. I rate this movie GREAT at 90%.

The Witch is the most interesting and slow paced movies out of the five and yet it plays well on the dichotomy of religion and the occult as well as purity and the not so pure. Based on the advertising at the time, it’s clear this evil takes on many forms as it also says on the one sheet. It has a New England feel to it which isn’t surprising because it deals with a family of Pilgrims. It took me a few tries to watch it to the end. I would’ve liked to see more rabbits throughout it for obvious reasons. The ending made me feel a little unnerved and then wondered about their daughter even more. I rate this movie GOOD at 75%.

June 21, 2020: Movies I Could Watch Over and Over Again

Here are five movies I could watch over and over again. There are many others such as The Big Lebowski, Independence Day, Bad Boys, The Devil Wears Prada and the list goes on. The five I have no trouble watching when they come on television or I feel the need to watch it again are the following. They are all from the 90s.

One: The Usual Suspects because long before Kevin Spacey was blacklisted from Hollywood and Benicio del Toro became what he was (greatness) in Sicario, they were in this movie portraying great characters. What is wrong with Roger “Verbal” Kint? Who is Keyser Söze? It is written by Christopher McQuarrie and directed by Bryan Singer. It’s a crime, mystery movie from 1995 that is one hour and 46 minutes.

Two: The Fifth Element because you can’t beat Chris Tucker as Ruby Rhod and Gary Oldman as Zork. The futuristic world is worth every second. It is written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen and directed by Luc Besson. It’s a sci-fi, action movie from 1997 that is two hours and six minutes.

Three: The Birdcage because of two names of Nathan Lane and Robin Williams. From piercing the toast to popping bubblegum, it’s comedic genius. It is written by Elaine May (although originally was a play by Jean Poiret and earlier screenplay by Francis Verber, Édouard Molinaro, Marcello Danon, and Jean Poiret) and directed by Mike Nichols. It’s a comedy movie from 1996 that is one hour and 57 minutes.

Four: Jurassic Park because even though the dinosaurs were on screen, didn’t they look pretty realistic? The kids were more than likeable and Laura Dern and Sam Neill were the voices of reason. It is written by Michael Crichton and David Koepp (although originally was a novel by Michael Crichton) and directed by Steven Spielberg. It’s a sci-fi, action movie from 1993 that is two hours and seven minutes.

Five: Fight Club because Tyler Durden and the Narrator work and quarrel with each other in between their jobs and initiating new members. The story is engaging in so many ways. It is written by Jim Uhls (although originally was a novel by Chuck Palahniuk) and directed by David Fincher. It’s a drama movie from 1999 that is two hours and 19 minutes.

May 27, 2020: AFI Top 100 Movie Quotes

I had plans to display this all nice and neat like. Include pictures, make some quotes bigger font than others, include different information on what I think are the top ten best movies. This is what I came up with instead. Plain and simple with no frills and glitter of the 100 best movie quotes according to AFI. It’s a little outdated as it was released in 2005, but they stand the test of time (okay, maybe most of them). I saw a few where my eyebrows went up in the air a bit. I’m sure there are movies since then that have memorable lines, but I haven’t seen enough to comment on it. Unfortunately, there won’t be many for the year 2020. Here they are, starting with Rhett Butler from Gone with the Wind and ending with Jack Dawson from Titanic.

1. “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” (Gone with the Wind)

2. “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” (The Godfather)

3. “You don’t understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could’ve been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am.” (On the Watertfront)

4. “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” (The Wizard of Oz)

5. “Here’s looking at you, kid.” (Casablanca)

6. “Go ahead, make my day.” (Sudden Impact)

7. “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.” (Sunset Blvd.)

8. “May the Force be with you.” (Star Wars)

9. “Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night.” (All About Eve)

10. “You talking to me?” (Taxi Driver)

11. “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” (Cool Hand Luke)

12. “I love the smell of napalm in the morning.” (Apocalypse Now)

13. “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” (Love Story)

14. “The stuff that dreams are made of.” (The Maltese Falcon)

15. “E.T. phone home.” (E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial)

16. “They call me Mister Tibbs!” (In the Heat of the Night)

17. “Rosebud.” (Citizen Kane)

18. “Made it, Ma! Top of the world!” (White heat)

19. “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” (Network)

20. “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” (Casablanca)

21. “A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.” (The Silence of the Lambs)

22. “Bond. James Bond.” (Dr. No)

23. “There’s no place like home.” (The Wizard of Oz)

24. “I am big! It’s the pictures that got small.” (Sunset Blvd.)

25. “Show me the money!” (Jerry Maguire)

26. “Why don’t you come up sometime and see me?” (She Done Him Wrong)

27. “I’m walking here! I’m walking here!” (Midnight Cowboy)

28. “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time goes By.'” (Casablanca)

29. “You can’t handle the truth!” (A Few Good Men)

30. “I want to be alone.” (Grand Hotel)

31. “After all, tomorrow is another day!” (Gone with the Wind)

32. “Round up the usual suspects.” (Casablanca)

33. “I’ll have what she’s having.” (When Harry Met Sally…)

34. “You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow.” (To Have and Have Not)

35. “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” (Jaws)

37. “I’ll be back.” (The Terminator)

38. “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” (The Pride of the Yankees)

39. “If you build it, he will come.” (Field of Dreams)

40. “My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know whatyou’re gonna get.” (Forrest Gump)

41. “We rob banks.” (Bonnie and Clyde)

42. “Plastics.” (The Graduate)

43. “We’ll always have Paris.” (Casablanca)

44. “I see dead people.” (The Sixth Sense)

45. “Stella! Hey, Stella!” (A Streetcar Named Desire)

46. “Oh, Jerry, don’t let’s ask for the moon. We have the stars.” (Now, Voyager)

47. “Shane. Shane. Come back!” (Shane)

48. “Well, nobody’s perfect.” (Some Like it Hot)

49. “It’s alive! It’s alive!” (Frankenstein)

50. “Houston, we have a problem.” (Apollo 13)

51. “You’ve got to ask yourself one question: ‘Do I feel lucky?’ Well, do ya, punk?” (Dirty Harry)

52. “You had me at “hello.””

53. “One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don’t know.” (Animal Crackers)

54. “There’s no crying in baseball!” (A League of Their Own)

55. “La-dee-da, la-dee-da.” (Annie Hall)

56. “A boy’s best friend is his mother.” (Psycho)

57. “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.” (Wall Street)

58. “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” (The Godfather Part II)

59. “As God is my witness, I’ll never be hungry again.” (Gone with the Wind)

60. “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!” Sons of the Desert)

61. “Say “hello” to my little friend!” (Scarface)

62. “What a dump.” (Beyond the Forest)

63. “Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me. Aren’t you?” (The Graduate)

64. “Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here! This is the War Room!” (Dr. Strangelove or:How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb)

65. “Elementary, my dear Watson.” (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes)

66. “Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape.” (Planet of the Apes)

67. “Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.” (Casablanca)

68. “Here’s Johnny!” (The Shining)

69. “They’re here!” (Poltergeist)

70. “Is it safe?” (Marathon Man)

71. “Wait a minute, wait a minute. You ain’t heard nothin’ yet!” (The Jazz Singer)

72. “No wire hangers, ever!” (Mommie Dearest)

73. “Mother of mercy, is this the end of Rico?” (Little Caesar)

74. “Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown.” (Chinatown)

75. “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” (A Streetcar Named Desire)

76. “Hasta la vista, baby.” (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

77. “Soylent Green is people!” (Soylent Green)

78. “Open the pod bay doors, please, HAL.” (2001: A Space Odyssey)

79. “Striker: Surely you can’t be serious.” (Airplane!)

80. “Yo, Adrian!” (Rocky)

81. “Hello, gorgeous.” (Funny Girl)

82. “Toga! Toga!” (National Lampoon’s Animal House)

83. “Listen to them. Children of the night. What music they make.” (Dracula)

84. “Oh, no, it wasn’t the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast.” (King Kong)

85. “My precious.” (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)

86. “Attica! Attica!” (Dog Day Afternoon)

87. “Sawyer, you’re going out a youngster, but you’ve t to come back a star!” (42nd Street)

88. “Listen to me, mister. You’re my knight in shining armor. Don’t you forget it. You’re going to get back on that horse, and I’m going to be right behind you, holding on tight,and away we’re gonna, go, go!” (On Golden Pond)

89. “Tell ’em to go out there with all they got and win just one for the Gipper.” (Knute Rockne–All American)

90. “A martini. Shaken, not stirred.” (Goldfinger)

91. “Who’s on first.” (The Naughty Nineties)

92. “Cinderella story. Outta nowhere. A former greenskeeper, now, about to becomethe Masters champion. It looks like a mirac…It’s in the hole! It’s in the hole! It’s in thehole!” (Caddyshack)

93. “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!” (Aunti Mame)

94. “I feel the need – the need for speed!” (Top Gun)

95. “Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” (Dead Poets Society)

96. “Snap out of it!” (Moonstruck)

97. “My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My sister thanks you.And I thank you.” (Yankee Doodle Dandy)

98. “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.” (Dirty Dancing)

99. “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!” (The Wizard of Oz)

100. “I’m the king of the world!” (Titanic)

May 5, 2020: Last Five Movies I’ve Watched

These are in no particular order or ranking. I watched them within the past month and now suggesting them in these strange times. Watch them at your own discretion.

#1

Instant Family (2018) is sort of a feel good movie in a realistic kind of way. It’s about a couple who vowed never to have children until a combination of peer pressure and growing up even more catapults them to be foster parents. The characters of Peter and Elle, played by Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne, decide to foster three children. The biggest challenge for them is Lizzie, played by Isabela Merced. The ending is a little over the top, but there’s enough places to laugh in this comedy and drama movie. It also stars Gustavo Escobar, Julianna Gamiz, Octavia Spencer, Tig Notaro, and Margo Martindale. It’s one hour and 58 minutes long with a MPAA rating of PG-13 for thematic elements, sexual material, language, and some drug references. It is written by Sean Anders and John Morris and directed by Sean Anders.

Instant Family gets FOUR FINGERS of GREAT at 87%

#2

Suburbicon (2017) is not a feel good movie but more of a commentary on family violence and societal norms. It’s about a neighborhood utopia with the greenest of lawns and the whitest of painted houses. When a family not like the rest is combined with Gardner Lodge’s, played by Matt Damon, own weird family dynamics, it results in murder and deceit. It also stars Julianne Moore, Noah Jupe, Glenn Fleshler, Alex Hassell, and Oscar Issac. The comedy, crime, drama movie is a little disjointed but the theme is probably this: if you allow self-destruction into your home, it will keep manifesting if you don’t watch out. It’s one hour and 45 minutes long with a MPAA rating of R for violence, language, and some sexuality. It is written by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, George Clooney, and Grant Heslov and directed by George Clooney.

Suburbicon gets THREE FINGERS of GOOD at 78%.

#3

Pacific Heights (1990) is enough to scare anyone from getting into the business of owning rental properties. It’s about a couple, Patty and Drake, played by Melanie Griffith and Matthew Modine, choosing Carter Hayes, played by Michael Keaton. When no one seems to believe the trouble Carter is causing, Patty and Drake take matters into their own hands in this thriller. It also stars Mako, Nobu McCarthy, Laurie Metcalf, and Luca Bercovici. It’s one hour and 42 minutes long with a MPAA rating of R. It is written by Daniel Pyne and directed by John Schlesinger.

Pacific Heights gets THREE FINGERS of GOOD at 80%.

#4

The Favourite (2018) is about Queen Anne, played by Olivia Colman, and the competition between two women helping her in her later years. Lady Sarah and Abigail, played by Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone, do whatever they can to hold favor. This biography, drama, history movie lags in a few scenes and I almost wanted to see more desperation with Lady Sarah and Abigail in their rivalry. It also stars Mark Gatiss, James Smith, Paul Swaine, Faye Daveney, and Emma Delves. It’s one hour and 59 minutes long with a MPAA rating of R for strong sexual content, nudity and language. It is written by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.

The Favorite get FOUR FINGERS of GREAT at 90%.

#5

Mash (1970) is the movie that spawned the television series about the medical staff in Korea during the war. As much as this movie is revered and recognized in Hollywood, there were some parts I think could have been edited down further. This being said the tricks played on each other was a necessity to counterbalance the realities of war such as the soldiers they couldn’t save on the operating table. The 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital with Hawkeye Pierce, Trapper John McIntyre, and Duke Forrest, played by Donald Sutherland, Elliot Gould, and Tom Skerritt is what holds this comedy and war movie together. It also stars Sally Kellerman, Robert Duvall, Roger Bowen, and Rene Auberjonois. It’s one hour and 56 minutes long with a MPAA rating of R for sexual content. It is written by Ring Lardner Jr. and based on the novel by Richard Hooker and directed by Robert Altman.

Mash earns THREE FINGERS of GOOD at 80%.

February 27, 2020: Last Five Movies I Watched

I’m going to do the same thing I did with the documentaries I watched. I’m going to state briefly what the movie is about and give short thoughts on each one.

#1

American Assassin (2017) is a movie I forgot I watched (this is becoming a problem for me) and so I watched it again since I didn’t remember the ending. It’s the kind of movie with an okay plot (heard it before, seen it before), involving the CIA finding those special recruits because many can’t make it past the training phase. Mitch Rapp and Stan Hurley work as a team to discover the true intention of recent attacks on military targets. While the movie had enough substance to keep me watching, I wanted more in between the fights and explosions. This is based from a book written by Vince Flynn with the same title. You get much more detail in a book than in a movie adaptation and one day I hope to read the book. It’s one hour and 52 minutes long with a MPAA rating of R for strong violence throughout, some torture, language and brief nudity.

American Assassin earns THREE FINGERS/GOOD at 73%.

#2

The Rover (2014) is a movie set in the Australian outback and seeming to be the location of many apocalyptic settings. It opens with a nice car accident and evolves from there. It purposely left the reason why Eric is hellbent on finding his car until the very end. The distinction between being a family member and lone wolf is a central part of the movie. Eric clearly has a goal he wants to follow, and though it is small compared to say running a marathon, it is still important to him. The mystery surrounding it remains just that much like all life is whether you’re in a waste land or metropolis. This is definitely a journey from point A to B. If people matter, it’s too late to care or that is the message I got at the end. It’s one hour and 43 minutes long with a MPAA rating of R for language and some bloody violence.

The Rover earns THREE FINGERS/GOOD at 78%.

#3

My Friend Dahmer (2017) is a movie based on a graphic novel by Dahmer’s former classmate, John Derfback in 2012. It focuses on the life of Jeffrey Dahmer before he started his serial killing from 1978 to 1991. Despite his parents having a dysfunctional marriage, the internal wiring of Dahmer was off. He appeared not to cope with his dad’s resentment of his weirdness and his mom’s own mental issues, let alone his own personal issues. Knowing what came after his graduation we know. Dahmer died in prison in 1994 and his brother changed his name for obvious reasons. It’s one hour and 47 minutes long with a MPAA rating of R for disturbing images, language, teen drug use, drinking and sexual content, and for brief nudity.

My Friend Dahmer earns FOUR FINGERS/GREAT at 87%.

#4

Stronger (2018) is a movie about Jeff Bauman and based from his book by the same name. As a Costco worker, Jeff Bauman is thrust into the spotlight after being injured in the Boston Marathon bombing. It centers on his struggle to live an independent life from his family after he loses his legs and maintain some privacy from the public. It leads to a long recovery, mentally and physically, and all the while he becomes a national hero whether he likes it or not. This movie is about as realistic as they come (not only because it is based on real life events), but it has take it or leave it feeling. This was what Jeff Bauman is and this is what he became and will always be. It’s one hour and 59 minutes long with a MPAA rating of R for language throughout, some graphic injury images, and brief sexuality/nudity.

Stronger earns FOUR FINGERS AND ONE THUMB/NEAR PERFECT at 97%.

#5

Mother! (2017) is a movie that I wasn’t sure I wanted to watch and why the resistance? I’m not sure, but once it was over, it was worth it. I will say the acting felt a little wooden by Jennifer Lawrence, but I have a feeling that was the intent. When a stranger knocks on her front door, her husband with a major case of writer’s block changes opens it and changes their lives. Their quiet life turns into confusion. This is definitely a Darren Aronofsky movie, but to me it could have been shortened a little bit. It’s two hours and 1 minute long with a MPAA rating of R for strong disturbing violent content, some sexuality, nudity and language.

Mother! earns FOUR FINGERS AND ONE THUMB/NEAR PERFECT at 95%.

February 11, 2020: Last Five Movies I Watched

Watch these movies at your own discretion. I am not responsible for time lost or experience gained.

My Week with Marilyn (2011) stars Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe, Kenneth Branagh as Sir Laurence Olivier, and Eddie Redmayne as Colin Clark. It’s about the relationship Colin Clark forms with Marilyn Monroe on the set of The Prince and the Showgirl. It also stars Julia Ormond as Vivien Leigh, Geraldine Somerville as Lady Jane Clark, Judi Dench as Dame Sybil Thorndike, Dominic Cooper as Milton Green, Emma Watson as Lucy, and Dougray Scott as Arthur Miller. It is rated R for some language. This biography, drama film runs 1 hour and 39 minutes.

First reason to see it: Michelle Williams playing Marilyn Monroe

Second reason to see it: Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh interacting as insistent actress and exhausted director as Monroe and Olivier

One reason maybe to not see it: the familiarity of the story

Mortdecai (2015) stars Johnny Depp as Mortdecai, Paul Bettany as Jock, and Ewan McGregor as Martland. It’s about Charlie Mortdecai’s race to find a stolen painting at the request of Martland. It also stars Jonny Pasvolsky as Emil, Olivia Munn as Georgina, Ulrich Thomsen as Romanov, and Normal Atallah as Bronwen. It is rated R for some language and sexual material. This action, comedy, crime film runs 1 hour and 47 minutes.

First reason to see it: Johnny Depp as Mortdecai

Second reason to see it: Bettany and Depp interacting as bodyguard and art dealer

One reason maybe to not see it: the over usage of Mortdecai’s mustache schtick

Chappaquiddick (2017) stars Jason Clarke as Ted Kennedy, Kate Mara as Mary Jo Kopechne, Ed Helms as Joseph Gargan, and Jim Gaffigan as Paul Markham. It’s about the Ted Kennedy car incident where a woman drowned and the lengths his team takes to save his political career. It also stars Olivia Thirlby as Rachel, Clancy Brown as Robert McNamara, and Bruce Dern as Joseph Kennedy. It is rated PG-13 for thematic material, disturbing images, some strong language, and historical smoking. This drama, history, thriller runs 1 hour and 46 minutes.

First reason to see it: Jason Clarke’s performance as Ted Kennedy

Second reasons to see it: to see what happened behind closed doors after the accident

One reason maybe to not see it: the story’s overall pacing

Rise of the Guardians (2012) stars Chris Pine as Jack Frost, Alec Baldwin as North, Jude Law as Pitch, Isla Fisher as Tooth, and Hugh Jackman as Bunny. It’s about Jack Frost’s role in saving the children from a dark force called Pitch. It also stars Dakota Goyo as Jamie Bennett, Georgie Grieve as Sophie Bennett, Olivia Mattingly as Pippa, and Dominique Grund as Cupcake. It is rated PG for thematic elements and some mildly scary action. This animation, action, adventure film runs 1 hour and 37 minutes.

First reason to see it: the animation and visual effects

Second reason to see it: Hugh Jackman as Bunny

One reason maybe to not see it: the slow start of the film

The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) stars Patton Oswalt as Max, Kevin Hart as Snowball, Harrison Ford as Rooster, Tiffany Haddish as Daisy, and Lake Bell as Chloe. It’s about Max, the Jack Russell Terrier, having to adjust to his owner getting married and having a child. It also stars Eric Stonestreet as Duke, Jenny Slate as Gidget, Dana Carvey as Pops, and Nick Kroll as Sergei. It is rated PG for some action and rude humor. This animation, adventure, comedy film runs 1 hour and 26 minutes.

First reason to see it: Kevin Hart as Snowball

Second reason to see it: Nick Kroll as Sergei

One reason maybe to not see it: the fact it’s a kid’s movie

January 28, 2020: How Sensitive Should We be in Life and While Watching Movies?

Soul Man (1986) is about a white high school student wanting to attend Harvard. He obviously isn’t street smart and thinks by posing as a black person will help him get funding to maintain his rich lifestyle. It isn’t hard to see why this movie would turn off viewers. A student who thinks he’s entitled to have all the money owed to him. That alone would turn off viewers. FYI Ralph Macchio turned down the role of Mark Watson. I don’t remember feeling uncomfortable watching it with my friend as it was her movie.

I wouldn’t watch this again because this is a see it once kind of movie.

Teen Wolf (1985) is about a high school student who loves basketball and is a werewolf. The issue with this movie is the negative references of being gay. The word gay goes back to the 1100s and meant being excited and exuberant. But in the last 100 years especially, it took additional meanings. FYI Michael J. Fox didn’t want to return for the sequel as he thought it was a terrible movie.

I wouldn’t watch this again as much as I love Michael J. Fox, but I like my werewolves scarier and there’s nothing wrong with being gay.

Annie (1982) is where Carol Burnett and Tim Curry shines, but Punjab’s secrecy and mysticism fall into the hands of stereotypical attributes. Call it laziness or disinterest, but the writers couldn’t come up with a better name for Daddy Warbucks’ bodyguard? He was played by a Trinidadian actor that was 6 feet, 6 inches tall so they could’ve played off his height. FYI Drew Barrymore auditioned for the role of Annie.

I would watch this again even though some might have a bone to pick with the way Ms. Hannigan is portrayed and the lack of diversity.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) makes it pretty clear the stereotype of the Asian character mispronouncing words. It reminds me of Miss. Swan from MadTV. Because in some Asian languages, the L and R are exchanged because they are similar to each other, it leaves others to decide how comedic it is. FYI Shirley MacLaine turned down the role of Holly Golightly.

I would watch this again despite Mickey Rooney’s terrible rendition of an Asian man.

White Chicks (2004) is bad because the Wayans brothers look so bad. In their natural elements with the faces they were born with, they are good looking guys. But they have so much makeup and whatever else plastered on their faces, it looks like plastic surgery gone awry. Did I have issue with them posing as White cops? No. Are they making fun of White sorority girl stereotype? Yes. It’s supposed to be a comedy, but it falls short on the humor. FYI script was originally going to be a comical remake of Gone with the Wind.

I wouldn’t watch this again because I’ve seen it twice and both times it wasn’t all that funny although you get to see a young Jennifer Carpenter.

Lolita (1997) is about an older man falling in love with a teenage girl. This type of thing is called inappropriate by many and Humbert’s relationship is twisted and full of power imbalance. Without getting hysterical about the possibilities of this happening, it’s a movie that educates others about men with bad intentions. A person only has to look to the news for similar stories. These relationships exist. The most notable one I will never be able to wrap my head around is the relationship between Vili Fualaau and Mary Kay Letourneau (now divorced). FYI Dominque Swain beat out 2,500 other actresses for the role of Lolita.

I would watch this again and age difference is a weird thing when it comes to relationships.

Heathers (1988) is about drinking drain cleaner, teenage cliques, depression and suicide because of rejection. This is 11 years before two students in Colorado shot up their school called Columbine. Teenage angst is a part of growing up, but some deal with it better than others. Most of the time, it doesn’t lead to school shootings but it’s better to be prepared than not. While I would never want to go back to high school, I find some movies about it interesting to watch including this one. FYI Brad Pitt auditioned for the role that went to Christian Slater.

I would watch this again just to see how young the actors look in it. The same goes for Jawbreaker, which is a similar plot.

The Goonies (1985) falls into the trap of the Asian stereotype where Data is the one you go to when wishing won’t work. The contraptions he carries on his trench coat equals geek and highly intelligent. Yes, he has an accent but the fact remains there are Asian kids who love science and are smart as well as any other kid out there. You can even say this movie makes fun of fat children because it does. Kids can be so cruel. FYI One-Eyed Willy’s skull is real bone.

I would watch this again because I like seeing Josh Brolin ride around on a little girl’s bike and watching Chunk (nice fat shaming name) interact with Sloth.

Tootsie (1982) has a similar premise to Soul Man except it deals with cheating the system to get ahead because being a man is such a difficult thing to be according to Michael Dorsey. Don’t get me wrong, there’s suffering in every corner of the world, but I don’t think as a man you’d get much sympathy crying wolf today as in the past. There are many poor white men suffering, but good discussion is necessary because white male privilege does exist. FYI Sydney Pollack wanted the actors and actresses to see the characters as dramatic ones in a funny situation.

I would watch this again because I love Dustin Hoffman as an actor and there’s more content in this compared to others I’ve seen.