Daddy’s Home is a light, fun, all-around run-of-the-mill comedy. It was our pick for the family movie on Christmas Day, and it suited everyone well enough, age 14 to 73. It was better than I expected. Sure, it’s corny sometimes. Sure, its humor sometimes tries too hard. But the laughs were as varied as our…
I had no idea how much I would enjoy this movie. But I did. As with another seen that week, the theme was nostalgia. And again, it worked. Creed is, essentially, Rocky retold. But Rocky worked for what it was. And so does Creed. Granted, it is a typical boxing movie. And I’m not at…
Don’t worry, I will include no spoilers. I promise. I will say that I very much enjoyed this movie. And I will admit that I had not seen a Star Wars movie since, I’m sure, the early 80s. I was the sort of person who probably watched each one once or twice when it came…
Excellent movie. Excellent. I should back up. I cannot unread the book. And the book was phenomenal. But that, to me, makes the movie even better: it was beautifully true to the book. To its voice. To its story. To its feel. The book is written from the perspective of young Jack. Five years old.…
If you know me and know anything about this movie, you’ll likely–and correctly–guess that I enjoyed it. The movie is a wonderful, aptly timely, social commentary on bigotry, fear, and the risk of being quick to judge and quick to condemn. The story follows the screenwriter Dalton Trumbo while he is blacklisted in Hollywood. The…
As is within my realm of reflections, this movie, less than a year old, was fair game for review. I’m glad I took the time to watch it. Love and Mercy is certainly not a traditional biopic. It jumps between Brian Wilson as a younger Beach Boy to his life as an adult in the…
Charming. Soft. Lovely. Touching. Bittersweet. These are the new film, adapted from the novel, Brooklyn. It’s a wonderfully quiet film, entertaining gently, but leaving the viewer better for sharing the story—the story of a young girl as she moves from Ireland to Brooklyn, starting life over in the 1950s. It is not just a story…
I laughed—loudly out loud. I snorted. I groaned. I rolled my eyes. I exclaimed loudly—more than once. Yes, that is the kind of comedy The Night Before is. And it’s a wonderful respite in a season of otherwise (for me) heavy movies. (‘Tis okay. I do this to myself.) Seth Rogan did not disappoint. And…
I saw this movie some time ago. It was just after the wide release of the film. When my movie companion was available for a film, I suggested it. He said, “Nothing like a major church cover up to make one cynical before the holidays.” Okay, so that’s his humor, but yes—Indeed. He had a…
Suffragette provides a glimpse into a dim area of history. It’s a good movie, solid in its cast and tale. But it does not rise above the bleakness that surrounds the story. And it will not appeal to many, even if those many prefer not to admit the horrible treatment of women for so long.…
I remember the 2004 election. I remember it being one of the first during which I paid a bit more attention to candidates and positions (rotely following the herd in my past). I remember being in the midst of an internal shift in the way I viewed politics. But I don’t clearly remember the events…
Bridge of Spies hits every mark. It’s a great movie—plot, pacing, performances, punch. The movie slowly pulls you into the characters (spies, FBI, CIA, attorneys) and time period (Cold War), exposing unexpected twists such that just as you think you know the story arc, another layer is added. It brings a needed bittersweet element toward…
I should admit some things as I share my thoughts on the movie, Steve Jobs. First, I am all-Apple. I made the leap as many did initially with the iPhone (I graduated from my not-at-all-smart Nokia to an iPhone 3G (or 3Gs? I don’t recall) around ‘08 or ’09. Then a few years ago, I…
I saw this film well over a week ago (Two weeks ago?), and since then, when asked if I’d seen any movies, more often than not, I haven’t been able to recall this film or its name. So I suppose I can say that Sicario is forgettable. That said, it did entertain me. Now, my…
Those who’ve been reading my thoughts might remember my urging—my insistence—to read Andy Weir’s The Martian when I wrote about it exactly six months ago today. And I know that many of you heeded that advice. Loved it, yes? 😉 And today—-finally. It’s Fall. And the movie is in wide release. Yay! First, biggest of thanks…