b-lot-buzz

Films to Watch on Netflix in January

2019-01-22T08:12:00.000-08:00

Found this film on Netflix starring Chris Pine, and Elizabeth Banks. Films are always a wonderful experience when there is great chemistry between the actors and the story a solid one.

Also, a mini-series, I am assuming the efforts of this show is Fleabag - a British take on a women's life gone wrong - normally because of all the bad choices she's made. The six part series detailed the spiraling out of control chain of misfortunes, which is a bit hard to take at first, wishing you could reach inside the screen and smack the character in hopes you can help get a grip, but it all pans out perfectly in Amazon Prime.

An Australian take on the legal system with an out-of-control lawyer aiming to defend the weirdest of individuals committing the most unexpected crimes. I can't figure out if the show reminds me of the American show - Better Call Saul, but if you happen to appreciate BCS, than consider Rake on Netflixs

The most highly anticipated film by your's truly was Outlaw King - the story of Robert the Bruce of Scotland, aiming to take back the kingdom from Edward the First and Second. Being a history buff, I had marked my calendar to see the film which was airing on Neflix on October 9. And I waited patiently for the film to start past the credits and then waited some more for the film to draw me in, and then waited some more - twitching at the poor acting and lack of chemistry. It was as if Chris Pine - sorry to say - felt uncomfortable in his own skin - unable to deliver on all counts, because I felt he was busy concentrating on the Scottish brogue and failing miserably. This is the first time I wonder why the main character was not a true Scotsman - like Gerard Butler perhaps? Sorry Chris, I adore you but this was not the right role for you.

So now here's what I am trying on for size - Wanderlust - a British/Australian I believe, show about a couple as usual faced with resuscitating their marriage after being together for what's assumed 15 plus years. The typical scenario with any couple, where there is a point of disconnect and the difficulty in finding the spark necessary to go on. I'll see where this is headed.

And this show in between Wanderlust, and Rake - I alternate watching all three, and have found Patriot to be the funniest even as in the dark comedy category - well orchestrated and creatively delivered. I am now committed to seeing this show through season 1 and 2.

The show The Romanoffs is driving me crazy. I can't stop watching it, yet I cannot stand how each episode drags on and really goes nowhere - or does it? I am not yet sure what I am expecting at the end of each episode, with a Twiglight Zone-ish feel, every episode not connected to the other, draws you in and each time disappoints. I don't know if any of you have seen the show and if so, what is your take on the series? Will it last past season 1?

What shows have you seen and what do you recommend?

Mission Impossible Franchise and Beyond

2018-08-13T13:07:00.000-07:00

Being a fan of MI ever since I discovered television decades ago when I was wee-bit - I naturally raced to the theater a few weeks ago to see the newest installment - which is possibly/probably/surely/has to be the last one for Tom Cruise. Who, in my opinion has done an outstanding job helming the entire project(s), stunts, financing and all. I can honestly say I cannot see another person taking on the role, ever. Kind of like Matt Damon as in Bourne.

Some things are best the way they are, so thank you Tom Cruise for enduring and striving to deliver one of the best action films from one century to the next :)

Now, if you are a numbers person, like myself, than you would appreciate the tidbit I added below. But if charts and graphs aren't your thing, then I have to say, the recent release - Mission Impossible:The Fallout should be on your radar to see, and then go home and consider pay-per-viewing the films before. Heck even watch the television series from the 70's which is available online. I promise you, you won't regret your decision.

Let's Not Forget Netflix Movies

2018-07-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

In between catching up on a few series I've grown accustomed to recently on regular TV, and the World Cup matches, as well as baseball - the San Francisco Giants in particular - I aim to see a film from Netflix. Here's what I've seen so far from this list and three of my top favorites in photos below:

The Meyerowitz Stories

The Incredible Jessica James

Kodakchrome

1. The Do-Over
2. Game Over, Man
3. The Outsider
4. You Got Me
5. I am Not An Easy Man
6. When We First Met
7. A Christmas Prince
8. David Brent: Life on the Road
9. Christmas Inheritance
10. XOXO
11. Naked
12. Sand Castle
13. What Happened to Monday
14. Irreplaceable you
15. The Climb
16. Coin Heist
17. Kodachrome
18. Take the 10
19. The Incredible Jessica James
20. Ibiza
21. True Memoirs of an International Assassin
22. The Meyerowitz Stories: New and selected

Stand by for a refreshed list coming your way in August

Mama Mia - Part II - Before Part I

2018-07-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

When I saw the film Mama Mia - part I a few years back, I never imagined there would be part II made. But then again - all films now a days have a prequel, a sequel and then some. The key to a successful film - is to know when to stop.

So, if you haven't seen part I - the original Mama Mia musical from 2008 (wow ten years ago!!!) you don't need to worry about seeing it to follow the story in part II. Unless of course, you adore ABBA's music like some of us (shhh).

Part I - is all about the wedding of young Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and her need to find her biological father to invite to the wedding set in the beautiful island of Skopelos, Greece. Her mother, Donna, (Meryl Streep) doing everything in her power not to get the men involved in her otherwise free-spirit lifestyle on the island.

Part II - is a follow up - with Sophie getting pregnant and this time trying her best to learn all about her mother's past - with her grandmother (Cher) filling in all the gaps. The original cast in back for this installment and to be honest - I secretly cannot wait to see this colorful story unfold.

Here's some of my favorite trivia from part II

Julie Walters was given a day off from the Shepperton Studios filming in November 2017 so she could attend an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

ABBA member, Björn Ulvaeus, makes a cameo appearance in the number "When I Kissed The Teacher".

The trailer sets Donna (Meryl Streep)'s pregnancy in 1979, which sets Mamma Mia!(2008) around 1998.

This film marks the second film collaboration between Cher and Meryl Streep, the first being Silkwood (1983). They were also in Stuck on You (2003) together where Meryl Streep made an uncredited appearance in the movie.

Cher, who is playing Sophie (Amanda Seyfried)'s grandmother in this movie, had a cameo in ABBA's last video in 2004, named ABBA: Our Last Video Ever (2004). The video was released due to ABBA's 30th anniversary since the winning of the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 (1974). In the video, Cher was an audience member while ABBA, portrayed by puppets, performer their winning song "Waterloo."

Part I - trailer

Part II - trailer

Mission Impossible: Fallout - Tom Cruise

2018-07-15T08:23:00.000-07:00

Now, here's a film I cannot wait for - MI: The Fallout due out in the U.S. July 27, 2018. As I was doing my research for this post, I noticed the last MI: Rogue Nation was in 2015 - which technically isn't that long ago for action films of this callibar. I thought it was much longer since the last film.

Anyway, Fallout is coming to theaters and this round the plot is simply stated as follows:

Ethan Hunt and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission gone wrong.{source}

Here's some interesting facts to keep you entertained until then:

Tom Cruise trained for an entire year to perform the HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) stunt in this film.

The film had 3000 setups, 13 helicopters, 6 pregnancies, 5 hiatuses, 4 weeks of aerial photography, 3 continents, 2 winters, and 1 broken ankle.

While filming, Tom Cruise fractured his ankle in a stunt where he leaped from a building. Production was halted for seven weeks but the July 2018 release date was kept.

Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames are the only actors to appear in all six films. Simon Pegghas been in every movie since Mission: Impossible III (2006). Jeremy Renner is not in this film, due to his commitment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Rebecca Ferguson is the first actress in the franchise to appear twice in a leading role.

At 2 hours and 27 minutes, this is the longest Mission: Impossible film to date.

Alec Baldwin found his fight scene with Henry Cavill particularly challenging to execute because of Cavill's sheer size and musculature.

Simon Pegg got in such good shape while training in the gym for his action scenes that he got eight-pack abs for the first time in 25 years even though it wasn't required for his role at all

Due to additional safety equipment and challenges with the weather in November, the production company sought permission for about 800 landings by helicopter on the cliff Preikestolen in Norway. A stunt is supposed to be performed there at almost 2000 feet (600 meters) above the fjord below.

and sadly - The 6th and (possible) final film in the series.

The Cakemaker - In Theaters Now or Almost - July 2018

2018-07-13T07:54:00.000-07:00

The twists and turns of a story oh so unexpectedly predictable, is how I describe The Cakemaker, A film worth seeing - if it's playing in your town. The story about a baker named Thomas, who is having an affair with a married man, Oren, from Israel who often visits Berlin on business. Thomas finds out that Oren had died in a car accident in Jerusalem and travels there to find answers about his death. Naturally, meeting his wife, Anat, who owns a cafe, where Thomas works and soon begins baking German pastries to help grow Anat's business...

I'll leave you there, to ponder the rest of the story or simply go see it for yourself how the plot unfolds

Film Recommend In the Comfort of Your Own Home - July 2018

2018-07-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

Holy s*** I nearly forgot my password while attempting to sign in to post something or another about films or film making and so on. It's been so long, I can see the virtual spider webs within the post template.

Anyway, I've seen so many films and attended enough film premiers in the recent months and jotted down all my notes to share with you here, but lost my little notebook with all the details and for the life of me cannot remember enough to share anything except a list of films I've seen and for pure entertainment, do recommend - that is if you haven't already seen them:

In Search of Fellini - Film Review

2018-03-22T12:58:00.000-07:00

Probably the best film I've seen this year. I mean from the best of the films I've seen so far, In Search of Fellini is now at the top. So I wonder how a film such as this wasn't nominated for 'a biggie awards' and went pretty unnoticed. Bringing in a mere 10M in late 2017. Better question is where the heck was I in all this? Usually I am on top of the underdog films, but this one - snuck by me for sure.

The story based sometime in the 90's is a coming of age story of a young girl who was sheltered her entire life by her eccentric mother Claire, (Maria Bellow). Shelter from school, from a social life, to even her pet fish dying, her mother always found a way to hide the truth, until Claire was faced with a difficulty and needed a way to protect her daughter Lucy (Ksenia Solo) from it. The only way was to force her daughter to get out into the world, and find a job - so she could support herself. Little did Claire know, that Lucy, while on a job interview in the city, and through the magic of a great imagination by the the storytellers (Nancy Cartwright and Peter Kjenaas) discovered the movies of Fellini. Awakening within her the urge to leave home, and go to Rome to find the famed filmmaker.

Picture the fascinating scenery, the magical set decor and the innocence of a young girl - I'll leave you right there, and if you have seen the French film Amelie, I can assure you, you will adore In Search of Fellini, which is now showing on Netflix and I am also certain through other means of streaming/downloading films.

In Search of Fellini - Quotes by Federico Fellini

Life is a combination of magic and pasta.

A different language is a different vision of life.

All art is autobiographical; the pearl is the oyster's autobiography.

There is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the infinite passion of life.

Experience is what you get while looking for something else.

Money is everywhere but so is poetry. What we lack are the poets.

Censorship is advertising paid by the government.

Even if I set out to make a film about a fillet of sole, it would be about me.

Fate is written in the face.

Dunkirk - Film Review

2018-03-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

Yes I am a little behind in my film viewing. What can I say, my life was a reality show in 2017 and while 'chartering the rough seas', I seldom had the time for movies and such. But I am back and plan to stay here for a bit. But I'll have you know that I refuse to get sucked into all the political or efforts to be diplomatic approach the entertainment industry has embarked on of late, which is making it very difficult to consider the niche an escape anymore from all things reality.

I truly believe there should be a separation of politics and the world of entertainment - is what I say when I am about to discuss a film based on political actions of the past.

Dunkirk - love it. Best film for 2017 and should have won the title instead of - you know the film that made my skin crawl. Here's how Dunkirk did at the Oscars:

Which is a sad outcome - because the film cinematography, production design and best director should have gone to the team of men who put the film together because if you are to give the Oscar for best film editing, in my opinion, editing couldn't happen without first getting quality cinematography, and directing in place. The production design speaks for itself - and although a tough decision between the other nominees

And Shape of Water being the winner - which is fine in that catagory along with any of the other nominees, Dunkirk did not disappoint.

It is a must see film and one at the moment easily obtainable through Netflix and other means of film streaming. Set aside an evening and see the dramatic side of Dunkirk.

Collateral - Netflix Mini-Series

2018-03-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Collateral 2018 - and not the one with Tom Cruise in 2004, is a pretty good Netflix mini-series to binge watch on a Saturday night with a six pack and a bag of chips, followed by chocolate of some sort. It's so good that I my other half and I sat through the entire mini-series, forgoing dinner and opting for chips and beer just to feed our anxiety over the plot.

Set in London England, the show taps into all the issues the city faces with illegal immigrants, terrorism, and a semi-corrupt or implied corrupt government, handling the aforementioned issues in the most beneficial way possible, which is upsetting until the very end when you understand the reasoning behind every tactic used in an effort to clean up the city or cleanse it. David Hare (writer), and S.J. Clarkson (director) creatively tell the story by weaving together a story of many players, when a P.I by the name of Kip Glaspie (Carey Mulligan) is assigned to solve a murder of a pizza delivery man on the steps of a home, connecting the tenant to a government official. As the plot thickens we get familiar with the stories of every suspect, and connections to the crime, and although at some point or another it feels as if the viewer can solve the crime by connecting the dots, the end outcome is pretty surprisingly good.

So, if you have nothing more important to do, and the weather outside is s***, tune in to Netflix and click on Collateral - I promise you won't be disappointed.

The Shape of Water - Why Did It Win The Oscar For Best Film?

2018-03-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

I question a lot of things - not because I know there are realistic solutions to all that is going on, nor a truly constructive outcome (yes I sound like a Debbie Downer) but I question it to get me thinking.
Last night I saw the film The Shape of Water because, after winning for best film, the movie which barely stayed in theaters when originally released, was back in theaters to make a nickel and dime out of the status 'the best film for 2017'.

After a grueling 2 hours, which felt more like 4, while sitting in a dark theater watching the most exhausting of films any human can imagine, I felt the need to go home and find out while searching online - how Oscar winners are determined. And this is what I discovered: Basically various explanations and takes on the how and why a film, and filmmakers win. In a nutshell, political, and theme driven - meaning for 2018 - the theme was diversity and women's rights/equality.

Now don't get me wrong, the film was a work of art in terms of set design for a period film, and the choice of songs, pretty calming for such a dark film. Perhaps those are the reasons for the win, but the story, for anyone who has seen SPLASH with Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah, have to feel it was simply a replica of the same old, except this time, she's a he, and he's a monster/water thingy-person who can actually have sex with a human. Not a good message to send across the universe if you ask me. But okay, we have officially tapped into that area, so be it. Art is art, and defined through the eyes and mind of the artist and the rest of the world can either accept it or walk away from it. At least we have that choice.

So, in a nutshell, if you haven't seen it, you don't really have to. If you rented it at home, wish I could say you should ask for your money back, and if you bought it - poor you.

Saddest Film I've Seen - Goodbye to Christopher Robin

2018-03-04T08:22:00.000-08:00

Well perhaps not the saddest, but one of the saddest films since it tapped into my childhood and I realized that although what's on screen is not entirely the full picture (ha ha see what I did there) it is most damaging to the belief that you had as a child that Winnie The Pooh is the best thing that ever happened to you. And it was. The story of Winnie the Pooh got me through much of my childhood existence. But now the film depicting the story behind the story - how Winnie the Pooh came to be, along the process damaging one young boys childhood. Or so the story unfolds.

I watched the film 3 times, on Netflix, in the comfort of my own living room, alone in the dark and cried every single time over the neglect young Christopher Robin (a.k.a Billy Moon) experience while growing up in a British home, then off to boarding school.

The film did not get the rave-st reviews but it did do okay all around. The period film was next to the likes of Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang bang, in terms of capturing the era, or decade or timeframe in the most colorful fashion, with actors that did the film justice.

Although the idea of a child suffering during his childhood played a major role in the film's synopsis, the film is worth your while.

Frances Ha - post Lady Bird - Film Review

2018-03-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

The film Frances Ha was made in 2012 by the now very famous director Greta Gerwig, who at the time only wrote the screenplay. Although the movie is 6 years old, it felt as if it is a post Lady Bird - part II-ish sort of film. Don't get me wrong, I loved every ounce of the film but after seeing Lady Bird twice, I realized Frances Ha could very well be the story after Lady Bird leaves home for college. Or perhaps it was written in reverse order. Did I loose you? Sorry didn't mean to. But you gotta see the film - you absolutely have to see it - on Netflix, in black and white, telling a story about a woman who has trouble finding her calling, her life and relationship, and loyalty from her friends. As always well written, and simply directed by Noah Baumbach. I mean I could sit here and continue to brag or find fault in a scene or two - but really it doesn't matter sometimes. You look past all that, especially in black and white and the see film for what it is worth.

Films To Keep A Lookout For - Sans The Sundance Film Festival 2018

2018-02-06T11:37:00.000-08:00

Hopeful we can get a glimpse of the following films past the Sundance Film Festival which took place 18-28 of January 2018.

A Kid Like Lake - Drama about two New York parents attempting to navigate the city’s famously cutthroat school-admissions process for their young son. Things are complicated when the young boy’s interests—which skew toward princesses and the color pink—come under scrutiny -

COLETTE -
Keara Knightley as A FRENCH writer, WHO NAVIGATES THROUGH HER WAY THROUGH literary acclaim

THE HAPPY PRINCE

Actor Rupert Everett makes his directorial debut with this film—he also wrote and stars—which follows an unpopular, destitute, and increasingly distressed Oscar Wilde during the last three years of his life.

I THINK WE’RE ALONE NOW

This drama from Reed Morano (The Handmaid’s Tale) stars Peter Dinklage and Elle Fanning as two strangers who’ve found themselves together in a post-apocalyptic world where Dinklage’s Del—a scavenger who’s managed to find peace after the end of civilization—is none too happy for the company.

For the rest of the list - go here

Parenting Break - A Short Film Perfection

2018-02-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

Anyone who is a parent would appreciate this bit of parenting advise - past all the sitcoms and reality TV shows, this has to be the best of the best.

You're welcome. Have a nice weekend.

Films from 2017 You've Missed and Should See

2018-01-17T14:15:00.000-08:00

I really can't believe how quickly 2017 archived and with that, the number of films I did not get a chance to see. Too busy, too much on my plate and whatever other excuse kept me from seeing and reporting. Heck I even - well really - ignored the Golden Globes and all other award ceremonies leading to the big one - The Oscar.

It's all good though. This list offers up all the best under-the-radar films we've all (probably) missed and should someone, someway find a way to see them this year.

For me - I am in dire need to see CALL ME BY YOUR NAME and have penciled in a date this week, even if I am going to do this by myself, I will see it.

The rest of the films on the list are as follows:

What have you seen? Or what do you recommend?

Darkest Hour - Film Review

2018-01-03T10:02:00.001-08:00

Don't confuse the film Darkest Hour with another made in 2011 titled THE DARKEST HOUR. The one I am referring to is a part of Churchill's life, when he becomes the Prime Minister of England, and has to deal with a pro-founding decision - whether to submit and negotiate with the Nazis/via the Italian Mussolini, or stand against the possible takeover of his beloved country.

Give me a film based on European history, and I am all over it. And although deep down I had reservations to see the film, Darkest Hour with Gary Oldman portraying one of the most influential person in history, I finally saw it last night and here's what I have to say:

Although the efforts of writer Anthony McCarten, Director Joe Wright, and Cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel were good intend and their plans near-perfectly conceptualized, the team had a difficulty delivering a solid film onscreen. With a cast of seasoned actors attached to the project, it would have been assumed that everything would fall into place. Instead, I found myself fidgeting in my seat, along with the handful of other film-goers and at times even had trouble relating to or understanding Oldman's character play.

Normally with films based around history, we are to find ourselves inspired by the hero and even routing for an outcome we have learned about in school or read about on our own in history books, but this version of the Darkest Hour did not deliver best the story compiled. And that makes me very sad, since this genre is already a difficult one to entice a proper audience.

Recent List of Films and Such I've Seen and Recommend

2017-12-18T13:25:00.000-08:00

I haven't been on here for a while simply because I have been spreading myself too thin recently juggling too much in not enough hours in a day.

But to recap in films what I've seen since the beginning of November, I have to say...

1. Lady Bird - 2 Thumbs up - a must see for sure and surely ✩✩✩✩✩ worthy. If you haven't, please do go see it.

2. Dater's Handbook - Netflix - ✫✫ - by accident without knowing it was a Meghan Markle film - it was cute and now I am glad this actress chose to be a princess of sorts over a lifelong actor.

3. Game of Thrones - binge watched season 8 which left me on the fence about how I felt. There were some high points, and a lot of low points. ✰✰✰

4. The Foreigner - In Theaters in November - now probably on paid-per-view or otherwise. I think it's a solid ✫✫✫

5. The Kingsman - The Golden Circle - in theater now available through Xfinity and I am sure Netflix - ✫ - probably the worst film I've seen in a while.

6. Murder On The Orient Express - solid ✫✫✫✫ - the overly dramatic Kenneth Branagh came through with flying colors and the film was most entertaining. Recommend seeing it in the theater if you can.

7. The Man Who Invented Christmas - ✫✫✫✫wonderfully put and creative the story about, well maybe made up or perhaps there is some truth to it - Charles Dicken's inspiration behind The Christmas Carol.

8. The Crown - on Netflix - ✫✫✫✫✫. See here's the problem - I hate the fact this was the last season for the best pairing of couples - Claire Foy and Matt Smith. Peter Morgan felt it was best to employ an older cast to play the next decade or so of the Queen's life - however - there is makeup to do the job and he should have kept the same wonderful cast. I worry about season 3.

9. Operation Christmas - Hallmark best holiday movie in my opinion - very touching and more down to reality then most of the Hallmark feel-good films. ✫✫✫

10. A Christmas Prince- Netflix like Hallmark cuteness - a good escape as you can imagine from all things reality. ✫✫✫

10. Alias Grace - Netflix - watched episode one and I have to say I am hooked and highly recommend the film for all suspense thriller buffs.

December 2017 Film Release and My List

2017-11-30T09:21:00.000-08:00

During the holiday hustle and bustle - one needs to simply step into a movie theater and see a film from this list for December 2017 release:

And here's my list, plus the Phantom Thread with Daniel Day-Lewis - if it gets released.

Movie Bloopers or Were the Mishaps Intended

2017-11-22T08:07:00.000-08:00

The first time I saw Pretty Woman, I realized the most obvious of bloopers because in the scene where Julia Roberts character is in the hotel having breakfast with Richard Gere's character, the scene shows her eating a croissont, and then at Gere, then back at her eating a pancake. Now when I first pointed it out to my friends, one of them said maybe the girl was hungry...until I got a glimpse of this site and clicked through the list of all the bloopers or intentional mishaps?

Films To See This Holiday Season - 2017

2017-11-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

I can't believe we are less than two months away from the award season and what a controversial one this year's is going to be. But I wanted to recap all the films that were released in 2017 and ask which you've seen and what's your take - you see because I am trying to get a feel for the buzz out there about which films are contenders for this year's awards.

Here's what I am planning on seeing for the remainder of the year:

And here are the list of films that were released in 2017 - and the most dramatic - what's your predictions?

Lady Bird - Film Review

2017-11-18T09:20:00.000-08:00

Greta Gerwig hit it out of the ballpark with the film Lady bird, and here's why. Wait, let me first say that , there are many aspects to making a solid film, as we may all know or not. But in case you don't, films have to be not only written well, but also edited well at the very least in order to captivate the audience. If one or the other is out of sync, the viewer may spend the near two hours fidgeting in their seats or sometimes even walking out.

Suerly, blockbuster films can get past the minor requirements, since the eccentricities of the action film speaks volumes. But for the otherwise more dramatic films, and more so Indie films, a solid script/proper editing are what makes the film - a movie worth seeing.

So, Gerwig's Lady Bird is one movie worth every penny - the story filmed in Sacramento, California and is based on the live of one rebellious teenager and her circle, and parents - particularly her relationship with her mother. The story is very real, and all too familiar to most everyone I can think of and the subjects making up their lives, are all touched up on very methodologically, yet in the most simplest way.

Whether you happen to need an escape, or a face to face with a bit of reality or a trip down memory lane, or even the struggles of mother hood is your only concern, outside of the fact, you were once a teenager yourself sharing the same issues, the film is a must see.

And then you walk out feeling the best you can possibly feel.

Here's my prediction for award nominees:

Saoirse Ronan as Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson. - Actress in a leading role
Laurie Metcalf as Marion McPherson. - Supporting actress
Greta Gerwig - Best Film, Best Script

The Foreigner - Jackie Chan

2017-11-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

I saw the film weeks ago, and really forgot all about adding my two cents worth here. Been a fan of Jackie Chan for as long as I can remember and I was a little sad when he announced that he would retire from film-making. Until of course, I got a glimpse of the trailer for The Foreigner and right away added the opening day to go see the film.

The day of, there was a long line to buy tickets and I assumed it was all for other films that had opened the same weekend, until I realized as I entered the theater, that it was packed. To my pleasant surprise, Jackie Chan managed to fill up a theater.

The Foreigner, as predictable started with a big bang, which of course they show you in the trailer as well so I'm not giving away anything. The trauma forcing Quan (played by Chan) to search to destroy the men who killed his daughter, discovering along the way a cover up of sorts.

Now, although I was a bit skeptical at times, wondering who wrote the script, I did thoroughly enjoy the subdued action. And just in case you are curious, here's how the film rated by the famous film review houses

And if I am to add my two cents worth, I would have to go with IMDb at 7/10.

So if you are a fan of the man who was at the top of his game in the 90's in terms of partaking in his own stunts - then give this film your undivided attention, and even laugh a little.

Indie Films On Netflix Worth The While

2017-11-13T12:39:00.000-08:00

In light of the madness plaguing the entertainment industry, I have sort of stayed away from this site. Let's just say I'm a little turned off of - whatever the heck has been brought to light. But then I saw this list and decided to veer my attention to some simple entertainment. Check out the ten indie films worth the while:

Tallulah

Christine

Tramps

Blue Jay

I don't feel at home in this world anymore

Little Man

{and more}

The Meyerowitz Stories, New and Selected - Netflix Original

2017-11-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

I watched The Meyerowitz Story the other night on Netflix, not because I knew what it was about, but rather because of Sandler and Stiller pairing. I wanted to see the two onscreen together. I enjoy when two professional in the same league join forces to be in a film.

The Meyerowitz Story - New and Selected is the story about a family naturally - a patriarch, Harold (played by Dustin Hoffman) who's fathered a son, Danny (Adam Sandler) and daughter, Jean (Elizabeth Marvel) from a previous marriage, then a son, (Ben Stiller) from a second marriage and now with his third wife (wonderfully played by Emma Thompson), he's trying to maintain a lifestyle of a profound artist in New York. Except a fall in the park while walking the dog, dictates another lifestyle the family must adapt to. Which required the estranged siblings to get together to decide on how to proceed. Whether to sell the family home, and make funeral arrangements while dealing with a drunken step-mother who disappears often or...find a way to get along.

The rest I leave up to your imagination or suggest you tune in and watch the story unfold in the most interesting of ways.