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Reviews
Gran Turismo (2023)
This is why we love cliches!
You've seen it all before? Fine. Let your intellectual superiority and world weariness deny you the pleasures of a compelling (mostly) true rags to riches story, a remarkably well done bit of character development, and a two-hour adrenaline rush that puts most summer blockbusters to shame.
Seriously, I am reading in some of these reviews that the technical achievement of this movie is lacking. Well, those people watched something else. I'd swear I was at those racetracks...oh my lord, Le Mans in particular is so well done...and the insights into how the Grand Turismo simulator can actually pave the way to a racing career in the real world is handled flawlessly.
FWIW, I am 75 years-old and do not like wasting the time that is left to me...at the movies or anywhere else. Seeing GT was one of the most entertaining and actually informative afternoons I've spent in a long while, Barbie and Oppenheimer included.
You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023)
This movie has a really good heart
This movie makes me respect Adam Sandler a great deal. It is very frank and appealing tale bout loving one's family and honoring one's upbringing. He deserves much credit for imparting a whole lot of humor and grace to his awareness of family life's intimate sweet and bittersweet spots.
In a world beset by mean-spiritedness and political everything, what a pleasure to encounter the affectionate logistics of family, friendship and faith. That his daughters and wife are featured in the film is as appealingly meta as art can be. You just feel what a blast for them this had to be to make.
Watch it if you can use a little delight in your life. And keep your eye out for Sarah Sherman as Rabbi Rebecca...regardless of your own faith she will rock your spiritual world.
Mark Cavendish: Never Enough (2023)
Interesting
Mark Cavendish is a legendary cyclist and his story is a compelling one. The ups and downs of his career are extraordinary by any measure, and they are viscerally presented in this documentary.
Where the documentary truly succeeds is in not over-romanticizing Cavendish's character. He's a biking god, and his setbacks arouse real sympathy, but he's also a bit of an a-hole (a favorite coach's evaluation) and the movie is comfortable presenting come unvarnished truths about this sports "hero."
The real star here may well be the Tour de France bike race, and its importance as a great iconic event is artfully established here. The camera work is particularly compelling when the racers are racing and all in all the film is a good ride.
One last thing, every third word in the dialogue is the f-word so be advised if that sort of thing is in any way offensive to you.
Happiness for Beginners (2023)
Easy viewing.
These days the world is full of people who come to any movie, or any public display, with their attitude engine all revved up. They seem to know beforehand whether they are here to love or hate, and god help those who don't agree with either extreme.
This movie is a simple little pleasure best watched with an eye to easily falling asleep once it's concluded. It's really like one of the better Hallmark movies. Pleasant characters move through pleasant environments with just enough idiosyncrasy and beauty to make you feel decent about the human race and the world we inhabit.
Anyway, my wife and I both enjoyed this mellow little group hike through the wilderness. An extra star for the fact that there is exactly one profanity uttered in the movie, and even that is non-gratuitous.
Breathe out.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Good enough.
Just back from the theater with mixed feelings.
It's pretty to look at and, because of some stunts and a few clever lines, a decent summer escape. But the plot and a number of the action scenes are things you've encountered a million times before....endless motorcycle chase through a big city anyone?...and they have often been done better by Bond, Wick and even Dominick Torreto.
There really is little chemistry between Tom and his leading ladies and, frankly, it's all (with a couple of exceptions) a little derivative and long in the tooth.
My friendly advice is to lower your expectations, buy the big popcorn (2:43 run time!), and find a big screen to watch it on. You've seen worse.