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Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
Old fart reviewing a kids movie
Just went to the movies and saw the Emily Blunt vehicle Mary Poppins returns. I know the significant other did not go to see the music and dance, and I will not rate this film based on story line or acting, I have to approach this film differently if I am to review it. First, the last Disney movie I ever saw was probably Mary Poppins when it first came out in 1964. My friends shudder when I tell them I dont know what Toy Story was about or even what the lion king was. To say I never had kids is not a valid excuse I know, but there has been no drive to see Childrens Films on purpose. My only exceptions have been Nightmare before Christmas and my yearly fix of Rudolph on TV. My husband wanted to see Emily Blunt, so there we were.... If I was to rate the film I would do so on cinematography, continuity and all the things that would bore children. So for the boring things that kids just dont care about, I would give the movie 7 out of 10 stars. For everything else, "artsy" I would give a solid 7 out of 10. The acting was fine, and song and dance were well done given so much of that is post dubbed in production. Dance was handled well and edited great. The leads are old enough to be our children, so they seemed real young, The kids in the theater behind us really liked it. And watching it, I realized that if I was a 1960s person taking psychedelics, the art/film aspect was pretty fanciful. Take your Grandkids or Great Grandkids. Good flick, but give them the concept by showing them the original first, so when you see the cameos by the original actors in the film it is a pretty good flick.
They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
History cannot be lost on the young, do not let younger generations forget
Just finished seeing "They Shall Not Grow Old" Peter Jacksons Documentary vehicle, using archived footage and recordings of Veterans interviews from England's war corespondent archives and documentaries.
Along with recorded interviews during the 1960s and 70s of survivors of the "Great War" was the technical restoration of the film, there was a post show of 30 minutes showing "how they did it" with creating a sound effects with modern people and equipment. The film was painstakingly colorized with detail to the real colors not what Hollywood would have used to just entertain the masses, trips to actual venues and having actual fabrics and colors of skin, were used. 3D was added to bring the film to life as 100 year old film would not be expected to do.
The film was not a film of talkies but of silent hand cranked film, so sound was created and lip readers were brought in to re-enact the voices of those seen moving their lips in film. Film speed had to be slowed from the hand cranked methods, files of old paper work with the war details were found and the peripheral history was also noted, on what happened to the average soldier after the war. The whole story from those enlisted, trained and then sent home, start to finish. And documenting the horrible losses as well as the dark ages of the human condition in terms of germs, hygiene etc.
The movie started with a promotion to help increase awareness to the U.S. audience about the drive and fundraising to open a World War 1 monument in Washington and at the end Peter Jackson re-iterated the need for youth to talk to relatives who had lived either during the war or had relatives themselves in that war or successive wars.
End result, this was an amazing documentary, that sadly would be lost on young people who would think it was fabricated or was sadly not real, because they are so removed from a war that happened 100 years ago, yet for us older people we know 100 years is nothing but a spit in time. Youth will sadly be doomed to repeat everything given their distance to history that should not be forgotten.
I give this documentary 9 out of 10 for technical and 10 out of 10 for holding the attention of people that have such short attention spans for documentaries.
The Mule (2018)
classic modern clint eastwood
Saw The Mule today. First show of the first day with the Mom who appreciates seeing movies made by her generation. I will give this a solid 8.5 out of 10. First off, its nice to see an older actor playing (and producing and directing of course) an older person from (their own) generation and era. No Hollywood play ups (with PC actors acting parts that would have never been filled by someone other than who it would have been in real life!) or PC. If you liked Gran Torino, you will like this one too. Written about a World War 2 gen and his life as a Drug Mule in the Modern World. Young people who are not familiar with this generation, because they are so far removed from it, probably will not understand the sociology of the greatest generation. This would be their great great grand fathers. So probably good idea to (have them) watch movies about this generation before seeing this one. Like I said, youngsters are too far removed to understand the way of the older generation. What makes this movie good is based on a true story, with some human events sprinkled through to add texture and dimension to the character. Older folks will appreciate seeing someone their own age, doing something daring, and illegal, rather than watching some youngster. Good adult entertainment and examination of society and what folks will do if they are driven to do something or given the chance to do something they would have never done, read the NY times article on the guy this is based on. Take your grandparent.....This is classic modern Eastwood.
Coming Home for Christmas (2017)
One of the better hallmark movies but the lead guy is kinda weird
I actually liked this Hallmark movie, as it didn't fit the cookie cutter hallmark movie formula. One thing, maybe it was me, but the lead actor is kind of freakish...I dunno..weird feel/vibe with this guy. But maybe that was the point that he was staunch..I dunno. sometimes its fun to watch freakish people though.
Hunter Killer (2018)
Entertaining escapism for those who like sub movies
I am partial to sub movies, going back to Run Silent Run Deep and Das boot. With this Lions Gate vehicle; The story must keep you in suspense and since you spend money to go to escape it better be entertaining.
Hunter Killer kept you from getting up and going to the bathroom. The 3 dimensions of story line from the Sub, to the military command to the Navy Seal angle, the movie kept you entertained and even though you know good wins in the end, you still want to be kept in suspense. You can imagine the inter-workings and interpersonal relationships that do happen in real life so it isnt really far fetched that things we do not envision happening in real life, can and do. Need to escape from all the nonsense? Want some action adventure..go see Hunter Killer.
The Equalizer 2 (2018)
Almost a 7....
Just finished seeing Equalizer 2, since I am all about Denzel, after seeing the first installment 4 years ago, I felt like they were going to make another one based on the ending and of course they did. I try not to compare second installments to the first ones so to judge on its own I give it a 6.5 out of 10, the first one I give a 7 out of 10.
Since I am not a special effects movie kind of person, movies have to have substance. This sequel could stand on its own and there is no need to see the first to understand that Denzel is a special ops guy and he is revenging the death of one of his close friends. His close friend who was introduced in the first movie. I will not give a spoiler or "who done it" just know that it had slight predictability given deep state type of story lines involving secret ops.
Some may not see the predictability and will be a good cliff hanger. There is good human back story to give depth to the characters and good rounding out of good/bad at the end. Good movie all the way around.
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
6 but more like a 5.5, Good entertainment.
Just finished renting/watching Murder on the Orient Express...I rented it because I am all about anything Kenneth Branagh, going back to his Henry V days, good to see his Alumni Derek Jacobi along side him in this. I am (you can hate on me later) not a big Depp fan, so his little bit was just fine, however only a couple criticisms of the film...It was a good rehash of the 70s epic but I dont like movies that take the modern, PC approach, because it does come off kinda pandering. Good CGI, as I see most the film was actually filmed in New Zealand. Acting good, good little twists on the actual AC Novel, (I would give it 2.5 out 5 stars for entertainment purposes. but the old one still holds the water on this story. Even though "my guy" Kenneth was also Producer/Director, hope he got his money back on it. Good all around but not the best
Darkest Hour (2017)
You cant compare this to computer animated junk
Just got back from seeing Darkest Hour. I will give it 5 stars out of 5 stars. As you know I am not part of the CGI movie generation, I will not go to movies that are manufactured and have little dialogue and take time to review them, I will seriously only review movies that are either Historically accurate or Movies that do not rely on special effects. Given that...
Because I was raised with a World War 2 Family, I will say from the acting standpoint, this is Gary Oldmans' finest. Those of you who know me I am a Gary Oldman fan, going back at least 15 years to his roll in Tip Toes. Gary Oldman is an actor who transforms himself to the point you do not realize its him until you look closely. Not only did he absorb the roll of Churchill, he became Churchill. The aspects of Left/Right and Politics of World War 2 played out and for the uneducated or those who are not WW2 buffs, will be reminded of the politics surrounding WW2.
The story was simple, there were no flying ships or space oddities and the special effects of transforming Oldman into "the oldman" were nothing but amazing.
Please bring your parents, grandparents or whom ever you are blessed enough to still have in your life that remember World War 2, and let it be a reminder to those who have no idea that really the world has not changed much politically in over 70 years.
Entertainment meets history, and the tie in to previous years movies of Dunkirk, and The Kings Speech will help tie it all together for you.
Put down the Star Wars Wookies and see what real movie making is all about still.
Dunkirk (2017)
good education for the folks a generation removed from history
Just got back from seeing Dunkirk. 5 out of 5 is my rating. I have a special affinity for WW2 flicks, and this one kept me engaged and the music and sound gave it a dimensional feel without the aid of matrix floating and blowing up space ships. To top it off, it had my favorite actor Kenneth Branagh who I have been following since 1983 and his career with the Royal Academy and his early Shakespeare offerings, and even before his marriage to Emma Thompson. Was surprised to see him since I had not read up on the movie before I saw it with the Mom. Since I loosely follow the WW2 string of battles this one will leave those who have no knowledge of the a fore mentioned, at least engaged and not wanting to go to the bathroom. The movie combines 3 stories that intertwine at the end. Mark Rylance is a pleasant surprise, if you are familiar with his work in Bridge of Spies. Good film to educate teens on what happened with the era of their Great Grandparents. Recommend. Be sure to see on the biggest screen and sound system possible.
Vikings (2013)
Really History Channel!?!?!??!?! I didn't want Game of Thrones.
I love history and I love historical dramas and even fiction based on history, but that wasn't what I thought I was going to get treated to. I started binge watching it because first, it was produced for the History Channel, so stupid me, thought it would be a Burns style documentary with some story line interjected...
I instead got to see a threesome, lots of blood shed and more debauchery than I have seen in a long time. I guess some time travelers may be interested in going back to that time.
The show should have been marketed on TNT or HBO or something like that,because I just ain't into historical dramas. NOW, I have to admit I have never seen Game of Thrones, but is this what the History Channel was aiming for?
The characters are interesting but could have been in the 20th century. Politics? Apparently I have current politics to look forward to just by reading the reviews here on IMDb. Muslims, LGBTs, Pacifists, Anarchists, etc...you have them all in here, and it really starts to take off in the 3rd Season apparently. Thats all well and good if that's what you came here for to watch, but not me.
I wanted a historically accurate time line series, but instead I feel like I am watching Dallas or Dynasty now.
The Ticket (2016)
Just rented today. Good Too hot to go outside flick
Just saw this (Spoiler ALERT)....nothing else to rent so rented this one...figuring it was probably a chick flick. I give it 2.5-3 stars. Probably was deeper than what I saw it as. Not to spoil it for you but to give you the premise...you can go deeper into the movie if you would like....Guy is blind, guy miraculously gets his vision back, guy become successful by becoming greedy, guy looses family, in the end...well...guy. looses his eye sight again......you can put 2 and 2 together and see the human drama unfolding...not an action flick but human drama with a proverbial moral. Acting..GOOD, a solid 6.5 out of 10, production 5 out of 10.
The Son (2017)
Show vs. Novel
I have been watching this new show since the inception, but I also just started reading the novel from which it is based. Already of course there are players that are either not being depicted as in the novel or we are not getting any play on the characters that are in the book.
Thats okay though, I often have read the books before or after a movie or show only to notice characters have been added, changed or left out all together, perhaps so the show flows better with less characters or the story-lines can be more easily adapted. I get that.
I say the show is a 10 but it may come down as it proceeds, I feel as if the novel is maybe only 70 % of the show, or visa-versa, I see Eli has one more son in the novel as is being introduced in the show, I do not see reference of the granddaughter in the novel, only later, a great granddaughter.
I see the show as a good, rough, edgy TV drama, of course edgier than the old days, but today's TV audience, specially adults demand an adult drama. You are not watching Bonanza, and although my Mom would say Gunsmoke at the time was edgier than Bonanza at the time, I would have to say this meets the match of being what would be considered an adult Western, not a family Western.
Pierce Brosnan is believable as the Western Matriarch. Having an accent already makes him easier to believe than if a Californian attempted the roll, since the south has remnants of a European drawl....he is also an edgy actor, not fluff, so the roll fits very well.
The supporting actors are good, but since they are the spokes in the hub its hard to mess that up, but the lead son does act very much like the torn individual who is trying to hold the family together in very hairy times.
The flash backs are good, because it is showing how Eli matured and was created out of the horror of his family being killed and his maturing during his being kept as a slave in the Native American tribe that kept him. Yes it was an ugly time, something that is not often shown in family westerns.
I will report back but so far this is the only show I am looking forward to seeing every Saturday.
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)
Age appropriateness and generational likes/dislikes
Just saw Star Wars. I give it 3.4 stars out of 5. So the best I could say is 6 out of 10.
If you are over 85 or are just 5, you would need to be brought up to speed in order to enjoy it.
Unless a geek, a typical 85 year old is not familiar with the story as she (in this case an 85 year old mom) only remembered Harrison Ford flying the ship from the movie 40 years ago and not too much about the original storyline, or who the guy was at the end lol. (Not happy about the fact that Luke is only seen in the last 30 seconds with no dialogue)
For me, it was an good movie, but not the greatest movie of all time. I can see where a die hard geek/fan would be disgruntled if I said that, but to be honest to take the die hard fan out of the equation, they too are going to like this movie even if its the worst starwars movie ever made.
Disclaimer; I only saw the first 3 Star Wars movies (me myself got a little long in the tooth to keep up with the last 3 since I have no kids)....if I was to gauge the story against the length of the movie....the story could have been told in less than an hour.