MickyG333 Reviews

2 Hearts (2020)

Touching but tedious

[7/10 · 25 May 2024]

6.9 stars.

I feel the intention of the director is to provide a moving and emotional story, designed to gain momentum. But it does not accomplish that goal. Instead, it starts off with a somewhat endearing and entertaining tale of two couples falling in love. But as time progresses, the music and the atmosphere become more somber as we are led down a dreary path.

If this was supposed to be uplifting and inspirational, it was a valiant effort to be such. The drama serves to provide an initial exuberant hopefulness, followed by intense sadness and loss, without much hope for "happily ever after".

If you aren't familiar with the true story behind this film, you will be led astray. What you are watching is not fully actual. There is no narrator and no butterflies. Read the facts before embarking on the journey of '2 Hearts', then you'll be prepared.

Joshua (I) (2002)

Risky sensationalism

[6/10 · 25 May 2024]

5.7 stars.

I don't give movies less than 6.0 rating, unless they are really bad. 'Joshua' has good production value and is not poorly constructed, but the narrative is too flawed to ignore. The acting and music and sets are great. The script is not bad, although it tends to embellish specific aspects of personalities just a bit too much and plainly. The "evil" priest vs the "good" one, ordinary citizens are too apathetic to see what has transpired before them...all too cliche to be interesting.

This film is obviously not theologically accurate, so it's very much a work of fiction. It was probably made by a Catholic producer, it's surely pro-Catholic. I wonder if people realize that Catholics are not technically Christians in the sense that most people understand. A Christian puts Christ first in all things, and in all ways Jesus is the author of all faith and salvation and truth. Catholics sprinkle a bunch of other stuff in there, like the virgin Mary also being a "supernatural" force, and they venerate apostles as saints, giving them status above mere humans. They have also changed some of the original Pentateuch and New Testament, and last but not least, they immortalize a human as a vicar of Christ himself. Far from "Christian".

Sorry for the theology spiel, but it's important to understand that if you think this is a "Christian" depiction of how this story might occur, it's not. It's a Catholic depiction. We know that Joshua (Jesus) wouldn't come to a small town in America like this. The Bible actually proves it won't ever happen this way. Furthermore, some of the slang Joshua uses and many of his characteristics are way out there. Like, way, way out there. His mannerisms could be considered creepy at times, and I'm fairly certain the real Jesus never came across as a creepy sort, or allow someone to get mixed signals. And the part where he seems to lose his power, because a miracle sapps him of his energy...this is not biblical and implies that Jesus is not God, but only a man. The true Jesus never lost any of his supernatural stamina due to performing miracles. Sure, his human body probably got exhausted, but not for utilizing his omnipotence. Yes, you might say, but what about when the woman touched his garment and he said some of his power had gone out from him? This does not mean he got weak and tired. It simply means someone tapped into his power. There are other miracles performed that contradict the Bible. He would never perform a miracle for personal convenience or comfort, but he does that very thing in this story. Another miracle he does is not in the right manner, so it represents another heresy (if you will). Anyway, there are several aspects in this film that make me uncomfortable, so proceed with caution.

Priceless (II) (2016)

Shoddy filmmaking

[6/10 · 25 May 2024]

5.8 stars.

This film has a very good message. Do yourself a favor and watch 'Sound of Freedom' instead.

I rooted for the good guys, but these guys are not smart. Are people really making mistakes like this in their efforts to help the helpless? The monumental errors in judgement are hard to ignore and I find it very difficult to fathom any narrative would follow this particular pattern. The Protagonist (James) makes so many mistakes, he might as well just lock the prison doors and throw the key into the Arctic. I mean, after the stunts he pulls, there's no way this story ends happily ever after. He really screws it up, and yet what are the ramifications of his utterly mindless actions? The traffickers are two-bit morons too. What did I just waste my time watching? If you want to help the unfortunate "slaves" out there by informing the public of what's happening in the world, take pride in your work and present it right. I lost all respect for this film as soon as I realized the writer(s) must have been born yesterday. Exit this movie and watch 'Sound of Freedom'. It's ten times better and tells the same exact story.

Love on the Air (2015 TV Movie)

Not quite what I had hoped

[7/10 · 24 May 2024]

7.3 Stars.

Scarfe and Sweeney, Sweeney and Scarfe. Well, this is an engaging story about two radio hosts, stuck in dead end slots on a Chicago talk radio station. She does a dating show from a cynical female perspective, pushing girl power and feminism. He does the opposite, all about men and chivalry and how to navigate the dating minefield created by women.

The two of them eventually learn each other's identity and that they work at the same radio station. Sparks begin to fly, although these are not good sparks, rather explosive and destructive ones, at first. But the producers love the vibe, these two hosts deserve to share a show where they spar incessantly back and forth. They get the chance to co-host a primetime show. The ratings soar, everyone is happy, but if they fall in love, the ratings will likely plummet. They must proliferate the clever and nasty banter and maintain the facade.

We can all guess what happens, right? Nope, they don't need any prodding to keep the ratings sky high, because these two are the best at ad libbing. Even when they start to fall in love, they are both so convincingly volatile that everything works itself out naturally, until one of them has a major misunderstanding...

I don't quite feel Sweeney for this role, and that's because for me she doesn't have the softer female attractiveness and charisma I'm looking for with this particular personality. She has a few good roles, but honestly, she's best in roles that have minimal romance and more intrigue and mystery. Save Sweeney for the less sappy films. We need more of her in Wedding Veil installments. Even though the wedding veil films have some romance, they are primarily about travel and adventure. I really hope they crank out another few of those.

Loving Leah (2009 TV Movie)

Didn't realize the lifestyle

[7/10 · 24 May 2024]

7.3 stars.

The movie feels good, so that's a start. The entertainment value is not bad, although it's a bit slow at times, but that's to be expected of a religious oriented romance story. The acting is good. Both lead characters are wonderful and full of life. She is so broken due to her circumstances. And how can this man fill the shoes of his brother? Of course he can, and he does, but it's a journey. I didn't realize looking in from the outside, how it seems the Jewish lifestyle mirrors the Amish in so many ways. At least it seems as portrayed in 'Loving Leah'. There is an obvious contradiction with it all, the mothers seem worldly in so many ways. How these religions and cultures get so mixed up in their traditions, it's really quite sad.

The Memory Book (2014 TV Movie)

One of my favorite lines

[8/10 · 22 May 2024]

7.7 stars.

Sometimes a writer captures a truly eloquent statement. This was a beautiful, but rare moment for me, so I had to mention it. She says to him: "Love never works out and the only thing worse would be having it not work out with you." I mean, who writes this stuff? Who says this stuff? But if I had to break off a potential romance for fear of commitment, or failure, there's no better way to phrase it. Fortunately, most people in this world would take the opportunity to fight relentlessly to save the relationship after hearing an obvious "green light" plea. It is a cry for help...the kind of help that only true love can provide. She must be hoping he can fulfill her ultimate need and desire for love; she needs courage and the faith to believe it actually exists. But, as most standard romance films go, his reaction is quite predictable. Otherwise, how can the marvelous drama build up to the wonderful climax of 'The Memory Book'?

This film was obviously released prior to the Hallmark era of "spit and polish" that emerged sometime around 2020. And I'm happy for that, because once in a while a genuine movie comes along without the glitter and fluff we are subjected to these days.

I must say I don't find the history of the elderly couple to be realistic. People don't toss love away like this in the real world. It takes more than one reckless moment to destroy a relationship this solid and I think the writer exaggerated the consequences.

Everything Puppies (2024 TV Movie)

This film takes two steps backward

[7/10 · 20 May 2024]

6.8 stars.

While I really like both lead actors, this story fails to entertain in most ways that I would prefer. The romantic aspect is all but non-existent, which I can tolerate as long as the story can rise to the challenge. Unfortunately, it does not.

A woman has created a puppy biscuit shaped like a bone (like Milkbone dog biscuits) and all the dogs and pups seem to love this brand more than the others on the market. It's also one of the healthiest versions. A large competitor does everything he can to shut down her fledgling dog food business. One very charming man at a large pet store does his best to help the woman get the product on the shelves. This is their story.

The charming and good looking man falls for the woman, he's a muscle bound store manager. She is somewhat endearing, but we don't get to see anything special happen between them. There are some misunderstandings, but the drama is lackluster. Her friend (who is a partner in her doggy business) is likable, but undeveloped as a personality. He has an ex-girlfriend (sort of) who is his currently his superior and works at the corporate office of the pet store chain for which he is a manager of one store location. There is nothing interesting about her at all. She's not even antagonist worthy, just a character with no depth.

'Puppies Everywhere' didn't bring me any excitement or anticipation, because it's too generic and limited and there isn't a large variety of puppies in the film. What I described above is literally most of the story. There aren't any real twists or turns, no side story to elevate the experience, no wow factor. None of the supporting cast stand out as being exceptional. This film is bland. I have no plans to see this again.

A Whitewater Romance (2024 TV Movie)

Stuck in a Busby loop

[6/10 · 19 May 2024]

5.7 stars.

Poor girl. She has been stuck in the same film for the past 6 years. I will start by saying things were looking pretty good when she was in the Darcy stories, the first one was not bad, but they ended it in 2018 with 'Marrying Mr. Darcy', which was a flop. She has appeared in a couple good Christmas stories, the past several years, but that's about all.

Her Hallmark choices have been a bust since then. 2020: 'Love in the Forecast', felt somewhat fresh, but I had no idea the direction her "wilderness" career would be headed. That was the first taste of her outdoorsy characters, and like I said, it was not too bad. But then they copycat it with 'Chasing Waterfalls' in 2021, which was actually an improvement, but then 'Warming Up to You', same song, third verse, 'Marry Me in Yosemite'-fourth verse, 'Love in Zion National...'-fifth, and now 'A Whitewater Romance'-sixth. Please make this the final attempt at the same character. I actually thought she might actually be the same character, literally, which would have been more agreeable for me. At least it would contain some cohesion and a rational explanation for the repetitive out-of-doors theme. Give Busby a break guys and let her expand her options - out with the outdoors and in with the indoors.

The Wedding Planner (2001)

Entertaining and fun

[8/10 · 19 May 2024]

7.8 stars.

'The Wedding Planner' is a fun and entertaining film. What more is needed to rate it above 5 stars? I mean, let's be realistic, sure it's cheesy, somewhat of a copycat of a dozen other films about weddings, no doubt, but it's a well made movie and the acting is good and it's not a disappointment. So why the low rating? Oh well, who cares I suppose, but I wish people would be more forgiving, just because they may have such high expectations, totally inflated ones perhaps...sure JLO was no Julia Roberts, and Matthew Mc. Is no Brad Pitt, but they both hold their own quite well. There is decent chemistry, the supporting cast are skilled and charismatic...I rate films based on rewatchability and entertainment. This fits the profile of something I'd watch every 5 years or so. I've seen it thrice, maybe four times. The scenes in the park are classic, with the dancing and the old films. A sound romance this is.

The Happy Camper (2023 TV Movie)

Nothing better to do

[5/10 · 17 May 2024]

5.2 stars.

I decided to queue this up as I sat down for a late breakfast. The question quickly emerged: what am I watching? This movie is absolutely nothing original or fun whatsoever. The acting is okay, that's all. But I can think of a thousand different ways to utilize these poor actors than to settle for something as un-entertaining as 'The Happy Camper'. To be honest, I only got through the first 45 minutes, then fast forwarded to the final 15, just to say I watched half of it. It's just not normal for a woman of her talents to be so interested and excited about renovating a dilapidated old camper. This movie is dangerous, because it doesn't warn of the toxic chemicals and materials used to manufacture these trailers. She is ripping it apart, not wearing a hazmat suit? I'm not kidding, the materials will kill you. That was enough for me to shut this puppy down and move on.

A Taste of Praise (2023)

Choose your battles

[5/10 · 17 May 2024]

5.4 stars.

No production is going to touch this film with a ten foot pole. This was obviously produced by a Christian company who wants to tell the story from the "other" perspective. What I recall in the news was that this baker refused to bake a cake for a gay couple's wedding. I never heard any additional details.

According to this movie, the baker refused to make a custom wedding cake, not just a generic one. Apparently, his bakery specializes in custom cakes, the most creative and amazing ones in the area. So, the fact he refused to make a "custom" cake might not be so bad. Apparently, he did offer to make a generic cake, I don't know, but I don't think so. I just read some article about it, and it doesn't mention the level of cake involved. Does it matter? Well, he feels it's rebellion against his God to make a custom cake for any group or person that represents a lifestyle or ideology that opposes Christianity. He was willing to sell any of the other generic goods to them, however, just not anything custom made. So, what's the difference? Think about it. So what if a Muslim wanted a cake for their wedding? What if he was to make a cake for a very wealthy Wall Street mogul who requested it be carved into the shape of a dollar sign and the occasion was about being rich; and the baker knew secretly that his wealth was from a Ponzi scheme? Or, what if it was for a Planned Parenthood employee party? What if it was for a celebrity that he really admires, but he knows that celebrity contributes to the campaign of a shady politician?

Think long and hard on this. Life is nothing but uncertainty, gray areas and blurred lines. In my opinion, he should have made the cake, as long as it did not perpetuate the type of lifestyle he disagreed with or advertise anything abominable or deviant in its presentation. What if the couple simply wanted a really cool cake with flowers or a sports car? That would be generic enough. He seems to have felt it was sacrilegious or evil to be in a same sex relationship, so he wanted nothing to do with them whatsoever. Again, where do you draw the line? You have to be really careful when you "stand up" for your beliefs, because if not consistent across the board, you are only insulting yourself and frankly, taking your God's name in vain.

Here's something somewhat surreal, I can point out at least four gay actors, beside the gay couple. The pastor, two of the bakers and the drama teacher. Am I missing something? This film is a conradiction.

A Mile in His Shoes (2011 TV Movie)

Too forgettable

[6/10 · 17 May 2024]

5.7 stars.

I'm a stickler for playing by the rules of filmmaking. When some independent movie like this one is released, I expect the scriptwriter and director to stick to the system. I was very disappointed in the presentation of 'A Mile in His Shoes' and after 48 minutes, I stopped the movie and removed it from my watchlist on Prime. Where to begin...

This is not an accurate portrayal of Asperger syndrome (I don't know if they call it that anymore, but in 2011, probably still did). Big fat no-no. If you can't get the characteristics of the condition right, DON'T bother making the movie. Watching the actor misrepresent everything about it is an automatic thumbs down. I don't blame him, it's obviously the director's fault. In reality, the character would be intelligent and likely appear to be over-nerdy, yet this guy seems more mentally challenged and prone to odd mood swings and fits, and that's not normally how it goes. He asks the coach if he thinks a tomato or an orange is more round, then he says potatoes aren't round. This is what a mentally challenged person would say, but an Asperger person would think a question like this was juvenile and half-witted. It might mimic autism, and while Asperger may be on the spectrum, they are different.

Next, I noticed the baseball games were not realistic for college play (or any play), I think the score was wrong when the other team hit a homer, the announcer said it was 3-0, and they put 2 points on the board instead of 3. Again, big fat no-no for people who watch baseball and appreciate accuracy. You get the scores wrong, it's time for you to look for another job, not only as a scorekeeper, but as a filmmaker (get what I did there?). Next, the other pitcher was apparently pitching a shutout, yet his team was like 0-12, (zero wins and twelve losses-a really bad record) so what were the odds he would be pitching a shutout if they were a winless team, and why would coach (Cain) replace him with the new guy to finish the game? It doesn't track at all.

Let's rewind to his decision to draft him in the first place. He puts this challenged young man on the team, and can he even catch a baseball? We don't know, but he grew up on a farm and seemingly has zero baseball knowledge or skills, yet he's pitching soon after and if he's never played baseball, NO, NO, NO. He'd have to learn to catch and hit the ball as well. Most pitchers have to bat at some point. It's just LAZY, LAZY, LAZY filmmaking and it's an insult to film buffs like myself.

I feel like the theme is how playing baseball can help people cope with their mental challenges. It helps people focus their special skills on the sport. It's a wonderful idea, so next time let's get it right so the audience can enjoy the movie instead of dissecting it.

This is one of Dean Cain's better performances. He doesn't have the option of being too cheesy or corny in this more serious role. That's the only upside of this experience, but it was short-lived.

War Dogs (2016)

Creeping compromise

[8/10 · 16 May 2024]

8.4 stars.

People succumb to creeping compromise all too easily in this world. Dabble a little bit into the illegal, get lucky, have a decent, IQ, learn some basic negotiation skills, be willing to look the other way a little...the perfect recipe for becoming an arms dealer.

In his own mind, a young man has the perfect life except for one thing - he's not rich. As his character deftly narrates throughout the whole film, he starts us off with his back story. He gives massages to "old men" in Florida for about $75 an hour. Well, that's not too bad, because if you do the math, he probably was earning at least $50,000 a year...and that's only working part time. And he has the perfect girlfriend, beautiful, nice, understanding, supportive...

He happens to run into his old buddy from younger days. This friend is in the gun running business, he's a small time arms dealer, but he's working on becoming a kingpin in the trade. Business is easy and very lucrative for him, and he hasn't even delved much into the illegal stuff yet, but soon it all goes south.

This story is about how these two twenty-somethings turn into hardened men very quickly, not mature and stable men, but dangerous and volatile ones in a very cutthroat and dubious profession. This can be really shady stuff, but it starts of mainly legal. Inevitably, they cross the line here a little, there a little - creeping into the black market side of selling weapons to small armies.

Then his buddy starts to get too greedy, and causes our protagonist (if you want to call him that) to be thrust into a life-threatening situation. Now he has nothing to lose, because his baby girl and baby momma might have to live without him (if you get my drift). And it's no help that his "friend" is untrustworthy and a con artist, which our protagonist suspected all along, but couldn't quite believe it to be true, because he was too naive and they were making too much money. He had conned several previous associates, but the evidence was lacking. Once our good guy has a gun pointed to his head, it's time to get out and cut his losses.

This movie is absolutely thrilling and epic in chronicling two naive young men who negotiate multi-million dollar government weapon contracts. This profession puts them in harm's way - getting shot, kidnapped, threatened. Most of it happens in questionable places...Iraq, Jordan, Albania...you name it. They dabbled in it and almost got killed on multiple occasions, yet they kept coming back for the money.

This film tells the story in a most riveting and entertaining way and I found no flaws in the presentation.

You've Got Mail (1998)

Erudite romance

[8/10 · 15 May 2024]

8.3 stars.

I think about when I first saw this...I was but a young man in my twenties. And did I fully comprehend the scope of a romance story with this level of depth? No, I most certainly did not. But wait, 'You've Got Mail' is so very juvenile and basic, right? I mean, how can a romance like this hold a candle to anything the likes of Harry Met Sally, or 'Sleepless in Seattle' for Meg Ryan? Let's omit 'Joe Vs the Volcano' which doesn't count as a noteworthy anything. But let's widen the scope and include greats like 'Pretty Woman', 'Love Actually', 'Jerry Maguire'...Heck, let's take a time machine back to the 60's for 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', 'Bye Bye Birdy', and the 70's with 'Annie Hall'. These are the ones I see listed in a quick search. I've seen them all. Funny, I don't see 'The Graduate' on any lists. I wonder if it was too cringe for its era, and now it's just not PC in so many ways...my point is that innumerable cleverly written romance films have been around for a very long time, so when one like 'You've Got Mail' hits the big time, we have to sit and wonder what is so special about it...what sets it apart from the previous ones? Nothing. Except it is original because of the fresh internet aspect and, of course, Hanks and Ryan are at their very vest. Arguably, they are both at the height of their careers. For these two reasons alone, this film was devastatingly groundbreaking. To gross 230 million in the 90's - for a romance film - was pretty much unheard of. And yet, it is eclipsed by 'Sleepless in Seattle', which was released 5 years prior. At least, if you account for inflation. So what makes this film great? Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks' on-screen chemistry, that's what. There is no coincidence they co-starred in more than a few romance films together. The formula: clever dialogue, Hanks, Ryan, decent director = magic. Why didn't they collaborate on any more romances after this? I'm not sure anyone has the answer. I read somewhere that Hanks was supposed to be in 'When Harry Met Sally', but turned it down. Interesting.

The Judge (2014)

Well-balanced courtroom drama

[8/10 · 15 May 2024]

8.0 stars.

This is my kind of movie when it comes to the thrill of two powerful lawyers (Downey Jr vs Billy Bob Thornton) battling in a courtroom in a murder trial. These types of movies seem to be popular more than not. But there is much more to this story than courtroom drama, murder, and intrigue. It's primarily about a father and his three sons and an enormous rift between them.

'The Judge' is one of those dark films, almost noir-esque, where the courtroom is notably underlit, the shadows cast off the faces of each character are ominous and bleak. The background of the murder trial is thrilling and mysterious. Interestingly, the film depicts one of the darkest courtrooms in cinema I've seen in years. Even in most Grisham films, or 'A Few Good Men', at least we can see and recognize all the people, but not with 'The Judge'. I'm not sure why it's so dark, but I wanted to emphasize the fact.

It's about an old judge named Joseph (Duvall) who was too hard on his son Hank (Downey Jr), but Hank always wanted to be like him and eventually becomes a hot shot lawyer, probably a better lawman than he. Joseph has never been proud of Hank and we don't know why, at first, except to assume he is hard on him because he's reminded of himself. Eventually we are shown the cause for his disdain, and why Hank left his family and town behind. He even left the love of his life Samantha (Farmiga) to escape his father's derision. Joseph is not nearly so harsh on Hanks two brothers, so we see his contempt is aimed solely Hank, and soon we find out why.

'The Judge' is superbly accomplished and the script is nothing short of a brilliant study into the dysfunction of a family of men. It adeptly draws a sketch of a family dynamic, and how only Joseph can be the alpha, afterall, he is father and Judge. The other intellectual genius, Hank, had to get out of the picture, which he did...went far away to the other side of the country. But that left the other two sons to fend for themselves for many years. Their mother has recently died, which precipitates Hank returning for the funeral.

The youngest son is mentally challenged and needs to be cared for to some extent. The eldest, Joseph's favorite son Glen (D'Onofrio), was maimed in a car accident many years ago. Unfortunately, Hank was the driver. The accident caused him to lose some function in his pitching hand, and therefore his chances to become a professional baseball player were forfeit. Now Glen owns an automotive shop and is married with children, but it's obvious he is unfulfilled and generally bedraggled. Joseph hates Hank for causing this.

Only a few days after the death of his wife of 50 years, Joseph is suspected of murder. The reasons and circumstances surrounding this are too many to list. Needless to say, Joseph is now on trial for murder and the only chance he's got for acquittal is to be defended by Hank. Hank's services are unwelcomed and spurned by Joseph, but eventually he comes around for various reasons. Let the pure drama commence.

The personalities are engaging and rich, the story is full of conflict and drama, therefore, this is a must-see.

The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

Visceral teenage girl angst

[8/10 · 15 May 2024]

8.1 stars.

I can only imagine these are the feelings that teenage girls must manage on a daily basis in high school. What is the lesson to be learned for a man like myself? Probably nothing. But what I'm reminded of is that the age of seventeen has a significant edge to it. It seems obvious the title speaks of this edge, the precipice, walking the thin line, living on a razor; all of these metaphors that apply to a girl who is either 17 or will be very soon. She is living on the edge of greatness, concurrently in a virtual nightmare, yet potentially the most amazing and fun era of her life.

I think this film attempts to capture the essence of it and quite frankly (in my ignorant, yet hopeful and humble opinion) it nails it perfectly. The only unrealistic aspects are that everyone is so pretty. I mean, everyone is too good looking and so it's not completely honest as far as that goes. A young girl this pretty usually does not have zero friends...unless she was heretofore ugly and then recently blossomed, which it seems the writer is trying to suggest, but it falls a bit short of that mark. She would quickly make many shallow friends immediately after her transformation into the gorgeous creature that is portrayed by Stanfield (one of my favorite young actresses-I really loved her in True Grit). Yet the time elapses, she is wonderfully stunning for months, but without the usual conglomeration of devotees.

Entertaining from start to finish is how I'd best describe it.

A Walk to Remember (2002)

Wide-eyed appeasement

[8/10 · 14 May 2024]

8.4 stars.

Gosh, did I see this twenty years ago? I'm thinking I did, but only bits and pieces remained with me. Now here we are on the second go round and what a little slice of heaven I had almost forgotten.

This will always be a movie to remember. It just works. One of those instant romantic classics that helps teach us about pain and faith. Like her character says (paraphrasing), you can't enjoy the light (blessings and joy) without the darkness. And now I know why her personality is so beautiful and lovable. She has matured much too quickly, but it all makes sense and it all fits together like the perfect tragic vision of loveliness.

'A Walk to Remember' was out of time and place in this genre, it is therefore timeless...how it captures the essence of trueness, embodies the genuine and consummate aspirations of the soul.

Yes, I'm being sappy, but I just have to say this movie does seem to fit the mold for an uplifting and tearful experience rarely seen being portrayed by such young and inexperienced actors...they really nailed it.

Sure, in some respects, this film is rushed and shoddy, somewhat clunky...but as a whole, it is sheer brilliance. The music was a bit much, that's the only downside. Don't get me wrong, the music is decent, there's just too much. The upside is an endless array of nuanced magic, captured in too short a story. I have demands for more of whatever enchantment the filmmaker has sealed in a time capsule of romantic bliss. I'm done with the schmalz. If you are seeing this for the first time right now, I envy your next 101 minutes.

God's Not Dead (2014)

Allegorical and elementary

[7/10 · 14 May 2024]

7.3 stars.

Okay, my initial thoughts do not equal the sum total of my final ones. For the most part, I was entertained, not for its amazingly profound theological impact (which it does NOT impart), but for the capable acting and various mood swings we are the beneficiaries of witnessing. I also enjoyed some of the clever, in-your-face moments, which felt like an underdog making a steady and satisfying comeback from time to time.

My overall impression is this is an allegorical lecture about creation versus evolution. Is God real and did he create the universe, or are most of the philosophers and scientists correct in their theory of the opposite? The allegory consists of several anecdotes of the lives of twelve people.

I enjoyed the story, but it's a bit too elementary. The women are too dull-witted and seemingly weak to provide much of a moral impact. Our college boy, let's call him the protagonist-pro-creationist...is attempting to prove that God exists and meanwhile his girlfriend of 6 years, who is supposedly Christian, presents a haphazard and impetuous ultimatum. It's all too unrealistic (thus my allegory theory). The professor's girlfriend is much too simple minded and subservient to be any kind of stalwart...too trite to symbolize contemporary female strength. But, I suppose, since she is a Christian and living under the thumb of an arrogant man who denies the existence of a creator, it makes partial sense. The professor is adamant to a fault that there is no God and his threats are fervent, but to the audience, the relationship is a contradiction. He is zealously against religion and has known she was a Christian since they met. It doesn't add up, unless he was simply trying to get some "tail" (as some might crudely describe it). The debate between student and professor is efficacious in that they present a broad spectrum of academic issues as they each defend their beliefs. This is the most impactful aspect of the movie for me. I should have taken notes. "Philosophy is dead". Is God dead? You might enjoy (if nothing else) the robot zombies the other students in the class represent.

There are several secondary characters (possibly one too many people to focus upon). The reverend subplot is superfluous, as is the lawyer and his protege, the Asians and Muslims. In spite of some needless characters, they added some emotional impact to the film as a whole, so I can understand why the filmmaker didn't remove them.

I still enjoyed 'God's Not Dead' in spite of its acute unsophistication. The characters are all intertwined in a really interesting way, which when revealed, was a pleasant surprise. But, In the end, the plethora of storylines minimized the protagonist's impact.

Lola (I) (2024)

I watched it

[6/10 · 12 May 2024]

6.0 stars.

I mean how bad can it be? At first it seems like it's going to be a normal movie about a young pretty girl who is a stripper and trying to get by with a low life, mother and stepdad. She is simply trying to make enough money to free herself and her nine-year-old brother, who is gender dysphoric. But things get worse and worse, and could they get any worse?

This is an extremely depressing tale of a person with no escape from her dead-end existence. But the story is naive. There are too many gaps where we need dialogue and fluff. The writer didn't give us anything to chew on. Instead we are left with a traumatic and unfulfilled narrative with no purpose or theme. Anyone could write this. And yet I somehow wanted to finish it. And then it starts to look like...and then it's over.

A Country Romance (2021 TV Movie)

Slow motion

[7/10 · 11 May 2024]

6.5 stars.

Just barely rounds up to a 7. It's somewhat difficult to manage placing this story in the realm of possible for several reasons. The main actor is not straight, so envisioning him as it is already difficult. But that's the reality of Hollywood, once an actor comes out, there's no stuffing themselves back in. Sure, we could say it's no different than trying to believe a straight portraying a non character. So be it. It's all about getting into the romance and enjoying the experience of attraction between two leads, knowing that one of them isn't capable of being that for the other. Ok, like I said, so be it.

Now let's talk about the movie. This story is presented to us in slow motion. I am not kidding. The tempo of conversation is literally turned down to 65%. Every sentence is deliberate, so the 90 minutes of run time is telling a 60 minute story. The story itself is not original in any way. In fact, this is about as unoriginal and monotonous as they come. So what was good about it? It's very relaxing and ASMR-like. This is a good film to unwind and end your hectic day with. Just too slow moving for any entertainment, but it has value in other respects.

Mother of the Bride (2024)

Netflix propaganda?

[7/10 · 11 May 2024]

6.9 stars.

This isn't bad and it's certainly not 4.9 stars bad. Is Netflix lying when they say this was #1 on their movie list this week? It doesn't have too many reviews and the rating is way too low for a #1, so I'm confused.

It's a decent rom com, Bratt and Shields have good chemistry. For two people in their late 50's they look really great. I will do my best to look that youthful when I get there, which isn't far off. Both of them have physiques of ripped 35 year olds, young looking faces, good all around health and tone.

The movie is generic. It's about a destination wedding on a tropical island resort, the whole family is there - not too many members. CMM is a supporting hot younger guy who is trying to get with Shield's character. Bratt's character is trying to get her attention again, to win her affections the way he had her 30 years ago in college. Meanwhile her daughter is marrying his son. There was history between several of the fifty something group - they all went to college together, lots of memories and drama.

Not a bad story, so I'm perplexed at the low ratings. Not great, sure, but entertaining enough.

Love, of Course (2018 TV Movie)

Great chemistry

[8/10 · 9 May 2024]

7.8 stars.

The leads have great chemistry, which elevates 'Love, of Course' from average to above. It's about a woman driving with her daughter to help her move into college in Oregon. While there, she is offered a permanent job, but it's a difficult decision, because her home is in Los Angeles. Her husband has long since passed. While considering this permanent career opportunity and a much needed change of scenery, she is given the job on a temporary basis to see if she is a perfect fit. A male professor is helping her with the duties. The romance sparks.

The chemistry between these two is undeniable. The woman's daughter has a minor role, but enough for us to get acquainted with her endearing character.

I wish they would have given the daughter 10 more minutes of screen time, but overall this film hits the spot for romance.

Baby Reindeer (2024)

Watched in one day

[8/10 · 8 May 2024]

8.4 stars.

I don't know how to describe this miniseries. It's unlike anything I've ever seen, yet contains so many similarities to many shows. The fact that I watched it all in one day says a lot. It's about 3.5 hours long in total, seven episodes about 30-40 minutes each.

What we have here is a jaw-dropping story based on true events that will leave you speechless. I can say this much, the author captured the reality of his life in so profound a manner, I could not believe what I was watching. The confusion that takes place in the mind of a person who suffers with chronically low self-worth, for any number of reasons...it can be mind numbing, and crazy making.

Funny, most of us don't learn from advice, we have to experience it for ourselves. Such is life. The damage can cause people to repeatedly fall into the same mistakes and traps. Some say this is the definition of insanity, but it's more accurately disillusionment caused by a lack of faith and confidence in your intuition...a direct result of chronic abuse. And there is also some guilt and shame and the intense desire for acceptance that follows.

The main character exhibits all of these traits as a result of what he has endured, the rape, the stalking, the comedy, the gaslighting. What an extraordinary and chilling journey for this man. No wonder he was trapped in an endless loop of pity and remorse for his malefactors.

Anyone But You (2023)

Salacious but amusing

[8/10 · 7 May 2024]

8.0 stars.

This movie is the romantic total package as it checks almost every proper box a rom com should, and some improper boxes too. The story has been done a trillion times, but it never gets old, if done right. 'Anyone But You' is quality viewing even if it's fairly crude with a lot of language. F-bombs left and right, not just a few, maybe a few too many for comfort, but maybe the choice words were a necessary element for this particular story. The vulgarity only serves as a guide to the inner frustrations of the lead characters. The reason is because we have two young adults who are very angsty and a bit deflated about the direction of their personal lives. Both have hit a slump in their romantic endeavors and are feeling disillusioned with love in general. He was devastated by a breakup some time ago, and she as well. We aren't fully aware of why or how the breakups occurred, but they were somewhat recent. As the plot continues, more of their past comes to light and previous romantic partners emerge.

This romantic tale begins in a coffee shop meet-cute, which is very hilarious and clever. Things couldn't be more wonderful until a misunderstanding which leaves them both in shock due to the apparent betrayal by both. Naturally, each blames the other for something that never happened. This seething distaste lasts for almost two years.

Now they are stuck seeing each other again at a destination wedding between his friend and her sister. We get to meet her parents and other parents, some friends, and a relative or two. It's a nightmare week where just about anything goes. The loathing they have for each other must be moderated by the other people involved before it gets out of hand, but the agendas and schemes run amok and threaten to derail the wedding itself.

I was not disappointed with the craftiness of this film. Looking beyond the language and quasi-nudity, it's one of the most entertaining and witless, yet exceedingly witty dialogues I've had the pleasure of experiencing in a while. The music and scenery were amazing, not to mention the sterling production as a whole.

Elevator Girl (2010 TV Movie)

Learning to compromise in life

[7/10 · 7 May 2024]

7.3 stars.

A young hot-shot lawyer and a free spirited woman get stuck on an elevator together and immediately spark an attraction. It's a rocky path to happiness and relationship bliss from that point forward. He is a bit hesitant to date her openly, because she is of "lower" class than he, but he's not a bad guy; it's just his place in life for the moment. But he immediately learns that life is more than status and appearances. He accepts that he's made a big mistake and makes up to her. She is very satisfied with him, and accepts him wholeheartedly. Things go smoothly for a while, but soon he starts to see traits in her that he feels she should improve upon. At first she is open to suggestions, until it goes just a little too far. This takes a toll on the relationship and it goes awry. Eventually, she realizes that maybe she should rethink her own life choices. Will they get a second chance to try again?

This is a nice and easy-going love story about two people who learn to stop and take a glance in the mirror and make a genuine effort to improve themselves. It's a nice bit of instruction for all of us: get out of your comfort zone before you can't find your way out.

'Elevator Girl' is an interesting title, but I can think of a dozen better ones.