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Mistrcoffe
Reviews
Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
A very very good watch
I passed by this many times and then decided to watch it because Jeff Bridges is in it. He was Jeff Bridges awesome. I really enjoyed how it cut to vignettes to show the events that led up to the climax. I had not seen Cynthia Erivo or Dakota Johnson before but I am now a fan of both. I kept thinking I had some things figured out and then I would find I was wrong. There were moments I did not expect at all and they were holy cow moments. I would say it is worth a couple of hours. You will be entertained.
Life of the Party (2018)
Funny and engaging
I really enjoyed this movie, and actually really laughed out loud. The reviews came in low in my opinion. It should get at least as much love as all the male lead comedies. Yet it gets less when it deserves more. Melissa McCarthy is her classic self with some new stuff in her humor. Maya Rudolph is awesome as usual. Gillian Jacobs was killing me with all of her characters tics and traits. I do wish Heidi Gardner had more time on screen. And I saw some people I didn't know before and I am now a fan. I will say that this movie is worth your time.
Colossal (2016)
Completely unexpected
Very few movies have any real surprises for me. I saw exactly one trailer when Anne Hathaway was promoting this on late night television. I had no preconceptions about this movie really. Watching it and the turns it takes was very enjoyable. I liked Jason Sudeikis in a darker role. This isn't really like any movie I have seen and I appreciate that. If you have not seen it, I think it is worth a watch.
Red Oaks: Pilot (2014)
I saw a different show than most I guess.
The nay sayers will shake their collective heads at my score but let them shake. I spent no time comparing this to any other show, movie, or directors fare. What I did do as someone who watches only sports on TV was to give it a try.
This show (I watched all of the episodes.) entertained me. Yes it has coming of age themes but that isn't the only story going on. The fact that through the 70's and 80's "the times are a changin'" is a consistent theme throughout as well as different characters stories.
When David says to his Dad that people are Asian, rugs are oriental I chuckled because that was what I tried to explain to my then 70 something Aunt 20 years ago. It is also an example without spoilers of how times were changing and what goes on with the cast because of it.
I thought Paul Reiser did a fine job, I think because I have known "those guys" over the years. Richard Kind and Richard Masur did what they do, and as always did it well. I liked Jennifer Grey very much, I certainly hope her character is going to be further developed.
Well I would just be listing people with compliments. I will close with it is worth a shot. I am telling people to try it in person, so I mean it.
Lovelife (1997)
Very enjoyable
I tried this movie simply for something to watch and really enjoyed it. I have found that I am watching movies more and more for the job the actors do rather than have heavy requirements in the other areas of a film. This one has great acting and actually doesn't need much in the way of forgiveness in any category. The story seemed very real life to me. No the scenarios don't occur everyday with so many who know or encounter each other but these things do happen. I have seen reviews where the writer is trying to pin the writer/director of Love Life into an intent to make "Friends". I didn't see that and disagree with the critic. These people don't have the years of history and friendship as a group. They are adults who are placed together by an academic institution. I will watch it again and will tell people (who probably will see me the day after they watch it) I recommend it. Give it a shot if the actors or genre appeal to you.
Skyfall (2012)
The best 007 movie to date
I have seen every Bond movie made through Craig. Connery was my favorite Bond, and Moore was my least favorite. Was a very big fan of Dalton in the role and Brosnan did a fine job. Craig is now hands down for me the best Bond casted and Skyfall is the best movie. With the sad exception of character deaths this was a moving, churning, story with an outstanding cast. Dench is a wonderful M, stoic stalwart and duty duty duty. I like the new take on Q. The plot was good throughout and Bardem was a fine villain portraying a character different than he is usually associated with. Craig's Bond is a believable bad ass, if his hair was longer it would get mussed, he seems destined to work without a multitude of gadgets which I particularly enjoy. Page Eight proved that a spy flick can be very human. If you have never watched a Bond movie this is a great stand alone that will get you rolling in the current incarnation of a character that has been iconic one hell of a long time. More than worth the time to watch.
The Ambushers (1967)
See it for what it is
These movies were tongue in cheek spoofs, not 007 movies. They were deliberately written as one liner after one liner. They are Laugh In, 60's hyper hip, jet set, free love, and an Airplane, Austin Powers, type play on spy movies of which there were many back then.
If you seek socially redeeming value outside of humor then move on to something else. If you expect Matrix effects, well.....run like hell. If you want to see an original spoof before they were the rage and made at a rate of 4 or 5 per year for each movie genre...relax and enjoy.
I shall add that the 10 lines of text minimum is ludicrous. Not everyone has to give a play by play and pretend at being a professional critic. Some of us just want to say whether we liked it and if we recommend it.
Jeff, Who Lives at Home (2011)
Surprised at how much I enjoyed this
One of the primary reasons for my surprise is that the focus of Jeff's life is something that makes me nuts. I believe our intuition is monstrously important, but we can't wait around for the universe to hand us a blueprint. That said I really liked this movie. It had its moments people will critique ad nauseam of course, but it is a great story, well told, with a cast that delivered. Watching the different dynamics between the characters held me. My admitted bias is that I now really enjoy in movies what I have always enjoyed in life, seeing different people, hearing their ideas, absorbing the interaction around me. More all the time I enjoy movies which focus on the interpersonal actions of the characters and all else is stage sets.
Star Trek (2009)
Saw the original Star Trek first run and I LOVE this movie
This movie is an example of people taking the time to perfectly cast well known and well-loved characters. This new James Kirk, while not doing the fit and start speaking of old, has Shatners walk onto the bridge like I own and command the universe perfectly. The young man playing Spock is almost scary he is so so good. I am particularly fond of Karl Urban's Bones portrayal. He has the speaking cadence and the sense of Deforest Kelly's original pat with the benefit of today's sensibilities to allow us to see what we knew was in the 60's version. I won't keep going thru the cast but I am pleased with them all. I like some of the tact's that have been taken this time around. The origin of Bones name rather than as a Doctor name which would be typical but from his personal history. I like the way Kirk and Spock end up in star fleet. Look it is a great watch. No it isn't a faithful rerun of the original; hell William Shatner didn't even remain perfectly faithful to it either in his movies. Give it a go with an open mind to a NEW movie.
Then She Found Me (2007)
No synopsis just perceptions
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I thought I was a fan of Colin Firth but found that NOW I am a fan. I had no trouble believing he was his character. I think he expressed the confused and conflicting emotions that his trauma would create. Helen Hunt was in her element playing an intelligent emotional woman. I have loved Bette Midler since The Divine Miss M show in the 70's and she was stellar again. I enjoyed Ben Shenkmen quite a bit especially since the last pic I saw him in was Must Love Dogs where he played the shallow misogynist so well. I think if you are a fan of any of the cast and/or like movies that have points that relate to the real world it is well worth your time.
The Holiday (2006)
How did anyone notice goofs?
I watched this movie about three times now. I have seen the list of goofs, read some reviews and what I wonder at this point is does anyone just watch a movie? Pay attention to the characters? Eli Wallach still has an amazingly expressive face and uses it to great effect. At his dinner with Kate Winslet he gives a look to her reason for coming to LA that left no doubt he knew she was full of dung. The guy is still amazing after 60 years. The cast was perfectly picked (I read it was written with these folks in mind) the movie has a number of those great moments or lines that stick. It deals with the human condition regarding relations differently and without seeming driven to educate us, rather is entertains. Well worth your time.
Butter (2011)
Loved it
I think the guidelines for line minimums are silly because sometimes you just love a movie. It is like loving a person in that there is no way to put a list to why you love someone. I could list things I liked about the movie but the simple fact remains I just loved it, was very entertained and will watch it again. I don't watch many movies more than once. Rob Corddry is quickly becoming one of my favs. Was nice to see Alicia Silverstone again, Jennifer Garner is great as usual. Hugh Jackman tickled me. I know this is all drivel. Just meeting line requirements so I can say loved it and it is worth your time to check it out.
Carolina (2003)
Watched first because I am a fan of cast members.
I enjoyed it because it is a great movie. I guess as I get older I am also getting more sentimental, and my tastes seem to be getting more eclectic. I have really begun to enjoy more independent films, and enjoyed this one in particular.
I had to chuckle about the whole spoiler thing because the base plot is as predictable as it gets, but it is still a pleasure watching it unfold.
The acting is particularly good at many levels. I planned to name the actors, reference what I had seen them in before and then say why I liked them in this, but I will spare you my digressive drivel. Hell the actors are listed above and links to all they have done.
I would say try it whether you are an Indy fan or not. It is time spent well spent.