Knives Out

MY RATING: 9

Knives Out (2019)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info:  27 November 2019 

Watched 16 Jan 2020

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Writer and Director:  Rian Johnson
Running Time: 2 Hours and 10 Minutes

Staring: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans and Ana de Armas

Rating? PG-13

SPOILERS? NO 

STORYLINE

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan's untimely death. Written by Lionsgate

MY REVIEW

Oddly, I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't hate this movie. I was ready do hate it. But, I do L O V E Rian Johnson and the idea that he wrote and directed along with the cast of insanely talented artists. I'll be honest, I didn't go see it in the theater, so I waited for it to be on iTunes movies and did what I do best. Watch it at home from the comfort of my own couch with a cat on my lap. My review will explain why, but yes, this is a good movie. I settled on a  9, which I feel might be generous. Please continue reading to understand why I went that high.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Rian Johnson. I should just write you a love note here. Direction, cinematography, writing, editing, flow. You, sir, are a genius. This was a beautifully complicated movie.  I remember watching Hercule Poirot and Agatha Christie growing up and this felt reminiscent to those older films. It came across as nostalgic, even through it was modern.
• Chris Evan's sweater. Enough said
• While the story itself was easy to follow, I missed a LOT of things that I should have caught. As someone who typically figures out the end WELL before the the reveal, I enjoyed being almost there.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Daniel Craigs accent. I COULD not take him seriously. It did pull me out of the magic of the movie a few times. I just couldn't get past it.
• Twisted plot that sometimes leaves the watcher trying too hard to make sense of the plot holes.
• Social message was a bit overdone, but not enough to detract from the overall idea of the movie.

On a more personal note..... 

Tons of Selfies. It was my friend Missy's daughters 2nd Birthday. Oliver was adorable. Dexter Morgan thought he belonged on a shelf in the office.

Doctor Sleep

MY RATING: 8

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info:  8 November 2018

Genre: Drama, Horror, Fantasy
Director: Mike Flanagan
Writer: Mike Flanagan and Stephen King
Running Time:  2 hours and 32  Minutes

Staring: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson and Kyliegh Curran

Rating? R

SPOILERS? NO

STORYLINE

Years following the events of "The Shining," a now adult Dan Torrance must protect a young girl with similar powers from a cult known as The True Knot who prey on children with powers to remain quasi-immortal.

MY REVIEW

Let's be honest with each other. I have said it before that Stephen King novels are painstakingly difficult to translate to film. I firmly believe that director and co-writer Mike Flanagan did a pretty damn good job. There was some little bits lost from book to movie, but it was an enjoyable ride. I loved The Shining (Read my review here).

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• WRITING- Mike Flanagan and Stephen King did justice to not only the original Shining but to the continuation in Doctor Sleep. This was not an homage. This was a completion of the story of Danny Torrance that was necessary. We got to see what the happenings at the Overlook did to this little boy as an adult.  Stephen King gave us what we needed, closure. We knew that Jack Torrance died at the Overlook, but we got to close the loop on Wendy and Dick and the others. 
• CINEMATOGRAPHY- I feel like I should really write a love letter to Michael Fimognari. Exquisite job sir. His use of natural lighting and having a more character driven idea to the scenes puts you into the space with them. Yes, the set is still visible and featured, but the eye stays where he wants you to look~
• SET DESIGN-So much care went into the design and creation of the set pieces. Little things that I really didn't notice until the second and third viewing. Things bought into the movie from the King Universe such as The Dark Tower, It and the little nods to the 1980 Shining. I tip my cap to you sirs!
• SCORE/SOUNDTRACK- What I loved about this movie was the music. I read later that it was heavily influenced by David Lynch's Eraserhead track.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Nothing that I can pin point that I didn't like, but It's not a perfect 10!

What ELSE do I need to say? SPOILERS AHEAD!

• Danny Lloyd who played the original Danny Torrance had a cameo in the movie as a spectator in the baseball game scene.
• Director Mike Flanagan had to use set design notes from the estate of Stanley Kubrick to rebuild some of the sets for the Overlook Hotel.
• In the hospice scene where Azzie the cat jumps on the desk in front of Dan, he's reading the same Jan 1978 issue of Playgirl that Jack Torrance was reading at the interview scene in the Overlook from the original film.

On a more personal note..... 

Selfie in the new company shirt... Me at the movies.. Dexter Morgan and his adorable toes!

Joker

MY RATING: 9 of 10

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 4 October 2019

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: Todd Phillips
Writer: Todd Phillips and Scott Silver
Running Time:  2 Hours and 2 Min.

Staring: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro and Zazie Beetz and well, quite a few more...

Rating? R

SPOILERS? NO

STORYLINE

In Gotham City, mentally-troubled comedian Arthur Fleck is disregarded and mistreated by society. He then embarks on a downward spiral of revolution and bloody crime. This path brings him face-to-face with his alter ego.. Joker. 

MY REVIEW

This is NOT a lighthearted DC Comic movie just to set that straight out of the gate. This is a dark and twisted tale of a downhill spiral that takes a mentally impaired man through seven levels of literal hell. It's feral. It's violent. It's glorious. Think Taxi Driver meets Fight Club.

The Joker has been played by Jared Leto most recently, Heath Ledger, Jack Nicholson going all the way back to Cesar Romero. None of them really stood out to me as the definitive "Joker". (We all have a "Batman" who will always be "the One!" My Batman will always be Adam West!) That being said, Joaquin Phoenix IS the Joker. Continue below...

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Joaquin Phoenix breathes, bleeds and cries as the Joker. He is perfection. His portrayal of the melancholy mentally unstable Fleck is hauntingly enigmatic.
• Writers Todd Phillips and Scott Silver created a solid tale that is mesmerizing to the soul. It's gritty and tragic but with moments of comedic perfection that lead to a genuinely great movie. This is good because it's just over 2 hours long and it keeps you in your seat. Well done gentlemen. 
• I don't want to give too much away, but the first two acts are written and filmed in a way that will help the viewer almost understand Joker's motivation for the final act. That's not to say that you can empathize with his actions or even remotely find them justified, but the viewer can understand what went wrong.  There are definitely hints to a societal breakdown where a mentally ill person who needs help and is receiving only the bare essentials can fall through the cracks and end up where he did. Let's leave it there and I'll be happy to discuss after any of you see the film. (I have a LOT of opinions about this aspect of the movie.)
• The Score. I'm a bit of an audiophile and when I heard some classic Charlie Chaplin from the classic 1936 Modern Times, I could not help but to smile. There are some great pieces in this movie.. a little Sinatra.. a little Cream.. and last but not least.. Send in the Clowns.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• All of the action of this movie was in the final act and really in the last 20 minutes. It's not boring by any means, but it did feel like it took us a LONG time to get to the end.
• Plot holes here and there, but 
• The trailers gave away too much 
• Social commentary seemed a little over the top. It's hard to NOT say exactly what I want to with ought giving too much away. Let's just call it that it's very obvious what the writers were attempting. Although I do love the story, the idea that situation that was created almost intentionally by inaction of the people around him and the inept care of social service department led to the creation of basically a serial killer.

On a more personal note..... 

I had a night out with some friends..We got a roomba.. I tried to make the cats feel like he was part of the pack so I gave him ears and whiskers. His name is Karl.

Perfection

MY RATING: 8

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 24 May 2019

Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Director: Richard Shepard
Writer: Eric C. Charmelo and Richard Shepard
Running Time: 90 Minutes

Staring: Allison Williams, Logan Browning and Alaina Huffman

Rating? TV-MA

SPOILERS? NO 

STORYLINE

When troubled musical prodigy Charlotte (Allison Williams) seeks out Elizabeth (Logan Browning), the new star pupil of her former school the encounter sends both musicians down a sinister path with shocking consequences.

MY REVIEW

Brilliantly Dark! I may have passed this one right by if had not been for the comments online about this movie actually making people feel physically ill when watching. I have two words for the people who had that reaction.. F&*$ing Really? Yeah, it was a wee bit on the disturbing side and maybe I've seen so many horror movies that this TV-MA made for Netflix show was just one in the list. It was good. I loved the unique story as well as the interesting way that the story was told. Not going to give too much about that or it will RUIN the movie.

I think the best way to describe this movie is the idea that when you pul on a three of a sweater, the whole thing will soon unravel. This movie is the epitome of that statement. The threads just keep pulling and it keeps getting better and better. Yes, there were some things that I was not a fan of, but for the most part, this was a solid 8.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Writing- This is a unique story. Yes, there are nods to other movies like this (Black Swan), but this is new. Unique.  Eric C. Charmelo didn't have much movie died in his writing portfolio (some episodes of Supernatural) and  Richard Shepard, who was also the direct also has a very short list of writing credits, but both have a lot of production history. I think that helped them to craft a well written story that did its job by getting us from point A to B in a very interesting and unexpected way.  
• The story at its core is about perfection and the sacrifices that one gives up in their personal lives to attain such feats. While the actual story stays on target to the theme, the expanded concept was really bland. (see below)
• Filming/Editing. I felt like the nod to Darron Aronofsky with the rewind sequences were brilliant.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Special effects were not really that great. I mean the vomit looked like they really just opened a can of Mountain Dew and thickened it to make it look more realistic. The green color was a bit too over the top.
• The end was just more of a surreal mess. You'll see what I mean. Was not what I expected.
• The story, while it was good was a little over the top. I had a hard time with the suspension of reality. It felt like they were telling me that this was a real situation but the ridiculousness of the scenarios that ensue are not believable in any way.

On a more personal note..... 

I did a thing this week. I started work on the remainder of my half sleeve with the best artist on the East Coast, Clay Thames. We have a few more sessions before I will show you guys!! It's going to look amazing!! It was also Dexter Morgan's 4th Birthday this week. He's such a good little baby!

Bohemian Rhapsody

RATINGS

IMDB: 8.4

MY RATING: 7

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 2 November 2018
   Lynnhaven Mall AMC 23 Nov 2018

Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Director: Bryan Singer
Writer: Anthony McCarten and Peter Morgan
Running Time: 2 Hours and 14 min

Staring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton and Gwilym Lee

Rating? PG-13

SPOILERS? NO

STORYLINE

A chronicle of the years leading up toQueen's legendary appearance at the Live Aid concert in 1985.

MY REVIEW

This was a good movie. Don't get me wrong in the rating of 7. It was good, but it could have been better. The theme should have earned this an R. They just slightly touched on the the heart of Freddie Mercury; drug use, homosexuality, multiple sex partners, etc. If you didn't sing along then you're dead inside!

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Rami Malek did an amazing job playing Freddie. (Thanks to Canadian Marc Martel for lending his voice to the icon himself). He only resembles Freddie on a very base level, but he did a wonderful job with his manner and his body language. It was perfection. Love!
• The music- All EPIC!
• I did like the story itself. I am a huge fan of beginning at the end and ending at the beginning if that makes sense. 
• Favorite scene: The part where Ray Foster (Mike Myers) tells the boys that Bohemian Rhapsody is NOT the type of song that kids will sing along to in their cars. All I could see was the scene in Waynes World and smile.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• This was not the movie that it COULD have been. It truly needed an R rating to really bring Freddie to the big screen.  This was a sugar-coated pretty story that could. All surface, not a great deal of substance.
• This movie was touted as a biopic. This was not the case. This was a retelling of a story with edits and modifications that were made to make the movie watchable and less "controversial."

On a more personal note..... 

A SnapChat Selfie, a New Car and a New Shot for the Blog!

The Breakfast Club

RATINGS

IMDB: 7.9

MY RATING: 9

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info:  15 Feb 1985
   Netflix 20 Nov 2018

Genre: Comedy, Drama
Writer and Director: John Hughes
Running Time: 1 Hour and 37 minutes

Staring: Emilio Estevez, Paul Gleason, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy and John Kapelos.

Rating? R

SPOILERS? YES

STORYLINE

Five high school students meet in Saturday detention and discover how they have a lot more in common than they thought.

MY REVIEW

This movie never gets old. John Hughes had one of the single greatest grasps of the human condition and this in particular, the teenager. His films will resonate with anyone no matter where you grew up and to which clique you belonged.  I won't even use the system of "Like" and "Didn't Like" because there's not really much that I don't love.

John Hughes as the writer and director is brilliant. I love how he used the five teens as a cross section of youth of the time. The Jock, the Princess, the Nerd, the Criminal and the Basket Case. You see yourself in one or more and this film reminds you that it's okay to color outside of the lines. The other fact, more subtle though, is that you are in your groups and these groups are all too often inescapable.

The lesson that we learn in the span of the movie is that each was sent to detention for a reason that they eventually share and even though they are so different, they are the same. They struggle with their own demons and eventually find ties that bind them together. I cannot watch this movie without the story in my head is Claire (Molly Ringwald) and Bender (Judd Nelson) getting married.

I like the music but the Simple Minds song at the ned, Don't You (Forget About Me) stays with you!! LOVE!!!

And then there is the EPIC last scene with Bender (Judd Nelson) walking away with his fist raised while we are listening to the essay that Brian (Anthony Michael Hall) has written for the group.

On a more personal note..... 

Came home today to a pretty sweet surprise from my husband, a Star Wars themed necklace! Super adorable. Also, speaking of adorable, This is Jinx andLord Oliver Cromwell napping on the couch!

The Shining

RATINGS

IMDB: 8.4

MY RATING: 10

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info:  13 June 1980
 Watched for the millionth time 15 Nov 2018

Genre: Drama, Horror
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Writer: Stephen King with edits by Stanley Kubrick
Running Time: 2 Hours and 26 Minutes

Staring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd

Rating? R

SPOILERS? YES

STORYLINE

A family heads to an isolated hotel for the winter where an evil spiritual presence influences the father into violence, where his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and the future.

MY REVIEW

I decided it'd been a while since I'd watched this and well, with nothing really to do and seeing it on Netflix.. why not? I've always been a huge fan of the Shining. It was the first movie that really put a scare into me. It's brilliant. Period.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• DIRECTION- It's comedy and horror all in one. I'm not sure if Kubrick directed Jack Nicholson to do everything that he did, but his performance is haunting. Shelley Duvall is underwhelming. I still see her as Popeye's wife and I can't get that out of my head.
• EDITING and CINEMATOGRAPHY- There is something that is intentionally foreboding in the shots that lead you through this movie. It's as though you are being maneuvered through the movie under the spell of a masterful story teller.  I love the long continuous shots that are quiet and dead. It's a delight when  you move rapidly through each scene to see what you might have missed in the first, second of fifty-seventh viewing.  
• WRITING- It is Stephen King, so it's magnificent, however, the book and the movie are not the same. I think that Kubrick took some liberties but it worked for me.
• SET DESIGN- I feel like the isolation should be the main point of the set. They really drive home the idea that they have to drive so far out of the way and they are so far out from help. They are on their own until the frozen tundra defrosts in the spring. The hotel itself is a pretty amazing piece of art. The use of the large empty spaces is genius!
• SCORE- The score truly brings more tension

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• That the movie had to end. That's all I have.

On a more personal note..... 

Know what I did last night? Well, I went to see one of my most favorite bands in the whole entire world! Blue October played at the Norva last night. I sang every song. I have no voice today.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Season 1)

RATINGS

IMDB: 7.8 of 10

MY RATING: 7

GENERAL INFORMATION

First Episode Air Date:  28 October 2018

Seasons? x1 right now, 3 in the works.
Watched Where and When: Netflix
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Staring: Kiernan Shipka, Ross Lynch, Lucy Davis, Chance Perdomo, Michelle Gomez and a whole ton more.

Rating? TV-14

SPOILERS? YES

STORYLINE

Reimagined story of the adventures of Sabrina the Teenage Witch as a dark coming-of-age story that traffics in horror, the occult and of course witchcraft. Totally in the vein of Rosemary's Baby and the Exorcist. In this adaptation we find Sabrina Spellman wrestling to reconcile her dual nature of half witch and half mortal, while standing against the evil forces that threaten her and her family and the whole daylight world that humans inhabit.

MY REVIEW

I was not quote young enough to have really enjoyed Sabrina when it was out in the late 90's with Melissa Joan Hart. I did watch a few, but they were too bubble-gum and rainbows for my dark little heart to enjoy. Which is why it was with trepidation that I watched the first episode of this reboot. I liked the idea of a darker and more sophisticated retelling. I watched the first one and then the second episode and then the third and right through the whole eleven episodes in about 2 days. It was not perfect by any means but it was funny, dark and just a ridiculous enough to keep me interested!

Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa created an amazing little slice of something that really worked. He was also known for Riverdale, Carrie (2013)m Supergirl and some episodes of Glee and Big Love. Most of the episodes were directed by Rob Seidenglanz, You might know him from some of his little projects like Blindspot, the Following, Jack and Bobby, Party of Five and Suits.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Direction and Storytelling- There were several producers, EP's, AP's and a ton of other P's involved in this tv show and it was the combination of all of those professionals that created the environment that felt like a real story. They were able to get good performances and some great performances from their actors. I liked the dark path, a LOT!
• DARK!! (Not dark enough though, see below)

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Did someone watch Harry Potter a little too much? I think the school of dark magic that is masked with some sort of spell that cloaks it from view. Really not unique.
• I would have appreciated a little more darkness. (Did I mention that I do have a dark little heart!?) Come on with the Satanism! Most intelligent people know that wicca/ witchcraft and most other practitioners of the darker arts are NOT satanists. They worship the earth or earth gods that have nothing to do with Satan or even god for that mater! 
• If they worship the Dark Lord, let's get real, I needed more. It's still a bit too bubble-gum.
• I read this somewhere else, but i laughed when I did because it was SOOO true!! "When someone is killed by rope around the neck the word is hanged. When the 13 were hung, it implies they were dangling in a tree and were not murdered by hanging. Really really annoying."

1922

MY RATING: 8

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 20 October 2017
     Netflix 2 Nov 2018 

Genre:Crime, Drama, Horror
Director:Zak Hilditch
Writer:Stephen King
Running Time: 1 Hour and 42 Minutes 

Staring: Thomas Jane, Molly Parker and Dylan Schmid

Rating? TV-MA

SPOILERS? NO

STORYLINE

A simple yet proud farmer in the year 1922 conspires to murder his wife for financial gain, convincing his teenage son to assist. But their actions have unintended consequences.

MY REVIEW

1922 is a slow and deliberate look at guilt and consequences. This movie is rich in character development and heavy in a suspense. One can see influences of Edgar Allan Poe here with nods to "The Tell Tale Heart" and "The Black Cat." I've always been a big fan of stories that are told by one of the characters.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Thomas Jane as husband to Arlette (Molly Parker) and father to Henry (Dylan Schmid) is quite possibly my favorite part of this whole movie. His dedication to the 1920's farmer persona was refreshing. He's overbearing as a father and in his attempts to control his wife. Arlette seems to not want to be controlled and that is very odd for a wife in that time.
• This movie will F&*$ with you psychologically.  In the beginning, we hear Thomas Jane's character Wilfred James speak the words "In the end, we all get caught." How perfect were these words once you get to the end of the movie. This theme did resonate with me. You can't hide from deeds in your past. They always catch up to you. ALWAYS. In one way or another, they peep out and catch you when you least expect.
• The plot begins dark and spirals down a dark path that continues to become even darker than one would think possible. 

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Once the story was defined, it was somewhat predictable. 
• I was set in 1922. Everyone looks too clean. I mean for real, at that time, everyone was taking baths once a week and greasy hair as the norm. Henry always looked too clean! Could have been a little more realistic with the attire. 14 year old farm kids did not wear pressed shirts to school.

Thoroughbreds

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info:  9 March 2018
    Watched 30 Oct 2018

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Writer and Director: Cory Finley
Running Time: 92 Minutes

Staring: Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy and Anton Yelchin

Rating? R

SPOILERS? Yes but there is a warning when they start

REVIEWS

IMDB: 6.8 of 10

MY RATING: 9 of 10

STORYLINE

Two upper-class teenage girls in suburban Connecticut rekindle their unlikely friendship after years of growing apart. Together, they hatch a plan to solve both of their problems, no matter what the cost.

MY REVIEW

First, let me say that this was Anton Yelchin's final movie before his passing in 2016. He's always been on my list of highly underrated actors and in many of my reviews over the years. Odd Thomas, Fright Night, Burying the Ex, Star Trek Beyond and Green Room. You will be remembered.

What a movie! For Cory Finley's directorial debut, this was a solid win. Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke were dark and deadly. The combination of dry humor mixed with the perfect slow pace and morose tones was MADE for these two. Cory Finley dropped, what felt to me, like a deliberate filming style that sent a little wink and a nod to Kubrik.

Don't let the genre of comedy fool you, this is NOT a typical comedy. I saw the tagline of "Heathers meets American Psycho" and smiled. Those are two of my favorite irreverent and darkly sadistic movies. This did not fail me. There's something compelling about these emotionally stunted girls who live a bored privileged life, just bored enough to do anything.

What Olivia Cooke brings as Amanda is pure gold. While there were some obvious flaws with her "by the book" sociopath persona, it was a great performance. (She was also great in Ready Player One click the link to read my review!) She feels nothing, every emotion is a muscle memorization. We all have that little piece that makes us ambivalent, but she lives there permanently. Lily on the other hand played by Anya Taylor-Joy is overwrought with emotions. (She was also great in The Witch and Split, click the links to read my reviews!) She is the empirical opposite of Amanda in every way and their friendship seems doomed from the start.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Writing and Direction. Cory Finley will be on my watch list for future movies.
• Cinematography- Well done  Lyle Vincent. After reviewing his credentials, I am not a bit surprised that I enjoyed his style.
• Soundtrack- Hauntingly beautiful

DO NOT READ PAST THIS POINT IF SPOILERS ARE A CONCERN

From the first minute when you realize that not only were Amanda and Lily friends who hadn't spoken in many years the reasons are forefront in your mind. As the clues are revealed throughout the film, it becomes clear that their paths were very different. Seems that Amanda had "put down" a thoroughbred horse after its leg was broken and was convicted of animal cruelty for the way that she did it.

There are subtle notes of foreshadowing as the girls go down their plan to rid Lily of her disturbingly overbearing step father. It's obvious that Lily would be the major beneficiary of the deed, but someone was going to have to take the fall. At first they had selected local drug dealer Tim (Anton Yelchin) was was a massive failure. Next was a do-it-yourself style that also fell apart. Finally, the true "bad guy" rears her head when Lily spikes Amanda's drink and kills her step-father and places the blood and knife in Amanda's hands on the couch. We zoom forward a little to learn that Amanda is now in mental hospital and Lily is interviewing for college. Feels like she may have set it up! Best last line of the movie is when she see Tim who asks about Amanda and Lily said she received a letter. She begins reading the letter to the audience...

Amanda: [Amanda's voice reading her letter to the audience] I had a dream.. I rise out of my body, and I'm staring down at our whole suburb, and time is speeding up. And I see generations of people coming, and going, and building bigger houses. And then eventually... the people start spending more and more of their time staring at their smartphones. And soon enough, they're forgetting to clean their houses, or mow their lawns, or eat. And eventually all the houses rot and collapse, and the people disappear, vanishing completely into the Internet. And then... and this is the really beautiful part, the horses take over. And the whole suburb is just beautiful thoroughbred stallions with no owners and no memory of owners and no way of knowing how expensive they are, just mating and galloping through the ruins. 

Tim: What did it say? 

Lily: I don't know. I just threw it away.

On a more personal note..... 

Had a lot of fun finishing my Halloween costume. Almost there!! 

Maniac

GENERAL INFORMATIONTwoRelease Info:  Netflix 2018

Genre:Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
Creator: Cary Joji Fukunaga and Patrick Somerville
Running Time: 20-50 minutes per episode, 10 Episodes

Staring: Jonah Hill, Emma Stone, Justin Theroux and Sally Field

Rating? TV- MA

SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS

IMDB: 8.1

MY RATING: 8 of 10

STORYLINE

Two strangers are drawn to a mysterious pharmaceutical trial that will, and they're assured, with no complications or side-effects whatsoever, solve all of their problems, permanently. Things do not go as planned.

MY REVIEW

After the first two episodes, I was hooked like my cat to catnip! The idea of an alternate reality in this show really did a little dance number that set very well with me. Yes, there were some things that I just let go for the greater good, but this was a solid 8. It's blending of 80's sci-fi and an offbeat quirky cast of just left of center people who are all endearing in their own way. This 10 episode story left me feeling strangely in need of hugging my mom. Well played, Netflix.

I'm not sure if I want to credit the director with the performances of Jonah Hill and Emma Stone, but they were amazing. It was truly a pleasure to watch.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Like I said above, the director got exactly the performance that was needed for the roles of Owen Milgrim and Annie Landsberg. They were pivotal to making the story believable. Their chemistry was palpable. I loved how easily they worked together. It's always better if a team has the right chemistry.
• CINEMATOGRAPHY and SET DESIGN- Just amazing the level of detail that was provided for each location/time. My favorite was the seance episode.
• COSTUME DESIGN- The dichotomy between the locations of each episode were perfection! There is something special about an actor/s who can adapt to that fast change in situation with 
• SCORE/SOUNDTRACK- the music was unsettlingly calm at times but it really worked for the concept.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• 80's Sci-Fi mixed with modern was good, but not really my favorite thing. Not a true "didn't like", but just didn't work for me.

What QUESTIONS do I now have?

• When will the story go on?

On a more personal note..... 

Had a little SnapChat fun with the cat ear filters. Pretty much, that is what makes this time of year tolerable! Then I gave the kitties some catnip! We all know how well that goes!

Sicario: Day of the Soldado

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 29 June 2018

Director: Stefano Sollima
Writer: Taylor Sheridan
Running Time: 2 Hours and 2 Minutes

Staring: Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Isabela Moner, Catherine Keener, Matthew Modine and Elijah Rodriguez

Rating? R

SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS

IMDB: 7.5 of 10

MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE

The drug war on the US-Mexico border has escalated as the cartels have begun trafficking terrorists across the US border. To fight the war, federal agent Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) re-teams with the mercurial Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro).

MY REVIEW

Refer to my review of Sicario. I really loved that movie and had high hopes for this one. What had me worried? Well, the original director, Denis Villeneuve was amazing and I think he brought a lot to the movie. This director, Stefano Sollima, is new to me and his repertoire is basically Spanish language writing and directing.  BUT, Taylor Sheridan reprises his role as writer. His long credit list speaks for itself as both a writer, actor and a director.

This movie was a hit on almost all levels for me. The subtle score, the settings and the general idea of the story. It was intriguing and poignant. We're in a world where terrorism is now a daily occurrence and the things that we have to do may not always seem right or even just, but  sometimes the ends justify the means and sometimes they do not. This movie puts your brain to work and makes you think. I love when movies treat me like I know what the hell is going on and not spoon-feed me the story. I have a fucking brain. Great job on that.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• The Brolin/Del Toro combination is on FIRE! They play off of each other so well and the fact that they are uniquely different just makes it that much better. 
• This movie is intense. There are so many things that you just want to be mad at in this film as a human. 
• What movie aficionado would NOT just love the cinematography in this movie? The wide shots on the dead terrain on the other side of the border were brilliant.
• The violence is exactly what is needed in a movie like this. It would have felt less real. 

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Some basics of the plot I found to be a little less thought out. There were times when as a viewer, I couldn't really tell if the action and sub-action were in the same time period, near each other or days apart.
• There are a few things hat stick out as just off. I don't want to give you all of the pieces, but fi I saw it, you guys will.

On a more personal note..... 

Wore a Hiscox USA T-Shirt to work. Realized that Jinx has become a little too used to sitting on the bookshelf in my office.

Adore

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 3 April 2013
     Watched on Netflix 2018 June 30

Wrier and Director: Anne Fontaine
Running Time: 1 Hour and 52 Minutes

Staring: Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Xavier Samuel, James Frecheville and Ben Mendelsohn
Rating? R, well deserved

SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS

IMDB: 6.2 of 10

MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE

A pair of childhood friends fall for each others sons,

MY REVIEW

You know those movies where you are basically on the edge of your seat as it ends hoping that there will be some sort of second movie or continuation that will keep the story going? Yeah, this was one of those for me. I just want to know what happens to Lil and Tom and Roz and Ian. It is definitely like watching a trainwreck in progress knowing that this will not end well.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Sometimes, you just can't help who you are attracted to or with whom you fall in love. This movie is that exact situation played out in just under 2 hours. Passion and attraction can lead you to do insane, crazy things that you can't control.
• The story felt real. There were twists and turns that could not be helped. It wasn't overly sexual or overly dramatic just for the sake of a movie plot. 
• Scenery in Australia cannot be beat. The homes on the cliff leading down to the beach brought an unnamed character into the movie.

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• I felt like the premise was intentionally provocative but did not delve far enough. I mean, yes, it's insane to think that two women could fall for and ultimately begin sexual relationships with their friends adult sons, but the loves end and the young men eventually meet/marry and have children with women their won age. But one of them go back to the familiar love with the older mom next door. It's off somehow.
• The jilted Dad, Roz's husband who has already raised his child with her and has a new job far away, which really allowed his wife to stray, then gets married again to a younger woman and has a new baby and that's not the least bit subversive here. The new step-mom and the sons are roughly the same age. Talk about double standards! Sheesh!

On a more personal note..... 

Just hanging out with the little kittens today. Dex and Oliver bonded a little.

A Quiet Place

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: Opened in the US on 6 April 2018
     Watched in Theaters 14 April 2018 

Director: John Krasinski
Writer: Bryan Woods and Scott Beck
Running Time: 1 hour and 30 Minutes

Staring: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski and Millicent Simmonds

Rating? PG-13

SPOILERS? JUST ONE!!

REVIEWS

IMDB: 8.1 of 10

MY RATING: 4

STORYLINE

A family is forced to live in silence while hiding from creatures that hunt by sound.

MY REVIEW

I saw a lot of hype for this movie on social media. I mean even Chris Pratt posted on Instagram that we should all stop what we are doing and go see this movie. Thanks Star Lord. Thanks for that!

I love a good Sci-Fi/horror/psychological movie and this had the makings to be that movie. I liked the idea that the trailers were purporting. Silence is the only way they can survive. I gave it a shot. Luckily, I went during a matinee so I saved some money. It was a good concept with some disappointing choices

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• The use of silence was definitely well done with the sound design, camera angle choices and use of the characters motion to further the story. That being said, it DID make the story feel a little longer than it really was.
• Millicent Simmonds was pretty awesome. She really did a great job, in silence, bringing her character to life. 
• I did LIKE how the film did not spend 20-30 minutes explaining what the creatures were and where they came from and just got on with the show. Although it does become a little maddening at a second thought to not really know what brought there here. Are they terrestrial? are they extraterrestrial? Are they a scientific experiment gone terribly wrong? Was this just setting us up for a sequel? (Me thinks the sequel might be the most obvious option)

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• I WATCH movies. I pay attention and I see things that some do not. There were just too many plot devices used that just didn't make sense to me. I'll try to pass a few over without too many details to ruin the movie for you guys!
• So, the whole idea is that the "creatures" hunt with sound. W learn that the family is living in COMPLETE silence to stay alive. We learn roughly halfway through the movie of a place they go to that apparently blocks out the creatures hearing. Why don't they live there? Wouldn't that be a safer apace to live?
• They have a lot of power for a post-disaster sound hunting creature with no hint of a generator. Hmmmm.
• The nail scene. You'll see what I'm talking about. Carpenters daughter here. I know how nails work. That was not good, art/prop master. Not good at all.
• The rules set in the movie change too often. One sound brings a monster in 10 seconds and another seems not to make a difference. It's maddening at a certain point.
• ONE SPOILER!  Why the HELL would you watch your children in danger in this world gone mad and DECIDE to NOT use every precaution in the world to NOT become pregnant? I am dumbfounded by this fact! 

On a more personal note..... 

Spent some time with the kittens this afternoon. I love the little boogers!