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CBS This Morning (2012)
I used to love it, but not anymore
CBS This Morning used to have class, when Norah O'Donnell was a part of it. Now that she has left Gayle King seems to have risen, at least in her own mind, to running the show. I think she's a great interviewer and I think I'd like her as a friend, but I am so upset every time that she interrupts guests and even her coworkers! Sometimes I want to hear what they have to say and not just Gayle, talking over them. Honestly I'd be very unhappy if I were them and I don't know how they stand it. They must have a lot of patience, that's all that I can say. It makes for very annoying viewing and it's gotten to the point where I don't care to watch anymore.
The Way Back (2020)
For anyone who is, or who has an addict in their life
Powerful. Raw. Real. The emotions that I felt, watching Affleck's performance covered the gamut. It was heartbreakingly honest, and didn't flinch from the horrors of addiction. I will say that watching it was extremely powerful to me, because my father was an alcoholic, and I never understood it. Watching this incredible performance I could see that it was to hide pain, to cover inadequacy, to not feel. One of the most honest movies out there, regarding that. The basketball story was incredible too...somehow I was reminded of Chariots of Fire while watching it. Just how they overcame adversity, and found themselves. This movie is destined to become a classic, in so many ways. Bravo to all who participated, and all who let down their guards and were just real.
The Call of the Wild (2020)
A feel good, wonderful movie for (almost) all ages!
What a spectacular movie! I absolutely loved it! It was filmed using a lot of computer animated graphics (Buck was computer animated) but even though I knew that, I loved it! They did a PHENOMENAL job with it, down to every last detail. I doubt that all children would be able to tell. He looked absolutely real, and some of his--and the other dogs/wolves--expressions will melt your heart. Yes, it was a little sweet at times, yes it was a feel good story designed to pull at your heartstrings, but I will take that any day over the violence, gore, and stupidity that a lot of movies are nowadays. Harrison Ford played the human protagonist perfectly, and Omar Sy did great as well, as sympathetic, kind characters. It honestly made me want to go to the Humane Society on the way home and adopt a dog! (I first wrote for "all ages" on my headline, but changed it "almost all". There are some scenes that could be upsetting to younger children.) Oh yes, I should mention that the scenery, although some of that was computer generated too, was magnificent, and absolutely restoring to see. Highly recommend!
Gisaengchung (2019)
WTF is this???
I was excited to see Parasite, due to rave reviews, and it winning best picture. I was warned by a theater worker that "the first half-hour is slow, but then it gets really good". So I made it through the first half-hour, and kept waiting for the "really good" part, only to find out that it was the exact same; more tedium by a family that was not really likable. The violence was not necessary either, and seemed to be a way to make it Oscar worthy. A lot of Oscar nominated movies have violence at the end, and that seems to be a way to get more respect, or something. It was sad, and horrible, in my opinion. I cannot wrap my mind around the fact that this movie, compared to 1917, Little Women and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, won best picture! Honestly what is going on with those who vote, that vote for this drivel? It was okay, don't get me wrong, but that's all--merely okay. (For the record, I love movies with subtitles, and have seen several amazing ones, but this was not one of them.)
1917 (2019)
I didn't want to even like this movie, but instead I love it
What superlatives can be used on a movie like this? One that touches the senses in ways that you never saw coming, that grabs a hold of you and doesn't let go, haunting your thoughts at random moments for years after. This is "1917". A brilliantly told story, cinematography that makes you realize what a movie should be, a heart stopping score, phenomenal acting, special effects that are top notch, and, most of all, a story that punches you right in the gut, and makes you so grateful for all of the soldiers who have ever fought for us, and given all so many times. It is a movie that I am going to watch on Veteran's Day, and more importantly, think of when I see a vet selling poppies, or needing help with something. Yes, this movie touches you that much. It should, hands down, get best picture, and several other Oscars too!
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Wow!!! Incredible and breathtaking!
I am not a huge Star Wars aficionado, however even I appreciated how the previous movies in the series were tied together in this one. It was filled with special effects (make that amazing effects that made me wished the space age was here now), acted very well (love Daisy Ridley!), and had cameos by so many beloved actors of the past. I know some critics are panning this, but I thought it was great! My 25 year old son saw it with me, and loved it too!
Little Women (2019)
Fabulous adaptation, and true to Alcott's life
I loved this! I'll admit that I didn't expect much. I have read Little Women only once before, and found it arduous to read...slowly paced and cloyingly sweet at times. The movie, however, found a way to make the sisters real. They have strong, almost fierce love for each other, yet they're normal in that they drive one another crazy at times, they're not perfect, and they have vastly different viewpoints about life. Saoirse Ronan did a phenomenal job, (as did all of the actors), and like Alcott herself was a feminist ahead of her time. I loved the set and clothing too! Very well done, and beautifully filmed!
Uncut Gems (2019)
No, just no
Ugh. Again I let reviews sway me, and went, expecting something great. It's so far from it that I can scarcely imagine why so many people love it. It was boring, shot poorly (almost like someone with a video camera was just walking around...it made me dizzy at times), full of characters that were unpleasant and horrid, predictable, and violent. I don't see why people are raving about the acting, either...it was good, but not better than any other movie. The one and only redeeming quality to the movie was that it was nice to see Adam Sandler in something different, far from his normal genre.
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
I'm Not a Car Person, but...
CHRISTIAN BALE. CHRISTIAN BALE. Yes, Matt Damon was good, but CHRISTIAN BALE! He completely became Ken Miles, and he was mesmerizing! After Vice and then this, you can see what an incredible actor he is, with an unmatched range. The movie was directed very well, and had great scenes of race car driving. I also loved it for what it lacked...no gratuitous sex, violence, etc, that permeate today's movies. Just a great story! Do yourself a favor and see this movie!
M*A*S*H: Point of View (1978)
Captures the Humanity and the Horror of War
This episode is completely unlike any other Mash episode. It's not very funny, instead it's sobering, heartfelt, and completely amazing. The way that it was done, with the actors looking directly at the camera (it's told from the point of view of a wounded patient, who is able to look at them but not converse), makes you feel as if they're talking directly to you. It's almost impossible to watch this and not imagine that it's you who's lying there, severely wounded, with the Mash caretakers tending to you. The little bits of humanity, the way that they try to bring cheer to the patients, the compassion they show...absolutely top notch and brilliant! A must see for sure!
Ad Astra (2019)
Not much excitement
I guess that this movie isn't meant to have much excitement. It's primarily a synopsis of a damaged father-son relationship, and how other people have been affected. I do love Brad Pitt, and the acting was great, it was just boring in spots, and had a lot of melodrama. I would still recommend seeing it, just don't expect anything of high caliber.
Downton Abbey (2019)
Wonderful to have them back!
I was SO excited for this movie to come out, and literally counting the days! I, like many others, miss Downton Abbey dreadfully, to coin a phrase from them. It was good to see the characters, see the sets (especially on the big screen, where you can see much more detail), but I found the story lacking. It wasn't so much that it didn't have oomph, it was more that I thought the characters, particularly the downstairs ones, were acting out of character. I can't say more without a spoiler alert, but it was disconcerting. I would have so much rather got caught up with all of their lives, and the ins and outs of that. I was happy for Thomas however! I do hope there will be several more Downton Abbey movies, and I will happily go to them, but if you're expecting--as I was--that since it was fabulous on TV it will be even better at the movies, well that's not the case.
The Goldfinch (2019)
A lovely, transcendent movie!
I'm so very glad that I checked with IMBD before giving this movie a pass! I saw that critics were very harsh with it, but I can't understand why. It's a phenomenal, beautifully done movie. The acting, by the young Theo (Oakes Fegley) was breathtaking. He is a natural if there ever was one. I will admit this movie was very triggering for me, without getting into the plot, because a lot of what happened to Theo happened to me, so it was tough from that standpoint, but I also have first hand experience that it was played, and written, extremely well. My heart ached for him, at many points in the movie. I do wish that drug abuse wasn't as prevalent a part of the movie as it was, but considering what he went through it's understandable. Sarah Paulson did a great job with the woman you love to hate, and I adored Ansel Elgort as the grown Theo!! He too was an amazing actor, who was able to convey a ton of emotions through just a look. The way that the film seamlessly wove the young and old Theo's together, and tantalizingly provided glimpses of how the past affects the future, was top notch. Please see this movie for yourself! It is well worth it, and in my opinion should be an Academy Award contender!
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Oh what a fabulous movie!
Accolades aren't enough to say how wonderful this movie was! It was incredible. It wasn't full of action, nor special effects, but instead it told a story, brilliantly and with heart. The acting was phenomenal! I've never cared for Shia Labeouf too much prior to this film, but wow, he was amazing! He captured the character completely, and was mesmerizing! Dakota Johnson was great too, and it was absolutely wonderful to see her in a film with heart, vs. the 50 Shades movies. She has a much better range than I ever knew! And the heartwarming scene stealer was Zack Gottsagen, who proved that everyone deserves a life of their own, filled with dignity! I thought this was a movie primarily for children, but I stand corrected: it's a movie for anyone who's ever been down on their luck, anyone who's ever had a dream, or anyone who's ever felt different. So yes, that includes us all! Please don't pass this one by!
The Farewell (2019)
Unless you need to sleep, don't bother
I so wanted to like this movie. I looked at the reviews from Rotten Tomato, and thought that it would be great. I found out that it's the exact opposite. Extremely boring, slowly paced, and what would have been a lovely half-hour documentary absolutely doesn't work for a full length movie. Furthermore, there is so much sadness, and hardly any laughs. I actually walked out after 2/3's of the movie, as I couldn't take a minute more. I thought perhaps it was just me, but from reading these reviews I guess not. It's too bad, as it's great to have more ethnicity in movies, but this movie will unfortunately soon be forgotten.
The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)
Incredible Must See!!!
This movie touched on literally every emotion possible, while managing to not be sappy or simplistic. It's a fabulous tale that literally anyone with a heart will be able to relate to deeply. Fantastic acting too! I'm going to buy this movie for sure!!!
Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood (2019)
It was good but...
Like most Quentin Tarantino films, this one follows the same formula. Take a plot, put it in a blender, chop it up, then put unrelated pieces together, until you have enough of a timeline for a full movie. It was strange, with some good lines and good parts of the plot, but also stupid ones, just for effect. By the time an hour had gone by I couldn't wait for it to be over. I don't really understand the Charles Manson and his followers being part of the film either...it was gratuitous to me, and disrespectful to Tate's family. It had zero to do with the plot, and was just thrown in, with a lot of graphic violence to top it off. I do love Leonardo DiCaprio, and look forward to seeing him in a better movie than this mishmash.
Stuber (2019)
Much better than expected!
I'll admit that I went to see Stuber primarily because I had already seen other movies I wanted to see, and out of the ones I didn't want to see, Stuber seemed relatively innocuous. To my great surprise Stuber was wonderful! It's funny, heartwarming, it has adventure, love, redemption and it has a wonderful message about the meaning of being a man...or human. It was also hilarious, and just what I needed! I plan on seeing it again actually, because I liked it that much! The pairing of David Bautista and Kumail Nanjiani was inspired, touching and provides for great dialogue. Natalie Morales did a phenomenal job too! Go see this movie, you won't be disappointed!!!
Long Shot (2019)
Vulgar and stupid
This movie has clinched it for me...I will never again see another Seth Rogen movie. As usual it's vulgar, there's gratuitous drug use, and it's improbable. The sad part is it COULD have been a great movie...but they decided to go from a decent plot to a vulgar and inane one. For example, "Long Shot" doesn't only refer to her chances of getting into the presidency! Disgusting and totally unnecessary. Why a movie couldn't have been made with a strong female character, who girls could look up to, I'll never know. Absolute pass!!
The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
Magical and beautifully done!
I can't imagine why some are giving this movie such poor ratings. Please judge it for yourself, not what others say. It's a beautiful movie, beautiful in the way the story is told (perhaps not the classic version, but just as wonderful), beautiful in the way that lessons are told and people are inspired, beautiful in that the hero of the story is a simple man who finds himself in extraordinary circumstances. I will agree that while Mackenzie Foy was wonderful, and I very much enjoyed her performance, for me Jayden Fowara-Knight's role stole the show. He found himself a hero, as an ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances. The sets were incredible, from the first scene to the last. I loved them all, and found this story a perfect fairy tale. My granddaughter went with me, and loved it as much as I did! Bravo to all for a wonderful, wonderful movie!
Murphy Brown (1988)
I absolutely love this!!
What a refreshing change of pace. An intelligent, funny, energetic and timely show that addresses the important issues we all face. I love Murphy as an older woman, and still pertinent and living life on her terms. It's great to see other members of the cast too, and the new additions! I've told many people to give Murphy a try, as it's phenomenal!
A Star Is Born (2018)
Great, but not a masterpiece
I really, really did like this movie. Maybe even loved this movie! Yes, the acting is great, the plot realistic and gripping, the music phenomenal. Yes it's an incredible directorial debut! However, the movie was not uplifting, which I was hoping and expecting. Instead I left the theater depressed and feeling as if I just went through the wringer. Don't get me wrong, it was wonderful, it just wasn't anything near uplifting and beautiful. Having said this, I'd encourage anyone to see it once!