Cars 3—another terrific Pixar animated movie—delivers a great storyline, animation,
and voicing. Voicing cast reprising their character roles are: Owen Wilson,
Larry The Cable Guy, and Bonnie Hunt. New voicing cast are: Cristela Alonzo,
Chris Cooper, Lea DeLaria, Nathan Fillion, Armie Hammer, and Kerry Washington. This well-written and timed animated feature, works at nearly the same level of quality as the first animated movie Cars.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Aging
Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) finds himself challenged by a new,
youthful, upcoming group of drivers and desires to continue racing while
keeping driving skills at the winning level.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Brian Fee for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producer John Lasseter for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast
include: Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), Smokey (voice of Chris
Cooper), Sterling (voice of Nathan Fillion), Mater (voice of Larry the Cable
Guy), Jackson Storm (voice of Armie Hammer), Dusty (voice of Ray Magliozzi),
Luigi (voice of Tony Shalhoub), Sally (voice of Bonnie Hunt), Miss Fritter
(voice of Lea DeLaria), Natalie Certain (voice of Kerry Washington), Bob
Cutlass (voice of Bob Costas), and Louise Nash (Margo Martindale).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The movie, kind and sweet, serves as a completely understandable, enjoyable,
and rewatchable film for the whole family to include younger family members
ages 7 and up.
A Serious Man—another
outstanding Coen Brothers film—displays tremendous depth in writing and in
presentation. Creatively disturbing, the movie allows an open-end conclusion
where the audience, based upon personal philosophical views, will determine the
final outcome. Two graphic sexual scenes put the film outside the
children/family audience. Watch for the double-whammy ending. It’s terrific.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Larry
Gopnik (Michael Stuhlbarg) makes a series of choices within a series of events
that lead to the next steps in his story.
Additional Thanks
Thank
you to Directors Ethan Coen and Joel Coen for directing efforts. Thank you to
Executive Producers Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Robert Graf for making the
film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Uncle Arthur (Richard Kind), Sy Ableman (Fred Melamed), Judith Gopnik (Sari Lennick), Danny Gopnik (Aaron Wolff), Sarah Gopnik (Jessica McManus), Mr. Brandt (Peter Breitmayer), Mitch Brandt (Brent Braunschweig), Clive Park (David Kang), Danny's Reefer Buddy (Benjamin Portnoe), and Mike Fagle (Jon Kaminski Jr.).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes Viewers will most likely be aware that they just saw something profound. However,
the true profundity of this film may not be fully realized without strong
grounding in concepts of cause and effect, the orderliness of the universe, and
Divine intervention in human affairs. Excellent movie.
Kill Bill: Volume 1—Uma
Thurman and Lucy Liu at their best—introduces its audience to the formidable blood
and gore directing and writing skills of Quentin Tarantino. This movie, not for
the faint of heart or children, launches the female actress into the martial
arts arena with a vengeance. The timing, choreography, cinematography?
Excellent on every level. A good watch for the very mature audience desiring a
movie that exploits violence to the nearly unwatchable level.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Bill
(David Carradine) shoots the bride (Uma Thurman) who carries his child.
Unfortunately, for him, this bride lives.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Quentin Tarantino for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producers Mitsuhisa Ishikawa, Erica Steinberg, E. Bennett Walsh, Bob Weinstein,
and Harvey Weinstein for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast
include: O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu), Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox), Elle Driver
(Daryl Hannah), Budd (Michael Madsen), Sofie Fatale (Julie Dreyfus), Gogo
Yubari (Chiaki Kuriyama), Hattori Hanzo (Shin’ichi Chiba), Johnny Mo (Chia-Hui
Liu), Earl McGraw (Michael Parks), Buck (Michael Bowen), and Boss Tanaka (Jun
Kunimura).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The movie targets a specific audience and provides a perfect fit for that
audience.
The Godfather: Part III—the
final chapter of the Godfather trilogy
saga—goes out with a flare and a bang. Al Pacino is still the Godfather; but picks
up all the pieces of the last two films, kills those hurting Corleone interests,
and makes the best of the situation as he sees it. This film stands as one of the
three greatest mafia movies of the 70s and 90s decades.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
After
a lifetime of mafia involvement, Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) desires to clean
up his life by tying up loose ends.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Francis Ford Coppola for directing efforts. Thank you to
Executive Producers Fred Fuchs and Nicholas Gage for making the film possible.
Additional characters/cast include: Kay Adams
Michelson (Diane Keaton), Connie Corleone Rizzi (Talia Shire), Vincent Mancini
(Andy Garcia), Don Altobello (Eli Wallach), Joey Zasa (Joe Mantegna), B.J.
Harrison (George Hamilton), Grace Hamilton (Bridget Fonda), Mary Corleone
(Sofia Coppola), Cardinal Lamberto (Raf Vallone), Anthony Vito Corleone (Franc
D’Ambrosio), and Archbishop Gilday (Donal Donnelly).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
Another worthy film by Francis Ford Coppola completes the Godfather series with finesse and style. Bravo to all involved in
creating three of the best gangster movies ever made.
The Lord of The Rings: The
Fellowship of the Ring—the first film in The Lord of the Rings trilogy—stands as
one of the best movies ever made. Not many movies can exceed the story telling quality
of this film. The movie, so richly written and portrayed, requires a keen eye,
full knowledge, and understanding of content to even begin scratching the
surface of its many levels. Hidden secrets are too numerous to catch in one
viewing. Director Peter Jackson does something that few directors would attempt
and masterfully pulls it to complete success. He dares to enter the world of the epic story
and elevates it to its proper status. ENCORE! Thank you to Peter Jackson for
his more than adequate rendering of J.R.R. Tolkien’s worlds on the big screen.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Hobbit
Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) comes into possession of the One Ring capable of
ruling all things and takes a journey to Mount Doom, the one place where it can
be destroyed.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Peter Jackson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producers Michael Lynne, Mark Ordesky, Robert Shaye, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey Weinstein for
making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: The Ring (voice
of Alan Howard), Everard Proudfoot (voice of Noel Appleby), Sam (Sean Astin),
Sauron (Sala Baker), Boromir (Sean Bean), Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), Legolas
(Orlando Bloom), Pippin (Billy Boyd), Celeborn (Marton Csokas), Mrs. Proudfoot
(Megan Edwards), Gondorian Archivist (Michael Elsworth), and Gil-galad (Mark
Ferguson).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
This film is to the movie industry what Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo are
to the world of art.
Vengeance:
A Love Story—like Dirty Harry with heart—fills itself with
some very realistic acting by Anna Hutchinson and Talitha Eliana Bateman. While
Nicolas Cage seems a little weak for his role as an avenger, that weakness
works as he matter-of-factly takes care of a deadly situation. Graphic sex
scenes move this film to a mature audience. The overall film? Worth watching.
Watch for Deborah Kara Unger from The Way.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
A
young mother (Anna Hutchinson), brutally raped in front of her daughter (Talitha Eliana Bateman), finds no justice until
the intervention of the detective (Nicolas Cage) who covers her case.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Johnny Martin for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers Harold Becker, Patricia Eberle, Michael Nilon, and Richard Rionda Del
Castro for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: John
(Nicolas Cage), Teena (Anna Hutchison), Bethie (Talitha Eliana Bateman), Agnes
(Deborah Kara Unger), Jay Kirkpatrick (Don Johnson), Marvin (Joshua Mikel),
Lloyd (Rocco Nugent), Jimmy (Joe Ochterbeck), Fritz (Carter Burch), Irma
(Charlene Tilton), and Walt (Dikran Tulaine).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
One man takes care of justice one criminal at a time.
Seeing Allred—a
few facts about Gloria Allred’s professional pursuits—documents her involvement
in high profile causes such as: establish gay
rights, increase stringency for rape penalties, retain abortion rights, and campaign for predominantly feminine causes. Daughter Lisa Bloom follows her mother’s footsteps. The film educates
and informs.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Attorney
Gloria Allred takes on feminist/women rights cases to include rape cases.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Directors Roberta Grossman and Sophie Sartain for directing efforts. Additional
characters/cast include: Gloria Allred
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The documentary is worth a view to keep abreast of drivers behind the scenes of
current events.
Kill Bill: Volume 2—Uma
Thurman continues to deliver blood and gore to a most profound level—follows
the release of Kill Bill: Volume 1 without
apology for even one of its plasma-loaded scenes. For the mature audience, this
film does not fail to ‘fill the bill’ with violence.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Beatrix
Kiddo (Uma Thurman) eliminates more members of the Deadly Vipers.
Additional Thanks
Thank
you to Director Quentin Tarantino for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producers Erica Steinberg, E. Bennett Walsh, Bob Weinstein, and Harvey for
making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Vernita Green
(Vivica A. Fox), Nikki (Ambrosia Kelley), Earl McGraw/Esteban Vihajo (Michael
Parks), Edgar McGraw (James Parks), Trucker (Jonathan Loughran), Buck (Michael
Bowen), Bald Guy (Kenji Ohba), Tokyo Businessman (Yoshiyuki Morishita), Boss
Tanaka (Jun Kunimura), Boss Honda (Goro Daimon), and Boss Koji/Crazy 88 (Kazuki
Kitamura).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
For the audience who fell in love with Kill
Bill: Volume I, this film does not disappoint or fail to stay true to the
original vision of Director Quentin Tarantino.
Sinatra Being Frank—Frank
Sinatra’s life lightly re-examined—does little justice to this legendary
musician and his deep contribution to the music industry. The interviews seem ‘thrown
together’ without coordination and lack that formal presentation that mark the
good documentary. It almost seems that no one had deep interest in re-visiting
Sinatra’s life and the documentary is treated as if assigned as a school
project without respect or care to the professional presentation. This creates
a certain darkness to this documentary that is irretrievable.
Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images
Storyline
Frank
Sinatra’s life, from childhood through late life, receives another documentary-style
examination through archival footage.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to A. Simon Napier for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Andrew
Crossley, Duncan Napier-Bell, Terry Stone, and Richard Turner for making the
film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Himself (Alice Cooper),
Himself (Tony DeSare), Himself (Paul Gambaccini), Himself (Roger Moore), Narrator
(Tony Oppedisano), Himself (Tim Rice), Himself (Louis Walsh), and Himself
(Frank Warren).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
For an afternoon fill-in-some-spare-time-81-minute-watch, it’s a quick revisit
through the superficial highlights of this legendary musical performer’s life.
Wonderstruck—terrific
story—shows the talent of Director Todd Haynes. It wins at the emotional level,
involves its audience, shows terrific attention to detail, deserves both kudos
and bravos, and absolutely earns your time and money.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
In
1927 Rose (Millicent Simmonds) runs away from home to find her mother. Fifty
years later Ben (Oakes Fegley) searches for his father.
Additional Thanks
Thank You to Director Todd Haynes for directing efforts.
Thank you to Executive Producers Brian Bell and Sandy Powell for making the
film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Lillian Mayhew/Rose
(Julianne Moore), Walter (Cory Michael Smith), Dr. Kincaid/Rose’s Father (James
Urbaniak), Otto/Museum Guard (Damian Young), Workman (Patrick Murney),
Pearl/The Maid (Lauren Ridloff), Dr. Gill/Teacher of the Deaf (Anthony Natale),
Miss Conrad at the Museum (Carole Addabbo), Remy Rubin/Theater Director (Howard
Seago), Stage Manager (Brian Berrebbi), and Valentin (John P. McGinty).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The script, well-written, earns its right to classify as high-quality family entertainment.
Iron Man distinguishes
itself with good concept and excellent casting. Robert Downing, Jr. once again
stamps his excellence on a film and receives good backup from Jeff Bridges. Marvel
Comic fans will love this film.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Billionaire
Tony Starks (Robert Downey, Jr.) becomes injured in Afghanistan, captured by
terrorists, and forced to work on developing a special missile for the
terrorists. He builds himself an Ironman suit instead and becomes a superhero.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Jon Favreau for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers Ari Arad, Peter Billingsley, Louis D’Esposito, Ross Fanger, Jon
Favreau, Stan Lee, and David Maisel for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Rhodey
(Terrence Howard), Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), Pepper Potts (Gwyneth
Paltrow), Christine Everhart (Leslie Bibb), Yinsen (Shaun Toub), Raza (Faran
Tahir), Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg), General Gabriel (Bill Smitrovich), Abu
Bakaar (Sayed Badreya), and JARVIS (voice of Paul Bettany).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
If you’ve got to see an Iron Man movie,
it doesn’t get any better than this one.
Where the Red Fern Grows—faultless
jewel that needs no polishing—does not falter in natural, simple, and realistic
presentation of Wilson Rawls’ classic novel. Bravo! Special thank you to
Director Norman Tokar for outstanding direction.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Billy
(Stewart Petersen) desperately desires two purebred coon hounds and develops a
plan to acquire and train them.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Norman Tokar for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers George Ellis Doty for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Grandpa (James Whitmore), Mother (Beverly Garland),
Father (Jack Ging), Sheriff (Lonny Chapman), Alice
(Jill Clark), Sara (Jeanna Wilson), Sam Bellington (Bill Thurman), Ben Kyle
(Bill Dunbar), Rubin Pritchard (Rex Corley), Rainie Pritchard (John Lindsey),
and Mr. Pritchard (Garland McKinney).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes. The movie commands a permanent place in the family's home film library collection.
Saints and Soldiers serves
up A-grade entertainment for the war movie fan. It sports a very good script
and delivers an excellent story, well told. The film results in two sequels.
It’s flare and unique style make it a
good watch.
Film Poster Courtesy Wikipedia
Storyline
During
World War II Allied soldiers, who just escaped from the Malmedy Massacre,
attempt a twenty-mile trek through bitter winter weather to deliver
intelligence information.
Additional Thanks
Thank you to Director Ryan Little for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive
Producers Charlie Chan and Sunny Chen for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Corporal Nathan ‘Deacon’ Greer (Corbin Allred), Medic
Steven Gould (Alexander Polinsky), Flight Sergeant Oberon Winley (Kirby
Heyborne), Private Shirley ‘Shirl’ Kendrick (Larry Bagby), Staff Sergeant
Gordon Gunderson (Peter Holden), Rudolph ‘Rudi’ Gertz (Ethan Vincent),
Catherine Theary (Melinda Renee), Sophie Theary (Ruby Chase), and Radio
Announcer (Jeff Birk), and Private McKinley (Benjamin Gourley).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
The movie details an important piece of history while presenting entertainment
for the war movie fan as well.
Raiders of the Lost Ark has
mesmerizedaudiences, as of this 2018
writing, for 37 years and continues to be the definition of action/adventure
films based on its unique storyline, well-written script, perfectly timed
sequencing, exotic stage settings, casting choices, ‘fresh’ action scenes, and
satisfying breaks of unforgettable comedy. Kudos to Director Steven Spielberg
and Producer George Lucas for creation of an entirely satisfying saga.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Nazis
search for the Ark of the Covenant, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) finds it, and
the fight is on to establish control of the priceless archaeological find.
Additional Thanks
Thank You to Director Steven Spielberg for directing effort.
Thank you to Executive Producers Howard G. Kazanjian and George Lucas for making
the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Marion (Karen Allen),
Bellog (Paul Freeman), Toht (Ronald Lacey), Sallah (John Rhys-Davies), Brody
(Denholm Elliott), Sapito (Alfred Molina), Dietrich (Wolf Kahler), Gobler
(Anthony Higgins), Barranca/Monkey Man (Vic Tablian), and Colonel Musgrove (Don
Fellows).
The Tuskegee Airmen
details African American military service during WWII. The Tuskegee Airmen film performs at a similar level as the 2012 film, Red Tails. The movie serves as a great
story that educates without preaching. Bravo for a very good military story
directed by Robert Markowitz.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
World
War II births the 332 Fighter Group, an all-black fighting group serving the United
States Army Air Corp.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Robert Markowitz for directing effort. Thank you to Executive
Producer Frank Price for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast
include: Hannibal Lee (Laurence Fishburne), Walter Peoples (Allen Payne), Leroy
Cappy (Malcolm Jamal Warner), Lieutenant Glenn (Courtney B. Vance), Benjamin O.
Davis (Andre Braugher), Major Joy (Christopher McDonald), Colonel Rogers
(Daniel Hugh Kelly), Senator Conyers (John Lithgow), Billy Roberts (Cuba
Gooding Jr.), Lewis Johns (Mekhi Phifer), and Young Hannibal (Christopher Bevins).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
This well-told and worthy film deserves its kudos for educating as well as
entertaining.
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly—never
gets old—spices itself with treacherousness, violence, and a bit of comedy
along its path toward becoming one of the best westerns ever conceived and
executed. Sergio Leone brands this film and clears the path for additional Spaghetti
westerns. This is not for children, but it is for the older teen and up with
some violence and language. Kudos for especially powerful, suspenseful ending
scenes. Great work for everyone involved.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
Blondie
(Clint Eastwood) works to find his share of confederate gold.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Sergio Leone for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Alberto
Grimaldi for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Tuco
(Eli Wallach), Sentenza/Angel Eyes (Lee Van Cleef), Alcoholic Union Captain
(Aldo Giuffrè), Father Pablo Ramirez (Luigi Pistilli), Maria (Rada Rassimov),
Storekeeper (Enzo Petito), Mexican Peon (Claudio Scarchilli), Sheriff (John Bartha),
Baker (Livio Lorenzon), and Jackson/Bill Carson (Antonio Casale).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Yes.
This is a bona fide, rewatchable classic western.
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