ItalianBombshell Reviews

Turning Red (2022)

Turning Times

[9/10 · 19 March 2022]

I watched this movie with my youngest daughter. She is adultish (18, turning 19 and going on 45). We watched it, sitting closely together at the kitchen island table, where most of our little family's decisions and memories are made. My daughter doesn't care for sitting down and watching tv, let alone a full length feature film. But, I caught her on a rare "I'm bored" mood. I am really glad I did. Little did I know that this movie would hit hard.

Thirteen year old, Meilin is a dynamo. Feeling herself from the opening scenes right up until the closing credits. This is a lot. No, like A LOT. I was afraid that this would be reinforcing Asian stereotypes...the diligent daughter, respectful, responsible, a good student, over achieving with her pack of friends adding spice to her regimented and woefully über scheduled life. Her mother, Ming Lee (played by Sandra Oh) being the over protective, helicopter/tiger mom hybrid, forcing her wishes upon her daughter. And, there was a lot of that thematic stereotyping...over the top antics by mom that were actually funny to this almost fifty year old mom of two insanely beautiful, brilliant, and kind daughters. Funny enough that my youngest snorted and giggled, hitting the back screen arrow to view the funny again. I settled in for a good time, hoping we would last the whole feature through. We did.

Meilin is a typical tween to newly minted teen. The braces (that somehow disappeared in the movie without mention), the obligatory flute, the devotion to 4-Town ( the boy band taking Toronto by storm), and her solid friend circle. I love the carefully developed characters that are Meilin's friends...Priya is a stoic Indian Canadian girl who is chill and offers one liners that are cool and supportive of her friend. She is not the leader of this friend group, she is the ultimate booster and lifts her friend's spirits often. Miriam, quite easily tied for leader of the friend pack, is a tomboyish, boy crazy girl who loves Mei Mei even after the turn. Ming is not fond of Miriam and sees her as a bad influence to Mei. And, finally we have the hilarious Abby. She's chaotic, funny, quite possibly the most confident of the group. She simply doesn't care what anyone says, choosing to follow her own, often aggressive statements. She loves the plushy that Mei Mei becomes and encourages her to turn panda just so she can "get a hit".

Waking up one morning to find that she has turned into a giant red panda, Meilin freaks out, causing her mother, Ming to think that Mei has started her monthly cycle. Lines of communication get crossed and Ming supplies a mortified Mei, countless boxes of pads and other period related items. Mei flees her home, tries to go to school, where her mother tries, once again to help her daughter by mortifying her with more pads. Mei escapes the school, destroying the town along the way. She returns home where her parents try to explain that this is their family's "inconvenience"...aka....curse. There's a ritual that can "cure" Mei and it can only be performed on the exact same day that Meilin's beloved 4-Town will be in concert. The friends decide they must go, even after each has been told no by their parents. The friends try to think of options to find a way to attend, the tickets are $200each...they decide to capitalize on Meilin's malady.

I found the plot to be ok, as a parent of adult daughters. However, I can see a lot of young girls trying to emulate these behaviors, not turning into giant red pandas, but the lying, scheming, and deceitful behaviors that the friends seem to have no issue with, at all. There isn't the one character that tries to be the voice of reason, like the " hey guys, I don't think we should do this..." friend. All four begin collecting money, creating Merch,and lying left and right to their moms. We don't get to see any fallout from the other parents, but we sure do get to witness what happens when Ming finds out what Meilin has been doing.

At the end of the movie, both my daughter and I kinda talked it out. The movie was really good at presenting alternative life choices. There was a healthy dose of body image disparity and how she overcame it. That, we both agreed, was the best part of the entire film. It sounds cheesy to say that the power of friendship was strongly at work. But, I do feel like Disney missed a huge opportunity to have Ming step into her daughter's shoes. To try to see things the way her daughter did. There was a very brief part where there was maternal approval, but honestly...way too little, way too late. Same can be said for the father, Jin. He spends the entire movie being shushed by his wife. Until he finds the camcorder and has a brief chat, before the blood moon, telling Meilin that he loved seeing that side of her. Like, dude, where the heck have you been? Your kid is a giant red panda and you are just now telling her that you loved her, any side at all? It felt like an afterthought. But, hang out through the credits for a little surprise featuring Jin.

All in all, this was a lighthearted film that tried to tackle a lot of issues. My body, my choice turned into, My Panda, My Choice...things like that. The characters were mostly female and that was nice. Contemporary characters, set in today's times. I did enjoy the film, as did my daughter. I recommend this film to slightly older teens...maybe a mature 13, but more likely a 14/15 year old that can grasp the underlying message. I also recommend this film to any parents trying to come to terms with who their teenager is becoming. This film offers insight for both sides with the typical Disney spin.

Thirtysomething (1987–1991)

ThirtySomething the "reality" before Reality TV

[9/10 · 8 October 2016]

While watching Children Of The Corn with my youngest daughter (I'm that kind of mom) I couldn't help but reflect on Peter Horton. He starts in this film. But, that's not where I first saw him. I was a huge fan of the drama, ThirtySomething. I was in my twenties when it aired and I watched faithfully. I was fully invested in Michael & Hope, Eliot & Nancy, and Melissa & Gary. I didn't really care foie Polly Draper's character Ellen. But I was in love Gary;just like everyone else tuning in. The handsome, unattached college professor of English lit was a well developed character that obviously was the inspiration for Mark Sloan on Grey' Anatomy several years later. Horton produced GA in 2005- 207. ThirtySomething was the predecessor to all the dramas we're all watching now. For the first time, a drama was based around nothing more than the ordinary lives of normal people. Opening the door for shows today. The reality was honest and spun truthfully;portraying the 80s lifestyle perfectly. Each character has their moment but none as significant as Gary's. All in all, a good series to watch and binge worthy for a rainy weekend.

Foxcatcher (2014)

Foxcatcher....

[8/10 · 1 January 2016]

I am a fan of movies that are based in actual events and/or true stories. For these films to be successful, in my estimation, the actors cannot resemble the person they are attempting to portray. Be it physically, verbally, or in their portrayal. I don't want to constantly remind myself that "oh, Steve Carrell is John du Pont" throughout the film. It's difficult to hold the thread of the story for me. That written, kudos to Steve Farrell for his portrayal of duPont. Aided through the use of prosthetics, it was easy to forget who the actor was and concentrate more on the actual story. The same really cannot be said of Channing Tatum. I'm not familiar with the resemblance Tatum would have had with Schultz. I just couldn't get past the actor. I agree that the film portrayed Mark Schultz as delayed or slow. I know that not to be the case. Further, the job of Vanessa Redgrave was executed quite well, as was Mark Ruffalo in portraying David Schultz. I found the film incredibly sad. Not in content, in the life of constantly seeking approval, having everything imaginable, yet not being happy with who you are. Not finding independent, healthy friendships and interests that could take away from the disappointing childhood and lack of affection. Overall, the film lagged, tremendously, to the point of being awkward at times.

Fury (2014)

Fury...

[8/10 · 1 January 2016]

I am an avid fan of WW2 films with historical accuracy. I am also a homeschooling momma. And although this film had more than a few inaccuracies with content and props, I would have to say that, overall, the film was well written and acted. I would not allow my 12year old daughter to view it, but would definitely allow my 17year old nephew to view it. Within the story, I found the focus to slide, quickly, from Wardaddy to Norman. I am sure that it was intentional. But, I would have preferred to learn more about Wardaddy. Especially after viewing Pitt's scarred back and torso when he was cleaning up in the woman's apartment. Also, I do not think that the uncomfortableness of the apartment storyline was either integral or as realistic, considering Wardaddy spoke German. The assumption was that a rape would occur. Viewer's were led through this drawn-out scene...will they/won't they....when the viewer already knew that it wouldn't be a violent interlude. The film established the morality of both characters long before this scene. Overall, a valiant effort. I can understand, easily, where the nominations came from.

Into the Woods (2014)

Stay In The Woods

[1/10 · 27 December 2015]

Who was the person who told Meryl Streep that this was a good idea? This is not the quality of what we all have come to expect from a Disney movie. That said, or written, we have known that Disney does dabble in the 'darker' aspects of classics. Reference the recently released, non-animated version of Cinderella. But, still, this musical version of Grimm would make the brothers roll in their collective graves. Absolutely abysmally horrible. Emily Blunt, "The Devil Wears Prada" brought her into this abyss with Streep. Anna Kendrick, of "Pitch Perfect" fame, Johnny Depp, who is forever betrothed to Disney for the POTC films, and Tracy Ullmann are all collateral damage at this point. Everything is missing from this Disney offering. Gone with the cleverly written dialogue. Absent is the magical Disney Alan Menkin songs. None of it. All that it took was the time it took to view. And that's right around 2 hours of life that I'll never get back. Trust me,skip this one.

Time Traveling with Brian Unger (2015– )

Time Travel!

[8/10 · 1 August 2015]

Time Travel with Brian Unger is an engaging episodic program that my whole family can enjoy. Although, at times, the subject matter may not be suitable for younger children, this series is short, sweet, and to the point. Typically either debunking a myth about a historical event or shedding a bit of light on some leader known facts. I love the fact that the series picks people from that area to learn more about their surroundings. And while most episodes feature some busty female and/or a very fit male, it's easily overlooked when Brian instructs them to reenact events. Everyone is up for the challenges and making folks out of themselves. And the program flies by. Great program.

Pokémon (1997–2023)

Gotta Catch 'Em All

[9/10 · 1 August 2015]

I am choosing to review the whole of Pokémon here, rather than individual titles (that would take forever). The original airing began in the mid to late 90's. Each episode features Ash Ketchum and his traveling buddies that change along with the show's new seasons. Pokémon makes it on my list for animated achievement. Simply the capacity to create, maintain, and grow each season. Ash and friends stand up and do the right thing, always. Annnnnnnddd, huge surprise, there are NO GUNS! Pokémon Masters and their parents can enjoy the episodes together, enjoying the environmental and conservation Punta highlighted in each episode.

The Face of Love (2013)

The Face of Love

[3/10 · 1 August 2015]

Sigh. To be honest, I only watched this film because Robin Williams appeared in it. I'm teething to complete his collected works. This film did nothing, added nothing to his resume, except maybe generate income and keep him busy. Not a huge fan of Annette Bening. But I do like and enjoy Ed Harris' work. I mean, C'mon, those blue eyes! Nikki, played by Bening,is in mourning. It's clear to the viewer and to everyone excepting Nikki herself. While on vacation, celebrating their anniversary, Nikki and Garrett (also, obviously played by Harris) are in Mexico. There is am accident and Garrett dies while swimming during rip tide. Nikki is devastated and returns home and immediately gives all of Garrett's things away. Probably not a great idea, but done anyway. Seemingly, Robin Williams' character, Roger, is also widowed but had held on to everything from his wife. Nikki and Roger are clearly friends. Roger wants more but she doesn't feel the same. Enter really awkward experience of Tom. A dead ringer (pardon the pun)for Garrett and Nikki is lost in reverie. The film, from this point on, was super awkward and made me, as a viewer, feel more like someone witnessing a train- wreck, unable to do anything but also unable to look away. I was so uncomfortable for poor Tom that I simply found myself waiting for him to figure it out. The dialogue didn't matter. The pacing didn't matter. We all knew, as soon as Tom found out, he'd be gone. And, of course, he was. After a few close run ins (the restaurant, Roger, Summer, and the multiple name stumbles by Nikki ) and suddenly we find ourselves right back in Mexico, right back to the beginning. Predictable and actually anti-climatic. As soon as Tom was on his way to the bar, i was already looking for the picture. Sigh. And then it's done. And it should have been. The ending, with Anne,in the gallery want even necessary. But leaving the questionable did he die or what question hanging in the air was also predictable. Overall, truly disappointing. And honestly, incredibly exhausting. But, watching it solely for the purpose of cataloging Robin Williams roles. Perhaps if they had developed his character, or made him the male lead, this film might have actually been worth watching.

The First Grader (2010)

The First Grader Graduates With Honors

[9/10 · 31 July 2015]

I homeschool my 12 year old daughter. We are eclectic in our curriculum. My daughter is on a grade level with Sophomore students. This film opened our eyes to the struggle happening in Kenya while the British were fighting over land. This is a great follow up movie to The Good Lie. Although completely different storyline, there is a familiarity and almost mirroring between the two films. This story follows Maruge, an 84 year old gentleman who was part of the Mau Mau tribe and taken into custody after his family was brutally murdered before his eyes. Maruge never received an education, as was true for the majority of adults during this time period. The First Grader follows Maruge's struggle to receive an education and learn to read well after his release from the detainee/work camp in 1963. Maruge appeals to adult and teenaged viewers. He is a classic underdog. He is worth rooting for. Jane Obinchu is the primary school teacher in this remote location in Kenya. She's instantly likable. The viewer feels her pull to help Maruge despite her husband's insistence that it will be nothing but trouble. Jane is engaging, endearing, and in the end, a classic heroine. I would recommend this movie to open up lines of communication between yourself and your child. To expose them to real people during a real event that could easily be used as a 'Torchlighters" series. Follow it up or set it up with The Good Lie. Both well done. Both deserving of an audience.

Wayward Pines (2015–2016)

Wayward Pines is A Lost Cause

[6/10 · 28 July 2015]

I have my reservations about miniseries like programs. Too long to be a movie, too short, or not enough substance to be a regular series. I admit, I have a difficult time becoming invested. Add to it the whole spookiness factor of another M.Night Sham-a-lam-a-doing- dong..yeah, sorry, not a fan, and a male lead that is hardly current and you get Wayward Pines. The book may have been better, in the unadulterated, literal sense. But, I kind of doubt it. The bones are pretty skimpy at best. Matt Dillon does his best with the material. I still love him from The Outsiders. But, even Hinton can't get him out of this mess. The dialogue is stilted and unnatural. As is his rise to power. The first few episodes made that clear.The rest is spent debating futuristic nonsense. The problem is that Wayward Pines doesn't know if it wants to be a series or a movie. A drama or Sci-fi. It's confused..and so is the viewer. There's this whole "drink the Kool-Aid " vibe about the series. The town, the cast, the story, the backstory. Drink. Big Gulps. I think I'll pass. Not really thirsty.

Taken 3 (2014)

Tak3n, As Always, By Liam Neeson

[8/10 · 24 July 2015]

By now, anyone who hasn't heard of the Taken franchise is either living under a rock somewhere in the desert or maybe on another planet. Either way, sorry/not sorry. Seriously, go watch them. Go, now. OK, so either you binge-watched them or you haven't heeded my words. Again, your loss. This review is full of spoilers. I adore Liam Neeson, his character Bryan, and the whole storyline. Admittedly, Taken 2 went a bit of the rails, but it was still Bryan taking care of his family. The integral piece of the puzzle, the x-factor, the bankable, almost tangible constant that keeps fans coming back for more...including me. Who doesn't love this character? A man, a father, who will stop at nothing; spare no expense, to keep his family together begins by having his teen-aged daughter, Kim, abducted overseas and sold into sexual slavery, reuniting his estranged ex-wife and daughter back into a secure, albeit, fractured family unit. To Istanbul and the revenge of the families of those who took Kim, in Taken 2. And now, poor guy gets 'taken' for another ride in the third installment. This family needed space, closure, normalcy but no, Tak3n isn't having it go down that way. All along I really didn't appreciate or like Stuart, the stepfather. Probably because the story aligns the viewer with Neeson from the get go. But now, yeah, I really don't like him. Having his wife, Bryan's ex, Lennore, killed was just going too far. Even though I guessed right from the beginning of the film, it doesn't mean I wasn't hooked. I was. I always am. Rooting for Bryan to save the day is what we do. And, of course, in the end, Neeson doesn't disappoint. Although, personally, I would have blown Stuart's head off his shoulders. But, that's the Italian in me talking. I'm glad Bryan isn't Italian. As for the storyline, it's there, in spades. Making up for the let down of 2. This time, no exotic locations. No international lines crossed. Although "the bad guys", seemingly, were Russian, the story didn't take us there. The story stayed in downtown L.A.. Forrest Whitaker's portrayal of the frustrated law enforcement figurehead left me cold. It didn't seem authentic. I would have preferred someone like Kevin Spacey. Someone who is known for his "smart" film choices. Of course, I just watched the horrendous, 'Bird', so maybe that had something to do with my distaste. I just kept waiting for a cymbal to be chucked at his head. Anyway, my feelings only, it dragged the film down. Whitaker's frustrated 'Alex Cross'-like portrayal just didn't seem to fit. Kim was suitably growing up and Lennore still elusive and, thankfully, brief in this installment. Not a big fan of Lennore. The character, not Famke. It was bound to happen sooner or later. She really just needed to die. And do long to you now. Thank you for seeing the groundwork for Neeson's kick-booty performance. R.I.P... one final note. I watched the unaltered version, not the theatrical version. While I applaud the franchise for sticking to the PG -13 ratings game, I feel as though the theatrical version wouldn't really have been enough. In comparison, I'm glad I watched the unaltered version first. The retouching and verbal reworking just didn't gel. But, A for effort. All in all, I'm secretly going for a Taken 4, but don't think it's likely. The film's ending did leave enough ambiguity for a fourth chapter though. But, I suppose, Neeson needs to sign on for that one. After all, I'm not easily Taken by just anyone.

Her (2013)

Her? Are You Kidding Me?

[1/10 · 23 July 2015]

I think that one of two things have happened here. One possible scenario is that this film is supposed to be a supped-up version of a PSA to look up from your phones, smart devices, etc. Or, two, this movie made absolutely no sense whatsoever. At this point, it's the latter of the two. I really wouldn't have thought that this could be "a thing"....think Seinfeld here. Theodore, Joquain Phoenix, is this horribly depressed, recently divorced man with a career in "personal letter writing" (yeah, because THAT'S a thing, right? )..yeah, maybe now you get the picture. No? OK, I'll elaborate. Socially repressed, ultra-sensitive type guy gets divorced, after being asked for quite a while to sign the papers, all because he is "falling in love" with an 'OS'. Now, for all you normal people out there, that stands for 'Operating System'. Let that sink in. Operating System. As in, "smart" technology, disembodied, nonhuman voice. (Again, is this a thing, seriously? ) Dating a computer. Literally. 'Samantha', played by Scarlett Johansson, is said Operating System. Sure, her voice is recognizable, almost instantly, but it's the fact that, as a viewer, you feel completely awkward. Voyeuristic somehow. I don't know. Anyway, that's the basis of the film. I don't know what was more disturbing, the fact that this guy is completely inept; both socially, emotionally, and completely unaware of the fact that his behavior is abnormal. The Operating System becomes super clingy. Beginning with the opening moments where Theodore is cyber-sexing with another disembodied female....something about choking her out with a dead cat. To the 'rent-a-body' nonsense that the Operating System somehow finds to engineer an actual corporeal /physical relationship. Complete with, "tell me you love me".... Are you kidding me! ? What? THIS IS A THING? Noooooo THIS is NOT a THING THIS IS A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME. PERIOD. END PROGRAM Complete trash.

The Lovely Bones (2009)

Oh My Goodness, Totally Disagree With The PG-13 Rating

[7/10 · 23 July 2015]

First things first. I really do not care how violent the book was. The book was also a work of fiction. I do understand that the author experienced a traumatic and particularly violent rape. And while the writing may have been cathartic, I commend Peter Jackson for his decision to omit this sequence from the film, realizing it would be horribly traumatic for the young woman playing the adolescent lead as well as for Stanley Tucci, playing the role of the child molester/murderer. While we are on the subject, I must say, I really have been fond of Stanley Tucci's body of work and considered myself a fan. I was so caught off guard by this performance. So taken aback by the physical transformation. I found myself puzzled and naggingly annoyed because I was unable to place him at first. Needless to say, when I finally figured it out, I was disgusted and had a physical response of overwhelming nausea. Apparently, I wasn't the only one. In interviews I later watched regarding his performance, I learned that Mr. Tucci, himself, was uncomfortable in this role. To such a degree, that he volunteered to alter his physical appearance as much as possible. And with that knowledge, bravo, Stanley Tucci, for a hauntingly disturbing performance. This film is not appropriately rated. PG-13 is incredibly young to deal with such weighty material. The immediate scenes after Suzie's abduction, encompassing her murder, the bathtub scene, and resulting 'cleaning scenes' were worthy of an R rating. There have been much, much less sec severe motion pictures rated R for violent, graphic content, despite storyline that this film should have been a no-brainer. Think about similar films, i.e. The Accused worth Jody Foster, Fried Green Tomatoes, and the like. Would you really allow your 13 year old daughter view these films? Take the sexual ambiguity out of the picture. Would you allow your 13 year old child watch Escape From Sobibor, Schindler's List, The Boy In The Striped Pajamas? Would it be too much? Too much seen, in graphic detail, to be unseen? Cue The Lovely Bones. No way. This cannot be used as a 'teaching tool' nor as a casual family movie with a teen. This is hardcore. Adult themes and graphic detail. NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, TWEENS.

Bad Words (2013)

Irreverently Brilliant

[6/10 · 23 July 2015]

This is an honest review. Based on content and entertainment value, I rated this film higher than I typically would have. The comedic timing, delivery, and sheer audacity of Jason Bateman is absolutely brilliant. Of course, we should realize that this film isn't going to win an Oscar any time soon, but it did win me over. Historically, I'm not one for inclusion of children in such base comedy. However, given the storyline, and yes, there was one, the partnering with these children ('Slumdog' in particular) was elemental and right. I absolutely loved Bateman's character, his struggle, his obstinate determination,and even his quirky off beat humor. This character's backstory is palpable. I loved looking through his eyes, into his own train-wreck. The closure sought after his mother's death and "outing" his father by bringing him down publicly...just like a pile up on the freeway, you don't want to look, but you do. At the end of it all, yeah, there's closure. In ways we expect, the spelling bee, but also in ways we least expect. The friendship, although not the healthiest, with 'Slumdog', the quiet move into true adulthood without leaving the sophomoric adolescence of crude jokes and base humor. Bad Words is not for children, but any stretch of the imagination, but is able to touch that child, deep down, in us all, that wants to just say eff it. Simply, I like Bad Words.

A Walk Among the Tombstones (2014)

Another Walk Around The Block

[6/10 · 22 July 2015]

Liam Neeson plays Matt, a private eye that had basically seen and done it all. The first 10 minutes of the film make that clear. Again, it seems as though Liam Neeson plays this role best. The down but not quite out good guy. Even worth the Taken franchise at an almost polar opposite, elementally,both main leads hold similar mind sets. In A Walk Among The Tombstones, this character is borderline, if not full on, alcoholic. Think, Run All Night, The Grey, and Nonstop. However, Neeson does pull it together long enough to realize that this crime isn't exactly new. He had retained enough memory, although viewed through an alcohol haze, to piece together the details of a current kidnapping with elements of a previous crime. Nothing new to see here folks, just keep on moving. Truly. While watching Neeson play through the character and script, blink and you may be in one of the above mentioned films. Fans of Neeson's work will, no doubt, love the portrayal of this cop turned private eye. Those introduced to the joy that is Liam Neeson should go ahead and check out The Grey.

Argo (2012)

Aaarrrrgggoooo****yourself!

[10/10 · 21 July 2015]

I'll be the first to admit it, I really had my reservations about this film. I usually do, with reproductions of political/ historical events that I've lived through; that I remember. In so far as much, every other American alive at the time, lived through the hostage situation. So, imagine my surprise at finding this film so historically accurate and well casted. And, since I'm being totally honest, I'm not a big Ben Affleck fan either. Had this been my introduction to his ability and talent, I might have had a totally different opinion...might have even gone as far as to overlook Gili...Oooookkkk, maybe not that far. But still, his portrayal of Tony Mendez was spot on. The fact that I was able to forgo the Affleck appearance and give in to the character speaks volumes of his performance. The supporting cast is equally as diligent and well thought out. John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Tate Donavan, and Bryan Cranston offer up brilliantly faceted, integral pieces of the story. All in all, a well produced film. Well acted, well cast. Quite arguably Affleck's best. A must see.

Left Behind (I) (2014)

Make It Stop

[1/10 · 20 July 2015]

Who thought reworking the VHS version of this film, starring Kirk Cameron in 2000, throwing in Nicholas Cage and a lot of B- listers,was a good idea? Based off the very popular "Left Behind" book series, neither the Kirk Cameron version nor the Cage version, seems to be able to translate the literature following to the big screen. Really, who had the brilliant idea to place Cage as the pilot? A role that should be easy to conceive and adapt to his particular lack of ability to emote? Certainly, even the emotionally devoid Cage should be able to convey some sort of quiet strength, some sort of something. Problem is, the screen adaptation and his teaspoon depth emotional range are a double hit to the head. This film is just bad. Horrible. The factual content aside, common sense errors are evident. The stewardess talks into the wrong end of the phone, the mascot on Chloe's sweatshirt, the fact that the pilot boarded a plane without so much as a carry-on. Yeah, just a really, really bad film. I'm usually the kind that gives it the "benefit of the doubt" kinda girl. But, this stilted dialogue, the "investigative reporter" conducting impromptu interviews on board, and the druggie in the bathroom just made it a little too much for me. The Rapture. Yeah, OK ummmm, yeah, no. Just a RRREEEEEAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLYYYYYY agonizingly tortuous film. And, just for fun, guess what.....that sound? Probably the sound of Nicholas Cage's SAG card flying away. Really, how much money could have been attached to this film to get him to throw away his career? Not enough, I'm guessing.

Non-Stop (2014)

Non-Stop

[6/10 · 19 July 2015]

If you've ever read a review penned by me, you'd likely already know, I love Liam Neeson. That said, I really would have taken a connecting flight. This movie, although Liam doing his Liam thing that we all love, just plain sucked.* (See what I did there? ) Of course, you have to have 3 things to settle in with a Liam flick : A troubled past, a time limit, and an inevitable fight scene in a bathroom. In this aspect, Non-Stop doesn't disappoint. Although this matrix IS getting pretty old. Bill Marks, a down and out, troubled Air Marshall is seemingly called to duty on a non-stop international flight. The character is immediately likable, rough, tough kind of guy Liam Neeson plays best. Close to the vest, troubled past, true good guy. He didn't want to go on this ride either. That should have been warning enough. But noooooo, I chi continued. The "co-stars", for the most part, are B listers. Julianne Moore is the exception. But not a very significant one. Her character is so forgettable that, as I write this, her character's name escapes me. Annnnnnnddd, I really don't care enough to go look it up. This was not a pivotal performance, by any stretch. The film did its best to cast shadows and doubt throughout the film. Maybe it's that guy. Or what about that stewardess? But, pretty soon, I found that I simply didn't care. The every 20 minute death thing didn't feel right, timing wise. And, actually, it wasn't. But, there's the mark of a bored viewer. Timing the threat. Maybe it's because I'm used to this formula. Maybe it's because I'm psychic, whatever, I figured it out, long before I should have. Somewhere around the photo message. The backstory wasn't even well constructed. Marks says that his daughter, Olivia "would be 17"...Sloppy. Overall, another gratuitous violence movie stretching to be something more. Trying to allow the viewer to displace their own prejudices, but not actually achieving that goal. Simply, it's not the best. Maybe I just should have stuck with the in-flight movie.

The Grey (2011)

Best Liam Neeson Movie

[8/10 · 18 July 2015]

Let me first say this: I love Liam Neeson. Followed quickly by: I'm not a fact-checking, researching, and reporting kind of reviewer. I'm a "Turn left at the Circle K" kind of girl. To be sure, if you make a movie where the characters only use last names, and sparingly at that, up until the end...well, no, I'm not going to remember them. That all said, I am a pretty accurate historian. A good witness. A great diagnostician,as was my career before rewiring due to terminal illness at the age of 39 and having the time to actually watch movies. So, really, if you want a factual, researched, cross- referenced review of the film, just move to the next one. This is more for those who want to know what a slightly above average woman may think. Liam Neeson plays this role hauntingly well. I cannot recall ever watching a movie with Liam where the character was so well rounded. Sure, the Taken franchise has developed the Liam lead. But it's 'taken' 3 installments to actually achieve. *See what I did there? Anyway, the viewer realizes that Ottaway is a troubled soul. We get it. We recognize it. We embrace it. OK, bring it on. Attempting suicide before the action even gets underway. As a pretty astute woman, I had it pegged, the relationship, the demise of his wife, the illness aspect. And figuring that key piece out allowed me to feel empathetic toward Ottaway. And, of course, the damn plane crashes. So, here we are, obscure characters, central character, and developing storyline. Cue the attitudes, the secondary story-lines,and the wolves. Like I previously stated, I don't care who has what name. If you died on the plane, buh-bye. This leaves us with the following: (and really, don't get offended, I mean absolutely no disrespect) the black guy, the blonde guy, the Hispanic guy, Dermot Mulroney, Ottaway? Ottoway? And the melancholic observer, Pete. Lemme tell ya, straight off, I wanted the Hispanic dude eaten. His character was one dimensional and such an ass. But, by the end, I was fighting for John Diaz to get on up and try. Ahhhh, "no mas". Profoundly well developed and likable toward the end. The blonde, yeah, he really didn't stick around long enough to care about. The same is true of the black guy. The rarified air, hypoxemia secondary to presumed sickle cell, was a great factual touch. But neither character made me feel anything. Their passing was nothing more than a "then there was 4" mentality. The 4...now I'm trying here, really : Ottaway, Talget, Diaz, and Pete. These 4 are the core for the story. They actually are the story. Each obstacle, each passing of these 4 make you feel. Talget (Mulroney) was hard for me. I wanted him to make it through. His character want really the reason why though. The fact that he's "Michael" from 'My Best Friend's Wedding'...yeah, I'm a chick, so what? Something, deep down wants me to believe that John Diaz made it. We all saw him tap out. But, maybe, ya know, just maybe. I really disliked his character in the beginning. But, I didn't want him to sit on that damn log. The only passing I really wasn't that upset about was Pete. I liked the character, but, something was lacking for me. Somehow, while I was investing in the other men, Pete snuck under the radar. Maybe because the death scene wasn't factual or even probable. Maybe because I just didn't buy in. The hypothermia would strike pretty quickly. I found myself holding my own breath during the scene. I couldn't. Then I tried with each breath Liam gave him and still nope. Not believable. So, OK, bye Pete. John Ottaway is now alone, calling on God to help him. The only thing coming is certainly hypothermia but, no, we gotta have the Alpha. And end movie. Uhh, but, hey! WHAT THE HECK? What happened? Debating the fight with my spouse and we get to the end of the movie. The "secret" scene. And I'm no closer to figuring it out than anyone else. I really can't stand it when movie makers do this. But, then again, I suppose they did their job. Because I really want to know that John Ottaway/Ottoway/Ottway,whatever, is OK. Well, on the up side, at least Liam didn't get beat up in a bathroom in this one. Sigh.

Run All Night (2015)

Keep Running

[5/10 · 14 July 2015]

Let me first write the disclaimer that I simply adore Liam. I have loved Ed Harris forever as well. I mean, hey, those blue eyes, oh my. But, unfortunately, this movie just left me cold. I really, really wanted to be on board. Really. But it's like a bad version of the already too played out Taken series. I'm left wondering why I just wasted about 2 hours of my life watching this sub-par knock off. The storyline isn't really that different. A loved one (this time his son) a time limit (all night), and a lot of gratuitous violence. This formula seem familiar? At all? Like Taken 1,2. But with some sort of Irish Godfather-esque twist. Ed Harris does play his role well. Although the stereotypical Irish mafia boss role doesn't really suit him. And Liam is predictably brilliant. Although add the enforcer 'The Gravedigger' who has an alcohol problem and you could actually conjure up his Taken alter-ego. Law and Order:Criminal Intent fans will be happy to see Vincent D'Onofrio (Gorem ) in another cop role. Supposedly the only straight cop in the city. But, that relationship isn't explored much. The story staying central to the murder of Ed Harris' son by Liam's character, Jimmy. As revenge, his son is now being hunted. Throw in about 1:30 minutes of action and that's the movie. An underdeveloped storyline. A typecast role. And an uninterested viewer. You expect the outcome from the beginning of the movie. You're not disappointed. Just not a satisfying movie. I guess I should have gone in with a completely different eye. But how do you forget Taken? How can you separate his roles when they're so close? You can't. The director knew it, the cat knew it, and they banked on it. And we were foolish enough to buy in.

Big Hero 6 (2014)

Big Hero 6...Big Heart

[8/10 · 14 July 2015]

Disney does it again! Finally, back on track with films worth watching. Big Hero 6 delicately balances humor, tragedy, coming off age, loss, and grief for it's adolescent viewers. All the while cleverly wrapping the film in a bankable comic/manga/ superhero/marvel/ xmen eque good vs. evil storyline. Hero, a classic underdog, is wracked by grief worth the loss of his brother. This super smart Hero, aptly named, it's a scrawny pubescent boy. His friends are a ragtag bunch of equally as smart boys and girl. The quest for truth and triumph of good over evil, even if wrapped in grief and loss make this a story that is entertaining and action-packed for the kids and thoughtful and question evoking enough for parents that may or may not have found a pathway to do so previously. Disney seems to have gotten this particular, multilevel, emotional based story down without the use of magic or processes. A fact that this reviewer finds completely refreshing. On the track, initially, worth Frozen, Disney has finally broken free of 'Happily Ever After' and 'Someday My Prince Will Come'. I,for one, find it empowering that the lead is a boy. And the 'hero' is him, himself. Finding his voice and power via his brother's creation BayaMax, Hero actually winds up dealing with his grief and loss by saving himself and letting go of the guilt he feels as a result of his brother's untimely, accidental death. Disney could keep this formidable formula up and running for a series with this cast of characters. There would be a demographic, for sure. But, one wonders, if this was just an incidental hit. Seemingly, the tried and true process algorithm is their bread and butter. But worth Big Hero 6,we as parents, get some meat! Encouraging more films like this!

Bird (1988)

Fly Away

[2/10 · 14 July 2015]

Let's take a moment here and reflect. Clint Eastwood, Charlie Parker, and Forrest Whittaker. Has it sunk in yet? Well, by now, it should have. This. Is. Not. A. Good. Match. Period. I'm a huge fan of jazz, Charlie Parker,and music in general. I watched Bird after watching the awesome film, Whiplash. Only because the famous cymbal throwing incident was used repeatedly in the film as an epic, pivotal point. So, although I'd heard that this movie existed, and was not really very good, I still entered into watching worth an open mind and a musician's heart. While the music in the film was exemplary, the actual cadence of the film was awkward, stunted, disjointed, and contrived. The voice of the film changed rapidly and repeatedly, causing so much distortion and manipulation to actual events that the film appeared completely fictitious. Bird and Chan spoke almost completely in prose. And, while this may have been possible, it certainly didn't translate well onto the big screen. As with the change in voice and viewpoint, this quotable literary referencing was completely repelling. Especially, if the viewer had no reference point as to the author, let alone the work referenced. This awkward dialogue added to the general confusion of the film. At end credits, Eastwood thanks Chan for her contribution to the making of Bird. This would lead the viewer to believe the portrayal was to her liking. Although, I certainly doubt that fact. Forrest Whitaker's portrayal of Charlie Yardbird Parker was quite a stretch. Although I'm sure he acted, under close scrutiny, both by Eastwood and Chan, the character portrayal felt shapeless, shallow, and inconsistent. The struggle with addiction may have represented this discord, but, to this viewer, the message and actions weren't cohesive. The fact that Forrest Whitaker doesn't and cannot BE Charlie Parker is clear. An actor studies it's subject closely to try to portray the person clearly. There was not enough preparation to ready Whitaker for this role. The only saving grace was the character actors. These men and women were billed as minimal people in Parker's life. They were, in fact, major players that were under developed in this representation. Dizzy, the Baroness, etc. were brief spots of clarity in an otherwise foggy account of an extraordinary musician's life. Often, many films fall through this trap. The account of a great musician's life, clouded by the addictions and problems that dictated their lives. Janis Joplin, Jimmi Hendrix, Karen Carpenter, and others spring to mind instantly. As an avid musician, the excuse that Charlie Parker was great, only when addicted, is a cop-out. Charlie Parker was a great musician with addiction battles. Not the other way around. All in all, completely disappointed. And extremely happy that I didn't waste money on this dismal, "biographical" film.

Inside Out (I) (2015)

Inside Out, Upside Down

[3/10 · 29 June 2015]

I have never entered in such a poor review for a Disney film. I am always defending the "Imagineers" and their creative processes. I'm a Floridian..not a true Florida cracker, more of a saltine (or maybe a Triscuit). But, my love for all things Disney ended with Inside Out.

The premise was really great, in concept, but extremely poorly enacted. So, yeah, OK, you've got your emotions, "Joy, Anger, Sadness, Disgust, etc...." Yeah, it's that bad. An etc. Do I really need to say more?

Well, of course, there's more. Riley is THE perfect girl. But really, what she is, is sheltered. A good family. Parents that worship her. A core group of friends and education, extracurricular activities, etc.

Yeah, another etc.

Societal norms and morés dictate that this is really not the case. Having both parents, let alone both parents being married, is an event these days. Sure, we'd all love to believe that those idyllic family structures still exist. But, truly, ask your children, it isn't even close.

So, let's go ahead and move this "perfect" family, because of Dad's job (yeah, cuz that's an original storyline) and plunk em down in Cali from Minnesota. Disney/Pixar's attempts to poke fun at Vegan lifestyles to get the viewer closer to the family is pretty weak. As is the whole system of forming and processing memories.

Leading us all to believe that joy is the most powerful and important emotion. When, in the end, sadness rules the roost. Ummmm, what?

All "core memories" are formed by sadness and touched by joy. Please.

The disconnect between the emotions and the girl is huge. Watching a movie that is supposed to be happening inside this girl is confusing. Riley's actions are so delayed that is clear that we're all watching minutes of dialogue before she reacts. It's distracting. Not to mention pretty lame.

It seems Disney/Pixar kinda realized this and decided to showcase Riley's emotions while she was asleep. Believable. Mmhhmm. Yeah, ummmm, no.

Throw in a couple of distracted parents and stress, not even real stress, a kind of implied stress, and they're you have the whole basis of the film. Pretty shaky.

I saw this film with an 11 and 12 year old. Both girls Riley's age. Now, granted, these girls have great families...but they also have mothers going through terminal illness and fathers that work their trails off to make ends meet. So their emotions run high. But they aren't cry prone girls. And yet, here we were, popcorn, candy, sodas for breakfast watching this horrible film. Both girls in tears and a very well placed f-bomb by yours truly to lighten the mood.

Bottom line? 90 minutes of confusing, sad, disjointed dialogue and about 5 minutes of happy. Never a laugh out loud. Maybe a smile. Maybe.

So, ummmm, what the hell Disney/Pixar? This the trend? If so, take me back to it being a small small world. It's way better than drilling these fake boyfriend thoughts of being our savior into our daughter's head. First were waiting for "our price to come." Now we're relying on fake boyfriends? Please.

How about a girl that can handle herself, her school, her family, and be strong? Not this lame nonsense.

American Sniper (2014)

American Sniper Through The Eyes Of Hollywood

[8/10 · 29 June 2015]

Having lived through this time, having servicemen in my family, and having my own expectations with the written account firmly placed in my head, American Sniper was a difficult movie to live up to, in my mind. I was set to dislike Bradley Cooper's portrayal of Chris Kyle. In fact, after watching the entire cast on late night talk shows, I was determined that Bradley Cooper, although my movie star crush, was out of his depth. I was wrong.

It was extremely clear that Bradley Cooper researched and acted through this role as though he was Chris Kyle. At times it appeared as though the action was authentically occurring as we were watching the events unfold. The care in which both Cooper and Eastwood brought Chris Kyle to the big screen was respectful and complete. The only downfall, although true to real life events, was that Chris' return after his final tour was incredibly brief until his untimely death. As a viewer with the complete story fresh in my mind, some details felt as though they were left unfinished. I was waiting for the turn in his character that was so clear in his book. That turn, when he knew he could not return to duty but could focus on those who remained stateside and try to "save" them as well. In film, this occurred at warp speed. He's home, he's moved, he's at the doctor, he's volunteering, he's dead. Just that staccato. As much detail and care was placed in the truthful, accurate retelling of Kyle's tours; the viewer should have had that time to connect with Kyle as a veteran.

The interaction with family was also glossed over. The relationship between Chris and Taya was portrayed as intermittent, at best, While the viewer is left to consider if Chris Kyle was just afflicted with a God-complex or if the slow, self-assured Texan attitude was of Cooper's design and a result of artistic impression.

On the complete opposite page, Kyle's bond with his fellow servicemen was apparent. The viewer could feel how strongly bonded they were. How ingrained the image of a quitter was. How they all seemed to believe in Chris, even when he didn't. That aspect was portrayed spot on.

All in all, as a story or account of war, American Sniper told the tale with care and with a fresh perspective. I'm glad I watched the film. But wanting to know more about Chris Kyle as a person, not as a servicemen or veteran, I was disappointed. But the disappointment is something the world feels at the loss of such a tremendous warrior. May his family know the peace their son, brother, husband, and father brought to Americans like myself. And how very grateful we are for his service. May his memory live on.

Dolphin Tale 2 (2014)

Dolphin Tale 2....a fish out of water

[6/10 · 6 June 2015]

Although I personally enjoyed the movie as a "Family Movie Date Night", there were some obvious problems in the continuation of the story. We are supposed to assume that a lot of time has passed and Sawyer is now a High School student with an unwavering love and connection to both Winter and the aquarium. Of course, this is easy because the characters appear older. But, realistically, the cast doesn't gel as well together as in the first installment. Harry Connick Jr, Ashley Judd, and Morgan Freeman definitively take second place, maybe third, to the children and animals. What's interesting is the score underlining and highlighting the film. As with any film, the score is used to make the audience feel. Problem is, the music is almost continual and more prevalent than the dialogue. Forcing the viewer to listen intently to catch what's being said rather than stirring back and enjoying the film. When the score is absent, dialogue seems muttered and off time. The frenzy of a popular theme park and it's complications of day to day life show us how difficult it can be to care for these creatures. With the enormous amount of backlash aimed toward Sea World, it is surprising this film escaped the fallout. Black Fish was a heart-wrenching look at life in captivity. And it was through this scope that I viewed the film. It is truly unfortunate that the cast didn't retain its closeness and connection from the first movie. Attempts to throw in as many amputees as possible makes the film even more painful. We are living in Florida. Really just a short car ride to this park, but we've never been there. It might provide more insight for the films hurried nature. Mandy is our only hope. Having my own Mandi (with an i,thank you very much) made the film more fun for our family. But, even with the cute coincidence, it's a draggy film. Trying to fill in gaps while pushing forward. Contributing to the overall disorganization of the film. Should have let Winter come and go without trying to change the seasons.