Quick movie reviews

[DYohn]

"The Friend" is a small indie film starring Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, several actors I recognized but can't recall their names, and Bing the 180-lbs Great Dane. No violence, no action scenes, no sex except for remembered in discussion sex, and a giant lovable dog. Perhaps I liked this movie only because I have a real soft spot for Great Danes. If you like good acting it's worth checking out. 3 stars,

[DYohn]

"Frankenstein" by Guillermo del Toro on Netflix. Just fricking watch it. 5 big stars. I predict Oscar nominations.

[DYohn]

"Wake Up Dead Man" the latest in the Knives Out series may be the best one of the three. Much more character depth and realism, less like a super Sherlock Holmes movie. Recommended viewing. 4 stars.

[Dustin]

"Only The Brave" last night. Based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. I'd already listened to more than one podcast so I knew the story, although this movie came out in 2017, and I listened to the podcasts more recently and had to rewind to this movie, which I didn't catch back then. I think I can watch anything with Josh Brolin in it. Although there was a lot of talent in this movie. Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Jeff Bridges, Taylor Kitsch, Jeff Bridges, some others you will recognize. Cast is stacked. Directed by Joseph Kosinski. Loved it.

[Dustin]

"Death By Lightning" (Netflix series).

OK, not a movie. Starring Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman and a number of others you will recognize notwithstanding the amount of facial hair involved. About a very short period leading up to a presidential election, through the very short period after, culminating in President James Garfield's assassination. I have been listening to "American Storytellers" podcast lately, which has hours and hours of history stories that I never thought would interest me, but with the right storytelling, are fantastic. Same applies here. Never thought a 4-hour deep dive into this person would interest me but it was fabulous.

[DYohn]

"Train Dreams" on Netflix. A sure to be Oscar nominated small independent film starring Joel Edgerton in a stirring role as a man just trying to live his life in the first half of the 20th Century. A tear-jerker for all. 4 stars.

[DYohn]

Sinners. I resisted watching this because I generally do not like horror films and I heard Michael B. Jordan describe it as a vampire movie with gallons of blood. But last night the wife and I decided to try it, and we are very glad we did. This is so much more than a vampire movie. In fact it is one of the best films I've seen in years, with one music scene that may be among the best scenes ever filmed. Very highly recommended, 5 shining stars, and don't turn it off when you first start seeing credits or you'll miss a fantastic ending with the great Buddy Guy.

[jasn]

Sinners. I resisted watching this because I generally do not like horror films and I heard Michael B. Jordan describe it as a vampire movie with gallons of blood. But last night the wife and I decided to try it, and we are very glad we did. This is so much more than a vampire movie. In fact it is one of the best films I've seen in years, with one music scene that may be among the best scenes ever filmed. Very highly recommended, 5 shining stars, and don't turn it off when you first start seeing credits or you'll miss a fantastic ending with the great Buddy Guy.

My wife & I were also hesitant to watch Sinners but decided to last week and came away with the same positive reactions as you David. It succeeds on many levels and the symbolism is powerful. I too was blown away by the music number you mention. It gave my 7.2.4 HT a fabulous ride!

We also kept it on through the credits we usually do) and caught Buddy.

[DYohn]

Hedda is the 2025 adaptation of the Ibsen play and much like trying to read that play, it is dense, slow, confusing and dissatisfying. Only two things stand out here - the acting of leads Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss, and the way Thompson is made to look so beautiful, her face eating up the screen, that it is easy to believe she can twist others to her will through sex appeal alone. But the story sucks. The movie is way too long and slow and has a horrible ending. The men are all thin caricatures (much like Ibsen wrote them) and even Hedda, who is supposed to be a powerful, rules-breaking woman, is muted. I found myself watching to the end out of a sense of obligation not enjoyment. I have never written an adapted screenplay, but if this film is anything to go by, I will never attempt to do so from a 19th century Norwegian play. 2 stars for cinematography and the acting by the two leads.