Movies Watched In 2018
List activity
417 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
83 titles
- DirectorRob BurnettStarsCraig RobertsPaul RuddSelena GomezA man suffering a family loss enrolls in a class about care-giving that changes his perspective on life.I really like Paul Rudd's screen presence so I was hopeful that the film would be one that I would enjoy. I was wrong. The film tells the story of a deeply grieving man (Paul Rudd as Ben Benjamin) who becomes a caregiver for a disabled young man (Craig Roberts as Trevor). Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the movie as I absolutely loathed Trevor, who was a difficult and obnoxious patient and human being. The movie intends to make some transformative magic in the relationship between Ben and Trevor, but I did not find any redeeming characteristics in Trevor or their burgeoning friendship.
- DirectorAlex GibneyStarsPaul HaggisJason BegheSpanky TaylorA documentary looking at the inner-workings of the Church of Scientology.Going Clear was a very interesting documentary about Scientology, its beliefs, practices, and lies. In my opinion Scientology is a cult and not a religion; this film supported that belief. In conversation with those who had escaped the net of Scientology and its creepy leader, the worst of the cult's abuses are clarified for the viewing public. I don't know what to make of people who join a cult that was founded by a writer of science fiction, which worships alien life forms, and in which the highest levels of knowledge are open only to the fantastically rich. I am left troubled and wanting to know even more than this probing documentary offered.
- DirectorAlex GarlandStarsAlicia VikanderDomhnall GleesonOscar IsaacA young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a highly advanced humanoid A.I.Note: I did not finish watching the film.
Ex Machina is the story of Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), a computer genius, who wins a prize offered by reclusive billionaire computer whiz Nathan (Oscar Isaac). Nathan offers Caleb a chance to interact with Ava (Alicia Vikander), an artificial intelligence in the body of a beautiful woman. I didn't finish the movie because Oscar Isaac played his role too well. His intensity, alcoholism, and borderline insanity terrified me and I had to stop watching, which is a shame, as the film had some really original ideas. - DirectorRichard CurtisStarsDomhnall GleesonRachel McAdamsBill NighyAt the age of 21, Tim discovers he can travel in time and change what happens and has happened in his own life. His decision to make his world a better place by getting a girlfriend turns out not to be as easy as you might think.About Time is one of the films I love best. I watched it once again it to cheer myself up after a hard day. At age 21, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) is told by his father (Bill Nighy) that all the men in the family can travel back in time. What Tim thinks is a joke is actually true. Tim's relationship with Mary (Rachel McAdams) is carefully nurtured by a series of jumps back in time until he gets his and her romantic ideals exactly right. It's a lovely, romantic, and quirky film with a great soundtrack. Bill Nighy is my very favourite actor and he was just right in his fatherly role. Great supporting acting by Lindsay Graham as Tim's mum, and by Lydia Wilson as Tim's troubled sister.
- DirectorJames MarshStarsEddie RedmayneFelicity JonesTom PriorStephen Hawking gets unprecedented success in the field of physics despite being diagnosed with motor neuron disease at the age of 21. He defeats awful odds as his first wife Jane aids him loyally.This film is the story of Stephen Hawking, the renowned physicist, and his wife Jane. It is the first time I have seen Eddie Redmayne act, and he was astonishing. For most of the film I assumed that it was Hawking in the wheelchair, not an actor; the acting was a gift. The movie itself felt very rushed, and a lot of the details of a very interesting life were left out. I understand time constraints on motion pictures, but the film felt more like a breezy glance at a life and less like a fulfilling bio-pic.
- DirectorNils GaupStarsJakob OftebroKristofer HivjuTorkel Dommersnes SoldalIn the year 1206 Norway is raged by civil war. The King's illegitimate infant son, Håkon Håkonsson, which half the kingdom wants killed off, is guarded in secrecy by two men. A story which changed the course of the country's history.Historical film about the internecine strife in 13th century Norway. The late King Hakon has fathered an illegitimate baby, and when his legitimate heir dies, this infant is hunted down by those who want Norway under their rule. The film was a bit brutal for my liking, but there was real heart in it, as well as gorgeous scenery and Nikolaj Lie Kaas popping up in a small bad guy role. I was fascinated with the ability and ease of these Norwegian actors to manoeuver on skis, downhill and cross-country. Not a great film, but a pleasant enough way to spend a couple of hours.
Norwegian with English subtitles. - DirectorJoachim RønningEspen SandbergStarsPål Sverre HagenAnders BaasmoGustaf SkarsgårdIn 1947, with five loyal friends in tow, explorer Thor Heyerdahl sails a fragile balsa wood raft along an ancient path some 4,300 miles across the Pacific.I have just finished watching Kon-Tiki and was absolutely astounded by the beauty and brilliance of this film. The cinematography was simply stunning; the acting and casting excellent; and the story of Thor Heyerdahl's ground-breaking expedition across 5,000 miles of open ocean on a balsa wood raft to prove a scientific theory no one else gave credence to, although a tale I know well, was told to perfection.
- DirectorAlberto RodríguezStarsJose CoronadoEduard FernándezMiquel García BordaThe story of a man who fooled an entire country. A tale of cheats and impostors, taking its inspiration from true facts and from one of the most intriguing characters of recent decades: the spy Francisco Paesa.Spanish film about Francisco Paesa, a Spanish intelligence officer who variously posed as an arms dealer, arranged the arrest of Spanish politician Luis Roldan while simultaneously stealing his vast fortune, and who faked his own death in Thailand before returning to life and arranging for the overthrow of the dictator of Equatorial Guinea. Although this may sound exciting, the movie wasn't. It was far too subtle, using hints to guide the viewer, and instead confusing and eluding this one. It is likely my doing, as the film has won great critical acclaim and I am not known for my comprehension of spy thrillers. Nevertheless, I found the film dull.
Spanish with English subtitiles. - DirectorRose BoschStarsJean RenoAnna GalienaChloé JouannetLea, Adrian, and their little brother Theo, born deaf, go on holiday in Provence with their grandfather, Paul "Oliveron" they never met because of a family quarrel. Unfortunately, it is not the holidays they dreamed, especially after their father announced that he was leaving the house. In less than 24 hours, it is the clash of generations between the teens and their grandfather.Lovely film about a trio of Parisian youngsters who, after their parents separate, go to stay with their grandparents in Provence. They have never met their grandfather, and he is a surly man who does not welcome their arrival. The slow development of their relationship, first love, the growth of the olive grove, and old friendships renewed fill out this excellent film, and made the time pass slowly and sweetly. Jean Reno and Anna Galiena are perfectly suited to their roles as grandparents. A terrific soundtrack, featuring sounds as varied as Bob Dylan, Coldplay, and flamenco music, adds to the pleasure of this movie. I also very much enjoyed the athleticism of the young men who ran with the bulls, what skill and swiftness they possess!
French with English subtitles. - DirectorRitesh BatraStarsJim BroadbentCharlotte RamplingHarriet WalterA man becomes haunted by his past and is presented with a mysterious legacy that causes him to re-think his current situation in life.Nice movie and excellent cast in this story, based on a book by Julian Barnes, about aging curmudgeon Tony Webster (Jim Broadbent), who receives a letter that opens the door to a Russian nesting doll full of secrets in his past. Harriet Walter plays Tony's long-suffering ex-wife, and Michelle Dockery his pregnant daughter, while Charlotte Rampling has a small role as a character in Tony's past. The interplay between past and present are handled quite masterfully. The film was a bit too slow-paced, I think, but all in all a pleasant way to pass a couple of hours.
- DirectorTom HooperStarsEddie RedmayneAlicia VikanderAmber HeardA fictitious love story loosely inspired by the lives of Danish artists Lili Elbe and Gerda Wegener. Lili and Gerda's marriage and work evolve as they navigate Lili's groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.Once again, Eddie Redmayne astonished me with his brilliant acting in this film about the world's first transgender woman, Lili Elbe, a gifted Danish painter who was born as Einar Wagenen and who underwent the first gender reassignment surgery in 1930. Alicia Vikander was very good in the role of Einar's wife Gerda, who literally brought Lili to life on canvas. Gorgeous artistry in the backdrops, sets, costumes, and cinematography made the film a visual treat.
- DirectorWesley ChanPhilip WangStarsAaron YooBrittany IshibashiBrandon Soo HooThe Department of Emotional Integrity (DEI) documents all relationship activity. A 'relationship score' is given to keep people accountable for their choices. The score is public for all to see, and affects various aspects of daily life. Two couples, teenagers and early 30s, face different but intersecting challenges in their relationships within the rules of the DEI.Sweet and intelligent film about a world in which all relationship metrics are scored by the Department of Emotional Integrity, and in which these ratings affect everything - education, job availability, credit, and future relationships. The movie focuses on two Korean couples, one very young, one older, and shows the constraints and a few unexpected freedoms to be found within the system. Well worth watching.
- DirectorJames IvoryStarsAnthony HopkinsEmma ThompsonVanessa RedgraveSet in the early 20th century, class distinctions and troubled relations affect the relationship between two families and the ownership of a cherished British estate known as Howards End.Note: I did not finish watching the film.
Maybe it's the movie, maybe it's that I have the flu, but I watched about half of the film and discovered that I didn't care what happened to the characters. I've never been able to get through the book either. I generally love period pieces, and there were some fine actors in this one, but it dragged and I stopped watching. - DirectorAndy HamiltonGuy JenkinStarsRosamund PikeDavid TennantBilly ConnollyA family of five heads to Granddad's big 75th-birthday party at an uncle's estate in rural Scotland. The parents are separated and hope their three kids won't mention it. The kids love, can talk with, and would do anything for Granddad.Before I get critical, let me say that this film had an excellent cast. It is always a delight to see Billy Connolly on screen; he never fails to exceed my expectations. David Tennant is one of my favourite actors. Kudos to the little girl who played the younger daughter; she made me smile many times. However, the vehicle that was this film was a shoddy one, and even good actors couldn't rescue it, nor could the beauty of the Scottish countryside. The script is one of the most unlikely I've ever encountered, and unfortunately is not rendered sweet or believable by the direction or some of the poorer actors on-set. Barely worth viewing, sadly.
- DirectorAndy SerkisStarsAndrew GarfieldClaire FoyHugh BonnevilleThe inspiring true love story of Robin and Diana Cavendish, an adventurous couple who refuse to give up in the face of a devastating disease.Bio-pic about Robin Cavendish, who was paralyzed from the neck down due to a bout of polio in 1958. The strength and love of Cavendish's wife, Diana, and the resourcefulness of his friend Prof. Teddy Hall allowed him to leave the hospital and live at home, and eventually leave the house and travel in a specially-designed chair that encased the respirator. These pioneering efforts were the inspiration for leaps forward for severely disabled people in Britain and worldwide. The film was co-produced by Cavendish's son, Jonathan. Unfortunately the film was rather soppy, and although I found it absorbing, thought that too much attention was paid to the maudlin side of the story, and too little on the contributions that Cavendish made to the lives of the disabled.
- DirectorJoann SfarStarsFreya MavorBenjamin BiolayElio GermanoA woman must find out about a crime she is implicated, to prove her innocence.I watched this film until halfway through, and then couldn't take it anymore. The story was about a youngish woman, secretary to a miserable executive whom she secretly desires. When he leaves for vacation, she "borrows" his car to take a journey to the sea, which she has never seen. Things get strange when unknown people along the way recognize her and the car. Not enough to hold my interest, nor did I like the blatant sexism in the movie.
Mainly in French with English subtitles, although some English is spoken. - DirectorHans Petter MolandStarsNikolaj Lie KaasFares FaresPål Sverre HagenTwo intertwined cases linking the past with the present require the aid of Department Q to catch an elusive serial killer while time is running out.I watched this film last year and felt like watching it again. The second viewing was even more powerful than the first. Nikolai Lie Kaas stars as Carl Morck, a dour Danish police detective who has had a nervous breakdown from which he has not yet recovered. The kidnapping and disappearance of two children from a strict religious community turn into a hunt for a serial killer who has been killing children quietly for many years. Fares Fares plays an excellent Assad, and Pal Sverre Hagen is chilling as the bad guy. Well worth watching.
Danish with English subtitles. - DirectorMads MatthiesenStarsMaria PalmEd SkreinCharlotte TomaszewskaEmma, an emerging model, struggles to enter the Parisian fashion scene and develops a dangerous obsession for fashion photographer Shane White.The Model is story of a young woman from Denmark (Maria Palm as Emma), who comes to Paris hoping to make her mark in the world of high-fashion modelling. She becomes embroiled in the life and love of photographer Shane (Ed Skrein); her obsession with him leads her to the borders of madness. Her creeping insanity is very well played. Good movie but very creepy and uncomfortable.
Mostly in English, but some French and Danish are spoken (with subtitles). - DirectorBernardo BertolucciStarsJeremy IronsLiv TylerCarlo CecchiAfter her mother commits suicide, a young woman travels to Italy in search of love, truth and a deeper connection with herself.Liv Tyler plays a young woman in search of her biological father; her quest takes her to the villa in Tuscany, an art commune, where her mother conceived her. I think the director should have made more use out of the glorious landscape. Jeremy Irons has a role in the film, sadly, he plays old and decrepit far too well. It is hard to see your idols age. Rather shambling film. I was uncomfortable with the sex scenes in it.
- DirectorNoah BaumbachStarsGreta GerwigMickey SumnerAdam DriverA New York woman apprentices for a dance company and throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as the possibility of realizing them dwindles.Frances Ha marks the first time I have ever watched a mumblecore film, which means (I think), that it's low-budget and deliberately made to show off the low budget. Starring Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the film, the story is of a young woman who wants to be a dancer, and who struggles with money, love, and friendship. I enjoyed it. Filmed in black and white.
- DirectorCatalina Aguilar MastrettaStarsKarla SouzaJosé María YazpikBen O'TooleA single, successful career woman asks her co-worker to pose as her boyfriend at a family wedding back home in Mexico. Her situation gets complicated when her ex shows up at the ceremony.Rather silly Mexican film about a woman who asks her co-worker to be her date at a wedding, which is going well until her ex-boyfriend and love of her life shows up. It was a pleasant way to spend a couple hours, but it was neither well-scripted nor well-acted.
Some English, but mostly Spanish with English subtitles. - DirectorRebecca MillerStarsGreta GerwigEthan HawkeJulianne MooreMaggie wants to have a baby, raising him on her own, but when she gets romantically involved with John, a married man, things get complicated and all the balance of Maggie's plans may collapse.Rather over-the-top film about a woman, Maggie (Greta Gerwig), who wants a baby but not a relationship. In walks John (Ethan Hawke), a university professor, who is unhappily married to Georgette (Julianne Moore). When Maggie gets pregnant, the lives of all three adults become precarious balancing acts. I liked the three-dimensionality of the characters, but I didn't actually like any of the adults, which soured the film for me while at the same time making it more believable. Also, I couldn't tell whether the movie was pretentious or whether it was taking a humorous poke at academia. A difficult film to like.
- DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsEmma SuárezAdriana UgarteDaniel GraoAfter a casual encounter, a brokenhearted woman decides to confront her life and the most important events involving her estranged daughter.Julieta is the story of a woman about to embark on a post-retirement life when she accidentally discovers that her long-missing daughter is still alive. The tale, which meanders through the past and the present, tells the viewer of Julieta's past love, and the reason that Antia, the daughter, disappeared many years back. It was a terrific film, the first I have seen directed and written by Pedro Almodovar, and I was definitely impressed. It was a visual treat as well; the production made beautiful use of primary colours, particularly red, and was shot along the beautiful Spanish coast and against the stately buildings of Madrid. Definitely a film I would recommend.
Spanish with English subtitles. - DirectorJon AvnetStarsKathy BatesJessica TandyMary Stuart MastersonEvelyn, an ordinary housewife, visits a nursing home and befriends the old lady Ninny. Together, they bond over stories from the past about two intrepid women of Whistle Stop Cafe.Enjoyed re-watching Fried Green Tomatoes, although I wish it were more similar to the novel by Fannie Flagg. It's a sweet story woven within another sweet story, but poor acting by a couple of the players really harmed the whole film.
- DirectorTaylor SheridanStarsElizabeth OlsenJeremy RennerGraham GreeneA wildlife officer, who is haunted by a tragedy that happened because of him, teams up with an FBI agent in solving a murder of a young woman on a Wyoming Native American reservation and hopes to get redemption from his past regrets.Terrific film about the murder of a young woman on a Native Reserve in Montana. Although it was a thriller, it was also a statement about the treatment of Natives, a love song to the beauty of the Montana scenery, and a redemptive tale about a tracker (Jeremy Renner), who travels down the road to healing from the grief of the death of his own daughter by helping the FBI solve this crime. Powerful acting and breathtaking scenery made this film even more of a tour de force.
- DirectorDiego LermanStarsBárbara LennieDaniel AráozClaudio TolcachirA woman flies from Buenos Aires to be present for the birth of the child she has arranged to adopt. When the child is born, she is confronted with a demand from the biological mother's family for $10,000 and an adoption process confounded with moral and legal ambiguity.Choppy and mediocre Argentine film about a woman who encounters difficulties when she arrives for the birth of the child she has arranged to adopt. I will admit that some of the film was well-conceived: the rhythmic motion of the windshield wipers in the opening of the film made the unfolding drama quite hypnotic, and the descent of a swarm of locusts was absolutely terrifying. However, overall, the movie was dull except when overlaid with hysterical outbursts by the main character.
Spanish with English subtitles. - DirectorVicente VillanuevaStarsPaco LeónAlexandra JiménezRossy de PalmaThe adventures and misadventures of a group of patients with OCD appointed at the same time.Unusual and very funny Spanish film about six sufferers of OCD. The doctor they are all waiting to see is delayed, and the characters spend the time getting to know one another in the waiting room. I had a good laugh at this silly and surprising comedy.
Spanish with English subtitles. - DirectorPatricia FerreiraStarsCarmen MachiAdriana OzoresAitana Sánchez-GijónAlong with her two friends, a determined woman travels to Vietnam to bring home the young girl her recently deceased daughter had planned to adopt.Sweet but predictable film from Spain, about a woman who travels to Vietnam to collect the child her recently deceased daughter has adopted. Of course, mishaps and romance ensue, and the movie certainly made me cry in a couple of places. Quite a frothy film, but I liked it, and the characters were played delightfully.
Spanish with English subtitles. - DirectorBetty ThomasStarsSandra BullockViggo MortensenDominic WestA big-city newspaper columnist is forced to enter a drug and alcohol rehab center after ruining her sister's wedding and crashing a stolen limousine.Viggo Mortensen before The Lord of the Rings; Alan Tudyk before Firefly. Sandra Bullock stars as an alcoholic in court-ordered rehab. The story was pretty flimsy. Not fleshed out, and showing few of the pangs and pains of genuine rehab. Alan Tudyk was delightful as troubled Gerhardt.
- DirectorRene BuenoStarsDanna PaolaMarjorie de SousaAlosian VivancosRenata has been in love with Leonardo, her half brother's best friend. But he meets Susana and decides that she is the woman of his life. Renata starts a plan to separate them.Vapid Mexican movie about a young woman in love with her brother's best friend, and who goes to nasty lengths to break up his current relationship so that he can date her. The plot was juvenile, and the main character had no redeeming qualities. I did enjoy the design of the film, which was original and artsy.
Spanish with English subtitles. - DirectorKirk JonesStarsNia VardalosJohn CorbettMichael ConstantineA Portokalos family secret brings the beloved characters back together for an even bigger and Greeker wedding.A strange thing: in many ways the sequel is just as good as the blockbuster original. All of the original cast reunited to make this film, and it's certainly one that fans of the first movie should sit down and watch.
- DirectorChris WeitzPaul WeitzStarsHugh GrantNicholas HoultToni ColletteWill, who attends single parent meetings to woo women, meets Marcus, a troubled 12-year-old boy. As they become friends, Will learns to be responsible while he helps Marcus with his studies.I really liked this adaptation of Nick Hornby's book. Wryly funny even while dealing with the topic of suicide, Hugh Grant's self-obsessed and curmudgeonly character finds redemption in love and friendship.
- DirectorClaire ScanlonStarsZoey DeutchGlen PowellLucy LiuTwo corporate executive assistants hatch a plan to match-make their two bosses.Two personal assistants for incredibly demanding and egotistic bosses come up with a plot to make their supervisors fall for each other in order to get some time off from the non-step stress and exhaustion of their own jobs.
- DirectorAng LeeStarsEmma ThompsonKate WinsletJames FleetRich Mr. Dashwood dies, leaving his second wife and her three daughters poor by the rules of inheritance. The two eldest daughters are the title opposites.A re-watch of an old and beautiful favourite, Emma Thompson's film adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Masterfully written and brilliantly acted, the film will force any true romantic to shed a tear of two.
- DirectorMarc ForsterStarsBlake LivelyJason ClarkeAhna O'ReillyA blind woman's relationship with her husband changes when she regains her sight and discovers disturbing details about themselves.Interesting but ultimately deeply unsatisfying film about a blind woman (Blake Lively) who regains her sight after a corneal transplant, and how being able to see again affects her relationship with her jealous and rather sinister husband (Jason Clarke). The climax of the movie was, to me, incomprehensible.
- DirectorGreta GerwigStarsSaoirse RonanLaurie MetcalfTracy LettsIn 2002, an artistically inclined 17-year-old girl comes of age in Sacramento, California.Very well-played coming of age film, Lady Bird is a young woman dealing with adult things for the first time. Lady Bird's relationship with her mother is one of the focal points of the film. Strong performances from Saorise Ronan and Laurie Metcalf.
- DirectorGerard BarrettStarsChloë Grace MoretzThomas MannRichard ArmitageA young, capable professional cannot explain her newly erratic behavior.Based on a true story, Brain on Fire is the tale of Susannah, a young, hard-working, and respected journalist who suddenly has strange psychological and physical symptoms that take over her life. She has a rare neurological disease which doctors do not discover for sometime. Not a bad film, but rather cheesy.
- DirectorMichael ShowalterStarsSally FieldMax GreenfieldTyne DalyA self-help seminar inspires a sixty-something woman to romantically pursue her younger co-worker.Doris is an aging data entry clerk who, one day, after listening to some self-help tapes, decides to romantically pursue her much younger co-worker. The film is both sweet and cringe worthy, and there were times when I yelled at the screen: "No, Doris, don't!!" Good film.
- DirectorGiuseppe TornatoreStarsJeremy IronsOlga KurylenkoSimon JohnsFocused on the relationship between an astronomer and his lover, who spend their years apart.Weird Italian-made production about an astronomer and his lover, who, in his absence, keep up a healthy correspondence. The movie gets strange when it appears that the correspondence continues even after one of the pair are dead. Not a film I liked much. I lost interest fairly quickly.
- DirectorJustin ChadwickStarsNatalie PortmanScarlett JohanssonEric BanaTwo sisters contend for the affection of King Henry VIII.Based on the book by Philippa Gregory, this historical film examines the life of the Boleyn sisters, Anne and Mary, and their attempts to gain and keep the attention of Henry VIII, played by Eric Bana. Good performances by both Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson. The costuming is lush and was one of the highlights of the film.
- DirectorCraig GillespieStarsMargot RobbieSebastian StanAllison JanneyCompetitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises amongst the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the activity is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.Interesting and uniquely-presented film about ice skater Tonya Harding, who was implicated in the 1994 attack on her chief rival, Nancy Kerrigan. The film shows her life from childhood to the present day, and the appalling atmosphere of emotional and verbal cruelty in which she was raised. The film was very good; Margot Robbie, who did the majority of the skating in the film really impressed me. Alison Janney, who played Tonya's awful mother, won a well-deserved Oscar for the reality she brought to the role.
- DirectorLauren Miller RogenStarsKristen BellDanielle DavenportKimiko GlennAfter she's left at the altar, a workaholic advertising executive ends up on her Caribbean honeymoon cruise with her estranged father.Barely watchable film starring Kelsey Grammer as the estranged father of Rachel, a workaholic who gets jilted at her own wedding. She takes her father along on her honeymoon cruise, and warm fuzzy moments and misunderstandings occur. Don't bother.
- DirectorRyan CooglerStarsChadwick BosemanMichael B. JordanLupita Nyong'oT'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.Enjoyable action flick based on a Marvel character. The plot focused on T'Challa, the leader and protector of Wakanda, a secret kingdom with a magical mineral that allows great scientific advancement. The costuming was absolutely divine, and the movie exciting and intelligent.
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsTom HanksAaron EckhartLaura LinneyWhen pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger lands his damaged plane on the Hudson River in order to save the flight's passengers and crew, some consider him a hero while others think he was reckless.Rather dull biopic about Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot who successfully landed a jet aircraft on the Hudson River when its engines died shortly after takeoff. Personally, I'd never heard the story, and certainly don't think that one act of heroic flying was enough to base an entire movie on.
- DirectorMike NewellStarsJessica Brown FindlayTom CourtenayMichiel HuismanIn the aftermath of World War II, a writer forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island when she decides to write a book about their experiences during the war. Then she learns the secret they are afraid to reveal.Sappy production of the best-selling novel. The scenery is beautiful, Lily James does a decent job as Juliet, but on the whole I felt that the plot had been thoroughly watered down and the picture fell flat.
- DirectorBaltasar KormákurStarsBaltasar KormákurHera HilmarGísli Örn GarðarssonA troubled father working as a doctor decides to go to extreme measures to save his daughter from the devastating influence of her drug-dealer boyfriend.Intense Icelandic thriller about Finnur, a Reykjavik heart surgeon, who is deeply troubled about his daughter's involvement with Óttar, a drug dealer and petty criminal. There is no length to which Finnur will not go to remove Óttar from his daughter's life. Dark, suspenseful, surprising, this movie had me on the edge of my seat.
Icelandic with English subtitles. - DirectorAlejandro G. IñárrituStarsMichael KeatonZach GalifianakisEdward NortonA washed-up superhero actor attempts to revive his fading career by writing, directing, and starring in a Broadway production.In this truly strange film, a washed up actor who spent his film career playing a superhero writes, directs and acts in a Broadway production. It was an extremely unsettling movie. The main player, Riggan (Michael Keaton) hears voices and - possibly - can levitate and fly. Edward Norton, as always, is masterful in his role; in this film he is one of the actors in the play. Good performance by Emma Stone as Riggan's druggie daughter. I don't know how I feel about this film beyond feeling anxious. I didn't like it, but I admired it, and also admired the carefully-controlled chaos that swirled about the story.
- DirectorGiuseppe TornatoreStarsGeoffrey RushJim SturgessSylvia HoeksVirgil Oldman, a wealthy art auctioneer, takes the help of a young artificer, Robert, to understand and woo Claire Ibbetson, a young heiress, who hires him to auction off an antique collection.One of my favourite movies, a re-watch. Geoffery Rush plays Virgil Oldman, the head of a firm of auctioneers. He is extremely wealthy and widely respected. His clients do not know that he is also unethical and an outright thief. When he is asked to appraise the contents of the house of the reclusive Claire Ibbetson, played by Sylvia Hoeks, he has no idea that love and ruin are knocking on his door. Compelling film. Jim Sturgess as the man who can fix anything mechanical was very convincing in his role.
- DirectorJoshua Z WeinsteinStarsMenashe LustigAnna Gansburg NahmaniAriel VaysmanWithin Brooklyn's ultra-orthodox Jewish community, a widower battles for custody of his son. A tender drama performed entirely in Yiddish, the film intimately explores the nature of faith and the price of parenthood.Menashe is a widower, a devoutly religious Orthodox Jew in Brooklyn. Since his wife died his young son, Rieven, has been raised by his wife's family, as is traditional. Menashe desperately longs to raise his son himself, but both the Torah and the Rabbi say that in order to do so, he must remarry. It's a lovely film, the glimpse into Orthodox Jewish rites and rituals always thrill me, and the man who plays Menashe (Menashe Lustig) is excellent in his role.
Yiddish with English subtitles. - DirectorHeidi EwingRachel GradyStarsEttyChani GetterAri HershkowitzPenetrating the insular world of New York's Hasidic community, focusing on three individuals driven to break away despite threats of retaliation.One of Us is a documentary that follows the life of three people who have left their Hasidic Jewish community, disillusioned with their faith. To leave the life of the Hasidim means being cut off from everything - family, friends, tradition, community. The movie looks at the reasons behind the decision of these three people, and examines their life outside the Hasidic world. Very interesting film.
Mostly English - any Yiddish is translated in subtitles. - DirectorAmma AsanteStarsDavid OyelowoRosamund PikeTom FeltonThe story of King Seretse Khama of Botswana and how his loving but controversial marriage to a British white woman, Ruth Williams, put his kingdom into political and diplomatic turmoil.I did not know the story of Seretse Khama, first President of Botswana, and his white English wife, Ruth Williams, and am glad to have learned of it. However, the movie was not a particularly good one. It jumped from scene to scene, and because of that, was often hard to understand in terms of plot going forward.
- DirectorTom McCarthyStarsMark RuffaloMichael KeatonRachel McAdamsThe true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.Based on a true story, this film focuses on the horrific and widespread sexual abuse of youngsters by Catholic priests in the Boston area. Priests were removed from churches when their habits came to light, only to be placed in other parishes with fresh access to vulnerable kids. The Boston Globe broke this story, and the movie revolves around the team of journalists who researched and wrote the story. Not a bad film, interesting and upsetting to watch, but I fail to understand how it won the Oscar for Best Picture.
- DirectorDylan HowittStarsErla BolladóttirSævar CiesiekskiTryggvi LeifssonIceland, 1976. Six suspects confess to two violent crimes. This is the strangest criminal investigation you've never heard of.A very disturbing documentary about the murders of two men in 1976, and the six people who confessed to the crimes. Decades later, the cases were re-opened and the brutal interrogatory methods of the Icelandic police force and the likely innocence of the confessed murderers were brought to light. The movie didn't really make clear how abusive was the questioning of the suspects, that is something I've had to find out on my own. I didn't enjoy this documentary - the subject matter was too dark - but it was definitely interesting and I'm glad I watched it.
Icelandic with English subtitles. - DirectorTimothy Greenfield-SandersStarsDustin Lance BlackR. Clarke CooperWade DavisA documentary about being among the LGBT community in modern society, told through interviews with LGBT celebrities and community leaders.Fascinating series of interviews with prominent LGBTQ Americans: actors, writers, politicians, activists, musicians, comedians. The interviews were highly revealing of the way non-hetero people are treated in the USA, and how much the process needs to change for the US to become a democracy that accepts all people no matter their sexual preference. Amazing short documentary that has my respect.
- DirectorIan SamuelsStarsShannon PurserKristine FrosethRJ CylerA case of mistaken identity results in unexpected romance when the most popular girl and the biggest loser in high school must unite to win over their crushes.A high school romantic comedy, a play on Cyrano de Bergerac. It was exactly what I needed today, a day on which I got fired from my job. Sierra Burgess is not a loser. She's heavy and socially awkward, but she's also brilliant and funny and musical, but that's not the Sierra than anyone but her best friend knows about. When Sierra and handsome Jamey start texting, he thinks that he's corresponding with Veronica, a hot teenager. Sierra and Jamey fall for each other, but many mishaps have to occur before Sierra is outed and the betrayal dies down. It was actually a very heartfelt film that I enjoyed more than I expected to.
- DirectorChristine JeffsStarsAmy AdamsEmily BluntAlan ArkinIn order to raise the tuition to send her young son to private school, a mom starts an unusual business -- a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service -- with her unreliable sister.Sweet little movie about two estranged sisters who come together and start a hazardous waste cleaning company. The movie wasn't really a comedy at all, although it had its funny moments. It was bittersweet, and a story about family and failure and trying to make things work even against the odds. Amy Adams really made her character come alive, and was most impressive.
- DirectorNeil LaButeStarsChris RockMartin LawrenceKeith DavidA funeral ceremony turns into a debacle of exposed family secrets and misplaced bodies.Silly British comedy about the ridiculous happenings at the funeral of a family patriarch. Very slapstick and visual comedy, aided largely by the comic talents of Alan Tudyk. Not at all a cerebral film, but if you're looking for a gentle film with lots to laugh at, you can't go wrong with this film.
- DirectorPaul WeilandStarsPatrick DempseyMichelle MonaghanKevin McKiddHannah surprises Tom, her best friend who is secretly in love with her, with the news of her engagement to a wealthy man. Things take a complicated turn when she asks Tom to be her maid of honor.Made of Honor was an appalling chick flick that, unusually, focused on the male lead instead of the female. Patrick Dempsey plays Tom, a bachelor with the ethical sense of Barney Stinson, and Michelle Monaghan plays his long-time best friend for whom he does not have romantic feelings - until she meets Colin, a Scotsman, a perfect gentleman and a perfect catch. Of course Tom realizes that he is in love with Hannah, and of course there are multiple obstacles that stand in his way of proving his love to her. The only redeeming thing about this film is that the Scottish scenery was incredible. Filmed on the Isle of Skye and in and around Fort William and Glencoe, the glimpses of my favourite place on earth were almost worth suffering through this awful film.
- DirectorNiels Arden OplevStarsMichael NyqvistNoomi RapaceEwa FrölingA journalist is aided by a young female hacker in his search for the killer of a woman who has been dead for forty years.I am a big fan of the book by Stieg Larsson, and very much enjoyed the film version with Daniel Craig in it. It was a surprise to find that the Swedish film version is infinitely better. A favourite Swedish actor, Michael Nyquist, plays Mikael Blomquist, and the talented Noomi Rapace plays Lisbeth Salander. Excellent acting and locations made this a terrific film to watch.
Swedish with English subtitles. - DirectorTamara JenkinsStarsKathryn HahnPaul GiamattiGabrielle ReidAn author is undergoing multiple fertility therapies to get pregnant, putting her relationship with her husband on edge.Rachel and Richard are trying to start a family. It isn't going well. Rachel can't conceive, Richard's sperm are blocked, and their attempts at adoption are going awry. When their teenage niece comes to stay with them, the couple thinks they have a solution, but that goes wrong as well. Nice little movie, very intimate, and the actors are very believable. There is a real warmth to the film that overwrote some of the arguments and sorrow that unwilling childlessness would generate.
- DirectorIsrael HorovitzStarsKevin KlineKristin Scott ThomasMaggie SmithAn American inherits an apartment in Paris that comes with an unexpected resident.I absolutely loved this film. It's sweet and simple and emotional and beautiful. Kevin Kline plays a self-professed loser, penniless, thrice-divorced, a recovering alcoholic. He goes to Paris to find and sell the apartment his father has willed to him, only to discover that the apartment is occupied, and that the inhabitants cannot be ousted. Kline, Maggie Smith, and Kristin Scott Thomas work wonderfully together to create this bleak but somehow hopeful tale. There is magic in this film.
- DirectorDaniel AlfredsonStarsNoomi RapaceMichael NyqvistLena EndreAs computer hacker Lisbeth and journalist Mikael investigate a sex-trafficking ring, Lisbeth is accused of three murders, causing her to go on the run while Mikael works to clear her name.The sequel to the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, this film stars Noomi Rapace and Michael Nyquist again. The first film was great; this was a flat and uninteresting sequel. My mind kept drifting off to other things while I tried to attend to the movie. I don't think I'm even going to try the third of the Millenium trilogy films after this uninspired and uninspiring sequel.
- DirectorJon CassarStarsMorris ChestnutRegina HallRomany MalcoA surrogate mom for a couple becomes dangerously obsessed with the soon-to-be father.A scary, but not well-plotted film about a couple who hire a surrogate to carry their baby. The surrogate turns out to be very disturbed, and wreaks havoc throughout the movie. It was very disturbing, with some images that I wish I hadn't seen.
- DirectorGeorge NolfiStarsMatt DamonEmily BluntLisa ThoresonThe affair between a politician and a contemporary dancer is affected by mysterious forces keeping the lovers apart.Once in a while there is a science-fiction story that goes beyond aliens and intergalactic war, and which has heart and thrills and a wonderful cast. The Adjustment Bureau is one of those films. Set in New York City, Matt Damon is a Congressman running for Senator, with dreams of the White House in his head. Emily Blunt is a ballerina and is learning to choreograph. They meet and fall in love. But destiny does not want this couple to be together, and hat-wearing members of The Adjustment Bureau do what they can to stop the relationship. There are definitely religious themes in the film, the idea of a Chairman, who is the Master Planner. Terence Stamp is spooky and plays his role as bad guy with his usual élan. Terrific film that thoroughly captivated me.
- DirectorMarc LawrenceStarsHugh GrantSarah Jessica ParkerSam ElliottIn New York City, an estranged couple who witness a murder are relocated to small town Wyoming as part of the Witness Protection Program.Romantic comedy with a hint of thriller, starring Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. They play the Morgans, a separated couple, who one night go out to dinner and witness a murder. Of course they are put in witness protection and shipped off to small-town Wyoming, a far cry from central Manhattan. Not a bad film. Not great. I do enjoy Hugh Grant playing the same character every movie, and was relaxed and happy to see him again.
- DirectorMichel GondryStarsJim CarreyKate WinsletTom WilkinsonWhen their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories forever.I was hoping to like this film more than I actually did. I've seen it on lists of 'films you must watch' so many times that I expected it to be brilliant. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet play Joel and Clementine, a mismatched couple who eventually have their memories of each other erased so that they can have a fresh and shiny life. All does not work out as planned. I found it terribly confusing. I could not figure out what was real and what was a memory, so that dulled my enjoyment. I did like the opening parts of the movie, and I enjoyed the acting talent, but got lost in the twisting and turning timeline.
- DirectorHossein AminiStarsViggo MortensenKirsten DunstOscar IsaacA thriller centered on a con artist, his wife, and a stranger who flee Athens after one of them is caught up in the death of a private detective.I will always see Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, for he played that role to perfection. However, tonight I learned that Viggo plays a violent alcoholic con man convincingly as well. Filmed in the beautiful surroundings of Greece and Istanbul, this film was based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith. Viggo and Kirsten Dunst play an American couple on the run from the law, and Oscar Isaac acts as the tour guide who gets dangerously entangled in their flight from justice. The movie was sinister, dark, and frightening, and Oscar Isaac's intensity added to the menace of the plot. I liked the film, despite the odd spates of hystrionics and wooden acting that appeared at a few points along the way.
- DirectorBill CondonStarsEmma WatsonDan StevensLuke EvansA selfish Prince is cursed to become a monster for the rest of his life, unless he learns to fall in love with a beautiful young woman he keeps prisoner.A live-action version of the Disney film, songs included. I thought the film got very boring very quickly, although I was charmed by Emma Watson's portrayal of Belle. She has a lovely singing voice. Overall impression: meh.
- DirectorSebastián LelioStarsRachel WeiszRachel McAdamsAlessandro NivolaA woman returns to her Orthodox Jewish community that shunned her for her attraction to a female childhood friend. Once back, their passions reignite as they explore the boundaries of faith and sexuality.Shunned by her Orthodox community for her attraction to other women, Ronit (Rachel Weisz) returns home for the funeral of her father, a respected rabbi. Upon meeting up with the object of her teenage passion, Esti (Rachel McAdams), their love and lust for each other revive. Not a bad film, but neither did the earth move while I watched it.
- DirectorSilas HowardStarsClaire DanesJim ParsonsOctavia SpencerThe loving parents of a four-year-old must come to terms with the fact that their child is gay.Alex and Greg Wheeler (Claire Danes and Jim Parsons) have a four-year old son more interested in dolls than cars. When it starts to become apparent that Jake may well be transgender, his parents have to deal with their own prejudices, their fears, and a state of affairs that may end their marriage. It was an unusual and engaging film. I enjoyed seeing Jim Parsons play something other than Sheldon Cooper, and will follow his appearances on the big screen with interest.
- DirectorBrad AndersonStarsHalle BerryEvie ThompsonAbigail BreslinWhen a veteran 911 operator takes a life-altering call from a teenage girl who has just been abducted, she realizes that she must confront a killer from her past in order to save the girl's life.Wow, this movie had me on the edge of my seat, occasionally pulling a blanket over my face to hide from the action. Halle Berry plays Jordan, a burned-out 911 operator; Abigail Breslin is Casey, a kidnapped teenage girl who calls 911 from the trunk of a serial killer's car. Jordan and the intelligent Casey fight back with everything they have to ensure that this serial killer cannot strike again. Really good thriller, I enjoyed it a lot.
- DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsBruce WillisSamuel L. JacksonRobin WrightA man learns something extraordinary about himself after a devastating accident.I have watched this film several times and it never fails to chill me. Samuel L. Jackson is at his best in this film. He plays Isaiah, a bitter and twisted man whose rare disorder leaves him with broken bones almost constantly. Bruce Willis plays David, a man who has never been injured, never been sick. Unbreakable is filmed as if it were a comic book, with all the tropes of that genre. It's a creepy, messed up beauty of a film with a devastating climax and insanity running through every reel.
- DirectorMichael DowseStarsDaniel RadcliffeZoe KazanMegan ParkWallace, who is burned out from a string of failed relationships, forms an instant bond with Chantry, who lives with her longtime boyfriend. Together, they puzzle out what it means if your best friend is also the love of your life.I was delighted by this sweet movie about friendship and love. Daniel Radcliffe plays Wallace, still recovering from the breakup of a serious relationship; Zoe Kazan is Chantry, who quickly becomes the object of Wallace's affection. This romantic comedy had all the right moves and lifted my spirits when I most needed it.
- DirectorJohn SchultzStarsRose McIverBen LambAlice KrigeA year after helping Richard get to the throne, Amber is about to become his wife. But is she really made to be queen?This smooshy romantic comedy was terrible. Appalling acting, a lead actor who kept forgetting his accent, terrible story, the lack of reality that threaded its way through the film.....it didn't have any redeeming qualities except that the scenery and the castle were lovely in all that luscious snow. Oh, yes, there was one thing I liked, and that was seeing Alice Krige on screen again. She has lost none of her beauty or poise in the thirty-five or so years since Chariots of Fire.
- DirectorOlivier AssayasStarsKristen StewartLars EidingerSigrid BouazizA personal shopper in Paris refuses to leave the city until she makes contact with her twin brother who previously died there. Her life becomes more complicated when a mysterious person contacts her via text message.Kristen Stewart plays Maureen, a personal shopper for an unpleasant celebrity; the only reason she keeps the job is to stay in Paris, near the house where her twin brother died of a heart attack three months ago. Maureen is a medium, and she believes that her brother will send her a sign from the afterlife. Not for the faint-hearted, this movie includes some pretty chilling ghosts and some other sort of supernatural creature which may be a poltergeist. The ending of the film was troublesome and unclear, but otherwise I rather liked this strange movie.
- DirectorAtom EgoyanStarsJulianne MooreAmanda SeyfriedLiam NeesonSuspecting her husband of infidelity, gynecologist Dr. Catherine Stewart hires an escort named Chloe in order to test his faithfulness. Soon, the relationships between all three intensify.Julianne Moore plays a doctor who believes that her husband, played by Liam Neeson, is having an affair. The troubled doctor hires a call girl to see if she can seduce her husband. All sorts of things go wrong, and the movie turns out to be less drama and more psychological thriller. Amanda Seyfried was very good as Chloe, the prostitute with serious issues.
- DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsJames McAvoyAnya Taylor-JoyHaley Lu RichardsonThree girls are kidnapped by a man with a diagnosed 23 distinct personalities. They must try to escape before the apparent emergence of a frightful new 24th.James McAvoy is terrifyingly excellent as a kidnapper with twenty-three separate personalities. This movie is as scary as anything I have ever watched, and I don't expect to sleep tonight.
- DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintAs Harry, Ron and Hermione race against time and evil to destroy the Horcruxes, they uncover the existence of the three most powerful objects in the wizarding world: the Deathly Hallows.The beginning of the end.....
- DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintHarry, Ron, and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord as the final battle rages on at Hogwarts.The end. Sad to see the series of Harry Potter movies end. The final movie was breathtaking.
- DirectorJordan RosenbloomStarsTravis MitchellBooth DanielsJohn MarianoThe world keeps spinning with Stan the Spinning Man.Very odd film that I'm conflicted about. As in Memento, Guy Pearce again plays a man who has memory problems. He is unsure whether he remembers truth or fact. A teenage girl is missing. Guy Pearce's character, Evan, becomes the prime suspect in the case. He is a college professor and it is known that he has had dalliances with students in the past, in fact, his infidelity has meant that he and his family have had to move away from Chicago and the scandal there. Did he kill the teenage girl, Joyce? Or are there other solutions to the puzzling case? Pierce Brosnan, a recovering alcoholic and police detective, has his own kind of relationship with the truth and morality.
- DirectorPaul GreengrassStarsAnders Danielsen LieJonas Strand GravliJon ØigardenA three-part story of Norway's worst terrorist attack in which over seventy people were killed. 22 July looks at the disaster itself, the survivors, Norway's political system and the lawyers who worked on this horrific case.Well-played story of the mass murders that took place in Oslo and the nearby island of Utøya. I was very pleased at the choice of the director not to focus the film on the murderer, but on the victims and their families instead.
Dubbed English over the original Norwegian, which was a pity as the lips do not match the words. - DirectorSusannah GrantStarsJennifer GarnerTimothy OlyphantKevin SmithA woman struggles to accept the death of her fiancé and the secrets he kept from her as she rebuilds her life.Sweet story about a woman (Jennifer Garner) who finds out, after the death of her fiancé, that he is unfaithful and has fathered a child in another state. Grief-stricken, she turns to one of her late fiancé's best friends (Timothy Olyphant) for comfort. I was pleased to see Fiona Shaw play a stiff and uncompromising mother dealing with the loss of her son.
- DirectorHannes HolmStarsRolf LassgårdBahar ParsFilip BergOve, an ill-tempered, isolated retiree who spends his days enforcing block association rules and visiting his wife's grave, has finally given up on life just as an unlikely friendship develops with his boisterous new neighbors.A New Year's Eve reunion with one of my favourite films. I love the Fredrik Backman book, and this movie is one of the few that is as good as, if not better than, the paper version. It's a heartwarming story of recently widowed curmudgeon Ove, who makes several attempts to join his wife in the afterlife. He is unsuccessful in his attempts at suicide, and soon he is swept up in the life of the community, particularly that of his neighbours across the street, who love him and need him in equal measure. This film was a great way to end a fascinating year of viewing films.
Swedish with English subtitles.