Reviews

HARD MILES Director R. J. Daniel Hanna Writers R. J. Daniel Hanna Christian Sander Stars Sean Astin Matthew Modine Jackson Kelly

On March 17 2024 I started my day in Ventura CA on my way North for my Work. Since my favorite day to go see a Movie is Sundays and Holidays I decided to do a Double Feature.

Heard about a Film Festival in San Jose called CINEQUEST, you know "DO YOU KNOW THE WAY To SAN JOSE" where Matthew Modine was gonna be in Town to promote his new Movie HARD MILES along with Director RJ Daniel Hanna (Miss Virginia).with Q and A . It is about 5 Hour drive North on the 101, so I started early. Since Hard Miles didn't start til 7 PM had a day to fill. So also decided to See a new Michael Keaton Film along way called KNOX GOES AWAY where he plays an aging Hit Man with Dementia. Went to 1 PM Show Liked it !! Found Cinequest in Downtown San Jose and got in line for the show.

Modine plays Greg Townsend a Counselor at an Institution for Boys with Violence issues etc. Sort of Bad Apples. The school is Losing Funding so in order to increase publicity Townsend plans a 762 Mile Bike Ride from Colorado to the GRAND CANYON.for the Boys as Therapy and exercise for the Soul. Nobody thinks they will make it, but a BOND between Boys drives them to Finish the Ride !! There are some Funny Scenes about what happens along the way too The Q and A after was Cool ! Nice to See Him again. Worthwhile Film. Full Day.

Touchy Subject Matter but Very Well Told Story. If you got the Time, Chick Flick maybe, Women Unite Yes. Set in 1968, but still a somewhat Political Issue today. Elizabeth Banks Stars !!

CALL JANE is not a person but Union. You might wonder why a single white male like myself would be interested in this Story ? Besides being Fan of Elizabeth Banks. I have lived one block from a Planned Parenthood location in So Cal for 25 years. Every Saturday morning there are Protesters with Signs for PRO LIFE. Sometimes they Parade around the Neighborhood, Personally I am neutral ,but feel like it is a good idea to stay informed about Abortion. Read articles ,See Movies about it , instead of making judgments. Pretty Good Soundtrack too ! To Each His Own.

Saw this Powerful Thought Provoking Film again EARLY this Morning. Remember Seeing at Theatre in 2002. Sensitive Subject Matter, but quite Relevant. James Coburn should have got Oscar Nomination. Virginia Madsen as Daughter so Wonderfully Beautiful and Barbara Bain as his Wife and grieving Mother, Ironic that Story set around Christmas time.

SO It plays, after his daughter, is brutally murdered in a Car Jacking ? Mr Coburn character does something about it.

Instead of accepting her fate, he goes on the Road to track down the owner of the Gun used in Shooting using the Guns Serial Number. It is hypnotic watching him follow the Trail of the Gun Nationwide and all the Close Ups and Flashbacks to past. Turned out to be James Coburns Final Film Role.

Bravo to the Filmmakers for the Shocking in your face Ending and helping make Folks Aware of this Horrible Problem of needless Gun Violence that Kills so many INNOCENT People basically Daily in USA to this day.

Stayed Engaged thru out. Got no problem with Grumpy in a Good way. Hanks Family Affair with an Interesting Group of supporting characters. Did not Cry but teared up from Joy few times. Old Age does not have to be dull . Tom Hanks Wife Produced and Sings on Soundtrack. Loved the Stray Cat ,If they only gave out awards to Animals ?

I am proud to say I have seen practically all of Tom Hanks Films, and this one touched me in a special way. Really tugs at your emotions and personally could relate to his character and scowl. The actress that plays Marisol (Mariane Trevino) so Funny and great timing ! Her Little daughters are so cute on camera and deliver timely set up and punch Lines. Safe Street to Live On for long time OTTO.

Saw At AMC Theatre yesterday. Based on Books written by the Actual Pope's Exorcist. You Would not think A Movie like this would have HUMOR, but it does Thanks to Russell Crowe. Priest with a Personality !

Fair share of Horror and Gore but blended together just right. Best Movie I have seen this Year. Memorable and Hopefully gonna be a Sequel.

The Story follows Father Gabrielle Amorth,( Crowe) well known as the Vatican's TOP Exorcist. He Receives his assignments directly from the POPE played with Class by FRANCO NERO.

On a particularly harrowing Possession, Amorth enlists the help of Father Esquivel ( Daniel Zovatto) and their Chemistry and Friendship big part of the Film.

Loved the Eco Friendly Travel choices by Father Amorth as Well.

Hooks You from The First Frame.

Ashamed that Credit Card Fraud is Almost Accepted Way to make (steal) Money, but you will likely Root For Emily (Aubrey Plaza). Tough Broad. Nice Jersey accent. Convincing Cast. Especially Youcef (Theo Rossi) his Mother Luna (Sheila Corsi) and Brother Khalil (Jonathan Avigdori) . Tight Flick. Never A Dull Moment. Ending Stays with You. Best See at Theatre and Pay Cash for Ticket.

A successful but somewhat confused 30 Year Old Writer MACK (Elizabeth Lail) is in a Rut. Got Writers Block and the Dear Colorful Grandmother that raised her is Gone. A Bit of a Loner anyway she needs boost of confidence for Book Number 2. Same Week Her Best Friend is Having Bachelorette Fling in Palm Springs. Here though Loyal to her friends she still feels left out and decides to See a Zen Regression Guru LUCA (Simon Rex) who magically transforms Her into RITA (Diane Keaton) the 70 Year Old she thinks is trapped in her 30 year old body ? A Body Switch like in BIG. The script is pretty crazy from here especially Social Media wise. Both the Young and Old fall for next door neighbor Dog Watcher JACK (Dustin Milligan) one of few male characters in Movie. Mack & Rita each have 3 support friends Mack from Birth but Rita finds her 3 at a Wine Club Lunch hosted by CARLA's Mom. CARLA (Taylour Paige) is the one getting married and she is convinced MACK has become RITA .

So in Summary a Bunch of Actresses of various AGE and A Handsome Dude Drink Wine and Eat Jumbo Shrimp leading to a Wedding and SWEET Ending ! Worked for me especially impressed with MACK (Lail) , nice job on dialogue. Ensemble Cast. Costume Department Thumbs Up. Flashy Outfits !

Diane Keaton Producer and was likely on Set for Ending Scenes. Maybe doing a little Coaching ?

The Director (Katie Aselton) is also an Actress.

Wow watched this gem on TCM today. What a Joy. Laughed out Loud Funny. Fell for Barbara Hershey right away. Max Von Sydow steals the Show as Frederick. Many accolades. What a Cast and Wonderful Soundtrack Woody ! And Pace.

You know I have watched this Film Several times. Must like it. But in my opinion they should have done more with GILLY, like a GIRL , instead Third wheel. He was Good with the Leads.

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I have been meaning to See this Movie for awhile and since I got to see William Shatner, In Person at Comic Con yesterday, decided to give it a Watch today. Wise Decision. What an entertaining, Feel Good Comedy. Nice Soundtrack too. Filmed in Sunny Palm Springs CA The Plot is a Gas. Many Really Funny and Touching Scenes. Beautiful Girls and Cars. The Cuckoo Clock Bakery SET is Nice. Mr Shatner goes to Driving School Priceless !!

Christopher Lloyd, Esai Morales and Jean Smart Co Star. Save those Tortoise.

I am following along with Jodie Foster MASTERCLASS and she does a few lessons about this Film and Some Storyboarding. She recommended Watching , so I did a couple times. Even though the Plot is somewhat Insane, I get it. Depression Not Easy Subject to Lead with but Talent comes to the Rescue. Good Job Mel Gibson, convincing Performance, So Funny as Emotional Wreck Executive. Excellent Supporting Actors, RIP Anton Yelchin and was an early in Career Role for Jennifer Lawrence. NELL up next Teacher. Thank You for Direction !

Very Happy with my decision to See This Film. Big Viggo Mortensen Fan ! Shocking and Thought Provoking Story kept my attention and curious thru out, as to how it would end up. Isn't that what a Movie supposed to do. Tough to figure out the intention and obstacle, but maybe the eating of the Plastic by the Boy and Autopsy is an Environmental Danger Signal that we better clean our Oceans of Plastic Waste ASAP. Otherwise this is What will happen in the Future. Bound to be up for Best Cinematography Awards as it is Amazing. Gorgeous Actors. Soundtrack reminds of Creepy Old English Horror Films like Frankenstein.

Great that Director Michel Franco edits Story so everyone will be left to draw their own conclusions of Why NEIL (Tim Roth) deserts his Family.

Family Crisis aside, I think he was in a deep depression from Frame one. And as Turns out had another Issue. Acts Like he is just Floating along. The authentic Filming Locations in Mexico are Key, Mostly Beautiful but some Grim. Have your thinking cap handy ?

DUAL sounded Interesting so I rented, Found it to be a uniquely DARK SCI FI. Karen Gillan pulls off the Duality role with ease. Aaron Paul also Good as Assassin Trainer. Cool Plot, You have to buy into the Cloning and Dying right away then story twists along nicely from there. Bit Disappointed with Ending though. Filmed in Finland. Soundtrack fits the Mood.

I think this Film belongs at the Smithsonian. Such a touching story and so Heartfelt. Love the characters so much especially for me DR GRAHAM. With the passing of RAY LIOTTA and Last Years FOX MLB Game in IOWA I felt like adding to the TIP Jar so to speak, to say what a GREAT GREAT MOVIE. When Kevin Costner took the FIELD in IOWA last season brought a Tear to my eye.

At least MR LIOTTA will finally get to meet up with the Boys again. RIP SIR.

I watched this Film and Found it to be so well done. You See What the Writer and Director want audiences to take away about the True Events from 1996 and subsequent change to the Gun Control Laws in Australia. The Lead Actor really put in the Work to bring this Character to Life and it shows onscreen. Found out about this Movie after listening to an Interview with Actor Anthony Lapaglia who plays the Shooters DAD in Film and also was Executive Producer, as He wants to HELP bring Awareness about GUN CONTROL in his Native Australia.

The dude was almost Wound Up like the " Tasmanian Devil" .

Draw your own conclusions ?? Check out the Trailer. Disturbing Images, but These Mass Shootings need to STOP. Period !

Behind the Scenes Bio Pic about the Great and Hard Working Chicago Blues Legend BUDDY GUY. Blues Lovers Must See. Its a Wonderful Film. I was on his Bus Years Ago after a Show as my San Diego Friends put on Blues Festivals for Many Years. Tom Hambridge his Drummer Producer Songwriter . Please Support the Blues anyway you can !!

PS Buddy is also known for His Cooking. Shemekia Copeland brags about his Recipes all the time while DJ on Sirius XM BLUESVILLE Channel 74, besides playing his Songs !

After sleeping on it, Though I really did like THE OUTFIT especially the Narration and Music, to me it is Reservoir Dogs Set in Chicago Tailor (cutter) Shop with Mr Rylance as Mr White. Please take as Compliment, I believe most Scripts are influenced by other Films Tv Shows Books etc. IMO Encourage you to get out and see for yourself. Perfect Title.

Found this Film on Amazon Prime. A somewhat Predictable Storyline does not stop Cast and Director from making into Good Movie !

Set in 1920's Hawaii segregated Coffee Plantation.

You know Poor Boy wants Rich Girl and Family wants her to marry a Doctor ? Plays out Pretty Juicy with Matt Dillion Jim Caviezel and legendary Juliet Mills Cast ! Plenty of characters help to Enhance the Story.

A Movie with a Catch 22 Storyline IMO, as subject matter is so horrific.

Mr Feinberg was assigned the task of determining the value of the lives of victims of the 9-11 Terrorist attack. How do you do that and deal with the aftermath ?

Watch Film on NETFLIX and make your own conclusions ?

Michael Keaton as Ken Feinberg !! Great accent'

Bought this one on Amazon Prime and it made my Day. Good clean Fun with all the elements of a Great Western. Morgan Woodward stellar as the Mean Heavy(Cross). Jack Elam brings his character (Thompson) to Life with the Best. Many close ups of Vera Miles and Steve Forrest as Mom and Dad (Tanner) and The Howard Brothers as THE BOYS ( Read their New Book). The Intention and Obstacle are clear as Story is About a Family that moves West and settles in new Town only to get into Water Rights Fight with Cross led clan.

Mort (Wallace Shawn) is Irritatingly Funny. His visits to Dr Rojas (Elena Anaya) are like a Teenage Crush. Feisty Scenes with Wife (Gina Gershon) and Phillipe (Louis Garrel) Filmed in Spain. It's a Woody Allen Movie with Jazzy Soundtrack. I Love to attend Film Festivals but have yet to make it over the Pond.

A Raw uncompromising portrayal by Clifton Collins Jr ! Deep character study. Impressive Support from Molly Parker and Moises Arias. Race sequences Surreal !

I had the good fortune of seeing Mr Collins at a Restaurant in Ventura few years back and He shook my Hand. Did not know for sure until I looked it up but he reminded me of his Late Grandfather Gonzalez Gonzalez Gonzalez who was famous for His Appearance on You Bet Your Life with Groucho Marx and collaborations with John Wayne. If You Wish look for his Podcast Interview with Maltin on Movies from 2018.

It is rare that I rate a Movie I did not really like much but considering how many I watch bound to happen. No Boogie Nights connection I could see ? Did like Seeing John C Reilly BRIEFLY as Herman Munster ?? Must be a Movie in the works ? If so I want to get involved👔.