I almost turned this movie off at the beginning, the first ten minuets are terrible. Once we got to the two teenage girls, much like being gay itself, things got better.
The parts with the 4 adult "stars" are so weak (IMO) compared to the two lead girls and supporting cast. By the end though, I was teary eyed... great music and moving. I am not sure what the negative Nelly's who did not like this were expecting.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Downton Abbey
(2019)
Just what it should be.
23 September 2019
This was just what it should be... and that is refreshing. The first half was a little ordinary, like watching one of the TV episodes on the big screen, but the second half really took it up a notch and was quite moving in some scenes, mainly because of the relationships we already have with these characters. Is that cheating? Who cares, it works. It's also visually the eye candy we hoped for.
Wine Country
(2019)
Funny, entertaining, great scenery, fantastic cast.
10 June 2019
I thought this movie was a lot of fun. Some really funny moments. A great cast. Not Oscar worthy, but still, more fun than many movies I have seen in the theaters. Cherry Jones's performance is brilliant. Nice scenery. I think it is one of Tina Fey's weaker performances, but I still think the world of her, and frankly I think it was just not a great character for her to play.
The Happytime Murders
(2018)
Fun, creative movie... what's with all the hate from the critics???
25 August 2018
"May be the worst movie of the year"-Vanity Fair. Really, they don't get out much!
I don't understand the horrible reviews. This movie was certainly as much fun as a lot of the well reviewed movies of the summer. More than that, the talent and creativity that went into this is vastly underacknowledged by the critics, which is shameful for people who supposedly understand the art of cinema. The acting is solid all around, and Maya Rudolph is really wonderful. The trailers made it look absolutely hilarious, which it is not... but it's certainly enjoyable and there are some great laughs. If you think you are going to hate it, you are going to hate it. But if you want a fun movie, it will deliver.
I don't understand the horrible reviews. This movie was certainly as much fun as a lot of the well reviewed movies of the summer. More than that, the talent and creativity that went into this is vastly underacknowledged by the critics, which is shameful for people who supposedly understand the art of cinema. The acting is solid all around, and Maya Rudolph is really wonderful. The trailers made it look absolutely hilarious, which it is not... but it's certainly enjoyable and there are some great laughs. If you think you are going to hate it, you are going to hate it. But if you want a fun movie, it will deliver.
Documenting the last of the "Haute" world
28 May 2018
I was never a fan of Andre Leon Talley. I found him affected and over the top. Last year, for some reason, I read his autobiography, and my opinion of him really changed. This movie sealed the deal. One sees how he became who he is, and the brilliant mind that created ALT as he is today. He is a great editor, but more than that, a treasure trove of first-hand knowledge of Haute Couture's most important figures. Haute Couture is dead. That's not to say there are not great designers, but the system has changed because the world changed. ALT is one of the last keepers of knowledge of the past. That's important, despite today's world where being perceived as "relevant" is more important than anything else.
There has been criticism of this film that it did not dig deep enough into ALT as a person. I disagree with that. It does explore him as a person, but this film is not meant to be a psychotherapy session with Andre. It's about a bigger picture, something that this man dedicated his life to: Fashion through Andre's eyes. And in that, it absolutely succeeds.
Love, Simon
(2018)
Maybe America is not that jaded after all...
15 March 2018
It's just a sweet coming of age story about a guy who happens to be gay. How refreshing to like all (or almost all) of the characters. No violence, gore, or really horrible people. Sure, it's an idealized version of reality, but sometimes we need a movie to escape into, as well as learn from. I would rate this 8.5 because there are a few moments that come off as less than perfect... but I rounded it up to a 9 because they took a huge risk: not about making a "gay" movie, but about making a positive, sweet, idealized one.
The Greatest Showman
(2017)
Moulin Rouge meets Mr. Selfridge meets Glee!
23 December 2017
I find it interesting that on Rotten Tomatoes this has a 50% approval from critics, but an 88% approval from audiences... higher than Ladybird! That says something about critics, as does this movie.
This movie is Moulin Rouge, Mr. Selfridge, and Glee rolled into one entertaining package! It could have been "left in the oven" a little longer to polish some of the script, but so could most films anymore. No, it's not a detailed bio, nor should it be. It is pointing out and exploring showmanship, and it uses showmanship to do it. The film is at its worst when it tries to preach a message towards the end, but it was not so bad it ruined the movie. All in all, a fun and entertaining time with great visuals and great music.
The Little Hours
(2017)
Odd, but it worked for me!
1 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILERS! This is hardly an exact portrayal of The Decameron, but it really captures the spirit of some of the original story - adjusted for "shock value" inflation (The Decameron actually has many stories, by the way). It's kind of a strange movie, and not perfect, but I had a great time and thought it raised some interesting points to ponder. Of course a lot of this film is over-the-top... it is trying to impact us the same way that the Decameron did centuries ago. What I thought watching the film was after all this time we are STILL fighting the pious and unrealistic dogma of the Catholic Church (and some other organized religions), while most of the Church's members have moved out of the "ivory tower" of unrealistic views and into the real world with actual people (polls show that the majority of American Catholics support birth control, priests marrying, and gay marriage). And that is what the end meant for me with Molly Shannon's character leaving. SHE is the heart of the film. Is wanting to be loved a sin? Is the need for human affection wrong? That repression drives some of these characters to temporary insanity. Frankly, Christ would be found in the world - not behind walls. Of course they take it way over the top for the movie - it's a comedy. However, there is a real message here about repression, and even religious intolerance via dogma... again, with a HEAVY dash of over-the-top. Setting it so far in the past ads drives home the timelessness of this issue. It's important to note that much of this film was improvised. It ads a wonderful quality that is palpable with this wonderful cast and smart director.
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