Once Upon a Main Street

Amelia Lewis (Lachey) dreams of opening a year-round Christmas store. Her dreams are almost a reality, until her realtor shares that there is a competiting bid on her location. The other bidder is Vic Manning (McPartlin), who immediately clashes with Amelia. They learn that the decision about the property belongs to Elder Dubois (Duffy).

Amelia and Vic drive to Elder's house to plead their respective cases: her Christmas store and his gourmet chocolate shop. Elder recently lost his wife and wants time to make the decision. He also needs to focus on a town decorating contest with all of the small businesses versus a neighboring town.

Amelia and Vic offer to help with the contest. Elder invites them to stay at his house while they work. Each tries to impress and sway Elder with their unique skills. They also have their hands full wrangling the small-business owners. Can both Amelia and Vic make their dreams come true, while helping Elder?

This is a Lifetime Christmas movie. Director Polly Draper also portrays pottery shop owner Rowena Marson. 

The Good:

Vanessa Lachey and Ryan McPartlin work well together. Both are charismatic actors and work well together. Patrick Duffy is heartbreaking as Elder.

The Bad:

The side characters - shop owners and Amelia's friend - are one-note. They have minimal to no personality and are mostly forgettable.

Other Comments:

-The film is fine... entertaining in the moment, but forgettable. I watched this film because I enjoy Ryan McPartlin and wanted to see him work with Vanessa Lachey. 

Once Upon a Main Street (2020) 87 minutes

Director: Polly Draper

Starring: Vanessa Lachey as Amelia Lewis

Ryan McPartlin as Vic Manning

Polly Draper as Rowena Marson

Scott Takeda as Billy Woo

Patrick Duffy as Elder Dubois

Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger!

Mr. Donald Peterson (Tennant) has a lot on his plate. He and wife Sarah (Page) moved to a new town, are expecting their first baby, and he has a new teaching position at St. Bernadette's school.

His class is a chaotic mess, under the direction of childish classroom assistant Mr. Poppy (Wootton). Mr. Poppy's antics have driven away all previous teachers, to the frustration of his aunt, headmistress Mrs. Bevan (Pam Ferris).

Mr. Poppy and the class want to compete in the "A Song for Christmas" competition. The winning school will win a cash prize and have the opportunity to record their song. They learn that their nemesis Gordon Shakespeare (Watkins) and his perfectionist class are competing. And the favorite is Mr. Peterson's twin brother Roderick, a famous composer, along with his choir. But Mrs. Bevan won't allow St. Bernadette's to compete without a teacher. 

They hold secret auditions, borrow a baby, and kidnap Mr. Peterson. But the trip to Wales does not go as planned. Can they work together to make it to the competition, perform their new song, and have fun?

The sequel to Nativity!. The story is set 3 years after the events of the first film.

The Good:

Like the first film, the kids are cute and the songs are entertaining. St. Bernadette's songs at thr competition are great.

The Bad:

The story is not great and Mr. Poppy is annoying (he does have some endearing moments, but not enough).

Other Comments:

-During the auditions there is a reference to the best song from the first song "Sparkle and Shine".

-David Tennant is great in duel roles. The look and personalities are distinct. Lobe the over-the-top facial expressions of Roderick during the songs.

-Jessica Hynes is funny as the conceited host of the competition, Angel Matthews.

-Cute, but not great.

-Director Debbie Isitt made 2 more sequels: Nativity 3: Dude, Where's my Donkey (2014) and Nativity Rocks! (2018).

Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger! (2012) 105 minutes

Director: Debbie Isitt

Starring: David Tennant as Donald Peterson

Marc Wootton as Mr. Desmond Poppy

Jason Watkins as Gordon Shakespeare

Joanna Page as Mrs. Sarah Peterson

Jessica Hynes as Angel Matthews

Holiday Affair (1949)

"Still engaged in commercial espionage, I see."

Connie Ennis (Leigh) is a war widow, with a young son, Timmy (Gebert).  To make ends meet, she works as a comparison shopper for a department store in New York.  While visiting Crowley's department store, she purchases a train set from salesman Steve Mason (Mitchum).  That evening Timmy peeks inside the box and is overjoyed, believing the the train is his Christmas present.  His joy is short-lived when he learns the box is for Connie's work.

Connie returns to Crowley's the next day to return the train, but is caught by Steve.  Steve gives her a full refund, but loses his job as a result.  The spend the rest of the day together and sparks fly.  That evening Steve meets Timmy and Connie's boyfriend, Carl Davis (Corey), a lawyer.  Carl wants a future with Connie and proposes.  Steve encourages Timmy to dream and kisses Connie.

On Christmas day, nothing goes as Connie planned.  Is she finally ready to find love and happiness again?

This film is based on John D. Weaver's story "Christmas Gift".  It was considered a failure at the time, but found new life as a minor Christmas classic thanks to repeated television airings and Turner Classic Movies (TCM).

The Good:

The cast.  Robert Mitchum often played tough guys in movies, but was cast here to revamp his image.  He is a solid romantic lead here.  And his character is in stark contrast to Wendell Corey's straight-laced Carl.  Janet Leigh is good as the female lead.

The story is fine, similar in many ways to Miracle on 34th Street (kid with a widowed parent, encouraged to believe/dream beyond their practical parent, etc). 

The Bad:

The character of Timmy can be grating - the actor is fine, but there are grating moments.

Other Comments:

-The court scene, with Harry Morgan as the judge, is hilarious.

-The film is ok - enjoyable while you watch it, but not overly memorable.  I would definitely watch it again, but it probably won't make the rotation of my annual Christmas movie watch lists.

Holiday Affair (1949) 87 minutes

Director: Don Hartman

Starring: Robert Mitchum as Steve Mason

Janet Leigh as Connie Ennis

Wendell Corey as Carl Davis

Gordon Gebert as Timmy Ennis

Griff Barnett as Mr. Ennis

Esther Dale as Mrs. Ennis

Henry O'Neill as Mr. Crowley

Harry Morgan as Police Lieutenant

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

"I'm too cute to die!"

Mario (Pratt) and Luigi (Day) drained their bank accounts to start a plumbing business in Brooklyn.  They launch the business with a commercial that is mocked by their family and former boss Spike (Maniscalco).  While trying to fix a flood / water leak, they are sucked into a water pipe and separated.

Luigi is dropped in the lava fields of the dark lands.  He is captured and taken to the ruler, Bowser (Black).  Bowser has the super star and big plans.  Luigi is thrown in a cage, while Bowser and his Koopa army, including sorcerer Kamek (Richardson), set their plan in motion.

Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom, where he meets chatterbox Toad (Key).  Mario just wants to find his brother, so Toad takes him to the castle to meet Princess Peach (Taylor-Joy).  Peach and her generals are concerned about an attack by Bowser.  Their only chance for survival is the aid of the Kong army.  Peach, Mario, and Toad go to the Jungle Kingdom to ask Cranky Kong (Armisen) and his son Donkey Kong (Rogen) for help.  Can Mario rescue his brother, save the day, and make it back to Brooklyn?

This film is based on the Nintendo Mario video games.  Mario was created by Shigeru Miyamoto and first appeared in the 1981 Donkey Kong game.  Since then, Mario has headlined numerous Nintendo games, along with animated TV series, and a1993 live-action film (starring Bob Hoskins as Mario and John Leguizamo as Luigi).

The Good:

The story stays true to the world of Mario, while telling a new story with the characters.  Everything looks great - it's how you expect the game would look in this style of animation.  They also introduce new characters, such as the Penguin King, voiced by Khary Payton.

Most of the character voices are great - when the actors embrace the part and disguise their voice so you can focus on the story without going "oh, that's ___".  Jack Black is fantastic as Bowser - skirting the line between menacing and hilarious.  Fred Armisen is funny as Cranky Kong.  Keegan Michael Key talks a mile-a-minute, while getting some of the best lines, as Toad.  Anya Taylor-Joy gives Peach confidence.  Charlie Day is ok as Luigi.

The Bad:

Chris Pratt and Seth Rogen.  They aren't bad, but they aren't trying enough - they don't do anything to disguise their voices and don't bring anything new to the characters.

I have mixed feelings about Lumalee - the imprisoned, blue star.  The character is voiced by director Michael Jelenic's daughter Juliet Jelenic.  She says the darkest things in an innocent and giddy manner... it walks the line between funny and disturbing.

Other Comments:

-I have been excited about this film since I first heard about it.  And I was not disappointed.  It is a fun and funny film, that takes you back to the first time you experienced these characters.

-The film was made as a collaboration between Nintendo and Illumination studios.  The animators and writers had access to the Nintendo experts including Miyamoto.  Composer Brian Tyler worked with Mario composer Koji Kondo to utilize the games theme songs while making them new for the movie.  The writers and animators (and Tyler) used these connections to their advantage and packed the film with references (obvious and hidden) to other Mario projects.

-Charles Martinet voiced the characters of Mario and Luigi in games from 1994-2023.  In this film, he voices their father and a character who looks like the original Mario appearance in Donkey Kong.

-The "Peaches" song is hilarious.  It was co-written by Jack Black, Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Eric Osmond, and John Spiker.  You can't help but smile when Black's Bowser sings the song.

-The directors and cast are interested in making more films with these characters - either as sequels or exploring other characters in the Mario and Nintendo world.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) 92 minutes

Rating: PG for action and mild violence

Directors: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic

Starring: Chris Pratt as Mario

Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach

Charlie Day as Luigi

Jack Black as Bowser

Keegan Michael Key as Toad

Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong

Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong

Sebastian Maniscalco as Spike

Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek

TV: Bunheads

"Every time we have a conversation I feel like I need to add more movie channels."

Michelle Simms (Foster) is a jaded Las Vegas showgirl, with dreams of dancing on Broadway.  After being rejected by a director before she had the opportunity to audition, she impulsively marries her biggest fan, Hubbell Flowers (Alan Ruck).  The next morning, she wakes up hungover and on the road to Hubbell's home in the idyllic town of Paradise, CA.

Their arrival is a surprise to everyone, including Hubbell's mother Fanny (Bishop) who lives in his house and runs a ballet studio on the property.  When Hubbell is killed in a car accident, Michelle and Fanny agree to share their grief and the ballet studio.  As Michelle adjusts to small-town life, she becomes a mentor and inspiration for the teenage dancers, including Boo (Jenkins), Sasha (Goldani Telles), Ginny (Buntain), and Melanie (Dumont).  Can Michelle find a way to embrace her new surroundings and still live her dreams to dance professionally?

Originally conceived by Lamar Damon, under the title Strut, the show was retooled by Amy Sherman-Palladino to focus on ballet.  The show ran for 1 season of 18 episodes on ABC Family.

The Good:

The pilot episode is fantastic - lots of emotions, strong performances, and beautiful dancing.  The show excels on the charisma of Sutton Foster.  Foster is a Broadway star (with multiple Tony awards and nominations), in her first TV leading role.  She is a talented dancer and has a few opportunities to sing as well.  She has incredible chemistry with Kelly Bishop, who plays her mother-in-law.  Bishop is also a talented actress and when they are on screen together, the show is better.

There is dancing in every episode, mostly ballet, but there are other styles as well.  All of the students at Madame Fanny's ballet studio are professional dancers, so the dance sequences are beautiful.

The Bad:

Not everything works... the main cast is good, but they also introduced characters (such as Grant in episode 3) and plot points that were left dangling - introduced and then forgotten.  If the show had been picked up for subsequent seasons, these items could be resolved and or at least revisited.

The main teens (and their friends / love interests) vary between endearing and annoying, often edging toward annoying.

Other Comments:

-The show had lots of potential, but unfortunately, did not have the opportunity to thrive.  At the end of Season 1, there were unresolved points and a definite direction for a potential Season 2.

-Despite the limited run, this is an enjoyable show.  The dancing is beautiful and it holds-up well to repeat viewings.

-The show was critically acclaimed and had multiple calls/campaigns for renewal.

-Bishop was a professional dancer and won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical in 1976 for originating the role of Sheila in A Chorus Line.

-Hunter Foster, who plays Michelle's brother Scotty, is her brother in real life.  He is also a Broadway star.  He has a limited role in the 18 episodes, but does have the opportunity to duet with his sister.

-Nathan Parsons is a solid love interest as Godot, but I do wish we saw more of the other options - Alan Ruck's Hubbell, Chris Eigeman as Conor the director, and Steve Eckholdt as wealthy recluse Grant.  Foster had good chemistry with each, and while I appreciate Parsons, it seemed like they were planning to do more with Grant... or at least have him be a friend or ally to Michelle.

-Every episode includes at least one Gilmore Girls alum (also created by Sherman-Palladino) in small or recurring role.

-Several of the cast members / recurring characters appear in Sherman-Palladino's Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

-Favorite dance: Episode 17 "It's Not a Mint" - the mining helmets dance set to the the Sparks "I Predict".

Bunheads (2012-2013) 

Creator: Amy Sherman -Palladino & Lamar Damon

Starring: Sutton Foster as Michelle Simms

Kelly Bishop as Fanny Flowers

Kaitlin Jenkins as Bettina "Boo" Jordan

Julia Goldani Telles as Sasha Torres

Bailey Buntain as Ginny Thompson

Emma Dumont as Melanie Segal

Stacey Oristano as Truly Stone

RaJahnae Patterson as RaJahnae

Casey J. Adler as Carl

Zak Henri as Charlie Segal

Angelina McCoy as Talia

Matisse Love as Matisse

Nathan Parsons as Godot

Garrett Coffey as Roman

Hunter Foster as Scotty Simms

Jeanine Mason as Cozette

Niko Pepaj as Frankie

Kent Boyd as Jordan

Gabriel Notarangelo as Josh

The Music Man

"You watch your phraseology!"

Harold Hill (Preston) is a con man who poses as a traveling salesman.  He sells towns the idea of a boys band, with shiny instruments and uniforms, despite not knowing anything about music.  After running afoul of the law and other traveling salesmen, led by anvil salesman Charlie Cowell (Hickox), he goes to the town of River City, Iowa.  The people of River City are not interested in anything new and do not trust Hill.  However, he finds an ally in his former business partner Marcellus Washburn (Hackett) who has turned to a normal life in River City.

Hill uses the introduction of a new pool table as the chance to start swaying the town to his con.  He urges them to endorse the band in order to keep to keep out bad influences.  The only person who is suspicious of Hill is librarian and piano teacher Marion Paroo (Jones) who rebuffs his attentions.  Mayor Shinn (Ford) also wants more information and sends the feuding School Board members (The Buffalo Bills) to get Hills credentials.  But Hill turns them into a barbershop quartet.  Hill convinces the mayor's wife, Eualie Mackechnie Shinn (Gingold) to lead the dance team, getting the women of River City on his side.  He also wins over the teenagers, by helping delinquent Tommy Djilas (Everett).  He also encourages the romance between Tommy and the mayor's daugher, Zaneeta (Luckey).

As the town eagerly awaits the arrival of the instruments and uniforms, can Hill stay a step ahead of his detractors?

This is the film adaptation of Meredith Wilson's 1957 Broadway show, "The Music Man."  The show was directed by Morton DaCosta, who produced and directed the film.

The Good:

The cast is great - a combination of Broadway performers and well-known character actors (Mary Wickes and Charles Lane are stand-outs in small parts).  Robert Preston is phenomenal as Professor Harold Hill, a role he originated on Broadway.  He is charismatic, with a twinkle in his eye.  It is hard to picture anyone else in the role.  Shirley Jones is great as his love interest, Marion Paroo.

My favorite character is Mayor Shinn, played by the always funny Paul Ford.  He repeatedly says my favorite line, quoted above.  And comedy great Buddy Hackett is a hoot as Marcellus.  He sings my favorite number from the film, "Shipoopi".  The songs are memorable and have your toes tapping.

The Bad: 

The kids are ok... not bad, just completely outshone by the adults.  The mayor's younger daughter and the blonde boy who dances with her are good, but the rest don't stand out - other than Ron Howard as Marion's lisping brother Winthrop.

Other Comments:

-The Broadway show won 5 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Performance by a Leading Actor (for Preston).

-Several members of the original Broadway cast reprised their roles in the film: Preston as Harold Hill, Pert Kelton as Mrs. Paroo, The Buffalo Bills as the School Board, Peggy Mondo as Ethel Toffelmier, and Adina Rice as Alma Hix.  In addition, Broadway replacements and members of the 1st national tour reprise their roles: Paul Ford as Mayor Shinn, Susan Luckey as Zaneeta Shinn, Harry Hickox as Charlie Cowell, and Monique Vermont as Amaryllis.

-The show was reprised on Broadway in 2000 under the direction of Susan Stroman, starring Craig Bierko and Rebecca Luker.  It was reprised on Broadway again in 2022 under the direction of Jerry Zaks, starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster.

-The film was nominated for 5 Academy Awards and won Best Musical Score for Ray Heindorf.

-This may not be the best or best known musical film, but it packs a lot of heart and you can't help but feel uplifted by the iconic ending featuring the University of Southern California's marching band.

The Music Man (1962) 151 minutes

Director: Morton DaCosta

Starring: Robert Preston as Harold Hill

Shirley Jones as Marion Paroo

Buddy Hackett as Marcellus Washburn

Hermione Gingold as Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn

Paul Ford as Mayor George Shinn

Pert Kelton as Mrs. Paroo

The Buffalo Bills as The School Board

Timmy Everett as Tommy Djilas

Susan Luckey as Zaneeta Shinn

Ronny Howard as Winthrop Paroo

Harry Hickox as Charlie Cowell, the anvil salesman

Charles Lane as Constable Locke

Mary Wickes as Mrs. Squires

Everything Everywhere All at Once

"The universe is so much bigger than you realize."

Evelyn Quan Wang (Yeoh) is unhappy.  Her husband Waymond (Quan) wants a divorce, her daughter Joy (Hsu) is distant, her demanding father Gong Gong (Hong) is visiting, and their laundromat is being audited by the IRS.  During a disastrous meeting with their IRS agent, Deirdre Beaubeirdre (Curtis), Evelyn learns there are other universes and other versions of her life.  Through a rift in the multiverse she is able to experience parallel realities.

All realities are in danger from Jobu Tupaki and her "everything bagel" of destruction.  Evelyn may be the only person able to save the world.  But can she reach her full potential and tap into the powers needed to save the world and more importantly, her family?

Wow.  This film has a little bit of everything - action, martial arts, comedy, drama, science fiction, family, etc.

The Good:

There are so many good things about this film, and it deserves all the accolades.  The cast is incredible and all play multiple versions of the same character.  Michelle Yeoh is incredible.  She is a strong lead and has excellent chemistry with the rest of the cast.  She also takes on the most multiverse versions of her character, Evelyn, each with subtlety and charisma.  Ke Huy Quan is the emotional heart as Waymond, while also getting to show-off his martial arts training.  Stephanie Hsu is great.  Jamie Lee Curtis is clearly having a blast.  And James Hong, at 90, is still a commanding presence in the film.  The rest of the cast are equally good, in smaller, but still memorable roles.

The story, written by directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, is a lot but manages to juggle the multiverses and the distinctions between them well, without having to label them on screen.  The effects and action are top-notch.  It's hard to explain the plot without going into lots of detail, but it definitely keeps you on your toes.

The Bad:

This film won't please everyone.  There is a lot of things thrown at you at once and it is easy to get lost.

Other Comments:

-Nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 7: Best Picture, Best Director (Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert), Best Actress (Michelle Yeoh), Best Supporting Actor (Ke Huy Quan), Best Supporting Actress (Jamie Lee Curtis), Best Original Screenplay (Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert), and Best Film Editing (Paul Rogers)

-It is clear that everyone involved is having a blast.  The multiverses are all distinct and have their own quirks... and the emotional heart of the film happens when the characters are rocks and the dialog is subtitles on the screen.

-I thoroughly enjoyed this film.  This is the type of film that gets better with repeat viewings to pick up all the nuance and thought the creative team put into this film.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) 139 minutes

Director: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

Rating: R for some violence, sexual material and language

Starring: Michelle Yeoh as Evelyn Quan Wang

Stephanie Hsu as Joy Wang

Ke Huy Quan as Waymond Wang

James Hong as Gong Gong

Jamie Lee Curtis as Deirdre Beaubeirdre

Tallie Medel as Becky Sregor

Oscar Picks 2023

This is my 17th year of predicting the Oscar winners.  Last year I saw 10 of the nominated films and correctly predicted 5 of 7 categories (I don't predict them all).  This year I saw 9 films (for the full list of nominees, go to the Academy Awards website):

Everything Everywhere All at Once

The Flying Sailor

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Ice Merchants

An Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It

RRR

The Sea Beast

Top Gun: Maverick

Triangle of Sadness

The Flying Sailor is nominated for Best Animated Short Film

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay

Ice Merchants is nominated for Best Animated Short Film

On Ostrich Told Me the World Is Fake and I Think I Believe It is nominated for Best Animated Short Film

RRR is nominated for Best Original Song (for "Naatu Naatu")

Best Supporting Actor

Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin

Brian Tyree Henry, Causeway

Judd Hirsch, The Fablemans

Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin

Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once

My Pick: Ke Huy Quan or Brendan Gleeson

I loved Ke Huy Quan in Everything Everywhere All at Once.  He does so much with the role, from impressive stunt work to romantic lead to heartbreaking.  Brendan Gleeson has also received significant buzz for his role in The Banshees of Inisherin.  I expect one of them to win.

Best Supporting Actress

Angela Bassett, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Hong Chau, The Whale

Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin

Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All at Once

Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All at Once

My Pick: Kerry Condon

Kerry Condon has the buzz.  The only potential upset is Angela Bassett. Jamie Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu were great in their roles and Hong Chau's performance is acclaimed, but I still think Condon will win.

Best Actor

Austin Butler, Elvis

Colin Farrell, The Banshees of Inisherin

Brendan Fraser, The Whale

Paul Mescal, Aftersun

Bill Nighy, Living

My Pick: Brendan Fraser

Brendan Fraser is the sentimental choice, the comeback. If not Fraser, The win could go to Austin Butler for his transformation into Elvis Presley or Colin Farrell. I still give the edge to Fraser.

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, Tar

Ana de Armas, Blonde

Andrea Riseborough, To Leslie

Michelle Williams, The Fabelmans

Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once

My Pick: Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh is the obvious choice. She is incredible in Everything Everywhere All at Once, seamlessly transitioning between characters and skills. 

The rest of the nominees are talented actresses, but these roles are not enough to overtake Yeoh. Cate Blanchett is polarizing, Ana de Armas is a bright spot in a terrible film, Andrea Riseborough is a longshot, and Michelle Williams 

Best Director

Martin McDonagh, The Banshees of Inisherin

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All at Once

Steven Spielberg, The Fablemans

Todd Field, Tar

Ruben Ostlund, Triangle of Sadness

My Pick: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert

Martin McDonagh could win here, but I give the edge to the Daniels who told a compelling and complicated story and made it look easy.

Best Animated Film

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

The Sea Beast

Turning Red

My Pick: Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

Disney and Pixar are usually the ones to beat here. However, I do not expect turning Red to win. Marcel the Shell is cute, Puss in Boots is a sequel, and The Sea Beast was fun, but I give the edge to Guillermo del Toro's unique vision for Pinocchio.

Best Picture

All Quiet on the Western Front

Avatar: The Way of Water

The Banshees of Inisherin

Elvis

Everything Everywhere All at Once

The Fabelmans

Tar

Top Gun: Maverick

Triangle of Sadness

Women Talking

My Pick: Top Gun: Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick was a lot of fun to watch.  The action is impressive, while still crafting a story to keeps you engaged.  I also enjoyed Everything Everywhere All at Once, but I think it will walk away with some other categories (for it's screenplay, design, and cast.

EDIT: 5 of 7, not bad

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

 "Listen, I want to be clear.  I am not Batman.  I can find you the truth, I can gather evidence, I can present it to the police and the courts, but that is where my jurisdiction ends."

Tech billionaire Miles Bron (Norton) sends elaborate puzzles boxes to his closest friends.  Once solved, they reveal an invitation a murder mystery party and vacation at Miles' mansion, Glass Onion, on a private island in Greece.  The guests include Connecticut Governor Claire Debella (Hahn), Lionel Toussaint (Odom) the head scientist at Miles' company Alpha, fashion designer Birdie Jay (Hudson), her assistant Peg (Henwick), video game streamer Duke Cody (Bautista), his girlfriend Whiskey (Cline), Miles former business partner Cassandra "Andi" Brand (Monae), and famous detective Benoit Blanc (Craig).  The staff are given time off, so that the only people on the island are Miles and his guests.  His slacker friend Derol (Noah Segan) is also on the island, but not participating in the party.

As they enjoy the lavish surroundings, old resentments rise to the surface.  Will everyone survive the weekend?

The sequel to Rian Johnson's 2019 Knives Out.

The Good:

The film boasts an impressive cast and some unexpected cameos.  The majority of the story takes place on the island, which is beautiful.  Everything is lavish and elaborate and other the top, including some of the characters.

The story keeps you guessing and entertained.  The puzzles, especially the puzzle boxes the guests receive, are intriguing and you get caught up in the characters excitement.

The Bad:

The film meanders a bit in places.

Other Comments:

-The story is very different from it's predecessor - different setting, different scenario, different cast.  But still enjoyable.

-Cameos from Stephen Sondheim and Angela Lansbury, as themselves

-Netflix plans to make a third film in the series, again starring Craig and under the direction of Johnson.

-Nominated for a 2023 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) 139 minutes

Director: Rian Johnson

Rating: PG-13 for strong language, some violence, sexual materials and drug content

Starring: Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc

Edward Norton as Miles Bron

Janelle Monae as Cassandra "Andi" Brand

Kathryn Hahn as Claire Debella

Leslie Odom Jr. as Lionel Toussaint

Kate Hudson as Birdie Jay

Dave Bautista as Duke Cody

Jessica Henwick as Peg

Madelyn Cline as Whiskey

Top Gun: Maverick

"Please don't tell me we lost an engine."

"Alright, I won't tell you that."

Thirty years after graduating from Top Gun, Captain Peter "Maverick" Mitchell (Cruise) is a highly decorated pilot.  However, he is still haunted by his past and his antics keep him from rising above the role of Captain.  After his latest stunt, he is sent back to Top Gun for a new assignment.

Vice Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson (Hamm) and RADM Solomon "Warlock" Bates need Maverick to train the top twelve Top Gun graduates for a dangerous mission.  His students include Lieutenant Bradley "Rooser" Braddock (Teller), the son of his late friend Goose.  Maverick and Rooster have a strained relationship and are not excited about working together.  He is also reunited with Penny Benjamin (Connelly), an old girlfriend who owns the bar near Top Gun.

Initially, the candidates, including Hangman (Powell), Phoenix (Barbaro), Bob (Pullman), Payback (Ellis), Fanboy (Ramirez), and Coyote (Davis), question Maverick's abilities, until they see him fly.  Can Maverick and Hondo (Salahuddin) teach the pilots how to work together, complete the mission, and make it home again?

The sequel to the 1986 film Top Gun, directed by Tony Scott and starring Tom Cruise as Maverick.

The Good:

The nostalgia quotient is high, but not alienating to new viewers.  From the opening scene and Maverick's motorcycle ride to the strains of Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone", it is clear that the film is going to bridge the gap between the new and nostalgia.  For fans of the original, the story hits familiar beats and lots of action, while still showing something new.  For new audiences, the story takes time to remember the past (i.e. the big events of the original film).  The plot has actual stakes, without being overly complicated or confusing.

It also is a good mixture of action and impressive flight maneuvers, and humor.  The cast works well together.  Val Kilmer's Iceman made a brief, but memorable and welcome appearance in the film.  Once again calling back to the events of the original film, and moving the franchise into the future.

The Bad:

No real complaints.

Other Comments:

-I thoroughly enjoyed this film - the action (and the way it is filmed) impressed and kept me engaged throughout.  And the banter between characters kept us laughing.

-The film was well received by audiences and critics.  It has been nominated for several awards and is expected to be nominated for the Academy Awards.

-It feels like they could continue the franchise by focusing on the younger pilots introduced in this film.  Apparently they are in discussions about a potential sequel focused on Rooster.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022) 130 minutes

Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense action, and some strong language

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Starring: Tom Cruise as Maverick

Miles Teller as Rooster

Jennifer Connelly as Penny Benjamin

Val Kilmer as Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky

Glenn Powell as Hangman

Jon Hamm as Cyclone

Monica Barbaro as Phoenix

Lewis Pullman as Bob

Charles Parnell as Warlock

Jay Ellis as Payback

Danny Ramirez as Fanboy

Greg Tarzan Davis as Coyote

Bashir Salahuddin as Hondo

Romancing the Stone

"Is there anybody who isn't following you?"

Joan Wilder (Turner) is a popular romance writer, but unlucky in love.  After finishing her latest novel, she goes to Colombia to rescue her sister Elaine (Mary Ellen Trainor).  Elaine has been kidnapped by American criminals Ira (Norman) and Ralph (DeVito).  They want the treasure map that Elaine's late husband sent to Joan.  Against the protests of her publisher Gloria (Holland Taylor), Joan takes the map to the Colombia.

Ralph and Ira are not the only ones seeking the map.  The brutal Colonel Zolo (Ojeda), who murdered Elaine's husband, also wants the map.  He directs Joan to the wrong bus, headed into the jungle.  He tries to take the map by force, but is stopped by Jack Colton (Douglas), an American bird hunter.

Stranded in the jungle without a vehicle, Joan hires Jack to guide her to the city of Cartagena, for a fee.  Ralph tries to follow and report their progress to Ira.  They are also pursued by Zolo and his military police.  Can Joan and Jack set aside their differences, save Elaine, and find the treasure?

An action romance film that launched the careers of the director, Robert Zemeckis (this was his first successful film), and some of the stars: Mary Ellen Trainor's film debut (she was married to the director), Michael Douglas' first action role, etc.

The Good:

The story (written by Diane Thomas), is interesting: it has action to hold your attention, good chemistry between Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas, and intriguing side characters.  The adventure is interesting and includes plenty of comedy to keep things from getting too heavy or too violent.  My favorite scene is the car chase in Pepe with Juan (Alfonso Arau).

The Bad:

Colonel Zolo is a one-dimensional villain.  He is imposing and evil, but doesn't really have any other purpose or character traits.  Not enough of Danny DeVito's Ralph... which is corrected in the sequel.

Other Comments: 

-The studio did not expect the film to do well, but it ended up being a success.

-The main cast (Douglas, Turner, and DeVito) returned for a sequel, The Jewel of the Nile, in 1985.  A third film, The Crimson Eagle, was in development but never made.

-While the film may not have the prestige of others made at the same time or by the same people, it definitely influenced subsequent films (i.e. The Lost City, etc).

-Won Golden Globe Awards for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and Best Actress - Musical or Comedy for Kathleen Turner.  Also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Film Editing for Conn Cambern and Frank Morriss.

-The novelization of this film and the sequel are credited to Joan Wilder, but actually written by Catherine Lanigan.

-An enjoyable, action-packed film.

Romancing the Stone (1984) 106 minutes

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Starring: Michael Douglas as Jack Colton

Kathleen Turner as Joan Wilder

Danny DeVito as Ralph

Zack Norman as Ira

Alfonso Arau as Juan

Manuel Ojeda as Zolo