Never too early to start thinking about Christmas Music!
Blinded by the Light
Recipe for success: start with a billion dollars of music rights and build the story around the music and the artist in the most flattering light possible.
As noted the real star here is Bruce Springsteen. Second billing goes to Viveik Kalrah (as Javed Khan), a high school student growing up in Luton UK in the 80s. Being of Pakistani descent, he faces his disapproving parents, his search for identity and the skinhead discrimination of the day. He finds his salvation through two cassettes his friend Ronan gives him, Born in the USA (1984) and the underrated Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978).
Suddenly his life has meaning as he sings and lives "I'm trying to start a fire" and "Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man" and finds his voice through the inspiration of his teacher and his new girlfriend. Along the way he of course finds his way to Asbury Park, New Jersey. I'm surprised he didn't get a guitar lesson from the Boss himself along the way.
A fun musical/biopic mashup.
* * *
As noted the real star here is Bruce Springsteen. Second billing goes to Viveik Kalrah (as Javed Khan), a high school student growing up in Luton UK in the 80s. Being of Pakistani descent, he faces his disapproving parents, his search for identity and the skinhead discrimination of the day. He finds his salvation through two cassettes his friend Ronan gives him, Born in the USA (1984) and the underrated Darkness on the Edge of Town (1978).
Suddenly his life has meaning as he sings and lives "I'm trying to start a fire" and "Mister I ain't a boy, no, I'm a man" and finds his voice through the inspiration of his teacher and his new girlfriend. Along the way he of course finds his way to Asbury Park, New Jersey. I'm surprised he didn't get a guitar lesson from the Boss himself along the way.
A fun musical/biopic mashup.
* * *
Brian Banks
#XONR8 is the hashtag for Brian Banks and the California Innocence Project - Exonerate. Brian Banks is a high school student accused of rape. He takes a plea based on No Contest but gets sentenced to prison. After he gets out, he tries to clear his name based on new evidence and his lawyer Justin Brooks of the Innocence Project.
"Based on true events" starring Aldis Hodge, who does a great performance. It's a nice story with some unexpected actors. Greg Kinnear as Justin Brooks, Morgan Freeman as God, er, the prison counselor (uncredited) who helps turns Brian around. And Pete Carroll as himself. A good hero journey about someone seeking to turn his life around.
"Based on true events" starring Aldis Hodge, who does a great performance. It's a nice story with some unexpected actors. Greg Kinnear as Justin Brooks, Morgan Freeman as God, er, the prison counselor (uncredited) who helps turns Brian around. And Pete Carroll as himself. A good hero journey about someone seeking to turn his life around.
Navy Seals (1990)
A handsome, dark haired movie star plays a hotshot Naval officer where he shows off his military prowess, develops a love interest in a beautiful female authority figure, all while hanging with his boys in the off time. It culminates in an America First military victory.
Sound like Top Gun? Close, just insert Charlie Sheen into the lead role, change aviation to special operations and you've got Navy Seals.
I heard about this old movie on a podcast where a real SEAL was pointing out all the military inaccuracies. But upon viewing the movie, you can tell he has watched it many times in a loving manner, like a father talking about his son. It was ahead of its time, with the battle scenes fighting in the Mideast. Plus there was a lot of good action with diving, parachuting, gearing up and such.
Surprisingly good * * * *
Sound like Top Gun? Close, just insert Charlie Sheen into the lead role, change aviation to special operations and you've got Navy Seals.
I heard about this old movie on a podcast where a real SEAL was pointing out all the military inaccuracies. But upon viewing the movie, you can tell he has watched it many times in a loving manner, like a father talking about his son. It was ahead of its time, with the battle scenes fighting in the Mideast. Plus there was a lot of good action with diving, parachuting, gearing up and such.
Surprisingly good * * * *
A Dog's Way Home (2018)
A quaint little hero story about Bella, a pit bull mix, who is adopted, then runs away, then spends the rest of the movie trying to get back. Along the way, he gets some help from some unlikely friends.
A feel-good story, starring Ashley Judd and Edward James Olmos.
* * * of 5
A feel-good story, starring Ashley Judd and Edward James Olmos.
* * * of 5
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