Coco
An outstanding effort by the Pixar team to tell a non-American cultural story in a respectful way, Coco is the story of a young boy Miguel living in Mexico. Never mind that he speaks English mostly. What he wants most desperately is to be a musician but his family forbids music of any kind [Footloose]
On the eve of Dia de Los Muertos where custom dictates that family must prepare for a visit from their long-lost relatives who will cross over for a visit during the night, Miguel gets trapped in the land of the dead. He seeks to find Ernesto De La Cruz, the famous musician, who he believes is his long-lost relative. On the way, he encounters an interesting cast of characters. Will he make it back before the night or will his family disappear and he be trapped in the world of the Dead? [Back to the Future]
An interesting story on several levels, there is a lot of visual sights as well as a stretched plot line to draw out maximum drama. Will he make it back? But wait! There's something else!
A warm-hearted look at old Mexico customs. You'll learn something new.
* * * * * (highest rating)
Would be even better En Espanol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9Unr35ws-E
On the eve of Dia de Los Muertos where custom dictates that family must prepare for a visit from their long-lost relatives who will cross over for a visit during the night, Miguel gets trapped in the land of the dead. He seeks to find Ernesto De La Cruz, the famous musician, who he believes is his long-lost relative. On the way, he encounters an interesting cast of characters. Will he make it back before the night or will his family disappear and he be trapped in the world of the Dead? [Back to the Future]
An interesting story on several levels, there is a lot of visual sights as well as a stretched plot line to draw out maximum drama. Will he make it back? But wait! There's something else!
A warm-hearted look at old Mexico customs. You'll learn something new.
* * * * * (highest rating)
Would be even better En Espanol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9Unr35ws-E
The Post - directed by Steven Spielberg
A Christmas treat to arrive December 22, starring Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
From Martin McDonagh, director of In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths. Some of my early reviews
Daisy's (Frances McDormand) life has turned upside down after the unsolved murder of her daughter. There has been little progress on the case. She decides to rent 3 billboards which are side by side to express her displeasure at the local police department:
Raped While Dying
7 months and no arrests
How Come Chief Wiloughby?
As the result, people in this small town take sides. The Chief (Woody Harralson) is a good man but has a few loose cannons Jason (Sam Rockwell) on the force. Jason epitomizes what is wrong with the local sheriff. He is responsible for adding to the black/white divisions in the town. As a result everyone seems to turn on everyone else like in Reservoir Dogs.
It reminded me of another heartland story, mystery of a missing family member Dark Places also set in the heartland. Of course, Frances McDormand reminds me of her classic role in Fargo. This had a Coen Brothers feel as well.
* * * * of 5. Original story, would have liked more mystery and less violence.
On second watch, I was able to follow the story and the dialogue better. Both improved the second time. Peter Dinklage gives a strong supporting performance. Unusual Irish casting in the heartland of America. I guess the budget could only stretch so far. Lots in interesting subplots going on - the ex husband, the allegations of torture, the mother/son relation, the unusual alliances.
I'll give it an extra 1/2 star for that.
Driver X
Be nice to the people on the way up, for you will see them again on the way down. That is the moral of the making of Driver X and a pretty good summary of the plotline.
As you might recall, I am a backer of this movie, both directly and via Kickstarter. My old friend Mark Stolaroff is the producer. I went to junior high with him in Houston in the late 70s. 40 years later, we are meeting again.
In Driver X, Patrick Fabian (of Better Call Saul fame) stars as Leonard, who after losing his job when the record store goes away as a business model, takes a job as a ride share driver for Driver X. After initial nervousness, he settles into his new Prius driving routine, picking up an interesting cast of characters (Desmin Borges, Melissa Fumero) as well as learning more about himself via his between-jobs existence through his wife as well as his Barney Rubble type friend.
Filmed in the streets of L.A., the cinematography from shooting at night, driving, seeing the sights off to the side, the lighting and sound is excellent. Certainly taking a cue from Drive. High praise.
Billed as a dramedy, the dialogue and pacing reminded me of another dramedy by the Duplass Brothers Table 19.
Can't help but give my baby -- ***** 5 stars!
I'd like to see it again today. :)
As you might recall, I am a backer of this movie, both directly and via Kickstarter. My old friend Mark Stolaroff is the producer. I went to junior high with him in Houston in the late 70s. 40 years later, we are meeting again.
In Driver X, Patrick Fabian (of Better Call Saul fame) stars as Leonard, who after losing his job when the record store goes away as a business model, takes a job as a ride share driver for Driver X. After initial nervousness, he settles into his new Prius driving routine, picking up an interesting cast of characters (Desmin Borges, Melissa Fumero) as well as learning more about himself via his between-jobs existence through his wife as well as his Barney Rubble type friend.
Filmed in the streets of L.A., the cinematography from shooting at night, driving, seeing the sights off to the side, the lighting and sound is excellent. Certainly taking a cue from Drive. High praise.
Billed as a dramedy, the dialogue and pacing reminded me of another dramedy by the Duplass Brothers Table 19.
Can't help but give my baby -- ***** 5 stars!
I'd like to see it again today. :)
Same Kind of Different as Me
Ron and Rebecca are a married couple with their share of blessings and curses in this modern fable. When their marriage is threatened she turns to service work at the local mission in downtown Fort Worth. There she see a man Denver who she says she had seen in her dreams. She and Ron attempted to befriend Denver who unbeknownst to them has his own demons he must fight.
The juxtaposition of rich and poor, black and white and heaven and hell come together very nicely. Based on an excellent book, the movie adds a few more twists and does its part to tie two life stories together well in a short time.
Starring Greg Kinnear, Renee Zellweger, Djimon Hounsou, Jon Voight.
* * * *
The juxtaposition of rich and poor, black and white and heaven and hell come together very nicely. Based on an excellent book, the movie adds a few more twists and does its part to tie two life stories together well in a short time.
Starring Greg Kinnear, Renee Zellweger, Djimon Hounsou, Jon Voight.
* * * *
Thank You for Your Service
Here's a Coming Home movie about after the Iraq War. Parts of it The Deer Hunter, parts satire (Thank You for Smoking) and parts documentary (22 Suicides a day) it manages to handle all of these parts well. But when it switches gears, it happens suddenly and you don't quite realize what is happening.
Miles Teller is one of 3 friends who returns from their unit to a hero's welcome. Reality intrudes and each has to find his way back into a family/love structure, a job/lack thereof, and the morass of veteran's health care. Haley Bennett does a good turn as the war wife, and she skillfully goes to play the supporting side as well as the Stand on Your Own Two Feet side.
* * * * of 5
Miles Teller is one of 3 friends who returns from their unit to a hero's welcome. Reality intrudes and each has to find his way back into a family/love structure, a job/lack thereof, and the morass of veteran's health care. Haley Bennett does a good turn as the war wife, and she skillfully goes to play the supporting side as well as the Stand on Your Own Two Feet side.
* * * * of 5
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