Category Archives: Dramedy
Drama/Comedy
Flash Movie Review: Next Goal Wins
NO ONE I KNEW HAD A ping-pong table in their home when I was growing up. I had a couple of friends who had pool tables and one had a mini-roller coaster in their backyard, but that was it. The only opportunity I ever had was when we would take a driving trip, during my summer vacation, and the hotel happened to have a game room with a table set up. My feeble attempts at playing did not go unnoticed by me, but I was always willing to play. Though I did not play the game well, I still enjoyed it because it reminded me of a miniature tennis court. This was another game I rarely participated in because I did not have a tennis racket and with a borrowed one, I still was not good at playing it. Most of the time I was either running after balls I missed hitting; or, retrieving them after I had hit the ball into the tennis net. After a while I would get so exhausted from the running around that I had to stop playing. That is why I was curious about ping-pong; they were always set up indoors, in a room; and there was hardly any running around involved. Most of the time I could just stand in the middle, on my side of the table and try to hit the ball back. IT WAS NOT UNTIL I WENT away to college that I had the opportunity to play ping-pong consistently. The student union hall on campus was the place to go to socialize with fellow students. There was a restaurant, television room, quiet space, and other various activities available for the student population. I lived in a studio off campus where each floor of the building had a communal kitchen. Across the hallway from me was a graduate student. I would meet him in the kitchen periodically because we had similar class schedules. He helped me with navigating through first-year requirements and I would share some of my food with him. The union hall was showing a movie over the weekend, and I asked if he wanted to go. He did and as we were walking past the game room, he asked if I played ping-pong. I explained my history and he offered to teach me. From that day we would be at the union at least three times a week playing the game. For eighteen months, I lost every single game. I still enjoyed myself despite the losing results; I was determined though to win at least one game and when it finally happened, that was the last time he played ping-pong with me. Having such determination was what I found myself attracted to in this comedic, sports drama. MAKING THE HISTORY BOOKS FOR THE worst defeat in World Cup history, the American Samoa soccer team recruited a down on his luck coach, who had disciplinary issues in his past. Also, no one else wanted to take the job of coaching a team that had lost 31-0. With Michael Fassbender (The Killer, Song to Song) as Thomas Rongen, Oscar Kightley (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Samoan Wedding) as Tavita, newcomer Kaimana as Jaiyah, David Fane (The Tattooist, Eagle vs. Shark) as Ace and Rachel Howe (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire) as Ruth; this film inspired by true events had potential, but did not have the right mix in the script to connect with me. I did not care for the acting and cringed at some of the dialog. Also, I did not find much to laugh or chuckle about in the story. If the writers would have taken a more serious stand, I might have enjoyed watching this picture more, because the idea for the story was solid. Instead, what came across was a silly, slapstick mixed bag of emotions and feelings, with truly little for me to care about or want to invest in. There was an extra scene at the end of the closing credits.
1 ¾ stars
Flash Movie Review: Good Grief
HAVING EXPERIENCED PRETTY MUCH EVERY VARIATION for breaking up, I always found the sudden ones the hardest. There was the beginning relationship where we had around a half dozen dates and I thought things were progressing smoothly, but suddenly I was being ghosted, no responses to any of my communications. I could not understand why the dead silence. My sadness and confusion were quickly replaced by anger because I kept wondering what type of person would do such a thing. If that is how they operate then I absolutely would not want to be with them. It has always been easier for me to deal with anger and turn the painful situation around to put all the blame on the other person. Gratefully, I grew up and learned to look inside myself. I have been in relationships where we both came to the same conclusion that we would be better as friends and that has always been a winning outcome for me. One of the hardest situations is when the ending of the relationship is due to the breaking of trust; I have had a few of those and I must tell you, they are brutal. You cannot imagine what it feels like to come home to find someone else’s clothing under your bed. One of the most important aspects of a relationship is honesty. I could handle my loved one telling me they are in love with someone else instead of cheating behind my back. THERE IS ANOTHER CHALLENGE FOR ME when a relationship ends. It is that mindset that went from a singular train of thought to a dual one then suddenly it must go back to singular. I have mentioned before what helps me transition back to being single is to break up the routines that were created in the relationship. There have been times where I spent hours watching movies and videos or focused harder on diet and exercise. Listening to what my friends have done; I think the breaking of routines may be a frequent practice. A friend of mine went on a trip after her relationship ended. Another friend went through her apartment and got rid of anything that was associated with her ex. In the majority of circumstances, I have heard about, there were few that involved a sudden ending of the relationship, like death; it had either been building up to such a point that things exploded, and it ended or one person noticed a change taking place in their relationship and communicated what they were feeling, having an adult conversation about where the two of them were in the relationship. As I said earlier, the sudden endings are the hardest ones in my opinion. An example can be found in this dramatic, romantic comedy. AFTER A TRAGIC ACCIDENT TAKES THE life of his husband, the widower embarks on an international trip with his two best friends, hoping to fill the void he was now experiencing in his life. He would wind up making discoveries that could change everything about the life he had. With Daniel Levy (Happiest Season, Schitt’s Creek-TV) as Marc, Ruth Negga (Passing, Loving) as Sophie, Himesh Patel (Yesterday, Station Eleven-TV) as Thomas, Luke Evans (Dracula Untold, Beauty and the Beast) as Oliver and Celia Imrie (Best Exotic Marigold Hotel franchise, Imagine Me & You) as Imelda; this movie had both a solid script and steady direction in the way it told its story. There were scenes that were sad and amusing, but mostly done in a gentle way instead of being a tearjerker or laughing out loud moment. It was surprising to see Ruth play such a character, because I have only seen her do serious roles in the past. The script offered depth in the characters, but I felt it could have gone farther. Overall, this was a good debut for Daniel in his writing and directing skills.
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Poor Things
I WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE who could make a snap judgment in less than a minute. My first impressions would dictate how I reacted to something. Back then, it was the norm, and I did not know better. It was nothing for me to go out to dinner with a couple of friends and be the first one to nix a restaurant choice, simply based on the restaurant’s outside appearance. At a party, I could be introduced to someone and after exchanging a few sentences with them, immediately have a negative reaction that made me want to avoid them the rest of the night. It took me a long time, along with maturing, to realize I was not being fair to whoever or whatever besides myself. I have learned to slow down and not be so quick to administer my “verdict” when dealing with various situations. It is funny, the point was driven home to me at a time when I was seated in a theater to watch a live production. It was long before intermission and a couple who were seated in the row in front of me excused themselves out of the row and left. I first thought one of them might have gotten ill, but there was no sign of anything wrong as they sat and talked before the show started. I assumed they did not like it because I thought the beginning started out slow; however, it turned out to be a wonderful production. If I had acted on my first instinct and left, I would have missed out on seeing such a good show. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, IF A restaurant did not look good from the outside, I would not step foot in it. Boy, I am so glad I got over that type of thinking because I have discovered some incredible food at small “hole in the wall” places. There is this Italian restaurant that is in a small run-down strip mall near where I live. Driving by one would be hard pressed to notice it. However, it has some of the best Italian cuisine I have ever eaten. The place essentially is two plain rooms with tables and padded metal chairs, nothing fancy; yet it consistently brings out great food from its kitchen. I took a small group of family members there who were surprised I had eaten at such a place, knowing my quirks about looks and appearances. Obviously, they remember me more as I used to be instead of who I am now. They were even more surprised when they tasted the food; they all loved it. The reason I am telling you all of this is because if I had acted as the old me, I would have missed out on seeing such a quirky, fanciful film that is an Oscar nominee. GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE, a young girl’s thirst for knowledge leads her on a worldwide journey of discovery. With Emma Stone (Cruella, Battle of the Sexes) as Bella Baxter, Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight, Dark Waters) as Duncan Wedderburn, William Dafoe (The French Dispatch, At Eternity’s Gate) as Dr. Godwin Baxter, Ramy Youssef (See Dad Run-TV, Ramy-TV) as Max McCandles and Kathryn Hunter (The Tragedy of Macbeth, Orlando) as Swiney; this comedic romance drama was one of the most peculiar films I have seen in a long time. I felt I was seeing fresh bits from the old Monty Python shows. The sets and films were so full and unique, I did not know where to look first during many scenes. Emma was incredible in this role as was Mark in his. But I have to say, it took me a while before I started to appreciate where the story was going; I found it to be so unique and different that I could not help but get drawn into its world.
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: The Holdovers
ONE YEAR I WAS ENROLLED IN an overnight camp, and it turned out to be the only time I agreed to such a thing. It was fun to be with friends morning and night, though I was anxious about the bunkbeds. I was assigned to an upper bunk and desperately did not want it because of being overweight. Not that I was any type of extreme heaviness, but my little kid’s mind had blown it out of proportion. I remember slowly climbing the ladder one rung at a time, testing to make sure it would support me. The food served us was picked more for nourishment instead of taste, so I did not care for it. The thing that upset me the most were the organized activities like swimming and baseball. I knew how to play them, but I was never competitive; the counselors always turned them into a contest to see who was the “best.” I must tell you I was one of those “weird” kids who brought a book to read; there were not many others who did such a thing. Thinking about it and how today I live a very structured life; back then, it was the structure I was rebelling against. I did not like being told when I could eat or shower. By the end of the session, I could not wait to be back in my own home. OVERNIGHT/SUMMER CAMP WAS NOT THE only thing I disliked. I never cared for school field trips. It was not the destination so much, but the going and coming I truly could not stand. First, my good time was based on who was on my bus. If our bus had any troublemakers, then I knew for sure our ride to whatever place we were going would be hellish. It would always be worse if one of the troublemakers sat close to you because it was more than likely you would become one of their targets. Another reason I did not like the bus rides was because if someone happened, through the luck of the draw, to be sitting by themselves then the teacher or one of the chaperones would take up residency next to that lone student; or worse, have them join them at the front of the bus. It always stressed me out with kids shoving and pushing, singing ridiculous songs, the adults yelling and for what? Sometimes we did go to cool places but other times they were lame and boring. The way I feel about such things, if I found myself in a situation like the main characters in this comedic drama, I would have run away. STUCK WITH NOWHERE TO GO, A teacher, cook and student are stuck over the Christmas holiday break at their prep school. None of them want to be there. With Paul Giamatti (Jungle Cruise, Billions-TV) as Paul Hunham, Da’Vine Joy Randolph (The Lost City, Rustin) as Mary Lamb, newcomer Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully, Carrie Preston (True Blood-TV, They/Them) as Miss Lydia Crane and Brady Hepner (The Black Phone, Resisting Roots) as Teddy Kountze; this film was a joy to watch. The acting was wonderful, and the script was intelligent with its mix of humor, sadness and drama that kept me engaged with the story early on. I also thought the characters were well developed. There were not necessarily laugh out loud moments, but there were humorous spots that were appropriate for the story. What really made this film stand out was its adult storytelling and script. It was refreshing to sit back and watch a good story unfold without the special effects or brand marketing. The other thing that set this film apart were its details. For example, there actually was one special effect, but a good many viewers may not even be aware of it taking place. This picture is an Oscar contender and rightfully so.
3 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: She Came to Me
I DID NOT MEET THEM UNTIL years later after they were married. From what our mutual friends told me, they were a happy couple. Having met initially at a wedding reception, they went out for a drink a couple of days after the event. This was followed by a series of dates that progressed until it became official, they were a couple. I was told they took turns hosting dinner parties and game nights at each one’s home. They took vacations together, enjoying each other’s company more and more. After a couple of years, they got engaged with a fall wedding date planned for the year after. I was introduced to them after they had been married for fifteen years. Everything I had heard about them seemed to be accurate, but I was surprised to notice a bit of an edge to some of their comments. At first, I thought they were just teasing each other, but some of the comments sounded strong and judgmental to me. Because I only saw them in social circles and not one to one, each time I encountered them, they seemed to be more argumentative with each other and, in my opinion, unhappy. My impressions wound up being accurate because it was only a year or so later that they agreed to get a divorce. The ex-husband stopped coming to social events, but the ex-wife continued and from conversations, one of her comments stuck with me. She said she had outgrown her husband. FUNNY, I WAS FAMILIAR WITH THAT word, “outgrown.” I knew three other people who said the same thing about their reasons for divorcing their spouses. I believed it to be a valid reason because though I did not experience it in a love relationship, I did in a friendship. We had been friends all through school and several years after. Where we used to have similar reactions to situations, as time passed one of us started to have different viewpoints about things and no longer shared the camaraderie that resulted from reacting similarly to various situations. Not to be rude, but I believe this happened because I had been working on myself, emotionally and mentally, and was maturing at a different rate than my friend. The gap that formed between us only grew as time passed. It was not too long after where we started getting together less, not sharing as much personal information to avoid getting into any type of disagreement due to different perceptions. There was a sense of sadness as the years of friendship were simply turning into a stored memory, but the sense of relief generated from less time together was getting stronger. I chalked it up to one of life’s lessons; something like what took place in this comedic, romantic drama. SUFFERING FROM WRITER’S BLOCK, A COMPOSER walks the streets of New York City, where a chance encounter both surprises and scares him into a different state of mind. With Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones-TV, American Dreamer) as Steven Lauddem, Anne Hathaway (The Witches, The Hustle) as Patricia Jessup-Lauddem, Marisa Tomei (Spider-Man franchise, The Big Short) as Katrina Trento, relative newcomer Evan Ellison as Julian Jessup and Harlow Jane (Dig, I Love Us) as Tereza Szyskowski; the cast is what saved this movie. Everyone was wonderful, beautifully playing off each other. I appreciated the different story lines of the script; however, I felt there was too much going on that robbed each story of fully developing a sequence of growth. Each one alone was intriguing, but the range of emotions they drew out clashed somewhat for me. However, I still enjoyed watching this film, because it kept my curiosity piqued. Maybe the writers had some writer’s block of their own, which caused them to create extra story lines and weaken the distinctions between comedy, drama and romance.
2 ½ stars
Flash Movie Review: Dumb Money
I WAS STANDING IN LINE WITH a variety of people that I believed were the perfect representation of woman and mankind. There appeared to be individuals from every race, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds; except for one group, those who would be considered upper class or in other words, rich. Not that one can judge whether a person is wealthy or not by appearances; but let me say, there was no one in line who was wearing a three-piece suit or gave off the appearance of being well off. I know this could come off sounding judgmental and it is not my attention; however, just from appearances all of us in line looked like middle to lower class and a few looked like they were homeless. We were all in line to buy lottery tickets for the game that had a payout of over one billion dollars. For me, I was in line to buy a short-term fantasy. The drawing was going to take place in two days, so during that time I could fantasize about what my life would look like if I had one billion dollars. I would buy a new car and two new residences: one on the east coast and one on the west coast. With ticket in hand, I could imagine what my residence would look like after I had both completely furnished. It was a cheap dream. BUYING A LOTTERY TICKET, I KNOW, is not a good use of my money. I put it in the category of entertainment, like buying a magazine, an ice cream cone or museum admission. What I take more seriously is the money I invested in my retirement. I started buying stock many years ago with the purpose of using the proceeds to buy a house and it worked. Every pay period I would put a little money aside until I had enough to buy shares in a company I had researched. The number of shares I purchased always varied depending on how much money I saved up. Though it was not always easy, I still felt good no matter how much I could set aside that pay period. What bothered me greatly were the individuals who tried cheating the system. There were some people who bought shares in the company they worked for after receiving an inside tip. I always appreciated it when they got caught and had to make restitution. But I was not that naïve to think there were no other people who bought shares based on insider tips. I just wanted an even playing field for all. Maybe this is why I was rooting for the individual investors in this movie, based on a true story. AFTER INVESTING HIS LIFE SAVINGS INTO the shares of a company, then posting about it on his blog, his followers decide he is onto something and begin following his lead. Their buying power suddenly upsets the balance of power in the business world. With Paul Dano (The Fabelmans, The Batman) as Keith Gill, Pete Davidson (The King of Staten Island, Bodies Bodies Bodies) as Kevin Gill, Vincent D’Onofrio (The Eyes of Tammy Faye, The Cell) as Steve Cohen, America Ferrera (It’s a Disaster, Superstore-TV) as Jenny and Myha’la Herrold (Plan B, Industry-TV) as Riri; this biographical comedic drama kept my interest throughout the story. I thought the cast did a great job and enjoyed the way the scenes were broken up with snippets of each person’s life and circumstances while the shares they purchased take them on a wild ride. Though I follow stocks, I felt the writers did a wonderful job of making things simple enough to let those not familiar with the business aspects still enjoy the story, and what a story. Such an incredible feat that I felt, even though I am sure there is more to the story, the production crew brought it to the big screen in a fascinating and illuminated way. I felt right at home with all of those depicted in the film having a dream.
3 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game
I WAS THE ONLY KID WHO was too afraid to dive off from the high diving board. On a large family trip, several cars of relatives drove to a resort area in a neighboring state. When we arrived at the hotel, all of us were assigned rooms on the same floor. Since it was still early in the afternoon, it was decided we would all meet at the swimming pool. I was a decent swimmer but had only recently ventured into deeper waters. The pool had two diving boards, one low and the other high, but the low one was being repaired. All my cousins were excited to go off the high dive, lining up single file to climb the metal ladder to the top. I tried doing it but when I got to the top and saw how far down it was to the water, I started to cry. Though relatives were encouraging me to jump, some even treading in the water below, I could not do it. I still remember how humiliated I felt as I climbed back down the ladder and walked past the line of cousins who were too excited to focus on my failure. After that I did not want to spend any more time by the swimming pool. ACROSS FROM THE SWIMMING POOL AREA, I had not noticed a small non-descript wooden structure that looked like a miniature house without windows. The relative who was taking me back to the hotel room, stopped at the front of this structure and asked me if I wanted to peek inside. It was such a curious building that I said yes. There was only an entryway, no door, so we walked in. What was inside was something I had never seen before. There was this machine with flashing lights. Its body had a glass top that covered an array of bumpers, buttons and holes. It fascinated me with its colorful graphics that stretched across both inside and out. My relative must have been familiar with the machine because they placed a chair they had taken from a corner, by the side of the machine and told me to stand on it, so I could watch them play. Once I was on it, my relative pulled back a metal rod and let go. I saw a silver ball whip up to the top of the course, bounce back and forth a couple of times, then descend into the array of bumpers and buttons. It was amazing, watching the ball bounce from one side to the other; and whenever the ball got near to the bottom, my relative would press these two red buttons on each side of the machine to smack the ball back up towards the top. This was my first encounter with a pinball machine, but it was not going to be my last. A STRUGGLING WRITER IN NEW YORK CITY finds escape in a pinball machine he found in an unlikely place. When the machine gets confiscated due to the ban on them, he puts his frustration into his writings. With Mike Faist (West Side Story, Wildling) as Roger (young), Crystal Reed (Incident in a Ghostland, Gotham-TV) as Ellen, Dennis Boutsikaris (Batteries not Included, Better Call Saul-TV) as Mr. Shapiro, Christopher Convery (The Girl in the Spider’s Web, Prisoner’s Daughter) as Seth and Connor Ratliff (Search Party-TV, The George Lucas Talk Show-TV) as Jimmy; this comedic drama hooked me in quickly after a short time figuring out if I was watching a documentary or not. I thought the way the writers told the story in this biography made it more interesting. As a lover of pinball machines, I appreciated the history lesson being told in such an entertaining way. Set in the 1970s, the sets and costumes were perfect. Maybe other viewers will feel the same way as I did to find out there was a time when pinball machines, of all things, used to be illegal. For me, it sounded so absurd, and it was another reason I wanted to see this movie. This film is certainly worth keeping in play.
3 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: Happiness for Beginners
MANY REVIEWS AGO, I TALKED ABOUT changing up one’s routines after a breakup. Part of the reason was to create a diversion from any sadness and another part was to explore new avenues of growth. I remember an early breakup where I spent an entire weekend watching movies. If I recall, I believe I saw twelve movies in three days. In that review I focused more on the diversion instead of the growth that could take place. When in a love relationship, it can be easy to fall into a routine to the point where things become automatic, very little thought is needed. Sure, there is a comfort being in that state, but is it beneficial to the growth of the relationship? Honestly, I fluctuate between the comfort of routines with the adventures of exploring something new. I think that might be one of the reasons I love to travel; it nourishes me in a certain way that reading a book about the place cannot provide. But traveling is not always an easy project. I remember being in a relationship and the two of us taking a trip to Las Vegas for an extended weekend. Withing 24 hours, I realized this was not a good fit because our ideas of a vacation were so opposite of each other. By the time we were flying home, we barely talked to each other. Lesson learned: make sure the person you are going with on a trip is compatible with your expectations. SEEING HOW THAT RELATIONSHIP DETERIORATED WHILE on vacation gave me a thought that stuck with me for the next time, I found myself in a similar situation. It was a year or two after where I found myself at the end of another relationship. Remembering my Vegas trip, I decided I would take a trip by myself; it was a foreign concept I must tell you. I planned out everything from the location to the hotel to the activities. It was weird at first to be alone on a plane. I kept myself busy by reading a stack of magazines I had bought at one of the terminal’s newsstands. Once I arrived, it was a little unsettling to navigate by myself through the airport and to the rental car location; but I did it. I remember asking the clerk at the rental place for directions to my hotel and was grateful when he pulled out a map and drew a route for me. After I arrived mid-morning and checked into my hotel room, I ventured out to the first tourist attraction I had on my to do list. By the end of the day, I had walked eight miles and had seen several places I had on my list. I discovered I was resourceful and enjoyed planning out and executing a route to cover as much ground as I could to explore the city. Discovering this in myself was one of the reasons I was attracted to the main character in this romantic rom-com. AFTER THE BREAKUP OF HER MARRIAGE, a woman decides she needs to make some changes in herself. What came to mind was to sign up for a wilderness survival trek with a group of strangers. The trip would test her in ways she had not expected. With Ellie Kemper (The Stand In, Bridesmaids) as Helen, Luke Grimes (Fifty Shades of Grey franchise, The Magnificent Seven) as Jake, Nico Santos (Crazy Rich Asians, Superstore-TV) as Hugh, Blythe Danner (I’ll See You in my Dreams, The Last Kiss) as Gigi and Ben Cook (West Side Story, Paterno) as Beckett; this movie did everything by the book. In other words, pretty much everything was predictable. I enjoyed Ellie’s and Luke’s performances; however, the script was too generic to the point it did not provide any surprises. In fact, at times it would telegraph what was going to happen later in the film. For a story based on taking risks, the writers should have listened and done the same.
1 ¾ stars
Flash Movie Trailer: The Miracle Club
WE MET THEM THROUGH A MUTUAL friend. They were friendly and had been together for decades. It turned out we had much in common and that is what sparked our budding friendship. We got together for several dinners and lunches since all of us wanted to explore the unfamiliar restaurants between our homes. Our times together always came with a guarantee of laughter and sharing of similar childhood memories. It was uncanny how our lives followed a similar path. I had been overweight and was picked on because of it; the two of them experienced the same thing in their schools. Between the four of us, two were previously married and divorced; so, there never was a lull in conversation. At some point they wanted to have us over for dinner. They told us how much they loved cooking and based on what they told me, I was a bit envious because they rarely used a recipe. They cooked food from a mix of instinct, taste, and experience. There was no way I could achieve such a degree of cooking; I needed a recipe that exactly listed the steps and ingredients. With the dinner date set, they checked in with us to ask about dietary restrictions and any likes or dislikes. It was sweet of them to make such an effort for us; we were getting excited as the date neared. THE MORNING OF THE DINNER DATE, we ate a light breakfast since the menu sounded extensive. Mid-morning, I received a text that they would have to cancel, and they were so sorry about it. One of them came down with a stomach bug where they could not keep food in them. It sounded awful and we felt bad for them. Of course, we were sad we were not getting together and tasting their lavish dinner. That night we wound up ordering a pizza for dinner; a significant difference compared to what was planned for us. The following day I was on one of my social media sites. As I was scrolling through my feed, I saw the couple had posted something an hour earlier. What I saw stunned me. There was a photo of them standing at a bank of slot machines and the caption above it said, “Winners at the gambling boat last night!” They lied to us so they could go gamble?!?! We were done with them; trust had been broken. Since then, they have reached out, pretending nothing happened; but we simply decline. It is as if they have re-written history to suit their interests. I have experienced other people who have this ability to rewrite history to make their lives easier. You can see an example of this for yourself in this comedic drama. LONG TERM FRIENDS ENTER THE CHURCH’S talent show hoping to win a trip to Lourdes, France to experience a miracle. But when their deceased friend’s estranged daughter suddenly appears, the odds of winning suddenly change. With Laura Linney (You Can Count on Me, The Dinner) as Chrissie, Kathy Bates (Richard Jewell, On the Basis of Sex) as Eileen Dunne, Maggie Smith (The Lady in the Van, Downton Abbey franchise) as Lily Fox, Agnes O’Casey (Lies We Tell, Ridley Road-TV) as Dolly and Mark O’Halloran (Adam & Paul, The Sparrow) as Fr. Dermot Byrne; this movie was worth the price of admission simply to watch the formidable cast show their acting abilities. They were incredible and took the charming script and elevated it despite the spots of predictability. Maggie, Kathy, and Laura were like a well-oiled machine; they did not even have to speak to convey full emotions. I also enjoyed the outdoor scenes of Ireland and France. This was a touching story about friendship, heartache and how people navigate between the two.
3 stars
Flash Movie Review: The Year Between
I NEVER KNEW WHAT TO EXPECT whenever she was in my yoga class. When I first met her, she seemed to hide behind her large, round shaped eyeglasses. The reason I say this is because she appeared to be timid or nervous. I chalked it up to first time jitters, which I have seen in many individuals who were either new to me or new to the class format I was about to teach. She was inquisitive and had a few questions before the class was to start; I was hoping my answers would provide her a little calmness before we began. After answering her, she found an empty space on the floor and unrolled her yoga mat. It looked new to me which confirmed her telling me she had never done yoga before. As I started the class into a series of slow stretches, I noticed that woman’s flexibility. She was either born with it or was doing some other version of exercise that she did not share with me earlier. I was pleased to see she kept up with the other members in class and seemed to be enjoying herself. Occasionally she would look at one of the members close by to help her figure out what she was supposed to do with a limb or foot. Overall, for a first-time participant, she did a good job. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS WITH her participating in class, she showed up one day without her glasses. I saw her talking to a few people who had chosen a spot near her. Usually before class, I would walk around and chat with members; my way of getting the members focused and ready to get into a yoga state of mind. As I passed that woman minus her glasses, she began telling me how much she enjoyed the class. It struck me that her tone and speech pattern were opposite of our initial conversations. She was quite animated and continued talking non-stop in this singsong way that added more levels of tone to her speech. It confused me because it was so unlike her based on the impression, I had built on her. From talking about yoga, she veered off onto other topics; some that had nothing to do with yoga or the class. It was as if I was encountering a completely different person. Some of the things she said were not appropriate for a classroom setting and honestly, not in mixed company. I wasn’t sure how to handle this since it had never happened to me in class before. Looking at my watch and saying it was about time to start class, I asked her to challenge herself with the poses we were about to do. It seemed to work, and she calmed down. After class I spoke to my supervisor and explained the situation that took place. I was informed this person was an employee who had a personality disorder. My exposure to it prepared me to watch this comedic drama. AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED WITH A MENTAL illness, a college student drops out and moves back home, where she encounters the aftermath of what she had left behind. With J. Smith Cameron (Man on a Ledge, Succession-TV) as Sherri, Steve Buscemi (The Death of Stalin, Miracle Workers-TV) as Don, David Brown (I Used to Go Here, Assistance-TV) as Mikael, Wyatt Oleff (Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, It franchise) as Neil and Emily Robinson (Eighth Grade, Dark was the Night) as Carlin; this psychological drama based on true events came across as authentic. The dark humor was just enough to keep the story going without getting tripped up into a deeper uncomfortable setting. I will say the main character does not come across as likable; but I think that was intentional from the writer. It is not an easy topic that lends itself to storytelling. There were a few slow parts with a couple of scenarios that seemed to be repetitive. However, the film and story as a hold were not a usual Hollywood production which made this an interesting piece of filmdom to view.
2 3/4 stars
moviejoltz 