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Flash Movie Review: Thelma
THOSE WHO KNOW ME WELL, KNOW I will not open any links they send me via text or email unless they have specifically called me to say they were sending it to me. Some may think my fear borders on paranoia, but I do not care. I have this inherent mistrust of electronics, specifically computers, which makes me overly cautious whenever I must use an electronic device. Not so much the phone unless I am forced to use it for some type of confirmation or step to complete a business transaction. Though I get made fun of, I do not have an ATM card, nor do I do any type of online banking. If I know I am going to be on an extended vacation during the time I know I am to receive a charge card statement or some other type of bill, I double pay the previous month’s bill so there will be enough of a credit balance on my account to cover the following month’s bill. This minor trouble is worth it to me for the price of not paying things online. When I must make an online purchase, I have one dedicated charge card with a small credit limit that I use. That same card I take traveling with me after calling the issuing bank to let them know where I will be. You may think I am too extreme; I simply feel I am protecting myself. THE CLOSEST I CAME TO MAKING an error of judgment and allowing a fraud to unfold was when I received an email from my bank, questioning me about some unusual activity they discovered on my account. The email instructed me to log in, which I did without thinking. When I set up the account, it was because the bank needed my email address to send me documents to approve. So, I created it but did nothing about tying my account to any banking information. As I typed my email address, I was wondering what kind of activity it would be since there was no trail in place to touch my checking and savings accounts. Suddenly, I became aware that this email had to be a scam; so, instead of continuing to enter my personal information, I called the bank to ask them about the activity on my account. They confirmed everything was normal and they had not sent me any type of alert. I was relieved and grateful I did not cause a fraud to occur. However, I know friends and family of mine were not so lucky; their stories are so sad. One of them had a similar experience to the one depicted here in this action comedy, film festival winner. FINALLY REALIZING SHE WAS THE VICTIM of a scam; an elderly grandmother vows to get revenge and justice. With June Squibb (Nebraska, About Schmidt) as Thelma, Fred Hechinger (New of the World, the Woman in the Window) as Daniel, Richard Roundtree (Shaft, Moving On) as Ben, Parker Posey (Dazed and Confused, Lost in Space-TV) as Gail and Clark Gregg (Moxie, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.-TV) as Alan; this movie inspired by true events was a real treat. The whole cast had so much fun, led by the amazing June and Richard with their performances. I thought the script created a simple fun viewing experience. There were a few predictable scenes but overall, the amount of enjoyment watching this cast was worth the admission price. I laughed aloud a few times and sure the idea may have been far-fetched, but I think because of that it works in this film’s favor. And I must make special mention that June is 94 years old and seeing her in some of the predicaments the writers put her through made this viewing experience even better. I appreciated watching, for a change, a good old-fashioned comedy that was not too filling, but had the right mix of comedy and thrills with a few jabs of pre-conceived notions of what old people do. There was an extra scene during the ending credits.
3 ¼ stars
Flash Movie Review: The Florida Project
THE TOY WAS CURRENTLY one of the biggest sellers across the country. From print advertisements to television commercials it would take some work for someone not to notice this toy, which was getting such buzz. I decided to buy it as a birthday gift for a relative and had it gift wrapped. The toy came in a large box but it did not set off the seatbelt alarm when I placed it on the passenger seat next to me. The fact the toys were hard to find because they were selling so quickly, gave me a bit of pleasure; I was certainly going to be the star in the birthday girl’s eyes. At her birthday party I waited closer to the end before giving her my gift, after she had opened the other gifts. Ripping the gift wrapping paper off of the box she needed help in opening the box. When the toy was removed she squealed with delight then grabbed the box; instead of playing with the toy I bought her, she was playing with the box it had come in. MOST OF THE GATHERED relatives burst out laughing as they watched the little girl play with the box. All the adults knew what a coup it was for me to get this hot selling toy; but to this little child, none of that was important. She was having as much fun, or who knows maybe more fun, with the box as she first pretended it was a hat to wear before turning it into a doll house or maybe it was a parking garage. Isn’t it funny how as adults some of us judge a product or service by the amount of money it cost? I don’t have to tell you that toy was expensive but for the little girl it meant nothing to her. If I would have known I could have bought one of those reusable plastic food containers as a birthday gift! The funny part is while I was watching her play with that toy’s box I suddenly remembered when I was little I had a collection of pens that I pretended were spaceships. It goes to show you one doesn’t need money to have a good time, just a good imagination. LIVING AT A BUDGET motel in the shadow of one of Florida’s largest amusement parks Moonie, played by Brooklynn Prince (Robo-Dog: Airborne), made each day an adventure; oblivious to the schemes her mother Halley, played by newcomer Bria Vinaite, was coming up with to make money. This film festival winning drama also starred Willem Dafoe (The Great Wall, Murder on the Orient Express) as Bobby, newcomer Valeria Cotto as Jancey and newcomer Christopher Rivera as Scooty. The story was a solid piece of work; I enjoyed the whole concept about relationships, authority figures and poverty. The actress who played Moonie was outstanding in this film. I will say I thought the beginning of the story was dragged out. If I remember correctly I looked at my watch one time and 35 minutes had gone by with the same idea behind the scene being played over and over in slightly different versions. It was becoming boring despite the excellent acting from the cast. For newcomers I was surprised how their acting made the characters come alive. If there had been more drama to the scenes however I think I would have gotten more into the movie. It was not until later, after I had left the theater, when I realized there was more to the story or maybe it was just my mind imagining it so.
2 ¾ stars
moviejoltz 