Category Archives: Movie Comments 2021

Movie, Movie Comments 2021, Rant and Rave

9*; Their Finest (2016)

2 Comments

Particulars:
1. Storytelling with all the fixings.
2. Skillful movie making I sometimes think might be lost ……

Commentary: I stumbled onto this film and was very impressed. This is a drama with comedic interludes, historical without the historic figures, storytelling rather than theatrics, a determined young woman, a dramatic kiss, love, loss, and, yes, even little canines. All are directed to produce what a movie should: entertainment.

The setting is 1940, during the bombardments of England that were occurring well before America joined the war. Memories of World War I linger as the difficulties of World War II are upon the populace, each with their own wounds, attitudes, and ways of dealing with wartime.

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Movie, Movie Comments 2021, Rant and Rave

8*; Miss Sloane (2016)

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Particulars:
-Jessica Chastain’s hair!
-Very good acting by a young cast

My ratings on movies watched in 2021 are trending higher than usual. I’ll chalk that up to getting good suggestions, and “Miss Sloane” measured up.

Does Jessica Chastain always play the in-control-on-the-surface wonder woman (lower case ‘W’s’)? She commanded the story here as she did in “Molly’s Game” (2017).

There were staid actors in this film you knew and probably liked, e.g. Sam Waterson. Mark Strong played Sloane’s boss, coming across as the most realistic, un-acted, spot-on character in the starring roles. What really shown brightly was the cast of 20-something actors in roles as Sloane’s coworkers. They were nearly as striking as Miss Sloane’s red, Red, RED hair. Chastain was very good as the star, carrying the spotlight through every scene.

I could have wished better pacing in the story-telling, meaning it would suit me to have more ebb and flow. Yet I think most people would like the constant intensity and drive that fit the title character. I’m even more confident that viewers would enjoy the drama, scheming, and stick-it-to-the-man aspects of the production. The ending is good, too!

*(star) rating in the title is mine; e.g. 8*=Eight Stars (maximum 10)

Movie, Movie Comments 2021, Rant and Rave

9*; Ford v Ferrari (2019)

3 Comments

Particulars:
-Really about people, not cars
-Well-acted from the youngest to the oldest

It took a while to see this movie. I know there was a lot of attention given to it, but it did not have my attention. I would watch it again someday.

Matt Damon was good enough. Christian Bale and his little Ken Miles family were all terrific. “The Deuce,” aka Henry Ford II made the right impacts at the right time. I could easily have rooted for Enzo as the oldest in the cast of characters showed dedication, drive, and yet humility when warranted.

The key to enjoyment was telling a story with tension, suspense, humor, drama, and drive (couldn’t resist the pun) without resorting to silly chase scenes that would have taken the tale off track. (Two puns; I’m out!)

*(star) rating in the title is mine; e.g. 7*=Seven Stars (maximum 10)

Movie, Movie Comments 2021, Rant and Rave

7*; A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)

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Particulars:
-Slow paced
-Tom Hanks draws out some hankies
-It’s really about the other guy (but this commentary is not)

It isn’t whether Tom Hanks is a great Mr. Rogers (you’re welcome to think so). It’s that the protagonist Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys) reminds me of Hanks in terms of career. The former is depicted as a type-cast writer of scathing personal attacks, given this opportunity to change public perception. The latter had a similar challenge after the “Big” splash (1998) locked in the mental image of Mr. Hanks as the funny guy.

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