FILM REVIEWS #882
December 31st, 2021
1) DON’T LOOK UP– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), an astronomy grad student, and her professor Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) make an astounding discovery of a comet orbiting within the solar system. The problem: it’s on a direct collision course with Earth. The other problem? No one really seems to care.”
12/25/21- Poor reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB. On Netflix.
12/24/21- I didn’t really like this movie despite an excellent cast. TRDB.
2) SWAN SONG– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Legendary actor Udo Kier stars as retired hairdresser Pat Pitsenbarger, who escapes the confines of his small-town Sandusky, Ohio nursing home after learning of his former client’s dying wish for him to style her final hairdo.”
8/6/21- Excellent reviews for this drama. TRDB.
12/27/21- I agree!!!!! Excellent. Another movie with the same name is available this year and I have not seen it yet. TRDB.
1) MASS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this poignant drama, two sets of shattered parents gingerly seek to bridge the emotional chasm between them, which formed six years earlier when one couple’s son killed the other couple’s son in a school shooting.”
10/8/21- Excellent reviews for this poignant drama. TRDB.
2) DUNE– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Adapted from Frank Herbert’s epic novel, this sci-fi drama centers on two families as they battle for control of the desert planet Arrakis — the lone source of the most valuable substance in the cosmos.”
10/27/21- Reviews range between very good and excellent. TRDB.
3) SPENCER– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles has long since grown cold. Though rumors of affairs and a divorce abound, peace is ordained for the Christmas festivities at the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. There’s eating and drinking, shooting and hunting. Diana knows the game. But this year, things will be profoundly different. SPENCER is an imagining of what might have happened during those few fateful days.”
11/3/21- Very good reviews. TRDB
1) MEMORIA– 2021. Synopsis Rotten Tomatoes. “Ever since being startled by a loud ‘bang’ at daybreak, Jessica (Tilda Swinton) is unable to sleep. In Bogotá to visit her sister, she befriends Agnes (Jeanne Balibar), an archaeologist studying human remains discovered within a tunnel under construction.’
12/24/21- Excellent reviews for this British drama. TRDB. In Theaters
2) AMERICAN UNDERDOG– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner’s unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player.”
12/22/21- Excellent reviews from everybody. TRDB. In Theaters
12/24/21- Great reviews by the critics and by audiences as well. TRDB. In Theaters
4) THE VELVET QUEEN- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “In the heart of the Tibetan highlands, multi-award-winning nature photographer Vincent Munier guides writer Sylvain Tesson on his quest to document the infamously elusive snow leopard. Munier introduces Tesson to the subtle art of waiting from a blind spot, tracking animals, and finding the patience to catch sight of the beasts.”
12/24/21- Great reviews for this French documentary. TRDB. In Theaters
5) DON’T LOOK UP– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), an astronomy grad student, and her professor Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) make an astounding discovery of a comet orbiting within the solar system. The problem: it’s on a direct collision course with Earth. The other problem? No one really seems to care.”
12/25/21- Poor reviews from the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.
12/24/21- I didn’t really like this movie despite an excellent cast. TRDB. On Netflix.
6) PARALLEL MOTHERS– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Two women, Janis and Ana, coincide in a hospital room where they are going to give birth. Both are single and became pregnant by accident. Janis, middle-aged, doesn’t regret it and she is exultant. The other, Ana, an adolescent, is scared, repentant and traumatized..”
12/24/21- Excellent reviews for this Spanish drama. TRDB. In Theaters
7) REOPENING NIGHT– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Following the cast, crew and staff of Public Theater as they prepare to mount an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Merry Wives,” at the Delacorte Theater in New York City. Contending with the ever-present threat of COVID-19 and one of the rainiest Julys on record, the production marks the return of live theatre following more than a year of closures in the city.”
12/25/21- Just 1 early review and it is good. TRDB
8) A JOURNAL FOR JORDAN- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by Denzel Washington and starring Michael B. Jordan with a screenplay by Virgil Williams, A JOURNAL FOR JORDAN is based on the true story of First Sergeant Charles Monroe King (Jordan), a soldier deployed to Iraq who begins to keep a journal of love and advice for his infant son.”
12/22/21- Really poor reviews by the critics but excellent ones by audiences. TRDB. In Theaters
a) THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Power-hungry Macbeth sets his sights on the Scottish throne after receiving a prophecy from three witches.”
12/24/21- Great reviews by the critics and by audiences as well. TRDB.
b) WEST SIDE STORY- 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Love at first sight strikes when young Tony spots Maria at a high school dance in 1957 New York City. Their burgeoning romance helps to fuel the fire between the warring Jets and Sharks — two rival gangs vying for control of the streets.”
12/8/21- Excellent reviews for this re-make. TRDB.
c) LICORICE PIZZA– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Paul Thomas Anderson returns to one of his favorite settings — California’s San Fernando Valley — for this coming-of-age tale about a high school student who’s also juggling the demands of being a successful child actor.”
11/28/21- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
d) DRIVE MY CAR– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Two years after his wife’s unexpected death, Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima), a renowned stage actor and director, receives an offer to direct a production of Uncle Vanya at a theater festival in Hiroshima. There, he meets Misaki Watari (Toko Miura), a taciturn young woman assigned by the festival to chauffeur him in his beloved red Saab 900. As the production’s premiere approaches, tensions mount amongst the cast and crew, not least between Yusuke and Koji Takatsuki, a handsome TV star who shares an unwelcome connection to Yusuke’s late wife.”
11/27/21- Excellent reviews for this Japanese drama. TRDB.
a) A JOURNAL FOR JORDAN– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by Denzel Washington and starring Michael B. Jordan with a screenplay by Virgil Williams, A JOURNAL FOR JORDAN is based on the true story of First Sergeant Charles Monroe King (Jordan), a soldier deployed to Iraq who begins to keep a journal of love and advice for his infant son.”
12/22/21- Really poor reviews by the critics but excellent ones by audiences. TRDB.
12/22/21- Excellent reviews from everybody. TRDB.
c) WEST SIDE STORY– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Love at first sight strikes when young Tony spots Maria at a high school dance in 1957 New York City. Their burgeoning romance helps to fuel the fire between the warring Jets and Sharks — two rival gangs vying for control of the streets.”
12/8/21- Excellent reviews for this re-make. TRDB.
d) LICORICE PIZZA – 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Director Paul Thomas Anderson returns to one of his favorite settings — California’s San Fernando Valley — for this coming-of-age tale about a high school student who’s also juggling the demands of being a successful child actor.”
11/28/21- Excellent reviews. TRDB.
1) AMERICAN UNDERDOG– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner’s unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player.”
12/22/21- Excellent reviews from everybody. TRDB.
2) WEST SIDE STORY– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Love at first sight strikes when young Tony spots Maria at a high school dance in 1957 New York City. Their burgeoning romance helps to fuel the fire between the warring Jets and Sharks — two rival gangs vying for control of the streets.”
12/8/21- Excellent reviews for this re-make. TRDB.
3) NIGHTMARE ALLEY– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “In this remake of a noir classic, wily hustler Stanton Carlisle finds the carnival the perfect place to ply his trade. Setting himself up as a spiritual guru, Carlisle wastes no time in parting the wealthy from their money.”
12/15/21- Good reviews for this mystery/thriler. TRDB.
1) THE TRAGEDY OF MACBBETH– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Power-hungry Macbeth sets his sights on the Scottish throne after receiving a prophecy from three witches.”
12/24/21- Great reviews by the critics and by audiences as well. TRDB.
2) WEST SIDE STORY– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Love at first sight strikes when young Tony spots Maria at a high school dance in 1957 New York City. Their burgeoning romance helps to fuel the fire between the warring Jets and Sharks — two rival gangs vying for control of the streets.”
12/8/21- Excellent reviews for this re-make. TRDB.
3) RED ROCKET– 2021. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “The audacious new film from writer-director Sean Baker (The Florida Project, Tangerine), starring Simon Rex in a magnetic, live-wire performance, Red Rocket is a darkly funny and humane portrait of a uniquely American hustler and a hometown that barely tolerates him.”
12/10/21- Good reviews by the critics and fair ones from audiences. TRDB.
4) BEING THE RICARDOS– 2021. Synopsis by Netflix. “Chronicling a week of filming the beloved 1950s sitcom “I Love Lucy,” this biopic follows stars Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as they experience personal and professional crises that could end their relationship onscreen and off.”
12/8/21- Just fair reviews for this drama/biopic but I liked it very much. I loved Lucy too. TRDB.
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