Author Archives: John

I love to enter our local Movie Mill’s Office Pool for my Oscar bets. I have never won, but I have always done pretty decent. It makes watching the Oscars more fun. So here are my picks. I am not an expert, but as you know I love the movies. There are a few categories where I had to throw a dart.

Best Picture: 1917

Best Director: Bong Joon ho – Parasite

Best Actress: Saoirse Ronan – Little Women

Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix – The Joker

Best Supporting Actress- Laura Dern -Marriage Story

Best Support Actor – Brad Pitt – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Adapted Screenplay- Jo Jo Rabbit

Best Original Screenplay- Parasite

Best Animated Feature – Toy Story 4

Best Foreign Language Film – Parasite

Best Documentary Feature- For Sama

Best Documentary Short – Learning to Skate in a War Zone

Best Live Action Short- Brotherhood

Best Animated Short – Hair Love

Best Cinematography – 1917

Best Visual Effects – Avengers Endgame

Best Original Score – Joker

Best Original Song – Love Me Again ( Rocketman)

Best Sound Editing – 1917

Best Sound Mixing – 1917

Best Production Design – Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Costume Design – Little Women

Best Film Editing – The Irishman

Best Makeup and Hairstyle – Bombshell

I was holding off watching this film mostly because of the reviews. When the first trailers came out, I wanted to see it. I am a huge fan of broadway musicals and of course owner of two cats.

The reviews were pretty much spot on, but I think they were a bit too harsh. It took a bit to get into the plot, but it got interesting. Too many cats all over the place, sustained the need to neuter your pets. Weird too, see some well know actors, in cat make up. At least it wasn’t real cats mouthing the music like last summer’s the Lion King. The music was actually pretty decent, except for Judi Dench. I love her as an actress, but she definately can’t sing.

Three good things about this film to give it a two star ratings. 1) Jennifer Hudson singing “Memories” 2) It made me even more want to see the live Broadway play. 3) the running time of less than two hours made me “purr”.

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The last attempt at Dr. Doolittle with Eddie Murphy in 1998. This years’s version too, was a pathetic attempt at replicating the 1967 original. The first one didn’t have the today’s amazing special affects. But nothing can compare to Rex Harrison’s role as this famous Doctor

I went to this film, knowing the reviews, but wanted to give it a chance. It was bad. First off, Robert Downey Jr. attempt at a British accent was horrible. There were many times you couldn’t even understand what he was saying. Second, there were too many times where the Dr. was talking to the animals in their own language. Yet, they didn’t translated what they were saying. Too weird!

I suppose you could call this one mindless entertainment. I know the little guys in the theatre were having a good laugh. At least they enjoyed it.

It was nice to be able to go our locally owned movie house (The Movie Mill) for a matinee. Their popcorn is so much better!!!

My wife picked this one, but I had it on my “to watch” list too. The previews made me think this was about another bombing in the USA. I remember the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. I don’t have a recollection of this particular bombing.

The actor that played Richard Jewell, Paul Walter Hauser, was excellent. Not only did he look the part,

he was very convincing as the poor man that endured a brutal “trial” by those in the media. It was the media who sensationalized the story and made him their prime suspect. As seen in the film, it ruined this guy’s reputation. My research showed that it took 9 years to get his name completely cleared. I should note that he did get over $2 million in settlements from suing everybody.

The story was interesting, but I found watching it unfold a bit dull. Although I jumped out of my seat when the bomb exploded. I would recommend waiting for this one to hit the small screen.

I was excited today to see this year’s Best Picture Nominees for the Oscars. Out of the 9 films, I have only missed two (the above and The Irishman). Priding myself that I do every year, I made a goal to see the last two.

This film had some of my favourite actors, Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Both who played their respective roles well. Yet, I just couldn’t get into the story. The racing scenes were good, but not good enough for me to give a crap for the final outcome.

Happy that I didn’t spend the money on this one. Not sure why it is up for best picture. My bet it is a long shot for the title.

First off, I was so happy that we had reserved seats for tonightmovie. It was packed. I was expecting a much older group, seeing WW1 was over 100 years ago. The theatre had every age group ! My wife and I were one of the fortunate ones. We had the privilege to talk to a family member (Pat’s maternal grandfather)who fought in the War. 
Back to the film itself. It was terrific ! Need I say more but I will. The beauty of the continuous filming technique was you really felt like you were there with main character from beginning to end. Many times through the film you did not want to be there with them. The reality of combat used in this war was horrific. So many lives lost. The film portrayed each soldier with so many emotions… Scared, sad, nervous, angry, anxious, homesick and some hopeful.
Obviously our modern day wars are fought in a whole new fashion. I don’t think that it will ever change the men and women who are fighting
This movie is a must see in 2020. Will be a top contender for Best Picture

Wow. I counted that I saw and reviewed 42 movies at the cinema in 2019. Of course that doesn’t count the number of movies I stopped reviewing (Feb to June) plus those that I watched on Netflix, Prime, Ping TV, and basic cable.

Last year had some great movies. Many of them are still engrained in my memory. It is those movies that I feel deserve a spot on my top movies of the year. So lets get started

No. 1. PARASITE

This film is just perfect. The story, the acting, the directing, the cinematography. I never thought a movie with English Sub-Titles would ever make such memorable film.

No 2. JO JO RABBIT

This dark comedy had an amazing story that will not be forgotten.

No. 3 ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD

The best part of this film was the story line and acting especially done by Brad Pitt. Of course the music was a blast to the past.

NO. 4 THE GOOD LIAR

I love a good mystery movie and this film was top notch in having a mystery that none of us could figure out. Loved it!

NO. 5 PEANUT BUTTER FALCON

Who doesn’t like a good “feel good” movie. This movie had a great story that will keep in your mind for years.

I was only one of a half dozen men watching this film tonight. The reviews have been exceptional, and I was drawn to see what all the fuss was.

I was not in my comfort zone watching this movie. I even thought this movie took place in England, and I thought there was more then four girls. I quickly got confused with the story. It didn’t help with having a ton of flashbacks. Not knowing the story, I wasn’t sure if I was in the past or present or both.

I finally decided to sit back and just enjoy the ride. The dialogue was a bit tiring, and having a group of girls all talking at once was distracting. What I did enjoy was the absolutely fantastic cinematography. Many scenes were akin to looking at Impressionist or Americana era paintings. Mind blowing.

The relationships with the sisters brought back memories of my girls growing up. Like the characters in the movie, my girls all had very distinct and strong personalities. I got a bit emotional at the right moments…insert small tear here.

I did enjoy the film like reading a good novel. Just ask my wife about how I wanted to read the ending before it was over.

I enjoyed Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle in 2017, so I was excited to see the next instalment.

This version tried hard to be like the last one, but somehow didn’t quite make it. This was a mindless adventure, which was good for a New Years Day off work. Having said that, there was too many slow parts that made it boring. I know it was part of the plot, but the assignment of the Avitars in the first half of the movie did not work for me. It made it less funny.

For a “kid friendly” movie, I was surprised at the amount of adult innuendos as well as swearing.

I am only rating this movie two bags of popcorn. Enjoy the adventure, but gage the maturity level of your kids before taking them.

We had plans tonight to go see “Little Women”. Was shocked to find out it was sold out. Bombshell was picked as an alternative. I recalled the trailers and thought it might be interesting. We had our 16 1/2 year old grandson with us and had some concerns about the content on young mind. Whoops!!

This movie told the story of what down at Fox News at the time of the last USA election. Was the beginning of the “me too” movement. Watching the horrors of what on with the women of this cable network will make you angry.

I am already not a fan of Fox News, and now I am even less of one. Not wanting to give Fox all the blame, unfortunately, the poor treatment of women still exists

They spared no expense for the talent in this film. Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, John Lithgow and Charlize Theron who was perfect in her role.

This may not be a main cinema movie, but check it out nonetheless.