LICORICE PIZZA (Paul Anderson- 2022)

It was nice that my grandson invited Pat and I to a movie (and on a work night LOL). For sure, his pick was also one that I had wanted to see. It was highly recommended by my son and I knew it was nominated for best picture.

The thing is though, I had never seen a trailer for this film. In fact, I thought this was a horror movie. Boy was I wrong.

This movie was a come of age flick, set in the ’70’s. A era well known to Pat and I. It was fun seeing so many familiar memories. Bell bottoms, long hair, pimples, waterbeds and gas shortages. While being back in my teenage land was fun, this movie was one for the “bizzaro” books.

There was some amazing funny scenes. But for the most part I was scratching my head trying to figure out what the hell was going on. The two main characters took a whole movie to figure out their relationship. Most of the actors are unknowns. Thankfully, there was some terrific cameos from better know faces, such as Bradley Cooper.

I am assuming the Academy looked at this as an indie artsy film. One they figured would become a cult classic, like Ladybird (thanks for the reference Ben). I wasn’t a big fan of this one though. Only three popcorn bags for me, and no best picture win.

UNCHARTED (Ruben Fleischman)2022

The Covid Pandemic that showed up in Alberta March 2020 to most recently, impacted my ability to go to the movies. Watching them at home was okay, but I missed that big screen with a nice bag of popcorn and large Diet Coke. 

Last summer I started going back to the theatre, but it was hit and miss with all the restrictions. I didn’t want to start my movie blog again, fearing I would be cut off again. It was nice that some of my followers asked me when I would start again.. Well I’m BACK. I was gone so long my word press account disappeared. 

I thought this would be a good movie to start. I had seen so many previews of this movie over the last few months, I knew it was one that I had to see. Tom Holland in the latest Spiderman movie was fantastic. That movie climbed up the highest grossing films chart. So seeing Tom in a non Spiderman role was going to be interesting. At times during tonight’s movie though , I kept hearing his Spiderman voice. Tom is a great actor and he Mark Wallburg made a great team. 

The movie had a lot of energy and excitement. Sure, there was a lot of scenes that were just “too” convenient, but not dwelling on them, allowed this film to be a fun ride. The producers obviously planned for the movies popularity as it was very clear a sequel is in the works.

BLOODSHOT (2020, David Wilson)

After it seemed like a year, I finally saw a movie at the Theatre. It felt entering a foreign land. The only thing the same, was my large Diet Coke and popcorn. So many changes because of the pandemic. Cineplex though has everything under control. You book your seats in advance and are miles away from the next patron. Face masks are being worn by all the staff etc etc. But new movies are non-existent. This movie had a release date of March 13.

Luckily, I hadn’t seen this film. With the Mrs out of town, it was the perfect solo movie experience.

This a perfect mindless movie. There were some minor cerebral events trying to figure out the good guys from the bad. Some amazing visual effects. The acting though, was extremely poor. Watching Van Diesel walk around like a Care Bear with a pulsing heart was a bit much.

It was perfect though, to see a movie on the big screen, with surround sound. This is the the only way to see a movie. Save TV for everything else.

ONWARD (2020, Dan Scanion)

Hello movie fans. My heart breaks that I can’t go out to see a movie. I have seen a few movies at home, but it isn’t the same. I miss the big screen, the previews, the popcorn, the large Diet Coke. The whole experience has always given me a love to see more and more movies.

Finally, thank to Disney Plus, I was able to see a movie that was on my wish list. The word out was this was a definite see. The reviews were not wrong. In three words “I love it”.

This movie had everything. Adventure, humour, excitement, happiness, sadness, scariness, the unexpected. I could go on. You need to see this one. I highly recommend.

I know all the new releases are on hold, so at least I am not behind on any on my wish list. My wish is Covid19 will get under control soon, and we can all get back to the movies. In the meantime, I will do my best to find some decent “at home” movies. Let me know if you want any reviews done on anything you have discovered worth watching.

EMMA (2020, Autum de Wilde)

Anya Taylor-Joy (left) as “Emma Woodhouse” and Johnny Flynn (right) as “‘George Knightley” in director Autumn de Wilde’s EMMA, a Focus Features release. Credit : Focus Features

As a movie reviewer, I willing agreed to see all genres of films. Truthfully, I saw this movie to win some brownie points with the Mrs. ..LOL.

First off, I have never read any of the Jane Austin books. I had no idea what the plot was. It would have helped if they had sub-titles. Usually good with British Accents, but these aristocrats mumbled a lot.

Well you can guess there was no gun fights or car chases. Just a lot of people in nice costumes, looking like they are posing for a painting. Not sure how this one got such high ratings. Although I did clap at the end……..that it was finally over.

BAD BOYS FOR LIFE (2020, Bilall Fallah, Adil Al Arbi)

I actually saw this movie last Wednesday at a “guy” movie night with my son in law. Sorry for the late review.

This is a movie, you know you won’t be watching for it’s Oscar potential. I only vaguely remember the other two films from 1995, and 2003. The plot is always simple. Two rebel Miami cops, who always manage to to keep their jobs in the end. Along with funny quips, it does manage to keep you awake and enjoy the ride. I love watching the scenes of Miami, a city of I have visited many times. I need to go back soon.

INVISIBLE MAN (2020, Leigh Whannell)

The key attraction to seeing this film was Elizabeth Moss. I am a huge fan of The Handmaids Tale. As well, I love a good scary movie on a Saturday matinee….that way you don’t come out after the movie in the dark. Ha Ha.

A big adrenaline rush at the beginning, and then you go in a waiting pattern. You could feel it coming, to a point it started to feel a bit too predictable. You start to notice some flaws in the story. ie. the dog, the alarm to the house, what no shadow? I won’t say anymore.

The ending was pretty cool though. Overall, an entertaining matinee show.

CALL OF THE WILD (2020, Chris Sanders)

Okay I must admit that I had confused this film with Never Cry Wolf (1983) produced by Disney. I thought it was a reboot. My bad. As well I am probably one of the few of my generation that had never read the book which came out in 1903. Ouch.

I had apprehension about how the dogs would be portrayed. I had seen the previews but it was hard to tell. I was scared it would be another last summer’s Lion King. The CG dogs were great. They didn’t distract from the movie at all.

Lots of excitement in the movie all the way up to when Harrison Ford takes over. It started to drag, but I was still wanting to see what would happen with “Buck”. It had a good ending.

The Canadian north scenery was breathtaking, although come to think of it, maybe even that was CG. Oh well, I did enjoy it. It was a lot of fun.

BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN(2020, Cathy Yan)

I enjoyed watching the Oscar’s this past Sunday which honoured the best in film. This movie will never come close to even winning a nomination.

Having said that, this movie was mindless entertainment. I loved Harley Quinn’s character in the Suicide Squad (2016) so I wanted to give this year’s version a chance. It was hard to get attached to Harley’s character this time around. I found that she was trying way too hard being crazy. It even distracted from the story. As well some of the scenes were very disturbing.

It did come together in the end which helped redeem the movie a bit. Not a movie I would recommend. Wait for video.

THE GENTLEMEN (2020, Guy Ritchie)

I missed my movie fix last weekend. Why not go on a Wednesday night to see a new movie. Didn’t have to worry about getting a seat

It was hard to describe to my wife what the plot was. I had seen the previews but only knew it had some great actors.

We were both surprised at this film. Such a great story. At times, I felt like I was listening to an audio book as there was so much dialogue. That didn’t bother me, as I was really enjoying it. There was some memorable scenes, which made you want to close your eyes.

I loved Hugh Grant and and Colin Farrell characters. They made the movie enjoyable. This is a must see.

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