Author: James Hathaway

Movie 1: Blitz

Director Steve McQueen (Oscar winner for 12 Years a Slave) creates a WWII drama about the German nighttime bombings of London. He does a good job of depicting the despair of London residents as fires blaze out of control. The movie unfolds slowly, and the cinematography adds to the tension. While an interesting movie, this film falls just short of being really good.

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Movie 2: Weekend In Taipei

This is a fun, action-packed movie. A former DEA agent reconnects with a former love interest in Taipei, setting off a lot more than just sparks. Filmed in Taipei with all the requisite chase scenes, this movie is very entertaining.

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Movie 3: Memoir of a Snail

This Australian animated film is heartfelt and beautifully made. There is so much more going on here than just the narration of a young women following the daily lives of a family of snails. Friendship, mental health, sadness, anger and hope. Not for younger children. Should receive an Oscar nomination.

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Movie 1: Elevation

The storyline and optics of this movie are really interesting. Machine-like creatures invade the earth and destroy most of mankind, all below 8,000 feet in elevation. They are unable to go higher, so what’s left of mankind must move above the snowline. Beautifully filmed in the Colorado Rockies, this is a fun sci-fi thriller.

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Movie 2: Heretic

This is a really well done and intelligent horror film. Two young women from the Church of Latter Day Saints wring the wrong doorbell, are invited in, and things slowly go downhill from there. There is a lot more going on here than just the usual horror flick. Religious beliefs, zealotry and the reason for human existence to name a few. Interesting and tense cinematography adds to a very entertaining movie. Hugh Grant is eerily good.

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Movie 3: A Real Pain

This is an absolutely brilliant comedy/drama. Two cousins take a small group tour to Poland to visit the hometown and concentration camp where their grandmother was from. The chemistry between Jessie Eisenberg (writer and director) and Kieran Culkin is melancholy, uplifting and nothing short of perfect. There should be several Oscar nominations for this one. And it was good to see Jennifer Grey again.

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Movie 1: Here

This is a very unusual movie, in both the way it is filmed and the narrative. The movie takes place over a couple hundred years, all in the same room of the same house. The camera seldom moves, just focusing on the one room. Once you get use to that, the film becomes interesting and draws you in. Very good directing and acting, especially by Paul Bettany, who plays Tom Hanks father. Not a movie for everyone, but very creative nonetheless.

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Movie 2: Juror #2

This is a very entertaining crime drama directed by Clint Eastwood. An unsuspecting juror finds himself with a compelling moral issue. Good directing and acting all around. Not one of Eastwood’s best, but still well done. At 94 years of age, this may be his last movie.

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Movie 3: Emilia Perez

Wow, what an overwhelming experience! Original and fascinating from beginning to end. A notorious Mexican drug lord has a sex change operation, and we literally follow the entire transition. Part drama, part musical and all very entertaining. Winner of the Cannes Film Festival Jury Prize and also winner of the Best Actress Award (shared by all four actresses in the movie). In theatres now, coming to Netflix November 13. Spanish with English subtitles.

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Movie 1: Conclave

When the Pope suddenly dies, 108 Catholic Cardinals come to Rome to elect a new Pontiff. Everything about this mystery thriller is electric and entertaining. The acting, cinematography, writing and directing are all superb. The ending is completely unforeseen. We’ve seen this movie twice and will see it again. The best movie of the year!

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Movie 2: Venom: The Last Dance

The last movie (supposedly) in the Venom trilogy does not disappoint. Once again Tom Hardy returns as Eddie and his action/comedy persona is very well done and a lot of fun. To be fair, many critics and audiences did not like this movie. While it can be inconsistent, and no great message, we found it very entertaining.

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Movie 3: Anora

While listed as a comedy, this movie has a lot more to it than just laughs. A Russian strip club dancer in Brooklyn falls in love with the son of a Russian oligarch, much to the dismay of his parents. She becomes the young son’s American fantasy. This film won the prestigious Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Sure to get several Oscar nominations. English and some Russian, with English subtitles.

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Movie 1: Woman of the Hour

This is Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, and telling the true story about a serial killer who made his way onto the 1970’s TV show The Dating Game. Showing much more than a serial killer, this movie examines the many ways women have to defend themselves in a very male dominated society. Really well done. On Netflix.

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Movie 2: We Live in Time

This romantic drama also debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival. Toggling between past and present, this is a very earnest heartfelt movie about love and loss, and a relationship cut way too short. Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh are perfect together.

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Movie 3: Rumours

Let’s start by saying this is a very odd movie with a great cast. The leaders of the G7 meet in Germany for their annual summit. After saying that, we aren’t exactly sure what was going on, other than it was strangely fascinating, and sadly obvious that none of these leaders can save a planet bent on destruction. We think.

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Movie 1: Piece by Piece

This charming, animated musical follows the life and career of Pharrell Williams. Filmed almost entirely with Lego’s this is an interesting visual story and documentary. Several of William’s famous friends help narrate. Excellent soundtrack, this was a big hit at film festivals around the country.

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Movie 2: Brothers

This is a comedy/action road trip movie about two ‘twin’ brothers who try and pull off one final heist. No great message here, but a really good cast and a lot of fun. Glenn Close is perfect as the jewelry thief mother who abandons her children. In theatres now, Netflix next week.

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Movie 3: The Apprentice

This is a movie about a young Donald Trump, his beginnings in New York and New Jersey real estate and his close relationship with his friend and mentor Roy Cohn. We have no idea how much of this is/is not true. But as a movie, a drama, this is very entertaining and well done. Superb acting, especially Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn who gives an Oscar worthy performance.

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Movie 1: Joker: Folie a Deux

As a sequel, this movie delves deep into the dark psyche and personality(ies) of the Joker. Part drama and part musical this film is interesting, yet also boring. We found the musical numbers and the soundtrack really good, the drama part not so much. Wide range of reviews nationally and a poor audience turnout so far. If you are a Joker fan, it’s worth a look.

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Movie 2: The Outrun

This is a sensitive and personal film about a young Scottish woman and her addiction to alcohol. Beautifully filmed on the windswept and lonely Orkney Islands, this movie portrays a real sense of rehabilitation, hope and community. Saoirse Ronan gives a knockout performance.

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Movie 3: Saturday Night

This film highlights the chaotic hours leading up to the October 11, 1975 premier of the TV show Saturday Night Live. The show does a good job of recreating the humor, atmosphere, clothes, drugs of the mid-seventies. If you are a fan of the show, you will enjoy this movie. J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle is perfect.

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Movie 1: The Wild Robot

This delightful movie is a simple story told in a magical way. A shipwrecked robot bonds with and empowers a young, abandoned gosling to fly south for the winter. This is a beautiful adaptation of Peter Brown’s Wild Robot trilogy. A stunning masterpiece for all ages. This one has Oscar written all over it.

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Movie 2: Megalopolis

Honestly, we have no words to describe what this colossal mess is all about. It feels like a shame, if not a crime, to criticize any work from Francis Ford Coppola, especially with such a talented cast. But this movie is a very expensive ($120+ million of his own money) disaster. Stay far, far away.

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Movie 3: White Bird

This is a very sensitive and thoughtful movie about a French grandmother trying to teach her American grandson about tolerance and kindness. With flashbacks to her youth in Nazi occupied France, Helen Mirren gives a strong, yet tender performance. With subtle references to the intolerance of today’s world, this movie is very well done.

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Movie 1: Rez Ball

This is a very good movie that celebrates the Navajo culture while also realistically depicting the hardships of reservation life. The local high school basketball team tries to make the New Mexico state finals. Well written and acted. Limited theatre release but on Netflix very soon. English and Navajo with English subtitles.

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Movie 2: My Old Ass

This is a charming and heartfelt young adult romantic comedy/fantasy. An 18 year old takes some drugs and has a conversation with her 40 year old self. Witty and timely dialogue, good acting and cinematography. A coming of age story with a twist. Newcomer Maisy Stella is marvelous.

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Movie 3: Lee

This movie chronicles the complex and unconventional life of WWII photojournalist Lee Miller. The performances, especially Kate Winslet and Andy Samberg, are moving and subtle. The cinematography is often bleak but captures the times and raw emotions perfectly. This biopic is at times haunting, but tells a fascinating story about a remarkable person.

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Movie 1: Never Let Go

What a disappointment. This is a horror film with lots of potential, but unfortunately delivers very little. Halle Berry is the mother of two small boys whose safety literally depends on them holding on to ropes if they leave the house. The best part of the movie is watching the two boys protecting each other and trying to decide if their mother is crazy or not.

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Movie 2: Transformers One

This is a fun action movie filled with humor and emotion. The animation is also very well done. This tells the untold story of the origin of Optimus Prime and his arch enemy Megatron. If you are a Transformers fan you will enjoy this movie. A star-studded cast of voices.

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Movie 3: The Substance

This is a well done exploration of Hollywood’s obsession with beauty, especially in aging women. Demi Moore gives a gutty and fearless performance. Sometimes grotesque, it is often mesmerizing to watch. The cinematography, editing, acting and makeup are stunning. While definitely not a movie for everyone, this is a horror film that delivers a message and a punch.

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