This remake based on the 1968 original is updated by an all star cast, including Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer and Andrew Rannells. It’s pretty true to the original with an extra “bite” in the script. Kudos to Netflix for this one!
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Movie 2: The Outpost
This film is based on the book “The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor”. It takes place in the deep interior of Afghanistan where American soldiers battled Taliban fighters over a 19 year period. It’s painful to watch but important history.
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Movie 3: The Invisible Guest
This Spanish production is a Thriller/Mystery filled with more ‘who did what to whom’ than your ordinary whodunnit. The story line zips along at a rabid pace! It’s quite unique and inventive. Spanish with English subtitles.
Let’s face it…in our heart of hearts we all probably suspected that social media might some day leverage too much influence in our lives; i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and so on. The reality is these icons of modern social media manipulate human behavior and then deliver fresh crops of new consumers to advertisers, propagandists and such. This is a MUST WATCH documentary. Available on Netflix and other social media.
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Movie 2: In The Shadow of Iris
Oh my!! How shall one describe this most unusual film?! Mostly set in Paris it’s an erotic thriller that does not hold much back from the audience. That said…we found it often difficult to watch. Sometimes less is more…….. French with English subtitles.
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Movie 3: Calibre
This mystery thriller is set mostly in the remote Scotland Highlands. It gets confusing and confounding at the same time. It’s also thought provoking and somewhat insightful in an odd way. Overall, its worth watching.
First a BIG HELLO to our readers. Its been quite a crazy several months…Yes!? We hope this note finds everyone of our viewers in GOOD HEALTH and surrounded by love and support!!
We have had several readers ask about our movie sources. NO we have not been to a conventional theater since March 2020. Our primary source is Comcast on Demand with a heavy reliance on Netflix. Occasionally, friends suggest sources they have discovered. Those are often our favorites. This week is a good example.
BE WELL, STAY SAFE, REMEMBER TO ALWAYS WEAR A MASK WHENEVER YOU ARE AWAY FROM HOME!
Best wishes and much love,
J&J
PS….We are Great Uncles….again!! Adam and Jennifer Rusniak have new baby Mila. She’s quite a cutie!!
Movie 1 Title: The Take (Bastille Day)
First…please allow us to clarify…the film we viewed under the title The Take was released in the US on Netflix. The same British Spy movie was released in Europe under the title Bastille Day.
That said we found the story intriguing. The acting holds the storyline in place. Idris Elba shines in the leading role. It succeeds as a thriller.
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Movie 2 Title: Enola Holmes
First, this story is told from Sherlock Holmes sister’s perspective. That’s a twist on the usual Sherlock Holmes point of view. It’s an updated approach with excellent cinematography. It’s easy to watch. It’s a mixed bag of mystery, activism, romance and history with just the right touch of energy.
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Movie 3 Title: The Crimes That Bind
It’s filmed in Buenos Aires, with Spanish dubbed in English. (Also available in English with Spanish subtitles.) Ultimately it’s the story about the age old struggle for dominance between the sexes and family conflict.
Here’s an action suspense film filled with violence, plenty of blood and intrigue. Set in New Orleans with an excellent cast of characters. It will challenge traditional logic and stereotypes making it inventive and thought provoking.
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Movie 2: The Devil All The Time
One part thriller, one part mystery, it has a Southern Gothic film noir quality. It’s not always easy to watch. It’s set in a town where corruption and sinister characters are plentiful.
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Movie 3: The Paramedic
Our pick of the week is filled with intrigue, deceit, a failing relationship and so much more. It’s hard to tell whose character is worse, his or hers. It’s unique with a good Spanish production. Dubbed in English from the original Spanish.
This 2016 film release is based on real events set in the 1940’s. Excellent acting coupled with gripping real experiences. It is a powerful reminder of the world not so long ago. It’s not always easy to watch. See it anyway. Netflix.
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Movie 2 : The Operative
It’s a extraordinary twist where a rogue spy from Israel’s formidable intelligence force Mossad casts broad suspicion. It’s sometimes baffling, sometimes confusing, but consistently entertaining with excellent acting. English, French, Hebrew and German with English subtitles.
After much encouragement from the citizens of San Francisco, the Mayor agreed to open the San Francisco Zoo. Close friends who are annual members were kind enough to gift us Passes and Parking!!
We have not been to this zoo in literally decades!! It was a welcomed and enjoyable distraction from our rather mundane and tedious routine of the last many months!
This Polish production yields a unique look at female police officers stalking a serial killer. It’s a rare peek into Polish cinematic psychopaths. Some of the scenes are quite grotesque, albeit inventive, but nonetheless disturbing to watch. Polish dubbed in English.
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Movie 2: Devil’s Mistress
This film is a Czech production about a romance between a popular Czech film star who enters into a relationship with Joseph Goebbels. It’s quite intriguing. Told from a unique perspective. It’s been heavily edited resulting in the loss of 20 minutes compared to the UK version. It’s well worth watching nonetheless. Czech and German with English subtitles.
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Movie 3: The Hater
This Polish film is a dark look at the world of social media and its dark underbelly. It’s based on the 2011 sequel Suicide Room. It recently won awards at the Tribeca Film Festival for Best International film. Nonetheless, this film seems targeted towards younger audiences. Dubbed in English from the original Polish.
Ready for a melodrama? This one is a zinger! It’s concurrently creepy, scary, steamy, suspenseful and more than a bit intense. One does NOT mess around with another’s spouse without consequences!
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Movie 2 : Mucho Mucho Amor
The full title of the film is “Mucho Mucho Amor The Legend of Walter Mercado“. It’s a documentary about the legendary Latin TV star from Ponce, Puerto Rico, born in 1933. He was an astrologer, entertainer, a larger than life celebrity and a truly unique personality and loved by his audiences. A talented superstar. Well worth seeking out. Currently a Netflix release and our pick of the week! English and Spanish with English subtitles.
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Movie 3 : November Criminals
This film is a few years old but it’s still attracting audiences. It’s a high school murder mystery whodunit. It’s a well done coming of age film filled with energy, intrigue and a bit of drama with good on screen chemistry.
This is a unique and impressive action film, albeit a challenge to watch at first. Once the audience gets oriented to the characters it all begins to make sense. Imagine centuries old mercenaries fighting to save their way of life.
Yes, it’s a bit zany, intense and thought provoking. Charlize Theron’s performance alone is worth the watch! We loved it!! A new release on Netflix.
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Movie 2: The Town
If you are up for an action packed heist film, don’t miss this one! It has suspense, drama and more than a little angst! It also has a great cast, just the right mix of tension and drama.
It was originally released in 2010. Ben Affleck is the Director. Overall, it is well worth watching!
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Movie 3: Bad Education
Oh my! If you have any interest in the education system in our country, you must see this film. This true story is set in a Long Island, New York High School.
There’s a lot going on. Corruption, embezzlement, hypocrisy! Great acting and suspense. And more than a few surprises. Lots of tension! Overall greatly entertaining. Originally released on HBO.
This is an excellent Spanish film that weaves three stories into one. One part in a Cameroon elephant reserve. Another is the horrific scene when poachers “harvest” elephant ivory and kill anyone in their way. The third is the bonding between a five year old orphan and a 10 year old orphan who together seek a new life in a Spanish city on the shores of Morocco. Original version in Spanish; we watched the English dubbed version.
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Movie 2: #Anne Frank Parallel Stories
This is a fascinating documentary film about Anne Frank as told by five women holocaust survivors and Anne’s father. It’s beautifully narrated by Helen Mirren. It’s a fresh look at a classic WWII story. It is riveting! English, Italian, French and Czech with English subtitles.
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Movie 3: Nobody Knows I’m Here
Here’s another unique, albeit painfully confusing story. It’s based on a child star vocalist whose life spirals out of control for years. Most of the story takes place later in life. There is more than enough angst and dysfunction. The story is set in Patagonia. This film had all the right ingredients to be very good. Unfortunately it does not deliver.
