Leap Year

(2010)







I had not heard about this movie. It just popped up during a search. This is a road trip movie, but the trip is so well scripted and the scenery so breathtaking that the journey is even more interesting than the conclusion. The three leads, Amy Adams, Matthew Goode and Adam Scott drew my attention. Towards the beginning, John Lithgow also appears. His scene and lines are brief, but as usual he does a great job no matter how many lines he has. Adam Scott did his usual self-obsessed, yet nice character. While Adam Scott's character was more device than real person, his performance was fun to watch. Without interrupting the viewer, the soundtrack fits the events and moods. The romantic leads had great chemistry. Their interest in one another seemed unforced. Some actors, no matter how talented, almost seem to be CGI’d into their scenes. That was not the case in this movie. The verbal interplay was humorous without being demeaning. Ireland is basically another character in this movie. The secondary actors (both humans and animals--SPOILER: pay special attention to the Border Collie) were all carefully woven into the story. Nothing felt out of place. This film is a great virtual vacation with people that have warmth and humor.

Chronic-Con, Episode 420: A New Dope

(2015)

A comedy film by Doug Benson (done at SDCC-2014)


Yes I am a fan of comic cons and a fan of Doug Benson's, so no surprise on my affirmative review. This is a comedy film.  There is no pretense towards winning an Oscar or for Sundance acceptance. There are only laughs. The editing is sharp, except for a few seconds of time in the men's room. The camera is not intrusive, just count the blurred faces! There is a part of the movie where a clueless local newsreader is standing in front of the con looking entirely out of his depth attempting to explain SDCC to viewers. This news person asks Doug to prove that he is a comedian by "telling a joke". Funny is relative, taste is varied and "jokes" can actually take more than a few seconds to be "set up". While Chronic-Con, Episode 420: A New Dope will probably not win over the uninitiated (aka un-Doug Benson informed), it is very funny.  I wish there was more contact with con-goers, but this is a comedy film not an archival one on cosplayers.  Just sit back, do not judge, be amused and be sure to carry extra cash to bail out your pedi-cab driver whenever you are at a con.

An Amish Murder

(2013)

My Netflix review #109


I agree with many of the reviewers,this not a bad movie. However, this is not a murder mystery with twists and turns. While the murder(s) are violent, this film flows along not challenging the viewer or even providing a cheap scare. It is well-acted for the most part. The scenery is beautiful. The score is evocative. As for the plot, I figured out who the guilty party was fairly quickly. It is a credit to the directing and acting that I stayed until the conclusion. While the ending is a bit abrupt, there is a certain sense of closure in the last scene.

Women Aren't Funny (2014)

This is a funny film irrespective of the category in which it is placed. I think that the reviews have been mixed as this film implies standup routines. The image/poster advertising this film implies documentary. This is not a standup film nor is it a typical documentary. My impression is that this film is a satirical take on the super-serious tone of some documentaries (and its presenters) with an added let's film everything method of current reality shows. This film could use some editing. Maybe provide more interviews along with less Rich Voss gruffness? Rich Voss's pseudo-irascibility would be more potent if used sparingly. SPOILER: We are all funny. Some are intentionally so, the rest of us just stumble into that category.

Imaginary Friend

(2012)

My actual rating is 2.5 stars, but system does not allow for that notation. I have to admit, when I saw that this was a Lifetime movie I almost gave it a pass. It drags in the first 10-15 minutes, but picked up some steam as the movie progressed. There are no "nice" people in this movie. Even the police seemed alternately clueless and subject to stereotypical behavior. On commercial tv this film probably had a difficult job to maintain viewer interest. There must have been innumerable commercials judging by the small pauses scattered throughout the movie I found it interesting as these "small pauses" increased exponentially in the last 30 minutes of the movie ("commercial tv revealed"). SPOILER: By the last half of this film, the characters did a 180. So everyone got to emote. Taken as a very dark comedy, it is entertaining. The character played by Lacey Chabert became more coherent, duplicitous and intriguing. While I cannot recommend this movie, it is well-filmed, attractive to look at and decently acted. Just know that the plot has more holes than those found on the map from the movie, "Time Bandits" ;)

Penguins of Madagascar: The Movie

(2014)

(My Netflix review #104)

This is a frenetically fun and colorful movie. There is never a moment when it drags. Puns are in generous supply. The voice acting is excellent. Listen for a character's ("Classified") difficulty in pronouncing the word, penguin. The soundtrack adds even more energy to an already energetic movie. The movie allows for the shortest attention spans to be entertained (kind of good news/bad news). Just put the intellectual/logical portion of your brain on hold and anyone can thoroughly enjoy this movie. It has puns, physical humor along with action and adventure. The beginning narration starts with a very familiar voice. (SEMI-SPOILER) I actually thought it was an impressionist, but it turned out to be the person that I had though it to be. Guess that individual has more of a sense of humor than I had previously thought. Watch this movie without candy, soda or sugar, it provides an integral sugar rush without the worry of calories.

The Search for General Tso

documentary

(2014)

(This is my 105th Netflix review)



This film was an unexpectedly very involving and enlightening documentary. I took the title at face value and assumed it would be either culinary or historical. This very well-written and impeccably filmed documentary was both. The viewer will (painlessly) learn elements of Chinese history which intersected with USA history in the 19th century gold rush. I had no idea that there were are as many ways to prepare this dish as there are chefs who do the preparation. You will learn who people think originated the dish, who actually originated the dish (and SPOILER ALERT) that there was actually a real General Tso. One fact unrelated to the quality of either the movie or the dish (both great), I noticed during the closing credits. In the section of the credits entitled, "This film made possible by the generous support of..." The first name (list was alphabetical) was Justin Beeber. I am not a fan of this performer (is there another Justin Beeber out there?) , but just goes to show that everyone is multilayered, just as any good movie or any good meal.