To the Movies!
Jul. 10th, 2024 04:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
gilda_eliseA couple of visits to Phoenix affected my movie watching. In May I was there to help my sister look for a new home, which she did, and then to help her move, so little time to movies. June was more just keeping her company as her husband passed away. Watching movies helped.
MAY
May 9-10 - Manhunt (2024)
The aftermath of the first American presidential assassination and the fight to preserve and protect the ideals that were the foundation of Lincoln's Reconstruction plans.
Creator: Monica Beletsky
Stars: Tobias Menzies, Anthony Boyle, Lovie Simone, Hamish Linklater, John Billingsley
Very well done, and it covers some things not usually covered. So sad that so much of Lincoln’s Reconstructions plans were either never implemented, to done away with in time.
May 23 - Spotlight (2015)
The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
Director: Tom McCarthy
Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Lies Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci
A really great movie. Great writing, great cast. I watch it from time to time.
May 29 - IF (2024)
A young girl who goes through a difficult experience begins to see everyone's imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up.
Director: John Krasinski
Stars: Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski
I loved this! Okay, yeah, Ryan Reynolds, but the story was so cute and funny, but with some pathos, too. I pre-ordered the DVD the minute I could.
JUNE
June 4 - The Music Man (2003)
A masterful con artist tries to bilk a staid Midwestern community, with unexpected results, in this contemporary rethinking of the legendary Broadway musical and lively 1962 film, updated to reflect several early-21st-century sensibilities.
Director: Jeff Bleckner
Stars: Matthew Broderick, Kristin Chenoweth, Victor Garber
I’d seen clips of the original movie, but never the whole thing, so I can’t judge which is better. But I did really like this one.
June 5 - The Planet of the Apes (1968)
An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet where highly intelligent non-human ape species are dominant and humans are enslaved.
Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
Stars: Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, Linda Harrison
A true science fiction classic. The newer movie, though they have better special effects, just don’t hold up. Maybe because the apes still look quite human, it’s easier to identify with them.
June 6 - Doctor Zhivago (1965)
The life of a Russian physician and poet who, although married to another, falls in love with a political activist's wife and experiences hardship during World War I and then the October Revolution.
Director: David Lean
Stars: Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger, Alec Guinness
A truly lovely movie that has held up. The scenery is lush, and is almost as important as the characters.
June 7 - Summer Camp (2024)
Follows Nora, Ginny, and Mary, three childhood best friends who used to spend every summer at a sleep away camp together. After years, when the opportunity to get back together for a summer camp reunion presents itself, they all seize it.
Director: Castille Landon
Stars: Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Beverly D’Angelo
A cute movie. Not great, but not bad.
June 9 - Angels & Demons (2009)
Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon works with a nuclear physicist to solve a murder and prevent a terrorist act against the Vatican during one of the significant events within the church.
Director: Ron Howard
Stars: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer
I’d only ever seen The Ds Vinci Code, but like it so was open to watching the second movie. I liked it.
June 10 - Inferno (2016)
When Robert Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Dr. Sienna Brooks and they race across Europe together against the clock to foil a deadly global plot.
Director: Ron Howard
Stars: Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Irrfan Khan
The third movie in the trilogy. More than the first two, it kept me guessing. But I would have preferred the book’s ending.
June 13 - Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (2023)
A documentary about the comedian and filmmaker Albert Brooks which includes interviews from Sharon Stone, Larry David, James L Brooks, Conan O'Brien, Sarah Silverman and Jonah Hill.
Director: Rob Reiner
Stars: Albert Brooks, Judd Apatow, Claire Brooks, Larry David, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Rob Reiner, Chris Rock, Sarah Silverman, Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, Sharon Stone, Wanda Sykes
I love Albert Brooks; his wit and dry sense of humor. Interesting seeing him through the eyes of his best friend, Rob Reiner.
June 14 - Brats (2024)
Centers on 1980s films starring the 'Brat Pack' and their profound impact on the young stars' lives.
Director: Andrew McCarthy
StarsAndrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Timothy Hutton, Demi Moore, Rob Lowe
Meh. The Brat Pack came a bit late for me; not into teen movies by that time. McCarthy seems more interested in using the byname as an excuse for his lack of success, as he was the only one who didn’t have any.
June 17-18 - Pompeii: The New Dig (2024)
Showcases the most extensive archaeological excavation in Pompeii for over a generation.
Stars: Kate Fleetwood, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Gennaro Iovino
I didn’t realize how much of Pompeii is left to excavate. A fascinating documentary of the latest finds.
June 19-20 - Defending Jacob (2020)
The limited drama series is a gripping, character-driven thriller based on the 2012 New York Times best selling novel of the same name by William Landay. An assistant DA's world is shattered when his beloved son gets charged with murder.
Creator: Mark Bomback
Stars: Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell, J.K. Simmons
Started out pretty good, but degenerated into just plain dumb.
June 28 - Unfrosted (2024)
In 1963 Michigan, business rivals Kellogg's and Post compete to create a cake that could change breakfast forever.
Director: Jerry Seinfeld
Stars: Isaac Bae, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rickett, Christian Slater, Jim Gaffigan, Hugh Grant, Amy Schumer, Melissa McCarthy, James Marsden, Peter Dinklage, Bill Burr, Ronny Chieng, Jon Hamm, John Slattery
Really funny. Leave it to Seinfeld to find the humor in the creation of Pop Tarts.
MAY
May 9-10 - Manhunt (2024)
The aftermath of the first American presidential assassination and the fight to preserve and protect the ideals that were the foundation of Lincoln's Reconstruction plans.
Creator: Monica Beletsky
Stars: Tobias Menzies, Anthony Boyle, Lovie Simone, Hamish Linklater, John Billingsley
Very well done, and it covers some things not usually covered. So sad that so much of Lincoln’s Reconstructions plans were either never implemented, to done away with in time.
May 23 - Spotlight (2015)
The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.
Director: Tom McCarthy
Stars: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Lies Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci
A really great movie. Great writing, great cast. I watch it from time to time.
May 29 - IF (2024)
A young girl who goes through a difficult experience begins to see everyone's imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up.
Director: John Krasinski
Stars: Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski
I loved this! Okay, yeah, Ryan Reynolds, but the story was so cute and funny, but with some pathos, too. I pre-ordered the DVD the minute I could.
JUNE
June 4 - The Music Man (2003)
A masterful con artist tries to bilk a staid Midwestern community, with unexpected results, in this contemporary rethinking of the legendary Broadway musical and lively 1962 film, updated to reflect several early-21st-century sensibilities.
Director: Jeff Bleckner
Stars: Matthew Broderick, Kristin Chenoweth, Victor Garber
I’d seen clips of the original movie, but never the whole thing, so I can’t judge which is better. But I did really like this one.
June 5 - The Planet of the Apes (1968)
An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet where highly intelligent non-human ape species are dominant and humans are enslaved.
Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
Stars: Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, Linda Harrison
A true science fiction classic. The newer movie, though they have better special effects, just don’t hold up. Maybe because the apes still look quite human, it’s easier to identify with them.
June 6 - Doctor Zhivago (1965)
The life of a Russian physician and poet who, although married to another, falls in love with a political activist's wife and experiences hardship during World War I and then the October Revolution.
Director: David Lean
Stars: Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger, Alec Guinness
A truly lovely movie that has held up. The scenery is lush, and is almost as important as the characters.
June 7 - Summer Camp (2024)
Follows Nora, Ginny, and Mary, three childhood best friends who used to spend every summer at a sleep away camp together. After years, when the opportunity to get back together for a summer camp reunion presents itself, they all seize it.
Director: Castille Landon
Stars: Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Beverly D’Angelo
A cute movie. Not great, but not bad.
June 9 - Angels & Demons (2009)
Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon works with a nuclear physicist to solve a murder and prevent a terrorist act against the Vatican during one of the significant events within the church.
Director: Ron Howard
Stars: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet Zurer
I’d only ever seen The Ds Vinci Code, but like it so was open to watching the second movie. I liked it.
June 10 - Inferno (2016)
When Robert Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Dr. Sienna Brooks and they race across Europe together against the clock to foil a deadly global plot.
Director: Ron Howard
Stars: Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Irrfan Khan
The third movie in the trilogy. More than the first two, it kept me guessing. But I would have preferred the book’s ending.
June 13 - Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (2023)
A documentary about the comedian and filmmaker Albert Brooks which includes interviews from Sharon Stone, Larry David, James L Brooks, Conan O'Brien, Sarah Silverman and Jonah Hill.
Director: Rob Reiner
Stars: Albert Brooks, Judd Apatow, Claire Brooks, Larry David, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Rob Reiner, Chris Rock, Sarah Silverman, Jon Stewart, Ben Stiller, Sharon Stone, Wanda Sykes
I love Albert Brooks; his wit and dry sense of humor. Interesting seeing him through the eyes of his best friend, Rob Reiner.
June 14 - Brats (2024)
Centers on 1980s films starring the 'Brat Pack' and their profound impact on the young stars' lives.
Director: Andrew McCarthy
StarsAndrew McCarthy, Emilio Estevez, Ally Sheedy, Timothy Hutton, Demi Moore, Rob Lowe
Meh. The Brat Pack came a bit late for me; not into teen movies by that time. McCarthy seems more interested in using the byname as an excuse for his lack of success, as he was the only one who didn’t have any.
June 17-18 - Pompeii: The New Dig (2024)
Showcases the most extensive archaeological excavation in Pompeii for over a generation.
Stars: Kate Fleetwood, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Gennaro Iovino
I didn’t realize how much of Pompeii is left to excavate. A fascinating documentary of the latest finds.
June 19-20 - Defending Jacob (2020)
The limited drama series is a gripping, character-driven thriller based on the 2012 New York Times best selling novel of the same name by William Landay. An assistant DA's world is shattered when his beloved son gets charged with murder.
Creator: Mark Bomback
Stars: Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell, J.K. Simmons
Started out pretty good, but degenerated into just plain dumb.
June 28 - Unfrosted (2024)
In 1963 Michigan, business rivals Kellogg's and Post compete to create a cake that could change breakfast forever.
Director: Jerry Seinfeld
Stars: Isaac Bae, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rickett, Christian Slater, Jim Gaffigan, Hugh Grant, Amy Schumer, Melissa McCarthy, James Marsden, Peter Dinklage, Bill Burr, Ronny Chieng, Jon Hamm, John Slattery
Really funny. Leave it to Seinfeld to find the humor in the creation of Pop Tarts.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-11 03:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-07-12 01:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-07-14 09:25 am (UTC)Oh, good to hear that this was a good movie. I saw the trailer for it at a theater last month, and that trailer did not speak to me at all. :/ I should check it out after all, then.
no subject
Date: 2024-07-14 02:29 pm (UTC)