The Invisible Man (2020) REVIEW -- R | 2h 4min | Drama, Horror, Mystery

 

The Invisible Man (2020)

R | 2h 4min | Drama, Horror, Mystery 

Stars:   Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Harriet Dyer

Quote:  She really does know the importance of a good closet. 

It's a nail-biting experience that does not let up.  If you don’t understand the term ‘gaslighting’ you will know it after watching this.

I always felt like a presence, even if he was not there, the director made the audience just as paranoid as the lead character.  It’s reminiscent of some Hitchcock films. 

Early in the movie I jumped noticeably.  I found myself looking everywhere as if I was in the movie. 

I actually screamed during a chair scene.  The attic scene totally freaked me out.  Then the faucet scene I actually screamed out loud (grown man mind you). 

There are plenty of twists and shockers for those scary movie lovers.  I don’t typically go for that type film personally, but I really liked this one. 

Oh then the shower scene got me (what is it with showers?) so intense.  Quote:  “There you are” 

 

  

 

I Care a Lot (2020) - REVIEW -- R | 1h 58min Crime, Thriller 9/10

 

I Care a Lot (2020)

R | 1h 58min   Crime, Thriller 

Stars:   Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González 

This movie will evoke emotion – You were warned. 

This one will keep you on the edge of your seat. It got my blood boiling and it was so intense we almost stopped watching then the taxi driver shows up and you’re hooked.  No overused storyline here.  Wow.  If you like this movie try 'Wait Until Dark' starring Audrey Hepburn.  My son and I almost jumped out of our chairs.

 

If you don’t think this kind of thing is happening, think again. Utopia will never be achieved of course, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try in our little slice of life to be a force for good.  The trick is in God’s word.  Matthew 10:16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. 

Proverbs 14:34 Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

 

 

Blue Valentine (2010) -- REVIEW -- R | 1h 52min | Drama, Romance

 

Blue Valentine (2010)

R | 1h 52min | Drama, Romance 

Stars:  

 Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, John Doman 

This film reminded me of Marriage Story (2019) obviously made nearly decade after Blue Valentine.  Blue Valentine is an uncomfortable viewing, but if it helps you avoid pitfalls its worth it. The movie jumps back and forth between different points in a couple’s relationship showing the audience how things became the way they are.  Superior acting by both leads with Ryan possessing a James Dean-like vulnerability. They are both pin-up material if teens did that sort of thing anymore – its too easy to get whatever picture you want right on your PC now. Something gained, but something lost. 

The serenade scene was smashing.  We spend so much time searching for Prince Charming then marry the one with the good job in proximity if we marry at all anymore.

We go to the movies – many of us – to escape reality. Its good to get the focus

off ourselves.  This is why its better to give than to receive.  Comfortable as voyeurs (not a bad thing), we let the rich and famous distract us for a while until we have time to vacation ourselves.  I’ve never been to Disney World nor do I care if I ever go.  If I do it will be for the grand kids and to spend time with them.  What most of us fail to realize is our normal routines are wonderful gifts we should enjoy more than we do.  Think about it -- restaurants and coffee joints keep much of the populace going as we race here and there.  Its where people meet and fall in love doing normal things.  Nothing but sex is more intimate than eating and playing together.  Road trips and vacations are the distractions from normal life.  I find great comfort in my routines and seeing familiar faces and its nice to meet new faces here and there of course.  I think alcohol and smoking etc are fine in moderation, but sadly destroy far more than they heal in the long run.  Communication is very hard in any generation.  This film may be true of many folks, but it doesn’t have to be this way.  We are all selfish beings, but once married we now serve each other and can’t keep score of good and bad stuff that occurs.  Both must put the other first or its doomed from the start.   As the movie points out trouble finds us all.  Its how we handle it that makes all the difference.  If either person gives in to temptations to cheat or stop working on the relationship its already too late.  A good vibrant relationship takes time daily and doing stuff.  My wife and I enjoy walks, renting bikes, getting coffee and talking with strangers, overnights at BNBs, and watching our favorite TV shows together and taking in an occasional movie.   Love is a choice though and takes both parties to work.  As soon as either person gives up its over no matter what the other person does or doesn’t do.  Love must be more than a feeling or its worthless.  Love is a choice.  Feeling’s ebb and flow in everyone.  This is why we vow in good or bad times to stick it out and keep working at it in good faith.  People say if its right it should just come easylike.  That’s a lie.  Was this movie put together easylike?  No, it took years of preparation and money and hundreds of people in all kinds of expertise to put this movie together.  Anything worthwhile takes time and lots of effort.  Does each meal you eat prepare itself?  No.  Does fresh drinking water just appear in your faucet by magic?  No.  Everything good takes blood sweat and tears.  Prayer is powerful but even with prayer we need to give God time to work.  Remember keep serving God – not even God will override free will so when folks sin its not God’s fault.  Treat them like you’d like to be treated and keep on doing good and working hard.  Smile as often as you can even if you don’t feel like it.  Some will say that’s being unreal or fake.  Well sometimes we have to fake it until we do feel like it. 

The Fundamentals of Caring (2016) -- REVIEW -- TV-MA | 1h 37min | Drama, Comedy

 

The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)

TV-MA | 1h 37min | Drama, Comedy

Stars:   Craig Roberts, Paul Rudd, Selena Gomez

A writer (Paul Rudd) retires after a personal tragedy and becomes a disabled teen's caregiver. When the two embark on an impromptu road trip and the story begins. 

Quote: Dot: I've have exactly one life, and for reasons I myself don't really understand, I now believe that life somehow will not be fulfilled unless I'm standing at the bottom of the world’s deepest pit with you two perverts!

Many good movies aren't great because they lack character development which takes time and great directing and writing.  This one doesn't disappoint.  It has some language, but PG-13 is good rating.   Selena Gomez is wonderful and easy on the eyes. 

I think everyone benefits from seeing films like this from time to time.  My wife and I enjoyed it.  It made me thankful for the simple things I take for granted like peeing standing up.   It brought out emotions I need to feel. 

 

I See You (2019) REVIEW -- R | 1h 38min | Crime Mystery, Drama, Horror (10 stars)

 

I See You (2019)

R | 1h 38min | Crime Mystery, Drama, Horror

Stars:  Helen Hunt, Jon Tenney, Owen Teague 

I know I say this a lot but don’t listen to bad reviews.  This one is a must see for anyone who likes a good crime mystery thriller.  Best I’ve seen in a long time. 

A married couple, a detective and a psychiatrist, who are facing some marital difficulties when a local young boy disappears.  And the story begins.  I jumped out of my skin twice with some yelling in there.  My wife screamed once and blamed it on me yelling.  LOL. 

My wife and I are both huge thriller/mystery fans. For me to give a 9 or 10 star rating the movie has to really be amazing in many ways such as writing, emotions it brings out in me, character development, suspense and right flow.  This one is a 10. 

I’ve seen thousands of movies and it’s hard to surprise me.  It was a gem and a roller coaster ride!

Quote:  "I'm not finished playing yet."

The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations (2009) REVIEW -- R | 1h 30min | Crime Mystery, Time Travel, Thriller

 

The Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations (2009)

R | 1h 30min | Crime Mystery, Time Travel, Thriller 

Stars:   Chris Carmack, Rachel Miner, Melissa Jones 

Fair amount of brutal violence & one sex scene – be warned – no one under 16 should see this one.

Excellent mystery thriller.  I really like time travel and this one is no exception.  This one is not unlike the movie ‘Frequency’.  I wasn’t sure who the killer was until they reveal it.  The film keeps you thinking and in suspense. 

I really like the mystery and trying to put all the clues together. I loved the Scooby Doo reference – I love dialog like that from other movies or TV shows.  You have to really pay attention in films like this. 

SPOILER:  I also like the way Sam proved to the investigator (Glenn) he was telling the truth about time travel by quoting Glenn’s wife’s first words to him.    

Quote:  This is so Scooby-Doo, isn't it? I would've gotten away with it if it wasn't for those meddling kids.

Quote:  are you MC Hammer?

Star Trek : original series -- my favorite episodes

 If you don't want to watch all the episodes of this series but want to check it out go to any of these episodes and you'll get a good taste for the original Star Trek series.

Season 1:

Balance of Terror -- this one involves cat and mouse with a Romulan ship.  

Shore Leave -- this one has some humor I thoroughly enjoyed with Kirk and an old friend

Space Seed -- this is the episode with Kahn a genetically enhanced human

Devil in the Dark -- little mystery in this one 

City on the Edge of Forever -- arguably the best episode of the original series

Season 2:

Amok Time -- Spock fights Capt Kirk

Mirror Mirror -- alternate universe episode

Doomsday Machine -- classic Star Trek

Journey to Babel -- murder mystery and meet Spock's parents

The Deadly Years -- great drama

Trouble with Tribbles -- classic episode

A Piece of the Action -- Star Trek gangster style

Immunity Syndrome - Rescue episode

Return to tomorrow -- drama 

Patterns of Force -- Nazi Germany and the prime directive

Ultimate Computer -- M5 makes crew expendable

Season 3:

Enterprise Incident -- Romulan drama in neutral zone

Tholian Web --  Enterprise grapples with an insanity causing plague and an attack by the Tholians

All Our Yesterdays -- Captain Kirk, Spock and Dr. McCoy are trapped in two timeframes of another planet's past.

That Which Survives -- After the Enterprise landing party beams down to investigate a geologically interesting planet, their ship is hurled across the galaxy. Kirk and company find a deserted outpost guarded by a beautiful woman.

I hope you enjoyed the original series as much as I did.

If you watch the movies watch #2-4; 6 and higher.  1 and 5 are only for ardent star trek fans.