The Holdovers 2023 R 2h 13m Drama Review (8/10)

 

The Holdovers

     2023     R    2h 13m   Drama

A cranky history teacher at a prep school is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a troubled student who has no place to go.  Nobody likes teacher Paul Hunham (Giamatti) -- not his students, not his fellow faculty, not the headmaster, who all find his rigidity exasperating. Set in 1970, a 15-year-old named Angus, a good student whose bad behavior does him no favors. Joining Paul and Angus (Sessa), is cook Mary (Randolph) who caters to them.  These three very different shipwrecked people form an unlikely Christmas family sharing time in cold New England. This is a joy in the journey film where this trio come to understand that they are not slaves to their past.

We've all had that teacher who just seemed to thrive on making students miserable. While passing out  

The Holdovers is a warm-hearted film, with no flashy editing just an F+ to make you laugh. You’ll understand if you watch it.  I think this film has something everyone can relate to on some level.  A coming-of-age theme both my wife and I really enjoyed it.  R rating is due to drugs and language. 

Starring : Dominic Sessa, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, & Paul Giamatti

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry 2022 PG-13 Review (9/10)

 The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry    2022   PG-13 

Starring Kunal Nayyar and Lucy Hale

1h 45m

Based on a novel bookstore owner A.J. Fikry's life is not turning out as he expected as he struggles both emotionally and financially. After his wife's death, he feels lost and left behind. He tries to keep his store afloat, but begins to drink & ultimately hits rock bottom when his most prized possession is stolen. But when a mysterious package appears at his store it changes everything.  Kunal Nayyar and Lucy Hale are great together and this is a more serious role for Kunal and he’s amazing.  I’ve heard the book is even better but have not read it. 

I enjoyed the way it was edited and it’s just an overall enjoyable film.  Nice to get away from the typical crime and violence or action movies sometimes.  I hope u enjoy it as much as my wife and I did. 

Greyhound 2020 PG-13 Review 10/10

 

 

Greyhound  2020  PG-13   

1 hr 31m   

Drama,  war,  action

Starring Tom Hanks

Based on book "The Good Shepherd" by C S Forester,

Story of an Allied convoy in the Atlantic during WWII facing attack, cold, brutal seas, and darkness.  Part of the journey the convoy must be without air support and this is the focus of the movie.  Captain Krause the leader of the convoy's destroyer screen is a US Navy commander on his first Atlantic crossing. It’s a true story deeply moving and should be mandatory viewing in all our high schools.  I was struck by the discipline of the crew and I served 23 years in the US Air Force.  I thought to myself where do you find such men.  I also thought that no amount of training could prepare you for such situations.  But obviously no training would have ensured all their deaths.  Watching the movie and knowing of what happened because of the survivors is one thing.  Actually, being those men and doing it and being on those ships is another.  God bless all those who serve and their families.  I deeply appreciated the director not cutting out spiritual side of the captain as so many films do.  Also, the director didn’t neglect the importance of having someone back home to hold onto while you are in the thick of battle.   Afterall its why we as a nation fought for freedom – our families and friends and a way of life and the freedom to worship the God who gave us life.  Its not lost on me that it’s the same motivation that brought the Mayflower to the American shores so long ago.  I wonder if they teach that in schools anymore.  Read the mayflower compact if you doubt me.  These things are sacred and worth fighting and dying for if necessary. The Bible that speaks of love and forgiveness also says there is a time for war.  I for one don’t miss the connection between what these men did and my freedom’s to even write this review on my computer.  Some nations in our world of 2023 do not have that right.  Think about it.  We dare not lose what these great men so bravely fought and died for.  I’ll get off my soapbox now. 

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Wild Mountain Thyme REVIEW 2020 PG-13 1h 42m

 Wild Mountain Thyme  2020  PG-13    1h 42m

Stars  Emily Blunt  Jamie Dornan  Jon Hamm

Irish farmer Rosemary Muldoon (Emily Blunt) has her heart set on winning her neighbor Anthony Reilly's love. Stung by his father Tony's (Christopher Walken) plans to sell the family farm to his American nephew (Jon Hamm).  This is a very moving ROMCOM.

A very different romance, but I loved it.  I was moved to tears at one point when Anthony was at his father’s bedside.  So many great quotes in the film.  One I remember went something like this “is an unhappy man any less a man than a man who is happy?”

I recommend turning on the closed caption so you are sure to catch all the dialog which is so important in all films.

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