Manda's MovieWatch

Bizarre. Think Mary Shelly on an acid trip and throw in porno vibes. The set, costumes and cinematography are beautiful, but the score was very annoying (like plug my ears annoying). The performances by the lead actors were awesome too, Mark Ruffalo was my favorite. It was an interesting concept, but I couldn’t help feeling that Tim Burton’s Dr. Finkelstein & Sally were first. Also, don’t say I didn’t warn you: there’s a ton of sex in this movie: don’t take the kids. One thing I did appreciate was a refreshing point of view on life in general. 3 watch checks, it is worth trying to see on the big screen because the visuals are the best thing about it. I think Ryan would stay awake for this, but that might be due to the afore mentioned warning.

I love it when a movie can take me to a place I’d otherwise never get to experience: an all boys prep school in 1970 for example. Remember being in high school and thinking your teachers were all vile idiots? This beautiful story shows how connected we all are once we stop and pay attention. Paul Giamatti is a genius and does an amazing job here, no surprise. I actually wish these characters were real – just so I could find out where they are now. You just can’t not relate to each person in this movie and especially the vile idiot. 0 watch checks, I think Ryan would stay awake for this one, totally rentable and I absolutely recommend that you do!

This is an interesting look at the forensic evidence of a tragic event….but “phycological thriller”- it is not. Still waiting for the big plot twist. It did feel very “real” and so, if you can’t stand movies with no musical score to hide loud chewing or loud breathing, this is not the movie for you. The acting is amazing- I really did believe these people were their characters. Was just too slow for me. Ryan did stay awake (even through subtitles!)- so maybe there is some anticipation thrill there that I missed. 3 watch checks, you can rent it for sure.

So this one is a pretty cool history lesson. A bit on the long side though (maybe like most history lectures feel). Excellent acting- some Oscar noms for sure! I think this will have a strong run at Best Picture. It’s not full of visual effects but it is visually beautiful. It definitely gives you a respect for the scientists of that era. It’s a long one but it didn’t feel as long as it was- which to me is always the mark of a good movie. 1 watch check (at 3 hours that’s pretty amazing), Ryan did stay awake (but wasn’t a big fan of this movie- I suspect Florence Pugh’s boobs helped here), this is better on the big screen (apologies for this being too late for that, I’m catching up!).

The potential of this story was there: to see and feel the love story from Priscilla’s perspective and watch her come into her own as this strong woman raising a child and dealing with the fallout after Elvis’s death. But sadly, it didn’t get there: such a missed opportunity! It felt more like a teen girl’s pop crush coming to life and an inappropriate relationship made cute (she was 14 and he was 24 when they met). “Daddy control issues” was the central theme here- he treated her like his child and addicted her to pills. This should have been a more exciting story- I can’t really figure out why it felt so slow. I will say both lead actors gave great performances. I was left wishing we could hear more from Priscilla. 3 watch checks, Ryan would not stay awake (I barely did), you can rent this one.

Mildly entertaining flick that helped me understand the GameStop stock blow up thing. It’s always cool to watch a group of people band together to create change. It would be even cooler if they weren’t trying so hard to become the thing they claim to hate: controllers of the stock market. Predicting the stock market ain’t easy- many think they can and thats what gets them in trouble. 2 watch checks, Ryan would stay awake- and did (thankfully, he explained a lot of stock market stuff to me), you can for sure rent it.

Whoollp…not sure how to type the sound for gagging- but ewww. So there’s some great performances in this movie and wow: the bravery of Barry Keoghan, but it feels like they ripped off The Talented Mr. Ripley. I suppose you should see it to see what all the young people are talking about but don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you get grossed out easily, skip it and see Wonka instead. 3 watch checks from me, Ryan would stay awake- the story itself is a fascinating one…in a “just can’t look away” feel, and you can definitely rent this.

So Hunger Games fans will love this movie, it’s a great return to Panem and always fun to get some insight into the why of a character like Snow. The ending is odd though, I think most will leave with questions like I did. Maybe it’s setting up for another movie? I spoke with someone who read the book and they had a much clearer understanding of what the ending meant…but even they had questions, so that’s unsettling. I think this could have been easily fixed, maybe an inner monologue? 2 watch checks. Ryan would have fallen asleep, he’s not really a Hinger Games fan. I think it’s better on the big screen but can be watched at home.

Come with me….and you’ll see…a film with joy in all the yummy confection.

Need a pick me up? Go see this movie. Just watched Saltburn and are completely disturbed? Go see this movie. Think Mary Poppins meets Annie. A fun prequel to the original, it’s (pardon the pun) so very sweet. 0 watch checks, totally worth going to the big screen and even Ryan would have not only stayed awake but found himself smiling.

Not my favorite. With previews, this movie is almost 4 hours long…and it felt like it. This tragic story could have been told in half the time. I can’t really put my finger on why, but I hated that this movie seemed to want the audience to like the villains. I would have preferred the story told entirely from the Osage people’s view, and more specifically: from Molly. We heard her voice every once in a while, but mostly it was her husband & evil uncle who told the story and they didn’t deserve the attention. I was uncomfortable when they were portrayed as funny and the Osage as gullible. I had like 5 watch checks. Ryan stayed awake for the whole thing (and he liked it more than I did)! You don’t need the big screen. It’s getting great accolades and Leo did a great performance. I’m glad at least this tragic slice of history is getting attention, I guess I feel like it could have been done with more respect or something.