Manda's MovieWatch

Are you lonesome tonight? Watch Elvis…but pee first- it’s a long one. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Baz Luhrmann movie, feels like a comeback. I was hoping for a little more of a peak into all the glitz and glamour that was Elvis in that beautiful style Baz is so good at (Great Gatsby) but this was a darker turn. It focused more on the relationship between Elvis and his leech manager. Both Tom Hanks and Austin Butler are great in this movie. The first two thirds of the movie went quick but the last third dragged a bit for me, 3 watch checks total but all in the last half of the movie. You can rent this one. I think Ryan would have stayed awake for most of it…but then nodded off near the end.

I feel the need…the need for SPEED! This one is for the TG fans. A great formula- why mess with it? It’s full of action and hotshot fly boys (& a hotshot lady, too). Lots of nostalgia, fairly predictable but that’s ok -because what a fun ride it is. They did a great job of continuing a great story. 0 watch checks (uh, yeah…TopGun is one of my all time favs) Ryan would for sure stay awake. This is one you really need to go see in the theater, you just need to.

Downton Abbey fans will love this movie. It has everything we’ve come to expect from DA- beautifully done sad moments, gorgeous costumes, Dowager quips, Carson grumblings, Lady Mary eye rolls…and Mrs. Padmore & Daisy still bickering. It’s such fun entertainment to escape into that world, but it does feel like this is on borrowed time. Not sure we can still squeeze much more from these great characters. 2 watch checks, Ryan would snooze (not his cup ‘o tea), and this one’s totally rentable.

Well, I failed again. I did not get to watching all the nominated films. I am not prepared for the Oscars. I will still make a prediction for a couple though, starting with Best Picture: CODA. This movie is so beautiful and if it doesn’t get you in the feels, I’m not sure what will. 0 watch checks, don’t need to see it on the big screen and I believe Ryan would stay awake- even if it’s just to learn a few cuss word signs. It’s funny, sweet and so touching. If you only watch one best picture nominee- this is it. Other pics I’m hoping for: Jessica Chastain for best actress and Will Smith for best actor. I’m also rooting for Don’t Look Up for best original screenplay and CODA for best adapted screenplay. Last, Troy Kotsur for best supporting actor and Ariana DeBose for best supporting actress. Enjoy the Oscars!

I’m not sure why this needed to be redone. It’s very much the same story as before. There’s no update or new take really. That being said, it’s still a beautiful story of love and loss. Of silly territory disputes (happens on all levels), of prejudice and pain. Maybe that’s why it needs to be recycled- we’re just not getting it- we keep fighting. The costumes and dancing are outstanding. I don’t think this is an awards contender because…well frankly, it’s been done…and done and done again. 3 watch checks. Ryan would be snoozing by the first song. I would recommend a big screen though- it’s a musical…big screens are always better for musicals.

It’s always refreshing to see historical events through the eyes of a child. That’s what this movie does for you. A young, sweet kid in the middle of a violent conflict. The writing it great and the characters are wonderful but I don’t really see the need for black and white. Pretending there’s no color just dulls the beauty, such a missed opportunity! It’s like an over-used-trying-to-be-artsy move. It also makes it boring. 3 watch checks. Ryan would be asleep in the first 10 minutes. You can rent it (big screens are for color)!

Princess Diana is one of the most fascinating people in our history and yet this movie still managed to be boring. It honestly felt like one long perfume ad- random, pensive beautiful people. I like Kristen Stewart but I felt her portrayal of Diana was a borderline SNL skit. The movie was almost saved by the last 2 minutes but not quite. I was really hoping for more of the breaking free Diana. 4 watch checks. Ryan was snoozing at the title & a rental for sure.

Ok, this Netflix movie is being given a bad rap by critics who are missing the point. This satire is such a scary but true reflection on the temperature of the world today. People focusing on fluff crap instead of boring math & science. A comet literally coming to destroy the world and everyone would rather talk about a big celeb break up (trends way higher). It felt like the movie was trying to shake us awake. The best is seeing how people choose to spend their last moments: with loved ones or posting on snap? That and spotting celeb cameos. It’s silly…but it’s supposed to be. Confession: I absolutely identified with Jonah Hill’s character when he throws his head back in boring disgust as Leo starts to explain the scientific data- guilty as charged! 2 watch checks, Ryan would likely snooze away on this one. Obviously, a rental.

So much fun for Marvel fans! Filled with action and adventure, it’s very entertaining. Lots of nuggets for the die hard Marvel junkies but also an understandable plot for those who haven’t seen all the other movies. I loved the strong female presences in his life and the overall theme of trying to do the right thing, not the easy thing. 1 watch check (it doesn’t feel as long as it is!) and Ryan stayed awake the entire time. This is a big theater one for sure. It’s worth the ticket price.

A fun look back at the 70’s but the story line (like the title) is pretty random. Bottom line is it’s a love story (even though the age difference is criminal…but I guess the 70s let a lot of criminal stuff just slide by?). I found myself confused on some of the random plot lines. 4 watch checks. Ryan would be snoozing in the first five minutes. You can rent this for sure.