"Heathers"

This movie is f*cked up. Let me just say that right now. And I thought The Breakfast Club was edgy. 

Winona Ryder stars as a little mule for three of the evilest girls on the silver screen until Mean Girls, Heather, Heather, and Heather. I'm sure the writer had a little fun writing them to mess with people. But he must have been a magician because you were never confused with which Heather is being referred. Back to this, Winona forges notes to ruin people's lives for the Heathers' amusement. She hates her life. That is until she meets Christian Slater, a rebellious teen moving from place to place. Together they start causing mayhem by murdering people and posing them as suicides. First, it was the blond Heather who was hungover from a party. Slater gives her a cocktail of drain cleaner and orange juice, claiming that it's some get well juice. Heather crashes into the glass coffee table. Next, Winona and Slater kill the two evil jocks and pose it as a murder-suicide because of their "secret passion for each other."

Their school then responds to the suicides by trying to teach the children that there is nothing wrong with speaking about their issues. This doesn't bode well with Winona. The people they kill are more popular dead than they are alive. But then it starts to get serious when a woman bullied for being fat tries to kill herself by walking into traffic and fails. Winona wants to stop, but there was something much more sinister happening. Slater teamed up with the brunette Heather and made a school-wide suicide pact unbeknownst to the entire school. Slater's father is an architect and amateur demolition expert so he sets up a couple charges under the bleachers and sets a bomb in the boiler room under the gym so that the school would blow up in an ironic sort way that the school would commit mass suicide in an anti-suicide rally.

Winona has had enough, so she swoops in and saves the day shooting Slater's finger off and shutting off the bomb. Then she steps out to breathe, and here comes Slater, bleeding out. He's strapped the bomb to himself and decides to blow himself up to atone for their sins. He blows up and dies, and Winona dethrones all the remaining Heathers and becomes the ruler of the whole school.

I initially thought they were going to kill all the Heathers, and they almost do it. The brunette Heather tried to OD on pain pills in the bathroom because she can't handle the pressure of being the leader and that her boyfriend "killed himself for being gay." The redhead was kind of nonexistent the rest of the movie. But I guess it's called Heathers because it all starts with the Heathers. These evil b*tches are tormenting their lives, and so when one of them suddenly dies it's sort of a wake-up call that even popular kids are depressed. Normally, someone would find out that they're just straight up murders, or maybe Winona even fess up. Everyone knows that Winona works for the Heathers forging letters. But this movie does something different. Everyone is oblivious to what is happening. It never comes to mind that maybe Winona is behind it. She's miserable with the Heathers, and suddenly she's cynical when one of them dies. This movie worked because the police weren't involved.

I wonder what would if this story was told today. It wouldn't happen, that's the point. Oh...wait.

Click image to view URL.

I hope you liked this. Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment about what you thought or if you want to recommend a movie for me to review. Thank you for reading. I'll return next week with another movie. See you then.

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94% Certified Fresh

IMDb Score: 7.3/10

"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" Seasons 1 & 2

Miriam "Midge" Maisel is a happy little Jewish wife who worshipped the ground her husband walked on. Her snappy attitude allowed her to get what she wants to please her man from getting the best lamb at the meat market to bribing the promoter at the Gaslight, with a brisket, to get a good time slot for her husband and his budding stand up routine. But then, the night before Yom Kippur, her husband left her and her two infant children for PENNY PAM! In anger, and because she was hammered, Midge wandered on stage at the Gaslight and delivered the funniest routine that ever occurred at the club. And we go from there.
Midge and her new agent, Susie Myerson, navigate the struggle of women in the entertainment field. They were often at odds with each other because Midge never really did anything with her life, and Susie was from the streets. In the end, they would battle their struggles together to climb the ladder of success.
But that is just one problem Midge faces. Her fallout with her husband puts her at war with her family as they wish for her to work it out, but with the rise in feminism and female independence, she won't back down easily. So now she also struggles with the choice of becoming a successful comedienne and leave her quiet life behind, or giving up her passion and return to her quiet life. That may sound dumb today because a lot of successful comediennes have children, so it doesn't seem like a big deal. But it is indeed a very big deal in this story. Women were the pretty girls who work the fragrance section at the department store, not cracking jokes about their once perfect life to the 1 a.m. crowd at some sh*tty club in the Village.
This show is being used as a tool for women in the entertainment industry of the era as well as of today. It will not the change the industry forever, but it's a good start. It's paving the way for other shows, like the Emmy winning Fleabag, to appear in our streaming services and our TV's and entertain us as well as giving birth to a new age of film and television where everyone is given an equal opportunity to be represented.
With Season three rapidly approaching, I can't wait to see what Midge and Susie are up to next and what Midge would do about her family.

Click image to view URL.

I hope you liked this. Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment about what you thought or if you want to recommend a movie for me to review. Thank you for reading. I'll return on Friday with another movie. See you then.

Released On Prime Video:  March 17 - November 29, 2017 (Season 1); December 5, 2018 (Season 2)
Rating: TV-MA
Starring: Rachel Brosnahan, Alex Borstein, Michael Zegen, Marin Hinkle, Tony Shaloub, Kevin Pollack
Directors: Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino, Scott Ellis, Jamie Babbit
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94% Certified Fresh (Season 1); 91% Certified Fresh  (Season 2)
IMDb Score: 8.6/10 (Average); 8.7/10 (Average)

Awards
Season 1
Golden Globe Awards

• Best Television Series Musical or Comedy - Winner 
• Best Actress Television Series Musical or Comedy Rachel Brosnahan - Winner 

Primetime Emmy Awards

• Outstanding Comedy Series - Winner 
• Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Rachel Brosnahan - Winner 
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Tony Shaloub - Nominated 
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Alex Borstein - Winner 
• Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series Amy Sherman-Palladino - Winner 
• Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series Amy Sherman-Palladino - Winner 

Season 2
Golden Globe Awards

• Best Television Series Musical or Comedy - Nominated 
• Best Actress Television Series Musical or Comedy Rachel Brosnahan - Winner 
• Best Supporting Actress Series, Miniseries, or Television Film Alex Borstein - Nominated 

Primetime Emmy Awards

• Outstanding Comedy Series - Nominated 
• Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series Rachel Brosnahan - Nominated 
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Alex Borstein - Winner 
• Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Tony Shaloub - Winner 
• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Marin Hinkle - Nominated 
• Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series Amy Sherman-Palladino - Nominated 
• Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series Daniel Palladino - Nominated 

(Click here to view more awards for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel".)

Videos
Saturday Night Live - The Raunchiest Miss Rita
Saturday Night Live - Oscar Host Auditions 

"Downton Abbey" (2019)

Nine years ago, the world was introduced to the Crawleys and their eccentric staff. Over the course of six seasons, we grew to laugh, cry, and love with them. Now, we return to the lavish estate, with our favorite aristocratic family, for one more outing...of royal sorts.
The film is carbon copy of a standard episode of the beloved television series filled with extensive plot lines and twists that will make an average Joe's head spin. And we all thought Mrs. Patmore had a lot on her plate.
I enjoyed how the film opened up with the post sequence as it was a callback to the very first episode, in which the Crawleys received the telegram that would set them on this journey in the first place. I only wished that they cut it down by a few seconds; it was obvious that the music was going to swell as the castle appeared over the hill, and it was like watching porn. You kept waiting for the money shot, but you've finished and you're tired by the time it actually arrived.
What would probably help boost viewership amongst non-Downton Abbey fans is that Professor McGonagall and Dolores Umbridge once again square off in this film as it once again threatens the security of Downton Abbey's future. At least by the end of the film Umbridge realizes she musn't tell lies.
Many of us, I'm sure, aren't quite over Cousin Matthew's death in season three. I'm not. Perhaps the writers knew this and kept Lady Mary's new husband, Lord Talbot,  out of the picture for as long as they could. In fact, many small details, in the latter half of the series, had slipped through cracks, so it took much of the film's runtime to piece it all back together. I forgot Daisy was betrothed, and I thought Mrs. Hughes retired with Carson. I also forgot Anna and Mr. Bates have a child now. There are some things, however, you can't forget: Mr. Mosley. It was probably brilliant to not advertise that Mosley would be involved. Seeing him in the film helped bring the humor out of such a serious story.
Another thing to remember is Tom Branson, once a chauffeur for the house, is an Irish republican, and it comes into play as the King's presence grew nearer. But seeing the change in character allowed us to see how much he's grown since his days as an angry servant. We even see him respark in an relationship that would benefit the family.
Thomas Barrow had probably the biggest character development ever seen, in the series, in this film. It is perhaps that being a film released in theaters, rather than on TV, gave it more liberty to explore his interests and background. We have known of Barrow's sexuality since the series premiere, so allowing it to mature the way it did in the film helped us to sympathize with him and be happy with him as he continues with his journey.
Okay, I lied. The biggest character development was in Lady Violet. Once a proud matriarch in the Crawley family, who followed traditions to the utmost degree, is now entrusting the Crawley name to Lady Mary, who doubted herself of her own involvement. Let's not forget that Violet teamed up with her frenemy, Cousin Isabelle, to defeat Umbridge, but allowing the family to move forward with Mary as the head instead of a male leader, is the biggest step she ever took. This whole story started with a telegram stating the heir to the Grantham title had died on the Titanic. Now Mary's the head of the household. You may ask, as non-Downton Abbey fans, why was this such a problem in the first place? Times have changed. And the Crawleys must change with it.
Fifteen years of Crawley history have been told over 52 episodes and a feature length film. It is a stunning farewell and a love letter to the television series that will forever be in our hearts. I'll admit that I didn't really want a film, but I'm glad I went and saw it. I'll be expecting it to be added to my collection alongside the boxset.

Click image to view URL.

I hope you liked this. Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment about what you thought or if you want to recommend a movie for me to review. Thank you for reading. I'll return Friday with another movie. See you then.

Released on: September 20, 2019
Rating: PG
Stars: Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery, Elizabeth McGovern, Maggie Smith, Imelda Staunton, Penelope Wilton
Director: Michael Engler
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85% Certified Fresh
IMDb Score: 7.8/10

Videos
Saturday Night Live - Downton Abbey Trailer

"Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2"

I didn't think the first Wreck-It Ralph needed a sequel. I watched it at my cousin's house, who had it blasting in the background at her birthday party, and found it so funny that I bought it on the way home.
When the first trailer for the sequel came out, I knew it was an obvious cash grab, but it seemed harmless. It had the comedy and adventure that was so captivating in the first film, including the Moana homage where Ralph explodes the bunny.
Then I watched the movie. A simple premise stretched over two hours of blegghh! I watched this the same day I watched The Emoji Movie, which probably didn't help.
The worst part of it was they crammed the testing friendship subplot into it and made it just as long as the original plot. Never in the six years, they've been together, did they have an argument this bad? And they ended it with them parting ways while still friends. In the threequel, one of them needs to die. Or better yet, they both sacrifice themselves R&J style to end this franchise for good. Make it a short film to tack in front of Frozen II to make you really bummed about the terrible decision you made in going to the theater to watch Frozen II.
Speaking of Frozen, the princesses were wildly unnecessary. It initially was intended to loop Vanellope with the princesses, which according to the rules of the Disney Princess, she had to be the star of her own movie and be a box office success. Another known fact, Anna and Elsa are considered too successful to be Disney Princesses because they could sell their merchandise on their own. So, it became a product placement of T-Shirts your little princess will want.
Another unfunny part of this movie was that Felix and Calhoun, two forgotten characters, become instant parents with the Bratz from Sugar Rush and figuring out how to get them to behave. And it promotes the dad going to get a drink at the bar. This man, who made puppy dog eyes at Jane Lynch, decided to leave her alone with a dozen or so demons to chug root beer. Wouldn't she want some too?
The Moana homage also turned out to be a middle finger to those who wanted to see Ralph explode a bunny. You are so worn down by the movie that when it appears in the middle of the credits, you are angry because you're halfway to the lobby, or you're lucky to get to the lobby before it happens.
And the saddest thing is this was nominated for an Oscar.

Click image to view URL.

I hope you liked this. Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment about what you thought or if you want to recommend a movie for me to review. Thank you for reading. I'll return next week with another movie. See you then.

Released On: November 21, 2018
Rating: PG
Stars: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Taraji P. Henson
Directors: Phil Johnston, Rich Moore
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88% Certified Fresh
IMDb Score: 7.1/10

Awards
Golden Globes

• Best Animated Feature Film - Nominated

Academy Awards

• Best Animated Film - Nominated

(Click here to view more awards for "Ralph Breaks the Internet.")

Videos
CinemaSins - Everything Wrong with Ralph Breaks the Internet

"Call Me By Your Name"

I’m kind of stuck in the middle with this one. Lady Bird star Timothée Chalamet stars as 17-year-old Elio living in Italy, in 1983. His father, a professor at a nearby college, hires Otto, a middle-aged author, to research lost artifacts in the nearby shore. From there, one of the most frustrating love stories ever begins to unfold.

The film plays it well in the beginning in how subtle Elio is in his interest in Otto. To be honest, the movie is more about sexual exploration. Elio also struggles in a relationship with a local girl trying to figure out who he is. When he admits to Otto his feelings, this is where the movie takes a weird left turn, I think. Otto acts all flattered but wanted to keep it on the down low. But then he starts to show interest in Elio, so you spend the rest of the movie wondering whether or not Otto is serious. They don’t call each other by their names until the final hour of the movie. In the end, Otto had to go home, so they spend one final week together, dancing, drinking, and having fun at the local bars. After Otto had gone home, Elio's father’s admits to him that he almost had a similar experience when he was Elio’s age, but he didn’t have the balls to act on it like Elio. This was shocking to Elio as well as us, the audience, as he spent the entire movie avoiding his affections to Otto in front of his father. We already knew his mother knows, and in fact, she encourages the relationship. Six months later, Elio gets a call from Otto who tells him he’s getting married. And the movie ends with Elio sulking by the fireplace while his parents prepare for dinner.

It was a beautiful story while it lasted. A story about sexuality, identity, relationships, and acceptance. The girl Elio dated wasn’t mad at him. His parents, subtle until the end, were very supportive. Gross as it sounds, the peach scene was the most boyish thing a boy can do. I’m not saying other boys have taken a peach out of the fridge (I definitely didn’t do this) and practiced on it, but the movie moves forward with exploring male sexuality.

But it was Otto that kind of did me in, no pun intended. He was a playboy, and he used Elio to have that one unforgettable summer that emotionally ruined a boy struggling to come into his own. When you listen in on the horrendous phone call, you feel sympathetic for Elio and just want to cry too. The romance felt extremely real and convincing. I was sort of rooting for them, especially when they separated and Otto calls Elio. But then Otto pulls this sh*t. I just want to punch him for leading Elio on like that. The hell, man?

I’m proud of the movie not calling attention to the message out loud like other movies are doing. It’s casual. There was a time when characters were casually gay, or casually black, and the movie just showed them as human as the other characters. I want to go back to that. I want to see Serendipity starring two guys finding each other in New York City at Christmas, or The Notebook starring two women growing old together. Not all this coming out business. Can we have stories where the romance just happens?

I hope you liked this. Be sure to subscribe and leave a comment about what you thought or if you want to recommend a movie for me to review. Thank you for reading. I'll return next week with another movie. See you then.

Released On: November 24, 2017
Rating: R
Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer, Michael Stuhlberg, Amira Casar, Esther Garrel, Victoire Du Bois
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95% Certified Fresh
IMDb Score: 8.0/10

Awards
Academy Awards

• Best Picture - Nominated
• Best Actor Timothée Chalamet - Nominated
• Best Adapted Screenplay James Ivory - Winner
• Best Original Song Sufjan Stevens - Nominated

Golden Globes

• Best Motion Picture Drama - Nominated
• Best Actor Motion Picture Drama Timothée Chalamet - Nominated
• Best Supporting Actor Motion Picture Armie Hammer - Nominated