Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker

Maybe go
I just don’t know why this extremely confusing trilogy was even made. They should have started with Old Republic, and left the Skywalker Saga to be what it was. I was so depressed after The Last Jedi. But after this one, I am just sad. Very, very sad… My Star Wars Skywalker Saga will always be first 6 Episodes.
You know you have to go to finish the story; but maybe wait until the DVD hits the bargain table.

Jojo Rabbit

She who must be obeyed demands a:
Should Go
Jojo Rabbit is a weird, funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking black comedy.
Roman Griffin Davis is extraordinary as Jojo. He carried this story with a wide range of feelings, emotions, and actions. Taika Waititi is superb as the innovative imagination of Jojo’s Adolf Hitler. He uses sarcasm, expressive physical movement, and wit to define and make his character come alive. Thomasin McKenzie is sublime as Elsa. Her strength and compassion while attempting to stay alive in a country that reviled her kind was, at times, riveting. Scarlett Johansson is excellent as Jojo’s mother. She embodied someone straddling the line of life and death along with survival and what’s right. Sam Rockwell is over-the-top perfect for his role. When he carefully validated Elsa’s papers, you knew his heart. Rebel Wilson is well cast as Fraulein Rahm, a woman who got away with saying outlandish things. Taika Waititi (of What We Do in the Shadows 2014) also wrote and directed this film, and it is clear he knew what he wanted, and he got it, a fun-filled touching black comedy.
Special shout out to Archie Yates as Yorki a great scene stealer.

Jumanji – the Next Level

Go
It’s not often I find a sequel that surpasses the original…but this is one of them. They managed to make a sequel with the same storyline but yet it was completely different and even funnier. Dwayne and Kevin do a fantastic job of imitating Danny Glover and Danny de Vito. Jack Black did a brilliant job of playing a different character. I laughed from beginning to end, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Must Go
Tom Hanks will rip your heart out and return it to you filled with love and understanding. I’m not ashamed to admit that it actually did move me to tears, and happy tears at that.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a beautiful feel-good film about Mr. Rogers and the effect he had and will always have on people. It tells the tale of his relationship with Lloyd Vogel (Matthew Rhys), an emotionally jaded reporter tasked to write a profile on him as one of America’s heroes.

If you’re interested on learning more about Mr. Rogers, see the documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” (2018). You’ll get more of a feel for who he is. But if you’re in the mood for a touching story from his life, this is a good one to see. Take four hankies.

Knives Out

Go
I love it when a movie surprises me.
Knives Out is a great whodunit that’s unpredictable and extremely funny, skillfully played. Its incredible cast are excellent but Chris Evans, Daniel Craig and Ana De Armas give the standout performances
Halfway through, she who must be obeyed and I were like, “OK, it’s all solved, where’s the ‘mystery’ part?!” And then … well, a very enjoyable second half.
I have read the majority of the Agatha Christie novels, and Knives Out does a fantastic job paying homage to the Queen of Mystery. It’s witty, surprising, and a great ride. I would recommend anyone that appreciates mysteries to go see this!

Ford v Ferrari

Must Go
If you’re a fan of racing or cars in general, this movie will be for you. This is a very well-directed film by James Mangold, and the racing sequences are quite long, taking up a good chunk of the nearly 150-minute run time. Luckily, they are very intense, practically shot, with a fantastic score to back it up, and sound effects to get your heart pumping. Everything about the exciting aspects of this film was top notch. Christian Bale and Matt Damon give stellar performances here as the two leading men in the film and I totally bought their rigid friendship that slowly developed.
In the end, Ford v Ferrari is engaging, emotional, and downright thrilling. She who must be obeyed gives this a must go too!

Doctor Sleep

Must Go
All work and no play make Tom a dull boy.
All work and no play make Tom a dull boy.
All work and no play make Tom a dull boy.
All work and no play make Tom a dull boy.
All work and no play make Tom a dull boy.
All work and no play make Tom a dull boy.
All work and no play make Tom a dull boy.
All work and no play make Tom a dull boy.

The original Shining terrified me! Too easy to see myself slipping into the darkness. If you are going into this film expecting it to be a straight up sequel to the Kubrick film with the same horror tone, you’ll be disappointed, however if you have an open mind, this movie is very well directed and acted and the story is very compelling. This is more of a fantasy thriller than a horror film and I really like that about this film. It also does quite a bit of homage to the 1980 film, but takes it into a new and interesting direction with a deep underlying theme direct from Steven King.
While Doctor Sleep is a somewhat drawn-out and, mostly, slow-moving film, it still has enough to it, to not lose one’s attention.
Damn Rebecca Ferguson as Rose the Hat is creepy.

Harriet

Must Go
Cynthia Erivo, as Harriet Tubman, is a powerful talent. I was not surprised to discover that she comes to us via the theater, having won accolades for her acting and musical talent (a Tony, a Grammy and an Emmy – 3/4 of the way to an EGOT). The supporting cast is nothing to sneeze at, either, it is littered with stars and seasoned character actors.
What this film did do – and did do well – was make me want to find out more about this hero.
Do yourself a favor – see this movie.

Zombieland 2

Go
Nice zombie touch with the Columbia logo at the very, very beginning before the movie even started.
The humor is spot on, it had me laughing all the way through it, from the running gag with their transport problems to the family guy style cut scenes involving the ‘Zombie Kill of the Year’
This film delivers and it improves from the first film a perfect blend of action comedy and love. I recommend it.