Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin and Alan Arkin in the Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val movie ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’

It was the weekend just past that my parents invited Lynn and me to see the animated movie Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022) in the movie theatre. The movie was directed by the team of Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val. The Minions franchise, when considered in timeline order rather than release order, can be watched as Minions (2015), Minions: The Rise of Gru, Despicable Me (2010), Despicable Me 2 (2013) and Despicable Me 3 (2017).

(Kevin, Stuart and Bob as voiced, along with all the Minions, by Pierre Coffin in the Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val movie Minions: The Rise of Gru).

It is not necessary to have seen the other movies in the Minions franchise to enjoy Minions: The Rise of Gru. Pierre Coffin voices of all the minions in this film, with Kevin, Stuart, Bob and Otto featuring prominently. A prominent set of actors buttress the performance by lending their voices to this movie.

(From left, Steve Carell as Gru and Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario in the Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val movie Minions: The Rise of Gru).

Much of the film features the city of San Francisco, California. Steve Carell reprises his role as Gru as a boy nearly 12-years old with the aspiration of becoming a super-villain. The relationship between the Minions themselves and the Gru are shown following the introduction of a storyline including the Viscious 6.

(From left, Jean-Claude Van Damme as Jean-Clawed, Dolph Lundgren as Svengeance, Taraji P. Henson as Belle Bottom, Danny Trejo as Stronghold and Lucy Lawless as Nun-chuck in the Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val movie Minions: The Rise of Gru).

The story of Gru’s introduction to villainy takes a concrete turn with Minions: The Rise of Gru when Gru is introduced to join the Vicious 6, a group of super-villains founded by Wild Knuckles. A circumstance has occurred that disconnected Wild Knuckles from the group, introducing an opening for new leader Belle Bottom to add to the ranks of Jean-Clawed, Svengeance, Stronghold and Nun-chuck.

(From left, Alan Arkin as Wild Knuckles and Julie Andrews as Marlena Gru in the Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val movie Minions: The Rise of Gru).

An object with powers and relevance to the Chinese New Year (also called Lunar New Year) have put a wedge between Wild Knuckles and the remainder of Vicious 6, with the invitation to join the group as facilitated through Dr. Nefario establishing the child appropriate conflict that informs the movie’s conflict.

(From left, Michelle Yeoh as Master Chow and RZA (Robert Fitzgerald Diggs) as a biker in the Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val movie Minions: The Rise of Gru).

Master Chow and a biker become important aids in addressing the movie’s conflict, which includes nearly continuous action, humor and music that offers things to the adults that accompany kids to the show. Humor that at one point invoked Don Rickles was a particularly nice touch for those with a decent recollection of the 1970s and other decades the star worked in.

(From left, Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val all served as directors for the Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val movie Minions: The Rise of Gru).

Death Valley, California also is mentioned within Minions: The Rise of Gru. There is much to enjoy for audiences that welcome movies with a PG (Parental Guidance) rating, which this movie has. This film worked well for Lynn along with my parents, who are in their seventies. I rate Minions: The Rise of Gru as directed by Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson and Jonathan del Val 4-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, July 9, 2022

Marlene Dietrich, Jane Wyman and Richard Todd in the Alfred Hitchcock movie ‘Stage Fright’

The movie Stage Fright (1950) as directed by Alfred Hitchcock rewards the viewing audience with a mystery, a thriller and the film noir perspective. The movie was adapted for film from Selwyn Jepson‘s 1947 novel Man Running, which is out-of-print at the time of this movie review.

(From left, Richard Todd as Jonathan Cooper, Alastair Sim as Commodore Gill and Jane Wyman as Eve Gill in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Stage Fright).

The movie Stage Fright introduces us to Jonathan Cooper interrupting aspiring actress Eve Gill during rehearsal at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) with a story of murder. Gill, as portrayed by Jane Wyman, has a crush on Cooper, as portrayed by Richard Todd.

(From left, Michael Wilding as Wilfred ‘Ordinary’ Smith and Marlene Dietrich as Charlotte Inwood in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Stage Fright).

The story Cooper brings is a flashback to having learned from what we discern is his secret love interest, stage actress/singer Charlotte Inwood, that Inwood had visited him in a bloodied dress after having killed her husband. Cooper heads to the scene of the crime, the home of Inwood and her deceased husband, to stage the scene and retrieve a change of clothes. Nellie Goode, Charlotte’s maid and dresser, saw Cooper in the home. Marlene Dietrich and Kay Walsh portrayed Charlotte Inwood and Nellie Goode, respectively.

(From left, Kay Walsh as Nellie Goode and Sybil Thorndike as Mrs. Gill in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Stage Fright).

Eve Gill took Richard Cooper, with the bloodied dress, over to her father’s house. Alastair Sim portrayed Eve’s father, Commodore Gill. The theory initially expressed was that Charlotte Inwood had meant to frame Richard Cooper, yet Cooper takes to destroying the dress and the biggest piece of known evidence that would exonerate him.

(Hector MacGregor as Freddie Williams in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Stage Fright).

An elaborate set of activity follows intending to prove Richard’s innocence through solving the mystery of what really happened. There is charm and oddity in the specific approaches aimed at arriving there, which includes a budding romance between Eve Gill and Wilfred ‘Ordinary’ Smith. Michael Wilding portrayed Smith. Further mystery with Charlotte Inwood and her manager, Freddie Williams, offers an additional strand to unravel. Hector MacGregor portrayed Williams.

(From left, actress Jane Wyman as Eve Gill and director Alfred Hitchcock in cameo for the Alfred Hitchcock movie Stage Fright).

While many watching Stage Fright may not have read Man Running, it should be noted that the resolution to the resolution and thriller storylines are different between the movie and the book. There is quality storytelling and an engaging mystery that stands up better than some other movies offered by our fair director. I grant Stage Fright as directed by Alfred Hitchcock 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Monday, July 4, 2022

Pam Grier, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Forster in the Quentin Tarantino movie ‘Jackie Brown’

The American crime movie Jackie Brown (1997) was filmed influenced in subject matter and filming style of blaxploitation movies like Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974). The film is the third directed by Quentin Tarantino, originally from Knoxville, Tennessee. The movie was adapted from the Elmore Leonard book Rum Punch.

(Pam Grier as the character Jackie Brown in the Quentin Tarantino movie Jackie Brown).

Pam Grier starred as title character Jackie Brown for the movie of the same name. Brown is a stewardess that moves drugs from Mexico into the United States for gun runner Ordell Robbie of Los Angeles, California. Samuel L. Jackson portrayed Robbie, who bails out courier Beaumont Livingston with bail bondsmen Max Cherry early in the movie. When Livingston shows up dead shortly thereafter, a distinct set of events involving the three is set in motion. Robert Forster portrayed Cherry. Chris Tucker portrayed Livingston.

(Robert Forster as Max Cherry in the Quentin Tarantino movie Jackie Brown).

ATF agent Ray Nicolette and Los Angeles Police Department detective Mark Dargus, as portrayed respectively by Michael Keaton and Michael Bowen, tie into the Brown and Robbie tale. When Nicolette and Dargus catch Jackie Brown carrying illegal drugs, they setup a sting with Brown to take down the larger illegal enterprise. Robbie seeks Cherry’s help with getting Brown out of jail.

(From left, Michael Bowen as LAPD Detective Mark Dargus and Michael Keaton as ATF Agent Ray Nicolette in the Quentin Tarantino movie Jackie Brown).

Against the above backdrop, the racket of arms and drug dealing undertaken by Ordell Robbie is pitted against the backdrop of hedonistic partners Melanie Ralston and Louis Gara, as portrayed by Bridget Fonda and Robert De Niro, respectively. Ralston enjoys surfing, the lifestyle afforded by her connection to moving material for Robbie. The conniving is play between Gara and Ralston, the first recently out of prison, is rivaled by additional intrigue brewing still between Jackie Brown and multiple other players in this drama.

(From left, Bridget Fonda as Melanie Ralston, Robert De Niro as Louis Gara and Samuel L. Jackson as Ordell Robbie in the Quentin Tarantino movie Jackie Brown).

Quentin Tarantino adapted the Elmore Leonard story for the screen, thus the notions of misdirection that have been hallmarks of scripts written for movies by Tarantino elsewhere. That there is still another con that ends up pitting Max Cherry against Dargus and Nicolette as well as members of the illegal plays in play make for an entertaining foray into the fare that has, in my opinion, made Tarantino movies so popular with the general public as well as many critics.

(Actress Pam Grier and director Quentin Tarantino as seen during the filming of the Quentin Tarantino movie Jackie Brown).

There is much to be taken from watching this movie that I have left to your imagination. My suggestion is that you watch Jackie Brown for yourself, as I grant the movie as directed by Quention Tarantino 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey and Tom Skerritt in the Robert Zemeckis movie ‘Contact’

Astronomer Carl Sagan wrote the 1985 book Contact: A Novel. With his Peabody Award and Emmy winning wife, Ann Druyan, Sagan wrote the outline for the movie that became Contact (1997). James V. Hart and Michael Goldenberg wrote the screenplay for the movie both produced and directed by Robert Zemeckis.

(From left, Jena Malone as young Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Arroway and David Morse as Theodore Arroway in the Robert Zemeckis movie Contact).

We are introduced to Dr. Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Arroway as a child, a dreamer in beaming with curiosity for connection and the love for her father, the one parent in the picture for her at the movie’s beginning. Theodore Arroway encourages this curiosity, pointing to a means of connecting with others using a radio connection in the family home. Shortly after introducing this dynamic, Ellie’s father dies. David Morse portrayed Theodore Arroway while Jena Malone portrayed Dr. Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Arroway as a child.

(From left, Matthew McConaughey as Palmer Joss and Jodie Foster as Dr. Eleanor Arroway in the Robert Zemeckis movie Contact).

Fast forward to the modern day, with the child grown into a doctor working at the Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, searching for signs of civilized life in space as a part of SETI. It is here that Arroway meets Christian philosopher Palmer Joss. Matthew McConaughey and Jodie Foster portray Joss and Arroway as an adult. It is also here in Arecibo that the first notion of David Drumlin, the president’s science advisor, wants to pull funding for the research that Dr. Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Arroway has made her life’s ambition.

(From left, William Fichtner as Kent Clarke and John Hurt as S.R. Hadden in the Robert Zemeckis movie Contact).

The position of Drumlin’s position leads Ellie to pursue alternative paths of funding to continue her research. With friend Kent Clarke present to offer professional assistance and advice along the way, the two ultimately gain financial backing from Hadden Industries, run by reclusive billionaire industrialist S. R. Hadden. This gives Dr. Arroway the time to work at the Very Large Array (VLA) in San Agustin, New Mexico, near Socorro. Tom Skerritt portrayed David Drumlin. John Hurt portrayed S.R. Hadden. William Fichtner portrayed Kent Clarke.

(From left, Tom Skerritt as Dr. David Drumlin and James Woods as Michael Kitz in the Robert Zemeckis movie Contact).

Approximately four years later, Dr. Arroway discovers a signal that includes a repeating sequence of prime numbers at the VLA. Rather than close access to the telescopes at the VLA, Drumlin and National Security Council leader Michael Kitz, among many others, descend upon the facility with the intention of commandeering the facility and Arroway’s discovery. While assuming credit, astounding further discoveries are found that lead to an opportunity to contact an alien intelligence from the star system Vega, which is approximately 25 or 26 light-years away. The drama the ensues from here fascinates me to an enormous degree. James Woods portrayed Michael Kitz.

(From left, producer and director Robert Zemeckis, actor Matthew McConaughey and actress Jodie Foster on sight of the Robert Zemeckis movie Contact).

Many existential questions of justice, spirituality, politics, power dynamics, curiosity and love flow through the course of the movie Contact. I grant Contact as directed by Robert Zemeckis 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger and Paul Giamatti in the Ron Howard movie ‘Cinderella Man’

The Ron Howard produced and directed movie Cinderella Man (2005) tells the story of boxer James J. Braddock. Penny Marshall and Brian Grazer also produced the movie, set largely in New Jersey and New York City, New York.

(Russell Crowe as James J. Braddock in the Ron Howard movie Cinderella Man).

The movie focuses largely on the difficult road to an opportunity to compete for a boxing championship of Braddock, as portrayed by Russell Crowe. The difficult road is one that takes us through the story of Braddock‘s family and his manager, Joe Gould. Paul Giamatti portrayed Gould, who became rich along with Braddock for a fight with Joe Louis briefly mentioned by the movie before the closing credits.

(Paul Giamatti as Joe Gould in the Ron Howard movie Cinderella Man).

The adversity of the movie presented itself when James Braddock suffered a setback in the ring that he couldn’t adequately box through. The film set raised the difficulty of the Great Depression, which really hurt Gould, Braddock and each of their families. Renée Zellweger portrayed Mae Braddock, the wife to the boxer and mother to James Braddock‘s three kids. Connor Price, Patrick Louis and Ariel Waller portrayed the three children.

(From left, Ariel Waller as Rosemarie Braddock, Patrick Louis as Howard Braddock, Connor Price as Jay Braddock and Renée Zellweger as Mae Braddock in the Ron Howard movie Cinderella Man).

The difficulty raised by the injury raised some difficulties in managing families juxtaposed against the notion of so-called Hoovervilles that developed in the 1930s. The family and James Braddock, the man, struggled with this and an action that the boxing commission had taken following the setback experienced by Braddock in the boxing ring.

(From left, Bruce McGill as James J. Johnston and Craig Bierko as Max Baer in the Ron Howard movie Cinderella Man).

The compelling stories of interpersonal turmoil and the strains the circumstance had for many were artfully dramatized in the movie. The comeback that followed, especially in spelling out the reputation of rival boxer Max Baer, seem to have been exaggerated a bit. Craig Bierko portrayed Max Baer.

(From left, actor Russell Crowe and director Ron Howard onsite for the Ron Howard movie Cinderella Man).

Certain themes from Cinderella Man echo the story told by Rocky (1976), though many points separate the larger story as well. Cinderella Man takes you to an emotionally more difficult place than Rocky, which speaks to the credit of this movie. I give Cinderella Man as directed by Ron Howard 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, June 18, 2022

Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley in the Martin Scorsese movie ‘Shutter Island’

The 2003 Dennis Lehane book Shutter Island became the Martin Scorsese movie Shutter Island (2010). Filmed with a remarkable sense of place, time and psychological insight, the movie features the Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island, Boston Harbor in the year 1954. The harbor is part of Massachusetts Bay, set in particular adjacent to the city of Boston, Massachusetts.

(From left, Mark Ruffalo as Chuck Aule and Leonardo DiCaprio as Edward ‘Teddy’ Daniels in the Martin Scorsese movie Shutter Island).

We meet Edward ‘Teddy’ Daniels and his new partner Chuck Aule, of the U.S. Marshals Service, arriving at the island to begin the movie. Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo portray Daniels and Aule, respectively. The disappearance of Rachel Solando, who we are told drowned her three children, adds additional psychological impact to the Solando disappearance.

(Ben Kingsley as Dr. John Cawley in the Martin Scorsese movie Shutter Island).

Pretty quickly, Dr. John Crawley and his staff are shown to not be cooperating with the investigation. Crawley, as portrayed by Ben Kingsley, seems to have ulterior motivations driving an agenda to experiment on the patients in the hospital for the criminally insane. That the doctor in charge of Rachel Solando’s care went on vacation upon Solando’s disappearance additionally looks suspicious. It is at this moment that Teddy Daniels begins to experience flashbacks as a United States Army soldier with experiences liberating European concentration camps in World War Two.

(From left, Elias Koteas as Andrew Laeddis and Jackie Earle Haley as George Noyce in the Martin Scorsese movie Shutter Island).

Things take more severe turns for Teddy Daniels as other symptoms surface, including thoughts of his wife, Dolores. We learn that Daniels’ wife, as portrayed by Michelle Williams, has been burned to death by Andrew Leaddis. Elias Koteas portrayed Leaddis; things really turn dark when Daniels reveals to Chuck Aule that he took the investigation hoping to meet Leaddis on this island. In a restricted section, Teddy Daniels has a frightening encounter with George Noyce, as portrayed by Jackie Earle Haley.

(From left, Michelle Williams as Dolores, Patricia Clarkson as Rachel Solando and Emily Mortimer as The Nurse Portraying Rachel Solando in the Martin Scorsese movie Shutter Island).

The story takes meaningful and thematically mature turns from here around the story of Rachel Solando, with Emily Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson contributing important elements to piecing together the truths underpinning the larger story of the movie. Many deep and significant truths are explored through this film, offering the story told an unexpected depth that really resonates for some. Cobra, a friend of the blog, is really taken with this movie.

(Director Martin Scorsese is shown during the production of the Martin Scorsese movie Shutter Island).

The movie Shutter Island works as an ensemble of multiple movie influences. While not rising to what I consider the best of the movies ever made by Martin Scorsese, venturing into new terrains for him cinematically is a refreshing touch. That the film targeted an adult audience also feels pretty clear to me. I give Shutter Island as directed by Martin Scorsese at 3.75-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine and Nigel Bruce in the Alfred Hitchcock movie ‘Suspicion’

Using the pseudonym Francis Iles with the 1932 crime novel Before the Fact, Anthony Berkeley Cox wrote what became the underpinning for the movie Suspicion (1941). The movie offers an interesting mixture of Alfred Hitchcock‘s perspectives of film noir, romance and psychological thriller. It’s our belief that you should watch the movie Suspicion.

(From left, Cary Grant as Johnnie Aysgarth and Joan Fontaine as Lina McLaidlaw Aysgarth in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Suspicion).

Suspicion establishes setting and character when eligible, handsome and financially irresponsible Johnnie Aysgarth meets Lina McLaidlaw on a train traveling in England. Johnnie aims to initiate conversation with a suspicious insult meant as a means of beginning the desire for communication. When Lina later overhears her parents mentioning that they believe Lina will never marry, she lashes out by kissing Johnnie in defiance. Cary Grant portrayed Johnnie Aysgarth. Joan Fontaine, winner of an Academy Award for the performance, portrayed Lina McLaidlaw.

(Cedric Hardwicke as General McLaidlaw in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Suspicion).

The kiss to spite her parents leads to an afternoon date between Lina and Johnnie, which Johnnie cancels before vanishing. Things eventually turn around, with a proposal for marriage that Lina’s wealthy father opposes with decided strength. Cedric Hardwicke and May Whitty portrayed General McLaidlaw and Mrs. Martha McLaidlaw, parents to Lina, respectively.

(From left, Joan Fontaine as Lina McLaidlaw Aysgarth and May Whitty as Mrs. Martha McLaidlaw in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Suspicion).

This escalating romance eventually leads to the couple’s decision to elope, thus making the wealthy couple’s daughter Lina McLaidlaw Aysgarth. The story escalates into an increasingly thrilling set of actions that become decidedly film noir when the state of Johnnie’s finances come to light with the notion for how to pay for a luxurious wedding and living arrangements come into focus. The selling of family heirlooms to cover gambling debts are simply the beginning.

(From left, Cary Grant as Johnnie Aysgarth, Joan Fontaine as Lina McLaidlaw Aysgarth and Nigel Bruce as Gordon Cochrane ‘Beaky’ Thwaite in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Suspicion).

Things get deeper when a financial ambitions, including financial shenanigans that eventually escalate to confirm that a desperate times can call for desperate measures. Lina perceives a confidence play on a land deal between Johnnie and the good-natured Gordon Cochrane ‘Beaky’ Thwaite. Things really get elevate after Beaky travels to Paris, France. Nigel Bruce portrayed ‘Beaky’ Thwaite, and unwittingly points to some fascinating suspense for how the film ultimately resolves itself.

(From left, actor Cary Grant and director Alfred Hitchcock staging a shot for the Alfred Hitchcock movie Suspicion).

The intrigue throughout Suspicion resonates with me, 90-years after the book and 81-years after the movie. What will become of the romantic couple? Are the looks that are legitimate and suspect really what is about to happen? Is there even a chance that the truth isn’t what we suspect? That these are the questions leads to my granting Suspicion as directed by Alfred Hitchcock 4-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, June 4, 2022

Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Tom. T. Tran and the Barry Levinson movie ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’

Adrian Cronauer of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania served in real life as United States Air Force Sergeant and disc jockey on American Forces Network during the Vietnam War. Cronauer became the inspiration for the Mitch Markowitz written United States war comedy directed by Barry Levinson titled Good Morning, Vietnam (1987).

(From left, Forest Whitaker as Private Edward Garlick and Robin Williams as Adrian Cronauer in the Barry Levinson movie Good Morning, Vietnam).

Serving in what was Saigon at the time, the movie Good Morning, Vietnam introduced Private Edward Garlick picking up Adrian Cronauer at the airport to the radio station where Cronauer would become a disc jockey. Forest Whitaker and Robin Williams portray Garlick and Cronauer, respectively. We find quickly that Cronauer‘s style of offering irreverent humor and playing rock and roll music is neither appreciated nor received well by his superior officers, namely Lieutenant Steven Hauk and Sergeant Major Phillip Dickerson. Bruno Kirby and J.T. Walsh portray Hauk and Dickerson, respectively.

(From left, Tom. T. Tran as Phan Duc To, aka Tuan, and Chintara Sukapatana as Trinh in the Barry Levinson movie Good Morning, Vietnam).

As this storyline begins, Cronauer follows a local girl, Trinh, to a class where he aims to teach the local Vietnamese population English. Trinh’s brother, Tuan, intervenes in the shenanigans from the class that Cronauer insinuates himself into, in as much as Tuan wants Cronauer to discontinue having an interest in his, Tuan’s, sister. The friendship that follows for Tuan and Cronauer leads them to Jimmy Wah’s GI bar, and racial tensions ensue. Chintara Sukapatana, Tom. T. Tran, and Cu Ba Nguyen portray Trinh, Tuan and Jimmy Wah, respectively.

(Behind Glass from left, Dan Stanton as Censor #1 and Don Stanton as Censor #2. Standing from left, Bruno Kirby as Lieutenant Steven Hauk, Richard Portnow as Dan ‘The Man’ Levitan, Floyd Vivino as Eddie Kirk, Robert Wuhl as Marty Lee Dreiwitz and Forest Whitaker as Private Edward Garlick. Sitting is Robin Williams as Adrian Cronauer. All were in the Barry Levinson movie Good Morning, Vietnam).

The incident at Jimmy Wah’s GI bar boils up into further tensions for Cronauer with Dickerson and Hauk, with the result being a humorous and dramatic set of escalating discipline. Humor and drama would follow, with emotional connections, personality conflicts and a deep sense of conscience that provoked dramatic interplay. Avoiding the details for the sake of those yet to watch the movie, my testimony confirms that the interplay alone is compelling with the humor alongside also working.

(From left, Noble Willingham as General Taylor and J.T. Walsh as Sergeant Major Phillip Dickerson in the Barry Levinson movie Good Morning, Vietnam).

The central personality throughout the movie is, as you might expect, Adrian Cronauer. The man’s humanity is without question strong. The interactions including General Taylor, as portrayed by Noble Willingham, help offer some sense of perspective and adulthood throughout the larger story. The role serves a crucial role in bringing the movie to its resolution.

(Wearing Air Force fatigues was actor Robin Williams. Wearing sunglasses was director Barry Levinson. Both were onsite for the Barry Levinson movie Good Morning, Vietnam).

The humanity and insanity of being at war, with a friendly dose of what humor can be when looking at conflict from a perspective of everyday life, makes the movie effective for a wide audience. The story still holds up for me to this day, which helps me give Good Morning, Vietnam as directed by Barry Levinson 4.25-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, May 28, 2022

Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz and Jeffrey Wright in the Matt Reeves movie ‘The Batman’

The Matt Reeves directed movie The Batman (2022) offers a new and modern view of Gotham City with a series of takes on the notion of vengeance in a city of lies, corruption and the riddles of masks obscuring just notions of truth. We review a dark movie that asks less for understanding of motives of the film’s central stars, but in shining light on the past in seeing its influence on the future.

(From left, Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne, Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle, John Turturro as Carmine Falcone and Colin Farrell as Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobblepot, aka Penguin in the Matt Reeves movie The Batman).

Robert Pattinson starred as Bruce Wayne and Batman, whose introduction follows a shocking murder beginning to the film on Halloween‘s night. As portrayed by Paul Dano as the Riddler, whose unmasked persona we meet as Edward Nashton, we witness a shocking event that speaks to the larger theme that drove the movie’s story. The brooding perspective of Wayne and Batman introduces us to Batman himself fighting an unrelated crime with Wayne’s personal narration mirroring the action. While Wayne sets a stage for how he views the crusade he is on, we sense the motivation of fear and vengeance driving Wayne as his persona of Batman.

(Paul Dano as Edward Nashton, aka the Riddler in the Matt Reeves movie The Batman).

The murder lands lieutenant James Gordon and his team of policemen investigating the murder, with Batman along for the investigative ride. The notion of riddles begins with a message left for Batman and discovered by lieutenant Gordon, as portrayed by Jeffrey Wright. A second message at a second murder adds to the intrigue.

(From left, Jeffrey Wright as James Gordon and Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth in the Matt Reeves movie The Batman).

The underlying themes focus Batman, the police investigation and the public on the notion of corruption within Gotham City. The notion takes the story to known criminal elements in the city, with the Iceberg Lounge introducing us to waitress Selina Kyle, her roommate Annika Koslov, nightclub operator Oswald ‘Oz’ Cobblepot, aka Penguin, and finally Carmine Falcone. John Torturro, Colin Farrell, Zoë Kravitz and Hana Hrzic portrayed Carmine Falcone, the Penguin / Oswald Cobblepot, Selina Kyle / Catwoman and Annika Koslov, respectively. The intermingling of storylines for these characters each were individually strong, though the depth of these characters alongside Batman and the Riddler contributed a movie length that struck me as unnecessarily long.

(From left, Robert Pattinson as Batman and Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman in the Matt Reeves movie The Batman).

An especially effective part of The Batman as a movie for me included the revelations for Catwoman, the Riddler, Batman and the interplay between Alfred Pennyworth and Bruce Wayne, the man. Andy Serkis portrayed Alfred, who offered a contextual insight to Bruce Wayne as Batman that, in a way, saved the character of Bruce Wayne / Batman for me. The stories of the Riddler and Carmine Falcone combined to shed a darkness upon Wayne that thankfully were rescued in the end. How the budding romance of Catwoman and Batman played out are something I commend, yet leave to you to discern from the movie.

(From left, director Matt Reeves and actor Paul Dano in the Matt Reeves movie The Batman).

The Batman as a movie offers storylines sufficiently true to what I know of the comic series to keep me encouraged where future stories in subsequent films will take this precise movie. Choosing the Riddler and Batman as subjects of this film’s origin stories worked for me. The movie length was the hardest part of the film for me overall. The love interest angle further worked. Overlapping these with a henchman and criminal mastermind storyline was the individual story that I wish had been less embellished. I grant The Batman as directed by Matt Reeves 3.75-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, May 14, 2022

James Stewart, Grace Kelly and Wendell Corey in the Alfred Hitchcock movie ‘Rear Window’

Our offering today reflects one of the better received movies ever made by director Alfred Hitchcock. Based at a Greenwich Village courtyard apartment window of New York City, New York, we get an intriguing story told from the perspective of a professional photographer confined to a wheelchair with a courtyard, another apartment and the wits of the characters to guide us. Based on the Cornell Woolrich 1942 short story It Had to Be Murder, Rear Window (1954) dares to ask if there in fact was murder before raising the stakes in a decisive answer that moves us from mystery to thriller.

(From left, Thelma Ritter as Stella, James Stewart as L.B. Jefferies and Grace Kelly as Lisa Fremont in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rear Window).

Hitch introduces the charming concept of giving as clear a part in the movie as one can get with the central character L.B. Jefferies, as portrayed by James Stewart. It us Jefferies as the professional photographer, cast from toes to hip on his left leg, who accepts the guilty pleasure of looking in on the courtyard below and the multiple floors of neighbors across that courtyard living their lives with curtains and blinds drawn for life to unfold for everyone.

(From left, Grace Kelly as Lisa Fremont, Wendell Corey as New York Police Department Detective Tom Doyle and James Stewart as L.B. Jefferies in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rear Window).

With the benefit of a heatwave to keep windows open, L.B. Jefferies discusses the stories unfolding in front of him with his socialite girlfriend, Lisa Fremont, and his nurse, Stella, who visit his apartment daily. Grace Kelly portrayed Fremont as Thelma Ritter portrayed Stella. It is with the commentary about traveling costume jewelry salesman Lars Thorwald and his bedridden wife, a newlywed couple, a songwriter pianist, a dancer nicknamed ‘Miss Torso’, a woman nicknamed ‘Miss Lonelyhearts’ and a middle-aged couple whose small dog likes digging in the flower garden that we get a sense of the intrigue we all get to discover. Judith Evelyn portrayed Miss Lonelyhearts.

(Raymond Burr as Lars Thorwald in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rear Window).

The curiosity of the eavesdropping remains precisely that until one evening when, at home by himself when L.B. Jefferies and we hear the breaking of glass and screaming from across the courtyard. In the middle of the thunderstorm that follows overnight, Jefferies sees Lars Thorwald, as portrayed by Raymond Burr, repeatedly carrying a suitcase from the Thorwald apartment. Mrs. Anna Thorwald, as portrayed by Irene Winston, isn’t seen again after this point. The warning from Stella about the views of New York state when it comes to sentencing for being a Peeping Tom struck me as humorous and clever commentary.

(Judith Evelyn as Miss Lonelyhearts, Sara Berner as Woman on the Fire Escape and Frank Cady as Man on the Fire Escape in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rear Window).

Convincing himself that this and other plot points add up to murder, L.B. Jefferies calls upon his New York Police Department Detective friend Tom Doyle, as portrayed by Wendell Corey, to share his suspicions and assistance in bringing about justice. When Jefferies can bring suspicions without having concretely witnessed a murder, the mystery of what we really saw is mixed in with a request for investigation that simply and logically isn’t actionable. While this is no good, it simply brings us, socialite Lisa Fremont, and nurse Stella even more intrigued as the coincidences continue to pile up.

(From left, director Alfred Hitchcock in cameo and actor Ross Bagdasarian as the songwriter in the Alfred Hitchcock movie Rear Window).

When the mystery of what really was happening became too much for Lisa and Stella, the cleverness of action mingled with the charm of screenwriter John Michael Hayes‘ script to offer a story for cinema lovers with the gumption to enjoy Alfred Hitchcock. The movie worked really well. I give Rear Window as directed by Alfred Hitchcock 4.5-stars on a scale of 1-to-5.

Matt – Saturday, May 7, 2022