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Reviews
Mafia Mamma (2023)
Loved it ... except the gore
This was meant to be a fun romp with Toni Collette working her magic and she does. When she accidentally becomes the head of a Magia family in Italy... and there's no leaving the family ever. Her inner conflict of being a good, and very quirky person who wants to stop being a doormat to now channeling her inner rage is actually meaningful.
Movies now are also wonderful travelogues so it's great to see Italy through her character's eyes
The dialogue is light and breezy. The plot moves along with no dead spots. Excellent casting. I could have done without some of the gore but overall love the movie.
A Christmas Karen (2022)
Very realistic for Florida
I have to give it to the writers and producers of this movie, they've captured a typical MAGA in Florida beautifully. It was almost too realistic... like a certain someone in the 3rd district of Florida! Would someone like this actually have a "Christmas Carol" mea culpa? I guess there are miracles.
Surprisingly this story does have heart as the people that Karen abuses all have interesting life stories... Humor is a little crude at times, but it sometimes is charming and chuckle worthy. I think the writers definitely have talent.
The acting was actually good... not Downton Abbey good, but definitely worthy of a US sitcom or indie movie that does decent. The actress who plays Karen could play Melissa McCarthy's sister.
Do I recommend it? Heck yah!
Noises Off... (1992)
Needs a script doctor
When you have a brilliant cast, you should have a script that shows off their talents. Unfortunately, the script for the play was always weak & was even worse on film. This is full of unfunny one liners. How did it last on the stage? That's a mystery unless people went to make fun of the pretentiousness.
Is it still worth watching? Look at the cast! It definitely is, someone talented like script doctor Carrie Fisher could have kept the plot & rewrote the dialogue. The director should have realized he needed a better script before accepting the job.
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994)
Bad writing, bad directing, great cast
If you're going to write a script about real people and a real era, you should be diligent in making it realistic as possible. The script writer, who was also the director didn't seem to do either.
Rudolph's script comes across as someone has no self knowledge that they're the most annoying person in the room where in their own mind, they believe themselves to be witty and charming.
Perhaps a better director could have extracted better performances out of Gary Basaraba & Tom McGowan but I doubt it. They can't rise above the material where the rest of the cast has the talent to try.
This is a great example of having a great idea and a mostly talented cast but the execution is poor.
Rebecca (2020)
Something was missing
A stellar cast, beautiful sets, and a sharp writing push the movie along. However, one thing Mars this remake- the music score. The background music is very weak and doesn't fit the moodiness and mystery of the story. Modern music interspersed breaks the magic of being transported back to the 1940s, the time the characters inhabit.
Lily James is a stand out with her natural charm as she eases into the role of Mrs. de Winter, the shy but strong heroine. Surprisingly Arnie Hammer carries off the role of the brooding lord of the manner. Kristen Scott Thomas is even more sinister in the role of Mrs. Danvers.
If they would totally redo the soundtrack score, this version would be a 10
Downton Abbey (2019)
The next chapter of an epic story
Julian Fellowes brings back all the magic of Downton as we live through the next chapter of the Crawleys and their loved ones. Never one to miss out on a historical reference, the denizens prepare for the arrival of the King & Queen.
The script retains its trademark wit with Dame Maggie leading the way as the Greek chorus. There will be love, laughter, and tears throughout.
Not to spoil the story, but there is a secret that intrigues viewers and sets up a great story for the next movie.
When the original show went off the air, we felt like we were saying goodbye to dear friends. Now, they have come back and you'll not want to let them go.
Hopefully the next chapter will contain Lady Rose, Denker, Spratt, and Aunt Rosamund. (And hopefully Mary will ditch her very boring husband!)
Murder Mystery (2019)
Tepid script
A semi-interesting cast can't save this poorly scripted movie. The dialogue is so rambling, un-funny, and pointless that I think it would have been better if the actors improvised.
Adam Sandler toned down his normally obnoxious persona, but there's no chemistry between him and Jennifer Aniston so, again, he is miscast.
I gave it 6 stars because it was an interesting idea, but the execution was poor and the actors can only do so much.
Overboard (2018)
Don't remake a classic
Anna Farris tries... she really tries, but whoever cast Eugenio Derbez must be blind and deaf, because he can't act. The old movie had charm because of the chemistry of the actors. Anna Farris tries but this script and Derbez aren't cooperating.
Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
Fun but with flaws
My biggest takeaway from the movie is how the role of Michael was miscast. Ben Wishaw plays him as a miserable, sad sack, loser. Viewers won't feel any sympathy for him. Someone like Dan Stevens or Luke Evans would have been able to pull off the day dreaming widower. Jane is ably played by Emily Mortimer but doesn't have much to do. In fact, the script gives more time to Wishaw than Blunt!
Blunt is fierce in the role but sometimes the script has her playing second banana which is a big problem. Another problem is that three quarters of the songs are not memorable. Only two are very memorable.
The strengths are when Blunt is in full command of the scene, the animated sequences, the villainous Dawes nephew, special guests Streep, Van Dyke, and Lansbury. The children are well-chosen and are as earnest as the originals. Definitely, the movie will evoke childhood merriment that the original did, but this script needed help.
The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018)
Action packed adventure
I went in expecting a raucous comedy like "The Heat" or "Spy". However, I was pleasantly surprised that it was a well-crafted spy thriller that has heavily comic overtones. There is a strong chemistry among the leads and there is no dead space in the movie. Definitely worth seeing twice.