I’m always down for a good tale of espionage, especially when it involves Baseball. Doesn’t make sense right? Let me break it down for you. The Catcher Was A Spy is the true life story of Boston White Sox player Moe Berg. Not only did was this dude a real spy, but her spoke seven languages – fluently. Oh, and did I mention he was also bisexual. You can’t say he didn’t live his life to its fullest. As an intelligence operative, he interviewed physicists about the Nazi nuclear program and played an instrumental role in the U.S. effort to defeat Germany, later transferring to the CIA. Paul Rudd is…
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Elastagirl and Jack Jack Steal the Show in Disney*Pixar’s Incredibles 2
Disney has done it again! Incredibles 2 surpasses the excitement of its predecessor totally entertaining the adult children like myself. When we catch up with Elastagirl, Mr. Incredible, Violet and Dash – superheroes have been deemed illegal and are underground. When their best efforts to convince society that superheroes being needed and relevant aare thwarted, their superhero program is being shutdown and they have to find new digs in just a few short weeks. Elastagirl comes to the rescue with the help of cool techno-geek villain Evelyn Deavor (Catherine Keaner) and her overly enthusiastic brother Winston (Bob Odenkirk). Let me just say that Elastagirl is a total badass when…
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Ocean’s 8 is a Stylish Heist with an All-Star Cast of Flick Favs
The Ocean’s franchise is back featuring an all-star female cast of flick, tv and recording favorites – Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Sarah Paulson, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina and Rihanna, who hold their own individually and as a unit. Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) has been incarcerated for nearly ten years and upon parole contacts her bestie Lou (Cate Blanchett) to embark upon the heist of a lifetime – stealing the famed Touissaint necklace during the Met Ball Gala. Each doll has their specialty. Mindy Kaling is the jewel expert, Rihanna – a computer/IT wiz, Awkwafina – a pick-pocket of epic proportions, Sarah Paulson is a stay at…
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Toni Collette is Brilliant in Heart-Stopping Horror Hereditary
After watching Stephen King’s Carrie, I vowed to never again watch a horror flick. Numerous nights on end are spent with highlights and one eye struggling to stay open at best. At the urging of a fellow critic, I took a chance and screened Hereditary. Why? Two of my favs Gabriel Byrne and Toni Collette were in it AND produced it, so I figured it wouldn’t be too bad. WRONG! That nightlight has been on full-time duty for the last 24-hours. With his feature debut Ari Aster and a cast let by Collette and Byrne, let audiences experience a fly on the wall view as the family matriarch becomes unhinged…
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Shailene Woodley is Sailing Smoothly as Leading Lady in Adrift
Back in the day, I entertained our troops overseas in USO/DOD tours atop aircraft carriers in the middle of the Indian Ocean. I often look back with wonder if for some ridiculous reason, we were stuck in this mass body of water with no one having a clue as to our whereabouts. Thankfully, I never had to find out, but Tami Oldham did. Adrift is the true-life story of a 23-year old Oldham and her impending journey from Tahiti to San Diego that took the love of her life Richard Sharp (Sam Claflin)and found her stuck out at sea for more than 40 days. More than that, it’s the…
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Love Doesn’t Conquer all On Chesil Beach
I’m a sucker for a romantic period piece, so I when Bleecker Street and BBC Fils released On Chesil Beach…let’s just say I was more than eager to check it out. On Chesil Bach is a story about two young people from different classes who fall in love and the complexity it brings as the relationship deepens. Even though the pacing at the start felt a bit sluggish, the creative cinematically beautiful wide shots and use of flashback to convey the story of these awkward love birds was quite effectively utilized. There were so many issues dealing with repressed sexuality, mental illness, heartbreak, battle of the classes and unrequited love.…
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Mary Shelley Shatters Gender Bias with Frankenstein
Horror movies are not my thing. At least not the ones produced today. Too much gore, blood and guts for my taste. However, I’m a fan of old school horror with the likes of Lon Chaney, Boris Karloff and the classic horror/thrillers. Have you ever wondered what kind of mind conjures up such tales the makes you shutter and quake under their sheets at night? Mary Shelley is best known for being the author of “Frankenstein.” What we didn’t know is that Shelley endured gender bias, betrayal from her own husband and best friend to emerge as one of the most imaginative authors of her time. We also discover that…
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Alden Ehrenreich Embodies Harrison Ford in Solo: A Star Wars Story
Many times I’ve wondered what Han Solo story was since the original Star Wars. Where did he come from? Was he in love before Leia? How is he able to speak fluent Wookie with Chewie? How did he become one with the MIllineum Falcon? All these questions are answered and more in the latest Star Wars saga Solo: A Star Wars Story. Very reminiscent of a young, strapping Harrison Ford, Alden Ehrenreich (Han Solo) embodies the energy, essence and charisma we have come to know and love about Han Solo. One of my favorite moments is when a character utters ” I hate you” and Solo’s response is “I…
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Uncharacteristically Honest is Vatican’s Pope Francis: A Man of His Word
Growing up in the Catholic Church, The Pope always felt like this bigger than life figure-head who had a main line to the big guy – GOD. I often wondered if he could get married, fall in love or if his life was totally devout to the almighty and spreading the gospel globally. I also wondered how his name was selected and what drives them to assist church followers in “living biblically.” Pope Francis: A Man of His Word sheds the light on our current Pope. The first from Argentina. The first to be openly critical of church policy regarding homosexuality, ecology and other government heads of state. The first…
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LGBTQ and Plus Size SuperHeroes Dominate Deadpool 2
This is what I like about the Deadpool franchise. It consistently and admirably makes fun of all the qualities that make superhero movies fun for us super nerds and geeks. Humor, a hot chick, fight scenes, cool soundtracks, cool superhero costumes, tug-at-the-heartstring moments, car chases, slow-motion, CG effects a large mansion, secret rooms, and a semi-climatic happy ending are on full display. Deadpool 2 delivers all that…AND an openly gay and plus-size teen superhero in the form of Brianna Hildebrand and Julian Dennison. It also makes a very strong statement regarding child abuse and how society shuns those they deem as different or dangerous. Sound familiar? Complete with cameos from…
