Just Saw "Bank Of Dave"...And I Think You Should Too

 My wife and I came across a delightful little film the other day. It's called Bank of Dave, and it was wonderful. 

There was a time, many years ago, when I used to keep up with films and which ones were being released, which ones were worth seeing, and which ones to avoid. Of course, back then in "The Dark Ages," there were far fewer films in existence, at least, the ones we heard about. It was easier back then.

Bank of Dave is a story loosely (and I stress, loosely...) based on a true story. The main character is a man named Dave Fishwick who had the idea of starting a financial institution in England. Pretty much everything else in the film is, shall we say, embellishments.

But I don't care.

It's a great little film.

Dave is one of the good guys. He lives in a small Northern England town and when you're a good guy in a small town, you help out others. Dave went above and beyond, to the point where the idea of him opening a bank seemed the next logical step.

To an naive (or ignorant...) American, you'd think if someone wanted to open up a bank, you do it. Apparently, that's not how things work in England. No, you have to submit a formal request and based on history from the past one-hundred and fifty years, their answer will be..."No."

There's not been a new bank approved in England for a century and a half. That alone is prime material for a story. And a story they made.

If you're interested, you can find Bank of Dave on Netflix. It's not flashy, there's no car chases or bomb threats or gratuitous scenes of the flesh...just a basic little story you ought to check out. I'm glad we did.

"A Christmas Story Christmas"...Not As Polished As The Original, But Wonderful

 It was December, 1983. My friend, Danny Lewis and I went to catch a movie at the Trolley North theaters in Woods Cross. I don't remember with such clarity all the movies I saw in theaters back then (mostly, because all the movies we watched were only in theaters...), but I remember going to see A Christmas Story. Danny and I were in high school, our junior year. Every once in a while a film reaches you, connects on a different level. Though A Christmas Story didn't change my life...

It made an impression, so much so that almost forty years later, I still remember that night.

Since the days of video-on-demand, I think I've watched that film every year, and not just once, but multiple times.

This year, many of the original actors have reprised their rolls in a sequel to the classic hit. A Christmas Story Christmas is available to watch on HBO Max. We watched it the other night. The verdict--

It was a solid sequel, worth of the original.

Of course, some of the charm found in the original is lacking. I don't know if it's because I'm almost forty years older, but when I watched the original, I could swear they set up camera in the 1940s. Everything about that film put you in the decade. The new film, though authentic, for me lacked that feel. It was wonderful to see the original child actors return as Ralphie, Flick, Schwartz, and Randy. 

This film also has Ralphie narrate the story, only in this film, Peter Billingsley voiced the words, as opposed to the story's author, Jean Shepard, in the original (who also is the man in the department store who asked Ralphie and his brother where they think they're going...). Grown-up Ralphie must move heaven and earth to make Christmas special for his family, just like his father did decades earlier.

If you like the original, my guess is you'll like this one. You definitely need to watch it. I sat and enjoyed the whole thing, but when the last scene played out, I found myself transported back in time to a now extinct movie theater with my friend with whom I haven't seen in years and sat in awe at the creativity of the show, the powerful use of the expertly-written spoken word, and a cinematic experience that put in on the street, in the school, and waking up Christmas morning full of wonder.

Maybe the show really did end up changing my life after all.

"Spirited"...Unexpected And Amazing

Tis the season...

For new holiday movies.

Each year a new crop is thrown at us like we're breakable plates at a carnival. Sometimes the baseballs connect and the plates shatter, and sometimes...they just whiff. Mostly, many of the movies we watch are of the Hallmark or Lifetime variety, and you're batting .500 if they'll turn out to be good, or not.

This year, we've seen many of the Hallmark/Lifetime offerings, but a few others have intrigued us, namely a new film on Apple TV+ staring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds, entitled...

Spirited

Before we watched it, I had some misgivings. Sure, the two stars are solid, bankable commodities known for their comedic skills, but it could be raunchy or anti-family or pushing some activist angle that I'd rather not be part of my holiday entertainment. Not only was it none of these things (I guess it was a little "blue"...), but it was completely entertaining and in a very unpredictable way.

First, it's a big-time musical, and the music was GOOD! I'm not the most musical-savvy guy, but I know I liked it. You may ask yourself if these two stars are singers and the answer is...once again, surprisingly yes. They're not known for their musical abilities (or dancing abilities...), but they pulled it off.

I have no idea if this will be available on platforms other than Apple. If you don't subscribe to the service and you'd like to see it, it's worth your time searching, that is, if you like unconventional Christmas stories and musicals. If you do subscribe to the service, give it a shot.

This one was a pleasant surprise. 8 our of 10 Candy Canes.

"Funny Thing About Love"...A Review

 I can't remember when exactly I heard about this movie. Because of the incredible time in which we live, almost everyone can make a movie. I suppose as long as there have been home video cameras that's been true, but now, you can make a fairly good film using your smartphone.

I also try and take notice of local films--films with local ties--and whenever I can I try support those productions by watching them. Funny Thing About Love came out last December. The cast includes several Utah actors, or actors associated with Utah and its culture. Last night my wife and I sat down and watched it.

Is it good?

That can be a loaded question.

It's a romcom. It's clean. It's cotton candy entertainment, meaning it's "safe." When the film begins, we meet Samantha, her boyfriend, her business, and the planned trip to visit Samantha's family over Thanksgiving. Little do they know that Sam's ex-boyfriend will be staying with the family as well.

The movie has all the right ingredients, including veterans Jon Heder and Berry Crobin (of Northern Exposure and WarGames fame...). Throw in Pat Finn from The Middle and you have people who can forward a story. These, however, are side characters, leaving lesser-known actors for the main roles.

I believe those behind the film accomplished their goals. They made a good film that has heart. Is it the best romcom out there? No, but it doesn't have to be. A successful romcom must include choices--should Sam keep the business or sell? Should she change her entire life or stick with the status quo? And most importantly, will those who are supposed to end up together end up together?

This film checks off all the boxes.

If you watch it, go into knowing these things. I think if it didn't have local ties, we may have not kept watching, but the more we watched, the more we liked it. When it was over we were glad we'd seen it, which mean the film succeeded with us, too.

Watched "The Way Way Back" The Other Day...Great Film

The other day I came across a film I had previously seen. It's been at least a few years, but it's one of those films that stays with you, it somehow attaches to your soul and you carry it with you.

I think it's because--at least for me--the show picked me up and threw me back to my early teenage years and all that that implies.

Needless to say, growing up is hard.

This film brings into focus the summer of one fourteen-year old as he tries to do so.

You may never have heard of the film, The Way Way Back. We hadn't before we one day happened upon it. We thought we'd give it a chance and I found it to be a wonderful film. The teenager is Duncan, a boy who defines the term: awkward. The way he walks, communicates with others, handles the situations that befall him all scream "awkward.". Of course, in "coming of age" stories we need to see the "before" so we can appreciate the "after" and the story is how Duncan goes from a miserable kid to a less miserable kid with some amazing memories of his first job at a water park.

The performances from the leads and secondary characters are wonderful. We hop from a dysfunctional and arduous family environment to the local waterpark where Duncan has the opportunity to be, in his words, happy. Plus, it has one of the coolest cars I've seen in a film in a long time, a classic Buick Electra Estate Station Wagon...awesome car!

I had to do a search of past blog posts to see if I had written about this film before. It surprised me that I had not. The film was just a gem. It does deal with divorce and grown men behaving like children, and it may trigger some long-buried memories of what life was like in jr. high school. If you're okay with that, I recommend this one.

Watched "Love, Lost & Found" Tonight...Sweet Little Film

 If you have access to Amazon Prime and you're in the mood for a sweet comedy in the style of movies found on the Hallmark or Up channels, I would recommend a little film my wife and I watched tonight. Love, Lost & Found came out this year and it's a delight.

To say we watch a lot of these films is well...sort of an understatement. We watch them all, or most of them. We watch the Christmas in July movies, the autumn spotlight films, the Christmas, winter, and spring-themed movies. Being a storyteller of sorts and a fan of the genre, my wife and I have become unofficial (and unpaid...) critics. We acknowledge the good and bemoan the bad. We feel bad for those that really tried but fell short, and we keep track of the ones with which we connect. 

I came across this film after seeing a social media post from Melanie Stone. I recently watched her in an action film--she kicked some serious butt, and I became a fan. She was excited for the release of Love, Lost & Found for good reason. Not only is she in the film, but she and co-star Jake Stormeon wrote it. I have extra respect for anyone willing to put themselves through that fulfilling, but also nerve-wracking experience. 

In the story we follow one couple that soon becomes two when the initial pair become separated while on a hike in the mountains. There's comedy, danger, silliness, a fortuitous canoe, and personalities that are sometimes over the top, but endearing. 

As good as the actors were, what kept blowing me away was the incredible beauty of the Utah mountains. I believe the film is supposed to be set in Colorado (per the Subaru Forester's license plate...), but the vista and panoramic shots were so beautiful. And to think, that beauty is in my own backyard.

I don't know much about film distribution, but I wish the film could have been on Hallmark or Up so it could have a larger reach. You can access the YouTube trailer by clicking: HERE.

 If you've got a free evening and this type of film is your jam, give this one a shot. It's a sweet little film.

"Star Wars - The Rise Of Skywalker"...A Fitting End

There's been nine films comprising the main Star Wars franchise, not including Rogue One and Solo. I'm pretty sure I watched every one of those nine films in the theater...

Except the last one.

For Episode IX, The Rise of Skywalker, we waited until it came on sale and we watched it at home. Now I wish I had seen it in the theater. I loved it.

I'm one of the people who saw the first film in the theater...several times. I saw Star Wars Episode IV, The Last Hope when I was in grade school so, of course, I was instantly hooked. Star Wars became part of my pre-teen DNA. That DNA has grown and evolved, but it's always been there.

The original three films came and went. Decades passed then came the prequels. Some loved them--some, not so much. I loved the fact that the original three films were no longer all there was. We had more and I enjoyed much of what was included in the prequel phase of Star Wars.

I think I was more excited when the last three films were announced. Disney had just bought the rights and there was so much anticipation for what was to come. Again, many thought , The Force Awakens was a re-telling of the original, Episode IV. And it was, but with the advantage of special effects worthy of the stories, I didn't care. 

Episode VIII, The Last Jedi came next.

And everything hit the fan.

I'll admit, this wasn't my favorite, but once again, I didn't care. There were some scenes that were visually beautiful, and because we all knew it wasn't the final film, I cut them some slack.

I finally saw Star Wars, Episode IX, The Rise of Skywalker. I watched it. I liked it. I waited a couple of days and watched it again. I realized as the story unfolded it was more than liking some aspects or some scenes. I thought it was a good way to end a love affair that began in 1977. It felt more like the originals, or at least, gave me some of the same feelings.

I know I'm late to the party--I usually am when it comes to movies. It would have been fun to see the show in the theater. Maybe one day, I will.

Abigail Haunting...A Showcase For Chelsea

One thing about participating in the arts, you meet so many amazing people. If you get in a community theater production, you meet dozens of people who then appear in other shows that you'd like to see. If you hang out with authors, every time you turn around another writer publishes a book you're dying to read.

And if you dabble in film, you meet actors who go on to do incredible things.

Last week on Amazon Prime I watched an indie film titled, Abigail Haunting starring Chelsea Jurkiewicz.

I'm not a big horror film fan. I definitely understand the lure. For some, a good horror flick can be a cathartic experience. And some people just love to be scared. Abigail Haunting is a story about Katie, a girl returning to a home where she grew up, only things have changed, and not for the better. Little by little, we learn about these changes and know that Katie's life is in danger.

Because it's an indie film, I understand they don't have the budget to have all the bells and whistles we see in other films. I thought the cinematography was good. It's set in Arizona and the desert scenes highlight the isolation of the main character, and give a sense of loneliness.

Then there's Chelsea's performance. 

An indie film usually means a smaller cast. Abigail Haunting fits the bill. Because it's a smaller cast, Chelsea is in almost every scene. The movie is her character's story, her struggle, her fears realized, her horrors played out. With so much face time, you've got to be really good to carry a film, and Chelsea pulls it off wonderfully, quite a feat for any actor, but especially impressive for one Chelsea's age. 

Then again, this is just one of many IMBd credits.

I know I'm biased. I would not have watched the movie if she had not been in it (back in 2018 she and I were in a very short film--it's where we met...). And I watched her knowing I have this bias. Still, I cheered Katie on, hoping she would vanquish the evil and come out victorious.

Abigail Haunting is a well-made horror film that makes the most of what they have. And they have Chelsea Jurkiewicz as a lead actor, which is a very good thing.

Just Watched "Mortal Engines" And...I Liked It

Even thought I hadn't seen the show, I knew I'd like it. I knew I'd like it when I first heard about it. All I had to hear was steampunk and Peter Jackson and I was sold. I didn't see it in the theater, which in no way means I thought less of the film--we hardly watch movies in theaters.

Today I finally watched Mortal Engines.

And I was right.

I liked it.

I remember when it came out. Many panned the show, whether they watched it or not. "What--are you kidding me? Steampunk cities that attack each other? What kind of a story is that?"

Well, it's a story about humans in a thousand years that live on mobile cities and they survive by attacking each other. Sure, it's a little far-fetched, but aren't most movies? Being a fan of the whole steampunk genre helped. I thought the film was beautiful, and one of the most imaginative films I've seen in a long time. 

It's interesting...people rip on Hollywood, and everyone who makes movies, because they say that nothing's original anymore. They've got a fair point--there are so many re-makes being made. And then, someone takes a chance and spends millions of dollars on an original story, or at least, an original setting, and many don't like it. It's probably the same people complaining there are no original movies anymore. Maybe some people just like to complain.

I think we all know that's true.

And I guess, I'm kind of complaining about complainers. To quote Spike from Notting Hill, "Vicious circle." I doubt there'll be a sequel, or any other film made in this world. It's too bad. It was like I was watching a great steampunk novel come to life. Maybe that's the problem--not enough steampunk fans out there. Well, there's at least one steampunk film fan wanting more.

Ever Seen/Heard Of "Duplex?" Nope...Me Neither

You know how it is. You've put in a long day, dinner's done and you've got a few hours to kill before it's time to call it a day. You could do something productive--go for a run/walk, read a book, even work on your novel/short story if that's your thing.

But you don't.

You search for something to watch. And if you're not a Golden State Warriors fan, or you're a Portland Trailblazers fan and you don't want your heart broken...again...you look at what movies are available. You come across one you've never heard of before.

We found Duplex.

And you think, that's strange...it's got A-List actors, actors we like watching in other projects they've done. So, you give it a shot. That's what happened to us when we were looking for a non-run/walk/reading/writing activity.

The film was released in 2003 by Miramax, which was still a big name at the time. Each of the headliners were coming off of successful films, Zoolander, Meet the Parents, and There's Something About Mary for Stiller (who, by the way, is three days younger than me...). The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed, and Charlie's Angels for Barrymore (who, by the way, is nine years, nine months, and seven days younger than me...). The movie had everything going for it, complete with direction from Danny DeVito.

For those of you who have seen the film, we share something few others do. It's like being in a secret society. So, when I say, "Have you seen Duplex?" And you stop, start a smile and nod. Yup, it's kind of like that. You'll understand when I say the movie had its moments and some of them were funny. But something was off. They performances were good, but something was just...off.

We watched it all--it's the kind of story you have to see how it ends. I must say the ending was good, kind of predictable, but good.

On blog posts past, I've recommended films, books, podcasts, plays, and websites. I'm not going to say you shouldn't watch Duplex, but if you're presented with a choice, you might want to watch the game. After all, some people find some sick pleasure in watching their team get taken to the woodshed yet again.

"Seattle Is Dying"...A Documentary

I heard about this documentary and looked it up. It's only an hour long, so I thought I would watch (you can access the documentary on YouTube by clicking: HERE). After all, I have family living in Seattle, but I don't know much about the current condition of the city, having only visited twice.

If you're wondering what the documentary is about, the title is a good indicator. A local new station did an expose on the living conditions of some of their residents. They talked about the homeless situation. They talked about the drug problem of those who are homeless. They talked about the crime, the filth, and how this beautiful jewel of a city is, using their word, dying.

Since I don't live in Seattle, I'm not sure who this program is for. Is it for me, an outsider with an interest in the city? Or, it is more for the citizens who live in the area? They'd probably say it's for both. 

But I'm not sure.

If it's for the city residents, they should already know this stuff. It was so heavy-handed I wondered if someone behind the film had a personal vendetta against a political figure. But, if it's as bad as portrayed, the problem is real and dangerous, and deadly.

I want to talk to my nephew about it. He, his wife, and their new baby live in the city. Is it as bad as they say it is? Any large metropolitan area has its problems. And with smart writing and clever editing, you can make a relatively decent place look like a living hell. Did they do that with this documentary? Knowing this can be done and is done to shape public opinion makes me leery.

And because shows like this can and sometimes do tweak facts to make their point when it may not be the complete truth, it's hard to find their conclusions to be 100% accurate, either. What I did understand is this: the city has a problem with homelessness. Many do. The homeless have a drug problem. Many of the homeless do. And the homeless who are addicts turn to crime to fund their habits. The documentary says the police feel powerless to act due to changes in how criminals are treated, or not treated.

Like I said, I can't say for sure the problem's as bad as the show portrays it to be. I'm sure the people interviewed--the cops, the users, the homeless, the store owners--are real. Those people are hurting and need help. Again, no easy answers. It's like a strange sound coming from your car. Ignoring it almost never makes the noise go away--problems don't magically fix themselves. I hope tough decisions can be made and the people involved can be helped. Is Seattle dying? Since we all are--slowly, over time--why not the city in which the people live?

Dan Wells's "I Am Not A Serial Killer" Movie...A Review

I knew the movie was out there since filming began. I followed Dan Wells's posts as he updated the fans of both him and his novel, I Am Not a Serial Killer. So, when it was first released and later when it hit Netflix, I made it a point to watch it.

And I did watch it--just a few years later.

There's so many things I liked about the film. I liked the style. It had a gritty, real "meat-and-potatoes" feel. It's set in winter in a small town in Minnesota and I felt like I was a visitor in a place that made me uncomfortable. The snow added a layer of isolation for the characters.

If you're not familiar with the book, it's more the story of how a teenager deals with his inner demons and then, the real demon he faces in the story (sorry, spoiler alert...). I should re-read the book again because I kept thinking back and wondering if a particular scene in the film was in the book. I've forgotten a lot of details from the book, but I do remember how Wells masterfully created a character in John Cleaver that both terrifies us and earns our sympathy at the same time. When John learns the mystery of why (and, more importantly, how...) the citizens of his small town are dying, he's probably the best one in the entire city to deal with the situation.

I don't know the budget they had for this film. It looked like the filmmakers were frugal in how they spent their money, but for me, this added to its charm. I wanted to see John overcome the battles both inside and outside his own mind. The film showed me that. We see a strange kid who knows himself and what he is. And, of course, watching Christopher Lloyd as the neighbor was a genius example of casting.

I Am Not a Serial Killer is a great little film that worked for me. Then again, I wanted it to succeed. I was glad to hear the film was being made, glad the story would read a whole new audience. And, perhaps the best thing I can say about the film--the best news I can give to Dan Wells--watching the film made me want to read the book again.

"A Man Called Ove"...A Film Review

Earlier this month I blogged about a book I just finished, Fredrik Backman's A Man Called Ove. In short, I loved the book. It's witty, charming, thoughtful, and a delight. I was talking to someone about it and I told them how much I liked the book. They told me they enjoyed the movie as well.

I had no idea they made a movie. Then again, I had no idea the book existed until this month.

It's available right now on Amazon Prime, and I must say, it's a fine tribute to a fine book. I took all these pictures from the trailer, which does a good job at letting you know what you're in for.

The film's in Swedish with English subtitles. I hope you won't let that distract you from enjoying the film. I watched part of it on my iPad and didn't understand much, but when I watched it on TV with my wife, I understood more of the native language. Swedish is basically the same language as Danish, but the accent is much different, especially to a non-native Danish speaker.

The film (like the story that proceeds it...) tells the story of Ove. A curmudgeon and recent widower who must face a his future alone. The man operates in a world where everything works, all rules must be followed--at least, that's the way it should work. What he experiences is much different. People drive where they shouldn't, they park their bikes in non-allowed areas, dogs go to the bathroom wherever they want, and more and more people seem to want to live in a manner different than Ove would have them live.

It's also a wonderful, yet tragic love story (I'm not giving away any spoilers since we find out from the first scenes that Ove recently lost his wife...). As a young man, Ove is shy, but when he finds his true love, they stay together. It was the favorite part of the movie for me.

Surrounding Ove is a cast of misfits (idiots, Ove calls them...) who at first make Ove's life a living hell, but then become his family, a family he's never had with children and even long-estranged friends.

Once in a while a film comes along that surprises you. I loved Millions for that reason, as well as The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I count A Man Called Ove as one of these as well. If you get a chance, watch it. It's as delightful as the book...almost.

"Angel In The House"...Is An Adorable Film!

 

Last night we searched for something to watch as our long weekend came to a close. There's so many movies out there--it's hard to know if any of those "never heard of it" films are worth your time. And the ones you have heard of, you've seen so many times.

My wife found a film we'd never heard of, Angel in the House. She chose it because of the leads, Toni Collette and Ioan Gruffudd. I'm glad she picked it, because it's a great little movie.

Grieving parents, Zooey and Alec Morrison (Collette, Gruffudd) decide the time is right to consider adoption as a way to build their family. They tour an orphanage and that's where Zooey spots Eli (Maurice Cole). Next thing they know Eli is at their front door, the proper adoption paperwork in hand. After checking with the orphanage, the boy is theirs.

To call Eli precocious is an understatement. The boy knows world events, can create a delicious breakfast, and can serenade his new parents on the piano with a work from Chopin. But the boy's true gift is to save not only Alec's failing toy company, but the Morrison's marriage.

The film is flat-out adorable! There's a touch of whimsey--the toy company's problems seem far too serious to be fixed with one brilliant plan, but you don't care. You cheer on the little family as it copes with problems many couple face. Sure it's a bit predictable, but it was the perfect film for us last night, and probably many other nights as well. 

A hint--if you're looking for the film in IMDb, you'll find it under: Foster. I don't know why it's called that--Angel in the House is a much better title (in my opinion...).

Steve Martin's "Bowfinger"...An Under Appreciated Gem!

Anyone interested in film, comedy, the art of storytelling is familiar with Steve Martin. The talented man has gone from "wild and crazy" to a serious and important voice in entertainment. His fans can rattle off their favorite Steve Martin films, The Jerk, Roxanne, LA Story. Cheaper by the Dozen (1 & 2), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and many many more.

But there's a little film from 1999 that doesn't get much love when people talk about his projects, and it's one of my favorites, Bowfinger. I watched it again today--first time in a long time--and enjoyed it as much as when I first saw it, maybe more. Martin and Eddy Murphy make a fantastic team.

If you're not familiar with Bowfinger, here's the lowdown. Bob Bowfinger is nearly-broke filmmaker. The movie begins with him reading a script, an amazing script, a script that is so good, it must be made into a movie. The problem? Bowfinger has no money and no resources. His solution--get the world's biggest mega movie star to be in his movie, only the star rejects the idea outright. Not to worry--Bowfinger follows the star and secretly films him doing everyday things. With a cast of crazies, the film gets made and Bowfinger perseveres through it all.

Bowfinger has one of my all-time favorite lines of any film. He tells one of his actors that Tom Cruise didn't know he was in that vampire film until two years after it was made. As if Mr. Cruise walked around as a vampire in his everyday life. And speaking of Mr. Cruise, Bowfinger doesn't hold back in its opinion of Scientology.

Martin not only carries the film, he wrote it, too. He's written other film as well--he definitely knows how to create a successful screenplay. In addition to my favorite quote, I love the montage at the end of the film. As the film is shown the ragtag group of lovable losers sit and watch themselves on screen. Finally, Martin hears the applause and simply smiles. For an entertainer, that says it all, and I wonder if, when filming, Martin had to act. I'd like to think this is how it feels to create something that is loved by millions. And Mr. Martin has experienced that feeling time and time again.

The show holds up well, even though it's almost twenty years old. Eddy Murphy playing duel roles is amazing, total comedic genius. If you haven't seen the film, give it a shot--if you're a fan of Martin and Murphy, you'll love it. And if you have seen the show, watch it again and you'll realize just how great it is all over again.

Watched "Sully" And Was Surprised...

Even before the movie came out, I--like many others--was intrigued by the story of US Airlines Flight 1549 and Captain Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger. I mean, what's not to like about the story? It's got an everyday man who becomes a hero by doing the job he was trained to do. It's about courage, determination, and the best part, no one died as a result of a passenger jet landing on the Hudson River.

Then we heard they were making a movie about the incident. And I thought, why?

I don't think I was the only one who thought this either.

I'm all for a good story, but what I knew about the event (which, admittedly, wasn't much...), didn't seem to be enough to fill an entire movie. And since I personally don't see movies in the theater very often, we decided to give this one a shot after it had been out on DVD for a while.

Turns out, there was enough there to fill an entire movie, or, perhaps it's better to say, the writers, actors, and Clint Eastwood and all involved created an engaging enough story that kept me more than interested the entire time.

I haven't done the research to see whether or not the National Transportation Safety Board, the NTSB rode the pilot's butts as hard as they showed they did in the movie. Maybe they did--maybe it's that intense. I would have thought they'd cut the pilots some slack considering everyone lived. Like I said, I have no knowledge of this. It made for good drama in the story, but it seemed a bit Hollywood for me.

What I did enjoy was getting to know better how such an event affects the people involved, not just the passengers, but the air traffic control employees, the rescue teams, the pilots. I thought about one scene especially, when they showed Sully worrying about everyone making it out alive. In the chaos there was no way to know. Seeing the relief on the pilot's face was one of the best parts of the movie for me. I imagine to a pilot, those people on his/her plane are the most important thing to them, or should be. We put a lot of faith and trust into those professionals. It was nice to see that aspect in the film.

After watching the show, I was glad I saw it. I was glad it was made. I was glad his story was told. Yes, the real event that happened was like a delicious dinner, satisfying, incredible. The film was the perfect dessert.

"The Cobbler"...A Film Review

A Sunday home and Netflix.

The combination can lead to some interesting things. For me, today, it lead to us finding an interesting little film called The Cobbler.

I was looking for a show to watch and as I scrolled through Netflix's menu, so many films for screaming for attention. "Pick me!" "No, pick me!" And then I saw the ad for this film and there was no screaming, no calls for attention. We thought we'd give it a go.

If you've never heard of The Cobbler (like me before today...), it's about a fourth-generation cobbler working in New York City. Sandler, who plays the title character, is a solitary man who dutifully completes his business responsibilities then goes home to care for his ailing mother. But, because of a magical machine buried under the cobbler's shop, the cobbler can change into whoever's shoes were worked on the magical machine.

What would you do if you could transform into another person? In this film, we find out what one lonely cobbler will do.

Sandler headlines a fine cast. We kept finding ourselves saying, "Oh, he's in that," and "It's her." It wasn't a particularly fast movie--it's a little slow getting going, but it does have a dash of an Ocean's 11, or The Italian Job vibe. There's some violence, and a scene with the cobbler's neighbor that isn't too graphic, but still. 

If you love films and the art of storytelling, there's no better time to live than right now. All you need is a couple of hours of free time.

Oh, and Netflix.