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Showing posts with the label 60-80

The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025)

Plot Summary: Charles (Tim Key), a quirky twice‑lottery‑winning loner, hires his favorite disbanded folk duo: Herb (Tom Basden) and Nell (Carey Mulligan), to play a private concert on his remote island. Old romantic wounds resurface as they reconnect. Director: James Griffiths Screenplay: Tom Basden & Tim Key Producers: Rupert Majendie, Tom Basden, Tim Key, Carey Mulligan Music: Adem Ilhan Cinematography: G. Magni Ágústsson Editor: Quin Williams Starring: Tim Key as Charles Heath Tom Basden as Herb McGwyer Carey Mulligan as Nell Mortimer Sian Clifford as Amanda Akemnji Ndifornyen as Michael   ***SPOILER ALERT*** The Blabbermouth and the Ballad It’s been a week since I watched The Ballad of Wallis Island, and now my 38-year-old brain is being put to the test. Let’s see what survived the fog. First off, I didn’t...

Deep Cover (2025)

Plot Summary: An improv comedy teacher (Bryce Dallas Howard) and two of her students (Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed) are recruited by a corrupt cop (Sean Bean) to go undercover. They infiltrate London's criminal world, using their acting skills to catch a gang, only to find themselves deeper in danger and needing to improvise their way out. Director: Tom Kingsley Screenplay: Colin Trevorrow, Derek Connolly, Ben Ashenden, Alexander Owen Producers: Colin Trevorrow, Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald Music: Daniel Pemberton Cinematography: Will Hanke Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard as Kat Boyles Orlando Bloom as Marlon Swift Nick Mohammed as Hugh Sean Bean as DS Graham Billings Paddy Considine as Fly Ian McShane as Metcalfe Sonoya Mizuno as Shosh Studio / Distributor: Metronome Film Company, Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation / Amazon Prime Video ...

Echo Valley (2025)

Plot Summary: Grieving widow Kate Garrett (J. Moore) struggles to keep her Pennsylvania horse farm afloat after losing her wife. When her estranged, drug-addicted daughter Claire (S. Sweeney) returns bloodied and in distress, a gripping thriller unfolds as Kate fights to protect her child, confronting escalating danger, moral dilemmas, and the lengths a mother will go to save her kids. Director: Michael Pearce Screenplay: Brad Ingelsby Producers: Brad Ingelsby, Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Kevin J. Walsh Music: Jed Kurzel Cinematography: Benjamin Kračun Starring: Julianne Moore as Kate Garrett Sydney Sweeney as Claire Garrett Domhnall Gleeson as Jackie Kyle MacLachlan as Richard Garrett Fiona Shaw as Jessie Oliver Edmund Donovan as Ryan   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Cheese, Wine and Echo Valley Alright, so picture this. It’s a ...

King of the Children (1987)

Plot Summary: Set during China's Cultural Revolution, The King of Children tells the story of Lao Gan, an educated youth sent to a remote village in the Yunnan-Guizhou region to work as a teacher. Director: Chen Kaige Producers: Xi'An Film Studio Screenplay: Adapted from Ah Cheng's novella with the same name Starring: Xie Yuan as Lao Gan Chen Shaohua as Principal Chen Yang Xuewen as Wang Fu   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Jumping Into Chinese Cinema Blindfolded Hey everyone. So, back in January, the internet had a little moment, and suddenly, millions of Americans rushed to a Chinese social media app called Red Note. I got curious, joined in, and ended up discovering a whole new world of culture thanks to some incredibly welcoming Chinese users. Naturally, I decided to ask for movie recommendations, and wow, they flooded in. But despite all the amazing suggestion...

Robot Dreams (2023)

Plot Summary: In 1980s NYC, a lonely dog buys a robot for companionship. After an accident separates them, both embark on journeys of longing, growth, and self-discovery, leading to an emotional conclusion. Director: Pablo Berger Producer: Arcadia Motion Pictures, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso Screenplay: Pablo Berger (based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon) Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Robot, A Dog, and a Lot of Feelings Another Sunday, another animated movie—this time, the critically acclaimed Robot Dreams, an adaptation of the book by Sara Varon. Right off the bat, this animation stands out with its slick flat-color style and complete lack of dialogue. It creates a beautifully detailed world where there’s always something to miss on the first watch. Set in a vibrant 1980s New York City populated by hundreds of ...

The Wild Robot (2024)

Plot Summary: After a shipwreck leaves her stranded on a remote island, a robot named Roz must learn to survive in the wild. As she adapts to her new environment, Roz befriends the local wildlife and becomes the caretaker of an orphaned gosling, discovering the meaning of family, survival, and identity. Director: Chris Sanders Producer: DreamWorks Animation Screenplay: Chris Sanders, Peter Brown Starring: Lupita Nyong'o as Roz Pedro Pascal as Fink Kit Connor as Brightbill Bill Nighy as Longneck Stephanie Hsu as Vontra Matt Berry as Paddler Catherine O'Hara as Pinktail Ving Rhames as Thunderbolt   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Wild Ride with The Wild Robot Today we crash on the couch to watch The Wild Robot, DreamWorks’ adaptation of Peter Brown’s 2016 novel, the first in a trilogy. Hype levels were high after seeing all the gl...

Frozen 2 (2019)

Plot Summary: Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven embark on a journey beyond Arendelle to discover the origin of Elsa's magical powers and save their kingdom from a looming threat. Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee Producer: Peter Del Vecho Screenplay: Jennifer Lee Starring: Kristen Bell as Anna Idina Menzel as Elsa Josh Gad as Olaf Jonathan Groff as Kristoff Sterling K. Brown as Lieutenant Destin Mattias Evan Rachel Wood as Queen Iduna   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Frozen 2: The One That Actually Made Me a Fan As expected, here I am reviewing Frozen 2, still on my mission to convince my daughter to dress as Elsa for Carnaval. So, let me cut to the chase—this sequel is way better than the first one. The story is more complex, with a cool Sámi-inspired cultural vibe that makes it feel more relevant, especially with all the n...

Robinson and Company (1991)

Plot Summary: Since childhood, Robinson Crusoe dreamed of becoming a sailor. After achieving his dream, misfortune strikes, and his ship is wrecked. As the sole survivor, he finds refuge on a deserted island, where he spends several years learning to survive. Director: Jacques Colombat Producers: Bat Productions, Belstar Productions, Films A2 Screenplay: Jean-Pierre Burgart, Jacques Colombat, based on the novel by Daniel Defoe Starring: Jacques François as Robinson Crusoe (voice) Rolando Faria as Friday (voice) Julien Guiomar as Louis Antoine de Bougainville (voice) Gérard Hernandez as Dodo the bird (voice)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A French Adventure Through Time Continuing our journey through animated gems from 1991, this time we venture to France with Robinson et Compagnie, a French adaptation of the classic Robinson Crusoe. Let me start with a fair w...

The Beauty and Beast (1991)

Plot Summary: Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle's enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast's exterior to recognize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within. A magical love story unfolds, filled with adventure, self-discovery, and courage. Directors: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise Producers: Don Hahn Screenplay: Linda Woolverton, based on the French fairy tale by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont Starring: Paige O'Hara as Belle Robby Benson as Beast Richard White as Gaston Jerry Orbach as Lumière David Ogden Stiers as Cogsworth Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts Jesse Corti as LeFou   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Family Face-Off: Beauty & Beast vs. Princess & Goblin We continue our weekend movie marathon at home with...

In & Out (1997)

Plot Summary: Howard Brackett, a beloved English teacher in a small Midwestern town, finds his life turned upside down when a former student-turned-Hollywood star publicly "outs" him during an Academy Awards acceptance speech. With his wedding just days away, Howard must confront the unexpected revelation, leading to a comedic journey of self-discovery, societal expectations, and acceptance. Director: Frank Oz Producer: Scott Rudin Screenplay: Paul Rudnick Starring: Kevin Kline as Howard Brackett Joan Cusack as Emily Montgomery Tom Selleck as Peter Malloy Matt Dillon as Cameron Drake Debbie Reynolds as Berniece Brackett Wilford Brimley as Frank Brackett   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Frank Oz Comedy Inspired by Real-Life Events We’re back exploring Frank Oz’s filmography, and today’s feature is In & Out, a 90s comedy with a uniqu...