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Knox Goes Away (2024)

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Michael Keaton's film "Knox Goes Away" is a modern film noir of a hitman losing his mind to a disease while finishing one last job.  To say it is a exceptional film would be an understatement.  The film is Keatons's second directorial debut, and it's a stunning film noir of a hitman losing his battle with dementia.   The film also stars Marsha Gay Harden, and Al Pacino in two smaller roles that shine in this film.  It just opened this Friday and I rushed to see it because Keaton is such a fine actor.  But what he is too is a better director.  The performances in the film are top notch and one that really show their talent.  Keaton himself is fabulous as well.  His expressive face say's all, and Keaton lets the performers do their thing without hinderance.  The acting flows naturally,  and you can tell Keaton knows how to get good performances from his actors.  Being an actor helps and in this film we see that less is more.  The script is precise, and well plot

Dune 2 (2024)

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 So it's been forever since seeing Dune: Part One , but I was excited to see the conclusion & I was not disappointed, but was not satisfied.  I'll try and explain if I can.  I first read Dune the novel in high school.   I was a sci-fi nerd, and was engrossed in the novel.  A novel that had it's own glossary to explain different words meaning.  Herbert created a universe that was so inhabited by different houses which competed against each other and who were divided by their specialities they provided for the empire.  It was a complex and fascinating read.  Unlike anything that I had ever read before.  I would re-read the novel again in 1984 when David Lynch released his film Dune .  I had very mixed feelings about the film.  It was it's own unique film to say the least.  A total Lynch film for sure, and there are things in the film that were a bit over the top, but kind of reflected the novel.   Now flash forward 30 years and out pops the conclusion of Dune: Part On

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

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It seems that Godzilla Minus One is slaying it's competition at the box office since it was released in December.  But unlike other films this film has been gaining steam and not losing its momentum.  Toho Company the studio that released the film and also the licensee for all things Godzilla has announced a release of Godzilla Minus One in black & white on January 26th for a week.  The studio is releasing it to the fans and saying thank-you to its audiences for making the film a success.  Audiences are slowly coming around and watching the movie, which is breaking various box office records for a foreign film.  The fi lm is a powerful fil m about regret, war, and guilt as well as a monster movie.  What the original film in 1954 was about was a warning about nuclear proliferation & what we as humans are doing to the earth.  It rings true in 1954 and in 2024.  With global warming becoming more, and more evident the film has found it's audience both domestic & worldw

My Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023)

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Me and the Misses went to see " My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 " the other evening.  I am a fan of the original film, and do have some love for the second one, but this film felt different.  I love the characters, and I loved the story.  The fact that the original film was an indie film hit that took Hollywood by surprise is kind of a cool, which reinforces William Goldman's theory "that Hollywood knows nothing".  Nia Vardalos is a favorite of mine, and she has some really great comedic chops. Ms Vardalous is the writer of these films and she based them on her growing up, and her family, so it feels personal, which are the films strength. The first one is a gem, and the second is cute, and well done.  But the third seems forced.  Right from the beginning we know something is different as pictures of the actors Michael Constantine & Bruce Gray   fade to black & white.  The two actors passed away in both 2021 & 2017, and it feels fitting to included the

The Meg 2

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My son & I went to see The Meg 2 awhile back.  Try and find it in theaters now and you'll have a problem, but no matter soon you can catch it streaming soon.  We got free tickets to it, and so like anyone whose watching their wallets these days we went.  To say that we enjoyed ourselves is an understatement.  Was the film predictable?, was it formulaic?, and was it what you expected?  I have to say yes only instead of just one Meg there are now three, and oh let's not forget the big octopus.  Plus a whole lot of amphibious type creatures that pop up more then once & eat people.  The film is a Chinese/ American co-production, so the Chinese are the good guys and believe in saving the earth.  Jason Statham is sort of an eco-warrior of sorts, and in the beginning we see him bust some evil capitalistic polluters who are dumping radioactive waste into the sea illegally.  But hey that's just the beginning.  Eventually we're back at the Meg's home deep under the s

Oppenheimer (2023)

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So not long ago I went to see Oppenheimer.  I confess I did not see it in the biggest screen as all the advertisements and reviews said you should see it.  I did not feel that I missed anything, and I enjoyed the film just as it was.  Is it an interesting film about the man?  I think so, and it made me look up actual interviews of Oppenheimer that they did while he was alive. Did I think it the story was dramatized?  Yes, big time.  At 3 hours the film is a tour de force in patience, and a bit in dramatic license, yet I enjoyed the film and was thoroughly interested in the man and that made me seek out articles & interviews about the man. The film is smartly directed by Christopher Nolan who is a a decent director, and knows how to direct actors.  Cillian Murphy is exceptional, and should get nominated for a his performance, as well as the supporting actors in the film such as Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, and Robert Downey.  Even Gary Oldman puts in an appearance as President Truman. 

Living (2022)

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Living is a movie out of time.  It takes place in the distant past of London in the 1950's.   Bill Nighy plays Rodney Williams a British civil service who receives a grim diagnosis, which changes his view on everything.  The one thing he questions is if he has lived a good life.  A life rich in experience and friends, and he comes to the conclusion that he hasn't and that change can happen, and redemption is possible. Bill Nighy is fantastic in the part, and he gives a quiet performance in this movie.  We are thrust into the characters dilemma early in the movie and the director Oliver Hermanus doesn't waste anytime in getting us familiar with the characters of the film.  I have always liked Bill Nighy's performances no matter what movie he is in.  He does a wonderful haunting performance of Rodney Williams.   The film makes you feel the monotony of Rodney routine.  It is his diagnosis that tips him into the so called pool of life & as he comes to terms with it he