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Reviews
Missing (2023)
Fun Thrill Ride
Missing was actually very entertaining, despite what some of the reviews have said. I'm full grown (lol) and watched it with my 20-year-old son and we both were engaged and enjoyed it from beginning to end. No, it wasn't Oscar-level acting and no, it wasn't deep or Oscar-caliber anything, but a good movie doesn't necessarily have to fall into those categories. It hooked you from the beginning with its premise, and the taut integration of social media and technology as we live it today was realistic enough and done well. It moved so fast - in a good way - in terms of the editing, that any critique of how technology was used in the scenes (like whether something could actually happen or not) becomes irrelevant because you never knew exactly where the movie was taking you...which is a big part of why the movie was a great thrill ride.
We had a good time watching it, there were interesting twists that you did not see coming, and it was a good way to spend a little under 2 hours. It was a fun diversion and I was surprised by some of the people in reviews who said they checked out after the first 15 minutes. The first 15 minutes is exactly when you are hooked, unless of course you have no clue (or care) about technology and were just lost by the speed of everything in the movie. Storm Reid played her role well and it is definitely worth a watch!
French Exit (2020)
Subtle Charmer
I don't understand the reviews that trash this movie, primarily because the complaints seem to stem from the type of movie this is and disappointment that it isn't something else.
Slight, subtle, art house-type movies typically appeal to a certain kind of moviegoer so I'm confused why this movie would even be something a viewer expecting outright comedy, big plots or themes or action - some of the complaints about the film - would ever select to watch. This would never appeal to my spouse, who prefers superhero movies. I, on the other hand, personally like subtle movies about reflection of one's life and choices, and the damage or outcomes that can result from those choices...which is what I felt this movie was about.
Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges, as mother and son - as well as the rest of the supporting cast (especially Valerie Mahaffey as Madame Reynard) - were great. All around good performances with a sprinkling of humor; I didn't expect belly laughs. Michelle Pfeiffer as Frances was very effective as a woman coming to terms with the vanity, superficiality, and naïveté of her younger years and the mistakes made in her marriage, with her finances, and with her now-adult son. She presents as strong but aloof, keeping people at a distance as a means to protect herself - only to find enjoyment and a family of sorts with a full house of strangers who have assembled around her in her quest to find a cat presumed to carry the spirit of her dead husband.
For sure, not a lot goes on action-wise. Just Frances loosening up emotionally enough to come to terms with her current circumstances. Slight and bittersweet, but not horrible by any means.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021)
Chastain's Nomination Deserved
Jessica Chastain is excellent in this. Period. Andrew Garfield is too, and so are Vincent D'Onofrio and Cherry Jones. As actors portraying real-life characters the performances are top notch. It's the actual story itself that might not be so appealing to the average viewer.
The cheesiness of it all is very reminiscent of the actual events, for those familiar with the story as it happened. So, it might not be everyone's cup of tea in terms of entertainment value. Mostly though, it gives a glimpse behind the curtain of the dynamic between Jim and Tammy, and how Tammy's charisma (and strength, at times) was actually the driving force behind much of their success...which you may or may not have known or realized when their rise and fall was happening in real time.
Yes, Chastain's performance might seem over-the-top to the unfamiliar but was really indicative of the energy Tammy possessed. Tammy's signature heavy makeup was the only thing that was off a little for me, especially as the character aged. The facial prosthetics they seemed to use to transform Chastain into Tammy, and then adding the heavy makeup she was known for on top of that, weren't done as well as it could have been and was a bit distracting (you see a side-by-side at the end of Tammy and then Chastain as Tammy and you can see what I mean). Still, Chastain did a fantastic job and deserves that Oscar. She's a fearless talent and excellent in pretty much everything she touches and it's about time she's fully recognized with the top award they can give an actress. Kudos to her.
Drinking Buddies (2013)
Could Have Been Much More
I don't even know what to make of this movie. Caught it recently on cable and wanted to really like it, but the ending left me with my mouth open saying, "That's it??" Nothing seemed resolved (as in life...yeah, so I get that). But absolutely nothing happens that leads anywhere. I also get the improv thing the director does, but there has to be some framework or structure where the story goes somewhere. Loved Anna Kendrick and Jake Johnson, both very likable in this film, but it all just went nowhere. It's kinda like the director said, "this is probably where people think this plot line will go but we just won't." So the viewer really gets nothing but a light-ish, cutesy, substance-free movie with a few likable characters (and no emotional payoff whatsoever). The wanna-be rom-com tone and subject matter of the movie had so much potential. What it really showed, to me, was how complicated flirting with, sleeping with, or dating people you work with can be - and why that's always risky business. People are human, stuff happens, feelings evolve, and maybe that's the point made in a subtle way. In real life, everything in the movie had a whiff of what could have become a future sticky HR situation of 'inappropriate behavior' (potentially with the main character Luke, the other guy she banged from work, and whoever else) depending on how mature the individuals involved actually were if things went south. Rough topic. Different film obviously. And I'm not saying I necessarily want to see that movie either. But damn, make up your mind about the kind of movie you wanna be and give the viewer something they can invest in. Don't just make a movie to be making a movie. I need some kind of payoff for my time...emotionally, intellectually, something. I wanted more.