Le Grand Cahier (AKA The Notebook)

Twin boys are sent out to the countryside to live with an abusive grandmother who the locals consider a witch during World War II. Their father has gone to fight against the Nazis and their mother ends up having an affair with one. The town where their grandmother lives is filled with unsavory types and close to a POW camp. The boys decide to give themselves several tasks/goals to become stronger and survive when others are not so lucky. They also develop an interesting view on justice which is disturbing. There is rape, molestation, brutal violence, and by the end a disturbing lack of empathy. The twins log everything that happens to them in a notebook - everything. In the end they part ways and I cannot for the life of me figure out why - I watched the very end twice to see if I could figure out why, but couldn't - frustrating. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - even if you WWII movies - it's a bit much.

Extinction

This movie hits two genres - Zombie and Apocalypse. After a zombie outbreak the US is covered in an ice age of a sorts. Two neighbors Fox (World War Z) and Donovan (Shot Caller) have each adapted and kept one little girl safe and alive. Their relationship unfolds throughout the film. A little more than half way through we learn that the zombies didn't die out - they evolved and in an interesting way. I think the set up lasted a little too long and the fights with the zombies weren't' very well done. The acting is decent though. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you are a zombie fan (fast zombies) and SKIP IT if you don't care for that sort of thing. I think it has only been released in NY and LA - might not even come to GA, so if interested try Directv OnDemand.

Trainwreck

Schumer (Girls) wrote and acts in this romantic comedy. Hader (The BFG) is her love interest. SNL comedian Quinn plays her father. Wrestler Cena plays a former boyfriend who may or may not be gay - his character has a hysterical scene in a movie theatre. Swinton (Doctor Strange) plays her boss - who doesn't care about anyone. Park (Off the Boat) plays one of her co-workers as does another comedian from her tv series. There are a few cameos by some of Amy's favorite comedians - a homeless man and a baby shower guest among many. Basketball player James plays himself. Radcliffe (Game Changer) and Tomei (The Rewrite) are in a movie in the movie - also quite amusing. You will recognize others during the intervention scene in particular. The ending when she has to win him back is pretty funny. The conversations are quick witted and funny. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Rewrite

Grant (Cloud Atlas) only had one hit as a screenplay writer and he is in desperate need of a job. He decides to take a job teaching and finds not only a new love interest, but new inspiration for writing. Tomei (Trainwreck), Simmons (The Lake), and Janney (The Night is Young) also star. All in all, I say: SEE IT - it's a cute film.

Break Point

Sisto (Girl Flu) and Walton (About a Boy) are brothers and tennis partners. After years of being apart and one of them going pro they decide to become a team again. It is more about mending fences and becoming a family again rather than tennis. DeVine (The Intern) and Simmons (La La Land) also star. It's a cute movie and the cast has chemistry. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Beloved Sisters

Two sisters who are very close both fall in love with the writer Schiller. Secrets, health issues, love affairs, and jealous will threaten to rip the three apart. The entire premise is based on a partial burnt letter that was found among Schiller's things many years later, so it's based on a true story. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - I was irritated and confused a lot of the time.

Ink & Steel

An enforcer for the mob is sent to pick up the youngest son of a recently imprisoned capo. His oldest son is trying to prevent being overtaken by rivals and a gang war is taking place. The enforcer finds the graduate student hooked on drugs and takes him to the old family home in the country to recover and hide him from his families enemies. A young woman and her son help the two and they all forms long lasting bonds. It's kind of slow - it is low budget, but the script is decent. The acting isn't bad - All in all, I say: SEE IT (Amazon streaming)

Blue Ridge

YUCK! A paranoid racist, poor, white trash guy falls in love with a weirdo and goes postal. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - in fact - oh, hell NO

Two Night Stand

Teller (Fantastic Four) and Tipton (The Force) have a one night stand that turns into two nights after a blizzards hits forcing them to get to know one another. Not a spoiler that they fall in love. There is a bit of a twist toward the end. Their rapport is cute. There are some very funny parts. It's on HBO. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Barely Lethal

Steinfeld (True Grit) is an orphan trained by Jackson (Tarzan) to become an assassin/operative. She fakes her death after capturing Alba (The Wright Girls) and pretends to be an exchange student from Canada so she can go to high school like a normal person. Turner (Game of Thrones) plays another agent named Heather. It is supposed to be ridiculous, but the acting is pretty bad. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Unexpected

Smulders (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D) becomes pregnant just has her school is being closed. She and her boyfriend (Holm from The Mindy Project) decide to get married and become a family. The teacher - Smulders - develops a strong connections with one of her homeroom students who has also become pregnant. All in all, I say: SEE IT - it's not a comedy - it's cute though.

Lila & Eve

Davis (Suicide Squad) has lost her eldest son in a drive by in Atlanta. She goes to a support group and finds someone to help her resolve his desire for justice - Lopez (Shades of Blue). It's a revenge flick. There is a twist I didn't catch onto till it was almost over. The ending is kind of unrealistic. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Ex Machina

Quatemalan Isaac (Star Wars: Episode VIII) is a computer/inventor genius - he has created an AI, but he needs it tested. He selects Gleeson (Star Wars: Episode VII) is test the A.I. Vikander (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.) is the A.I. Every single character is not who they appear to be and they are all up to something. The ending is chilling and creepy. The rest is just slightly irritating. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - the acting is award worthy though.

A Little Chaos

Alan Rickman (The Winter Guest) is the director, screenplay writer, and actor in this film about the gardens at Versailles. Actually, two of the people commissioned to help create Versailles. Winslet (Steve Jobs) and Schoenaerts (Lewis & Clarke) are the two who meet and fall in love. Waddington (The Imitation Game), Penry-Jones (Black Sails), Tucci (Beauty & the Beast), and Ehle (The Quiet Passion) all star. The film is stunning - the acting is superb - the ending is satisfying. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Little Accidents

There is a mining accident - that could have been prevented - and 10 miners die. The one survivor is struggling between his father's wishes to forgive the company and move on; or help the families of the other miners win a settlement and expose the company. Around the same time one of the miner's son and the son of the company man fight - there is an accident and one of them slips and dies. Everyone is dealing with a loss and they - without realizing it - comfort each other. There is only a partial conclusion. All in all, I say: SKIP IT it's so depressing

Mr. Holmes

McKellen (Beauty & the Beast) plays Sherlock as a 70 & 90 something year old. He looks back at his last case - which is his last case for a reason. Something happens that hits him to the core - it shakes his very being. With old age, his friends dying, and his own mind slipping away - a half hour conversation with this woman affects him like none other. He comes to have regrets about past actions and his friendship with a young boy and his mother will help him die the way he wants. The acting, the writing, the filming, the costumes - it is all amazing.

Spring

Pucci (Beginnings) has lost his college future and his parents, and he's angry. He goes to Italy and he meets the love of his life. A German actress plays his love interest - she has a secret. The secret isn't interesting although it's meant to be the climax - I didn't care for it. The interactions between the two are amazing. The writing is quotable, beautiful, and lyrically. All in all, I say: STREAM IT

Fray

A Marine injured in Iraq comes home to no job, no help from government, and PTSD. He isn't handling things well and he isn't able to accept help from 2 people who love him. It's frustrating and the ending is left open. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - it's torture.

Monroe

Irishman Nesbitt (Teh mIssing) plays a doctor who specializes in the brain - his counterpart on the poster specializes on the heart. Here is the kick - he doesn't use his brains when dealing with his family. She doesn't use her heart when dealing with patients. It's quick witted. It only lasted 2 seasons. All in all, I say: RENT IT - if you like UK shows and/or medical shows.

7 Days in Hell

A documentary style film - done in the style of HBO Real Sports show. I smiled through the whole thing - I didn't really laugh out loud because as always it goes to far in several parts. Samberg (Storks) is one of the tennis players. Jon Snow is NOT DEAD - he's in this comedy. If you like Samberg's kind of humor then you should see this satirical look at the sports documentary. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - it's not my kind of humor.

Ant-Man

IMDb describes the Marvel movie as, "Armed with a super-suit with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, cat burglar Scott Lang must embrace his inner hero and help his mentor, Dr. Hank Pym, plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.." Rudd (Captain America: Civil War) is good - subtle but cute & in shape! Douglas (Haywire) is just as quick witted as ever. Stoll (The Strain) makes an excellent bad guy. I didn't like Lilly's (Hobbit) bangs. Pena (Vacation) is funny - I love his stories - he added more comedy to this than Rudd. Cannavale (Adult Beginners) has a short part, but I like him and he did a decent job. Greer (Geezer) is funny - in this she has a small part as well. Atlanta singer T.I. is funny. Donovan (Rogue) is getting good at being a bad guy. Tony Stark's father (Slattery from Mad Men) makes an appearance. 

Poldark

Masterpiece on PBS is playing this eight part series. IMDb writes, "Ross Poldark returns home after American Revolutionary War and rebuilds his life with a new business venture, making new enemies and finding a new love where he least expects it." Turner - Irish actor from Hobbit and Being Human takes his shirt off more than once. Although the acting isn't great - it is Masterpiece worthy. If you like Masterpiece classics then - all in all, I say: SEE IT

Little Nikita

Both actors would later appear together in Sneakers. This is an awesome 80s movie - it's The Americans. A Russian couple are hiding in the US, they have a kid, and the live their lives. It's close to the end of the Cold War and their son puts them back in the spotlight. Spies work again to help the young boy. Spies who are about to realize they are going to become obsolete. All in all, I say: STREAM IT

Sneakers

The posters tells you half the story - it is an amazing cast. A group of computer genius - misfits - break into companies in order to point out the companies weaknesses. A man seeking revenge on the groups leader sets in motion an elaborate plan, but because of the team he is out smarted. It's a cute early 90s film. I really loved it at the time of its release. All in all, I say: STREAM IT

Main Street

I know what your thinking - wow look at that cast - why haven't I heard of this film? Because it should be a play and nothing else - it was so bad...so bad. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

I'll Follow You Down

Osment (Sleepwalker) is a brilliant scientist who has lost his mother (Anderson from X-Files), his father (Sewell from Gods of Egypt), and his baby all because his father went back in time and messed up the intended timeline.Garber (Legends of Tomorrow) also stars. It was better than I expected. The time travel thing wasn't too hard to follow. All in all, I say: STREAM IT on Amazon

The Day

IMDb writes, "A group of five people working to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic future discover what they think is a safe, abandoned farmhouse, but they soon find themselves fighting to stay alive as a gang of bloodthirsty predators attack." Ashmore (Devil's Gate), Bell (Don't Wake Mommy), Monaghan (Dead Burial), Ecklund (Zoom), and Sossamon (The Jesuit) all star. It's ok for a low budget horror flick. Bell is pretty badass. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you like apocalypse movies like I do.

The Dead Girl

Done in chapters each with a different person as the lead and put all the chapters together the audience meets a killer, why he kills, who he kills, and how his kills have affected the family of his victims. Very disturbing. Collette (Reds & Grays), Murphy (Something Wicked), Hardin (Code Black), Laurie (Twin Peaks), Ribisi (The Bad Batch), and Byrne (The Meddler). All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you like twisted movies.

Dead Heat

LaPaglia (This Isn't Funny) and Sutherland (Forsaken) are brothers who get mixed up with the mob. Mitchell (London Has Fallen) is Sutherland's wife. It's poorly acted, a horrible script, and the plot leaves a little to be desired. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

The Motel Life

Very depressing - I mean very depressing - how can so much bad stuff happen to one person. Hirsch (Just Jim) and Georgia actor Dorff (Leatherface) are brothers. Georgia actress Fanning (Please Stand By) and Kristofferson (True Detective) are two people that interact with the brothers and influence their future. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - unless you enjoy depressing reality life movies.

A Promise

Hall (Christine) and Rickman (Eye in the Sky) are married, but he is dying. He mentors a young man that he wants for his wife (Madden from Game of Thrones). He starts to get jealous and separates them. As he is about to return when WWI begins - after six years apart will the man still keep his promise to love and marry her - will she still love him. All in all,  I say: SEE IT - it's sweet.

Divorce American Style

IMDb writes, "After 17 years, things have got too predictable and stale. They argue, they visit a marriage counselor, Richard (drunk) visits a prostitute. They split up. After meeting other people, they are re-united at a night club where they realize that their marriage was better than their divorce." Van Dyke (Life is Boring), Reynolds (One for the Money), Robards (Magnolia), and Johnson (Three Days to a Kill). It;s funny and a but of a ridiculous look at divorce in the 60s. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you like classic movies. 

Max

Church (Divorce) and Graham (The Odd Couple) are the parents to two boys - one who struggles with knowing the difference between right and wrong - and one who is an honorable marine. The marine and his dog - Max - come under fire. With the death of the marine Max goes to live with his family in Texas to heal and help the family grow closer together. All in all, I say: SEE IT - I cried a lot.

Ask the Dust

It tries to be a film noir kind of piece. It's really off putting and kind of confusing. Farrell (Phone Booth) and Hayek (Frida) fall in love, but it isn't going to last. They are barely making it in sunny California. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Winter's Tale

Smith (Suicide Squad) is Lucifer. Crowe (Fathers & Daughters) is the demon the devil has working to collect souls in New York - he has raised a young man to work by his side (Farrell from Solace). The young man falls in love (Findlay from Downton Abbey) and has disappointed his mentor. Crowe breaks the rules and the two lovers are separated, but each person has a miracle within them, and someone in the future needs to be saved. Hurt (Humans), Bomer (Magic Mike XL), Connelly (Noah), and Griffiths (True Blood) also star. It's strange. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - kind of disappointing.

Locke

The entire film takes place in a car. Hardy () is leaving work and is about to turn left when he decides to turn right. On his 2 hour road trip he makes several phone calls - several to his work colleague, several to his kids, several to his boss, several to his wife, and several to the woman having his child - who is NOT his wife. He also talks to himself some. It kind of a unique film. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Laggies

Knightley (Everest) is not clicking with her friends anymore. She is kind of floating through her life - not sure what she wants to be or who she wants to be with. She lies to everyone and spends a week with a young high school she bought beer for and finds a new path. Moretz (The 5th Wave) is the high school girl, and Rockwell (Mr. Right) is her father, It's kind of cute and the interactions between Knightly and Rockwell are good - there's chemistry there. All in all, I say: STREAM IT on Amazon.

Results

Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) and Pearce (Equals) star as two personal trainers. They work out friend, family, business, and love issues together. It's well acted. Corrigan (The Last Beat), Hall (Something About Her), and Ribisi (Papa) also star. All on all, I say: SEE IT

Woman in Gold

Reynolds (Deedpool), Holmes (Ray Donovan), Irons (Red Riding Hood), McGovern (Downton Abbey), Bruhl (Alone in Berlin), Maslany (Orphan Black), and Mirren (Eye in the Sky) all star in this movie based on true events. IMDb writes, "Maria Altmann, an octogenarian Jewish refugee, takes on the Austrian government to recover artwork she believes rightfully belongs to her family." All in all, I say: SEE IT - it's on OnDemand.

Dead Drop

A CIA agent wants revenge on a drug lord who shot him and dropped him from a plane. Goss (Terror Island) is the agent. Carbonell (Bates Motel) is the criminal. Hauser (Rogue) is another CIA agent. It's so bad and so predictable. I just wanted to see Goss fight, but he mostly shoots stuff.

All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Flirting with Diaster

A David O Russell (Silver Linings Playbook) director did this in 1996. Stiller (Space Jam 2) is seeking his biological parents and high jinks ensue. Arquette (CSI: Cyber) is his wife. Leoni (Madam Secretary), Moore (Hot in Cleveland), Segal (The Goldbergs), Alda (The Longest Ride), Brolin (Everest), Jenkins (Cabin in the Woods), and Tomlin (The Road Home) all star. It has funny moments - it is dated. All in all, I say: RENT IT

Endless Love

Ok, even though it's completely predictable and there is nothing more to this than meets the eye - I wanted to see if it was any good. Wilde (Carrie) is the young girl desperate for love. Pettyfer (Magic Mike) is the young man who has been crushing on Wilde for years. Greenwood (Fathers & Daughters) is her father. He wants her to replace his oldest son who died years ago. Richardson (Fallen) is the girl's mother who is also looking to find love - love that her husband has kept from her. Patrick (Scorpion) is the boy father. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - too predictable. It's filmed in Georgia.

Catastrophe

An American advertising executive goes to London for business and meets an extraordinary Irish teacher. They see each other for 6 days and then he leaves for home - New York. A couple months later she calls to tell him that she's pregnant. They decide to get married and have the kid together. Their rapport and writing make this show so good - the two actors are the creators/writers of the show. It's on Amazon Prime. It's fast-paced and hilarious. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Calvary

A priest (Gleeson from Alone in Berlin) hears the disturbed confession of a man who says despite the Priest from being innocent of any crime the man is still going to kill him on the beach on Sunday. The movie takes the audience through a week in the life of the priest - gets the audience attached to him as a person - and then we hold our breaths as he walks onto the beach Sunday. Walsh (Shifting Gears), O'Dowd (The Program), Gillen (Game of Thrones), and Moran (Run, Fatboy, Run) are all possible murderers. Reilly (True Detectives) stars as the Priests daughter. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Calling

IMDb writes, "Detective Hazel Micallef hasn't had much to worry about in the sleepy town of Fort Dundas until a string of gruesome murders in the surrounding countryside brings her face to face with a serial killer driven by a higher calling." The actors make this worthwhile - the plot not so great. Sarandon (Mothers Day), Bellows (Life on the Line), Burstyn (Custody), Grace (One Shot), Sutherland (Forsaken), and Heyerdahl (Hell on Wheels) all star. All in all, I say: SEE IT 

A Case of You

Long (Drag Me to Hell) and his brother wrote the screenplay. A young man has a crush that he wants to build a relationship with. His friend advises him to go to her facebook page and attempt to find some common ground. Because he is insecure he takes it to far. When she says she loves him he freaks out thinking she doesn't really love the real him. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - it's a little  much - he's too needy for me.

Ask Me Anything

Robertson (The Longest Ride) is a high school graduate that has a serious mental disorder - it reminds me of Romeo - she falls in love (very deeply) too quickly and with the wrong people. Slater (Mr. Robot), Long (Accepted), and Carber (Teen Wolf) are her sexual conquests. Hagan (SOme Kind of Wonderful), Patrick who is from Georgia (Eloise), and Sheen who is from Ohio (Anne of Green Gables) are the parent figures in her life. It turns out nothing is as it seems. This turned out to be disturbing rather than a lesson learned or a romantic comedy. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Alec Mapa: Baby's Daddy

A comedy special from 2014. Mapa uses comedy to lay out the process that lead to the adoption of his child. It is funny, sometimes goes a little too fat, but will also make you cry. All in all, I say: SEE IT

15 Minutes

DeNiro (Dirty Grandpa), Burns (Public Morals), and  Grammer (The Game) star. It is supposed to focus the audiences attention on the role of media in crime in America. It's kind of cheesy. All in all, I say: SKIP IT