Movie Season

[Tarragon]

From the original stories it seemed like the theft of the plans was more of a covert operation, not a full blown invasion. (Hope that's not a spoiler.)

I rewatched A New Hope last night and I was wrong, the crawl at the beginning says that rebel ships were striking from a hidden base, and says it was a time of Civil War. Still disappointed in it.

[Thumper]

I believe it was more of a covert spy operation when the were able to steal the plans to the second Death Star in Episode 6.

[geonuc]

The three of us liked Hidden Figures this weekend. We discussed on the way home that not all of the things depicted in the movie happened IRL, or exactly as shown. And some of the characters may have been completely made up. But it made us think about the historical events and the people in those events. Some looking up/researching will entail, and that's a good thing, right?

Yes, a good thing.

I enjoyed Hidden Figures even if some of it was made up. Not that I know what was made up, mind you. Anything that documents the achievements and contributions of people who haven't been recognized but should have been is a good thing. Good acting, too.

[Thumper]

Anything that documents the achievements and contributions of people who haven't been recognized but should have been is a good thing.

[Thumper]

Did anyone see "Collateral Beauty"? When we saw the first preview, The Kid and I both were interested. Her interest waned, and then the critics brutalized it. I'm still interested, but I'm the only one. So maybe I guess sometime on TNT or maybe On Demand....

I'd give "Patriot Day" a shot. The Kid might as well. Mrs. T is definitely out. I'm not sure, now that school is back in full swing, when the two of us would find the time to make it out.

[Rommie]

Saw "Jackie" last weekend. Honestly, while Natalie Portman was good, it was a bit slow and left me disappointed a bit. I mean, I had great respect coming out of it for Jackie Kennedy and how she dealt with her husband's death, but that's all the movie basically focused on (the only exception being the White House tour she did in 1961). I would have been interested to see more of her life, like how she met Jack, or how the rest of her life went in the ~30 years after her first husband's death, which I don't know much about.

[SciFiFisher]

For those who have children, are children at heart, or just like feel good fun movies I highly recommend Monster Trucks. Our resident 6 year old gave it 2 thumbs up and he sat through the whole movie. I think Buster and Russter would really like it.

[Thumper]

We saw the preview for that before Hidden Figures. There were actually previews for several children's movies. I was disappointed that I didn't like any of them. I'm not sure if it's because The Kid is transitioning towards adulthood and she isn't as interested in those types of movies anymore. There seemed to be a time period when those "kids" movies were awesome: Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Nemo, even the Incredibles. They were safe and entertaining for kids, original, and also had something for adults. I don't see that anymore. Secret Life of Pets was evil and depressing. Many of the Disney movies have a similar theme of a lead character who's lost a parent and must fight with someone truly evil. Other movies seem like extended commercials for products that already exist, or rehashes of previous extended commercials: Trolls, Smurfs, and PowerRangers.

Maybe I'll give Trucks a look.

[Rommie]

We saw the preview for that before Hidden Figures. There were actually previews for several children's movies. I was disappointed that I didn't like any of them. I'm not sure if it's because The Kid is transitioning towards adulthood and she isn't as interested in those types of movies anymore. There seemed to be a time period when those "kids" movies were awesome: Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Nemo, even the Incredibles. They were safe and entertaining for kids, original, and also had something for adults. I don't see that anymore. Secret Life of Pets was evil and depressing. Many of the Disney movies have a similar theme of a lead character who's lost a parent and must fight with someone truly evil. Other movies seem like extended commercials for products that already exist, or rehashes of previous extended commercials: Trolls, Smurfs, and PowerRangers.

Maybe I'll give Trucks a look.

Rose tinted glasses. Seriously. As a kid that was the period of the "Disney Renaissance" with Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Lion King, etc. So we remember those movies that were the one great kid movie of the year, not the ones that were more common.

Same now- Zootopia earlier this year was actually kickass and had an incredibly deep social commentary, and I hear Moana is excellent. But I'm sure when your kid is in that age bracket, parents still sometimes suffer when there is literally only one age appropriate movie in the theater and it's crap.

[pumpkinpi]

We saw the preview for that before Hidden Figures. There were actually previews for several children's movies. I was disappointed that I didn't like any of them. I'm not sure if it's because The Kid is transitioning towards adulthood and she isn't as interested in those types of movies anymore. There seemed to be a time period when those "kids" movies were awesome: Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Nemo, even the Incredibles. They were safe and entertaining for kids, original, and also had something for adults. I don't see that anymore. Secret Life of Pets was evil and depressing. Many of the Disney movies have a similar theme of a lead character who's lost a parent and must fight with someone truly evil. Other movies seem like extended commercials for products that already exist, or rehashes of previous extended commercials: Trolls, Smurfs, and PowerRangers.

Maybe I'll give Trucks a look.

Rose tinted glasses. Seriously. As a kid that was the period of the "Disney Renaissance" with Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Lion King, etc. So we remember those movies that were the one great kid movie of the year, not the ones that were more common.

Same now- Zootopia earlier this year was actually kickass and had an incredibly deep social commentary, and I hear Moana is excellent. But I'm sure when your kid is in that age bracket, parents still sometimes suffer when there is literally only one age appropriate movie in the theater and it's crap.

We saw Secret Life of Pets at Buster's request. He ended up hating it, but he can't quite explain why. I didn't like it, mostly because it was boring.

Yes, Zootopia was awesome! And we'll see Moana eventually.

[Thumper]

We saw Secret Life of Pets at Buster's request. He ended up hating it, but he can't quite explain why. I didn't like it, mostly because it was boring.

I thought I was going to love it. The depiction of certain personalities of different pets was hilarious. And the notion that pets have a separate life away from their people, a la Toy Story, had traction. But the secret renegade society of evil pets determined to kill all owners was a bit much. I couldn't imagine what 5 year olds would think of it. Especially when billed as a funny, happy go lucky kids movie.

[SciFi Chick]

We saw Secret Life of Pets at Buster's request. He ended up hating it, but he can't quite explain why. I didn't like it, mostly because it was boring.

I thought I was going to love it. The depiction of certain personalities of different pets was hilarious. And the notion that pets have a separate life away from their people, a la Toy Story, had traction. But the secret renegade society of evil pets determined to kill all owners was a bit much. I couldn't imagine what 5 year olds would think of it. Especially when billed as a funny, happy go lucky kids movie.

I absolutely HATE it when they get the marketing wrong! "Nurse Betty" was billed as a comedy. It was not.

[Thumper]

Buddy saw "Split" said it knocked his socks off and is a must see. The Kid and I want to go. Mrs. T is complete and definite: "NO."

[SciFi Chick]

Just watched the trailer for "Split" and I might have to agree with Mrs. T.

[Tarragon]

Any idea who will be "The Last Jedi" come next December?

Obvious thought is Luke, but could there be someone left over from before Order 66?

[Thumper]

Any idea who will be "The Last Jedi" come next December?

Obvious thought is Luke, but could there be someone left over from before Order 66?

Jar Jar?

[geonuc]

Manchester by the Sea: I'm conflicted - this is a really well-acted movie with great writing, but I didn't like the ending.

[Thumper]

Manchester by the Sea: I'm conflicted - this is a really well-acted movie with great writing, but I didn't like the ending.

Still haven't gotten a chance to see it. Still want to.

[geonuc]

Manchester by the Sea: I'm conflicted - this is a really well-acted movie with great writing, but I didn't like the ending.

Still haven't gotten a chance to see it. Still want to.

You should. Casey Affleck is phenomenal.

[Thumper]

Mrs. T and I caught Manchester at 5 dollar night while The Kid was at flute practice. Not sure enjoy is quite the word but it was really, really good. I was actually, visibly relieved at the ending. Between wondering how much more sad it could get for him and your dislike for the ending, I feared the worst. I'm not sure how else it could have ended. I would be interested in discussing though it would have to be somewhere safe for spoilers. There were many things that were interesting that could have been taken multiple ways or hinted at events that weren't actually shown. As long and slow and sad as it was, it left me wanting to see it again.

I really didn't know anything about Affleck other than the name, but I thought that he was (yes, your word) phenomenal. I could feel every ounce of his anguish. The cut knuckles scene affected both of us physically because of an incident in my past.

If anything, I enjoyed a movie with real character development and story and no CGI, gratuitous $ex, or explosions.*


* Don't get me wrong, I love gratuitous $ex and explosions as much as anyone, but it was nice to see a movie with something more than that.

[Rommie]

A few nights ago my bf and I went to go see The Eagle Huntress- definitely worth doing a search to see if they have it in your area! Basically it's a documentary about a girl who lives in rural Mongolia, and comes from a long line of people who hunt with golden eagles. They've previously always been men, but she is determined to be the first girl to do it.

Really amazing scenery/ depiction of daily life in a semi-nomadic family (it's amazing to realize that this is what their life is like today, not decades ago at minimum) and pretty awesome to see a cool girl doing great things if I may say so. One thing that struck me as funny btw is they do interviews with all the elder eagle hunters who say girls can't do it... and when she literally sets records at being kickass with her eagle, they say "oh, but I'm sure she won't be able to hunt, girls can't handle the cold!" and such BS. Idiots move goalposts everywhere I guess!

[Thumper]

Thanks for the Rec. Sounds worth checking out.

[Rommie]

It is- [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vfi5JS6HTH0]here's the trailer[/quote].

Also fun, Daisy Ridley narrates it.

[Thumper]

Not Daisy Ridley?!
The Star Wars fan boys will be flocking to it!

[Swift]

I just went to see Manchester by the Sea (my wife really wanted to see it).

I don't recall a movie that was so boring, depressing, and made me more anxious, all at the same time.