Finally Friday - Tony (a movie)

 Big blockbuster movies rule, but a few little art house projects sneak under the radar. It's over one hundred degrees in TX. It's too hot outside to even enjoy our pool.  Movie matinee time and Tony is a decent "little" film. 

Tony (Dominic Sessa) is a hot headed college kid - arrogant wise acre and so, so green. He ultimately becomes Anthony Bourdain (Kitchen Confidential chef extraordinaire). In this movie, he's just Tony. He's lost a summer writing prize, he heads to Providence seeking a girl (Nancy - Emilia Jones), he has no experience, fights and gets kicked out of a restaurant (bounced by hooligan Sal (Leo Woodall) )

. The rest becomes a bit of history as he manages to get on with said fish place under the guidance of Chef (Antonio Banderas).  Chef sees something in Tony, and Tony somehow senses he can learn. He needs the discipline, but he also screws up a lot. Drugs, drinking, carousing - you get a hint of the life Bourdain later wrote about. You also see the camaraderie and the growth of  Tony, his potential. 

Decent acting, interesting coming  of age story, and a nice  cool theater. I was happy for my two hours in a darkened air-conditioned show.  Look for Tony - probably streaming soon near you. 

(It also made me want to rewatch some Anthony Bourdain  shows - the man was so good. So sad he died by suicide) 

 

Monday Moments - Babygirl

 This is a PSA - ugh.  This movie, Babygirl, annoyed the heck out of me.  I do like Nicole Kidman as an actress and she's had good buzz on this film.  

Nope, sorry Nicole as Romy.  You can try, but age is catching up.  Antonio Banderas, as husband Jacob - oh sigh.  Young intern dude - Harris Dickinson as Samuel - well enough acted but a bit ick. 

Let me save you time and money.  It's a bit cringe, bordering on annoying "porny", creepy.  The couple next to me left.  The woman kept saying, "This is stupid."  I think the man was fine with watching Nicole get naked and live out some fantasy thing.

So, why didn't I leave?  I was killing time on Inauguration Monday, in a funk, and it was best I sat in a dark room - ha!

Movie Review: Puss in Boots

My husband and I, the only people in the theater not accompanying children, snickered louder than the rest of the Puss in Boots audience. Sheer clever enjoyable entertainment that was adult and kid friendly. That's a tough trick. The Toy Story trilogy pulled it off, as well as the Shrek franchise, and now its successful spin-off - Puss in Boots.

Antonio Banderas voices Puss purr-fectly - ladies man, fighter, and charmer. Salma Hayek is his match in Kitty. Zach Galifianakis is excellent as Humpty Dumpty. Essentially, Puss met Humpty as a foster child. They hit it off and had big dreams, brothers forever. Well, Humpty is a bad egg, constantly working the deals, and leaving Puss holding the bag. Just when all is seemingly forgiven, they work to steal magic beans from Jack and Jill (Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris) - the Bonnie and Clyde of fairy tales. Magic beans in hand, they grow the beanstalk to nab the Golden Goose or at least her chick. It's all going to be fabulous - repaying the old town, their foster mother, and living happily ever after. Only, there's a double cross and disappointment.

Fortunately Puss works his own magic and redeems himself as the hero. Did you expect anything less? Lose yourself in amazing animation. Chuckle at clever throw-away lines. Eat a huge tub of popcorn. Puss in Boots is a movie treat. Enjoy.