Monday Moments - You Hurt My Feelings

 And now an artsy film review.  You Hurt My Feelings is really good. It's an old fashioned  talkie. Not a lot of action. Just  normal folks living life and  showing  emotions.  No,  Ray did not join  me for this one. 

Julia Louis Dreyfus as Beth is  a novelist with a book that's not quite clicking. She's a bit fragile and  she overhears her  husband, Don  (Tobias Menzies) talking  with a friend. He expresses that he's not sold on her  novel and this just cuts her  to the core. He's always  been so supportive and now she's questioning  life, her marriage,  and just everything.  

Poor Don  is not  aware of what  he's done and he's befuddled. What did I say? What did I do?  Their poor teen son, Elliott (Owen Teague) is caught in  the middle and trying to figure how what the heck is happening  in the family dynamics. 

This ninety minute film is  tight with good acting. I won't give it all away, but thankfully, the duo do communicate and figure things out. It's a reassurance about a long time solid marriage that hits a rocky spot.  There's always ups and  downs, but this film touches on the nuances. 

Nicely done. It's a "little film".  

Movie Review Madness - Onward

Enjoyed a preview showing of Pixar's Onward last night with Ray. Unusual Thursday evening date night complete with yummy dinner at Red Robin. We both said, "Fun," when the movie ended. This will not be in the pantheon of beyond awesome Pixar movies, but it's in the category of great animation, good voice characters, and a sweet story. What more could you want for a five dollar ticket?

There used to be magic and wonder, and now the world is just bumbling along. It's Ian's sixteenth birthday and he's quietly missing his father who passed from illness; he'd like to actually talk to people in school; he'd like to learn to drive. Ian (Tom Holland) needs to get some ooomph. Older brother Barley (Chris Pratt) misses his dad, plays quest games, and seems to find trouble. Mom (Julia Louis Dreyfus) tries to guide her boys and be strong. What's missing?  Some magic and wonder.

When mom gives the boys a gift from their dad - a wizard wand, they embark on a quest to have time with him for a day. Oh there's a path to peril, raven's point, and the powerful Manicort (Octavia Spencer) to encounter. In this quest, there's humor, danger, and a chance for brotherly bonding. It's fun and funny and poignant.

All in all, Onward is energetic and family fuzzy warm. I cared about the brothers and they find out how much they care about each other. Big hug all around for this sweet movie.

Yes, it's okay to go see it on the big screen in the theater.  Just wash your hands and carry on.