Finally Friday - Wuthering Heights movie

 Enjoyed a lunch and movie time a few weeks ago with some of my pickleball ladies.  Jason's Deli had a nice variety of soups, salad bar, and sandwiches. I went with roast beef on rye with provolone. Classic and tasty. 

Onward to Wuthering Heights starring Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff. This is NOT your ancient Sir Lawrence Olivier version. This is a bit more heaving bosoms and innuendo. I'm not sure if Emily Bronte, the author, would approve. 

The filming and photography were gorgeous. Margot and Jacob had chemistry. He was suitably brooding and the moors were enshrouded in mist. 

My group had mixed reactions.  One cried at the end over unrequited love.  One preferred the old black and white film.  I was mixed. I would have edited it quite a bit. I'm not a prude, but there were parts that were unnecessary. 

I remember reading  the book a long, long time ago, but truly did not remember the story line.  I will say Catherine annoyed me quite a bit. Oh well, it will go to streaming soon enough. I do not think you need to pay for  the theater. I enjoyed the afternoon with the ladies and that counted for a lot. 

Happy Friday the 13th (again! remember February).  Hope you have a good weekend.  

Monday Moments - Barbie

 I watched previews of the Barbie movie and was not convinced. It looked silly. I think the ads were designed to lure more kids.  But to me this is NOT a kid movie. Greta Gerwig (a genius director) has created a movie that is very FUN, ENTERTAINING, WELL DONE, CLEVER, and hits so many social issues with the right amount of oomph. Genius writing and humor. 

Huge thumbs up from me. I laughed out loud several times. And I shook my head a lot because she nailed women issues without hitting one over the head. 

per Barbie herself who's perfectly cast, Margot Robbie, "  This is not a Barbie puff piece." 

Ryan Gosling as Ken is stupendous - he obviously has a sense of humor and brings it to  the roll. He's the perfect foil.  Frankly the whole cast  of Barbies and Kens are so damn good.  Plus Skipper,  Alan (oh, yeah Alan. He was discontinued. Thanks Michael Cena  for such great humor) and so much more. 

And shout  out to Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie (trust me, it's a thing. I was the kid who cut my dolls hair.  Not  great ). She brings a lot of impromptu wacky at just the right moments. I love her and she absolutely cracked me up. 

I could go see this film again and pick up on so many great lines. Kudos to Greta and  Noah for a fabulous script.  Her  directing  and  vision was spot on.  This  is (in my humble opinion)  a film for the ages. 

Movie Review - Bombshell

Bombshell, I think, is a must see movie. Based on fact, it chronicles the downfall of Fox news titan Roger Ailes (played with lecherous perfection by John Lithgow) after multiple accusations of sexual harassment. Gretchen Carlson, former Fox and Friends co-host (Nicole Kidman) got the ball rolling with a lawsuit and then felt shunned, twisting in the wind, waiting for others to substantiate her claim. Headliner Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) grapples with her experiences, her life, her power, and what it could mean to come forward also. And finally, Margot Robbie is Kayla, a composite character. She is a compilation of many women’s stories. She’s the young foot soldier determined to make it big, to help shape America’s moral fabric. As she climbs the ladder,  she begins to question what it really takes – must she relinquish dignity, truly climb on that casting couch.

Carlson basically was the forerunner of the Me-Too movement. Her bravery got women talking (together and to the people who count, the ones who can fire a man with such hubris to think that his word and power will not be questioned). The Fox news building was abuzz with people taking sides, trash talking, starting rumors, etc. Meanwhile, Megyn Kelly was walking a fine line. Charlize Theron is uncanny in her portrayal of Kelly. She shows how victims don’t always recognize the insidiousness of sexual harassment, and that an unspoken culture of silence can help perpetuate it. (EW Jan 2020)

When Megyn Kelly made her decision to accuse Ailes, the Fox owners – the Murdochs – recognized that this was huge,  it was time for Ailes to go. This was not a situation that could just be shoved into a corner. Women were talking and demanding action and respect.

Bombshell handles the whole story in a very classy manner. This isn’t strident. The movie shows the politics of power, the actions of men and women, the culture of men and women in the workplace. The actresses are excellent at portraying the delicate matter of negotiating the workplace, of trying to be successful while keeping ones dignity. I was impressed and you’ll be transfixed by Theron, worthy of Oscar buzz. Kudos all around.

Movie Review - Quentin's latest flick

I’m often conflicted on Quentin Tarantino movies. Some can be so good (Pulp Fiction, Inglourious Bastards) and some can stink (Hateful Eight).  Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is a winner. Whew! Quentin captures the 1968 and 1969 vibe with the look, the music, and so many nuances. Leonardo DiCaprio plays an actor on the downhill slide, and Brad Pitt is his stunt double with some issues. Both are excellent. Trust me, there’s a scene with Brad facing off against an actor playing Bruce Lee – it’s priceless.  

Margo Robbie plays Sharon Tate. She’s not in it a lot really, but she does shine and, obviously the Tate figure with the whole Manson ordeal plays a big part of Tarantino’s rewritten history. It’s good to know the backdrop from that time period and understand the references. A younger guy at my workplace thought the flick was boring…but he didn’t “get” it. With Tarantino, you do have to think  a bit (in a good way).

My husband thought it was a tad long and would have edited it down. I can understand his point, but I was okay with the whole flow and mood of the movie. Plenty of laughs and good acting. And I was curious where some of the twists would take us. All in all, I give credit to Quentin for his efforts as a very creative director. He’s unique. Yes, there’s a blast of violence at the end and it works. Plus stay through the credits – some funny touches there with Leo. Plenty of famous faces show up with bit parts – Al Pacino is funny. Once Upon A Time in Hollywood totally entertained me on a rainy Saturday morning – yes, three hours of movie amusement.  Worth the tub of popcorn.

Movie Review Madness - Mary Queen of Scots

Scotland 1500s - Mary Stuart arrives back in Scotland to reclaim the throne from her half-brother. She's Catholic, been exiled in France, and now she's striding the moors - young, smart, strong-willed, and ready to rule.

Aye, but her cousin Elizabeth I in England is not thrilled with this power move. On both sides, the privy councils question the politics, powers, religion, and battle of two women. Who will marry? Who can produce an heir?  And nobody wants to bow to the Pope, have a Papist on a throne.

Saoirse Ronan as Mary Stuart is worthy of her Oscar nomination. She is mesmerizing on screen.
Margot Robbie as Elizabeth I is formidable.  The balance of the cast adds depth to the film.

The costumes, scenery, cinematography, story line, and drama are excellent in Mary Queen of Scots.
This is a strong period piece film with plenty of court intrigue, power struggles, sex, violence, and conniving, bowing, and scraping.

Who shall wear the crown?

Movie Review Madness - I, Tonya

I, Tonya is a hoot.  It’s a mockumentary version of the crazy shenanigans that occurred with the U.S Figure Skating program leading up to the Olympics. Tonya Harding, scrappy unconventional skater with the ability to turn axels versus the ice princess, Nancy Kerrigan.  We hear “interviews” with Tonya, played by Margot Robbie, saying she did not know anything about the plan to get Nancy out of her way. The husband, Jeff Gillooly (Sebastian Stan), is not the brightest guy in the world. His buddy and Tonya’s bodyguard, Scott, are bumbling idiots. And finally, La Vona Golden, Tonya’s mom, is brilliantly played by Allison Janney (who won a Golden Globe for this role) and she’s harsh. She pushes Tonya to excel. She smokes, drinks, curses at the rink, and is just a piece of work.

All in all, did Tonya know that Scott was going to arrange for Nancy’s knee to be whammed by a steel bar? Did Jeff really arrange for this to occur or was he just going for threats?  We’ll never know and you have to watch this film with tongue in cheek appreciation. It’s snarky and hilarious.

From a review in EW – “absurd, irreverent, piercing portrayal of a life and career in unchecked and checkered glory”.   I, Tonya proved to be a fun film to see on a cold day. 

Movie Review Madness - Legend of Tarzan

We all think we know the Tarzan story, but this new movie Legend of Tarzan is an excellent version. We meet Lord Greystoke (Alexander Skarsgard) and his wife (lovely Margot Robbie) in London. He’s been called by a council and asked to return to The Congo to see what King Leopold is up to in regards to trade and money. In theory this is as an ambassador but in reality, as Tarzan, he is being lured in as part of a barter – a nefarious scheme by a crooked captain (played by the always evil Christoph Waltz).  Fortunately an American (Samuel L. Jackson) is along for the ride, and quickly becomes an ally in a deadly battle against slavery, diamond dealing, and revenge (a tribal king played by Djimon Hounsou is not pleased).

The early scenes in the Congo are one of welcome. Tarzan’s old tribe greet him warmly and life is grand. Alas, the captain has his minions capture tribesman, the wife, and set fire to the village. Mayhem ensues.  Enraged, Tarzan and Jackson head out to save the wife, free the slaves, and get to the bottom of the Congo’s secrets. Fortunately, Lord Greystoke sheds his shirt (wow!), swings from vines, communes with the gorillas and other jungle creatures, and fulfills the legend.

This movie is lush and well done. The acting is above par, the Tarzan aspects are not cheesy, and the film is action packed. Alexander with his gray green eyes, chiseled face and body, and brooding demeanor is a worthy Tarzan. Do your best jungle yell and swing in to see Legend of Tarzan.