Movie Review: ***^ Ocean's 8 (2018)

 Ocean's 8 is a spin off of the Ocean movies following Danny Ocean's sister, Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) who is released from prison and she is out to get revenge on her ex, Claude Becker (Richard Armitage) who set her up for the fall in a con game.  And so she recruits her team: Lou (Cate Blanchett) is her friend and co-planner, Rose Weil (Helena Bonham Carter) who is a fashion designer who must have a necklace for an extravaganza, Amita (Mindy Kaling) jewelry maker), Tammy (Sarah Paulsen) fence, Constance (Awkwafina) pick pocket, Leslie Jordan (Rihanna) computer hacker and Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway) who is a mark to wear the necklace but becomes part of the team when she realizes what is happening.  They succeed getting the necklace and replacing it with a fake.  They then break it up and part is planted part on Becker.  John Frazier (James Cordon), insurance investigator discovers this.  This show is entertaining.  It has a bit of a twist at the end making it more profitable for those involved.

Ewan McGregor Movie: ****^ Big Fish (2003)

 The Big Fish is fantasy, or is it?  It is a good story about tall tales and what is truth and what is not.  Ed Bloom (Perry Walston age 10, Ewan McGregor young, Albert Finney old) has quite a history.  And he tells it over and over.  His son, Will (Billy Crudup) does not believe most of what he says and is frustrated with the telling.  He talks of meeting a giant, Karl (Matthew McGrory) when he leaves town, of wandering into a town which is off the map and includes a poet, Norther Winslow (Steve Byscemi) and a witch, Jenny (Helena Bonham Carter older and younger, Hailey Anne Nelson age 8), of being forced to work for a circus to get information about the girl he saw and loves.  The ringmaster is Amos (Danny DeVito).  When he finally gets information about his love, Sandra (Jessica Lange older, Alison Lohman younger) is already engaged.  Her intended, Don Price (David Denman) beats him up, but because he told her Sandra he would not fight back, he takes the beating.  Sandra decides Price is not the guy for her, and waits for Ed to heal to marry him.  He has been drafted an goes to war.  He tells of meeting Siamese twins, Ping and Jing (Ada and Arlene Tai) and they agree to help him escape from North Korea for fame.  They become part of the circus.  Ed becomes a traveling salesman and is away from home alot.  Will decides to check out his father's stories.  He goes to the town of Spectre and meets Jenny who explains how Ed saved the town.  It was in decay and for sell and Ed bought it and restored it.  Ed was not unfaithful to his wife.  

Ed has a stroke and is in the hospital.  Will visits him.  He is beginning to understand a bit better by his father's story telling.  He tells his father of a story of their escape, and gong to the river where when he is put in the river he becomes a big catfish.  Ed no knows his son understands and passes away.  At the funeral the people from the stories attend.  They were not as grandiose as in the stories, but they were real.  

This is a delightful story about imagination and love.

Netflix Movie Review: ***^ Enola Holmes 3 (2026)

 I have loved the Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) movies, and the third movie does not disappoint.  However in this movie we have a couple kidnappings, Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Lord Tewkesbury's (Louis Partridge) mother (Hattie Morahan).  Enola's mother, Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter) provides support, as does Dr. Watson (Himesh Patel).  Moriarty (Sharon Duncan-Brewster) is back and more evil than ever as they look for the gold stolen by Lord Tewkesbury's father many years ago.  This is over the top of the Tewkesbury/Holmes wedding.  This is a fun movie with lots of intrigue.

Movie Review: ****^The King's Speech (2010)

 The King's Speech won the Oscar for best film in 2010 and Colin Firth won the Oscar for best actor.  Firth portrays King George VI.  He had a bad temper, which was mostly brought on by his stuttering.  He had tried public speaking and failed miserably.  The movie is about his speech teacher, who works with him, overcoming his stuttering which was based on some childhood experience with one of his nannies.  Geoffrey Rush portrays the teacher, Lionel Logue.

This movie has a great cast as it brings back Pride and Prejudice actors and Harry Potter actors.  Jennifer Ehle portrays the wife of of the teacher.  Helena Bonham Carter portrays The King's wife Queen Elizabeth.  It was she who found and arranged for the teacher.  Their daughter who would become Queen Elizabeth and reign for 70 years is portrayed as a teenager.  Michael Gambon portrays George V, Timothy Spall Winston Churchill.  Lastly, King George's older brother is portrayed by Guy Pearce.  The older brother was king for a short time but relinqushed his claim to the throne so he could marry a commoner.

I was very moved by this film.  I thing that makes it work is the relationship between The Duke who became the king and the speech teacher.  It shows the courage of the king to face his weakness and fight for it to become not quite such a problem.  The movie ends with his giving a Christmas speech via radio after he had become king.

This film is based on a true story.  Because of his temper the King must have used the F word in the film enough to garner an R rating.  However currently there is a PG!# version available on BYUtv. 

Movie Review: ***^Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

 Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) returns for a different ploy in which the police and several politicians are complicit in covering up dangerous industrial conditions which are killing the women making matches.  We have most of the same characters from #1.  Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge) is still a boy of interest to Enola.  A  nice part of this movie is a larger role taken by Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill) and he and Enola are investigating separate cases which end up being different ends of the same case.  Sherlock is investigating money laundering while Enola investigates the disappearance of a young woman's sister.  The superintendent of police, Grail (David Thewlis) has turned bad and is involved in a conspiracy to defraud the government and prevent improved industrial conditions.  These cases include additional murders, and Enola is framed for one of them and goes to prison.  At this point her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) and her friend Edith (Susan Wokoma) blow up the prison wall and brake her out of jail.  Enola, Sherlock and Lord Tewkesbury eventually join hands are on on the chase.  

Movie Review: ****Enola Holmes

 Enola Holmes is a Netflix movie from 2020.  I had watched it before but am watching it again in preparation to watch Enola Holmes 2.  Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) is the younger sister of Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft Holmes (Sam Claflin).  Enola has been raised in an eccentric manner by her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) after her father dies and her older brothers head to London.  When her mother disappears it creates a situation where Enola needs a ward--she is only sixteen.  Mycroft takes the turn and insists she be sent to finishing school.  Instead Enola sneaks away and heads to London to find her mother.  However she instead gets involved in a case of a disappearance of Lord Tewkesbury (Louis Partridge.). Turns out Lord Tewkesbury is under threat of being murdered after his father was previously murdered.  Sherlock suggests she dangle her feet in the water so as to draw out the sharks.  This she does to almost getting herself and Lord Tewkesbury murdered.  All over being able to influence the vote in the House of Lords.

This movie is loads of fun.  The thing that makes it go is the character Enola Holmes as portrayed by Brown.  The movie is based on the book series by Nancy Springer.

Movie Review: ****Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016)

This is a fascinating story of Alice (Mia Wasikowska) coming back to Wonderland to save the Hatter (Johnny Depp.)  This is a story of believing, and of making amends.  The two sisters, whose feud dates back to a stolen cookie when they were little, are set against each other.  The Queen of hearts, Iracebeth (Helena Bonham Carter), has been extracting revenge on people for many years, and her sister Mirana (Anne Hathaway) has often felt her wrath.  In this movie, The Hatter is missing his family who are presumed dead.  Alice goes back in time, and discovers they are not.  However in going back, she is breaking Time (Sacha Baron Cohen) and the whole world is in danger.
Of note here is the change of hair color of the Hatter.  At one point he is near death and his hair is all white.  The makeup of Iracebeth is also fantastic with her painted heart.

Movie Review: **^The Lone Ranger (2013)

This movie did not not receive great acclaim. and it is understandable.  Johnny Depp portrays Tonto and Armie Hammer the Lone Ranger.  The Lone Ranger is deputized by his brother to chase the bandit Butch Cavendish (William Fichtner).  They are betrayed by a ranger, and all killed, with Butch eating the brother's heart as they are long enemies.  However the white horse (later to be called Silver) picks the younger brother as a spirit walker, one who can't be killed in battle, and he comes back to life.  They set off to prevent an Indian war (Butch and his men are impersonating Comanche to incite a war.  They get their war, and the Calvary slaughters the Comanche with a Gatling gun.  This is with the motivation of getting the Indian land where they have discovered silver.  Some of this movie is hard to follow; like how did Tonto get a long ladder on the train which made it so he could change one one train to the other?  How did he get the madame (Helena Bonham Carter) to help him with the bank robbery?  Ruth Wilson portrays the wife of the older brother, and love interest of the Lone Ranger.  Of course the real bad guy is the train boss, who is wanting to use the silver to take over the train company.
Some historical things are weird.  Why did they film in Monument Valley.  There never was a railroad there and it is not on the way to Promontory Point.  The driving of the golden spike is represented, but everything goes awry that day.

Movie Review: ***^Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

This is a Johnny Depp as Willie Wonka and Tim Burton (director) collaboration and it is successful for the most part.  It is based on the Roald Dahl book by the same name.  It was previously made into a musical presentation entitled Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.  Johnny Depp makes an interesting Wonka.  He plays him as a moody, man, with a poor childhood based on his father's over bearing.  Father was a dentist who very much despised candy.  Willie Wonka's love turned out to be candy; there was an inevitable parting as a result.  This version is much more true to the book, which adds the theme of family relations, which was missing from the musical version.  The visit of the youngsters, including Charlie (Freddie Highmore) and Grandpa Joe (David Kelly) to the factory results in the first four, Veruca Salt (Julia Winter), Mike Teavee (Jordan Fry), Augustus Gloop (Philip Wiegratz) and Violet Beauregard (AnnaSophia Robb) all being eliminated, and Wonka offering his inheritance to Charlie.  Charlie turns him down.  He would have to leave his family, his parents (Helena Bonham Carter and Noah Taylor) and four grandparents.  Wonka goes back to the factory disappointed and feeling miserable.  He returns to Charlie, who suggests he resolve things with his father, then he might not feel so terrible.  And so it goes, which helps Wonka also resolve his issues with family.  Charlie inherits in the factory after all, with his entire family, home and all, going to the factory grounds. 

Movie Review: ****^ Les Miserables (2012)

I have seen a few opinions about Les Miserables from--the best movie ever to too dark.  And after visiting the theater yesterday, I can understand both remarks.  Les Miserables is a dark story to begin with.  However with all the expectations, many were predisposed that it was going to be the best ever even before seeing it.  I wave watched the ten year, and 25 year anniversary concerts over and over.  And granted those were concerts not theatrical productions but they music from those far surpasses that in the movie.  The movie was going for character and story, and took the risk of casting theatrical actors in musical parts.  Sometimes it worked, and others it didn't.  So the pluses and minuses.
Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean worked.  His singing does not compare to Colm Wilkinson, but he carried the roll.  "Hear my Prayer" is the highlight of the show, and although I would have liked to hear Colm Wilkinson, Jackman delivered the emotion of the song such as to be effective.  It is just so beautiful the way Wilkinson holds that last note.
Russell Crowe as Javert did not work.  The song "I Swear by the Stars" sounded more like some one singing in the shower than a prayer to the stars.  Crowe did  make the suicide scene more believable than I had seen it.
The added song of Valjean singing his love to Cosette added depth to the character.  You also can love instantly.  Being a foster/adoptive parent I know this is true.
The three young people, Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) Eponine (Samantha Barks) and Marius (Eddie Redmayne) were the highlight of the show.  They carried their trio and other performing parts with energy and gusto.  I left the theater humming "heart full of love."  "On My Own" was also well done.  However keeping with the dark theme of the director, was done in the rain. Marius sang "Empty Chairs," with such beauty and emotion, I think everyone who has seen this has cried with him.
Fantine (Anne Hathaway) was somewhat of a controversy.  Lea Salonga sings which much greater skill, energy and professionalism.  However, in the mood of the film, Hathaway did an incredible job.  The song "I Dreamed a Dream" was presented later in the movie, after arriving at the bottom, rather than just starting the slide, so there was a different tone (darkness) to the song.  I especially like her in the death scene at the end. 
The innkeepers are a welcome comic relief.  The must have worked so hard at coordinating everything.  I especially like their entrance through the carriage to the wedding. 
So there are more things to like and love about this version of Les Miserables than there are to dislike.  The music is worth going to see, the action is well done, the characterization is good, and the sets are effective (except for the sewer which is over the top) and the theme that when we show love to each other, we show love to God is timeless.  Oh Colm Wilkinson does have a cameo as the priest.  His baritone voice resonates, and somehow he is in the final scene at the pearly gates.  A nice touch.  I recommend this movie, but don't go so far as to say it is the best ever.
I would not recommend this movie for children.

Movie Review: *^Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sweeney Todd has every thing you want to love a musical, talented performers, beautiful music an interesting story.  It just goes too far for me to recommend it.  I just don't get off on blood gushing out of someone's carotid artery.  In fact it makes me rather nauseous.  I really like Johnny Depp as the barber, Henlena Bonham Carter as the meat pie maker, and Alan Rickman as the judge.  For great theater, the scene between the judge and barber is just delicious.  "Pretty Women" is just beautiful.  "No one's going to harm you" is also well done.  I also love "Johanna."  One warning in watching the song on You Tube.  One version the barber sings as he slices throats.  Much better to watch the young lover (Jamie Campbell Bower) version as he sings to Johanna (Jayne Wisener).  This story ends like all good tragedies, with lots of death, of course there is plenty of death through out this movie.
So my analysis, beautiful music but too bloody to be palatable.  Do not get the movie, but listen to the songs, or watch them on You Tube but be careful.

Movie Review: ***Alice in Wonderland (2010)

***"Alice in Wonderland" is very strange.  I am still trying to decide if I like the way they did it.  It is so different than what I was expecting.  I do not like either of the queens.  They are just too much.  Anne Hathaway keeps her wrists in such a feminine position it quickly becomes old.  However Alice, is a much more enjoyable character as she is the one who grows through the movie.  The creatures and animals are fun.  I like caterpillar and his wisdom, as well as the Mad Hatter.
Johnny Depp is reportedly going to recreate his role as the Mad Hatter in a sequel.  Somebody like this movie as it is in he top thirty of the highest grossing movies of all time.

Movie Review: **^A Room With a View (1985)

This is the 1985 version which I found on Instant Netflix.  It stars Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix in Harry Potter) and Julian Sands (Phantom in Phantom of the Opera) in the lead roles.  It also has Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, both of James Bond fame.  It is based on the novel by E.M. Forster of the same name.  It takes place in early 20th century Italy and England.  A Young woman is traveling with her chaperone, cousin to Florence.

The general story is one of love, but also the author and director hope to expand our minds, and the heroine's with different views.  Among other things she sees a murder, which is a horrid view, her potential lover in a field, (he kisses her in this scene) coming upon this same gentleman with her brother and the vicar skinny dipping.  The scene shows too much, but reminds me of a similar episode in my youth.

The main character denies her love, and becomes engaged to a different gentleman.  However you know it is just a matter of time before she gives in to love.

I liked this movie, but not as much as those of Jane Austen.  I was hoping to find an Instant-play Jane Austen and found this instead.