Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2023) Rated PG-13

Posted on July 25, 2023 by laurarachel4

When her family moves from the city to the suburbs, pre-teen Margaret struggles with friends, religion, and puberty. Based on the book by Judy Blume. Starring Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, and Kathy Bates. 

This film and the book present the experience of growing up as a teenage girl – what we all went through with competition between friends, trying to fit in, and all the while dealing with hormone changes. Also in the mix, Margaret’s parents are still unsure of their religious beliefs and how to talk to their daughter about the differences or the hurts that happen when there are misunderstandings. She’s searching but lost amongst the uncertain differences. The acting was good. Thus the film was worth the watch. 

Posted in 2023, Comedy, Drama, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated PG-13, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week on DVD, July 25, 2023

Posted on July 25, 2023 by laurarachel4

 

 Paint (PG-13)

Carl Nargle, Vermont’s #1 public television painter, is convinced he has it all: a signature perm, custom van, and fans hanging on his every stroke – until a younger, better artist steals everything (and everyone) Carl loves. Starring Owen Wilson, Elisabeth Henry, Paul Kosopod 

 Nova: Saving The Right Whale (TV-PG)

Specialists discover new secrets about the life of the North Atlantic right whale. Starring Maev Beaty, Moira Brown, Sara Ellis 

 Masterpiece Mystery: Grantchester Season 8 (TV-14)

A Cambridgeshire clergyman finds himself investigating a series of mysterious wrongdoings in his small village of Grantchester. Starring Robson Green, Tessa Peake-Jones, Al Weaver 

 D.I. Ray: Season 1 (TV-MA)

Newly promoted DI Rachita Ray takes on a case that forces her to face a lifelong personal conflict. Starring Parminder Nagra, Ian Puleston-Davies, Jessica Temple 

 Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin – Season One (TV-14)

Bumper moves to Germany to revive his music career after one of his songs becomes big in Berlin. Starring Adam Devine, Sarah Hyland, Jameela Jamil 

 Resident Evil: Death Island (R)

D.S.O. agent Leon S. Kennedy is on a mission to rescue Dr. Antonio Taylor from kidnappers, when a mysterious woman thwarts his pursuit. Meanwhile, B.S.A.A. agent Chris Redfield is investigating a zombie outbreak in San Francisco, where the cause of the infection cannot be identified. The only thing the victims have in common is that they all visited Alcatraz Island recently. Following that clue, Chris and his team head to the island, where a new horror awaits them. Starring Bill Butts, Erin Cahill, Kevin Dorman 

 Superstore: The Complete Series (TV-14)

A look at the lives of employees at a big box store. Starring Ben Feldman, Lauren Ash, Colton Dunn 

 Sonic Underground: The Complete Series (TV-Y7)

Sonic and his royal siblings seek to find their mother and defeat the tyrant, Robotnik. Starring Maurice LaMarche, Garry Chalk, Gail Webster 

 Dalgliesh: Series 2 (TV-MA)

Follows Dalgliesh’s crime-fighting career from 1970s England to the present day. Starring Bertie Carvel, Carlyss Peer, Jeremy Irvine 

 Gangs of London: Season Two (NR)

Tells the story of London being torn apart by the turbulent power struggles of its international gangs and the sudden power vacuum that’s created when the head of London’s most powerful crime family is assassinated. Starring Joe Cole, Sope Dirisu, Michelle Fairley 

 King Charles III (NR)

This documentary explores the life of Charles Philip Arthur George, the longest serving heir apparent to accede to the throne, leading up to his coronation in May 2023. It features interviews with those who know and have worked with him. Starring Robin Bextor

 Aber Bergen: The Complete Series (NR)

Aber Bergen is an entertaining courtroom drama about the recently separated , but for the time being professional partners, Erik Aber and Elea Bergen. They are two of the country’s sharpest defense attorneys, who together with an unorthodox team lawyers have built up a reputable law firm, where they attempt to balance professional and private as they are thrown between moral, political and legal dilemmas. Starring Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Odd-Magnus Williamson, Line Verndal 

 Four Quartets (NR)

In the shadow of the Second World War, performance of a poem is a searching examination of who and what – we are. A journey into the imagination, bound by experience, memory and time. Starring Ralph Fiennes

 Ancient Aliens: Season 17 (TV-PG)

Science and mythology – and how they are the same thing. Starring Robert Clotworthy, Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, David Childress

 The Neighborhood: Season Five (TV-PG)

A friendly guy from the Midwest tries to fit in in a tough L.A. neighborhood. Starring Cedric The Entertainer, Max Greenfield, Sheaun McKinney 

Synopsis by IMDB. 

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Talking with Chris Hardwick (AMC) Rated NR

Posted on July 24, 2023 by laurarachel4

A talk show with host Chris Hardwick brings on iconic celebrity guests and has live audience interactivity. Starring Chris Hardwick, Uzo Aduba, and Michelle Monaghan.

This talk show is an extension of Hardwick’s others, centered around the topics of shows. However, this one doesn’t center around a show but does bring on actors from cult-like shows. Hardwick does a wonderful job bringing the audience to life. While the main topic of a show is not as prevalent for the guests to talk about, it’s still fun to see the celebs talking about their craft. It’s worth a watch.

Posted in 2017, AMC, Rated NR, reviews, Talk Show, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Betsy & Irv (2022) Rated NR

Posted on July 23, 2023 by laurarachel4

A hero comes to Betsy’s help as she confronts a predator, an institution, and a justice system. Starring Irv Pankey and Betsy Sailor.

In the 70s, Betsy was attacked and sexually assaulted. She came forward to prosecute the perpetrator who happened to be a star football player. This short tells a little of her story and how she struggled with the stigmatism that came with the attack. Along comes another football player that let her know that he believed her and helped her learn to recoup from the attack. This short story mostly covers the 40-year reconnect of the two friends after they went their separate ways. This film is worth the watch. 

Posted in 2022, Documentary, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated NR, reviews, Short, Sport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Betsy & Irv (2022) Rated NR

Silence (2016) Rated R

Posted on July 22, 2023 by laurarachel4

In the 17th Century, two Jesuit Priests travel to Japan to find their mentor, who may be an apostate. Based on the novel by Shūsaku Endō. Starring Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, and Liam Neeson.

Wow! The film does a wonderful job showing the persecution of Christians in Japan at the start of the religion in the country. It’s not the easiest film to watch as the Christians are tortured through most of it. The length of the film does go long and can be hard to watch as there are moments that just seem to last forever. Martin Scorsese uses the sound of Silence very well, as there is little dialogue throughout the film but ambiant sounds fill up the background. It’s brilliant and brings the focus to the world around the characters. It’s wonderful that we don’t have Scorsese’s typical actors involved in this film. The performances by these talented actors make the film. It’s worth the watch. 

Posted in 2016, Adventure, Based on a Novel, Drama, films, Historical, Movie reviews, movies, Rated R | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Return of the White Shark (2023) Rated NR

Posted on July 21, 2023 by laurarachel4

A group of Great White Sharks have begun to appear at beaches that are great tourist attractions, but why are they coming there and what are they hunting? Starring David Weeden.

This show tries to find out why sharks are coming to an area that has high tourism. This show, in my opinion, is pointless – to which a local points out, sharks have always been in this area, they just want to make it seem like they are new to the area. They fluctuate between being around a lot and only a little. The scientists have little to reason with except the change in vegetation and the fishing in the area. They cut back on fishing, so now the sharks come due to what they eat. It’s a common answer and a mute point to do a show on. Although, it’s another way to understand these animals when you know what they prefer to eat and it’s not human. This film is not worth the watch. 

Posted in 2023, Documentary, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated NR, reviews, SharkFest | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New This Week in Theaters, July 20, 2023

Posted on July 20, 2023 by laurarachel4

 

Barbie (film) - Wikipedia Barbie (PG-13)
Opens on Friday, July 21
Starring: Margot Robbie, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ryan Gosling 


Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence.

Oppenheimer (2023) - IMDb Oppenheimer (R)
Opens on Friday, July 21
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr. 

The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.

Cobweb (2023) - IMDb Cobweb (R)
Opens on Friday, July 21
Starring: Lizzy Caplan, Antony Starr, Cleopatra Coleman 

Horror strikes when an eight-year-old boy named Peter tries to investigate the mysterious knocking noises that are coming from inside the walls of his house and a dark secret that his sinister parents kept hidden from him.

Mother, May I? (2023) - Filmaffinity Mother, May I? (NR)
Opens on Friday, July 21
Starring: Daphne Gaines, Kyle Gallner, Michael Giannone 

When Anya starts behaving like her recently-deceased mother, Emmett must confront his deepest traumas to free his fiancee from this bewildering possession.

Synopsis by IMDB. 

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Revealed (HGTV) Rated NR

Posted on July 20, 2023 by laurarachel4

 Veronica uses a genealogist to help find the idenity of her clients in order to make their home more connected to their heritage. Starring Veronica Valencia, Tommy Rouse, and David Bohler. 

There are so many home design shows that each needs a gimmick to entice you to watch. I enjoy Veronica’s gimmick because it’s always nice to know where you’ve come from and have a little history in your home to make it your own. Some of the artwork she had displayed were not the best; some were nice , but others were really out there. That’s the focus on the show. Not the tearing down or rebuilding of the rooms, just the DNA of the clients. It’s interesting but not worth the watch.

Posted in 2023, HGTV, Rated NR, Reality TV, reviews, Tv Shows | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Patriots Day (2016) Rated R

Posted on July 19, 2023 by laurarachel4

The story and aftermath of the bombings at the Boston Marathon in 2013. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Dicky Eklund Jr., and Michael Marchand.

This film brings to life the facts of what happened on April 15th, 2013. We see the planning, the execution, and the manhunt of these killers. It was a crazy day, but I remember it well. I knew that a friend’s father was running in it, and I was on a vacation babysitting my young nephews for the week. I was glued to the TV as the day unfolded. The film really does a good job bringing the reality of the situation to life as we relive that day. We also see what was happening behind the scenes as the police tried to mobilize to catch these terrorists. It helps that the acting is good. This is a film that’s worth the watch.

Posted in 2016, Action, Crime, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated R, reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Shark Eat Shark (2023) Rated NR

Posted on July 18, 2023 by laurarachel4

 Scientists investigate shark attacks on other sharks. Starring Enrico Gennari and Lacey Williams.

This is an interesting documentary. We have scientists that, for years, believed the Great White Shark hunted and killed other sharks, so they tagged other smaller sharks to see if they got eaten. This is a different look at sharks and also gives us a look at more of the diet of the Great White Shark. While it’s a small percentage of sharks, it’s still helpful in learning ways to help eliminate shark attacks on humans. Finding out what the sharks eat more of woill help us understand local shark attacks. This is a film worth watching. 

Posted in 2023, Documentary, films, Movie reviews, movies, Rated NR, reviews, SharkFest | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment