Back to the Movies...and TV, Too.
An interesting hodgepodge of movies and documentaries. Some new, some older.
MOVIES WATCHED IN MAY
May 4 - Michigan: An American Portrait (2023)
What makes a place special? That's the theme behind this one hour public television special on the state of Michigan. The film airs nationwide through American Public Television (APT) during April, 2023.
Director: Chip Duncan
Star: Chip Duncan
An interesting walk through the state, with some history thrown in. Quite enjoyable.
May 5 - The Wolf and the Lion (2021)
A wolf pup and a lost lion cub are rescued by a girl in the heart of the Canadian wilderness. Their friendship will change their lives forever.
Director: Gilles de Maistre
Stars: Molly Kunz, Graham Greene, Charlie Carrick
Cute, but maybe a tad saccharine. Still, enjoyable enough. And the animals are adorable.
Though the movie is fiction, it turns out that, since the wolf pup and lion cub were basically brought up together while making the movie, they were settled together at an animal sanctuary.
May 10 - X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
The early years of James Logan, featuring his rivalry with his brother Victor Creed, his service in the special forces team Weapon X, and his experimentation into the metal-lined mutant Wolverine.
Director: Gavin Hood
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Dominic Monaghan
Watched mostly because of Ryan Reynolds (I thought they his role was a tie-in to Deadpool,) but his role isn’t very big. I didn’t know anything about Wolverine, so that part was interesting. Not sure I’ll watch anymore in the series.
May 12 - The Discovery (2017)
Two years after the afterlife is scientifically proven, a man attempts to help a young woman break away from her dark past.
Director: Charlie McDowell
Stars: Robert Redford, Mary Steenburgen, Brian McCarthy, Jason Segel
An interesting concept, with a unique take as people start committing suicide in order to reach the afterlife. The ending was a surprise.
May 17 - Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023)
Follows the life of beloved actor and advocate Michael J. Fox, exploring his personal and professional triumphs and travails, and what happens when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease.
Director: Davis Guggenheim
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Tracy Pollan, Sam Fox, Aquinnah Fox, Esmé Fox
I’ve always liked Michael J. Fox, but I couldn’t help admiring his courage and resiliency. He’s had his downturns, but he always manages to carry on. A highly recommended documentary.
May 17 - Superstar: Elizabeth Taylor (2023)
The actress’ life as the blueprint for modern celebrity culture. She was the original influencer - the first to use her fame to create a fragrance empire and forge frontiers in social activism.
Stars: Elizabeth Taylor, Fran Drescher, José Eber, Larry Hackett, Kathy Ireland, Rosie O’Donnell, Melissa Rivers
Well, my reaction to this was just the opposite of Fox’s. Taylor often comes across as self-centered and seeming indifferent to how her actions affected others. Even her social activism seemed to be something to do in her old age.
May 19 - The Day of the Triffids (1963)
After an unusual meteor shower leaves most of the human population blind, a merchant navy officer must find a way to conquer tall, aggressive plants which are feeding on people and animals.
Directors: Steve Sekely, Freddie Francis
Stars: Howard Keel, Nicole Maurey, Janette Scott
I have the book, but wanted to watch the movie first. Turned out to be not that great of an idea. Though the thought behind it is a good one, the movie falls short. The special effects are terrible, and the acting isn’t much better. There’s one woman, I wish someone had put a sock in her mouth, she was constantly screaming.
May 24 - Air (2023)
Follows the history of shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan.
Director: Ben Affleck
Stars: Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Viola Davis, Al Madrigal
Actually, quite interesting and entertaining, considering the movie is basically about a shoe.
May 25 - The Son (2022)
Peter has his busy life with new partner Beth and their baby thrown into disarray when his ex-wife Kate turns up with their teenage son, Nicholas.
Director: Florian Zeller
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, Vanessa Kirby, Felix Goddard, Max Goddard
Sort of a tie-in to The Father, though you don’t have to have watched that movie to understand this one, the link is so tenuous. Jackman is excellent, and the plot is powerful. Highly recommended.
May 26 - The Menu (2023)
A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.
Director: Mark Mylod
Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, John Leguizamo, Judith Light
A very strange, though compelling movie. What it’s trying to say is almost lost in the gore. Still, I’d recommend it. And Fiennes is magnetically creepy.
MOVIES WATCHED IN MAY
May 4 - Michigan: An American Portrait (2023)
What makes a place special? That's the theme behind this one hour public television special on the state of Michigan. The film airs nationwide through American Public Television (APT) during April, 2023.
Director: Chip Duncan
Star: Chip Duncan
An interesting walk through the state, with some history thrown in. Quite enjoyable.
May 5 - The Wolf and the Lion (2021)
A wolf pup and a lost lion cub are rescued by a girl in the heart of the Canadian wilderness. Their friendship will change their lives forever.
Director: Gilles de Maistre
Stars: Molly Kunz, Graham Greene, Charlie Carrick
Cute, but maybe a tad saccharine. Still, enjoyable enough. And the animals are adorable.
Though the movie is fiction, it turns out that, since the wolf pup and lion cub were basically brought up together while making the movie, they were settled together at an animal sanctuary.
May 10 - X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
The early years of James Logan, featuring his rivalry with his brother Victor Creed, his service in the special forces team Weapon X, and his experimentation into the metal-lined mutant Wolverine.
Director: Gavin Hood
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Dominic Monaghan
Watched mostly because of Ryan Reynolds (I thought they his role was a tie-in to Deadpool,) but his role isn’t very big. I didn’t know anything about Wolverine, so that part was interesting. Not sure I’ll watch anymore in the series.
May 12 - The Discovery (2017)
Two years after the afterlife is scientifically proven, a man attempts to help a young woman break away from her dark past.
Director: Charlie McDowell
Stars: Robert Redford, Mary Steenburgen, Brian McCarthy, Jason Segel
An interesting concept, with a unique take as people start committing suicide in order to reach the afterlife. The ending was a surprise.
May 17 - Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie (2023)
Follows the life of beloved actor and advocate Michael J. Fox, exploring his personal and professional triumphs and travails, and what happens when an incurable optimist confronts an incurable disease.
Director: Davis Guggenheim
Stars: Michael J. Fox, Tracy Pollan, Sam Fox, Aquinnah Fox, Esmé Fox
I’ve always liked Michael J. Fox, but I couldn’t help admiring his courage and resiliency. He’s had his downturns, but he always manages to carry on. A highly recommended documentary.
May 17 - Superstar: Elizabeth Taylor (2023)
The actress’ life as the blueprint for modern celebrity culture. She was the original influencer - the first to use her fame to create a fragrance empire and forge frontiers in social activism.
Stars: Elizabeth Taylor, Fran Drescher, José Eber, Larry Hackett, Kathy Ireland, Rosie O’Donnell, Melissa Rivers
Well, my reaction to this was just the opposite of Fox’s. Taylor often comes across as self-centered and seeming indifferent to how her actions affected others. Even her social activism seemed to be something to do in her old age.
May 19 - The Day of the Triffids (1963)
After an unusual meteor shower leaves most of the human population blind, a merchant navy officer must find a way to conquer tall, aggressive plants which are feeding on people and animals.
Directors: Steve Sekely, Freddie Francis
Stars: Howard Keel, Nicole Maurey, Janette Scott
I have the book, but wanted to watch the movie first. Turned out to be not that great of an idea. Though the thought behind it is a good one, the movie falls short. The special effects are terrible, and the acting isn’t much better. There’s one woman, I wish someone had put a sock in her mouth, she was constantly screaming.
May 24 - Air (2023)
Follows the history of shoe salesman Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan.
Director: Ben Affleck
Stars: Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Viola Davis, Al Madrigal
Actually, quite interesting and entertaining, considering the movie is basically about a shoe.
May 25 - The Son (2022)
Peter has his busy life with new partner Beth and their baby thrown into disarray when his ex-wife Kate turns up with their teenage son, Nicholas.
Director: Florian Zeller
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Laura Dern, Vanessa Kirby, Felix Goddard, Max Goddard
Sort of a tie-in to The Father, though you don’t have to have watched that movie to understand this one, the link is so tenuous. Jackman is excellent, and the plot is powerful. Highly recommended.
May 26 - The Menu (2023)
A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.
Director: Mark Mylod
Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, John Leguizamo, Judith Light
A very strange, though compelling movie. What it’s trying to say is almost lost in the gore. Still, I’d recommend it. And Fiennes is magnetically creepy.