Uncle Frank (2020)

Director: Alan Ball

Starring: Paul Bettany, Sophia Lillis, Peter Macdissi

In 1973, when Frank Bledsoe and his 18-year-old niece Beth take a road trip from Manhattan to Creekville, South Carolina, for the family patriarch’s funeral, they’re unexpectedly joined by Frank’s lover, Walid.

Set in 1973, being openly gay was not as accepted as it is today. Paul Bettany stars as Frank, a gay man living in New York with his lover, Wally (Peter Macdissi). Years ago when he was a teenager living in the small town of Creekville, Frank’s Dad saw him together with another guy, and condemned him to hell. Even in the present, there clearly is friction between Frank and his Dad.

Sophia Lillis stars as Beth, Frank’s cousin, who doesn’t know Uncle Frank is gay. According to her, he is the only family member who has time for her, and she is the closest to him. When she goes to college and gets to know Frank better, she discovers the truth. She off course accepts him for being gay, but when Frank’s Dad passes away, they have to travel to the family for the funeral.

We learn a lot from the characters on their journey. This was a difficult time for being gay, and it is illustrated so well in the movie. However, I did find the film too preachy. Although the movie tries to justify its actions, it still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. I guess this is not the kind of movie I was in the mood for at the time. Categorized as comedy drama, I did not expect the film to be as serious as it was. It also touched on matters that was personal to me, and which I didn’t like seeing portrayed on screen. As a result, I didn’t quite enjoy the movie as much, and found it too ‘heavy’.

Peter Macdissi stole the show for me as Wally, who was a ray of sunshine during moments when the film needed it most.

Would I watch it again? No.

Everything Puppies (2024)

Director: Marni Banack

Starring: Stephen Huszar, Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes, Kathryn Davis

A dedicated entrepreneur and inventor looking to make it big creating innovative dog toys and treats finds success with the support of a handsome client. Starring Pascal Lamothe-Kipnes, Stephen Huszar, and Kathryn Davis.

What attracted me to ‘Everything Puppies’ was its title. I love dogs!! Being a Hallmark movie, it is cheesy, but that’s what you expect from Hallmark – and I’m not being critical by saying it. They are cheesy, but they’re feel-good movies serving as lighthearted entertainment. This is what I expected going into the movie. And I wasn’t disappointed.

‘Everything Puppies’ is a cute little movie and the puppies are adorable! Ok, so they’re not given all that much screen time and the movie doesn’t actually revolve around the puppies. The story is about Scarlett, an entrepreneur who designs dog toys, and makes healthy dog treats. Together with her friend Gina they start Puppy Palate.

Getting into the corporate world is tough, as they soon realize. Then they meet Alex – general manager of a Paws and Wellness Emporium store, who decides to give them a chance. Oh, Alex! Stephen Huszar stars as Alex, and he is a handsome hunk of a man with a great body!

Erm, before I get sidetracked here, the film follows the business relationship between Scarlett and Alex, which predictably transforms into a romance. Off course, there are obstacles challenging their relationship, but I really enjoyed Alex as a sincere and very likeable character. I must be honest, I didn’t always find Scarlett all that likeable and even questioned her reasoning and actions at times. The film in general is not realistic, but then again, it’s not meant to be taken seriously.

Well, if the characters doesn’t always leave you smiling, the puppies certainly will! I do think ‘Everything Puppies’ will appeal more to the female demographic (chick flick), but it served its purpose for what I was in the mood for at the time.

Would I watch it again? I doubt it.

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

Director: Robert Fuest

Starring: Vincent Price, Joseph Cotten, Virginia North

Doctor, scientist, organist, and biblical scholar Anton Phibes seeks revenge on the nine doctors he considers responsible for the death of his wife.

From what we learn throughout the movie, Dr Anton Phibes’ wife was treated by nine doctors, but they failed to save her life. Not able to speak after a car crash, Phibes invented a way to have his voice heard by using a speaker, or rather what appears to be a gramophone. Horribly scarred, he uses prosthetics and make-up to appear normal.

Out for vengeance, Phibes kills the doctors one by one in the most horrific ways. I must be honest, these killings were highly improbable and by no means realistic, but this is a horror comedy after all and many of the kill scenes were more funny than horrible. I believe this was done intentionally. Being a lighthearted film, it goes with the territory.

The detectives trying to crack the case mostly serve as comic relief characters and therefore not to be taken seriously. They discover Phibes is killing the doctors according to the Ten Plagues of Egypt, and must now try to protect the doctors who are marked for death.

Would I watch it again? I don’t think so.

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Starring: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore

Jeff “The Dude” Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.

Jeff ‘The Dude’ Lebowski’s life is about to become a living nightmare due to a case of mistaken identity. Two unsavoury characters break into his home, slaps him around and demand outstanding money owed to porn king Jackie Treehorn. When the guys realize they have the wrong Jeff Lebowski, one of them urinates on Dude’s rug.

Upset about the incident, Dude pays a visit to the Jeff Lebowski the men were looking for, asking for compensation for his rug. It turns out his young wife Bunny owes money to a few people – one of them being Jackie Treehorn. Dude manages to get a rug from the house, but in time we learn the rug has sentimental value to Jeff’s daughter, and she wants it back.

When Bunny is kidnapped, Jeff asks Dude to deliver the ransom money. Dude’s obnoxious friend, Walter (John Goodman) decides to go with him, and no thanks to him the plan goes horribly wrong. Now, the bad guys are after them, and Jeff wants his money back. But still there’s more here than meets the eye…

The film has some very interesting visuals, but it is definitely an acquired taste. I therefore don’t think I can recommend it to everyone. There’s also a lot of swearing in the movie. I mean, jeez, do they swear enough, you think?? The performances from the entire cast was very good, but I did find Walter a bit of an overbearing character – well, more than just a bit… He was annoying at times.

‘The Big Lebowski’ is a unique film that can’t really be compared to anything else, so you’re either going to love it for that reason, or hate it. For most parts, I was actually entertained, but this is a once off viewing for me.

‘The Big Lebowski’ earned $47.4 million on a budget of $15 million.

Would I watch it again? No.

Safety Last! (1923)

Directors: Fred C. Newmeyer, Sam Taylor

Starring: Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, Bill Strother

A boy leaves his small country town and heads to the big city to get a job. As soon as he makes it big his sweetheart will join him and marry him. His enthusiasm to get ahead leads to some interesting adventures.

Harold (Harold Lloyd) is off to the city to become successful so he can marry his girlfriend Mildred (Mildred Davis).

Always early for work, he one morning accidentally ends up in a delivery fan that takes him far from work. Hilarious moments ensue as he desperately tries to get back to work on time. Once back at work, it gets even funnier – especially when Mildred surprises him by showing up at his work – a big department store. He tries to impress Mildred by pretending to be the store’s General Manager. Needless to say, things doesn’t go quite as planned and the film illustrates how dangerous – and embarrassing – pretense can be!

‘Safety Last!’ contains Harold’s most famous stunt as he climbs the façade of the department store, and dangles from a giant clock almost at the top of the skyscraper. Back in 1923 these visuals must have been jaw-dropping, as they are still amazing today. With no CGI in 1923, they had to improvise with practical effects, models and clever photography. Incredible! This is a timeless classic!

(Silent Film)

Would I watch it again? Yes.

Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)

Directors: Kyle Balda, Brad Ableson, Jonathan del Val

The untold story of one twelve-year-old’s dream to become the world’s greatest supervillain.

‘Minions’ was a prequel to ‘Despicable Me’. ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ is a sequel to ‘Minions’ and also serves as (another) prequel to ‘Despicable Me’. Oh, Hollywood, you never get enough of your sequels, prequels, remakes, reboots and spinoffs, do you?

The dysfunctional yet adorable Minions with their infectious laughter are back for yet another adventure, and once more up to their hilarious antics. For this installment in the ’Despicable Me’ franchise we go back to Gru’s childhood, when he had dreams of becoming a supervillain.

Gru is up against the Vicious Six, a team of supervillains. He received an invitation to audition for them, but it doesn’t quite go as he had hoped. Thanks to their ignorance, he manages to steal the legendary Zodiac Stone. He gives the stone to minion Otto for safekeeping but Otto – attaching no value to the stone – trades it for a Pet Rock.

Gru is then kidnapped by Vicious Six member Knuckles, and demands the Minions bring back the stone or Gru will be killed. And so a hilarious, fantasy-filled adventure begins as we follow the minions in their quest to retrieve the stone. There are so many funny moments in the film! ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ also cleverly mocks so many superhero movies. See if you can guess which ones. Oh, everyone loves those cute Minions!

With ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ having earned $940.7 million at the box office on a budget of $100 million, no doubt there will be another sequel to a prequel which will serve as a prequel to a sequel…

Would I watch it again? Yes.