In the X-men world, 5 teens are in a facility to help the learn to control and use their newly discovered powers. But things are never quite right and they are clearly confined. When some of their worst nightmares start to manifest, they band together to fight against the unknown foe. Sort of a Breakfast Club of mutants. Interesting, mostly as a franchise starter I suppose. I would watch the next.
3 stars (out of 5)
Haven't seen an Angelina Jolie movie in awhile. Here she is a smoke jumper in Montana who was part of a tragic fire event and now has to deal with the PTSD. She comes across a kid who is being hunted by a couple of assassins. As far fetched as that sounds, it is. This comes across as super contrived with the intent of letting Jolie be a badass while showing her softer side (she isn't the assassin this time). Did I say contrived?
2 stars (out of 5)
A historical fiction telling of the 1969 trial of 8 "conspirators" who led marches to the democratic national convention in Chicago to protest the war in Vietnam. It is a courtroom drama that reveals the events of the case through flashback, testimony and speeches by Abbie Hoffman. It seems like an accurate portrayal of the emotions surrounding the war protests of the time, as well as the strength of the political machinery, the bias and massive power differential between the ruling class and the average citizen. Enlightening, and timely, and infuriating.
5 stars (out of 5)
Season 1
The edgy and modern version of Downton Abbey. The Bridgerton Family (3 boys, 3 girls + mom) are high society with oldest daughter Daphne on the circuit looking for a husband. She gains the attention of a Duke and a Prince. There is fake love, then real love, love above station, and love below, love that is forbidden, etc. etc. Seems a bit much but the characters are generally likable and the chemistry is good between the family and lovers and friends. And the narrator as a Victorian Gossip Girl wannabe holds everything together throughout.
3 stars (out of 5)
Tony Hale plays Sid Straw, an ordinary middle-age guy in nearly every way. He works as a sales guy at a software company. He reasonably successful, graduated from Penn, struggles with dating, has a somewhat strained relationship with his family, and is just on the other side of awkward. Sid's sense of humor is not quite in line with "common sensibility". There is a little bit of Arrested Development's Buster in Sid Straw. Sid's life takes a turn when he is asked to co-chair the western regional reunion for Penn alumni. His co-chair decides that the entire organization/communication surrounding the event will take place on facebook. Sid gets a facebook account, and of course makes all of the newbie social media mistakes that most people are so far beyond in 2021. We look back at this online ignorance with a bit of nostalgia and knowing compassion and the occasional cringe. Posting publicly instead of DM? Ooomph! And when those posts are to classmate Elizabeth Banks, and go viral, Sid's life is thrown upside down. What I particularly appreciate about this film is the emphasis on Sid and his journey through this storm. And while there are lots of obvious choices in the story, every character seems just enough ordinary. The comedy is not based on put-downs or misogyny or vulgarity, but instead on relatable situations. A pleasant film.
5 stars (out of 5)
