Movie lineup

Been seeing a lot of film lately, not to mention rubbing shoulders with the stars on the red (purple, green, etc) carpet. Can be quite inspiring and wonderful to see the glitz and razz, fabulous dresses and stuff strutting. A lot of the female stars look great too. I do mean that I find men's fashion glamour choices much more interesting these days. I haven't seen all of the films on offer at the moment but those I haven't, or don't want to see, I have summarised in their own words. Where codes such as 'life-affirming' have been used, I have interpreted accordingly. Please feel free to disagree (or disapprove) in comments.

I have included all of the movies (not children's) showing this week in my favourite suburban picture house, linking to their previews. Apologies for the repeated Everyman blurb but it was easier to link from their website than searching IMDB each time. Also linking this from a local FB group, so Hi to BAG friends. Please leave a comment in the group if you find this interesting or helpful (or not).

The Life Of Chuck

1h 51m

Strong language (uses the F-word as substitute for actual drama)

A life-affirming, genre-bending story based on Stephen King's novella about three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz.

For 'life-affirming' read 'ain't got any real story, just runs like some half-arsed Facebook page over a fifty-year period....' yeah I know Facebook ain't been running that long. But who'd wanna watch anything with Tom Piddlestone in it in any case?

Eddington

2h 25m

Strong violence, injury detail, threat, language, brief sex references

In May of 2020, a standoff between a small-town sheriff (Joaquin Phoenix) and mayor (Pedro Pascal) sparks a powder keg as neighbor is pitted against neighbor in Eddington, New Mexico.

If the violence, injury, threat and language are generally strong, this is a positive for me, as long as it's in-context and in the best possible taste. First time I have seen it advertised so curious, if nothing else. And New Mexico is a place I would like to be. Will add to my maybe list.

KPop Demon Hunters: Singalong

1h 36m

Upsetting scenes, threat, dangerous behaviour, violence

When they aren't selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat.

This gets my interest, just on the movie title and premise, though it looks like a kids film. As a PG, it probably hits my IQ, if not age range. Dangerous behaviour? Is there any other kind? Just checked out the trailer and think, no, not for me but you can watch this on Netflix if the singalong doesn't appeal to you.

Materialists

1h 57m

Strong language, sex references

Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a successful matchmaker who believes love can be measured by status, wealth, and looks. But when two very different men - John (Chris Evans), her ex, and Harry (Pedro Pascal), a wealthy client - reenter her life, she’s forced to reconsider what really matters.

When I first saw some of the official trailer I thought it might be interesting but reading the blurb has put me right off. 'Forced to consider what really matters," is about as exciting as 'life affirming.' And if there's one woman making a choice between bad boy and marriage prospect, what do we have? Chick Flik!!! If it was Bridget Jones, at least it would have some funny (if predictable) gags but 'what really matters' down not make a decent movie experience. Not for me. If you decide to go, keep a barf-bag handy.

Freakier Friday

1h 51m

Mild bad language

22 years after Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter. As they navigate the challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might strike twice.

I have no hesitation in recommending this movie to all those oldsters, and their grown-up children, who enjoyed the first Curtis-Lohan outing. Of course it's pretty much the same story, the same body-swapping mayhem, but the generation gap between remake and original was handled brilliantly. More throw-back charm than drama but definitely a good family night out.

Weapons

2h 8m

Strong bloody violence, gore

When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.

Long time since I have seen a horror (I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to jumpy, scary, or too much realistic gore) but if this is horror, I am not impressed. A couple of funny bits but mostly pointless, plotless and shitless. Don't go there unless you like your coffee frothy and with vanilla syrup.

Together

1h 42m

Strong horror, violence, bloody images, sex, nudity, language

Years into their relationship, Tim and Millie find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country. With tensions already flaring, an encounter with an unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love, and their flesh.

Looks more like what you'd expect from a horror flick than Weapons, to me, but at certificate 15, I am not sure if the horror violence sex and nudity is not exaggerated. Probably still too scary for me, in any case, so I might give it a miss. If you see it, do let us know what you think.

Nobody 2

1h 29m

Strong violence, injury detail, language

He's back, and this time, he's more dangerous than ever. Following the breakout success of the 2021 action-thriller Nobody, Emmy winner Bob Odenkirk (Nobody, Better Call Saul) returns as the relentless Hutch Mansell

Yeah, well, I didn't see Nobody 1 so why would I see Nobody 2. Is it worth watching 1 first? You don't say. The publicity image of a man not knowing how to hold an automatic firearm does nothing to add to the movie's appeal. Not for me.

F1 The Movie

2h 35m

Infrequent strong language, moderate threat

Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later....

...blah blah blah blah blah, just like the movie. If Naked Gun is a laugh a minute, this film is a cliché a minute with the added irritation of being an advert for neo-apartheid. Brad Pitt's worst role since he played Angel Gabriel in elementary school nativity. Might be alright if you want to see some dashcam footage of racetracks. Yawn!!!!

The Naked Gun

1h 25m

Strong sex references

Only one man has the particular set of skills to lead Police Squad and save the world!

Now we're talking. For once the blurb is true to the movie. Nothing in it but the schoolboy gags... and some! If you'd like to see Liam Neeson in a schoolgirl's plaid skirt, or if you think the ‘autopilot’ fellatio scene in Airplane was a hoot, this is the movie for you. Pam Anderson is at her ravishing best and, unlike most movie stars of her binary and era, looking lovelier than ever before.

If you have no idea what I am talking about, go see a movie that is 'life affirming.'

I hope you have found something helpful and inspiring for a great night out. If you found anything offensive in any of my comments, you definitely need to get out some more and go see some movies.

Thanks for reading and...

That's all folks!