Drive-Away Dolls (2024)

How is this a Coen Brothers film? How did they get Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal to debase themselves with cameos? Was this supposed to be a comedy? It wasn’t funny. Was it supposed to be a sexy lesbian romp? No heat or chemistry at all. A dark thriller? This flick had zero pulse. 

Total disappointment. Complete flop. 

Rating: F

Vice (2018)

 

I put off watching this film because I knew it would provide a depressing picture of democracy that I already knew existed. The worst members of our society are driven by power and wealth, inevitably ending up in DC passing laws and making decisions that make it easier for them and their circle to gain more power and wealth. 

When a politician says they want to make America great again, what they mean is they want to gain more power and money so they can do whatever they want. 

Rating: C+

News Of The World (2020)

Living in the Old West sucked. Traveling in the Old West really sucked. It’s like a 50/50 chance you’ll get killed or raped each trip; at least according to all the Westerns I've seen. 

Cable newsman of his times, Tom Hanks, travels from town to town reading old newspapers for dimes. It’s a living. Along the way he picks up an orphan German-Squaw girl. It’s a road trip movie, but with a terrible soundtrack. Hanks sports a really sweet jacket. The girl eats chili with her hands. It’s gross. 

Rating: C

Joker (2019)

This is the style of “superhero” movie I like; dark and based mostly in reality. This one was really dark. Phoenix is superb. I predict he’ll win the Oscar. Funny that Robert DeNiro was in this, as I noticed a lot of similarities to Taxi Driver. Gritty stuff. Don’t bring the kids.

Rating: B

Hostiles (2017)

Some top notch performances that were overlooked by the award shows. A gritty Western that holds very few punches. Mainly a tale of redemption and forgiveness.

Rating: B

Red Sparrow (2018)

That was a long movie to sit through for a mostly unsatisfying end. If anything, it drives home the fact that if Trump went to Russia, it’s a lock that he was compromised and is owned by Russian Intelligence--aka, Putin.

Rating: D+

Molly’s Game (2017)

For characters that are speaking Aaron Sorkin fast, you may be surprised by the 140 minute run-time. It’s a long movie that is  slick and fun when focused on poker and how Molly’s rise to power came to be. There are flashbacks and flash-forwards that keep the story from growing stagnant. Things fizzled out a little towards the end.

Rating: C+

Public Enemies (2009)

Heat: The Prequel. It's a typical Michael Mann drama, with a touch of overacting. My favorite characters were the Texas lawmen.

Rating: C

Lawless (2012)

A very good Prohibition Era piece based on a real life story. Reminded me a lot of the fantastic FX show Justified. Terrific characters performed by quality actors. Solid film overall.

Rating: B-