Category: Three Sentence Movie Reviews

Despite Dumb Choices, the Birds is Great

Still from Alfred Hitchcock's film the Birds: Tippi Hedren fleeing from some awesome crows along with two children.

The Birds

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Written by Evan Hunter

The review:

I’m gonna say right off that this movie was unsatisfying because it doesn’t have an end, which is not to say that it wasn’t very satisfying all the way up until the point were there wasn’t an end.* This satisfaction comes despite the fact that every single person in the film makes dumb choices.** While the Rod Taylor/Tippi Hedren relationship was something I’m chalking up to stress induced relationship building,*** it was even more fun to see various other townspeople’s reactions to the onslaught.****

The verdict: Good

Cost: Free due to donated ticket. It would have been $35 for the two of us.
Where watched: at Zidell Yards as part of Cinema Unbound’s pop-up drive-in series.

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*While all the mayhem was happening, I was puzzling through why this thing might occur. That I never found out bugged me. Lazy writing!!!
**I’m going to chalk this up to the fact that no one in the film had seen the many horror film analysis videos and movies that have proliferated since the mid-90s. So of course they would go outside (where the birds are) when they could stay where the birds weren’t currently, which was inside. (Most of the time. Those birds were pretty inventive about getting into buildings.)
***I mean really, why are they in love already?
****The scene at the restaurant was great!

Questions:

  • If birds were attacking your town, what would be your plan of action?
  • What do you think made those birds so vengeful?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

The schoolhouse in Bodega, California has been known to be haunted. According to Tippi Hedren, the entire cast was spooked to be there. She also mentioned how she had the feeling while there that “the building was immensely populated, but there was nobody there.” When Sir Alfred Hitchcock was told about the schoolhouse being haunted, according to Hedren, he was even more encouraged to film there.

(I really liked that school building!)

Other reviews of The Birds:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: Don't they ever stop migrating? 3SMReviews.com: The Birds

Saving Face is a Great Debut

Lynn Chenn looking at Michelle Krusiec in the film Saving Face

Saving Face

Directed by Alice Wu
Written by Alice Wu

The review:

While this movie starts as the classic mom-sets-up-daughter-with-eligible-men story it introduces two wrinkles, one with the daughter and one with the mother. Both Michelle Krusiec (as Will, the daughter) and Joan Chen (as Hwei-Lan Gao, the mother) are fun to watch as they navigate their changing relationships.* Overall, an enjoyable film with a few fun surprises.**

The verdict: Good

Cost: $3.99 via Google Play, but free because I had a credit.
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*I sometimes check to see if actors in indie films from 10+ years ago are still acting, and all of the cast members I checked up on are still working regularly.
**I also enjoyed seeing one aspect of New York City’s Chinese community circa 2005.

Questions:

  • What was the most surprising moment in the film for you?
  • Did you think that the family’s expectations were reasonable?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

The picture of Vivian as a child in Dr. Shing’s office is actually a photograph of Joan Chen’s daughter.

Other reviews of Saving Face:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: Younger people. Today they love you. Tomorrow, who knows?--Saving Face. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

Top Movies Watched September 2020

(17 total movies watched)

A Graph. Text: September 2020 Movies. Pie chart shows 14 movies were Good, and 4 movies were Skip
As you can see, there wasn’t anything that bowled me over in the month of September.

Daisies

Are you up for some art cinema from the 60s?

A picture from the film Daisies of Jitka Cerhová and Ivana Karbanová wearing bikinis and sitting against a wall. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com. Daisies.

I’m Thinking of Ending Things

This is the first meet-the-parents entry this month.

Picture of Jesse Plemons and Jessie Buckley in the film I'm Thinking of Ending Things. Star with text: Good. Arch with text: 3SMReviews.com I'm Thinking of Ending Things

Joy Ride

Paul Walker driving, but not Fast & Furious. Plus, Seven Zahn!

Picture of Steve Zahn, Leelee Sobieski and Paul Walker in the 2001 film Joy Ride. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com Joy Ride

Peeples

Here’s our second meet-the-parents entry.

Picture of David Alan Grier and Craig Robinson in the film Peeples. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com Peeples

The Hustle

Are you ready for some con-artist action?

Picture of Rebel Wilson and Anne Hathaway in the film The Hustle. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com The Hustle

The King of Staten Island

I enjoyed the height jokes in this film.

A picture of Alexis Rae Forlenza, Pete Davidson, and Luke David Blumm in The King of Staten Island. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com The King of Staten Island

Murder on the Orient Express

Let’s put on a show with an all-star cast adapted from a classic mystery.

Picture of the cast of Murder on the Orient Express including Kenneth Branagh, Penelope Cruz, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench, Olivia Coleman and more. Star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com: Murder On the Orient Express

The Devil All the Time

Accent work! So much accent work!

Picture of Tom Holland in the film The Devil All the Time. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com The Devil All the Time

21 Years: Richard Linklater

For those lovers of Linklater, or the Linklater curious.

A depiction of a reel of film with the faces of Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black, Keanu Reeves, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke and Billy Bob Thornton . A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com: 21 Years: Richard Linklater

The Magic of Ordinary Days

Skeet Ulrich and Hallmark Hall of Fame together!

A picture of Keri Russell and Skeet Ulrich in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie The Magic of Ordinary Days. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com: The Magic of Ordinary Days

Destination Wedding

You might be familiar with these two people.

A picture of Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder in the film Destination Wedding. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com Destination Wedding

Long Shot

I’m still waiting for my schlubby-girl-gets-gorgeous-guy film.

Picture of June Diane Raphael, Seth Rogan, and Charlize Theron in the film Long Shot. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com: Long Shot

Table 19

The ragtag fellows of Table 19

Craig Robinson, Lisa Kudrow, Stephen Merchant, June Squibb, Anna Kendrick and Thomas Cocquerel in the film Table 19. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com: Table 19

Also this month I rewatched:

All movies watched on Netflix March–Present

Five Really Great Movies on Netflix Right Now

  • Safety Not Guaranteed. It may be that I love anything with Mark Duplass, it may be the odd concept, it may be the setting, but this was a unique and enjoyable movie from the early 2010s.
  • The Artist. Looking for an old fashioned film to take your grandmother to? Check out this “silent” film that won best picture in 2012.
  • Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Taika Waititi is good at many things, but especially good at directing boys in hilarious comedies. This is an excellent example.
  • Stranger Than Fiction. Another odd little film about an accountant who suddenly finds himself with a narrator. Top-notch cast and Will Ferrell being the straight man. It charmed me.
  • About Time. I resisted this for unknown reasons, but when I sat down and watched it, I fell in love with this time-travel love story. In a year when a lot of us are taking stock, this is a great film to view.

Recommended

  • 20 Feet From Stardom
  • The Half of It
  • The Lovebirds
  • Becoming
  • 13th
  • A picture from the movie Athlete A
  • A picture of Meg Ryan in Sleepless in Seattle

Good

  • Extraction
  • Inception
  • 18 Presents
  • See You Yesterday
  • Da 5 Bloods
  • Photo of the cast of Can't Hardly Wait
  • A picture of the five stars of The Old Guard
  • Picture of Nev Shulman next to a portrait of Nev Shulman.
  • Picture of Jamie Foxx and Dominique Fishback in the film Project Power
  • Picture of Jesse Plemons and Jessie Buckley in the film I'm Thinking of Ending Things
  • Picture of Tom Holland in the film The Devil All the Time

Skip

  • The Lobster
  • All the Bright Places
  • Kicking and Screaming
  • Picture of Jacob Elordi holding a sign saying, "I missed you more" in the Kissing Booth 2

Have you watched any of these films? Do you agree or disagree? Leave a comment and let’s talk!

Table 19 is Seated in the Right Place

Craig Robinson, Lisa Kudrow, Stephen Merchant, June Squibb, Anna Kendrick and Thomas Cocquerel in the film Table 19.

Table 19

Directed by Jeffrey Blitz
Written by Jeffery Blitz (story credit also to Mark and Jay Duplass)

The review:

A solid ensemble piece where we discover more about the wedding guests seated at a far-flung table. While the guests’ stories sometimes made great jumps to keep things moving along, the antics of the table were entertaining enough. This is the kind of movie that is good for a plane ride, or to pass a few hours when you’re too sick to follow a complex film.

The verdict: Good (enough)

Cost: Free via DVD from the Multnomah County Library
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

The lack of further sentences it itself an indication of this film’s entertainment value.

Questions:

  • Which character at Table 19 was the most like you?
  • Would this have been a better film if the Duplass brothers had directed it?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Costars Lisa Kudrow and Craig Robinson previously worked with each other in an episode of Friends. Robinson’s character was the one who enabled the possibility for Kudrow’s character to change her name from Phoebe to Princess Consuela Bananahammock.

Other reviews of Table 19:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: It's the same wedding. It's the same celebration no matter what table you're at. —Table 19. Read the three sentence movie review 3SMReviews.com

Long Shot Hits Its Target

Picture of June Diane Raphael, Seth Rogan, and Charlize Theron in the film Long Shot

Long Shot

Directed by Jonathan Levine
Written by Dan Sterling, Liz Hannah

The review:

There’s some good stuff in this comedy, especially if you are fan of Seth Rogan’s brand of humor.* And while it’s one of those stories that schlubby guys write so they can get an attractive woman,** it still had a goodly amount of barbs directed at the sexism women politicians face.*** The supporting cast didn’t shirk their duties either was amusing performances from June Diane Raphael as an aide to Bob Odenkirk as the President.

The verdict: Good

Cost: Free via DVD from Multnomah County Library
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*I am. For those who are not, this is probably not your film.
**Here I must point out that Theron is very good at comedy, as well as drama.
***Probably because there was a woman on the writing team.

Questions:

  • Do we have any schlubby-women-get-the-hot-guy films?
  • What was your favorite talking head moment?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

When Fred plays the song “It Must Have Been Love” on his phone, it shows it’s playing from the Pretty Woman soundtrack. However, the version used in this film is the Christmas version, not the original version from Pretty Woman.

(Oh internet, I love you!)

Other reviews of Long Shot:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: Okay, but you dressed me like Cap'n Crunch's Grindr date, so I'm going to drink and enjoy the part. —Long Shot. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

Destination Wedding is Fun, Excruciating

A picture of Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder in the film Destination Wedding

Destination Wedding

Directed by Victor Levin
Written by Victor Levin

The review:

The charm in this film lies in Keanu Reeves acting like a normal person rather than a movie star* and the witty dialog** of two very resigned, very sad, very depressing people. It’s also interesting to watch a relationship develop between two people who have clearly given up on anything good coming their way in life.*** It’s a movie about sad people that didn’t bring me down, and I’m right there with their views of destination weddings, so this was a short (87 minutes!) interesting exercise in filmmaking.****

The verdict: Good

(Though I recognize that for many people this would be a big Skip. Proceed cautiously.)

Cost: Free via DVD from Multnomah County Library
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching (or watching instead):

Further sentences:

*His coughing up phlegm while also jiggling his ear with his pinky finger struck me as the most normal person/least Hollywood leading man thing he could do.
**I mean, you have to want to spend time with these two people and that’s not a thing that might be true for most. Also, there’s a discussion of pansexuality that had me grimacing at its ignorance.
***The usual trajectory is that the happier person shows the sadder person that life is good. When you have no happy person, it becomes an interesting exercise in how the two will connect.
****Plus, I enjoy Winona Ryder, and she hasn’t been in many movies of late.

Questions:

  • Three months from that door opening, what’s become of our characters?
  • What’s your favorite middle age romance?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

In real life, Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves have been friends since the 1980s.

(This is also a fun element when watching.)

Other reviews of Destination Wedding:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: I believe that there is nobody for anyone. —Destination Wedding. Read the three sentence movie review at 3SMReviews.com

The Magic of Ordinary Days is Decent

A picture of Keri Russell and Skeet Ulrich in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie The Magic of Ordinary Days

The Magic of Ordinary Days

Directed by Brent Shields
Written by Camille Thomasson

The review:

The two words that prompted me to watch a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie are Skeet and Ulrich.* This was a decently acted little film, though I did give some of its historical detail the side eye.** This was a film that fulfilled its HHF duty and was an okay way to spend some movie time.***

The verdict: Good

(Minus the historical inaccuracy)

Cost: Free via DVD from the Multnomah County Library.
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*Plus, it was on the shelves at my library branch and DVDs that don’t have to come from other branches are filled much faster than those that come from afar.
**I appreciate the side story of the Japanese Americans living in internment camps and being used for farm labor during the war. I could even get on board with a farm wife on whose land they were working striking up a friendship. But I’m pretty sure that they were not able to go into town to shop for material at the dry goods store, and I’m almost positive that there is no way the farm wife would have been able to take them for a drive in the county. Japanese Americans were in a prison camp. They didn’t get to go gallivanting around. I think the movie leaves viewers with an inaccurate picture of what it meant to be a prisoner. Plus, one character states that the Japanese American men who went to fight in the war were drafted. This is untrue as the 442nd Infantry Regiment was a volunteer unit. If you’d like a fuller picture of the Japanese American experience in World War II, I suggest the book The Light Between Us by Andrew Fukuda.
***Skeet was fun to watch. I wonder if he was then the age of the actors who play his kids on Riverdale?**** Mare Winningham as Ulrich’s sister Florence tended to pull focus from most people when she was on screen.
****He was 35 in 2005, so he was ten years older than Cole Sprouse’s 25 years in 2017 when Riverdale debuted.

Questions:

  • Can you imagine marrying a beet farmer sight unseen?
  • What would have been your favorite part of beet farming life?

The Words Will Lull You To Sleep

Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana in the film The Words

The Words

Directed by Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal
Written by Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal

The review:

In 2012, the trailer for this film was paired with every movie I watched in theaters and I was not interested because it was one of those trailers that reveals pretty much everything.* However, this was the only unwatched DVD in the house** and there was no internet so I watched this film and found that there was a plot wrinkle the trailer hadn’t told me about that was, alas, not interesting enough to save the film.*** They did a great job making the 40s scenes look like the 1940s, but otherwise the acting ranged from okay to not great.

The verdict: Skip

Cost: I believe I paid some impulse-buy exorbitant amount of $12.99 or something. So this was $4.33
Where watched: at home

Consider watching instead:

Further sentences:

*Also, it didn’t look like a very good film, even with all those actors I like who usually give good performances.
**How did a movie I am not interested in come to be in the house? It has to do with impulse buying at the grocery store. It was bundled in one of those Let’s Fleece the Customer at the Checkout Stand DVD packs and included the two movies I did want, The Vow and Dear John. This film is for sure the one thing that was not like the others in the package.
***I also found that it muddled things.

Questions:

  • How did you find Bradley Cooper’s performance in this film?
  • What did you think about the Olivia Wilde/Dennis Quaid interaction?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Lee Sternthal and Brian Klugman wrote the script back in 1999. As friends of Bradley Cooper before his The Hangover (2009) fame, they ask him to play the lead, he accepted then, and kept his word more than ten years later.

Other reviews of The Words:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: We all make our choices in life, the hard thing to do is live with them. --The Words. Read the three sentence movie review at 3SMReviews.com

The Lovefest that is 21 Years: Richard Linklater

A depiction of a reel of film with the faces of Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black, Keanu Reeves, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke and Billy Bob Thornton

21 Years: Richard Linklater

Directed by Michael Dunaway and Tara Wood

The review:

A lovefest about the first segment of Richard Linklater’s career which takes us through the Before movies, but cuts off before Boyhood .* It’s mostly men talking** but a lot of good stories are told and many of them are animated in an amusing style.*** Aside from hearing new things about movies that I love, I felt by the end that I had a greater appreciation of the variety of films Linklater makes.

The verdict: Good

Assuming 1) You are familiar with most of Linklater’s films, and 2) You like them.

Cost: free via Kanopy
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

  • If you like Tarantino there’s a 21 Years retrospective of his work by Tara Wood, one of the directors: QT8: The First Eight

Further sentences:

*Which they were still calling the twelve-year project.
**This makes sense given that most of his films focus on the male experience, but I could have used more from Julie Delpy (probably quoted the most) Parker Posey, and Joey Lauren Adams. Or, how about instead of the Duplass brothers, Kevin Smith, and Jason Reiteman (as much as I enjoyed them) interview some female directors to hear how Linklater’s films influenced them.
**Ethan Hawk knows how to tell a story as do Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, and Billy Bob Thornton.

Questions:

  • What’s your favorite Linklater film?
  • What do you think is his most offbeat offering?

Other reviews of 21 Years: Richard Linklater