Category: Three Sentence Movie Reviews

Tenet: Fresh Blood, Usual Confusion

John David Washington and Elizabeth Debicki in Tenet.

Tenet

★Directed by Christopher Nolan
★Written by Christopher Nolan

The review:

I managed to see Tenet in the year 2020, even though for many months that wasn’t a sure thing,* and I can say it’s a quality Christopher Nolan film.** Both John David Washington and Elizabeth Debicki were great additions to the usually-white-and-male Nolan players, and I had fun with swarmy and evil Kenneth Branagh. While I couldn’t tell you precisely what happened, it was a fun ride while I was in it.***

The verdict: Good

Cost: $1.80 (we were all ready to pay $19.99 for VOD, but I had a look at Redbox while buying New Year’s Eve supplies and lo, it was there.)
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*Things we contemplated: driving to Salem to watch in a theater there; driving to Washington to watch in a theater there (which turned out not to be feasible because Washington switched their level of open); paying the big bucks to rent out an entire theater (which AMC was doing in the fall).
**I mean, he’s a known quantity by now, so you are either in (I love barely holding on to what the heck is happening!) or out (Jesus, man, just make things a bit more clear!) and I’m in.
***And my head did hurt from concentrating.

Questions:

  • Can you sum up the plot for an interested party?
  • What do you think of films that don’t have a name for their main character?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

The production team purchased and then crashed a real 747 airplane into a hangar. The stunt was all practical effects, with no visual effects or CGI. Director Christopher Nolan had originally planned to use miniatures and set-piece builds; however, while scouting for locations in Victorville, California, the team discovered a massive array of old planes and it became apparent that it would actually be more efficient to buy a real plane of the real size and perform the sequence for real on camera.

Other reviews of Tenet:

Let Them All Talk: Three Great Actors and a Luxury Liner

Meryl Streep in Let Them All Talk

Let Them All Talk

Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Written by Deborah Eisenberg

The review:

A Soderbergh movie written by a woman, starring three women I love to watch* that’s a bunch of talking while on a luxury liner? Yes, please.** Overall, this is an amusing frippery that I won’t remember much of in a few years’ time, but man was it good going down.***

The verdict: Good

Cost: HBO Max monthly cost (12.99)****
Where watched: at home

Further sentences:

*Plus Lucas Hedges
**You have no idea how much all of those things thrilled me.
***Though I adore Dianne Wiest (she who imprinted on me in Footloose) it was Candice Bergen who was the most fun to watch.
****We have it for a month due to treating ourselves so we could watch Wonder Woman 84.

Questions:

  • Which of the three women would you have liked to be?
  • If your friend from long ago offered to take you on a cruise, would you go?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

For the most part paying Queen Mary 2 passengers were unaware of the film being shot. Signs were placed around live shooting locations. They were met with mostly indifference.

Other reviews of Let Them All Talk:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: When I read this novel, it's impossible for me not to think what a miracle it is That the universe emerged, what a miracle it is that consciousness emerged. And what a miracle it is that Blodwyn Pugh, her thoughts and experiences, that they could reach across time and reach into my consciousness. That's a miracle. —Let Them All Talk. Read the three sentence movie reivew. 3SMReviews.com

Wonder Woman 1984: A Fun Outing

Gal Gadot and Chris Pine in Wonder Woman 1984

Wonder Woman 1984

Directed by Patty Jenkins
Written by Patty Jenkins, Geoff Johns, and Dave Callaham

The review:

The great moments in Wonder Woman 1984 are the bits that come along with being female in the world that are highlighted in passing* as the story unfolds.** Overall, there are two stories here, one with a pyramid scheme guy and one with a antiquities specialist and I enjoyed the latter more than the former.*** But that is not to say that I didn’t enjoy this movie, it was a fun outing.****

The verdict: Good

Cost: HBOMax monthly fee ($14.99)
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*From the joy of young Diana trying to beat the course to the catcalls and unrelenting attention of the grown Diana (and Barbara Minerva) it’s a low and high thing.
**Also joyful? Chris Pine’s clothes modeling scene which mimicked Diana’s exasperation with WWI-era clothes in the previous movie.
***Also, I didn’t recognize Pedro Pascal and spent the film wondering if that was Nathan Fillion with a prosthetic nose, which was a little distracting.
****It’s also the longest Matt and I have gone without watching a new superhero film in more than a decade. Our last one together was Spider-Man: Far From Home in July of 2019! (Though Matt did see Birds of Prey earlier this year)

Questions:

  • Lotta flight in this film. Necessary?
  • What was your favorite Wonder Woman moment?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

As first reported by Variety, actress Gal Gadot was paid $10 million for this film (which she also produces)—33 times more than what she made on the first film, Wonder Woman (2017) ($300,000).

(To which both Matt and I said, “$300,000? She was the star of that film!”)

Other reviews of Wonder Woman 1984:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: Nothing good is born from lies. And greatness is not what you think. —Wonder Woman 1984. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

Happiest Season: A Lot of Great Performances by Women

Mackenzie Davis and Kristen Stewart in Happiest Season

Happiest Season

Directed by Clea DuVall
Written by Clea DuVall & Mary Holland

The review:

Astute readers* will remember how I’m always going on about the lack of good roles for women and I’m here to say that Happiest Season, a story about two women who love each other, who are heading to one of their family homes for Christmas, provides an entire movie with juicy roles for women.** This film captures a couple at a time in their relationship where it’s a little hard to root for them, but that just makes it all the more fun to watch.*** Aside from being big fans of most of the people in this movie, I thought Aubrey Plaza turned out her best performance in years.

The verdict: Good

Cost: Monthly Hulu charge of $6.00 (because bundled with Disney+)
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*Or those just passing by.
**This inverts the usual formula. Rather than a bunch of men and one woman, we’ve got a bunch of women and one man playing a side character.
***Plus, it can give you some compassion practice. What if you hadn’t found the courage to come out to your parents yet? What if you had to juggle that with the usual going-home teenager-esque feelings? What if sibling relationships made everything more complicated? I get that Harper isn’t making good choices, but I feel for her. (Plus, Mackenzie Davis was in Tully, and I will love her forever for that.)

Questions:

  • Were you rooting for, or against?
  • Your worst acting-like-a-teenager-though-a-full-grown-adult-while-visiting-parents moment. Go!

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

In Harper’s old room there’s a poster of Josh Hartnett. The film’s director, Clea DuVall, co-starred with Hartnett in The Faculty (1998).

Other reviews of Happiest Season:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: Have you managed to get a man's permission to take ownership of an adult, human woman yet? —Happiest Season. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is the Story of Levee

Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Directed by George C. Wolfe
Written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson

The review:

Despite the title, this is really the story of Levee (Chadwick Boseman), the trumpet player in Ma Rainey’s band, but Viola Davis is a commanding presence all on her own.* As the hot day gets hotter and the recording session drags on, a lot of stories spool out of Rainy, Levee, and the other band members. It’s a film full of hard truths, great performances, an atmosphere that can’t be beat,** and a couple good punches in the gut, like any great story should have.***

The verdict: Recommended

Cost: Netflix monthly fee $8.99
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*I’d love to see both Boseman and Davis get a slew of awards nominations for their work on this film.
**From the sweat on the musicians in the recording studio to the tent revival to the stage performance this movie brings all the details.
***It’s a solid play-to-screenplay adaptation, too.

Questions:

  • What did you think of Ma Rainey’s attitude during the recording session?
  • What was your favorite period detail?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Denzel Washington, who produced this film, had been a mentor to Chadwick Boseman since his college years. When Denzel Washington received his 2019 AFI Lifetime Achievement Award, Boseman recounted that he was one of nine of Phylicia Rashad’s Howard University acting students for whom Washington paid the full summer-program tuition at the British Academy of Dramatic Acting in Oxford.

Other reviews of Ma Rainy’s Black Bottom:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: I know what I'm doin'. Let me handle them my way. —Ma Rainy's Black Bottom. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

All Movies Watched on Kanopy June—Present

Kanopy. Quality films for free.

Here are five movies I’ve loved that you can watch right now. For free!

Five Really Great Movies on Kanopy Now

Good

  • The Watermelon Woman
  • Picture of Evan Rachel Wood, Callum Rennie, and Ellen Page in the film Into the Forest
  • Picture of Dominique Fishback and Tatum Marilyn Hall in Night Comes On
  • Drawing of the stars of the Hitch-Hiker: Edmond O'Brien, Frank Lovejoy, and William Talman
  • 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
  • Picture of Taysha Fuller, Irene Bedard and John Reddy in the motion picture Songs My Brothers Taught Me.
  • Susan Ziegler and Molly Shannon in Wild Nights With Emily
  • A picture of Eric Stoltz's head with a sketch that makes him look like the devil. Text: Mr. Jealousy
  • Aundrea Gadsby, Jemaine Clement and Gia Gadsby in People Places Things

Skip

  • A picture of Francisco Solorzano and Patrizia Hernandez with a sketch of NYC brownstones behind them
  • A picture of Kristen Wiig in the film Welcome to Me.
  • A picture of Cynthia Nixon and Jennifer Ehle in the film A Quiet Passion

Top Ten 2020 Movies I Watched on my Couch

(While Missing the Movie Theater Experience)

A picture of my Ikea couch with my Roku TV which became ground zero for movie viewing in 2020

On the plus side, the cancelling of all activities combined with my unemployed status meant I had more time for movies this year. On the minus side, all but one 2020 film was watched right here, on this couch.

Hamilton

A picture of Daveed Diggs, on stage as Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton (he's so great!)

I catch up to the musical phenomenon and find that all the rabid fans are spot on.

Palm Springs

Image: Cristin Milioti and Adam Sandburg in a pool drinking beer.

Viewing at home advantage: five minutes in when I realize the boyfriend will love it I can drag him to the couch and start the film again.

First Cow

A picture of Orion Lee and Toby Jones in the film First Cow

Kelly Richardt! Oregon setting! Beautiful story of friendship!

The Trial of the Chicago 7

Alex Sharp, Jeremy Strong, John Carroll Lynch and Sacha Baron Cohen backed by a wall of protesters in the Trial of the Chicago 7

Protesters and police in a 1968 setting that felt eerily contemporary.

The Lovebirds

The Lovebirds

Action comedy by two people who know how deliver hilarious situations.

Athlete A

A picture from the movie Athlete A

What happens when girls’ needs are sold out by the athletic association that should be protecting them.

The Half of It

The Half of It

Charming small-town love story with great performances.

Miss Juneteenth

Picture from the movie Miss Juneteenth

The best mother-daughter film I watched this year, with a side of quiet competence.

The Old Guard

A picture of the five stars of The Old Guard

One of my favorite directors brings us the tale of immortal warriors.

Yes, God, Yes

Picture of Natalia Dyer in the film Yes, God, Yes

Amusing early 2000s period piece about a Catholic girl and an AOL chat that opens a can of teenage worms.

Honorable mentions:

Becoming

Becoming

We had a great first lady for eight years and this documentary gives us a glimpse of her book tour.

The Assistant

Picture from movie The Assistant

Meditative look at the horrors of being an assistant to a high-powered producer.

How to Build a Girl

How to Build a Girl

Beanie Feldstein razzle dazzles us as a teenage music journalist

The Photograph

The Photograph

Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield in a gorgeous love story

We Are Freestyle Love Supreme

Chris Jackson and Lin-Manuel Miranda in 2005

Before some of the Hamilton people did Hamilton, they performed in an improv hip-hop comedy group and this is their story.

The Devil All the Time

Picture of Tom Holland in the film The Devil All the Time

Packed with famous faces, this is two-plus hours of Midwestern Gothic violence and wacko religion.

Shithouse

Cooper Raiff and Dylan Gelula in the film Shithouse

Charming debut film (with a terrible title) about a college freshman who just can’t connect.

And the one 2020 film I watched in the the theater:

Emma.

Emma.

I loved this so much it set off an exploration of Johnny Flynn and I still debate if I should buy my own copy.

People Places Things is a Winner

Aundrea Gadsby, Jemaine Clement and Gia Gadsby in People Places Things

People Places Things

Directed by Jim Strouse
Written by Jim Strouse

The review:

Aside from one aspect of this film,* this story of Will Henry (Jemaine Clement) trying to move on after a divorce while still being a good dad, teacher, and artist is an amusing and heartfelt way to spend your movie-watching time. That it also includes the impeccable Regina Hall plus the charismatic Jessica Williams** makes it even more of a treat. You know you’ve been missing those low-key funny lines expertly delivered by Clement, so look this up today.***

The verdict: Good

Cost: Free via Kanopy, the Multnomah County Library’s streaming service.
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*That aspect is that Stephanie Allynne’s character (the ex-wife) is a really terrible person in that self-absorbed way that had me worried that this film was director Jim Strouse’s way to work through his anger at his ex-wife for their divorce. Is Jim Strouse divorced? I have no idea, but it sure felt that way to me. And that his divorce didn’t go well. [Update: Jim Strouse is divorced.]
**Strouse also wrote and directed the other film I’ve seen Jessica Williams in: the Incredible Jessica James.
***The other thing this movie does well is capture dynamics in a college classroom. If you’ve spent any time in one those scenes will feel very familiar.

Questions:

  • What’s the key to a good divorce, especially one where you have children in common?
  • Not-great child actors, still fun?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

No good trivia. Instead, this quote from an article (that is full of spoilers) about the film:
“I [don’t] want to ever imply that love is the path to redemption or salvation,” Strouse says. “The story is about him figuring out how to be alone and move on from the past while still respecting it. From my point of view, that’s not through falling in love with another person, it’s through learning how to be alone.”

Other reviews of People, Places, Things:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: Those are just things I painstakingly drew out of anger. —People Places Things. Read the three sentence movie review 3SMReviews.com

Kurt Russell is Fun in The Christmas Chronicles

Darby Camp, Judah Lewis, and Kurt Russell in The Christmas Chronicles.

The Christmas Chronicles

Directed by Clay Kaytis
Written by Matt Lieberman

The review:

Like many Christmas films, this starts in the land of sad* so that we can find the true meaning of Christmas and get to the land of happy. The film brings Christmas magic by showing a brief glimpse of Santa caught on video which leads to an attempt to capture Santa** in action once again. There are hijinks, a ticking clock, some Santa magic, and even a blues performance in this very nice Christmas film.

The verdict: Good (-ish)

Cost: Netflix monthly fee ($8.99)
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*In this case, Teddy and Kate are sad because their fireman father has died.
**The always charming Kurt Russell. I could have done without his constant griping about being mistyped as fat.

Questions:

  • Why is Kurt Russell so damn charismatic?
  • What’s your favorite Christmas film with children as main characters?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Santa’s list includes several of Kurt Russell’s grandchildren.

Other reviews of The Christmas Chronicles:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: Trading in eight reindeer for 400 horses! —The Christmas Chronicles. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

The Prom: A Bunch of Movie People Doing Theater in a Movie

Ryan Murphy and the extended cast of the 2020 Netflix feature: The Prom

The Prom

Directed by Ryan Murphy
Written by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin

The review:

The Prom is a not-terrible adaption of what was probably a not-terrible Broadway production and includes at least one song that earwormed its way into my brain for an extended period of time.* The story of washed up Broadway stars who decide to step in and “help” when a gay teen from Indiana** is excluded from bringing her girlfriend to prom, this is a of-the-moment story that will hopefully look quaint in about ten years. Jo Ellen Pellman is fresh faced as Emma Nolan, the gay teen in question and the four leads (Meryl Streep, James Corden,*** Nicole Kidman,**** and Keegan-Michael Key) give their best razzle dazzle performances.

The verdict: Good

Cost: Netflix monthly fee ($8.99)
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*I cannot remember which song it is, but I’m not going to go and re-expose myself to the earworm.
**If Hoosiers is the apex of Indiana-positive films, this is the opposite.
***A straight man playing a gay man, which has been criticized.
****She seems to be having fun in this stage of her career.

Questions:

  • What is that magical pixie dust that makes a movie musical feel like something more than a placeholder for those of us who don’t make it to Broadway?
  • What was your favorite number?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Although the original actors from Broadway auditioned for the role, Ryan Murphy decided to go with the “star-filled” cast. This is sadly ironic, as the stage version was designed to give leads to actors who had spent their entire career in supporting roles, such as Beth Leavel, Brooks Ashmanskas, Angie Schworer and Christopher Sieber, whose roles in the film are played by Streep, Corden, Kidman and Rannells, respectively.

Other reviews of The Prom:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: We have come to show this community that gay people, and gay positive icons such as myself, are made of the same flesh and blood as they are. —The Prom. Read the three sentence movie review 3SMReviews.com