Category: Three Sentence Movie Reviews

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

Queen Latifah and Mo’Nique Dazzle in Bessie

Queen Latifah as Bessie Smith in the film Bessie.

Bessie

Directed by Dee Rees
Written by Dee Rees, Christoper Cleveland, Bettina Gilois

The review:

The always remarkable Queen Latifah gives us a tutorial of blues singer Bessie Smith’s rise to fame and fortune including the usual downturn that comes with biopics of performers. First cast in this film in 1997, Latifah delivers a very physical performance* with a ton of nuance. Mo’Nique also is amazing as Ma Rainey, the singer who teaches Smith the value of performance, and alerts her to the many people who are standing by to cheat blues singers out of their money.

The verdict: Good

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

Consider also watching:

  • Ma Rainy’s Black Bottom
  • Ray
  • Dreamgirls
  • We are the Best (because I can’t not recommend this punk rock girl film every chance I get)

Further sentences:

*Aside from knock-down-drag-out fights, there is also enough enthusiastic sex to remind you that your generation wasn’t the first to invent sex.

Questions:

  • What was your favorite performance scene in Bessie?
  • Do you prefer Mo’nique or Viola Davies as Ma Rainey?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Charles S. Dutton, who plays Pa Rainey, made his Broadway debut in 1984 in August Wilson’s play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

Other reviews of Bessie:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: I ain't playing second to nobody! —Bessie. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

Add Arthur Christmas to Your Christmas Movie Collection

The cast of the film Arthur Christmas arranged in a pyramid with the elves on the bottom and Arthur at the top.

Arthur Christmas

Directed by Sarah Smith, Barry Cook
Written by Peter Baynham, Sarah Smith

The review:

Even if this movie didn’t have a scene that takes place in Idaho, it would be worth watching just for the action movie–style depiction of how presents are delivered using the S2, a googleplex of elves, and a doddering Santa, but what makes it a magical Christmas movie is how that operation is contrasted with a simpler one later in the film.* The story of Santa’s second son Arthur, this film has all of the hallmarks of a quality Christmas film: wonder, delight, sorrow, hilarity, and steadfastness. The worriers among us will love how Arthur harnesses that feeling to save Christmas and those of us who hate wrapping presents will marvel at the elf Bryony’s** skill in a time of need.***

The verdict: Recommended

Cost: $2.99 via Redbox On Demand
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*Look out for Bill Nighy’s voice stylings as Grandsanta.
**Ashley Jensen, with a delightful accent
***Three pieces of tape!

Questions:

  • What’s your favorite animated Christmas film?
  • How do you imagine those presents get delivered?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

This is the second Christmas film featuring a title song sang by Bill Nighy. He also starred in Love Actually.

Other reviews of Arthur Christmas:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: And may one hundred percent of your Christmases be white. —Arthur Christmas. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com

Mank: Amanda Seyfried Shines

Amanda Seyfried and Gary Oldman in the film Mank

Mank

Directed by David Fincher
Written by Jack Fincher

The review:

The film that made me wonder if Fincher is feeling old and worn out.* While I can see what he’s doing there with the looping plot and the black and white and the deeper meaning, Herman J. Mankiewicz was not someone I was super interested in,** Gary Oldman’s fine performance notwithstanding.*** However, this is probably worth watching just for Amanda Seyfried, who was excellent as Marion Davies, and it was a solid depiction of Old Hollywood.****

The verdict: Good (ish)

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

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*His father wrote the original script, so perhaps it was the elder Mr. Fincher who was feeling very beat down.
**You can catalog this under: Tales of a Privileged White Man Who Wastes His Talents and is Generally Horrible to All, Volume 3,458,721.
***Although I really wish they would equalize their age-wise ridiculous casting. Gary Oldman was born in 1958 and is playing a 43-year-old man. Tuppence Middleton was born in 1987 and is playing his similarly aged wife.
****You know, when it was just some fun hijinks to have the stenographer sit around with pasties on.

Questions:

  • How many more films of this ilk will be made before we move on to a more interesting angle? (Like say, the story of that stenographer with the pasties.)
  • What’s your favorite movie about making a movie?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

The presenter announcing the Academy Award for best original screenplay to Mankiewicz and Welles at the end of the movie is played by Ben Mankiewicz, a grandson of Herman J. Mankiewicz. Ben Mankiewicz is a presenter for Turner Classic Movies, which frequently airs films by Herman Mankiewicz and his brother Joseph. Ben’s father, Frank, is portrayed briefly in Mank by the uncredited child actor Matteo Menzies.

Other reviews of Mank:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: Irving, you are a literate man. You know the difference between communism and socialism. In socialism, everyone shares the wealth. In communism, everyone shares the poverty. Read the three sentence movie review 3SMReviews.com

When the Starlight Ends Should Have Never Started

Arabella Oz and Sam Heughan in the film When the Starlight Ends

When the Starlight Ends

Directed by Adm Sigal
Written by Adam Sigal

The review:

Sometimes enjoying actors in TV series leads me to really great films made by the actors,* and sometimes they lead me to stinkers. The looping stories in this film made it hard to tell what was the story and what were side bits the author was writing so he could get over his failed marriage.** And Sam Heughan, who has been holding my attention in Outlander, failed to do so here.***

The verdict: Skip

Cost: $2.99 via Google Play
Where watched: at home

Consider watching instead:

Further sentences:

*Steve Carell is a good example. He was great in the Office, but I’ve also enjoyed him in Dan in Real Life, Foxcatcher, The Big Short, Battle of the Sexes and Beautiful Boy.
**This film also featured terrible green screen stuff, and I couldn’t tell if that was due to budgetary constraints or an intentional feature.
***And, his performance here may have just diminished my enjoyment of him as Jamie Fraser in Outlander.

Questions:

  • Did you have a favorite scene in this film?
  • This movie was so lackluster I can’t come up with a second question.

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

Kane Knox is the cute baby in this picture.

(This was the only trivia item and I have no idea who Kane Knox is.)

Other reviews of When the Starlight Ends:

Top Movies November 2020

(6 total movies watched)

As you can see, November was not a great movie watching month both in number and quality.

A graph showing a pie chart with 66% Good, 33% Skip. Text: November 2020 Movies

Click on any linked title to read the full review.

Shithouse

The rough transition to college.

Cooper Raiff and Dylan Gelula in the film Shithouse. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com: Shithouse

Wild Nights With Emily

The side of the poet you didn’t know.

Susan Ziegler and Molly Shannon in Wild Nights With Emily. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com: Wild Nights With Emily

Mr. Jealousy

The idea that no good can come from.

A picture of Eric Stoltz's head with a sketch that makes him look like the devil. Text: Mr. Jealousy. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com: Mr. Jealousy

Planes Trains and Automobiles

The Thanksgiving classic.

A picture of Steve Martin and John Candy in the film Planes, Trains & Automobiles. A star with text: Good. An arch with text: 3SMReviews.com: Planes, Trains & Automobiles

The Thanksgiving I Finally Watch Planes, Trains & Automobiles

A picture of Steve Martin and John Candy in the film Planes, Trains & Automobiles.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Directed by John Hughes
Written by John Hughes

The review:

2020 is the year I finally watch this John Hughes classic film!* I found it to be an amusing road trip in that very 80s way and I was reminded of the humanity John Candy brought to his misfit characters.** While I don’t think this will become a Thanksgiving tradition, this is an enjoyable bit of classic 80s cinema.***

The verdict: Good

Cost: $2.99 via Google Play
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

  • Uncle Buck
  • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
  • Mr. Mom

Further sentences:

*In looking at the films he directed, I’m not sure if I’ve seen Weird Science or not, and I know I’ve not seen Curly Sue, but the rest of the filmography bridges my elementary school through my junior high years. Kids were talking about Sixteen Candles in 1984, which was about four years before I was old enough to watch it, and I remember getting dropped off at the theater with my friend Laurie to watch Uncle Buck. (Apparently I already wrote about this in 2010.)
**RIP John Candy
***It was also fun to see the bits in the film I remember people recounting to me over the years. (“You haven’t seen Planes, Trains & Automobiles? There’s this classic scene where…”)

Questions:

  • What’s your favorite John Candy role?
  • What’s your favorite zany road comedy?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

On instruction from John Hughes, Edie McClurg’s role as the St. Louis rental car agent was partially improvised. Hughes told her to simply riff a fake phone conversation with someone about Thanksgiving plans while Steve Martin remains waiting in line staring at her to finish up. McClurg came up with the idea to speak with her sister about who was going to make what adding “You know I can’t cook!” Hughes asked her how she came up with those lines so quickly and she replied that, like his scripts, she just drew it from her own life. McClurg claims to this day that random people ask her to tell them they’re fucked.

(All hail Edie McClurg who will forever be Patty Poole the neighbor in the
television show Valarie/The Hogan Family)

A picture of Edie McClurg in the film Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Other reviews of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles:

  • Sheila Benson, Los Angeles Times
  • Janet Maslin, New York Times (I can’t get a working link, but the excerpt says: Mr. Martin and Mr. Candy are an easy twosome to watch even with marginal material, though, and the film is never worse than slow.)
Orange background with a white frame. Text: Quote: Those aren't pillows! —Planes, Trains, & Automobies. Read the three sentence movie review 3SMReviews.com

Mr. Jealousy: Good Early Baumbach

A picture of Eric Stoltz's head with a sketch that makes him look like the devil. Text: Mr. Jealousy

Mr. Jealousy

Directed by Noah Baumbach
Written by Noah Baumbach

The review:

In 2015, Noah Baumbach’s Mistress America would give us a screwball comedy; 18 years before that film Baumbach gave us a glimmer of coming attractions with an amusing tale of a jealous boyfriend who joins a therapy group to learn more about his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend.* As with most Baumbach films, the people on screen aren’t ones you want to hang out with, but boy howdy are they interesting.** As the situation becomes more complex and the tension builds, Eric Stoltz, Annabella Sciorra, and Carlos Jacott*** really turn up the humor.

The verdict: Good!

Cost: Free via Kanopy, Multnomah County Library’s Streaming Service
Where watched: at home

Consider also watching:

Further sentences:

*I know! Can you imagine? And there’s the further complication that he pretends to be his best friend so as to remain anonymous.
**Unlinke most other Baumbach films, this also includes a cast member who is a person of color.
***Also fun: Peter Bogdanovich, director of a lot of really good films, plays the group therapist.

Questions:

  • Joining group therapy to get details on your girlfriends ex, how shady is that on a 1–10 scale?
  • What’s your favorite Eric Stolz film?

Favorite IMDB trivia item:

On The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance marquee that appears in the film, a quote (“a classic”) is attributed to G. Brown. The critic in question is Georgia Brown, famed Village Voice film critic and mother of writer/director Noah Baumbach.

Other reviews of Mr. Jealousy:

Orange background with a white frame. Text: I'll bet my writing's more of a voice of our generation than his. --Mr Jealousy. Read the three sentence movie review. 3SMReviews.com