Monthly Archives: May 2020

No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

THE LOST HUSBAND (2020): The Things I Liked…

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The Lost Husband (2020), Leslie Bibb, Six Foot Pictures
The Lost Husband (2020), Leslie Bibb, Six Foot Pictures

Josh Duhamel, Leslie Bibb and Nora Dunn’s latest movie The Lost Husbandis a film I enjoyed a little more than I expected to.

Directed by Vicky Wight, it follows Libby (Bibb), a newly single mother trying to put her life back together after her husband dies. She starts by moving, along with her two children, to her no-nonsense aunt’s goat farm in central Texas.

What stood out immediately for me was the pleasant musical score. Then I noticed the even pacing, and the way the film isn’t quite as clichéd as the Hallmark movies you may or may not have seen (wink, wink). This story is just a little bit more complicated, for one thing.

I was in the mood for something easy and a little romantic, which is why I chose The Lost Husband. The trailer also made me want to see Libby work through her grief so she could get back to enjoying life.

As Libby met the colourful townsfolk and learned more about farm life, mostly from Duhamel’s character, James, it became clear she was going to be all right. That’s when I started wishing I had an aunt with a farm… until I remembered my irrational fear of earthworms, bugs, and most other animals.

The only thing I wish had been handled differently is a specific cliché involving a group of jealous, unpleasant women at the town market. The writing and acting in that scene stood out for the wrong reasons. Still, if you’re intrigued, give The Lost Husband a chance, especially when you’re in the mood for an easy-viewing film session.

And, of course, there’s the simple pleasure of Josh Duhamel in a cowboy hat. You know… in case watching Libby get her life back on track and the idea of a virtual farm escape don’t quite do it for you.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy

SPACE FORCE (2020): New trailer From Steve Carell, Noah Emmerich, John Malkovich, Lisa Kudrow…

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Space Force (2020), Steve Carell, Netflix
Space Force (2020), Steve Carell, Netflix

Steve Carell, Noah Emmerich, Lisa Kudrow and John Malkovich are the stars of new Netflix 10 part comedy series Space Force.

Created by Carell and Greg Daniels, at the centre of the story is four-star general Mark R. Naird (Carell). Naird begrudgingly teams up with an eccentric scientist to get the U.S. military’s newest agency Space Force ready for lift-off.

I’m definitely getting Veep vibes. Plus, the list of professionally funny people involved is pretty promising.

Are you tempted to watch this one? I never did watch the American version of The Office, but I suspect that Carell’s role here may be a little similar.

Jane Lynch, Ben Schwartz, Jimmy O. Yang, Tawny Newsome, Owen Daniels, Diana Silvers, Alex Sparrow and Don Lake also star.

Space Force Release Dates: May 29th, 2020 (US) / Internet…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Documentary

BECOMING (2020): New Trailer For Michelle Obama Documentary

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Becoming (2020), Michelle Obama, Netflix
Becoming (2020), Michelle Obama, Netflix

Becoming is a new intimate documentary that looks at the life of former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Directed by  Nadia Hallgren, Becoming focuses on Michelle’s hopes and connection with others as she embarks on a 34-city tour that highlights the power of community to bridge our divides. As well as the spirit of connection that comes when we openly and honestly share our stories.

‘As my mother would say, Michelle and Barack Obama aren’t special. There are millions of Michelle and Barack Obamas all over the world.’

I do agree that the above is indeed true but so is the statement ‘Michelle and Barrack Obama are special‘.

I’m looking forward to spending time with a smart, generous woman, as she goes about positively affecting, inspiring and lifting those around her.

Becoming Release Dates: May 6th, 2020 (US) / Netflix…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Adventure, Animation, Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

THE WILLOUGHBYS (2020): Its…

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The Willoughbys (2020), Netflix
The Willoughbys (2020), Netflix

For animated movies to fully keep my attention, it usually helps if funny, fun, cute and moving/heartwarming are key elements of a well-written story and finished film. Unfortunately, in The Willoughbys, neither of these themes came across especially strongly for me.

Directors Kris Pearn, Cory Evans and Rob Lodermeier’s film about four children with terrible parents, the kind who only have time for themselves and their romantic love, proved quite disappointing. 

Even though The Willoughbys has some funny moments, it’s the kind of humour that made me smile instead of laugh. The finished film has the quirkiness and darkness that got my attention during the trailer. Yet, it’s as if the story tried to do too many things at once. A reality that yielded a disjointed experience. One that’s not as engaging or entertaining as I’d hoped. In fact, by the time The Willoughbys’s overarching theme about ‘the family you choose’ came along, it barely proved impactful. At least not in a way that I connected with.

Even though within thirty minutes of hitting play, I knew I wasn’t really enjoying The Willoughbys. I thought that I’d eventually get into it, and the story would finally settle into a groove I could get on board with. But sadly not.

As for the pointy noises I mentioned in my response to the trailer, they didn’t prove as jarring as they were initially, but that’s not to say that I was ever fully comfortable with them either. 

Give The Willoughbys a chance if you’re very curious. Some people find it refreshingly different. I’m clearly not one of them but perhaps you are.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews, Romance

THE HALF OF IT (2020): The Things I Liked…

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The Half Of It (2020), Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Netflix
The Half Of It (2020), Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Netflix

At the beginning, writer/director Alice Wu’s movie, The Half of It, doesn’t appear to be particularly different from the high school films you may have seen before. Yet, as you continue watching, it soon reveals itself to be more than you expected.

Starring Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer and Alexxis Lemire, Wu’s film turns into a beautiful, sweet and well written story about two high school students who bond over the girl they both secretly love. 

As someone who’s always been partial to well-told stories of beautiful friendships, The Half of It ticks a lot of boxes for me. From the scenes that showed the growth of the bond between seventeen-year-old Ellie (Lewis) and Paul (Diemer), to the film’s pacing, dialogue and the believable performances by the young, talented cast. As I watched The Half of It, I found myself interested, engaged and often moved.

I also like that Paul and Ellie’s friendship isn’t the kind that doesn’t get tested. It is, in fact, the smart way the story navigates those all-important tests through the key themes that emerge, which made me like Wu’s movie even more. 

Watch The Half of It because it’s good but also for a beautiful friendship story that features the kind of connection and love that absolutely anyone would be lucky to have. After all, as per the film’s trailer, ‘Not every love story is a romance’ 

Happy Film Loving,

G