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ETHAN FIGHTING IN NOTHING BUT HIS BOOTY SHORTS?? HIS PANTIES ??? THE KNIFE UNDER CHIN MOMENT ??? CINEMA IS SOOO BACK

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Final Reckoning - FINALE OF ALL FINALES

WELL WELL WELL - it's finally arrived. The final story in the saga of Mission Impossible. 30 years of action, 30 years of death defying stunts, 30 years of Tom Cruise. From the first low budget MI to the Final Wreckening - $400,000,000 does it justice.

Director --> Christopher McQuarrie

Writer --> Bruce Geller (based on the television series created by), Erik Jendreson, Christopher McQuarrie

Casting Director --> Mindy Marin

Producers --> Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie

Rating --> 10/10

Now, if you've followed along with the previous 7 Mission Impossibles, you can anticipate that this movie will be jam-packed with action, a slight love story, and a fight to outsmart the opponent. If you anticipate that, then you'll have a grand ol' time watching the final movie in the series. Since this anthology wraps up, some moments reference past movies, so it'd be helpful to catch up on previous storylines, but it's not required. Like all MI movies, you can see it as a stand-alone, but the end might not hit you as hard.

Before I go any further, I've got to give a shout-out to our main man Tom. Tom, thank you for making movies that are meant to be seen in the theater. With the suffocating content that comes from streamers, it's nice to silence our cell phones and enjoy a dark room and a large screen. The love and dedication truly come through - so, from one storyteller to another, thank you!

Let's get into it, shall we? Our final story follows our ragtag group of heroes from the IMF to save the world one last time - and it's the most important. Since we know how this is going to unfold, I'll share some thoughts on the main points that stood out while watching.

First, the stunts... HOLY (EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE) SHIT! Just knowing that Tom Cruise does all of his own stunts. I was amazed. At one point, I was sitting in the chair holding my legs to my chest and holding my breath. And no, it wasn't during one of his traditional sky diving/flying stunts..... but that's crazy that it's so common to see him falling out of a plane that it's lost novelty.... It's when he's diving in the sunken submarine... just wow. I can't imagine the safety, training, and professionals on set to make those stunts happen without a hitch. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a lot of VFX is happening to make it look like he's hundreds of miles underwater, but still. That stunt team deserves one of the first awards in the new Oscars Category.

Second - the love story. Yes, it touches on the traditional romantic play. But it adds so much more. This love story is about the love between a team, between friends, and a nation. This love story is about loving mankind and not losing ourselves to the status quo. To fight for what we believe and believe in the depth of others. Luther's final monologue at the end had tears streaming down my face. It was a beautiful and soft end to an otherwise violent story.

Finally - the casting...... CLAP FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK! Mindy Marin and the MI producing team, really nailed this one on the freaking head. I almost stood up and clapped when 2 women pilots were telling Ethan Hunt what to do. AND there was a BLACK FEMALE president, and a female fleet admiral. Like, come on. Fucking brilliant. Let's talk about women in male-dominated industries. Aside from significant female representation, the casting was also diverse. Hats off to you, Mindy. We love to see it!

Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this and will watch it again!

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Small but MIGHTY

By now, we all know these reviews have spoilers....DUH! But also, they're my own thoughts - so please watch the films and come to your own conclusions. Go to the cinema! Support indie films! I love big box office hits just like the rest of them, but boy - the indie filmmakers need our support. Movies will slowly be regurgitated nonsense with AI and Marvel/Disney hits if we don't show up to support.

I say all this, but this film is produced by big names like Cillian Murphy, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck, so what a hypocrite am I? I guess this story is what really moved me to stand on that hill. It's truly beautiful. Before we get into it here's the COLD hard facts: Title: Small Things Like These Director: Tim Mielants Writer: Enda Walsh (Screenplay), Claire Keegan (Book Author) Rating: 7/10

Set in 1985 in Ireland, we follow the story of a devoted father Bill Furlong. He seems to be a kind, caring, and compassionate man, but we discover that these traits have plagued him his whole life. As Bill is working the start of winter delivering coal to the local convent he stumbles upon disturbing secrets - the young ladies brought there to bare their bastard children are in fact being abused and their children ripped away from them. Does he do something about it or turn a side eye just like the rest of the town?

As Bill wrestles with this decision, it's bringing up stories from this past that you don't really understand until the end of the movie. His mother was just like one of those young women but instead of a convent, a woman with a large estate took them in and kept her on as staff. We follow his story as a child with the use of flashbacks, but instead of the audience being apart his life like most filmmakers would have us be, Tim Mielants kept us as mere observers. We see that Bill's mother was young and just providing for her son in the best way she possibly could. For example, all he wanted for Christmas was a jigsaw puzzle, but instead got a heating pad. We feel disappointed for not only Billy, but his mother. When it flashes back to current day Bill we realize that he's given everything up to be the good caring father and husband. If it weren't for the kind woman that took them in, he would have been just like the babies in the convent.

One evening, Bill is kept up by the abuse he thinks he saw at the convent, so he decides to make an early delivery. As he drops the coal off to the convent, he discovers that they've locked one of the pregnant girls in the coal room outside to freeze. Later the "Mother" Nun very discreetly buys his silence with money for Christmas. Bill is torn! He even goes to his local bar, and the bartender tells him to turn the other cheek, but he just can't. As he remembers his mother, and the kindness of the people who've raised him, he can't just sit idly by. He walks all the way to the convent and saves the same girl from literally almost freezing to death - regardless of the outcome it may have on the future of his family.

Unfortunately, these stories are all too true of the "women and children who suffered time in Ireland's Magdalen laundries" — horrific asylums run by Roman Catholic institutions for most of the 20th century, ostensibly to reform 'fallen young women'" "https://www.npr.org/2021/12/22/1065780684/claire-keegan-book-small-things-like-these-magdalene-laundries"

Technically, the use of colors, costuming, shots truly made you feel like you were there. It was freezing in the film, and by the time you leave the movie you may end up being cold as well. As far as the acting, something beautiful I'm just realizing is that we see Bill (Cillian) so distraught by this decision to go against the grain, that is physically weighing him down, his neck and face never seem to sit up straight (I wanted to lift his head up for him and rub is neck. Shit, my neck even started hurting). That is...until he follows what he knows to be true. The moment he decides to stand up for the weak, the strength in his body comes and he stands straight with a spark in his eye and smile on his face. I'm not sure if it's due to editing or a conscience choice from Mr. Murphy, but it was truly beautiful to feel that peace settle upon him. Wow just wow.

The only ding I might give this movie is that it was slow, and so riddled with tensions, that you desperately wanted a big crescendo and none came. Even with the lack of excitement, you leave the theater feeling like you've watched something of worth. To leave a theater thinking about it long after means it was art. You feel like your mind and soul just went through a carwash and was given the sustenance you need to keep going. (IMDB)

Please, if you've taken the time to read through this, go watch the movie! Stories like this are so important to be told.

Anyyyywhooo, that's all she wrote! Definitely recommend this film!

Cheers!

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HENRY CAVILL as Agent Argylle ARGYLLE (2023) dir. Matthew Vaughan

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ARGYLLE (2024) dir. Matthew Vaughn

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Argyle

Finding the Patterns

Director:  Matthew Vaughn https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0891216/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Writer:  Jason Fuchs

Producers: Adam Bohling (produced by) (p.g.a.) | Jason Fuchs (produced by )(p.g.a.) | David Reid (produced by) (p.g.a.) | Matthew Vaughn

Cinematographer: George Richmond

Casting Director: Lillie Jeffrey | Reg Poerscout-Edgerton

Well, I really had high hopes for this one - with the all star studded cast and the $200million dumped into this movie I was really excited to see what new action adventure we'd be taken on. Unfortunately it didn't live up to it's hype. That being said, I'll have to watch it again when it comes out on Apple +. We have to try everything a couple times to really truly appreciate it, right? Don't forget, if you're not an expert in this field, be nice. You know what you like as an audience member, but any movie that comes out is worthy of admiration. The things that have to happen in order for it to even it the screen is nothing short of a miracle. For that I say good job and valiant effort.

Obviously spoilers lie ahead, so if you want to stop here, just know that it is an at home movie that can be found on Apple + . (Highly recommend watching with a bottle of wine.)

On to the juicy bits -

To be honest I was most excited about watching it because of Henry Cavill, with his casting fit to be James Bond, I thought to Myself, "This is going to be a great spy movie". Not to mention - Matthew Vaughn has given us some great action packed movies like "Kick-Ass", "Kingsman: The Secret Service", and "X-men: Days of Future Past" to name a few. Needless to say, the expectation was set quite high. With the film being announced back in 2021 - we've been waiting for this "banger" for a long time, only to be met with a confusing - plot twisting story. Not to mention, not a lot of Mr. Cavill - but I digress.

This story follows the journey of Elly Conway - played by Bryce Dallas Howard. We meet Elly at the height of her career as a novelist and as she is about to finish her final book, she's met with a writer's block from hell. As she travels to get a fresh perspective for her new book, she's whisked away by a spy that suspiciously reminds her of her lead character, "Argylle" played by Henry Cavill. As the story progresses, we find that Elly is actually a spy who had her memory erased by her bosses, and the whole time her partner/lover "Aiden Wilde" - played by Sam Rockwell - has been trying to help her get her memory back while trying to out the bad guys.

There were so many twists and turns that it's hard to write them in a summary. Which leads to the first issue of this film; half-way through you think the movie is wrapping up only to be shoved in a different direction with a new story unraveling. This happens a couple more times before the movie ends. If there were 1 maybe 2 plot twists, the story would have been captivating, but the turns just kept coming.

Next, what started as an adventurous romantic spy story, turned into a ketchy cheesy love story. There was one scene where Aiden and Elly are fighting for their lives after they've found out the truth about each other and they start spraying gas everywhere that turns colors and this weird dance occurs.... it just was out of place. Sam Rockwell did "kill" that dance - pun intended! He really is a great part of this film, never faltering in what he wanted, plus his dance moves were on point.

Lastly, the casting may have been just a bit off. Bryce Dallas Howard is a talent of this age, but she may not have been right for this part. I believed that she was the author of a spy book who's been taken by surprise by reality. But a hardened spy with years of killing under her belt? It just didn't fit. Also, all of the cameos of outrageously famous people, made it feel like they were just trying to break even on their $200 million spend. On the other hand, maybe the outrageous is exactly what Matthew Vaughn was going for - to make it really feel like a story book. But as an audience member it just felt like we were being force fed famous people.

On a more positive note, the action sequences, stunts, and costuming were AMAZING! If you're looking for action, then you've found it! The wardrobe department deserves and absolute standing ovation. The colors, textures, and contrasts of EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER was impeccable! Stephanie Collie, I tip my hat to you, great job!

Also, what the hell is the cornfed Henry Cavill cameo at the end? I didn't understand that tie in with the entire movie or the preview during the credits.

On to the next one old chaps.

Thanks for reading my not expert opinions

Ta ta

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At some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you gonna be. Can’t let nobody make that decision for you.

MOONLIGHT (2016)

dir. Barry Jenkins

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The Magic of MOONLIGHT

Director:  Barry Jenkins

Writer:  Barry Jenkins (Screenplay) Tarell Alvin McCraney (Story)

Producers: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adele Romanski

Cinematographer: James Laxtton

Casting Director: Yesi Ramirez

WOWEE WOW! I cannot believe that I am just now watching this movie. Moonlight won best picture in 2016 and it is well deserved. This movie was amazing from casting to scene edits to the score. I just feel so dumb not knowing about it until now.

In this movie we follow a young man - Chiron - throughout his life. It begins with the first chapter - LITTLE. At that time, we follow Chiron aka Little - played by Alex R. Herbert - we start with him as a boy of about 9, he lives in a not so bad area and seems to have a caring mother but falls into the hands of a drug dealer that takes him under his wings - Juan (the King) played by Mahershala Ali. As a child Chiron just takes in everything he sees - everything he feels - and everything everyone does. He's truly like a sponge and you just feel bad for him because there's nothing you can do to stop him from uncovering the evil in the world. The only solace he seems to find is in his friend Kevin (Jaden Piner) and in Juan who becomes his father figure.

Fast forward to chapter 2 - Chiron. Chiron is now a teenager in his awkward years, this adolescent version of Chiron is played by Ashton Sanders. In this time of his life all he is is beaten down. From his peers at school, to his mom who has fallen to addiction, to his own thoughts. He's never been good enough and will never be good enough. Everyone around him has called him awful names degrading him for being gay, and he doesn't even know if he is or not. In the previous chapter he asks Juan and Teresa (Janelle Monae) what a faggot means because his mother just screamed it at him. IT IS HEART WRENCHING to have to watch him figure out that people have been calling him this his whole life. And in chapter two, he succumbs to this idea that he is what everyone has been calling him. His life is deteriorating in front of him, and all he has to do is stand up for himself, and he does. At the end he's had enough. His best friend and first man he fell in love with has to beat him up because the school bully is forcing his friend (Kevin, Jahrell Jerome) to do it, but if Kevin doesn't then they'll both be found out. After his beat down, Chiron changes. You can see that he will never be beat down again. He stands taller and moves with confidence. He put and end to the bullying and leads us to the final chapter - BLACK.

Black is played by Trevante Rhodes. Can we just take a brief pause to pay respects to the casting of this film?! EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER WAS PERFECTLY CAST!!!!!!!!! From the bully, to the mom, too each version of Chiron, holy shit, hats off Yesi Ramirez. Anyways back to it. Black isn't weak. There's nothing off about him. He's strong. He's got his shit together. And he sure as shit doesn't take any shit from anyone. But this is the most heart breaking version of Chiron. He's closed off, hasn't loved since he was 16, and is always masked in this version of masculinity that protects him. I mean, he is the most relatable version because we all have been there at some point. And all you want to do is hug him and tell him, it's okay, you are safe now. Which is what makes the end so beautiful. He finally reconciles with his mom and his mom apologized for her wrong doings. And he finds love with Kevin (FINALLY). And it's not sexual, although it could be, but it's just Chiron. Not Black. Not Little. Just Chiron. BEAUTIFUL.

Each scene of this film was thoughtfully executed. It's artistic yet character driven. The cinematographer did an excellent job..... Now the goal is to be on a project that brings this much revelation to the world as it does artistic creativity that moves people.

Well done to each and every person involved in this masterpiece.

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How beautiful do these two look 💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤

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APPLE + or APPLE -

J.A.R.E.D LETO, LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Gosh, what a king. So this is a review on the first episode of the newest Apple + show called "we crashed" - created by Drew Crevello and Lee Eisenberg.

Wow wow wow. Let me begin by saying I'm so excited to get to episodes 2,3, & 4. Let me also begin by saying that Jared is an actor that is rarefied - I could see him being placed along side the Pacinos, De Niros, and the Brandos. Letos' work is far and few between, but all the work he puts up has something special; a glimmer that takes time to curate.... (I am very excited for Morbius). To say the least I am a HUGE fan. And as an actor I'm still learning to tap into that amount of truth; he truly sits in the characters reality and it's beautiful to watch.

On to Ms. Hathaway... she brings to life a character that I personally haven't seen from her. Although I do feel that she portrays very similar characters in most of her work - Rebekah is a deeper character for her. Meaning her voice is register lower and she plays at a very "hip spiritual" person. Everything is so deeeeepppp maaannn. Anne Hathaway grows on me every time I watch her, so that's wonderful. For example: there's a scene where she comes back from her yoga studio after being confronted with the fact that she is a fraud - supporting everything she stands against. And she breaks down because she thought she was standing for something that made her special, and all she wants is to be seen and be important. Anne shows a vulnerability that is beautiful, but then all of a sudden the scene is edited. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! She goes from crying to having no tears and just being "sad".

Now who knows how many takes they were on to get all the coverage, but I wish that the director saw her vulnerability and everything went perfectly and she was able to keep that coverge BUUUTT, the world ain't perfect honey and we don't always get what we want. Either way, she's doing a good job and I can't wait to see her grow. (Haha who am I to talk, she's making millions and I'm still in acting classes lol) Good job Annie!

Now I won't spoil anything because I need to get into more episodes, but from what I ave seen, I highly recommend and hope everyone gets on this show! Give it a whirl, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Anyways, Over and out and cheers. Have a fantastic evening.

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Florence Pugh Filmography

↳ The Falling (2014)

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The Falling... for Florence Pugh

What the hell did I just watch?....... Before we get into that mind bending delusional movie, let's get the facts straight:

Movie : The Falling

Director: Carol Morley

Writer: Carol Morley

Rating: 3/10

Okay, so let's get the plot. We follow 2 young girls in a British Private school - Abigail Mortimer played by Florence Pugh and Lydia Lamont played by Maisie Williams. These two best friends have what might be a sexual friendship, but it's never disclosed, but their relationship is definitely something that feels inappropriate, also their age difference is apparent. As we see them live, It becomes very clear that Abigail is the girl everyone wants to be. Lydia on the other hand is lost in a dark spiral and she holds onto Abigail to keep her grounded.

Abigail starts to grow and experience life in such a way that is going to leave Lydia behind, and they both realize it. Abigail has just lost her virginity and is no longer the "young naive" girl from the day before, sex is changing how she views life, it's driving her with desires that have just been unlocked and Lydia doesn't quite understand why. Lydia becomes jealous and angry, as if she needed anymore reason to be hateful (her mom won't talk to her and her "dad" walked out many years ago, not to mention her POS brother who has sex with her. ..... I'm telling you this is a kind of fucked up story.)

Let's get back on track, Abigail gets pregnant from her first time and starts to faint and have really bad symptoms because she's losing the baby. And then one day she passes away, and that again isn't every disclosed why or how we can just assume it has to do with the baby, a life lost too soon RIP. After the loss of her best friend, Lydia starts to faint - she starts making up a sickness that is similar to Abigails.. She even convinces the other girls and even a teacher in the school that everyone is sick. We all know that it isn't real.

The story ends with Lydia's brother having sex with her, and in the middle of the creepy sex, the mom who seems to be out of it, storms in, pulls him off of her and kicks him out of the house. We then find out that the mother was raped and the reason why she can't even look at her daughter is because she looks just like the man that raped her. Lydia then loses it, climbs to the top of a tree and jumps in the water. We close the movie off with the mother and daughter holding each other and crying accepting what has happened to both of them.

The idea of this story is a beautiful story of discovery and aging and life, but it only comes together at the end. Half-way through the movie you think to yourself, "Is it worth it to finish this movie?" There are dream sequences and in multiple scenes it flashes - LITERALLY FLAHSES FOR A SPLIT SECOND - back to Abigail. These flashes just make the movie confusing and are totally unnecessary. It's like Carol was trying to be artistic, and make it more mysterious. The storyline is beautiful enough without all the weird flashbacks.

I will say though, the casting was great! Florence Pugh did a fantastic job in her cinematic debut and Maisie Williams really broke away from her GOT character. Also, Joe Cole made a huge impression and shit human coming from the sweet kid brother in the Peaky Blinders.

The cast really made the movie, because the plot was a bit challenging. I wonder how it was for the actors to get into the role and how to understand where it's coming from? Shoot I get it's hard because I just got done with my first feature film that has a lot of dream sequences... so we will see how it comes out!

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Late, late, I'm Late for a Very Important Date

I've been gone.... I'MMM SORRY! Life has been happening and I will be back soon! Keep on with the keepin' on.

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With movies debuting on apps more than every before..... will life at movie theaters dwindle? I sure hope not...

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A very long list of very cool movies : CRUELLA (2021) dir. Craig Gillespie

“I’m Cruella. Born brilliant, born bad and a little bit mad.”

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