Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

Genre: Science-fiction /Action
Directed by: Tim Miller
Starring: Linda Hamilton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mackenzie Davis
Running time: 107 minutes

 

Set 25 years after the events of Terminator 2, this film tells the story of another Terminator being sent through time to eliminate Dani Reyes, whose fate is tied to the future. An augmented soldier called Grace team up with Sarah Connor and Snynet’s T-800 Terminator to protect Reyes.

While definitely better than the previous installments that followed the classic that was Terminator 2, I think it is definitely time to put this one to rest. Seeing Linda Hamilton and Arnold together on screen again was cool, and the story had its moments, but it still lacked the magic from back then.

Rating: «««

Nothing Like the Holidays (2008)

Genre: Drama / Comedy
Directed by: Alfredo de Villa
Starring: John Leguizamo, Debra Messing, Alfred Molina
Running time: 103 minutes

 

The Rodriguez clan, a family of Puerto Rican descent from Chicago, are getting back together for the holidays. Mauricio, who is making his way in the business world, arrives with his wife. Jesse, a US soldier returning injured from Iraq, arrives with quite a bit of baggage. Roxanna is also back, with a highly exaggerated story about her career in Hollywood. What they all find at home is not what they expected.

This was actually a pretty good film. I expected a run-of-the-mill cheesy Christmas movie, but what could have been a silly, pointless ordeal was made so much better by the acting performances and a compelling story. There was still a good dose of clichés and silliness but, overall, I actually liked this one.

Rating: ««««

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: Stephen Chbosky
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller
Running time: 103 minutes

 

Stephen Chbosky directed this film based on his own novel of the same name. It tells the story of Charlie, a teenager trying to cope and find his own place in high school, as a freshman. He finds a group of friends to fit in, but his world will turn upside down as the reasons for his lingering PTSD finally burst out to the surface.

I absolutely loved this film. The main cast was as solid as you could want it to be. The portrayal of high school life felt truly realistic. And I adored how the story was told by Chbosky. We get bits and pieces until the full picture appears, and it all becomes so clear then. Great movie.

Rating: «««««

Something Wild (1986)

Genre: Comedy / Romance
Directed by: Jonathan Demme
Starring: Melanie Griffith, Jeff Daniels, Ray Liotta
Running time: 113 minutes

 

Charlie Driggs is yuppie investment banker living a boring life in New York City. Outside a diner, he meets a young woman who calls herself Lulu. She offers him a lift downtown, but they end up going on this crazy and wild weekend adventure together traveling to Pennsylvania, meeting with Lulu’s mother, her high school friends and a dangerous ex-husband.

This remains a fun film that has not aged too badly decades later. The two leads had a good on-screen chemistry and the story is told with talent by the director. Some of the stuff is a little zany or over-the-top, but, all things considered, this is one well worth revisiting.

Rating: ««««

20h17 rue Darling (2003)

Genre: Franco / Drama
Réalisateur: Bernard Émond
Distribution: Luc Picard, Guylaine Tremblay, Diane Lavallée
Durée : 101 minutes

 

Gérard est un ancien journaliste des faits divers qui a quitté le métier. Son alcoolisme a ruiné son travail et ses relations de couple. Maintenant sobre depuis un peu plus de six mois, il survit à l’explosion de l’édifice à appartements où il habite en raison d’un lacet détaché. Se demandant pourquoi il n’est pas mort avec les six autres victimes de l’explosion, dont une petite fille de 5 ans, ses instincts de journaliste lui reviennent et il part à la recherche de réponses.

J’ai beaucoup aimé ce film, qui se passe beaucoup en monologue interne avec le personnage principal. Luc Picard, comme toujours, est absolument crédible dans ce rôle d’homme qui tente de maintenir sa sobriété tout en se retrouvant rongé par les remords du survivant. Je me suis beaucoup identifié à son personnage, même si je n’ai pas nécessairement vécu la même chose. Certains personnages secondaires étaient un peu plus caricaturaux ou unidimensionnels, mais, dans l’ensemble, ce film est surtout un character-study de Gérard. Et, à cet égard, c’est pleinement réussi.

Note: ««««

Travelin' Band: Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall (2022)

Genre: Musical / Documentary
Directed by: Bob Smeaton
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Creedence Clearwater Revival
Running time: 86 minutes

 

This film captures the full performance by American band Creedence Clearwater Revival at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, England, in 1970. It also offers a short documentary, narrated by none other than Jeff Bridges, on the creation of the group and its road up to that point.

I have always loved the music of CCR. To have this concert showing them live, before they completely imploded, was quite a treat. And to have it narrated by none other than the Dude itself, Jeff Bridges, really tied the whole thing together. While the documentary part felt a little dry at time, as it was exclusively based on archived footage, it was still cool and interesting.

Rating: ««««

The Queen (2006)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Stephen Frears
Starring: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell
Running time: 103 minutes

 

In the aftermath of Lady Diana’s untimely passing, in a car accident that happened in Paris, the Royal family wishes to treat the matter as a private affair, while British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Prince Charles and most of the public want a more public process to help with the national grief.

With the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, I decided to revisit this particular film. In spite of the fact that I am not keen on monarchy, to say the least, I greatly appreciated this title then and now. Helen Mirren was simply magnificent in the title role. And the supporting cast was also very good. This is a very compelling story brilliantly told on screen. Love it.   

Rating: «««««