So, uh, looks like you all may have a little more time to watch movies these days, huh? Seriously folks, this virus thing is a big deal so do your old friend Collin a favor and take precautions.
But if your schedule does happen to be a little lighter right now, the least I can do is give you a few things to keep you occupied, right? How about two movies that you might not have caught in the theater?
A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood (2019) [PG]
The movie begins by saying that it is inspired by a true story. Indeed, it is based on the experiences of writer, Tom Junod. Here, the story revolves around a writer named Lloyd Vogel who has a similar set of experiences with Fred Rogers.
Lloyd, a magazine feature writer, is given the task of profiling Mr. Rogers for a special issue about heroes. He begrudgingly goes to speak to Rogers only to find that the article he is going to write will be something different and much more personal.
I have to tell you, when I first heard that Hanks was going to be playing Mr. Rogers, I rolled my eyes. It just sounds like something designed to give Hanks an Oscar nod. But you know what, he is pretty fantastic here. He manages to get the softness and cadence of Mr. Rogers without seeming cartoony or fake. Matthew Rhys does a fine job. The rest of the cast is similarly up to the task. But of course, the movie belongs to Hanks, even if the majority of our time is spent with Rhys.
The poster here really tells you all you need to know. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood really is heartfelt and uplifting. It really is emotional and packed with humor. I won’t lie and say it doesn’t feel a little cheesy here and there. But even 50% of this is just made up nonsense made to push your buttons and score Tom Hanks another Oscar nomination, the other half of the movie is something you just don’t see enough these days. You could use a little bit of humanity and kindness in your life and that is the beating heart of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. I think you’ll find it was more than worth it to give it a shot.
7.5 paws out of 10
Charlie’s Angels (2019) [PG-13]
Elena, played by Naomi Scott, works for a company attempting to revolutionize the power industry but there is a flaw in her latest creation. When she attempts to inform her boss and blow the whistle on what she sees as negligence, she is told to let it go. On her way back to her office, Elena is given a card for Charlie’s Angels. The Angels take on the job of protecting Elena when she is attacked at a restaurant and that is when the real action begins.
Don’t look too deeply into the plot. There isn’t much. What carries the day is attitude. There are some good performances (looking at you Kristen and Patrick Stewart). The rest are just fine but nothing necessarily special. I suppose what makes those first two stand out is that you don’t really go into Charlie’s Angels for fine acting. Both Stewarts seem to be enjoying the chance to lighten up and not be so serious.
The whole thing goes on a little too long, in my opinion, but I didn’t find it tiresome. The movie takes a little time to get going but once it does, it is like candy. Fun, sweet, not really nutritious but sometimes you just need a little treat, right? What’s wrong with a few empty calories every once and again. With some of the action scenes, you can tell that this is Elizabeth Banks’s first go at making an action film but the performances are good enough that you don’t care.
I get it. There are many reasons to say you do or don’t like Charlie’s Angels (and I’m not even going to get into the “politics” around it because, dude, it is just a movie. Chillax). But you know what, it is still pretty fun to watch. There are some fun stunts, explosions, intrigue… Who cares if the plot has some holes in it? Folks, life is too serious sometimes. Do yourself a favor, make a big bowl of popcorn and go watch these ladies blow some stuff up.
5.5 paws out of 10
As always, if you have a movie you think I should check out or you want to talk further about one of these reviews, drop me a line on Facebook.