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This is based upon a true story

Well Paced and Well Told Spy Story

In 1960 business man Greville Wynne (Benedict Cumberbatch) is selected by the CIA and US State Department to act as a Courier to Russian Diplomat Oleg Pankovsky (Mereb Ninidze) in the hopes of learning what Russian intends to do re putting missiles into Cuba. Oleg called Alex in the story gives many documents to Greville to send to the US re Russia's plans regarding Cuba.

This movie is, of course, in color but many of the scenes we shall see appear to be black and white for dramatic effect I am sure.

This is well told and well acted by all.

Notables: Angus Wright as Dickie Franks a MI-16 executive who along with Rachael Brosnahan as Emily Donovan, a CIA agent recruit Greville to be their spy in Russia; Jessie Buckley as Sheila, Greville's wife.

This is a well paced spy story that details the most of the true under currents of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

We do come to see that the real hero of this event is Oleg Pankovsky.

Stay to the end to see what happened to Grevill Wynne and Oleg aka Alex Pandovsky.

Violence: Yes Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor: No.

Language: No.

Rating: A (

Witnessing the death of his father Owen (Jake Weber) Connor (Finn Little) is hunted by two contract killers that Connor can identify as the murderers. Jack (Aiden Gillen) and Patrick (Nicholas Hoult) were after Owen as Owen had evidence of large scale corruption in his work for the District Attorney, and they believe the evidence Owen had is now with the boy. Jack and Patrick figure Owen went into the Montana woods heading for his brother Ethan (John Bernthal) who is a Deputy Sheriff and his wife Allison (Medina Senghore). Now Connor is alone and afraid and meets up with Hannah (Angelina Jolie), who is a fire-fighting Smoke Jumper with PTSD and now works out of a Lookout Tower having been demoted for a failure to save some kids from a forest fire. We get the impression she was one of the boys. The contract killers now set the woods on fire.

We never know who the evidence is against that Owen had. We do see Tyler Perry as Arthur, who gives instructions to Jack and Patrick to find the boy and end this asap.

A sort of secondary story involves Deputy Sheriff Ethan and Allison who also run a Survivor School and they get caught up with Jack and Patrick, too.

Notable: Boots Sutherland as the Sheriff, who cautions Deputy Ethan not to risk letting the media or the FBI know about what has happened so far.

It was good to see Angelina Jolie back in the movies. Hope we see more of her. Owen's son Connor played by Finn Little did an outstanding job as a scared kid who lost his father and was warned not to trust anyone. Owen had written out the evidence he had and gave it to Connor to give to only someone he trusted. Hannah did read the pages Connor had but when they jumped into the river to escape the fire, the water probably did a job blurring the print. We never did see Hannah relate the evidence to authorities near the end. So much for doing in the bad guys. Hey, at least Hannah and Connor were safe. Well, you knew that would happen, right?

There were some scenes that were completely unnecessary along with too many past memory flashbacks brought up by Hannah; and also too many scenes with other glitches (Hannah survives a lightning strike) in the story, but to relay them here would take too much time. Still it's watchable.

Yes, Angelina Jolie is the star, but the story is really about the boy, Connor. Then the title fits. See? (5/10)

Violence: Yes.

Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor: No Language: Yes, too much in the beginning.

Rating: C.

Jason Statham is Patrick Hill known as "H" a name given to him by Bullet (Holt McCallany) who trains H for an armored car security job. Takes a while when we learn that Patrick Hill is a low level Crime Boss who works under the big Crime boss Called Agent King (Andy Garcia). So why does Patrick Hill take a job as security guard when he has his own crime operation?

This movie will go back and forth in time. (Don't you just hate that?) Once done you have all the answers, but I gave you a heads-up, sort of. Later, you will learn the real reason H goes to work for that armored company, Fortico.

We will not learn any of H's crimes away from Fortico as that Is not what this story is about.

H's boss, Agent King, knows H is a valuable Lieutenant and will let him do what needs to be done, and says, "Let the Painter paint."

We will see heists and many gun shootouts. This time Statham as H will use guns in place of the close hand to hand fighting, we are used to Statham using.

The movie moves along as a good pace and when H does his thing in foiling a robbery in the beginning, all Fortico employees wonder just who this person is.

There is a point in the story when a Fortico armored truck is about to be robbed and H comes out of the truck and just stands there. The would- be robbers see him and turn and run away. Was that because the robbers knew him as a local Crime Boss and wanted nothing to do with him? That is the only explanation I could see or did they know of his skills with Fortico? Hmmmm... ............... But the other real plot is that a group of ex-soldiers led by Jackson also known as Sarge (Jeffrey Donovan) has a plan to rob all of Forticos runs during Black Friday and that would total $150-Million. And, you guessed it, this will entail a lot of gun play.

Notables: Scott Eastwood (Cliff's son) as Jan, a sort of hot head working for Jackson the Sarge; Chris Reilly as Tom Jackson's right hand man; Eddie Marson as Terry, Fortico's office manager; Niamh Alger as Dana, who works for Fortico and has a brief rumble in the hay with H, who makes sure she only tells him the truth as he is searching for something.

Once you get past the going back in time and going forward in time and now know what H is about, you will enjoy the rest of the movie. ( 9/10)

Violence: Yes.

Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor: No.

Language: yes.

Rating: A.

Travelers from 30-years In the Future come to present day Earth to let the world know Aliens are destroying life on Earth, and the Aliens are eating the humans. These travelers demand present day Earth to help fight this war by conscripting them and sending them into 2050. Each conscript will be there for only 7-days and return to Earth. Dan Forester (Chris Pratt) is drafted and he meets his adult daughter Mary (Yvonne Strahovski) now a Colonel in the Army and she is working on a Toxin that will kill all the Aliens.

The Aliens are quite scary and the CGI is simply more than fantastic. Kudos. You will swear the Aliens are very real. There are many touching parts having to do with Dan and his family, his 9-year old daughter Mary (Ryan Kira Armstrong) and later his adult daughter in 2050.

We will see Dan's time in 2050 with his daughter and we will also see many battles with the Aliens. As you watch I am sure you will ask yourself: can this really happen here. Hmmmm...........probably.

Notables: Sam Richardson as Charlie, who Dan meets in 2050; J. K. Simmons as James, Dan's estranged father; Edwin Hodge as Dorian, Dan's student who knows all about Volcanoes; Mary Lynn Rajskub as Nora who knew Colonel Mary Forester by sending conscripts to 2050 and later helps Dan when he is back in the present time.

This movie is found - at this time - on Amazon Prime Video, but I did see a note that it is also a TV series with the same title. Have no idea what channel it's on. Had no idea that it is a TV series. Don't know when this movie will hit the Red Boxes in many 7-11s and large grocery stores.

The CGI and cinematography are spell binding and the action battle scenes are very good. You will see that the Aliens are quite hard to kill.

Be Warned: Young children may not be suitable to watch the Aliens as they are quite scary looking and even I had to avert my eyes at times. Hope I don't have dreams about them.

Yes, this is quite scary and also touching, and over all very enjoyable. (9/10)

Violence: Yes.

Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor: Not really, but Dan asks his father for a plane to go to Russia. James responds by saying: the kids only come over when they want something, Language: Only one F-word was heard.

Rating: A.

During a home Burglary Hutch (Bob Odenkirk) does nothing to protect his family and they are quite disappointed in him. His son Blake looks at him as a coward, but Hutch was just trying to keep the damage to a minimum. Angered he goes to his father's Nursing home and retrieves his FBI badge and gun (from another life) and then he goes to Tattoo parlors to find out who belongs to a Tat he noticed on one of the assailants. On his way home he encounters drunken Russian gangsters on a bus who have eyes for a pretty girl seated on the bus. Long story short he takes care of them. The Russian Drug Lord and Mob Boss Yulian (Aleksey Serebryakov) cannot believe one man did this to his men and he vows to kill Hutch.

Okay, John Wick is an Assassin for hire and Hutch it not, but he will have his moments and what we will see is every bit as entertaining as a John Wick movie.

If you are not familiar with Bob Odenkirk, he is the lead character in the TV show Better Call Saul.

The Choreography for the fight scenes are done by the people who did John Wick.

Notables: Connie Nielsen as Becca, Hutch's wife; Christopher Lloyd as David, Hutch's father who lives in a Nursing home; Gage as Blake, Hutch's son; Paisley Cadorath as Abby, Hutch's daughter; Colin Salmon as The Barber, who tells Hutch all about bad guy Yulian; RZA as Harry, Hutch's brother-in-law.

You will see Yulian as a song and dance man and some of his gang lets him know that is not worthy of a man in his position. To which Yulian almost kills one of them to prove he is worthy.

There are other songs (I counted 3) in here and they are not bad, but kind of unnecessary and unexpected, but I did like Louis Armstrong's It's a Wonderful World. (....and who cannot like that regardless of the reason.)

Very entertaining and I am sure there will be sequels. Let's hope. (9/10)

Violence: Yes.

Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor: Not really.

Language: Yes, mostly in the beginning only.

Rating: A.

In the year 2063 a new Planet is found for people of Earth to inhabit. Teenage astronauts will travel into space for a 86-year voyage to the new planet, not named. The current Earth is too hot, and drought and disease are rampant. The teenagers know their grandchildren will be the ones to inhabit the new planet. They know the plan is to save their species. Their trainer Richard (Colin Farrell) decides he must go with them to protect them.

Christopher (Tye Sheridan) and Zac (Fionn Whitehead) notice there is an ingredient in the water that shouldn't be there and they believe it's put there to control everyone so they tell everyone not to drink the Blue Water. And by not drinking the Blue Water, we will see extreme personalities come out and cause some problems. Yes, this will turn into a kind of Lord of the Flies story.

Many of the crew members keep hearing strange sounds that may be coming from outside the ship. Yes, we hear some talk of Aliens. However, other crew members just say it's the ship itself making these sounds. Huh?

The rest of the movie pits Team Christopher against Team Zac, and becomes disruptive.

Notables: Lily Rose Depp as Sela, the Chief Medical Officer, Fionn Whitehead as Zac, who wants to be the Chief Officer even though Christopher was elected as such.

I see you asking if Lily Rose Depp is related to Johnny Depp. Yes, she is his daughter.

Not a bad Sci Fi story. The acting and dialogues were okay. We only see brief shots of the ship. We don't see the Ship's Bridge if there was one. We say that because we see this ship as completely automated. Often, we did see often long hallways that went on forever. Did I mention that they were seen often? Maybe too often.

Now you ask, did they make it to the new planet? (5/10)

Violence: Yes.

Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor: No, and it could have used some.

Language: No.

Rating: C.

Derrick (Michael Ealy) has a one night stand in Las Vegas with a woman named Val (Hilary Swank) and once home with his wife Tracie (Damaris Lewis) he is attacked in his house by someone who wants to kill him The police investigate and Derrick notices that the Detective in Charge is Val and he is afraid Val will tell Tracie that she knows Derrick and how.

Detective Val keeps an eye on Derrick and does come up with a possible suspect for the attack that night. When Derrick's business partner Rafe Grimes (Mike Coulter) and Derrick's wife Tracie are found shot to death, Derrick becomes the prime suspect.

There is a subplot regarding Val who is trying to get custody of her daughter from her ex-husband Carter Heywood (Danny Pino).

Notable: Tyrin Abenathy as Tyrus, Derrick's cousin who is on parole and wants to desperately help Derrick.

This is a good murder mystery, and it seems like I have seen this story before, but still I was at a loss as to who is the murderer. There are some twists and turns and we are not sure about anything as Derrick professes his innocence. Oh, there are some surprises too. (7/10)

Violence: Yes.

Sex: Yes.

Nudity: No.

Humor: No.. Language: Yes, but brief.

Rating: B.

In 1990, in Bakersfield, Deputy Sherriff Joe Deacon (Denzel Washington) goes to Los Angeles to pick up some evidence for a current case and ends up in LA involved in a hunt for a serial killer. Deacon used to be a Detective in Los Angeles, but had to leave as he couldn't solve his murder case, his wife divorced him and he had a heart attack. Now he's back in Lost Angeles and joins up with Detective Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) who replaced him. He notices similarities with Baxter's case and the one he became obsessed with years ago and he takes vacation days to help Baxter.

If you take this out, FF the first half and get back to it when Jared Leto as Albert Sparma comes on the scene. Why? The scenes in the first hour jump around too much, many of the Cast mumble their lines and I had really no idea what was going on. The characters either talked too fast or mumbled their lines. I was at a loss, but I finally did get the idea that a serial killer was on the loose.

The movie really starts and becomes most interesting when Deacon and Detective Baxter get together and decide that repairman Albert Sparma is the serial killer even though they had no real suspicion he was the killer. In fact, Leto's performance of Albert Sparma is the highlight of the whole film and he plays Deacon and Baxter perfectly. He was a breath of fresh air. Was he the killer? Hmmmm......

Deacon likes to say there are the little things that will get you caught and eat you up if you let them. He knows from experience because he accidently shot a girl, a survivor, in his last murder case back in the day and many knew of it, covered it up, but wouldn't let him be promoted. Baxter will learn about those little things later on. Sparma tells Baxter he will show him where he hid Ronda Rathbun's body. Baxter agrees and goes with him. A mistake? Hmmm.......

Notables: Terry Finny as Capt Farris, Deacon's old boss in LA and who warned Baxter not to get too close to Deacon; Michael Hyatt as Flo Dunigan, the Coroner, who along with Capt Farris covered up Deacon's accidental shooting of the girl in the case he became obsessed with and couldn't solve.

This movie becomes much better after Jared Leto as Albert Sparma comes on the scene. The first half confused us and ran us around a lot, but nothing important happens except we see Deacon and Baxter working things out together.

Washington and Malek are good actors, but this is a loosely told story and needed more structure or let's say better police work. Okay, okay or a better script. Here is what we know: the first half could have been better, but the second half saved it. (7/10)

Violence: Yes.

Sex: No.

Nudity: Yes, dead girl on the Coroner's table.

Humor: No.

Language: No.

Rating: B.

Anthony (Anthony Hopkins) has Dementia and cannot understand why things are not the same and becomes confused all the time. He gets rid of Caretakers because he doesn't like them. His daughter Anne (Olivia Colman) takes care of him, but needs to have him put into a home where she can live her life and he will be, hopefully, happy there.

In the beginning we believe everything we see and hear according to Anthony's way of seeing things. Takes a few minutes for us to realize there are things we cannot really see or hear. Because Mr. Hopkins is what he is even when in Anthony's character, who has Dementia, the way he sees and says things we believe him. After a while we realize our mistake and we have to keep fighting this belief.

Notables: Rufus Sewell as Paul, Anne's former husband who Anthony sees as real and, who tells Paul that Anne will move to Paris to be with another man and Paul tells Anthony that he, knows nothing about Paris and that Anthony is living in Paul's flat, but Anthony still believes he is in his own flat; Mark Gatiss as Bill, Anne's current husband, who asks Anthony how long will he (Anthony) live off Anne; and later Bill tells Anne that Anthony should be in a home for others to care for him; Imogene Poots as Laura, the only Caretaker Anthony likes and misses when she is no longer there and Anthony sees another woman who calls herself that Laura; Olivia Williams as Catherine, as the Nurse at the Nursing Home, who simulates Anthony's mother in the way she soothes Anthony, And there is a scene where Olivia Williams plays Anthony's daughter Anne, and Anthony does not recognize the difference. See? Will you notice?

Some of the scenes are confusing, but all will straighten out in time. I am still not sure if Anne is actually married to Bill or not. I do kind of wish Mr. Hopkin's character was not named Anthony for obvious reasons.

This is very sad, tragic, heart wrenching and we are at a loss like Anthony because no matter what Caretakers do, it's really not enough. As we watch this, we not only see a confused Anthony and his daughter Anne who fights back tears all the time, we think of the many families out there who have the same or similar problems with a loved family member and feel helpless.

Anthony Hopkins received the Oscar for Best Actor Award for this story. For a while I thought that almost any actor could perform the job as good as anyone else, but I was wrong. This time Anthony Hopkins brought something else to the story - a kind of new dimension - and I felt as though he was my family member and I was as helpless as we saw Anne helplessly deal with everything.

This was probably the best performance ever by Mr. Anthony Hopkins. Multiple Kudos. (10/10)

Violence: No.

Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor: Kinda. There are some good lines by Mr. Hopkins as Anthony.

Language: Yes, but only 2-times.

Rating: A.

Walter (Liam Cunningham) and his Salvage crew found a treasure chest from a Spanish Galleon long submerged, but the Spanish government denies Walter the treasure. Walter hires Thom (Freddie Highmore), a student engineer to figure out a way to get the treasure from the underground Vault of Bank of Spain, which is heavily guarded and impossible to break into. This can't be good.

Once Walter and his crew draw up the plans a wrinkle occurs and that is Gustavo (Jose Coronado) the Chief of Security for the Bank of Spain and he knows the Bank is at risk during the World Cup Football Game between Spain and the Netherlands. He knows because his cleaning crew job was cancelled, but found out there was another cleaning crew on the premises. Oh, oh..........

Yes, this is like a Mission Impossible story. Don't try to memorize everything, just go with it. The real problem to be solved is that once the Vault is breached it will lower itself into water and anyone captured in it will drown. Thom needs to find a way to prevent the Vault from going into the water.

Here is what they are looking for. Back in the day, the Pirate Francis Drake sunk the Spanish ship took the treasure and hid it away marking on 3-coins the exact whereabouts of the treasure. So the 3-Coins are what are needed and they are in the treasure chest Walter took up from the sunken Spanish ship.

Notables: Astrid Berges-Frisbey as Lorraine, part of Walter's crew and helps Thom figure things out; Axel Stein as Klaus, Walter's computer hacking guy; Luis Tosar as Simon, who is someone who can get anything needed; Sam Riley as James, Walter's hot-headed right-hand man who takes a dislike to Thom; Famke Jansen as Margaret a British Civil Servant who betrays Walter.

Toward the end the Vault is breached and the water comes in. You knew that would happen, right?

This is a good heist movie and gets exciting near the end. You keep asking about a twist. Yes, there is one. (7/10)

Violence: Yes.

Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor; No.

Language: Yes, but brief at times and also in some sub-titles.

Rating: B.

In Arizona, widower, Jim (Liam Neeson) at the US Border sees Rosa (Teresa Ruiz) and Miguel (Jacob Perez) trying to escape from Mexico, but Cartel Boss Maurico (Juan Pable Raba) and his men start shooting. Rosa is hit and dies leaving Jim to care for Miguel to take him to his family in Chicago. The Cartel wants the money that Miguel's uncle Carlos (Alfredo Quiroz) stole and gave to Rosa.

The rest of the movie is Jim and Miguel on the road to Chicago. Maurico and his men monitor their path all along the way. Jim constantly makes the mistake of using his credit card and the Cartel people are watching for this to see where Jim and Miguel are. Jim and Miguel learn to trust each other.

Notables: Katheryn Winnick as Sarah, a Border Patrol Agent who constantly tries to help Jim; Dylan Kenin as Randall, one of Maurico's men; Charles David Richards as the gun store owner who Jim buys guns from: Vic Browder as the Trooper who stops Jim and waits for Maurico and his men; Tommy Lafitte as the Minister who says comforting words to Miguel for Rosa his mother.

A very pretty Katheryn Winnick is a master in all kinds of Martial Arts disciplines (check her out on Wikipedia), but her role here is kind of limited and she doesn't do any martial arts. And, yes, Liam Neeson's "skills" aren't fully shown in here as we are used to seeing in other movies. Bummer.

This is a good Road Movie with Jim and Miguel trying to get to Chicago with Cartel men on their tails. There is limited action until the end, but it is spectacular when Jim takes out the vehicle Maurico is in. (7/10)

Violence: Yes.

Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor: Kinda. Jim tells Miguel about the best hot dogs In the world are in Chicago and Miguel says the first thing he will do in Chicago is to eat a hot dog.

Language: No.

Rating: B.

In 2011, after losing everything Fern (Francis McDormand) in her 60s, sets out to be a Nomad and takes off in her Van, which she makes very comfortable.

The economy is still reeling from the 2008 financial bust, the town she lived in also became an economic bust, her husband had died and she takes odd jobs at Parks and small towns and keeps moving. We hear her saying that "stopping is like dying." She likes being alone although she is a very personable person who makes friends easily enough at the Van Dwellings she commits to. I had never heard of Van Dwellings until now, but they do exist, I suppose, and many people in these Dwellings don't want to die without seeing all the country they can. There are many stories as to why these people come to the Nomad life and some are heartbreaking.

We see she wants no attachments. She turns down a dog, holding a baby makes her uncomfortable and she doesn't encourage Dave's (David Strathairn) subtle advances.

What was good: Fern is adaptive, friendly, resilient and really likes this Nomad life although we aren't really given any real insights why Fern does what she does. She doesn't regret her husband dying and speaks very little of him, there are no kids to contend with, but does have a sister who is mindful and fearful of Fern and the life she has chosen. The last scene typifies Fern's life and why she likes this life so far: She visits her old house and from the back door she sees the desert for miles and there is nothing in her way to stop her. See?

Okay, to be fair Fern does do the remembrance things by looking at pictures of family and friends. The cinematography was good, but the best scenes had sunsets of a Pastel Nature. My favorite.

Notables: David Strathairn as Dave, who took a serious liking to Fern although nothing romantic came of it; Bob Wells as Bob and Linda May as Linda and Charlene Swankie as Swankie, who all are Nomads and who gave Fern good advice on how to survive in Nomadland.

This almost views like a Documentary, a Ken Burns story (without narration) so to speak and hopefully we won't see copy cats of these kinds of movies that end up in Best Picture categories. Hollywood needs to put these kinds of movies into a Documentary or some other suitable category. Hollywood learned a lesson with the outcry of anti-Best Picture movies that contained numerous Animation movies. We can only hope.

Okay, let's finish up the What Was Bad: this was too much like a Documentary. Hollywood: we need stories..............Get it? In some ways I did enjoy this, but truthfully, I kept hoping it would be over soon. Worthy of an Oscar for Best Picture? No. An Oscar for Best Actress? No, although Francis McDormand is a good actress: Ya You Betcha! (Bob, you do know it won both Oscars, right? Can I get a Ya, You Betcha? ) Hmmmm....... (5/10)

Violence: No. Sex No. Nudity: Yes, but from a distance, Fern is floating face-up in a lake without clothes.

Humor: Not really although some would differ.

Language: No.

Rating: C: (8 May 2021)

The Hitman or the Virtuoso (Anson Mount) receives his orders from his Mentor (Anthony Hopkins).

The movie opens with a sex scene with the Hitman watching from another building and he fires a rifle bullet that kills the man. Next we see another hit, but it has to look like an accident. The Hitman's next assignment is for someone called White Rivers and he has no idea who that is.

In the beginning we hear a narrative coming from the Hitman, who needs to tell himself to be careful, don't rush and well you get the idea. I liked the narrative because I am thinking along with him to make sure he doesn't overlook anything. This is cool. Of course, nothing is overlooked. Okay, we knew that.

He ends up at a diner at exactly 5pm, the time he was told to be there. He sees a man at a table by himself, a couple at another table and in comes the Deputy (David Morse). The Pretty Waitress (Abbie Cornish) tries to enter a conversation with the Hitman, but he comes away with nothing.

Notables: Eddie Marsan, The Loner at the table by himself, and is he packing?; Richard Brake and Diora Baird, the couple at another table, and are they packing? Chris Perfetti as the Motel Clerk; Anthony Hopkins as the Mentor and who can be better at it than Mr. Hopkins?; Abbie Cornish as the Waitress is still very beautiful and a very good actress.

Yes, this is very slow going, but we need it to be that way. We need to be as cautious and as watchful as the Hitman. The Hitman's mark is White Rivers, and he needs to scout around to get more clues to find out who that is. Yes, there will be a twist. Isn't there always?

If you recall in the past, I have said that Hitmen or Assassins usually state and follow the rules they must obey and live by. However, at the end of almost every Hitman or Assassin story he will break every rule he has. Will this happen to this Hitman? Let's find out.

For me, this is a very enjoyable Hitman story. Anson Mount is perfect in this role. The Hitman knows he acts like a robot and when you see him make faces in a mirror maybe he's trying to be human after all. Ha! (7/10)

Violence: Yes.

Sex: Yes.

Nudity: Yes.

Humor: No.

Language: Yes, not a lot though.

Rating: B.

Navy Seal John Kelly (Michael B. Jordan) goes after assassins who attacked his home and killed his pregnant wife Pam (Lauren London) in her bed. John later learns Russian assassins were involved and he was the target.

John learns the name Viktor Rykov (Brett Mitchell) the Russian Assassin who got away from his home and vows to go after him. He joins an elite team to go after Rykov in Moscow. While on this mission John learns that there is a covert plot to keep the United States and Russia constantly at war because war is profitable. And the people at the top of each government are responsible.

Notables: Jamie Bell as Ritter, A CIA agent who doesn't tell his Seal team everything they need to know; Guy Pierce as Secretary Clay; Jodie Turner-Smith as Karen Greer, John's Commander; Lucy Russell as CIA Director Dillard.

Most of the movie has shootings that go on forever. The acting is okay when it's allowed to show up between the shootings. I have never watched a movie where a woman was a Navy Seal as we see Jodie Turner-Smith plays a Navy Seal.

Basically, this is a revenge movie. Michael B. Jordan is adequate in here. Oh, he is also a producer of this movie.

Let's hope Tom Clancy's other stuff turns out better. In here we didn't care about any of the characters, and yes, there were too many shootings going on all the time. That little bit about the conspiracy was really the point of the movie. Yes, it is watchable, but could have been better. (5/10)

Violence: Yes.

Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor: No.

Language: No Rating: C.

Vicky (Ruby Rose) was once a drug courier for the Russians and she did very bad things at times with her brother. Damon (Morgan Freeman) is a former hero cop and now a retired bad cop who is now wheelchair bound as he was shot during a last job doing a bad thing. Damon needs Vicky, his Caretaker, to do one last job for him and then he will release her daughter, Lily. She needs to make 5-stops to pick up money from a group of bad cops running drugs. Once done she will get her daughter back and be free.

Morgan Freeman doesn't normally play a bad guy, but in here he kinda does. They did his makeup to have him look like a really bad evil guy. Hard to believe, I know, but there he is. See for yourself if you watch this.

Here is what we see: Vicky makes the stops, shoots to kill when she needs to and we see her running away on a motorcycle as bad guys chase her in their cars. This is not as exciting as it sounds because we really don't see much in these very darkened scenes. She just stays ahead of them and turns left or right as Damon tells her as he can see what is in front of her due to a body-camera on her. Too many scenes with her on the motorcycle. Too many.

We see the bad cops from time to time and they all agree to kill Vicky and Damon.

This isn't very good and we wish Ruby Rose and Morgan Freeman would pick better stories. Here's the thing: the acting was suspect in many scenes, the dialogues were lame, we didn't care about any of the characters in here, good or bad ones, and in a way, it was quite boring. And not to be outdone: there was no suspense or tension in here. See? Hey, I did try to hold back some. Ha! (2/10) Violence: Yes.

Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor: No.

Language: Yes, but not much.

Rating: D.

In order to pay for his 4-flat tires, the Janitor (Nicolcas Cage), agrees to clean up Willy's Wonderland, owned by Tex Macadoo (Ric Reitz) and he says he wants to reopen Willy's Wonderland. The Wonderland was condemned by the town because there were many kinds of supernatural goings on and many people were killed by the animal figures that made up the wonderland. A group of kids led by Liv (Emily Tosta) were in the act of burning down the Wonderland, but had to make sure that the Janitor made it out safely as the doors were chain locked. This can't be good.

I know the promo for the movie said Horror and I figured I could always shut it down to sleep another day, but I did not find any real horror within. Add to the fact that Nicolas Cage was in it, I thought it might be a funny "horror" if there is such a thing. No not really, and people do get killed by the animal figures, but things happened so fast there was no time to decide if it was horror.

The Janitor goes about his task of cleaning, drinking soda pop, and playing the pinball machine. When encountered by one of the Wonderland Animals, who have taken on real-life abilities, he defeats them as a matter of course. He is not afraid. And after each encounter he dons another Wonderland tee shirt.

Notables: Beth Grant as Sheriff Lund, and she holds the terrible secret of Willy's Wonderland; David Sheftell as Evan, the Sheriff's Deputy; and Jiri Stanek as Willy.

I am not sure how the Nicolas Cage Impersonators are going to react to Mr. Cage this time as he doesn't speak one word the entire movie. He does, however, do several celebratory dances when he scores high points on the pinball machine. Let's see what they can do with that. Ha! As for me, I wanted to see how it all ended. Oh, some of the music was really good.

I have a feeling that this movie will become a Cult Classic. You know Nicolas Cage could get an Oscar for this. Not kidding. Could happen. (7/10) Violence: Yes.

Sex: Yes.

Nudity: No.

Humor: No.

Language: Yes, but not too often.

Rating: B.

A mysterious rock is found that grants wishes to anyone who possess it. Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) wishes that he becomes that rock and that wish is granted. Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) must figure out a way to Stop Maxwell from granting wishes to anyone who wants to have a wish come true. What results is chaos on a global scale. Not good.

The acting, and dialogues in this Wonder Woman movie are probably the worst I have ever seen. The only ones who acted professionally were Gal Gadot and Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Diana's boyfriend, who comes back from the dead to help Diana Prince stop Maxwell Lord.

This was very disappointing and am totally surprised that Gal Gadot was also a Producer of this movie.

Okay, to be fair, the CGI was most impressive all the way through. Again, the acting and dialogues from the rest of the cast were embarrassing to watch. Very sad.

Notables: Kristin Wiig as Barbara Minerva, who becomes a friend to Diana until she wishes the rock make her to be like Diana.....and she gets Diana's powers; Robin Wright as Antiope, Diana's mother; Lilly Aspell as a young Diana.

There really isn't anymore to say. Again, this was very disappointing. (1/10) Violence: Yes.

Sex: No.

Nudity: No.

Humor: No.

Language: No.

Rating: D.

Veteran of the Civil War and Non-Fiction Storyteller, Captain Kidd (Tom Hanks) agrees to take 10-yr old Johanna (Helena Zengel) to her biological aunt and uncle. The journey will be 400 miles long and dangerous for both of them. Johanna does not trust Captain Kidd and doesn't want to go.

Captain Kidd goes from town to town and reads the latest news stories from newspapers he gathers and tells the town folk what is happening in their world as he understands they are too busy to read newspapers. He finds Johanna on the road and knows she was captured by and lived with the Kiowa Indians. She speaks no English. He takes her to the nearest Army Camp and is told the Indian Agent won't be back for quite a while and he can wait for the Agent or take her to her aunt and uncle himself and that's what he decides to do. Keeping in mind that during his 4-years in the war, he had left his wife in San Antonio and needs to get back to her.

To be sure they encounter some bad guys along the trail that want to buy the girl and they sort of get captured by Mr. Farley (Thomas Francis Murphy) and his gang who want to make a new town along the way

. Notables: Mare Winningham as Doris Boudlin, a friend of Captain Kidd and she tells him he needs to get back to his wife in San Antonio; Michael Angelo Covina as Mr Almay who wants to buy Johanna; Fred Hechinger as John Calley, who was in Mr. Farley's camp and he gives Captain Kidd his gun for protection; Neil Sandilands as Mr. Leonberger, Johanna's uncle; Winsome Brown as Mrs. Leonberger, Johanna's aunt.

Tom Hanks as Captain Kidd was superb as usual. An Oscar for him? Hmmmm....... Young star Helena Zengel as Johanna performed exceptionally well and we appreciated not having her spout English at the end of the movie.

My DVD died when Captain Kidd left Johanna with her aunt and uncle and last I saw was him riding away. This couldn't be the end so I started the DVD all over again and FF to where Captain Kidd was riding away. It worked as the story continued and shows him going to San Antonio to see his wife.

What happens after Captain Kidd goes to San Antonio to see his wife is something that movies sometimes surprise the hell out of all of us. All I can say is Kudos, kudos and kudos again. I would like to see this movie nominated for Best Picture and hope it gets it. (10/10)

Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: Not really but there are scenes. Language: Brief Short stuff only. Rating: A.

In 1943, we see a young girl named Maud Garrett (Chloe Grace Moretz) run to catch a plane holding a leather bag. We think she is on a secret mission and when she ends up in the B-17 that is what she tells the crew. The crew want no part of her and want her off the plane, but she convinces them she is on a secret classified mission and she has the papers to prove she is authorized and they give in.

However the crew sits her in a turret below the plane, and she had to give up the leather bag to Quaid (Taylor John Smith) who said he would guard it.

While in the turret, Garrett hears banter from the crew that is very crude, and extremely sexist. And it was quite uncomfortable to listen to it all, but she holds her ground and retorts with authority and the banter dies down.

Then she sees a shadow in the clouds and cannot convince the men above what she is seeing. Not sure who said it was a Gremlin, but it is that. Where did it come from? Not explained. But the Gremlin wants in and Garrett isn't having any of it. She fires off a gun and the men above are now really concerned about her. Why does she have a gun?

Now the real twist Is revealed and it is quite a tale that Garrett tells the crew. Now we find out what is in the leather bag. Then the Japanese start firing on the B-17 and oh, yes, the Gremlin still wants in.

The next scenes take a long while to unfold, the B-17 is shot up, and the Gremlin somehow gets the leather bag and Garrett knows she must get it back. The camera angles and Garrett's positions are critical and we can't see any way that Garrett can get the bag back from the Gremlin. And don't forget the Japanese are still bombarding the B-17. Many of the crew are shot and the Captain is shot and dies.

Garrett must find a way to help fly the plane to land with the co-pilot, who isn't in good shape also.

Now, you may think that all of this is preposterous bordering on the ridiculous, but it all works and you are squirming to and fro on the couch hoping beyond hope this will end soon and all will be okay. It will, of course, but there are a few more battles to fight. (There's more?)

This was quite enjoyable and we were convinced that a very pretty Chloe Grace Moretz as Garrett had the right stuff to handle everything. Would liked to have seen a better ending that showed Garrett complemented by authorities. (7/10)

Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No Crude Sex talk: Yes. Humor: No Language: Yes. Rating: B (21 February 2021)

The Earth is being bombarded by comets and they are destroying life worldwide. The government plans to transport people with skills needed for civilization to resume to Greenland. John Garrity (Gerard Butler) is a Scottish born Structural Engineer and he and his family have been chosen to go to Greenland. He takes his wife Allison (Morena Baccarin) and son Nathan (Roger Dale Floyd) for the trip to Robbins AFB, GA where a plane will take them to Greenland.

The CGI used to have the comets hit Earth are impressive. Not explained is where these comets come from and no mention of the military diverting them so they miss the Earth. Word is there are many smaller comets attached to one big one called Clark and they are breaking off and they rain destruction on the Earth.

Here's the thing: They are at the gate about to go to the plane when John has to go back to the car to get Nathan's meds as Nathan is Type 1 Diabetic. The military won't let Nathan go because he is diabetic. John comes back and cannot find Allison and Nathan. Now separations begin. Later Allison is separated from Nathan, and John needs to fight someone who wants his watch. But the good news is that Allison and John are on their separate ways to Allison's father in Lexington, KY. Cell phones don't seem to work in this movie. Always something, right?

Notables: Scott Glenn as Dale, Allison's father; David Denman as Ralph Vento and Hope Davis as his wife Judy who give Allison and Nathan a ride then ditch Allison to save the boy so they say; Merrin Dungy as Major Breen, who does help Allison.

This is quite intense all the way through and the ending scenes are kind of disappointing as you will see, but hey, they are alive and together in Greenland. (7/10)

Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: No. Language: No. Rating: B

After their son James (Ryan Bruce) dies from falling off a horse, ex-lawman George (Keven Costner) and Margaret (Diane Lane) let daughter-in-law Lorna (Kayli Carter) and grandson Jimmy (Otto Horung/Bram Hornung) live with them. Then after a few years, Lorna marries Donnie Weboy (Will Brittain) and they move to an apartment in town. On a trip downtown Margaret sees Donnie and Lorna and her grandchild Jimmy and then Donnie smacks Jimmy and also smacks Lorna. One can see both are afraid of Donnie. Of course, Margaret is shocked. Later when Margaret bakes a cake for them and goes to visit, she learns that Donnie, Lorna and little Jimmy have gone. Margaret is determined to find them and make sure little Jimmy is okay. George is reluctant, but goes along.

This is slow going, but this is a serious matter both George and Margaret are undertaking. George tries to be the voice of reason, but Margaret is determined to go alone if she has to. They do find out where the WeBoy family are and head that way. This is where the story really begins.

Notables: Jeffery Donovan as Bill Weboy, who takes George and Margaret to the family house; Booboo Stewart as Peter, who lives alone in the desert and later helps Margaret; Lesley Manville as Blanche Weboy, the mother, who rules the roost and all are afraid of her.

Good, but heartfelt story and very good performances by both Kevin Costner and Diane Lane and they share good chemistry with each other. However, this is Diane Lane's movie and her performance is Oscar Worthy. She has always been very good in her movie rolls but this one puts the cherry on top. Kudos. (9/10)

Violence: Yes, near the end. Sex: No. Nudity: No Humor: No, but could have used some. Language: No, but one GDI. Rating: A (6 February 2021)

Ex Cop and now a private investigator Arthur Bretnik (Aaron Eckhart) investigates a current murder in the town of Wander, where a young girl was murdered and Arthur is convinced her death is connected with his daughter's death in a similar car accident years ago. Keep in mind that Arthur suffers from PTSD and mixes his meds and this causes him to be hyper and may have hallucinations. Arthur is paranoid about everything and takes unusual precautions in everything he does. His wing man is Jimmy (Tommy Lee Jones) and both do podcasts that talk about Alien conspiracies.

This is one of the most confusing movies I have ever watched. We are not really sure what this movie is about. Arthur is convinced that someone is kidnapping people for human experiments, but Arthur isn't sure who is involved with that. He keeps seeing a blonde lady in black who he thinks is involved. He learns her name is Elsa (Catheryn Winnick, from the Viking TV Series). She is a very good actress and very beautiful. (I was waiting for you to say that. Very good.)

So enjoy what you can. And if you figure out what this movie is really about, let me know. I have suspicions having to do with Arthur's medical condition and maybe some truth to everything he sees.

Can we rely on what we are being told and what is shown to us? You decide.

Notables: A very pretty Heather Graham as Shelly, Arthur's confidant and lawyer who takes care of Tanya, Arthur's wife who survived the car accident years ago, but is catatonic; Say what?; Raymond Cruz as Sheriff Santiago; Victor, who Arthur meets and believes Victor is the boss and is responsible for human experimentations and kidnappings and everything Arthur has experienced since the accident years ago. (I cannot find who plays Victor, but while searching this out I did see that there were 30 producers of this movie. One of them - you would think - would have said, "Hey this is confusing." Didn't happen.

There is a twist that tries to explain to Arthur that what he saw was not really what he saw. You decide.

Oh, some scenes at the end show a young girl who looks like his daughter only somewhat older. Is his daughter still alive? Her name is/was Zoe (Elizabeth Selby). See? Confusing.

This is watchable, just very confusing; again, you decide. (5/10)

Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: No. Language: No Rating: C

Sixth grader Peter (Oakes Fegley) is thrilled Grandpa Ed (Robert DeNiro) is coming to live with the family, but Grandpa takes over Peter's room and Peter has to live in the attic. Peter wants his room back and goes to war with Grandpa.

True Peter has problems with a bully at school, but he finds a way to take care of it. Later Grandpa Ed and his friends also take care of the bully.

There are many laugh out loud moments and some good, but not really LOL skits, but you decide.

Notables: Uma Thurman as Sally, Peter's mother who needs to watch her daughter Mia (Laura Marano) with her boyfriend Russell (Colin Ford); Rob Riggle as Arthur, Peter's father; Riggle is a comedian, but did nothing funny in here that I saw. Christopher Walken as Jerry a good friend of Ed; Cheech Marin as Danny also a good friend of Ed and both Jerry and Danny participate in a Dodge Ball game against Peter and his friends; Jane Seymour a grocery clerk who helps Ed also in that Dodge Ball game; Joe Gellchion as Chuck and he is Ed's Lyft Driver.

The is quite enjoyable. No outrageous practical jokes or pranks, well, there was a little bit of annoying slapstick in the beginning at the supermarket. But on the whole this was very clever, no language and nothing raunchy as in the case of the many so-called "comedies" of today. (7/10)

Violence: Sort of but not really. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: Yes. Language: No. Rating: B (13 January 2021)

Tom Dolan (Liam Neeson) was known as the In and Out Bandit and now wants to turn himself in because he found love with Annie (Kate Walsh). He calls the FBI and tells Agent Sam Baker (Robert Patrick) he is telling truth. Agent Baker turns the case over to FBI Agents: Hall and Nivens and they betray Tom.

The best part of this movie was when Tom had to explain to Annie that he had robbed all those banks but never kept any of the money; but when he met Annie everything changed within him and he wanted a clean slate to be with her.

Notables; Jeffrey Donovan as Agent Miles who needs proof that Tom is telling the truth; Anthony Ramos as Agent Hall, who goes along with Agent Nevins (Jai Courtney) to keep the money.

This is very enjoyable. You know Tom will get the best of those FBI Agents who betrayed him and we couldn't wait for that to happen. We were not disappointed. (7/10)

Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: Some at the end. Language: No. Rating: B

A mysterious organization known as Tenet hires the Protagonist (John David Washington) to stop Arms Dealer Andrei Sator (Kenneth Branagh) from starting WWIII. The Protagonist (a former CIA Agent) must master the art of "Time Inversion" to counter Andrei Sator.

I guess we are going to find out what Time Inversion is. Let's hope it's an easy lesson. Well, here's the thing. Someone from the future has sent back armaments that can defy known laws of physics and Sator will use them to insure he can control everything on earth once he assembles the correct algorithm. The Protagonist realizes this and that Sator must be stopped. That is basically all you need to know. Think of him being a Bond, James Bond who must stop bad guy, Sator.

Time inversion: Here's what you will see: Cars going in one direction and at the same time going in the opposite direction; Troops doing the same. This is Time Inversion. See? Suppose a bullet can change history by going in the opposite direction and what if a nuclear weapon can do the same? The Protagonist realizes this can be done and he knows Sator means to destroy the human race and must be stopped.

Yes, much of the movie is confusing. Some scenes didn't need to be shown (or shown too long) that added to the confusion or maybe they supported what went before. Who knows? Like I said: confusing.

I found the dialogues to be the most confusing and felt like many were dubbed and I couldn't fully understand what was being said. Clearer dialogues would have helped a lot. Didn't happen.

Notables: Kenneth Branagh as Sator, the bad guy who wants to control everything on earth including its history; I enjoyed his almost overly calm approach to everything; Elizabeth Debicki as Kat, Sator's abused wife who is bound to him for fear of losing her son; Robert Pattinson as Neil, the Protagonist's Handler, who tries to explain physics over and over again; Michael Caine as Crosby who makes an appearance to give advice to the Protagonist. Dimple Kapadia as Priya, Tenet's advisor.

This is too long a movie. Better, clearer dialogues were needed. The action scenes are amazing and CGI was used perfectly. Have no idea why the Protagonist is called the Protagonist. The title has less to do with the organization Tenet and more to do with Time Inversion (and how to stop it). See?

I think I got it and if I didn't, write and tell me where I didn't get it. Okay, I could watch it again, but I don't want to suffer through all those dubbed dialogues. Once was enough. See? (5/10)

Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: No. Language: Yes, but not much. Rating: C