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December 2019 Quickie Film Reviews

December was a month for indulging myself. Just over a third of my entertainment choices this month were re-watches, mostly of my favorite Christmas films. And still, I didn’t get to see all the holiday films I wanted to.

I also spoiled myself by going to the theater four times this month. I can’t remember the last time there were that many new releases I actually wanted to see. In fact, I think these four may account for a third of my total new release viewings for the whole year.

decemBER 2019 BREAKDOWN
  • 30 Films/Series Total
  • 12 Christmas movies (including While You Were Sleeping)
  • 11 Re-watches
  • 6 New Classics
  • 5 TV Series
  • 4 Theater Releases
  • 1 Documentary

Biggest Disappointment: Stand Up and Cheer – Shirley Temple’s brief presence was not enough to save this one.

Favorite Discovery: Virgin River & Little Women  –  Both of these surprised me in a great way. Continue reading “December 2019 Quickie Film Reviews”

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November 2019 Quickie Film Reviews

I had a very busy November, which means I didn’t have as much time as I usually do to sit in front of my TV. But what I did get to watch was an eclectic blend of mostly interesting movies and series.  And there was that weekend I binge-watched seven Hallmark Christmas movies with my family, which is not included in this month’s tally.

novemBER 2019 BREAKDOWN
  • 26 Films/Series Total
  • 8 New Classics
  • 5 Re-watches
  • 3 TV Series
  • 2 Foreign/International
  • 2 Documentaries
  • 2 Christmas movies
  • 3 Bette Davis and 2 John Gilbert films

Biggest Disappointment – John Ford: The Man Who Invented America – My expectations were high and it just wasn’t quite what I anticipated

The Big Parade with John Gilbert

Favorite Discovery – Mum, The Big Parade & Instant Family. I couldn’t choose just one so I chose one classic, one contemporary and one series. Continue reading “November 2019 Quickie Film Reviews”

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April 2019 Quickie Reviews

April was pretty busy for me as I watched 35 titles. Among these, one was a new theater release, one was a new Netflix release, one was a documentary. I saw six silent films, twenty two new to me classic titles including one foreign classic, re-watched six films for at least the second time and viewed three television series.

TCM chose to honor Greta Garbo this month, so I was able to catch seven of her films (including the documentary). My favorite of those was Love, a remake of Anna Karenina with John Gilbert. But I also discovered that I enjoy watching her opposite Nils Asther as well.

Kay Frances was also honored for a day this month and I saw six more of her movies. She was definitely at her best in the pre-code era.

Garbo and Asther in The Single Standard
Photo Source: IMDb.com

Some of my favorite discoveries this month include Garbo and Asther in The Single Standard, the silent film Souls for Sale, the BBC’s mini-series Mrs. Wilson, The Teahouse of the August Moon and Kay Francis in The House on 56th Street. Continue reading “April 2019 Quickie Reviews”

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TV Series Review -Leah Remini, Scientology and the Aftermath

You guys. If you are not watching this show you really should be. It is an absolutely fascinating look into the shadowy religion of Scientology. Not only that, but it also reveals the unspoken psychology behind why people are drawn to organizations like this and how these same organizations manage and control their members while also building themselves into a giant business.

Leah Remini is absolutely inspiring in this A&E documentary series. With her strong New York accent and her assertive personality she could be in danger of coming across simply as an angry person with an ax to grind. Instead, she is channeling that anger and frustration with the Church of Scientology into finding the truth. Through her own story and interviews with various ex-church members, some of who were very high ranking, she is exposing the reality and the details behind this mysterious religion. She comes across as compassionate and empathetic in those interviews and while one can sense her indignation towards her former church she never sounds as if she has a personal vendetta against the people involved. Continue reading “TV Series Review -Leah Remini, Scientology and the Aftermath”