Colonel Stelzer: What the hell is your delay, captain?
Captain Glover: We're waiting, sir.
Colonel Stelzer: Waiting for what?
Captain Glover: Private Doss
Colonel Stelzer: Who the hell is Private Doss?
Please watch this movie to find out. This took the number
one spot this year the second I finished watching it. The first half is a bit
of love story and background. The second half is war and violence. The heart of
the story is conviction. I was struck with such pride for how true and strong
Private Doss holds to his convictions. I mean, don’t we all have things we
deeply believe in? But would you hold strong to those beliefs when all hell and
pressure are fighting to get you to back down from them? Even just a bit? And
then to pray that all your persecution would be worth it but the pressure and
pain never let up. The pay off comes at the end of this movie. What a hero. To
see the actual people the movie was based on made me about lose it in the
theater. Thank you to everyone who serves and has served our country. You
deserved to be honored the way this movie honors Private Doss.
“Guddu!”
“Help me!”
Hearing those words from the cutest kid ever and I guarantee
your heart will break. It’s the true story of a lost boy. Fast forward and he’s
a young man having been adopted and trying to find his birth mother. “I'm
starting to remember a life I had forgotten.” An impossible task it seems. This
movie really leaves you with how fortunate we are and how good we have it. He
goes from an extremely poor but happy home to a prosperous home. I loved the
perspective of the mother rolls in this movie. Nicole Kidman was awesome! And
his birth mother who never stopped loving or gave up hope her son would make his
way home. You’ll be routing for him to find his origins and the payoff is
beautiful and miraculous. Just try not to shed a tear. I dare you.
“No sidekick gets left behind”
“Can we watch three scenes of ”dumbo” to celebrate?”
The inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was
unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to
communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated
films. I could barely stand to watch this. It was sweet and cute and sad and
heartbreaking and wonderful. My heart could barely take it. Owen is the
coolest. For real. His parents and brother are such loving supportive
“sidekicks”. I have such a soft spot in my heart for anyone with special needs.
I mean i’m truly blessed in life. Watching Owen try to navigate life was simply
irresistable. I could watch an entire reality show on him. His views of life
are simple and sweet yet broken down to its simple core. That was sad. This is
happy. Simple terms. The story telling of this documentary was perfect.
Beautiful animations mixed with real life home videos and clips from disney
movies. It will reach out and grab your heart and also educate about autism at
the same time. The scene wear he burns himself on the cookie sheet in front of
his girlfriend...I can’t even.
Mia: It's pretty strange that we keep running into each
other.
Sebastian: Maybe it means something.
Mia: I doubt it.
Sebastian: Yeah, I didn't think so.
I’ve heard people loving this movie and absolutely hating
it. I guess thats always been the case with musicals. I for one am a fan. They
used to be a staple then dissappeared. But have been creaping back in for the
last little while and i’ve loved them for the most part. Moulin Rouge and
Chicago being among my favorites. This hit the spot as well. Sort of a throw
back to the style of the past but blended with a current modern twist. Ryan and
Emma were perfectly cast. The chemistry between them was there. The songs were
great and heartfelt. The dancing choreography was so fun to watch. For those
that hated it, i mights suggest you watch it again. Sometimes musicals need a
couple viewings to get used to the music and the vibe. Like a new cd, you got
to give it a once over to get the general feel then a replay to really enjoy
it. And for those that loved it, might I suggest checking out a full album Ryan
put out years ago. The band is Dead Man’s Bones. He’s the lead singer. I love
almost every song. Also google him singing “you always hurt the ones you love”
from the movie Blue Valentine. Also good!
#5 A Man Called Ove
“Either we die...or we live”
Oscar nominated for best foreign film, this movie is based
on a Swedish best seller. The story is of a curmudgeonly old man whose grumpy
life is brightened by forces beyond his control. Going into this one I
definitely was worried about liking it. I’ve seen many movies where they try
and justify someones terrible behavior by revealing the past life they lived
that nobody really knew about. I guess the thought that you should be allowed
to be a jerk just because you lost someone or have been to war or something
doesn’t sit well with me. Don’t get me wrong. Understanding others and empathy
are keys to getting along with all the personalities that exist around us. I
guess it comes down to those other movies failed at this message where as this
one succeeds. There is depth and heart and meaningfulness throughout. At first
there is judgement on who this guy is. By the end, there is understanding and
sympathy. Life can deal us some rotten situations and there can always be
something to be bothered by. But letting people help us and helping them in
return is crucial to a fullfilling life.
#6 Arrival
“If you could see your whole life from start to finish,
would you change things?”
Twelve mysterious spacecraft appear around the world,
linguistics professor Louise Banks is tasked with interpreting the language of
the apparent alien visitors. It’s not too often you get a smart thinker sci fi
movie. While it does move sort of slow, if you let it in, you will be thinking
deeper than just surface. Communication and language are explored and a new way
to look at life is presented. Worth a rewatch by the time you are done, just to
wrap your head around it more fully. What if you couldn’t speak? How would you
communicate? Is there a language we all understand? What walls get broken down
by being able to communicate? This movie is not so much about the aliens after
all but the human race. Our good, our bad and our ugly.
#7 13 Hours
"He died in a place he didn't need to be, in a battle
over something he doesn't understand, in a country that meant nothing to
him."
At an unofficial CIA base in Benghazi a group of ex-military
contractors are providing security. The only forces willing and able to defend
it are six CIA contractors. It’s movies like these that i’m so grateful to see.
They open my eyes to war and violence outside my safe bubble. I don’t want to
go thru life naive to the turmoil going on around us. I especially don’t want
to ignore or discredit the huge amounts of heroism and bravery that are
happening everyday. The six CIA contractors in this movie are a different breed
of men. Their courage and bravery are astounding. The events during the 13
hours this movie is based on will shock you and open your eyes. This came out
early in the year but has stood the test of time as one I still tell people not
to miss.
#8 Hidden Figures
“Every time we get a chance to get ahead they move the
finish line. Every time.”
The story of a team of African-American women mathematicians
who served a vital role in NASA during the early years of the US space program.
I love when these stories are told in a way where everyone can enjoy them and
learn from them too. Sometimes they can villify the white man to a degree where
you lose the integrity of the message. In this case, the messages were clear
and the script was so well crafted that you laughed, were inspired and moved
all at the same time. We’ve come such a long way. Its important to look back
and remember that. To not make the same mistakes. I loved all the women in this
movie. Each a unique character that had something to prove. Self worth and pride
as a human being. Not defined by race, or religion or color or background. And
what a difference they made too.
“I've been poor my whole life, like a disease passing from
generation to generation. But not my boys, not anymore.”
A divorced father and his ex-con older brother resort to a
desperate scheme in order to save their family's ranch in West Texas. I think
what stands out the most about this movie are the characters. It’s been a while
since i’ve seen a movie where everyone has such depth to who they are.
Especially in a western where it can be easy to paint the hero and the villain.
Even the location of Texas is a character well established here. Lines seem to
be a bit blurred with right and wrong in this sort of bank robber caper. While
there is a bit of gun slinging, the heart of the movie is the relationship of
the characters to each other. The deputy on the verge of retirement and his
partner were a sort of mirror or parralel to the two brothers. The motive is
well intentioned and you want them to succeed but you are also cautious to the
mess they get in. You feel the tension deep inside. Chris Pine and Ben Foster
were seriously so good in this.
#10 The Light Between Oceans
"You only have to forgive once. To resent, you have to
do it all day, every day"
A lighthouse keeper and his wife living off the coast of
Western Australia raise a baby they rescue from a drifting rowing boat. The
problem is...I won’t give it away. Don’t watch the trailer either. Let the
drama unfold. Many reviews for this praised the acting the cinematography but
sort of shamed the emotional manipulation and over melodrama. I think the key
is to look past what you would have done if you were the lead characters and
try and go with it. There is deeper message here. What choices do you make in
your life? Would you make those same choices if you knew nobody was watching?
But our choices have consequences even if nobody is watching.The lighthouse was
a character all on its own. Completely secluded and private. There is such a
mood and style to this movie that I fell in love with. And the acting was truly
superb. It all drew me in and I enjoyed the discussion it sparked afterward.
Worth Seeing True Stories:
Ok, there were a bunch of movies that I really enjoyed but
didn’t quite make the top then. Then I realized they are all based on true
stories. Definitely check them all out.
• Patriots Day
Loved this one. Almost made the top ten. Great telling of that terrible marathon bombing.
• Eddie the Eagle
Loved this one. Almost made the top ten. Great telling of that terrible marathon bombing.
• Eddie the Eagle
Loved the 80’s style of this movie. Just good family fun.
• Florence Foster Jenkins
Probably a half hour too long but I love Meryl Streep. I
love that the character just goes for it. Totally oblivious.
• Queen of Katwe
Also could have been edited down a bit. Loved that the
character rises from a life of slim opportunity with chess of all things.
• Deep Water Horizon
I saw this in the XD theater and the scnes quite literally
rumbled my entire body. I felt completely integrated in the film. Very well
shot.
• Loving
Too slow but the story of an interracial married couple and
their battle into the supreme court. Worth seeing as a glimpse of how far we’ve
come and those that pioneered the way.
• Silence
Probably an hour too long and moves slow with almost no
music. Not interested? Ha well there is something to gain from seeing this
story. Religious discrimination in 1639 japan was at its height. Still today
religious freedom is a fight.
• The Founder
Grab some McDonalds and watch this. Pretty interesting
background to a fast food joint we are all familiar with.
• Moonlight
Nominated for best picture this tells the story of the life
of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his
place in the world. Some interesting discussion points. Looking at the
character as a child you would never guess one day he’s be nominated for a
movie about his life. Pretty cool.
• The White Helmets
Nominated for best documentary short. This tells the story
of a group of first responders who risk their lives to rescue victims from the
rubble. I would be in the dark to incredible real stories like this if it
weren’t for documentaries. Grateful.
• The Finest Hours
The Coast Guard makes a daring rescue attempt off the coast
of Cape Cod. I just really enjoyed this story. I could not be a seaman.
Best Horror/Suspense Films:
• Green Room
A punk rock band is forced to fight for survival after
witnessing a murder at a neo-Nazi skinhead bar. I never really knew where this
was headed and I was freaked out by the scenario throughout. One of the last
films starring Anton Yelchin who I’ve always liked.
• Don’t Breath
A trio of thieves break into the house of a blind man who
isn't as helpless as he seems. Awesome premise right? If done right. And it
was. Reminded me of wait until dark. So scary to think you have the upper hand
when you don’t. It twists and turns and surprises you.
• The Girl on the Train
I love everything Emily Blunt stars in. I especialy love
when its a suspense thriller. We just don’t get good ones anymore. This had a
mood and style to it that I really enjoyed.
• Allied
Really worth seeing. The script is great on this and the
acting too.
• Eye in the Sky
A story about ethics and moral dilemmas. It was really
thought provoking to me.
Best Family Films:
• Kubo and the Two Strings
I feel like a stop motion animation will always have my
heart. Such artistic talent involved. This had good story too.
• The Jungle Book
A box office success. This movie looked great and was fun to
watch.
• Pete’s Dragon
I remember watching this feeling like it was like the family
films I grew up watching. Totally enjoyed it.
• Trolls
I totally enjoyed this. Ha. Just short and silly and weird
and colorful and fun!
• Moana
Having just visited Maui how can you not love a story based
there? Great looking animation and story telling and music.
Over Rated:
• Fences
Worth seeing for performances only. The first half is such a struggle to watch.
Hated it actually. The last half was better but ultimately didn’t take much
away from it.
• Manchester by the Sea
A slice of life movie. Seriously you are dropped in the
middle of this guys life and just watch him. Perople are raving about casey
affleck but I thought was just ok. Didn’t take much away from this movie
either. It was fine but thats all.
• Rogue One
Sorry Star Wars lovers. I fell asleep in this. Don’t get me
wrong The Force Awakens made my top ten but this one was just an average movie
to me.
• Hail, Caesar!
Hated everything about this movie.
