Last Movie You Watched

[NumberSix]

MY OLD ASS (2024)

On her 18th birthday, Elliott (Maisy Stella) and two friends decide to drink some shroom tea. Elliott conjures up her self from 21 years in the future (can Aubrey Plaza please marry me?) Her Old Ass self gives her some advice about her life while Elliott plans to leave for college at the end of her last summer on the family farm.

I was a little bit apprehensive about seeing this one. I had read that it revolved around a lesbian girl who just needs some good manlovin', and she'll change teams. But The Power of The Plaza won me over, and I had to give it a chance.

So glad I did. This movie is terrific. Yes, there's a plot thread about Elliott the teen lesbian who falls in love with a boy. But it's handled with delicacy and feels very honest. This girl is 18, after all, and she's still learning who she is and what she wants.

I don't think I have seen Maisy Stella before now, and she is perfect at portraying a self-centered, ambitious young woman who learns to appreciate her family and those little moments in life.

Plaza is hilarious and snarky. But she's also got a breathtaking emotional moment late in the film. I wasn't expecting it, and she had me in tears.

Oh, and you of course do not cast Maddie Ziegler as one of Elliott's friends and not let her do some dancing. She participates in a delightful musical number during one of Elliott's mushroom trips.

There's a lot of story in the film's 90 minutes, and it's never wasted. The characters feel believably human, and Elliott's coming-of-age arc is organic. I watched The Substance before this one, and it's almost an hour longer with less to say and far fewer characters.

Don't miss this one.

[NumberSix]

THE SUBSTANCE (2024) -- very nekkid. Gross, sexy, and then quite silly at the end. Margaret Qualley #LeSigh

TRANSFORMERS ONE (2024) -- lots of fun. Respects the source material, looks great, and tells a solid story.

[Karl Henning]

I had forgotten that Ken Branagh, Kevin Kline and the late Jas Earl Jones appeared in this.

[Karl Henning]

I had forgotten that Ken Branagh, Kevin Kline and the late Jas Earl Jones appeared in this.

Howard Shore's music is excellent.

[AnotherSpin]

Annoying nonsense. The participation of two superstars only makes it worse.

[NumberSix]

Lee (2023)

On paper, this story of photographer Lee Miller's experiences in WW2 seems fantastic, and I was excited to watch it. She lived an interesting and important life, the images are powerful, and the acting is solid from Kate Winslet.

But there's just something missing that kept me from caring about what I was watching. I can't put my finger on it. Just a veneer of blandness, perhaps. A well-made film lacking that extra spark. Or maybe I just need time to let it grow on me.

I still liked it. I just didn't like it like it.

I don't think I have ever seen Andy Samberg play drama before now. He's not going to win any awards for this performance, but he did fine in an underwritten role. I wouldn't mind seeing more from him.

Marion Cotillard is always a treat.

[NumberSix]

Annoying nonsense. The participation of two superstars only makes it worse.

That's unfortunate. I thought WOLFS might be dumb fun. 

[AnotherSpin]

That's unfortunate. I thought WOLFS might be dumb fun. 

Perhaps you will have a different opinion

[Papy Oli]

Tonight on BBC2, 'Quartet' in tribute to the late Dame Maggie Smith.

Also with Billy Connolly and Tom Courtenay.

3rd or 4th viewing.

As delightful and endearing as the last times.

[DavidW]

Tonight on BBC2, 'Quartet' in tribute to the late Dame Maggie Smith.

Also with Billy Connolly and Tom Courtenay.

3rd or 4th viewing.

As delightful and endearing as the last times.

You inspired me... I watched it, and I loved it!

[Kalevala]

You inspired me... I watched it, and I loved it!

Did you watch it on Britbox or elsewhere?

K

[Kalevala]

I really respect Billy Connolly's acting.    Loved him in "Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown" with Judi Dench (for example).

K

[Karl Henning]

I really respect Billy Connolly's acting.  Loved him in "Her Majesty, Mrs. Brown" with Judi Dench (for example).

K

If he's the same chap I'm thinking of, he played a composer in a Columbo episode. 

[Kalevala]

If he's the same chap I'm thinking of, he played a composer in a Columbo episode.

Interesting!  I'll have to google that!

K

[hopefullytrusting]

I sincerely doubt The Rock will ever do a better movie than Doom.

[ritter]

Tonight on BBC2, 'Quartet' in tribute to the late Dame Maggie Smith.

Also with Billy Connolly and Tom Courtenay.

...

And with Gwyneth Jones!

[DavidW]

Did you watch it on Britbox or elsewhere?

K

It is not on Britbox. It is not available to stream except on an esoteric service that I'm not subbed to. I rented it from Apple.

[DavidW]

I sincerely doubt The Rock will ever do a better movie than Doom.

Nah.

[Kalevala]

If he's the same chap I'm thinking of, he played a composer in a Columbo episode.

Wow, good memory!  I did google and found out that he was in an episode called "Murder with too many notes".  Interesting to see that it was also directed by Patrick McGoohan. 

PD

[Karl Henning]

Wow, good memory!  I did google and found out that he was in an episode called "Murder with too many notes".  Interesting to see that it was also directed by Patrick McGoohan. 

PD

He plays , a successful film composer who has misused the victim, who believes him to be a friend.