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Reviews
Midnight Mass (2021)
Salem's Lot meets Jonestown
I'm a big fan of Flanagan's limited series. My favorite was The Fall of the House of Usher followed by The Haunting of Hill House then the Haunting of Bly Manor. I gave this one a chance on a long, cold binge weekend when I was housebound with a cold. The acting was superb and the story seemingly had potential. I found the monologues to drag on too much and found myself fast forwarding. It took an odd turn halfway through and ended pretty tragically. For those who like vampire lore, this one is for you, although the word "vampire" is never used. I was hoping those who were against what was happening would somehow be saved. Instead of ending with rapture it ended like Titanic with an almost "Soprano's" black out to final credits.
Snowpiercer: Many Miles from Snowpiercer (2021)
The Martian on Earth
It's kind of like the Martian. A lone scientist trying to get through a dire situation waiting for his rendezvous.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Similarities to Forrest Gump
I love this movie and have seen it many times. I especially like the unique twist of how he ages backwards. I couldn't help but notice after each time watching how it has so many comparisons to Forrest Gump. These are vague and loose similarities: Both men are from the deep south. Both men are abandoned by their fathers and adored by their mamas. Both men have lifelong girls who they meet on again - off again throughout the movie then eventually have a child with her. Both men's lives were influenced by a hard drinking, bitter military man on a boat. Both men fall into wealth and success. Both movies show the main characters experiencing major events through several decades. Both movies are worth watching!
Forever: The Last Death of Henry Morgan (2015)
End of a great series with loose ends
Didn't watch this show until 5 years later and now wish they'd continue another season or maybe have a two hour special to wrap up some loose ends. The other reviews brought about some great questions. If Adam somehow "dies" in his state, he's gonna be REALLY pissed off when he comes back. What happened to the dagger? If Adam's theory is correct, why didn't the gunshot kill Henry? My husband thought maybe Abe swapped the gun with a fake and the real one is still in their safe. Is Henry going to tell Jo the truth and will she believe him or have him committed? How far will he go to prove it to earn her trust back? As Abe pointed out, someone needs to take his place as Henry's "caretaker". I thought this show had an interesting and fun supernatural twist on yet another typical ME/cop show. Now I just have to find something new to binge watch.
Mississippi Burning (1988)
Domestic Terrorism
The movie "Mississippi Burning" is the story of two FBI agents investigating the murder of three civil right workers in Mississippi in 1964. The tactics used by the perpetrators included hangings, burning barns, churches, livestock, and homes. The locals intimidated the blacks who they believed were cooperating with the FBI, instilling scare tactics to terrify them into avoiding the agents. The more the FBI tried to gain information, the more the violence escalated. The sheriff's office was involved in the terror and used it to maintain their power. They were bullies, believing their behavior was justified. They wouldn't tolerate opposition. Everyone involved was responsible, even the mayor, who one agent pointed out wasn't "in on it" yet Agent Ward reciprocated by saying his knowledge of the incident was enough to involve him. Agent Ward was baffled at the behavior of the locals, being a naïve, straight-arrow D.C. agent while Agent Anderson was realistically unsurprised, having been raised in northern Mississippi.
The mutation of the FBI tactics in the investigation was the most thought provoking part of the movie. Agents Ward and Anderson were on completely opposite ends of the spectrum. Ward was trying to be polite and accomplish goals by the book while Anderson was a street-smart, unorthodox, fearless, and empathetic agent. At first, they sought and expected cooperation from the sheriff; that never happened. Their questioning of the black community was met with resistance. Agent Anderson established a rapport with Deputy Pell's wife. He sensed her overwhelming desire to break away, yet she was at first reluctant to help, being a dutiful wife and southern woman, but eventually became an informant. Anderson had no qualms assaulting one of the members at their "social club", letting them know early on that he didn't take kindly to threats.
There were two very pivotal points in the movie that made the FBI change its tactics, even to the point of Agent Ward growing a backbone and adopting some of Anderson's philosophies. First was organizing a "secret meeting" of the key members in a church. When they realized it was a set up and bailed, Lester ignorantly spilled and the FBI quickly took advantage of his vulnerability. As Agent Anderson put it, "the rattlesnakes were beginning to commit suicide". The story took a very dramatic turn when Deputy Pell's wife finally broke down and identified the location of the bodies. After the discovery and processing, the sheriff insisted Pell settle the "problem at home", even sending 3 fellow members to watch over Pell violently assault his wife for her betrayal. They had finally struck a vital nerve with the FBI and Anderson was finished relying on Ward's protocol. Ward's pressed-suit, pen-and-paper, rookie agents were out and Anderson's seasoned, no-nonsense "fixer" agents were in. I found an interesting correlation in the FBI measures to the perpetrator's. They spared no expense for a desired outcome, to include a rouse hanging of Lester, an extremely coercive interrogation of the mayor in a desolate shack, and, my favorite scene of the entire movie, Agent Anderson's retaliation against Deputy Pell at a barber shop, asking Pell if "he struck a blow for the white man" the night he killed the civil rights workers as well as the night he remorselessly beat his wife.
I believe the FBIs tactics, although unorthodox, were justified. They tried to play it by the book and it didn't work. Perhaps they pushed the envelope to gain results but justice prevailed. Agents Ward and Anderson learned a thing or two about each other and the ethics of "bureau procedure".
Sahara (2005)
Very entertaining
I caught a free preview of this and am glad I went. I'd call it a cross between Indiana Jones and Outbreak. Like any movie, it had it's slow parts but it was otherwise very watchable. The action scenes were good, held my attention and weren't too over the top like a lot of recent action movies. Each of the lead characters, a salvage diver and a doctor, had their own motivation for being there and they did a good job intertwining each of their adventures into one. Steve Zahn was hilarious. Matthew McC looked like he had been cram fake baking during filming but his body otherwise was very cut. Penelope Cruz is adorable as always. I LOVED the music. This was also appropriate for children. Good choice for a family movie night.