War Dogs, A Movie Based on True Events That Had Me Saying “No Way This Happened!"

My Personal Review of War Dogs - A Wild Ride of a Movie I Couldn't Look Away From!

I watched War Dogs, and it completely surprised me in the best way possible. 

Starring Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Bradley Cooper, and Kevin Pollak, this movie is based on true events that are almost too unbelievable to be real! Yet here it is, brought to life on screen in the most entertaining, jaw-dropping way.

I don't always gravitate toward this type of movie, but I could've watched this one twice in a row. 

That's how much I enjoyed it.

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Based on True Events – Wait, This Really Happened?

What drew me in immediately was that War Dogs is based on a true story. 

That always adds an extra layer of fascination for me. As the story unfolded, I kept shaking my head in disbelief. Two young guys—barely out of their twenties—manage to land a $300 million arms deal with the U.S. government? It's crazy outrageous, reckless, and somehow, true. 

And despite all the antics, I found myself rooting for them a little! Even though I knew they were headed for disaster, I was hoping they could pull themselves out of the mess they ended up in!

The film makes you feel like you're right there with them—caught up in the adrenaline, the risk, and the denial of just how far over their heads they really are.

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Outstanding Performances All Around

The acting in this movie is top-notch. Jonah Hill absolutely nails his role—he plays Efraim Diveroli with this mix of charm, manipulation, and just enough unhinged energy to keep you guessing. It's probably one of my favorite performances of his.

Miles Teller brings a grounded, relatable quality to his character, David Packouz, who helps balance out the chaos. You can feel his inner conflict as things spiral out of control. And Bradley Cooper, in his brief but impactful role, adds that mysterious power-player vibe that always enhances a film.

Even Kevin Pollak as the dry, slightly confused but ultimately helpful investor brought a quiet layer of humor to the mix. Every performance felt authentic and engaging, which is probably part of the reason the film held me from start to finish.

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The Tone: Dark Humor Done Right

I especially appreciated the film's tone—it had just the right touch of dark and dry humor—the kind where you're laughing but also slightly horrified at the absurdity of what you're seeing. It's not slapstick or overdone; the humor comes from the situation itself, the ridiculousness of it all, and the characters' overconfidence and greed.

It reminded me a bit of The Wolf of Wall Street or American Hustle, in that you're watching this rollercoaster of bad decisions, but you can't look away—and somehow, you're still entertained the whole way through.

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A Story That Keeps You Hooked

From the very beginning, the pacing is solid. It's one of those movies where you're never left wondering, "When will this pick up?" It is picked up. Right from the start. The narration works well, too—it helps to walk you through the chaos, especially when you're sitting there stunned by what's happening.

Every twist and turn just pulls you in deeper. I didn't find myself checking the time once, which says a lot. It's the kind of movie that fully immerses you—and even when it's over, you're still thinking about it.

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Just a Heads-Up: Not Everything Actually Happened

As much as I loved War Dogs and was blown away by its true-to-life basis, it's worth mentioning that the movie definitely took some creative liberties. 

Not everything played out exactly the way it's shown on screen. For example, that intense and crazy road trip through Iraq's "Triangle of Death"? Yeah, that never actually happened. It made for great suspense, but in real life, the guys never did that themselves—they hired someone else for the job. 

While the core of the story is true, quite a few dramatic moments were added to give it that Hollywood punch. 

Still, knowing that doesn't diminish how entertaining and wild the whole thing is—it just adds another layer of "Can you believe this?" to the experience.

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Love in Store Hallmark Movie Review

"Love in Store" starring Alexandra Breckenridge and Robert Buckley, is a feel-good movie for the forever hopeless romantic.  Of course, it is predictable, but sometimes predictability is what you desire.  No mystery solving "little grey cells" required.  No fear of a horrifying moment that will make your heart jump or your skin crawl.   Just a sweet romantic movie full of witty banter you can sit back, watch and enjoy.

The plot of the movie is based on an online shopping store reminiscent of The Home Shopping Network.  HSN preceded Amazon.com and other online stores by a decade.  You could, and still can, watch the entertaining hosts of HSN demonstrate products on TV and select the fabulous products you want from the comfort of your own home.  Most likely, we all know someone who had boxes filled with their purchases arriving at their home weekly long before daily deliveries became commonplace.  

In retrospect, it is rather funny to think back to those original "influencers" who seemed more like friends visiting us through our television.  As a matter of fact, we actually had one family member who chatted about the hosts by name in conversations as if we all knew them personally.  She completely trusted them to give her the best product recommendations.

 

Love in Store Movie Synopsis

 Love in Store
DVD or Prime VideoCheck PriceTerrie Carpenter and David Crabtree are hosts on the "Shopping from Home" channel.  They each have their own separate segments, hosting style, and regular "shoppers". 

When the top selling host, Sharyn St. Clair, announces her retirement, the competition begins between Terrie and David to replace her in her prime-time spot.  Their rivalry is obvious as they openly trade barbs with each other.

Then, the unthinkable happens: they get thrown together to co-host a program when Terrie's regular co-host has to take unexpected leave.  Turns out, their witty exchanges are popular with the audience, which causes both of their ratings, viewership, and sales to go up.

There is "love in store" for these two, as sparks fly in more than one way between Terrie and David.  They both end up asking each other David's online catch phrase, "What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

 

 

 

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Legacy On Ice Memorial Tribute

The Legacy On Ice Memorial Tribute will be televised on Sunday, March 30 at 1 p.m. on NBC. Members and generations of the ice skating community gathered to honor and remember the athletes, families, coaches and mentors of their community who perished on Flight 5342 on January 29, 2025. 

Powerful, emotional, impactful viewing. As if the viewer has been invited into the close knit ice skating community to honor those lost and help support the community. 

The tribute was originally televised live and streamed on March 5th on Peacock. A Youtube tribute along with information for the family support fund is included below. 

Veterans of the skating community participated whether it be through hosting, introducing skaters or skating. Bookmark March 30th to view or record the tribute.

Participants as listed on the US Figure Skating Website

• Jeremy Abbott, 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist
• Sofia Bezkorovainaya, 2024-25 Team USA
• Brian Boitano, 1988 Olympic Champion
• Emily Bratti and Ian Somerville, 2024 U.S. Bronze Medalists
• Jason Brown, 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist
• Ashley Cain, Two-Time U.S. Pairs National Champion 
• Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, Two-Time Four Continents Ice Dance Bronze Medalists 
• Kitty and Peter Carruthers, 1984 Olympic Pairs Silver Medalists 
• Molly Cesanek and Yehor Yehorov, 2020 U.S. Junior Pewter Medalists
• Nathan Chen, Two-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
• Madison Chock and Evan Bates, 2022 Olympic Team Gold Medalists
• Richard Dwyer, U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Famer 
• Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov, 2025 U.S. Pairs Champions 
• Sarah Everhardt, 2025 Four Continents Bronze Medalist
• Peggy Fleming, 1968 Olympic Champion 
• Amber Glenn, 2024 Grand Prix Final Champion
• Gracie Gold, 2014 Olympic Team Bronze Medalist 
• Scott Hamilton, 1984 Olympic Champion
• Nancy Kerrigan, 1994 Olympic Silver Medalist
• Ilia Kulik, 1998 Olympic Champion
• Isabeau Levito, 2024 World Silver Medalist 
• Alysa Liu, 2022 World Bronze Medalist
• Jimmy Ma, 2025 Four Continents Bronze Medalist 
• Ilia Malinin, 2024 World Champion
• Katie McBeath and Daniil Parkman, 2025 U.S. Pairs Silver Medalists 
• Yebin Mok, 1998-2008 Team USA
• Maxim Naumov, 2025 U.S. Pewter Medalist
• Camden Pulkinen, Two-Time U.S. Bronze Medalist
• Andrew Torgashev, 2025 U.S. Silver Medalist
• Michael Weiss, Two-Time World Bronze Medalist
• Johnny Weir, Three-Time U.S. Champion
• Paul Wylie, 1992 Olympic Silver Medalist

The Youtube tribute

U.S Figure Skating Family Support Fund

A fund has been established for the families of the athletes, coaches and families who perished on January 29, 2025. Online donations accepted here.

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Invitation to a Murder (2023) Movie Review

My husband and I are constantly searching for a movie we can watch together and both enjoy.  When we happened upon "Invitation to a Murder" (released as "An Invitation to Murder" in the UK), we immediately settled in for a great new whodunit movie that is similar to our beloved Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes series.  It is based on a story written by Gérard Miller and the screenplay was written by Brian O'Donnell.  

The 1930's London setting is reminiscent of a Poirot story.  A gathering of strangers in a remote mansion where one is killed and another is the killer also seems familiar.

The amateur sleuth in the movie, Miranda Green, is not as renowned as Poirot or Sherlock.  Even though she does not possess their same level of experience or well-developed abilities, she still exhibits keen observation skills and her deductive reasoning is rather impressive. 

The similarities are obvious, but the plot of "Invitation to a Murder" is quite unique with it's own surprises.  The murder victim is as astonishing as the killer's identity.

With the promise of two more movies to be released in 2025, this new amateur sleuth seems set to become another admired detective in a great movie series that will be compelling to follow. 

 

Invitation to a Murder Synopsis

 Invitation To A Murder -
Available on DVD, Blu-ray or Rental on Amazon PrimeCheck Price

When Miranda Green receives an invitation to Abbott Island for an audience with Mr. Lewis Findley for the weekend, she doesn't quite know what to expect, but she is quite intrigued.  After doing a bit of research on Lewis Findley, she can't resist the "adventure" or the mystery behind the invitation.  Using the ticket she received with the invitation, she boards the train and quickly discovers she is not the only invited guest.  There are 5 other invitees from widely varying backgrounds.  It would seem, none have ever met Mr. Findley.  Miranda immediately starts sharing her observations and trying to figure out what she believes are obvious inconsistencies.  As they say, the plot thickens!

After taking the ferry to the island, the guests arrive at Findley's mansion where they are greeted by a few servants, but not Lewis Findley.  The guests are informed that Mr. Findley has been delayed due to weather.  They are escorted to their rooms and given instructions to meet again for cocktails in the lounge once they have settled in.

 If You are An Amazon Prime Member, Click Here to View the Movie for FreeOver cocktails, they discover more details about each other by playing a game to guess which 2 facts about each guest are true, and which fact is a lie.  Miranda shares how she can quickly deduce which fact is a lie by using her observations.

Between cocktails and dinner, several of the guests explore the mansion.  Miranda explores a bit too much and is intercepted and redirected by one of the servants.  This only serves to make her even more curious about what secrets are hidden in the mansion and she continues her exploration.  She is, once again, intercepted, but this time by the butler who insists that she accompany him to the dining room for dinner.  

Strange things happen during the night.  Discoveries the following morning, along with the announcement that Mr. Findley will not be joining them on that day, only lead to more questions and suspicions.  When the unthinkable happens and someone is murdered, all of the guests and staff are suspects. 

 

 

Be Sure to Stay Tuned 

"Murder at the Embassy" and "The Mystery of the Golden Spear" are both scheduled for release in 2025.  Plus, they will both star Mischa Barton as Miranda Green. Having the same actress play the role will definitely establish Miranda Green as a soon to be renowned amateur sleuth. 

 

Where to Watch

As Amazon Prime Members, we watched "Invitation to a Murder" on Amazon for free (with ads).  It is also available for rental or purchase on Amazon.

 

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The Good House Movie: Family Challenges With Love at the Core in a Gorgeous Setting

If you're looking for a movie that will offer a soothing escape and a deeper look into the complexities of life, The Good House might be just what you need. 

It's a film that blends difficult life truths with moments of humor and hope, all set against a beautiful backdrop that provides its calming effect. 

Set in a small, fictional town called Wendover, located in the picturesque New England area, the movie draws you in with its cozy, nostalgic vibe.

I was struck by how the stunning setting became a character of its own—perfectly reflecting the characters' inner lives and providing a sense of calm in a story that explores some pretty intense family dynamics. 

Though fictional, Wendover feels so real with its charming homes, quiet streets, and endless water views. It makes you wish you could visit or even live there. Seriously, the area was calling my name.

The Heart of the Movie: Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline's Masterful Performances

At the heart of this film is the incredibly talented Sigourney Weaver, who plays Hildy Good, a real estate agent with a complicated past.

Sigourney plays the character and provides interspersing narration throughout.

Hildy's life is full of contradictions—she's tough and independent on the outside, but deep down, she's dealing with unresolved grief, addiction, and a lot of family baggage. 

Weaver owns the role, bringing depth to Hildy that keeps you rooting for her even when she makes questionable decisions. Hildy's life story draws you into her choices and why she made them. Wrong or right, as a viewer, I could feel her dilemmas.

Opposite her is Kevin Kline, who plays Frank, a longtime friend of Hildy's who just might be the one person who understands her in a way that no one else can or does. 

Kline and Weaver have great chemistry—their friendship feels genuine and warm. Their banter is fun, and how they navigate their relationship's ups and downs adds a layer of humor to the story, even when things get heavy.

Kline's character is kind, patient, tolerant, and forgiving. He sees Hildy for who she is and accepts her. He is the grounding force in this film.

Family Drama with a Side of Humor

This movie is a deep dive into family, relationships, and how people try to navigate life's many curveballs. 

Hildy's strained relationship with her daughter, played by Morena Baccarin, may strike a chord with some. Despite these generational differences and misunderstandings, love exists underneath all the conflict. 

It's that perfect mix of hard truths and moments that make you laugh or even sigh with recognition.

What I love about The Good House is that it doesn't shy away from the tough stuff, and somehow, you feel that everything will be okay.

It doesn't sugarcoat the reality of addiction, failed marriages, or the kind of loneliness that can come even in a crowd. 

But there's also a lot of room for hope and healing here. Even when things feel hopeless, the film shows there are always chances for second chances, forgiveness, and growth.

A Great Escape, Despite the Serious Topics Covered

If you're like me and enjoy character-driven stories, then The Good House offers precisely that kind of experience. 

It's one of those films where you just want to sit back and let the story unfold. The humor and wonderful setting help the movie manage life's highs and lows without overwhelming or weighing you down.

It's the kind of film that, by the end, makes you feel like you've learned something—not just about the characters but about life itself. It reminds you that perfection can never survive this challenging earthly existence. Growth; the movie reminds us that life is all about learning and growth.

It invites us to reflect on our own family dynamics and challenges and reminds us of the importance of taking a step back and re-evaluating what matters most.

Whether you're looking to escape from the stresses of huge global events or just need a breather from the fast pace of the world, The Good House is a great choice that will bring you down to a family-centered focus. 

It offers a glimpse into people's lives, flaws, and connections with each other—wrapped up in a beautiful package of humor and heart. 

Plus, with its gorgeous scenery and stellar cast, it's the perfect movie to watch when you just want to relax and reflect on the beautiful messiness of life.

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Timeless Love (2019) - Hallmark Movie Review

I really enjoy watching romantic movies even though they are often predictable.  Like childhood fairy tales, I think most of us want a happy ending where they all live happily ever after.  However,  I do love it when the movie has an unusual plot.   

The "Timeless Love" movie plot did not disappoint.  

Many of us know how it feels to meet someone and become instant friends because we feel an immediate connection.  However, it would be rare to meet someone for the first time and know our future together because we have already "lived" it.  

This movie is not based on a victim with amnesia, as one might think.  The main character is not a seer, psychic, fortune teller or "predictor" of any kind.  And, she is not mentally unstable.  She is simply an accident victim that is in a coma for two months and lives a different life while unconscious.  More like a prolonged dream that feels very real.  So real, that when she wakes from the coma, she is looking for her missing loved ones that don't exist in reality.  We can almost feel her pain as she grieves the loss of the family she mentally had during her comatose state. 

It doesn't help when those around her think she might need psychiatric help when she shares her experience.

 

Timeless Love Movie Synopsis

 Timeless LoveCheck Price

After being in a car accident, Megan is in a coma for 2 months. While in her comatose state, she sees her husband, Thomas and two children. She is extremely happy with her life and doesn't even realize she is not "living" her life.

When she wakes from her coma, the hospital calls her parents and she can't help but wonder why her husband and children are not there to see her.  When her parents tell her that she is single, has never been married or had children, she is devastated by the loss of her sweet family.

In addition to having to come to terms with reality, she also lost her job.  Because of the length of time she was in a coma, they had to replace her.  The temporary employment agency sends her to work at a photography studio and she is stunned to discover she knows everything about the owner.  After all, she was/is married to him.  Of course, she is a total stranger to him. 

    

 

The Hallmark movie, "Timeless Love" starring Rachel Skarsten and Brant Daugherty is one of several movies that claims that name. It would be very easy to search for the title and end up watching the wrong movie, or at least not the movie you intended to watch.

 

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Downton Abbey Series and Movies Reviewed

In 2011, I watched each episode of Downton Abbey as it aired weekly with my daughter.  No matter what else was going on in our days, we were in front of the TV 5 minutes before the show started.  We didn't want to miss a thing, including the opening theme music.  We were both completely captivated by the drama, the decor, the clothes and the family.  It really was like taking a peek into the lives of nobility in 1912.

Over the course of the last few weeks, I watched the entire series and both subsequent movies again, but this time I watched them with my husband.  Because of his job, he had never seen any of the episodes.  Of course, he had heard of Downton Abbey, but didn't have the time to watch a series as it aired.  Now, with the entire series available on Amazon Prime, we were able to watch the episodes back to back each night at whatever time we settled in to begin watching after dinner.  Some nights, we would watch 2 episodes or part of the next episode just to see what happened next.  I was surprised by how much I did not remember.  

Being able to watch all 6 seasons at our convenience instead of being ruled by a specific airing date and time, was fabulous.  It was also really nice to be able to replay a scene of the show to hear something that we didn't quite understand, or pause it as needed. 

Currently, all 6 seasons of Downton Abbey are available free for Amazon Prime members.  The two subsequent movies, Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture and Downton Abbey: A New Era are both available to rent.  Since I owned the DVDs it wasn't necessary for us to rent them, but it is really nice to know we could have rented them if I had not been able to easily lay hands on the DVDs.

It is amazing how cohesive the series and movies are to each other.  None of the actors were replaced or changed as is necessary in some series.  The house seemed to stay exactly the same too, as if the family and servants continuously live there.  That alone gives Downton Abbey a "real" feel, but the actors do such a great job of playing their roles, you actually believe they are real people and not just characters in a dramatization.   

Downton Abbey fans await the release of the next movie, Downton Abbey 3,  in Sept. 2025 and we have already been told our favorite characters will be played by the original actors.  If you start watching the series now, you will be all caught up and familiar with the characters before the new movie is released.

Downton Abbey Series & Movies

 Downton Abbey -On Amazon Prime VideoCheck PriceThis British historical TV drama started as a mini-series, but clearly fans could not get enough of Downton Abbey.  The mini-series has been followed by 2 movies already and another is on the way.  

The series revolves around the family of the Earl of Grantham, Robert Crawley (Hugh Bonneville).  We meet the family, as well as the staff of Downton Abbey, in the first episode of 'season one' when a new heir is named after the sinking of the Titanic.  

Robert Crawley knew the intended heir, his first cousin, James, all of his life but when James and his son, Patrick, died on the Titanic, an unknown third cousin once removed is next in line.  No one ever expected both the heir and his son to die before Downton Abbey was passed to one of them.  Viewers had never met either of those men, so it was easy for us to embrace Matthew Crawley as the heir apparent upon his arrival.  He is such a unassuming individual and so easy to like that we rejoiced that he would be the next Earl of Grantham.  

It seems unfair that all three of Robert Crawley's children would be passed over and displaced for a third cousin's son, but Robert's children are all females and the estate, as well as the title of Earl, are entailed to the next male heir.

The series does such a good job of developing each of the characters in the household, including the staff, that before the end of the first season, we feel they are part of our own family.  There are some we don't especially like, but we love them regardless and realize the "family" would not be complete without them.

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If you have already watched the series, I would love to hear who you would name as your favorite character.  If you have not watched it yet, please return and share you opinions after you watch the series.

Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey Seasons 1-6 Complete Series Collection (Original U.K. Edition) [Blu-ray]

Downton Abbey (Movie, 2019) [DVD]

Downton Abbey: A New Era Digital 2 disc

 

 

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John Wick (2014) - Movie Review

It will surprise a lot of our readers and my fellow contributors to read that I enjoyed and would recommend the movie, John Wick.  I do love a great mystery or suspense movie, but not normally violent movies.  This will be the exception!

My husband and I were looking for a movie we could watch together last night and I came across "John Wick".  We are both Keanu Reeves fans.  Clearly, he is an extremely talented actor that excels in multiple genres.  He is also musically talented (see video below).  It would seem this multi-talented entertainer was destined to stardom, but I doubt it was that simple. 

When watching the movie, "John Wick", it is easy to believe Keanu Reeves is Wick in reality.  The character of a vigilante would almost fit with the charitable real-life man who founded a private cancer foundation with a vengence against cancer.   

John Wick is rated R due to violence, foul language and drug use.  Remember, I started by saying you would be surprised that I watched, reviewed and recommended this movie.

I look forward to watching the rest of the John Wick series of movies.  I plan to watch John Wick, chapter 2 tonight for a second round of acceptable violence. 

 

John Wick - Movie Synopsis

 John Wick on Prime VideoCheck Price

Retired hitman, John Wick, is literally drug out of his life of retirement and back into the violent world of his past when the son of a known crime lord, Viggo Tarasov, attacks him in his own home.

It isn't enough for the young fool to steal Wick's coveted 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429.  No, Iosef Tarasov has to make a statement.  No one refuses to give him what he wants and get away with it!  

Iosef and friends enter Wick's home, beat him and kill his dog, which was the last gift from his recently deceased wife.  This attack will not go unanswered.  Even Viggo Tarasov, who describes Wick as the "one you sent to kill the Boogeyman", knows his son is now in grave danger.  

Hoping to save his son's life, Viggo puts out a contract on Wick.  It is interesting to see which "friends" from Wick's past are willing to seek the reward and which one's have his back.

 

Warning - Even the trailer is violent

 John Wick [Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD]Check Price John Wick 1-4 Movie Collection - Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4 DVD SetCheck Price John Wick 4K Ultra Hd [Blu-ray] [4K UHD]Check Price

 

Stepping away from the violence, here is the music video of Keanu Reeves with "Dogstar"

 

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American Fiction Movie Review - Don't Miss This One!

What American Fiction is About (The Plot)

American Fiction, a 2023 comedy/drama, is a sharp, thought-provoking satire that follows the life of Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, a disillusioned novelist who becomes fed up with how African American culture is often commodified and reduced to harmful stereotypes in mainstream media. 

Monk, an intellectual and somewhat reclusive writer, struggles to write more of the serious work he is known for. 

In an act of frustration and rebellion, he writes an outrageous parody of stereotypical Black literature under a pseudonym. 

To his surprise, the parody becomes a sensational hit, leading to a whirlwind of fame and ethical dilemmas. The film expertly blends humor and social commentary, exploring themes of identity, race, art, and authenticity.

The Cast - Excellent Acting!

Jeffrey Wright leads the film as Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, delivering a nuanced performance that perfectly captures the protagonist's internal conflict and biting wit. 

Tracee Ellis Ross plays Monk's supportive yet opinionated sister, who grounds him in family matters and counterbalances his cynicism. 

Sterling K. Brown portrays Monk's charismatic yet troubled friend, whose life choices add emotional depth to the story. 

Issa Rae appears as a savvy literary agent who recognizes the commercial potential of Monk's parody but also becomes a symbol of the larger machine he despises. 

Together, this talented ensemble breathes life into a narrative that balances satire with genuine human emotion.

Some of the Accolades the Movie Received

• Academy Award Winner – Best Adapted Screenplay 2024
• Audience Award – Winner at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
• Independent Spirit Awards – Jeffrey Wright won Best Lead Performance, and Cord Jefferson won Best Screenplay
• Independent Spirit Awards – Nominated for Best Screenplay
• Golden Globe Awards – Jeffrey Wright nominated for Best Actor
• Writers Guild Awards – Best Adapted Screenplay and Paul Selvin Award
• BAFTA Awards – Jeffrey Wright won Best Lead Actor and nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay

Why I Loved This Movie

I was immediately drawn to American Fiction because of its premise—a writer struggling to navigate the fine line between artistic integrity and commercial success. 

As someone who writes, I found Monk's journey deeply relatable. The character of Monk, in particular, pulled me in with his internal struggle, trying to make sense of why society gravitates toward racial tropes in art. 

The film approaches Monk's conflict in a way that feels incredibly authentic. Despite being a Caucasian female, I found myself immersed in his world, empathizing with his confusion and frustration.

What struck me most was how the film handled complex race and identity issues with humor and gravity. The irony of Monk embracing stereotypes to mock them—only to watch his parody gain massive popularity—was hilarious and tragic. 

It highlighted the uncomfortable reality that, despite our shared humanity, stereotypes often creep back into the narrative, shaping perceptions in ways we can't always control. This duality of Monk trying to resist and exploit these tropes made the film compelling and thought-provoking.

While I wasn't entirely keen on how the movie attempted to end, I didn't mind it overall. The ending felt slightly abrupt, as though it didn't fully resolve Monk's arc, but perhaps that was intentional—a reflection of the ongoing nature of these societal issues. 

Best of all, there were parts of the movie where I laughed out loud!

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Finding Normal - Movie Review

"Finding Normal" was released in 2013, but I only recently watched it on New Year's Day this year.  Ironically, I thought it had the perfect message for the beginning of a new year.

The title might make one think of finding what is normal.  However, there is a double meaning in that title.  The town in the movie is named Normal.  A big city doctor, Lisa Leland (Candace Cameron Bure), discovers Normal when she is pulled over for speeding through the place and ends up having to spend several days there.  She is truly taken by surprise by the slow-paced, caring for each other, lifestyle she finds in Normal.

In my own world, the holidays always make me feel like I have so much extra to do that I end up speeding through my normal day, perhaps missing some of the things that are most important in life, like special hugs or catching up with each other through normal everyday chats.  This year, I never seemed to find time to drive around and look at the Christmas lights, which is one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season.  By racing around and "doing", I didn't make time to do some of the things I enjoy the most.

The theme of the movie is based on how it is so easy to get wrapped up in making a living that we forget to make a life.  In my case, by trying to make Christmas be our "normal" traditional Christmas, I missed a lot of the real daily beauty of Christmastime.      

As we embark upon the new year, may we all stop and consider what is really most important in life and make sure we embrace it. Some of us, just may need to find a new "normal".

 

Finding Normal

 Finding NormalCheck PriceDr. Lisa Leland has everything by world standards.  She is leaving Los Angeles to join her doctor-boyfriend in a boutique practice 3000 miles away in The Hamptons as concierge doctors (doctors who get paid well to be on call to a limited number of wealthy patients).  She is driving her BMW to New York because "it has to get there somehow".  She quickly finds out that driving 90 mph through Normal (population 321) is going to get a reaction from the local sheriff.  When Officer Lester O'Toole discovers she has 23 parking tickets and a warrant out for her arrest, he has to take her before the town judge.

Appearing in court gives us all a quick view of what Normal is like and how "behind the times" they are.  When Lisa can't come up with $2000 to pay her tickets & fines, the judge orders 24 hrs, 8 hours a day, of community service in lieu of the money. 

Dr. Leland has a very condescending attitude toward the locals.  That seems to be based on her "higher" education as well as the inconvenience of having to spend days in this rural town, which has put her in a bad mood.  The town people are obviously accustomed to visitors and their assumptions.  Most of them seem to take her condescension in stride and try hard to be kind to her.  However, after she calls Lucas, "Jethro", and talks to him like he is an imbecile, he wishes her a nice day and moves on.  When they see each other later at the judge's home for dinner, they start bickering with one another.  As the movie progresses, his "$5 charm and $10 smile" starts to grow on her.  Actually, the entire town of Normal starts to appeal to Lisa, but her life is set in a different direction.

This movie reminds us that not every path in life is set in stone.

 

 

Where to Watch "Finding Normal"

I watched Finding Normal on the Pure Flix subscription streaming channel. Pure Flix offers movies and shows that are suitable for the whole family and are often Christian based movies.  They are owned by Great American Media.

 

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Carry-On (2024) Netflix Movie Review

Anyone who travels and flies on airlines is very familiar with the term "carry on".  Even those who have never flown most likely know what someone is talking about when they reference a carry-on.  Therefore, the title of the movie tells us a great deal about the movie before we even read a synopsis.  We know instantly that a carry-on bag is going to be part of the main plot.

For those who travel during the holidays, we know to expect highways, rental agencies, bus terminals, train stations, and especially airlines to be crowded and for everyone to be irritable.  Every experienced traveler knows they can anticipate delayed flights and lost luggage.  A carry-on bag can be an essential element of making everything more comfortable for a passenger in an atmosphere that requires patience.

Personally, my carry-on consists of one change of clothes and my glasses in case my checked luggage gets lost.  Many of us carry itineraries, tickets for events, makeup, contact lens supplies, jewelry, laptops, books, crossword puzzles, and a vast assortment of things to keep us prepared for mishaps and/or occupied during travel time.  

What no one expects is for someone to be able to get through all of the security with an explosive or deadly agent.  We expect to arrive at our destination, albeit late or without our luggage, we expect to get where we are going.  This movie is based on the unexpected and involves passengers as well as airline employees.  The very frightening scenario and unusual plot of this movie makes it the best thriller for this holiday season, or any time.

 

Carry-On Movie Synopsis

On Christmas Eve, TSA agent, Ethan Kopek, is headed to work, prepared to request job advancement and a pay raise.  The last thing he expects is to find himself in the middle of a high-level threat that no one else knows is happening.  

Only Available on Netflix

When Ethan asks his boss for a job with more responsibility, his friend in a higher level position, suggests that Ethan can take his place on one of the carry-on scanners and he will move to a different location for the day. Since the airport is shorthanded and needs more coverage, their boss agrees to a trial to see if Ethan is truly ready.  

Ethan is thrilled and quickly moves into place behind the scanner. His friend, happy to have helped, moves to a location in a different section.  Neither man has any idea what is happening in the background or that they just made a group of terrorists scramble to change plans.  As it turns out, when the leader of the group finds out Ethan has a pregnant fiance, he is content to use Ethan instead of his friend.

When Ethan slips an earpiece into his ear, an unknown voice starts talking and giving him directions on exactly what he will do.  Even though he doesn't want to participate, they are threatening to kill his fiance if he does anything to stop them.  Unfortunately for one co-worker, Ethan finds out just how fast the terrorist will kill. They are determined to get a specific carry-on bag onto a specific flight and plane. They are equally determined that nothing will get in their way or stop them.

 Samsonite Hardside Carry-On - TSA, Airline-ApprovedCheck Price London Fog Westminster 15" Under The Seat Bag, BlackCheck Price

 

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As I said earlier, this action-packed suspense thriller movie is the best thriller for the holiday season.  As a Netflix original, it is available only on Netflix.

Be sure to find time to watch it, especially if your are not traveling for the holidays.  If you are traveling, it might well make you decide to drive if you are planning to fly.

 

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