Nebraska

Here is my rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation. Just the idea that someone was able to get a film made is an accomplishment.)

Nebraska - DDDD Some people are fortunate to have parents who will do anything for them. Some parents are fortunate to have kids that will return the favor.

As most of you know, the majority of films in my collection are there because I’ve met an actor, or I can relate to the film on a personal level. Both of my parents were very important to me. They did things I never expected them to do. I did my best to make sure I took care of them the best that I could.

That is what I loved about the film Nebraska. Although the family was more dysfunctional than mine, I understood how a son could put his life on hold to help out his father. The son, played by Will Forte, goes out of his way for his father to ease his conscious when he believes he has won a million dollars. We meet a lot of interesting characters along the way as the son takes his father back to reunite with family he hadn’t seen in many years.
The film is about family, sacrifices, and making people happy. There are moments that will make you laugh, feel sentimental and think.
The film stars Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Stacy Keach and Bob Odenkink.

Lee Daniels' The Butler

Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)




Lee Daniels’ The Butler - DDDDD-The film is directed by Lee Daniels. The Butler is  based on a true story about Lewis Gaines who served as a Butler in the Whitehouse spanning several decades. This film takes us on a journey through history. We relive the childhood of Mr. Gaines as it begins with him in the cotton fields with his father. We see him have a family of his own and how he takes pride in what he does in hopes of giving his family a better life. It seems natural that there is always a father and son struggle. If history does repeat itself it certainly does when parents don’t see eye to eye with their children and the cycle just continues. There are many ups and downs along the way, but he is a dedicated man. Sometimes dedication to one thing can cause a person to neglect other things.
I really enjoyed this film as it made me think about my own personal experiences. Things I remembered when I was growing up.


The film stars, Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard and David Oyelowo. There were many surprise appearances including Mariah Carey, Robin Williams as President Eisenhower, James Marsden as President Kennedy, Cuba Gooding, Jr. Lenny Kravitz, Clarence Williams, III, Jesse Williams, Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Redgrave.

Coming soon: Lincoln, Savages, Nebraska, Silver Lining Playbook, Django Unchained, ARGO

12 Years A Slave

12 Years A Slave -DDDDD

 There are some films that don’t need a lot of dialogue to tell the story. 12 Years A Slave is one such film. This is an intense film filled with emotions. There is no way a person can sit and watch this film and not have some sort of reaction.  Every actor in this film gave an incredible performance.

It’s the sorry of Solomon Northup played incredibly well by Chitwetel Ejiofer, a free black man who is lured into a scam and sold into slavery. It’s his struggle to not be broken and to be reunited with his family.

Sometimes all it takes is a few minutes on screen to make an impact and I think that was just the case with Lupito Nyong’o in her Oscar winning performance as slave girl who is the obsession of her master played by Michael Fassbender. I think one of the most intense scenes in the film is that way because of the reasoning behind the act. It wasn’t your typical slave not obeying the master. It was a misunderstanding.

The beauty of the art of film is that it brings to life what you read on a page. It gives you a completely different visual than what you have imagined for yourself. Director Steve McQueen, Sean Bossett and Hans Zimmer bring the intensity to the story. Music adds to our emotional state and the cinematography lets us see it in all its horrendous detail.
Other members of the cast include Dwight Henry, Bryan Batt, Quevenzhane’ Wallis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, Brad Pitt, Sarah Paulson and Alfre Woodard.

Coming Soon: The Butler, Lincoln, Savages, Nebraska, Silver Lining Playbook