The Holdovers- One of the Best Movie in 2023

I have the above movie on my to Watch List for about 6 months ago. But I have been busy with my blogging activities that I totally forgot about it until last night. It was Oscar nominated for best Picture,  Best Actor and  Best Supporting Actress. Da'Vine Joy Randolph got the best supporting Actress Award in this movie.  The movie was overshadowed by Oppenheimer and Barbie.  

The following is one of the numerous positive reviews and I am reporting it, since I agree 100% of what is written in this review. If you have not seen it, I urged you to watch it. I am rating it a 4.5 Star out of 5.0 and will not be a waste of your time.  The movie is funny at times, sad at times, but feel-good. It's a story that almost all can relate to and will really touch your heart. It deals with so many themes, but mainly grief, the past, family, and what makes a person who they are. It's also very original and has a great script, cinematography, and soundtrack. 

One of my favorite movies of 2023, as well as one of the best of the year darkreignn29 October 2023

"Let's just get this out of the way now - when it comes to writing this review, I'm probably a little bit biased (and a little bit drunk, currently, but that's besides the point). You see, I have an affinity for indie coming of age movies, and "The Holdovers" is basically an indie coming of age film, so it may - or may not - come as a surprise to you that I absolutely adored this picture. So, with that little preface out of the way, it's time for me to gush over this movie.

Starring none other than Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham, Giamatti plays a professor at an all boys boarding school where, over Christmas break, he has the misfortune of looking over a group of boys, one of whom is named Angus, played by Dominic Sessa. After a rocky start, where Paul clearly doesn't get along with any of the boys, making his disdain clear and evident, he eventually finds himself alone with Angus - as well as with the school's cook, Mary Lamb, played by Da'Vine Joy Randolph - in an unexpected chain of events. What occurs after is a slice-of-life style piece of cinema that allows broken people to find comfort in each other's company.

"The Holdovers" is, without a doubt, one of my favorite movies of 2023, as well as probably one of the best movies of the year, as well. This Christmas-themed gem doesn't hold back on the drama, delivering a thoughtful blend of comedy, coming-of-age storytelling, and a touch of romance - all wrapped around a very raw, human plot-line that virtually everyone can relate to. I'm no spring chicken myself, but I found myself deeply connected to both main characters - one who is older and basically dejected with life as he knows it, and one who is younger but who feels lost, aimless, and disconnected from both family and friends. And admittedly, not everyone will have a direct parallel to these experiences, but even if you don't, you're in for a story that's bound to tug at your heartstrings... and make you laugh out loud in the process.

This is a high-quality movie - from the impeccable acting to the beautiful on-location cinematography to the relatable, thought-provoking plot, every element is executed with pinpoint precision and finesse; it's a testament to the art of storytelling on the silver screen. Director Alexander Payne knows how to create an artful film, and "The Holdovers" is no exception. It's at once indie and art-house while simultaneously being mainstream and easily accessible; in short, it's a film for everyone that actually feels like a genuine crowdpleaser instead of a pandering mess.

I'm having a difficult time describing what I liked about this movie, and the reason is because I liked almost everything about this movie. So why the 9 out of 10 rating instead of the perfect 10? Literally the only thing that's holding me back is because I would've liked a touch more romance; yes, there was romance here, but a bit more would've pushed me over the edge into 10 out of 10 territory. Besides that, this is basically a perfect film, one that I loved, and one that has become one of my favorite movies of the year, if not of all time. I am genuinely looking forward to rewatching this, and I can't wait until it becomes closer to Christmas so I can view this on my own TV, cuddled under blankets, with a glass of whiskey, and bask in the absolute heartwarming experience that is "The Holdovers." My recommendation: Do yourself a favor and watch this as soon as you can - you won't regret it".

Meanwhile here's my picture of the Day:Tree Reflection

The TV Series, Fallout-My Review

I just finished Episode 1 of this New series from Amazon Prime. I am hooked. I binged-watch the 8 episodes of Season 1. Each Episode is about 30 minutes. Season 2 is planned. There is violence, slight nudity, cannibalism and of course robots and a love story. This is a TV series worth your time and entertainment. However, it is not geared for Seniors but the younger generation of TV viewers.    

 I am one of the 65 million viewers who enjoyed this series and described in the following write up from pushsquare.com. I have never played a video game, but I love the series specially the sound track of 1940-1950's music. The music soundtrack of the Fallout series is composed of both licensed music from the mid-century's Jazz Age to the Space Age, as well as original scores by Mark Morgan, Matt Gruber, Devin Townsend, and Inon Zur. The series also features original songs and covers commissioned for the games as diegetic music heard in the world of Fallout.

Here's a short write up of the second most popular show from Amazon Prime Videos. 

The TV series was based on one of the greatest video games of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. Two Hundred years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the incredibly complex, gleefully weird and highly violent universe waiting for them above.

"The Fallout TV adaptation continues to go from strength to strength as Amazon has revealed the series has received 65 million viewers, making it the second most-watched show in the streaming service's history. It's also the most popular series on the platform since The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power debuted in 2022.

Details include the show proving popular amongst the 18-34 age demographic, where it's Amazon Prime's most popular series ever.  Sixty per cent of overall viewership came from outside the USA, with the UK, France, and Brazil all engaging with Fallout more than most. The firm has already confirmed a second season will be shot as Fallout fans return to the games in their droves having finished the TV show. They've proved so popular these past few weeks that Bethesda has recorded five million players in a single day across all its titles.

In our Fallout TV Show review, we concluded: "In accurately capturing the overall direction of the games, it forges a new path the series can take without a controller in your hands, all the while replicating its tone and bringing back those classic tunes you had hidden away on your iPod more than a decade ago. We don't want to set the world on fire, but if Fallout is the aftermath, then maybe the LA wasteland isn't so bad."

Are you one of those 65 million viewers? Let me know in the comments section of my blog. For complete details visit:

https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/04/fallout-tv-show-marks-huge-success-with-65-million-viewers

Here one review of the show that I can concur:

The series has the ability to appeal to both gaming enthusiasts & newcomers alike. Even if you've never picked up a controller, the richly developed characters & intricately woven plotlines will draw you in effortlessly. The series doesn't rely solely on its gaming roots to carry it forward; instead, it stands confidently on its own merits, offering a fresh & immersive experience for all viewers.

The casting choices are spot-on, breathing life into characters that fans of the Fallout franchise have come to love & new viewers can instantly connect with. Ella Purnell's portrayal of Lucy MacLean is nothing short of captivating, bringing depth & resilience to the character as she navigates the harsh realities of the wasteland. Aaron Moten as Maximus, a squire of the Brotherhood of Steel, delivers a performance filled with both strength & vulnerability, showcasing the complexities of survival in a world ravaged by nuclear fallout. Walton Goggins as The Ghoul/Cooper Howard, is a scene-stealer, infusing the series with charisma & mystery that would keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

It's a shining example of how a game adaptation can not only do justice to its source material but also transcend it, carving out its own place in the pantheon of great television.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a riveting series that seamlessly blends action, drama, thought-provoking themes, look no further than Amazon Prime's Fallout. And as for the next potential game adaptation, I couldn't agree more a series based on BioShock would be an absolute dream come true. Here's hoping that someone out there is listening & ready to bring Rapture to life on the small screen.

Meanwhile, here's a photo of my purple okra from my Gardens in my previous residence, Fair Oaks, CA and my own recipe for okra sauteed. 

 https://myfavoritepinoydishes.blogspot.com/2022/08/eleven-ways-to-cook-okra-my-own-okra.html

Fellow Travelers- TV Mini Series at Show Time

https://youtu.be/1C3EqLyNLfk?si=MLtV3GlPXiw7Wno0

Most Controversial Movies Ever Made/

How many movies in this list have you seen? I have viewed three of them, Lolita, Birth of the Nation and Clockwork Orange. 

https://www.ranker.com/list/controversial-movies/anncasano?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium&utm_campaign=linkcomment&fbclid=IwAR37lZtkudutbAFllamHpsPqSlISuK8yOW2EyOIjxUhf8H31_XFpy5SKeR4_aem_ATDxgSfP7EwcB-NgrKAvFnKlvs8Kxs1sCPonHWq-k7NCQ2_8O8Tkp9POrEPtewKyaxD12Xa8p_I6DWwGVcUhJi54

Let me know if you have seen any movies in the list above. 

 Meanwhile Here's another list of the top 50 controversial movies, inclusding The Last temptation of Christ ( see above photo).

https://www.boredpanda.com/controversial-movies/

Freud's Last Session- My Movie Review

Last Sunday I watched the Movie, Freud's Last Session in our Cinema.  There were only three of us in the Cinema. I enjoyed the movie very much. The movie has mixed reviews and has a rating of 3 Star out of 5. The movie is not for everyone as the subject matter is Faith versus Atheism.  It is a movie that is different from the standard Hollywood Block Busters, but to me it is entertaining and not a waste of my time.  It is a story of human nature and theology that is well done and acted.  Movies based on stage plays are normally not like, but this one is an exception.  Here's one of the reviews that I agree 100%.

" In this day of action packed block busters from Hollywood, I'm impressed that this movie was even made. I think Hopkins, from what I know anyway, nails Freud in all his demanding, overbearing but witty and terrified (of the pain of cancer and his impending death) self.  Goode does a great turn at portraying a relatively young Lewis. The film is not a white wash. Lewis, who penned the Chronicles of Narnia and Screw Tape Letters, is there with his rather problematic relationship with his war friend's mother is there. Freud's odd and challenging relationship with his daughter, Anna who was lesbian and a leading psychoanalyst herself, is front and center. But the questions of faith and atheism and the sometimes heated debate are so well done. But through it all there is a respect and a bit of affection between these two well known men. If you are not into the subject matter, watch something else. But otherwise this is a great film. The movie ends with my favorite quote from Freud, "From error to error, one discovers the entire truth."  There has never been a greater quote about human nature and theology than that one!  Here's the write-up from Wikipedia,

Freud's Last Session is a 2023 drama film starring Anthony Hopkins, Matthew Goode, Liv Lisa Fries, Jodi Balfour, Jeremy Northam, and Orla Brady. It is based on the stage play of the same name by Mark St. Germain, which itself is based upon the book The Question of God, by Armand Nicholi. The film was directed by Matthew Brown and written by St. Germain. Freud's Last Session premiered at the 2023 AFI Fest on October 27, 2023. Sony Pictures Classics released the film in the United States on 22 December 2023 to mixed reviews from critics.

A fictional meeting occurs between C. S. Lewis, nicknamed "Jack", and Sigmund Freud, two days after the start of World War II. A debate on the existence of God, as Freud greatly resents Lewis' recent rejection of his own strain of atheism in favour of Christianity, and many other subjects follows. The two men discuss issues such as Lewis' trauma as a World War I combat veteran, J.R.R. Tolkien and the Inklings, and the nature of Freud's and Lewis' relationships with other people, such as Freud's daughter Anna, who is pathologically dependent upon her father. However, she eventually introduces her lesbian partner, Dorothy Burlingham, to him. 

Freud dies by suicide several weeks later due to the intense pain from his oral cancer. C.S. Lewis goes on to become a famous author of Christian literature, and the children he later takes in as evacuees during the war serve as inspiration for his Narnia series. Anna and Dorothy live together for decades, and Anna becomes known as the founder of child psychology. The film notes that Freud met with an unidentified Oxford don in the last days of Freud's life, who could possibly have been Lewis.

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 44% of 86 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The website's consensus reads: "Anthony Hopkins and Matthew Goode are a tremendously talented pair, but Freud's Last Session is too scattered and thinly written to take full advantage of their efforts." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 49 out of 100, based on 15 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.

Personal Note: If you are not into intellectual movies, this movie is not for You! It is a short movie, and it is worth your time.  Again, I enjoyed the movie very much and I am giving it a rating of 3.5 out of 5.0 

This is a film centered on conversations. If you don't enjoy intellectual conversation, this movie is not for you!  For additional details read:

https://keithandthemovies.com/2024/01/10/review-freuds-last-session-2023/