UnFit_ A Documentary of the Psychology of Donald Trump

I watched This Documentary in my Prime Video the other day and I agree with the  review below. Now that President Biden has withdrawn, The Democrats chance of Defeating Trump has gone to higher level. Democrats unite and save America from the mad Dictator.   As of this writing date, Kamala Harris presumptive Democratic Nominee is leading Trump by 8 points from Independent Voters. The future of Kamala Harris looks bright!

This documentary shows the consequential repercussions of having Trump as our President again, due to his seriously flawed personality traits. It's so much more than his leadership skills and what policies he will put into place. How can we let this man lead our nation when his core values are the opposite of what we teach our children (be honest & kind, love your neighbor, share, apologize when you've done wrong, communicate openly, be openminded, forgive, etc.)? I learned in his first Presidency, Trump didn't unite the country during crisis nor did he intelligently try to help, instead he avoided responsibilty and denied Covid existed. If President again, he most likely will promote hate and encourage separating an already divided country. I believe he only cares about himself, threatens our democracy and we have too much at stake to let him be president again in 2024, if given the chance. We need a leader with a strong sense of character who will bring the nation together, promote positive changes and not tear it further apart. We truly need a leader to step up and serve the people of our great nation...TRUMP IS NOT MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN AND TRULY NEVER DID!

4.0 out of 5 stars

For other reviews visit:

https://www.primevideo.com/detail/Unfit-The-Psychology-of-Donald-Trump/0F75U4UJDOC19DPYZHN5FE64KQ

Meanwhile, here's the highlights of THD Events for July 29 to August 4.  The Sound Bath scheduled for Saturday, August 3 at 3PM, I highly recommend.  For the Benefits of Sound-Bathing read my article on this subject at bottom of the page.💚 

💚https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/06/sound-bathing-in-yoga-and-its-benefits.html

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/

My Movie of the Week- Poor Things

💥My Short Review:

Poor Things
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Yorgos Lanthimos
Screenplay by	Tony McNamara
Based on	Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
Produced by	Ed Guiney Andrew Lowe Yorgos Lanthimos Emma Stone
Starring	Emma Stone Mark Ruffalo Willem Dafoe Ramy Youssef Christopher Abbott Jerrod Carmichael
Cinematography	Robbie Ryan
Edited by	Yorgos Mavropsaridis
Music by	Jerskin Fendrix
Production companies	Film4 Element Pictures TSG Entertainment
Distributed by	Searchlight Pictures
Release dates	September 1, 2023(Venice) December 8, 2023 (United States) January 12, 2024 (Ireland and United Kingdom)
Running time	142 minutes
Countries	Ireland United Kingdom United States
Language	English
Budget	$35 million
Box office	$104.8 million

From Wikipedia: 

Poor Things is a 2023 film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and written by Tony McNamara, based on the 1992 novel by Alasdair Gray. Starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe, Ramy Youssef, Christopher Abbott, and Jerrod Carmichael,^[5] the plot centers on Bella Baxter, a young woman in Victorian London who is resurrected through a brain transplant and embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery. Critics identified multiple genres, with elements of black comedyand steampunk.

Poor Things premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2023, where it won the Golden Lion. It was released theatrically in the United States on December 8, 2023, and in Ireland and the United Kingdom on January 12, 2024, by Searchlight Pictures. The film was named one of the top ten films of 2023 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute and has grossed over $104 million worldwide. It received five wins at the 77th British Academy Film Awards, and was nominated in 11 categories at the 96th Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Poor Things also won two Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Stone.

Here are some reviews that I agree 100%.Gorgeous sets and costumes, remarkable performances by Stone, Defoe and a scene-stealing Ruffalo cannot quite save this self-aware oddity of a movie. The story tips it hat to Frankenstein, with the story of a damaged yet brilliant doctor, Godwin Baxter (played by a superb Willem Defoe) performing a radical, life-resurrecting procedure on the body of a girl who had thrown herself from London Bridge. Child-like (hint) and with no memories from her previous life, the girl, now named Bella Baxter (Stone) is carefully tutored until the day comes she wishes to see the outside world for herself and leaves under the dubious ‘care’ of a noted bounder, Duncan, played wonderfully by Mark Ruffalo. The Lisbon scenes are breathtaking and Bella’s naive embrace of new experiences are skillfully juxtaposed against the unexpected obsession for Bella that the cad Duncan is beginning to be tortured by. The second stanza onboard ‘The Ship’ was similarly captivating; Bella’s growing intellect and charm earning new new friends, however these relationships barely have time to develop before Duncan and Bella are unceremoniously dumped in France due to a lack of funds to pay passage. It is here that the story overreaches its ambitions. The Paris story is an uncomfortable mess of fetishized pornography and a thin plot that really detract from the earlier story, leaving me squirming a little in my seat and wondering why this was all necessary to move the story forward. The Paris sojourn inevitably culminates with Bella’s return to London to be reunited with her creator and the man to whom she was betrothed before her adventures began, the charming yet feckless Max (Rammy Yussef). Yet Bella’s past catches up with her for one more twist before she realises the truth of who she is and what her future should be. 

💥I saw the Movie "Poor Things"  the other day at Our Cinema Here at THD. I love it, however a few THD residents got out after 5 minutes at the beginning of the show.  Eric our movie Coordinator warned us that movie is R rated and there are scenes that the Prudes may object  or get offended. I am not a Prude and have seen numerous R rated movies in my life.    So I stayed and enjoyed the movie very much. 

I vote for Emma Stone, the Best Actress Award in the Oscars. Her acting as the "horny" Bella deserves an award. I really enjoyed the ending of the movie, when Bella's husband returned and he was turned into a goat!

My Movie Review-Past Lives

I finally had a chance to watch the Movie Past Lives. I have read a few positive comments of the movie from friends in my FaceBook page. About 4 weeks ago after reading that the movie has been Oscar nominated for Best Picture and best Original Screen Play, I decided to watch it in Prime Video. 

It was a decision I will never regret. I enjoyed the movie very much, that when I woke early this morning, I still remember a few scenes and story line that touches my heart. 

One of the scenes I identified with was a conversation of the heroine ( a lady writer- South Korean immigrant)  to her Caucasian husband. Her husband asked her if  SHE loved him and not marry him because she just want a Green Card. A green card is a permanent resident visa, a pathway to US citizenship.    

This is not only one scene that is typical on the life of Asian immigrants that I can personally identify with being a former Asian immigrant myself.  The adjustment of Asian immigrants to American society is very close to my heart.         

I would not be surprise if it beats Oppenheimer as best picture for this coming Oscar Award next month. 

 Here's a summary from Wikipedia.

"Past Lives is a 2023 American romantic drama film written and directed by Celine Song in her feature directorial debut. Starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro, it follows two childhood friends over the course of 24 years while they contemplate the nature of their relationship as they grow apart, living different lives. The plot is semi-autobiographical and inspired by real events from Song's life.

Past Lives premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2023, and was released theatrically in the United States on June 2, 2023. The film received largely positive reviews and was named one of the top ten films of 2023 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute and received various accolades including five nominations at the 81st Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. At the 96th Academy Awards, it received nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture.

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 96% of 280 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 9.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "A remarkable debut for writer-director Celine Song, Past Lives uses the bonds between its sensitively sketched central characters to support trenchant observations on the human condition." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 94 out of 100, based on 51 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".

Manola Darghis writing for The New York Times compared the film to French romantic cinema complimenting its restraint in the presentation of its main themes stating: "The movie’s modesty — its intimacy, human scale, humble locations and lack of visual oomph — is one of its strengths. The characters live in homes that are pleasant yet ordinary, the kind that you can imagine hanging out in, the kind you want to hang out in. 

There are few big, look-at-me details, though you might notice a poster for Jacques Rivette’s 1974 classic Céline and Julie Go Boating in Nora’s father’s home office in Seoul." Writing in The Guardian, Peter Bradshaw was fulsome in his praise of the film comparing it to those of Richard Linklater, Noah Baumbach, and Greta Gerwig. He said of the film: "Past Lives is a glorious date movie, and a movie for every occasion, too. As ever with films like this, there is an auxiliary pleasure in wondering how much of her own past life Song has used. It's a must-see."

Filmmaker Christopher Nolan also praised the film and named it one of his favorites, describing it as "subtle in a beautiful sort of way."

Collider ranked it number 7 on its list of the "20 Best Drama Movies of the 2020s So Far," calling it "a story that could only exist because of modern circumstances, but feels timeless in its approach. How does someone choose between two lovers, one that represents the most fruitful days of her youth, and the other someone she has grown to love as part of her reality? Celine Song examines these critical conversations through the perspective of an immigrant story."

For Details visit:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Past_Lives_(film)

I highly recommend this movie. The length is perfect. If you are an Asian Immigrant yourself, the story will touch your heart. It is a love story, but there is no kissing scene in the movie.  There is a cuddling scene but very tame. Again, the movie acting is terrific and its beauty is its simplicity and the emotionally-loaded dialogs between Greta Lee and Teo Yoo in the story.

The movie will be shown at our Cinema on February 18, Sunday at 7PM

As I mentioned above, it is available for viewing at Amazon Prime Video.

Lastly my quote of the day: To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. - Anatole France, 1844-1924, French Writer 

Killers of the Flower Moon- Too Slow and Too Long

I watched half of the movie-Killers of the Flower Moon at our Cinema the other night. After 1.5 hours, I got bored and went back to my apartment.  Today, I read in Wikipedia, the ending of the movie.  

The movie had 10 academy award nominations but had mixed reviews. It was too long and too slow for me. It is not as entertaining as Oppenheimer and a little longer.  

I agree 100% of the following review: 

"Ploddingly slow. Could easily have been 45 minutes shorter without sacrificing any of the story line that was included. Full of Oklahoman and Native American stereotyping. The movie focuses on Leo's character, Ernest Burkhardt. It would have been far more intriguing for the film to focus on De Niro's character, William King Hale".

Here's a summary in case you have not seen the film from Wikipedia.

Killers of the Flower Moon is a 2023 American epic western crime drama filmdirected and produced by Martin Scorsese. Eric Roth and Scorsese based their screenplay on the 2017 non-fiction book by David Grann.^[7][8] Set in 1920s Oklahoma, it focuses on a series of murders of Osage members and relations in the Osage Nation after oil was discovered on tribal land. The tribal members had retained mineral rights on their reservation, but a corrupt local political boss sought to steal the tribal members' wealth.

Killers of the Flower Moon premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2023. It was theatrically released in the United States on October 20, 2023, by Paramount Pictures and Apple Original Films. The film has grossed over $156 million worldwide and received critical acclaim, with praise for Scorsese's direction, the screenplay, production values, editing, cinematography, musical score, and cast performances (especially DiCaprio, Gladstone, and De Niro), although the runtime received criticism. It won Best Film at the National Board of Review and was named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the American Film Institute. It was also nominated for ten Academy Awards, including Best Picture, seven Golden Globe Awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama, with Gladstone winning Best Actress Motion Picture - Drama, as well as nine British Academy Film Awards, including Best Film.

For complete Details visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killers_of_the_Flower_Moon_(film)

Meanwhile enjoy the 2 photos of me and Marsha Kefer from our Zumba Exercises here at THD.