Apology from Flickerchick

I'm sorry- some of my most loyal visitors got a shock when I stopped reviewing movies in April. Why did I do that? Sad to say, I was still going to the movies, but they were just awful. So awful that even giving them a review was a problem. I am going to review some of them anyway- and I won't just walk off in the future. I'll either close the site or actually write up what I've seen.
I'd give myself 1 star for being irresponsible. I normally review bad movies, but there were soooo many. So I'm back. Thanks for checking back in.

Trainwreck

I like Amy Shumer, and I really, really like Bill Hader. But for the life of me, I don't know why Amy Shumer has to be gross. It isn't necessary. She can tell the story without the sort of off-putting "I'm a slut and you'd better like it" act. There are a million ways to be funny without having to degrade yourself. I saw Shumer in Vegas- she was funny, until it got sort of boring. This movie is the reverse. The beginning is as boring as watching golf- except it is watching boring sex. But then it grows to be a real story that has real feeling. Bill Hader's physician character is, of course, far nicer man than Shumer's character would seem to need. The ending feels contrived because it IS contrived. I know that Shumer is everyone's favorite female shock comedian, but I think she really is better than that. And in fact, she is much funnier when you can relate to her.  So get past the first 25 minutes, and you'll see a decent film that stops being a comedy act and starts being a fun and sort of nice movie.

Inside/Out

There is a reason why this movie got 4 stars- it is worth it. Despite my husband saying that I'm a lot like the Lewis Black character (I'm pretty sure I'm not), it pretty much does sum up what it is like as a human being emotionally. The entire film is on two levels- one is for the children, and one is for the adults who will recognize all of it.  It is from the viewpoint of a girl who is uprooted and moved to another town, and all of the emotions that live inside of her head. It is inventive and creative. I loved it. So here are some more stars.

Danny Collins

Well, lookey here- finally Al Pacino uses his acting skills. I don't know what happened to Al Pacino. I thought he'd had a face lift a while back, so either this is incredible make up OR his face is melting. Either way, maybe he should worry a bit because he looks awful. I know he's 74, but he looks worn and tired. Or maybe it is that I once thought Al Pacino was gorgeous. I'll watch him the Godfather a million times. Oh okay, I'll stop being shallow and allow him to live as a cautionary tale. Just be prepared.  He plays Danny Collins, a sort of good former rocker a la Neil Diamond. Just as I am sure Neil Diamond is sick and tired of Sweet Caroline, Danny is tired of his signature song. But money is money. Surgeons probably get tired of performing appendectomies, too, but they do it. In his heyday, Danny had a liaison with a groupie that gave him a son- and the son is, of course, now an adult with a problem but hates Danny. It makes no sense because Danny did send money but the kid and his mom wouldn't use it. That's just plain stupid and not Danny's fault. Oh well- it turns out that Danny is going to always be an addict but a good hearted one. I am going to give him a break because the little girl in the film is so cute and is willing to give Danny a break, too. This is a pretty good movie. Predictable. But pretty good.

Wild Tales

What can I say? This is an Argentinian/Spanish production of a collection of vignettes. Think of it as short stories with great twists. It is one of the best movies I've seen in the past year, because the past year had such bad movies that I almost totally quit reviewing. You, as a likely American, will only recognize a couple of these actors (notably the guy from Nine Queens), but that is what really  helps. You don't need to care about what a celebrity is looking like these days- you don't know these people. I'd say ABSOLUTELY see this, or see it when it comes out on Netflix. It is as fun as it gets.