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lhillemn
Reviews
The Holdovers (2023)
I gave this a full 10!
They don't make 'em like this very often, so make a point of watching this one. The cast is superb. The story is full-hearted and well-written. The characters are lovingly drawn. I couldn't identify a single flaw. This goes on my list of movies that I will rewatch with pleasure.
It's the story of several people stuck with each other at an otherwise empty boarding school over a Christmas holiday where the student can't go home because his mom is on her honeymoon with the boy's new rich stepfather, the professor is assigned to stay on campus and supervise the boy, and the grieving cook has to stay to cook their meals. The unlikely trio forge a bond despite their differences, one that sets each of them off in new directions by the end of the movie. Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Dominic Sessa embodied their characters with a realism that set me off on a hunt to see if it was based on a memoir. Carrie Preston provided light help them find empathy and kindness with each other which was her true Christmas gift to each of them. Make a point to see this movie. It's a heartwarmer.
Ruth - Justice Ginsburg in Her Own Words (2019)
Excellent recounting of the life, career and impact of Justice Ginsberg
Particularly well done biographical documentary of the life and influence on American culture of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg from her youth and family through her education, early career as an ACLU attorney bringing suits challenging gender discrimination through her ascension to Associate Justice on the Supreme Court, following careers teaching at prestigious law schools where she began mentoring students, and her first judicial appointment to the Federal Circuit Court for the 3rd District Court in D. C. There are many film clips of interviews and other news coverage, even of an interview with Stephen Colbert during her infamous exercise session with her personal trainer, which would leave me prostrate on the gym floor. Her marriage was solid with husband, Marty, supporting her all along the way and her children who follow in her footsteps. She describes her relationships with her Supreme Court associates as collegial including with her legal polar opposite, Antonio Scalia, with whom she shared a love of grand opera, with rare clips of an opera about their relationship on the Court. I thoroughly enjoyed the level of detail through which I received a well-rounded and multifaceted perspective of her life and cultural impact. I can't recommend it enough.
Supernatural: Last Holiday (2020)
Mrs. Butters was delightful!
This was fun! Some of the reviews thought the guys were acting like kids. Well, so they were. This was probably the first time they were cared for by a sweet grandmotherly type and they enjoyed it. It's about time! I hope they bring her back, not least because I want more details about the bunker. What have we been missing? What does the bunker hold that might give them the tools they need to beat Chuck? The episodes will get dark soon enough so this was a delightful reprieve that will ease some of that built up trauma and charge their batteries for what's to come.
Lewis: The Gift of Promise (2011)
Who killed Andre De Ritter?
This is a fascinating mystery and you have to watch carefully to follow all the threads. I found the ending very satisfying until I though back to the beginning. Who killed Andrea De Ritter? I watched it again to see what I evidently missed but I still don't know! Anybody?