In each 15 minute podcast, Ann & Les review one current movie and recommend two related rentals. Ann is a two-time Emmy winning producer and Les is a former screenwriter turned successful novelist. They not only tell you that a movie is good or bad but they explain why. And then they always have…
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Show Notes: While Les prefered the film for it’s interesting casting choices, Ann disagreed and concluded it wasn’t such a big splash after all. Plot: The vacation of a famous rock star and her boyfriend in Italy is disrupted by the unexpected visit of an old friend and his daughter.
Show Notes: Ann and Les agreed that the all-star cast and epic stunt sequences made for a delightful, feel-good show. Plot: The Four Horsemen resurface, and are forcibly recruited by a tech genius to pull off their most impossible heist yet.
Show Notes: Ann and Les agreed this film masterfully captured the 50’s era tribulations, featuring outstanding actors who perfectly depicted the stirring emotions of this time period. Plot: In 1951, Marcus, a working-class Jewish student from New Jersey, attends a small Ohio college, where he struggles with sexual repression and cultural disaffection, amid the ongoing Korean War.
Show Notes: Despite the epic sci-fi adventure and stunning visual effects, Ann and Les felt the emotionless characters held back the picture from being a true masterpiece. Plot: A young blade runner's discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who's been missing for thirty years.
Show Notes: There was no battle of the sexes during this review; Ann and Les agreed that this was not a very extraordinary or exciting film to watch. Plot: This film tells the true story of the 1973 tennis match between world-number-one Billie Jean King and ex-champ/serial hustler Bobby Riggs. Runtime 2 hr 1 min.
Show Notes: The only thing Ann and Les had in common when reviewing this rom-com, was their adoration of Reese Witherspoon. Plot: Life for a single mom in Los Angeles takes an unexpected turn when she allows three young guys to move in with her. Runtime 1 hr 37 min.
Show Notes: Ann’s appreciation for Tom Cruise as an actor outshined Les’ opposition of the flaws found in the movie’s storytelling. Plot: This film tells the true story of Barry Seal, an American pilot who became a drug-runner for the CIA in the 1980s in a clandestine operation that would be exposed as the Iran-Contra Affair. Runtime 1 hr 55 min.
Show Notes: Ann’s distaste for violence was a strong argument against Les’ admiration for this continuation of the X-Men action saga. Plot: In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X, somewhere on the Mexican border. However, Logan's attempts to hide from the world, and his legacy, are upended when a young mutant arrives, pursued by dark forces. Runtime 2 hr 17 min.
Show Notes: Ann and Les agreed that this was an extraordinary story but not a very extraordinary or exciting film to watch. Plot: This movie is based on the true story of Chesley Sullenberger, an American pilot who became a hero when he landed a distressed flight on the Hudson River to save its passengers.
Show Notes: While Ann loved the family-friendly approach of this horror flick, Les thought the clichés of haunted houses dragged on for too long. Plot: When Pennywise, a ghost who takes the shape of a clown, begins persecuting school children, a group of misfits must band together to fight back.
Show Notes: Ann & Les were moved by the beautiful tribute to Jackie Robinson's life, struggles, and triumphs in the game of baseball and beyond. Plot: This biopic tells the story of Jackie Robinson's life as the first African-American MLB player.
Show Notes: Ann and Les adore these strong, beautiful women and the inspiring story they tell. Plot Summary: Four Aboriginal girls leave the persecution they face in 1960's Australia to sing and perform for U.S. troops in Vietnam.
Review Summary: Ann and Les loved both the young male leads and the direction of this masterpiece. Plot: A cop and a criminal meet in their youth; decades later we see what happens to their teenage sons.
Ann and Les adore this film that shows the personality of Sherlock, an aspect sometimes forgotten over the years.
Ann and Les adore this film that shows the personality of Sherlock, an aspect sometimes forgotten over the years.
Review Summary: Ann and Les adored this dark comedy which features gritty, real citizens from Bernie's hometown. Plot: A true story about a small-town mortician who makes a client of the town's wealthy widow and is still loved by his town. Runtime 104 minutes.
Review Summary: Ann and Les were not impressed by the eerie, emotionless performance of the lead. Plot: In her struggle to survive late 19th century Ireland, a place where women are discouraged from becoming independent, a woman pretends to be a bell boy named Albert Nobbs.
Review Summary: The lead actors had great timing, great chemistry and really worked well together. However, their humor was too vulgar for Ann's tastes which ruined the film for her. Plot: 3 friends with 3 horrible bosses start plotting murder when they reach their breaking point.
Show Notes: While Ann did not find this rom-com to be either romantic or comedic, Les disagreed with her on both accounts. Plot: When a guy and a girl attempt to keep their relationship purely physical in order to maintain their friendship, they realize that it is not as easy as it sounds.
Show Notes: While Ann and Les were blown away by the amazing special effects in this film, the confusing plot left something to be desired for Les. Plot: After a brilliant neurosurgeon is in a debilitating car accident, he finds himself learning the mystic arts in a journey of both physical and spiritual healing.
Show Notes: Ann & Les had high expectations for this brilliant team of director and performers, but they were seriously disappointed.
Review Summary: Ann and Les thought this movie was a lot of fun and gave a lot of insight into the fast food industry in America and the man behind McDonald's. Plot Summary: This is the story of Ray Kroc and how he turned two brothers' fast food restaurant, McDonald's, into one of the largest restaurant businesses in the world.
Review Summary: Ann and Les loved the direction, score, and lead performers in the rendition of the old fairy tale even though it wasn't quite as brilliant as they had hoped. Plot Summary: This is a retelling of the old fairy tale in which a prince is cursed and turned into an ugly beast and all of his servants are transformed into inanimate objects; the only way to unlock the curse is True Love's Kiss.
Review Summary: Les thought that Mark Wahlberg was absolutely terrific in this film, and Ann thought that they did a phenomenal job with such a tough story to tell. Plot Summary: This is the true story of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath, including the massive manhunt to find the terrorists responsible.
Review Summary: Ann & Les were fascinated with the way this movie combined horror and comedy. Plot Summary: When an African American man meets his white girlfriend's parents, things go from nice to weird to nightmarish.
Review Summary: Ann & Les adore this film that will tug at your heartstrings. Plot Summary: This film follows the custody battle between a brilliant little girl's uncle and grandmother.
Review Summary: Les thought this film was overhyped, but Ann found valuable lessons in the story. Plot Summary: Based on the play of the same name, this film follows the journey of a gay man who struggles to survive his rough Miami neighborhood.
Review Summary: Ann and Les thought this raunchy comedy showed intelligence and honesty. They loved the supporting role of LeBron James (played by himself). Plot Summary: A trainwreck of a woman must rethink her father's mantra ("monogamy doesn't exist") when she meets a nice guy.
Review Summary: Ann did not like the way Johnny Depp played his role, and both she and Les had much higher expectations for this film. Plot Summary: The Feds try to take down notorious American gangsters during a booming crime wave in the 1930s.
Review Summary: This movie is goofy and quirky, but the eccentricity begins to grate on the nerves after a bit. Plot: A reporter meets a guy who claims to be a former member of the U.S. Army's New Earth Army, a unit that employs paranormal powers in their missions.
Review Summary: Cate Blanchett's performance makes this film unmissable - another Woody Allen success! Plot: After her marriage to a wealthy businessman collapses, New York socialite Jasmine arrives in San Francisco to stay with her estranged sister, bringing her troubles along with her.
Review Summary: Ann and Les were both absolutely riveted with this original and unconventional mystery film. Plot Summary: A journalist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing -- or dead -- for forty years by a young female hacker.
Review Summary: Robert De Niro lives up to expectations in his performance, but the overall film was still lacking. Plot: While working in a homeless shelter, a young man encounters his father for the first time in 18 years.
Review Summary: Although not the best musical they've ever seen, Ann & Les agree that "Mamma Mia!" was both fun and catchy. Plot: The story told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father.
Review Summary: Les found this movie to be "terrifically suspenseful," and Ann thought it was very creative and original, with "brilliant moments of small discoveries." Plot Summary: A sixteen-year-old girl who was trained by her father to be an assassin is sent on a special mission across Europe, where she is tracked by a ruthless intelligent agent.
Review Summary: While the 3D and visual execution of this film blew Ann & Les away, the actors and finished storyline were a little underwhelming. Plot: A young orphan lives hidden in a 1930's Paris train station and uncovers the mystery surrounding his father and an automaton.
Review Summary: Ann & Les loved the camera work, direction and mood of this film. It's artistic and brilliant! Plot: A has-been superhero actor tries to restart his career on Broadway while battling interior and exterior conflicts.
Review Summary: Ann and Les agreed that this was a sweet, entertaining movie that handled pregnancy tastefully, although it was not a great movie. Plot Summary: This movie follows the lives and pregnancies of five interconnected couples as they experience the hardships, joys, and surprises of having a baby.
Review Summary: Ann and Les detested this film; it seemed like a cheap reinvention of Alien that went horribly wrong. Plot: A space crew is launched to another planet in an attempt to discover the origin of the human species, but they quickly discover that they're not alone.
Review Summary: Les loved the whimsy and romance of this film, but Ann thought it was a bit of a stretch the whole way through. Plot: Two middle school students flee their parents and camp counselors to camp out on their own.
Review Summary: Ann says that this film is honest, but almost too much so. She and Les like the offbeat and upbeat tone at points, but it's a little bit too much overall. Plot: A lonely man with Asperger's Syndrome, develops a relationship with his upstairs neighbor.
Review Summary: Ann & Les hated this "stale" film that overused '70s speak like "psychedelic" and "groovy" until it became cliché. Plot: A man inadvertently sets in motion the generation-defining concert while working at his parents' motel in the Catskills in the summer of 1969.
Review Summary: Ann says the movie succeeds as good "popcorn entertainment," but it is not very true to the real life happenings and is not an altogether exceptional film. Plot: This chronicles the story of the 1980 U.S. hostage crisis in Iran, and how a CIA agent pretends to be a Hollywood producer in order to free them.
Review Summary: Ann and Les think this film is great for young girls, but it's a little heavy-handed with the morals and will likely seem cheesy for adults. Plot: Teenage surfer Bethany Hamilton loses her arm in a shark attack, and must rely on her friends, family, and faith to get her through this time and back on the water.
Review Summary: While this is definitely a kids' movie, the whole family will have fun watching it together - boys and girls! Plot: The Grimm's Fairytale, Rapunzel, is given a modern twist when a charming outlaw coaxes the long-haired princess out of her tower and into a world of mischief and adventure.
Review Summary: The casting and storyline make this film "cute, smart, and gloriously entertaining..." Plot: The story of Julia Child's start in the cooking profession and how blogger Julie Powell challenges herself to cook all the recipes in Child's first book.
Review Summary: Ann & Les love seeing Matt Damon in an atypical role, which they call it "one of his best performances." However, Ann found the first part of the movie rather confusing. Plot: Based on real events, a corporate vice president becomes an informant to the U.S. government when his company is accused of price-fixing.
Review Summary: Ann & Les can't figure out how they spent $150M making this film; the special effects look cheap, as do the script, the director, and the performances. Plot: A test pilot is granted an alien ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers.
Review Summary: This film does something Ann hasn't seen in years: "it has two protagonists, but you're rooting for both." Les calls it "classy," despite the violence of an MMA movie. Plot: The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament - a path that puts the fighter on a collision corner with his older brother.
Review Summary: Ann and Les were thoroughly disappointed by this depiction of an American icon; they thought the film made this strong woman appear weak and unadmirable. Plot Summary: This bio-pic shows what it was like for Jacqueline Kennedy in the days following JFK's assassination.