Murder on the Orient Express
{4/5} “I can only see the world as it should be. And when it is not, the imperfection stands out like the nose in the middle of the face. It makes most of life unbearable, but it is useful in the detection of crime.” Murder on the Orient Express, released in 2017 Famous detective Hercule […]
Pitch Perfect 3
{4.5/5} “‘Well, I just got kicked out of flight school for killing 300 fake people.’ ‘I hate fake people.’” Pitch Perfect 3, released in 2017 The Bellas who have graduated all have disappointing jobs. They get back together to sing at a USO tour in Europe. It turns out to be a competition — the […]
Black Panther
{4.5/5} “Like an antelope in headlights.” Black Panther, released in 2018 T’Challa, King of Wakanda, is also the Black Panther. Their country keeps their vibranium-based technology a secret from the rest of the world. T’Challa is upset to discover that his father killed his uncle — and left his cousin behind. Then his cousin shows […]
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
{5/5} “Guess it ain’t self explanatory, then.” Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, released in 2017 Mildred’s daughter was raped and killed a year ago, and the police haven’t arrested anyone. In utter frustration, she rents 3 billboards that highlight the fact that the police, and specifically Chief Willoughby, haven’t arrested anyone. She even gets on […]
Pixar movies
Here’s an update to this list. And here is my discussion of a concert of music from Pixar movies I attended. Toy Story movies Toy Story 1995 -> 5/5 Toy Story 2 1999 -> 5/5 Toy Story 3 2010 -> 4.5/5 Toy Story 4 2019 Monsters, Inc. movies Monsters, Inc. 2001 -> 5/5 Monsters University […]
Coco
{4.5/5} “I thought it might have been one of those made-up things that adults tell kids, like vitamins.” Coco, released in 2017 Miguel’s family makes shoes but all he wants to do is play music. Unfortunately the one thing his family forbids is music, so he does it in secret. Then he finds out that […]
Actors worth following, part 8
This list continues from part 7. Kevin Costner Costner has a great screen presence and often plays an everyman thrust into extraordinary circumstances. He also directed Dances with Wolves and The Postman. Masterpieces Dances with Wolves Field of Dreams Hidden Figures Great movies The Bodyguard The Company Men Man of Steel The Untouchables Great at […]
La La Land
{5/5} “No, Jamal. You be trippin’.” La La Land, released in 2016 Mia is trying to become an actress but so far her auditions aren’t going very well. Sebastian is a jazz pianist who keeps playing things his boss doesn’t want to hear and getting fired. Mia hears Sebastian play and thinks it’s amazing but […]
Please Stand By
{4.5/5} “This is what happens when you pee on the bus.” Please Stand By, released in 2017 Wendy lives in a group home, works at Cinnabon, and looks after her dog. She’s autistic, and she occasionally gets upset when things don’t go the way she wants. She’s written a “Star Trek” script for a contest […]
History of SF as a graphic chronology
Here’s the history of science fiction, as drawn by Ward Shelley. Click on the image to blow it up: The History of Science Fiction You can find out more about it on Shelley’s website, here: Home Page: Ward Shelley (click on “History of Science Fiction”)