Released in 1973 come . . . The Sting.

The premise is as follows:

After pulling a small time con job on the worse possible mark, con artists Johnny Hooker and his pals Luther and Erie Kid learn the hard way of their mistake. They stole from crime boss Doyle Lonnegan.

After finding Luther dead, Johnny Hooker reaches out to a friend of Luther’s to “even the score.”

Together, Johnny works with Henry Gondorff and plenty others to play the long con and gets the sting on Lonnegan, that is if they don’t betray one another first.

Having said that enough, on to my Kitty Paws:

One Paw for hottie Paul Newman. Awehhhhh

One Paw for Robert Redford. He’s doing an awful lot of running, which is funny to this kitty.

One Kitty Paw for the supporting cast . . . Before he gets eaten by a really big fish, Robert Shaw plays the hard mobster well. And the father of the future Sith Lord Anankin (mystery solved) does his best.

A half of a Kitty Paw for the sets and costumes.

My only complaint is that this movie is tinge long. Other than that, if you have a rainy day Sunday, I recommend this movie with your favorite movie candy, popcorn and pop.

Okay, next up from the jar is . . . The Wrong Man.

Csk

Released in 1959 comes Hitchcock’s . . . The Wrong Man.

The premise is as follows:

While trying to get a loan for his wife’s dental needs, Christopher “Manny” Balestrero gets spotted as a man who had robbed the insurance company just a few months prior.

The police pick him up and take him get to the various stores the thief has already robbed.
Saddly because of writing error and some questionable/shotty police work, Manny gets arrested.

His arrest then leads to the downfall of his wife’s mental stability and while you know the out-come, it’s still very tragic.

Having said enough, on to my Kitty Paws:

One and a Half Kitty Paws For Henry Fonda. The man is tall and slim but this movie just makes him so small and meek. He kept saying that he had to call his wife and I just felt so bad for him, I started crying.

One Kitty Paw for Vera Miles, the actress who played his wife. She just checks out and it’s scary.

One Kitty Paw for Hitchcock’s direction. He has some powerful camera shots that just move you. The prison door scene, the courtroom scene where no one cares, the sergeant’s desk scene . . . just some good ole fashion Hitchcock.

So at 3.5 Kitty Paws I do recommend this movie on a rainy Sunday. This movie would do well with your favorite comfort foods.

Okay, our last movie from the jar is . . . The Innocents.

Then don't watch the more recent one.

Ugh. Long shot of walking and walking . . . I was starting to fall asleep in the theatre.

KuKu

The review is late because the Niners Won yesterday.

Released in 1961 comes . . . The Innocents.

The premise is as follows:

Miss Gibbins has applied to be a governess for a pair of children in England. However, because Miles, the eldest child is away at school, she only has to care for Little Flora. As such, she is given full free reign of the child and house as their uncle and guardian is "selfish".

Excited for her new position, she quickly becomes aware of strange and uncomfortable presences in the house. Then she slowly but surely becomes aware of the fate of the previous governess.

And the presences become stronger with the unexpected and abrupt arrival of Miles, having been expelled from school.

Now suddenly, Miss Gibbins is dealing with a very uncomfortable scenario, indeed.

Having said more than enough, on to my Kitty Paws:

So this is clearly the movie that the show The Haunting of Bly Manor is based on. I didn't care for Bly Manor as I felt it went on way too long but by comparison, I liked the explanation of things better . . . but still not a fan.

Either way, I felt Debroh Kerr did fine and there were some great spook-esque moments but overall, this movie just creeped me out in a bad way.

And then the ending.

I kinda just sat there wondering what the hell did I just watch.

So, I can't recommend this movie.

csk

So, I am just going to do it!

For the month of April, the movie-thon theme is Wes Anderson Films.

By my count, there are 4 Wednesdays and 4 Sundays, giving a total of 8 movies. The movies will all be put in the jar and randomly selected.

As for the CONTEST!!!!

After all 8 movies have been reviewed, 24 TRIVIA Questions will be posted, 3 questions per movie and the first person to answer all correctly WINS!

What's the prize????

Well, I am torn. Should I wait to see what the winner's favorite Wes Anderson's favorite movie is or should I just put together a Wes Anderson care package?

I think I will call a vote the last week of March.

Eitherway, there you have it. Wes Anderson is on the horizon! The April Horizon!

csk

Moonrise Kingdom is my all time favorite of his (Wes Anderson) I just want to go live in that world.

-Amanda from Seattle.

Amanda, you reminded me of a movie I've watched several times.
Each time I've focused on a different character.
Each time I remember why I really like this movie.
"The Man From Earth"

https://tubitv.com/movies/467588/the-man-from-earth

This is a fun documentary about a marathon in Tennessee!! I wonder if anyone has planted any letterboxes for this event??

https://youtu.be/LZ-DE-hmiGE?si=KAsNNUdLWqON_9Z2

-Amanda from Seattle

there's crazy and there's totally off your rocker crazy.
wow, what a race.

Jasmin Paris just completed the Barkley Marathon this week! The first woman to ever complete it!

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-68643341.amp

I was more interested when I read it as Neet Documentary.

I'm at work so I skimmed through it with the sound off but it looks like fun doco! I look forward to watching it tonight.

Man, I miss running. I did it for a large portion of my life - but these old bones can't take it anymore.

:(

Hello,

The following is the complete list of Wes Anderson movies that has been officially released and have officially been entered in the jar.

Bottle Rocket 1996
Rushmore 1998
The Royal Tenenbaums 2001
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou 2004
The Darjeeling Limited 2007
Fantastic Mr. Fox 2009
Moonrise Kingdom 2012
The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014
Isle of Dogs 2018
The French Dispatch 2021
Asteroid City 2023
The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Three More 2024

I am a bit worried I might not be able to find them all, so we shall see how this journey goes.

Now as previously discussed, there is a trivia and prize with this round of Movie Reviews. But I wasn't sure if I should do just a one for all care package or favorite movie gift as THE PRIZE.

So, it's now time to vote. If you think it should be a general care package for all hit the "funny" button. If you feel it should be a prize based on the winner's favorite movie, hit the "hug" button.

Final count is on Sunday when I release the first movie to be reviewed.

csk

Okay. . . The first movie is . . . The Royal Tenebaums.

As for the vote . . . It looks like a “general” package is the winner for the trivia game.

Csk

Released in 2004 comes our first Wes Anderson movie . . . The Royal Tenebaums.

The premise is as follows:

After learning that his estranged wife has been proposed to, Royal Tenebaum, an absentee spouse and father decides he wants his family back.

First step convincing the wife to let him back into the house.

Second step is getting involved in his adult children’s lives; which has been made easy by virtue of the fact that each their children’s adult lives seem to be falling apart for various reason and all have decided to return to the family home.

What follows is his layers of plans of scheming and manipulating them all to get them “to love me, damnit”.

But not everyone is buying it, which prompts Royal to try various tactics. However, as he deploys his various tactics, he slowly begins to realize everything he missed out on and how uniquely amazing his children really are.

Having said more than enough, on to my WA Paws:

One WA Paw for visuals and scenic moments of this movie. Stark, contrasting colors and tangible shots. But what really cracks me up is outside their safe spheres is a rough, rough world. Cue the first gypsy cab scene. “That cab has a dent in it.” And the kid sells it. But the car with the cardboard in the window sells it too.

One WA Paw for the costumes. What I absolutely love is that each character is dressed distinctly but also that they own their clothes. Gwenth Paltro sells that fur coat that she wears everywhere. Ben Stiller sells those trainers, as does his kids. Danny Glover sells that purple coat and bowties.

Two WA for the entire cast. Everyone, no matter how small their part is, everyone delivers in this movie. And Wes Anderson assembled a fabulous cast.

A Half of WA Paw for the quirkiness of this movie. Not everyone is going to “get” this movie. Some might consider it too slow or not a lot of plot but that’s okay. This movie is all character driven, not plot driven.

However I do have one issue. Not to give anything away, but it wasn’t until the nearly the end did I see the “problem” Eli Cash was dealing with. And it doesn’t help that Owen Wilson is known to be out there anyways. So, I kinda feel like that was a bit too left field-ish to believe.

I don’t want to take any Paws away but I watched it twice and I felt the same both times.

So we will say a solid, solid 4 WA Paws Plus! This movie would do well with your favorite movie treats and butterscotch ice cream on a Thursday night.

Okay . . . next up from the jar is The Aquatic Life with Steve Zissou.

csk

Released in 2004 comes our second WA movie . . . The Aquatic Life of Steve Zissou.

The premise is as follows:

After the failure of his recent movie on his aquatic life, Steve Zissou is determined to revive his once vibrant and exceptional career.

In addition to this task, Steve also wanted seek revenge on his curious death of his friend from a strange and unknown tiger shark unknown to the world of oceanography.

But he has no money and no one want to invest in a "has been".

Enter Ned Plimpton; a young man who may or may not be Steve's son.

After Ned offers his recently inherited monies to fund him, Steve seeks out to accomplish his goals.

Having said more than enough, on to WA review. Be very warned, I am including spoilers in this review.

This movie had so much potential but failed.

WA made some serious anti-audience choices and the charm of the movie and characters could not atone for them.

Cate Blanchett, at what 50? chewing bubble gum. No.

Hitting a three legged dog. HUGE NO.

Then abandoning the three legged dog on an island of evil pirates. EVEN BIGGER NO.

Killing off a very likeable character for what???? That was incredibly STUPID. And I would argue while Owen Wilson plays fun characters, he relies on his gimmick-y acting to get through a lot of roles. But he plays it straight and does a really good job in this role. And WA kills him off. Just WOW.

And the movie droops in the middle, so there is that.

So, it had great potential but it fails. I can not express how disappointed I am about it. Actually, I can but I won't.

But movie-ing on . . . next up from the jar is The Darjeeling Limited.

csk

I watched this movie when it came out and thought it torturous to set through. Then after all of the glowing reviews and fawning over it proliferated, I thought maybe I missed something. So a couple of years later I watched it again with an open mind. Still sucked. A waste of talent, in my humble opinion. But, full disclosure, I have to admit I'm not a WA fan. I have a sneaking suspicion a lot his stuff is a case of 'Emperor's new clothes' syndrome... but I digress.

_{(Oh and, nitpick, it's Life Aquatic... 😉)}

By, golly it is!!!

So sucky movie with a sucky title. I, at least, made it roll off the tongue better.

Review and new title stands as is.

;o)

csk

Released in 2007 comes our 3rd WA movie . . . The Darjeeling Unlimited.

The premise is as follows:

A year after the death of their father, three estrange brothers decide to ride the The Darjeeling Unlimited train to reconnect and take a spiritual journey together. The train’s route is through India, a place both of their parents had been in.

There is Francis, the eldest. He is played by Owen Wilson. He is an organizer and perfectionist. And wants to be in charge. Except they are grown adults now.

There is Peter. Peter was present when their father was hit and killed by a taxi. Having seen the death of his father has created some serious anxieties of fatherhood, as Peter is to be a father himself very, very soon. Additionally, Peter seems to be fixated on collecting and keeping their father’s personal affects, without speaking to his brothers about it.

Then there’s little Jack. Jack seems to have impulse issues and control issues of his own, while trying to maintain his own identity from his older and bigger brothers.

As they board the train it becomes very apparent the they are carrying the baggage of their father, figuratively and physically speaking, the burden of their absentee mother and the unresolved childhood issues that they have not dealt with. Cue the scene where they are all swapping meds.

As the movie progresses you see how the probable and the unprobable affect their journey and bonding time. Cue the scene where the train “get’s lost”. How does a train get lost when it’s on set path??? Well in the words of a Jurassic Park movie, “life will find a way.”

Having said more than enough, on to my WA Paws:

One and a Half WA Paw for Owen Wilson and Adrian Brody. Adrian Brody is a powerful actor. An exceptional actor and he does a great job. Owen Wilson, who again, does things a little too gimmicky for me, manages his own again him and does a fine job.

One WA Paw for the scenes and background. I don’t typically watch movies set in India, but once again, WA manages to make even the desert colorful and bright. This movie is very visually appealing and pleasing.

One WA Paw for the story and metaphors. We are not talking “fast and furious” or the “Royal Tenebuams” quirkiness. WA almost nearly plays it straight letting us get to know the characters through their actions. They don't mention certain childhood incidents, but you see how their overall childhood developed them. But there is something to this simple, kinda sad, healing movie. I haven’t work it out yet.

My only complaint is that WA could have certainly tightened it up a little. But I hesitate to take any points away.

So, at a soft 3.5 WA Paws, I do recommend this movie. But this movie is not for everyone. Again, this movie is about the journey of three brothers trying to fix something they aren’t naming.

This movie would do well on a Thursday night, with you favorite pot of tea.

Okay, next up is . . . Asteroid City.

csk

It has been years since I saw Darjeeling, but if you liked the Desert in that one, Asteroid City should be a favorite!! LOL
I just watched Asteroid City and I found it charming but my favorite WS is still Moonrise Kingdom. Hands Down. Also as a letterboxer, the setting of Moonrise Kingdom and the quest aspect will appeal.

-Amanda from Seattle

I started Astroid City and haven’t gotten back to it. Moonrise Kingdom is so great. I need to look at it again.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I will have to delay my review posting. Hopefully, I will be able to post it tomorrow.

Csk

Released in 2023 comes our 4th WA movie . . . Asteroid City.

The premise is as follows:

I think . . . it's about a play being developed, being broadcasted, being produced????

So, the play, the movie, the development is about a collection of people who come to Asteroid City for the Junior Stargazer Awards. The recipients are all children who invented inventions beyond their years.

As it happens each collection of people, including a school teacher and her pupils, and roving band, all have their own personal issue going on.

There's the family whose car has a strange mechanical malfunction. Their mother has died, and their father has failed to tell the children 3 weeks after her passing. The father struggles with his grief. But more over, he struggles with his role in his life, in the play, in the production.

Then there is Dinah, who's brilliance is eclipsed (see what I did there) by her mother's celebreality status.

Then there's the kid who insists on be dared to do crazy things. He has a hurt that needs to be addressed.

But moreover, on the night of the awards a special eclipse is supposed to happen when a very unexpected event happens with the eclipse.

Having said more than enough, on to my WA Paws:

This movie is visually stunning. It's gorgeous. One WA Paw.

Everyone is very committed to their role and does a fine job. Jason Swartzman does an outstand job of being a bereaved father and he has this great moment with Margot Robbie. Tom Hanks delivers. But One WA Paw.

But that is it. I mean there are great moment with Tom Hanks and his granddaughters but overall, I didn't get the point of this movie. I didn't care to for the full frontal of Scarlett Johansson. I didn't understand the importance of alien coming. I didn't get a lot of this movie. I simply thought this was such a waste of absolute talent.

Okay, as it Monday, I am going to have skip Wednesday's review and shoot for Sunday.

Next up from the jar is . . . The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.

csk

I love Wes Anderson's movies, but this is the only one of his movies that I fell asleep watching. When I woke up I asked my husband if I missed anything important to the plot, he said "No. You were better off sleeping."

I finally went back and finished it after starting it a while back and I really liked the originality of it. It was different than your usual run of the mill movie fare.

I really liked "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar."

Jaxx

Released in 2023 comes . . . The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar.

The premise is as follows:

One day, while visiting some friends Henry Sugar (this is not his real name) comes across an odd book in their library. Intrigued, Henry steals the book; a book containing a doctor's report of Imdad Khan, a man who claimed he can see without using his eyes. The report entails Imdad's journey of learning this gift, and Henry a man of fortune decides to learn this gift to expand his fortune.

After some significant time Henry actually learn's Imdad's gift and it changes everything about him.

Having said more than enough, on to my WA Paws:

One and A Half WA for excellent talent everyone brought through their multiple characters.

One WA for the visualization of this movie. It is stunning.

One WA for it's story and original portrayal of the story.

However, I have two major complaints.

1. 1 is the pace. It moves way too fast. You really have to pay attention to understand what is happening.

1. 2 I really felt they spent an enormous amount of time telling Imdad's story when the title/story is about Henry. It was such a greatly missed opportunity to give the audience a chance to see all of Henry's deliberate characters acting "out" at the casino as well as seeing how those who benefitted from Henry's gift.

For these two reasons I am taking a WA Paw way. I would have preferred and loved to have seen Henry's arch from a rich spoiled man to gifted philanthropist, as well as those who benefitted from his gift.

This is a beautiful movie, filled exceptional actors but I would have preferred more Henry and the outcome of his newly developed gift than Imdad's story dominating the movie.

Okay . . . next up is the The Grand Budapest Hotel.

csk

I found it to be a wonderful film!

Jaxx

Released in 2014 comes . . . The Grand Budapest Hotel.

The premise is as follows:

The Grand Budapest Hotel's soul lies with the hotel's concierge, M. Gustave. Gustave likes and enjoys having affairs with old, wealthy women patrons in between commanding the hotel staff and ensuring its smooth operations.

One of his affairs is with the dowager Madame Céline Villeneuve Desgoffe-und-Taxis (known as Madame D.). In addition to having a premonition of her pending death, Madame D also has terrible adult children, children whom she does not trust. And as it turns out, it is she who also secretly owns the hotel.

So, when Madame D dies unexpectedly and under mysterious circumstances, Gustave became an immediate suspect.

However, just prior to his arrest, Gustave and his most trusted lobby boy, Zero, steal what has been rightfully bequeath to Gustave; an ugly but highly valued painting called "Boy with Apple."

So, between the stolen art, and being the prime suspect, Gustave also becomes the target of the assassin, Jopling.

And so, this high-flying adventure begins, with bad men, ugly paintings, a lovely girl with a birthmark of Mexico, a splash of La Panche perfume, and an unattached head to boot.

Having said more than enough, on to my WA Paws

The truth is this movie is damn near the perfect movie. Ralph Fiennes and Tony Revolori are an absolutely marvelous pair. They bring these characters to life and make you like them. You really have to watch them, their presences, their interactions to appreciate what they bringing to the screen.

The quirkiness of this movie is exceptional. "Did he just throw my cat out the window?"

And what an amazing supporting cast. Adrian Brody. Jeff Goldblum. Jude Law. Edward Norton. William Dafoe.

And of course, his trademark, an amazing set of backgrounds, scenes, and costumes. Wes Anderson spares no expense in making this movie beautiful.

Not to mention, funny quotes I say randomly. "Get your hands off my Lobby Boy!"

At first, you aren't sure where this movie is going but trust me, it's excellent.

The highest movie I have ever rated is "To Catch A Thief". This certainly is of equal ranking.

So, if you fancy yourself a wonderful movie, I highly, highly recommend this movie on a Saturday night, with your favorite you-so-fancy charcuterie board, and bottle of wine.

Okay . . . next up is Moonrise Kingdom.

csk

Hurrah!! Moonrise Kingdom is next! I know I talk this one up a lot, but I just want to go live in this world!!

What kind of bird are YOU?

-Amanda from Seattle