Q’s Reviews – June 12, 2023

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.   Spidey is back in a animated version that works nicely with the comic book story.  The art work is like stepping into an impressionist’s mind that is exploding with action and creativity.  Miles Morales is a young man living at home.  He is actually Spiderman who explores across the Multiverse to right wrongs.  He discovers a band of “Spider-People” protecting the Multiverse.  They have issues with the best methods to protect it.  There are many fanciful chases and dustups as Spidey proves his mettle.  The good and/or bad news is this is just the set-up to the next Spider Man movie.  Sit back and enjoy the fast paced art work because there is not much more  to enjoy.  Rated PG for sequences of animated action violence, some language and thematic elements.  In Theatres.

Monica.  The film is a delicate and nuanced look at relationships between a daughter and her mother.  It doesn’t help that the family fractured years ago.  We meet Monica (Trace Lysette) as she is suffering through yet another breakup.  She gets a call that her estranged mother, Eugenia (Patricia Clarkson), is dying and Monica is needed to come home. Monica heads home and sees her brother for the first time in years.  Her mother does not recognize her as the last time they met, Monica was her son.  The film examines serious issues of acceptance and forgiveness.  It is shot mostly in close-ups that are dripping with emotion and loneliness.  The film is very sad as the characters appear caught in torment of their own making.  Rated R for sexual content, nudity and language.  Available on Amazon Prime Video.

Love Again.   This film is a mash-up of Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail.  It is an enjoyable enough Rom/Com in its own right.  Mira Ray’s (Priyanka Chopra Jonas) fiancé dies unexpectedly.  She finds solace in sending him love texts to his old cell number.  But his number had been reassigned to Rob Burns (Sam Heughan). He is intrigued by the deep feelings in the texts.  Burns is a journalist who is writing a story about Céline Dion.  When they meet, she advises him on how to make a good connection with Mira.  Rob blows it and Mira is put off my him.  This is a Rom/Com so they do connect and all is right in the world.  Rated PG-13 for some sexual material and some strong language.  Available on Amazon Prime Video.

The Diplomat.   This eight episode political thriller is on Netflix.  It borrows heavily from Madam Secretary and The West Wing, but does it well – worth binging for sure.  An international crisis has the world in a tizzy.  Someone has attacked a British Carrier in the Persian Gulf.  Kate Wyler (Keri Russell), is a US diplomat just appointed Ambassador to the UK.  Who is behind the attack – Iran? Russia? Mercenaries? With politics driving decision making, everything is a mess.  Kate is well suited to navigate the the ever changing seascape.  She does all of this with a failing marriage and an incipient romance.  Snappy writing keeps the show running at a fast pace.  There is quite a cliff-hanger ending so season two is a must.  Rated TV MA for language and sexual content.  

Mending The Line.   This is a little gem of a movie.  It is in very limited release but worth finding.  It is the story of soldiers and how they cope with PTSD and what we can to to better support them.  Colter (Sinqua Walls)  is a Marine wounded in Afghanistan.  He has bounced around various V.A. facilities but still is deeply disturbed.   His latest assignment is a V.A. facility in Montana.  His doctor sends him out to learn how to fly fish from Ike (Brian Cox) who is a Vietnam Vet.  Ike is a tough customer who has seen it all.  The horrors of war; self medication; violence; he has experienced it.  He is also a skilled fly fisherman who teaches Colter the nuances of water, fly presentation and patience.  These lessons get through to Colter who for the first time can discuss his pain and hopefully move on.  It is also helpful that he develops a relationship with Lucy who is dealing with loss of her own. Rated R for language and some violent images.  In Theatres.  It is a Peggy’s Pick.

Flamin’ Hot.  This is a feel good movie that has the added benefit of a being a real, current Horatio Alger story.  Richard Montañez was a product of the LA Barrio.  He was a gang member, a drug dealer and small time thief.  His life-long friend and eventual wife, Judy, gets him to go straight and to be a good father to their children.  He lands a job as a janitor at the local Frito Lay plant.  He keeps the floors and his nose clean.  He has native intelligence and drive that brings him to the attention of management.  He uses his Mexican heritage to develop a spicy line of food products that appeals to the Hispanic community.  Flamin’ Hot Cheetos become a huge success both in the Hispanic Community and in general. Richard becomes Marketing Director for Multi Cultural Markets and is hugely successful.  He and Judy are still together.  Available on Disney+ and Hulu.  Rated PG-13 for some strong language and brief drug material.  It is a Peggy’s Pick.