Once Upon A Time In...Hollywood

Rick Dalton and his long time stunt double Cliff Booth struggle to stay relevant in 1969's Hollywood scene.

I loved this movie - it was funny, it was clever, it was nostalgic and it was obnoxiously violent in traditional Tarantino fashion.

Oddly paced especially for a running time of two hours and forty-five minutes, nevertheless, the ending, believe it or not, is sweet and wistful.

The casting is spectacular - stay through the credits as it adds even more shrewd fun from the era.

***1/2 Must See

Rated R (for strong language, violence and drug use) 

Spider-Man: Far From Home

Spider-Man, now without the guidance of Tony Stark, must step it up to protect the world from a new threat.

So, I wanted to like this so much more than I did. The character and script just aren't consistent with the Spider-Man that we have seen in the past...four or five flicks. Let me explain:

First: Throughout the movie, Peter Parker is resistant to helping save the world, because he has more important things to do. Such as going on his school field trip and telling his crush that he is in love with her. Does that sound right?? I mean this is the same guy that voluntarily went into space with Tony Stark when he specifically tried to send him home, but no, he was so devout to the cause of saving the world - he hung onto the space thingamabob to help his hero, Iron Man.  Iron Man who then miraculously saved all those that had been "blipped" by Thanos and brought them back to life, at which time they then engaged in the Endgame to save themselves a second time - are we all caught up?  Now, that Nick Fury is asking for Spider-Man's help - knowing what kind of threat the world is facing...and he can't be bothered.

Second: Instead of trying to "do it all" which seems to be the m.o. of the Spider-Man in the comic books, i.e. I can save the world, but I must be back in time to take a test or go to the party that Aunt May planned - he just keeps trying to avoid being the hero.

Third: There is a major plot hole in that none of the other Avengers are helping. Thor is off world, as is Captain Marvel and apparently Dr. Strange is unavailable. OK fine, what about Black Panther? Or the Falcon? The Hulk perhaps? Or hey, Captain America didn't die in Endgame - he just kind of aged out and retired, why not bring him in as a consultant? I get this is a Spider-Man movie, but my point is, that for a threat of this magnitude it seems extremely odd and unlikely that SHIELD is going to just let the kid handle it, when he is clearly so riddled with teenage angst that he can't commit to the job.

Pitiful character development, weak storyline, and pathetic arc with great comedic dialogue.

** Rentable

Rated PG-13 (for violence, language and suggestive situations)

Yesterday

After a twelve second global blackout - Jack, a struggling musician, seems to be the only person on the planet that remembers The Beatles and their music.

This was cute but not as great as I expected. I wanted to hear more music and for them to illustrate why it still resonates with people in this century. The on-going theme throughout the film is what would the world be like without iconic pop-culture - yet it didn't seem to be much different.

Sweet, but not charming enough to rush out and see.

** 1/2 Rentable

Rated PG-13 (for language)