Category: movies

Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King

On By Rick McIn books, moviesLeave a comment

I finally got around to reading (listening to) King’s 1992 hit novel.

A very unusual format.

Dolores Claiborne  is a psychological thriller by Stephen King. …

The novel led to a 1995 movie adaptation starring Kathy Bates …

Dolores Claiborne, an opinionated 65-year-old widow living in the tiny Maine community of Little Tall Island, is suspected of murdering her wealthy, elderly employer, Vera Donovan.

The novel is presented as a transcript of her statement, told to the local constable and a stenographer.

Dolores wants to make clear to the police that she did not kill Vera, whom she had looked after for years, but does confess to orchestrating the death of her husband, Joe St. George, almost thirty years previously. Dolores’s confession develops into the story of her life, her troubled marriage, and her relationship with her employer. …

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Andor – season 2

On By Rick McIn movies, TVLeave a comment

I really enjoyed season 1. The best Star Wars spinoff, so far.

A prequel.

Despite RAVE reviews, I never really got into season 2.

It’s confusing. I kept having to Google the too many characters.

Too much time spent on the Adria Arjona as Bix Caleen romantic interest, I thought.

BUT the ending was excellent. Not always easy to do in a series this complicated.

Beginning five years before the events of Rogue One and A New Hope, the series employs an ensemble cast of characters to demonstrate how a Rebel Alliance forms in opposition to the Galactic Empire.

Central to the cast is the eponymous Cassian Andor, a thief who becomes a revolutionary and eventually joins the Rebellion.

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INTENSE Movie – Apex

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I had to pause at points. Too stressful.

Charlize and co-star Taron Egerton should be nominated for all eligible acting awards.

Watch Apex on Netflix.

Apex (2026) stars Charlize Theron as Sasha, a grieving rock climber and kayaker who travels to the Australian wilderness to process a personal tragedy.

Her isolation trip shifts into a high-stakes battle for survival when she is targeted by a deceptive serial killer.

New Zealand Olympic canoeist Luuka Jones-Yaxley served as one stunt double for Charlize.

BUT, Charlize (age-50), performed nearly all of her own rock climbing, bouldering, and fighting. She trained intensively for two and a half months alongside legendary American rock climber Beth Rodden.

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Wake Up Dead Man (2025 film)

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Wake Up Dead Man is the third film in the Knives Out series:

  1. Knives Out (2019)
  2. Glass Onion (2022)
  3. Wake Up Dead Man (2025)

Each is an ensemble cast, classic whodunnit, with Benoit Blanc (played by Daniel Craig) being the only recurring character.

Wake Up Dead Man is far different than the first two — though still very watchable.

It’s more Agatha Christie. A semi-locked room mystery in a Church.

I didn’t recognize Daniel Craig when he walked on to screen.

Critical Consensus

Reviewers frequently highlight the film’s gothic atmosphere and its shift toward a darker, more serious tone compared to the campier previous instalments. 

  • Josh O’Connor’s Standout Performance: Almost every review singles out O’Connor (playing Father Jud) as the film’s MVP, with some calling it his best work to date.

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The Devil Wears Prada 2

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GREAT movie.

I’m surprised.

With zero interest in the fashion industry, I never saw the original.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 sequel reunites the core creative team and original lead cast to follow the characters navigating the modern, digital-first media landscape twenty years after the events of the original 2006 film.

Cast is fantastic.

Stanley Tucci as Stanley Tucci is always great.

But it was Justin Theroux playing a rich idiot that surprised me the most.

Gaga was hiliarous.

The dozens of celebrities doing cameos must have had a lot of fun.

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Even if you hate high fashion and mourn the victims that pay for that overpriced crap, see this film.

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Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

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Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is a 2022 funny whodunit film.

The second installment in the Knives Out series, featuring Daniel Craig reprising his role as the master detective Benoit Blanc.

The sequel is a much weaker murder mystery. And not nearly as funny.

Derol, played by Noah Segan, the doper, slacker houseguest was an excellent touch, however.

The cast is excellent.

The shattering glass scene at the end is unforgettable, as well.

I wonder what that cost? 😀

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Hanna (TV series) – season 3

On By Rick McIn movies, TVLeave a comment

Quite good. Better than season 2.

LOTS of action.

But I still like season 1 and the original film (2011) best.

The 3rd and final season of Hanna finds Hanna secretly working from within the sinister Utrax organization to destroy it and secure her freedom.

She forms an alliance with her former nemesis, ex-CIA agent Marissa Wiegler, to bring down the program. Their mission involves: 

Personal Stakes: Hanna’s attempts to lead a normal life are complicated by a romantic subplot with an activist named Abbas, whose safety becomes a primary concern as the operation reaches its climax.

Internal Sabotage: Coercing high-ranking agent John Carmichael to aid their cause.

New Threats: Facing Gordon Evans (played by Ray Liotta), a powerful former military man who oversees the Utrax “Pioneer” agenda.

80% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes sounds about right to me. Worth watching if you like (silly) thrillers.

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Michael (2026 film)

On By Rick McIn movies, musicLeave a comment

I was only briefly a big fan of Michael Jackson. Like almost everyone, I bought Thriller in 1982 — listening to the CD in my car hundred of times.

He and are about the same age, so I could relate to the radio sensation becoming a superstar.

The movie is worth seeing — but you could wait until it gets on streaming. No rush. It’s not nearly as good as Bohemian Rhapsody, by comparison.

Michael is a biographical drama about the life of Michael Jackson that was released in theatres and IMAX on April 24, 2026. The film has become a massive commercial success, setting the record for the biggest worldwide opening weekend ever for a biopic.

… the film spans Jackson’s life from his early days with the Jackson 5 in the 1960s to the peak of his solo career during the Bad tour in 1988. …

While the film has been a “megahit” with audiences, it has faced mixed to negative reviews from critics.

“Sanitized” Narrative: Critics have widely panned the film for being overly “safe” and avoiding the more controversial aspects of Jackson’s life.

Many of the family were involved in the movie. But Janet declined to be included. Michael’s daughter, Paris Jackson, has publicly criticized the film for its inaccuracies.

Jackson is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson and as a child by Juliano Krue Valdi, both in their film debuts. Both fantastic.

I checked to be sure father Joe Jackson was no longer alive to see his portrayal in this film. Joe died in 2018.

Google to see all the historical inaccuracies. For example, the movie suggests Michael’s first solo project was Off the Wall (1979), completely ignoring the four solo albums he had already released with Motown in the early 1970s.

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Knives Out – 2019 Film

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After yet another recommendation, I finally watched the hit comedy Knives Out.

Excellent.

Whose idea was it to have Daniel Craig with a Southern accent? Absurd, but funny.

Entertaining and a decent murder mystery.

Inspired by the works of Agatha Christie, the series is known for its “whodunnit” puzzles, star-studded ensemble casts, and social satire.

Detective Blanc investigates the death of wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey at his eccentric family estate.

The cast is great.

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Hanna (TV series) – season 2

On By Rick McIn movies, TVLeave a comment

Skillfully done, but a bit slow for me in the earlier episodes.

I liked the movie and season 1 better.

I watch this show for the ACTION.

It did end well.

That said, the acting is strong. Esme Creed-Miles as Hanna is fascinating.

Mireille Enos as Marissa Wiegler, the CIA operative put in charge of the UTRAX program, who turns from a foe to an ally and mother figure to Hanna should win awards for this performance.

Hanna season 2 received significantly stronger reviews than its first season, with many critics praising its ability to move beyond the source material of the original 2011 film. It holds a critical approval rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to 67% for Season 1. 

I’m hoping season 3 will be ALL action.

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