Dolittle

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Michael Sheen, Antonio Banderas, Jim Broadbent, Harry Collett

Voice overs: Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, John Cena, Kumail Nanjiani, Octavia Spencer, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez, Tom Holland, Craig Robinson and Marion Cotillard

Year: 2020

I hate to begin this by saying I didn't love it. But I really didn't. I didn't hate it. But, honestly, I'm not sure I liked it either. Let's just say it was okay. And okay being in the loosest sense. Maybe because I was expecting something different - which is true. But I also felt it was really difficult to follow. Too much talking and flitting back and forth between animals and scenes. It was busy if that makes any sense.

This movie is inspired by the second Dr. Dolittle book "The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle". Maybe if they would have left the title at that, I might have known what to expect. A voyage! But with just "Dolittle", I was expecting a remake of the original version. How he became known as the veterinarian who could talk to animals.

This version begins years later, with Dolittle (Downey Jr.) as a recluse. Heartbroken after his wife's death at sea. Not exactly the best way to win over an audience - especially a younger one. And because of his loss, he not only shuts the doors of the animal clinic; he shuts the doors to all human connection as well.

Enter a new scene - where Tommy (Collett) shoots a squirrel (by accident, but again, quite alarming for younger peeps I would think) and finds his way to Dolittle's manor - hoping Dolittle can save the squirrel. After some reluctance, Dolittle finds a small nurturing part left in his lonely sad heart, and heals the furry little guy. Beginning the healing of his lonely sad heart as well. In the meantime, Dolittle is also summoned to save the young Queen of England's life, as she is gravely ill. This request sets him off to find a cure to save her life - taking Tommy and most of his animals (a gorilla, duck, polar bear, ostrich and parrot), along for the ride. And so the "voyage" begins.

I'm not really sure who this movie is meant for. I assumed for a much younger audience. But I gotta say, there is a lot of action and violence in this movie, along with some crude adult humour, and some frightening scenes. Not necessarily young people material. Having said that, it does have SOME good bits. It's got Robert Downey Jr. for one!! The visual affects are great - although at times the animals do look a bit more mechanical. It has it's share of funny parts and, what probably kept me going, good messages along the way.

Would I watch it again? Probably not. Would I recommend it for little people? I doubt it. Yes I know most Disney movies have a sad part (Cinderella lost her parents, Bambi lost his mother, Simba lost his father), but at least they are, for the most part, cheery, happy and flow. And you can find up-lifting, catchy (okay fine, sometimes annoying) tunes along the way.

I'm not going to say not to watch Dolittle. Go right ahead. Just be forewarned - it's a bit chaotic (no, a lot chaotic!), choppy, and sometimes confusing. Disappointing really. With Robert Downey Jr. at the helm and a load of amazing A-list actors too, it just proves that you need the right direction to make it work. The right editing to make it flow.

If I had to choose the best part (because you should always find something good in everything!! lol), it would be the credits at the end! The music is up-beat. And the shots of all the actors doing their voice-overs is fun.

Favourite Lines:

*It's okay to be scared.

*Somehow we just belong together.

*Courage is not the absence of fear.

*Embrace the unknown, and the answers will be revealed.

*It's only by helping others that we can truly help ourselves.

From one movie "buff" to another...get that popcorn popped, the lights dimmed and the movie rolling.

Sleepless in Seattle

Starring: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Bill Pullman, Ross Malinger, Rosie O'Donnel, Rob Reiner, Rita Wilson

Year: 1993

I love, love, LOVE this movie!! A classic. A true classic. An all-time fave for me. Did I mention I love it?? Who hasn't seen "Sleepless in Seattle" at least once?! For me, over a hundred times I am sure. And, even after all these years, with pretty much every scene and line memorized, I could watch it a hundred times more.

A Nora Ephron film (You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, Julie & Julia, Hanging Up), it doesn't disappoint. Not one single bit.

This film starts off with two stories, that eventually become one. It's the story of Sam (Hanks), a recently widowed father and his son Jonah (Malinger). And the story of Annie (Ryan) who is engaged to Walter (Pullman) and yet believes her future is with Sam. The only problem is that she has never met Sam. She only knows Sam exists because Jonah called into a radio talk show on Christmas Eve, asking for help to find his dad a new wife. And Annie was listening. The radio host then asks to speak to Sam. And it isn't until Annie hears Sam say the word "magic", that her heart goes pitterpat, her brain goes into over-drive and she truly believes he is THE ONE for her. The only two itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny issues....she is engaged to Walter and lives on the opposite side of the country.

Annie's story is a similar version of the old classic "An Affair to Remember" and a favourite of Annie's. After watching "An Affair to Remember" with her bestie, Becky (O'Donnel), her heart overtakes her brain and she writes a letter to Sam, asking that they meet on top of the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day. But then comes to her senses and doesn't actually send it. But unbeknownst to her, Becky does.

Who doesn't want to watch a classic movie like "Sleepless in Seattle" and experience all the romantic and wonderful feelings the characters do? Live along side them and share their pain, their joy, and all their romantic moments? Sigh.

Fun Fact: A little off topic, but did you know that all of Jane Austin's stories end with an engagement? It's true. It allows the audience to visualize and imagine their own version of the characters' happily ever after. And just like Jane Austin, Nora Ephron has chosen to do the same. End the movie at the beginning of Sam and Annie's life together. Oops. Sorry. Spoiler! ....as if you didn't know!😍

What's even more interesting, if you really think about it, is that Tom and Meg are in hardly any scenes together until the end. And yet, almost right from the start, you can feel their chemistry. Their spark. Their magic.

I can't say enough about this movie. It's cute, funny, heart-warming and romantic. It is exactly how every romantic-comedy should be. Perfect.

Favourite Lines:

*Your destiny can be your doom...

*I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was...magic.

*You make a million decisions that mean nothing and then one day you order take-out, and it changes your life.

*A ho! My dad's been captured by a ho!

*What if someone you never met, someone you never saw, someone you never knew, was the only someone for you?

From one movie "buff" to another....get that popcorn popped, the lights dimmed and the movie rolling.

Mystic Pizza

Starring: Julia Roberts, Annabeth Gish, Lili Taylor, Adam Storke

Year: 1988

I wanted to watch something new, but being I didn't have anything new, I decided to go for an oldie. An oldie that's been sitting in my cabinet for years. My brain having little recollection of it - other than remembering I liked it those many years ago.

Mystic Pizza follows the lives of Daisy, Kat and Jojo (Roberts, Gish & Taylor), fresh out of high school. All three working as waitresses at a pizzeria, in the quaint, charming, small town of Mystic, Connecticut. All three, filled with dreams of one day finding new and more exciting lives, outside of Mystic.

Daisy (Roberts) and Kat (Gish) are sisters. Daisy, is the older, sexy, foul-mouthed sister; while Kat the more conservative, plain, sensible one. And then there's Jojo. The best friend to both; who is loyal, chatty and fun, adding the perfect ingredients to the mix.

But let's not forget about the boys that complicate their lives. For Daisy, there is Charles - the rich, young, and handsome boy who sweeps her off her feet. For Kat - there is Tim - the married man who happens to be the father of the little girl she is babysitting. And for Jojo, there is Bill - who Jojo has already left at the alter once but is still madly in love with.

Fun Fact: there is a short scene, set at the dining room table with Charles' family. And who would be the actor playing Charles' little brother? None other than cute, adorable, 18-year old Matt Damon. That took me by surprise. But I guess, way back then (1988), I wouldn't even have known who Matt Damon was. And as a matter of fact, I don't think I would have even known who Julia Roberts was either.

Mystic Pizza is cute, funny, and heart-warming. Sure it's got some romance, but it's really more about figuring out what we want in life. The choices we make. The consequences to those choices. And finally discovering what matters most.

It's not a fast-paced movie, nor is it deep. But it works. And it's pretty predictable, but that's okay. I was looking for "new-ish", light, with a happy ending. And it didn't disappoint.

Favourite Lines:

*I f*&%ed up. Yeah, but you gave it a 100% effort.

*Think I got eyes in my butt? Well, that's where your brains are.

*Don't monkey with tradition.

From one movie "buff" to another....get that popcorn popped, the lights dimmed and the movie rolling.