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Since it has been several weeks that I have reviewed any movies, it may seem like I didn’t watch anything in the theaters. Yeah, I know that I was too busy with “Nogizakatte doko?”, “Nogibingo!”, and any and all Nogizaka related things, but I did catch a few first run movies.

Our Brand Is Crisis I saw last month. Now I just have to put a few thoughts together…

Yeah, I don’t remember this one too much.

It was based on a documentary, Our Brand Is Crisis, which followed American political campaigners in Latin America. So, the fictional story is based on real events.

Sandra Bullock plays Jane Bodine a once hotshot political adviser. She’s been out of the game for years, because she kept losing to a James Caravelle type rival played by a bald Billy Bob Thornton. She’s pulled back into the game by operatives trying to fix a Bolivian presidential campaign. They get her off her rump by giving her a chance to take down Billy Bob. She bites. But at first she doesn’t like to. Then she finally does give in and turns on the heat to get her guy elected by running a negative campaign.

It turned out to be a Sandra Bullock movie. She starts off sad. She then becomes morose. But pulls it together to be happy in the end.

Billy Bob Thornton phones it in, but does provide a nice counterpoint to the Bullock movie.

Anything Anthony Mackie has been in has been fine. He’s the best part of the movie.

Overall, I would not have seen this on my own, but since I was sort of dragged to it, it was a forgettable, but enjoyable 2 hours. I liked the popcorn.

3 of 5 stars.

Bridge of Spies is a decent offering from Steven Spielberg. It is very much one of his more serious offerings in the vein of Munich. Yet, it wasn’t as serious because the Coen brothers contributing some very subtle witty dialogue. Tom Hanks is an elderly version of himself. He sort of reminded me of Joe from Joe Versus the Volcano, a somewhat down beat character who finds the heroic side in him from being brave.

Here Hanks is James Donovan, a lawyer who stumbles into the ungrateful task of defending a Soviet spy. Donovan gives the spy as good a defense as deserved. He also makes the case that by giving the spy a decent defense he is following the spirit of America. Or even Jesus. America is about dignity and grace. Contrasted to the Soviets, America is upholding human rights. It isn’t about ramming people into jail. It isn’t about torture. It is about taking the high road. If only we remember this. America is better than what the GOP let’s you believe.

Anywho, Bridge of Spies is worth watching as a Spielberg movie. It’s not a classic, but it is rather solid, and it would be a pleasant film to catch on a lazy Sunday as it plays on USA network.

3 of 5 stars.

Everyone cries in a Nancy Myers film including the leads in The Intern.

It was better than expected. And I liked how the ending left much to your imagination.

3 of 5 stars.

The Martian.

It was just like the book. Focused on the technical aspects. The only thing about it though is that the characters were caricatures. They showed up, did there thing, then left. Not sure if the book itself allows for them to be people.

It was good, but not as great as we expected.

3 of 5 stars.