In which the Mister joins me in reviewing THE BIRDCAGE (1996), from a script by Elaine May and directed by Mike Nichols, the story is based on the play "La Cage Aux Folles" by Jean Poiret. Armand Goldman (Robin Williams), the gay owner of a drag nightclub in South Beach, and his flamboyant partner and star performer Albert (Nathan Lane) agree to play it straight when Armand’s son, Val (Dan Futterman) announces his engagement to the daughter of ultra-conservative Senator Keeley (Gene Hackman). Chaos and comedy ensue as the couple attempts to conceal their true identities during a dinner with their future in-laws. Ultimately, love and authenticity prevail as the truth is revealed and grudgingly accepted. The film clocks in at 1 h and 57 m, is rated R and is currently streaming on Prime Video and Peacock but is also available to buy/rent on Prime Video. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#TheBirdcage #JeanPoiret #LaCageAuxFolles #MikeNichols #ElaineMay #RobinWilliams #Armand #NathanLane #Albert #DanFutterman #Val #HankAzaria #Agador #GeneHackman #SenatorKeeley #DianneWiest #Louise #CalistaFlockhart #Barbara #ChristineBaranski #Katharine #Comedy #Pride #LGBTQ+Stories @Peacock @PrimeVideo #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library
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Friday Family Film Night: TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR review
In which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR (1995), from a script by Douglas Carter Beane, the film is directed by Beeban Kidron. Three New York City drag queens—Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze), Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes), and Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo) — embark on a cross-country road trip to compete in a national drag pageant, but when their car breaks down in a small, conservative town, they end up transforming the community with their charm, fashion, and kindness. As they help the townspeople embrace self-expression and tolerance, the queens themselves grow through friendship and self-discovery. In the end, the town stands up against bigotry, and the trio continues their journey, leaving behind a legacy of empowerment and acceptance. The film clocks in at 1 h and 49 m, is rated PG-13 and is currently available Tubi and Peacock but also to buy/rent on Prime Video. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#ToWongFooThanksForEverythingJulieNewmar #BeebanKidron #DouglasCarterBeane #PatrickSwayze #VidaBoheme #WesleySnipes #NoxeemaJackson #JohnLeguizamo #ChiChiRodriguez #StockardChanning #CarolAnn #BlytheDanner #Beatrice #ArlissHoward #Virgil #JasonLondon #BobbyRay #ChrisPenn #SheriffDollard #MelindaDillon #Merna #BethGrant #Loretta #AliceDrummond #Clara #MargotHugot #Katina #JenniferMilmore #BobbyLee #MikeHodge #JimmyJoe #MichaelVartan ##Tommy #JamieHarrold #BillyBudd ##RuPaul #RachelTensions #JulieNewmar #JulieNewmar #Drama #Comedy #RoadTrip #Pride #LGBTQ+Stories #DragQueens #FemaleFilmmakerFriday @Tubi @Peacock @PrimeVideo #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library
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Friday Family Film Night: MOONLIGHT review
In which the Mister and Kid 1 join me in reviewing MOONLIGHT (2016), from a script by and directed by Barry Jenkins, the story is based on the unpublished semi-autobiographical play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue by Tarell Alvin McCraney. Winner of 3 Academy Awards (Best Motion Picture of the Year/ Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role [Mahershala Ali] and Best Adapted Screenplay [Barry Jenkins]). The film is the coming-of-age story of Chiron, a young Black man growing up in a rough Miami neighborhood, as he grapples with his identity, sexuality, and emotional isolation over three stages of his life—childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. As he struggles with a neglectful mother, bullying, and internalized shame, Chiron finds brief moments of connection through a compassionate drug dealer named Juan (Mahershala Ali) and a complex bond with his friend Kevin. The film quietly charts his journey toward self-acceptance, culminating in a tender, hard-won moment of vulnerability and intimacy. The film is told in 3 chapters and each chapter is represented by 3 individually unique actors portraying Chiron: Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes. The film clocks in at 1 h and 51 m, is rated R and is currently streaming on Tubi but is also available to buy/rent on Prime Video. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#Moonlight #Moonlight2016 #BarryJenkins #InMoonlightBlackBoysLookBlue #TarellAlvinMcCranwey #AlexRHibbert #Little #AshtonSanders #Chiron #TrevanteRhodes #Black #MahershalaAli #Juan #NaomieHarris #Paula #JanelleMonae #Teresa #JadenPiner #KevinAge9 #JharrelJerome #KevinAge16 #AndreHolland #Kevin #ComingOfAge #Drama #BlackStories #Juneteenth @Tubi @PrimeVideo #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library
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Friday Family Film Night: THE LAST DRAGON review
In which the Mister and Kid 2 join me in reviewing THE LAST DRAGON (1985), from a script by Louis Venosta and directed by Michael Schultz. In 1980s New York City, a young martial artist named Leroy Green (Taimak), also known as “Bruce Leroy,” embarks on a spiritual and physical journey to attain the highest level of martial arts mastery known as “The Glow.” Along the way, he must protect a music video host, Laura Charles (Vanity) from Eddie Arkadian (Christopher Murney), a corrupt promoter and confront his flamboyant arch-nemesis, Sho’nuff (Julius Carry), the self-proclaimed Shogun of Harlem. Blending kung fu, Motown music, and comic-book flair, the film is a quirky celebration of self-discovery and inner strength. The film clocks in at 1 h and 49 m, is rated PG-13 and is currently streaming on Tubi but is also available to buy/rent on Prime Video. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#TheLastDragon #MichaelSchultz #LouisVenosta #BerryGordy #Taimak #LeroyGreen #BruceLeroy ##Vanity #LauraCharles #ChristopherMurney #EddieArkadian ##JuliusCarry #ShoNuff #TheShogunOfHarlem LeoOBrien #RichieGreen #MikeStarr #Rock#FaithPrince #Angela #GlenEaton #JohnnyYu ##ErnieReyesJr #Tai #EstherMarrow #MamaGreen #JimMoody #DaddyGreen ##KeishaKnightPulliam #Sophia #WilliamHMacy #JJ #ThomasIkeda #Master #MartialArts #Drama #Comedy #Music #1980s #BlackStories #Juneteenth @Tubi @PrimeVideo #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library
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Friday Family Film Night: COMMANDO review
In which the Mister joins me in reviewing COMMANDO (1985), from a story by Jeph Loeb, Matthew Weisman and Stephen de Souza and a screenplay by Steven de Souza, the film is directed by Mark L. Lester. A deposed South American dictator, Arius (Dan Hedaya) foolishly unleashes hell upon himself when he attempts to extort a retired elite soldier named John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) into an assassination plot by kidnapping his daughter, Jenny (Alyssa Milano). The film clocks in at 1 h 30 m, is rated R and is currently available on Disney+ and Hulu but also to buy/rent on Prime Video. Please note there are SPOILERS in this review.#Commando #MarkLLester #JephLoeb #MatthewWeisman #StevendeSouza #ArnoldSchwarzenegger #JohnMatrix #AlyssaMilano #Jenny #RaeDawnChong #Cindy #DanHedaya #Arius #VernonWells #Bennett #DavidPatrickKelly #Sully #BillDuke #Cooke #OnePersonArmy #Action #Adventure #Thriller #Dads #Daughters #FathersDay @Hulu @DisneyPlus @PrimeVideo #FridayFamilyFilmNightOpening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library
It's FRIDAY FAMILY FILM NIGHT in which the Mister and Monsters join me in reviewing and discussing films - we're not experts, just film fans. Please note there will be SPOILERS.
Opening intro music: GOAT by Wayne Jones, courtesy of YouTube Audio Library
All artwork/pictures from IMDb
New Zealand