My husband and I watched a funny, little, low-budget film the other day called Eddie the Eagle. I ran across it by accident but we really enjoyed it! It's based on the true story of Eddie Edwards, a very unlikely candidate for the Olympics, but ended up going to represent England in ski-jumping in 1988.

I will add a couple of disclaimers that because it's low-budget, the special effects are pretty meh. And there is one scene that is similar to the infamous "I'll have what she's having" scene in When Harry Met Sally.
Anyways, yeah, I liked it. I seem to be going for the "based on a true story" type films these days anyways.

a very unlikely candidate for the Olympics, but ended up going to represent England in ski-jumping in 1988.

So unlikely that the powers that be decided that it must never happen again.

They changed the rules about participation and added a rule that to qualify for ski-jumping in the Olympics, a participant had to have done well (there were details about minimum results) in other international ski-jumping competitions first.

I haven't seen the movie, but I found an article about Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton, the two main actors, visiting Norway last year to promote it. They apologized for the movie portraying the Norwegian ski-jumpers as not being very nice to him. His real life Norwegian helpers were much nicer than their movie counterparts.

Don't take it personally, Norway, they said. We feel bad about it.

I remember him from the sports news when he was active. He's known in Norway too as "Eddie the Eagle".

Oh, and apparently you cannot use the movie as factual information about how a ski-jumping competition is run. The Norwegian reviewer says that they haven't got all their facts right.

But it's a comedy, so perhaps they didn't worry too much.

I've been excited about this movie since I saw her in Batman v. Superman, since I'm in the apparent minority that actually likes that movie, though with several caveats and I'm fully aware that it's a highly flawed movie.

Me too! I've liked all the DC movies...except Suicide Squad. Batman v. Superman is, as you've said, a flawed film, but I appreciate the message behind it, and
But I especially loved Wonder Woman; I still get chills thinking about the No Man's Land scene.

I recently saw Power Rangers. I rented it with low expectations, but I had heard one of the main characters had autism. Since my brother also has autism, I wanted to check it out. While not a perfect film, it has now become something special to me. There are few movies that present autistic characters, even fewer that actually name them as autistic and even fewer that give an accurate representation of the spectrum. This one...did. I wish it had been out when I was growing up, because I assure you, it was very emotional for me to see a movie where an autistic character was loved the way I love my brother. I later read that the actress who plays Trini/the Yellow Ranger (Becky G) has a younger brother with autism as well.
Highly recommend it!

Has anyone seen Spider-Man: Homecoming? When it was first announced I felt it was too soon, and I believe it would have been had it not turned out so well. I like the Tobey Maguire movies and though I liked Andrew Garfield's character I didn't enjoy those films so much. However I liked Tom Holland's cameo in Civil War so I was willing to give Homecoming a shot. I'm glad I did.

It's smart and funny and it keeps moving, not feeling bogged down at any part. Though I like Tony Stark / Iron Man I was worried this would overshadow the story. Not at all. It's there but isn't, I feel, overused. I also really liked Michael Keaton's character,

The big difference from the other Spider-Man films is the lack of an origin story. It's refreshing - at least for me, since I know the story. It also allows a different path for Peter, who isn't immediately shoved into a life-and-death situation. It will possibly also appear to those who wouldn't necessarily watch a Marvel or DC film because it also has a teen school movie feel. I think it also has a much tighter script and plot than a lot of other superhero movies.

I got to see a preview of Eddie the Eagle and I really liked it. It's sweet. Though I was disappointed by how much the true story had been changed: how ski jumping competitions are run is the least of it ...

Speaking of how true stories are changed, I was upset when I read the book of Hidden Figures after seeing it in the cinema. The movie changes almost everything, and several of the scenes which I found striking and powerful aren't based on anything. I still like the movie a lot, but I have to wonder why they changed so much. Couldn't they have told a different, more truthful story?

^ I enjoyed Homecoming. Something happened near the end that actually caught totally by surprise. Think about that for a second... Something at the end of a Spider-Man film that was actually surprising.

Usually in superhero movies, the characters work pretty well but the plot is meh. But I really liked this story.

I saw Spider-Man: Homecoming yesterday and I really enjoyed it.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the teen high school movie feel this had, in general I'm not a fan of those types of movies but I thought it worked perfectly for Spider-Man.

I thought Tom Holland was great this is my favorite on-screen Peter Parker, I liked a lot of the side characters, I thought Vulture was a surprisingly good villain I liked what they did with him.

Has anyone else seen "Eye in the Sky"? When I first heard that it was a movie about drone warfare, I thought "meh." I'm not generally a war-movie sort of person, but I'm glad my Dad talked me into watching it with him when I was over for a visit. It's beautifully made and it felt more like a psychological thriller. Helen Mirren was perfect as the hard-nosed attack dog type who always gets her man (or woman, as the case may be). Then there was Barkhad Abdi, caught between self preservation and the desire to save innocent lives. Aisha Takow was engaging and adorable as the little girl unknowingly at the center of an international controversy.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2057392/videoplayer/vi1137947161?ref_=tt_pv_vi_aiv_2

I watched Spider-Man: Homecoming last week. I admit that I'm not the hugest fan of Spider-Man. I wasn't really that interested in seeing it in theater, but was convinced by my friends to go see it with them.
It's not my favorite Marvel movie, but I think I probably enjoyed it more than the other Spider-Man movies I've seen. Overall, I did like Peter. It was an interesting movie to watch, because it definitely had a very different feel than the other movies. I think that it was a wise decision on their part to skip over the origin story, and instead do a quick reference to it.

I'll admit that I too liked Man of Steel and Batman v. Superman, and I loved Wonder Woman. I have no idea what they were doing with Suicide Squad. I kinda hated that movie, but I didn't dislike the other ones the way some people did.

I got to see Spiderman: Homecoming opening weekend with two good friends. I thought it was pretty great! It was a departure I think form most non-ensemble MCU movies, but I'm guessing that has to do with the fact that this is the first MCU movie featuring a teenager as the lead. As far as high-school dramas, I think this is possibly the best one I've ever seen. It fit nicely into the MCU without feeling overshadowed by the Avengers. The significant plot twist at the end was a delight (even if a little forced?). I admit I was a little annoyed with how they slipped in

In that vein, I'm very much looking forward to Thor: Ragnarok (Cate Blanchett anyone?!?!), Black Panther (super happy to see a large cast of POC), and Avengers: Infinity War (Avengers meet Guardians!!!).

With the release of the first trailer for the remake of A Wrinkle in Time I'll be rewatching the 2003 version. It'll be fun to see the updated movie, with better special effects too.

I haven't seen The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, but the library has it. I should get it the next time I am there.

If only Valkyrie had an alternate ending, then it would be worth rewatching.

Have you been able to see Sendler yet? Indeed, Valkyrie has a most difficult conclusion, but the courage of these men to stand up to the end to the Hitler and the Third Reich is so powerful. I ask myself, would I be able to do the same?

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but a favourite film (true story) of ours from the early 1940s is Sophie Scholl: The Final Days. Having just read the mind and heart-blowing books this year—The White Rose: Munich 1942-1943 by sister Inge Scholl and Sophie Scholl and the White Rose by Annette Dumbach and Jud Newborn—the bravery of these bright, insightful, astute young people is astounding.

Speaking of how true stories are changed, I was upset when I read the book of Hidden Figures after seeing it in the cinema. The movie changes almost everything, and several of the scenes which I found striking and powerful aren't based on anything. I still like the movie a lot, but I have to wonder why they changed so much. Couldn't they have told a different, more truthful story?

Agreed! The book is really so different from the film. Same baseline, and a few similar details, but that's about it. Read the book, gang ... it's excellent! The movie is very inspiring, to be sure, but I, too, wish they had based it more on the book.

Has anyone else seen "Eye in the Sky"?

At your recommendation, I looked into this more, then purchased it a few weeks ago. A fascinating, extremely intense, and thought-provoking story. It raises a number of hard ethical questions, intended by the director (from the extras).

I have had a chance to watch a few films this summer:

The Man Who Never Was: about a very unusual (and successful) Allied espionage plan in WWII. I had never heard this story before ... fascinating! The movie was made not too long after the war, in 1956.

Luther: a brand-new documentary, which tells more of the story of this great reformer, without mincing his weak areas. This was made on the occasion of the 500th anniversary (this October) of the posting of his famous 95 theses.

The Kite Runner: I read the book years ago and was really gripped by it. What a powerful, moving, and hopeful story. It's fictional, but reads quite like a bio. The movie was very faithful and portrayed the account well. A hard story that shows the harsh reality of life in Afghanistan.

P.S. I can't believe I didn't mention Dunkirk, released in theatres a month ago. 'Tis an excellent WWII film by Christopher Nolan—his first non-fiction—of that miraculous evacuation of the Allies from Dunkirk beach. I had to see it a couple of times to put everything together and even the third time, I was still picking up on various bits. Apparently there is a Dunkirk veteran in Calgary, Alberta, who was moved to tears because of the realism and memories for him. Dear man.

Sometime the dialogue is tricky to understand, especially that of the pilots with their accents and masks over their faces. When we get the DVD, subtitles will go on, for sure.

Overall, though, there is not much dialogue in the film. Yet the storyline is portrayed so powerfully through this very dramatic transpiring event in 1940, as well as via the characters' silent, heroic actions and facial expressions.

The next film release I am anticipating is Darkest Hour (Nov. 22), the telling of Winston Churchill's extremely intense and decisive early days as PM in a terrible time. It looks excellent, with Gary Oldman as Churchill. (I would never have recognized Oldman!)

I haven't seen The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler, but the library has it. I should get it the next time I am there.

If only Valkyrie had an alternate ending, then it would be worth rewatching.

Have you been able to see Sendler yet? Indeed, Valkyrie has a most difficult conclusion, but the courage of these men to stand up to the end to the Hitler and the Third Reich is so powerful. I ask myself, would I be able to do the same?

No, I haven't gotten it yet. A couple of times I was planning to, but it was checked out. I should put a hold on it.

I have put a hold on A United Kingdom, I have seen several excellent reviews for it.

The four Garage Sale Mystery movies released in August in Hallmark Movies and Mysteries were very well done. My sisters, Mom, and I really enjoyed watching them. Happy to hear there will be another new movie in January 2018.

SnowAngel

I just saw Blade Runner 2049 and loved it. I can't stop thinking about it. Going back for another viewing.

I think it works as a stand-alone. It expands on some themes in the original movie, but never resorts to just copy+pasting the iconic moments. It's not just a soft reboot cash grab. It's an actual movie.

So tragic to see it bombing at the box office. It did the right things every step of the way, including not giving much away in trailers.

I just saw Blade Runner 2049 and I liked it overall. It felt a bit long and drawn out at times, but it's a vary well made, well crafted movie.

I honestly wasn't expecting to like it much since I don't really like the original Blade Runner. It's not a bad movie just apart from it's great visuals I find kind of boring with a uninteresting story.

Hallmark Christmas movies are back! First new movie of the 2017 Christmas season aired on Saturday, it was Marry Me At Christmas which I give 3 stars - it was solid cute Hallmark movie.

Between Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries there will be four new Christmas movies this weekend! And the next weekend! And the weekend after that...and.... I am really looking forward to Engaging Father Christmas (sequel to Find Father Christmas 2016) on HM&M next weekend. I truly enjoy Erin Krakow (Elizabeth on When Calls The Heart) in the role of Miranda.

SnowAngel

Well, it took forever, but my husband and I finally watched Guardians of the Galaxy 2 last night. In two words? Massively disappointing. All of the scenes I liked were the scenes in the trailer, so I just needed to watch that and I was good to go. My parents and brother warned me I probably wouldn't like it, but I still wanted to see it as the first GotG is one of two favorite Marvel movies. Ah well.

Next up on Netflix is Spiderman: Homecoming. And this one happens to be my parents favorite Marvel movie, so I'll be curious to see what I think of it. I'm kind of Spidermaned out.