** Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts** (Hulu, 2026) Kumail took a page out of John Mulaney’s playbook and gathered everyone together for a therapy session so they could project on their adoring audience. He’s human and has feelings, I get it, he has insecurity issues, I get that. But if you want sympathy for your COVID struggles it distances the audience when they remember you’re a famous multimillionaire that seems to have most struggled with not being adored enough. It was very much like a person telling you they need to quit smoking as they blow smoke rings in your face.
Come back to us when you’ve healed, grown and can reflect. Or better yet, come back when you feel like telling jokes.
My wife and I thought he was pretty funny. I also do agree that some of it went on too long about feeling bad and so forth. He was obviously disappointed about The Eternals, which he hoped would be a big hit.
I have no doubt we have different experiences with addicts. John Mulaney’s special kicks off with, yeah my personality was cocaine from age 13 until a week ago and you know that wife I loved with all my heart and talked about constantly in every special, yeah replaced her, now relate to my sob story where I nearly died and my friends obnoxiously tried to save me.
I’ve sadly known a few, including at least one good friend. I’m very fond of my good friend but nonetheless no longer trust him farther than I can throw him. Addictions rule all and make liars out of everyone.
But unless Mulaney was an abusive dickhead to his ex, I don’t really see the issue with him falling out of love, divorcing her and marrying someone else. That’s just life - happens all the time.
But it’s probably not worth the hijack to debate it much. Neither of us really know the people involved and celebrity lives can be kinda removed from mainstream normality anyway.
Finished watching The Running Man (2025). It didn’t end the same way as the book, although they did talk about the possibility. There was a lot of action, which I found dull (They fight! They bite! They fight and bite and fight!) The story demanded it obviously, but I didn’t care about the characters. And the ending strained credulity. However, if you like action movies it was fine. I didn’t see the 1987 version, but it was no doubt better than that.
Sorry, Baby (4 Film Independent Spirit nominations). I liked this one quite a lot, though the subject matter is tough - the trauma of a sexual assault, written by actress and director Eva Victor somewhat autobiographically (as noted upthread). What I appreciated about it is that it doesn’t hit any obvious beats or cliches; instead, Victor’s character Agnes is in a constant state of dislocation (like the movie timeline) as she struggles with what happened. The timing of the small nuggets of humor and grace are also quite good.
No Other Choice I saw this one right after the new year. It’s a Park Chan-wook joint, so we know what generally to expect. In some ways, this one was an extended O. Henry story, working towards a goal to save something you cherish, only to have reaching the goal cost you what you cherish. No heroes in the story, just people going to extraordinary lengths to survive. Not the director’s best, but solid and I enjoyed it.
The Testament of Ann Lee A very odd film. It tells the story of the founding of the Shakers and establishment in America. It has been described as a musical, using original 16th century Shaker hymns, but I think the music (and dancing) was necessary to show how the church functioned. While it is unflinching in its portrayal, it is not an exposé or myth busting movie, so I would not recommend it to atheists (or at least militant atheists). It took me someplace interesting and provided an interesting plot (more or less based on true stories). Thumbs up from me.
Greenland 2: Migration Gerard Butler is heroic, Morena Baccarin is stoic, and the supporting characters are suitably evil or angelic. If you can’t predict every step of the plot, you haven’t ever seen a disaster movie. I didn’t hate it though. Won’t remember it in a month.
All You Need Is Kill An anime based on the same manga that Edge of Tomorrow was based on. It takes liberties with the story, but not as many as the Tom Cruise movie. Enjoyable, but not earthshakingly good.
It is based on the true story of Jim Morris who debuted in Major League Baseball at age 35.
Morris tore up his arm pitching minor league baseball. Has multiple surgeries and becomes a high school teacher and coach.
Many years later his high school team encourages Morris to try out. His fast ball gets him a Major League contract.
Good movie. Quaid was actually 48, and old for the role. He was still pretty convincing. I enjoyed the movie. I liked the family conflicts as Morris chases a dream.
I’ve seen it before, but enjoyed it even more this time. The crew won the special effects Oscar and they deserve it. This is really what a monster movie should be.
I see they are making a sequel, due out this year. I hope they do a great job.
Keeper Directed by Oz Perkins, which is why it looks so good, and written by Nick Lepard, which might be why the story isn’t so good; I don’t know as I’ve not heard of him before.
Basic premise - a couple(dating, not married) spend their one year anniversary at his cabin in the mountains. Horror ensues.
Tatian Maslany is the endangered heroine. I know many people here really like her and though I’ve hearad about her a lot, I’d never seen her so didn’t recognize her. I disliked her immediately. Maybe we aren’t supposed to like her, and she’s just that good an actress, though that wouldn’t make sense as she’s the one we’re supposed to be rooting for. The boyfriend is played by one of the Sutherland clan, in this case Rossif. The character is odd AF. So odd that some viewers attribute it to the actor, but I think he played it just right. The couple have no chemistry whatsoever. At first I thought this was a deliberate choice by the director that would be explained as a plot point, but apparently not
I’m not sorry I watched it at all, just wish there was a little more meat to the story. I also get the impression that this is one that is improved by a second viewing.
Cutting Edge 1992 D.B. Sweeney, Moira Kelly, Terry O’Quinn
It’s been a favorite of mine since it came out. I think it was in my laserdisc collection. Or maybe VHS.
I’m not really a fan of figure skating. This story is so compelling. Moira is excellent as the bitchy ice queen. D.B. is just as stubborn and difficult. Their quarrels are epic.
Naturally a secret bond grows that neither wants to admit.
If you haven’t seen it then go to Prime. It’s included with the MGM+ add on.
You’ll find yourself smiling for most of the movie.
Imdb says Moira and D.B. had never skated. They trained for three months. Of course pro skaters filled in for the competition skating.
. I never really got the hate on that one.