I, Tonya (2017)

C – 120m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
Screenplay By: Steven Rogers
Pro.: Margot Robbie
Dir.: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney, Julianne Nicholson and Bobby Cannavale.

Tanya Harding’s bright future as an Olympic ice–skating competitor is in jeopardy when her ex–husband intervenes. Brash and fowl–mouthed docudrama style film is strictly by the numbers. The actors are great, the pace is solid, but it’s all be done before. As docudramas go, this is the way they should be rather than: The Gallant Hours (1960). Humor is here, whether intentional or not may be up for questioning, but it is present. Alison Janney won a richly deserved Best Supporting Actress Oscar® for her portrayal of one of the worst mothers in screen history!

Trivia: Allison Janney practiced for many years to be a figure skater. When she was 17 she had a bad accident of sliding through a glass door. Her leg was nearly severed and didn’t skate again for many years.

Oscar® winner for: Best Supporting Actress – Allison Janney. Oscar® nominated for: Best Actress – Margot Robbie, Best Supporting Actress – Allison Janney, and Best Editing. Allison Janney won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture. The film was nominated for additional Golden Globes for: Best Picture – Musical Or Comedy and Best Actress – Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy – Margot Robbie.

Rated: [R] – Perverse Language, Violence, & Some Sexual Content / Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Danny Collins (2015)

C. – 106m
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 - Widescreen
A.K.A.: Imagine, Idol
Starring: Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner, Bobby Cannavale, Christopher Plummer, Katarina Cas, Melissa Benoist, Josh Peck and Scott Lawrence.

An aged Rocker’s manager finds a letter to his client from John Lennon and shares it with his client. The rocker then decides to reconnect with his family. Inspired by a true story, this film is not exactly a feel good film but it has an interesting story. What it lacks in subplot plot points it makes up for with heart and good performances. This film should be on a double bill with the very similar film Ricki And The Flash (2015).

Trivia: Al Pacino agreed to do the movie but only if Bobby Cannavale played his son in the film. Originally Sir Michael Caine was cast in the role of the manager but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. And in a deleted scene Gene Simmons taught a group of background actors how to sing backup vocals.

Rated: [R] – Language, Drug Use & Some Nudity
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ricki And The Flash (2015)

C. – 101m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ricki & The Flash
Dir.: Jonathan Demme. Writer: Diablo Cody
Starring: Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer, Rick Springfield, Ben Platt and Diablo Cody.

An aged rocker who is in a complicated relationship moves in with her ex-husband temporarily to help her daughter get back on her feet during her divorce after finding her just married husband cheating on her. While the premise sounds depressing, the film is actually intelligent, funny and moving. The material brings Diablo Cody back into the swing of things after her 2013 clunker, Paradise (2013). Everyone is in top form form here! Would be good on a double bill with the similar Danny Collins (2015).

Trivia: Meryl Streep and Mamie Gummer are mother and daughter in real life too. This was Jonathan Demme’s final film before his death in 2017.

Rated: [PG–13] – Thematic Material, Brief Drug Content, Sexuality & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy.