Patch Adams

Patch Adams (1998) Drama/ Comedy 10/10

This movie warms the heart in so many ways, gives you lots of laughs and has you go through the emotion spectrum. The cast has a few big names but not being a total barrage of famous actors is another reason that this film excels. Robin Williams is of course the title role of Patch Adams, a gentleman who wants to use his positive attitude and bedside manner to improve the American Healthcare system. When thinking about this, a person may be distraught because most health systems are a mess but not only that the doctors often lack compassion and the ability to relate. Patch starts with the HELLO experiment to prove to a fellow classmate that there is a way to reach people. Patch takes on many other ways of connecting to people, ie. When a doctor is giving the run down on a patient, they often say “The Patient”. Patch makes the effort to find out what the patient's name is and the other residents are astounded (and afraid of the forsaken happening of 'transference'). Patch goes the extra mile to make people's final wishes come true so they can pass with a calm mind and heart. He believes that laughter is the best medicine and he can cite all the medical facts on its benefits. When you see at the beginning of the movie that it is based on a true story it makes you feel good to know that there is someone watching out for the sick/old/under privileged and whatever other categories there may be. This is another fine example of Robin Williams doing what he does best, acting, but I secretly believed when he was filming that it was more than just acting to him. When Williams takes on a role, he is an actor that truly embraces everything about the character, whether it's flaws, habits, oddities or what have you. He wants to give the audience an authentic and heart felt experience and this movie is right in his wheel house.

Note – the movie is based on a true story and Patch Adams is a real doctor that created the Gesundheit institute in West Virginia to venture on the journey to change the American Health Care system. Here is the link to his website and you can find all sorts of information and interesting things that Patch has done. http://www.patchadams.org/

Patch Adams Trailer

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward (2000) Drama/ Romance 10/10

This movie has a fairly good cast. There are lots of actors/actresses that appear or have a decent portion of the film. Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt, Haley Joel Osment.. This is after Haley Joel Osment sees dead people in the Sixth Sense (M. Night Shyamalan). Spacey is the teacher of a grade 7 class. He gives the class a challenge “Think of an idea for world change, and put it into action”. This sounds like a daunting task and who would think a 12 year old kid would be able to make change in the world... BUT then there's Trevor (Osment). His mum's an alcoholic, working two jobs and never sees her son. He resents the fact that she is never around and decides that he is going to take matters into his own hands. He comes across the Pay It Forward model, which is something that he modifies so that he can make a change in the world. The model is a pyramid style but the goal is to make a significant change in 3 peoples lives. Trevor ponders and experiments with people that he can help or make a difference for. There are many trials and tribulations but Trevor's teacher, Spacey, is amazed by his determination to complete the challenge and also leave an impact on the world. Trevor does just that and makes his challenge come to life and work. This movie definitely got myself thinking because I somewhat feel like I partially do this challenge every day. Every day I try to do something nice for someone no matter what. Whether it's holding a door, making someone smile, helping someone in a certain way... there is always something you can do without having it cost you a million dollars (BUT if you have a million dollars and want to do something with it, GO RIGHT AHEAD!). This is a little bit more like random acts of kindness and the fact that I help/ do something every day doesn't mean that I am trying to make a significant change in a persons' life but I am doing something to help/ give hope for humanity. In a world where self-entitlement is running rampant, you need to be the change you want to see in the world AND every little bit counts. Below is the model of how the Pay It Forward model works.

 

Pay It Forward Trailer

Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) Drama/ Comedy 10/10

This is a cult classic because you get to witness Robin Williams at his best. He portrays a dad that is absolutely in love with his kids. He will do anything to make sure that they have the best time ever... and then Miranda (his wife played by a young Sally Field) comes in and has to be the 'heavy'. Miranda gets tired and says it's time for a divorce and puts Williams in the hole and tries to take the kids away from him. Enter Mrs. Doubtfire, a woman with a heavy British accent that becomes the nanny/housekeeper for Miranda and the kids. Williams goes through hoops to create a character that will entice Miranda and make her want to have Mrs. Doubtfire take care of her children. Little does Miranda know that there is a hitch with Mrs. Doubtfire. Robin Williams does so many voices and ad lib characters that he should get all the credit in the world. He paints the picture that he will go to ANY lengths to be with his kids. His stance is “I've been with them since day one and to take that away from me and them is just plain cruel” (paraphrased of course). It's amazing how much he loves being a dad, it's like people need to take a page out of his character's book and learn the importance of love and having 2 parents that are willing to go to the ends of the earth. The make up is fantastic and the comedic relief is always present, even in the emotional times. Even though Robin Williams passed away, we need to honour his memory and contribution to the film industry because he was one of the greats.

Mrs. Doubtfire Trailer

G.I. Jane

GI Jane (1997) Drama/ Action 10/10

This is one of my favourite movies in the War/Military genre. I will say that if you are watching the dubbed version that is aired on TV it definitely takes away from the swearing moments because the words they use to fill in the 'bad' words are ridiculous ie. Suck my dick ----> Suck my stick. If you can get your hands on a version that isn't dubbed, this is one of those movies where the swearing is necessary. The cast is fairly decent with Demi Moore being the lead role, Viggo Mortensen being the Master Chief, Anne Bancroft as Senator Lillian DeHale and there are a couple other decent actors that hadn't quite peaked in their career (Jim Caviezel, Morris Chestnut, Jason Beghe, John Michael Higgins). This is the movie where Demi Moore does her infamous head shaving scene and she actually did have a shaved head in regular life, which was a testament to how committed she was to the role of Jordan O'Neill. This follows her through her journey through Seal Training and then eventually active duty. I cannot say for sure how real the drills were that they were putting the team through, but I know I sure as hell would not want to be signing up for that and I definitely would not be even remotely able to withstand the physical demands or mental ones for that matter. I will also state that this is one of the few movies that my Dad can watch over and over, he often forgets the last time he watched it but he LOVES this movie (and my Dad is not a repeat watcher for many movies). There's guns, PT training that is INSANE, combat/ fighting scenes, political moonlighting, and becoming a part of a team where you aren't necessarily wanted. There are a couple points that the movie drives home, the most prominent being that men couldn't stand seeing women blown up or injured in the field and it would cloud their judgment. I think this is a valid point and I'm sure at one time it was a very real problem but integration has happened and women are in various parts of the military as long as they can hack it and don't receive special treatment. This movie touches on so many situations and issues that are hot topics that I'm a sucker for it and LOVE it. Can't rave about this movie enough. If you haven't seen it, check the trailer below and see if it's the film for you!

G.I. Jane Trailer

Only the Brave

Only the Brave (2017) Drama 10/10

This film is based on the Granite Mountain HotShots that operated with the Prescott Fire Department in Prescott, AZ. (FYI – it is pronouced Pres-kitt, instead of Pres-Scott). This was another eye opening film for myself because I really didn't know the different levels of forest fire fighters and how insane it is to get certification. Josh Brolin gives an excellent performance and has a uncanny likeness to his character Eric Marsh, in fact majority of the actors that played their characters looked very much like them. The training for this film had to be super, duper because the realness that this film brought was incredible. The CGI images of the fires were amazing alone. The one thing that really impressed me was that when people are a part of such a team the idea is re-enforced by everyone in the station/fire house that everyone on the team is family. Family to call when your baby is sick and you don't know what to do. Family to share good times and bad with. Family there to support each other when the going gets rough. Miles Teller did an amazing job of playing 'Doughnut' Brendan McDonough. Preparation for forest fire fighting seemed to be just as, if not more, strenuous than a regular fire fighter aka Structural Fire Fighter. With wildfires burning in Canada (Northern Ontario, British Columbia), the US (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washingtom and Wyoming). These statistics are as current as August 12, 2018. Some of these states with fires are not severely in danger but the list was relating to states that are currently reporting large fires. (Here is the link for the information https://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/nfn.htm). The website link also gives detailed information as to where in the individual states the fires are and whether they are new or contained plus how much acreage is being eaten by the fires. This film sheds light on what can be a forgotten and recognized part of the fire fighting industry and the HotShots deserve every bit of recognition they can get.

Only the Brave Trailer

Dr. Strange

Dr Strange (2016) Fantasy/ Sci Fi 4/10

This movie did absolutely nothing for me. There were only three things that I found interesting and they were: I really liked Tilda Swinton as the master teacher (or whatever she was), I liked the images when they were creating the time portals and stuff AND of course it had one of my favs, Mads Mickkelsen (Hannibal the Series). The images of the time portals, etc. were so cool and trippy while at the same time... magical. As for this being part of the Marvel franchise, I thought that it would be a good idea to watch it so that I knew the powers that Dr. Strange had and what his tie in to Avengers: Infinity War was. The rating is a 4 because there wasn't enough to bring it to a 5 and the story was BORING. I know true Marvel fans are going to give me shit or send nasty comments or mail but that's what I thought. That's the point of this blog, to voice my opinions/thoughts/ ideas regarding movies and books at this time.

Dr. Strange Trailer

Avengers : Age of Ultron

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) Sci Fi/ Action 7/10

This movie is of course part of the Marvel franchise. This is the second movie in the Avengers part of the franchise. You get to see Thor with his witty comments, Captain America with his sense of unity and keeping the group together. This is the first movie where Tom Holland plays Spiderman (which I disagree with greatly). The battle is interesting and it has you shouting for different characters at different times. With the fourth instalment of the Avengers coming together to save the world after the Infinity War with Thanos, you really need to get your Avengers movies in check so that you don't miss anything with character relationships and delegation. If you can't pin the voice of the actor who is Ultron, I will skip to the chase and let you know it's James Spader. There's always something about Ulton's voice, I'm not sure if I find it soothing or what but it definitely doesn't sound crazy and diabolical. Maybe that's the thing, is it sounds so calm but then Ultron is trying to destroy and conquer the world. You get to meet Wanda and her brother for the first time. Wanda shows up in later Avengers films and you also get to find out her back story as to how she becomes an Avenger. This film is also the first mention of Thanos, which is a good starting point. The cast is stacked, the fighting/combat scenes are great, the witty humour and one- liners are there. All the makings of a decent superhero movie.  

Avengers : Age of Ultron