B&B Merry

​"B&B Merry"

Watched English movie "B&B Merry". 

This film is directed by Paula Elle. Written by Hayley Carr, Guy Yosub. Produced by Costa Vassos and others. The film stars Jesse Hutch, Jen Lilley, Marnie Mahannah, Peter Louis Chouinard, Kate Twa, Nick Preston, Shelly Williams. Cinematography by Jason Habicht. Music by Michael Neilson. The film runs for about 1 hour 22 minutes and was released in 2022. I watched it on Amazon Prime on 16th Dec 2023 with Aditi. 

Jen is very famous and successful travel blogger. Jesse runs a B&B with his mom and it’s not doing well. To boost sales, he invites Jen and her boyfriend for a stay. Jen also gets a possible job opportunity with a very famous magazine. As a test piece she is asked to review a hotel from a short list. She selects the one that’s in the town of B&B. Upon reaching there, her boyfriend ditches her and breaks off over phone.

Now Jen, B&B, Jesse and the town occupy the movie. Things happen on a very expected line till the very end. No surprises. No twists and turns. No drama. Audience knows how the movie will end in about 10-15 minutes after start. Due to this predictability and lack of excitement, it becomes a very plain offering. Jesse is handsome and acts well. Jen is also good looking and acts well. 

Positives: Simple.

Negatives: Too simple.

OK as one time watch, not wow.

Leave the world behind

​"Leave the world behind"

Watched English movie "Leave the world behind". 

This movie is directed by Sam Esmail. Produced by Julia Roberts and others. Screenplay by Sam Esmail. Music by Mac Quayle. Cinematography by Tod Campbell. This movie features Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Mahershala Ali, Kevin Bacon, Myha’la Harold, Farrah McKenzie, Charlie Evans. This movie was released in 2023 and runs for about 2 hour 22 min. I watched the movie on Netflix on 15th Dec 2023.

On the spur of the moment Julia books a home for a short vacation with her husband and two kids on Long Island. At the vacation all sort of strange things start happening. An oil tanker grounds on the beach, owner of the house they are staying makes an appearance in the middle of the night, there is a nationwide blackout, animals start to appear in the backyard, flamingoes are in swimming pool.

It’s an apocalyptic movie. But it’s a strange apocalyptic movie because there is hardly any action. Everything is implied or indirectly narrated. 

Mahershala Ali is impressive as the owner of the house. His presence keeps the movie afloat.

A lot of things happen for no reason. For most of the movie the audience is lost. Icing on the cake is the end. The movie ends suddenly and audience keeps wondering what they watched? The movie appears absurd. Or May be I didn’t understand the movie!

Positives: Ali. 

Negatives: Pace, absurdity, end.

AVOID.