‘Movie Corner’ Archives
The Substance (2024)
Howard McQuitter II from the series Movie Corner... 4 out of 5 Stars Horror/DramaWorking Title Films By HOWARD MCQUITTER II Source: MUBI The Substance is no ordinary horror-drama film. A good part of the film’s strength lies with the actresses Demi Moore (Elisabeth Sparkle) and Margaret Qualley (Sue) and the other is the social piece dealing with society’s preoccupation with being young, especially for women. The premise is that Elisabeth Sparkle is a fitness presenter/trainer on a national morning TV show. (Many of you who read this column may not have been born when the late Richard Simmons had a TV fitness show in the 1980s.) Ms. Sparkle is fired by her self-serving television executive boss Harvey (Dennis Quaid) whose only problem with her is that she is now “too old”. She’s mystified and disheartened by her cruel dismissal from her career. Rather than moving on to a less glamorous job, she stumbles onto a black market lab that promises [...]
The Wild Robot (2024)
from the series Movie Corner 5/5 Stars Animation/AdventureDreamWorks Animation By HOWARD MCQUITTER II Howard McQuitter II Although The Wild Robot may be touted as just an animation-adventure film by some people, the film is truly a grand human-interest story. Beyond the impressive visuals, the storyline itself is a remarkable piece of work that can be both intriguing to children and adults alike. The Wild Robot is based on a kids’ book by Peter Brown. Very early in the film a robot known as 7134 (Lupita Nyong’o) accidentally crashes on an unknown and uninhabited island. The robot’s programming is jammed up and destroyed because of the crash. We soon learn the robot’s name is Roz as she wanders into uncharted territory. She sees a goose’s nest with broken eggs all except for one. Soon that egg hatches and a cute little gosling emerges. Roz adopts Brightbill (Kit Connor) and protects him from natural enemies such as seagulls, wolverines, foxes, possums, and [...]
Between the Temples
from the series Movie Corner... 4.5/5 Stars Comedy/Drama/ RomanceSony Pictures Classics By HOWARD MCQUITTER II Howard McQuitter II A quadragenarian cantor at a synagogue is burdened with sadness and even suicidal tendencies after his wife’s death. (Her cause of death is revealed later in the film.) His name is Ben Gottlieb (Jason Schwartzman) and he lives in the basement of his mother’s (Caroline Aaron) house along with her partner Judith (Dolly De Leon). Both his mother Meira Gottlieb and Judith are hoping Ben moves out of their house soon. Ben ‘s depression is not only from his wife’s death but he has lost his singing voice.What happens next for Ben is serendipitous when he meets Carla Kessler (Carol Kane) at a bar. A patron has just punched Ben for his abrasive behavior. She lends a hand to Ben which in turn spawns a friendship. She’s much older than him which doesn’t seem to matter to him. Carla realizes she’s seeing a man in deep grief and in a crisis [...]
