A man called Otto

Tom Hanks is a Man called Otto.

Based on the comical and moving New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower whose only joy comes from criticizing and judging his exasperated neighbors. When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an unexpected friendship that will turn his world upside-down.

Q-tips say: YES, we enjoyed it. Some parts did remind us of some people we know & some people in the hood.

Mrs. Q says: One might find it as humanizing experience by a group of misfits who are learning that getting along can also be lifesaving.

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Lyle, Lyle Crocodile

3/5/23 –

When the Primm family (Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy, Winslow Fegley) moves to New York City, their young son Josh struggles to adapt to his new school and new friends. All of that changes when he discovers Lyle – a singing crocodile (Shawn Mendes) who loves baths, caviar and great music-living in the attic of his new home. The two become fast friends, but when Lyle’s existence is threatened by evil neighbor Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), the Primm’s must band together with Lyle’s charismatic owner, Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem), to show the world that family can come from the most unexpected places and there’s nothing wrong with a big singing crocodile with an even bigger personality.

Q-tips say: YES, SEE IT! Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile is the perfect film to snuggle together on the sofa & enjoy a drink, munchies & relax. Mrs. Q says: It is a heartwarming and emotional tale about finding your voice, following your passion, and the power of found family.

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Wine inspired crafts

CookingWithDanielle.com/Crafts

Making It With Danielle

3/1/23 – Thanks for stopping by!

If you’re into fun crafts, delicious food, tasty cocktails and eye-popping home designs – you’ve come to the right place because that’s what Making It With Danielle is all about.

So welcome to the new Making It With Danielle. I hope you have as much fun making these things as I did, and don’t forget to follow along on Instagram to find out about my latest posts and other adventures.

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M3GAN

M3GAN is a marvel of artificial intelligence, a life-like doll programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. Designed by brilliant toy-company roboticist Gemma (Get Out’s Allison Williams), M3GAN can listen and watch and learn as she becomes friend and teacher, playmate and protector, for the child she is bonded to. When Gemma suddenly becomes the caretaker of her orphaned 8-year-old niece, Cady (Violet McGraw, The Haunting of Hill House), Gemma’s unsure and unprepared to be a parent. Under intense pressure at work, Gemma decides to pair her M3GAN prototype with Cady in an attempt to resolve both problems–a decision that will have unimaginable consequences.

Q-tips say: This is a rare occasion but both Q’s DID NOT LIKE IT!

Mrs. Q says: What really gives M3GAN something to think about is the connections with our addiction, as both children and adults, to electronic hand-held devices.

Sometimes cinema is just laughing along with a murder robot. If you liked Chucky, you might like this movie.

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The Woman King

The Woman King photo 4

The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. 

The Woman King photo 1

Q tips say: The Q’s have different feelings about this movie. Mr. Q liked it more than Mrs. Q. Both Q’s liked the part between the mother & the daughter. So, watch it & decide for yourself if you like it or not.

The story enters where the kingdom was in flux, at a crossroads. They were looking to find some way to keep their civilization and kingdom alive. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that they were decimated. Much of the story is fictionalized. It’s movie about a African tribe famous for selling slaves to Europeans that was made into a female empowerment story by two White women writers.

The Woman King is at its most powerful when it focuses on the army of women who don’t have superpowers but rely on training, strategy and unity. The movie speaks on how everyone (including African tribes) participated in the slave trade and it’s specific impact on black women.

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Vengeance

Vengeance, the directorial debut from writer and star B.J. Novak (“The Office”), is a darkly comic thriller about Ben Manalowitz, a journalist and podcaster who travels from New York City to West Texas to investigate the death of a girl he was hooking up with.

Q-tips say: Yes, we did enjoy it.

Begins as a fast-talking comedy with something dark lurking underneath, this film sends its central character into an amusingly alien culture before shifting into a mystery thriller.

It’s a story about a storyteller who is creating a story about how mythology (stories) are created. It is also an acute reminder of how easy it can be to hide secrets in plain sight.

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The Strays

2/23/23 – An upper-middle-class woman’s perfectly crafted life begins to unravel with the arrival of two shadowy figures in her town.

Q tips say: Don’t waste your time watching this movie.

The film touches on themes of class, discrimination, and internalized racism. A paranoid movie about race, the many shades of racism and “appearances.” Keep in mind that some of the critics loved it – that tells you something about this movie – don’t watch it.

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Wakanda forever

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever photo 2

 “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.

Q-tips & our adult kids say: Enjoyed it. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a decent film, that much is certain but a tad long.

Mrs. Q says: She enjoyed the beginning tribute to someone who died – RiP Chadwick.

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PHILLIPPI CREEK Oyster Bar – Sarasota FL 2/18/23

Photo of Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar - Sarasota, FL, United States. This is how you know your at the right place. They actually caught a shark this big in the phillipe creek.

PHILLIPPI CREEK 5353 S Tamiami Trl., Sarasota, FL 34231, (941) 925-4444
www.creekseafood.com

Q-TIPS SAY: Decent food, service, drinks. They have  HAPPY HOUR- 3-5:30 PM daily. Great service from Jorge. Had our usual libations – I had an Old Fashion – up with dirty ice on the side. The other half had A Perfect Manhattan w/ dirty ice on the side.  Good service by Elvis- did not wear his blue suede shoes.

Had a wonderful dinner & conversation with family.

Appetizers:

Q-tips shared:  Clams on the half shell 

Kid shared: Stuffed Mushrooms.

Mrs. Q had: Norfolk Shrimp & Scallops – Side: asparagus & coleslaw.

Mr. Q had: Blackened Grouper Dinner – Sides: parsley potatoes & coleslaw.

Our Daughter in law had: Fish Tacos – Side: parsley potatoes & coleslaw.

Our Son had:  Norfolk Shrimp & Scallops – Side: asparagus & coleslaw.

Photo of Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar - Sarasota, FL, United States. Seafood platter & steamed clams, YUM

                                             Clams on the half shell.

 

Photo of Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar - Sarasota, FL, United States. Steamed shrimp appetizer with garlic butter sauce
Photo of Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar - Sarasota, FL, United States. Sautéed Shrimp & Scallops ($23)
Norfolk scallops & Shrimp
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Spoiler Alert –

Spoiler Alert photo 10
The Cast: Jim Parsons, Ben Aldridge, Sally Fields, Bill Irwin, Jeffery Self, Nikki James

Based on Michael Ausiello’s best-selling memoir “Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies,” the film is a heartwarming, funny and life-affirming story of how Michael and Kit’s relationship is transformed and deepened when one of them falls ill.

Q-tips say: YES, see it. It sounds like a really heavy, sad story, and it is, but there’s so much fun and joy… it’s about life and the messiness of love.

Mrs. Q says: She really enjoyed this movie. Spoiler Alert “The hero dies” is an effective melodrama, one that pulls few punches and isn’t afraid of wearing a plethora of emotions out in the open for all to see. Mrs. Q especially enjoyed the interaction between the main characters & the parents.

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