Q-Tips Reviews

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.

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.

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.

Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter to search for a serial killer who’s terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.

Q-tips say: Was good. Modern critics will hate it because it’s not the same MESSAGE that they demand from every single piece of art about humanity. This film contains a Christian black detective trying to atone for his sins while trying to guard an conscious Egyptian detective from making the same mistakes he did.

Mrs. Q says: The ending might be a letdown, but there’s a welcome focus on the emotional toll taken by police work — and you can’t argue with that cast. 

 Dustin Hoffman and Sissy Spacek, Sam & Kate takes place in a small town in the heart of the country. Hoffman plays Bill, the larger-than-life father to Sam (Jake Hoffman), who has returned home to take care of his ailing dad. While home, Sam falls for a local woman, Kate (Schuyler Fisk). And at the same time, Bill starts to fall for her mom, Tina (Spacek). But finding love is complicated and for these four, it is no different. They all must confront their past in order to make their new love work for the future. Truly a family affair, art imitates life with the father/son casting of Dustin & Jake and the mother/daughter casting of Sissy & Schuyler.

Q-tips say: Yes, we did enjoy this movie. Two generations of talent provide the warmth and charm for this enjoyable romantic comedy. Parents and kids working together adds to an overall sense of niceness. Sam and Kate as its characters sort through challenges many people face in an ordinary world.

Mrs. Q says: No one wears a cape, but all four of these people are heroes. They’ve survived to this point overcoming personal obstacles. Now fate brings them together and it’s not as obvious as you might think.

Leslie (Andrea Riseborough) is a West Texas single mother struggling to provide for her son (Owen Teague) when she wins the lottery and a chance at a good life. But a few short years later the money is gone and Leslie is on her own, living hard and fast at the bottom of a bottle as she runs from the world of heartbreak she left behind. With her charm running out and with nowhere to go, Leslie is forced to return home to her former friends Nancy and Dutch (Allison Janney, Stephen Root). Unwelcome and unwanted by those she wronged, it’s a lonely motel clerk named Sweeney (Marc Maron) who takes a chance when no one else will. With his support, Leslie comes face to face with the consequences of her actions, a life of regret, and a second chance to make a good life for her and her son.

Q-tips say: Yes, we did enjoy this movie. This movie might not be an easy film to watch, but viewers won’t be able to look away.

Leslie – Andrea Riseborough’s incredible performance is one of the year’s best in a film that avoids the trappings of unforgivable misery and instead draws our empathy into the real struggle of coming back from addiction. To be sure, Leslie is her own worst enemy, but she has a disease and there’s still time, maybe just enough time, for her to find the path to recovery. We hold deep hope for that redemption.

Lead actress Andrea Riseborough was not even mentioned for an Academy Award even if she had one of the greatest performances of many others. Perhaps she was not considered because she is not African American or Hispanic or Asian. So sad.

Paul McAlister is a success at everything–except what really matters. Separated from his wife and estranged from his son, Paul keeps his focus on his next boardroom mega-deal. Like an errant tee-shot on a difficult hole, Paul’s life could use a do-over… a “mulligan.” A retired golf pro tries to point this successful businessman who is far from God toward what really matters in life. Through their new friendship, the Old Pro helps Paul discover there’s hope for second chances in the One who offers us “the ultimate mulligan.”

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

Mrs. Q says: . In this day and age with a the garbage on TV, in films and the Uncertainty of the world in which we live, I would like to CHALLENGE everyone who reads this to Take A TIMEOUT, GET YOUR FAMILY TOGETHER for just TWO Hours and watch this film together. If your kids (young or older) whine and carry on, make some popcorn. Mr. Pat Boone was phenomenal as “The Old Pro!” This may be your last opportunity to have a “Mulligan” with your family. There is NO guarantee that we or they will be here tomorrow. Enjoy the movie together- just the movie, popcorn – NO cell phones, etc. I’m not big on golf but I actually enjoyed this movie. The story behind it was really good yes I recommend it.  It did deliver messages – not all God messages, which, most of it was meaningful, particularly how the main character eventually learns he has to change himself.