Q-Tips Reviews

9/3/22 – Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is a satirical comedy starring Regina Hall as Trinitie Childs — the proud first lady of a Southern Baptist megachurch, who together with her husband, Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Sterling K. Brown), once served a congregation in the tens of thousands. But after a scandal forces their church to temporarily close, Trinitie and Lee-Curtis must reopen their church and rebuild their congregation to make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen.

Q-tips say: Go ahead & watch it. “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.” presents a toothy vision of evangelical life without losing sight of the feeling that remains when the façade of it all finally falls. This movie might bring back memories of another preacher.

Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker created an evangelical empire that encompassed a Christian ministry, broadcasting network and theme park. They became two of the most famous televangelists in America, whose devout teachings often appeared at odds with the extravagant lifestyle they led. The fact that their eventual fall from televised grace came from a sex and financial scandal only served to increase the public’s fascination with them.

9/2/22 – streaming. The film explores the life and music of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler), seen through the prism of his complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).

Q-tips say: SEE IT! A portrait of Elvis’s life and career that reveals the roots of his appeal. Enjoyment of this movie partially depends on one’s interest in Elvis. The movie is well made, and it mostly tells the truth about the man, his music, his career, and his failings. Had Parker and Presley had a less dysfunctional relationship, it might have turned out differently. Some great music shows up in this film, and not all of it is Elvis’ music. Black music is given its due. Elvis’ story is inspiring and sad at the same time.

Mrs. Q says: See it! You might find out a few things about Elvis’s life you never knew. Enjoy the music & remember the good times.

8/22 – One Moment is the humorous, heartwarming story of middle-age siblings struggling to manage their own lives, while also caring for their recently widowed, aging father.

Q-tips say: YES, SEE IT!

We all have that family member that, when they call, expects you to drop everything and tend to their needs; Joe McGuiness (Danny Aiello) is that to his children. After the passing of his wife/their mother, Joe’s reality has spiraled out of control as he struggles to make sense of his situation fully. One Moment is the story of Joe and his family’s struggles and how their love for one another wins out. It gives you the understanding that you must appreciate every moment, good or bad, throughout your life.

Mrs. Q says: The film is beautiful from beginning to end, and grateful for the message O’Connor offers the world. Joe’s struggles, and, in turn, that of his family, are so vivid and real that it’s genuinely impossible for them not to resonate. Heartwarming story of middle-age siblings struggling to manage life, while caring for their recently widowed, aging father.  Welcome to the “Sandwich Generation.”   

8/13/22 – Finney, a shy but clever 13-year-old boy, is abducted by a sadistic killer and trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of little use. When a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring, Finney discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer’s previous victims. And they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn’t happen to Finney.

Q-tips say: We did like it. It works at combining supernatural elements with a story of survival.

Mrs. Q says: For some, “The Black Phone” is a horror-thriller whose ring might be worth answering.

A thousand degrees different from the “kind of feel good musical” – The 13 Musical.

8/22 – Following his parents’ divorce, 12-year-old Evan Goldman (Eli Golden) uproots from New York City with his mother Jessica (Debra Messing). With his Bar Mitzvah fast approaching, Evan is devastated that he must leave all his friends, his father (Peter Hermann) and his rabbi behind. But upon arriving at his grandmother’s (Rhea Perlman) house in small-town Walkerton, Indiana, he hatches a plan to win new friends by turning his Bar Mitzvah into the coolest party ever. As an outsider navigating the complicated social circles of his new school, Evan quickly finds out he’s not the only one grappling with the all too familiar anxieties of eighth grade. While his new friends Patrice and Archie fret over the fate of the planet and unrequited love, respectively, popular cheerleader Lucy desperately plots to stave off a first kiss between her crush Brett and best friend Kendra . To make matters worse, Evan invites the popular kids to his party–who aren’t fans of Patrice. With these competing interests in play, Evan faces the impossible task of bringing everyone happily together in time for his party, or else risk social ruin. Suddenly, turning 13 isn’t looking as good as it’s cracked up to be. 13: THE MUSICAL is a coming-of-age journey through the unforgettable ups and downs of preteen life.

Q-tips say: We did enjoy it. The Musical features an all teen cast, with 19 talented young performers carrying the show from start to finish. 

Mrs. Q says: If life would only be this way as in this movie for the kids nowadays. In most cases, it is not. This musical makes being 13 a little too safe. 13 is a funny at times & high-energy musical for all ages about discovering that ‘cool’ is where you find it, and sometimes where you least expect it.

8/8/22 –

Two young sisters band together to save a magical baby unicorn from a group of cowboys.

Q-tips say: Yes, we did enjoy it. Cutesy, corny and little-kid friendly & mindless & gets your mind off the stupid headlines of everyday life.

However, parents need to know that Wish Upon a Unicorn is a kid-oriented comedy-fantasy designed to appeal to kids ( probably for kids over 10 years old +) who may display skepticism about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, but still want to enjoy and believe in the fantastic. Be aware that this family-centric story has a foundation in tragedy: Two young girls move from Chicago to the country with their dad after the death of their mother. A few mildly scary moments arise as a unicorn-napper tries to sacrifice and drink the blood of the mythical creature in his quest to gain eternal youth. Kids too young to see over the wheel and reach the gas pedal drive a truck off the road. No one is injured. Bullying at school. Language includes “hell,” “crap,” and “suck face,” and two tweens kiss. Grandma Rose is caught sitting under a blanket kissing her boyfriend Bud. 

8/22 – When a mysterious doctor arrives in a small Midwestern town, her therapy horse, Adeline, quickly gains a reputation for ‘healing’ those with special needs. Not used to this alternative form of healing, some begin to question the authenticity of Adeline’s methods and tensions arise. But one day during an equine therapy session, a destructive tornado descends upon the barn. Adeline leaps into action and corrals her students, pushing them against the founding wall of the stable. Although Adeline saves the lives of 12 people, she takes the brunt of the storm’s destructive force and suffers a shattered leg. With the town’s people now convinced of Adeline’s amazing spirit, they band together to raise the funds necessary to fix her leg and save her life. Based on an inspirational true story, Adeline teaches all those she encounters the same powerful lesson: miracles happen when you let go of the reins.

Q-tips say: YES! SEE IT! You will enjoy! A feel good movie – not only because of the horse but the children Adeline reaches & helps.

Mrs. Q says: Get away for an hour or so from the BS of the daily politics, etc. & enjoy a “feel good” movie. Don’t forget your popcorn & favorite libations. Best part you can view this movie in the comfort of your own home.