Q-Tips Reviews

Isn’t it Romantic – New York City architect Natalie works hard to get noticed at her job but is more likely to be asked to deliver coffee and bagels than to design the city’s next skyscraper. And if things weren’t bad enough, Natalie, a lifelong cynic when it comes to love, has an encounter with a mugger that renders her unconscious, waking to discover that her life has suddenly become her worst nightmare — a romantic comedy — and she is the leading lady.

Q-tips say: Is good. Tho is may not be bold, it is still funny, fast paced.  The Q tips did enjoy.  Mrs. Q says: The film’s best attributes are its positive messages for women.

The Shoplifters – After one of their shoplifting sessions, Osamu and his son come across a little girl in the freezing cold. At first reluctant to shelter the girl, Osamu’s wife agrees to take care of her after learning of the hardships she faces. Although the family is poor, barely making enough money to survive through petty crime, they seem to live happily together until an unforeseen incident reveals hidden secrets, testing the bonds that unite them.

Q-tips say:  Did enjoy it – has subtitles. Seemed to be going every which way – performance(s) is a grab bag of little quirks and maladies – but enjoyable. The praise I can give it is saying it never feels like a film. It looks and sounds like real life, with real people doing real things in the real world, an Japanese World.

Can you ever forgive me? –   Melissa McCarthy stars as Lee Israel, the best-selling celebrity biographer (and cat lover) who made her living in the 1970’s and 80’s profiling the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead, Estée Lauder and journalist Dorothy Kilgallen. When Lee found herself unable to get published because she had fallen out of step with the marketplace, she turned her art form to deception, abetted by her loyal friend Jack (Richard E. Grant).

Q-tips say:  We liked it. See it.  Mrs. Q says: Supposedly based on a true story. McCarthy does a good job and the story line was enjoyable and has some funny/sad moments.

Old Man with a Gun – OLD MAN AND THE GUN is based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford), from his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public. Wrapped up in the pursuit are detective John Hunt (Casey Affleck), who becomes captivated with Forrest’s commitment to his craft, and a woman (Sissy Spacek), who loves him in spite of his chosen profession.

Q-tips say: Liked it!! The Mr. thought it a little silly that an old guy was still going around robbing banks. Mrs. Q liked it.   The Old Man & the Gun is pure, easygoing entertainment for film fans. Thank goodness they did not show the two old people trying to have sex, do drugs, and believe it or not, no real violence.

Critics Consensus: A well-told story brought to life by a beautifully matched cast.

BOY ERASED – “Boy Erased” tells the story of Jared (Hedges), the son of a Baptist pastor in a small American town, who is outed to his parents (Kidman and Crowe) at age 19. Jared is faced with an ultimatum: attend a conversion therapy program – or be permanently exiled and shunned by his family, friends, and faith. Boy Erased is the true story of one young man’s struggle to find himself while being forced to question every aspect of his identity.

Q-tips say: Liked it!  Mrs. Q says: Movies like this can easily offend people who don’t share similar beliefs with the core characters, so please take this review with a grain of salt if you happen to be one-sided about certain topics.  This may not be a perfect film, but it is probably one of the most important films you will see this year. Yes, it is about being “gay” and religion/family ties/& a young man finding himself and going on.

Not for little children.