Fall Movie Buffet: Pick and Choose!

Well hello my blogger friends! Welcome to almost Fall (Autumn). As the sun sets sooner in the evening time now, we’re getting ready to store away our tank tops/shorts and replace them with flannel PJs and cozy sweaters!  So get out your pumpkin spice latte or a cup of hot cocoa with plenty of tiny marshmallows and enjoy some movies that I wanted to share with you.

Let's start out with a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Respect is the story of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. It's one that you need to see! It’s a very intimate look into Aretha’s life, never holding back on sensitive topics like childhood trauma, domestic violence and addiction. Of course with any biography, take it with a grain of salt on all the details recollected. This film may also be triggering for some, so keep that in mind.

Aretha, played by Jennifer Hudson, is phenomenal in this role. It’s also quite surprising to see a Wayans Brother impressing me so much, but Marlon Wayans was intense playing Ted White, Aretha’s first husband.

The music was amazing to hear, and although some time-line scenes felt a bit disjointed at times, it was really inspiring and interesting to note how much advocacy Aretha was part of and after so much devastation, she finally found her voice among the darkness, right up to the time of her passing.

 

Ah 1985! Tuff Turf is just a wild adventure of a new kid in town Morgan Hiller, played by James Spader (keeping with the 80's - well known for his yuppiness in movies like Pretty in Pink – a personal favourite), who comes face-to-face with the head gang leader in a battle of not only who gets the girl, but who keeps the girl. We also have a very young Robert Downey Jr who is pretty adorable (boys with eyeliner – gah!) and plays Morgan’s friend, Jimmy.

Although I was blown away by a scene where James Spader starts singing “We Walk the Night” by Paul Carney  sadly, I did find out he was only lip-synching. Could have fooled me though!

Another cool fact, the soundtrack has "People Who Died" by the Jim Carroll Band, so that should be a reason to check it out.

 
Apple Pie. A time warp to the groovy disco 70’s era with this artistic cult-classic by director, Howard Goldberg, that is just so strange that I am not quite sure what to think.

Jacques Blinbaum, played by the late, Tony Azito, who is freakishly downright freaky looking in all his form and mannerisms, tells what feels like a fabricated story of his youngster coming-of-crime escapades and how he faked his own kidnapping in order to get a large sum of money from his parents as ransom.

Arriving in Manhattan, we witness his transformation into some sort of caped pseudo-hero, getting himself into more imagined (or maybe real, I don’t quite know) trouble along the way.

This film is all over the place with a lot of moments of HUH?! There is plenty of violence, sometimes just out of nowhere. Other scenes are just confusing and plain right odd, including a food fight that breaks out in a fancy-smancy restaurant. Then towards the end, you’ll get a big musical montage which I thought was going to be a bigger part of the movie than it was. It’s fun though, it has all the Daryl, Hall and Oates vibes, but goes on...and on.... and on.... for as long as a single camera shot of Quentin Tarantino’s.

If you’re up to it, take a slice out of this one and make sure to add a big scoop of ice cream for the brain-freeze of 1 hour 30 minutes.

Don’t Breathe 2 --- Don't hold your breath on this one!

It starts off pretty intense and who doesn’t love a good home invasion, but then fizzles out. I don't mind a predictable film, but ugh, it kind of ruined it for a thriller. I won't say anymore in case you want to watch.

The fight scenes are bruuuuutal, I had to turn my face away for a few scenes. I swear I thought though Brendan Sexton III was Stephen Dorff throughout the whole film.

One thing remains though, Navy Seal vet Norman, (played by Stephen Lang) remains a total bad-ass.

Definitely felt the first one was more compelling and riveting for a thriller, but you be the judge for yourself.

💜Have you watched any of these? If so, leave me a comment or send me an email using my form! I'd love to hear your thoughts.