This year we had a whirlwind Thanksgiving of movies, and there wasn’t a bad one in the bunch. Our daughter Dee is a movie buff extraordinaire, and when she comes to visit, we catch up on movies. With the Academy Awards right around the corner, we were truly spoiled for choice.
The title of this blog indicates what we saw.
First, there was Knives Out, a sharp, intelligent murder mystery with terrific actors and a political message that lifts it above the average story of this kind.
Second was Ford v. Ferrari, a surprisingly affecting story about car racing and class. The movie centers on car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and race car driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) and their struggle against “the suits” from Ford.
Third was Harriet, a biopic about the extraordinary Harriet Tubman, who was born a slave, escaped, and then returned to the South to lead other slaves to freedom. What raises this movie above the standard biopic is Cynthia Erivo’s incredibly strong performance as Harriet Tubman. (Apologies for the small graphic. I hunted and hunted but couldn’t find anything bigger.)
Finally, we saw JoJo Rabbit, a dark comedy about Hitler and World War II. While most of us wouldn’t find much humor in this subject, the director, Taika Waititi, managed to poke his finger in Hitler’s eye while at the same time making a gripping story about the nature of fanaticism. (Another small graphic. Sigh.)
So there you have it—four movies, all worth seeing.
Now onward to Christmas! Because Thanksgiving was late this year, we only have three weeks to get ready for my favorite holiday. There will be a flurry of cooking, cleaning, and craft fairs.
Fingers crossed that the weather gods smile on us.
Well, there’s a mixture of films! Sounds as if you had great fun.
Onward to Christmas we go – I’ve opened my first two advent calendar doors because I’m a big child. At least I didn’t buy myself one with chocolates in it which, I must say is a very difficult thing to do as everybody seems to want something to eat, drink, bathe in or cuddle (to name but a few things) hiding behind the doors of modern advent calendars.. Humbug!
We did have great fun. This year, I received a very special Advent gift, which I will be writing about later.
All sound like great flicks. I’ll have to get out there and see some over the holidays. Thanks for the reviews.
My pleasure!
My fingers are crossed for you. That sounds like a good mix of films. A gentleman also recommended Ford v. Ferrari a couple of days ago.
A movie worth seeing!
Knives Out is on my list. Good to read the comments from a real person rather than a critic.
Of the movies we saw, it’s the movie I want to see again, and I certainly don’t think that about every movie.
Thanks for the suggestions on good films to see. I plan to go and see Knives Out. It has been well reviewed on this side of the Atlantic.
It’s quite a movie!
You had my attention with the title let alone the movie reviews. 🙂
Tee-hee !
That sounds like a fun-filled time Laurie and fingers crossed the fine weather Gods will be smiling! 🤗💖 xxx
Thanks, Xenia!
We are hoping to see Knives Out as soon as we can.
Such a smart, fun movie.
What a fun Thanksgiving you had! I used to love watching films but these days my attention wanders and I get too anxious to sit still and relax. Maybe one day……..
We sure did!
Thanks for the film reviews, Laurie – and best of luck this holiday season with your craft shows!
Thanks, Jodie! Two more to go.
Thank you for the movie recommendations, Laurie. It looks like there are some excellent ones here.
I am in the midst of a flurry of cleaning, cooking, cleaning, craft fairs, cleaning, decorating and more cleaning! Bring on the holidays!
Yes, yes! Lots of work, but I love ’em.
A good set. Our daughter Becky picks them out for us.
Always nice to have a daughter who does this!
🙂
Three weeks until Christmas? I’m going to have to hope I can find the gifts I packed up and moved. Want to bet they’ll be in the very last box?
Yup.It’s time to chop, chop! Love this season!
We are just planning to watch Ford Vs Ferrari in two days 🙂
Thanks for the other suggestions though not sure if we have them in theatre.
Worth seeing!
Thanks for these reports. And let us hear how the craft fairs go.
Will do!
Sounds like a wonderful time with your daughter and a great selection of movies!🙂 Thanks for the recommendations and planning on seeing Knives Out soon.🙂
I bet you will enjoy it.
I’m a bit late reading your film reviews but Knives Out looks good.. & I like biography type books and movies so Harriet will be in my list too.. thanks for the reviews Laurie. 👏👏
Both worth seeing!
All of these sound fantastic! My hubby and I are going to check out Ford v. Ferrari this week, looking forward to it.
I hope you enjoy it. Along with being a thrilling race car movie, it is also poignant. Don’t want to write too much more and spoil it for you.
I’m rubbish at keeping up with the latest movies, so thanks for the recommendations – I will look out for them.
All worth seeing, in their own way, but my favorite was “Knives Out.”
I hadn’t even hear of that one until you mentioned it, but I will seek it out now.