Mom's Minute

Introduction to The Stronghold Netflix Movie Review

On the introductory screen in large letters is a disclaimer about The Stronghold Netflix movie. The disclaimer states that this movie, The Stronghold is fictional. In other words, the storyline is made up and has no semblance of truth about it.

Of course, it is entirely possible for the events in the Netflix movie, The Stronghold to take place. I think it is highly unlikely for the events to unfold in the movie as they did. For example, if you watch The Stronghold Netflix movie, you may ask yourself how did an informant find out so much about a certain group without being a part or having connections within. But on the other hand, maybe the informant did know of these happenings but this was not shown to the audience.

The above being said, did  I enjoy watching The Stronghold Netflix movie?  Do I think you would like watching this movie? Check out my movie review of The Stronghold Netflix film to find out.

Synopsis of The Stronghold Netflix Movie

The Stronghold Netflix movie is a 2020 foreign French action film about a group of corrupt police officers' daily activities, some undercover and where their misdeeds led them. The Stronghold Netflix movie has three main characters, each plays the part of an undercover police officer.They are Gilles Lellouche as Greg Cervas, Francois Civil as Antoine and Karim Leklou as Yass. Throughout my movie review of The Stronghold Netflix film, I will refer to these three characters as “the trio.”

The trio of characters were in the job habit of hunting down criminal elements in what looked to be crime infested neighborhoods. Most of the crimes involved stolen vehicles, pickpockets and the crime that got the best of them, so to speak, was drugs and drug dealers.

In fact, the highlight of the movie was their dealings with a drug informant as well as making regular stings or visits to certain areas in France searching for these type crimes.

Action in The Stronghold Netflix Movie

There is plenty of action in The Stronghold film, mostly dealing with vehicles, foot chases and fights. However, in contrast, the action in The Stronghold Netflix movie is in no way a match for the quality action scenes in a movie I recently reviewed entitled, The Gray Man.

However, I think the movie has enough action to keep your attention, if you are an action movie fan.

Realism in The Stronghold Netflix Movie

There are quite a few movie magic scenarios in The Stronghold Netflix film. Most has to do with the vast sea of knowledge a young woman had about what was going on in these drug dealing areas. 

Unless she was a mole in those places where she could find out what was going on and what is about to happen, there is a question of how she knew so much right down to the schedules of actions that were going to take place.

Other fictionalized events in the movie involved the many altercations the trio had in these type neighborhoods. They appear to take a lot of chances being around these criminal elements who would probably have more to fight back against them with instead of their hands and fists – which happened a lot in the Netflix movie, The Stronghold.

Assessment of The Stronghold Netflix Movie

The Stronghold Netflix movie has a running time of 1 hour and 45 minutes, so it is  not overly long. The events in the film that dragged The Stronghold Netflix movie down was the number of crimes the trio were involved with initially – which were not interesting to me.

In fact, my interest level began to heighten some towards the end of the movie, when a revelation was made regarding the trio’s leader which also served as a twist in The Stronghold Netflix movie.

The incidents that happened to the trio as a result of this twist was, in my opinion, the highlights of The Stronghold Netflix movie; however, this happened a little too late in the film. Additionally, the movie seemed rushed in the end after the audience figured out what was really going on.

What kept this movie just a little above water and from drowning were some of the action scenes as well as the twist in the movie story scenario. You will know what I’m talking about if you watch the Netflix movie, The Stronghold.

Rating of The Stronghold Netflix Movie

Based on a rating of 1 star to 5 stars with 5 stars being the highest, I rate The Stronghold Netflix movie 3 stars. 

Introduction to The Gray Man Netflix Movie Review

Have you been waiting on pins and needles for the big budget, huge blockbuster Netflix movie, The Gray Man to be released? When I say big budget, I'm talking about funds in excess of 200 million dollars to make The Gray Man movie.

Good news…your wait is finally over. The Gray Man movie is out and available to stream on Netflix. The Gray Man film is one of Netflix' s most costly movies, so I’m sure you are anticipating an adrenaline filled ride as you watch some of your favorite film stars In The Gray Man Netflix movie.

When I mention favorite film stars, I’m speaking of such actors as Chris Evans of Captain America and The Avengers fame and Ryan Gosling of Drive and The Place Beyond the Pines notoriety. Also be on the lookout for Ben Affleck’s ex-girlfriend, Ana de Armas as Dani Miranda starring in The Gray Man Netflix movie as well. Of course there are many other big name stars that will grace the screen in The Gray Man Netflix movie.

Now that I’ve watched The Gray Man Netflix movie, you may be curious about my thoughts on the movie. By the way, I also watched the trailer of The Gray Man Netflix movie, which seemed to show the film as having nonstop action from start to finish. And wait… Is our usual  criminal fighting heroic icon Chris Evans (Captain America) playing the part of a villain in The Gray Man Netflix movie?

I have these answers and more to help you decide whether to watch or pass on The Gray Man movie on Netflix.

Main Characters in The Gray Man Netflix Movie

Let's get the cast of characters pointed out, front and center. First, Ryan Gosling stars as a CIA agent recruited from prison, Court Gentry (Sierra Six); Second, Chris Evans stars as the villain (Lloyd Hansen) who is out to capture Ryan Gosling's character; Third, Billy Bob Thornton stars as the recruiter, Donald Fitzroy who has since retired and is now guardian of his 13 year old niece, Julia Butters as Claire Fitzroy, and last but not least Ana de Armas' character stars as Dani Miranda who is a CIA agent and an ally of Ryan Gosling’s character. 

Synopsis of The Gray Man Netflix Movie

The plot of The Gray Man Netflix movie is similar to some of the James Bond type spy movies you probably have seen in the past with a twist. In The Gray Man Netflix movie, the CIA is recruiting agents who are in prison for various reasons, with the promise of freedom as long as they perform jobs given to them. Those who are recruited are given a number name preceded by Sierra for example, Ryan Gosling's code name is Sierra Six. 

Ryan Gosling’s missions include protecting Billy Bob Thorton character's niece at all costs. In a sad turn of events, the niece played by Julia Butters has a heart condition and is prone to become ill at any time.

However, the plot thickens. After Ryan Gosling’s character as Court Gentry (Sierra Six) is about to complete his mission to destroy an operative who seemed to be a notorious enemy, he finds out that this enemy was once a Sierra agent, (Sierra Four) similar to himself.

Looks like the CIA is on an undercover mission to destroy all of the Sierra recritts, which of course, includes Ryan Gosling's character. To solidify this mission, the Sierra Four character (before his demise) gives Ryan Gosling's character a medallion which has a chip inside with encrypted information.

Soon after Ryan Gosling’s character finds out the CIA’s covert mission includes his own destruction, lots of action, including foot and car chases, fights, explosions, bomb detonations, and more happen in the storyline as Ryan Gosling’s character attempts to save not only himself but the niece of his recruiter, Billy Bob Thornton’s character.

Stand out Actor in The Gray Man Netflix Movie

If you recall, when I reviewed the James Bond  hit movie, No Time To Die, I pointed out that although Ana de Armas has a small action part in the film, she was the stand out action actor to me. Did the powers to be happen to read my movie review and follow through with changes for Ana de Armas?

Ana Armas definitely has a much larger, and exciting action part in the Netflix movie The Gray Man than she did in the James Bond No Time to Die movie. 

Not only is she on top of her game in the action scenes, but she is believable in her role as a plausible action actor. In fact, during The Gray Man movie, her character rescued Ryan Gosling’s character, not once, but twice. In a nutshell, Ana Armas she did not disappoint in her action role in The Gray Man Netflix movie.

Least Favorite Actor in The Gray Man Netflix Movie

Personally, my least favorite actor is Chris Evans' character as the villain, Lloyd Hansen. To me, he came across as flippant in his villain role and was not believable in most of his scenes. He seemed to be playing someone who is playing a villain – twice removed. In other words, he was playing the caricature of a villain.

That being said, there was one exception when he seemed to embrace the villan role. This happened when he was holding Julia Butter’s character as hostage and was threatening to harm her, an innocent child in front of Ryan Gosling’s character. This is the one time when he seemed like a true menace, and should have used this personn throughout the movie. As a side note, Julia Butter’s character was (make-believe) bruised but her character was not harmed during this movie scene.

Chris Evans' character also gets a pat on the back for his funny one-liners from the writers, including lines such as and I paraphrase, “You are learning how not to color outside of the lines,” and his comparison of Ryan Gosling's character to himself, when he mentions, “except for the $8 haircut.” There are a few more one-liners by Chris Evans' character that may interest you in The Gray Man Netflix movie.

Action in The Gray Man Netflix Movie

To set the tone of The Gray Man, the action starts off slow, I believe, in order for the audience to find out more about the storyline. However, soon after the beginning of the movie,The Gray Man Netfix movie, the film is non-stop action which I’m sure will probably keep your interest.

Assessment of The Gray Man Netlix Movie

If you are an action film fan, I think you will enjoy watching The Gray Man movie. From the quality of the movie, The Gray Man, you probably can tell the movie-makers spent a lot of money in order to bring realistic action entertainment to the masses. Did they succeed with The Gray Man Netflix movie?  Without hesitation, my answer is a resounding "Yes."

If you are on the fence about watching The Gray Man movie, hopefully my review will get you closer to getting off it, so you can enjoy this action-packed film. My advice to you? Watch the Gray Man movie on Netflix. When you do, I do not think you will be disappointed.

Rating of The Gray Man Netflix Movie

Based on a rating of 1 star to 5 stars with 5 stars being the highest, I rate The Gray Man Netflix movie 5 stars.

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Introduction to John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix Movie Review

John Travolta has been in the acting business for quite a long time compared to a newcomer on the scene.The newcomer to acting is singer Shania Twain, who I believe made her acting debut in John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix movie.

Did I enjoy watching a veteran actor, John Travollta in his Trading Paint Netflix movie? How did Shania Twain perform as her character? Last but not least, is the John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix movie worth watching?

Check out my movie review of John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix movie to find out the answers to the above questions and more.

Synopsis of John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix Movie 

John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix 2019 movie is about a father and son race car drivers who are going through difficult times due to the recent loss of the wife and mother, as well as the on-going feud between John Travolta’s character, Sam Munroe and his competitor Linsky played by Michael Madsen.The son is played by Toby Sebastian as Cam Munroe and Shania Twain is playing the part of Becca, the romantic interest for John Travolta’s character.

Predictability of John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix Movie

From the start, even though there were dissensions between John Travolta’s character and his son, Toby Sebastian‘s character, right away you knew that their disagreements would not last throughout the movie. Additionally, Shania Twain’s character seems to act as a go-between when problems surface involving the father and son. 

 In a nutshell, there was no suspense in the events of the John Travolta movie which include how the movie would end as well as who would eventually win the last race in the film.

Realism of John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix Movie

Spoiler alert: In my opinion, the most unrealistic part of the movie was when John Travolta’s race car competitor Michael Madsen’s character told the son, the race car driver, to cause a wreck with his father to increase Michael Madsen’s character’s chances of winning.

 By this time John Travolta's character was driving his own race car instead of having the son drive and the son was driving for his competitor. I believe, in real life, the son would have stated right off the bat that he was not going to do such a thing, instead of driving off as if he was going to cause a wreck with his father – which, of course, he did not.

Another unrealistic scene in the John Travolta Training Paint Netflix movie was when John Travolta’s character returned to driving his own race car instead of the son  – he began winning races. This happens after the storyline indicated there were problems with the race car when driven by his son – which was why the son was losing races. However, when John Travolta’s character drove the exact same car – he won races. Go figure.

Another unrealistic part of the movie was the scene when Michael Madsen’s character acknowledged the retirement of John Travolta’s character from racing, but then turned around and raced against the son. In reality, the race should have been between John Travolta’s character and Michael Madsen’s character since they were the ones who were feuding.  

Additionally, the son was injured in a previous race, which would have been a good reason for him to be on the sidelines instead of participating in the last race of the movie with injured legs -- that I’m sure had not completely healed – even after six months.

As a side note, the race announcer only spoke of Munroe and Linsky’s progress during the race, ignoring the other race car drivers which I think was a disservice to them. After all, this was not a two-car race.

Shania Twain as an Actor in John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix Movie

Unfortunately, I did not notice any chemistry between John Travolta and Shania Twain’s characters in John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix movie. Additionally, there was an awkward moment when John Travolta’s character confessed how he felt about her and she just lowered her head, smiled and said nothing. 

I think Shania Twain could use more acting lessons based on her performance in John Travolta’s Trading Paint Netflix movie. For example, there is a scene in the John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix movie where she is making a comment about his injured finger. Instead of looking concerned at the finger as if it needed immediate attention, she was looking at John Travoltla with a slight smile on her face. In other words, she played her part more like a stand-in for an actor, instead of a skilled, actual actor in this movie.

Regarding Shania Twain's acting debut, I would say her effort was a nice try, but I believe her forte is in singing instead of acting, even though this could change depending on her training, aspirations, etc. 

John Travoltal’s acting was adequate. The exception was when his son was injured and the tone of his cries for help reminded me of the character Vinnie Barbarino that he played years ago on the Welcome Back Carter television sitcom.

Looks like John Travolta’s acting skills stayed about the same in this movie as in a film I reviewed a while back, Gotti.

Message of the John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix Movie

I believe that John Travolta’s Trading Paint Netflix movie emphasized the importance of family and the need to come together rather than be pulled apart. This was shown especially at the end of the movie, when the son,Toby Sebastian’s character miraculously won the race driving his father’s car instead of the competitor’s, and he made a speech about how important his father was to him.  

The John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix movie also ended on an upbeat note which is a plus for the film.

Assessment of John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix Movie

If you are having a slow day, you may want to watch John Travolta Trading Paint Netflix movie, or if you are a fan of either John Travolta or Shania Twain. As for me, I will probably pass on watching this movie again, even though I liked the overall message of the film regarding the importance of family.

Based on a rating of 1 star to 5 stars with 5 stars being the highest, I rate JohnTravolta Trading Paint Netflix movie 2 stars.

Introduction to Horizon Line Amazon Prime Video Movie Review

After searching for movies to watch on Netflix, I decided to check out films that Amazon Prime video had to offer. I was pleasantly surprised to find a movie that seemed to be one that was worth watching. The name of the Amazon Prime Video movie is Horizon Line.

As you can see, the title is rather ambiguous; however, once you start watching the movie, you may get a general idea of what the film is about.

Did I enjoy watching the 2020 Swedish movie, Horizon Line? Do I think you will like this movie? Check out my movie review of Horizon Line Amazon Prime Video fllm to find out.

By the way, I watched the Horizon Line movie on Amazon Prime VIdeo, but it may be streaming on other services as well.

Synopsis of Horizon Line Amazon Prime Video Movie

When I began watching the Horizon LIne movie, initially, I got Lifetime movie vibes from it. I could tell right away that this movie would involve a relationship between a couple and the question is whether or not they will stay together or depart, depending on what is going on in the movie’s storyline.

However, there is a twist to the Lifetime type movie, Horizon Line. The movie is a lot more than about relationships and there are action and adventure scenes sprinkled in.

The Horizon Line Amazon Prime Video movie stars Allison Williams as Sara Johnson who met Alexander Dreymon character as Jackson Davisen during a business trip vacation. Shortly after meeting him, she left him abruptly without nary a word when he exited their table for a short while. 

Fast forward a short time ahead, Allison Williams’ character is getting ready to attend a friend’s wedding, and plans to bring some refreshments along with her.  While on an island resort, she runs once again into Alexander Dreymon’s character, and similar actions take place as done previously, when she abruptly leaves him again.

It just so happens that they both booked a small private air flight with the same pilot on the same day to attend the wedding. Of course it was awkward at first between the two characters once they boarded the small plane; however, Alexander Dreymon’s character simply settled back in his plane seat.

Meanwhile, Allison Williams' character is friends with the pilot (Keith David as Freddie Weyman) who had recently lost his wife. The pilot asks her to sit in the co-pilot seat and maybe as a form of entertainment begins telling her how to operate controls on the small plane.

 However, disaster strikes when the pilot has a fatal heart attack while flying the single engine plane and it is up to both Allison Williams and Alexander Dreymon’s characters to manage to fly and hopefully land the plane.  

Did they survive their plane flight? If so, how did they do it? You will have to watch the Horizon Line Amazon Prime video movie to find out.

Setting of Horizon Line Amazon Prime Video Movie

In my opinion, I did not get a realistic feel of witnessing someone actually being on a plane that is about to crash when I watched the Horizon Line Amazon Prime Video movie. During most of the airplane scenes, I could tell they were actually probably in a studio with airplane props, etc.

That being said, there was an instance when Allison Williams’ character was trying to fuel the plane by laying on top of the wing as the plane was flying in auto-pilot, when I gasped. I thought she had fallen off the plane. However, movie magic occurred when she was pushed off the plane from the velocity of the wind, but somehow she landed back inside of the plane, safe and sound instead of falling.

Acting Skills Displayed in the Horizon line Amazon Prime Video Movie

Since the airplane scenes were sort of staged, I could tell the actors were not actually terrified or scared that the plane would crash. During these scenes, the director should have stressed to the actors to overreact to show they were really scared so their fright would translate to the audience.  

Dialogue in the Horizon Line Amazon Prime Video Movie

I think Allison Williams’ character did not give Alexander Dreymon’s character a plausible explanation as to why she left him either when he was asleep or he was not around. 

Her stating that she just did not want to say “goodbye” was not an adequate answer. During the scene when she left for a second time, a flashback scenario should have been shown to the audience to indicate maybe something traumatic happened to her in her past that caused her to react this way.  

Also, there was no reason for Alexander Dreymon’s character to take the blame when leaving him abruptly was all her doing – not his.

Spoiler Alert: The above being said, the biggest dialogue misstep was when Allison Williams' character had to drop the deceased pilot from the plane to decrease the plane's weight, and she only said “Goodbye Freddie.”  In respect, she could have said some consoling words or at least a few sentences on his behalf before this action was done.

Assessment of Horizon Line Amazon Prime VIdeo Movie

I did not get the same entertainment type vibes I usually get when I watch mayday airplane scenes in other movies when I watched similar scenes in the Horizon Line Amazon Video film. For example, when I watch a Tom Cruise movie, I get caught up in the action since the scenes are so realistically done. This did not happen for me when I watched the Horizon Line Amazon Prime Video movie.

Spoiler Alert: On the positive side, the water/ocean scenes seemed realistic and I think the movie staff did a good job depicting them both trying to survive after the plane crashed.

If you like watching airplane films or even Lifetime movies, you may enjoy watching Horizon Line Amazon Prime Video movie. However, if you're looking for high quality Tom Cruise type airplane scenes, you may want to pass on this movie. I will leave that decision up to you.

Rating of Horizon Line Amazon Prime Video Movie

Based on a rating of 1 star to 5 stars with 5 stars being the highest, I rate Horizon Line Amazon Prime Video movie 2 stars.

Introduction to Georgetown Amazon Prime Video Movie Review

After watching the Georgetown Amazon Prime Video movie, I did not quite know what to think. Here was a man who purported to be a general in a military of sorts who used a false persona to literally not only lead high level Washimgton meetings but to crash executive type events and affairs. Even more mind boggling was the way some people tended to believe him, even to the point of having meetings with him to discuss international military type strategies.

The above being said, Georgetown is of course a movie, so plenty of the details of the film are false, while some are true. The true part was the unfortunate demise of a woman who was married to this character.

Is Georgetown Amazon Prime Video movie worth watching? If so, why or why not? Check out my movie review of the Georgetown Amazon Prime Video movie to find out.

Synopsis of Georgetown Amazon Prime Video Movie Review

The plot is pretty much straightforward. A social climbing man (Christoph Waltz as Ulrich Mott) marries a Washington D.C. socialite (Vanessa Redgrave as Elsa Breht) who is much older than himself. However this is not the gist of the plot. The plot of the movie is how he masqueraded as a foreign decorated military leader, even going so far as to wear an unusual looking uniform as if this would make his imaginary status become a reality.

As it turns out, throughout his twenty-year marriage to the Washington socialite, he would constantly brag about his decorated honors in leading foreign troops, while at the same time getting into arguments and scuffles with his wife. They both pretended things were going well between themselves while in the company of others, including the socialiste’s daughter, Amanda Breht played by Annette Bening. However, behind closed doors, the true failed state of their marriage was shown.

Later in the Georgetown Amazon Prime Video movie, the focus becomes the murder trial for Vanessa Redgrave’s character. Even when Christoph Waltz's character was behind bars for his late wife's murder, he continued to believe he was someone that he was not. In other words, he took the term, “fake it until you make it” to a whole new level.

Events in the GeorgeTown Amazon Prime Video Movie

I think the director (believe it or not, Christoph Walz) did a good job of presenting and phasing in the storyline of Georgetown to the audience. The movie intertwined between past and present events, but in a way that does not confuse you as to what is going on in the film.

I thought it was creative how during the beginning of the movie and the end, the director of Georgetown Amazon Prime Video movie, showed film scenes as if Christoph Waltz’s character was actually leading a foreign military with him standing up straight, saluting “his soldiers.”

Highlight of Georgetown Amazon Prime Video Movie

To me, the highlight was when Christoph Waltz’s character’s wife finally confronted him with his untruths relative to his background. During the movie, I was questioning when his wife would become aware of his facade, especially since she seemed to be an intelligent woman.

Stand Out Actor in the Georgetown Amazon Prime Video Movie

Even though there were  A-List actors in the Georgetown Amazon Prime Video movie, for example Vanessa Redgrave as Elsa Breht and Annette Bening as Amanda Breht, the stand out actor to me was Christolph Waltz as the main delusional character. His demeanor and actions in the Georgetown Amazon Prime Video movie matched someone who would fabricate and exaggerate his importance when there was no basis to do so.

Christoph Waltz's character did a good job of showing how someone can bend truth so much to the point where sometimes they might reach their breaking point. In his case, it was the unfortunate demise of his wife, of course which he denied being responsible for.

My Cliff Notes on the Events in the Georgetown Amazon Prime Video Movie

I was curious as to how much of the Georgetown Amazon Prime VIdeo movie was true and how much was fabricated, so I researched Elsa Breht’s character. I found out that she was really a Washington socialite who married the much younger man, Ulrich Mott – in the movie, that is. See below for the real names of the people depicted in this film.

From the Georgetown  Amazon Prime Video movie, you may think the actions are happening over a span of a few weeks or months when in fact Elsa Breht was married to Ulrich Mott for over 20 years. Contrary to what is revealed in the Georgetown Amazon Prime Video movie, Christolph Waltz’s character was not guaranteed thousands of dollars upon her demise as well as her home. Additionally Ulrich Mott did not receive any money or property after his wife’s destruction since she had a prenuptial agreement. Spoiler alert:  However it is true that to this day, Ulrich Waltz is serving time in prison for the murder of his wife.

Just so you know, the true names that the people in the Georgetown Prime Video movie is loosely based upon are actually Albreht Muth and the Washington socialite, Viola Herms Drath.

Assessment of Georgetown Amazon Prime Video Movie

I found Georgetown Amazon Prime Video movie to be an interesting film to watch. Unlike Annette Bening’s character who was skeptical of him -- it seemed that Christoph Waltz’s character for the most part was able to wiggle his way into important meetings, events, etc., with false credentials.

I also found the movie interesting because it showed that Christoph Waltz’s wife was not as gullible as you may have thought she seemed about her husband's true dealings and background.

I think the Georgetown movie is worth watching to see Christoph Waltz’s character in action as well as to see how people were deceived into believing his character was someone he was not,

Rating of Georgetown Amazon Prime Video Movie

Based on a rating of 1 star to 5 stars with 5 stars being the highest, I rate Georgetown Amazon Prime Video movie 5 stars.