Knives Out (2019)

Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is a fabulously wealthy murder mystery novelist who lives in a big spooky house with his strange family of leeches, I mean, relatives. That is, until he’s found dead. Was it a suicide? The police think so, though quirky private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) isn’t so sure. There’s a long line of potential suspects, starting with Harlan’s greedy, grotesque family, who all have a motive for murder. Complications–and zaniness–ensue!

My coworker Kelly had recommended this movie to me when it first came out–a recommendation that was also seconded by Jen–and thanks to you both! I’m so glad I watched it! I haven’t had this much fun watching a movie in, well, a while.

Ask The Blogger: Mr. Holmes (2015)

Last month, we debuted the “Ask the Blogger” series, in which I answer reader questions/review reader-recommended material. This post comes courtesy of Carol Ann, who suggested I review this recent movie because it’s wonderful but under-appreciated.

I actually remember seeing some advertising for this movie when it came out, made a mental note that I should see it, and then forgot about it until I read the request Carol Ann submitted. I’m glad she suggested it because she’s right–it is a great movie that more people should see.

I should probably preface this review by admitting that I am a devoted Sherlock Holmes fan. I’ve loved the character since I was a kid. In fact, I own several different editions of the complete works of Sherlock Holmes, and I’ve read all the stories twice–once in the order they were published and once in a sequence that someone proposed representing the chronology within the stories themselves. (I realize that makes me sound like a complete dork–and there’s some truth to that accusation–but it was actually an interesting experiment in watching a series evolve. I have no regrets.)