India Sweets and the Cover Up

 Monday: Navy Blue and Gold (1937)

          Three men decide to join the Naval Academy to play football. Dickie is the youngest. He comes from a wealthy Navy family and is a football star. John, nicknamed "Truck", has devoted his whole life to joining the Navy. Rog only joined the Navy in hopes of meeting a wealthy woman, marrying her, and getting a nice job from her father. The three become roommates and fast friends. After seeing a picture of Dickie's sister both Truck and Rog want to ask her out. They get a chance to meet her and she makes an unexpected choice. The men go through the academy growing and learning about life. I thought this movie was alright. James Stewart was Truck.

Wednesday: Break of Hearts (1935)

        Constance is a young music composer. She is struggling to get any of her songs published or played. She has a friend in her building. He was a well known conductor and has had many students. One is the famous conductor Franz Roberti. By chance Constance and Franz meet at their friend's place. They are attracted to each other. Constance knows of Franz's playboy ways but she can't help falling for him. They soon get married and go on a long honeymoon. When they get back to real life everything changes. Franz goes back to his old habits and Constance is left heartbroken. They struggle with what to do next. This movie is alright. Not sure why she would marry him knowing his reputation.

Friday: The King's Man (2021)

       Orlando is a Lord. After losing his wife on a Red Cross mission he promises to keep his son from going to war. As time goes on it is clear his son, Conrad, wants to be a soldier. They hear about a threat on Archduke Ferdinand's life. This could propel Europe into a war. They try to prevent it. Unsuccessful they have to deal with the approach of WWI. Orlando forms a group that works outside of the government to stop the war. They fight Rasputin and enemy forces. This movie was ok. Kinda what I expected. Some cool action shots but lacking. It's a prequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service. Which I didn't like very much either. Really I only watched this because I've already seen most everything else that is in theaters.

Saturday: Double Feature- The Cat Returns (2002) and India Sweets and Spices (2021)

         The Cat Returns is about a teenage girl named Haru. She saves a cat from being run over. The cat talks to her and thanks her. Later a parade of cats appear in front her house in the middle of the night. The king of the cats has come to thank her for saving his son. Haru will be rewarded with several gifts. The next day her front yard is overgrown with cattails and her locker at school is filled with mice. Later the king's messenger tells her her final reward is to marry the prince. Haru thinks this is ridiculous but is worried what they will do. A mysterious voice tells her to go to the Cat Bureau. They will help. There she meets The Baron. A well dressed cat who promises to help her. The cat king's soldiers take her away. The Baron must save her. I thought this movie was alright. It is a Studio Ghibli film. The animation is not the same as the others. I prefer the other kind. This is a spin off of Whisper of the Heart. The Baron appears in that movie too. 

       India Sweets and Spices is about a young Indian woman, Alia, who is home for the summer from college. Her family is wealthy. Every week they go to a different party where their wealthy friends can show off. While at the Indian specialty store, India Sweets and Spices, Alia meets the new owners. Including their handsome son Varun. In an attempt to ask him out she invites them to a party at her house. At the party they clearly don't fit in. Then Varun's mother recognizes Alia's mother. Alia's mother pretends to only vaguely know who she is. Alia starts to learn secrets about both her parents. These secrets come to light and change everything for the family. This is a good movie. Not the best, but still enjoyable. It's kinda like the Indian Crazy Rich Asians (that movie being centered around a Chinese family).

Sunday: Z (1969)

        This is a French movie. A pacifist organization who opposes the government is planning to hold an anti-military, nuclear disarmament rally. They bring in their leader who is a politician and doctor. The government and police are worried that the rally will cause an outbreak of violence. They do everything to stop the rally. It goes on. After the rally the doctor is killed in the middle of the crowd. The government try to cover it up. They call it an accident. The magistrate is determined to get the the bottom of what really happened. I thought this was a good movie. This movie was inspired by real events. I wasn't always clear on what the different groups were arguing. When the doctor and the other group members are walking through the crowd he is up front by himself. Even though there was a threat on his life. Why wouldn't they protect him knowing someone might try to kill him?