The Power of the Dog & Single All The Way – Movie Reviews

The Power of the Dog is written and directed by Jane Campion, cased on the novel by Thomas Savage, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Phil Burbank, Kirsten Dunst as Rose Gordon, Jesse Plemons as George Burbank, and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Peter Gordon. The story follows brother ranchers Phil and George. George takes a liking to an innkeeper Rose. Their relationship blossoms and eventually get married, much to the dismay of Phil. Phil abuses Rose and her son Peter until for some reason Phil takes a shine to Peter and becomes a mentor to him.

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I really liked this movie. Of course there’s Benedict Cumberbatch who gives his best performance to date, large and loud at times, subtle and gentle when required. He and Will Smith are probably the two frontrunners for the Oscar at the moment and after seeing both performances I prefer Cumberbatch. But the movie is not just Cumberbatch. The rest of the cast also does well and each have their own scene to shine.

Really though it’s the story that makes the movie. The themes of love, abuse, trust, and being naïve to abuse. It all just works and tells a complete story. The couple of negatives I have is that pieces feel rushed or disjointed and some of the dialogue could have been more complete. All in all, The Power of the Dog is a darn good movie that I’d recommend to anyone.

‘The Power of the Dog’ Rating – 4.5/5

Single All the Way is directed by Michael Mayer, written by Chad Hodge, starring Michael Urie as Peter, Philemon Chambers as Nick, Luke Macfarlane as James, Kathy Najimy as Carole, and Jennifer Coolidge as Aunt Sandy.

Trying to avoid the single status reputation the Peter has gathered over the years with his family he asks his best friend, Nick, to come home for Christmas with him and pretend to be his boyfriend. That plan goes out the window when Peter finds out his mom has set him up on a blind date. But, are there actually unspoken feelings that Peter and Nick have for each other?

It’s a gay hallmark movie. It’s a gay hallmark movie. It’s not bad. It is cute, mostly well acted, charming, funny, and filled to the brim with love. But you know exactly what’s going to happen and how it’s going to happen with rather bland characters. I liked it, I’m probably not going to rewatch it, but it just makes me happy that we gays get to have these movies now, should we want them.

I don’t need near as many that Hallmark pumps out but if we get one LGBTQ+ holiday movie a year, I’m not going to complain. All in all, Single All the Way is a gay Hallmark movie, I can’t be any clearer than that.

‘Single all the Way’ Rating – 3/5

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