A Couple of Movies For You

I spent some time these last two watching a couple of movies that I can recommend to you.

"Maggie Moore(s)" (2023)

In a small southwestern town, two women, both named Maggie Moore, meet with violent homicidal deaths.  Coincidence?  Was Maggie #1 the intended victim and was the murder of Maggie #2 committed to cover up and confuse the investigation, or was Maggie #2 the real intended victim and Maggie #1's death a mistake?  That is what Chief of Police Jon Hamm needs to find out.  Along the way he is helped by his Deputy Nick Mohammed (Nate from "Ted Lasso") and Maggie #1's neighbor, Tina Fey, a divorcee who to whom the widowed Hamm becomes attracted.

Throw in a cast of characters that include cheating husbands, one of whom, Maggie # 1's husband, a fast food franchisee who is stealing from the corporate HQ, a vicious hit man, whacky Other Women, and other assorted oddballs, and this movie gives off a distinct "Fargo"-esque vibe (that's a good thing).  The movie is also based upon a true story from 2000 when two women named "Mary Morris" were killed by within six days of each other in a small town in Texas.  That case became a sensation in the True Crime Community, and it has never been solved.

All three of the lead actors are terrific in this one, and it was interesting to see Fey in a dramatic role.

Three Solid Stars from The Grandstander for this one.  

Available on Hulu.

"Operation Mincement" (2021)

This is a World War II spy drama based on a true operation from that conflict (much like the D-Day movie "Pressure" that I wrote of HERE).  British Intelligence is charged with the task of developing a ruse that will cause the German high command to believe that the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943 would actually take place in Greece.  The plan that they come up with, Operation Mincemeat, involves planting false documents detailing the planned "invasion" of Greece on a corpse, throwing the corpse into the sea and have it wash up in the beaches of Spain, where it is hoped it will be found by German spies, and that the plans found on the corpse will be relayed back to the Nazi Command in Berlin.  Oh, and they have to develop a complete back story for the fictitious dead soldier.  If this story was written as fiction, it would be laughable and unbelievable, but, in fact, it actually happened and it succeeded!  Speaking of fiction, one of the intelligence officers involved in this plot was a British officer named Ian Fleming, who went on to write a successful series of spy novels featuring a guy named Bond. Jame Bond.

The main actors in this one are Colin Firth (who is always good), Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald, and Penelope Wilton (Isobel from "Downton Abbey").

The Grandstander gives this one Three Stars as well, but only because this story of an off-the-wall spy scheme to Save The War for the Good Guys is actually true.

There is currently an acclaimed musical now playing on Broadway based upon the same story.  Can't see how they'd make a musical about this, but I will no doubt make a point of seeing it when and if it tours.  After all, who ever thought that a musical about Alexander Hamilton would work?

Available on Netflix.