I was not prepared for the emotional power that director John Crowley and writer Nick Hornby created in the new film BROOKLYN, a somewhat simple story of a young girl who immigrates from Ireland to New York in the 1950's. But that simplicity only magnifies the loneliness, heartaches, homesickness and adventure that moving to a new country to start over can bring. Nominated for a supporting Oscar in ATONEMENT (2007), Saoirse Ronan brings her beauty, insight and emerald green eyes to the role which should assure her of another Oscar nomination. She really gets under your skin, and is a pleasure to watch as the woman/child who falls in love quickly in Brooklyn, only to find herself torn between two lovers when she takes a trip back to Ireland. Brilliantly written, directed, acted, scored, photographed and edited, BROOKLYN is one of the year's top films. GRADE-----------------A-
Featuring an amazing ensemble cast, SPOTLIGHT tells the true story of the Boston news paper that routed out the story of dozens of Catholic priests who were sexually abusing children over the course of many years, and were instrumental in exposing and helping to stop the abuse. Mark Ruffalo is a standout here, and he's been having a remarkable year. He had an Oscar nomination for playing opposite Channing Tatum in FOXCATCHER (2014) and won an Emmy for his role in THE NORMAL HEART earlier this year. He's been getting raves reviews(and a Golden Globe nomination) for playing a father with mental illness (bipolar) issues in this year's INFINITELY POLAR BEAR, and he's currently featured in the Marvel comic films AVENGERS playing the Hulk character. Equally good is Michael Keaton as the in charge editor of the group investigating the scandal. One of the best of the news investigating movies in recent years, and there have been a couple good ones this year. See also TRUTH above, and SECRET IN THEIR EYES, below. GRADE--------------------A-
It may not be the Best 007 film I've ever seen (I liked the last episode SKYFALL 2012 better) but there's no denying the excitement that is stirred with the opening sequences, the titles, the song, the chases, the villians, etc. Like any other colorful, kinetic Bond adventure, this one, SPECTRE ,has all the trappings, and Daniel Craig gives us his all, and Christophe Waltz makes for a compelling villian. I'm always happy to watch these again and again over the years. GRADE------------B
I've always enjoyed Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang, whether in print or on TV, and this new film THE PEANUTS MOVIE is a solid addition to the canon. The images are vivid and colorful, the story is mostly amusing and engaging (although I don't have much patience for the protracted story of Snoopy fighting the Red Baron) and for anyone who cares, THE PEANUTS MOVIE is a charmer. GRADE--------------B
A strong characterization by Bryan Cranston highlights TRUMBO, the blacklisted book and script writer who spent nearly a year in prison for refusing to name names during the witch hunt for communists. This is a fascinating chapter in US and film history, and the film moves along in an entertaining fashion, with amusing turns by John Goodman as a sympathetic movie producer, and Helen Mirren as the scandal monger Hedda Hopper. GRADE--------B
An intriguing story and some epically effective visuals keep IN THE HEART OF THE SEA from becoming too soggy. Directed by Ron Howard, this true tale tells how the classic MOBY DICK came to be written by Herman Melville, who is one of the characters in the film. But it felt to me that I'd have rather seen the story of Moby Dick on film, than the making of the story of Moby Dick. I think also that the title is rather lame. The film gets bogged down in a long "survival at sea sequence" that just about stops the film. Mixed feelings for this one. GRADE---------B-
I saw the original Spanish version of this police thriller several years ago, and yet watching this new US remake of THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES, I couldn't remember a single story plot line or twist. That is, until the final sequence, when the shocking twist is revealed. Unfortunately, the US film, presents the final scenes so oddly and matter of factly that the ending has nearly no impact at all. This is not to say that this film is unwatchable--indeed it has some interesting acting from Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman, who looks quite primly beautiful, and Julia Roberts, who looks (appropriately for her character) haggard and awful. As procedural police thrillers go, it has some suspenseful scenes and curious red-herrings. But the film doesn't build to a satisfying ending--it needs some emotional drama. GRADE---------C+
Viewed on DVD--------------------------
I think I've seen Billy Wilder's masterpiece SUNSET BOULEVARD (1950) on an annual basis--I get caught up by the sharp, intelligent script, the noirish black and white photography, and the vivid characterizations involving the past her prime actress and the struggling young script writer--as they both try to manipulate each other. GRADE---------A
FUNNY FACE (1957)--Director Stanley Donen directed this unusual stylized musical featuring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire that is filled with now famous songs (S'Wonderful, How Long Has This Been Going On, Funny Face), spectacular costumes, romanticized colorful set designs, and Astaire and Hepburn doing lots of dancing, much of it jazzy and modern in Hepburn's case. The plotting is predictable, much based on a romance between Hepburn and Astaire, who is over 25 years her senior. She was often romantically paired with older (25 years or more) men like Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Rex Harrison and others. Still, I found FUNNY FACE to be rather charming and amusing. GRADE----------------B+
DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE (1954)
DOCTOR AT SEA (1955)
DOCTOR AT LARGE (1957)---These first three films (out of seven total) all starred the young Brit Dirk Bogarde as a youthful doctor just beginning his practice in a hospital, on a military ship, and lastly back at the hospital where he treats an important patient rudely and gets fired. Fortunately, these films come all subtitled since the dialogue comes at you fast and furious and many jokes or asides would be missed otherwise. No great shakes, these, but pleasant British comedies set in more innocent times. GRADE--------------B-
SELF/Less (2015) --Improbable science fiction of old man's mind being transferred into young man's body. Unfortunately, young man's mind was not completely wiped clean, and he discovers a wife and family that thought he was dead. Many pretentious and unlikely scenes, and much science fiction mumbo jumbo. GRADE----------------D
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We're looking forward to Brooklyn.
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