It's nothing if not ambitious and mostly engaging. This historical film based on a true story, FREE STATE OF JONES is carried on the able shoulders of the lead Matthew McConaughey who plays a white soldier who becomes disenchanted with the Civil War, which seems to be a war to support and protect rich white people, he thinks, and he leaves the war and becomes a leader of white and black group of people who resist the Confederate side. My main objection is the final 20 minutes which becomes concerned with a trial of a descendant of McConaughey's character set 85 years later, as the county is trying to convict this (mostly) white man who the county believes is the descendant of a slave woman (he is) but several generations later this feels like a completely different film. (Watch for the film LOVING due out this fall about an interracial marriage in the South in the 1960's.) This subplot distracts from the power of the earlier story, and the film ends with a whimper. GRADE----B
Susan Sarandon steals this film, as is her wont, playing a recent widow who tries to become involved in her adult daughter's life in THE MEDDLER. Fortunately the daughter escapes to New York for a job and leaves mom behind, forcing Sarandon to "meddle" in other people's lives, to great advantage to these near strangers. This comic drama features J.K. Simmons as a possible romantic interest for her, and it is a pleasure to see Simmons make the most of this small role. GRADE----------B
The documentary DARK HORSE tells of a small group of townspeople in Wales who band together to purchase and raise a potential race horse, and against all odds, the horse actually has some degree of success. It's an emotional, low key affair, but the pleasure is getting to know the townspeople and the horse itself. GRADE--------- B
THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY feels somewhat like a documentary but it fictionalizes the story of a poor Indian student genius mathematician Ramanujan who travels to England to study with a another prominent professor Hardy in an effort to become published. Played by Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons, respectively, the film illustrates the prejudices and scholarly political struggles that Ramanujan must overcome, although the intellectual theories and discussions tend to go over the heads of most viewers. Still the film works on a basic emotional level, and is well mounted and photographed. GRADE--------B-
VIEWED ON DVD------
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS (1966)---I'd never seen this Oscar winning historical film (including best picture, actor and script) and even though the the story of Thomas More's struggle against Henry VIII is familiar, this film kept me riveted even though it started at 10pm and I was tired. Especially fascinating is the performance of Paul Scofield. An excellent combination of history, drama, and techinical finesse. GRADE--------A
HOWL (2010)--An intriguing mixture of bio-pic, obscenity trial drama , and animated illustrations of the offending HOWL poem written by Allen Ginsburg. The fine actors include James Franco as Ginsberg, Jon Hamm, and David Strathairn. GRADE--------B+
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967)--I hadn't seen this film since it opened, but it holds up well, with great actors (Oscar winner Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier) trying to solve a murder while dealing with blatant racial prejudice. The film creates a smoky, uneasy mood, and over all is well done, but the final reveal is awkwardly handled. GRADE--------B+
FORCE MAJOURE (2014)---French film has a young Swedish family vacationing at a luxury ski resort. Early on during a lunch break on a sunny deck, an avalanche heads toward the tourists. Excitement and thrills suddenly turn to terror as it looks like the avalanche will overwhelm the diners. When the avalanche clears, all is well, but the event affects the married couple's relationship, and the family structure begins to crumble. This comic drama features much food for thought, although the ending feels unresolved. GRADE----------B
CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA (2014)--Aging film star feels insecure about returning to a remake of the film that started her career, but this time playing the older character. The interesting Juliette Binoche gives it her all, and Kristen Stewart who plays her assistant is fascinating, as well. The drama feels realistic, but is quite talky, and may annoy people not into backstage drama and turmoil. GRADE------B
