In August 1966 a mad man with rifle arrived atop a TOWER at the University of Texas and for 90 minutes terrorized the campus with sniper shots, killing and wounding dozens of people in one of the first mass shootings in this country, and this unusual and insightful film tells that story in an incredible mixture of live photography, rotoscopic animation, interviews and dramatized interactions. The film is fascinating as it shows the courage, hope, teamwork and pain of the dozens of bystanders and victims, as well as dealing with the guilt of many of the survivors. It is a remarkable achievement that fills you with anxiety, wonder, encouragement, and yes, terror. I'd call TOWER a documentary, but it feels so personal and fascinating that it could be a terrific drama. This is one of the year's finest films in any case. GRADE------------------A
This introspective three part film MOONLIGHT about a sensitive black child growing to teen hood and then to adulthood in an impoverished south Florida town as he deals with bullying, toxic masculinity, drugs, sex, love and wanting to fit in, is filmed in a lyrical, poetic fashion, and feels, many weeks after viewing, like some sort of miracle masterpiece---one that we haven't ever seen before in cinema. This film, along with TOWER, AQUARIUS and the forthcoming British film I, DANIEL BLAKE form my four favorite films of the year so far. Each deals with man's inhumanity towards man, but personalizes these themes to become hopeful, humanistic visions of the best society could be. Don't be afraid to see MOONLIGHT because of subject matter, because it will inspire and move you. GRADE---------------A-
Set in Recife, South America, this engrossing character study film AQUARIUS is blessed with a dominatingly subtle lead performance by the great Sonia Braga, who in her late sixties finds herself alone in an ocean side apartment complex--the other tenants have been slowly forced out by the devious actions of the new contractor/developer who want to tear it down for a new, glamorous high rise. The film starts with a long prologue where the lead is engagingly played by a surprisingly effective woman in her twenties (excellent casting!)--we don't meet Braga for nearly 30 minutes, but when we do, we know all we need to know about her history and temperament. The film is a likeable slow burn, but many scenes are very memorable and there are some very surprising developments. But the film belongs to Sonia Braga (DONA FLOR and HER TWO HUSBANDS 1976, KISS OF SPIDER WOMAN 1985, MILAGRO BEANFIELD WAR 1988 etc) and this is her greatest cinematic moment. GRADE---------A-
Aliens have landed on earth, and now we have to figure out how to communicate with them, in the new sci-fi film THE ARRIVAL. Taken from the point of view of the lead linguistic doctor, and played with understated effectiveness by Amy Adams, the engrossing film is one of the better thinking person's science fiction experiences, and a surprise (although not illogical) ending make this film one to see on the big screen. Well directed by Denis Vileneuve (SICARIO 2015 and PRISONERS 2013.) GRADE-----------B+
Compelling and at times a bit bizarre, the new film by Chan Wook Park (STOKER 2013, LADY VENGEANCE 2005, OLD BOY 2003) is an exquisitely filmed story based on the Sarah Waters novel FINGERSMITH, now called THE HANDMAIDEN and set in Japan and Korea. There are a number of twists as a man and woman attempt to defraud a very wealthy lady of her inheritance. This three part film, with some overlapping action in each part, is a heady mixture of horror, sensuality, and criminality, with a mixture of lush settings, beautiful costumes and well acted performances. A droll, satisfying experience for the experienced film goer--others might be shocked. GRADE--------------B+
Thankfully a new Marvel Comic Book character has arrived, and the new film DR. STRANGE is an instant success. Played by Benedict Cumberbatch, this film starts us at the beginning of his story. He's a brilliant but egotistical surgeon (natch!) who is involved in a deadly car crash that mangles his hands. (I mean really, shouldn't he know better than to be messing on his smart phone computer while driving in the pouring rain on a twisty highway while speeding!!!!!!!!) Tilda Swinton plays the master
Ancient One who teaches him how to harness his metaphysical powers (!) and soon he's off fighting the bad guys who want to destroy the world. Cumberbatch is sardonic and compelling, the film doesn't take itself too seriously, and the special effects of a city folding up on itself felt borrowed from INCEPTION, but in a good way. It's not perfect, but I sure enjoyed it more than THE GREEN LANTERN and the nasty DEADPOOL. I'm ready for the next installment, please. GRADE--------B+
Based on a true story about a Holocaust denier who sues a writer for libel when she criticizes his opinion that the Holocaust never happened, DENIAL is engrossing and well cast with Rachael Reisz as the author, Tom Wilkinson as a lawyer and an odd Timothy Spall as a fascist denier. The film works in fits and starts, but I wish the film had been more dramatically effective by the end. GRADE----------B
A lively, creative Canadian film about a questioning young man with a cruel, violent father, CLOSET MONSTER is technically rough around the edges, but engaging enough. Our hero wants to be a special effects make up artist, but he needs to keep his sexuality a secret from dad. When he falls for a co worker his world starts to unravel. His only female friend helps, and he talks to his gerbil for guidance (voiced by Isabella Rossellini). This first time director shows promise. GRADE----B
Filmed in the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu, this exotic version of ROMEO AND JULIET called TANNA, may not have the beautiful Shakespearean language but the film is pleasingly effective and has stunning photography, and the completely amateur cast is very good. GRADE----------B
It's got a fine cast and the new MAGNIFICENT SEVEN looks good, but the action becomes stogy and the film suffers in comparison to the original THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960). Certainly watchable if you have enough popcorn, but a disappointment nonetheless. Best cast members are the underplaying of Denzel Washington, the over playing of Vincent D'Onofrio, and the just right likeability of Chris Pratt. The other characters have their moments, but barely register in the long run. GRADE-----B-
Actors Boyd Holbrook and Elizabeth Moss are fine as two characters who are in separate prisons, in THE FREE WORLD. Holbrook has just been released from prison, trying to make a life for himself. He tries to befriend Moss who is trapped in an abusive marriage, and may be a murderer. To me the plot felt too predictably contrived, and it just gets more unbelievable by the end. GRADE--------C+
The following films were viewed on DVD------------------------------------------------
THE YOUNG AND PRODIGIOUS T.S. SPIVET (2013)--Possibly the most awkwardly forgettable title in years, this quirky comedy drama tells of a young genius 10 year old boy who takes a road trip from Montana to the Smithsonian Museum to collect a Baird Prize for inventing a perpetual motion machine. He has a very moody and unusual family, and carries with him a very dark secret. Directed with his usual creative flair by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (AMELIE 2001), this film is a splendid mixture of drama/ comedy/ tragedy and heart. The excellent cast includes Helena Bonham Carter, Judy Davis, Callum Keigh Rennie and young Kyle Catlett . GRADE-------A-
ALFIE (1966)--Excellent comedy/drama was Michael Caine's first leading role, and he runs with it, playing a cad who seduces woman (for pleasure and money) and then moves on, not really engaging in a relationship of any depth. You see his sadness and emptiness, even as he is being cavalier and unemotional. (He constantly speaks directly to the camera.) His "birds" include Vivien Merchant, Millicent Martin, and others, until he meets his match in the sexy, older woman--played with sly aplomb by Shelley Winters. GRADE-----------A-
MARTY (1955)--Based on a stage play about an average Joe--called Marty, who is looking for love but he knows he is short and fat and ugly. One night he accidentally meets a simple plain woman who is also looking for love and they click. The supporting characters are marvelous including his mother, brother and sister in law, and his slacker friends. It's a touching story, well acted, and Ernest Borgnine won the best actor Oscar for it. GRADE--------B+
COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA (1952)--Also based on a stage play, this is an Oscar winning vehicle for the best actress Oscar which went to Shirley Booth, who plays the annoyingly positive, patience, over weight wife to alcoholic husband Burt Lancaster. The film also featured a large supporting role for Richard Jaeckel who plays a cocky high school athlete, even though he'd been in several films since 1942--his youthful face had him playing teens for nearly 20 years beyond his teen years. GRADE---------B+
THE GLASS MENAGERIE (1973)--This made for TV film has an interesting take on the mother character, played by the always fascinating Katherine Hepburn, and Sam Waterston, Michael Moriarty and Joanna Miles are all in top form in this Tennessee Williams play about a controlling mother trying to find love for her handicapped daughter and career success for her poet writing son. Moriarty is especially effective as the "gentleman caller" who manages to lift Miles out of her shyness, if only for an hour. The dramatic set up is simple, but the writing so magnificent that I remembered lines from this play that I hadn't seen or read for over 40 years. GRADE--------B+
LETTER FROM AN UNKNOWN WOMAN (1948)--Here's an unabashedly romantic story of lost and unrequited love, told mostly in flashback. Joan Fontaine is effective as a teen girl who lives next to a concert pianist Louis Jordan. She follows his career, and eventually has a brief tryst with him, although he does not know her name. When they must separate due to a long concert tour, he does not return to her so she marries another man because she is pregnant. Tears, anguish, forgotten love, faithfulness,---this film has it all. GRADE-----------B
BLACK WORK (2015)--This compelling British made for TV movie tells of a police woman who tries to find out who killed her deep under cover detective husband because she's getting no help from the station she works for. There were times when the coincidences piled up, but the film moves right along and offers some shocking surprises along the way. GRADE-------B
ARABESQUE (1966)--Gregory Peck plays an hieroglyphics expert recruited to decode a message that puts him in the mix of international intrigue and danger, in the silly chase film that tries hard to capture the thrills and laughter of director Stanley Donen and writer Peter Stone's earlier superior film CHARADE, which I truly love. The only thing that really captured my attention in this lame adventure was the beautiful Sophia Loren, who brightened every scene for me, in spite of a few laughs and modest thrills. GRADE--------C+
SUFFRAGETTE (2015)--Based on real events, this dour, grim film tells the story of a married mother who gives up her family life for the struggle for women to vote in the early part of the 20th century in London. Carey Mulligan is very serious as the lead, and Helena Bonham Carter adds some quirkiness to her character. Meryl Streep appears very briefly but effectively as the Mother of the movement. The ending surprised me--spoiler alert!!!--it might have made more sense to base the film from the point of view of the tragic suffragette than the Mulligan character. GRADE------C+
MURDER BY DEATH (1976)--The gags and jokes are hit and miss in this comedy thriller that spoofs a number of sleuths as they try to figure out the murders arranged by their eccentric host played by Truman Capote. Peter Falk, Elsa Lancaster, David Niven, Maggie Smith, Eileen Brennan, Peter Sellars, Alec Guiness and others each have their moments, but the script by Neil Simon is full of racist, sexist, homophobic jokes that are mostly very unfunny, and the funny ones make you groan or feel guilty for enjoying them. The finale is particularly lame. There is some cleverness to the idea of the spoof, so it's all the more sad that so much of it doesn't work. GRADE------C
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