I'm trying to catch up on all the flood of year end films, so hopefully in the next couple of weeks I can publish my top films of 2016. Here's what I've seen this last month of the year.
Painful guilt and regret steep the well acted MANCHESTER BY THE SEA, as a sudden death forces a young middle aged man (an excellent Casey Affleck) back to his hometown to organize his older brother's funeral, and face his demons. He is also named the guardian of his teen aged nephew, a task that he vehemently rejects, and must also confront his ex-wife (a translucent Michelle Williams.) As his history unfolds, it becomes evident what ghosts haunt his past. The film is written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan who wrote and directed the moving film YOU CAN COUNT ON ME (2000) but I'm partial to his last nearly unseen film MARGARET (2011) about a teen who witnesses a tragic accident and tries to set thing right but is met with road blocks by the adults around her. That film is some kind of masterpiece which has haunted me for nearly five years...............GRADE-------B+
The great two time Oscar winning director Ang Lee has once again impressed me with BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK, adapted from a best selling novel about a young soldier home on temporary leave who is showered with praise for his role in a horrible battle in Iraq and must tour the country to accept the (sometimes) vacant praise of his public. The story makes a number of vivid, shocking points regarding the pointlessness of war and the abuse soldiers can receive from the public. Ang used a higher frames per second technique and has been criticized for using it for what is basically a drama (not a science fiction blockbuster, apparently) but in most theatres that technique is not so noticeable (only three theatres in the world were equipped to project it to greatest effect) , and I give him kudos for experimenting such a potentially important visual effect. Kristen Stewart is very effective in a small role as his sister, and the film, which has not done much business in the United States, is about the trials of veterans of the Iraq war--not a popular subject for Americans. Too bad, because it is a smart, engrossing, disturbing film. GRADE--------B+
Based on a true story, LOVING is a well acted, low key telling of an interracial couple in the early 1960's who must fight for the right to marry in Virginia just prior to the equal rights laws that were adapted shortly thereafter. The chemistry between Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton really keep the viewer involved. GRADE------------B+
Watching the new Star Wars Story ROGUE ONE, it felt like wrapping up in a warm soft blanket by a fireplace, reading a lovely old novel. The film is just as engaging as any other STAR WARS film, and of course, the pacing, editing, music and set design are all first rate. Fans will be happy. GRADE-----------B+
The new science fiction film PASSENGERS plays like a deep space chamber drama for four people, with some humor and romance thrown in for good measure. The first half works the best, as traveler Chris Pratt is accidentally woken from what was supposed to be a 90 year nap while traveling to another world, but he finds his life aboard the empty vessel to be very lonely. A year later when another passenger (Jennifer Lawrence) wakes, the two begin what seems like an idyllic life together, until the truth about how they were awaken threatens their love and life. It is a small film, but I enjoyed the special effects and tension created by the lonely life in deep space. GRADE----------B+
Some of it may feel a bit calculated, but there is no denying that Jessica Chastain inhabits her new role as MISS SLOANE, a high profile lobbyist who wins a lot. When she starts a new high profile case, the film twists and turns in a very entertaining fashion and the thriller ends in a surprising manner. GRADE-----B
Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard are pretty, movie star like characters in the slick, World War II thriller ALLIED that is easy to watch, but I wish it was even better. Soldier Pitt suspects his wife may be a German spy, and the action and suspense keep you watching this lovingly photographed film. GRADE--------B
This odd, amusing tale set in pre-Harry Potter times and set in New York City features Eddie Redmayne as a wizard who is a care taker for lots of strange animals. The fanciful tale, STRANGE BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM, was written by the author of the Potter novels, J.K. Rowlings, and it is fitfully wondrous. I am mildly curious to see another chapter of this story. My main complaint is that nearly every scene is filmed at night or in a darkened room, or in rainy or snowy weather. I had a headache trying to watch the perpetually darkened screen. GRADE----------B
When a Chinese taxi driver hits a motorcyclist due to his drunken passenger, he helps the injured man to the hospital, but finds himself liable for his medical bills, plunging his family into a desperate downward spiral of destitution, in this film noir thriller that becomes bloodier as it progresses, in OLD STONE . This is a first feature from Johnny Ma and one looks forward to seeing what else he can do. GRADE---------B
She may have a colorful way with costume design and make up, but the LOVE WITCH director needs a better story and better actors. Director/writer Anna Biller certainly creates a look--a pop Technicolor tribute to the hippie 70's, but the story has a woman who uses potions and magic to seduce men into loving her, but this was dull--the men become tiresome to her so she kills them off. Yawn.
GRADE----------D+
______________________Viewed on DVD___________________
EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE 2011---Nominated for best picture and best supporting actor (Max von Sydow), this clever, moving drama about a child trying to understand the sudden death of his father during 9/11 turns into a mystery as he tries to find the owner or lock for a key that he thinks his father (Tom Hanks) left for him, since they always played mind games with each other. His desperate mother (Sandra Bullock) tries to break through, as the kid scours New York City, meeting new people and making friends. Wonderfully creative and moving. GRADE-----A
UP 2009---Superior Walt Disney animation with a moving, sentimental story, helped along with dollops of humor by the cranky old man (voiced by Ed Asner.) GRADE-------A
CRIME IN THE STREETS 1956--The promotional cover of the DVD is quite lurid--so that I forgot that I'd seen this film about 2 years earlier. James Whitmore plays a social worker who tries to defend and defuse some angry teenagers in a very poor part of town. They are well played by a young John Cassavettes, future director Mark Rydell and the wonderful Sal Mineo as "Baby." GRADE----B+
RANDOM HARVEST 1942--Sentimental drama about a man who wakes up after an accident having had amnesia, returns home to his wealthy lifestyle, forgetting all about the family he had started with Greer Garson for many years earlier. Pleasant enough tear-jerker. GRADE------B
SARAH'S KEY 2010--A young boy is left locked in a closet when the Nazis pickup his family. Decades later, the new owner (Kristen Scott Thomas) of the apartment feels compelled to trace the family roots and discovers some disturbing issues, including her own reservations towards her family. GRADE-------B
THE RAT RACE-2001--When I first saw this 15 years ago, I remember laughing a lot, but I couldn't remember anything about the plot or characters except Rowan Atkinson's weird Italian accent. Watching it recently, the first 20 minutes is deadly dull, but if you stick around to the start of the race (all contestants are racing to get to a bag of 2 million dollars first) things pick up for some zany slapstick fun. The funny ensemble cast includes Breckin Meyer, Amy Smart, Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding Jr. Seth Green, John Cleese, Jon Lovitz, Kathy Nijamy, Dave Thomas, Wayne Knight, and many more, and most of them have some very very funny slapstick moments. If you get in the mood, the last hour is a hoot. (It is sort of a funnier, shorter version of IT'S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD....) GRADE-------B
THIS CHRISTMAS 2007--A smooth comic version of the family gathering for a Christmas celebration with the son with a secret, another son with a secret talent, the mother with a decision to make, a daughter with an unfaithful husband, etc, and it is all blended together with some copious Christmas carols and hymns in the background. With Chris Brown (singing the title song, natch) and Idris Elba, Delroy Lindo, Loretta Devine, Regina King, Lupe Ontiveros and others, all likeable and charming at times. GRADE--------B
STARTING OUT IN THE EVENING 2007--An older writer with a mental block (Frank Langella) befriends a young scholar who wants to write his biography (Lauren Ambrose), while his daughter (Lili Taylor) has her own issues. Set in academia, this is a smart thoughtful character study. Langella is superb. GRADE----------B
THE INVITATION 1952--Father tries to buy a husband (Van Johnson) for his ailing daughter (Dorothy McGuire) but friend (Ruth Roman) tries to block the deal. Not bad, although the title didn't remind me of the plot. GRADE-------B
WHY DIDN'T THEY ASK EVANS? 1985--Made for British TV, this Agatha Christie thriller is mildly interesting and intriguing for a murder mystery. GRADE-------B-
CLUE 1985--This old murder mystery chestnut based on the board game has some fun with the characters, and this version featured all three ending. Martin Mull, Madeline Kahn, Colleen Camp, Micheal McKean, Eileen Brennan and Tim Curry as well as others all seem to be having a very funny time. GRADE---------B-
THE REVOLT OF MAMIE STOVER 1956--Jane Russell is run out of San Francisco (!) in the mid-40s for prostitution (!) and ends up in Honolulu where she works as a "dancer" and falls for writer Richard Eagan, who treats her with respect, while also keeping another respectable woman friend on the side. All this just before the Pearl Harbor attack. Pic looks good in CinemaScope and Technicolor and is not exactly boring. Agnes Moorhead plays the "Madam" of the dance club, and the film is quite watchable, if a bit peculiar. GRADE--------B-
SEA WIFE 1957--Richard Burton and Joan Collins survive a sinking ship during wartime and end up on a raft together with two other men. Burton falls for her and nick names her "sea wife"--not realizing that she is a nun. The big surprise here is that Collins steals the movie from Burton! GRADE-------C+
ARMORED CAR ROBBERY 1950--A nifty film noir outing with a ruthless cop on the trail of heartless thieves. Minor but effective. GRADE-----C+
THE MACKINTOSH MAN 1973---Low key spy thriller with Paul Newman and Dominique Sanda and James Mason, with an unfortunately dull ending. Considering the talent and the director John Huston, this film is easy to watch, but a let down nonetheless. GRADE------C+
HOLIDAY HEART 2000--A good hearted drag queen takes in a drug addicted woman and tries to help raise her daughter. Alfre Woodard has some fine moments as the mother, but the film made me wince at times, and Ving Rhames singing as a drag queen--just not believable!!!!!!
RALLY ROUND THE FLAG BOYS 1958--Based on a popular novel at the time, the first 45 minutes of this film bored the tears out of me, and I kept watching mainly because Joanne Woodward, Paul Newman, Joan Collins, Tuesday Weld and Jack Carson have all been better in other roles. Finally the film started to gain some humor and wit and there were some goofy, funny scenes to be sure, but I hope never to watch this one again. GRADE------------C
SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE 1947--This murder mystery has been filmed three times, but I'm not sure it was worth being filmed once. The action is flat and comically odd. Nothing really memorable occurs, and the actors, though pleasant, were unmemorable. GRADE------C
AS YOUNG AS YOU FEEL 1951--Based on a stage play, this "comedy" felt more like a vanity role for Monty Wooley, who is fired from his job at age 65, so he contacts the president of the company that owns his company, and manages to get his job back. Yawn. Even the charm of an early Marilyn Monroe, and David Wayne and Thelma Ritter couldn't breathe much life into this one. GRADE----------C
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison, also 1957.
ReplyDelete