LA LA LAND, HIDDEN FIGURES, JACKIE, FENCES, LION, SING, plus the magnificent HOWARDS END, and Hitchcock for the new year--SPELLBOUND, I CONFESS, WRONG MAN, TORN CURTAIN

Since I saw it in October, MOONLIGHT has been hovering on the top of my year end list for being lyrically ambitious and emotionally captivating in ways that are not obvious given the subject matter and setting (covering 15 some years in the life of a child growing up to adulthood) amidst poverty and the destructive drug culture of a decaying southern Florida slum). When I watched the new LA LA LAND I almost forgot about MOONLIGHT altogether.  Completely different and captivating, this LA LA LAND is a sweet valentine to Los Angeles, and specifically Hollywood as the "city of dreams", where a young man and young woman who are both dreaming of making it big can meet, dance, sing and fall in love all the while pursuing their fantasy of the big time.  This is hardly a unique plot device, but the very game actors (Ryan Gosling as the want to be jazz pianist and Emma Stone as the want to be ingenue com film star) are so pleasing even though neither is a fantastic singer or accomplished dancer that we can easily succumb to this fantasy.  Actually, the fact that they sing and dance like normal people adds to the charm and adds a touch of realism.  Unfortunately, the plot ends with the predictable, cynical ending for such a story.  Still, getting there is a lot of fun, and the new music is memorable, the sets and design are effective, and the film gurgles along in a happy mood.  Talk about the opposite of mood coming from MOONLIGHT, which despite some humor and feel good moments, more often ends scenes with thoughtful, disturbing, or wistful feelings.  These films are worlds apart, but I heartily recommend both.             LA LA LAND GRADE---------------A-

The 1960's had a couple major themes, among them the race to space versus the Russians, and the burgeoning civil rights acts toward equality for people of all races, and these are smoothly blended into an engrossing and entertaining true story about three very talented black women (among others) who were hired by NASA in different departments, but their race limited their advancement, in the rousing comedy drama HIDDEN FIGURES.   NASA becomes symbolic of the discrimination in the rest of America at the time, but just as these character's stories become intimate and revealing, the walls of discrimination start to crumble for their careers. Very fine characterizations come from Taraji P. Henson as a math genius facing resistance from her  direct supervisor (Jim Parsons) but finding more sympathy from the boss man (Kevin Costner), Oscar winner Octavia Spencer teaches herself about the new "computers" and as the de facto supervisor already wants a permanent position, and Janelle Monae wants to become an engineer, but is held back because these courses are only taught at a whites only college.  HIDDEN FIGURES is a major crowd pleaser, with an empowering message, and figures to be the sleeper critical film of the year, along with the emotional LION, below.           HIDDEN FIGURES   GRADE----------A-

Covering a week from just before JFK's assassination to the time of his burial procession,  the new film JACKIE is an intimate portrait of Jackie Kennedy's experience and her point of view that tells  her side of that fateful week.  (My only criticism:  JFK came from a large family, yet the only family member given any time or dialogue is Bobby....possibly the result of an incredibly low-but expertly used-- budget.) Natalie Portman portrays JACKIE with the breathless Marilyn Monroe voice and coy femininity as she takes an interview with a persistent reporter, plans her son's birthday party, argues with executives about the funeral arrangements and discusses her unhappiness with a priest.  I've never seen Portman so uniquely displayed (or the real Jackie, as a matter of fact)--her performance is so riveting that I was transfixed, and it would be a surprise if any other actress this year takes the acting Oscar from her.  It is her career high.                JACKIE   GRADE------A-

Based on a popular stage drama written by August Wilson, the new film version FENCES is a well acted, if a bit claustrophobic, experience with excellent performances by director/actor Denzel Washington and Viola Davis as his long suffering wife.  His best friend and co worker, his mentally disturbed brother and his two sons also feature prominently.  The film captures the love and longing between characters, the anger and frustrations of each character, and the way life can lock you into a path that is not what you expected.  Davis seems a sure bet to win the Supporting Actress Oscar this year, having been nominated twice before, for DOUBT (2008) and THE HELP (2011)         FENCES     GRADE-----B+

Exotic scenery, a powerful story, fine actors and an emotional punch ending make LION another sleeper film (like HIDDEN FIGURES above) to contend with at year's end critical reviews.   A lost child from a small Indian village ends up thousands of miles away, having "misplaced" his brother at a train station.  After some harrowing experiences among the poor and homeless, he is adopted out to a loving Australian couple, but as a young adult becomes obsessed with finding his biological mother, although he doesn't even know her name or the name of his village.  Scenes of his searching seem to end in dead ends for the viewer as well, but the film is well intentioned and it is easy to forgive any dreary moments, knowing that this true story will have a somewhat happy ending.      LION  GRADE---------B+

It took me about 30 minutes to warm up to the musical comedy animated feature (featuring over 60 popular pop tunes) but the film SING became more likeable as it went along--possibly because nearly all the scenes featured in the ubiquitous trailer come from the first 25 minutes.  The plot is that old chestnut of "let's put on a show to make some money" but all the characters are animals, and each has some marvelous attributes (along with wonderful singing voices) and each has a mostly funny back story.        SING        GRADE---------B


FOLLOWING FILMS VIEWED ON DVD/TV-----------------------------------


HOWARDS END 1991--A new 25th anniversary 4K restoration Blu ray version of the Merchant Ivory production reminded me of what a magnificent  film this is, with beautiful photography, costumes, sets, music and other production values.  Emma Thompson won a Best Actress Oscar, and Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave and Helena Bonham Carter all give career high performances.  Based on a novel by E.M. Forster with a smart screenplay by frequent collaborator writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, this story of two sisters who become involved with two different couples, one rich and conservative,  and one tragically downwardly mobile, with the lovely country estate called HOWARDS END connecting them all.  Brilliantly realized and filmed.          GRADE-----A

STEVE JOBS 2015--Expertly written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Danny Boyle (127 HOURS 2010, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE 2008, TRAINSPOTTING 1996, etc), this bio picture of the computer giant features amazing performances by all especially Michael Fassbender as Jobs, Kate Winslet with an amazingly natural Polish accent, Seth Rogan and Jeff Daniels.  Structured as a three part tale, the film deals with the messy relationship with his daughter he wants to ignore, his ex-partner Wozniak he wants to forget, and others who are in his way to getting what his enormous ego wants.  Well done.      GRADE--------A

NATIONAL VELVET 1944--Elizabeth Taylor gives a glowing portrayal of a girl obsessed with her horse, and Mickey Rooney is the orphaned young man who helps her train her horse.  Best of all is the actors who play her parents--Donald Crisp and Anne Revere, who won the supporting Oscar for her role. Their witty, loving banter steals every scene they are in.       GRADE------A-

GUNS OF NAVARONE 1961--The World War II story about a small group of men set out to demolish some large guns operated by the Nazis on a small Greek island.  Even though the film is handled like an intense docu-drama, the actual story is all fiction.  Still gripping entertainment, nonetheless.

GRADE--------B+

TORN CURTAIN 1966--Alfred Hitchcock thriller about a scientist who defects to East Berlin because the USA won't allow his research to continue.  Paul Newman is the scientist and Julie Andrews is his assistant/girl friend, who is shocked that he would do this, but follows him anyway, unaware that he is a secret agent trying to steal scientific material, and has now put his job in jeopardy, and their lives in danger.  The film got mixed reviews (after MARY POPPINS and SOUND OF MUSIC audiences expected Andrews to break into song) but I like this one--lots of suspense, and some excellent tension, including a belabored scene showing just how hard it is to kill someone, a scene where Newman is followed through an echoing museum reminiscent of VERTIGO, a bus ride on a fake bus with the fear of being discovered at any moment.  Lila Kedrova has a wonderful sequence as a woman desperate to immigrate to the USA so she tries to blackmail Newman and Andrews into being her sponsors and there's an amusing running gag about a scored ballerina!        GRADE------B+

SPELLBOUND 1945--I didn't think I'd seen this one, but a few scenes jogged my memory, especially the dream sequence featuring a Salvador Dali set design with weird psychological symbols, and the tragedy of Gregory Peck's brother, although I didn't remember the story  at all, and the ending was a surprise to me, too.  Peck tries to impersonate a psychiatrist/doctor, and a radiant Ingrid Bergman is a psychoanalyst who tries to break through his amnesia to uncover the mystery of what happened to the real doctor.  There are a number of excellent Hitchcock scenes, especially as the two leads start to fall in love, and many scenes where they just miss being captured by the police.  Whether you believe in all the psychoanalytical mambo jumbo might affect your enjoyment, but it is still a smooth, engrossing mystery thriller.         GRADE------B+

THE WRONG MAN 1956--I had never seen this film, a serious, documentary like story based on truth, which features a deadly serious Henry Fonda as a man picked up and arrested for mistakenly looking like a robber.  The film slowly builds some tension, but I found the most interesting thing is what happens to his marriage to Vera Miles, as the stress and guilt turn her nearly mentally catatonic.  This film is perhaps the most untypical "Hitchcock" film I've seen, as he strives more to be faithful to the story, and not to his famous flourishes.            GRADE------B

I CONFESS 1953--It had been awhile since I'd seen this film, another film based on a true story, of a priest (Montgomery Clift) who is accused of murder, because the real murderer confesses to him, and he can't confide to the police what was confessed to him in private.  His relationship with an old girlfriend further complicates his actions--he doesn't want to betray her trust, and she doesn't want to reveal something sordid in her past.  Not the most dynamic Hitchcock film, but engaging nonetheless.   GRADE-------B

HOW TO STEAL A MILLION 1966--A light William Wyler comedy, this trifle stars Audrey Hepburn as the daughter of an art dealer dealing in fakes--he paints his own copies!--but when she finds Peter O'Toole (as an art investigator), she falls for him and asks him to steal back a statue that might just be found to be fake that her father is selling.  O'Toole is surprisingly amusing--this was his first comedy after LAWRENCE OF ARABIA and he was relatively new to film although he had a number of TV roles before that.  Hepburn for course plays herself in her charming, sophisticated fashion.      GRADE-------B

SOFT SKIN 1964--Francois Truffaut French film--a romantic drama about a husband having an affair with younger flight attendant, which leads to tragedy.  Truffaut admitted that Hitchcock was greatly influencing his style of film making at this time, but this film feels rather glib and inconsequential compared to other films from Hitchcock's canon.  SOFT SKIN is watchable, but I was not convinced about the relationship between the two adulterers.      GRADE------B

HYDE PARK ON THE HUDSON 2012--Bill Murray is actually quite effective as president Franklin Delano Roosevelt but the film which documents the affair he had with his cousin Daisy, played by Laura Linney (in addition to several other women) feels awkward and unconvincing.  GRADE-------B-

THE SELLOUT 1952--The lurid poster reads "How much does it take to sell out her man?!?  Unfortunately this has nothing to do with the plot!  An honest news reporter Walter Pidgeon tries to break a story of corruption in a small town, but becomes compelled to kill the story for personal reasons.  The reason is the twist, and it is OK, if not great.  With John Hodiak and AudreyTotter. in a film noir that is watchable if not quite lurid enough.      GRADE-------B-

BLADES OF GLORY 2007--When I first saw this film in 2007 I thought it was pretty mediocre and rather offensive.  Years later I found it to be rather amusing in a vulgar sort of way.  Maybe in another 8 years it might become a classic comedy.  After being kicked out of  professional skating competition, two highly competitive male skaters (Will Ferrel and John Heder) find that if they skate as a couple they can compete again.  Comedians Will Arnet, Amy Hoehler, Jenna Fischer and Craig T. Nelson are also very funny at timed, if you are in the mood for such silliness.  GRADE-----B-

CRUSH 2001--  British film has three women best friends all turning 40 nearly torn apart when one of them starts to date a 25 year old man.  It's an odd mix of friendship, desperation, comedy, revenge and sex, but it lacks the sophistication and lightness that might have made this a better film.  The leads are nicely played by Andie MacDonald, Imelda Staunton and Anna Chandler, but the uneven tone and odd plot twists leave a bad taste in the mouth.        GRADE-------C+