Tis now the season of the holiday films and potential best films of the year, and I've been busy at the movies. Here's my viewing list with some of my favorites nearer the top than others. It's been a plethora of the good stuff this month.
FREE SOLO---Here's an independent documentary about climbing steep mountains without a rope, and the fact that climber Alex Honnold succeeded in a gigantic climb of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park should be reason enough for seeing this terrific, breathtaking film. The photographer and solo climber himself, Jimmy Chin captures incredible visuals and vivid angles of this amazing feat. Here's the amazing story of Alex, his friends, and the appeal (and terror) of this challenging sport, done with great skill, tension and fascination. Check out the spectacular trailer for more motivation to see this excellent film. GRADE------A
TEA WITH THE DAMES--Another independent documentary made especially for fans of great acting in movies and theatre, this British film gathers together four extraordinary actors who all are friends, they all worked with the great Laurence Oliver, and they have all been proclaimed DAMES by the Queen of England, and they all sit around talking (and gossiping) about the earlier days and their work, and co-stars. Most of this is fascinating and funny stuff, including some wonderful film clips and pictures, and some choice witty comments. Leading the bunch are two icons of theater and films, Dame Judy Dench and Dame Maggie Smith, who both have won Oscars (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, / THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE and CALIFORNIA SUITE) and they've all been nominated numerous times). They joke about growing old, losing their sight, their past actor spouses and some of the backstage shenanigans that occurred. Also included are Joan Plowright (TEA WITH MUSSOLINI and ENCHANTED APRIL to name a few) who was Oliver's last wife. She movingly tells of losing her sight (as does Dench) and Eileen Aikins known mostly for her prolific work in British theatre along with films COLD COMFORT FARM and GOSFORD PARK, which also included Smith. This a riotous romp--a perfect anglophile fantasy. GRADE------------A
THE GREEN BOOK--Based on the true story of the relationship between African American classic piano genius Dr Don Shirley and Tony "Lib"--an Italian American body guard/bouncer and set in the 1960's when black travelers need a Green Book which advised them which hotels and restaurants were "safe" for them to stay at, this follows the theme of the road trip as they work their way into the deep south on a concert tour, with some tension and humor and tough situations. Sometimes the film feels like it backs away from some "hot" issues, but bookended by strong, contrasting characterizations by Viggo Mortensen as Tony and Mahershala Ali (Oscar winner for the recent MOONLIGHT) as Dr. John, this likable film has the charm and heart and humor and tension to carry it across the Oscar finish line in February. GRADE-------------A-
THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING--A US documentary (coming soon to HBO) about the art world and how money affects every artist and art piece, for better or worse. Many artists and money people are interviewed and many stories bring some shocks and clarity. Especially effective is the rich Jewish collector who tells of owning the child statue....... GRADE------A-
HALLOWEEN (2018)---I never saw the original except for clips and snippets, and so I was surprised at the effectiveness of this simple story of an insane murderer who escapes from prison and heads back to his home town to finish off a woman who as a teenager escaped his wrath and has since grown into an intense, slightly paranoid grandmother (an on the money Jamie Lee Curtis) on a mission. There's not a lot of scenes that haven't been seen before in other thrillers, but there were plenty of chills and surprises as to how the characters handled themselves and for those interested, it's an amusing and effective thriller. GRADE-------B+
WIDOWS----Based on a novel by the popular British crime writer Lynda laPlante (PBS--PRIME SUSPECT and many other novels) this well directed crime thriller finds three widows whose husbands have all been killed in a job gone bad banding together for a last job and to seek revenge, and to pay off the crime boss who was stiffed by their husbands---yeah, it's a complicated situation, and to the credit of the large cast (including Viola Davis, Colin Farrell, Robert Duval and Liam Neeson and others) the pace moves along intriguingly, and there are a couple witty surprises. Director Steve McQueen won an Oscar a couple years back for 14 YEARS A SLAVE. GRADE--------B+
BOY ERASED--Based on a true story, this tells of a pastor and his wife who send their teenage son off to a gay conversion therapy facility, which causes all concerned to question their own view of sexuality. The acting trifecta of Russell Crowe, Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman and actor/director Joel Edgerton give the story a lived in and chilling feeling. GRADE------------B+
INSTANT FAMILY--When a childless couple fast approaching middle age realize their time clock is ticking they decide to look into adoption, and end up with three siblings The comedy drama keeps one foot in reality and really struck cords with me, which resulted in a rush of laughter and tears, mainly because the (based on true) story keeps it real. Watch for a small, moving scene stealing two minutes from the great comedian Joan Cusack near the end. GRADE-----B+
THE HATE U GIVE---Based on a popular young adult novel, this concerns the consciousness raising of a black teen who witnesses the shooting death of her unarmed black boy friend, and the moral decisions she must wade through to try to tell the truth despite pressure from all sides, including within her own community. GRADE---------------B+
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME--A down on her luck writer who lives in New York City earns money by writing fake letters supposedly from successful past writers. Based on a true story, Melissa McCarthy is splendid as you've never seen her before, and her gay friend and cohort is played by the excellent Richard E. Grant. I predict Oscar nominations for these two. GRADE----------------B+
THE HAPPY PRINCE--The last days of writer Oscar Wilde, after his release from prison on charges of immorality, is depicted in this well acted but grim saga, written, directed and starring Rupert Everett, and featuring Colin Firth and Emily Watson and Tom Wilkerson. I saw the film in Vancouver in a packed theater while sitting against the side wall and I had a hard time understanding some of the dialogue. Hopefully your experience will improve that situation, since dialogue witticisms are everything in this film. GRADE-----------B
BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY--This film bio-pic is a lot of fun, especially because actor Rami Malek looks so much like Freddie Mercury, and the group Queen produced so many great songs, which make this film an uplifting experience. GRADE-------------B
THE GRINCH ---It's a familiar story written by Dr. Seuss, and I didn't even mind the hoards of kids surrounding me during a vacation day matinee (mistake on my part), because the cotton candy visuals of Christmas paraphernalia are so eye catching, and the clever, easy laughs keep the action going. Could put you in the holiday spirit if you aren't too "grinchie." GRADE--------B
THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS--Now playing on Netflix, this new light, violent fantasy western by Joel and Ethan Coen features six different stories, each loaded with sarcasm, irony, wit and horror. Prepare to be surprised, moved, disturbed, angry, but probably not bored. GRADE---------------B
THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER--Maggie Gyllenhaal is charmingly quirky as the teacher who thinks she has discovered a poetic genius in her class, and goes to some extremes to advance his talents. Currently streaming on Netflix. GRADE-----------------B
VENOM-----Here's the latest movie based on a Marvel Comic character. I like Tom Hardy--too bad he is inhabited by a hideous looking creature much of the film. The film does have some humor, lots of action/chase scenes, and it is set up nicely for many a sequel--he's got a love/hate thing for the taste of human meat which may be amusing in the future. GRADE--------------B-
TO ALL THE BOYS I LOVED BEFORE---Here's a charming little comedy about a girl whose fantasy letters not meant to be read get mailed out to the boys they were addressed to. She ends up starting a fake relationship with one for the purpose of getting his girl friend jealous. Teens have such complicated lives. Now on Netflix. GRADE----------B-
THE FIRST MAN----This story based on the life of Neil Armstrong features Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy as Mr and Mrs Armstrong. The film is solid and at times interesting as it deals with man's first moon landing, and the effect on their marriage, but the pace seemed a bit slow and other space films like THE RIGHT STUFF felt more compelling than this one. I was a bit bored.
GRADE--------------B-
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS---Lushly designed and photographed, with a lot of great Tchaikovsky music and a couple solo dances featuring Misty Copeland can't hide the fact that the plot is a mess---boring and meaningless, and even an over the top performance by Kiera Knightly as the Sugar Plum Fairy can't rescue this waste of time. GRADE----------C+
NOBODY'S FOOL---Tyler Perry's writing lets him down--the jokes have not been streamlined or developed, although the cast does their best with this silly plot of a woman on the corporate rise who may be "catfished" by a man she's only met online and not in person.Tiffany Haddish throws it all up on the wall--sometimes it sticks. Also with Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick and Whoopi Goldberg. GRADE---------C+
ONE OF US----This Netflix documentary about Hassidic Jews trying to leave the church has the same effect as any other person leaving the fold of any other organization--shunning, loneliness, persecution and in the case of a woman with children, poverty. This didn't tell me much that was new---just more grim stuff, and the narrative felt chaotic at times. GRADE------------C
ROBIN HOOD--This new version started off lively enough, with arrows flying through the air (some in slow motion to see how close they come to you) and I did like the energy that Jamie Fox brings to his role, but soon the action scenes become a hand held frenzy that is impossible to see what is happening, and there are a lot of "yeah, right" moments. One in particular has Hood shot through the chest, but Marion pulls the arrow out (with a kiss!) and "minutes later" he is involved in a big showdown with the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. This one is for the naive among us, or those who have never seen this story before. I was also confused by the costuming---some wore pheasant rags, some wore fancy soldier outfits, and the elite wore leather and gold outfits that felt like they came from J. Jacobs in the 1980's. GRADE----D+
VIEWED ON DVD OR TV-----------------------
SWEET NOVEMBER (1968)---A kooky woman picks up a different man every month to help him socially and/or sexually---then moves on to another. This is a sweet fantasy--at times very funny, at times moving, and tinged with sadness. Fortunately, the woman is played by the eccentric Sandy Dennis who pulls off this odd situation as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her Mr. November is played with smoothness and charm by the British singer Anthony Newley (he only sings over the credits)--he is a pleasing surprise as an actor. I'd call this a lovely guilty pleasure. GRADE--------B+
20th CENTURY WOMEN (2017)--A progressive woman ( Annette Benning) is trying to raise her teen age son as a feminist, in her house with several woman tenants, including Greta Gerwig, in this quirky comedy/drama. GRADE------------------- B+
TWENTY FEET FROM STARDOM (2013)---Inspiring and wistful documentary about aspiring singers who end up as back up singers for bigger stars. The film interviews a handful of these singers like Merry Clayton, who never quite made the big time despite having fabulous voices, and bigger singers like Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, the Rolling Stones, etc who appreciate the back up talent and know how hard they have to work. GRADE---------B+
THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL(1959)--The king of the movie gimmick (smell-o-rama. electric shock, flying skeletons in the theatre) William Castle directed this effective Vincent Price thriller about a rich man offering 10000 dollars to anyone able to spend the entire night in a haunted house. There are some very chilling and effective moments, and a number of decent twists, and I was going to give this late show just 15 minutes before I would turn it off, but I lasted the whole 95 minutes. GRADE------------------B+
THE BEGUILED (2017)--This recent remake by director Sophia Coppola of the old Clint Eastwood version focuses on the women in a lonely southern mansion in the South during the Civil War and becomes something of a feminist tract. GRADE-------B
EAST SIDE WEST SIDE (1949)--Barbara Stanwyck is the faithful wife jilted by her smooth husband James Mason--for Ava Gardner, no less, and everyone ends up with what they deserve, in this watchable melodrama. GRADE---------------B
CROOKED HOUSE (2017)--This Agatha Christie novel was made into a Netflix movie, and even though there is a clever twist ending, and some good actors (Glenn Close and others)--the film needed some jazz, some oomph, some energy. GRADE-----------C+
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