Last year Jordon Peele won a writing Oscar for the popular thriller GET OUT, which I thought was well deserved. He's back this year with his new directorial and writing effort called------ US------and while there are some similarities (like tension, horror aspects, and a very diverse cast) this new film is very different from his more subtle past effort. When the mother becomes uncomfortable with a seaside vacation she persuades the rest of the family to head home in the morning. Unfortunately it is too late as the family's doppelgangers ("lookalikes" but with malicious, murderous intent, hence the title ---US---) attack their house, sending them fleeing for their lives. They soon discover an insidious plan to overtake their world, and we slowly learn the reason why mother is so disturbed and frightened, which is due to a 15 minute incident when she was a child while lost at the same beach side resort. The complex plotting has references galore: apocalyptic themes, zombie movies, Hitchcock moments (especially scenes set in carnival situations, and also THE BIRDS) and paranoid characters, and actors doing stupid things in the gravest moments, as well as the obligatory twists and turns of plotting and surprise endings. Happily the shocking ending leaves the audience in a catatonic state of shivering bliss--- even if borrowed from THE BIRDS. The shocks are well prepared, and the actors, especially Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o as the mother, deliver the goods. Nyong'o's role is massive (she plays two parts and does most of the "talking") and the film pivots beautifully around her disturbing story.-------------------------------GRADE--------A-
I didn't think I wanted to see a reenactment of the terrorist attack about 10 years ago that took place at various places in Mumbai that killed several hundred people at the luxury Taj hotel, but the film making is gripping, relentless and skillful, making this docudrama HOTEL MUMBAI hard to watch. Dev Patel, Armie Hammer and Anupam Kher give fine humanistic performances which fight against the horrific tragedy. ----------------------------------GRADE---------B+
FIVE FEET APART is one of those sick teens in love stories that normally I detest, but in this case, the actors are so lovely and witty that I was able to forgive the stupid ending because I was so moved for the first 90%. Perhaps it helped that I was not familiar with either actor, although both have appeared on TV shows. The dialogue was smart, witty and amusing and there are many fine, emotional moments--my favorite is the scene in the pool room. These two teens cannot be within 5 feet of each other because of the infectious nature of cystic fibrosis, yet you can feel the yearning and tragedy of being unable to touch each other. -------------------------------GRADE----B+
This new Julianne Moore film is wonderful to watch, specifically because Julianne Moore is so effervescent and enthusiastic. This remake of a Spanish film (GLORIA from several years ago ) works our sympathies as GLORIA BELL seeks to maneuver the dating scene for the 50 plus crowd, and the mostly disco songs from the nightclub she inhabits frequently becomes the soundtrack to her (and our own) life. Also features Michael Cerna, John Turturo, Holland Taylor and Brad Garrett provide sterling support. When she finally does find love, it comes with a lot of messy complications. ------------------------------GRADE-------B
Looking very much like a Tim Burton film, Burton's new work DUMBO, based on the simple 65 minute animated Disney film from 1941 is now remade, extended to over two hours and populated with live action characters (as well as some animation) and given a sweet, bizarre, sometimes creepy gloss, and I didn't mind it a bit. This DUMBO is still funny and innocent and full of wonder, although I 'm not sure small children will be so captivated. There are more subplots and characters, more jokes and bits of circus scenes, but still in keeping with the innocent themes of parental loss and teasing. I liked this new DUMBO, even as it introduces adult themes of motherless children, an armless veteran father returning from war, insidious evil capitalists, some grotesque animals and characters and many scenes of animals and children in peril. ---------------------------------------------GRADE-------------B
The new Marvel comic character to come alive on the movie screen is CAPTAIN MARVEL and it has some issues as well as some fun. In a complicated and chaotic manner, the first 20 minutes of the film is flashback/flash forward/flashback/flash in all directions--I had not much certainty in what was happening, but eventually it all works out by the end. My patience was quite limited by then--not the best way to start a new character back story. Finally the film starts into a forward plot about creatures from another universe looking for a place to relocate, and I liked the new character as she tries to figure out who and what she is. Brie Larson is the new CAPTAIN MARVEL, and a young looking (via special effects) Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson) work well together too, and the support cast is effective--especially the cat who steals complete scenes. --------------------------GRADE---------B
Based on a true story, FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY tells of a British family really into big time wrestling, and the efforts of the two teenagers in the family to become professional. The girl manages to get her chance at the big time, but her brother does not, and that causes some family conflict. The writing is cheeky and entertaining, and there's some kick ass wrestling moments. The best of the actors include Dwayne Johnson, Vince Vaughn, and as the teens--Jack Lowden and Florence Pugh are amazing. ----------------------------------GRADE--------B
I really loved the first two films made of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, so this third film called HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 3: THE HIDDEN WORLD is a bit of a comedown. It is however, still full of exciting and funny moments, and has some every emotional scenes, especially the final ten minutes. It might be time to stop with the sequels while they are still ahead. -----------------------------GRADE-------B
The newest DC Comic superhero to hit the silver screen is SHAZAM! which features a young teenage boy who changes into an adult hero complete with a massive physique and red body suit and white cape. He must figure out his special powers in a hurry, because there is another evil superhero already on his tail. There is a lot of fun in that section of the film, especially the sarcastic scene at an all night grocery story. The film takes a long time to get off the ground with not just one but three preambles, as it were, but these scenes were important to the characters, and adds a lot of humanity to each character. The film at times seems chaotic and uneven, but the mood is mostly light, and there are some very sweet moments, and I do look forward to future episodes. Asher Angel and Zachary Levi play the teen and adult versions of SHAZAM! in amusing, charming fashion, even if they don't much look alike, and the rest of the cast is very effective. -------------------------------GRADE-----------------B
The newest Neil Jordan film (THE CRYING GAME) is a smooth, tense stalker movie called GRETA featuring the amazing French actress Isabelle Huppert, who plays a lonely older woman who befriends Chloe Grace Moretz, but the relationship soon sours because GRETA's behavior becomes obsessive, and the younger woman tries to break it off. The film's style is seductive, and it takes a while for us to figure out what is happening, but the film does have a satisfying and intense ending. ---------------------GRADE------B
EVERYBODY KNOWS is a Spanish language film featuring the iridescent Penelope Cruz and the handsome Javier Bardem as two ex-lovers who meet up again at a family wedding where a tragedy occurs during the celebrations, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that Cruz and Bardem might still have a thing going between them---something that affects the tragedy. The film is a slow burner, but the fine direction and acting keep this drama engrossing. ----------------------GRADE--------B
A very small budget actually helps this independent western film THE KID work very well, as it tells the story of the last days of Billy the Kid, his gang, sheriff Pat Garrett and the young boy who seeks his advice on how to grow up. The fine cast includes Vincent D'Onofrio (who also directed the film,) Ethan Hawke, an unrecognizable Chris Pratt, and an amazing turn by an up and coming actor Dane DeHaan who plays the youthful Billy the Kid. --------------GRADE------B
Here's a modest drama about THE AFTERMATH of WWII, and the effects on the winners and losers of the war. Housing is a problem since so much was destroyed in the bombings of Hamburgh. An English officer shares a large house with a widowed German archetect and his disturbed daughter . Tensions bubble to the surface as well as passions. It might not be much of a surprise to see how this drama developes, but the film is well cast, the direction is smooth and appropriate and the set design and cinimatography are crisp and engrossing. -----------------GRADE------------------C+
I wish I could say that the new film based on the exploits of Nancy Drew: Dectective novels was a great new development but the film is only slightly amusing, mysterious and slightly effective. The updated (meaning skateboarding, computers, texting and sophisticated revenge tactics) Nancy Drew, although well played by red headed Sophia Lillis with Linda Lavin as the older auntie dealing with weird happenings at her house are having lots of fun, and with the help of the local mean girl, Drew and her friends solve the modest mystery of NANCY DREW AND THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE. I just wish it were more memorable and effective. ---------------------GRADE-----------------C+---
For a science fiction thriller, CAPTIVE STATE is neither thrilling or mysterious enough to keep our attention in a captive state. The film features a lot of hand held camera work, and many scenes are filmed at night or in dark buildings so it is hard to follow, and the plot itself is too subtle to care much. Earth had been overtaken by aliens, and a resistence has arisen to try to destroy the alien invaders. The film tries to feel like a spy drama but it needs a good dose of alien shock and awe. -------------------------------------GRADE-----------------C
VIEWED ON TV/DVD---------------
NORTHWEST BY NORTHWEST--- Perhaps Alfred Hitchcock's most sucessful suspense/comedy, this is a classic chase mystery, where the innocent man (Cary Grant) goes on the run, and becomes persued by the sexy spy (Eva Marie Saint) and the FBI and the bad guys. The classic scenes include driving drunk down a steep, winding road, being framed for murder at the United Nations, having a tension filled dinner and night with Saint, nearly murdered in an empty field, and scaling Mount Rushmore in dress shoes. -------------GRADE--------A
SHADOW OF A DOUBT---It was a double feature Hitchcock night. This one, set in a small town deals with a family member who may be a murderer. Hitch's favorite film, and skillfully done, with the usual doses of humor. ------------GRADE-------B+
THE VANISHING OF SIDNEY HALL--Currently on Netflix--this is a fine mystery of an arthur who drops out of writing, only to be draged back in by another writer. The fine lead is played by Logan Lerman (INDIGNATION 2016) and Elle Fanning. ------------GRADE------B+
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
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