I haven't yet seen all the big award winning titles---some are opening in the next week or two, but here's what I've seen in the past month.
LITTLE WOMEN---Here's the fourth or fifth cinematic remake of this classic tale, and I think it must be the best one. I figured I'd never seen this story on film before, but half way through there are two back to back scenes (the burning of the manuscript and the fall through the ice) that made me realize I'd seen this story at least once before, but I can't remember which one it was. Thankfully this one has all it's scenes seared into my memory due to a vivid directorial reordering and some fine, bright young actors who make the most of the characterizations they've been given. The regrouping of scenes makes the story more ironic and powerful, and the film itself is alive with contemporary themes in spite of the 1800's vernacular. Props to director Greta Gerwig who last directed LADY BIRD, Saorese Ronan as Jo--also from LADY BIRD, Emma Watson as Meg, Florence Pugh as Amy, Laura Dern as Marmee, Timothee Charlemet as Laurie and Meryl Streep as Aunt and the always interesting Tracy Letts as editor Dashwood. This fine adaptation will rank near the top of my top ten films for 2019---due out next month! GRADE-------A
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD--Another film based on the life of Mr. Roger's philosophy and work, when he was interviewed by a young reporter with many personal problems. You know that Rogers will be able deal with this man, simply by addressing the issues with understanding and feeling. The film is pretty interesting, especially since Rogers is played by the likeable Tom Hanks and he is sympathetic and kind. GRADE--------A-
CATS--This film has received more hate comments than nearly any film this year, except perhaps RICHARD JEWEL (see below) and OF COURSE. these comments have come nearly unanimously from the Internet people WHO HAVE NOT EVEN SEEN THE FRIGGING FILM!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently, the majority have never seen the musical play on stage either, because then they might not have objected. This play, while I'm sure not 100 percent loved the play, had perhaps the largest return/likeability factor in the over 30 years it was ensconced on Broadway and London and all cities around the world. I saw CATS by chance a few weeks after it first opened to great acclaim in London in 1982. I'd read that it was causing a sensation (and some mixed opinions, too) and was sold out for months. My wife and I happened to walk past the theatre where it was playing one after noon, so I took a chance to stop by the box office and inquire if there were any tickets (fat chance I was told) when suddenly from behind the ticket agent came this voice---"Someone just turned in two balcony tickets 20 minutes ago" Quicker than you can say "MEOW" we were watching something we had NO IDEA what we were seeing, and yes, it was shocking at first--live actors wearing CAT Costumes!?! and singing and dancing to Andrew Lloyd Webber's music with words from T.S.Elliot's poems--all about different types of cats and their finicky habits. But within 20 minutes we were enchanted and thrilled to be experiencing something so completely unique. When we got back to Seattle we bought the musical "album" and wore it out, and a few years ago I had to throw it out. I've been rather perplexed at the negative comments and jokes I heard about the film----before the film had even opened, based on the trailer, I''m happy to report that this faithful film version (minus a few song stanzas) is as charming and delightful and funny and sad as ever. Film helps you identify each cat more clearly than 100 yards back in the balcony and the facial expressions are priceless. I have a few minor complaints. (Who thought that a magical scene set on a tugboat in the Thames featuring some "catnapped" characters and the evil Macavity cat was a good idea?). Over all I had a GREAT time being reminded of the music, clever lyrics, characters and even the over worked tune MEMORIES sounded like music to my ears (thank you Jennifer Hudson for your gentle understated performance!) GRADE---------------------------A-
RICHARD JEWELL-This Clint Eastwood directed film, based on a true story of a man falsely accused of exploding a bomb at the Atlanta Olympics is effectively and smoothly filmed as Eastwood always does with a steady hand and mounting suspense. Paul Walter Hauser plays Jewell expertly, and with Kathy Bates as his mother they work compellingly together. Sam Rockwell is his lawyer friend who tries to help him, although Jewell talks so much he is his own worst enemy. FBI agent John Hamm and reporter Olivia WIlde play ex lovers who smear his good name. There has been some controversy that the newswoman (Wilde) uses her sexual wiles to seduce some classified information from Hamm, and she is clearly the bad guy in the film. Since she died many years ago, she can't defend herself, but it seems unclear that she would need to, since sex has been used through the ages to progress plots of spies, newsmen, kings, and politicians and in the film she seems to have second thoughts about what is happening to Jewell.
It's an intriguing, engrossing film, and at 89 years old, it may be one of Eastwood's last and best.
GRADE------------A-
BOMBSHELL--Another based on a true story about sexual abuse occurring over several years at the FOX News Station, where the owner Roger Ailes is accused of sexual abuse with at lease two high profile newswomen--one was popular anchor Megyn Kelly played by Charlize Theron, and another popular newswoman Gretchen Carlson played by Nicole Kidman. Margot Robbie plays a fictionalized character who is newly abused while trying to keep her job. John Lithgow chillingly plays Ailes. As much as we root for the Fox women, it is depressingly nagging to consider that these woman profited greatly by allowing the depravity that Ailes and others at the station put forth in their work ethics for many many years before finally saying no. It's a smartly written thriller with gives viewers food for thought. GRADE----------B+
WAVES---This low budget film focuses on an upper middle class African American family living in suburbia, and follows the pressures that the athletic older son must face to become a better athlete than others in high school. As his father applies pressure to become a great wrestler, the son falls into drug abuse which changes his personality and he becomes impatient with his younger sister, father and longtime girlfriend. After tragedy strikes the family, the younger daughter realizes the pressures her brother must have felt. The film is perceptive and moving, and although there is much left unsaid, the mood of the film reminded me of the qualities that MOONLIGHT brought to the subject of racial pressures to growing, changing black youth. GRADE----------------------B
UNCUT GEMS----This sad story of the history of a large (baseball) size uncut opal smuggled out of African mines has on a number of people including the maimed injured mine worker, the jeweler who purchased the opal hoping to make a million to pay back his gambling debts, his wife who must put up with his lying and moods and infidelity, and the rich sport basketball player whose obsession sets in motion the tragic consequences of greed---this story is very ambitious and frantic. The jeweler as played by Adam Sandler, is a compulsive gambler and liar and gets himself deeper and deeper into trouble until you know very soon that this is not going to end well for anyone. The dialogue is dripping with vulgar profanities from everyone, and there are numerous scenes of psychological (and physical) violence on display. Although I appreciated what the film makers were trying to do here, it's a film I didn't enjoy watching or listening to it, and I found myself anxious for it to be over. I never want to see it again in spite of some effective portrayals from Sandler and the other leads. GRADE------------B-
Viewed on TV cable or DVD disc------------------
THE HUSTLER 1963--One of Paul Newman's first big hits, and he received the first of 8 career Oscar nominations, this black and white film about his efforts to play and win pool against the great Minnesota Fats (played by Jackie Gleason) packs a wallop in a couple of different ways. When his first effort doesn't go like he wanted, he hooks up with a depressed, alcoholic woman (played by Oscar nominated Piper Laurie) and starts to rebuild his winning efforts. He also hooks up with another pool shark (George F. Scott) for his comeback. Even though there are many effective pool shooting sequences, the film might surprise you for the moving love story at the center, and the tension of his life, and for the stylish manner the film is shoot and edited. GRADE--------------A
THE LONG HOT SUMMER--1958--One of the first films Paul Newman and his soon to be wife Joanne Woodward make together, this story by William Faulkner has a similar mood as CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF 1958 made concurrently and written by Tennessee Williams. When Newman enters town as a stranger, he is accused of being a barn burner--actually it was his daddy's sin--but he manages to gain the attention of the sick old man who owns most of this small Mississippi town (Orson Wells) who puts him into the place of his own lazy son (Tony Franciosa) and he hopes he'll make babies with his near spinster daughter (Woodward). It has a lot of juicy sexual scenes, and all the actors seem to be having a grand old time with their Southern accents. Solid entertainment, if a bit overstuffed, and the ending seems a bit too pat. Also featuring Angela Landsbury and Lee Remick. GRADE------B+
CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE--1936--This entertaining, smart adventure based on the poem of the same name stars Errol Flynn, Patrick Knowles (as Flynn's brother) and Olivia deHaviland--two brothers love the same woman, but she loves Knowles with the lesser rank. Any way, they get involved with massacres, racing all over India, and missed opportunities to set the romance record straight. For 1936, this photography, direction and music are first rate and rousing. GRADE--------------B+
GENTLEMAN JIM--1942--Here's another rousing adventure film--Errol Flynn stars as a real life boxer who uses his feet to avoid hits and becomes a national champion, and all the while he tries to impress Alexis Smith, a bankers daughter who is attracted and repelled by his antics simultaneously. The film has a lot of energy and refreshing humor. GRADE----------B+
FROM THE TERRACE--1960--Based on a John O'Hara novel, Paul Newman returns from service too a dysfunctional family (Myrna Loy has a great drunk scene in the first 15 minutes) and then he marries into money to a beautiful woman (Joanne Woodward, his real life wife) but he doesn't really love her, nor she him. He makes a lot of money in his busy career but feels empty. I loved this soapy melodrama. There is a fine sequence towards the end featuring actress Ina Balin, a lovely woman he meets by chance and there is an instant connection--love at first sight. The film features a musical score that sounds suspiciously like the love theme from NORTH BY NORTHWEST 1959, something I remembered when I first saw this soaper several years ago. HHMMMM! GRADE-----------B
EXODUS--1960--Otto Preminger directed this epic story of Jews from around the world trying to establish a homeland in Israel, and Paul Newman play a Jewish freedom fighter, who becomes involved with a traveling nurse Eva Marie Saint. I was very aware of the Oscar winning score, but for some reason have never seen this film. The large cast includes Sal Mineo, Lee.J.Cobb, Peter Lawford, Ralph Richardson, and newcomer Jill Hayworth, and others. GRADE------------------B
NOCTURNAL ANIMALS--2016--This Tom Ford film features Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams, and features a story within a story. Because the lovers belong from different sides of the tracks, she breaks off the relationship Years later they meet again and are still attracted, but he insists she read is new novel, based on their previous relationship, but in it she is attacked and he isn't able to help her. There is a lot of symbolism and resentment, and I guess someone gets what they deserve in the end. The film making is stylish and very watchable, but not as concise or dramatic as his earlier film A SINGLE MAN. GRADE------B-
FROZEN 2003 --It's taken a long time to catch up with this Disney animation, and except for the big hit song LET IT GO I found this film to be rather unremarkable--although I can see the attraction to female tweens and young teens. It certainly works best as a sisterly love story. Otherwise I felt like it was a bit dull and cold. GRADE-----------B-
HEMINGWAY'S ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG MAN 1962--Based on some of Hemingway's stories, I found this film to be so slow and boring that I turned if off after 75 minutes. Paul Newman has what amounts to a 10 minute cameo as a mentally deficient ex-boxer and then the young man, who has run away from his stern but kindly parents (Kevin McCarthy and Jessica Tandy) travels by freight train, then signs up for the Italian regiment during WW! to drive an ambulance. He gets wounded, lands in hospital, and wants to refuse friendship and help from his friends. Yawn.
GRADE-----------D
TOP FILMS FOR 2019 coming next month.......
