LAST NIGHT IN SOHO, BELFAST, NIGHTMARE ALLEY, DUNE, WEST SIDE STORY, THE RESCUE, NIGHTMARE ALLEY, KING RICHARD, POWER OF THE DOG, THE ETERNALS, THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK, LAMB, THE LAST DUEL plus vintage films THE MUSIC MAN, CALIFORNIA SUITE, PLATINUM BLONDE

LAST NIGHT IN SOHO-- It may be a bit messy--after all it manages to be a murder mystery, ghost story, coming of age saga, fashionista fable, horror flick and a musical (it is steeped with mostly British pop songs from the 1960s including Cella Black, Dusty Springfield, Petula Clark, The Who, Peter and Gordon, Sandie Shaw and others) but what a glorious mixture it is.  With it's swirl of neon colors and lights, the sparkling cast which includes Anna Taylor-Joy, Thomasin McKenzie,  Matt Smith, Terrance Stamp, Rita Tushingham, and especially the late Diana Rigg, who has a corker of a part, and the smashing retro music in nearly every scene, this film gave me more viewing pleasure than any other film I've seen this year.    Ideally this film is best enjoyed on a large screen, but I just heard LAST NIGHT IN SOHO will be streaming PRIME/ON DEMAND after Thanksgiving.        GRADE-------A-

WEST SIDE STORY--This is a creatively brilliant remake of one of the finest stage and movie productions of the last 60 years.  Director Steven Speilberg shows he's still in command, and the new young cast is perfectly cast and sung. Every song hits the high mark, and the tragic themes still resonate.  This is a strong contender for best of the year at the Oscars.               GRADE----------A                                                                

THE RESCUE--The finest, most thrilling documentary of the year, this is the true story of the young Thai boys soccer team that went exploring a long cave just hours before the raining season unexpectedly began, and which arrived several days early, trapping them nearly 2 miles underground.  It took an international effort to try to save them, and even if you know what happened, the film racks up tremendous suspense and fascination with the inclusion of never before seen video both inside and outside the cave opening.  Directed skillfully by the same team that made FREE SOLO 2018 about a young man who climbs the tallest peaks without any partners, this film reminded me of Billy Wilder's classic film about a man trapped in a cave, and the circus that the press made of that tragic situation--ACE IN THE HOLE 1951.                            GRADE----------------A

BELFAST--Director Kenneth Branagh's lovely semi-autobiographical film of his life in Northern Ireland in 1969 is made with tenderness and heart, and from a child's point of view.  It details some of the religious conflicts that tore Belfast apart for many years in the early 1970's, and features Judi Dench, Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dorman and the young Jude Hill and features 8 classic Van Morrison songs on the soundtrack.              GRADE------------A- 

NIGHTMARE ALLEY--Director Guillermo del Toro's newest film after his Oscar winning THE SHAPE OF WATER is even better--a dark, twisted film noir, partially set in a carnival of weirdness.  After introducing our lead, an excellent Bradley Cooper, who is shown killing his father and burning down the house, he hides out in a visually splendid carnival, learning about his co workers and picking up tricks of the trade, he later sets out with his new girl friend using mental "telepathy" to deceive the rich and famous out of their money, with a help of a truly wicked looking Cate Blanchet.  In spite of the grimness of the plot, this film gripped me from scene to scene--like a train wreck, I couldn't stop watching.  Wonderful art and set direction, photography, music, and the sparkling cast includes amazing turns from Rooney Mara, Toni Collette, David Strathairn, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Ron Perlman and Mary Steenburgen.            GRADE---------------A-

DUNE--I've not read the book or seen the earlier version, but this first half of the novel is easy to watch and exciting for what it is.  That is, half the story.  So it is hard to feel completely satisfied watching just the first half of what feels like an epic telling.  Denis Villeneuve directed and the wonderfully odd music score is by Hans Zimmer.  Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson and Oscar Isaac are effectively royal playing the leads in the science fiction story of a family who must move to a dangerous planet to keep their position and power.  I look forward to part two.          GRADE-----------B+

POWER OF THE DOG--Director Jane Campion thoughtfully films this moody, odd "western" set in 1925 Montana (but beautifully filmed in New Zealand) about two brothers who barely tolerate each other.  Jesse Plemons is the portly quiet brother who suddenly marries a lonely widow (Kristen Dunst) who has a sensitive teen aged son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) and causes his caustic, bully brother (Benedict Cumberbatch) to set his sights to make lives miserable to the new wife and stepson.  The film is not what I expected--its far more nuanced and sensitive than I imagined, and contains, in its favor, a strong homosexual theme that creates a tension beyond any western you've ever seen.                      GRADE----------    B+    

KING RICHARD--When Venus and Serena were young, I can just imagine their father Richard talking and acting just like Will Smith in this new film.  It's a powerful, skillful performance, the best of Smith's long career, and it's a credit to him that many scenes  work as well as they do.  He had a 70 plus page plan for his daughters careers and he stuck to it.  Jon Bernthal is also intriguing as the coach who takes the entire Williams family under his wing providing for them the necessities of tennis training that make them what they have turned into today.  The film is engrossing, but it Will Smith who takes the film into a special level.                  GRADE-------------B+  

JULIA--Here's another fine documentary of cook Julia Child, who went to Paris with her husband, learned about French cooking, wrote a French cook book for Americans, and through her celebrity became a popular, entertaining TV chef, beloved and revered.                   GRADE---------B+ 

THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK--Written by David Chase, this works as a prequel to THE SOPRANOS TV series, especially since the lead  teen is portrayed by Michael Gandolfini, the son of Soparanos lead James Gandolfini.  This is a great film, with a splendid cast including Alexandro Nivoli, Vera Farminga, Ray Liotta, Leslie Odom Jr. and Jon Bernthal.  It viewed like a superior long episode of Sopranos, and made me think of rewatching that classic TV show.          GRADE-----------B+

THE ETERNALS-- This smoothly directed film by last year's Oscar director Chloe Zhao features a group of immortals with special powers who have lived secretly on earth for thousands of years but must come together to fight a deadly group of deviant monsters.  The cast is interesting, with Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Kamail Nanjiani and Harry Styles as the leads.  I look forward to the next film in the series.                      GRADE---------B

THE LAST DUEL--A strong film by Ridley Scott, this tells the true story of the last duel to the death in France, shown in three different versions.  Jodie Comer stars as the young noblewoman who is raped and seeks justice from her attacker (her husband's friend), who lies about the incident.  Matt Damon plays her soldier/husband who must believe his wife although he was away on business, to protect his honor.  Adam Driver plays his best friend who takes advantage of his friend's absence and sees the wife's smile and conversation as his  chance to find love--in a violent and forceful manner.                  GRADE----------B 

 LAMB--Icelandic film with Noomi Rapace. She and her husband are childless, so when a sheep gives birth to an odd human like lamb, she kills the mother and she and her husband raise the hybrid as their own child, but the arrival of the husband's irresponsible brother throws their happiness into a whirl.  The pacing is leisurely but sticks with you, and there is a bizarre, dark finale, but overall, this watchable, creative thriller is NOT BAAAAADDDD!             GRADE------------B

SINGLE ALL THE WAY--This Netflix Christmas film starts off with a tiresome and silly preamble, but after 20 minutes becomes a heartfelt and amusing story of a gay single man who convinces his best gay (platonic) friend to come home for Christmas pretending to be his newly engaged partner, not realizing that his mother has set him up with her gay gym trainer, and complications occur.  Barry Bostwick, Kathy Najimy and Jennifer Coolidge, gay icons all, have many amusing moments in this charming LGBTQ comedy about acceptance, family love and trusting friendship.                              GRADE-----------B

CHANDIGARH KARO AASHIQUI--Indian film in Hindi with subtitles, this comedy drama Bollywood features has an unusual plot to be sure.  A body builder trying to win a local title falls hard and fast for a new female Zumba teacher, who is a popular attraction to a gym that needs the business.  The man's family is desperate to get him married off since he is now 30 and never attached before, but a big secret is revealed that might get in the way of him marrying the new woman.  In spite of some serious themes and an LGBTQ subplot, you suspect that love will conquer all, and you might be right.  And of course, there are a couple of big reveals and a toe tapping dance that ends the film.  It may be superficial at times but it was just what I needed at the time.                   GRADE-------------B

PASSING--Set in NYC a few decades ago, two old Black friends meet by accident, and it is revealed that one of them is not only passing for white but she is married to a white man who has no idea of her racial identity. The film explores the consequences of living a lie and the possibilities of what friendship can do.  This is the first directorial effort by actor Rebecca Hall (THE NIGHT HOUSE) and she does very well sustaining tension and intrigue.               GRADE-------------B

LOVE HARD--This Netflix Christmas movie is not bad.  A young white woman hooks up on line with what she thinks is the man of her dreams, and after several months of intense texting, she decides it is time to meet, so she flies from California to the east coast to surprise him for Christmas week.  She soon discovers she has been "catfished"--that is deceived by a nerdy Asian man who has borrowed his friend's picture.  In an effort to make amends,  he agrees to set her up with the guy from the picture as it is an old friend of his anyway, but they keep the charade a secret from his prying family.  I especially liked the fact that in spite of the deception, everyone acts civilized, you get to know the entire Chinese family in an endearing manner without too many cliches, and the film has a nostalgic Christmas theme throughout.       GRADE----------------B

A BOY CALLED CALLED CHRISTMAS--Maggie Smith narrates this fantasy Christmas tale that is charming enough to keep your attention.  Wizards, witches and elves populate this story, and the film is acted with conviction by Jim Broadbent, Sally Hawkins, Kristen Wiig and others.         GRADE-------B

THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN--Prime Video is streaming this British film based on the life of Louis Wain,  a brilliant student of electricity in the early stages, but to please and distract his ailing wife, he starts to paint cats in a modern, and abstract manner, becoming know for his popular and unusual creations.  The film is mostly concerned with his wife's illness, and his mental failing, so that takes the pleasure out of his work for the viewer, but as usual, Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy are splendid as the loving couple.                GRADE--------B

14 PEAKS: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE--Documentary about Nimal Purja, a Nipaili mountaineer who decides to climb the 14 tallest peaks in Asia in about 7 months.  There's a lot of snowy scenes and some tension as he faces the elements and the resistant governments.  Engrossing.         GRADE-------B

HOUSE OF GUCCI--Based on a true story, this biographical filmed based on the murder of the Gucci patriarch features an interesting cast.  Lady Gaga comes off strongly as the willful wife,  Adam Driver is her quiet but forceful husband, his uncle is played broadly by Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons is his sickly father.  An over the top performance by Jared Leto as Pacino's wacky but dangerous son seems from another film all together, but I couldn't take my eyes off him.  Gaga is also fascinating as she worms her way into the family business, but the film directed by Ridley Scott, who makes intelligent, adult films in general (see THE LAST DUEL, above) seems a bit flat to me--for all the supposed money and glamour and backbiting and power grabbing, I wanted a bit more.......Fun! or slease! or energy!...............          GRADE----------------B-

RED NOTICE--A big hit for Netflix, this action comedy has some fun with some wild chases and switcheroos and the sparkling cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Gal Godot and Ryan Reynolds.  Johnson is the "good" guy, trying to stop top thief Reynolds, who gets all the funniest lines.  In an improbable plot twist, they work together to catch master jewel thief Gal Godot.  The film is easy to watch  and there are some good gags, but if you try to make sense of some of it, well good luck.          GRADE----------B-

BECOMING COUSTEAU--Jacques-Yves Cousteau was an ocean diver, photographer, ship captain, director of documentaries, inventor of ocean equipment, novelist, conservationist and other titles, but not a very good father and husband, mostly because he was always so involved with so many different projects his whole life.  The film presents, warts and all, the highs and lows of his illustrious career, using film clips and pictures from his past.  This dry, straight forward National Geographic film was missing some humanity for me.              GRADE---------B-

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG-----A live action film based on series of books about a sweet red dog who as grown to a gargantuan becoming the talk of the town.  Some love him, others are afraid, and some hate him and want to capture and study/dispose of him, but the film remains charmingly simple and humorous.  The children are good, and the adults do what they can, including John Cleese and Jack Whitehall (who also played an amusing second fiddle brother to Emily Blunt in this years JUNGLE CRUISE).  The film serves its purpose, but isn't too memorable.          GRADE---------C+

AFTERLIFE OF THE PARTY--An obnoxious party girl dies after a drunken party in bizarre accident, and must "earn her wings" if she wants to make it to heaven.  She must make it right between herself and 3 people who she had been rude to in the past year, but the catch--no one can see her or talk to her except her put upon roommate.    Think HEAVEN CAN WAIT mixed with IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, but not nearly as classy.                    GRADE------C

THE MANOR---Barbara Hershey stars as a grandmother who has a small stroke, but decides to enter senior living at THE MANOR.  She soon discovers some otherworldly activities that make her fear for her life--and her only allay--her grandson. Also features Bruce Davidson as another resident.  It had its moments, but I wish it was better.         GRADE-----------C

UNFORGIVABLE--Sandra Bullock is looks grim and tries hard in this loaded and convoluted plot of a newly released convict trying to find the sister she had to leave behind when she is arrested for the murder of a policeman.  Unfortunately, there are too many coincidences and bad plot twist, and despite some interesting actors like Jon Bernthal, Viola Davis, Vincent D'Ofofrio, Richard Thomas and Linda Edmond, the film is unconvincing and forgettable.                      GRADE----------C-

A CASTLE FOR CHRISTMAS---A vanity project for Brooke Shields, who still looks lovely by the way, she plays an author who runs away after a book flop (heavens, she kills off the series hero, loosely based on her recently divorced husband!), going to Scotland to visit a castle that her father used to work at.  There she meets and despises the castle duke (Cary Ewles, who also still looks good, by the way) who needs to sell the castle because he is paying the mortgages for half the small town and is now broke!?! And she's going to unbelievably buy it, but first they must live together 3 months during escrow Lot's of unbelievable drama later, they decide to throw a big Christmas Eve party for the town, and come together wearing a slutty tartan dress to match his tartan suit.  Incredibly the rundown castle has been overly decorated by WHO? since no one seems to work there and no one has much money.  It it wasn't for the lovely Scottish scenery, I'd have turned it off half way through.             GRADE-----D+

THE HARDER THEY FALL--This nearly all black cast play both good and bad western characters, but comes with heavy doses of violence and sadism, continuous profanity and pretentious modern-style attitudes, all of which turned me off.  I lasted about 45 minutes.               GRADE---------D

 

VINTAGE FILMS from TV or DVD

PLATINUM BLONDE 1931--A spoiled rich young woman (Jean Harlow) impulsively marries a hardworking, simple news reporter (Robert Williams),  and each one thinks they can change the other.  Meanwhile, the girl next door type coworker (Loretta Young) longs to show her co-worker that he should be married to her.  This early Harlow film is soundly stolen by Harlow.         GRADE--------B

MUSIC MAN 1962--Meredith Wilson's classic musical has a plot that is often silly and lame, but I'd forgotten about all those great classic songs like 76 TROMBONES, GARY INDIANA, LIDA ROSE, PICK A LITTLE TALK A LITTLE, GOODNIGHT MY SOME ONE, and a song that the Beatles loved and recorded TIL THERE WAS YOU.  Robert Preston walks off with the movie because the part is so bravado but Shirley Jones gets the singing honors.  Buddy Hacket seems wasted, Hermione Gingold has a couple of great moments, especially singing PICK A LITTLE, and little Ron Howard (actor from Andy Griffith show and director of A BEAUTIFUL MIND etc) steals his scenes as the kid with the lisp.     GRADE---------B

CALIFORNIA SUITE 1978--Neil Simon's rapid style quips are pretty funny in two of the four playlets which are set in a fancy Los Angeles hotel.  Maggie Smith nearly steals the film with her acerbic reading of a nervous actress who has been nominated for an Oscar at a ceremony that night.  She attends with her bisexual husband (Micheal Caine) who throws back the quips equally well.  Smith won a supporting actress Oscar for her efforts.  Jane Fonda and Alan Alda are a smoothly sarcastic divorced couple who are arguing over their daughter's custody.  Unfortunately, the other two playlets depend on slapstick, and they have their moments.  Richard Prior and Bill Cosby play doctors who with their wives check in to find two rooms are now only one, and they play a wild and physical game of tennis that becomes personal and childish.  Walter Matthau wakes after a night of drinking to find a strange comatose prostitute in his bed and his wife (Elaine May) due to arrive at any moment.  Because they are so dependent on slapstick for laughs, it feels like these last two belong in a different film.      GRADE-----------B

THE TRAIN 1964--John Frankenheimer directed this intense drama based on a true story, about a Nazi (Paul Scofield) who tries to smuggle out of France a train loaded with stolen art masterpieces, and Burt Lancaster and Jeanne Moreau try to sabatoge that effort.       GRADE----------B

LOST LANGUAGE OF THE CRANES--1991--A British made for TV film, based on the 1986 novel, the film is low key and realistic.  When a young man comes out as gay to his middle class parents, his mother becomes distant, and his father becomes emotional.  It is soon revealed that the father has been struggling with his gayness for many years even though he's married for over 20 years.  I read the novel a few months before seeing the film, and oddly the film has been shifted from New York City to London, and it may not make much difference if you've never read the novel, but it was disconcerting to me because NYC is such a strong "character" in the story.                  GRADE-----------B-

MAKING OF A LADY 2014--This Masterpiece Theatre TV movie tells the story of a poor maid who ends up married to a gentlemen of means.  She does well until her husband must leave for a few months, and she becomes involved with his devious cousin.              GRADE---------B-

HOLIDATE 2020--This Netflix film is predictable but getting there is fun.  Two singles decide to be each others  platonic "plus one" for holidays and wedding and gatherings for a year, and over the course of a year, they begin to like each other.  Emma Roberts and Luke Bracey are the charming couple, and others including Kristen Chenowith as the inappropriate aunt and Manish Dayal as the serious doctor are tops in support.           GRADE-----------B-

CLASH OF THE TITANS 1981--Harry Hamlin is an attractive Perseus and Judi Bowker is his lover, if he defeats Medusa and the Kraken, and Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith add some campy humor as two of the Gods.  The special effects are kind of hokey, but overall a good effort.     GRADE--------B-   

CLASH OF THE TITANS 2010--Sam Worthington and Gemma Arterton are Perseus and Andromeda, and Liam Neeson and Ralph Finnes are two Gods, but not so campy.  However the special effects are at a higher level.               GRADE-------B- 

HOUSE WITHOUT A CHRISTMAS TREE 1972--This made for TV film is simple yet effective.  The teen aged girl is denied a Christmas tree because her mother died at her birth and the father is still grieving that event.  With Jason Robards, Lisa Lucas and Mildred Natwick as grandma.        GRADE-------B-  

A THANKSGIVING TREASURE 1973--Both the above HOUSE and this story are based on a book.  In school she learns about friendship, so on Thanksgiving day she secretly takes a meal to an "enemy" of her father.  When the old man (Berenard Hughes) dies, her father becomes angry and threatens punishment.  Another simple but sweet story with Jason Robards, Lisa Lucas and Mildred Natwick as grandma.  This one was filmed on video so the photography is faded and poor.   HOUSE looks much betters since it was shot with actual film.      GRADE---B-

THE DOCTOR TAKES A WIFE 1940--Loretta Young is an independent book writer.  She runs into Ray Milland who has no interest in romance, but due to a mix-up in publicity they must pretend to be married for both their careers.  There is some clever plotting and attempts at screwball direction, but the humor is flat.  I wish it had a wittier script.              GRADE-------C+  

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER 1942--Loretta Young finds a charming basement apartment in NYC for her new husband to work in, but the first morning they find a dead body in the courtyard and try to find the murderer--from a list of suspects that all live in their apartment building.  Again, the wit and humor fall flat and the mystery becomes tiresome.           GRADE---------C+  

ONCE UPON A TIME 1944--On the street one night, a struggling Broadway producer (Cary Grant) meets a kid who has a dancing caterpillar that dances to "Yes sir, that's my Baby" --quickly he tries to make money off this sensational act against the boy's mother's wishes (Betsey Blair).  It is easy to see where this simple premise is going, but the film has some charm and innocence, in spite of the fact you can easily figure out the resolution.                 GRADE-----------C+    

THE CHRISTMAS EDITION 2020--I saw it streaming on Netflix, but this turned out to be a lame, unreleased Lifetime Movie from last year, and it is not very good.  A big time reporter is by passed for promotion so she packs her bags and heads for a small town newspaper in ALASKA! and runs the paper literally by herself with a photographer and a woman who runs a copy machine! and writes daily about all the Christmas events this small town likes to celebrate because living so close to the North Pole, well that's all the townspeople want to read about, right?  I have some big questions, like does she even get paid to put out a two page paper every day, and how can she afford the paper, and will she fall for what seems to be the only eligible single man in this small town, etc etc etc.  Trite, boring and predictable from scene to dull scene.   The only actor of note is Marie Osmond who I didn't recognize until the closing credits (she's got a lot of big hair that hides her face).  She was actually pretty funny as the news mogul trying to buy up the tiny paper in ALASKA!         GRADE-----   D+   

  

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

PIG, BRING YOUR OWN BRIGADE, DEAR EVAN HANSON, STILLWATER, RESPECT, PROTAGE, NO TIME TO DIE, THE CARD COUNTER, SHANG CHI and LEGEND OF 10 RINGS, EYES OF TAMMY FAYE, COPSHOP plus oldies STAR TREK reboot (2009), MARATHON MAN 1976, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK 1967, TO BE OR NOT TO BE 1942 and lots of super FILM NOIR!!!!!

BRING YOUR OWN BRIGADE--Superior documentary about fires two years ago in California (Sunrise (aka Camp Fire) and Malibu).  It's a CBS sponsored film so should be showing soon on TV.  Stunning footage showing people trapped in burning houses and cars, and later some shown arguing with fire officials about what should be done to prevent this tragedy from happening again!                      GRADE------------A

PIG--Someone steals the prize truffle hunting pig, and Nicholas Cage moves heaven and hell to find it.  Unusual and moving mystery/love story.           GRADE----------A

DEAR EVAN HANSON--Excellent film version of smash hit Broadway musical that broke records and won awards just before Covid struck.  I'm not sure why many film critics were so venomously negative--it seemed to really divide the consensus, but for those who love good music, a strong story line about mental health issues including suicide and drug usage with high school teens,  fine singing and acting with a cast that includes Amy Adams, Julianne Moore and Ben Platt and some very moving plot lines, this is top notch, without being mawkish or overly sentimentalized.  Of course, if you don't like musicals...........         GRADE-------------A-

EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE----This is another film version of a London smash hit musical that was doing bang up business just before Covid, so we are grateful to have it in theatres and on Amazon'Prime Video.  Jamie is a motivated high school senior who announces (via song and dance of course) that his goal as a graduate is to become a...............drag queen, complete with some shiny red heels that his mother buys for his birthday.  Naturally things don't go smoothly for him but the songs are all lovely and spirited, the actors including Sarah Lancashire, Richard E. Grant and especially Max Harwood as Jamie are inspired.  Again, critics are split as  LGBQT+ themes are bound to do, but I think the film will win you over.                       GRADE-----B+

STILLWATER--Suggested by a similar story, this new crime drama by director Tom McCarthy (SPOTLIGHT) features Matt Damon as a countrified blue collar worker who travels several times to France to help get his daughter (Abigail Breslin) out of prison.  In spite of the fact that names and events have been changed, the film is engrossing and logical and suspenseful.           GRADE------------B+

RESPECT--Based on the life of singer Aretha Franklin, this musical drama is all about Jennifer Hudson and how she does Franklin proud--Franklin had wanted Hudson to portray her in a movie before she died.  The fine cast also includes Marlon Wayan, Audra McDonald, Forest Whitaker, Mary J. Blige and others, and the music and drama makes for entertaining viewing.               GRADE----------B+

THE PROTEGE--As I watched this entertaining action thriller which stars Maggie Q, Micheal Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson I kept thinking that it plays a lot like a James Bond thriller.  When I got home I looked up the director Martin Campbell, and sure enough, he directed two of them: GOLDENEYE 1995 and CASINO ROYALE 2006.                   GRADE-------------B+

NO TIME TO DIE--The new James Bond thriller is finally here after an 18 month delay due to covid.  This is in a serious mood, still lots of action and chases, and it seems Bond has finally found love at long last.  But of course nothing lasts for Bond, and soon he's finding that even close associates are not always truthful.  Several explosions shocked me, the car chases are dangerous and the plot was sometimes confusing.  I had questions about a number of plot devices, but Bond is still one of the more dynamic film series out there, and in spite of a bladder busting 2 3/4 hours running time, I enjoyed the experience, and look forward for the next installment which the final title card promises, though not with Daniel Craig, I assume.                         GRADE---------------B+

 THE CARD COUNTER--Here's another intense, serious film about male redemption from Paul Schrader, which features Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddick and Willem Defoe.                GRADE--------B+

SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE 10 RINGS--This new Marvel film based on a comic book character has the distinguished feature of featuring a nearly all Asian cast, with the great Tony Yeung, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, and a fine new comer Simu Liu as he learns things about a superpower that belong to his father (Yeung) but it is about to be used for the wrong purpose.  It's a very entertaining pop corn movie.                 GRADE---------B+

COPSHOP--Fast action highlights this drama about the bloody taking of an isolated police station that "hosts" a professional hitman, (Gerard Butler) and his hit, a small time criminal (Frank Grillo).  But the film is stolen by newcomer Alexis Louder who plays a young honest, hardworking cop who is nobody's fool.  GRADE------------B+

THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE--The strong leads, especially Jessica Chastain, make this biofilm about televangelists Jim and Tammy Faye Baker and her makeup,  feel like a fascinating dose of history and camp come to life.   GRADE-----------B

NIGHT HOUSE--Rebecca Hall is the main reason for seeing this mystery, suspense film about a widowed woman who realizes the house her husband just finished for her before his suicide may be haunted, and starts to reveal things she didn't know about husband.  Hall takes us down many dark and emotional paths.                  GRADE---------------B-

FREE GUY---Based on a video game, presented like a live action cartoon, and reminiscent of the Jim Carrey film TRUMAN SHOW where the main character is just a video character, the film is likeable at times and amusing at times but often becomes tedious and repeats itself.            GRADE-----------B-

THE GREEN KNIGHT--This unusually moody and lovely to look at film based on an Arthurian legend has the hero Dev Patel challenging the green knight to a duel where he beheads the knight, and then a year later must let the green knight have a chance to knock off his head.  Hardly a fair fight, I'd say, since the green knight is not exactly human, but the film has it's mystic, playful , suspenseful and erotic charms and left our movie party with plenty to discuss over lunch--along the lines of "what the hell was that all about?"              GRADE--------  B-

OLD--A seemingly simple story has several families trapped on a deserted beach where the aging process is sped up to cover a lifetime in 24 hours.  The intriguing premise holds the film together until the creepy resolution.                         GRADE-------B-

JUNGLE CRUISE---Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt and Jack Whitehall have some clever and amusing chemistry together as they set off down the Amazon river in search of a tree of life, but the film turns into a chaotic chase with ghosts and spirits and special effects by the end.          GRADE--------B-

SUICIDE SQUAD--Thankfully this violent and bloody cartoonish film has a strong sense of humor or it would have been hard to take.  Bad superheros are sent to an island to try to stop the overtaking of the world by a super villian who creates an evil giant one eyed star fish (no kidding--think giant marshmellow man in GHOSTBUSTERS)---yep this is a goofy film.                         GRADE--------B-

BOB ROSS: JOY OF PAINTING--Interesting documentary about the PBS painter with an large following and how he lost his fortune to his partners.                    GRADE---------B-

REMINISCENCE--This sci-fi action, film-noir thriller certainly has a lot of ambitious ideas--mostly about visualizing memories in your mind,  but the plot is murky and confusing and ultimately becomes a lot of noise about not much at all.  Hugh Jackson, Rebecca Ferguson and Thandiwe (formally Thandie) Newton are all strong characters and the art and set direction are top notch.              GRADE--------C+

DON'T BREATHE 2--Stephen Lang is still impressive as the blind but dangerous ex-Marine trying to protect a young girl he saved from a house fire a dozen years earlier, and the first half works well, but the ending becomes tiresome with extended scenes of blood and extreme gore, and overall, this film is not as good as the first surprising film was.                                        GRADE---------C+

NINE DAYS--This modest indie film gets a "B" for effort and plot, but the execution dulls the rest of the this "meaning of life" film and I got bored and restless watching this play out.             GRADE-------C+

SNAKE EYES--This mild epic thriller has some moments of fun, but star Henry Golding, who is charming and handsome in other films, appears to be sleepwalking in this one, leaving the supporting cast on their own to steal various scenes from him.  And they do.             GRADE----------C+

ROAD RUNNER: ANTHONY BOURDAIN--After a best selling cook book, chef Bourdain had the world on a silver platter, then proceeds to piss on it.  Knowing in the beginning that he commits suicide over a failed love affair, the scenes of eating exotic food and drink left a sour taste in my mouth, even though the film features many striking locations and other culinary personalities.             GRADE-----C

JOE BELL--Based on a true story, a father goes on a walk across country after his gay son is murdered in a hate crime.  Despite some strong scenes, the film is unstructured and rather aimless, a disappointment considering the powerful themes it wants to present.                      GRADE----------C

VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE--Tongue in cheek dialogue keeps this violent and chaotic film from becoming downright disgusting.  I still wonder when Tom Hardy and Woody Harrelson  transform back and forth from creature to human, what is happening to their clothes?  At least the INCREDIBLE HULK has an explanation. This silly, wild film did not satisfy me.  No wonder I couldn't remember the earlier film.            GRADE--------C   

TITANE--This odd French film features a female serial killer who hides from police by pretending to be the long lost son of a firefighter, which gets to be harder with each passing day as she is pregnant, and the tape holding in her breasts and belly is painful to wear.  The fire fighter is a macho and delusional character, and the film flirts with lesbian sex, gay sex, incest, fetishes, full nudity and  features cruel and bloody scenes of gore and death.  It's ugly to watch but certainly not boring.  It steals scenes/themes from DEMON SEED, ROSEMARY'S BABY and THE OMEN,  predictably so.               GRADE--------C-

CANDYMAN--When I heard Jordan Peele, who so brilliantly directed GET OUT and US was the producer and co-writer of this new version, I was intrigued.  The set up and first 30 minutes are interesting, but unfortunately the film degenerates into a grotesquely violent and bloody scenes of slit throats and severed limbs, and becomes totally incomprehensible plot wise.  And who the hell is the man from the laundry mat?               GRADE-----------C-

 

VINTAGE FILMS ON DVD OR STREAMING ON TV

STAR TREK 2009 (reboot)-Director J.J. Abrams really hit the mark with this new version of STAR TREK by hiring a young cast that looked remarkably like the actors who made the TV version so popular, and setting the film back in time when they were all just starting out.  He also jacked up the action and editing to make the film feel fresh while still being true to the origins.            GRADE---------A

MARATHON MAN 1976--Director John Schlesinger gives energy and style to this thriller that has an innocent college student becoming involved with his secret agent brother who is on the path of a Nazi war criminal, stolen diamonds, and deceitful dealing.   Famous scenes include a deadly attach on Roy Schieder in underwear, a wincing tooth drilling by the evil dentist Laurence Olivier, and Dustin Hoffman running barefoot in New York City for his life.              GRADE---------A-

TO BE OR NOT TO BE 1942--Hilarious dark comedy satire on Nazi Germany has an English comedy troupe using their ability to impersonate Nazi officers to thwart plans to turn in Resistance workers in France.  Jack Benny plays Hamlet--everytime he starts his speech "to Be Or Not to Be", a young air force pilot (Robert Stack) leaves his front row seat to meet with Benny's wife Carole Lombard, who is attracted to the young pilot.  Shot in 1941, the film could be in bad taste by some if it wasn't so clever and funny.   Sharply directed by Ernst Lubitsch.                     GRADE--------A-

BAREFOOT IN THE PARK 1967--An early Neil Simon play becomes a charming comedy about newlyweds Jane Fonda and Robert Redford with Mildred Natwick nearly stealing the show--they try to adjust to married life in the big city with Fonda's mother Natwick close by.               GRADE------------B+

BACKFIRE 1950--Virginia Mayo, Gordon MacRae, Vivica Lindfors, Dane Clark star in this convoluted film noir mystery about recovering soldier who is visited one Christmas Eve in hospital by mysterious woman who seems to suggest that his missing best friend may be involved in a murder plot.         GRADE-------B+

SCHOOL OF ROCK 2003--Pretending to be a certified substitute teacher, a wild Jack Black hilariously decides this class of elementary school kids from wealthy parents is born to become his back up band, in spite of the prissy principal played amusingly by Joan Cusack.  But the film is powered by the manic Black who has never been funnier.              GRADE-------------B+

THE BLUE LAMP--1950--Directed by Basil Dearden and featuring a very young Dirk Borgarde, this British film about two young punks who murder a cop during a theatre hold up plays like a police procedural film--dry but effective.  With Jack Warner and Bernard Lee. Newly released in Blu Ray.                     GRADE---------B

CALL NORTHSIDE 777--1948--Based on a true story of trying to release an innocent man from jail, Henry Hathaway directs Jimmy Stewart as a reporter covering the case.  Lee J. Cobb is his boss, and Richard Conte is the innocent man.                 GRADE-------B

ARIZONA 1940-- Early William Holden western (he's nearly unrecognizable) about drifter who tries to help an independent young woman (Jean Arthur) run her cattle ranch but corrupt business man in town has other plans.              GRADE--------B

TEXAS 1941 --Another early William Holden western, this time teamed with early Glenn Ford as two roustabout buddys who fall for the same woman (Claire Trevor) and they end up on opposite sides of the law.                GRADE-----------------B

ALVEREZ KELLY 1966--William Holden western set during the Civil War.  He's hired to move cattle from the Union to the starving confederates, but he wants no part in the war or politics.  Richard Widmark plays the confederate Colonel who forces his hand.  Also staring Janice Rule and Patrick O'Neal.             GRADE--------------B

THE YELLOW ROLLS ROYCE 1964--Three stories about three very different owners of a yellow rolls royce.  The first has rich Rex Harrison buying a gift for his wife Jeanne Moreau, who is having an affair with a young officer.  Later the car is sold to George C. Scott who has married a trophy wife Shirley MacLaine. She also has an affair while husband is back in USA for business.  Later the car is sold to a rich philanthropic widow Ingrid Bergman, who uses the car to help allies in World War II, and wouldn't you know it, has an affair with a freedom fighter Omar Sharif. Predictable at times, but richly filmed and acted and I enjoyed this soap opera very much.  Also featured are Art Carney, Alain Delon and Wally Cox.                   GRADE----------B

VALLEY OF THE DOLLS 1967--Smooth melodrama about 3 young women seeking fame and fortune in the Big Apple is filled with cliches, stylish clothes, traumas---and aside from the continuous playing of the theme sung by Dionne Warwick--there is nothing I  much remember from my first screening.  This time felt about the same--good song but not much to get excited about.  Then I watched it again and felt about the same.  Mildly intriguing and there were a few funny lines.   So I was surprised when I watched the extras about the cult following this film has, especially among GBLTQ+ communities.  The film seems too mild for such excited worship.   Oh well, perhaps I'm getting too old to care about a female cat fight in the ladies room!   I did appreciate the shadings given to Sharon Tate's character as the beautiful but untalented actress --I'd forgotten she was in it originally.               GRADE---------B

DEADLINE AT DAWN 1941--When a young sailor comes back to return some money that a woman has given him, he finds her murdered, and with the help of a weary dance hall girl (Susan Hayward) and a cranky old taxi driver (Paul Lukas) must try to find her murderer before he ships out at dawn.  The biggest surprise for me was the sailor played by Bill Williams who was sweet and honest .  I don't remember seeing him before, yet discovered he was in quite a few films in the 1940's through 1960's period.  He was later married for many years to Perry Mason's secretary played by Barbara Hale. The ending was also a surprise, seeming to come out of nowhere, but made sense.          GRADE----------B

HOUSE BY THE RIVER 1950-- Directed by Fritz Lang, this film noir has a demented writer who accidently kills the maid, then asks his brother to help dispose of the body.  The film is moody and tense, with strange lumps in a bag floating back and forth in the river,  and features Louis Hayword and Jane Wyatt, who is best known for 6 years on TV's Father Knows Best.    GRADE-----------B

WORTH 2020--Michael Keaton and Amy Smart work at a law firm that is tasked with placing a financial price on every human killed on 9/11/01. Based on a true story that is both fascinating and grim.         GRADE-----------B

FATHER OF THE BRIDE 1950--Spencer Tracey is the put upon father, who makes a lot of bad jokes about how expensive this wedding is becoming.  Elizabeth Taylor is radiant as the bride, and Joan Bennett is the mother.  Somehow the only scene I remembered from a previous screening was the father being trapped in the kitchen the whole party  making different drinks for the mostly male drinkers, and missing his giving of his little speech.  Otherwise this film is fairly predictable.       GRADE-------B

THE DARK CORNER 1946--Lucille Ball, Clifton Webb, Mark Stevens are directed by Henry Hathaway.  Ball plays a secretary trying to help her private PI from corrupt and dangerous art dealers (!) because she just started this job and likes her boss!  Lucy is great! in this exciting film noir.                GRADE----------B

MADAME 2018--The social class divide of Paris is explored in this comedy-drama.  Rich Toni Collette is hosting a dinner party and to avoid 13 guests at the table she enlists the help of her maid Rossy De Palma, who attracts the attention of a single rich man.  An interesting situation ensues as Collette and her husband played by Harvey Kietel try to discourage the entanglement.             GRADE---------B

DESPERATE 1947--A nifty little film noir of suspense.  An honest truck driver foils a gangster's plan to rob a fur store, then has to go on the run from the gangster seeking revenge, and the police who think he was involved .    With Steve Brodie, Raymond Burr and Audrey Long.             GRADE--------B

CORNERED 1945--Dick Powell is a hard headed jet fighter pilot in WW2.  After the war he tries to track down the Nazi collaborator who may have killed his wife.  He is helped, sort of, by Walter Slezak and his journey takes him from France to Argentina.  I've never seen Powell so hard headed before, and the film noir is quite engrossing.                  GRADE--------B

THE PHENIX STORY 1955--The fifteen minute interview of "actual" citizens that start the film seems unnecessary but adds to the feeling of a docudrama about a corrupt Southern city that is basically run by gangsters and is heavy on gambling, vice, prostitution.  A small group of  honest men try to fight back and run a decent lawyer to take control of government, but he is stopped at every turn.  The hard hitting action includes racist threats, beatings and murder.  Apparently Martin Scorsese considers this  one of his top film noir films.  Richard Kiley, John McIntire, Kathryn Crosby and Edward Andrews are featured.                              GRADE----------B  

ARMED CAR ROBBERY 1950--An armored car heist that was supposedly well planned goes wrong when a cop is killed, and methodically the police hunt down the four perpetrators.  I remember seeing this 8 years ago or so, but found the pacing so compelling that I watched it again.  Low budget but effective.             GRADE----------B 

KAJILIONAIRE  2020--Director Miranda July's droll comedy/drama about a homeless grifter "family"where the youngest woman tries to go her own way.  Featuring Debra Winger, Richard Jenkins, Evan Rachel Wood and Gina Rodriguez.                 GRADE---------B                          

RED JOAN 2018--Based on true story, in her 80's character played by  Judy Dench is arrested and accused of treason from events that happened 50 years earlier when she was a college student and flirted with communism values along with fellow students.   Most of the action takes place in the past, so Dench has not much to do but plead with her disgusted lawyer son to represent her.                 GRADE-----B-

HEATWAVE 1954--AKA HOUSE ACROSS THE LAKE in England--A cold, beautiful woman tries to get a neighbor writer struggling with writer's block to kill her boring husband.  Typical film noir plotting with attractive players.            GRADE-------B-     

GAMBLER AND THE LADY 1952--A social climbing American opens a casino in London, then falls for a "titled" lady, but competing gangsters and her family put up resistance.   One of several British film noir films that featured American actor Dane Clark.                    GRADE-----B-

BAD BLONDE 1953--British film noir--a prize fighter has an affair with his manager's wife, and she wants out of the marriage.  Barbara Payton is the steamy star.           GRADE-------B-

MAN BAIT 1952--British film noir.  Diana Dors acts a lot like Marilyn Monroe.  She tries to blackmail her boss and that leads to murder!  This is my first DD movie and she's pretty effective.       GRADE---B-

STOLEN FACE 1952--British film noir.  Plastic surgeon falls for pianist, but she rejects him.  He later gives her face to an ex-con, marries her, then finds the pianist wants him back. What to do?  Paul Henreid and Lizabeth Scott star.              GRADE-------B-

BLACKOUT 1954--Another British film noir with Dane Clark.  Just before passing out, he agrees to marry a beautiful woman, then awakes to find blood on his clothes and his supposed father in law has been murdered?  He follows clues trying to find the woman and the older man's murderer.  There is a surprise ending, but it's pretty convoluted stuff.                      GRADE----B-

DIAL 1119--1950--Modest film noir about escaped mentally ill serial killer patient who holds a handful of patrons in a bar hostage, waiting for the doctor who put him away. William Conrad has a small early role.           GRADE------B-

ROGUE MALE 1977--This BBC TV movie features Peter O'Toole, Harold Pinter, John Standish and Alistair Sims.  O'Toole plays a British aristocrat hunter who for sport tracks down Hitler at his mountain resort, but just as he is ready to pull the trigger, he's captured, tortured, thrown down a steep cliff,  left for dead, but finally makes an escape back to London, only to find he's the hunted in the big city.  Production values are modest, but O'Toole, as always, is fascinating.             GRADE---------B-

THE ALPHABET MURDERS 1965--Adapted from the Christie novel THE ABC MURDERS, this is a dull and weird version of Hercule Poirot featuring Tony Randall as the smart detective, but he acts in a buffoonish, comical manner while still being brilliant (!?) Anita Ekberg acts in an annoying manner, as does Robert Morley.  One brief amusing scene features Margaret Rutherford who appeared in four films as Miss Marple in the early 1960's meeting Randall on the stair case, only to have them stare and sniff at each other.  A wasted cameo if you ask me.         GRADE---------C-

TEN LITTLE INDIANS 1989--Flat and dull version of Agatha Christie story, which has been filmed several times before to much better success.  This one was set on African safari because the producer could save money!  Frank Stallone, Brenda Vacarro, Herbert Lom and Donald Pleasence are the known actors in cast, but this one is a stinker.                   GRADE----------D+

------------------------------------

 I attended four days at the Vancouver International film festival last week, and will write about each film (8) if and when they open.  Briefly I saw, in order of preference:

EVERYTHING WENT FINE--From France, director Francois Ozon smooth and comforting film about a father who has a stroke, then asks his oldest daughter to end his life.....    GRADE----A-

WILDWOOD--From Canada, a low budget gem about indigenous teen who runs away from an abusive father with his younger brother in search of his long missing mother.  Along the way he connects with a two spirited indigenous teen who offers to help, and changes both their lives.    GRADE----B+

ISLANDS--Canada and Philipines--An extremely shy 50 year old man still lives with his parents, but when his mother suddenly dies, he seeks help from a female distant cousin who teaches him to cook, clean, and communicate.  WILDWOOD  and ISLANDS were the big crowd pleasers.     GRADE ---B+

TIME--From Taiwan--A parentless teen hangs out with old man who used to be an assissin in his youth, and still practices euthanasia to make a living.    GRADE-----B

THE SIX--USA--Documentary about 6 Chinese men who survived the sinking of the Titanic and the efforts to find their stories and their children.  James Cameron was the producer.     GRADE---B

CHARLOTTE--Animated story of Charlotte Saloman, a Jewish-German artist whose greatest work before she was killed in a concentration camp was called "Life? or Theatre?"  I'm not sure why they felt the need to animate, and I had mixed feelings about the result, but I learned a lot about her life.  GRADE-----B-

ZO REKEN--from Haiti, this documentary is filmed mostly through the windows of a truck (a Zo Reken) used to move food and supplies and patients to hospitals, along the wretched streets of town.  Like scenes of crowded India, this film showed the desperation of those living on the streets, and left me with the feeling I never want to visit Haiti, ever.       GRADE---C+

AZOR--France and Argentina--a banker has disappeared and his financial partner goes to Argentina to meet with his clients.  This is a slow slow burn thriller with feelings of dread and mystery, but it left me unsatisfied.   GRADE----C+

 

 

 

 

SUMMER OF SOUL, IN THE HEIGHTS, RITA MORENO:THE GIRL WHO DECIDED...,TINA, OUR LADIES, FOUR GOOD DAYS, CRUELLA, SPARKS BROTHERS, BLACK WIDOW, PETER RABBIT 2:RUNAWAY, QUIET PLACE 2, FINDING YOU, HERE TODAY, THE ICE ROAD, plus oldies NOTTING HILL, DON'T WORRY HE WONT GET FAR ON FOOT, BEE GEES: HOW CAN YOU MEND..., CAST A DARK SHADOW, THE MIRROR HAS 2 FACES ,plus WC FIELDS and NEIL SIMON!

I skipped a month of reporting, so I have an unusually long list of films to to write about.  Here are the new things for this year.

SUMMER OF SOUL---This easily jumps to the top of my list, and will possibly top my year's end list as well.  Tapes of a recorded summer long concert covering 6 weekends in 1969, same year that WOODSTOCK concert got all the attention, have finally been assembled along with interviews with singers and musicians and promoters and politicians and the general public fill out this exhuberant and joyous celebration of black soul, pop, gospel, jazz and everything in between, music.  The long list of performers include Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Hugh Masekela, the Staple Singers , the Fifth Dimension and many others.  Here's the first WOW of the year.          GRADE----------A

IN THE HEIGHTS--Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote and is featured in this bright new musical based on his Broadway play which won the top musical Tony award several years ago, and came just before his big hit HAMILTON made him a house hold word.  It is filled with lively song and dance routines as it tells the story of a hot summer week in New York City, with major characters wanting to make their dreams a reality, but reality has other plans. I enjoyed the film greatly, but I have two small complaints, though.  The singers sing so fast (and some dialogue and lyrics are in Spanish language) and talk quickly too, that I wanted there to be some English subtitles.   I got the jest anyway but probably missed some choice lines. My second complaint:  the many songs come fast and furious, and in spite of some wonderful direction and clever choreography, there really isn't one great ballad or showstopper in the bunch.  The opener song IN THE HEIGHTS is probably the best, but does anyone walk out with the tune or words on the tip of your tongue?   The amusingly choreographed song 96,000 is a joy to watch as it pays tribute to director Busby Berkley with scenes of dancing in a giant community swimming pool, but where are songs like (all from HAMILTON) My Shot, You'll Be Back, The Room Where It Happens, Satisfied , the opener Alexander Hamilton, just to name a few of more than a dozen memorable songs?                                      GRADE-------B+

CRUELLA--A new Disney film about the early life of Cruella deVille--she with the half black, half white hair.  There is a lot of exposition leading up to the wild scenes of one-ups-man-ship between her (Emma Stone)  and her evil mentor (played with delicious precision by the witty Emma Thompson.)  The set designs and costumes are spectacularly effective and there is a high level of professionalism, creativity, special effects and humor on display.  Very engaging, especially for adults and more mature teens.         GRADE------B+

OUR LADIES---This small British film set in the late 1990's concerns a group of teenage girls who travel to the big city from their small village to compete in a competitive musical program, and of course they spend their free time looking to pick up and "shag" teen age boys and doing lots of drinking.  The dialogue is loaded with spicy sexual language--it made me wonder if girls were really so forward since they all came from a private religious school run by nuns.  But the girls were portrayed with a realistic seriousness and some lines and situations were really funny--sometimes there was so much laughter in the small theatre that I missed the follow up lines.  This film was released in London in late 2019 but delayed because of the covid restrictions until this last month in the USA.                     GRADE-------------B+

RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT!--This Netflix documentary about the remarkable singer, actress and dancer is just about perfect.  It has clips from her many films, and great talking heads  talking about her life, and Rita also makes many choice observations.  It covers all her memorable films (and not so memorable) and delivers some surprising life choices, all in cohesive, timely order.    This is a must see for historical film fans, and Rita fans alike.                   GRADE---------B+

TINA----Here is another fine HBO film documentary about musical pop star Tina Turner, covering her childhood, early days as part of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, her abuse at the hands of Ike and her struggle to start over once she broke from him.   In my opinion, they save her greatest song for the end--SIMPLY THE BEST.                               GRADE-----------------B+

SPARKS BROTHERS---Another fine musical documentary, I knew nothing about this "group" of two brothers who have been together for nearly 50 years and although they were born in Los Angeles, they spent many years making music in England, commuting back and forth, and have been influential with musical insiders.  They sound at times like Duran Duran, or Queen, or Super Tramp, or other boy bands (Herman's Hermits and the early Beatles come to mind) but they are very talented) but it is a unique sound and the documentary was always interesting and makes me want to listen to more.       GRADE--------B+ 

PETER RABBIT 2: RUNAWAY---Animation mixed with live action, this follow up to PETER RABBIT from  a few years back is charming and I though pretty funny, especially with Peter voiced by British actor James Corden, and I was pretty hoppy watching it.                             GRADE----------B+

BLACK WIDOW--Another Marvel Comics film with a lot heart, centered around the "fake" family that is torn apart when the two sisters are still young.  That's the first 20 minutes, and we get to see what the Scarlett Johansson (Natassha) character had to put up with being trained as an killer before she escapes to become an Avenger .  I was impressed with the whole fake family unit which includes Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz and David Harbour, who gets all the funny lines.    The action sequences are pretty good--they reminded me of quality James Bond 007 films.              GRADE-------B

FOUR GOOD DAYS  --Mila Kunis nearly steals the film from the great Glenn Close.  They play daughter and mother, trying to keep Kunis clean so she can get a drug that keeps her from relapsing.  Drug addiction may be a familiar theme, but watching these two women interact kept me engaged.              GRADE------------------B

THE QUIET PLACE II--Here's an effective follow up to the first film, with a lot of tension generated by quiet scenes.  My big questions is:  why does the mother and her kids walk around with no shoes or socks, when the aliens have smashed up many buildings, windows, cars, etc.  Other characters seem to wear their shoes sensibly.                        GRADE------------B

FINDING YOU--Talented violinist can't get a professional position, so she goes off to Ireland to find herself, learns to play better in pubs, and finds a cute actor boyfriend, who may or may not still be attached to his actress girlfriend.   The scenery is great, the music is toe tapping, and the film is rescued by the moving role of an elderly mysterious woman in senior care who the violinist reads to, played with great dignity by Vanessa Redgrave.  A simple pleasure.                       GRADE-----B

HERE TODAY---It's an awkward lame title, but I found the jokes about an older writer (Billy Chrystal) who is suffering from dementia and needs the care of a jobless, big hearted woman (Tiffany Haddish) to be pretty funny, even when the film wallows occasionally in schmaltz.  If you go in with low expectations, the film can be a delightful surprise.                  GRADE-----------B

THE ICE ROAD--This Netflix film has Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder and Laurence Fishburne as big rig drivers driving across northern Canada frozen waters with melting ice blocking their way, as well as another threat.  As action thrillers go, this one is not bad, and Neeson, well, he's the man.                    GRADE----------------B-

THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES--Animated madness.  On a family road trip to deliver their daughter to college, electrical devises have gone berserk, declaring to take over the universe against mankind.  Not bad, and amusing if you are interested and in the right mood.               GRADE--------B-

12 MIGHTY ORPHANS--Based on a true story, an orphanage in 1939 hires a football coach who builds up a team, lifting morale.  Luke Wilson, Robert Duval, Treat Williams, Wayne Knight and a likeable drunk doctor played by Martin Sheen star in this old fashioned sports drama.       GRADE---------B-

THE TOMORROW WARS--Chris Pratt is a likeable actor and manages to keep us interested, even if the plot holes are enormous at times (especially the time travel mumbo jumbo) and the coincidences keep mounting.  But the monsters are diverting and plot just keeps zooming along.       GRADE--------B- 

THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD--We are supposed to believe that skinny Angelina Jolie is a tough firefighter who can out run a fire (and the bad guys) with a shovel and heavy gear (I didn't believe it).  Towards the end a young boy is eating rationed food and asks her if she eats it.  Sure.  That's why you're so skinny.  I'm lean, she responds.  Modestly entertaining.              GRADE----------B-

THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT--Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga take any real horror out of these conjuring films--they are too sensible and smart.  I felt like I've seen many excorcist films, and this one had nothing new to offer.  Some scares were great but others were ho hum. (The best scenes are given away in the trailer, which I saw 6-8 times.)  Wish it were better.        GRADE-----B-

F9:THE FAST SAGA--In spite of some entertaining sequences of car and truck chases, the film is rather dumb and boring. It goes waaaay over the top.  Sending a hot car into space strapped to a rocket--really?  It's one of my least favorite in the FAST AND FURIOUS series, and John Cena seems to growl and frown excessively.  The actors seemed happier to see each other scene for scene, than I was to see them.                      GRADE---------C+

@ZOLA--The film feels like a Twitter written script--oh yeah, it was a Twitter story.  It is also sleazy and has a disjointed feel, and it's seeped in violence, prostitution, bullying, and criminality.  I felt like I needed a shower after watching this train wreck of a story, but I did like the work of Taylour Paige who I recently saw in BOOGIE and MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, and also the menacing pimp Colman Domingo, also in MA RAINEY'S.                  GRADE---------------C+

WRATH OF MAN--Jason Statham plays a cold, mysterious security man until it becomes clear that this Guy Ritchie film is basically a cold violent revenge/ avenge thriller that we've seen before in various forms.     GRADE--------------C+

THE HIGH NOTE--Basically the assistant of a popular singer wants to make it big as a record producer, but insecure singer keeps her in check.  However, I was surprised by the ending!       GRADE------C+

TOGETHER TOGETHER--Patti Harrison plays the surrogate mother for single 40-something Ed Helms who wants a baby.  These two standup comedians each have their moments, but the film is very subdued and low key and seems to amount to not much.                    GRADE--------C+

THINGS HEARD AND SEEN--Although advertised as a horror film, this film doesn't go there so much as a mental anguish drama caused by a young wife's loneliness and suspicion of her husband's infidelity when they move from the city to a small village.  Amanda Seyfried is fine and James Horton is a cad, and oddly he does have two nude (from behind) scenes of no importance!                    GRADE--------C+

GOOD ON PAPER---The main character is a standup comedian, but the little stories she tells the live audience at the start of several scenes have no humor and no impact.  She meets a man who looks good on paper but may have a problem with telling the truth.  I found this to be quite dull despite a promising set up.               GRADE---------C

HITMAN'S WIFE'S BODYGUARD--This violent chaotic comedy nearly drove me from the theatre in the first 20 minutes, and in retrospect, I wish I'd left.  The over the top plot makes no sense, sometimes a one liner or double take made me laugh, but the film looks so frenetic and the camera work is so wiggly that I couldn't tell what was happening in most scenes.  Ugh.           GRADE-----------D+

 

VINTAGE OLDIES SEEN ON TV or DVD-------------------

NOTTING HILL 1999--Believe it or not, I've never seen this film except in brief clips, and of course that famous line "I'm just a boy standing in front of a girl asking her to love me." or is it a girl in front of a boy---nonetheless, I found this to be an enchanging and fanciful romantic comedy that was just about perfectly acted and scripted, with many many memorable scenes.          GRADE----A

BEE GEES:HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART--2020--Here's a near perfect documentary that was insightful, informative and entertaining that covers the brother's childhood, early successes breakups and stardom.  I come away with a greater understanding and appreciation of their musical legacy.          GRADE---------A-

DON'T WORRY, HE WON'T GET FAR ON FOOT 2018--I believe this was the closing night feature of the Seattle International Film Festival which I missed, the film is based on the book by John Callahan who lost the use of his legs during a tragic drunken auto accident and became known for his caustic witty cartoon drawings.  Joaquin Phoenix stars as Callahan, Jonah Hill plays this AA sponsor and Gus Van Sant is the director.  The comedy drama deals with the anger and resentment Callahan had to deal with but the film suggests he managed to overcome many issues.  Jack Black plays his friend whose drunkenness caused the accident, and Rooney Mara plays his care giver and girlfriend.      GRADE-----------B+

CAST A DARK SHADOW 1955--Dirk Bogarde marries then murders his older wives but meets his match when he tries to engage with a stranger new to town.  This black and white blu ray copy of British film noir looked terrific.                GRADE-----------B+

THE HONEY POT 1967--A smooth and sophisticated comedy-mystery written and directed by Joseph L. Mankeiewicz (LETTER TO THREE WIVES, ALL ABOUT EVE, CLEOPATRA, SLEUTH, ETC) is inspired by the play Volpone by Ben Johnson.  Wealthy Rex Harrison takes on an assistant (Cliff Robertson) to play a trick on the three women who meant the most to him in his life (Susan Hayward, Capucine and Edie Adams) calling them all to his side and fake dying, to see which woman wants his estate money the most.  They all have a reason for wanting it.  But a murder changes the game, and the comic tone becomes more sinister.  Maggie Smith is a nurse maid to one of the women and becomes intertwined with the proceedings and nearly steals the movie from the other women.  There are a number of twists and turns, and Harrison plays his role to the hilt.                     GRADE---------------B+

WANTED FOR MURDER 1946--British film noir about a disturbed rich man who takes to strangling single women, yet leaving clues for the police as if wanting to get caught.  On the same dvd as CAST A DARK SHADOW above--it's not as strong a film but it looks great on Blu ray.      GRADE---------B

THE CHEAP DETECTIVE 1978--This Neil Simon comedy is pretty funny if you are in the right mood.   Peter Falk plays the lead, and he has a number of ex-girlfriends including Louise Fletcher, Madeline Kahn, Ann-Margaret and Eileen Brennan, and also featured are James Coco and Stockard Channing.  The film is a parody of MALTESE FALCON and CASABLANCA and film noir in general and I quickly found much to laugh about.  You'll love it or hate it.                 GRADE---------B

THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES 1996--Barbra Streisand directed and stars in this comedy/romance/drama, which I enjoyed better this time than when I first saw it in 1996.  She portrays an "ugly" duckling college professor who falls for fellow professor Jeff Bridges, who has a problem with beautiful woman who distract him too much.  They make a deal to stay platonic unless he's given lots of notice if she wants sex (!) Yes, an odd premise but the first half plays well like a romantic comedy, and then gets weird when they marry and after a few weeks she wants sex, and he has a break down.  Her vain, sarcastic mother always has a rude comment to make about the situation, and Lauren Bacall has a lot of fun with the part.  Pierce Brosnan is her brother in law with whom she has had a long attraction, and her glamorous sister is Mimi Rogers.  The film is not perfect but it is more interesting than most romantic comedy/dramas.  The main problem is that Streisand is not ugly even when she is trying to be dowdy, and when she does do a major physical make over you can sympathize with Bridges' shock (my wife and I both said she looked better before the make over.)              GRADE-------B

LOST IN YONKES 1993--Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway play for 1991, this Neil Simon comedy drama has two great child actors, and Mercedes Ruehl, Richard Dreyfuss and Irene Worth.  The strict Grandma's two male grandchildren  must move in with her while their father tries to make some money during the depression as a traveling salesman.  Ruehl plays her slightly handicapped daughter who is dating another "special" man (David Strathairn.)  Dreyfus plays a small time crook of an uncle who takes the boys under his wing.  It's a solid story with some great character actors.       GRADE--------B

HALSTON 2019--Ewan McGregor is a pretty good Halson and Krysta Rodiguez makes an outstanding Liza Minelli in this bio pic of the famous designer.  There is a lot of homosexual activity and drug use that may annoy some viewers.                    GRADE------------B

THE 12TH MAN--2017--This Norwegian film is based on a true story of a dozen men sent out as spies during WWII and working against the Germans, but things go very wrong early on in their mission, and 11 men are captured and quickly shot as spies.  The last 12th man spends several months avoiding Nazi soldiers and tries to make his way to London.  It's a remarkable effort (when trying to escape he loses both his shoes, and its the middle of winter in Germany) and many people don't trust him.    GRADE--------B

HOT MILLIONS --1968--This low key, slow burn comedy has Peter Ustinov trying to extort money from the British company he works with.  He meets and marries his new secretary (Maggie Smith) and the two have a charming relationship that develops in an unusual manner, and the ending is a heartwarming surprise.  Karl Malden and Bob Newhart also star.             GRADE-------B

5 FLIGHTS UP --2014--A warm and thoughtful story of a retired couple who decide to move to an apartment on the main floor, or at least one with an elevator.  It helps that Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman play the couple, and the humor is gentle but pointed as they have to deal with fussy and rude New Yorkers and pushy and odd estate agents.                       GRADE--------B

PEOPLE WILL TALK--1951--Cary Grant is a doctor who meets, then marries Jeanne Crain who has recently discovered she's pregnant.  The themes include premarital sex, suicide, societal gossip and trust.  It's a serious comedy, and the leads are excellent.              GRADES-------B-

SHACK OUT ON 101--1955--This small isolated cafe becomes a hot bed of international spies and nuclear secrets, and one of the spies is having an affair with the waitress, but the strongest reason for seeing this fiilm is one of the first appearances of Lee Marvin who plays a young cook, happy to torment and abuse the waitress Terry Moore.  Keenan Wynn plays the cafe manager, and Frank Lovejoy is one of the spies.  It's a curious film noir, and you can see why and how Marvin became such a big star 10 years later.        GRADE------------B-

THE GIVER--2014--Based on a young adult novel series, this ambitious film about a society the seems democratic on the surface is rather autocratic, hiding truth and free choice for the "good" of the citizens.  Elder Jeff Bridges is the "giver" who instructs the youthful Brenton Thwaites in the past history, opening his eyes to the falseness of society.  Meryl Streep makes a creepy official.                   GRADE------B-

HAMSTEAD--2019--A divorced woman meets and tries to help a man who has lived  for 17 years in a shack he built on government property but now the city is trying to kick him out.  Diane Keaton and Brendon Gleeson star, with Lesley Manville as a trouble maker.   Based on a true story, the film is low key and likeable, but maybe not too memorable.                 GRADE----------B-

YOU CAN'T CHEAT AN HONEST MAN--1939--W.C. Fields is a circus owner with a beautiful daughter who falls for the ventriliquest Edgar Bergan, but of course Fields objects.  He ends up  insulting the rich society couple who have a son that is courting the daughter played by Constance Moore.              GRADE--------B-

THE BANK DICK--1940--W.C.Fields accidentally foils a bank robbery and is awarded a job as bank security officer, and his ineptitude keeps a banker from loosing money on a fake scheme.  As in all Fields films, excessive booze and a beautiful daughter plays a main theme in the comedy.              GRADE---B-

NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK--This time Fields is a script writer trying to sell a director a film with an outrageous plot, which is completely acted out in scene to scene.  Singer Gloria Jean plays his daughter--who has a glorious voice.  The fantasy/movie scenes are rather stupid but Fields makes the most of them with comic bits, many including his hats.             GRADE------B-

THE SECRET OF THE WHISTLER 1946--Richard Dix, who has starred in most of the Whistler series, again stars as an artist who lives off his rich wife, while keeping a mistress (his model, natch) on the side.  His life changes when his sickly wife gets wind of the affair.           GRADE--------B-

THE THIRTEENTH HOUR --1947--Richard Dix owns a struggling trucking company.  When his truck is stolen, a cop is killed by the robber, but Dix is framed for the murder.           GRADE-------B-

THE RETURN OF THE WHISTLER--1948--A soon to be married couple are stranded in a small town when their car breaks down.  In the morning, the bride to be has disappeared (separate bedrooms, naturally) and the groom  struggles to find her, uncovering a whole new set of truths about her.    Dix did not appear in this film.  All the Whistler films had solid, complicated plots, filmed in black and white, and were good examples of film noir style within their small budgets.          GRADE---------------B-

AGATHA AND THE TRUTH OF MURDER--2018--An older nurse is murdered on a train and more than a  year later writer Christie is hired to find out who and why by her older roommate. Set during the time Agatha Christie  disappeared for 11 days with police out looking for her.      GRADE---B-

AGATHA AND THE CURSE OF ISTAR 2019--Christie goes to Baghdad seeking relaxation, but finds an attractive archaeologist with a bullet in his forehead (her future 2nd husband!) and a murder to solve. This is the second PBS film using different actors as Agatha Christie, portraying what might have happened in her life.                 GRADE-----B-

AGATHA AND THE MIDNIGHT MURDERS---2020--A single setting in the basement of a restaurant during an air raid, someone has stolen the manuscript of her final Poirot mystery, and they are in the basement with her.   All the British actors are fine, but the low budgets and low key drama begs for some glamour.          GRADE---B-

THE WAR LOVER--1962--A modest WWII film with Steve McQueen as an arrogant but skillful flier who bullies his crew, and when he dislikes someone he has them transferred out of his circle.  Robert Wagner is his quiet friend, but when Wagner starts a wartime affair in London McQueen tries to muscle in on the lover Shirley Anne Field.                          GRADE---------C+

TERROR STREET--1953--Soldier/flier Dan Duryea returns from being gone on a long mission, but finds his wife dead and he is framed for her murder and has just 24 hours to find the real killer.  Nice film noir but needs some oomph.            GRADE--------C+

SLUGGER'S WIFE--1985--A Neil Simon drama about baseball player who excels on the field when his singer wife is in attendance, but when she tries to build up her own career on the road, he falls apart.  Michael O'Keefe, Rebecca  deMornay, Martin Ritt and Randy Quaid are featured in this dull, pointless slog, surprisingly directed by the normally fine Hal Ashby who directed such classics as BOUND FOR GLORY, THE LANDLORD, SHAMPOO, HAROLD AND MAUDE, LAST DETAIL, COMING HOME and BEING THERE.

                                                                                                                                  

THE OSCARS ARE ON TV THIS SUNDAY 25 APRIL 5PM! YEP IT'S BEEN A WEIRD MOVIE YEAR BUT MANY OF THE OSCAR FILMS CAN BE VIEWED ON DEMAND OR ON HULU, NETFLIX OR AMAZON OR PRIME VIDEO. FAVORITE NEW FILMS VIEWED INCLUDE THE FATHER, MINARI, NOBODY AND YES, HILLBILLY ELEGY

THE FATHER--Anthony Hopkins is working at his peak these days, and THE FATHER gives him his juiciest role in a while.  His mind is slipping into dementia and we feel his pain.  In fact, I thought I was loosing my mind at times while watching this film as characters seemed to change from scene to scene with different actors suddenly appearing, then disappearing,  It all makes sense during the final 15 minutes with Hopkins devastating and heartrending tour de force.  This is the best moment of his career, and he should be the Oscar winner, were it not of for the forceful dramatic turn (and sentimental posthumus vote) that Chadwick Bozeman passing gives to MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM.  THE FATHER is also Oscar nominated for film, script, supp. actress Olivia Coleman and editing.                 GRADE----A

MINARI--An immigrant Korean family sturggles to make it as farmers and chicken handlers in the 1960's in Alabama, but struggle with bad water problems, society, nature, and grandma in this quiet, gentle film which has many lovely moments and some fine actors, but not much plot.  MINARI has Oscar nominations for film, actor Steven Yeon, director, supp. actressYuh-Jung Youn, script and music.              GRADE------B

NOBODY--Very violent and bloody, and I enjoyed it a lot.  Big guilty pleasure.  A mild mannered guy with a family is pushed to the limits by the Russian mafia and that brings out his previous life and training as a kick ass government agent, so a lot of scores get settled.  Very much in a familiar vein (Clint Eastwood) from other revenge films (Liam Neeson) we've seen ad nauseum (Charles Bronson) but manages to include a lot of humor and deadpan that really worked.                     GRADE--------B

WHITE TIGER--A good swift script saves this story of a poor Indian boy and his rise to riches in spite of many indignations and caste racism he must endure.  It reminded me a bit of SLUMDOG MILLIONARE.   Oscar nominee for best script.                      GRADE------------B

 THE COURIER--It's a cold war spy thriller with a naive busnessman recruited to bring sensitive material from East Germany to his home in the U.S.  Low key tension, moody interior and exterior shots, emphasis on the human sacrifices involved.  Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel Brosnahan (TV's MRS MAISEL),Jessie Buckley and Merab Ninidze are featured.        GRADE--------B

HILLBILLY ELEGY--Waited a long while to view this one, but was pleasantly surprised how smooth and slickly filmed it is, in spite of the melodramatic premise.  The film centers on the struggles of a smart young man who is determined to break away from the drama of his poor  money hungry family while he attempts to find an internship at a law firm, and it's based on a true story.  His mother (Amy Adams) is a  drug addict which causes no end to the family problems, and his "Gamaw" (Glenn Close) has overcome a tough life to become the calming presence in his life. Film flashes back to many scenes that illuminate what he is going through in present time.  Close has 8 Oscar nominations, and she is the heartfelt center of this film, so I'm hoping this is her year to win, although some cliches about white trash folks have rankled many critics of the film.   Also nominated for hair/makeup.               GRADE--------B 

VOYAGERS--Hundreds of young teens are trained to travel 80 years into space towards the new planet to populate with their grandchildren.  Along for the ride is the one adult Colin Firth who is trying to keep a lid on some rumors and paranoia. SPOILER ALERT!!!! When he dies from a freak accident  the kids go  wild in a redo of the novel LORD OF THE FLIES with bullies taking charge and common sense flying out of the window.  That plus raging hormones take over the space craft.  The young attractive cast keeps the film watchable although you can guess what's going to happen next.     GRADE----------B-

RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON--The newest Disney film to open in theatres and on Disney+ is quality animation to be sure, but a month after I've seen it I can't remember any of the supporting characters names.  The plot is hokum and the sightgags are forgettable.                GRADE------B-

THE UNHOLY--Here's more hokum about a Salem witch burned on a tree, but her spirit lives in a corn doll discovered at the foot of the tree by a skeptical but discredited journalist who picks up the story of a teen girl who becomes possessed by the spirit (really the devil because the burned woman had sold her soul to the devil at the last moment)!?!......Filmed in remarkable smooth takes, and the actors, especially the lead Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Grey's Anatomy, Walking Dead, Watchmen) were pretty good.  There's only a couple of really scary moments but it was nice to see a suspense film about "religion."                               GRADE------------B-  

FRENCH EXIT--Based on a novel, the film is a collection of odd, misfit characters who all end up in a borrowed apartment that she ends up in after spending her late husbands inheritance.  "My plan was to die before the money ran out."  It's quirky and odd, and not very funny, and although Michelle Pfeiffer is intriguing to watch, she is such a lethargic mother (to son Lucas Hedge) and has no sense of money, that it is hard to generate any sympathy for her.                   GRADE--------C+

BOOGIE--This familiar film about a young Asian teen who wants to become a basketball star but has trouble with authority is a nice try by first time director, but it's alternately dull and predictable.             GRADE-----------------C

AUDREY--This documentary about the iconic actress who won an Oscar at age 24 in her first major film (ROMAN HOLIDAY)  and went on to made a number of iconic films, although she only appeared in 34 films.  Certainly a quality documentary would be welcome, but this aimless film features clips from only a handful of her movies, and spends a lot of time talking about her childhood avoiding Nazis and spending nearly 20 minutes of time on her UNICEF volunteer work after she retired.  In addition there must be nearly 20 minutes of a ballerina (who does not look like Hepburn) dancing around a studio.  This is a major disappointment.  My favorite Hepburn films:  My Fair Lady, Two for the Road, Charade, and Wait Until Dark.                      GRADE-----------C

CONCRETE COWBOY--Based on a non fiction article about Ghetto Cowboys, this film stars Idris Elba and Caleb Mclaughlin as a father and son team who spend the summer together after mom has had enough.  It's tough love time so the father has to insist his son work and avoid certain bad influences.  I wanted to like this more, but the film feels messy and predictable. And though I liked the fact that they lived in a horse centric inner city, I wanted more info about that aspect of their lives.  Perhaps a feature documentary about Black inner city cowboys would be more interesting.        GRADE------------C

 

CLASSIC FILMS WATCHED ON DVD------------------------

MY HOUSE IN UMBRIA 2003--A pleasing blend of mystery, terrorism, Italian scenery, the healing process, and character studies.  After a bomb explodes on a train, Maggie Smith and a couple other survivors recover at her lovely home in Umbria where she builds relationships with each.  When the traumatized child's uncle comes to take her away, she tries to convince him (Chris Cooper) to let her stay.  Lovely scenery, and Maggie Smith won an Emmy for her role.           GRADE--------B

FUNERAL IN BERLIN 1966--This is the first of three Michael Caine films I saw last month.  This is sort of a sequel to THE IPCRESS FILE from my previous.  Caine is still British spy sent to west Berlin to help an old Russian general defect from east Berlin by using a casket to "transport" the supposedly dead body, but when the casket is opened----oops---not the Russian, but someone who can cause a lot of problems.  This is a slow burn, but entertainingly  low key.                 GRADE------------B

BLACK WINDMILL--1974--Michael Caine works as a low level spy for the British, but not the same one (Harry Palmer) as FUNERAL IN BERLIN.  His son is kidnapped for ransom for millions in diamonds that his boss has dealt with, so they know that the kidnapper is someone from within their ranks.  As a thriller it works pretty well for the victim and his wife, and the kidnapper gets some screen time as well.  With John Vernon,  Donald Pleasance, Janet Suzman and Delphine Seyrig.             GRADE---------B

WHISTLE BLOWER 1986--Caine is a spy again, but this time his son (also a low level spy) is murdered and he tries to track down the why and who, and this leads him up the corporate ladder.  I like this story until the final 10 minutes which I felt was unbelievable.                              GRADE------------B-

THE AWFUL TRUTH 1937--Cary Grant and Irene Dunne play a married couple who suspect each other of infidelity although no proof has been presented from either side, and so decide to divorce.  They each try to date others, but they each sabotage the efforts of the other.  This is light weight stuff, and some of it is very charming, and some just downright silly.  This was one of the earliest film in which Grant played the suave ladies man that he kept playing nearly the rest of his life.                      GRADE------B

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE 1933--This was one of the earliest feature length films staring W.C.Fields--most of which I have not seen, so I bought a 10 pack of his films.  He's a drunken pilot in this one who flies helter skelter around the world to Wuhu China to bid on a new invention, but the plot is silly stuff--it's the little bits of business that make this such a joy to watch.  Great bits by George Burns and Gracie Allen, as a nutty doctor and ditzy nurse, Cab Calloway, Rudy Vallee, Rose Marie, Bela Lugosi, Peggy Hopkins Joyce, Sterling Hollloway and more.   In the right mood this is fun.        GRADE---------B

IT'S A GIFT 1934-----Clever comedy has Fields as a hen-pecked grocer who grabs at a chance to buy an orange field out in California, against the wishes of his family and cranky wife (the amusing Kathleen Howard who often appears in Fields' films as his wife, but not always!).  His disagreeable family is matched by his demanding store customers, and there's a 2 great scenes with Baby LeRoy involving molassas and one with grapes.  I loved the corker of an ending!                   GRADE------B

YOU'RE TELLING ME 1934--Fields is a heavy drinker in this one (as in many films) and meets a real princess but doesn't realize it, treating her with indifference, and  nearly ruining his daughter's wedding plans.  Still things seem to work out in his favor.             GRADE--------B-

THE OLD FASHIONED WAY 1934--Fields is the leader of a traveling theatrical troupe, but he borders on incompetence.  The few jokes don't work (indeed it is the least funny film in the series,) and the plot drags.               GRADE----------C

MAN ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE 1935-- Amusing story of a memory expert for a company who tries to take off a day of work to see a wrestling match, but things go very wrong.  Funny and witty with a corker of an ending.             GRADE--------B

POPPY 1936--Sentimental story of poor huckster trying to provide for his daughter.  Not bad but missing the humorous genius some of the earlier films had.                 GRADE-------B-

PENGUIN POOL MURDERS--1932--Stuffy teacher Edna May Oliver is an amateur  sleuth, and James Gleason is the proper police detective and together they have some fun trying to solve a murder at the aquarium, while being attracted to each other.                    GRADE--------C+

MURDER ON THE BLACKBOARD  1934--Teacher sleuth Edna May Oliver and Detective James Gleason  tromp around a dark school trying to catch a murderer.  Oliver left the series of HILDEGARDE WITHER MYSTERY FILMS after these two feature but Gleason kept on with different Miss Wither's actors.    I'm hoping the next 4 films will be a little livelier.                 GRADE----------C+

 

OSCAROSCAROSCAROSCAROSCAR******************OSCAR

Sunday 25 APRIL 5pm Pacific Time

Here are some thoughts--

Best Picture Nominees--PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN has some issues but it is my favorite film of the year--a ground breaking job by Carey Mulligan.  I've never seen her do anything like this before even though she's  previously been nominated for acting.  The story is so interesting that I keep thinking about the twists and issues that are crammed into this film.  Basically a film about revenge, but with thoughtful purpose, and it never quite goes where you think it is going. It also has a (somewhat twisted) sense of humor.

NOMADLAND is smooth and beautiful to look at and presents a way of life that is seldom shown.  Frances McDormand is as usual compelling--things are always going on behind her eyes, and the film is populated by actual nomads who get to share their feelings and stories which adds gravitas to the setting.  I'd have no problem with this film winning for direction, picture or actress.

THE FATHER--Perhaps the most perfectly constructed, written and acted film of the bunch, with Anthony Hopkins giving a career high performance. 

THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7--Very literate, yet extremely witty and funny, I laughed throughout this film, written by the great Aaron Sorkin.  A history lesson has never been so entertaining.

SOUND OF METAL--Excellently acted by Riz Ahmed, and a thoughtful plot about a young musician loosing his hearing and having to change his head-banger existance for the world of silence and signing.

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH--This bio pic about Black Panther leader Fred Hampton and his relationship with his girlfriend and best male friend who is going to betray him.  This is the first major film from a mostly Black crew (including director and writers) and shows great promise.  Hampton is played with great diversity by Daniel Kaluuya (GET OUT, BLACK PANTHER, QUEEN AND SLIM) and I'd put money down that he will win best supporting actor.

MINARI--A gentle, thoughtful film about Korean immigrants moving to farming in Alabama in the 1960's.  It has a chance of winning best actor Steven Yeun if Chadwick Boseman from MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM and Anthony Hopkins for THE FATHER split the vote.  It also has a chance for Yuh-Jung Youn to win best supporting actress if Glenn Close for HILLBILLY ELEGY and Maria Bakslova for BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIE split their vote.

MANK--This bio pic about the writer of CITIZEN KANE is visually impressive, but it feels labored and heartless, and it's my least favorite film among nominees, but it may pick up some technical categories. 

For best SONG I'm rooting for HUSEVIK (MY HOMETOWN) from the silly but funny film EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA

Enjoy the Oscar show.  With a year like this, anything can happen!