MANGROVE --This is the first of five SMALL AXE films by British director Steve McQueen who previously directed 12 YEARS A SLAVE, SHAME and THE WIDOWS, and these are all done for BBC TV and shown on Prime Video--they all deal with the racial discrimination in England during the 1960-s up through the 1980s, and most all the characters are black, from the West Indies. Otherwise each story is independent with different characters and nearly constant music is key in most of the films. This first one deals with a restaurant owner who is hassled by police who think his building is housing political extremists. The community starts to gather around him, and after a peaceful protest that turns violent thanks to a racist cop, the film culminates in a lengthy courtroom trial. GRADE-----------------------A-
ROCKERS AND LOVERS --Young adults gather for a dance party that seems to last all night--the music blares over the sound track and becomes hypnotic. There is a remarkable scene where the women seem to melt out of the room and the men take over in a frenzy of masculinity angst. There's not a lot of plot in this one, but I found myself mesmerized with music and dance and the feeling of desperate men and anxious women trying hard to make connections. GRADE--------------A-
RED WHITE AND BLUE--This film features the only known famous actor John Boyega (from STAR WARS films) and he is very good, although all the characters in each film are excellently cast. He is a scientist, but would rather work for the police and struggles to become the first police man of color to join the force. This is the late 1960s, but racism within the force is his main problem. GRADE----A-
ALEX WHEATLE--This film follows several years of a young man newly arrived to London who naively learns what it means to be Black on the innercity streets--how to survive and avoid police and how to survive in jail. This film doesn't have the sharpest edge as the others, but it is fascinating and heartbreaking nonetheless. GRADE---------B+
EDUCATION--A preteen with some mild learning disabilities (he's smart, but managed to get to age 11 and still can't read) is sent to a special school which turns out to be nothing more than a babysitting experience for ineffective teachers, and his middle class mother struggles to get him into a school that will challenge him. All the above films were streaming on Prime Video. GRADE---------------B+
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THE SOUND OF METAL--A hard loud rocker realizes that his music is making him deaf, and he must make some hard choices about changing his lifestyle. He becomes involved in a school for the hard of hearing, but his hard living is in contrast with their philosophy. Extremely well acted by Riz Ahmed and Olivia Cooke and others. GRADE------------------A-
WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS--A teen with mental illness and a short temper has a determined mother who works to find him the right medication and school. At a new school he meets and becomes involved with a smart girl who is not put off by his anti social behavior. This is a well made film about the social issues of the mentally ill, treating him with respect. This unusual story doesn't pull any punches. Streaming on Prime Video and Amazon. GRADE--------------------B+
UNCLE FRANK--Streaming on Prime Video and Amazon, this comedy drama is set in the early 1970's and features a teenager fond of her Uncle Frank when he sometimes visits from New York to her small southern town. When she graduates from high school she moves to New York and finds out that her Uncle is gay and has been living with the same man for over 10 years. The death of her grandfather (Frank,s father) sends them back to the funeral, along with Frank's lover (Uncle Wally) to face unresolved issues from the past. Paul Betany, Peter Macdissi, Sophia Lillis, Steve Zahn, Stephen Root and Margo Martindale are featured. GRADE-------------B
PROM--Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Keegan Michael Key, Andrew Rannells--they all seem to be having a good time, but the plot is so silly and slight and forgettable and seems to go on forever, that even the jokes that land (mostly from Streep and Corden) and the songs that are any good (congrats to Keegan Michael Key) are not enough to make this LGBT teen movie more likeable. On Netflix. GRADE--------------------B-
MANK--A tribute biographical film about the screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz who won the original writing Oscar for CITIZEN KANE feels cold, lifeless and although the black and white photography feels right, and the set and costumes are smart, and Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davis and Gary Oldman as Mank (he's twice the age of the real Mankiewicz) are both interesting to watch, the film left me empty, and I'm a film buff! On Netflix, but recommended only if interested. GRADE---------B-
MIDNIGHT SKY--George Clooney stars in and directs this apocalyptic thriller that leaves a lot of questions behind as it lumbers along. We never learn, for example, about what happened to earth, expect there was some sort environment disaster that is killing the planet. Clooney plays an old, sick scientist who is the last one alive in the Arctic to trying to stop and turn around a returning space ship that has been gone for many years in search of a new safe earth beyond Jupiter, but we know very little about this new planet except that it is very promising. The returning ship has a small crew that is supposed to repopulate this new planet but their number is dwindling for various reasons. The technical look is interesting, and the other actors including Felicity Jones, David Oyeowo, Demain Bichir, and Kyle Chandler say their lines without laughing, but by the time it's mysteries have been answered, we don't really care. GRADE----B-
SANTA CHRONICLES II--Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn are back, thankfully,
as Mr and Mrs Claus, and even though some of the special effects are cheesy, the film talks about the origins of Christmas and is busy enough to entertain you in an undemanding manner. I loved the musical interlude set in a crowded airport on Christmas Eve. This was a modest guilty pleasure for me. Netflix. GRADE----------B-
LET HIM GO--Diane Lane and Kevin Costner star in this slow burn thriller, but that's ok since the actors are adept at keeping us involved and that adds to the satisfaction of the violent resolution. Their son dies in an accident, and his wife remarries a bad seed who abuses the wife and child, then moves across the country to his family headed by a cruel, wicked matriarch played with steely resolve by Leslie Manville. Of course, Lane is outraged and forces her husband to go with her to collect their grandchild. Easier said than done. It may not be the most original of stories, but Lane takes over the film with ease. I saw this at a theatre during the brief period of reopening in November with about 10 other patrons, all masked up and split with dozens of rows between each of us. GRADE------------------B-
THE CLIMB---This low budget indie film, also seen at a theatre with about 10 others, is an off beat comedy drama about a man who sleeps with his best friend's fiancee, and then keeps acting weird and needy, ruining relationships with all of his friends. Yet somehow the two friends keep their relationship going. I believe this is now streaming, but not sure where--check Prime, Netflix or Amazon or Hulu GRADE---------B-
JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY--Forest Whitiker plays a joyful toy maker--until he is back stabbed by his apprentice (Keegan Michael Key) and becomes a cranky old man. Years pass and his estranged daughter sends her young daughter to stay with him, and of course she is cheerful, positive and can sing and dance at the drop of a hat. Madalene Mills is a wonderful talent. The songs are mostly pleasant, and if you like dancing out of thin air, then you will enjoy this film. I found the plot creaky and cliched--it didn't make a lot of sense. Ricky Martin plays a toy soldier. Netflix will probably make this a seasonal film. GRADE-----------C+
THE LIFE AHEAD---Sophia Loren is the main reason for seeing this sad drama directed by her son. She's a former prostitute now running a day care, and her latest child is the boy who robbed her a day earlier. Unfortunately the drama and energy run low towards the end, and the feeling is that of a lost opportunity. GRADE----------C+
VINTAGE FILMS ON DVD or ON DEMAND
ALICE'S RESTAURANT 1969--Great counter culture film from director Arthur Penn (BONNIE AND CLYDE) based on song by Arlo Gutherie, who also appears as the lead. The first half is very funny, but the film becomes much more somber by the end. GRADE-------------A
MY FAVORITE WIFE 1940--Clever and witty film with Cary Grant whose wife has been missing and presumed dead for 7 years. On the day he remarries , she returns so suddenly he has two wives to contend with. The long missing wife is played by Irene Dunne, and the new wife is played in a shallow manner by Gail Patrick. Many wonderful lines and laughs and a screwball sensibility. GRADE---------A-
THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER 1942--Possibly the wittiest, snappiest script ever produced for a play and this movie by George Kaufman and Moss Hart, and the cast is at their best. Bette Davis shines in a rare (for her) comedy role, and other comedy actors include Ann Sheridan, Monty Wooley, Jimmy Durante, Richard Travis, Billie Burke and a dozen others. Wooley plays a famous but pompus radio personality who slips on the icy steps of his hosts and is forced to stay in their dining room for several weeks right before Christmas, throwing the household into a tizzy. GRADE------------A-
HOME ALONE 1990--When a large extended family all oversleep the morning they are leaving for a Paris vacation at Christmas, they rush from the house to catch their plane, accidentally leaving the youngest boy at home, and when they discover the mistake in Paris, they have a hard time returning due to heavy holiday traffic. The boy must soon defend his house against two rather stupid men intent on robbing, and the clever boy quickly takes the upper hand in a series of broadly slapstick scenes. The film is both clever and very funny at times and has just the right amount of sentiment. GRADE-----B+
CACTUS FLOWER--1969--Glib but mostly funny comedy with Walter Matthau as a dentist, who refuses to marry his girlfriend Goldie Hawn, claiming falsely that he's already married. When Hawn demands to meet his wife, he recruits his stern nurse (Ingrid Bergman) to portray her....Bergman at first resists, but soon starts to be attracted to Matthau. This was Hawn's first big movie role after TV's Laugh In, and she won an Oscar for it. GRADE---------- B+
GOLDFINGER 1964--I've seen this James Bond thriller half a dozen times before, but it had a brief run at my local cinema during the brief time theatres were open in November, and it was a pleasure to see it on the big screen. There were only about a dozen people, but I heard several exclaim as we were leaving--"Well, that was sure fun!" as if they'd never seen it before. GRADE----------B+
THE LAST OF SHIELA 1973--A twisted and witty plot about murder aboard a ship--think Agatha Christie only smaller--I've seen this one maybe 3 or 4 times before, but it is so convoluted that I can never quite remember who did what to whom, and the cast portraying Hollywood elite, is a real treat. James Coburn, Joan Hacket, Richard Benjamin, Raquel Welch, James Mason, Dyan Cannon, Ian McShane and others are all very effective, making this fun to view over and over again. GRADE----------B+
GODSPELL 1973--Musical version of stage play with some beautiful songs by Stephen Schwartz. A rag-tag group of modern New York City "hippie" types follow around a character playing Jesus (Victor Garber) and sing songs inspired by the Gospels. David Haskell plays the Judas role. Sometimes the dialogue and skits are very silly, and make me wince, but the music transcends all in basically a moving experience. GRADE--------------B
NIGHT AND DAY 1946--A musical biography of Cole Porter, complete with many of his songs, some preformed by Cary Grant, with Alexis Smith and Monty Wooley. If you know that he is gay, the plotting makes a lot more sense, as he chastely kisses women, and finds a lot of excuses to not commit to various relationships, although (in real life) he does eventually marry late in his career. The color photography and music make this easy to watch. GRADE-------B
IF ONLY YOU COULD COOK 1935--Herbert Marshal costars with Jean Arthur. He takes a break from his high profile job as auto designer, and in the park meets unemployed Jean Arthur, who complains that it's tough to be looking for a job, but there's one that needs a cook and a valet, if only she had a partner or husband. Somehow she hooks him into applying--and of course, they are accepted. (Only in the movies!) He goes back to the office at night, and is also supposed to be planning a wedding though he seems not very enthused. They are also working for what seem like gangsters--with good hearts, of course. It's a sweet natured comedy mixed with an improbable romance. GRADE---------B
THE WHOLE TOWN'S TALKING 1935--A rare comedy characterization by E.G. Robinson who plays a meek office worker who discovers he looks a lot like a Killer that is roaming the streets. When the office worker gets a letter from the police to avoid any more confusion, the Killer shows up at his home and demands the letter letting him roam the streets at night. Jean Arthur is a madcap coworker who tries to befriend him. Its a great plot and the actors are terrific. GRADE---------B
TOO MANY HUSBANDS--1940--Jean Arthur plays a woman whose husband has been missing and presumed dead for over a year, so she marries his best friend. Of course the first husband (Fred McMurry) soon returns and her new husband is frustrated (Melvyn Douglas). Plot wise it's a wacky screwball comedy with a lot of holes, and for a while it looks like it might turn into a menage a tois--which may have been more logical than some of the shenanigans. Still the actors have it under control. GRADE------------B
THE CHRISTMAS STORY 1983--Classic, sentimental film starring child Peter Billingsley and adults Darren McGavin and Melissa Dillon. I hadn't seen it for over 35 years, and it holds up better than I remembered, though there are a few episodes that seemed to drag a little. GRADE---------B
THE FAMILY STONE 2005--An extended family gathers at the parents house for Christmas, where girlfriends are introduced and family issues are brought to the surface. For some reason I enjoyed this better the second time than 15 years ago. With Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Luke Wilson, Claire Danes and a lot of funny small roles. GRADE-----------B
THE BISHOP'S WIFE 1948--A debonair angel comes to earth to help a bishop and his wife raise money for a new church, and the film is wonderfully set at Christmas time. It helps that the players are Cary Grant, David Niven, Loretta Young, and Monty Wooley.........GRADE-------------B
BATCHELOR AND THE BOBBIE SOXER 1947--Artist Cary Grant speaks at a high school, catching the eye of teen Shirley Temple, who misunderstands him and shows up at his apartment waiting for him, just as her strict sister Myrna Loy, a judge, arrives to find them in a compromising position. Because Temple is stubbornly attracted, it is determined (by who it is not clear!) that Grant should "date" her until she tires of their age difference. This age difference plot is a bit wonky for me, but I have to admit that towards the end there is a wild, screwball scene at a fancy restrauant where all the main characters happen to be at (?) that is one of the funniest scenes I've ever seen, and really makes the film pull together. GRADE---------------B
MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE 1948--Cary Grant and Myrna Loy leave the crowded city living to build a house in the country, but the house turns into a money pit. Apparently this was the inspiration for THE MONEY PIT 1983 film starring Tom Hanks and Shelley Long which didn't get very good reviews. GRADE-----------B-
BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON 2004--This is the third of four Bridget Jones films, and while I'm amused by her willingness to make fun of her body and self image, it is a case of shrinking returns--many jokes seem a rehash from the earlier two versions. Renee Zellweger is still goofy yet charming, and Hugh Grant and Colin Firth are as professional as ever, though I do have to wonder why Firth puts up with her insecurities which seem to repeat themselves in every film. I guess this is an easy guilty pleasure for me. GRADE---------B-
HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK 1992--Since I had just seen after many years, HOME ALONE, I watched HA 2: LINY and wondered why I couldn't remembered anything about it. That is because, HOME ALONG 2 is the very same film as HOME ALONE--just set in NYC and set at Christmas, which is the best part about it. Even the two dumb robbers are in it because they have, incredibly, escaped from prison and hidden in a truck to be dumped in the middle of New York just in front of the cute kid from the other film!!!! And they all end up at a distant relatives home that is being remodeled so that lots of dangerous equipment like nails, hammers, bricks, paint cans, etc are just lying around. I did enjoy watching it but seeing two films so similar back to back makes it hard to remember. GRADE--------------B-
HURRY SUNDOWN 1967--This long, mostly engrossing melodrama from director Otto Preminger has an epic feel, and a remarkable cast, including Jane Fonda, Michael Caine, Faye Dunaway, John Phillip Law, Burgess Meredith, Diahann Carol, Robert Hooks and many others, The southern accents aren't always consistent and sometimes the overbearing racism makes you wince, but Preminger has a way of plowing through the cliches to find truth in many scenes. GRADE-----------B-
ERAGON 2006--When country boy Eragon finds a blue egg, a dragon is soon born from it. He raises the dragon in secret and soon it becomes his soul dragon, protector and means of transportation, and some mean people are trying to kill the dragon and his self. This fantasy epic is enjoyable enough but rings slighter than the LORD OF THE RINGS series. Ed Speleers is not very dynamic in the lead, though Jeremy Irons and Robert Cralyle are fine. GRADE-------B-
BLACK NAVITY 2013--Based on a Langston Hughes 1961 play and featuring Forrest Whitiker, Angela Bassett, Jenifer Hudson, Jacob Latimore, Mary J. Blige and others, this musical wears it's heart on it's sleeve and it is well meaning, but hard to like mostly due to the heavy handedness of the film making. Don't go in expecting too much and you might like it. GRADE-----------B-
LITTLE 2019--Comedy fantasy of a mean boss who turns into a 12 year old girl for a few days (don't ask) and has to learn some tough lessons. Marsai Martin from TVs BLACKISH is fine as the girl, and Issa Rae is funny as her assistant. and the plot has some hits and misses in the laugh department, but it is fairly predictable. GRADE-------------B-
THE WHISTLER 1944, VOICE OF THE WHISTLER 1945, MYSTERIOUS INTRUADER 1946, POWER OF THE WHISTLER 1955--These are all short, low budget black and white films using the same lead actor (Richard Dix) , but in different roles and very different stories. In the first one listed, a depressed man takes out a hit on himself because his wife has died, then changes his mind, but doesn't know who the assassin will be. In VOICE, a man has only 6months to live, so he asks his nurse to marry him and inherit his estate. Unfortunately his illness disappears and the wife's lover appears......in MYSTERIOUS, a private eye chases after a dangerous killer and he becomes a suspect. In POWER, an innocent woman tries to help an amnesiac discover his true identity, but sometimes truth is not what is needed...... These all have lots of plot and are easy to watch, but sometimes they are a bit predictable. GRADE-------------B- for each one.
ADAM HAD FOUR SONS 1941--A young Ingrid Bergman arrives in the United States to become governess to four sons who have lost their mother. She also becomes close to their father (Warner Baxter), but when he loses his money and must send the boys to relatives or boarding school, he sends poor Ingrid back to Europe. Years later, she returns to resume her relationship. but a wicked Susan Hayward has married into the family and causes havoc. GRADE---------C+
SLEEP MY LOVE 1948--Claudette Colbert wakens on a speeding train with no idea where she's going or why she's on the train. Unfortunately that first 15 minutes is the best part of the film. Her mysterious husband (Don Ameche) can't explain it either, and a family friend (Robert Cummings) tries to solve the mystery. Directed by Douglas Sirk, though not his best. GRADE------------C+
THE CORN IS GREEN 1978--Katherine Hepburn tries her best but the film never takes off, even though George Cukor is the director. (Not his best, either.) She tries to set up a school in a poor coal mining part of England. I haven't seen the earlier version with Bette Davis, which I've hear is much better. GRADE------------C+
A WALK IN THE SPRING RAIN 1970--Soap opera about a middle aged woman who moves with her husband to the country so he can write his book, but she falls for a rough country man who has a difficult wife. Ingrid Bergman is lovely, and I found Anthony Quinn to be sympathetic as the landlord, one of the few roles that I've liked him in. GRADE-------------C+
