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!
