BEING THE RICARDOS--I may have been prejudiced about the overused Nicole Kidman being chosen to portray Lucille Ball in a new film about Lucy and Dezi Arnaz and their private life, but I happily take back all my negative thoughts after seeing this first rate comedy drama, written by the great Aaron Sorkin, and loosely based on some real events that were transposed by movie magic to occur all within one wild week. The fine cast also includes Javier Bordem as Desi, JK Simmons as Fred, and Nina Arianda as Ethel Mertz. Kidman, Bordem and Simmons have all recieved well deserved acting Oscar nominations for their roles. And fortunately, in spite of the drama involved, the film has some well deserved laughs to balance out the tension. GRADE---------A-
THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD--This Norwegian film (with subtitles) is not a comedy but rather an incisive drama about Julie, a young 30 something who at the start of the film is a mess. She's not sure what to study, who she wants, what she wants, and unfortunately takes her uncertain actions out by hurting other people. We all know people like that, but watching her mature as the film progresses is part of the pleasure of this well acted, affecting drama. Nominated for best international feature and best original screenplay. GRADE-------------A
PARALLEL MOTHERS--The new Pedro Almodovar film is typical of his style. His women have most of the screen time and importance to the story. His cinematography is peppered with shiny art works and vivid colors, and he moves the melodrama along with overbaked flourishes and turgid plot twists. Fortunately he has attractive casting, and long time favorite of his, Penelope Cruz, commands the screen with her intelligence and beauty. For her efforts she is also an Oscar nominee. In Spanish with subtitles. GRADE-------B+
THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH--Here is a stylistically sharp, black and white refilming of the great Shakespeare drama about power, jealousy, guilt and murder. Denzel Washington is an Oscar nominee, and together with Frances McDormand, they make a memorably evil couple. GRADE-------B+
THE LOST DAUGHTER--Another vivid portrayal by Olivia Coleman as a middle aged academia scholar who while on vacation interacts with a young mother's missing daughter and that triggers flashbacks about her own life when she was just starting out and how she (poorly) balanced her own family's needs. Jessie Buckley did a fine job of the Coleman role as a younger version. This film got Oscar nominations for Coleman, Buckley and best screenplay. GRADE------B+
TICK TICK BOOM--Lin-Manuel Miranda directed this story of Jonathon Larson's efforts to put on a play prior to his success with his smash hit RENT, before he passed away a few years later. Andrew Garfield has received an Oscar nomination for this role, and while the supporting cast is excellent, Judith Light shines as his tough as nails agent, and Bradley Whitford as Stephen Sondheim surprised me just a day after Sondheim's death. It's a thoughtful portrayal of a Broadway producer and his refusal to give up at all costs. GRADE--------B+
DON'T LOOK UP--Adam McKay wrote and directed this comedy satire about a couple of astronomers who go on a media tour trying to warn the public that a meteor is headed towards earth and will cause certain distruction. It has a huge cast of actors including Meryl Streep, Mark Rylance, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Leo DiCaprio and others as it pokes fun at the non believers, who despite scientific proof refuse to believe something that is good for them.....Some of the portrayals are rude and over the top, and although the attitudes soured me, I give the film kudos for being lively and sometimes down right hilarious. GRADE-----B+
LICORICE PIZZA--A comedy drama set in the early 1970's, this film was written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, and has Oscar nominations for best film, director and script. It tells the story of a 15 year old teen who is infatuated with a 25 year old woman. The first half is delightful, but the second half feels like a different film as the characters get involved with business and politics. Still, likeable and easy to watch. Cameo roles by Maya Randolph, Bradley Cooper (as Jon Peters), Tom Waits, and Sean Penn (as William Holden.) GRADE------B+
KING'S MAN--This action, spy thriller set just before and during WWI features Ralph Finnnes, Gemma Atherton, Djimon Hounson, Harris Dickinson, Matthew Goode, Colin Firth and Rhys Ians as Rasputin, and I enjoyed how it mixed fantasy, action and fact to tell the story of the start of a British world wide spy organization. It plays like fine version of a James Bond thriller or a Mission Impossible film, but with historical resonance. It is certainly a much better film than the last film in the series King's Men GOLDEN CIRCLE which I thought was lousy and unbelievably violent. GRADE-------B+
THE TENDER BAR--A nostalgic, flashback film is highlighted by Ben Affleck's affecting performance as a bartender uncle who takes his young nephew under his wing, since the boy's absentee father makes only occasional visits to see his son. Affleck gives the boy the encouragement and moral guidance that makes him become a writer--this is his story based on a novel. GRADE-----------B
THE 355--An action spy thriller about 5 female agents all from different countries who end up working together to solve a mystery that takes them all over the world. The action scenes are solid but the plotting may seem a bit familiar if you watch a lot of James Bond type films, but I enjoyed it anyway. Jessica Chastain, Penelope Cruz, Diane Kruger, Lupita Nyong'o and Fan Bing Bing and Sebastian Stan play the agents, and I would be happy to see them in sequel. GRADE-------------B
FLEE--In Danish with English subtitles, this animated film about the true story of a family seeking to flee from Afghanistan to escape the war, has them first going to Russian (!) where they are abused and persecuted and then they try to move to Denmark as refugees. The younger son narrates the story as an adult, and he is gay and about to marry his partner. It is a good story but it needs some editing, and I felt that the pacing was too slow and repetitive. It has been nominated for Best international film, best animated film and best documentary feature--the first time any film has been nominated in all three categories. GRADE------------------B
BLACKLIGHT--Liam Neeson is a government agent who discovers some corruption higher up in his organization. There are no surprises in the plot for sure, but Neeson is still the man when it comes to fighting back and solving mysteries, so the film had it's minor pleasures for me. GRADE---B-
DRIVE MY CAR--Anytime a critic calls a film "meditative" then you can assume slow and dull and long and that's exactly what I felt of this drama about an actor who loses his wife, throws himself into his work directing a new version of UNCLE VANYA and befriends a young female chauffeur. There is a lot of symbolism and meaning here, but the pacing is extremely slow, and nearly half of the full 3 hour running time is taken up with shots of the many highways the red car travels on, and scenery shot through the windows and characters watching the scenery. I think a full 90 minutes of extraneous scenery could have been cut from the film and still not taken away from the emotional truths the film ponders. I'm not saying I hated this film, just wish it was more economical in presenting the plot twists and drama. GRADE------------C+
SPIDERMAN: NO WAY HOME---I've always enjoyed the Spiderman films, but this one seemed more chaotic than the others, and more in search of a decent plot. Instead we have various villians popping up from different universes (!?) and then to help in the fight, all the old actors who have played spiderman in the past appear to join forces to defeat them. What the heck. I'm happy to see Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield again--god knows they need the paycheck--but what is the explaination for this meeting? These were all big leaps and stretches in logic for me which took some of the joy out of the plotting. GRADE-------------C+
MATRIX: RESURRECTION--Well, the set design and special effects were interesting, but that plot was so bizarre that a month later I can hardly remember a single plot device. I remember feeling the same way when I saw the first one MATRIX a dozen years ago. There is no humor--just a WTF experience. GRADE-------------C
VINTAGE FILMS FROM DVD, TV and the FILM NOIR FESTIVAL
SHE PLAYED WITH FIRE 1957--Featuring Jack Hawkins and Arlene Dahl, this mystery thriller kept me guessing until the very end and contains some nifty chills. An insurance agent tries to shield a past lover from arson, endangering his own career. This smart thriller reminded me of some of Hitchcock's great British mystery dramas like REBECCA, SUSPICION and SABOTAGE. My only complaint: the final 5 minutes fall a bit flat. GRADE------A-
THE LONG HAUL 1957--A married retired veteran (Victor Mature) leaves Germany for Great Britian, but taking a job as a trucker, becomes involved with corruption and the alluring girlfriend Diana Dors, of his boss. The film has him torn between his wife and son, and his new lover, and the dangerous dance between smuggling and honesty. GRADE-------A-
RIOT ON CELL BLOCK 11 1954--One of the first great films of director Don Siegel who went on to direct many films with Clint Eastwood, this docu-drama illustrates the attempts by prisoners who have been abused and denied basic human rights to be treated humanely. GRADE---------A-
LILIES OF THE FIELD 1963--Sidney Poitier makes a big impact on the movie screen as a handyman traveling through the southwest USA who stops for water at a small farm run by impoverished nuns who insist that he stay and help them with many projects, including building a church, all for free! The likeable Poitier shows patience, humor and skill in handling the many obstacles facing him and the nuns, and was the popular winner of the the best actor Oscar that year for this role. GRADE-------B+
BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIE FILM 2020--The Borat films are not for everyone, but I started this one thinking I'll give it 15 minutes, and I found it to be quite funny. This time Borat is sent to America to present to Pence his 15 year old daughter as a child bride/bribe. Crazy yes. The film spoofs Trump, Republicans, conservatives, sexual mores, politicians in general, vaccination deniers, anti-maskers and many more. Brilliant in its deviated and perverse mind. GRADE------B+
A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM 1966--This wild bedroom farce features the great Zero Mostel, with Buster Keaton, Phil Silvers, Michael Crawford and music by Stephen Sondheim (his second musical) and is directed by Richard Lester. Set in ancient Rome, there are mistaken identities, doors being slammed, dozens of double entendres, and sexy and skimpy costumes mostly worn by women. And most of the jokes are incredibly sexist. Still much is funny if you are quick enough to catch what was said or alluded to. And watch Mostel's facial expressions: priceless! GRADE---------B+
TRY TO GET ME 1950--Frank Lovejoy plays a down on his luck unemployed worker who comes under the spell of small time hustler Lloyd Bridges. When their small time gas station jobs go south, they turn to kidnapping and murder. The film has a final scene as disturbing as anything I've ever seen, especially so in context to January 6th 2021 riots. GRADE----------B+
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE 1970--Michael York plays a bisexual hustler who worms his way into a butler position in a small castle headed by Austrian Angela Lansbury and her daughter Jane Carr by trying to appeal to whatever is needed for everyone, including sexual services. This black comedy drama is interesting as far as it goes, and it does have a corker of an ending. GRADE-------B
THREE GODFATHERS 1948--A John Ford western with 3 desperados bank robbers on the run from sheriff Ward Bond. They come across a woman giving birth and agree to be the 3 godfathers to the newborn. They are played by John Wayne, Harry Carey Jr. and Pedro Armendaris, and supposedly they are symbolic of the three wise men, since a few days later the film ends in a saloon on Christmas Day, but that's a stretch for me. GRADE----------B
WHIRLPOOL 1958--Film noir about a woman who becomes hypnotized by man to stop her kleptomania only to become involved in his devious plot of murder. The fine cast includes Gene Tierney, Richard Conte, Jose Ferrer and Charles Bickford, although the plot seemed a bit farfetched to me . Would love to see this remade with more modern sensibilities. GRADE----------B-
HIGH TIDE 1947-- Film noir has a detective involved with a gambler and a crusading newspaper editor, but the film didn't make much sense to me. GRADE--------C+
SHADOW ON A WINDOW 1951--Film noir has woman held hostage by some teen murderers while her traumatized son tries to lead her cop husband to her. A remake would help the film feel more realistic. GRADE------------------B-
PICK UP ALLEY aka INTERPOL 1957--Agent Victor Mature tracks smuggler Trevor Howard around Europe with the help of Anita Ekburg, Howard's ex girlfriend. GRADE-------C+
ARGYLE MYSTERY 1948--Reporter with secret info is murdered in hospital room before the info can be shared. Weird, dull film noir that made no sense to me. GRADE------C+
TIJUANA STORY 1957--Honest reporter tries to bring down corruption in border town but meets with much resistance. Familiar story is sabotaged by poor production values and amateur acting. GRADE----------C
LONDON ROAD 2015--Low budget musical based on true story of serial killer of women in London, of interest mainly for featuring an early role for Olivia Coleman and Tom Hardy. Otherwise, forgettable. GRADE---------C
FAVORITE FILMS FROM 2021 (O for Oscar nomination/s)
Last Night in Soho
Summer of Soul O--documentary
Power of the Dog O
West Side Story O
The Rescue--documentary
Pig
Worst Person in the World O
Bring Your Own Brigade--documentary
Nightmare Alley O
King Richard O
Being the Ricardos O
the above were rated A or A-
Following films were B+ in no particular order
The Sparks Brothers--documentary
Dune O
The Lost Daughter O
The King's Man
Dear Evan Hanson
Parallel Mothers O
In The Heights
Tragedy of Macbeth O
Nobody
Licorice Pizza O
Tick Tick Boom O
Cop Shop
I Care a Lot
The Card Counter
Stillwater
The Many Saints of Newark
The Tender Bar
Julia--documentary
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It--documentary
Four Good Days
Plus I had a Good time with these films rated B
No Time to Die O
Eyes of Tammy Faye O
The Last Duel
Everyone's Talking About Jamie
Passing
The Green Knight O
Shang Chu and the Legend of the 10 Rings O
C'mon C'mon
Lamb
Spencer O
Chandigarah Kare Ashiqui
Cruella O
The Eternals
Marksman
Red Notice
Mitchells VS Machines O
Peter Rabbit 2
Plus a few more decent films......
House of Gucci O
Flee O
Jungle Cruise
Old
Night House
The Courier
Drive My Car O
Did NOT Like--
Matrix:Resurrection
Concrete Cowboy
Candyman
Supernova
The Harder They Fall
Road Runner: Anthony Bourdain
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