It's been a busy summer including a four day Amtrak ride from Seattle to Chicago and back for an 11 day trip, plus an ocean trip with the grandkids and some camping at our Shangri-lot. Now that kids are back in school and the weather is cooler, I'm more inclined to write about some of my cinematic adventures of the last 3 months.
OPPENHEIMER--This is one of the more adventurous visual achievements of the year, and in spite of the fact it was trailing BARBIE in the box office tally, it has proved to be director Christopher Nolan's greatest achievement and stands to become his most commercial and artistically successful film. In telling the biographical story of the "father of the atom bomb" he demonstrates his command of the screen by moving carefully back and forth in time to create a fully complicated version of the man and his life and the woman in that life, and the treachery that politics played in nearly upending his legacy. I was engaged in every minute of this 3 hour pic. GRADE----------------A
JULES---The opposite in many ways from Oppenheimer is a small, intimate science fiction film about a space ship that crashes in the garden of an older widower (played sincerely by Oscar winner for GHANDI Ben Kingsley) but due to his eccentricities at city council meetings, no one, including his loving daughter, will believe him, so he proceeds to befriend the alien on his own by plying it with apples and shelter from prying eyes. Of course ultimately word gets out among his older women friends and all of them fall in love with the silent alien. This is an E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL film for adults! Jane Curtin gets to sing charmingly here. GRADE----------A-
THEATER CAMP--While it is mostly improvised, this is a funny and wacky film about some wonderfully talented kids at a theatre camp during the summer that is being ineptly run by the son of the original manager (she lies in a coma for most of the summer), but Ben Platt, Amy Sedaris, David Rasche and others give every scene something to laugh (or at least giggle) at. It's a whole lot of fun. This had a single screening at SIFF this past May, and after it's theatre showing will start streaming soon this fall. GRADE-------------A-
EVERY BODY--This fascinating documentary should be required viewing for every state legislative person in every every state. The subject is intersex people--those born with usually both sets of male and female gonads. Unfortunately until recently doctors use to tell parents that it was preferable to remove one set of sex organs, but recent studies have shown that intersex people are much more complicated than that, and the surgery has proven problematic, as many many stories have borne out. It's estimated that nearly 2% of babies are born that way. With the world population currently at over 8 billion, that means that a very large group of intersex people exist today and in the future, and treating them with horror, prejudice, shame and ignorance is just not OK. An eye opener film and currently streaming on demand. GRADE---------A-
LANDSCAPE WITH INVISIBLE HAND---Normally I'm not too interested in science fiction films unless they are really good/different, and LANDSCAPE is pretty arty, interesting stuff. It starts 6 years after a friendly alien invasion has occurred, but some people are not too happy about it. Two teens decided to make money by having their loving and sexual relationship broadcast to the minds of the aliens, but things get complicated when they start to fall out of love. The leads are well played by Asante Blackk and Kylie Rogers as the kids and Tiffany Haddish and Josh Hamilton as two adults, and the film is produced by Haddish and Brad Pitt, among others. Should start on demand screenings this fall. GRADE----A-
BARBIE--Director and writer Gretta Gerwig has created a masterwork of pop culture with an outrageously colorful, funny, witty and thoughtful ways that children claim their ideals and from what many claim to be a sexist doll created by Mattel over 50 years ago. The witty screenplay, co-written with her partner Noah Baumbach, creates an all doll world that's totally unbelievable, and then has Barbie become dissatisfied when thoughts of death creep into her mind. She then wants to seek out the real world and has a very rude awakening when she finds it. In other words, Barbie lovers and Barbie haters can all relate to this film. The satire is playful but pointed and the nearly entire male population of mostly Kens is redundant, a running gag that never overstays its welcome. Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling are perfectly cast, but for all the fun watching, this film is not really going to be enjoyed by children . GRADE---------B+
THE FLASH--Several of the last superhero films have left me ho-hum, but THE FLASH has a charming, funny sense of humor most of the time. The first 20 minutes were the best and I laughed and chuckled continuously. The introduction of an old Batman (played by Micheal Keaton) was very clever, as is the brief inclusion of other Batmans Ben Affleck and George Clooney. In spite of the bad press given to Ezra Miller who portrays the FLASH, it looks like the insistence that he get drug counseling paid off, and I thought his portrayal of two Flashes hit the nail with sarcastic and obnoxious teen agers each, in different ways. I'd be up for more of the FLASH, thank you. GRADE----------B+
THE LITTLE MERMAID--This is Disney's live action remake of the popular animated film and I enjoyed it even more than that cartoon. The songs are mostly the same, and a couple have been added. The cast is very fine, especially newcomer Halle Bailey with Melissa McCarthy having some evil fun . I have one little comment/complaint. Her sisters are from all over the world, and her father can't seem to get Ariel interested in any mermen. But where were the mermen? They don't show up until the very last scene of the film. No wonder she had to go to land to find a man to marry! GRADE--------B+
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: DEAD RECKONING--Part 1--All the plots of the previous five MI films are mostly all forgettable, but getting to the end is always thrilling with chases, near misses, fist fights, explosions, flying on the outside of planes (and trains and cars), disguises, etc, and this one is also fun to watch, and although I may not remember the plot of this one, I look forward to seeing part 2 next year. GRADE----------B+
NO HARD FEELINGS---Here's a funny raunchy sex comedy about a young woman hired by helicopter parents to take the virginity of a high school senior before he goes off to college. Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman are hilarious as the mismatshed couple, and Laura Benanti and Matthew Broderick get some big laughs as the desperate parents. GRADE---------B+
20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL--We have since seen many of these horrifying images of the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but these reporters were not able to leave the country or get these images out to the world, in this intense documentary that is currently streaming through PBS. Viewed at SIFF. GRADE-----B+
FREMONT--A transplant from Afghanistan, Donya now works in a Chinese fortune cookie factory making up fortunes. One day she sends out a special message and soon it changes her life. Deadpan humor, and poignant characters make this small black and white film a winner. One of the top 10 films at SIFF. GRADE------B+
GRAN TURISMO--A lively and excitingly filmed true story about a gamer who gets a chance to become an actural race car driver because his scores on the race track gamer are so high. There are a couple of amazing racing moments that left my jaw on the floor. GRADE---------B+
ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRET OF THE UNIVERSE--Based on a popular Young Adult book, this film will probably be soon banned in Florida, Texas and North Dakota for it's subversive LGBT themes in spite of it's tame PG-13 rating. It's a lyrical and mystical telling of the growing friendship of two young teens and how they traverse life's challenges. The casting is remarkable, including Max Pelayo, Reece Gonzoles, Eva Longoria and Kevin Alejandro. The producers include Longoria, Kyra Sedgwick and Lin-Manuel Miranda. GRADE-----------B+
BOTTOMS--A high school comedy about two lesbian friends who decide to start up a "fight club" for women, but really they just want to meet more girls. The film is raunchy, witty and violent at times, but I got some good laughs at the high school hijinks. GRADE--------B+
INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY--Althought this film is one long chase to retrieve the stolen Dial, it is very entertaining, and Harrison Ford and relative newcomer Phoebe Waller-Bridge who plays his god-daughter and partner in mayhem have great chemistry together. GRADE-----B
A MILLION MILES AWAY--Streaming on Prime, Micheal Pena has the role of his career playing a Mexican migrant farm worker who dreams of becoming an astronaut, and finally after decades of study and applications gets his chance to be the first Hispanic to ride into space. It's a moving and intimate portrayal--I especially liked scenes where whenever anything very happy or very sad happens in the family, they encircle that person in a giant hug. GRADE------B
PAST LIVES--This modest film opened SIFF last May and tells of a woman who is hunted down by an old classmate--he still lives in Taipei and she's moved on to New York City, and the classmate comes to NYC to visit her, perhaps in the hopes of another romantic entanglement, but she has already married and not quite sure why he is here. It's haunting and gentle and tenderly acted by all main actors. GRADE-----------B
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE--This sequel to last year's animated and creative SPIDER-MAN film is still highly energetic and amazing technically, although it felt repetitive and overly long. Unfortunately it ends quickly with the warning (or promise) that Part 2 will be coming out next summer. I enjoyed this new film, but frankly I've seen enough. GRADE----------B
TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS--I've seen all the Transformer films and I really didn't have much interest in another one, but this one actually had some humor and cool fight scenes, and the cast which includes the lead from In The Heights (Anthony Ramos) are incredibly gung ho and the film felt quite fun. GRADE--------B
THE LESSON--An aspiring young writer takes on a tutoring position for the son of his writing idol, but finds himself involved in family secrets and dishonest academics. Small but fine cast includes Daryl McCormack, Richard E. Grant, Julie Delpy and Stephen McMillian. GRADE----------B
PASSAGES--One member of a gay long term couple causes havoc when he has an affair with a woman. Story teller and director Ira Sachs creates a sad and tragic film about what happens when trust is shattered. This film has some nudity and graphic sex scenes. Viewed at SIFF. GRADE----------B
MIRACLE GANG---Three Irish women from a small town get a chance to pilgrimage to Lourdes France, each hoping to find a miracle for different reasons. The lovely cast includes Laura Linney, Maggie Smith and Kathy Bates, with Stephen Rea. It's a small, modest film but for that reason it's delightful to watch. Streaming soon on Netflix. GRADE-------B
SCRAPPER--Another film from SIFF, this modest British film has a young bur resourceful 12 year old girl living by herself after the death of her mother, using her friend with a deep voice to handle phone messages to her school counselor pretending to be her uncle. She scraps by stealing bikes and hustling food from the stores. One day her missing dad shows up to live with her and the two form an uneasy alliance. Charming Lola Campbell is the girl, and Harris Dickinson is her irresponsible dad. GRADE---------B
THE EQUALIZER 3--Same story line--a good guy fights evil and corruption with violence starring Denzel Washington, but this time he's in beautiful Italy. Nice scenery, lots of bloody conflict. GRADE----------B
THE LOST KING--Based on the true story, this British film (now streaming) tells of a woman who decides to find the final resting place of Richard the III, which she thinks might be located in a car park lot. She uses her intuition and ghostly visions to lead her to her conclusions. Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan head this interesting film directed by Stephen Frears. GRADE------- B
WHAM!--A fast paced documentary about George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley who early on joined together to create the popular British pop musical group called WHAM! which lasted about 4 years before George Michael left to go out on his own. Even if you didn't care for their music, it is a fascinating story, and the survivor Ridgeley talks about his friend's talent and private life. Now streaming. GRADE------B
RETRIBUTION--Another Liam Neeson action film--he seems to do at least two every year, and this film, like the others, is a solid thriller that is entertaining if not too demanding. He plays a money manager who is taking his kids to school but his cell phone rings telling him there is a bomb under his seat that will go off if he leaves the car and he needs do everthing he's told. Mainly it's about money but the film has some tension and thrills and some surprises. Not bad. GRADE----------B
GOLDA--During the Yom Kippur War of 1973, Prime Minister Golda Meir of Israel must convince her cabinet and U.S. Secretary Henry Kissinger that she knows what she is doing. Helen Mirren and Liev Schreiber play Meir and Kissinger is an intense chamber drama. GRADE----------B-
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM--Not a great fan, but this version uses more modern animation (see SPIDER-MAN above) and moves along with a lot of humor and pizza. GRADE-----B
DREAMIN' WILD----From SIFF--and based on a true story, two brothers find their one album that was released 35 years earlier a rediscovered sudden success, but their lives have moved on. Featuring Casey Afleck, Zooey Deschanel, Chris Messina, and Beau Bridges. GRADE---B-
MURDER MYSTERY 2--I hated MM1 several years ago, but this Netflix movie stars Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler, Melanie Laurent, Mark Strong, Jodie Turner-Smith and others, and I felt the timing and jokes were a lot better here. A good guilty pleasure. GRADE-----B-
GHOSTED---This Apple TV steamer has a man discovering the woman he had a one night affair with has disappeared into thin air only to track her down and discover she is a secret agent in the middle of a case. Another guilty pleasure, with Chris Evans and Ana de Arnas. GRADE--------B-
HEART OF STONE--Here's one more guilty pleasure from Netflix. Gal Gadot, Jamie Dorman, Sophie Okonedo, with BD Wong and Glenn Close! A spy thriller that at times rivaled some of James Bond's adventures. GRADE----B-
SITTING IN BARS WITH CAKE--Viewed on Prime Streaming, this is a sentimantal light-hearted drama about two young 20-something friends who bake at least one cake a week and they take it out to different bars to feed to young men in hopes of finding dates. Things change when one of them becomes a cancer victim, and the other becomes a care taker. It's a cross between BEACHES (Bette Midler even has a brief role in this) and a film from earlier this year called SPOILER ALERT about cancer changing the relationship of a long time partnership from a gay relationship. GRADE-----------B-
ASTEROID CITY-- There's a massive cast of talented characters (including Bob Balaban, Liev Schneiber, Jeffrey Wright, Wilem Dafoe, Hope Davis,Steve Carell, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Matt Dillon, Edward Norton, Tom Hanks, Adrien Brody, Margot Robbie,Scarlett Johansson and many others) but there is very little plot and the film is so overly stylized that it becomes rather tiresome. GRADE------C+
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3--The cast is lovely and they all smile a lot, and they all visit Greece so the scenery is great and sunny, but the film feels like left over musaka thrice warmed up. GRADE-----------C+
HAPPINESS FOR BEGINNERS--Streaming on Netflix, this modest romantic comedy/drama has a bunch of 30 somethings on a woodsy hike for several days, trying to make them better people. Elle Kemper and Luke Grimes are the leads, and the film is based on a book. Yawn. GRADE-----C
THE MEG: THE TRENCH--This sequel has more of the same--a huge prehistoric shark(s) threaten an island of pleasure seekers. Mostly unforgettable--the first half has the cast walking along the ocean floor (trench) but it is so dark, murky and full of bubbles that you can't see much of anything. Jason Stratham does his tough man posturing. GRADE--------C-
HAUNTED MANSION--By far the worst film I've seen this year---maybe in 3 years. The script is chaotic and makes NO sense, and the actors fumble around because what they are supposed to say doesn't make any sense, and the special effects suck, and the film is BORING. GRADE-----D
