A lot of SIFF films have opened for brief runs in Seattle in the last month and should be available soon on DVD or NETFLIX. Here's a roundup of films from this past month that I've viewed and have finally opened commercially.
Finally, after viewing it last October in the Vancouver BC film festival, I, DANIEL BLAKE opened for a surprisingly brief run in the Seattle, probably due to the fact that not one but three art house theatres that would normally play such films have gone belly up in the last two months. RIP to the 7 Gables and the two screened Guild 45, both which seem unlikely to reopen any time soon if at all. The company says they will be remodeled, but that has been promised for the last 20 years, and they are both now dark. Also, the multi screened Sundance cinemas in the University District has officially changed hands to AMC, which makes it unlikely to book specialty or foreign films. This now only leaves the four screened SIFF Cinemas on Queen Anne near the Seattle Center, and the large screen Egyptian on First Hill to pick up a lot of slack, and the tiny Grand Illusion in the University District. But getting back to the wonderful, humanistic I, DANIEL BLAKE, this is the latest from British director Ken Loach, and it's his best. I don't want to over sell this modest, incisive drama, but it has appeared on every top five list so far this year, including VIFF, SIFF, Fool Serious, and other festivals where it has been featured. GRADE-----------A
The audience award winner at VIFF last October (but I missed it then) is MAUDIE, the (mostly) two character drama about the life of Canadian artist Maud Smith, who suffered from extreme juvenile rheumatoid arthritis--the effects lasting until she died, and the anti social man she married after responding to an ad for a house cleaner. She started off painting small Christmas cards, eventually painting on every surface she could find, selling these paintings from her house next to the freeway in Nova Scoctia. The actors Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke are both superb, and the film involves you deeply in their poverty stricken lives and struggles. Her folk style reminded me of Grandma Moses, and now, decades after her death, her art sells for hundreds of thousands of dollars. GRADE--------A-
An actor wearing a ghost sheet with black holes for eyes is the leading man in the unusual and moving A GHOST STORY, which takes the point of view of a ghost after the death of a man. Filmed in a deliberately leisurely pace (think three to five minute takes for many single scenes) this film requires some patience, but about half way through the film it hits you about what is actually happening, and by the end the film brought many audience members to tears. GRADE------A-
Based on a true story, a stand up comedian breaks with his girl friend, only to have second thoughts when she falls into a coma, and he meets her parents, in the comedy drama THE BIG SICK, a thoughtful rom/com which features Holly Hunter and Ray Romano. GRADE--------B+
It's been a long wait for WONDER WOMAN the movie, but the film, based on the Marvel comic was worth the wait. French actress Gal Godot makes a fine super hero, and the technical aspect are excellent. Chris Pine is the worthy male foil, and the story that has been fashioned which includes the history of Wonder Woman and her emergence into World War I is fascinating. My only complaint--the final 20 minutes seems disappointingly predictable--how many superheros must save the world by the end of their film? GRADE-----------B+
I wasn't looking forward to another APE movie---I've seen all five of the 1970's versions, as well as the last two reboots, but the timing was on the side of the new WAR FOR PLANET OF THE APES, and I became engaged quickly into this story of a renegade human colonel played with macho gusto by Woody Harrelson in quasi Marlon Brando mode from APOCALYPSE NOW! ---there's even the bald head, the speeches about the love of killing, and the war helicopters over the sunrising horizon with operatic style music. But for me the ace in the hole--the thing that makes this film a true stand out is the main ape Caesar, played with the greatest of subtlety and emotion by the astonishing actor Andy Serkis. He was so excellent in the LORD OF THE RINGS films as Gollum, and as KING KONG a few years later, and this performance is the best of his outstanding career in portraying computer generated creatures. He is putting more emotion into these parts than any human actor I've seen this year. He captures our attention and sympathy like nothing I've seen him do before. GRADE-------------B+
Anonymous activist journalists try to send out descriptions of ISIS atrocities in Raqqa, Syria in this very intense documentary, CITY OF GHOSTS which is as shocking and frightening as if you lived in the middle of that war. GRADE-------------B+
In the Israeli film WEDDING PLAN, a young bride to be is jilted just one month before her wedding, but instead of calling off the ceremony, she believes God will find her a new groom in time for the wedding, in this comedy/drama about faith and trust. GRADE--------B
A bereaved mother seeks revenge on the person who killed her son during a hit and run accident while driving a MOKA colored car, but she has trouble finding the truth in this slow burn French thriller. GRADE---------B
I've seen all the previous Spiderman movies (six or seven?) so I wasn't too keen on yet another film, but this new SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING certainly has a fresh look and unique modern feel. The story includes the immature (at times) 15 year old learning about this powers and how to control them, and with Iron Man as his mentor you know things will be just fine. He has a single aunt as his guardian (the always welcome Marisa Tomei) and Michael Keaton is the bad guy. A perfectly fine popcorn movie if you are in the mood. GRADE----------B
Selma Hayek shines as a simple healer/therapist who butts heads with a crude Trump-type capitalist (John Lithgow) in the provocative drama BEATRIZ AT DINNER. GRADE----------B
Beautifully filmed version of Daphne du Maurier's novel MY COUSIN RACHEL is a skillful PBS Masterpiece theatre --type--production, and features Rachel Weisz in an enticing mysterious role.
GRADE------------B
Based on a story from The Decameron, this ribald comedy has plenty of laughs if you are in the right sort of mood. THE LITTLE HOURS tells the tale of a young man who hides from his master (after seducing his master's wife)--in a nunnery, where there are lot's of lovely, single women who want to seduce him. The lively cast includes Audrey Plaza, Dave Franco, John C. Riley, Molly Shannon, and many other amusing comedians. Filmed on location in Italy. GRADE------B
A grown daughter suspects her father of being unfaithful, while she herself is cheating on her fiance, in the comedy/drama LANDLINE, which is set in the 1990's before cell phones, although I don't know why that was important to the plot. Comedian Jenny Slate, John Turturro, Edie Falco and others star in this film that tries to be like something Woody Allen might have written, but not quite as sharp. GRADE-----------B
He's got a substantial mustache and a deep gravely voice, and he's made a lot of western films. He is Sam Elliott, and he basically plays himself in the corny and predictable film THE HERO. He is now an out of work actor with cancer looking to redeem himself with his family and find one last good movie role, and he has an affair with a woman more than half his age. Yawn. GRADE-------C
___________________Viewed on DVD or Netflix--TV_________________
MOVE OVER DARLING (1963)--This comedy remake of MY FAVORITE WIFE (1940) which starred Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, was originally planned as a 1961 film called SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE, the beleaguered film that Marilyn Monroe started with some sexy nude swimming pool scenes, but due to illnesses, she only filmed about 30 minutes of footage (which is available on DVD) before she was fired, and then finally rehired when co-star Dean Martin refused to work with another actress, but Monroe died of a drug overdose just a few weeks later, so the project was reworked as MOVE OVER DARLING with James Garner, Doris Day, Polly Bergen and Thelma Ritter. The SOMETHING'S footage showed just how interesting Monroe's personality would have changed the feel of the film, but compared to Doris Day, which was interesting in a different way, it's like apples and oranges. The film is a watchable little sex comedy (did the missing for 5 years wife, stranded on a deserted island with a hunk, have sex?) but certainly not a classic. GRADE----B
THE COMMITMENTS (1991)--Irish film directed by (not my favorite) Alan Parker, about a group of mostly young musicians who start a band trying to emulate the mostly black soul singers of America. Fortunately, the music is decent and plentiful and the characters are mostly engaging if a bit obnoxious at times. GRADE--------B-
OKJA (2017)--This new fantasy film is currently playing at some theatres in larger cities, and also streaming on Netflix, and features an interesting cast including Jake Gyllenhaal (who overacts) and an odd Tilda Swinton, and Paul Dano. The plot concerns a young girl who has raised a gentle giant of a pig--raised to provide massive amounts of pork for a world demanding more meat! The plot is mostly for adults as discussions about commercialism and consumerism battle the rights of the individual to own what they have raised and bonded with. The giant pig is a clever and witty special effect which gives lots of sympathy to the girl who raised him. But overall, the film feels like a predictable, awkward blend of fantasy, politics and preachy-ness. GRADE-------C+
PANDORA AND THE FLYING DUTCHMAN (1951)--Based on a myth of a man who will not die until he falls in love with a woman who will die for him (!), this lushly photographed color film is watchable mainly because the two actors are so beautiful. James Mason and Ava Gardner are at their most alluring--watching them makes up for the leisurely dialogue and slow, creaky plot . GRADE---C+
TRAPEZE (1956)---Directed by the great British director Carol Reed (OLIVER! 1968, ODD MAN OUT 1947, THIRD MAN 1949, and my favorite FALLEN IDOL 1948) this odd triangle love story set in a circus feels typical at first, but manages to engage us because the actors (Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis and Gina Lollobrigeda) are so committed to their roles, a(1946nd they apparently did most of their own stunts. GRADE-----C+
NOBODY LOVES FOREVER ( 1946)--John Garfield is out of prison trying to go straight but needs one last big scam to set himself up. He meets a rich widow and ends up falling in love with her, which raised conflict with his mob friends. Geraldine Fitzgerald is excellent in her first major role, and Walter Brennan is his usual charming character. GRADE-----C+
MR. LUCKY (1943)--Cary Grant is a gangster trying to scam money, but ends up falling for the head of a non profit raising money for the war effort in this modest drama notable mainly for Grant's effort at a New Jersey accent. GRADE-------C
THE GREAT MAN'S LADY--(1946)---Barbara Stanwyck plays a 100 year old woman (and not very convincingly) who tells the story of her long life in flashback. Joel McCrea is the man she tried to love. I watched this about 3 weeks ago and already I've forgotten most of the narrative. GRADE-----C
EXCELLENT FILMS OPENING SOON AROUND THE COUNTRY:
French film THE MIDWIFE with the wonderful Catherine Denueve
Single father tries to raise his son--MENASCH
Thriller from makers of HELL AND HIGH WATER-----WIND RIVER
and delightful, quirky American comedy BRIGSBY BEAR
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My father had rheumatoid arthritis. It is a brutal disease. Maud Lewis (born Maud Dowley) must have been a very determined painter.
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