TOP FILMS FROM 2019 plus OSCAR Show Sunday 9 FEBRUARY PLUS reviews of 1917, MARRIAGE STORY, A HIDDEN LIFE, RHYTHM SECTION, BAD BOYS FOR LIFE, DOOLITTLE, and oldies including WHAT A WAY TO GO!, HOMBRE, THREE FACES OF EVE, TARNISHED ANGELES, ANOTHER MAN'S POISON, w Rock Hudson in HAS ANYBODY SEEN MY GAL and A VERY SPECIAL FAVOR and Agatha Christie's MIRROR CRACK'D and EVIL UNDER THE SUN also THE VERDICT and PRIVATE LIFES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX and two by William Castle--THE OLD DARK HOUSE and HOMICIDAL

The 2020 Academy Awards Show occurs this Sunday 9 February starting about 5pm Pacific time with preshow  activities several hours earlier on E! channel.  My comments about Oscar this year come after reviewing some last minute watched culifying films near the bottom of this column.

1917--This film set during WWI and filmed in what seems like real time in one long take, jumped to the top of my favorite films of the year, with that conceit fascinating to watch, and the film is gripping and emotionally effective, as a young soldier is given the task to cross enemy lines to find his brother's regement and to stop a forward attack on the Germans that is really a trap that will kill nearly 1600 Allied soldiers.  Talk about a lot at stake, and the actions scenes keep the plot and tension alive for over 120 minutes.  Brilliant and thriling filmmaking on every level.          GRADE------------A

MARRIAGE STORY--I don't know why I put off watching this Netflix feature for over two months--it is certainly worth the wait.  There hasn't been such an incicive, funny, harrowing drama about the disolution of a marriage since KRAMER VS KRAMER and the main actors have all been nominated for acting awards, including Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and most likely winner in a supporting role--the popular Laura Dern.  Aside from being dramatically astute, I was surprised at the many humorus and light hearted moments of family and friends surrounding the couple.     The music (Randy Newman), script (Noah Baumbach who also directed) and  picture were also nominated.  Also well cast are Julie Hagarty, Ray Liotta and Alan Alda  and a special mention to the child actor Azhy Robertson, who is caught in the middle of the drama.             GRADE------A

A HIDDEN LIFE-- Set during the middle of WW2, this lovely to look at drama deals with a farm family torn apart when the father is sent off to war to fight for Hitler and quickly realizes that not only is war hell, but that Hitler is crazy, and refuses to do his fighting, resulting in his possible execution for treason.  The love for his family keeps his spirit alive.  Directed in a leisurely manner, as usual, by aueteur diretor Terrance Malick, the slow pacing will test the  patience of many film goers, but the cinematography (by Jorg Wilmer) and stunning music score (by James Newton Howard) give much compenstated pleasure to the viewer.         GRADE-----B


RHYTHM SECTION--Based on a best seller novel, this story of a woman who inadvertantly becomes a spy assassine because her family was killed by a terrorist planted bomb on an airplane and she seeks revenge, is intriguing although a bit hard to believe at times, because especially in the beginning she is a terrible spy making big mistakes.  Still, Blake Lively and Jude Law do fine in this low grade spy thriller.                         GRADE----------B-                     
   

BAD BOYS FOR LIFE--Martin Lawrence and Will Smith are OK as two cop friends on the cusp of retirement when an attack on Smith's life brings them back together (unbelievably) to solve the mystery of who wants Smith dead.  This is at best a popcorn movie, since not a lot of sense is made from the plot--the only problem is that I didn't have any popcorn to get me through the movie, so mostly I just waited for this silliness to be over.              GRADE--------------C+

DOOLITTLE--A top contender for WORST FILM OF 2020--this mess had characters introduced, then never seen again, coincidences  big enough to drive a truck through, characters showing up out of the blue without logic, and some lame jokes and dialogue so bad or boring that you couldn't even groan.  The special effects weren't very good, and the story made little sense.  I can't imagine a worst film being released to theatres this year.            GRADE------------D




VIEWED ON TV OR DVD older stuff------------------

HOMBRE--1967--Paul Newman plays a white man who was raised as an Indian, but when he inherits a boarding house he decides to sell and transform his life, but unfortunately Richard Boone and his croonies have some other plans and he ends up stranded in the desert with some other townspeople in danger of dying of hunger, thirst or a bullet.   The film is structured like the classic STAGECOACH western where secrets come out of the closet and townspeople must band together to fight against corruption and bandits.  Newman is stoic, much like Eastwood in the Man with No name series, but the film works well as the evil (and good) can come out of anyone.
GRADE-----------------B+ 

PRIVATE LIVES OF ELIZABETH AND ESSEX--1939--Bette Davis is Queen Elizabeth and Errol Flynn plays her younger warrior lover Essex, but she is afraid he will steal her kingdom and change it for the worse.  I had a bit of a problem believing that he loved her like he said he did, espeially with every single maiden in the kingdom lusting after him, but the delimenna is compelling, and the fact that she couldn't  completely trust him gives the film much dramatic tension.   Davis acts with energy and quirks, Flynn is smooth and ingrationating.                      GRADE----------------B

A VERY SPECIAL FAVOR--1965--Rock Hudson stars with Charles Boyer and Leslie Caron in this sex comedy as a man is engaged by an older client to try to "loosen up" his virginal older "maiden" (nearly 30) daughter--it's that hoary old theme that women only need a sexy man to complete themselves, but it was still amusing to watch, and there were some great lines and pratfalls, and Rock does get his comuppence that is amusing, in one sequence.  It's pretty innocent stuff, and it plays like the Rock Hudson/Doris Day comedies made just prior to this period.                    GRADE----------------B 

3 FACES OF EVE-1957--Joanne Woodward won her Oscar for this drama of a simple woman who is discovered to have three distinct personalities inside her mind.  David Wayne plays her bewildered husband, and Lee J. Cobb is the doctor trying to help her.  Based on a true story.           GRADE------------B

THE VERDICT--1982--Paul Newman plays a broken lawyer who gets one last chance at a big case, but nearly blows it with his drinking and his pride.  Newman is good (and Oscar nominated) but even I sat there thinking--this guy is doing it all wrong if he wants a winning experience.  Charlotte Rampling has "the girl" part--her part is so disposible that I suddenly realized that she is the enemy here, and long before Newman does.  The final surprise witness feels like a cheap shot when compared to other jury films I've seen before and since.  I'd seen this film in 1982, but had forgotten much of the plotting and twists, except the angst of Newman's character.                GRADE-------------B

WHAT A WAY TO GO!--1964  Shirley MacClaine plays a five time widow who has five rich husbands who each die on her, leaving her richer (and lonelier) than before, in this clever, frothy comedy that has some big laughs, wit  and touching moments mixed in.  The husbands include Paul Newman, Robert Mitchum, Robert Cummings, Dean Martin, Dick Van Dyke, and it you are in the right mood you'll have an amusing experience.                               GRADE--------B

ANOTHER MAN'S POISON--1951--Bette Davis stars with her new real life husband Gary Merrill in this stage play that was turned into a film, but the stage roots are obvious.  I saw this maybe 7-8 years ago, and forgot I'd seen it until nearly half way through the mystery.  Davis is over the top here, but if you go with it, it is a pleasing experience.                         GRADE--------------       B-

THE MIRROR CRACK'D--1980----This Agatha Christie story features Angela Landsbury as Miss Marble, detective, who investigates the murder of a party guest in plain view of the other guests--and the all star cast includes Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Kim Novak, Tony Curtis, Edward Fox and Geraldine Chaplin.  Not the best Christie film production I've ever seen, and if  you are paying attention you may be able to figure it out.  I think the best version are the PBS/A&E Christie stories featuring David Suchet as Belgian Poirot, detective.          GRADE------B- 

EVIL UNDER THE SUN--1982--Another Agatha Christie film featuring Peter Ustinov as Poirot but this story of a murdered actress on a private island features guest stars Maggie Smith, Diana Riggs, Roddy McDowell, James Mason, Nicholas Clay and Sylvia Miles.    GRADE------B-

TARNISHED ANGELS--1957--This Douglas Sirk directed film about air dare devils eeking out a meager salary features Rock Hudson, Robert  Stack, Dorthy Malone, and Jack Carson.  Apparently the novel has Hudson as an alcoholic, which would have made much more sense, and it plays that way in general.  The redemptive gestures would have had more impact for all the players.  Interesting but doesn't always work.                         GRADE---------------------B-

HOMICIDAL--1961--William Castle's take on Hitchcock's PSYCHO, but not nearly as effective.          GRADE-------------B-

HAS ANYBODY SEEN MY GAL--1952---Rock Hudson has a small part as the boy friend in this good natured but simple story of a small town family that comes into money that changes their life, but not for the better.  Some old fashioned songs sung and danced.          GRADE-------C+

OLD DARK HOUSE--1965--Another William Castle film--a comedy horror film that doesn't feel funny or scary, though I'd never seen Tom Poston in a starring role--he's not bad, but a better script is needed.              GRADE---------------C




TOP FILMS 2019


 1917

ONCE UPON A TIME IN ...HOLLYWOOD

LITTLE WOMEN

MARRIAGE STORY

PARASITE

THE GOLDFINCH

THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO

THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD  (documentary)

QUEEN AND SLIM

US

FALL OF THE AMERICAN EMPIRE

YESTERDAY

THE FAREWELL

BLINDED BY THE LIGHT

ROLLING THUNDER REVIEW (documentary)


ALSO PRETTY GOOD

MAIDEN (documentary)
BIGGEST LITTLE FARM (documentary)
HONEYLAND
RICHARD JEWELL
DOWNTON ABBEY
JUST MERCY
KNIVES OUT
BOMBSHELL
HOTEL MUMBAI
FOR SAMA (documentary)


FAVORITE GUILTY PLEASURES

CATS
BRITTANY RUNS A MARATHON
FAST AND FURIOUS: HOBBS AND SHAW
DORA AND LOST CITY OF GOLD
JOHN WICK 3: PARABELLUM
DUMBO
COLD PURSUIT
ALITA BATTLE ANGEL
LAST CHRISTMAS
FIVE FEET APART
AVENGERS: ENDGAME
ROCKETMAN
THE LIGHTHOUSE




WORST FILMS

GODZILLA: KING OF MONSTERS
CRAWL
ZOMBIE DOUBLETAP
IT: CHAPTER 2
ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN
NANCY DREW AND THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE
CHILD'S PLAY
PET CEMETARY 




OSCAR SHOW SUNDAY FEB 9 5PM Pacific time

My favorite for BEST PICTURE 1917, or Once upon a time in Hollywood, or Little Women

Best ACTOR--JUAQUIN PHOENIX for JOKER

Best ACTRESS--RENEE ZELLWEGER for JUDY

Supporting ACTOR--BRAD PITT for ONCE UPON TIME HOLLYWOOD

Support ACTRESS--LAURA DERN for MARRIAGE STORY or KATHY BATES for Richard Jewell

CINEMATOGRAPHY--1917

DIRECTING--1917

ORIGINAL SONG--Stand up--HARRIET

International film--PARASITE

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY--LITTLE WOMEN

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY--tossup--MARRIAGE STORY, 1917, ONCE UPON A TIME HOLLYWOOD



ps--my spellcheck decided to disappear today, so forgive my misspellings