SUMMER OF SOUL, IN THE HEIGHTS, RITA MORENO:THE GIRL WHO DECIDED...,TINA, OUR LADIES, FOUR GOOD DAYS, CRUELLA, SPARKS BROTHERS, BLACK WIDOW, PETER RABBIT 2:RUNAWAY, QUIET PLACE 2, FINDING YOU, HERE TODAY, THE ICE ROAD, plus oldies NOTTING HILL, DON'T WORRY HE WONT GET FAR ON FOOT, BEE GEES: HOW CAN YOU MEND..., CAST A DARK SHADOW, THE MIRROR HAS 2 FACES ,plus WC FIELDS and NEIL SIMON!

I skipped a month of reporting, so I have an unusually long list of films to to write about.  Here are the new things for this year.

SUMMER OF SOUL---This easily jumps to the top of my list, and will possibly top my year's end list as well.  Tapes of a recorded summer long concert covering 6 weekends in 1969, same year that WOODSTOCK concert got all the attention, have finally been assembled along with interviews with singers and musicians and promoters and politicians and the general public fill out this exhuberant and joyous celebration of black soul, pop, gospel, jazz and everything in between, music.  The long list of performers include Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Hugh Masekela, the Staple Singers , the Fifth Dimension and many others.  Here's the first WOW of the year.          GRADE----------A

IN THE HEIGHTS--Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote and is featured in this bright new musical based on his Broadway play which won the top musical Tony award several years ago, and came just before his big hit HAMILTON made him a house hold word.  It is filled with lively song and dance routines as it tells the story of a hot summer week in New York City, with major characters wanting to make their dreams a reality, but reality has other plans. I enjoyed the film greatly, but I have two small complaints, though.  The singers sing so fast (and some dialogue and lyrics are in Spanish language) and talk quickly too, that I wanted there to be some English subtitles.   I got the jest anyway but probably missed some choice lines. My second complaint:  the many songs come fast and furious, and in spite of some wonderful direction and clever choreography, there really isn't one great ballad or showstopper in the bunch.  The opener song IN THE HEIGHTS is probably the best, but does anyone walk out with the tune or words on the tip of your tongue?   The amusingly choreographed song 96,000 is a joy to watch as it pays tribute to director Busby Berkley with scenes of dancing in a giant community swimming pool, but where are songs like (all from HAMILTON) My Shot, You'll Be Back, The Room Where It Happens, Satisfied , the opener Alexander Hamilton, just to name a few of more than a dozen memorable songs?                                      GRADE-------B+

CRUELLA--A new Disney film about the early life of Cruella deVille--she with the half black, half white hair.  There is a lot of exposition leading up to the wild scenes of one-ups-man-ship between her (Emma Stone)  and her evil mentor (played with delicious precision by the witty Emma Thompson.)  The set designs and costumes are spectacularly effective and there is a high level of professionalism, creativity, special effects and humor on display.  Very engaging, especially for adults and more mature teens.         GRADE------B+

OUR LADIES---This small British film set in the late 1990's concerns a group of teenage girls who travel to the big city from their small village to compete in a competitive musical program, and of course they spend their free time looking to pick up and "shag" teen age boys and doing lots of drinking.  The dialogue is loaded with spicy sexual language--it made me wonder if girls were really so forward since they all came from a private religious school run by nuns.  But the girls were portrayed with a realistic seriousness and some lines and situations were really funny--sometimes there was so much laughter in the small theatre that I missed the follow up lines.  This film was released in London in late 2019 but delayed because of the covid restrictions until this last month in the USA.                     GRADE-------------B+

RITA MORENO: JUST A GIRL WHO DECIDED TO GO FOR IT!--This Netflix documentary about the remarkable singer, actress and dancer is just about perfect.  It has clips from her many films, and great talking heads  talking about her life, and Rita also makes many choice observations.  It covers all her memorable films (and not so memorable) and delivers some surprising life choices, all in cohesive, timely order.    This is a must see for historical film fans, and Rita fans alike.                   GRADE---------B+

TINA----Here is another fine HBO film documentary about musical pop star Tina Turner, covering her childhood, early days as part of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, her abuse at the hands of Ike and her struggle to start over once she broke from him.   In my opinion, they save her greatest song for the end--SIMPLY THE BEST.                               GRADE-----------------B+

SPARKS BROTHERS---Another fine musical documentary, I knew nothing about this "group" of two brothers who have been together for nearly 50 years and although they were born in Los Angeles, they spent many years making music in England, commuting back and forth, and have been influential with musical insiders.  They sound at times like Duran Duran, or Queen, or Super Tramp, or other boy bands (Herman's Hermits and the early Beatles come to mind) but they are very talented) but it is a unique sound and the documentary was always interesting and makes me want to listen to more.       GRADE--------B+ 

PETER RABBIT 2: RUNAWAY---Animation mixed with live action, this follow up to PETER RABBIT from  a few years back is charming and I though pretty funny, especially with Peter voiced by British actor James Corden, and I was pretty hoppy watching it.                             GRADE----------B+

BLACK WIDOW--Another Marvel Comics film with a lot heart, centered around the "fake" family that is torn apart when the two sisters are still young.  That's the first 20 minutes, and we get to see what the Scarlett Johansson (Natassha) character had to put up with being trained as an killer before she escapes to become an Avenger .  I was impressed with the whole fake family unit which includes Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz and David Harbour, who gets all the funny lines.    The action sequences are pretty good--they reminded me of quality James Bond 007 films.              GRADE-------B

FOUR GOOD DAYS  --Mila Kunis nearly steals the film from the great Glenn Close.  They play daughter and mother, trying to keep Kunis clean so she can get a drug that keeps her from relapsing.  Drug addiction may be a familiar theme, but watching these two women interact kept me engaged.              GRADE------------------B

THE QUIET PLACE II--Here's an effective follow up to the first film, with a lot of tension generated by quiet scenes.  My big questions is:  why does the mother and her kids walk around with no shoes or socks, when the aliens have smashed up many buildings, windows, cars, etc.  Other characters seem to wear their shoes sensibly.                        GRADE------------B

FINDING YOU--Talented violinist can't get a professional position, so she goes off to Ireland to find herself, learns to play better in pubs, and finds a cute actor boyfriend, who may or may not still be attached to his actress girlfriend.   The scenery is great, the music is toe tapping, and the film is rescued by the moving role of an elderly mysterious woman in senior care who the violinist reads to, played with great dignity by Vanessa Redgrave.  A simple pleasure.                       GRADE-----B

HERE TODAY---It's an awkward lame title, but I found the jokes about an older writer (Billy Chrystal) who is suffering from dementia and needs the care of a jobless, big hearted woman (Tiffany Haddish) to be pretty funny, even when the film wallows occasionally in schmaltz.  If you go in with low expectations, the film can be a delightful surprise.                  GRADE-----------B

THE ICE ROAD--This Netflix film has Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder and Laurence Fishburne as big rig drivers driving across northern Canada frozen waters with melting ice blocking their way, as well as another threat.  As action thrillers go, this one is not bad, and Neeson, well, he's the man.                    GRADE----------------B-

THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES--Animated madness.  On a family road trip to deliver their daughter to college, electrical devises have gone berserk, declaring to take over the universe against mankind.  Not bad, and amusing if you are interested and in the right mood.               GRADE--------B-

12 MIGHTY ORPHANS--Based on a true story, an orphanage in 1939 hires a football coach who builds up a team, lifting morale.  Luke Wilson, Robert Duval, Treat Williams, Wayne Knight and a likeable drunk doctor played by Martin Sheen star in this old fashioned sports drama.       GRADE---------B-

THE TOMORROW WARS--Chris Pratt is a likeable actor and manages to keep us interested, even if the plot holes are enormous at times (especially the time travel mumbo jumbo) and the coincidences keep mounting.  But the monsters are diverting and plot just keeps zooming along.       GRADE--------B- 

THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD--We are supposed to believe that skinny Angelina Jolie is a tough firefighter who can out run a fire (and the bad guys) with a shovel and heavy gear (I didn't believe it).  Towards the end a young boy is eating rationed food and asks her if she eats it.  Sure.  That's why you're so skinny.  I'm lean, she responds.  Modestly entertaining.              GRADE----------B-

THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT--Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga take any real horror out of these conjuring films--they are too sensible and smart.  I felt like I've seen many excorcist films, and this one had nothing new to offer.  Some scares were great but others were ho hum. (The best scenes are given away in the trailer, which I saw 6-8 times.)  Wish it were better.        GRADE-----B-

F9:THE FAST SAGA--In spite of some entertaining sequences of car and truck chases, the film is rather dumb and boring. It goes waaaay over the top.  Sending a hot car into space strapped to a rocket--really?  It's one of my least favorite in the FAST AND FURIOUS series, and John Cena seems to growl and frown excessively.  The actors seemed happier to see each other scene for scene, than I was to see them.                      GRADE---------C+

@ZOLA--The film feels like a Twitter written script--oh yeah, it was a Twitter story.  It is also sleazy and has a disjointed feel, and it's seeped in violence, prostitution, bullying, and criminality.  I felt like I needed a shower after watching this train wreck of a story, but I did like the work of Taylour Paige who I recently saw in BOOGIE and MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM, and also the menacing pimp Colman Domingo, also in MA RAINEY'S.                  GRADE---------------C+

WRATH OF MAN--Jason Statham plays a cold, mysterious security man until it becomes clear that this Guy Ritchie film is basically a cold violent revenge/ avenge thriller that we've seen before in various forms.     GRADE--------------C+

THE HIGH NOTE--Basically the assistant of a popular singer wants to make it big as a record producer, but insecure singer keeps her in check.  However, I was surprised by the ending!       GRADE------C+

TOGETHER TOGETHER--Patti Harrison plays the surrogate mother for single 40-something Ed Helms who wants a baby.  These two standup comedians each have their moments, but the film is very subdued and low key and seems to amount to not much.                    GRADE--------C+

THINGS HEARD AND SEEN--Although advertised as a horror film, this film doesn't go there so much as a mental anguish drama caused by a young wife's loneliness and suspicion of her husband's infidelity when they move from the city to a small village.  Amanda Seyfried is fine and James Horton is a cad, and oddly he does have two nude (from behind) scenes of no importance!                    GRADE--------C+

GOOD ON PAPER---The main character is a standup comedian, but the little stories she tells the live audience at the start of several scenes have no humor and no impact.  She meets a man who looks good on paper but may have a problem with telling the truth.  I found this to be quite dull despite a promising set up.               GRADE---------C

HITMAN'S WIFE'S BODYGUARD--This violent chaotic comedy nearly drove me from the theatre in the first 20 minutes, and in retrospect, I wish I'd left.  The over the top plot makes no sense, sometimes a one liner or double take made me laugh, but the film looks so frenetic and the camera work is so wiggly that I couldn't tell what was happening in most scenes.  Ugh.           GRADE-----------D+

 

VINTAGE OLDIES SEEN ON TV or DVD-------------------

NOTTING HILL 1999--Believe it or not, I've never seen this film except in brief clips, and of course that famous line "I'm just a boy standing in front of a girl asking her to love me." or is it a girl in front of a boy---nonetheless, I found this to be an enchanging and fanciful romantic comedy that was just about perfectly acted and scripted, with many many memorable scenes.          GRADE----A

BEE GEES:HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART--2020--Here's a near perfect documentary that was insightful, informative and entertaining that covers the brother's childhood, early successes breakups and stardom.  I come away with a greater understanding and appreciation of their musical legacy.          GRADE---------A-

DON'T WORRY, HE WON'T GET FAR ON FOOT 2018--I believe this was the closing night feature of the Seattle International Film Festival which I missed, the film is based on the book by John Callahan who lost the use of his legs during a tragic drunken auto accident and became known for his caustic witty cartoon drawings.  Joaquin Phoenix stars as Callahan, Jonah Hill plays this AA sponsor and Gus Van Sant is the director.  The comedy drama deals with the anger and resentment Callahan had to deal with but the film suggests he managed to overcome many issues.  Jack Black plays his friend whose drunkenness caused the accident, and Rooney Mara plays his care giver and girlfriend.      GRADE-----------B+

CAST A DARK SHADOW 1955--Dirk Bogarde marries then murders his older wives but meets his match when he tries to engage with a stranger new to town.  This black and white blu ray copy of British film noir looked terrific.                GRADE-----------B+

THE HONEY POT 1967--A smooth and sophisticated comedy-mystery written and directed by Joseph L. Mankeiewicz (LETTER TO THREE WIVES, ALL ABOUT EVE, CLEOPATRA, SLEUTH, ETC) is inspired by the play Volpone by Ben Johnson.  Wealthy Rex Harrison takes on an assistant (Cliff Robertson) to play a trick on the three women who meant the most to him in his life (Susan Hayward, Capucine and Edie Adams) calling them all to his side and fake dying, to see which woman wants his estate money the most.  They all have a reason for wanting it.  But a murder changes the game, and the comic tone becomes more sinister.  Maggie Smith is a nurse maid to one of the women and becomes intertwined with the proceedings and nearly steals the movie from the other women.  There are a number of twists and turns, and Harrison plays his role to the hilt.                     GRADE---------------B+

WANTED FOR MURDER 1946--British film noir about a disturbed rich man who takes to strangling single women, yet leaving clues for the police as if wanting to get caught.  On the same dvd as CAST A DARK SHADOW above--it's not as strong a film but it looks great on Blu ray.      GRADE---------B

THE CHEAP DETECTIVE 1978--This Neil Simon comedy is pretty funny if you are in the right mood.   Peter Falk plays the lead, and he has a number of ex-girlfriends including Louise Fletcher, Madeline Kahn, Ann-Margaret and Eileen Brennan, and also featured are James Coco and Stockard Channing.  The film is a parody of MALTESE FALCON and CASABLANCA and film noir in general and I quickly found much to laugh about.  You'll love it or hate it.                 GRADE---------B

THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES 1996--Barbra Streisand directed and stars in this comedy/romance/drama, which I enjoyed better this time than when I first saw it in 1996.  She portrays an "ugly" duckling college professor who falls for fellow professor Jeff Bridges, who has a problem with beautiful woman who distract him too much.  They make a deal to stay platonic unless he's given lots of notice if she wants sex (!) Yes, an odd premise but the first half plays well like a romantic comedy, and then gets weird when they marry and after a few weeks she wants sex, and he has a break down.  Her vain, sarcastic mother always has a rude comment to make about the situation, and Lauren Bacall has a lot of fun with the part.  Pierce Brosnan is her brother in law with whom she has had a long attraction, and her glamorous sister is Mimi Rogers.  The film is not perfect but it is more interesting than most romantic comedy/dramas.  The main problem is that Streisand is not ugly even when she is trying to be dowdy, and when she does do a major physical make over you can sympathize with Bridges' shock (my wife and I both said she looked better before the make over.)              GRADE-------B

LOST IN YONKES 1993--Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway play for 1991, this Neil Simon comedy drama has two great child actors, and Mercedes Ruehl, Richard Dreyfuss and Irene Worth.  The strict Grandma's two male grandchildren  must move in with her while their father tries to make some money during the depression as a traveling salesman.  Ruehl plays her slightly handicapped daughter who is dating another "special" man (David Strathairn.)  Dreyfus plays a small time crook of an uncle who takes the boys under his wing.  It's a solid story with some great character actors.       GRADE--------B

HALSTON 2019--Ewan McGregor is a pretty good Halson and Krysta Rodiguez makes an outstanding Liza Minelli in this bio pic of the famous designer.  There is a lot of homosexual activity and drug use that may annoy some viewers.                    GRADE------------B

THE 12TH MAN--2017--This Norwegian film is based on a true story of a dozen men sent out as spies during WWII and working against the Germans, but things go very wrong early on in their mission, and 11 men are captured and quickly shot as spies.  The last 12th man spends several months avoiding Nazi soldiers and tries to make his way to London.  It's a remarkable effort (when trying to escape he loses both his shoes, and its the middle of winter in Germany) and many people don't trust him.    GRADE--------B

HOT MILLIONS --1968--This low key, slow burn comedy has Peter Ustinov trying to extort money from the British company he works with.  He meets and marries his new secretary (Maggie Smith) and the two have a charming relationship that develops in an unusual manner, and the ending is a heartwarming surprise.  Karl Malden and Bob Newhart also star.             GRADE-------B

5 FLIGHTS UP --2014--A warm and thoughtful story of a retired couple who decide to move to an apartment on the main floor, or at least one with an elevator.  It helps that Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman play the couple, and the humor is gentle but pointed as they have to deal with fussy and rude New Yorkers and pushy and odd estate agents.                       GRADE--------B

PEOPLE WILL TALK--1951--Cary Grant is a doctor who meets, then marries Jeanne Crain who has recently discovered she's pregnant.  The themes include premarital sex, suicide, societal gossip and trust.  It's a serious comedy, and the leads are excellent.              GRADES-------B-

SHACK OUT ON 101--1955--This small isolated cafe becomes a hot bed of international spies and nuclear secrets, and one of the spies is having an affair with the waitress, but the strongest reason for seeing this fiilm is one of the first appearances of Lee Marvin who plays a young cook, happy to torment and abuse the waitress Terry Moore.  Keenan Wynn plays the cafe manager, and Frank Lovejoy is one of the spies.  It's a curious film noir, and you can see why and how Marvin became such a big star 10 years later.        GRADE------------B-

THE GIVER--2014--Based on a young adult novel series, this ambitious film about a society the seems democratic on the surface is rather autocratic, hiding truth and free choice for the "good" of the citizens.  Elder Jeff Bridges is the "giver" who instructs the youthful Brenton Thwaites in the past history, opening his eyes to the falseness of society.  Meryl Streep makes a creepy official.                   GRADE------B-

HAMSTEAD--2019--A divorced woman meets and tries to help a man who has lived  for 17 years in a shack he built on government property but now the city is trying to kick him out.  Diane Keaton and Brendon Gleeson star, with Lesley Manville as a trouble maker.   Based on a true story, the film is low key and likeable, but maybe not too memorable.                 GRADE----------B-

YOU CAN'T CHEAT AN HONEST MAN--1939--W.C. Fields is a circus owner with a beautiful daughter who falls for the ventriliquest Edgar Bergan, but of course Fields objects.  He ends up  insulting the rich society couple who have a son that is courting the daughter played by Constance Moore.              GRADE--------B-

THE BANK DICK--1940--W.C.Fields accidentally foils a bank robbery and is awarded a job as bank security officer, and his ineptitude keeps a banker from loosing money on a fake scheme.  As in all Fields films, excessive booze and a beautiful daughter plays a main theme in the comedy.              GRADE---B-

NEVER GIVE A SUCKER AN EVEN BREAK--This time Fields is a script writer trying to sell a director a film with an outrageous plot, which is completely acted out in scene to scene.  Singer Gloria Jean plays his daughter--who has a glorious voice.  The fantasy/movie scenes are rather stupid but Fields makes the most of them with comic bits, many including his hats.             GRADE------B-

THE SECRET OF THE WHISTLER 1946--Richard Dix, who has starred in most of the Whistler series, again stars as an artist who lives off his rich wife, while keeping a mistress (his model, natch) on the side.  His life changes when his sickly wife gets wind of the affair.           GRADE--------B-

THE THIRTEENTH HOUR --1947--Richard Dix owns a struggling trucking company.  When his truck is stolen, a cop is killed by the robber, but Dix is framed for the murder.           GRADE-------B-

THE RETURN OF THE WHISTLER--1948--A soon to be married couple are stranded in a small town when their car breaks down.  In the morning, the bride to be has disappeared (separate bedrooms, naturally) and the groom  struggles to find her, uncovering a whole new set of truths about her.    Dix did not appear in this film.  All the Whistler films had solid, complicated plots, filmed in black and white, and were good examples of film noir style within their small budgets.          GRADE---------------B-

AGATHA AND THE TRUTH OF MURDER--2018--An older nurse is murdered on a train and more than a  year later writer Christie is hired to find out who and why by her older roommate. Set during the time Agatha Christie  disappeared for 11 days with police out looking for her.      GRADE---B-

AGATHA AND THE CURSE OF ISTAR 2019--Christie goes to Baghdad seeking relaxation, but finds an attractive archaeologist with a bullet in his forehead (her future 2nd husband!) and a murder to solve. This is the second PBS film using different actors as Agatha Christie, portraying what might have happened in her life.                 GRADE-----B-

AGATHA AND THE MIDNIGHT MURDERS---2020--A single setting in the basement of a restaurant during an air raid, someone has stolen the manuscript of her final Poirot mystery, and they are in the basement with her.   All the British actors are fine, but the low budgets and low key drama begs for some glamour.          GRADE---B-

THE WAR LOVER--1962--A modest WWII film with Steve McQueen as an arrogant but skillful flier who bullies his crew, and when he dislikes someone he has them transferred out of his circle.  Robert Wagner is his quiet friend, but when Wagner starts a wartime affair in London McQueen tries to muscle in on the lover Shirley Anne Field.                          GRADE---------C+

TERROR STREET--1953--Soldier/flier Dan Duryea returns from being gone on a long mission, but finds his wife dead and he is framed for her murder and has just 24 hours to find the real killer.  Nice film noir but needs some oomph.            GRADE--------C+

SLUGGER'S WIFE--1985--A Neil Simon drama about baseball player who excels on the field when his singer wife is in attendance, but when she tries to build up her own career on the road, he falls apart.  Michael O'Keefe, Rebecca  deMornay, Martin Ritt and Randy Quaid are featured in this dull, pointless slog, surprisingly directed by the normally fine Hal Ashby who directed such classics as BOUND FOR GLORY, THE LANDLORD, SHAMPOO, HAROLD AND MAUDE, LAST DETAIL, COMING HOME and BEING THERE.

                                                                                                                                  

THE OSCARS ARE ON TV THIS SUNDAY 25 APRIL 5PM! YEP IT'S BEEN A WEIRD MOVIE YEAR BUT MANY OF THE OSCAR FILMS CAN BE VIEWED ON DEMAND OR ON HULU, NETFLIX OR AMAZON OR PRIME VIDEO. FAVORITE NEW FILMS VIEWED INCLUDE THE FATHER, MINARI, NOBODY AND YES, HILLBILLY ELEGY

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!

 

              

NOMADLAND, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN, JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH, CHAOS WALKING, ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI, I CARE A LOT, THE MARKSMAN, THE DIG plus oldies SHOP AROUND THE CORNER, MR. SKEFFINGTON, IPCRESS FILE, MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS, BLUE HAWAII (Elvis!)

 PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN--Sensational , smart story given sharp treatment from script, direction and actors.  A young woman who has been wronged seeks revenge on any number of men who pick her up at a bar thinking she's drunk, but when they get her home and try to take advantage of her, they are in for a rude awakening.  This film was surprising all the way for me, with even the downbeat ending a shockingly satisfying moment.  Made with style and energy, this film will keep you watching until the end, and keep you thinking about it for weeks.             GRADE----------------A

NOMADLAND--Measured, thoughtful, unusual story of a modern, down on her luck woman who decides to lead a nomadic lifestyle out of her van, seeking the company of other like people who often move from trailer park to park, taking temporary work to get by.    Frances McDormand gives  another interesting portrayal as a woman wanting to live life on her own stubborn terms and some non-actors flesh out the large cast, making the film feel especially realistic.                           GRADE------------------A-

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH--Engrossing biopic about life and death of a Black Panther leader  in the late 1960's Fred Hampton,  with a strong acting job by Daniel Kaluuya who appeared in GET OUT 2017,  BLACK PANTHER and WIDOWS in 2018 and QUEEN AND SLIM in 2019.   I predict an OSCAR for him in the supporting category.                   GRADE---------------A-

CHAOS WALKING--Creative, and unique science fiction story of a colony of men who live together with out women, but the men all have unfiltered inner thoughts which cannot be repressed and pop out like mind farts, with sometimes hilarious(and sometimes dangerous) results.  A young female astronaut crash lands near this colony and needs protection from the male hoards and ends up with a horny and curious teenager played by the most recent SPIDERMAN Tom Holland.  Daisy Ridley (from the recent STAR WARS films) is a strong, gritty character, and the two make a likeable team.          GRADE------------B+

I CARE A LOT-- Rosamund Pike plays a corrupted court appointed guardian for the elderly, and she uses her position to milk the bank accounts of her clients, but one day she tries to do that to her latest "cherry" (Dianne Weist) and finds herself in deep with a client with unknown ties to danger.  It's a lively, fascinating show that is unusual in that there is no GOOD GUY or happy ending for anyone, but if you enjoy nasty characters getting their just desserts you just might have some nasty fun with this one.            GRADE-------------------B+

ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI--What might have happened if four famous black men had been friends and all met for a night of discussion in Miami in 1964--the four are Cassius Clay (fighter before becoming  M. ALI), Jim Brown (actor), Malcolm X (Black political leader) and Sam Cooke (famous singer.)  Based on a stage play, the film is well directed by Oscar winning actor Regina King, and there are a lot of interesting ideas floating around, but the film is set in one hotel room and one rooftop and is very talky.  But the actors, however,  are all fascinating to watch.                    GRADE--------------------------B

 THE DIG--Modest but moving film based on a true story of wealthy widow Edith Pretty (played by Carey Mulligan, also the star of PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN above) and archaeologist Basil Brown (played by Ralph Fiennes) during WWII when she hires him to explore and dig into several mounds (small hills) on her property, and he discovers some remarkable finds.                   GRADE----------B

THE MARKSMAN--Here's a smooth, solid chase film with the predictably fine Liam Neeson as an ex-sharp shooter from the military trying to protect a young, motherless illegal Mexican who is being chased by the evil Mexican cartel and the clueless US agents who only want to send him back.  Predictable but effectively intense.                            GRADE-------------B

NEWS OF THE WORLD--Tom Hanks is the star, but the film is stolen by a young German girl (played by newcomer Helena Zengel) with almost no dialogue who has been kidnapped by Indians for over five years and now after the Civil War he has decided to return her to some relatives over a hundred miles away.  Visually the film looks good with lovely Southwest Arizona western settings, but the director Paul Greenfield likes to use a cinematographer who films hand held on roller skates having taken acid--the camera giggles and wiggles and jerks in nearly every scene.  Also, the plot points come telegraphed well in advance.                  GRADE---------------------B-

HERSELF--A young woman leaves an abusive relations with her two young daughters, and attempts to build a house on her own because the system has let her down.                        GRADE-----------------B-

THE LITTLE THINGS---Denzel Washington and Rami Malek (Oscar winner for BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY) are good together as cops seeking a serial killer, but half way through, Jared Leto comes onto the screen and really burns it up as their leading suspect.  The film backs off being sensational preferring to be low key.  I could have used a little more oomph!               GRADE------------C+

SUPERNOVA--Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci play longtime lovers who take a road trip, but one of them is dying of dementia, affecting their love.  It's a simple story told in a low key manner, and it left me unaffected.                             GRADE------------C+

WONDER WOMAN 1984--Not as good as the original WW from several years ago, but Gal Godot gives it her all, and she's beautiful to look at.  Likeable Chris Pine is also back as the BF (don't ask), and Kristin Wiig has fun with her evil character, and Pedro Pascal is just right as the mad man trying to control the world (what's new?).  So what's the problem ?  Mostly the chaotic pacing, unbelievable script and loud action sequences, as if to wake us from the talkie parts.                      GRADE-------------C+

The above films are all either showing on some newly opened theatre screens (in fact I saw most of them on movie screens with fewer than 15 patrons wearing masks, or streaming (One Night, I CARE a LOT, THE DIG)  but there are soooo many streaming services (ie.  HULU, Apple +. Disney, Netflix, Prime Video, Brit Box, Peacock, ETC ETC ETC) that I can't keep track to advise you which to search.  Some films play on more than one service, or they move around. I have only three services (Netflix and Prime which includes Brit Box and Peacock) but sometimes streaming is free for a week or so.  Also you can look up a certain film on Google and it will tell you where you can see  it.                      GOOD LUCK!

 

Below are films that I viewed from my own private DVD collection, but a handful I streamed from Peacock or other services.  These are all oldies but goodies.

SHOP AROUND THE CORNER 1940--Two retail workers hate each other on the job, unaware that they are pen pals through the mail.   Much of the film is set at the Christmas season, and the wonderful cast includes Jimmy Stewart, Margaret Sullivan and Frank Morgan (the great wizard in OZ).  I got a Blu-Ray copy that looks great and I laughed and cried all the way through this romantic comedy.    GRADE---A

MR SKEFFINGTON 1944--My own dvd copy became pixilated at 2 hours (out of 2 hours 25 minutes) so we had to make a purchase on Netflix (?) for $4.00 to watch the final half hour, which is a devastating ordeal.  Bette Davis plays a vain, self centered  woman who marries a rich man (Claude Rains) to keep her beloved brother (also vain and self centered!) out of prison, but she doesn't love him and treats him poorly with fanciful affairs in the open.  Davis had many Oscar nominations, including this one, and she is something spectacular to behold.  There are many great scenes, but one of my favorites involves her on a date with a gangster and they show up at night club where her husband is on a date with his secretary!             GRADE---------------------A-

THE LETTER1940--Another Oscar nomination for Bette Davis in this insidious film noir about a woman who shoots her lover (first scene in the film) many times in the back, but then claims self defense.  But there is a letter that might change a jury's mind.                            GRADE----------B+

MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS 2005--If you are a fan of the PBS series "THE DURRELLS of CORFU" which ran for about four years recently, then look for this made for British TV film that features all the characters from the Durrell family, and plays a lot like the TV series, but with different actors.  Imelda Stanton plays Mrs. Durrell, and all the actors are terrific in their roles.         GRADE-------B+

TO CATCH A THIEF 1955--There's a lot of Hitchcockian dialogue to wade through in between  some dazzling suspense episodes, but Cary Grant is, well, Cary Grant, which means very smooth and handsome, and Grace Kelly is a spectacular beauty, almost as lovely as the French Riviera where the film was set.  It may not be the best from Alfred Hitchcock, but even his lessor films are miles ahead of most film makers best.                               GRADE------------------B+

CITIZEN KANE 1941--A classic film that I first saw 50 years ago in Film Study in High School, and not since.  I remembered literally nothing except the final bon fire at the end.  The film holds up well and it made me appreciate the recent film MANK about the screenwriter and his efforts to write CITIZEN KANE.  The art and set direction of MANK is certainly effective--strongly emulating the visuals of KANE.  I saw it again because I had just seen MANK and was curious about whether it held up and it does, as far as that goes.  Unfortunately I don't have much sympathy for Kane (and not much for Mankewicz either) so that does limit my enthusiasm for the film.                 GRADE------------B

THE IPCRESS FILE 1965--One of the earliest spy films to make much of a splash came just after the release of the first three James Bond thrillers-- in fact, the poster quotes a critic as saying "A thinking man's GOLDFINGER....."  I don't think so, but I remembered enjoying it when it first came out and was thinking what a cool cat was this new comer Michael Caine.  He went on to make two more sequels as secret agent Harry Palmer --FUNERAL IN BERLIN and THE BILLION DOLLAR BRAIN, both of which I will watch soon and report on them when I do.  IPCRESS was a little slower this time around  and I don't remember much from FUNERAL or BRAIN, but I am curious.                 GRADE-------B

 HITCHCOCK/TRUFFANT 2015--These two directors sat down with a French/English interpreter to discus Hitchcock's films from the 1930's to his last films in the 1970's.  It was a bit awkward to work thru the translations but there were many insightful comments and also views from some contemporary USA directors, and this documentary is a must see for any Hitchcock fan.                   GRADE-----B

TIG 2016--This documentary about standup comedian Tig Notaro features her story about her mother's sudden death, her breast cancer, her efforts at conception and her meeting the woman who would eventually become her wife, all with-in  a one year span. It is a fascinating telling, full of horror and humor and love.                        GRADE---------B

 THE GREAT RACE 1966--Director Blake Edwards (aka Mr Julie Andrews) had a way with sight gags  and made sure to include at least one or two great gags in each scene in this long slap stick comedy which featured Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, Jack Lemmon, Peter Falk, and many others.  Plot wise, the film is pretty funny, but nearly stops dead during a sequence during which the main characters are in a plot to overthrow the government of an obscure European country because the Lemmon character is a spitting image for the actual foppish king.  That sequence, while  having a few laughs, seems mostly an excuse to include a lengthy pie throwing scene, which picks up the action again....                    GRADE-------------B

ESCAPE FROM RIO BRAVO 1953--William Holden, Eleanor Parker, John Forsythe, William Demerest and others star in this Western set during the Civil War.  Holden and Forsythe are in love with Parker so it's mainly a macho standoff.  Confederate soldiers being held at a Union Rio Bravo, try to escape but must deal with the hot desert, snakes,  hostile Indians, and changing loyalties.     GRADE---------------B-

THE STALKING MOON 1968--This western featuring Gregory Peck and a nearly wordless Eva Marie Saint has Peck escorting Saint (a white woman who was captured by Indians many years earlier) and her "half breed" son (fathered by the murderous Indian who is tracking her) to safety.   Nicely sustained suspense.        GRADE-----------B-

THE BOOKSELLERS 2019--Unusual documentary about New York City sellers who deal mostly in antique and rare books, and the people who buy them.  Interviews include Parker Posey, Fran Lebowitz, Gay Talese, and many locals.  Especially good if you are interested in this type of rare book.                     GRADE---------B- 

ENDLESS NIGHT 1972--Film made from Agatha Christie novel features Hayley Mills, Brit Ekland , Hywel Bennett and George Sanders, about a newly wed in a new house that becomes suspicious for her life.  The most interesting thing about it is the florid musical score by Hitchcock favorite Bernard Hermann.             GRADE----------------B-

WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE 2018--Based on the Shirley Jackson 1962 novel, this film deals with an odd family who have a dreadful secret, and they live a lonely life, until a distant relative shows up to try to claim some of the estate.  Either I saw this before and it left my mind, or I  saw another version of this story many years ago, because I recognized every plot twist.  Weird.  With Taissa Farmiga, Sebastian Stan and a very calm Crispin Glover.                   GRADE-------------B- 

ELVIS ELVIS ELVIS!  I purchased a 5 film package of Elvis films, and enjoyed them all greatly!

BLUE HAWAII 1961--The Blue Hawaii title song sets the mood, and his hit I Can't Help Falling In Love With You is featured, plus wonderful settings and scenery, and a wedding.  Angela Landsbury plays his goofy, racist mom, there's a bar fight scene, a teen tries to seduce him but he's too good for her, and overall I enjoyed this one very much.  An all male beach bum band is always around when it's time to sing and there are over a dozen songs sung, all pretty decent.              GRADE---------B+

FUN IN ACAPULCO 1963--The city sights steal the film, and Ursula Andress wears a great bikini, and there are cliff divers, Elvis dates two woman at the same time, and a smart little boy keeps Elvis busy with a lot of (singing) jobs, with a great Mariachi band always around for the back up.  Very easy to watch.                GRADE---------B

G.I. BLUES 1961--This was the first film I watched, and I hated the first 20 minutes so much I almost turned it off.  Finally they get away from training drills and coy all male showers, and into Frankfurt night life, and Juliet Prowse shows up as the "love" interest.  There's a distasteful contest about who can spend the night with her first and Elvis is first up.  However Prowse is too classy to fall for such a contest--she's too busy dancing in a night club and avoiding leering male patrons, and Elvis is too much the gentleman to treat her such, so this contest is forgotten for much of the film, thankfully.  There's a charming song w/ Elvis singing to a wooden female puppet (Wooden Heart song) and by the final scenes I was really smiling and enjoying this film.                 GRADE----------------B

GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS 1962--The big song in this one is "Return to Sender, Address Unknown" but every song was pleasant (and short) enough.  Once again Elvis has two women to balance (one is Stella Stevens) and he always has a scene or two in all these films with children--this one has siblings and they sing a charming song with him.              GRADE----------B-

THE ROUSTABOUT 1964--Barbara Stanwyck adds some gravatis as a carnival owner who hires Elvis to work as a stage hand, but of course his singing is discovered and proves a big draw.  He also falls for the daughter of a cranky ex-alcoholic who hates him and makes his life miserable.  The daughter is not very interested in Elvis, either, despite his constant (and annoying) attentions.  This film is very dark compared to the others I saw, and carnival life portrayed as tough and dirty.  The songs are ok, but given the grim atmosphere the film didn't move me in spite of a (false) happy ending.      GRADE-------C+

__________

THE LIQUIDATOR 1965--I wanted to like this film more than I did--it's a spoof of spy films where the always charming Rod Taylor is recruited to be a killer of rogue spies and other bad guys.   He enjoys the perks and money, but hires out the gruesome details of murder to a paid hit man.  Some times funny, sometimes dull and tiresome, this film screams to be remade starring someone like Rowan Atkinson (in Johnny English mode).....The cast includes Trevor Howard, Jill St. John, Wilfrid Hyde White and David Tomlinson.                          

LOST HORIZON 1972--I've never seen the original version from  1937, but after seeing this one I can understand why it is so popular.  The plot has a plane of strangers hi-jacked to Shangri-la deep in the mountains of Tibet.  There is a perfect society that's peaceful and inspiring, and perhaps a little wierd.  Unfortunately, this version was made as a musical, with music and lyrics by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and although some of the songs are lovely, some are so simple as to be instantly forgettable. The interesting cast includes Liv Ullmann, Sally Kellerman, Peter Finch, Bobby Van, George Kennedy, Michael York, Olivia Hussey, Charles Boyer, John Gielgud and others.  Some scenes were good, some bad, and some so bad they were kind of wierd in a good way. For example-- There's a fertility dance that features nearly naked men wearing only an orange diaper and twirling an orange ribbon flag.    Unbelievable!           GRADE-------------------C+

 

Five films from director Steve McQueen under the heading SMALL AXE--MANGROVE, ROCKERS AND LOVERS, RED WHITE AND BLUE, ALEX WHEATLE, EDUCATION, and other new films SOUND OF METAL, WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS, UNCLE FRANK, MANK plus older classics ALICE'S RESTAURANT 1969. MY FAVORITE WIFE 1940, HOME ALONE 1990 and other Christmas classics

MANGROVE --This is the first of five SMALL AXE films by British director Steve McQueen who previously directed 12 YEARS A SLAVE, SHAME and THE WIDOWS, and these are all done for BBC TV and shown on Prime Video--they all deal with the racial discrimination in England during the 1960-s up through the 1980s, and most all the characters are black, from the West Indies.  Otherwise each story is independent with different characters and nearly constant music is key in most of the films.  This first one deals with a restaurant owner who is hassled by police who think his building is housing political extremists.  The community starts to gather around him, and after a peaceful protest that turns violent thanks to a racist cop, the film culminates in a lengthy courtroom trial.                         GRADE-----------------------A-

ROCKERS AND LOVERS --Young adults gather for a dance party that seems to last all night--the music blares over the sound track and becomes hypnotic.  There is a remarkable scene where the women seem to melt out of the room and the men take over in a frenzy of masculinity angst.  There's not a lot of plot in this one, but I found myself mesmerized with music and dance and the feeling of desperate men and anxious women trying hard to make connections.          GRADE--------------A-

RED WHITE AND BLUE--This film features the only known famous actor John Boyega (from STAR WARS films) and he is very good, although all the characters in each film are excellently cast.  He is a scientist, but would rather work for the police and struggles to become the first police man of color to join the force.  This is the late 1960s, but racism within the force is his main  problem.            GRADE----A-

ALEX WHEATLE--This film follows several years of a young man newly arrived to London who naively learns what it means to be Black on the innercity streets--how to survive and avoid police and how to survive in jail.  This film doesn't have the sharpest edge as the others, but it is fascinating and heartbreaking  nonetheless.              GRADE---------B+

EDUCATION--A preteen with some mild learning disabilities (he's smart, but managed to get to age 11 and still can't read) is sent to a special school which turns out to be nothing more than a babysitting experience for ineffective teachers, and his middle class mother struggles to get him into a school that will challenge him.   All the above films were streaming on Prime Video.                   GRADE---------------B+ 

___________________________________

THE SOUND OF METAL--A hard loud rocker realizes that his music is making him deaf, and he must make some hard choices about changing his lifestyle.  He becomes involved in a school for the hard of hearing,  but his hard living is in contrast with their philosophy.  Extremely well acted by Riz Ahmed and Olivia Cooke and others.                     GRADE------------------A-

WORDS ON BATHROOM WALLS--A teen with mental illness and a short temper has a determined mother who works to find him the right medication and school.  At a new school he meets and becomes involved with a smart girl who is not put off by his anti social behavior.  This is a well made film about the social issues of the mentally ill, treating him with respect.  This unusual story doesn't pull any punches.      Streaming on Prime Video and Amazon.                     GRADE--------------------B+

 UNCLE FRANK--Streaming on Prime Video and Amazon, this comedy drama is set in the early 1970's and features a teenager fond of her Uncle Frank when he sometimes visits from New York to her small southern town.  When she graduates from high school she moves to New York and finds out that her Uncle is gay and has been living with the same man for over 10 years.  The death of her grandfather (Frank,s father) sends them back to the funeral, along with Frank's lover (Uncle Wally) to face unresolved issues  from the past.  Paul Betany, Peter Macdissi, Sophia Lillis, Steve Zahn, Stephen Root and Margo Martindale are featured.               GRADE-------------B

PROM--Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Keegan Michael Key, Andrew Rannells--they all seem to be having a good time, but the plot is so silly and slight and forgettable and seems to go on forever, that even the jokes that land (mostly from Streep and Corden) and the songs that are any good (congrats to Keegan Michael Key) are not enough to make this LGBT teen movie more likeable.  On Netflix.            GRADE--------------------B-

MANK--A tribute biographical film about the screenwriter Herman Mankiewicz who won the original writing Oscar for CITIZEN KANE feels cold, lifeless and although the black and white photography feels right, and the set and costumes are smart, and Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davis and Gary Oldman as Mank (he's twice the age of the real Mankiewicz) are both interesting to watch, the film left me empty, and I'm a film buff!  On Netflix, but recommended only if interested.                  GRADE---------B-

MIDNIGHT SKY--George Clooney stars in and directs this apocalyptic thriller that leaves a lot of questions behind as it lumbers along.  We never learn, for example, about what happened to earth, expect there was some sort environment disaster that is killing the planet.  Clooney plays an old, sick scientist who is the last one alive in the Arctic to trying to stop and turn around a returning space ship that has been gone for many years in search of a new safe earth beyond Jupiter, but we know very little about this new planet except that it is very promising.  The returning ship has a small crew that is supposed to repopulate this new planet but their number is dwindling for various reasons.  The technical look is interesting, and the other actors including Felicity Jones, David Oyeowo, Demain Bichir, and Kyle Chandler say their lines without laughing, but by the time it's mysteries have been answered, we don't really care.     GRADE----B-

SANTA CHRONICLES II--Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn are  back, thankfully,

 as Mr and Mrs Claus, and even though some of the special effects are cheesy, the film talks about the origins of Christmas and is busy enough to entertain you in an undemanding manner.  I loved the musical interlude set in a crowded airport on Christmas Eve.  This was a modest guilty pleasure for me.   Netflix.                   GRADE----------B-

LET HIM GO--Diane Lane and Kevin Costner star in this slow burn thriller, but that's ok since the actors are adept at keeping us involved and that adds to the satisfaction of the violent resolution.  Their son dies in an accident, and his wife remarries a bad seed who abuses the wife and child, then moves across the country to his family headed by a cruel, wicked matriarch played with steely resolve by Leslie Manville.  Of course, Lane is outraged and forces her husband to go with her to collect their grandchild.  Easier said than done.  It may not be the most original of stories, but Lane takes over the film with ease.   I saw this at a theatre during the brief period of reopening in November with about 10 other patrons, all masked up and split with dozens of rows between each of us.      GRADE------------------B-

THE CLIMB---This low budget indie film, also seen at a theatre with about 10 others, is an off beat comedy drama about a man who sleeps with his best friend's fiancee, and then keeps acting weird and needy, ruining relationships with all of his friends.  Yet somehow the two friends keep their relationship going.   I believe this is now streaming, but not sure where--check Prime, Netflix or Amazon or Hulu                    GRADE---------B-  

JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY--Forest Whitiker plays a joyful toy maker--until he is back stabbed by his apprentice (Keegan Michael Key) and becomes a cranky old man.  Years pass and his estranged daughter sends her young daughter to stay with him, and of course she is cheerful, positive and can sing and dance at the drop of a hat.  Madalene Mills is a wonderful talent.  The songs are mostly pleasant, and if you like dancing out of thin air, then you will enjoy this film.  I found the plot creaky and  cliched--it didn't make a lot of sense.  Ricky Martin plays a toy soldier.  Netflix will probably make this a seasonal film.                       GRADE-----------C+

THE LIFE AHEAD---Sophia Loren is the main reason for seeing this sad drama directed by her son.  She's a former prostitute now running a day care, and her latest child is the boy who robbed her a day earlier.  Unfortunately the drama and energy run low towards the end, and the feeling is that of a lost opportunity.                     GRADE----------C+ 

 

VINTAGE FILMS ON DVD or ON DEMAND

 

ALICE'S RESTAURANT 1969--Great counter culture film from director Arthur Penn (BONNIE AND CLYDE) based on song by Arlo Gutherie, who also appears as the lead.  The first half is very funny, but the film becomes much more somber by the end.              GRADE-------------A

MY FAVORITE WIFE 1940--Clever and witty film with Cary Grant whose wife has been missing and presumed dead for 7 years.  On the day he remarries , she returns so suddenly he has two wives to contend with.  The long missing wife is played by Irene Dunne, and the new wife is played in a shallow manner by Gail Patrick.  Many wonderful lines and laughs and a screwball sensibility.         GRADE---------A-

THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER 1942--Possibly the wittiest, snappiest script ever produced for a play and this movie by George Kaufman and Moss Hart, and the cast is at their best.  Bette Davis shines in a rare (for her) comedy role, and other comedy actors include  Ann Sheridan, Monty Wooley, Jimmy Durante, Richard Travis, Billie Burke and a dozen others.  Wooley plays a famous but pompus radio personality who slips on the icy steps of his hosts and is forced to stay in their dining room for several weeks right before Christmas, throwing the household into a tizzy.            GRADE------------A-

HOME ALONE 1990--When a large extended family all oversleep the morning they are leaving for a Paris vacation at Christmas, they rush from the house to catch their plane, accidentally  leaving the youngest boy at home, and when they discover the mistake in Paris, they have  a hard time returning due to heavy holiday traffic.  The boy must soon defend his house against two rather stupid men intent on robbing, and the clever boy quickly takes the upper hand in a series of broadly slapstick scenes.  The film is both clever and very funny at times and has just the right amount of sentiment.         GRADE-----B+

CACTUS FLOWER--1969--Glib but mostly funny comedy with Walter Matthau as a dentist, who refuses to marry his girlfriend Goldie Hawn, claiming falsely that he's already married.  When Hawn demands to meet his wife, he recruits his stern nurse (Ingrid Bergman) to portray her....Bergman at first resists, but soon starts to be attracted to Matthau.  This was Hawn's first big movie role after TV's Laugh In, and she won an Oscar for it.               GRADE----------     B+

GOLDFINGER 1964--I've seen this James Bond thriller half a dozen times before, but it had a brief run at my local cinema during the brief time theatres were open in November, and it was a pleasure to see it on the big screen.  There were only about a dozen people, but I heard several exclaim as we were leaving--"Well, that was sure fun!" as if they'd never seen it before.               GRADE----------B+

THE LAST OF SHIELA 1973--A twisted and witty plot about murder aboard a ship--think Agatha Christie only smaller--I've seen this one maybe 3 or 4 times before, but it is so convoluted that I can never quite remember who did what to whom, and the cast portraying Hollywood elite, is a real treat.   James Coburn, Joan Hacket, Richard Benjamin, Raquel Welch, James Mason, Dyan Cannon, Ian McShane and others are all very effective, making this  fun to view over and over again.            GRADE----------B+

GODSPELL 1973--Musical version of stage play with some beautiful songs by Stephen Schwartz.  A rag-tag group of modern New York City "hippie" types follow around a character playing Jesus (Victor Garber) and sing songs inspired by the Gospels.  David Haskell plays the Judas role.  Sometimes the dialogue and skits are very silly, and make me wince, but the music transcends all in basically a moving experience.                     GRADE--------------B

NIGHT AND DAY 1946--A musical biography of Cole Porter, complete with many of his songs, some  preformed by Cary Grant, with Alexis Smith and Monty Wooley.  If you know that he is gay, the plotting makes a lot more sense, as he chastely kisses women, and finds a lot of excuses to not commit to various relationships, although (in real life) he does eventually marry late in his career.     The color photography and music make this easy to watch.                    GRADE-------B

IF ONLY YOU COULD COOK 1935--Herbert Marshal costars with Jean Arthur.  He takes a break from his high profile job as auto designer, and in the park meets unemployed Jean Arthur, who complains that it's tough to be looking for a job, but there's one that needs a cook and a valet, if only she had a partner or husband.  Somehow she hooks him into applying--and of course, they are accepted.  (Only in the movies!)  He goes back to the office at night, and is also supposed to be planning a wedding though he seems not very enthused.  They are also working for what seem like gangsters--with good hearts, of course.  It's a sweet natured comedy mixed with an improbable romance.             GRADE---------B

THE WHOLE TOWN'S TALKING 1935--A rare comedy characterization by  E.G. Robinson who plays a meek office worker who discovers he looks a lot like a Killer that is roaming the streets.  When the office worker gets a letter from the police to avoid any more confusion, the Killer shows up at his home and demands the letter letting him roam the streets at night.  Jean Arthur is a madcap coworker who tries to befriend him.  Its a great plot and the actors are terrific.                       GRADE---------B

TOO MANY HUSBANDS--1940--Jean Arthur plays a woman whose husband has been missing and presumed dead for over a year, so she marries his best friend.  Of course the first husband (Fred McMurry) soon returns and her new husband is frustrated (Melvyn Douglas).  Plot wise it's a wacky screwball comedy with a lot of holes, and for a while it looks like it might turn into a menage a tois--which may have been more logical than some of the shenanigans.       Still the actors have it under control.              GRADE------------B

THE CHRISTMAS STORY 1983--Classic, sentimental film starring child Peter Billingsley and adults Darren McGavin and Melissa Dillon.  I hadn't seen it for over 35 years, and it holds up better than I remembered, though there are a few episodes that seemed to drag a little.               GRADE---------B

THE FAMILY STONE 2005--An extended family gathers at the parents house for Christmas, where girlfriends are introduced and family issues are brought to the surface.  For some reason I enjoyed this better the second time than 15 years ago.  With Diane Keaton, Craig T. Nelson,  Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel McAdams, Dermot Mulroney, Luke Wilson, Claire Danes and a lot of funny small roles.         GRADE-----------B

THE BISHOP'S WIFE 1948--A debonair angel comes to earth to help a bishop and his wife raise money for a new church, and the film is wonderfully set at Christmas time.  It helps that the players are Cary Grant, David Niven, Loretta Young, and Monty Wooley.........GRADE-------------B

BATCHELOR AND THE BOBBIE SOXER 1947--Artist Cary Grant speaks at a high school, catching the eye of teen Shirley Temple, who misunderstands him and shows up at his apartment waiting for him, just as her strict sister Myrna Loy, a judge, arrives to find them in a compromising position.  Because Temple is stubbornly attracted, it is determined (by who it is not clear!) that Grant should "date" her until she tires of their age difference.  This age difference plot is a bit wonky for me, but I have to admit that towards the end there is a wild, screwball scene at a fancy restrauant where all the main characters happen to be at (?) that is one of the funniest scenes I've ever seen, and really makes the film pull together.         GRADE---------------B

MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE 1948--Cary Grant and Myrna Loy leave the crowded city living to build a house in the country, but the house turns into a money pit.  Apparently this was the inspiration for THE MONEY PIT 1983 film starring Tom Hanks and Shelley Long which didn't get very good reviews.                           GRADE-----------B-

BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON 2004--This is the third of four Bridget Jones films, and while I'm amused by her willingness to make fun of her body and self image, it is a case of shrinking returns--many jokes seem a rehash from the earlier two versions.  Renee Zellweger is still goofy yet charming, and Hugh Grant and Colin Firth are as professional as ever, though I do have to wonder why Firth puts up with her insecurities which seem to repeat themselves in every film.   I guess this is an easy guilty pleasure for me.                 GRADE---------B-

HOME ALONE 2: LOST IN NEW YORK 1992--Since I had just seen after many years, HOME ALONE, I watched HA 2: LINY and wondered why I couldn't remembered anything about it.  That is because, HOME ALONG 2 is the very same film as HOME ALONE--just set in NYC and set at Christmas, which is the best part about it.  Even the two dumb robbers are in it because they have, incredibly, escaped from prison and hidden in a truck to be dumped in the middle of New York just in front of the cute kid from the other film!!!! And they all end up at a distant relatives home that is being remodeled so that lots of dangerous equipment like nails, hammers, bricks, paint cans, etc are just lying around.  I did enjoy watching it but seeing two films so similar back to back makes it hard to remember.  GRADE--------------B- 

HURRY SUNDOWN 1967--This long, mostly engrossing melodrama from director Otto Preminger has an epic feel, and a remarkable cast, including Jane Fonda, Michael Caine, Faye Dunaway,  John Phillip Law, Burgess Meredith, Diahann Carol, Robert Hooks and many others,  The southern accents aren't always consistent and sometimes the overbearing racism makes you wince, but Preminger has a way of plowing through the cliches to find truth in many scenes.                   GRADE-----------B- 

ERAGON 2006--When country boy Eragon finds a blue egg, a dragon is soon born from it.  He raises the dragon in secret and soon it becomes his soul dragon, protector and means of transportation, and some mean people are trying to kill the dragon and his self.  This fantasy epic is enjoyable enough but rings slighter than the LORD OF THE RINGS series.  Ed Speleers is not very dynamic in the lead, though Jeremy Irons and Robert Cralyle are fine.                 GRADE-------B-

BLACK NAVITY 2013--Based on a Langston Hughes 1961 play and featuring Forrest Whitiker, Angela Bassett, Jenifer Hudson, Jacob Latimore, Mary J. Blige and others, this musical wears it's heart on it's sleeve and it is well meaning, but hard to like mostly due to the heavy handedness of the film making.  Don't go in expecting too much and you might like it.                  GRADE-----------B- 

LITTLE 2019--Comedy fantasy of a mean boss who turns into a 12 year old girl for a   few days (don't ask) and has to learn some tough lessons.  Marsai Martin from TVs BLACKISH is fine as the girl, and Issa Rae is funny as her assistant. and the plot has some hits and misses in the laugh department, but it is fairly predictable.              GRADE-------------B-

THE WHISTLER 1944, VOICE OF THE WHISTLER 1945,  MYSTERIOUS INTRUADER 1946, POWER OF THE WHISTLER 1955--These are all short, low budget black and white films using the same lead actor (Richard Dix) , but in different roles and very different stories.  In the first one listed, a depressed man takes out a hit on himself because his wife has died, then changes his mind, but doesn't know who the assassin will be.  In VOICE, a man has only 6months to live, so he asks his nurse to marry him and inherit his estate.  Unfortunately his illness disappears and the wife's lover appears......in MYSTERIOUS, a private eye chases after a dangerous killer and he becomes a suspect.  In POWER, an innocent woman tries to help an amnesiac discover his true identity, but sometimes truth is not what is needed......  These all have lots of plot and are easy to watch, but sometimes they are a bit predictable.         GRADE-------------B- for each one.

ADAM HAD FOUR SONS 1941--A young Ingrid Bergman arrives in the United States to become governess to  four sons who have lost their mother.  She also becomes close to their father (Warner Baxter), but when he loses his money and must send the boys to relatives or boarding school, he sends poor Ingrid back to Europe.  Years later, she returns to resume her relationship. but a wicked Susan Hayward has married into the family and causes havoc.                  GRADE---------C+

 SLEEP MY LOVE 1948--Claudette Colbert wakens on a speeding train with no idea where she's going or why she's on the train.  Unfortunately that first 15 minutes is the best part of the film.  Her mysterious husband (Don Ameche) can't explain it either, and a family friend (Robert Cummings) tries to solve the mystery.  Directed by Douglas Sirk, though not his best.                   GRADE------------C+

THE CORN IS GREEN 1978--Katherine Hepburn tries her best but the film never takes off, even though George Cukor is the director.  (Not his best, either.) She tries to set up a school in a poor coal mining part of England.  I haven't seen the earlier version with Bette Davis, which I've hear is much better.              GRADE------------C+

A WALK IN THE SPRING RAIN 1970--Soap opera about a middle aged woman who moves with her husband to the country so he can write his book, but she falls for a rough country man who has a difficult wife.  Ingrid Bergman is lovely, and I found Anthony Quinn to be sympathetic as the landlord, one of the few roles that I've liked him in.                GRADE-------------C+

 

 

 

  

 

 

NEW MOVIES--THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7, THE WAY I SEE IT, MULAN, THE 40 YEAR OLD VERSION, BOYS IN THE BAND, new version of REBECCA, plus new movies on theatre screens--PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD, THE HONEST THIEF, TENET, plus some oldies but very goodies QUO VADIS, SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON, RESURRECTION, DEATH OF STALIN, plus Katherine Hepburn in MORNING GLORY, UNDERCURRENT and WITHOUT LOVE!

Some movie screens in Edmonds and Seattle finally opened last week, although the best new stuff I saw were on Netflix or Prime or Disney last month. 

 

THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7----My favorite was on Netflix and written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, called THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7.  The dialogue was sharp. informative, funny and very incicive.  The fine cast  includes Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong, Eddie Redmayne, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and John Carroll Lynch  but three others really stand out--Mark Rylance as the defense attorney, Frank Langella as the racist judge and Yahya Abdul-Mateen as the Black Panther leader Bobby Seale. These eight leaders were on trial a year after the  riot that occured at the 1968 Democratic convention when a peaceful march against the Vietnam war turned bloody and violent when police were told to attach the protesters.  The case against Seale was especially weak since he had shown up late to the protest and not been involved in the planning.  Hence, the Chicago 7.  It's a riviting courtroom drama with flashbacks, and as noted before, there is an amazing amount of humor.  Here's one of the few Netflix movies I'm eager to see again.               GRADE-------------A

THE WAY I SEE IT---A Netflix documentary about Pete Souza who was the official White House photographer for both Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama.  The film is based on the two best selling books by Souza called OBAMA: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT and SHADE, but it does start off with a brief segment on his time working for Reagan as an apolitical young photographer (he calls Reagan "a decent man" in spite of some political decisions he didn't like), but it was his eight years with Obama that opened his eyes to the human side of the man and politics, and since his retirement he has worked hard to endorse and campaign for Obama's ideals.  All the famous photo's are here with explained---the Obama's dancing at the inagaural balls, the intimate photo's of Barack playing with his young girls in a memorable snow fall in Washington DC, a young child who gets to feel Obama's hair in the White House, and hundreds of others familiar or new, and the progression leads one to strongly regret the lack of spontenaity when compared to the very staged and phony photos coming from the Trump administration .  It's a fascinating and moving  experience.                             GRADE---------------A

THE 40 YEAR OLD VERSION--Writer, director and star Radha Blank swings and hits, well, at least a triple run in this low budget, black and white  story of a nearly 40 year old artist trying to reinvent herself  as a playwright  and poet in this funny, audatious and perhaps autobiographical  story of a teacher who tries on rapping in middle age.  It's like nothing on the TV (Netflix) or movie screens these days, and it's bracingly entertaining.  I'm anxious for more from Ms Blank.                 GRADE---------B+

THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD--My first theatrical screening in 7 months!!!!!! and the 10 of us in the small theatre were masked and seated rows and rows apart and for the most part I forgot that I was wearing the mask--it was a pleasure to watch a film on  big screen!  There have been numerous versions of the DAVID COPPERFIELD novel--most notably the 1935 which featured Freeddie Bartholomew, W.C.Fields and Basil Rathbone to name a few, and also the 1999 BBC mini-series with Daniel Radcliffe, Maggie Smith, and Ian McKellin which because of it's length is able to include more of the narrative.  This version has actors of every ethnic persuasion playing different parts, which creates an exotic atmosphere, including Dev Patel as the late teen David, and Hugh Laurie and Tilda Swinton and dozens of others in support.  The director, Armando Inannicci directs with some witty animated moments, and quick clever cuts in the story, but the film seems a bit rushed in the final quarter.  It's an ambitious undertaking for this classic story....................GRADE-------------B 

BOYS IN THE BAND---This fifty year theatrical revival of the Mart Crowley play has been filmed as a movie and is now appearing in Netflix.  The cast is very good and included leads Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer and other fine actors, and if you've never seen the play, here's a good production, with most of the witty one liners intact and the pathos and self pity front and center.  I saw the play many years ago at Seattle's ACT theatre, and saw the first film by director William Friedkin (THE FRENCH CONNECTION, THE EXORCIST etc) in 1970, so there weren't any surprises, but I enjoyed the interplay and dialogue.                                                GRADE--------------B

SOMETIMES ALWAYS NEVER--This quirky, sad, visually stylish British comedy drama features Bill Nighy, Sam Riley and Jenny Agutter and is based on the story TRIPLE WORD SCORE.  Years ago the son of Nighy walked out in the middle of a Scrabble game and never returned, causing the family to become a bit fractured.  I enjoyed the film, but feel it was missing a few (Scrabble) tiles by the pointless low key ending.              GRADE------------------B

MULAN---This live action remake (on the Disney channel) of the Disney animated film from last decade is a colorful and lively experience, even if the plot is a rehash.  I enjoyed the scenery, the costumes, the exciting battle sequences and the fact that Barbara Striesand's YENTL dealt with the same themes of being attracted to the same sex even though they are in disguise from the opposite sex.    At least women trying to pass as men are doing it better these days.                GRADE--------------B

THE HONEST THIEF---Here's the second film on the BIG SCREEN I saw last week, and it's a straight forward action thriller--the kind that Liam Neeson is acting in a lot these days.  When a high level bank robber meets a woman that he falls for, he decides to go straight, turn himself in and return all the thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for a smaller sentence at a local prison to be able to spend more time with his new girlfriend!!!!  Sure, right on.  Of course, when he tries to turn himself in, the cops to whom he proposes this "deal" decide to keep the cash and double cross him, and poor Liam must convince the higher up cops that he did not accidently shoot an innocent cop in the process.  You know where this one is going from the early scenes through to the end, but it is certainly entertaining enough, especially  since I'd been stuck at home for 7 months watching my DVD collection.  Again, there were maybe 12 or 13 people in a large auditorium  all spread out and masked.           GRADE-------B-

TENET---This was supposed to be the big blockbuster of the summer opening over the 4 of July holiday but Covid kept pushing it back, and even though my nephew got to drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas over a month ago to catch a screening in September, it opened locally just 2 weeks ago.  I have to say that I have mixed feelings for this science fiction thriller.  Firstly, the plot is that old, OLD chestnut where an evil crazy man is going to destroy the whole world because, well in this case because he is dying and wants the world to die with him.  I think 20 of the James Bond 007 movies have had the same plot, but at least I could follow the action and dialogue easier, and they were a lot more fun.  (RIP Sean Connery.) There is more mumbo jumbo high tech jargon than you can imagine, and none of it is comprehensible, even when they say, "In other words, that means......."  No, I still don't get it.  The lead, John David Washington looks like he's trying to keep a straight face while spouting all this jargon, but Robert Pattison and Elizabeth Debicki manage to keep dignified.  The evil Kenneth Branagh gets to sneer and spout in nasty, angry fashion while he tortures his wife and kills all in sight.  The 2 1/2 hour film was so long I had to use the bathroom, so during the action tension final fight scenes trying to stop the nuclear bomb from going off inside a mountain with lots of scaffolding, I was desperate. When I got back they were still fighting on the damn scaffolding!!!!  Throw in all this weird time travel stuff, and backward action (?!?)--none makes much sense and what you have left is some spectacular set pieces like how did they film that, and some chase scenes where the present is really the past or the future.  WTF, man!  Christopher Nolan, I admire your technical skills, but lets get a story worth telling next time, with out so many cliches.                   GRADE---C+

REBECCA---Netflix is streaming a new remake of Alfred Hitchcock's 1940 masterpiece  REBECCA with Lily James, Armie Hammer and Kristin Scott Thomas--hollow shells all--filling in for Joan Fontaine, Lawrence Olivier and Judith Anderson.  The photography is in lushous color and gives the film a more modern sensibility even though it is still set in the 1930's and still features themes of female empowerment, but the suspense is bland and there is nothing unique in the telling.  The main difference is the ending--Hitchcock's is much more ironic, which gives the fade out some punch.              GRADE----------C   

 

THE FOLLOWING FILMS ARE OLDER, or VINTAGE, or CLASSICS, viewed on cable or DVD.

 

QUO VADIS 1951---Just bought a Blu Ray version of this epic film set in the time of Nero's rule when Christianity was growing in Rome, and Nero sets fire to Rome, then tries to blame Christians and throws them into the arena with hungry lions.  Robert Taylor is a general returning from war, and falls for the young nubile Deborah Kerr (who is a Christian, of course, and in conflict with the decadent Roman philosophy of Nero's rule.)  Peter Ustinov is an amusing and over the top Nero and is in sharp contrast to his close friend and senator Petronius played with steely balance by Leo Genn--both men were nominated for best supporting actor Oscars, and the film received other nominations for photography (it looks great), music, picture, art direction and costumes.  The film is nearly 3 hours, but it's lavishly produced and effective for it's time .   Historically, the film might not be totally accurate, but I was really engrossed and went on to read some of the background of this time period.                              GRADE-----------A

THE SEA HAWK 1940--This could be the best of the 10 films director Michael Curtiz made with Errol Flynn--it's a rousing  swashbuckling adventure with Flynn at his most dashing.  Also Brenda Marshal and Claude Rains and an amusing plot that has Flynn protecting England from Spain by looting Spanish ships, just as Spain is about ready to invade England.                   GRADE-------------A

GROUNDHOG DAY--1973---Believe it or not, I've never seen this film before, and found it particularily  effective during the covid virus lock downs.  I thought perhaps seeing a repeat of the same day  over and over again would hit too close to home, but fortunately Bill Murray (and Andie McDowell and others) managed to find some growth and variation in their characterizations that made me consistantly laugh out loud. and it's also a sweety natured romance to boot.  I can sure see why it's a comedy classic with a huge following, and I will certainly look forward to watch it again and again and again..........GRADE----B+

CAPTAIN BLOOD 1935-- During the oppressive reign of King James II, a doctor is unjustly accused of being a traitor because he administered first aid to an injured citizen and is exiled to a Jamiacan  prison where he befriends the govenor with his medical expertise, but he soon escapes to become a pirate.  In spite of being a black and white film, the film is full of derring do, chases, sword fights and a strong plot of revenge and retrobution.  This was one of Errol Flynn's first films with director Michael Curtiz, and it holds up wonderfully today.              GRADE---------B+

SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 1960---Entertaining film of British family who are ship wrecked on a nearly deserted tropical island, salvaging most of the animals and stock from the ship, and set up an elaboratete tree house.  The story seemed to be derived from another previous book ROBINSON CRUSOE and there are several movies and stories that followed this popular Disney film.  John Mills, Dorothy McGuire, James MacArthur and others along with a group of amusing animals are featured, and according to some of the extra features, a good, if difficult, time was had by all.                 GRADE----B+

RESURRECTION 1980---One of my favorite films from 1980 was this mysterious drama about a newly married woman who survives a serious car crash that kills her husband--she appears to come back from the dead, bringing with her unexplained healing powers that she is happy to share.  Unfortunately, her conservative, strict father and her new boyfriend are suspecious of her new powers, causing conflict in her home town community.  The amazing Ellen Burstyn was Oscar nominated as was the elderly Eva LaGallienne in a supporting role as Grandma.  With Sam Shepard, Lois Smith and Richard Farnsworth.  The final coda is devastating--in a good way.                               GRADE---------B+

NOTORIUS 1946--A minor masterpiece from Alfred Hitchcock--Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman play two spies recruited to infiltrate a Nazi German spy ring headed by Claude Rains in Rio.  Unfortunately, she recieves orders to seduce Rains, just as she is falling in love with Grant...Great suspense scenes included a long, long kiss on a balcony, the long long crane shot that begins high above a dance floor and zooms down to reveal a store-room key in her hand, the accidental breaking of the "wine" bottle, and the long long slow poisoning of Bergman.                  GRADE-----------------B+

MURPHY'S ROMANCE 1985--From the moment that the jeans and cowboy hat wearing Sally Field and starched white shirt and cowboy boots wearing James Garner meet cute in the small town drug store--well you knlow how this comedy is going to go.  But getting there is filled with some small pleasures and surprises, including the arrival of Field's immature ex-husband to complicate the courtship she has with Gardner.  The music and theme song by Carole King are sweetly charming and the final line of dialogue is as sure and funny and memorable as anything in this May December romance.   It's a real pleasure to watch.                     GRADE-----------B+                         

THE DEATH OF STALIN 2018--Director and co-writer Armando Iannucci keeps it funny and frantic (see also PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD, above) with inspired moments from the amusing actors including Steve Buscei, Jason Isaacs, Jeffrey Tambor, Michael Palin and Andrea Riseborough as they play out the possible scenerio of Stalin's death and funeral.  I giggled in every scene, even if some violent atrocity was occuring.                         GRADE-------B

WITHOUT LOVE 1945--This stage play turned film is charming and funny--Spencer Tracey is a scientist obsessed with his work, Hepburn is letting him live in her huge house to work on his major project and wants to help him as an assistant.  They grow to like each other although both have been hurt in love before.  They agree to marry but only platonically because sex messes up relationships.  Of course we know what will happen.  Keenan Wynn and Lucille Ball are witty and funny as friends of the two, althought they are not given much to do.               GRADE---------B

UNDERCURRENT 1946--Vincent Minnelli's first film noir about an insecure, dowdy young woman who marries a handsome man that her father knows, but she knows nothing of him.  He treats her fairly well and sets her up in society, but oddly throws a fit whenever she mentions his long missing brother, and she begins to suspect that the brother may have been murdered--by her husband.  It's an interesting film, although Katherine Hepburn seems a bit miscast because she is supposed to be weak willed but her actions seem rather straight forward.  Robert Taylor is her unstable husband, and Robert Mitchum is the brother.    GRADE--------------------B-

MORNING GLORY 1933--This early Hepburn film has her as an aspiring actress who loses her virginity to a Broadway producer Adolphe Menjou, while the producer's assistant looks helplessly on--he's (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.)  infatuated with her.  The producer dumps her and she struggles with mental illness and poverty for a while, then suddenly gets her chance when as the understudy she gets to go on suddenly when the lead actress has a tantrum, and you can guess the rest.  This was only her third film, and she won best actress Oscar for this odd role.  This was a pre-code film--nobable for her being seduced and abandoned.  If she hadn't won the Oscar, this little melodrama probably wouldn't even be remembered today.                GRADE------------B-

MICHAEL 1924--This Danish silent film from Carl Theodore Dryer is one of the first to deal with a  male artist who takes on a male art student protoge, setting him up with money and an apartment.  Conflict comes when a young countess becomes interested in the young bisexual Michael.  Although it is not explicit, this was considered one of the earlier films dealing with gay themes.        GRADE--------B-

STRANGERS IN THE CITY 1995--This early Ang (BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN) Lee film features Daniel J. Travanti as a aging gambler who agrees to marry a Chinese immigrant for money to secure her a green card so she can stay with her boyfriend.  Sort of a companion film to a later (better) Ang Lee film called THE WEDDING BANQUET about a gay man who marries a woman to please his visiting parents.  This film is low key and sad.             GRADE------------B-

THE GRAND SEDUCTION 2014--This low key Canadian film features Taylor Kitsch as a young doctor who comes to a small town for a one month internship but the whole town is in on trying to charm him into staying on permanant because this small community is trying to secure a contract for a big company to start up a businesss, but only if they have a full time doctor.             GRADE------C+

THE HOSTILE WITNESS 1968--This modest British mystery is based on a play.  Ray Milland and Sylvia Sims star in this story of his daughter's death by a hit and run driver and his attempt to find the killer.  He ends up being charged in the death of a neighbor--both of them judges, and realizes someone is trying to set him up for murder.                         GRADE------------C

SYLVIA SCARLETT 1935--Katherine Hepburn stars as a young girl who flees to  England with her rogue father dressed as a boy.  They soon meet another rogue Cary Grant, then others.  Halfway through the film she meets Brian Aherne and falls in love, then quickly drops her disguise and the film loses it's fizz.  George Cukor directed, but the light touch disappears by the end, and Cary Grant becomes an obnoxious character though much more handsome  than Aherne,  so the story feels disappointing when he literally disappears in the final 10 minutes.            GRADE-------C

THE MYSTERY OF THE 13th GUEST 1943--This low budget mystery film has a very few number of chills--after 13 years a young woman must come back to her grandfather's house and open instructions to find his will, but someone is killing the other family members that were at the final dinner.      I'm being generous with a         GRADE--------C-