Black Panther

My View:  Black Panther (2018)  PG-13  After the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns to his country only to be challenged by a rival faction. Now T’Challa as the Black Panther teams up with C.I.A. agent Ross (Martin Freeman) to try and defeat the evil Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) and keep his countrymen free.  This is a groundbreaking superhero movie because it doesn’t focus on the action sequences (though they are incredible) but focuses on the people and their back stories. The film feels extraordinarily personal and close up. You get to know why the heroes and villains become who they are now and why they are so driven. Michael B. Jordan’s character, Erik Killmonger, is the best Marvel villain ever. His backstory is exceptional and riveting. He is a character whom you hate, but you also understand why he does what he does. What I loved about this film is how many female characters kick butt. Letitia Wright, as the younger sister of T’Challa, steals every scene that she is in as the smart but snarky woman who is the brains behind the technology that T’Challa uses as Black Panther. I loved the humor in this film, which feels real and personable. This is one of the best Marvel films out there, but it’s also one of the best films of the year. Be sure and stay through all the credits as there are two bonus scenes.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again

Family Faire:  Early Man  (2018)  PG  Forced out of their homeland by the evil Lord Nooth, Dug, and his fellow tribe members unite to take on the Bronze Age City dwellers in a game of soccer.  I loved this film as I do much of the movies by Nick Park, creator of the Wallace and Gromit films. The film has a great comedic feel about it and is so much fun to watch. The stop-motion animation is bright and brilliantly done, giving the film a light tone. The storyline is funny and moving, hitting all the right notes. The voice actors are perfect for the roles, and I especially loved Eddie Redmayne as our hero, Dug. The film is a blast to watch, and I had a great time seeing it.  My Rating: Full Price

Indiefest:  Happy End  (2017)  R  Georges (Jean-Louis Trintignant), the patriarch of the family, is gradually succumbing to dementia.  His son (Mathieu Kassovitz) and daughter  (Isabelle Huppert) are slowly destroying his business. This is a dark and bleak look at a family that is falling apart at the seams. From the patriarch who continually tries to kill himself to the young daughter who has killed her mother, the film paints a bleak picture of a family who seemingly has everything but is rotten to the core. Not one person in this Michael Haneke film is happy in their lives, and we see their pain scrawled across the screen. This is a brutal film to watch but is worth seeing.   My Rating: Full Price

Forgotten Film:  My Blueberry Nights  (2007)  PG-13 A lonely young woman (Norah Jones) trying to get over a broken relationship takes a trip across America and encounters a series of offbeat characters along the way. This is a beautiful film about relationships and how they define us. The heart of this film is the performances of a brilliant cast, including Rachel Weisz, Natalie Portman, and David Straitharm. The film explores a person who is broken but heals herself through helping others find their way in life.  My Rating: Full Price

Weird Credits: From the credits of Black Panther:  Creature Technical Director

Coming Soon To a Theatre Near You:  Annihilation  (2018)  R  A biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition where the laws of nature don't apply. I’m not sure what this film is about, but the trailer looks impressive and advanced word from film critics is excellent.

Until Next Time!

All the Money in the World

My View:  All the Money in the World  (2017)  R   Jean Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer) is the wealthiest man in the world. When his 16-year-old grandson (Charlie Plummer) is kidnapped, his mother (Michelle Williams) will do anything to get him back, in spite of Jean Paul Getty, who refuses to pay a ransom.  Michelle Williams as the mom willing to do anything to get her son back and Christopher Plummer as the miserly J. Paul Getty are superb in their roles.  You feel the pain and desperation of the mom in Williams’ performance. Plummer is at the top of his game as the world’s richest man who cares more about collecting art than his own family. I can’t see anyone else but Plummer in this role. Kevin Spacey, who was replaced by Plummer after principle shooting was done, I believe, would not have done as well as Plummer did in this role. The film moves along and doesn’t feel anywhere near its two hours and twelve-minute running time.      My Rating: Full Price   All the Money in the World Website

My View:  Molly’s Game  (2017)  R  Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain) runs an underground poker game in Hollywood that high profile gamblers and celebrities attend. Her world comes crashing down when she crosses the wrong people. This is an Aaron Sorkin movie, so you know the characters will have a lot of dialogue, but I got tired of the endless narration that Jessica Chastain’s character does. I hate when screenwriters think they have to explain every single thing to the viewer. The film feels every minute of its long two hours and twenty minutes run time. Chastain, as usual, gives a brilliant and moving performance. There is a scene that, later in the film where Kevin Costner, who plays Molly’s father and comes to apologize for being a crappy father, brings the film to a screeching halt. I think this film just doesn’t meet the quality of the book (by Molly Bloom).     My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Molly's Game Website

My View:  I, Tonya  (2017)  R   The story of ice skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) who overcame poverty and abuse to become a member of the U.S. Olympic team. Tonya is brought down when her ex-husband (Sebastian Stan) decides to take out her most significant competitor. Margot Robbie is stunning in a performance that gives Harding a rough but almost loveable edge. With a less-skilled actor, the role could have become kitschy, but Robbie makes Harding a real person who battles her mom and the world to do the one thing that she loves, skate. It’s an intriguing story that is funny at times, but also you see how hard a life Harding led. The only problem I have with this film is the CGI special effects that put Robbie’s face on another skater’s body as the more difficult jumps are done. It’s highly distracting and takes away from some of the more thrilling moments. Go see this film; you won’t believe how stupid the plan to hurt Nancy Kerrigan was.      My Rating: Full Price   I, Tonya Website

Forgotten Film:  The Shop Around the Corner (1940)   Two employees (Jimmy Stewart, Margaret Sullivan) at a gift shop can’t stand each other. Little do they know that they are pen pals with each other and through those letters have fallen in love. One of my favorite directors, Ernst Lubitsch, made this film. It’s a brilliant comedy with robust dialogue and a creative plot that takes a few twists and turns    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Shop Around the Corner Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of All the Money in the World:  Personal Hair Stylist to Mark Wahlberg

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Black Panther (2018)  After the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns to his country only to be challenged by a rival faction. Now T’Challa as the Black Panther teams up with C.I.A. agent Ross (Martin Freeman) to keep his countrymen free. The trailer looks so spectacular that I wish the film was coming out tomorrow.   Black Panther Facebook Page

Until Next Time!