The Rhythm Section

My View: The Rhythm Section (2020) R   Stephanie (Blake Lively) will go at any length to seek revenge against those who orchestrated a plane crash that killed her family. I enjoy films about bad ass women that can fight and hold their own against all the odds. One of my favorites in this genre is the Luc Besson 1990 film La Femme Nikita, where a drug addict is kidnapped and is turned into an assassin. Like Nikita, Stephanie, reeling from the death of her family, has become an addict/prostitute who is trained by an ex-MI-6 agent (Jude Law) so that she can wipe out the terrorists responsible for the plane crash. The problem is Stephanie is no Nikita; she sucks at being an assassin, and it gets old very quickly watching Stephanie blunder her way through her attempts to kill people. Why Blake Lively, who I think if given that right part, can be outstanding, along with top-notch actors like Law, Sterling K. Brown would ever take on this project is beyond me. The stops and starts so many times that it seemed much longer than its hour and forty-nine minute run time. The Rhythm Section is meant to be the start of a film series, but I have great doubts that another film will ever be made for us to see Lively as Stephanie gets her butt thoroughly kicked again.   My Rating: Cable    The Rhythm Section Website

My View: Gretel & Hansel (2020) PG-13   A young girl, Gretel (Sophia Lillis), leads her little brother, Hansel (Sam Leakey), into the woods in search of food and shelter. They come across a woman named Holda (Alice Krige) who claims that she wants to help the children, but Gretel senses that there is something evil about the woman. This is a movie that once you have seen it (and I hope you never do), you will go ‘what the heck was that and what happened?”. So, there is a witch, and I guess that she wants to train Gretel to be her replacement (?), while all the while wanting to eat Hansel (I think). The film never delivers any scary moments, and there is a lot of sitting around a table while the witch lectures Gretel on how to be a woman/witch. To say that I hated this film would be an understatement as I had flashbacks to the awful European horror films from the 60s and 70s that I saw as a kid.   My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again     Gretel & Hansel Website

My View: 2020 Oscar Nominated Short Films (2020) The live-action and animated shorts that are nominated for the 2020 Academy Awards.     2020 Oscar Nominated Short Films Website

   

        Oscar Nominated Live Action Short Films: There are five films nominated: A Sister (Belgium), Brotherhood (Tunisia/Canada), Nefta Football Club (France), Saria (USA), and The Neighbors’ Window (USA). The two that stood out for me were A Sister, a taut, suspenseful film about a 911 operator that gets a mysterious call and The Neighbors’ Window, an exciting take on mild voyeurism about a happily married couple with two kids and one on the way, who have a young couple move into the apartment across the street that do not have any blinds on their windows. Both films have nice twists that make the movies a smart and clever watch.   My Rating (for all five films): Full Price

       Oscar Nominated Animated Short Films: There are five films nominated: Daughter (Czechia), Hair Love (USA), Kitbull (USA), Memorable (France), and Sister (USA). Note: There are four other excellent animated shorts that fill out the Animated program. I love that three of the films nominated are stop-motion and one, Kitbull, was hand-drawn. The two that stood out for me were Hair Love, a lovely tale about a father trying his best to style his daughter’s seemingly unmanageable hair and Kitbull from Pixar, about a friendship that develops between a homeless kitten and a poor, mistread pitbull.   My Rating (for all five films): I Would Pay to See it Again

Forgotten Film: The Great Mouse Detective (1986) G   Basil (voiced by Barrie Ingham) is a detective in the vein of Sherlock Holmes, and he is on the case of a kidnapping of a toy-maker by Basil’s arch-enemy, the evil Professor Ratigan (voiced by Vincent Price). I love the character Sherlock Holmes, and this film is a treat for fans of the master detective. The animation is beautifully done, back when animation was hand-drawn, and the plot is fun to watch as we see Basil solve a crime that just might even save the Crown. Sadly, this film has long been lost in the vaults of Disney, as it is worth watching if to hear Vincent Price create one of the great villains in the annals of animation.   My Rating: Full Price     The Great Mouse Detective Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of The Rhythm Section: Storeman

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: The Times of Bill Cunningham (2018) Documentary on the legendary NYTimes photographer Bill Cunningham who took some of the most iconic pictures in newspaper history and kept shooting pictures until he died at age 87.     The Times of Bill Cunningham Info

Until Next Time!

The Predator

My View:  The Predator (2018) R  A young boy (Jacob Tremblay) accidentally triggers the universes most lethal hunters’ return to Earth. A ragtag group of ex-soldiers and a science teacher (Olivia Munn) are the only hope to prevent the end of the human race. This is a movie co-written and directed by Shane Black who also made Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and The Nice Guys, so you know this isn’t your normal Predator movie. This film is full of humor and is a fun ride (there are a couple of jokes that fall flat, but that’s pretty rare). Now, I’ll let you know that this film is really violent, with heads being cut off and limbs flying around, but it’s also a fun film to watch. The third act has a few problems, but it didn’t hurt the movie much. If you like action films with a lot of humor, then this film is for you.  My Take:  Full Price   The Predator Website

My View:  A Simple Favor (2018) R  A mommy blogger, Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), seeks to uncover the truth behind her best friend’s, Emily (Blake Lively), sudden disappearance from their small town. The film is directed by Paul Feig, who directed Bridesmaids, Spy, and Ghostbusters, so you know there is quite a bit of humor in this film. The film is a mystery and is very dark at times. Blake Lively is brilliant as the best friend who says anything on her mind and forms a friendship with the somewhat naive mommy blogger played by Anna Kendrick. Henry Golding, who plays Emily’s husband, is having quite a run having also starred in the big hit, Crazy Rich Asians. This film is a delight to watch, and I think will be in my top ten list at the end of the year, and I could see Blake Lively getting an Oscar nomination next year.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again    A Simple Favor Website

Indiefest:  Pick of the Litter (2018) Documentary that follows a little of puppies from the moment they’re born and begin to train to become Guide Dogs for the Blind. I can’t tell you how much I loved this film. I was crying two minutes into the movie with stories about how guide dogs had saved lives, including a man who was led down 79 flights of stairs by his guide dog during the 9/11 Twin Towers attack. This is a fantastic feel-good film where all the dogs end up with great homes, even if they didn’t make it as guide dogs (only 300 dogs out of a pool of 1100 make it as guide dogs every year). You will fall in love with these dogs, especially a dog named Phil. Go see this film, you will feel better about the world we live in if you do.    My Rating:  Full Price    Pick of the Litter Website

My View:  The Basement  (2018)  R  A deranged serial killer known as ‘The Gemini,’ (Jackson Davis) tortures and slays his victims in the basement of his home. The Gemini selects his next victims the musician Craig Owen (Cayleb Long) and a long night of role-playing is in store for Craig, a night that could end with his death, I did not like this film. It’s not scary but one long act of torture porn. The film mostly takes place in the Gemini’s basement as he appears as a number of characters, all bent on making Craig suffer through the worst night of his life. The dialogue made it feel like this was a production of a small neighborhood play production. The film is hard to watch, I would have walked out if I wasn’t reviewing the film.   My Rating: You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again    The Basement Website

Forgotten Film:  Hard Times  (1975)  PG  A drifter, Chaney (Charles Bronson) during the depression, meets a street fight promoter (Jame Coburn) and they team up to make money in a tough sport. This is one of Bronson’s best performances, and the film is perfectly directed by Walter Hill, who after this film (his first) went on to direct The Warriors (1979), Southern Comfort (1981), and 48 Hrs. (1982). This is a gritty film about an ugly sport but is well worth your time.   My Rating: Full Price   Hard Times Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Predator:  Specialty Suit Costumer 

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Colette  (2018)  R  Colette (Keira Knightley) is pushed by her husband (Dominic West) to write novels under his name. When the novels become a success, she fights to be known as the writer of the books, challenging gender norms. Hey, it’s Keira Knightley, do I have to say anymore?    Colette Website

Until Next Time!

Independence Day: Resurgence

My View:  Independence Day: Resurgence  (2016)  PG-13  Two decades after the first alien invasion on Independence day, the Earth is facing a new attack. It’s time to see if Earth is ready for another fight. The 1996 film Independence Day was a fun movie to watch with great special effects (won an Academy Award for them), goofy lines, and actors like Will Smith, Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum chewing up scenery like there is no tomorrow. While not a bad movie, this film just isn’t as much fun as the original. I think some of it has to do with the fact the 1996 movie was our time, our world.  In this film, the world has had twenty years to adapt to alien technology and has united in its quest to prepare for the alien invasion part 2. It was fun watching Will Smith fly a 20th-century fighter jet against aliens. Old school technology defeated new tech. Now it’s not our world but a parallel universe, so it’s not us defeating the aliens. I will say that both Pullman and Goldblum give it their all, but some of the new cast, including Liam Hemsworth, just don’t have the star power that Will Smith had. The film was not shot in 3-D, so save some money and see it in 2-D.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Independence Day: Resurgence Website

My View:  Free State of Jones  (2016)  R   During the Civil War, a Mississippi farmer (Matthew McConaughey) decides to quit the Southern army and lead a rebellion against the Confederate army. While watching this film, I looked at my watch thinking the film was about fifteen minutes away from ending. Instead, to my despair, it had only been playing for an hour, and we had an hour and twenty minutes to go. The film is incredibly slow placed. Even the dialogue seems slow people make speech after speech in this movie. There are very few action sequences, and the best one is used in the trailer, so the element of surprise is gone when you watch the scene.  Over the past ten years, Matthew McConaughey has become one of my favorite actors, but he isn’t given much to work with in this role. I didn’t recognize Keri Russell, who plays McConaughey’s wife, until near the end of the film. There is a strange side story that is set in the 1950’s that makes the film stop and start with glaring suddenness and almost no explanation.  If you want to explore that time, rent 12 Years a Slave (2013) or wait until The Birth of a Nation (2016) comes out later this year.     My Rating: Cable   Free State of Jones Website   

Indiefest:  The Neon Demon  (2016)  R   Jesse (Elle Fanning) is an aspiring model who has just moved to Los Angeles. She knew that the modeling world would be harsh, but she didn’t know that it could threaten her life. I am not a fan of writer/director Nicolas Winding Refn’s films Drive (2011), which I gave a Cable rating, and Only God Forgives (2013), which I gave a You Would Have to Pay Me to See It Again. This film is all style over substance.  It’s a beautiful looking film, and some of the scenes in this movie are breathtaking, but the storyline is slow, meaningless and confusing. I usually like Elle Fanning’s performances, but she comes off dull and lifeless. Keanu Reeves and Christina Hendricks are both wasted in very small, unimportant parts. The only performance that has some life to it is the one by Jena Malone, who plays a makeup artist who befriends Jesse. Several people walked out of our screening during scenes of necrophilia and cannibalism.    My Rating: Cable   The Neon Demon Website

Indiefest:  Art Bastard  (2016)   A documentary that tells the fascinating story of New York painter Robert Cenedella, a contemporary of Andy Warhol. It’s an intriguing story of family secrets, money, fame and an artist who refuses to compromise.  I thoroughly enjoyed this film about one of the art world’s most talented and outspoken artists.  Cenedella doesn’t just paint for painting sake; he makes commentary on life inside his paintings. His paintings are full of satire and often use his beloved New York City as the setting of his work. The film does a superb job of showing us Cenedella’s artistic ability, where the camera goes in tight on his paintings (most of which are enormous) so that we see each and every face in crowds.  Cenedella is a fascinating man, with a rich history of stories about his life and his work. Art Bastard does a wondrous job of letting us get to know the artist’s work and his life.    My Rating: Full Price   Art Bastard Website

My View: The Shallows (2016)   PG-13   A young pro surfer, Nancy (Blake Lively), takes a break from medical school and surfs on a secluded beach in Mexico. The beach and the waves are perfect; that is until an enormous great white shark attacks Nancy. She takes refuge on a rock 200 yards from shore and must now figure out show to outfox the shark and get back to shore in one piece. This is a splendid thriller/escape genre film with a little dash of suspense/thrills mixed in. This movie is a death match between Blake Lively’s character and a massive shark that is pissed off and isn't leaving anytime soon. The film moves at a swift pace, and the action sequences (though a little unbelievable) are fun and thrilling to watch. I enjoyed Lively’s performance, as she looks the part of a surfer girl that has the guts and the smarts to survive. If you liked Jaws and it’s shark, then see his great grandchild terrorize a young woman in Mexico. Nancy doesn’t need a bigger boat, just a larger surfboard.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee    The Shallows Website

Forgotten Film:  Rachel, Rachel  (1968)  R  Rachel (Joanne Woodward) is a 35-year-old school teacher who has never been married, doesn’t have a man in her life and she still lives with her mother.  When Nick (James Olson), an old high school friend, comes back into town, her world starts crumbling.  This is a very stark and understated film about taking chances and learning from your mistakes. Woodward is brilliant as the downtrodden school teacher who can’t win for losing, which makes us fall in love with her, hoping that she will succeed in life. Woodward’s dazzling performance was undoubtedly aided by the fact that her husband, Paul Newman, directed the film.  My Rating: Full Price   Rachel, Rachel website   

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Free State of Jones: Hair Puncher

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:   Life, Animated (2016)  R   A documentary about an autistic boy and his family who learn to communicate with each through the animated films of Disney.  The film was a big hit at the Sundance Film Festival, and I have not seen one bad review. This beautiful, touching film has been winning audience awards at a number of film festivals.   Life, Animated Website

Until Next Time!

The Water Diviner

My View:  The Water Diviner  (2015)  R   An Australian farmer, Conner (Russell Crowe) is sent by his wife to Turkey to find his dead sons’ bodies after WWI.  If you long for the epic, big screen films of the past, this is your movie. Sweeping across both the ranchland of Australia and the coast of Turkey, the film moves at a quick pace, especially during the action sequences. Crowe directed this film, and he does a fine job helming a very expansive movie.  I was entertained by Olga Kurylendko’s performance as the widow who owns the hotel where Conner stays. Kurylendko and Crowe work well on screen together, and she lights up their scenes. While not a great film, it’s a sound start for a first-time director.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee    The Water Diviner Website  

My View:  The Age of Adaline  (2015)  PG-13   A young woman (Blake Lively), born at the turn of the 20th century, is rendered ageless after an accident. She meets a man (Michiel Huisman) who is worth losing her immortality for. This is a charming romantic film that somehow makes an unbelievable storyline work. Lively is tremendous as the woman who never ages. Huisman has terrific chemistry with Lively, and he makes an interesting leading man. My big problem with this film is the amount of voice overs that are used to explain what’s going on.  It’s just not necessary and gets very annoying. The film is saved by the performance of Blake Lively, and she makes this film delightful to watch.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee    The Age of Adaline Website

Indiefest:  Clouds of Sils Maria   (2014)  R   A veteran actress (Juliette Binoche) decides, at the urging of her assistant (Kristen Stewart), to take a role in a revival of a play that started her career twenty years earlier. This film is a master class on how to act in a film.  Binoche is her best in this film, and Kristen Stewart is extraordinary in her role. Stewart holds her own with Binoche on the screen, and their chemistry works to reveal their characters issues. My only problem with the film is that it drags a few  times when the two are running lines from the play. I know a lot of people aren’t fans of Kristen Stewart, but between this performance and her work in Still Alice, I have become a fan.  My Rating: Full Price   Clouds of Sils Maria Website   

Indiefest:  Lambert and Stamp  (2014)  R   Documentary about the partnership of filmmakers Chris Stamp and Kit Lambert, who produced one of the greatest rock bands in history, The Who.  Lambert and Stamp is an excellent film with tons of behind-the-scenes footage. It’s fascinating how little I knew about the early days of the band.  The fact that they survived as long as they did is a miracle. There are some tremendous interviews and, of course, the music is outstanding.  The film is full of interesting facts about the band, and it never slows down.  Any fan of The Who or rock and roll history will love this film.  My Rating:  Full Price   Lambert and Stamp Website

Indiefest:  5 to 7    (2014)  R   An aspiring novelist, Brian (Anton Yelchin), has an affair with the beautiful wife (Berenice Mariohe) of a French diplomat. The couple can only meet between the hours of 5 and 7 each evening.  I absolutely adore this funny, romantic film. It’s not going to be for everyone since the film deals with cheating on a partner, but it surprised me how well it worked. Yelchin makes an appealing everyman, and Mariohe just dazzles on the screen. I also enjoyed the performances of Glenn Close and Frank Langella, who play Brian’s very opinionated parents. This is one of my favorite romantic films of the year.    My Rating:  Full Price   5 to 7 Website

Forgotten Film: Yanks  (1979) R   During WWII, Americans were stationed in army bases in Great Britain. Not every Brit is happy with the Yanks, as American men are hitting on lonely British women, some who have boyfriends away fighting in the war.  This is one of Richard Gere’s early films, and his charisma just pours out on the screen. Lisa Eichhorn is terrific as Gere’s love interest. I also enjoy William Devane, as an Army captain who falls in love with a married woman (Vanessa Redgrave). Yanks is an enjoyable film about an important time in the world’s history.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Yanks Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of The Water Diviner:  Webbing Master

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near:  Far from the Madding Crowd  (2015)  PG-13    Based on the Thomas Hardy novel set in Victorian England, a young woman (Carey Mulligan) has to choose between three very different suitors. I love Carey Mulligan, who never gives a lackluster performance.     Far from the Madding Crowd Info

Until Next Time!