Predator: Badlands

My View: Predator: Badlands  (2025)  PG-13  Predator: Badlands is set on a remote planet where Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a young Predator who is an outcast from his clan, embarks on a solo mission in a perilous territory inhabited by other Predators. Along the way, he forms an unexpected alliance with an android named Thia (Elle Fanning) as Dek seeks the ultimate adversary. I loved the previous Predator movie Dan Trachtenberg directed, Prey, and I am happy to say this film is just as fun. What is different is that a Predator, Dek, is not only the hero of the story but also learns to work with others to defeat his adversaries, something that is foreign to a proud warrior. The action is fun, bloody, and at times a bit gory. What makes this film different is the android Thia, played perfectly by Elle Fanning. You don’t expect a Predator movie to have a bit of comic relief, but that is just what Thia is: an android that makes Dek understand that they have a common goal and that if they work together, they can defeat anyone or anything. Fanning is a delight as Thia, making this film work so well. We finally get to see what makes a Predator do what they do and what their motivations are, some of which are surprisingly relatable. I had a great time watching this film, which is a standalone part of the Predator franchise (though I have a feeling it may not be alone for long), and loved every high-stakes, bloody fighting minute of it. Fans of the Predator franchise are going to go nuts over this film, but it’s for the rest of us action lovers who want to root for a somewhat lovable alien fighter and a sidekick android that doesn’t mind speaking her mind. Oh, and by the way, there is a third addition to the duo that you guys are going to fall in love with, but I don’t want to say too much. Just see it to find out!  My Rating: Full Price  Predator: Badlands Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  Nuremberg  (2025)  PG-13  Nuremberg is a historical drama focusing on U.S. Army psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek), who is responsible for determining whether the captured Nazi leaders, including Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe), are mentally fit to stand trial for war crimes. Nuremberg is a film that, with its cast and the story, should have been much better than it is. It’s not a bad film, but it doesn’t have a clue how to manage pacing or how to instruct the audience without making us feel the filmmakers think we are idiots. There is one reason to see this film, and it’s Russell Crowe. Crowe is superb in the role of the man who was second in charge of the Nazi regime, right behind Hitler. Crowe plays Göring as a man who thinks he is the smartest man in the room and can play the cat-and-mouse game better than anyone. Russell Crowe uses his charisma to overpower anyone else on the screen, as he dares you, much like the man he is portraying, to take your eyes off of him. I wish Rami Malek had the same energy and screen presence that Crowe brings, but Malek can’t match the intensity and seems to be almost sleepwalking through the role, which is too bad since the film is centered on his character. The script takes forever to get going, as I felt like the writing was laying brick after brick to the story, just like the construction crew shown in the film, restoring the bombed-out courtroom. There are a few parts of the storyline that are almost laughable, especially Kelly’s storyline, which tries to pull out all the stops to make everything more dramatic. Nuremberg is still an interesting film about a moment in history that needed to be told. I just needed a better script to tell that story.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Nuremberg Movie Website  Now playing in theaters. 

Indiefest:  Train Dreams  (2025)  PG-13  Train Dreams follows Robert (Joel Edgerton), a man who drifts from job to job in the early 20th-century Pacific Northwest until he meets Gladys (Felicity Jones), whom he quickly loses his heart to and marries. Robert immerses himself in his work on the land and explores nature's wonders, all while navigating the challenges of love and loss. Train Dreams needs to be seen in theaters as the scenery is not only crucial to the story but is one of the main characters. Joel Edgerton does a masterful job playing a man who didn’t want much in life, other than to be out in the woods, until he met Gladys, and then all he wanted was to share his life and his woods with her. This is a film with intense highs and lows, some of which Robert never recovers from. He is a man who wonders if his work is worth being away from his family and if what he is doing is hurting the very fabric of the place he deeply loves. Train Dreams is a haunting film that gets under your skin, so much so that you think you can smell the trees and feel the sawdust alongside Robert as he works to fell tree after tree. The supporting cast is outstanding, with Felicity Jones playing Gladys, a woman who saw Robert and knew he was the one; Alfred Hsing as a man who works alongside Robert; and William H. Macy as a demolition man who tells nonstop stories and gives advice at a moment's notice. Train Dreams is a moving and incredibly beautiful film that, like Robert’s dreams, will stay with you for a long time. My Rating: Full Price  Train Dreams Website     In select theaters and on the Netflix platform on Friday, November 21, 2025.

My View:  Die My Love  (2025)  R  Die My Love follows Grace (Jennifer Lawrence) and Jackson (Robert Pattinson)  as they leave New York City to move to Jackson’s rural childhood home in Montana, seeking a quieter life. As they navigate the challenges of becoming new parents and try to adjust to their new environment, Grace begins to feel increasingly isolated and stressed. This emotional turmoil leads her to slowly slip into madness, raising concerns about whether she will ever find her way back. Die My Love is a journey into madness, seen from the eyes of a woman who is struggling with a newborn baby, an often absent husband who seems lost himself, a family and friends who keep telling Grace she is doing the best she can, and a puppy that Grace didn’t want that won’t stop barking. Lawrence gives a performance that is raw, sometimes shocking, heartfelt, and real. It’s an astounding  and brave performance, where she is on screen almost the whole time and switches emotions with just a look or a turn of her body. Lawrence plays a mother who cares little about anything other than her newborn child but can’t sway the madness that keeps overtaking her, causing her to do everything from destroying a bathroom to jumping into a pool full of neighborhood kids in just her bra and panties. Robert Pattinson isn’t asked to do much as the husband who seems to know that his wife isn’t doing well, but would rather ignore her or shout right back at her. I can’t fault Lawrence for my feeling that the movie doesn’t deliver any message beyond the fact that motherhood is tough. As much as Grace howls at the moon, crawls through the weeds like a cat, or attempts to have sex with her husband at strange moments, we never know what Grace is thinking or feeling. I felt like I was watching an actress trying everything in her acting book to please a director who kept asking for more without giving any reason why.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Die My Love Website  Now playing in theaters. 

Indiefest:  Little Amelie or the Character of Rain  (2025)  PG  In Little Amelie or the Character of Rain, Amelie is a Belgian child living with her parents in Japan. She is cared for by a Japanese companion named Nishio-san, who teaches Amelie about life. Turning three marks the beginning of transformative events that will shape her understanding of the bizarre and incredible world around her, filled with both happiness and tragedy. Little Amelie, or the Character of Rain, is an absolutely beautiful and moving film about a little girl living in Japan whose world suddenly becomes a vibrant and colorful expanse of exploration and learning. The film is told through the eyes of Amelie as she explores what it means to live, love, and lose someone. It is a fascinating film that constantly surprises you and fills you with joy as you watch a child learn what it means to be alive. My Rating: Full Price  Little Amelie or the Character of Rain Website  Now playing in select theaters. 

My View:  Christy  (2025)  R  Christy tells the story of Christy Martin (Sydney Sweeney), who becomes the world’s most successful female boxer in the 1990s. Christy’s struggles in life were much more dangerous than anything she faced in the ring. Christy is a film that you hoped for more of. It is very evident that Sydney Sweeney was dedicated to this role and wanted to deliver a powerful performance, but the script let her down. Christy is too much like a film we have seen before, with our heroine striving to conquer obstacles that are too simple to overcome. It’s a by-the-book boxing movie and features stereotypical characters, leaving Christy as the only fully developed character. There isn’t anything in this film that we haven’t seen before, except for Christy herself, and that’s the film’s main problem. The plot is just one scene after another of Christy reacting to something, but we never truly get to know her, her thoughts, or her beliefs. Sweeny shows she has the acting chops to carry a drama like this, but the story never lets us see Christy as she saw herself. It’s as if Sweeney has been put in the ring with one hand tied behind her back.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Christy Website    Now playing in theaters 

My View:  Love+War  (2025) R   Love+War is a documentary that follows photographer Lynsey Addario covering the war in Ukraine while reflecting on her Pulitzer-winning career.  Love+War is about a woman who is constantly doubting where she should be at any time. When she is home, she wonders why she isn’t in a foreign country covering a breaking story. When she is away, she wonders why she isn’t at home with her husband and her two children. Even when she is on the job, she wonders whether she should get closer to the war or stay in a safe place. All the while, she is taking some of the most impressive and vital photographs the world has seen. Love+War is the story of one very talented and passionate woman who wants to impact and possibly change the world, speaking through her pictures to those who can’t speak to the world themselves. You will fall in love with Lynsey, her family, and the people that she photographs, including a young woman who has given up her job to pick up a gun and fight the Russians in Ukraine. At times a tough watch, as we see Lynsey witness first hand an attack on civilians in Ukraine, Love+War is also a loving tribute to a woman who cares about her family and about the plight of women in a world that is sometimes not caring at all. My Rating: Full Price   Love+War Website Now streaming on Disney+, Hulu, and National Geographic platforms.

Indiefest:  I Wish You All the Best  (2024)  R   I Wish You All the Best follows Ben DeBacker (Corey Fogelmanis), a non-binary teenager who, after being kicked out of the house by their parents, embarks upon a journey of self-discovery that teaches them about love, friendship, and family. I Wish You All the Best feels a little like an after-school special for non-binary teens.  The film feels somewhat like an after-school special for non-binary teens; while it has its heart in the right place, it doesn't fully deliver the emotional impact necessary to convey the isolation and, often, the trauma of being someone who feels different. The film is heartfelt, and there are some good performances, like lead Corey Fogelmanis and Alexandra Daddario, who plays the very supportive sister. However, it struggles to develop the relationships Ben engages in, and the insights we do gain often come through clunky scenes. The most effective moments occur during Ben’s interactions with their art teacher, played beautifully by Lena Dunham, who gradually helps Ben open up. Overall, I enjoyed the film and Ben’s journey, but I wish it hadn't left me feeling like an outsider constantly trying to connect.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  I Wish You All the Best Info  Now playing in select theaters 

Forgotten Film:  I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With  (2006)  James (Jeff Garlin) is a 39-year-old actor who has a regular gig with the Second City improv group in Chicago. James lives with his mom and is obsessed with getting the title role of a new production of the 1950s film Marty. He just wants to make people laugh and maybe find someone he can hang out with. Into his life walks Beth (Sarah Silverman), but is she the one he wants to spend his time with? I enjoyed this film because its stakes aren’t too high and we get to see Jeff hang out a lot with his friends (most of whom are Second City alums). It’s a fun look at life in the world of small-time comics. My Rating: Bargain Matinee  I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With Info  Available on most streaming platforms. 

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Predator: Badlands:  Stickies Technician

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Is This Thing On? (2025) R  Alex (Will Arnett) is going through a marriage that is unraveling. He is separating from his wife, Tess (Laura Dern), and their two kids, getting a small apartment in the city. Alex wanders into a comedy club and decides to try his hand at standup. It seems that the only place he can feel alive and make sense of his life is doing standup. The film is co-written by Will Arnett and is directed by twelve-time Academy Award-nominated Bradley Cooper.  Is This Thing On? Website  The film will be in theaters on Friday, December 19, 2025. 

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

My View:  Maleficent: Mistress of Evil  (2019) PG    Family ties will be questioned between Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) and her goddaughter Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning), as they are pulled in different directions by an impending wedding, unexpected allies and the dark forces that are always in play. As with the first Maleficent film, this movie is all show and no substance. The CGI is once again outstanding, but the plot is even shakier than the first film, and the ending is so patched-worked that it feels the writer/directors of this film just decided to throw everything they could into the finale and hope people wouldn’t notice the giant plot holes the ending exposes. Once again, Angelina Jolie is the best thing about the film, but it’s not enough to save this film. By the way, at our critic's only screening, Disney showed us a ‘Don’t use your cellphone during the movie’ PSA that gave away most of the funnier bits in the film. Great thinking Disney!    My Rating: Cable    Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Website

My View: Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) R The gang (Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Jessie Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson) move to the heartland and have to keep fighting off zombies, all while dealing with a makeshift family that always doesn’t get along. Ten years after the first film, the director and cast have reassembled to bring us another fun adventure of following rules, killing zombies and trying to survive the dynamics of this small group of misfits. While not quite as much fun as the original, the film still is full of hilarious zombie kills, including the Zombie Kill of the Week, and is greatly helped with the addition of a pink wearing Barbie doll of a woman named Madison, played with incredible comedic chops by Zoey Deutch. To say that Deutch steals the movie from the four main actors is an understatement, as she gum chews and hair plays into your heart. I had a great time watching this film, and it made me want to see the first film again. Make sure to stay through all the credits, as there are two bonus scenes that are some of the funniest moments of the movie.   My Rating: Full Price    Zombieland: Double Tap Website

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray):  Crawl (2019) R   A Category 5 hurricane is about to hit. Having not heard from her dad, Maley (Kaya Scodelario) goes to his house and finds that he is injured. However, there is something down in the basement with them, and it’s out for blood. This is quite a good horror film while there are a few ‘jump out of the dark’ scares, most of the film is building terror. You also can’t figure out how the father/daughter are going to get out of this situation. I liked the performance of Kaya Scodelario, who is very believable as a college swimmer, which the pilot uses to its advantage. There is no rhyme or reason why the gators are killing people, but the shark in Jaws didn’t have a reason either. He just killed.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Crawl Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Only Seen in Trailers But Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  Spies in Disguise (2019) The world’s best spy (voiced by Will Smith) is turned into a pigeon, he must join forces with a low-level inventor (Tom Holland) to save the world. Did I mention that Will Smith’s character turns into a pigeon?    Spies in Disguise Website

Forgotten Film: In the Electric Mist (2009) R   Months after Hurricane Katrina has hit New Orleans, Detective Dave Robicheaux (Tommy Lee Jones) is investigating a murder of a hooker with ties to a mobster (John Goodman) who is producing a Civil War movie in the area. When the lead actor of the Civil War film, Elrod Sykes (Pete Sarsgaard) discovers a corpse on the swamp movie set, and his investigation begins. Robicheaux starts another investigation into what he thinks is a murder of a black man in 1965. If you like moody, full of twist’s murder mysteries, then this film is for you. What makes this film outstanding is the supporting cast, including Kelly Macdonald, Mary Steenburgen, Ned Beatty, Buddy Guy, John Sayles, and the great Levon Helm.   My Rating: Full Price    In the Electric Mist Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil: Horse Masters

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: The Current War: Director’s Cut (2017)   The story of the race between Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch), Nikola Tesla (Nichoas Hoult) and George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon) to determine whose electrical system will be adopted by the modern world. The film got caught up in the Harvey Weinstein scandal and has been sold several times since then. It has finally gotten a release date, and with this cast, I am hoping for great things.    The Current War Facebook Page

Until Next Time!

Penguins

Family Faire:  Penguins   (2019)  G  The documentary follows the adventures of Steve the Penguin, as he tries to find love and raise a family. Film over 900 days, the film explores the life in Antartica from the viewpoint of a penguin who is a little small and is rather clumsy. Steve does succeed in finding a mate and they have two chicks, with Steve doing most of the raising. This is a fun film to watch and you will fall in love with Steve and his little family.  My Rating:  Full Price    Penguins Website

My View:  Teen Spirit  (2018)  PG-13   A young girl (Elle Fanning), against the wishes of her mother (Agnieszka Grochowska), enters a singing competition with the help of an ex-opera singer (Zlako Buric). First off, Elle can sing and the songs are catchy. I enjoyed the chemistry between Fanning and Buric whose character becomes both her manager and her father figure. The film has a couple of twists and turns and it moves at a nice pace If you are a fan of singing competitions, then this film is for you.    My Rating: Full Price    Teen Spirit Website

Indiefest:  Little Woods  (2018)  R  Ollie (Tessa Thompson) is just days away from getting off probation. Her sister (Lily James) has become homeless and now Ollie must bring drugs across the Canadian border in order to help out her sister.  Thompson gives a powerful and moving performance of a young woman trying to do the right thing but seemly insurmountable obstacles keep getting in her way. Thompson works well on screen with James who plays her sister who keeps messing up, making everything incredibly complicated. You will be on the edge of your seat until the end of the film, hoping that Ollie doesn’t get caught.    My Rating: Full Price    Little Woods Website

Indiefest:  Fast Color  (2018)  PG-13  After years on the run, a woman, Ruth (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) with supernatural abilities returns to her family. While it is about a woman who can cause earthquakes, it is more about family and how decisions from the past can influence the present. Lorraine Toussaint is magnificent as Bo, who Ruth abandoned along with Ruth’s daughter (Sanlyya Sidney).  This is a beautiful film full of meaning and deep emotions. Ruth and Bo will have to work hard to mend the fences in their troubled relationship, that is if Ruth can’t keep the government from taking her away.  My Rating: Full Price    Fast Color Info

My View:  Peterloo  (2018)  PG-13  The story of the 1819 Peterloo massacre where British troops attacked a peaceful pro-democracy rally in Manchester, England. Way too many speeches in this film making the 2 hours and thirty-four-minute film seem much longer. The film takes forever to get moving, as we meet a ton of different characters on both the pro-democracy side and the side of the government. The massacre is hard to watch as not only men were hurt and killed, but also women and children. I also would have liked some sort of graphic at the end of the film to tell us how many died and how many were injured, plus did this incident help or hurt the pro-democracy movement. It is an interesting subject that is brought down by the length of the film.    My Rating:  Bargain Matinee    Peterloo Website

Forgotten Film:  Niagara, Niagara  (1997)  R  Marcy (Robin Tunney) and Seth (Henry Thomas) meet in a store that both are shoplifting from. Marcy has Tourette’s Syndrome but Seth is too shy to acknowledge it. The two misfits start a love affair that is certain to go bad. Both don’t have good home lives, so they decide to run away to Canada. Henry Thomas gives a fine performance as the troubled Seth but this film is Robin Tunney’s and she gives an amazing performance as the girl who is just trying to survive in her world.   My Rating: Full Price     Niagara, Niagara Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Penguins:  Head of Music Preparation

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Long Shot  (2019)  R   Fred (Seth Rogan) is a writer, Charlotte (Charlize Theron) is Secretary of State and is about to run for President. Fred and Charlotte used to know each other and they have a chance meeting at a party. Charlotte decides to hire Fred to punch up her speeches.  Can love be far behind? The trailer looks really funny and is directed by Jonathan Levine, who wrote and directed one of my favorite films, Warm Bodies (2013).      Long Shot Website

Until Next Time!

Red Sparrow

My View:  Red Sparrow  (2018)  R  Ballerina Dominika Egorova (Jennifer Lawrence) is injured in a freak accident. Her dancing career is over, and she is forced to join the “Sparrow School,’ a Russian intelligence service where she is forced to use her body as a weapon. Her first mission is to seduce an American CIA agent (Joel Edgerton). When the mission starts to unravel, it just might threaten the security of both countries. If you think you are going to see something like last year’s Atomic Blonde, you aren’t. While a violent film with a couple of very hard to watch torture scenes, this is more of a movie about the psychology of breaking people down to become someone who will do anything for their country. The film is too long (two hours, twenty minutes), and the storyline, while it has some nice twists and turns, is too slow. Lawrence doesn’t do a Russian accent well, to the point that it just gets distracting. While Atomic Blonde was a blast to watch, I was either revolted at the torture or bored by the countless talking head scenes. I did enjoy the all too brief part that Mary-Louise Parker has as a wisecracking chief of staff of the American Embassy. She breathed life into the film, but her part was too short to save this film.   My Rating: Cable   Red Sparrow Website

Indiefest:  The Party  (2018)  R  Janet (Patricia Clarkson) is hosting a party to celebrate her new promotion, but once the party starts, it’s very apparent that not everyone is in a celebratory mood. I didn’t enjoy this film because it felt like I was watching a stage play (I was shocked to find that it wasn’t based on one). The film feels stiff and unnatural with the characters spewing out dialogue that doesn’t feel real. I did enjoy the performance of Patricia Clarkson, who commands the screen in every scene she is in. I especially didn’t enjoy the performance of Timothy Spall, whose character almost doesn’t say a word until near the end of the film. It’s a bizarre film that, all I can say in its favor, is that it is only 71 minutes long.   My Rating: Cable   The Party Website

Indiefest:  The Vanishing of Sidney Hall (2017)  R   After publishing a bestselling novel based on the death of one of his high school classmates, the controversial writer Sidney Hall (Logan Lerman) finds himself catapulted to unexpected fame and renown. His relationship with his girlfriend (Elle Fanning) begins to fall apart as the dark consequences of the book intrude on their life together, and he disappears without a trace. Nearly a decade later, an enigmatic detective searches for the missing author, whose books are connected to a string of mysterious arsons. Part drama, part romance with a bit of mystery, and this film was enjoyable to watch. The film goes back and forth in time, from the high school days of Sidney, where he meets his girlfriend, to the present where a police officer (Kyle Chandler) is trying to track down Sidney, to a few years ago in New York when everything should have been great for Sidney but wasn’t. Lerman and Fanning have fantastic chemistry on the screen, and I loved their initial courtship. The film will keep you guessing about how it’s going to end with plenty of surprises that aren’t fully answered until the final scenes.    My Rating:  Full Price    The Vanishing of Sidney Hall Facebook Page

My View: Death Wish  (2018)  R  Dr, Paul Kersey (Bruce Willis) is used to seeing the day to day violence that goes on in the city as he works in the ER. When his wife (Elisabeth Shue) and daughter (Camila Morrone) are viciously attacked in their suburban home, Paul decides to take matters into his own hands and get revenge. The original 1974 film starring Charles Bronson was a lousy film but captured the attention of a nation due to its violence. This film isn’t much of improvement. There is a horrible sequence to AC/DC’s Back in Black, which compares side by side Willis performing surgery and cleaning his gun. The storyline is predictable and at times boring. The scary thing is that during my screening a couple of audience members clapped when one of the bad guys was killed by the doctor. The violence is pretty horrific, and there is a pretty ugly torture sequence, so be warned if you are squeamish. When is Hollywood going to learn that remaking a bad film will just give you another bad film?     My Rating: Cable   Death Wish Website

Forgotten Film:  Cutter’s Way  (1981)  R  Alex Cutter (John Heard) is a Vietnam vet who has come back an injured and angry man. His only friend, Richard Bone (Jeff Bridges), witnesses someone dumping a murdered young girl’s body in an alley. Cutter decides to embark on a crusade to find the killer with the help of his friend, Bone. Heard and Bridges play off each other with gusto, and Heard gives an intense performance that keeps the film moving. This is the type of film that just isn’t made anymore - a smaller film that has real characters that make you want to root for them.    My Rating: Full Price   Cutter's Way Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Red Sparrow:  Hair Piece Knotter

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Thoroughbreds  (2017)  R  Two upper-class suburban Connecticut teenage girls ( Anya Taylor-Joy, Olivia Cookein) rekindle their friendship after being estranged for years. Together, they hatch a plan to solve both of their problems by any means necessary. The trailer looks riveting, but I really want to see this film because it’s one of the last films done by the late Anton Yelchin.   Thoroughbreds Info

Until Next Time!

SaveSave

Leap!

Family Faire:  Leap!  (2017)  PG  A young orphan named, Felicie (Elle Fanning), always dreamed of being a dancer. She and her best friend, Victor (Nat Wolf), escape from the orphanage and make their way to Pairs. Will Felicie be able to follow her dreams and dance at the Paris Opera Ballet?  The film combines beautiful and lavish animation with a storyline that any ballet fan will love. The dancing in this movie is stunning as the animators used footage of real Paris Opera Ballet dancers to make their film feel and look authentic. I love the soundtrack of this film with songs by Carly Rae Jepsen and Sia. Leap! is a movie that will inspire kids to become dancers with its message that you can succeed against all the odds with determination and hard work.  My Rating: Full Price   Leap! Facebook page

Indiefest:  Ingrid Goes West  (2017)  R  An unhinged social media stalker (Aubrey Plaza) moves to LA and figures out a way to become part of an Instagram Star’s (Elizabeth Olsen) life. Not quite a comedy, more like a drama with a few light hearted moments, Ingrid Goes West works because Aubrey Plaza is a chameleon of an actress. You both pity her character at the same time that you are rooting for her against all the odds that she will find happiness. The film doesn't always work but those moments that do work are magical. There is great chemistry between Olsen and Plaza, making their almost instant friendship seem real, though you feel that both characters aren't genuine or telling the truth. The film covers a lot of ground in this day of instant gratification and celebrities that make their living endorsing products online. Aubrey Plaza makes this movie worth seeing and if you follow some of the 'Instagram stars' you just might find that you are unfollowing them after seeing this film.   My Rating: Full Price   Ingrid Goes West Webpage

Indiefest:  Good Time  (2017)  R  Connie (Robert Pattinson) and his brother, Nick (Benny Safdie), have money problems and decide to rob a bank. The bank job goes bad, and Nick is caught by police. Connie is on the run and wants to, somehow, get his brother out of prison.  Anchored by an unprecedented performance by Robert Pattinson, this is a gritty crime film about a bank robbery that goes bad very quickly. Pattinson, who has come far as an actor from those early Twilight days, gives a powerful and dynamic performance. I don't know if enough Academy Award voters will see this film, but I think he could be on some Indie and film critic awards lists at the end of the year. The cinematography is brilliantly executed and perfectly enhances the mood and feel of the movie. Good Time is an impressive film with a scintillating performance by Robert Pattinson.  My Rating: Full Price   Good Time Facebook page

Indiefest:  Patti Cake$  (2017)  R  Patricia Dombrowski (Danielle Macdonald), aka Killa P, aka Patti Cake$, dreams of being a rapper and being famous. She fights to achieve this unlikely quest in her downtrodden hometown in New Jersey.  Macdonald gives an impressive performance as the young woman who dreams big and is willing to do just about anything to achieve her goals. I'm not a big rap fan, but her songs are outstanding, and Macdonald delivers them with a gusto that is fun and compelling. The final song is one of the best performances of the year in film. Patti Cake$ is a fun experience that will have you rooting for her to succeed.  My Rating:  Full Price   Patti Cake$ website

Indiefest:  Letters from Baghdad  (2016)  This documentary tells the story of Gertrude Lowthian Bell, sometimes called the ‘female’ Lawrence of Arabia.  She traveled all over the Middle East before, during and after World War I, often going where she was the only female. The Middle East, especially Baghdad, fascinates Bell as she gathers information for the British government. This documentary uses Bell's letters and communiqués to give us her voice as narrated by Tilda Swinton. Actors are used on-camera to portray people like T. E. Lawrence to help chronicle the story. The film uses archival pictures and movies from the period to give us the feel of what it was like to live in that part of the world during that time. Bell was an intriguing woman and an interesting subject for a film, which this movie brings to life.  My Rating: Full Price   Letters from Baghdad website

Indiefest:  Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World  (2017)  Packed with compelling concert footage, this documentary explores how the Native American influence helped shape music history, despite attempts to ban, censor and erase Indian culture in the United States. This is an engrossing film about how much Native Americans have influenced rock and roll. From the legendary guitarist Link Wray to The Band's Robbie Robertson, artists who are Native Americans have shaped rock. The film explores the roots of rock looking at artists like Mildred Bailey, a Native American singer who was the first woman to have her own radio show. The film showcases guitarist Jessie Ed Davis, who made legendary music with Taj Mahal in the 60s.  It's a subject that I didn't know much about, but now I'll look at these rockers in a different, more informed light.    My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   Rumble website

Indiefest:    Gook  (2017)  Set in  community near South Central L.A. on April 29, 1992, two brothers, Eli (Justin Chon) and Daniel (David So) run a struggling shoe store. The two brothers form an unlikely friendship with Kamilla (Simone Baker), an eleven year—old girl who has cut school, again. It’s the day of the Rodney King verdict, and soon the three will have to decide to fight for their store or flee. Your pulling for the three main characters right from the start as writer/director/actor Justin Chon has created a movie that may seem far away from us but is instantly relatable. The use of black and white, along with hand held cameras allows us to feel like we are apart of this world. We get to experience what it was like to live in a world that was falling apart in front of the people that lived in that area and this film delivers that for all the emotional impact for the full muster.  My Rating:  Full Price   Gook Website

Forgotten Film:  Hard Eight  (1996)  Professional gambler Sydney (Phillip Baker Hall) takes John (John C. Reilly), a down-on-his-luck young man under his wing and teaches him how to gamble. John flourishes until he falls for a cocktail waitress named, Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow). The reason to watch this film is that it is filled with interesting characters and brilliant dialogue. The plot has a nice twist that you don't see coming, and you actually believe that these characters live and breathe gambling.    My Rating: Full Price   Hard Eight Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Leap!: French Dubbing Artist

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  The LEGO Ninjago Movie  (2017)  PG  By day six, young friends are just trying to survive high school, but, at night, they change into ninjas who have been given the task of defending their island home from evil. I loved the LEGO Movie and enjoyed the LEGO Batman Movie, so I am looking forward to this one.   The LEGO Ninjago Movie 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!