Wicked: For Good

My View: Wicked: For Good  (2025) PG   In Wicked: For Good, Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), the future Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), the Good Witch of the North, begin to embrace their roles, and a rift begins to develop between the two friends as their lives move down a path of confrontation. Oh, and a certain young woman from Kansas is about to come onto the scene. I love musicals, both in cinema and on the stage, and I loved the first film and felt that the Jonathan Bailey dance sequence in the library was incredible. Does Wicked: For Good capture the magic again? Not quite. First, the second film is much darker than the first, exploring betrayal, sorrow, and lost friendships. So this film doesn’t have the feel-good moments that the first film had. Second, there is a rift between the two friends, Elphaba and Glinda, and what was so much fun and touching was the on-screen chemistry between Erivo and Grande. Unfortunately, the two characters aren’t on the screen together for a good deal of the film, as they have separated, living isolated, opposing lives. Ariana Grande gets a bit of the short straw in the film, as her numbers aren’t as dynamic or memorable as Erivo’s. Erivo has the big power number in the middle of the film to herself, and it’s the highlight of the film. I also think that splitting what should probably have been one 3-hour film into two was a mistake, as the storyline isn’t as strong as the first film’s. There also isn’t a big musical number in this film that rivals that library dance scene in the first one. Wicked: For Good is still a fine, enjoyable film; it’s just not on the level of emotion or spectacle as the first one. And while, yes, a young girl from Kansas does show up, the film makes it very clear that this isn’t her story. I walked out of the screening thinking, I just saw a good film. The problem is that I didn’t see a great one.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee Wicked: For Good Website  Now playing in theaters. 

My View:  Rental Family  (2025) PG-13  Rental Family is about an American actor, Phillip (Brendan Fraser), who lives in Japan. His roles have recently dried up, and he takes a job at the Rental Family agency, where Phillip will play ‘stand-in’ roles in other people’s lives. Through this unique experience, Phillip discovers surprising connections and unexpected joys within his new families. Rental Family isn’t a film that explores or answers big questions. However, it does handle how connecting with someone else is essential to mental health and well-being. Brendan Fraser is lovable as an American actor who is having a tough time making a living in Japan and takes on the job of being a rental for people who need a friend, someone to blame, or even someone to stand in for a parent or a loved one. It’s also about trying to understand a different culture other than your own. Rental Family is a predictable film, but I never felt it was too sappy or wasn’t sincere in its portrayal of people who need to feel less lonely or want to experience something important from their past. Rental Family is a feel-good movie, if only to watch Fraser be kind and work his magic on-screen. And sometimes that’s all we need in a film. My Rating: Full Price Rental Family Website  Now playing in theaters. 

My View:  Sisu: Road to Revenge  (2025)  R  Sisu: Road to Revenge is about Aatami (Jorma Tommila), “the man who refuses to die,” as he returns to the home where his family was murdered during the war. He dismantles the home and loads it on a truck, intending to rebuild it. When the Red Army commander (Stephen Lang), who killed Aatami’s family, returns, it sets off a cross-country chase where the body count will be high and revenge will be on the mind of Aatami. The first film, Sisu (2022), was a surprise hit, with brutal action, a good guy who seemingly can’t be killed as our hero kills what seems like a thousand Nazis, often in really creative ways. Our hero is back, and all he wants to do is take lumber from his home and bring it back to Finland. This time, our man is battling Russians, led by a sadistic officer who was so bad the Russians even had him in jail, but let him out to hunt down Aatami. I have a feeling that with the success of the first film, the budget was higher because everything from motorcyclists in armor to fight planes to a bomber is after our man and his trusty dog. The action is almost nonstop, and the deaths are gross and spectacular in an outlandish way. I had a great time watching this film and shrieked with glee a couple of times at the incredible kills. Sisu: Road to Revenge isn’t a film for everybody, but man, if you love creative ways to kill a bad guy and want to go on an adventure with Aatami, it’s worth the ride. Just be sure to duck a few times. You might lose your head. My Rating: Full Price   Sisu: Road to Revenge Website   Now playing in theaters.

My View:  Selena Y Los Dinos: A Family Legacy  (2025)  PG  Selena y Los Dinos: A Family Legacy is a documentary that shows Selena Quintanilla’s journey from playing at local events in South Texas to filling stadiums with the family band Selena Y Los Dinos, becoming the ‘Queen of Tejano Music.’ Living in San Antonio, Texas, for a long time, I got to see Selena perform several times live, and they were always so much fun. She and her band always gave a great show, and she was such a charismatic and talented singer. Most people now know Selena through Jennifer Lopez’s career-making performance in the 1997 film of the same name. While that film centered on Selena and the romance between her and her future husband, Chris, this documentary lets the whole family tell the story of the band and what it was like to be a family traveling on an old bus from small town to small town. Through the vast number of interviews Selena did and new interviews with members of her family and her husband, Chris, we get to see how they got started and the slow rise to fame that changed quickly when the band changed the type of music they were performing. One thing I found interesting was that Selena, her brother, and sister spoke very little Spanish when they started performing, and that they received a cool reception when Selena and the band first toured in Mexico, where they were seen as outsiders. Selena y Los Dinos is a fun and fascinating look at a family that loved to perform, and it wasn’t just Selena who had musical talent. Fans of Selena will love revisiting a talented performer who we can only guess would have become a major force in the music industry if her life had not been cut short so soon.  My Rating: Full Price Selena y Los Dinos: A Family Legacy Website  Now playing on the Netflix platform 

My View:  Jay Kelly  (2025) R Jay Kelly (George Clooney) is one of the world’s biggest movie stars, but is starting to reflect on his life and career. He decides to go on a trip with his daughter, Daisy (Grace Edwards), but it’s never simple living the life of Jay Kelly, movie star. Jay Kelly is a film you might think would be picture-perfect for George Clooney, one of our last true Hollywood superstars and someone who has taken over the mantle of the older heartthrob from Cary Grant. The problem is that Clooney is almost always likable on-screen, while Jay Kelly isn’t. In fact, Jay Kelly is a self-righteous jerk who puts his own well-being above everyone else and has no clue he is doing it. Jay is a part that Clooney could literally phone in, and to his credit, he doesn’t. However, the script treats Jay like such a great guy, even though he can’t even take the time to connect with his grown daughter. Writing this review, I kept thinking how the part that Adam Sandler plays, his manager Ron, would have been a better character to center the film around, and let Clooney’s character be in the background. There’s a better story there, and we certainly like Ron more than Jay. It’s not that Ron is a saint; in fact, I think Ron has a lot of baggage to deal with, but it would have made a far more interesting film. By the end of the Jay Kelly, I didn’t want to spend one more minute with Jay, and neither did anyone else in the film.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee Jay Kelly Website  Now in select theaters and on Netflix on Friday, December 5, 2025.

Forgotten Film:  Twenty Bucks  (1993) R  The story follows the journey of a twenty-dollar bill as it interweaves with the lives of different people. The first person to encounter the 20 dollars is Linda Hunt, a street person who is convinced that the 20 bucks will bring her good luck and win the lottery. Others get the twenty, including Brendan Fraser, who receives it as a wedding gift, and a stripper (Melora Walters), who gets it at a bachelor party. Everyone from Christopher Lloyd to Elizabeth Shue (my favorite story) show up in the stories. Some are better than others, but each tells an interesting story about how 20 dollars can change a person’s life, for better or worse. My Rating: Bargain Matinee Twenty Bucks Info  Available on Tubi and Amazon

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Wicked: For Good:  Dance Tutor

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Hamnet  (2025) PG-13  Hamnet is a historical drama that follows the relationship between Agnes (Jessie Buckley) and William Shakespeare (Paul Mescal), and the impact of the death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet, on their lives. This tragedy ultimately inspires Shakespeare to create his most iconic play, Hamlet. The film is from Chloé Zhao; the filmmaker known for her two-time winning 2020 Academy Award-winning film Nomadland, and is expected to get multiple Academy Award nominations. Hamnet Website   In theaters on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

Until Next Time!

The Wild Robot

My View: The Wild Robot (2024) PG    The Wild Robot takes place when a robot named Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) crashes on Earth and is stranded on an uninhabited island. Roz’s survival depends on her wits and newfound animal friends, including an orphaned baby goose. Roz is going to learn a lot about life and the importance of friends. I will tell you right off the bat that this is not only the best animated film of 2024, but right now, it’s the best film of 2024. This is that rare film that the whole family will fall in love with right from the start. We follow Roz as she learns how to survive on her own, make friends, and become a mom to an orphaned baby goose. The Wild Robot is a film about learning to adapt to your surroundings, how to parent, and how to live your life to its fullest. The animation is gorgeous, the voice cast is brilliant (especially Pedro Pascal as the sly fox), and the story will have you laughing one moment and crying tears the next. The plot is fast-moving, and I loved that there are even a few moments of dark humor thrown in. Lupita Nyong’o is perfect as the voice of Roz, making her a robot with a heart and a mind willing to learn, especially from mistakes. The Wild Robot is a magical tale of a parent’s love for a child, wanting to do everything so that the child can eventually leave the nest and have the tools to go out into the world on their own. The Wild Robot is a stunning film that dazzles with its charm, wit, and heart while wowing us with animation that comes to life. And I can’t wait to see it again on the big screen! My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again The Wild Robot Website Now playing in theaters nationwide.

My View:  Megalopolis  (2024)  R  In Megalopolis, a brilliant architect, Cesar (Adam Driver), wants to rebuild his beloved city and create a utopian future. Not everyone believes in Cesar’s vision, including the greedy mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito). In between the battle for the city is Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), who is divided between her father, the mayor, and Cesar, her beloved. Francis Ford Coppola has made some of the greatest films in cinema history, including The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, Apocalypse Now, and The Conversation. He has also made some stinkers (Jack, Twixt), but he is at a time in his life when he has decided to use his own money to make a film that has been on the drawing board since the 80s. So he brings us Megalopolis, which he calls a fable about how America has become the new Rome, and in so Coppola asks, is America going to fall like Rome did? By the time this film ended, I didn’t care. I was fortunate to see this film about a year ago at a special showing, with Mr. Coppola in attendance. It was a work in progress, with none of the final music, lots of scenes with only natural sound (shown with subtitles so we could understand the low-volume dialogue), and almost no special effects. I came away from that screening wondering what I had just seen and hoping that the film would become much clearer as Mr. Coppola worked on it. The second screening was this past week on a huge IMAX screen. I am sad to say that while the film flowed much better, the script is such a mess that no special effects, sweetening the audio and a soundtrack could fix it. The film is filled with characters making speeches. I felt it was as if Coppola had shown the script to his friends and advisers, and had cut and pasted bits of speeches from past scripts into his final script. The film is full of weird performances that I couldn’t tell if they were due to a badly written script or if they were supposed to be campy and over the top. The plot is hard to follow as characters jump from one scene to another, always making those speeches. Speeches that don’t seem to add up too much of anything. And that’s how I felt when the film was over. The film didn’t add up too much of anything. My Rating: Cable Megalopolis Website   Now playing in theaters. 

My View:  Wolfs  (2024)  R   In Wolfs, a professional fixer (George Clooney) is hired to cover up a high-profile crime. However, a second fixer (Brad Pitt) has also been hired to clean up the crime site. The two ‘lone wolves’ are forced to work together, and soon, the two find that their night starts spiraling out of control, much to their dismay. Wolfs is one of those films that will probably be forgotten by the end of the year (and rightfully so), but it’s still fun to watch two movie stars do their job on screen. Clooney and Pitt have great chemistry together, making this film watchable because the plot isn’t much to begin with and gets a little messy as it goes along. Still, I had fun watching it, laughed a few times (especially during a hilarious scene at a seedy motel), and enjoyed watching the two just be cool in each other’s company. I wish it was a better film, but for a popcorn movie that will not win any awards, it’s fun to watch. Just don’t pay much attention to the plot and let the star power take you over. My Rating: Bargain Matinee Wolfs Info Now playing in selected theaters and on Apple TV+.

My View:  Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story  (2024)  PG-13  The documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story tells the story of Christopher Reeve, who went from an unknown stage actor to Superman, only to have his world changed when he suffered a near-fatal horse-riding accident that left him paralyzed. Using the Reeve’s own voice (from his two audio books), the film tells the story of how the Man of Steel became paralyzed and then used that to become a force to get funding to help all people with paraplegia. This beautiful and touching documentary focuses on Reeve and his family fighting to regain his life after the accident. With extensive interviews with his grown children and his first wife (sort of explained in the film) and extensive footage of family videos, we get an inside look at what Reeve went through in the years following the accident. The film goes over his career, as flashbacks, that tell the story of a brash young man who went from off-Broadway to one of the biggest stars of the 70s and 80s. By letting us see and hear Christopher Reeve tell his story, it brings us closer to a man who had faults but also loved his family and his life, even when seen from a motorized wheelchair. So bring a tissue or two and settle down to go on a journey with a man that took us up in the air, flying above the clouds, even when he was still grounded by an accident.  My Rating: Full Price Super/Man Website The film will be soon released to theaters and On Demand.

My View:  Killer Heat  (2024)  R  In Killer Heat, Nick Bali (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), is a private eye American expat living in Greece, and has been hired to investigate the death of a young shipping magnate, Leo, on the island of Crete. Nick discovers that the victim’s sister-in-law, Penelope (Shailene Woodley), doesn’t believe that Leo’s death was an accident. Nick soon learns that the rich control the island, and they don’t want him around to mess up their world. I am a fan of both Woodley and Gordon-Levitt. Unfortunately, they are let down by a script that is slow to develop and makes it too easy to figure out what happened. This is one of those films where you know the two leads took the roles because they got to film on location in Crete. We are given a side story of Nick drowning his sorrows each night by drinking until he blacks out due to something bad that happened between Nick and his wife in the past. The film wants us to think it’s a mystery that only Nick can solve, but alas, most of its viewers will solve it long before he does. My Rating: Cable Killer Heat Website  Now playing on Amazon Prime.

Indiefest:  My Old Ass  (2024)  R  In My Old Ass, on her 18th birthday, Elliot (Maisy Stella) goes to a remote island with her pals and takes some mushrooms. During her mushroom trip, she meets herself at age 39 (played by Aubrey Plaza). Her older self gives her one piece of advice: avoid any guy named Chad. The next day, Elliot, of course, meets a guy named Chad. Uh oh! My Old Ass is a funny and delightful film that is buoyed by an outstanding performance by Maisy Stella. Elliot, a teenager, would rather spend her birthday camping out with her best friends than celebrating it with her family. After watching her friends get delightfully high, Elliot is convinced that she isn’t under the influence until her 39-year-old self shows up. They spend the night talking, and Elliot is left with a warning to stay away from anyone named Chad. Of course, she meets Chad the next day, and he is funny and sweet, the type of guy who could convince a young lesbian like Elliot to change teams. Elliot and Chad continue to run into each other and Elliot slowly develops a crush on him. This coming-of-age film has some emotional moments that have a real impact, and a lot of that has to do with Maisy Stella, who makes Elliot a blast to watch go through so many of her feelings in a short amount of time. If you are seeing the film for Aubrey Plaza, let it be known that she is in it for about ten minutes, and a lot of that is on the phone with Elliot (somehow she can make phone calls from the future). I will say that near the end of the film there is a powerful and moving scene that Plaza just slays. Still, this is Maisy Stella’s film, and she runs with it, bringing us along on this journey that she takes full of laughs, tears, and a better understanding of how important it is to cherish our time with our loved ones. My Rating: Full Price  My Old Ass Website   Now playing in theaters.

Forgotten Film:  From Dusk till Dawn  (1996) R  Two brothers, Ritchie (Quentin Tarantino) and Seth (George Clooney), are on a spree of robbing and mayhem, with Ritchie killing almost everyone he meets. They kidnap a family (Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, Ernest Liu) and head down to Mexico, where they make the mistake of going into a strip club and things get really weird after the sun goes down. Co-written by Tarantino and directed by Robert Rodriguez, the film is part Tarantino caper film and part Rodriquez horror film. The film should have been better, but I think the two styles of Tarantino and Rodriquez clashed. This isn’t a great movie, but the dialogue is off-the-wall fun, and Clooney, hot off his star-making role in ER, is great as the less crazy brother who he tries to reel in every once in a while. Plus, Salma Hayek playing a giant snake-holding stripper turned vampire isn’t too bad. My Rating: Bargain Matinee From Dusk to Dawn Info The film is available to rent/buy on most streaming services.

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Wild Robot:  Hair Global Development Supervisor

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Smile 2  (2024)  R  Pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) is about to embark on a world tour when she begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. The curse of the smile is back, and Skye has become its next victim. With a great promotion campaign (creepy smilers at major sporting events) the horror film Smile became a box office hit in 2022. Can the Smilers strike twice?  Smile 2 Website The film opens in theaters on Friday, October 18, 2024.

Until Next Time!

Black Adam

My View: Black Adam (2022) PG-13   Nearly 5000 years have passed since Black Adam was bestowed with the powers of the Egyptian gods and then imprisoned in a tomb. Black Adam (Dwayne Johnson)has been freed and is willing to unleash his form of justice on the world, and the world isn't ready. I don’t know if it's the fault of the writers, the director, or Dwayne Johnson himself, but the character Black Adam is just dull. I am a huge wrestling fan, having started watching it when I was a kid with my dad. My favorite wrestler of all time is The Rock because he was terrific on the mic, had great dramatic/comic timing, and had charisma to burn. Unfortunately, other than the Fast and the Furious films, the things I loved about The Rock have never entirely translated to the screen. In Black Adam Johnson is, to put it bluntly, boring. Maybe it’s because this superhero seems to have very little chinks in his armor, meaning there is little that can hurt or defeat him, other than a ‘kryptonite’ like substance that shows up a few times. The problem is mainly that Black Adam is a one-dimensional character who doesn’t want to be a superhero. That’s what's wrong with this film is that we are constantly being told over and over that Black Adam isn’t a hero by both himself and others. Maybe that’s the problem; if the hero doesn’t want to be one, should we want it just because he looks like one? For someone who fought so hard for this film to be made, Dwayne Johnson looks like a man who doesn’t want to be there. And yes, there is a mid post-credits scene at the end of the film to set up a next Black Adam film.    My Rating: Cable  Black Adam Website  Now playing in theatres nationwide. 

My View: Ticket to Paradise (2022) PG-13 A long-time divorced couple (Julia Roberts, George Clooney) travel to Bali to stop their only daughter (Kaitlyn Dever) from marrying. They don’t want their daughter to make the same mistake they made 25 years ago. This is one of those films that you will enjoy just because of the cast, even though the script is incredibly weak and the film's second half falls apart very quickly. Roberts and Clooney are obviously having a great time making this slight rom-com of a movie, which helps. Their bickering throughout the film's first half is the highlight, but once the film gets a little warm-hearted, it starts to crack at its seams. The film is incredibly predictable, but that’s ok because Cooney and especially Roberts have the acting chops to make it work. This film would probably be unwatchable if it had been anybody else in the leads. By the way, other than a drunken party scene where Clooney and Roberts are dancing and playing beer pong, the most fun of Ticket to Paradise is during the credits, where we see the outtakes where the two are riffing just to crack each other up, never a good thing.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Ticket to Paradise Website  Now playing the theatres nationwide.

Indiefest: Raymond & Ray (2022) R Half-brothers Raymond (Ewan McGregor) and Ray (Ethan Hawke) go on a road trip to bury a father they both hated. It’s a trip where they will learn much about their father and, in return, learn about themselves and each other. I liked but didn’t love this film about two brothers haunted by their past with a father who seemed to delight in making their lives as miserable as possible. I enjoyed the two performances of McGregor and Hawke, who play off each other as two brothers who share a dark past, where the two were very different but bonded over a shared fear of their father and what he would say or do. The film is filled with a cast of colorful characters, sometimes going a bit overboard, but it’s always fun to see how the two brothers will react to each person they interact with. Raymond & Ray is a film about dealing with the past, finding a way to heal, and go forward. Something we could all afford to do at some point in our lives.   My Rating; Bargain Matinee  Raymond & Ray Info Now playing on the Apple TV+ platform.

Indiefest: The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) R  Two lifelong friends, Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson), have been meeting for years every afternoon to walk down to their local pub and have a conversation. Until one day, Colm refuses to answer the door, claiming he has no more time to have stupid conversations with Padraic. Things go downhill from there. To say that this film is Irish to the core would be an understatement. At times it’s a hilarious comedy, and other times it goes incredibly dark. This may be the best performance that Colin Farrell has ever done, as Padraic, a simple man who can’t understand why his best friend has decided to shun him. It’s beautiful to watch as Farrel's character stumbles through life, not understanding that what has worked in the past won’t work anymore. As you would expect, Brendan Gleeson is phenomenal as Colm, a man who has decided to change his life and try to accomplish something lasting before he dies. I expect an Oscar nomination for Gleeson, but I want one for Farrell also, who has never gotten an Oscar nod. What makes this film stand out is the supporting cast. The film is richer because of the just outstanding work by Kerry Condon, who plays Siobhan, the sister of Padraic, who is smart and fiery but is constantly reminded by everyone that she has never married. Condon is a delight to watch as Siobhan knows that she will continue to live a miserable life if she stays on the island. And then there is Barry Keoghan, who plays the lovable village idiot Dominic. Dominic isn’t the most intelligent guy in the world, but he is good at telling people what they need to hear, whether they want to hear it or not. So, visit Padraic, Colm, and the rest of the gang on an island that seems to be in its own little world, for better or worse.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  The Banshees of Inisherin Website  Now playing in select theatres.

Indiefest: My Policeman (2022) R Set in England in the 1950s, Tom (Harry Styles) and Marion (Emma Corrin) have just started dating when they meet Patrick (David Dawson), a museum curator. The three become fast friends sharing a love of art. However, Marion soon discovers that Tom and Patrick share much more, which could change everything. The film starts in the present time with the older couple (Gina McKee, Linus Roache) bringing stroke victim Patrick (Rupert Everett) into their home. Marion discovers Patrick’s diaries and begins to read and relive their early life. We see how the relationship between Tom and Marion starts, but then we also see that Tom and Patrick share a secret also. Much has been made of late of Harry Styles's acting ability, and to say he is the weak link in the cast would be an understatement. I have a feeling that was known ahead of time, as the older cast does most of the heavy lifting of the storyline. The plot is very thin other than showing off Harry’s butt (at one point accompanied by the singing of Glory), and the ending feels rushed. Other than the fans of Harry Styles, I don’t see many people checking this film out.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  My Policeman Website  Now playing in select theatres and on Amazon Prime on Nov. 4th.

My View: The School for Good and Evil (2022) PG-13  In the village of Gavaldon are two unlikely best friends, Sophie (Sophia Anne Caruso) and Agatha (Sofia Wylie). Sophie dreams of becoming a princess, and Agatha of becoming a witch. Under a blood-red moon, the two girls are swept away to a school where fairy tales come true, The School for Good and Evil. I had a good time watching this film about a school which is divided by whether you are considered a candidate to be a ‘hero’ or a ‘villain .’ Other than the Harry Potter series and The Hunger Games, few films have been able to capture the magic and enchantment of the fantasy worlds of YA novels, but I think this does a great job translating the feeling and scope that the author of the books intended. I enjoyed the world this film creates, and it’s helped by a stellar cast that includes Kerry Washington, Charlize Theron, Laurence Fishburne, and Michelle Yeoh. The two leads hold their own as the two best friends are thrown into this world, one who wants to be there and the other who desperately wants to return to reality. The movie is a little too long to hold young kids' attention, but I think fans of YA books will enjoy this film about how you think you fit into the world isn’t how others see you fitting in.  My Rating; Bargain Matinee  The School for Good and Evil Website  Now playing on the Netflix platform.

Indiefest: Decision to Leave (2022)  Hae-Joon (Park Hae-il) is a detective investigating the death of a man who has fallen from a mountain. The death is suspicious, and the main suspect is the dead man’s wife, Seo-Rae (Tang Wei). The mystery has just started, and more deaths may be on the horizon if Hae-Joon can’t solve the case. In the 80s, there was a slew of erotic thrillers where a guy, usually a detective, would get caught up in a relationship with a woman connected to a crime. She was usually the prime suspect, but our ‘hero’ couldn’t resist her and would get caught up in a web of lies and subplots. Well, in filmmaker Park Chan-Wook’s latest film, we have all that, though the erotic part is mostly through glances, small gestures, and even eating. This is a film that you will be asking, ‘did she or didn’t she’ as our hero, an hard-working, married detective who suffers from insomnia, falls for a prime suspect in a possible murder. Decision to Leave is a beautifully shot film where we often go into the detective's mind as he sorts through what this mysterious woman is saying and doing. I loved the chemistry between the two leads, as they rarely even touch, but the pull between the two is so sharp it almost cuts the screen. Park Chan-Wook has given us a movie about obsessive love and the consequences that it can cause. Love can be incredible, but it can also be deadly. My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Decision to Leave Website  Now playing in select theatres.

Indiefest: Triangle of Sadness (2022) R  Model Carl (Harris Dickinson) and Yaya (Charlbi Dean) have been invited for a luxury cruise on a yacht full of super-rich passengers. A storm is brewing, and these passengers may find that their trip won’t be as smooth sailing as they hoped. In fact, it just might end badly. I always have a hard time describing a film like this. It’s part comedy, part satire, and at times, way over the top in absurdity. The film deals with many subjects, from the class system, Marxism, and patriarchal and matriarchal societies, with a little bit of Lord of the Flies and a dash of Zoolander for good measure. The movie spends too much of its first half exploring the dynamics of Carl and Yaya, then takes its time setting up the class system on the yacht before things go all to hell. A fair warning, there is a lot of throwing up, among other nasty things, as the boat starts to fall apart. I enjoyed some of Triangle of Sadness, but the almost two and half hours run time was just too much to keep me interested for the whole shebang.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Triangle of Sadness Website  Now playing in select theatres. 

Forgotten Film: A Christmas Carol (1951) The Charles Dickens story of Ebenezer Scrooge (Alastair Sim), a man whose only love in his heart is for money, is visited by three ghosts to learn about his life and the error of his ways. I consider this the best of all the ‘Christmas Carol’ movies, with a brilliant performance by Alastair Sim as Scrooge. The film is in black and white, which it uses to its advantage, making the film seem much scarier than others that came after this one. Plus, this film has one of my all-time favorite character actors, Hermione Baddeley, who had a great career, including an Oscar nomination for her role in the 1958 film Room at the Top.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  A Christmas Carol Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Ticket to Paradise: Brushhand

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Spirited (2022) PG-13 A musical retelling of A Christmas Carol starring Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, and Octavia Spencer. If the trailer is any indication, this is going to be a fun one. We could all use a funny, delightful Christmas film.  Spirited Info  In theatres Friday, Nov. 11th, and on Apple TV+ on Friday, Nov. 18th.   

Until Next Time!

Money Monster

My View:  Money Monster  (2016)  R Financial TV host Lee Gates (George Clooney) and his producer (Julia Roberts) are held against their will in the studio by a disgruntled investor (Jack O’Connell) who wants Lee to hold the people who ruined his life accountable. This is another film where I said after seeing it, “Great cast, okay film.”  I wanted the film to better, but it never quite hits its mark. The pacing of this film is very slow, making the movie seem much longer than the hour and a half running time. Clooney, who plays an egomaniac who thinks he is God’s gift to both women and the TV audience, doesn’t look like he is breaking a sweat (except in the dance sequences and yes, Clooney dances), making me not totally believe the transformation of his character in the film. Roberts, who plays Clooney’s TV show producer, has to do most of the heavy lifting and makes the film seem more about her character and less about Clooney’s or Jack O’Connell’s character.  The film preaches a little too much, and I hated the ending (which I’m guessing was added after audience testing).     My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Money Monster Facebook Page

Indiefest:  High-Rise  (2015)  R   Dr. Robert Lang (Tom Hiddleston) moves into a 25th-floor apartment within a new high-rise tower. Dr. Lang soon regrets moving in as things in the building start unraveling very quickly. This is a movie that a few film critics will rave about due to its bizarre storyline, fast cuts, and at times, over the top acting. I, on the other hand, hated this movie, mostly due to the same points. The storyline is so bizarre, the only way I can describe it is it’s as if mental illness took over an entire building. If you do dare to see this film, be warned that there are scenes of rape, orgies, suicides and several dogs being served for meals (you read that right). It’s a movie that, after you see it, you’ll wonder how it ever got made.     My Rating: You  Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   High-Rise Website 

Indiefest:  The Man Who Knew Infinity  (2016)  PG-13 Growing up poor in Madras, India, Srinivasa Ramanujan Iyengar (Dev Patel) gains admittance to Cambridge University during WWI. He becomes a pioneer in mathematical theory with the help and guidance of his professor, G.H. Hardy (Jeremy Irons). I enjoyed this film which is a chess match between Ramanujan and Hardy. The film is about the two men finding common ground in math, bridging two very different, set in their way cultures. The two men give superlative performances, especially Irons playing the mathematician who has a hard time with personal relationships. While I did like this film, it is a little too predictable making the film seem a little slow.   My Rating: Full Price   The Man Who Knew Infinity Facebook Page

Indiefest: Being Charlie  (2016)  R   Charlie (Nick Robinson) is a troubled young man battling drug addiction. He is forced by his parents to enroll in a rehab program. While in rehab, he meets a fellow addict, Eve (Morgan Saylor), who changes how Charlie sees the world. I wanted this movie to be good, but instead, it’s just boring. After a promising start, the film gets bogged down into how bad Charlie feels his life is and how it really isn’t all that horrible. This is a film that hits you over the head, time and time again, to impress its message onto you. The problem is we never like Charlie, and, therefore, we don’t care what happens to him. When you leave the theatre, you wonder what happened to Rob Reiner (Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men) to cause his career to sink to this depth.    My Rating: Cable   Being Charlie Info

Forgotten Film: Once  (2007)  R   Two people (Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova) both working odd jobs to make a living while all they want is to make music. They meet on the streets of Dublin, and the girl decides to help the guy record a demo disc. As they play songs about their past lives/loves, they discover that they are slowly falling in love with each other. Written and directed by John Carney, who also brought us the brilliant Sing Street (2016) and the fantastic Begin Again (2013), first brought this film to us. The music is what makes this film work so well, and the two leads are phenomenal performers. This is a movie that you will watch over and over.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Once Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Money Monster: Eco Assistant

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Me Before You  (2016)   PG-13  Lou (Emilia Clarke) has lost her job, and there aren’t a lot of prospects in her small town. She is forced to get a job as a caretaker for Will (Sam Claflin), who is wheelchair bound after a motorcycle accident. This job will change both their lives forever. This is one of those films that I just love and it will be interesting to see Emilia Clarke in a romantic role.   Me Before You Website

Until Next Time!

The Choice

My View:  The Choice  (2016)  Travis (Benjamin Walker) and Gabby (Teresa Palmer) are neighbors who just can’t get along.  Travis is a veterinarian who likes playing the field.  Gabby is studying to become a doctor and has a steady boyfriend (Tom Welling). Only Travis’s sister (Maggie Grace) knows that Travis is about to fall hard for Gabby.  Will Gabby fall equally for Travis?  What makes this film watchable, for all the Sparks schmaltz that’s in this movie, is that Benjamin Walker and Teresa Palmer work well with each other. They have exceptional chemistry on-screen, especially in those moments where they are bickering. There is quite a spark between them, and it's very apparent their characters are attracted to each other from the start, and that draw continues to build throughout the film. My biggest problem with the movie is that it almost slows to a stop when the big crisis starts happening. The crisis goes on way too long, forcing us to experience the agony of the situation for what seems like forever. However, the chemistry between the two lead makes this a movie that fans of Nicholas Sparks films will enjoy.     My Rating: Bargain Matinee   The Choice Website

My View:  Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)  A plague has hit 19th century Britain, and it’s turning the dead into zombies. Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James) has been training her whole life in martial arts and weaponry. Now she, along with Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley), must save the world from the zombie hoard. I enjoyed this film though I will say that it does take a bit of getting used to the blending of Jane Austen with horror. I thought that action sequences were fun, and Lily James did a fantastic job as a samurai zombie killer. I thought there was excellent chemistry between James and Sam Riley, who plays Mr. Darcy. The plot is a little complicated, has a lot of players to contend with, and I didn’t quite understand the logistics of where everything was, but I still had a good time watching this weird mix of genres.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Facebook Page

Indiefest:  Hail, Caesar!  (2016)  Eddie (Josh Brolin) is a Hollywood “fixer” who helps the studio produce their blockbuster, “Hail, Caesar!” starring the famous actor Baird Whitlock (George Clooney). When Whitlock is kidnapped, it’s up to Eddie to rescue him with the aid of one of the studio’s biggest stars, singing cowboy (Alden Ehrenrech) Hobie Doyle. I liked this film, but with this cast and the Coen brothers as Producers, I should have loved it. I didn’t laugh enough and found the film very quirky. The film barely has a plot because I think the Coen brothers just wanted to make a movie that celebrated the Hollywood of the old studio system of the forties and fifties. We see scenes being shot and then, later (in a screening room or at a premiere), we see those actual scenes. The movies within the movie are the best things about this film. The Channing Tatum dance number is brilliant, and the Scarlet Johansson water dance sequence is fun. Alden Ehrenrech, as the simple singing cowboy, is exceptional and his scene where he’s trying to learn a line with Ralph Fiennes as a director of fancy dramas is brilliant (though it does go on too long).  This is a film whose many parts are scintillating but when pieced together, just don’t mesh.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Hail, Caesar! Website

Forgotten Film:  Me Myself I  (1999)  Pamela (Rachel Griffiths) is an unhappy woman. She has sacrificed her home life to put everything into her job.  On her birthday, she gets drunk and finds a picture of a guy (David Roberts) whose proposal she turned down.  She wonders what if she had said yes.  The next day she gets hit by a car and wakes up discovering that she is in a parallel universe where she did marry the guy, and they have a family. Rachel Griffiths gives a winning performance in this funny and sweet film. She is so much fun to watch as she deals with problems she has never before had to handle.    My Rating: Full Price   Me Myself and I Info

Weird Credits: From the movie Pride and Prejudice and Zombies:  Weather Consultant

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Eddie the Eagle  (2016)  Eddie (Taron Egerton) has a dream to compete in the Olympics as a ski jumper. The only problem is he has never ski jumped before, and the Winter Olympics are only a year away. Can he talk Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman), a washed out, drunken ex-ski jumper into coaching Eddie?  The trailer is funny and charming, plus the film has Hugh Jackman, which is always a plus.   Eddie the Eagle Website

Until the Next Time!

Tomorrowland

My View: Tomorrowland  (2015)  PG  Two opposites, Frank (George Clooney), a jaded former “boy genius,” and Casey (Britt Robertson), an optimistic teenager, embark upon a mission to unearth the secrets of a mysterious place - a place that, somewhere in time and space, exists in their collective memory.  While I liked the look of the film and enjoyed Clooney and Robertson’s performances, I found the film slow to start and very confusing. I have no idea what was done or why it was done to resolve the plot of the film, and because the plot was so sluggish, I just wanted it the movie to be over. This movie should have been a joy to watch, but it’s filled with too many plot points, way too much talking and not enough real action. I also didn’t enjoy the overall tone of the film, which I felt was a little insulting. The film has quite a bit of violence and I think would be too confusing for small children.  I expected more from this cast and director Brad Bird, who I have admired for quite a while. This film is a big, disappointing mess.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Tomorrowland Website 

My View: Poltergeist (2015)  PG-13  A married couple (Sam Rockwell, Rosemarie DeWitt) move into a new house with their children. They start experiencing mysterious things happening inside the house. Now, their daughter is missing, and it seems there is a ghost in their home holding their daughter captive. It’s sad when the trailer and even the poster are scarier that the film itself. The wastes the talents of Rockwell and DeWitt, though it does let Rockwell be funny in early, relaxed scenes with the family. The plot is somewhat similar to the original 1982 film of the same name but doesn’t have the thrills and scary moments of the first film. All of the scary moments of this film are the type where something jumps out of the dark at you. The film has numerous stops and starts, never letting the tension build.  While it was shot in 3-D, it’s not worth the extra money. There is a short bonus scene after the first credits that is worth seeing if you haven’t left the theatre to get your money back.    My Rating:  You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again   Poltergeist Website

Indiefest: Slow West (2015)  R  16-year-old Scottish aristocrat, Jay Cavendish (Kodi Smit-McPhee), abandons his birthright and heads to the American frontier to find the love of his life, Rose (Caren Pistorius). Jay travels across the frontier of 19th-Century America with the help of a mysterious stranger named, Silas (Michael Fassbender). This is a moving, dramatic film that also has a good bit of humor. Fassbender is the reason to see this movie, and he is impressive in the role of the cowboy who takes Jay under his wing. There is great chemistry between Kodi Smit-McPhee and Fassbender, which makes their scenes together the highlight of the film. The film moves along at a steady pace, captures the time period perfectly, has plenty of twists and turns and packs a punch at the end. If you like westerns or impeccable acting, this is a film for you.    My Rating: Full Price   Slow West Website 

Indiefest: About Elly (2009)      Elly (Taraneh Aldoosti) is invited to join three families who go on a vacation to the beach. When Elly suddenly disappears while babysitting the kids, the group of friends begin to search for her. What became of Elly?  This is another fascinating film from the writer / director, Asghar Farhadi, who brought us the Oscar-winning film A Separation (2011). In the beginning, we get to know all the characters, just as Elly does (she is new to the group). Then, Elly disappears, and the mystery and suspense begin to unfold. Farhadi builds the tension until we find out what did happen near the end.  This movie is a brilliant piece of film-making and well worth seeing.   My Rating: Full Price   About Ely Website 

Forgotten Film: Frances (1982)  R  A fascinating film that looks at the life of actress Frances Farmer (Jessica Lange). Lange is brilliant as Farmer, an actress who was highly independent and creative but battled the Hollywood system and lost.  It’s a tragic tale that allows Lange to show her stunning acting range.    My Rating: Full Price   Frances Info 

Weird Credits: From the credits of Tomorrowland: Truck Costumer 

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Gemma Bowery (2014)  R  Modern day re-telling of the Madame Bovary story. Any movie with Fabrice Luchini and Gemma Arterton is going to be a winner in my book.   Gemma Bowery Info

Until Next Time!