All the Money in the World

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until Next Time!

The Breadwinner

Indiefest:  The Breadwinner  (2017)  PG-13   Animated story of a young girl, Parvana (voiced by Saara Chaudry) who is living in Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban. When her father is unjustly imprisoned, she cuts her hair and disguises herself as a boy to provide for her family. This is a gorgeous and charming film about a girl who loves her family so much she is willing to risk it all to help them. The film is two stories: one is the plight of Parvana and her family, the second story is one that Parvana tells to her brother about a boy on a quest to get his village’s seeds back after they were stolen by some magical beasts. The animation is lush, with the stories that Parvana tells, done in a mosaic-like style. The story is captivating and delightful, though it is, at times, heartbreaking as Parvana is given obstacle after obstacle to overcome. While dealing with a tough subject, it’s a film that families, especially young girls, should see; a film about the determination of a young girl who won’t stop to protect and feed the family whom she desperately loves.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Breadwinner Website

Indiefest:  Thelma  (2017)  R  Thelma (Eili Harboe) is a Norwegian student with a religious background. When she moves to Oslo, she meets and falls in love with a young woman who changes how Thelma sees the world. Just as the world starts opening up for Thelma, she begins having seizures, which may be related to mysterious power outages. This is a beautiful and somewhat strange film where you constantly question what you are seeing on the screen is real or imagined by Thelma. The film, Norway’s entry to the Best Foreign Language Oscar, reminded me a bit of Lars von Trier’s Melancholia. Thelma has powers that are slowly revealed to us, and these powers are forces that maybe affecting people around her. The cinematography is stunning, and Elli Harboe gives a moving performance that is filled, at times, with the excitement of a new romance and, at other times, with gloom and dread. The film has some tense moments that sneak up on you, hitting you hard when they happen.  Thelma is a film that you won’t always know what is going on, but isn’t that the point?    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again     Thelma Website  

My Review:  New Life (2016) PG  When Ben was seven he moved from England to the States and on his first day moving into his new home with his family he meets Ava, and they quickly become fast friends. That friendship would eventually turn to love and marriage. Life is funny in that it has ups and downs and Ben (Jonathan Patrick Moore) and Ava (Erin Bethea) are going to be challenged unexpectedly. While this is a faith-based move, what I loved about the film is that there really isn’t a moment where a character talks about God or prays to help, it’s just a story about two people in love who have some setbacks in their life. Moore and Bethea have great chemistry together, making their relationship feel real. The film is helped by a stellar supporting cast including James Marsters, Barry Corbin, Terry O’Quinn and Bill Cobbs. This is a fine relationship film that moves at a quick pace and is enjoyable to watch. I will warn you, you are going to need a few tissues, so be prepared.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee     New Life is available now on DVD, VOD and Digital       New Life Facebook Page

In Case You Missed It (A movie just released on DVD/Blu-ray):  Atomic Blonde  (2017) R    The Berlin Wall is about to fall, and Lorraine (Charlize Theron), an undercover MI6 agent, is sent to the Communist side to find a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents. This film is a blast to watch. It has some of the best fight sequences I have ever seen, and, while the plot is slim, it has plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested. Theron is stunning as the spy who can kick butt with the best of them. What I loved about this film is that Theron’s character isn’t a superhero - she can fight and fight well, but she also gets the crap beaten out of her. There is a great fight sequence where Lorraine and the guy she is battling both can barely stand due to the beatings that they have given each other. I love that Charlize Theron did 95 percent of the fighting in this movie, and it shows. The soundtrack for this film is outstanding, and I loved the use of color in the film which adds to the overall mood.    My Rating:  Full Price    Atomic Blonde Website

Forgotten Film:  River’s Edge (1986) R   Sampson (Daniel Roebuck) is part of a lost generation who has been abandoned by their parents, spending all their time getting drunk and high. Sampson decides to kill his girlfriend (we don’t know why) and then leaves her dead body out in a field. Sampson, along with his speed-addicted friend Layne (Crispen Glover), decides that it’s okay to bring their friends around to see the body, knowing no one will call the police. This is not an easy film to watch, and it will depress the heck out of you. Why should you see this film? For the dazzling performance of Crispen Glover, who knocks it out of the park with his portrayal of the strung-out, fast-talking Layne.  My Rating: Full Price    River's Edge Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Thelma:  Barrier Guard

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  I, Tonya  (2017)  R  Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) is a rising star in the glamorous would of the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Her future changes when her ex-husband (Sebastian Stan) intervenes.  There is a lot of talk from film critics that this role could get Robbie an Academy Award nomination.   I, Tonya Website

Until Next Time!