Moonlight

Indiefest:  Moonlight  (2016)  Told in three acts, this timeless story of human connection and self-discovery follows the life of a young black man, Chiron, from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world.  A tender and breathtaking film about a young man who grows up before our eyes in a rough and tumble world. Right from the start, we sense that Chiron knows he is different from the rest of the children in his school. He becomes isolated, and a drug dealer is the only one who reaches out to take care of him, something even his own mother isn’t willing to do. This is a film about how the choices you make when you are growing up have far-reaching consequences. It’s a brilliant film filled with small moments that continue to build until the exquisite ending is reached. All three actors (Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and  Trevante Rhode) who portray Chiron are dazzling in the film, but Rhode as the adult Chiron, especially stands out. Writer/director Barry Jenkins is a talent to watch if this film foretells his future.   My Rating:  I Would Pay to See it Again   Moonlight Website

Indiefest:  Certain Women  (2016) The lives of four women (Michelle Williams, Kristen Stewart, Laura Dern, Lily Gladstone) from Montana intersect and change all of their lives.  Kelly Reichardt, who wrote the script based on the short stories of Maile Meloy, brings us a story that is low-key and often slow-moving, but that allows you to get under the skin of each character. What we see are slices of four lives. Those lives are real and powerful. This is a film that, while not a whole lot happens, it will linger with you for days because the performances of the four actresses are so powerful and real. I especially savored the performance of Lily Gladstone, who plays a soft-spoken woman who befriends the teacher, played by Stewart. She rarely speaks in the film but is so expressive in her features and body language. Her character is lonely, alone on a big ranch and is searching for someone to connect with, even if it means going to a class that she never intended to attend. Her performance is heartbreaking, especially the scenes of her standing in the parking lot, watching Beth seemingly forever driving off.  “Certain Women” is a superb film full of small moments, most of which are poignant and distressing. It’s a look into the lives of four very lonely women hoping they will eventually find happiness, even if it is short-lived.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See It Again   Certain Women Website   

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray):  Bad Moms  (2016)  R  Three moms (Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell) have been pushed to their limit by the PTA, making lunches and managing after-school activities for their kids. It's time for the moms to hit back and have some fun. I had a great time watching this movie.  While it takes a little while to take off, once Kathryn Hahn’s raunchy mom shows up, the film is a blast to watch. The three women play off each other effortlessly and they all have great comedic timing. Christina Applegate is perfect as the mom who runs the PTA with an iron hand. Go have a glass of wine and enjoy your time with some “Bad Moms.”   My Rating: Full Price  Bad Moms Website

Forgotten Film:  The Beat That My Heart Skipped  (2005)  Will Thomas (Romain Duris) is destined to follow in his father, the mobster, footsteps. He has a chance encounter with a Chinese piano teacher and becomes so enchanted, he decides to take up the piano. It seems Will just might be talented enough to go into music, that is until the day that his past comes back to haunt him. This is an entertaining Film Noir gangster movie that takes a couple of unexpected turns. Duris gives a skillful multi-layered performance that makes this film so interesting to watch.  My Rating: Full Price   The Beat That My Hear Skipped Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Moonlight:  Immigration Legal

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Hacksaw Ridge  (2016)  WWII American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss (Andrew Garfield) becomes the first Conscientious Objector in American History to be awarded the Medal of Honor. The trailer makes this look like one of the ‘do not miss” films of the Oscar season.   Hacksaw Ridge Website

Until Next Time!

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

My View:  Jack Reacher: Never Go Back  (2016) PG-13 Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) is coming back to the headquarters of his old military unit.  Major Turner (Cobie Smulders) has been helping him solve cases across the country.  When Reacher arrives, he learns that Major Turner is charged with treason. I enjoyed the first Jack Reacher film and, while not as enjoyable as the first, this movie is still a fun ride. This is definitely a leave your disbelief at the door, because Reacher does a lot of impossible stuff (like falling off a roof and walking away), but the fight sequences are a blast to watch, and both Cruise and Smulders are phenomenal in the action scenes.  I will say that Cruise does a heck of a lot of running in this film, so much so that I bet he runs at least a 10K in the movie. While the film steals a little bit from the Bourne and the Taken series, it’s still a great popcorn movie to experience.  My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   Jack Reacher: Never Go Back Website

Indiefest:  In A Valley of Violence  (2016) R  A mysterious stranger (Ethan Hawke) and his dog travel to the forgotten town of Denton, dubbed as the “valley of violence,” where things quickly go bad. Part comedy, part homage to the “Spaghetti Westerns” of the 60s and 70s with a large dose of ‘revenge films,” it’s a rather uneven film. There were times I really enjoyed this film but there were also scenes that just didn’t work. Hawke is an acceptable hero with what he is given to work with, but I think I would have liked his character to be a little more mysterious, like Eastwood in those “Spaghetti Westerns.”  I did delight in the performance of John Travolta, who plays the Marshall of the town, running it with an iron hand.  I also thought that Taissa Farmiga did an excellent job of portraying a young woman who, after being abandoned by her husband, is stuck in the horrible town and is looking for a way out. Overall, the film never quite balances the comedy with the violence of the movie and only really comes together in the last big shootout sequence.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee   In a Valley of Violence Website

Forgotten Film:  A Perfect Candidate  (1996) This little scene documentary looks at the 1994 unsuccessful bid for the Virginia Senate seat by Oliver North. The film focuses on North’s campaign strategist, Mark Goodin, and Washington Post reporter, Don Baker. It's a great film made greater by larger-than-life Goodin who is almost mesmerizing to watch.  My favorite scene in this film is when North’s opponent, incumbent Chuck Robb, strolls through the aisles of a supermarket trying to find one person willing to shake hands with him.  My Rating:  Full Price  A Perfect Candidate Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray):  Ghostbusters  (2016)  PG-13 Erin (Kristen Wiig) and Abby (Melissa McCarthy) write a book that states that ghosts are real. When ghosts invade Manhattan, the author pair team up with Jillian (Kate McKinnon), a nuclear engineer, and  Patty (Leslie Jones), to try and save the world from an evil and powerful demon, Rowan (Neil Casey). I had a great time watching this film. There are some subtle homage to the first Ghostbusters movies, but it’s really an original idea for a movie. I would have liked McCarthy to be a little more animated in her part, but Kate McKinnon more than makes up for that with a wacky performance. Chris Hemsworth is brilliant as the dumb-as-rocks receptionist who gets the job based only on his good looks. There are a lot of cameos, some really work, but it is very obvious that Bill Murray didn't want to do this film from his performance. The film was shot in 3-D, and it shows, with some of the ghost appearances using the technology to the fullest. There are two bonus scenes, one after the main credits and another, which sets up a possible sequel after all the credits.   My Rating:  Full Price   Ghostbusters Website

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Jack Reacher: Never Go Back:  Construction Auditor

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Arrival  (2016)  PG-13  When mysterious spacecraft touch down across the globe, an elite team led by expert linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is brought together to investigate. As mankind teeters on the verge of global war, Banks and the team race against time for answers. Amy Adams could just read a phone book on-screen for an hour and a half, and I would watch it.   Arrival Website

Until Next Time!

Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For

My View:  Frank Miller’s Sin City: A Dame to Kill For  (2014) R The characters of Sin City, including Marv (Mickey Rourke), Nancy (Jessica Alba), Dwight (Josh Brolin) and Gail (Rosario Dawson), are back for another storyline. I enjoyed the first hour of this film, but the storyline takes too long to develop, and the last thirty minutes just seems to drag.  Mickey Rourke is amazing to watch in this film, and I always enjoy Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s work on-screen.  I thought the look of the film was creative and is much better than the first Sin City film.  I just wish the storylines were more-thought out and the timeline made sense. I felt the 3-D in the film wasn’t used to its potential, so I recommend the 2-D screening.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Frank Miller's Sin City: A Dame to Kill For Website

Indiefest:  If I Stay  (2014) PG-13  A young woman’s (Chloe Grace Moretz) world is changed in an instant when she lapses into a coma after a horrific car accident.  During an out-of-body experience, she must decide to wake up to a life that she never imagined she would live.  I probably enjoyed this movie more than I should have just because I love Chloe Grace Moretz, who I think is one of the better young actresses out there.  The dialogue is rather clunky, and there are way too many moments that feel clichéd and forced.  The film gets confusing, at times, due to the repeated flashbacks, and the ending is highly predictable, however, the critic sitting next to me at the screening starting crying about half way through the film and didn’t stop until it was over.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  If I Stay Website

My View:  When the Game Stands Tall  (2014) PG High school football coach Bob Ladouceur (Jim Caviezel) is a legend after leading his team to a 151-game winning streak.  His skill and compassion will be tested when he loses more than just a game.  This faith-based movie just never quite gets going with an incredibly low-key performance by Jim Caviezel who acts like he just woke up throughout the film.  This film never touches the heartstrings, and it goes on at least twenty-five minutes too long.  I did like Laura Dern who plays the coach's wife, and Michael Chiklis is a lot of fun to watch as the high-strung assistant coach. I think young kids will enjoy all the football action, but the rest of us will be bored.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  When the Game Stands Tall Website

Indiefest:  Alive Inside  (2014) This is a documentary about Dan Cohen, who tries to provide music to nursing home patients who are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s.  The results are astounding as music apparently has the ability to combat memory loss and bring fulfillment to those suffering from it.  This is an intensely moving documentary that has some stunning moments in it.  To see the joy of music on the faces of people suffering from dementia is so beautiful to watch.  There are some unbelievable transformations in the film, including a 94-year-old man who rarely interacts with people and usually keeps his eyes closed and his chin on his chest, who comes alive when listening to music.  He even starts singing and dancing while seated in his wheelchair.  My Rating: Full Price  Alive Inside Website

Forgotten Film:  Mask (1985) R Rocky (Eric Stoltz) is an ordinary teenager with one problem -  he has a massive facial skull deformity.  He is being brought up by Rusty (Cher), a single mom determined that her son live a normal life.  Cher is the reason to see this film, and she does an impressive job of playing a woman who speaks her mind, making sure that her son is treated like any other kid. She has tremendous chemistry with Stoltz, which makes their relationship the center of the film.  Sam Elliott is perfect as Cher’s biker boyfriend.  This is a feel good movie that is inspiring to watch.  My Rating:  Full Price  Mask Info

Weird Credits:  From the film Frank Miller’s Sin City: A Dame to Kill For:  hair and makeup driver

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: Life of Crime  (2014) R Two criminals (Mos Def, John Hawkes) kidnap the wife (Jennifer Aniston) of a corrupt land developer (Tim Robbins).  They demand 1 million dollars; the problem is the developer doesn’t want his wife back. Based on an Elmore Leonard novel, the film has been in pre-production since the 80’s.  This film has a great cast lead by Oscar nominee John Hawkes.  Life of Crime Website

Until Next Time!