Category: Movies

Greetings to all!

Two weeks after returning to San Francisco, we are generally up to date on movie releases with the exception of a handful of films that came and went (or were never in wide release).  Nonetheless our movie count stands at 115 to date this year.  At this rate we will exceed our record of 2016.

The big surprise this week was Columbus.  Since many of you are avid movie goers like us, we welcome your take on this film, especially since our view is the polar opposite of most critics.

We send our best to you all!

J&J

Wind River

Set in winter in a remote area of the American West, Wind River is both a beautiful and heartbreaking story about death and despair.  Filmed in Wyoming, it captures the setting and tone Director and Screenplay Writer Taylor Sheridan wanted for this movie.

The acting headlines Jeremy Renner as a contract traker, and Elizabeth Olsen as an FBI outsider from Florida.  It was nice to see several Native American actors filling the roles including Julia Jones, Gil Birmingham, Martin Sensmeier, and Tokala Clifford.

This crime drama gets gritty as the scenery gets more beautiful.  It is quite the visual backdrop for such a tragic story.

Rated R for violence and adult subject matter, running 1 hour 51 minutes.  It is listed as a Mystery/Crime genre.

Rating  

Columbus

This is a unique film about a Korean father and son relationship set in a small Indiana college town.  Enter Casey, recent college graduate with a passion for architecture.  Soon a friendship develops. There is angst and drama, blah, blah blah…

Let’s get right to it.  The story drags on and on ad nauseum.  There is a ridiculous amount of time chatting about modernist architecture and horrible upbringings and such.

In full disclosure, we are the odd men out.  Critics nationwide thought this film was the greatest thing since sliced bread, giving it a 9.0 rating out of 10.  It was just way too artsy fartsy for our sensibilities.

It is listed as a Drama/Romance.  It is not rated and runs a long 1 hour, 44 minutes.

Rating  

Menashe

Here is a rare and insightful peek behind the curtains of the New York Hasidic Jewish community and one mans struggle to raise his son after the the death of his wife.

The actors are impressive.  The Menashe character, who works in a grocery store, is played by Menashe Lustig, who in reality is a Hasidic widower whose nature is warm and sensitive.  His son is played by the young Ruben Niborski.

The neighbors and relatives are all involved, especially the rabbi who insists Menashe’s son can only be raised in a household with a father and a mother.

The film is rated PG and the genre is listed as a Drama.  Runtime is 1 hour, 22 minutes.

Rating 

 

All,  Thanks for your patience for the disconnect on “Part 4” of our return drive.  We have been home in S.F. just over one week and we finally have all our technology issues resolved.  So, time to pick up where we left off…

Day 4:  Laramie to Salt Lake City.

We were up early and on the road shortly before day break.  The storms have past and the temperatures dropped into to 60s.  So off we went, westward toward Utah.

Soon we realized the horizon was murky with smoke from the Montana fires and the temps steadily rose into the 90s by the time we arrived in Salt Lake City.

Oh, did I mention more freeway construction?!  Fortunately, traffic was lighter than usual so the slow downs weren’t nearly as bad as the last couple of days.

We arrived in downtown Salt Lake City in the early afternoon.  We decided to catch a movie at the newly developed Gateway Shopping Center.  Bonus: free secure parking courtesy of Megaplex Gateway Theaters.  (See review: Kidnap, post dated 8/4/17.)

Since our room at the Residence Inn was a fully equipped one bedroom apartment we decided to eat in for dinner. Where to shop?!  Nearby Harmons of course.  (Move over Whole Foods…)

Day 5: Salt Lake City to Reno.

At the last minute, we decided to adjust our travel plans.  By extending our driving distance on day 5 we determined we could shave off one day and get home a day sooner.

Day 6:  Reno to San Francisco.

Another early morning departure.  “California here we come…right back where we started from…”

Total miles 2,288.

 

Special Note:  We were delighted to retrieve our computer this morning.  All is well and we are ‘back on line’!  Thanks for your patience and support. J&J

The Midwife

Here’s a movie to seek out if you are a fan of foreign language films.  Set in metropolitan Paris, Catherine Frot plays a midwife whose profession is under attack by the evolution of the medical industry.

Along comes her late father’s mistress, Beatrice, played by the incomparable Catherine Deneuve who humbly declares she has brain cancer and has nowhere left to turn to.

The acting is the reason to see this film.  It is a drama but not overly dramatic.  It is sometimes not too funny and not too melodramatic, but just about right.

The genre is Drama and is not rated in the US.  The run time is 117 minutes.  It is a great opportunity to see two exceptional French actresses in great roles.  French with English subtitles.

Rating 

The Glass Castle

This movie is based on the memoir by the same name.  This actually makes the film better than fiction though it is not always easy to watch.  Woody Harrelson and Naomi Watts play the free spirited parents whose unconventional approach to raising children ultimately results in a serious disfunctional dynamic.  There are moments of humor counterbalanced by moments of significant angst.

Once again, acting is front and center.  Since the story covers the children through adulthood, several actors fill the roles.  Most notably Oscar winner Brie Larson plays the oldest daughter.  Max Greenfield is her fiance.

It is rated PG-13 but there are several scenes that are not suitable for children.  The genre is noted as a Drama/Biography.  It runs a long 2 hours, 7 minutes.

Rating 

A Ghost Story

This is a truly unique film.  Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara play the leads. When Casey’s character suddenly dies, he continues as a ghost observing his heartbroken partner and a series of evolutions.

The story requires a lot of patience and imagination from the viewers.  Those patient enough will be rewarded with a haunting yet voyeuristic view of the world from the ghost’s point of view.

The genre is noted as Drama, Fantasy, Romance and runs 1 hour, 32 minutes.  It is rated R for “imitations of mortality”.  (First we have ever seen that!)  It is sure to prompt conversation.

Rating

Detroit

This film is a recreation of the 1967 racial and civil unrest in Detroit.  It recounts the takeover of the Algiers Motel by Local, State and National Guard forces and the events that unfolded one night.

It is powerful and sometimes painful to watch.  It is often raw and unsettling. It is directed by Kathryn Bigelow and based on historical events.  It is not easy to watch but stands as required viewing for those who seek a better understanding of racial history and its aftermath.

There is a cast of almost two dozen actors who deliver powerful depictions of real life characters.  It is rated R for strong violence and language.  It is listed as a Drama, Mystery, Suspense.  Run time is 142 minutes.

There is lots of deserved Oscar chatter about this film.  We will follow this closely as the awards season draws nearer.

Rating 

The Little Hours

Well, you won’t see a film like this everyday!  Set in a medieval period convent, young nuns verbally and viciously attack the convent’s day laborer who flees.  The replacement, played by Dave Franco, poses as a deaf mute to avoid “temptation” by the nuns.

Alison Brie, Aubrey, Kate Micucci play the young nuns. Molly Shannon plays the Mother Superior, and John C. Reilly plays Father Tommasso.

While the theme is spoofy comedy and R rated, we were surprised with the blunt, contemporary language.  There is full frontal nudity, sexual encounters, and extensive profanity.

While a bit taken aback by the style, it was a fresh, inventive, relentless and irreverent, but without malice, film.  Be advised, this is not a movie for everyone.  Rated R with a run time of 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Rating 

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power

This is an update to the first documentary ten years ago.  While there is some updated information in this rendition, the real focus shifts to global wrangling, the future of the Paris Agreement and, arguably the most compelling element, the current updated state of climate change to date.

Critics are many.  Animal Agriculture and its impact on climate change were never mentioned.  Carbon emission energy is still polluting the air with little slow down.  It is clear, there is a long way to go before climate change is in check.

That said, it is still encouraging to have an update and focus on the state of the environment.   There are moments that are funny and poignant at the same time.  This film is rated PG and runs 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Rating 

All,

So sorry for so few reviews lately.  We’ve been super busy with family, friends, last minute touring and gads about town…  The truth be told, access to films, especially independent and foreign, has been pretty lean.  We’ll have to fix that going forward.

In the meantime, we arrived in Salt Lake City this afternoon to temps in the mid/high 90’s.  So what better reason to seek refuge but in a comfortable movie theater.

Girls Trip

Despite the chemistry with this talented cast, this story is raunchy, crass and down right sleazy.  This is NOT what you would expect from a cast of Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall and Tiffany Haddish.

Let’s just say it was a painful two plus hours, although most audiences seemed to enjoy the movie.  We could only reflect on the countless women we have known and worked with and their years of struggle to gain respect and recognition.

Lest we forget it was a comedy.  OK, maybe not our genre.  But we were not expecting crude public behavior that pushed the comic envelope quite so far…

Rated R for crude sexual content, pervasive language, nudity and drug matter.

Rating 

Atomic Blonde

Oh my goodness.  Step aside 007.  Hello Lorriane Broughton!  She’s MI6’s elite spy with the best skills of any agent…ever!  She is strong, relentless, committed, unpredictable, and smart.

The cast is compact but effective.  Charlize Theron is the star agent.  James McAvoy plays the double agent, Sofia Boutella is a love interest, John Goodman is pulling strings behind the scenes.  Roland Moller, Johannes Haujur Johannesson take turns as counter agents.

Some reviewers are not liking the plot.  Too much “ass-kicking”, not enough spy drama.  We liked it because it bursts with energy, relentless action and a new breed of super spy.

The genre is a Mystery/Thriller.  It is rated R for violence and adult subject matter.  Run time is 1 hour, 55 minutes.

Rating  

Kidnap

Every parent’s nightmare!  You are out in a seemingly safe public place and in the blink of an eye, your child disappears.  You scramble into action and lose your mobile phone in the process…

This sets the stage for the next tense hour and a half as Mom (Halle Berry in an intense role), and her son (Sage Correa, whom we will surely see more in time) desperately struggle to find each other.

The acting is good to excellent.  The tension is off the charts.  The bad guys are really bad!  And the story…well you’ll just have to decide for yourself.  We thought it was pretty darn good.

It is rated R for violence and intensity and viewing by children is cautioned by these viewers.  Its genre is listed as a Thriller/Mystery with a run time of 1 hour, 35 minutes.

Rating 

Wish Upon

This PG-13 Fantasy/Thriller is clearly targeted to the preteen/teen audiences.  It is not a new story.  In fact, it is one of the oldest stories in the entertainment genre.

The acting is just OK, maybe a weak passing grade but otherwise uninspiring.  Joey King, Ryan Phillippe, Shannon Purser and Ki Hong Lee are the headliners.

We selected  “Cliche”, “Stereotypical” and “Predictable” from the “Top voted Tags” list to best describe this film.

Don’t feel too bad if this makes it to your miss list.  It might be worth a look if you are on a long flight and need some help passing the 1 hour, 30 minute run time.

Rating 

Dunkirk

Most folks of a certain age or knowledge of 20th century history will recognize the name Dunkirk from WWII when, in 1940, Germany invaded France. This invasion cut off  British, French, Belgian and Dutch troops, leaving more than 400,000 trapped on Dunkirk Beach.

This film is arguably the best movie ever made on the topic.  It is an intimate view from the soldiers point of view.  The audible and visual production of what it was like and how it sounded are the most noteworthy from our perspective.  It makes for a stunning auditory and visual experience.

The genre is listed as Action, Drama, History, War with a PG-13 rating.  (Not sure how that happened!  We would caution it is not suitable for young audiences.)  The run time is 2 hours.

The cast includes Harry Styles, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy and Kenneth Branagh, along with a dozen other young British actors.

We will make early predictions for Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Original Score, Cinematography, Special Effects, Costume Design, Sound and Sound Editing.

Rating

Valerian & the City of a Thousand Planets

Oh my!  Where to begin?!  It is an epic size story by Director Luc Besson. (Remember The Fifth Element?!)  This time he has a $200 million dollar budget and special effects are front and center.

It is set in the 28th century in a city called Alpha, where thousands of life forms coexist when a dark force threatens to disrupt the peace.  The story gets muddled up quickly.  The script focuses on two main characters, played by Cara Delevingne and Dane DeHaan, who are determined to defend the city with an arsenal of superpowers.  The plot slips in and out of one implausible scene to another.

The super star here is the special effects.  They are stunning, constant and ground breaking.  These elements overshadow every other aspect of the film.

The rest of the cast is practically a who’s who of Hollywood but you hardly notice any of them.  (Except Rihanna, whose depiction of “Bubble” is quite provocative!)

It is rated PG-13 but much of the story is not really suited for children.  The genre is noted as Science Fiction and Action.  The run time is 2 hours, 17 minutes.

All said, this film will undoubtedly garner several Oscar nominations in technical categories.

Rating: 

 

FINALLY, some movies worthy of attention, albeit, not neccessarily for everyone’s interests.  All very different.  All worthy of consideration depending on your tastes.  Enjoy!

Spider-Man: Homecoming

This was a most intriguing, although often confusing, rendition of the Spider-man by Marvel.  Intriguing because this Spider-man is funny, friendly and down to earth with a sense of himself.  Confusing because the mentor, Tony Stark, is an overbearing, butt-in-ski that seemed out of place and unnecessary for this film.

The story flows along with a fresh easy feel.  Natural, somewhat light hearted. Tom Holland is brilliant in the role of Spider-man.  Michael Keaton brings star power to the role of Vulture, although this viewer felt he was more of a distraction than evil doer.  There is a long list of actors that include notable roles by Donald Glover, Tyne Daly, Chris Evans, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Jennifer Connelly.

The genre is listed as Fantasy/Science Fiction.  It is rated PG-13 and runs 2 hours, 13 minutes.

Rating  

Maudie

This film is base on real people and events.  It is a story beginning in the 1930’s in Nova Scotia.  It is a recreation of a story seemingly from another world with different standards and values.  The strained relationship between two lead characters is often difficult to watch and yet compelling at the same time.

Leading actors, Sally Hawkins is the scullery maid and folk artist, Ethan Hawke is the damaged fishmonger.  Together they deliver powerful depictions of their characters.  Kari Matchett and Gabrielle Rose have the only other significant roles although there are a half dozen other actors rounding out the cast.

While this film is rated PG-13 there are a few intense scenes that may not be appropriate for youngsters.  The genre is listed as Drama/Romance and runs one hour, 55 minutes.

Rating  

War for the Planet of the Apes

This third in a series of “Apes” films is the best to date.  To be clear, it is also the darkest and most violent of the series.  These overtones make for realistic and sobering viewing.  We have no idea how they maintained the PG-13 rating.

That said, in this rendition, you will no doubt be cheering for the Apes instead of the horrific depiction of humans.  This film is action packed, heartbreaking and visually powerful, often all at the same time.

There is a huge cast.  Andy Serkis is Ceasar and prolific Woody Harrelson plays the Colonel.  Our favorite character, Cornelius, is played by actress Devyn Dalton.  Don’t ask us how they do it but they do it exceptionally well along with the 16 other lead characters.

It is listed as a Science Fiction/Drama and runs a riveting 2 hours, 22 minutes.

Rating  

Special Note:  So far this summer movie season has been a bit of a disappointment.  In the last five weeks we have seen three one globe movies and three zero globe movies.  The few theaters that run International and Independent movies are showing films we have already seen (and reviewed).  So we are starting to look farther afield without a lot of encouragement.

The good news is we keep discovering new places to explore.  The weather has cooled nicely from the heat of June.  On the 4th of July Pike Lake had amazing private fireworks from five points on the lake. We joined our neighbors for drinks and smores!  Fun!!  (Sorry, no pixs.)

The Beguiled

The long awaited release of this movie was prefaced by accolades and awards to Director Sofia Coppola.  Overall, she is very talented and much deserving.  That said, this remake of the 1971 Southern Gothic, starring Clint Eastwood and Geraldine Page, has the look and mood of a distant fairy tale.  It hardly connects to the grotesque reality of the then Civil War.

The acting is respectable.  Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell are mostly believable leads.  Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, Angourie Rice and Oona Laurence all play boarding students at a girls school set in a Southern Plantation mansion.

It feels more like a play than a movie and, for us, it just misses the cinematic high bar.  The genre is listed as a Drama/Thriller.  It runs 1 hour 34 minutes.  It is rated R for sexuality.  Clearly, we had higher expectations and were disappointed.

Rating 1  

The House

It is a shame when proven performers like Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler default to crude juvenile antics to improvise for a flawed script and a nerdy concept.

Seemingly middle class family living in a middle class environment with a daughter accepted to the college of her choice.  Counting only on a failed scholarship from the City, the parents improvise to raise money for the daughter’s higher education.

Over 20 actors cannot salvage this “comedy” from the bottom of the barrel.  The script is just as bad.  Silly slapstick, crude humor, tacky dialog, stupid antics, horrid stereotypes are not worthy of an audience.  We just wish we knew in advance.

It’s rated R for a long list of reasons: language, sexual references, drugs, violence, and nudity.  The genre is Comedy and runs a very long 1 hour, 28 minutes.

Rating  

The Big Sick

Pausing to contemplate this film shortly after viewing, I imagined comparing this film with a horse race.  Lots of advance excitement before the film opened.  Then a mad dash of energy as the characters charged out the gates.  Then that long back stretch where things are confusing and the viewer is disparately trying to connect all the dots as quickly as practical.  Then a few surprises and disappointments rounding the last corner.  Then a surge of energy and a satisfying ending.

There is a score of actors filling the scenes, some funny, some stoic, some old and some new.  Most notable are Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray Romano and a brilliant Kumail Nanjiani.  It gets accolades for its insight into Pakistani immigrants and their family struggles.  It is also a powerful story about enduring love and perseverance.

It is rated R for language and sexual references.  The genre is listed as Comedy/Romance and runs 2 hours, 4 minutes.

Rating 

 

We have been a bit frustrated by the lack of access to many summer releases. There are fewer movie theaters than we are used to, especially foreign and independent films.  Those theaters we have identified are often many miles away.

That said, we were pleased to discovery another Landmark Theater gem, The Oriental in Milwaukee’s East Side.

Now on to the movies!

Baby Driver

Every once and a while a film is released that is truly unique, innovative and ground breaking.  That is exactly what Writer/Director Edgar Wright delivers with the newly released Baby Driver.

The driving scenes are among the best ever.  In our opinion better than Bullet and the Fast and Furious franchise.

The acting is impressive for the most part.  Ansel Elgort plays Baby in his best role to date.  Lily James is believable as the love interest.  Jamie Foxx plays his best bad guy in a long time.  And Kevin Spacey plays another bad guy oh so well.

It’s rated R for strong language and violence throughout.  The genre is noted as Action, Adventure, Comedy and Drama.  It runs 113 minutes.

Rating 

The Hero

Straight up, Sam Elliott delivers his best role in decades.  In this role he spends his time reliving his good ole days and smoking marijuana.  But then there is some life changing news that changes everything (but I’m not going to tell you what it is.  No spoiler here!)

The story and screenplay was written for Mr. Elliott but the acting makes it believable.  Laura Prepon gives a stellar performance as the younger woman.  Krysten Ritter is the angry daughter.  Nick Offerman is the drug dealer sidekick.

The genre is Drama/Comedy and is likely to be appreciated by mature/senior audiences.  It is rate R for drug use and adult subject matter.  It runs 93 minutes.

Rating 

Beatriz at Dinner

This is a unique and thought provoking film.  Salma Hayek gives a compelling portrayal as a Mexican born holistic masseuse and healer now living in Los Angeles. After her car breaks down at a wealthy clients home, she is invited to spend the evening at a dinner party where the wealthy guests share in what becomes a serious culture clash.

The small cast includes an almost unrecognizable Selma Hayek as Beatriz and John Lithgow as the Trumpian Billionaire.  Jay Duplass as a wealthy realtor and Chloe Sevigny as his wife.  David Warshosky as the host and Connie Britton his wife.

Strangely enough this film is listed as a comedy instead of a social commentary. It is rated R for strong language and one scene of violence.  It would not be suitable for young children.  The run time is 83 minutes.

Rating