LA LA LAND

LA LA LAND: An homage to those wonderful musicals we grew up with, this film had me from the very beginning... a square black and white screen with the word...."inemaSco" which of course widened, got colorful and said CincmaScope.... And we're off ....A traffic jam on an L.A. freeway and, in turn, the drivers get out of their cars, until we have a mass of singing and dancing motorist all over the place.... and that's all takes place before the opening credit.   If you are a fan of musical (which I am)  this one delivers big time.  Big razzle-dazzle time.  Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone helm this beauty (photography...another homage, this time to Technicolor) and they couldn't be better.  Gosling even does his own keyboard work (He's a jazz pianist) and they both sing and dance splendidly.   The plot is more or less how they fall in love and out of love and.... well, just go see it.  It's up for numerous Golden Globes including Best Picture, Actor and Actress with Oscar nominations in the future, I'll bet.  It's just La La Lovely!

COLLATERAL BEAUTY

COLLATERAL BEAUTY:   Every Christmas must have at least one tear-jerker of a movie and this is it.  Will Smith portrays Howard, a successful New York ad executive who, after going through a tragedy retreats from life, writing letters to "Death," "Love" and "Time." His co-workers (Edward Norton, Kate Winslet and Michael Pena) do their best to bring him back to reality and hire a few actors (Helen Mirren, Keira Knightley and Jacob Latimore) to aid in the process.  This movie has some slow moments as the story unfolds but all of the performances are top rate and the surprise ending will totally catch you off guard.  It is also beautiful to look at, shot during the Christmas season in New York City when many streets are lit up in their finest.  While not a great movie, it is, nonetheless worth catching but bring Kleenex.

HACKSAW RIDGE

HACKSAW RIDGE:  Directed by Mel Gibson, this film relates the extraordinary true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who nonetheless served his country during WWII and saved seventy-five men in one of Okinawa's bloodiest battles.  And that is the plot, in a nutshell.  Now,  about the film....it is brilliant, mesmerizing, unsettling and probably the best movie I've seen so far this year.  Oscar worthy as Best Picture and Director (unless there is a backlash against Mr. Gibson for past sins).   But looking at the film as a whole, it is on my ten best list and a true work of art.  With sterling performances by Andrew Garfield and a surprisingly brilliantly dramatic portrayal by Vince Vaughn, I'm hoping the Academy will honor their efforts as well.  FYI, the first hour and a half explores how Mr. Doss arrives at his moral code of ethics, falls in love, and begins his journey.  The last 45 minutes throws you into the heat of battle (He with no gun and only his desire to be a medic) and it is relentless in it's portrayal of the horrors of war.  But it is also strangely poetic in the use of camera angles and slow motion.  And I insist that you see it. It will bother you, yet make you cry, upset you, but lift you up.  It is a gem.

ALLIED

ALLIED:  Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard star as WWII spies, he (Max)...from Canadian intelligence... she (Marianne)...with.the French Resistance....Thrown together on a dangerous mission, posing as husband and wife, they naturally fall in love.   When the mission is completed, they decide to get married for real and settle down in England.  But all is not idyllic for long.   Sources investigate her past and discover she may not be who she says she is.   In fact, she may be a German spy.  Well, Max sets out to prove his wife's innocence and..... no spoilers, in this review!   If you like those movies of the forties in the style of "Casablanca," this is one you will enjoy.   It keeps you guessing what the outcome will be and the two leads are flawless.  Matthew Goode does a virtual cameo role as an acquaintance of Marianne's that throws another obstacle in Max's quest for the truth.  This Robert Zemeckis film is old-fashioned movie making at it's ultimate best and these two "movie stars" have never shown brighter.

FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM 3D

FANTASTIC BEASTS 3D: From the pen of J. K. Rowling, this is the story of Newt Scamander (the wonderful Eddie Redmayne, delightfully awkward in this portrayal) and his quest to document an array of magical creatures that takes place seventy years before Harry Potter read the book he is writing  in school.
I opted to see this in 3D, thinking it would add to the enjoyment of this fantasy world and it does.
The visual effects (New York in the 20's) are dazzling and unlike anything you have seen before.  The "beasts" alone are worth the price of admission, particularly a kleptomaniacal badger sort of thing.   And they all live in a magical suitcase belonging to our hero.   The supporting cast is stellar (among them John Voight, Colin Ferrell and a surprise cameo by Johnny Depp....but don't blink or you'll miss him.)  The plot is easy enough to follow but too complicated to go into in this space. Suffice it to say,  I was very impressed with this outing by Ms. Rowling and her screenplay and if the wizarding world is your cup of tea, don't miss it.  It is FANTASTIC.

JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK

JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK:  Tom Cruise returns as the investigative title character in this action-adventure flick.  When the new head of his old unit, Army major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) is arrested and accused of espionage, Reacher suspects foul play and jumps into action to prove her innocence.   After crossing paths with the law, he must go on the lam to uncover the truth.
Breaking her out of jail is only the beginning.  Chases and fights and gun battles abound.   And there is literally never a dull moment.   At times you are on the edge of your seat as the two take on the "bad guys.  Into the mix, a young teen (Danika Yarosh) who may or not be Reacher's daughter is thrown.  And we meet a superb villain name Hunter (played beautifully by Patrick Heusinger.  As the mayhem continues it all comes to a whiz-bang finale at the New Orleans Halloween parade.  So it was a perfect movie for today.   No deep message here just a fun ride with some laughs now and then.   I loved it.  Pure escapism.

DENIAL

DENIAL: Another film based on a factual case, this courtroom drama involves two historians.  The first, American Deborah Lipstadt (Rachel Weisz), has written a book in which she accuses a fellow historian, British David Irving (Timothy Spall) of being a Holocaust denier.  Mr. Irving promptly sues Ms. Lipstadt and her publishers for libel.  British courts are very different from ours, in that the defendant must prove his or her case. (No innocent until proven guilty here)  She is aided in the trial by a brilliant team of solicitors (who map out the strategy) and a team of lawyers headed by Tim Wilkinson.  If all of this sounds confusing, be assured that the film keeps you fascinated by the procedures in the different jurisdictions.   Why would you not want Holocaust survivors to testify? It's all heady stuff and brought to life by the three wonderful performance of Weisz, Spall and Wilkinson. I'm a sucker for courtroom dramas and there is no denying this is a good one.

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN:  Where to begin?  This "thriller" based on a book, tells the story of Rachel, a commuter getting over her divorce, but still riding daily by her one-time home now inhabited by her ex-husband and his new wife.  On those rides, she becomes obsessed with the neighbors two doors down, thinking they have the perfect life.  And then her world is shattered.   Emily Blunt plays Rachel, who has become an alcoholic to ease her pain....And thus, she has blackouts and can't remember what has happened in her life.  SO, when one of the neighbors comes up missing and she had been spotted in the premises....the plot start to take hold.   All of the performances (Justine Theroux as her ex-husband, Rebecca Ferguson as his new wife, Haley Bennett and Luke Evans as the neighbors) are first rate with kudos to Allison Janney as Detective Riley and a meaningful "Cameo" by Lisa Kudrow.  A bit hard to follow at times....with title cards telling us where we are in time....(Two months earlier....Today....One week ago) It all works out in the end and was a most satisfying afternoon at the movies.  And as my friend, Yvette, who takes tickets, told me  "I hated the book but I loved the movie."  I hope you will also.  It's a fascinating film and Ms. Blunt may get some nominations out of this.

QUEEN OF KATWE

QUEEN OF KATWE:   Based upon a true story, this lovely, inspirational film from Disney and director Mira Nair, revolves around an 11-year-old Ugandan girl named Phiona played by a natural born actress if ever I saw one, newcomer Madina Nalwanga.  When she meets a missionary, Robert Katende, (a brilliant performance by David Oyelowo) who teaches her to play chess, her world changes forever.  The film opens with Phiona on the brink of attaining a chess championship and then it flashes back to the story of how this impoverish girl made it this far.   Her mother Harriet (A radiant Nupita Nyong'o) is a woman of such fire and determination that you long for her to be on the screen as much as possible.  (And this Oscar winner for "12 Years a Slave" deserves a film all her own)  At times, at odds with her daughter while trying to merely cope with their life in the "slums" while raising four other children as well, Nupita brings quite strength to her performance and it is a joy to watch.  Beautiful photographed with eye-popping costumes, this is a feast for the eyes. and worthy of your attention.   Yes, the ending is predictable but I still wept tears of joy.  See it.

MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDEN

MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN:   Director Tim Burton brings us this adventure fantasy from a novel by Ransom Riggs.  Asa Butterfield plays the young protagonist who is left some clues about the stories of monsters his grandfather (Terrence Stamp) has left him.  It's all about finding a loop (i.e. some king of portal to an earlier time and a home for "peculiar" children.) Yes, it's a bit hard to follow at times.  Eva Green is Miss Peregrine and would seem to be Mr. Burton's latest muse.  Supporting roles are given to Samuel Jackson (one of the baddies) Rupert Evert, Allison Janney and Judi Dench.  They turn in their customary good performances but nothing to write home about. In short, while I liked the film and always enjoy Mr. Burton's demented vison of things, I didn't find it brilliant or up to his standards of the past....Give me "Sweeny Todd" anyday.  Still, all in all, it's has it's moments (thank to CGI.)  And the "Peculiar children" are great  (Loved the boy who had bees living within him) But, be forewarned, this is NOT for young children.  It is not in the least bit loveable and downright scary at times.  And although I did not read the book, the ending felt a bit strained for a happy one.

SNOWDEN

SNOWDEN:  With Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the title role, this biopic from director Oliver Stone sets out to make the man an icon of sorts.  And he succeeds on many levels   Starting out with what we know about the whistle-blower and then flashing back to how he got there, the film is both fascinating and maddening.  A man with a true love for his country becomes a member of the CIA and gets swept away with loyalty issues and his opposing willingness to expose what he believes is wrong with the "system."  Shailene Woodley plays his girlfriend with Nicholas Cage, Tom Wilkinson in lesser roles and they deliver well-rounded performances.  While the film seems too long, but isn't by today's standards (2 hrs. 15 mins) it could have been tightened by editing, but Stone seems to like wringing everything he can out of his scenarios.  And he does come through it the last throws of the story. While it won't be on my ten best list, it is a worthy attempt to enlighten the audience who have only though of Snowden as a traitor, dissident and whistle-blower;  This film also makes you think he might be a hero and a patriot.

SULLY

SULLY: A biopic of sorts, this is the true story of Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger and the aftermath of the "Miracle on the Hudson" air plane landing with Tom Hanks adding another great performance to his repertoire. Directed by Clint Eastwood with an eye for heroics, the film also has supporting roles by Laura Linney (literally phoning in her performance) as Sully's wife and Aaron Eckhart as his co-pilot.  The film has a beginning that I won't spoil for you and then proceeds to begin the narrative, days after the "splash" landing.   Through flashbacks and imagined "what ifs?" the story unfolds.  With the brass investigating what they believe could have been avoided, we get a fair amount of suspense.   And the last line is a beaut.    Stay through the credits it you want to see the real people.   All in all, a rewarding, good film,  not great, but nonetheless highly entertaining  and Hanks shines.

NINE LIVES

NINE LIVES:  A simple premise...Kevin Spacey is turned into a cat under mysterious circumstances.
He most likely shouldn't have gone into that pet store owned by Christopher Walken.  Jennifer Garner plays the wife to the workaholic Spacy and Mark Consuelos does nicely as the villain in a subplot concerning Spacey's business venture.   The point is they all chose to be in this movie.  The poor cat didn't.  And while the cat is mostly the work of CGI artists, it none the less, takes the blunt of everything which is at times almost painful to watch.  And though there are a few laughs along the way, the film is pretty much witless and extremely short in the humor department.   So, I guess I'd call it a "family film" that misses the mark.  Adding that children may be bored by some of the boardroom shenanigans.  "Nine Lives" was a three on my cat scan!

BEN-HUR 3D

BEN-HUR 3D:   Fans of the 1959 Charlton Heston, Stephen Boyd classic would be best advised to watch it again.  This re-imaging of the tale pales in comparison.   Yet, it does have it's good points. Although somewhat plodding for the first half hour, Jack Huston in the title role and Toby Kebbell as Messala try valiantly to add some heft to these proceedings but are pretty much overshadowed by the ghosts of Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd.   Wrongly accused of treason, Judah Ben-Hur sets out to seek vengeance on the man (Messala) who ruined his life. Morgan Freeman acting as narrator part of the time, plays a horse trainer who befriends Judah along the way and ultimately helps him in the climactic chariot race.  And  the chariot race is the spectacular scene that the movie does brilliantly.    The 3D camera emphasizes the amount of CGI used to attain some thrills.  It is breathtaking.   We do get our dose of  faith with the appearance of Jesus, here and there, culminating in the crucifixion and the awaking of forgiveness in Judah.... The "happy ending" was a little off-putting to me, but I forgive the film makers.   A worthy try but it's hard to out-do the winner of eleven Academy Awards.

PETE'S DRAGON 3D

PETE'S DRAGON 3D:  From Disney but having no resemblance to their live action/animation film from years gone by, this re-imagining of  the tale still has a ton of the Disney magic and charm.  Bryce Dallas Howard stars as Grace, a forest ranger in the great Northwest.  Her father (Robert Redford) is a woodcarver who delights in telling tales of a dragon that once live in the woods.  Grace believes her fathers stories are merely that....stories, until she stumbles across Pete (Oakes Fegley). a ten year-old orphan, who had lived alone in the woods for any number of years.   Well, not exactly alone... with a dragon named Eliot.   From the opening shots of this lovely film, we know that Eliot is real and that is part of the fun, watching the story unfold.  I saw it in 3D which I thought was a bonus because of the majesty of the forest and the thrilling flight of the dragon.  There are villains in the piece, loggers who are bent on clearing the timber and capturing Eliot once they have spotted him, which is no mean task since he can disappear at will.  So, no spoiler here, there is a happy ending but not before some lessons are learned (by the adults).  And by the way, Eliot is brilliant CGI work... big, green, fuzzy, with a broken tooth and just plain loveable.   And that's the word for this movie...Loveable!

FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS

FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS:   Meryl Streep continues to add luster to her career (and perhaps her 20th Oscar nomination) with yet another portrayal of a real-life woman, in this case, a New York heiress who, inspired by a performance of Lily Pons, dreams of becoming an opera star.  The sad fact is that she has a terrible singing voice, albeit unbeknownst to her.  Also on hand is the wonderful Hugh Grant as her husband St. Clair Bayfield, a one-time actor who will go to any lengths to keep his wife from finding out how bad she really is. When Ms. Jenkins announces her intention to start music lessons, an accompanist must be found.  The delightful Simon Helberg fills the bill but is totally bewildered with the sounds emanating from Ms. Jenkins.  Along the way, there are moments with Earl Wilson, Cole Porter, Tallulah Bankhead and even Arturo Toscanini.  Stephen Frears directed this bright, bubbly biopic with warmth and a nostalgic grace as would befit any bonafide diva. And it is both hilarious as well as poignant.  This is one to see, if you have a heart and a hearty laugh. Meryl has never been better.

 

CAFE SOCIETY

CAFE SOCIETY:  This latest film from director Woody Allen takes place in the Thirties when a young Bronx native Bobby Dorfman (Jesse Eisenberg) moves to Hollywood looking for a place to belong as well as a little fame and fortune. After he secures a job with his Uncle Phil (Steve Carell), he falls for Vonnie (Kristen Stewart), who works in Phil's office. Avoiding "spoilers," let me say problems ensue.  While I am not a fan of some of Mr.Allen's movies, this one is a bittersweet love story with a few smiles (not laughs) along the way.   It does, however, rely on a lot on Hollywood nostalgia from the era that may be lost to younger viewers.  (References to Adolphe Menjou, among others)  But it still has an almost poetic view of the days gone by as the story moves from California and back to New York,  It also has an homage to the gangsters of the time that is startling and witty as well.  And the costumes are perfection.  So, all in all, an enjoyable movie but not the ending I would have preferred.

JASON BOURNE

JASON BOURNE: After success with the original trilogy, I suppose a fourth outing seemed like the natural thing to do, although beating a dead horse is not high on my list.  I found this script a little weak and full of some holes.  However, I will admit action abounds with car chases, explosions, well choreographed fight scenes  and all the trappings of the Bourne franchise.   So if you're a fan of this genre, you will enjoy this outing thoroughly.  Matt Damon returns as that CIA amnesiac who is still wondering about his identity and with able help from Julia Stiles and later, Alicia Vikander, he uncovers the truth.  Out to thwart him at every turn is Tommy Lee Jones as a ruthless CIA director along with  a marvelously mean Vincent Cassal  as an assassin known simply as Asset.  In the technical department I can't recall when a film score had such relentless drive. which added to the excitement greatly. Global trotting is also in the mix, from London to Las Vegas and you won't be bored with the scenery.   So, all in all, a fun summer film despite a few flaws.

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (THE MOVIE)

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (THE MOVIE):  If you're a fan of this long running BBC series about the trials and tribulations of those two wonderful drug-induced, hard-smoking, always shopping, best friends, this should be right up your alley. But be forewarned, if you are not a fan, this may well go right over your head. Reprising their television roles are Jennifer Saunders as Edina Monsoon and Joanna Lumley as Patsy Stone, and with the cast of usual characters (Edina's daughter Saffron and her Mom)  we also have a ton of cameos including Kate Moss and Stella McCartney adding to the merriment.  The fact is there are almost too many cameos (mostly British fashion industry) and the film suffers a bit from over-kill.   But a couple are worth noting.... Barry Humphries (Dame Edna, as well), Jon Hamm, and (the best joke in the film) Joan Collins. The plot is fairly simple.  Through an accident of fate (at London's Fashion Week),  Edina and Pats are on the run, avoiding the police and ending up in Cannes.  The usual outrageous costumes abound and some of the gags are funny but as I said, it gets to be a little over the top. Still, if this is your cup of tea, enjoy it!

GHOSTBUSTERS

GHOSTBUSTERS:  This female reboot of what some call a classic, works for the most part.  The zingers and one-liners come a mile-a-minute and for a change, they weren't all used in the coming attractions for the film but saved for the film itself.  With  Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon as the fearless foursome and able help from Chris Hemsworth in a surprisingly comedic role as there "receptionist," Kevin. The plot of course, involves all sorts of malevolent creatures up to no good.  Cameos abound and I won't tell you about them lest it ruin the fun. (I also must point out, that little bonuses are inserted throughout the closing credits, so don't bolt from your seat to fast.)  This film will undoubtedly be compared to the original and for my money, it's just as good.  Slick, CGI dominates some of the scenes, particularly the finale in Times Square.  No messages except perhaps a reference to true friendship and that's nice.   So bring on the remakes. How about an all girl version of "The Magnificent Seven?"   Well, maybe not that one.   But this one is a romp and worth the time, if you need some laughs.

THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS

THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS:  It seems that a new animated film is released every week and as a rule, I am wary of them.   Call it "Sickofcelanemia."  Before you attack, I know, I know; it's a tasteless pun on a serious condition.  But, back to the matter at hand; when I say wary I really mean I wait for the reviews.  Well, the reviews are in, and they are right.  This is a first-rate, laugh-out-loud, breeze of a movie with a talented cast of voices including Louis C.K., Kevin Hart, Eric Stonestreet, Ellie Kemper, Albert Brooks and Dana Carvey.  A bit slow getting started, we meet Max (C.K.) who is leading an idyllic New York life until his owner brings home a stray, Duke (Stonestreet) They do not get along and are soon in big trouble.  It seems in the New York sewers live all  sorts of unwanted throw-away pets whose ring leader is a furry and ferocious bunny named Snowball voiced brilliantly by Kevin Hart.  When Max and Duke fall in with this crowd, their neighbor pets set out to find them.  Adventure and some wonderful original humor ensues.  Kids are gonna love this and I left the theater smiling, all wariness a think of the past.

THE BFG

THE BFG:  Take a book by Roald Dahl,  add a helping of Steven Spielberg, a splash of Disney enchantment, a brilliant motion-capture performance by Academy Award winner Mark Rylance  and you have the makings of an all-time classic.  And while it has all of that going for it, it sadly falls short a bit. Just a bit.  Perhaps it is just TOO nice, which is certainly not the fault of  newcomer Ruby Barnhill who portrays 10-year old Sophie, the kidnapping victim of the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) She is snatched because she has seen the giant and he is afraid she will tell the world.  At any rate, it is worth a visit and technically it is flawless, in scene after scene whether the giant is capturing dreams or simply cloaking himself to blend in with the scenery of nighttime London.  It's cinema magic. . I must mention there are other giants in the land with names like Bloodbottler, Butcherboy and Fleshlumpeater.  As you can imagine they are not so nice and always on the lookout  for a tasty meal of "Human Beans." All of which is essential to the plot, a plot that even involves the Queen of England (a wonderful Penelope Wilton from"Downton Abbey) and a comical scene that rivals "Blazing Saddles" in the flatulence department.  While I think, younger children will be bored with all of this, older ones will be thrilled as was I.  Enchantment can be gigantic.

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN

THE LEGEND OF TARZAN:   There have been enumerable filmings of the Tarzan saga but this is by far the best. Starring Alexander Skarsgard in the title role, he brings a very nuanced Tarzan to the screen, full of foibles and fears; a Tarzan for today.  There is a lot going on in this rebooting (and it does take its time getting started.) At the outset Tarzan, (now known as John Clayton, the earl of Greystoke) is married to his wife Jane (Margot Robbie, holding her own) and living in England.  An invitation from King  Leopold of Belgium to return to the Congo is rebuffed until an American (Samuel L. Jackson) convinces Tarzan that some atrocities are afoot in his native land and need his attention.  And as the story unfolds, we meet the villain of the piece (Christoph Waltz, at his dependable baddest) as an emissary of the king bent on securing diamonds and Tarzans demise.  When Jane is kidnapped becoming a pawn in the goings-on, Tarzan will have to save her.  So, we are in for adventure, romance, thrilling vistas, and some moral teachings along the way. This film also contains the best animal CGI I have ever seen.  This is real first-rate movie making.   A perfect Summer blockbuster.

FINDING DORY 3D

FINDING DORY 3D:  Sure to be a bit hit, this sequel to "Finding Nemo" delivers all the charm and childhood scares that we expect.  With a stellar cast including Ellen DeGeneres as Dory and Albert Brooks, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton, Ed O'Neill, Idris Elba, Eugene Levy and Willem Dafoe adding their voices to this animated treasure.  The plot is of little importance... Dory is looking for her parents and her travels take her from under the sea to the Marine Life Institute, a conservatory that houses diverse ocean creatures.  With the help of a clown fish named Marlin and a seven-legged Octopus named Hank, she "just keeps on swimming". What works here is the sheer innocence of Dory and the fact that she has short term memory loss.  Trouble ensues.... I won't go on and on about this lovely film (although comparisons to the original make it come up short, in my book), suffice it to say,  I enjoyed it thoroughly, and you will too.   You know you'll see it, don't you?  Do I dare hope for "Finding Hank" in the future?

INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE

INDEPENDENCE DAY RESURGENCE: Director Roland Emmerich has become the master of blockbuster summer entertainment and this is another in his resume of nonsensical mayhem.  This time out we are not destroying buildings as much as we are annihilating alien spacecraft. Will Smith declined to be involved in this sequel but many of the regulars are back including Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Judd Hirsch and Vivica A. Fox,  This time we add in Liam Hemsworth, Sela Ward (as the President) and Jesse T. Usher (as the son of the Will Smith character) And while the acting is adequate, it is no match for the CGI effects in this hodgepodge of destruction. So if you like this sort of thing, you will enjoy this outing, although it is inferior to the original and a bit farfetched to say the least.   Good aliens against bad aliens with us caught in the middle is a bit of a stretch to me.