GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN

GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN:  A fascinating film about the life of A. A. Milne and how he came to write of  Winnie the Pooh. Staring a cast of mostly unknowns (at least to me), the movie show us the joys and woes of obtaining celebrity status and how it affected the young Christopher Robin.   There is joy throughout the film but also a good deal of sadness as Christopher grows up and becomes unable to handle his "stardom."  Introducing Will Tilston as the young Christopher with Domhnall Gleeson aa Alan Milne and Margot Robbie as his wife, Daphne. And Kelly Macdonald plays the nanny to perfection caring for the young boy when his parents are too busy.....Be forewarned, bring your Kleenex. But. it's a good cry.

ONLY THE BRAVE

ONLY THE BRAVE: Based on the true story of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite group of firefighters who battled the Yarnhill Hill fire in Arizona in 2013, this film has a lot going for it.  It is visually splendid but emotionally shattering as we examine true heroism...Josh Brolin and Miles Teller give the standout performance in this cast that also includes Jeff Bridges, Taylor Kitch, Jennifer Connelly and Andie MacDowell with an ensemble cast of actors worthy of a SAG award for Best Ensemble Acting.  This is a beautifully made film told with matchless drama and also great humor about a group of men and their way of life that you will long remember. I can't say enough about how impressed I was.  I only hope it finds a wide audience that it so deserves.

BATTLE OF THE SEXES

BATTLE OF THE SEXES:   Using the historic 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs as a jumping off point, the film is more about King's journey in coming to terms with her sexuality.   Played brilliantly by last years Oscar winner, Emma Stone, King's story is both tough and inspiring.  Equally wonderful is Steve Carell as Riggs, with all his bravura and bombastic ego in tact. Others in the cast include Sarah Silverman, Bill Pullman and Alan Cummings.  I suppose that some will think the film is a little preachy about equal pay for women, LGBT rights and a myriad of issues, but it was a different time and it feels absolutely real. Well done, by one and all.

VICTORIA AND ABDUL

VICTORIA AND ABDUL:  When Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal)s lowly clerk is sent from India to England to participate is Queen Victoria's golden jubilee, the two form an unlikely alliance that  has the royal household in an uproar. Judy Dench gives another stellar performance as the Queen and although the movie is slow going at times, she continues to amaze with her thrilling talent. Eddie Izzard plays "Bertie" the heir apparent to the thrown who is determined to undermine the relationship.  What starts out  as a comedy, the film soon takes on darker tones.  Billed as "based on true events....mostly" who knows how much is actually true. But no matter, it is a fascinating look as when England ruled under Victoria in her later years.