WIND RIVER

WIND RIVER:  Jeremy Renner plays Cory, a US Fish and Wildlife Service tracker whose job to dispatch the wolves and mountain lions that kill livestock on the Wind River Indian reservation in  Wyoming. When he discovers the frozen body of a young Indian girl the FBI is called in.  A rookie agent from Las Vegas named Jane (Elizabeth Olsen) soon discovers that she is out of her depth in this particular land where government is not a thing to be trusted. The talented Graham Greene gives a wonderful low-key depiction of the reservation police force head.  Filmed beautifully in a bleak, snow-covered landscape, this land of snowmobiles is breathtaking at times, as is the performance by Mr. Renner (his best work to date).  A bit slow, now and then, but ultimately very satisfying.  A near perfect movie.

THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD

THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD:   If you want action.... if you want comedy... this is the film for you.   And while most of the action is what we've come to expect, the real fun is in the constant bickering between the two lead actors.  Samuel L. Jackson is the hitman who must testify against a dictator (Gary Oldman) before the International Court of Justice in the Hague.   Ryan Reynolds is the bodyguard assigned (coerced) to make sure he gets there.  On opposing sides of the law previously (Jackson has tried to kill him on numerous occasions, they try to bury their differences and stay alive as the dictators  thugs are in hot pursuit.   Along the way, Salma Hayek gives a funny, trash talking performance as Jackson girlfriend and there is a wonderfully choreographed chase of two....particularly one involving cars, a speed boat, a motorcycle and a Netherlands canal....it took my breath away.   (Spoiler alert....Best line in the film....Reynolds asks about Jackson and Hayek ....."How did you meet? Christian Mingle?")   A funny, preposterous at times, throwback to those good guy/bad guy buddy movies we all loved.  And still do, as it turns out.

THE GLASS CASTLE

THE GLASS CASTLE:  Based on a memoir by Jeannette Walls, this film examines the coming-of-age of a young girl in a dysfunctional family. Brie Larson is the girl (as an adult) with Woody Harrelson as the alcoholic, dreamer father and Naomi Watts as the artistic mother. Slow moving, but always interesting, it still lacked some punch here and there.  It felt as if the story was, indeed, a view of this family but tainted by the authors remembrances of how she thought it was (or should have been) In other words, it didn't ring true all of the time.  Still, it has it's moments (and a wonderful performance by Ella Anderson as the younger Jeannette) This is the best Harrelson performance to date and he might get a nomination for the Oscar. So, although it was not my favorite film out there, it's worth a viewing.

DUNKIRK

DUNKIRK:  Director Christopher Nolan has created a masterpiece, an intimate epic that will most likely be an Oscar nomination as Best Picture of the year, even though that ceremony is a good eight months away. I can't imagine that many films to come will live up to this standard of riveting storytelling. By May, 1940, Germany had advanced into France leaving Allied forces stranded on the beaches of Dunkirk praying for a miracle.   This is the heroic story of how they were rescued against all odds. With a stellar cast including Mark Rylance, Kennerh Branagh, Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy and the British rock star Harry Styles (from the boy band 'One Direction'). Without exception, the performances are first rate.  If I had to categorize this movie, I would not list it as a war film but a thriller....edge of your seat stuff which is aided and abetted by a great Hans Ziimmer score (also Oscar worthy)  The music increases the tension throughout but still has sweeping beauty in certain moments.  It is grand scale and a grand film.

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES:  This newest offering in the "Apes" franchise is one of the best, if not THE best.  Andy Serkis stars as the lead chimpanzee Caesar. With special effects being what they are, sometimes the actor is lost in the transformation.  Not so with Mr. Serkis. His facial expressions shine through the effects and the performance is a marvel to behold. As the villainous Colonel, Woody Harrelson does admirably playing the role like a ticking time bomb. The plot, as you can well imaging, is about the war between the humans and the apes......Guess what?   You'll be rooting for the apes.  I daresay, this is one of the best movies out there right now.  It has lots of action, wonderful bits of comedy and a giant helping of tenderness. See it on the big screen for the ultimate thrill.  (There are also sub-titles at time for the apes and they can be difficult to read on a TV unless, of course, you have one of those giant screens.)  This final film wraps up the trilogy nicely and I was duly impressed.  Think you will be too.

SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING

SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING:   Evidently Peter Parker had a thrilling time with the Avengers in "Captain America: Civil War" (a film I did not see) and in this story he returns home to NYC to continue his life as a teenage nerd/superhero.  Mentored by Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.) he tries to find a balance in his life until a new villain, the evil Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges to create havoc and throw his life into chaos.  Along for the ride in this outing are Marisa Tomei (Aunt May), Tyne Daly and Gwyneth Paltrow(in little more than a walk-on).  Newcomer Tom Holland is the new hero and he handles the job admirably bringing a boyish charm to the character.  As is to be expected the CGI effects are first rate and I was particularly impressed with the goings-on at the Washington Monument and the Staten Island Ferry.  Great fun.  Here's hoping Mr.Holland will be on board for the next installment.  (Can there be any doubt one is in the planning stages?)

THE BEGUILED

THE BEGUILED:   A remake of the Clint Eastwood and Geraldine Page film from 1971, this retelling by director and screenwriter Sofia Coppola takes an almost Jane Austin approach to the proceedings.   Colin Farrell stars as an injured Union soldier and deserter during the Civil War who takes refuge in a Southern girls boarding school run by Nicole Kidman.   Soon one of the teachers, (Kirsten Dunst) as well as a student (Elle Fanning) fall under the spell of the handsome stranger and sexual tensions begin to arise. With a minimal score, Ms. Coppola has decided on atmosphere with a capital A.  It is a moody piece replete with fog and Spanish moss.   While I liked this version, I somehow felt more satisfied with the earlier one. Perhaps Ms. Page had a better lock on the "spinster" side of the character.   However, Kidman and Farrell give outstanding performances and I recommend it.   But be forewarned, it may not be your cup of bourbon.