My complete 2018 film list

Movies 2018

January

The Square- an avant garde dark comedy that will make you uncomfortable in absurdist situations.

In the Fade- terrific performance by Diane Kruger anchors this sad tale of the aftermath of a bombing that kills the husband and son of a German woman.

Darkest Hour- Gary Oldman is sensational as Winston Churchill. Terrific historical film.

Call Me by Your Name- beautifully filmed drama of first love and sexual awakening.

12 Strong- Very exciting military drama based on a true story of our first response against the Taliban after 9/11.

February

A Fantastic Woman- a remarkable and brave performance by transgender star Daniela Vega anchors this powerful new drama from Chile.

Black Panther- The latest Marvel superhero story is culturally significant for it’s African American cast and strong roles for women. It’s a mash up of Lion King, Star Wars and a little James Bond thrown in for good measure.

The Insult- terrific Lebanese about how a war of words can easily escalate especially in a country torn apart by religion and politics.

March

Game Night- mindless escapist fun comedy with some really good laughs.

Foxtrot- Mesmerizing Israeli drama about war, family, love and grief.

Annihilation- A trippy sci-fi adventure notable for its all female lead cast.

Isle of Dogs- Charming and utterly enjoyable stop motion film from director Wes Anderson featuring an all star vocal cast and amazing animated dogs.

April

A Quiet Place- nice twist on the classic monster movie. Well acted with lots of suspense.

Ready Player One- A frenetic sci-fi romp thru a virtual reality of pop culture.

Beirut- A tense political thriller set in the volatile city of Beirut starring a solid Jon Hamm.

Avengers: Infinity War- Well balanced with equal time for everyone, it’s a true blockbuster.

May

The Rider- life meets art in this haunting and poetic contemporary western.

Tully- Charlize Theron is excellent as an overworked mom with a fairy tale nanny.

Deadpool 2- Still funny and still violent but lost its edge.

Life of the Party- Melissa McCarthy acting keeps improving but too many jokes fall flat and the film takes no chances.

Solo: A Star Wars Story- The early adventures of Han Solo make for a perfect “popcorn” movie. Fun and exciting.

Disobedience- Unusual love story set inside the Orthodox Jewish community of London. Beautifully acted.

June

First Reformed- A bleak drama from Paul Schrader with an incredible performance by Ethan Hawke.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?-Wonderful documentary about Fred Rogers, the pioneering children’s TV Host.

Ocean’s 8- High gloss and glamorous, this is a fun heist flick that goes down easy like the summer cocktail it is.

The Incredibles 2- A terrific sequel that surpasses the original. Great visuals, fun story with a positive message.

Hereditary- Interesting take on the haunted house/possession formula with a few really creepy moments.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom- Same formula, different scenery but who doesn’t love dinosaurs?

July

The Catcher Was a Spy- Paul Rudd and a great cast are wasted in this rushed little know true story of WWII.

Leave No Trace- excellent chemistry between Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie drive this film about a father & daughter living on the outer fringes of society.

Woman Walks Ahead- Another great performance from Jessica Chastain in this fact based story of the last days of Sitting Bull.

Ant-Man and the Wasp- action pack and very funny. Another hit for Marvel.

Sorry To Bother You- a scathing social satire that is very funny and very surreal.

Mission Impossible: Fallout- Action packed and very exciting. Cruise does it again.

August

Three Identical Strangers- a remarkable true story of three brothers separated at birth that will ultimately anger and sadden you.

BLACKkKLANSMAN- Easily the best movie of the year. Spike Lee’s best film in years is powerful, entertaining and clearly a wake up call to America.

The Meg- Jason Statham vs. a 75 foot CGI shark…how can you not pass this up?

September

Crazy Rich Asians- bland generic “Rom-Com” saved only by excellent production values and its Singapore location.

The Wife- a tour de force performance from Glenn Close in this power domestic drama.

Operation: Finale- a fine historical drama based on the true story of the capture of Adolf Eichmann with excellent performances by Sir Ben Kingsley and Oscar Isaac.

Lizzie- Excellent reimagining of the true story of Lizzie Borden. It works on every level.

Old Man & the Gun- Robert Redford’s still got the twinkle in his eye and is utterly charming in this true story of an senior bank robber.

October

Venom- Tom Hardy is a good choice to play the lead but the movie can’t decide on its tone and is a bit of a mess.

A Simple Favor- A fun sexy mystery starring perfectly cast Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively.

A Star is Born- Bradley Cooper is terrific as star and director and Lady Gaga emerges as a real actress in this remake.

First Man- A remarkable account of Neil Armstrong and the race to the moon. Ryan Gosling is outstanding.

The Sisters Brothers- An unconventional western featuring great chemistry between Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly.

Wildlife- Interesting domestic drama from actor Paul Dano starring an excellent Carey Mulligan and Ed Oxenbould.

November

Bohemian Rhapsody-terrific bio of Freddy Mercury and Queen starring a perfect Rami Malek.

Outlaw King- Chris Pine stars in this blood and mud historical adventure based on the life of Robert the Bruce.

The Girl in the Spiders’ Web- Lisbeth Salander as played by Claire Foy, returns in a weak sequel.

Fantastic Beast: The Crimes of Grindelwald- the second in the series build nicely from the first but is much darker in character and tone.

A Private War- Excellent drama about war correspondent Marie Colvin, as portrayed by Rosamund Pike.

Boy Erased- Strong drama based on the true store of one boy’s conversion therapy. Great acting by Lucas Hedges.

Widows- A “heist” film with surprising depth.

Green Book- based on a true story, this is a remarkable film and one of the year’s best.

The Favourite- historical comedy/drama with wonderful performances from Olivia Coleman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.

December

Creed II- The inevitable and fairly predictable sequel still has some thrilling boxing sequences.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs- Authentic and original, these six western tales from the Coen Brothers are uneven. Boring at times and entertaining at other times. Tom Waits story was the best and the only one that was written from another source.

Shoplifters- A Japanese import about a “family” of shoplifters living on the poverty line in Tokyo. Well done but slow pace.

The Mule- interesting plot but too slow

Bird Box- another post apocalyptic thriller but with a new twist.

If Beale Street Could Talk- An aural and visual poem of a sad story redeemed by love.

Roma- a beautifully shot and acted story of love, family and class struggle.

Mary, Queen of Scots- Excellent performance by Saoirse Ronan but otherwise a disappointment. Expected fireworks and got none.

Stan & Ollie- Tremendous tribute to the comedy legends with drop dead perfect performances from Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse- Fun animated version of Spider-Man freed from the constraints of live action.

Vice- Neither a comedy or a drama but almost a documentary, this is the story of Dick Cheney’s rise to power. Christian Bale is excellent.

My Best of 2018

Best Films of 2018

1) BlackkKlansman - Spike Lee’s best film in years is powerful, entertaining and clearly a wake-up call to America.

2) Green Book - based on a true story, this is a remarkable film of an unlikely friendship.

3) The Rider - life meets art in this haunting and poetic contemporary western.

4) Three Identical Strangers- a remarkable true story of three brothers separated at birth that will ultimately anger and sadden you.

5) Stan & Ollie- Tremendous tribute to the comedy legends with drop dead perfect performances from Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly.

6) Roma - a beautifully shot and acted story of love, family and class struggle.

7) Isle of Dogs - Charming and utterly enjoyable stop motion film from director Wes Anderson featuring an all star vocal cast and amazing animated dogs.

8) Mission Impossible: Fallout - Action packed and very exciting. Tom Cruise does it again and keeps the franchise fresh and vibrant.

9) Foxtrot - Mesmerizing Israeli drama about war, family, love and grief

10) Bohemian Rhapsody- terrific entertainment. A bio of Freddy Mercury and Queen starring a perfect Rami Malek.

Honorable Mention

A Private War - Excellent drama about war correspondent Marie Colvin, as portrayed by Rosamund Pike.

Sorry to Bother You - a scathing social satire that is very funny and very surreal.

The Favourite - historical comedy/drama with wonderful performances from Olivia Coleman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.

The Insult- terrific Lebanese film about how a war of words can easily escalate especially in a country torn apart by religion and politics.

First Man- A remarkable account of Neil Armstrong and the race to the moon. Ryan Gosling is outstanding.

Hereditary – Bringing the horror back to the haunted house/possession formula with some really creepy moments. Toni Colette was chilling.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor - Wonderful documentary about Fred Rogers, the pioneering children’s TV Host.

Vice

      Written and directed by Adam McKay, this is the true story (or as close to the truth as they could get) of Dick Cheney and his rise to Vice- President under George W. Bush. The film has some satirical moments but plays mostly as a liberal viewed "documentary" of Mr. Cheney's rise to power. It is really neither comedy or drama and will probably only serve to make you mad one way or another.

       As you strive to forget about that administration, what you will remember from the film is the remarkable makeup and acting of Christian Bale as Dick Cheney. Mr. Bale actually doesn't have that much dialog throughout the film but his commanding presence is felt in every scene. I couldn't help but be reminded of Mr. Bale's Batman when he did speak though. Amy Adams co-stars as Lynne Cheney and as usual, she is just terrific.  Also co-starring are Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush, Alison Pill as Mary Cheney, Lily Rabe as Liz Cheney, Tyler Perry as Colin Powell, and Jesse Plemons as the narrator. And there are a litany of star cameos as well, used in a similar fashion by Mr. McKay in "The Big Short".

      How you view the film depends completely on your political point of view but either way, the abuse of power, clearly documented, should serve as a cautionary warning.

Spider-Man:Into the Spider-Verse

                 Freed from the constraints of live action, an army of animators have created the ultimate Spider-Man adventure. Marvel comics has printed many variations of Spider-Man over the years and in this terrific animated adventure unite six different versions to defeat The Kingpin and other familar Spider-Man villains. 

                  In this version Miles Morales, voice by Shameik Moore, becomes Spiderman after being bitten by a radioactive spider. When the Kingpin, with the help of a female Doctor Octopus, create the multiverse to bring back his wife and son, they accidentally bring the variations in this universe. Spider-Man Noir, voice by Nicholas Cage, Spider-Ham, voice by John Mulaney, Anime Spider-Girl, voice by Kimiko Glenn, Alternate Peter Parker/Spider-Man, voice by Jake Johnson, and Spider-Woman/Gwen Stacy, voice by Hailee Steinfeld.

                   Other voices playing various characters include Lily Tomlin, Mahershala Ali, Luna Lauren Velez, Zoe Kravitz, Kathryn Hahn, Chris Pine, Brian Tyree Henry and Liev Schreiber. Even an animated Stan Lee makes an appearance.

                    The animation is spectacular, combining comic book elements and many different styles to create, at times, a psychedelic effect. Clearly the animation team had a blast putting everything together and the story is pure comic book Spider-Man. It's a fun time for older kids (there are some scary moments) and adults who want to entertain their inner child.

Stan & Ollie

      One of the best films of the year sneaks in just under the wire. This is the wonderful backstory of one of the greatest comedy duos in history, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

       They were at the peak of their careers in the late 1930's and that's where this film starts but then jumps ahead 16 years, slowly filling in the backstory and following the comedy legends as the embark on a theatrical comeback tour.

        Steve Coogan plays Stan Laurel and John C. Reilly plays Oliver Hardy. They are both absolutely remarkable. With incredible makeup, especially for Mr. Reilly, you would swear you are watching the real Laurel and Hardy. Their performances are that good.

         The film recreates some of their best bits but make no mistake, this is not a comedy. The real story here is what went on behind the scenes, with all the show business drama you can imagine. This is a loving tribute to the genius of these comedy legends but pulls no punches to the failures, resentments, and many other problems that faced the duo when the cameras stopped rolling.

               Co-stars Nina Arianda as Ida Laurel and Shirley Henderson as Lucille Hardy are both wonderful as the wives behind the men with some terrific scenes of their own. Also co-starring is Danny Huston as Hal Roach, the director who introduced the pair and made their greatest films and as the most subtly manipulative tour promoter you've ever seen, Rufus Jones as Bernard Delfont.  Mr. Jones steals every scene he's in which is not easy since Mr. Coogan and Mr. Reilly are both at the top of their game.

                The names Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy may not be recognizable to a younger generation but they were a vital piece of entertainment history and this film could not be a better tribute. It is simply terrific.

Mary, Queen of Scots

           With a script by Beau Willimon, this period drama plays like a medieval "House of Cards", with all the palace intrigue and backstabbing one might expect. It is based on the biography of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland and cousin to Queen Elizabeth of England. 

            Saoirse Ronan stars as Mary and she is absolutely wonderful. Luminous, strong willed, and determined to rule both Scotland and England. Also starring as Elizabeth is Margot Robbie who gives a fine performance under some hideous makeup. Unfortunately, her performance is overshadowed by Ms. Ronan in the title role. The film also co-stars Guy Pearce, David Tennant, Martin Compston, and Jack Lowden.

            Based on the trailers and marketing for the film, one would expect fireworks between the two women but the biggest disappointment is they only have one actual scene together, which comes towards the end of the film. Without the expected interplay, the film tries hard to create tension and suspense but even with all the double crossing and backstabbing, it gets mired down in the Scottish mud.

           The cinematography and locations are breathtaking and the costumes are wonderful. Everything is very authentic and it's a worthy historical drama but it just misses an opportunity to be great by not having more interplay between the leads. And while it's probably more historically accurate this way, a little poetic license would have gone a long way.

Roma

           Written and directed by Alfonso Cuaron, this semi autobiographical drama is based on his childhood in Mexico City. It is set in the early 1970's and is the story of a live-in housekeeper and her upper class family.

             The film stars Yalitza Aparicio as Cleo, the housekeeper that works for Sofia, her husband Antonio, a doctor, and their four children and their grandmother. Ms. Aparicio is a natural and gives a wonderful performance. The film explores class struggle and family. It also asks the question,  can the bond between employer and employee become family or remained a blurred grey area?

              The story begins innocently with daily life in the home but soon cracks appear beneath the surface and circumstances change for Cleo and the family. There is a sadness that sets in and hovers over the film like a dark cloud but the bond of love is strong throughout.

              Mr. Cuaron's direction is perfection. Many scenes are like individual poems that connect to the whole film. He chooses to shoot the film in stark black & white, which somehow conveys a more intimate portrait of  Cleo's microcosmic life. The cinematography is gorgeous. 

                This is a Netflix film that is streaming on the service but also in limited theatrical run. It is best seen on the big screen but even at home, it can still convey a powerful viewing experience.

If Beale Street Could Talk

         Based on the 1974 novel by James Baldwin, this new drama is written and produced by Barry Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins also wrote the screenplay which, unfortunately is as relevant today as it was in 1974. Its themes of racism and injustice continue to plague America even now. 

         What rises above this sad tale is the pure love of it's protagonists, Tish and Fonny. Under Mr. Jenkins's direction, his lead actors, Kiki Layne as Tish and Stephan James as Fonny are remarkable in the love they show for each, other despite finding themselves in horrific circumstances. With a wonderful jazz score underlying the story, Mr. Jenkins wraps his camera around his actors and draws such an honesty and purity out of their performance that can only describe the film as an aural and visual poem.

          The film tells its story leisurely but the characters are so rich that the pace only gives us more time to appreciate them. Beyond the two leads, the film also co-stars Regina King as Tish's mother, Coleman Domingo as her father, and Teyonah Parris as her sister. Dave Franco, Finn Wittrock, Diego Luna, Emily Rios and Brian Tyree Henry also have small but key roles. It is a wonderful cast that brings real life to these characters. Only Mr. Wittrock's character seems wasted and only exists to make a point.

           Mr. Jenkins made his mark with "Moonlight". "Beale Street" only solidifies his importance as a new voice in film.

Bird Box

          This new post-apocalyptic thriller is out now in a few theaters but also streaming on Netflix. It stars Sandra Bullock as a woman on the run with two small children trying to avoid some unseen supernatural creature that, when viewed, brings out a person's worst fears and nightmares causing them to become suicidal. It's sort of a distant cousin to " A Quiet Place" but instead of staying quiet, now everyone must keep their eyes closed or wear blindfolds to avoid the creatures. The premise sounds sillier than how it actually plays out, as the film is fairly suspenseful and exciting.

           The story begins with Ms. Bullock on the run with the two children but quickly flashes back to five years earlier when the creatures suddenly start to appear all over the world. There is no explanation and the world is quickly thrown into chaos as people everywhere begin to kill themselves and in doing so, inadvertently others as well. Alternating between flashbacks and the present, we meet Ms. Bullock's sister, played by Sarah Paulson and a small group of survivors that Ms. Bullock initially joins to hide from the creatures. The group includes John Malkovich, Trevante Rhodes, Jackie Weaver, B.D. Wong, Danielle MacDonald, and Tom Hollander. We also follow Ms. Bullock and the children in the present, as they navigate blindfolded through a forest and on a river, in an attempt to find safe haven.

           There are many illogical moments and "leap of faith" plot points but the film moves at a swift pace and with danger lurking everywhere, you can overlook the logic and just go with the action, enjoying Ms. Bullock in "full tilt" survival mode.

The Mule

       Produced, directed and starring Clint Eastwood, this crime drama is based on the true story of a 90 year old man who became a drug mule for the Mexican Cartel. As an Actor, Mr. Eastwood still has a spark running through him but it's time to let another director handle the workload.

        The story itself is an interesting one but as directed by Mr. Eastwood, the film moves at a snail's pace. We are treated to far too many shots of Mr. Eastwood singing along to the oldies, while driving down the highway with a stash of cocaine in the back of his pickup. To keep us from being lulled to sleep by the open road and his crooning, we get frequent cuts to the DEA agents trying to identify and catch the mule.

         Laurence Fishburne plays the DEA agent in charge and his two field agents are played by Bradley Cooper and Michael Pena. Both excellent actors, Mr. Cooper and Mr. Pena sleep walk through their roles, just collecting a paycheck this time out. Andy Garcia also co-stars as the Mexican drug lord, who I'm sure in real life would never want to meet any of his "mules" but here, insists on bringing Mr. Eastwood to his home in Mexico.    

         The subplot involves the family he left behind because he was too caught up in his work. Dianne Wiest plays his ex-wife Mary, Mr. Eastwood's real life daughter Allison plays his estranged daughter Iris, and Taissa Farmiga plays his granddaughter. Mr. Eastwood's heavy handed message is "family should be everything" and he spends most of the film seeking redemption for past sins, when he's not driving, driving, driving.....

Shoplifters

                This Japanese import was written and directed by famed Japanese filmmaker, Hirokasu Kore-eda. It is a soul stirring drama about a makeshift family of shoplifters living on the poverty line in Tokyo. While the "father and mother" have menial day jobs, they really get by shoplifting food and other necessities. They live with their young "son" Shota, another young woman, Aki and their "grandmother", Hatsue. 

                As the film begins Shota and his "father" discover a 5 year old girl, Yuri hiding near their building. A victim of abuse, they take her in, rename her and teach her the "family" business. The young actors who play Shota and Yuri are terrific considering it's their first time acting.

               Mr. Kore-eda juxtaposes the hard life of poverty with the warmth of this close knit makeshift family. The film can be heartbreaking and harsh at times but is also bittersweet, filled with a sense of humanity that bonds the "family" together. 

                The film moves slowly and deliberately through the mundane day to day lives of these people. Too slow maybe for some, but once you find the rhythm of the story, the pace should no longer be a concern.  The humanistic nature of the film will shine through.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

         Ye haw, the Coen Brothers are back and, in true fashion, continue to take fresh looks at different genres. For this feature, we get six authentic stories of the old west but only as the Coen Brothers can tell them.

              Claimed to be originally written for an Netflix anthology series, the film was ultimately released as a full length feature.  The stories are unrelated but contain similar themes. They are, at once, fun, suspenseful, serious, labored, humorous, boring and consistently a bit strange.  Always with a twist, the film is almost an old west version of "Black Mirror", the futuristic, unexpected anthology on Netflix. To review the film as a whole is difficult.

              The first tale is the title story starring Tim Blake Nelson as a guitar slinging, singing cowboy with a fast draw. It is definitely one of the best and a great story to begin the film. The second story stars James Franco as a bank robber who finds himself in a familiar yet surprising situation. "Meal Ticket" is the third tale starring Liam Neeson and of the six stories is probably the most bizarre. Tom Waits stars in the fourth tale and it is the only unoriginal story in the film. It is based on a story by Jack London. Mr. Waits is terrific and this is one of the best tales in the anthology. Story number five is "The Girl Who Got Rattled" and stars Zoe Kazan. This one takes a very long time to get to it's surprising end. And the last tale, "The Mortal Remains" seems to have no plot at all, just the interesting ramblings of  five distinct passengers in a stagecoach. This one features Tyne Daly, Brendan Gleeson, Saul Rubinek, Chelcie Ross, and Jonjo O'Neill.

               The acting is excellent as the casting is perfect and what you have come to expect from the Coen Brothers. The stories are very authentic in visual style, dialog and location.  The brothers are masterful filmmakers but the pace and story lines aren't always perfect and the film drags on once too often.  As it turns out, Netflix is probably the best way to view the film. If you don't like a particular story, you can fast forward to the next one or if you like, return to a favorite. On the big screen, what you appreciate the most is the cinematography, which is wonderful and breathtaking at times.

Creed II

           With a screenplay co-written by Sylvester Stallone, and based on the characters from the previous film, you pretty much know what to expect from this sequel. The film once again stars Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo Creed, Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, the young Creed's mentor and trainer, and Tessa Thompson as Bianca, Creed's love interest from the first film. Co-starring are Wood Harris, Russell Hornsby, and Phylicia Rashard as Adonis's mother. There are also a few surprise cast members, which I won't spoil by revealing here.

           Mr. Stallone keeps the Rocky story connection by re-introducing Ivan Drago, the Russian boxer who killed Apollo in "Rocky 4" and Drago's son, Viktor, who naturally is set up to fight Adonis to reclaim his family's honor. Ivan is again played by Dolph Lundgren and Viktor is played by Florian Munteanu. The father/son theme is pretty obvious influencing all the male characters and runs throughout the film. 

            The fight sequences are well done but between bouts, the story leans towards melodrama. It's only a matter of time, however, for that familar theme music to rise up during the inevitable training sequence, leading up to the final brawl. Mr. Jordan is in incredible shape and will certainly please his growing number of fans. Mr. Stallone has basically rewritten his Rocky role as the new "Mickey" (Burgess Meredith from the original films) but he takes on the supporting role with charm and grace.

            Don't expect the thrill of the original "Rocky" or the fight sequences of "Raging Bull" but if you have come to love these characters (and who doesn't after eight films?),  you will feel right at home as the next generation continues the iconic series.

The Favourite

        This new film from director Yorgos Lanthimos is a historical comedy/drama based on the reign of Queen Anne in 17th century England. It stars Olivia Coleman as Queen Anne, Rachel Weisz as Sarah Churchill, the Queen's confidant and lover, and Emma Stone as Abigail Hill, Sarah's cousin, who ends up competing for the Queen's favor. Also co-starring are Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, and Robbie Ryan.

         All three women are superb in their lead roles with the men playing the secondary characters in this female driven story. Based on actual events, the script is filled with acid wit and sharp barbs. It's a war of words played out in the Queen's court and in her bed chamber. The film is a continuous game of backstabbing and power plays to be the Queen's favourite.

         The sets and costumes are outstanding. The musical score is wonderful and purposely jarring at times. Mr. Lanthimos's directing style has an unusual rhythm all it's own and serves the story well. He brings out the best in his leading ladies as they manipulate and jockey for position. It is a comedy of ill manners wrapped in a period drama that is quite the entertainment.

Green Book

     Inspired by a true story, this is a immensely likable comedy/drama about a very unusual friendship that develops between an Italian "bouncer" from the Bronx and lauded pianist Don Shirley. The film stars Viggo Mortensen as Tony (Tony Lip) Vallelonga and Mahershala Ali as Dr. Don Shirley.

    When Dr. Shirley hires Tony to be his driver on a tour through the deep south in 1962, two men who couldn't be any different, learn life lessons from each other and end up better for it.

     The film is directed by Peter Farrelly, who also co-wrote the script with Tony's son Nick Vallelonga and Brian Hayes Currie. Mr. Farrelly is best known for his broad comedies but here shows true depth of emotion and a deft touch with subject matter that grows heavier as the film goes on. The relationship between the two men certainly starts out uneasy as Dr. Shirley's reserved and refined nature clashes with the larger than life Tony. But as the film progresses, despite many cliches, something magical happens and it is heartwarming and joyous to watch.

         I can't think of another film this year that has better chemistry between it's two leads.  They are absolute perfection and both must be recognized come Oscar time (as well as the film itself). The film also co-stars Linda Cardellini as Tony's wife Dolores, who, without much screen time, still delivers a heartwarming performance.

       While a period film, it's depiction of class division and race relations are as relevant today as they were in the '60's. And while that's a sad comment on America, the story of the friendship that develops between these two men shows how people can change and offers hope for the future.

       This is easily one of the best films of the year.

Widows

     Reinventing the "Heist" film, director and co-writer (along with Gillian Flynn) Steve McQueen continuously surprises us with this enjoyable crime thriller. It is based on Lynda La Plante's original 1986 British TV series.

     The film stars Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, and Carrie Coon as the widows of thieves killed in a robbery who must finish the job their husbands started. It co-stars Cynthia Erivo, who joins their gang as their driver, Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall as father and son corrupt politicians, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Jackie Weaver, , Lukas Haas, and Liam Neeson. It's a terrific cast with standout performances from Elizabeth Debicki as the underestimated member of the "gang" and Daniel Kaluuya as a very menacing criminal enforcer.

      It is a complex film that addresses dirty politics, class struggle, race and female empowerment. And then there's "the heist", which is almost secondary to the story of these women. This is no light hearted "Ocean's 8" but a far more serious look at what motivates the actions of these characters. While serious in tone, it's still an action thriller and fun to watch although it helps to not be critical of the plot holes and easy fixes that occur throughout the film. The few issues I had with the script can be forgiven since Mr. McQueen and his actors work so hard to entertain and enlighten the audience. Mr. McQueen's interesting choice of camera work in many scenes also serves to freshen the way the film is viewed. 

     You might go for the heist but you'll stay for the depth of the clever and deceptive plot. 

Boy Erased

            Based on the memoir by Garrard Conley, this power drama recounts Mr. Conley's time in Conversion Therapy. The screenplay and direction is by actor Joel Edgerton, who also plays the conversion therapist, Victor Sykes.

            The film stars Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as Nancy and Marshall Eamons, the parents of Jared Eamons (based on Mr. Conley). The real star of the film, however, is Lucas Hedges who plays Jared. Mr. Hedges is one of the finest actors of his generation and once again, brings amazing grace and strength to a serious role. 

            As the film begins, Jared enters conversion therapy excited and hopeful as he believes the work can help him sort out his feelings and confusion about homosexuality. Coming from a strong religious background, he doesn't want to hurt or disappoint his parents but he comes to realize that conversion therapy will do nothing for him and that he must be honest with himself about his own sexuality.

             The interaction of the three leads is heartbreaking and Jared's time in "therapy" is maddening but yet, the film ends on a hopeful note that healing has begun. Mr. Edgerton's script gives everyone a chance for some very powerful moments but the film really belongs to Mr. Hedges.  

             Conversion Therapy is very real in many parts of our country. The film's epilogue shares photos of the real Mr. Conley and his family as well as startling statistics about the "therapy".

A Private War

   Based on the true story of war corespondent, Marie Colvin, this is a glimpse into a life most of us can't even imagine. It is a riveting, somber look at the journalists and photographers that put their lives at risk, on the front lines of war, all over the globe. 

   Ms. Colvin is portrayed by Rosamund Pike, doing the finest work of her career. It is a defining starring role for her and I hope she is recognized by this year's Oscar committee.  Her co-stars include Jamie Dornan as Paul Conroy, her photographer, Tom Hollander as Sean Ryan, the Sunday Times foreign editor, and Stanley Tucci as her love interest back home.

    The film pays tribute to these real life men and women in recreating Ms. Colvin's time in various conflicts overseas. Directed by Matthew Heineman, the film is an immersive look at the casualties of war and his camera never wavers from the horror of innocent deaths or the impact it has on the people reporting their stories. An epilogue reminds us of the sobering statistics of lives lost in Syria alone.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

     The second in the new series of films from Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, builds upon the characters and story  from the original "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them". Eddie Redmayne returns as wizard Newt Scamander along with Dan Fogler as Jacob, his muggle friend, Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein, and Alison Sudol as her sister Queenie. Zoe Kravitz also costars as Leta Lestrange.

     This time around the action takes place in England and France and draws us into a more complex story involving a young Albus Dumbledore, played by a charming Jude Law and the wizard criminal, Gellert Grindelwald, played by Johnny Depp. Once friends and now at opposite means, the two wizards have sworn an oath not to kill each other so Dumbledore enlists Newt's help in stopping Grindelwald from taking over both the muggle and wizard worlds. Mr. Depp is in fine form as the evil wizard, restrained from the actions of many of his more outrageous characters.

     Grindelwald needs the help of a mysterious character, Credence Barebone, played by Ezra Miller, for his plans to succeed. Much of the film revolves around the search for Credence. For this story, the characters are darker and so is the tone of the film. There are still some adorable magical creatures as well as some nasty ones and the special effects are excellent but there is a definite foreboding that lingers over the whole affair.

     Since this is a series of five planned films, the end leaves us with a surprise cliffhanger but it's still a fun ride.

The Girl in The Spider's Web

       Lisbeth Salander returns in this new film based on the characters created by Stieg Larssen. Taking over the role previously played by Noomi Rapace and Rooney Mara is Claire Foy, who tries hard to make the character her own. Personally I'm a big fan of Noomi Rapace, who I think really captured the character in the original Swedish trio of films.

        Ms. Foy brings an icy cool to the role but comes across as a "good girl" trying to look and act "bad". Her chemistry with Mikael Bloomkvist, this time played by Sverrir Gudnason, is nowhere as strong as it was in the previous films. Blame the screenwriters for underwriting the character. The screenplay is credited to three writers, based on the book written by David Lagercrantz , based on characters created by Mr. Larssen. It's a case of too many people trying too hard to retain the sense of the original characters, who are too removed here from the source material. The novel worked well enough continuing the original characters but the film muddies the story and characters. 

                The film co-stars LaKeith Stanfield as an NSA agent tracking Salander,  Sylvia Hoeks as Camilla Salander  and Stephen Merchant as Franz Balder, the scientist who sets the plot in motion. A plot, I have to point out, closely resembling "Skyfall", the James Bond film. It's a nice change of pace role for Mr. Stanfield, playing here very against type. Mr. Merchant, known primarily for comedy, also goes against type as the serious minded scientist.

                 The film is directed by Fede Alvarez (also one of the co-writers) and I guess it's an unwritten rule that films set in Sweden must be shot with low lighting and icy blue hues. As a stand alone film, it's not a terrible crime thriller but compared to the earlier films in the series, it's very disappointing.