A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

          Yes, Tom Hanks plays Mr. Rogers but no, he is not the focal point of this new drama. The film is based on an Esquire Magazine article by Tom Junod, who in the film is fictionalized as Lloyd Vogel, and played by Matthew Rhys. The film is really about Lloyd and how meeting and interviewing Mr. Rogers changed his own life.

            The film recreates the world of Mr. Rogers immaculately and Mr. Hanks is absolute perfection as Fred Rogers but it's Matthew Rhys who is the emotional center of the film as Lloyd, a husband and new father with serious father issues of his own. Lloyd's father Jerry is played by Chris Cooper and there is a deep chasm of resentment and anger inside Lloyd for actions his father took years earlier. 

            Susan Kelichi Watson (Beth on "This is Us") co-stars as Lloyd's wife Andrea who is a very capable actress but basically plays "Beth", the supportive and wise wife who takes a temporary backseat to the friendship that develops between Lloyd and Mr. Rogers. 

                  Mr. Rhys is terrific as Lloyd. He carries the weight of years of emotional baggage and his world is turned upside down by the love, support, and philosophy of Mr. Rogers. Mr. Hanks is just amazing, capturing every nuance of Fred Rogers. The emotions that surface throughout the film are very powerful. There is one scene in particular, when Mr. Rogers asks Lloyd to do a one minute exercise and then looks directly at the camera as if asking the film audience to do the same. I truly believe the entire theater responded in kind.  This is a film about forgiveness, acceptance, and understanding. It is not a profile.

                   Fred Rogers was a force of nature. His ability to relate to children and even adults was uncanny. If you want to learn more about him, I recommend the excellent documentary, "Will You Be  My Neighbor".

Ford v Ferrari

          Based on the true story of the battle for racing supremacy at the 1966 Le Mans, this new drama may not be perfect but its definitely a fun ride.

          The film stars Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby, the only American to win Le Mans, now sidelined by a bad heart and staying in the game by designing high performance cars and Christian Bale as legendary race car driver Ken Miles.

         When Henry Ford II is rebuffed by a merger between Ford and Ferrari, Ford, played by Tracy Letts, hires Shelby and tells him to "go to war" in an effort to beat Ferrari at Le Mans. Shelby know his best chance to win is with Ken Miles driving and recruits him to join the team that will build the Ford GT 40, the car with the best chance to defeat Ferrari.

          Directed by James Mangold, this is a testosterone fueled ride with little room left for women in this male dominated sport. To give the film it's emotional heart, we find Miles connecting with his wife Mollie (played by Caitriona Balfe) and son Peter (played by Noah Jupe) every chance he can get, on or off the track. We learn very little of Carroll Shelby's life beyond a bad heart and the determination to design and build the dream car for Ford. What is clear is the great chemistry between Mr. Damon and Mr. Bale, playing these two real friends teaming up with one goal in mind. The film also co-stars Jon Bernthal as Lee Iacocca, Josh Lucas as Leo Bebee, Ford's executive VP and Ray McKinnon as Phil Remington, Shelby's right hand man.

             The driving sequences are spectacular and deserve to be seen on the biggest screen possible. The cinematography is outstanding as well as the sound effects, especially during Le Mans. The music, however, was a big distraction and didn't add anything except constant droning in the background.

             Any racing enthusiast will already know the film's outcome but will still enjoy the the ride as will any racing novice, if nothing else, just based on the star quality of the film's leading men and some incredible race cars.

Honey Boy

     Actor Shia LaBeouf  stars in this intense new drama.  It is a cathartic screenplay written by Mr. LaBeouf based on his own life as a twelve year old actor (named Otis in the film) living with an abusive, alcoholic father. He frames the story between 1995 and 2005 when his older self is an out of control alcoholic actor, played by Lucas Hedges. Mr. LaBeouf takes a daring leap of faith and plays his own father in the film. 

    The actor who plays his younger self is Noah Jupe. He is remarkable in a difficult role. The same can be said for the more established Mr. Hedges, who enters rehab where he writes the screenplay that eventually becomes this film. It is life imitating art, imitating life.

     FKA Twigs, in her film debut, costars as a young woman living at the same motel who eventually befriends Otis. Also in minor roles are Martin Starr, Laura San Giacomo, and Clifton Collins Jr.  I can't say enough for all the actors, performing under the assured direction of Alma Har'el in her feature film debut. In particular, I can't imagine how it felt for Mr. LaBeouf to inhabit his father in body and mind. It's a heartbreaking performance that I'm sure exorcised many demons for him.

      This is a difficult but powerful film played out as therapy for it's star. A story of a father and son that can't help but move you. And for comic relief, keep your eye on the chicken.

Zombieland: Double Tap

"Zombieland: Double Tap"

        If you never saw the original "Zombieland", skip this completely. However, if you were a fan of the original, don't miss this sequel. It is more of the same self deprecating humor, inside jokes, blood and bullets, visual gags, and general mayhem. 

        The original cast is back and still trying to survive after the zombie apocalypse. As the film begins,  Woody Harrison, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin have found refuge at the abandoned White House.  Feeling safe at last, they settle into a domestic routine but soon, relationships begin to splinter and the group splits up. What follows is mindlessly silly entertainment and sometimes that's all you need from a movie.

         Joining the fun this time around are Rosario Dawson, Luke Wilson, Thomas Middleditch, and Zoey Deutch.

The film sets up a great gag when Mr. Wilson and Mr. Middleditch appear and Ms. Deutch is very funny as an adorable but not too bright Zombieland survivor.

                Stay for some surprise cameos in two scenes during the credits.

The Good Liar

       Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen are at their charming best as Betty, a rich widow who meets Roy, a lonely widower on line. Unbeknownst to her, Roy is actually a con man out to steal her money. Even if you think you know where the story is going, it's a such a pleasure to watch these actors at the top of their game.

        The film costars Jim Carter as Vincent, Roy's accomplice and Russell Tovey as Betty's suspicious grandson, Steven. Directed by Bill Condon, the film moves at a lively pace setting up twists and turns along the way.  The music, by Carter Burwell, heightens the tension and suspense as the game between Roy and his mark draws closer to it's conclusion. 

         As the lies mount up and things become more dangerous, the final truth is revealed. It's a bit of a stretch but necessary to be different and convincing. For this film, the fun lies in the journey, not necessarily the destination.

Doctor Sleep

      Strictly for fans of  "The Shining", this new supernatural  thriller stars Ewan McGregor as the adult version of Danny Torrance. If you aren't familiar with the book "Doctor Sleep" or the original "Shining", you probably will want to skip this new film altogether. If you read the book, you may be disappointed by the changes that occur about three quarters into the film although the ending, while different, is exciting and actually better than the book, in my opinion.

      The film is written and directed by Mike Flanagan, who combines elements of the book and the film version of "The Shining" to continue the story of Dan Torrance.  On screen, it's difficult to visualize "the shining" that takes place between Dan and the new protagonist, Abra Stone, a thirteen year old (played by Kyliegh Curran) who's "shine" is even more powerful than Dan's. Elements of the book are fragmented to save running time and things do not always flow as easily as they do in the book. Some plot points have been completely changed or removed. Characters are not fully realized and the fate of some have been changed to suit the screenplay. What is fun, however, are the recreated scenes from "The Shining" integrated into the new story.

         Mr. McGregor does his best as the tortured hero but the script doesn't really capture the depths of his despair. The villain of the story remains "Rose the Hat", the leader of a vampire like cult called "the True Knot", who feed off the "shines" of psychic children. Rebecca Ferguson plays Rose and she is very well cast, evenly projecting charm and pure evil. Zhan McClaron, also perfectly cast is "Crow", her right hand man and lover. The film also co-stars Cliff Curtis as Billy Freeman, a character who is considerably older in the book, Bruce Greenwood, as Dr. John Dalton, a major character in the book who is reduced to practically a cameo in the film, and Carl Lumbly as Dick Halloran, in a part played originally by Scatman Crothers in "The Shining". Mr. Flanagan also found other actors for small roles originally played by Shelly Duvall, Danny Lloyd, and Jack Nicholas in "The Shining".

         The book, as written by Stephen King,  is well paced and everything makes sense (even if it is supernatural). Trying to film this book is not an easy task and while Mr. Flanagan tries admirably, I found the film's structure to be disappointing with two many important pieces missing to hold it altogether.

Motherless Brooklyn

      Actor Edward Norton optioned this book back in 1999 and has spent years developing it for the screen. His persistence has paid off in a beautiful film noir. Writing the screenplay, directing and starring has been a labor of love for Mr. Norton and while he has changed much of the story and moved the contemporary  timeline from the novel back to the 1950's, he has kept the frame work and the film now plays like an New York cousin to the film "Chinatown".

      Mr. Norton is Lionel Essrog, a junior grade detective who, along with Bobby Cannavale, Ethan Suplee, and Dallas Roberts work for the Frank Minna Detective Agency. Lionel has Tourette Syndrome although setting the film in the '50's, it's simply referred to as his condition/affliction. His Tourettes adds an extra layer to an already interesting character. When his boss, Frank (played by Bruce Willis) is killed very early in the film, Lionel sets out to find his killer and sets the rest of the plot in motion.

      Besides the aforementioned actors, the film also costars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, Willim Dafoe, Cherry Jones, Leslie Mann, Michael K. Williams and Fisher Stevens. It's a great cast that transports us back to an earlier New York City filled with corrupt politicians, the seeds of racial change, fedora hats and good old fashioned detective work. In many ways it mirrors contemporary society where back door deals and racial injustice continue to flourish.

      A great score, costumes, and cinematography bring the story to life and while the running time is a bit challenging (almost two hours and thirty minutes), it's a precision nod to the film noir Mr. Norton had in mind when he wrote the screenplay. I would have loved to have seen it filmed in black and white.

The Irishman

        Director Martin Scorsese and renowned screenwriter Steven Zaillian are at the top of their game with this exceptional new crime drama, based on the life of mobster Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran. Stuck in development hell for years, Mr. Scorsese was finally able to get it made with his dream cast of Robert DeNiro (in the title role), Joe Pesci (as mob boss Russell Bufalino) and Al Pacino (as Jimmy Hoffa).

         While it is absolutely a great American crime drama, there is a side to this film unlike any other crime story. It speaks to loss and and a haunting looking back on an unforgiving life devoid of the glamorous side we've seen so many times before. The film runs three and a half hours. Could it have been trimmed? There were definitely scenes that could have been shorter or cut altogether but they don't really hurt the narrative as the film holds your attention throughout it's running time.

          The supporting cast is a cross section of great talent in a completely male dominated film. Bobby Cannavale, Harvey Keitel, Stephen Graham, Jesse Plemons, Ray Romano, Domenick Lombardozzi and Jack Huston are all featured. Anna Paquin plays Frank's eldest daughter as an adult, Katherine Narducci plays Carrie Bufalino, Russell's wife and Stephanie Kurtzuba plays Irene Sheeran, Frank's wife.

           Saving the best for last, are the three stars. Mr. Scorsese has brought the best out of his leads with the finest work they have done in years. Mr. DeNiro had to beg Joe Pesci to come out of retirement for the film and he appears to have never lost a beat. His performance is zen-like in his control and masterful understatement. He is an icy cold mobster with a restraint and calmness that is just chilling. Mr. Pacino steals the film as Jimmy Hoffa, playing Mr. Hoffa with a comic bluster that threatens to go over the top but never quite does. Two particular scenes with Stephen Graham are, alone, worth the price of admission. And of course there is Mr. DeNiro as Frank Sheeran, who effortlessly carries the film on his back . At first, it was hard to accept Mr. DeNiro as an "Irishman" but for the first time in many films, he completely disappears into the role and you find yourself sympathizing with a stone cold killer.

         The film spans decades and in an amazing CGI process, the actors are seen as their younger selves. For the most part, it's really incredible but if you stare long enough, facial elements do look a little off. Luckily, you will be so caught up in the story that you won't find yourself nitpicking the de-aging process.

          In a very public feud between Netflix (who financed the film) and the biggest theater chains, it will be hard to say who lost the most, but for now, it's the public who will have a hard time seeing this in a theater before it comes to Netflix. Try your best to see it on the big screen now and if not, find a friend or neighbor with a big screen TV or watch it on your own TV. It comes to Netflix November 27th.

Terminator:Dark Fate

        He's baaaack! And he's brought Sarah Conner along with him for the ride. Director Tim Miller and his screenwriters David Goyer, Justin Rhodes, and Billy Ray reboot the entire franchise as if anything after "Terminator 2" never existed.

         The film starts with quite a surprise allowing for a fresh start and then basically goes back to the original plot with some new twists. MacKenzie Davis is now the "augmented" human named Grace, sent back to protect a young Mexican woman named Dani from a unstoppable new Terminator (model Rev-9), played by Gabriel Luna. Linda Hamilton reprises her role as Sarah Conner who helps the pair elude the Rev-9. Ms. Hamilton still has the fight in her and is still quite the bad ass. And of course, what would a Terminator film be without Arnold Schwarzenegger who reprises his role as the original killing machine in a very unexpected way.

         Much of the film takes place in Mexico (although shot in Spain) and along the U.S. border in Texas. This gives the filmmakers a chance for a subtle shot at our current immigration issue. As with the original, the film is basically one long chase sequence with plenty of physics defying action scenes, some of which are just incredible. Fans of the franchise will not be disappointed.

The Current War

      Strictly for history buffs, this new drama is based on the competition between Thomas Edison and his Direct Current versus George Westinghouse and his Alternate Current for the future of electricity. The film was originally to be distributed by The Weinstein Company in 2017 but became a victim of Mr. Weinstein's legal issues and sat on the shelf until this year. It has finally been released after some re-shoots and edits as "the directors cut".

       Executive produced by Martin Scorsese and directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, the film is a lavish production with beautiful costumes and incredible sets reflecting the late 1800's. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as Edison and Michael Shannon as Westinghouse. The film also stars Nicholas Hoult as Nikola Tesla and Matthew MacFadyen as J.P. Morgan. Co-stars also include Katherine Waterston, Tuppence Middleton and Tom Holland.

       While Mr. Cumberbatch and Mr. Shannon try their best, a first rate cast unfortunately can't provide the spark the film needs to really light up the screen. The film is historically interesting but it relies on it's strong score to generate the power of the story.