The Eyes of Tammy Faye

 

           Based on the true story of the rise and fall of televangelists, Jim and Tammy Faye Baker, this is a must see just to watch Jessica Chastain's performance. She captures Tammy Faye perfectly both physically and vocally. It is just an incredible performance in an otherwise mediocre film.

          Co-starring as Jim Baker, I also can't say enough about Andrew Garfield's performance either. He captures the man perfectly and together with Ms. Chastain, they are the best thing about the film. Also co-starring are Cherry Jones as Tammy Faye's mother, and Vincent D'Onofrio as Jerry Falwell. Both also perfectly cast.

         The story itself is interesting enough if the subject matter appeals to you. Ms. Chastain does her own singing in the film which is fun and the excess to which these people lived is just unbelievable to see. Their personal empire was built on money skimmed from their organization, "PTL" (Praise The Lord). The film depicts the rise and eventual fall from grace due to both the financial scandal as well as sex scandals involving both the Bakers.

Dear Evan Hansen

                

                  I'm generally not a fan of Broadway musicals that are made into films. Somehow bursting into song works great on stage but hardly ever works on film ( "Chicago" was an exception for me). This particular show was great on stage. The staging, special effects, use of video all enhanced the story. On film, we lose all of the stage magic and are left with another angst filled teenage weeper that at its heart is rather cruel but masked in celebration of dealing with mental health issues, loss and acceptance.

                 Much has been said of Ben Platt being too old now to play the teenage Evan Hansen. Having seen the show with Mr. Platt, I can't imagine anyone else in the role. He IS Evan Hansen. I can forgive he appears older than everyone else in school. He is amazing in a complicated role. The film also stars Julianne Moore as his mom and she does a terrific job in a secondary role. Amy Adams, Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, Colton Ryan, Danny Pino, and Nik Dodani all co-star as other parents and students. Ms. Dever is very well cast and even has a decent singing voice. Ms. Adams, while a fine actress is fairly pedestrian here as a grieving mom.  Ms. Stenberg, an attractive young actress is excellent and has a bright career ahead of her.

                 Director Stephen Chbosky does a fine job staging the musical numbers but again, they work much better in a theater than on film.  He stretches out the story longer than necessary and definitely could have spent more time in the editing room but it is a faithful recreation of the play. Minus the theatrical magic, the film does give the masses that can't make it to Broadway, a chance to experience the story but I think anyone who has seen the show will agree, the emotional impact is lost on film.

The Card Counter

        

     This new Independent drama, written and directed by Paul Schrader, stars Oscar Isaac as Mr. Schrader's quintessential loner and anti-hero. Providing the voice over narration (a Schrader trademark), Mr. Isaac's character, William Tell, spends his days drifting from town to town and casino to casino, playing Blackjack and Poker. In prison for eight years, he has learned how to count cards and perfect his playing skills.

     Mr. Isaac's performance is riveting. His character is mysterious and magnetic. The plot is a bit strange as what starts out as a gambling drama turns into something far more and if it wasn't for Mr. Isaac, the film probably would lose its emotional impact. 

     The film co-stars Tiffany Haddish, in what I believe is her first serious role. She is very good and has great chemistry with Mr. Isaac. Also co-starring is Tye Sheridan, as a young man William takes under his wing and Willem Dafoe in a small but important role.

     Mr. Schrader uses the backdrop of casino gambling to once again explore man's morality and his deliberate pacing and slow reveal of plot points may be maddening for some, but it does come together and leaves the viewer with a punch to the gut.

Shang-Chi : The Legend of the Ten Rings

 

           

          More Marvel magic in a new setting...the first Asian superhero to emerge from the Marvel universe. Based on a secondary comic book hero, Shang-Chi, Marvel brings this origin story to life with the big screen treatment usually reserved for its "A-List" heroes.  Director Destin Daniel Cretton, who also co-wrote the story and screenplay pays homage to great martial arts films past , including " Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Enter the Dragon", Kung Fu Hustle" and others but also injects a freshness and modern sensibility into the film as well.

          The film stars Simu Liu, who is more than up to the task of superhero, with the looks, charm and ability to own the role. Awkwafina plays his longtime friend, Katy who is caught up in the adventure when she discovers "Shaun's" secret past. Adding royal acting credibility to the film is Tony Leung as Xu Wenwu, Shang-Chi's father and leader of the mysterious Ten Rings syndicate, as well as owner of the powerful ten rings themselves and Michele Yeoh as Ying Nan, guardian of the magical dimension of Ta Lo and Shang-Chi's aunt. Also co-starring are Meng'er Zhang as Xu Xialing, Shang-Chi's sister, Fala Chen as Ying Li, Shang-Chi's mother, and Florian Munteanu as Razorfist, a major villain. There are some surprise cameos from other characters in the Marvel universe as well.

           Mr. Cretton does an excellent job of creating a stand-alone action adventure and yet still manages to link it to the rest of the Marvel universe in fun ways. The film is humorous, mostly due to Awkwafina's performance but serious enough when it comes to family and tradition. The action sequences are terrific, especially early on but do dissolve into CGI overload in the finale, which plays like "The Never-Ending Story" meets "Ghidorah, the Three Headed Monster".

           This is a welcome addition to the Marvel cannon. And as with all Marvel films, stay through the credits for two additional scenes, which in this case, are surprising and important.