Drive-Away Dolls

    This disappointing "road trip" comedy was directed and co-written (with his wife, Tricia Cooke) by Ethan Coen. Jamie, played by Margaret Qualley and Marian, played by Geraldine Viswanathan have odd couple chemistry as friends who end up on the road together driving from Philadelphia to Tallahassee.

     The women arrange for a drive-away car but unbeknownst to them, a mysterious briefcase is hidden in the spare tire well. The car was supposed to be picked up by a trio of dangerous men, hired to retrieve the briefcase, but the owner mistakenly gives the car to the two women first.

      Along the road, the woman have many side adventures, mostly involving gay bars and sex. Jamie's ex-girlfriend, Sukie, played by Beanie Feldstein (no relation) is a cop who ends up following them to Florida. Two of the three thugs are also on the road after the briefcase while reporting back to their boss, "Chief", played by Coleman Domingo. 

       The film co-stars Bill Camp as Curlie, the owner of the drive-away business,  Joey Slotnick and C.J. Wilson as the two thugs casing the women, Pedro Pascal as Santos, which is nothing more than a quick cameo (although his head becomes a plot device), Matt Damon as Senator Channel (also in just a few but significant scenes) and in yet, another cameo, Miley Cyrus as Tiffany Plastercaster (based on a famous groupie of the sixties). Only Mr. Camp, in his deadpan delivery and Mr. Domingo, with his undeniable charisma elevate the film to something worth watching. It's too bad they play minor characters. 

         The plot, which seemed like a fun idea on paper doesn't translate well to the screen. It's fairly ridiculous and erratic. The fine cast is wasted in this "exploitation" sex comedy concept. The original title is revealed at the end, which makes more obvious sense. Save yourself time and drive right past these "dolls".

Land of Bad

 

    Co-written and directed by William Eubank, this is a pretty exciting military action film. It's a fairly simple plot that has been covered many times before but it does introduce a new element.

    When a covert group of four operatives have their asset rescue mission blown, it is up to a drone pilot based in Las Vegas to help save the remaining team members from the terrorist group they are fighting in the Philippines.  

     Russell Crowe plays the drone pilot, "Reaper" sitting at a computer station in communication with the men on the ground, trying to help them escape. At the same time, he's waiting for word on his pregnant wife, who is about to give birth. Mr. Crowe manages to make sitting at a desk, looking at a screen, exciting.

     Liam Hemsworth, Milo Ventimiglia, Luke Hemsworth, Ricky White, and Chika Ikogwe make up the unit fighting for their lives to rescue a CIA asset. Liam Hemsworth plays "Playboy", the main character on the mission, who bonds with "Reaper" back at the base.

     The action is non-stop from the start and the last part of the film is very exciting. It's violent but also fascinating when you see how the military employs drone technology, thousands of miles away to assist in missions. 

Bob Marley: One Love

 

   Fans of Bob Marley and reggae music will enjoy this standard biography film. The story takes place primarily in the 1970's but intersperses flashbacks throughout to show Mr. Marley in various stages of his young life. 

  We follow his start as a poor child in "Trenchtown" Jamaica leading to his first break with the group,  "The Wailing Wailers", which eventually leads to Chris Blackwell and a contract with Island Records. We also see how the unrest and violence in Jamaica force him into leaving the country he loves for a five year exile.

    It's a good film, filled with great music, but what really drives it home is the terrific performance of Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley. He may be better looking than the actual Mr. Marley but he captures all the charisma and soul of the man perfectly, as well as the musical ability to pull off the role.

    The film co-stars Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley, James Norton as Chris Blackwell, Tosin Cole as Tyrone Downie, Anthony Welsh as Don Taylor, Aston Barrett Jr. as Aton "Family Man" Barrett, and Michael Gandolfini as Howard Bloom.

     It's message of love and peace could not be more timely.

Out of Darkness

 

        Set 45,000 years ago in a barren landscape, this is a minimalistic survival thriller. Screenwriter Ruth Greenburg obviously did a great deal of research to get all the details correct. The look and feel of the film is very authentic. I did my own homework out of curiosity after the film ended.

         A small group of six prehistoric people cross an inland sea hoping to find abundant food and shelter having broken off from their starving tribe. The group consist of Adem, the leader, Ave, his pregnant mate, Heron, his preteen son, Odal, an elder, Geirr, a single male, and Beyah, a stray female.

         Chuku Modu plays Ade, Iola Evans is Ave, Luna Mwezi is Heron, Arno Luening is Odal, Kit Young is Geirr and Safia Oakley-Green is Beyah. They are a hardy cast working in harsh conditions and speaking entirely in an artificial language created for the film (English Sub-titles are provided).

         The film begins as the group makes landfall and sets out for food and shelter. The landscape is uninviting and difficult to transverse but left with no choice, the group continues inland towards a mountain range they hope will provide shelter. Their will to survive is strong but fear and superstition of the unknown eats away at their resolve.

         With a minimal cast and location, director Andrew Cumming creates a well paced thriller that holds your attention to the very end. The sound design and music are a great combination to build suspense and a deepening sense of dread. An unseen threat only adds to the anxiety for both the group and the audience. 

           

The Taste of Things

 

       Director Tran Anh Hung won Best Director at last year's Cannes Film Festival for this dramatic period drama. It is a story of passion...for food... and for the two people who have had a simmering love each other for 20 years all while preparing the most incredible dishes.

       It is the end of the nineteenth century in rural France. Eugenie, played by the marvelous Juliette Binoche, has been cooking 20 years for Dodin Bouffant, played by the outstanding Benoit Magimel. Bouffant is a legendary French chef who's wonderful recipes are brought to life by Eugenie's impeccable preparation.

      They live in the same house but have their own rooms. While she obviously cares for and loves Bouffant, she is an independent woman who refuses his advances of marriage. But when it comes to cooking, they are an incredible team.

      Mr. Tran directs the film as he would be preparing a meal. It is a simple story told over a low heat with ingredients continuously added for flavor. Watching the meticulous food preparation is the essence of the film but the love between the chef and the cook remains the core ingredient.

     Besides Ms. Binoche and Mr. Magimel, the film co-stars Emmanuel Salinger as Dr. Rabaz, Galatea Bellugi as Violette, and Bonnie Chagneau -Ravoire as Pauline. The young Ms. Chagneau-Ravoire is wonderful as Pauline.

     French chef Pierre Gagnaire served a culinary advisor and also has a small role as another chef.

    If you have a love of food and cooking, this is a must see. You will leave the theater hungry.

Rustin

 

    Based on the true story of Bayard Rustin, a civil rights activist who was predominately responsible, along with Dr. Martin Luther King and others, for organizing the 1963 March on Washington.

    Coleman Domingo plays Rustin and he is a force of nature. He is completely deserving of his Oscar nomination this year. The film, based on its significance in American history, is important enough to see on its own merit but Mr. Domingo's performance elevates it to must see status. 

     The excellent supporting cast includes Ami Ameen as Dr. King, Glynn Turman as A. Philip Randolph, Chris Rock as Roy Wilkins, Gus Halper as Tom Kahn, Johnny Ramey as Elias Taylor, CCH Pounder as Dr. Anna Hedgeman, Audra McDonald as Ella baker, Michael Potts as Cleve Robinson and Jeffrey Wright as Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Da'Vine Joy Randolph has a cameo as Mahalia Jackson. While I admire Mr. Rock's attempts at dramatic roles, I still have a hard time getting past his comedic background.

     The film is directed by George C. Wolfe and all his energy, rightly so, is directed at Mr. Domingo.

     It is currently streaming on Netflix.

The Promised Land

 

      With a screenplay co-written and directed by Nikolaj Arcel, this new Danish drama is as near prefect a movie can be. It is so effective and emotional on so many levels, I don't know where to start with accolades.

       The year is 1755 and Captain Ledvig Kahlen has returned to Denmark after 25 year service in the German army. He petitions the King for a land grant to farm the barren Jutland moor. Previously no one has been able to farm this land and the King's court only agrees after Kahlen offers to be given the land at no cost to the King in return for a manor and royal title if he is successful.

       What happens next forms the rest of the plot. Kahlen is a man with strong principles determined to make his plan a success. In his way is a local magistrate, who is a cruel and despicable villain who wants the land for himself.

       The film stars Mads Mikkelsen as Kahlen and this is one of his finest roles. His transformation over the course of the film brought on by the various entwined characters is so subtle and yet amazing. The film co-stars Amanda Collin as Ann Barbara, Simon Nennebjerg as Frederik de Schinkel, Melina Hagberg as Anmai Mus, Kristine Kujath Thorp as Edel, Morten Hee Andersen as Johannes, Gustav Lindh as Anton and Thomas W. Gabrielsson as Bondo. While most of this cast is unknown to American audiences, they are all excellent and their characters unforgettable.

      Mr. Arcel's direction is fantastic, even in truly harsh conditions. The pace of the story is perfect, not a scene is wasted and his touch is so light, you are completely drawn into Kahlen's world. The music by Dan Romer never overwhelms the story and the cinematography by Rasmus Videbaek is stunning, especially the scenes on the Jutland moor.

      The film is so captivating I was emotionally spent (in a good way) by the end. While it's only February, this will easily end up on my top 10 for the year. 

      In Danish with English subtitles.

           

        

Argylle

 

  After a promising start, this new action adventure, from director Matthew Vaughn, descends into a completely silly mess.

   The premise is interesting enough. An author creates a hero spy named Argylle and writes a series of books about his adventures. As it turns out, the plot of her latest book has consequences in the real world and actual spies come after her. Bryce Dallas Howard plays Ellie Conway, the author and cat lover whose plot points appear to predict what will happen in the future.  It's a ridiculous premise that the screenwriter, Jason Fuchs actually finds a way to justify.

    Sam Rockwell plays Aidan, a "good" spy tasked protecting Ellie from the bad guys while trying to figure out what happens next in the book. Mr. Rockwell and Ms. Howard have good chemistry and make a fine entry into the stereotypical spy comedy genre. But wait...there's a twist or rather quite a few of them.

    Co-starring are Bryan Cranston, Catharine O'Hara, Henry Cavill, John Cena, Samuel L. Jackson, Ariana DeBose, and Sofia Boutella. Dua Lipa has a very small role as well which amounts to not much more than eye candy. And I can't forget Chip, as Alfie the cat, who has more screen time than many of the human actors.

    The film runs much too long and could have been easily cut by twenty minutes, if not for the overload of exposition force fed on the audience. Mr. Vaughn's action sequences go from good to absurd by the third act which by that time any credibility in the story is completely gone.

     It's a fun (for a while) film if you don't think too much and just let the appealing cast and CGI effects wash over you but it does overstay its welcome, even adding a mid credit scene and the promise of sequels to come.