Weapons

 

        Written and directed by Zack Cregger, this sophomore effort after his terrific horror film, "Barbarian" cements his place among today's best horror filmmakers.

         The poster for the film promised quite the mystery, giving away nothing and the film starts with the same information. How and why are revealed very slowly in chapters from the perspective of different characters. Each chapter reveals a little more information while building suspense and ever growing weirdness. The final chapter reveals the mystery in an insane twenty minutes or so, of bloody horror laced with dark humor.

          The film stars Julia Garner and Josh Brolin. It also features Benedict Wong, Alden Ehrenreich, Cary Christopher (a child actor mature beyond his years who may need therapy after this role), Austin Abrams, Toby Huss and a surprising Amy Madigan.

          Mr. Cregger does a terrific job with the structure of the film. He layers each chapter with just enough information to keep the audience intrigued and guessing. Even his actors are put off balance and do fine work with such an original script.

          The final reveal does pull everything together that does make sense with a supernatural twist. It's a terrific modern horror story.

The Naked Gun

 

         Liam Neeson plays it straight in this comedy update of the original "Naked Gun". He stars as Frank Drebin Jr. the son of Leslie Nielson's character from the 1988 film.

         The film also stars Pamela Anderson as the femme fatale, love interest, Beth Davenport. Ms. Anderson is wonderful in the part, having obvious fun with the role. Her stage performance in a nightclub scene is a riot.

          Co-starring are Paul Walter Hauser as detective Ed Hocken Jr., Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, CCH Pounder, and Busta Rhymes. Priscilla Presley reprises her role as Jane Spencer-Drebin, Frank's mother and there are two surprise cameos.

          The jokes, both visual and verbal come fast and furious. Some miss the mark but more often they are pretty funny. Some scenes will have the entire audience laughing out loud. There is a strange sequence midway through the film involving a magical snowman that is completely out of place with the central story but while odd, it's pretty funny in it's own way.

            Much like Mr. Nielson did in the original. Mr. Neeson doesn't play for the laughs and takes his part quite seriously, which makes it all the more humorous. He also has great chemistry with Ms. Anderson.

             Stay for the credits as Mr. Neeson sings (badly) over them and there are also fake credits placed among the real ones that are pretty funny. There is also a post credit scene that is surprising and funny too.

Together

 

        Written and directed by Michael Shanks, this is one of the best new horror films in a long time. It is a wild ride, both humorous and terrifying at the same time.

        The film stars real life couple Alison Brie and Dave Franco as Millie and Tim Wilson. They are partners who move to a rural area when Millie takes a new teaching job. Tim is a musician and works from their new home on the edge of a forest.  

        When they are both exposed to some kind of unnatural water, it affects them in an incredible way. No spoilers here except to say they make a great couple dealing with an outrageous situation.

         The film co-stars Damon Herriman (one of my favorite character actors), Mia Morrissey and Jack Kenny.

          Mr. Shanks could have heightened the suspense by not giving away what starts to happen to Tim and Mille, in the opening scene, when we see the effect of the water elsewhere. But even though we know what's coming, it's still a funny and frightening story as it unfolds and the last shot will stay with you for some time.

Fantastic Four: First Steps

 

      After multiple attempts to recreate Marvel's first family of superhero comics in the movies, this new film gets it pretty close to perfect.

       The film stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as his wife, Sue Storm Richards, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm. The four stars have wonderful chemistry together and bring the central theme of family to the forefront of the film.

        The film also stars  Julia Garner as Shalla-Bal/The Silver Surfer (yes there is a female Silver Surfer in the comics), Sarah Niles as Lynne Nichols, Mark Gatiss as Ted Gilbert, Natasha Lyonne as Rachel Rozman, Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder/The Moleman (perfect casting), and Ralph Ineson as Galactus (also perfect casting).

        Opening the film with the team already in place, the Fantastic Four origin story is quickly recapped in a fun sequence that name checks almost every one of their comic villains.

         The CGI and special effects are excellent and the retro yet futuristic visuals are fresh and striking. It's a story filled with excitement, humor and heart and I really only have two complaints. First, for some strange reason, the screenplay calls for The Thing to grow a beard which looks incredibly silly (especially after getting the rest of his appearance perfect). and second, while Natasha Lyonne is a great choice for Ben's love interest, her character should have been, The Puppeteer's blind daughter, Alicia Masters, for comic book continuity.

          The film comes in at a lean 2 hours without any bloat and the mid-credit scene is absolutely great. The post credit scene is fun but probably not worth sitting through except if you're a die-hard fan.

Eddington

 

   

      Written and directed by Ari Aster, this new film is a microcosm of the insanity of 2020 that takes place in one small New Mexico town. Taking place in May of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic is sweeping the world and masks have become the norm. Eddington residents are torn between the Mayor's mandate to wear masks and the local sheriff's refusal to do so. If that isn't enough, Mr. Aster throws in the murder of George Floyd, "Black Lives Matter", and  several conspiracy theories to add fuel to a growing volatile situation in the small town of Eddington.  

        Joaquin Phoenix stars as the sheriff, Joe Cross and he is terrific. His performance holds the whole story together, even when it starts to go off the rails in the third act. Emma Stone is Joe's wife, Louise, who is emotionally unstable and heavily influenced by her conspiracy theorist mother, Dawn, played by Deirdre O'Connell. Louise becomes involved with Vernon Jefferson Peak, a radical cult leader played by Austin Butler. Pedro Pascal is Ted Garcia, the town mayor running for re-election.

         The film also co-stars Luke Grimes and Micheal Ward as Joe's deputies. Amelie Hoeferle, William Belleau, Matt Gomez, Cameron Mann and a completely unrecognizable Clifton Collins Jr. round out the excellent cast.

         Mr. Aster injects dark humor into the tense drama at odd moments but it works as a release value for the audience, already on edge from the growing confrontation the film is leading up to (but not in the way you might think). It is easy to compare the film to a modern western (Mr. Aster's goal) with the sheriff trying to contain the townsfolk from growing violent due to outside forces.

         The third act erupts into serious violence and gets pretty crazy (which is a common theme in all of Mr. Aster's films). The story is a grim reminder of a time that brought out the worst in many of us and yet it still holds surprises when you least expect it.

Superman

 

        Writer/director James Gunn foregoes the origin story and drops us into the middle of a world that already exists with Superman. This allows him to shape the story without any preexisting notions. And for that reason, we get a Superman we have never quite seen like this before.

         Mr. Gunn refreshes the story by including elements of the comic books, the 1950's TV show and even the older animation stories. He introduces more characters from the D.C. universe in novel ways and gets terrific performances from his cast. He even tackles social issues like immigration and alienation without getting heavy-handed. And while some may not like seeing a Superman getting his butt kicked for most of the film, truth and justice do prevail.

         The film stars David Corenswet as Superman/Clark Kent. Mr. Corenswet borrows elements from Christopher Reeve's Superman as well as the Superman of the more recent comics. However, he does make the character his own with humor and just enough gravitas. Rachel Brosnahan is Lois Lane and she is perfect. Nicholas Hoult plays Lex Luthor and while I had my doubts, he is actually very good as the high-tech villain with a chip on his shoulder. The film also co-stars Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, the Element Man (with even a nod to Stagg Industries), and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl. Together this group make up the "Justice Gang" (name pending) and they deserve their own film, they are that good together. Personally I was excited to see "Metamorpho", one of my favorite DC comic characters.

         Additional co-stars are Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampano as Eve Teschmacher, Maria Gabriela de Faria as "The Engineer"", Frank Grillo as Rick Flagg Sr., Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent and Neva Howell as Ma Kent and Wendell Pierce as Perry White. There are also a few cameos which I won't spoil. And of course I can't forget Krypto, the Super dog, who completely steals the film.

         Mr. Gunn's technical team produce some first rate special effects, the score is excellent, even borrowing the theme we all know so well, and Mr. Gunn even throws in some easter eggs for good measure. The film comes in at a trim two hours and never feels bloated. I recommend seeing it in IMAX, if possible, for an optimum experience.

           There is one quick mid credit scene and one post credit scene which are clever but don't provide any clues to the next film. And I'm sure there will be a next film and more as I suspect Mr. Gunn is just getting started.

            

             

Jurassic World: Rebirth

 

          Wow, can you believe this is the fourth installment in the Jurassic World franchise and overall seventh film in the dinosaur franchise? People just can get enough of dinosaurs. Just as the films were starting to disappoint, writer David Koepp (who co-wrote the original film) manages a story that comes closest to the Jurassic Park roots and gives it a fresh jolt in this standalone film.

            Directed by Gareth Edwards, the film does it's best to bring back the magic and excitement of the original film. He clearly is a student of the "Spielberg" school of film making and includes many "easter egg" and nods to the original.

             Scarlett Johansson stars as Zora Bennett, who is asked to lead a team back to the isolated island of dinosaurs to collect samples for a pharmaceutical company, who's corporate shill, played by Rupert Friend, is along for the ride. Also joining her as the dinosaur expert, is Jonathan Bailey and as her "number two'" in the expedition, Mahershala Ali. Co-starring are Manuel Garcia- Rulfo, Luna Blaise, David Iacono and as the requisite child in danger, Audrina Miranda. 

              The film takes a bit too long to get going, having to introduce the characters and their emotional backgrounds. Mr. Koepp wants to make sure we care what happens to these people once they start encountering the various dinosaurs. And encounter they do, as there are many exciting action sequences in the film.

                It is far from perfect however, as there are continuity gaps and plot holes (if you look closely), far too many product placements that are distracting and spotty CGI work at times (clearly a lot of "blue Screen" work was evident). However, when it really counts, the dinosaurs that need to scare do their job and make the film a fun ride. The clear definition of a summer "Popcorn" movie.

F1

 

    

            "F1" stand for Formula 1 and the title couldn't be more apropos. This is a formula film from start to finish. Filmed during the actual racing seasons, the film features many real drivers and race care personal and owners. If you are a racing fan, you will certainly enjoy the film. As for a novice audience, it's enjoyable enough but the repetitive races start to bore after three or four times around the various tracks.

             Brad Pitt stars as Sonny Hayes, the worn-out veteran driver who is talked into one more shot at the title by APXGP racing team, CEO Ruben Cervantes, played by Javier Bardem. He is paired up with a young rookie "phenom", Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris. Of course, the two drivers can't stand each other at first but eventually learn to respect and even like each other. The film co-stars Kerry Condon, who plays the APXGP technical director who, of course, falls for Mr. Pitt (I mean who wouldn't. He's in great shape and doesn't seem to age). Also co-starring are Kim Bodnia, Tobias Menzies and Sarah Niles.

             The racing scenes put the viewer right inside the cars, due to the intimate camera placement in and around the cars, although at times, you feel like you're playing a video game. Filmed in various Formula 1 tracks around the world, there is much local spectacle before the start of each race, which is fun to watch.

              There are the inevitable crashes and curves (on and off the track) to keep things exciting, but a true highlight is watching the various pit crews change tires and parts in under three seconds at each pit stop. If you learn anything from this film, it's that Formula 1 is a team sport because no matter how good the driver is, they can't do it without the pit crew to get them to the finish line.

28 Years Later

 

      Continuing the series that most likely influenced TV's "The Walking Dead",  this installment reunites writer Alex Garland and director Danny Boyle who were the creatives behind the original "28 Days Later".

       It may be misleading to call this a traditional horror film, as while there are horror elements, it's more of a human drama with survivors of the "Rage Virus" protecting themselves against "The Infected". Not undead zombies, the infected were once human but have now become something less with no reason and just an instinct to kill and eat the unaffected. Most of them move quickly and attack in groups.

       The opening scene is pretty horrific though, setting the stage for what is to come "28 years later". A group of survivors live on an island off the coast of Britain, accessible only at low tide. On his twelfth birthday, Spike and his father Jamie set out to the mainland for his "first kill". 

        Spike is played by Alfie Williams, and he is the heart and soul of the film. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays his father, Jamie and Jodie Comer is Isla, his sick mother. The plot drives Spike to take Isla to the mainland in search of a mythical doctor. Co-starring are Ralph Fiennes, Edvin Ryding, Chi Lewis -Parry, Christopher Fulford, and Jack O'Connell.

        The action scenes are very exciting and a visceral thrill but the film is also very emotional and dramatic. Mr. Garland's script holds surprises for the characters and the viewer is easily caught up in their struggle to survive. Mr. Boyle hasn't lost his touch and has lots of fun speeding up and then momentarily freezing certain scenes.

       The first of three planned films, the first sequel is expected in January of 2026. One of the executive producers of this film is Cillian Murphy, who appeared in the first film and is rumored to be part of the next installment in some capacity.

         I look forward to the next chapter and hope they can make it as good as this one.

The Life of Chuck

 

        Based on a short story by Stephen King and written and directed by Mike Flanagan, this is absolutely no horror story. Rather, it is remarkable story of an average person, beautifully told by Mr. Flanagan.

        The film is told in three acts and starts in reverse. While it may take a moment to understand what is happening and where the story is going, it does all come together in an endearing way. Telling the story in reverse makes perfect sense and once it ends, you'll be thinking about it for quite a while.

         Adult Chuck is played by Tom Hiddleston, who as it turns out is a terrific dancer.  He has a wonderful dance sequence with Annalise Basso, after he begins to move to the rhythms of a young street drummer, played by Taylor Gordon. 

          The real revelation, however, is Benjamin Pajak as the eleven year old Chuck.  He's an adorable young actor, mature beyond his years and a terrific dancer himself. Chuck is also played by Cody Flanagan as a seven year old and Jacob Tremblay plays Chuck as a seventeen year old. Mr. Tremblay has grown into a fine young actor after his breakout performance in "Room" back in 2015.The film also co-stars Chiwetel Ejiofor,  Mark Hamill, Mia Sara (great to see her on screen again), Karen Gillan,  Carl  Lumbly, and Nick Offerman as the narrator.

           An unconventional film, it will sneak up on you and you will appreciate the power of it's ultimately life affirming story.

             

The Phoenician Scheme

 

        The latest film from writer/director Wes Anderson is jammed packed with famous actors in cameo roles. This is not unusual as actors love to work with Mr. Anderson and many of them have appeared in his films before.

         Benicio del Toro stars as Anatole "Zsa-Zsa" Korda, a wealthy and ruthless businessman Who plans his biggest venture yet, the "Phoenician Scheme".  The complicated scheme is presented to his daughter Liesi, played by Mia Threapleton, as a device to also explain the scheme to the audience.  During the course of the film,  Korda and his daughter (who's about to become a nun) meet the various characters who can help carry our Korda's plans.

           The film co-stars Michael Cera and Rupert Friend and in various cameos, Riz Amed, Tom Hanks, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amalric, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scalett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Hope Davis, Bill Murray, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Willem Dafoe, F. Murray Abraham, and Stephen Park.

            There are many funny sequences and very witty dialog, which you would come to expect from Mr. Anderson. What is also true of a Wes Anderson film is the wonderful art direction and this film is no exception. The film and it's set pieces are literal works of art. It is a beautiful film to watch, even if you're having trouble following the plot.

           While not the best film in the Anderson canon, fans will absolutely enjoy themselves.

         

Ballerina

 

        Set in the John Wick universe, this action thriller takes place around the same time as "John Wick: Chapter Three" and revolves around another assassin trained by the Ruska Roma. The "Ballerina" of the titles is Eve Macarro played by Ana de Armas.

         As a little girl, Eve watches as her father is killed by another set of assassins, led by "The Chancellor", played by Gabriel Bryne. Orphaned, Winston Scott (Ian McShane), brings her to the Ruska Roma where she is trained by "the Director", (Angelica Huston) both as a dancer and assassin. As the years pass, Eve is now an adult and seeking revenge against "The chancellor" for the death of her father.

         The action is fast and furious, once the film kicks into high gear. The fight sequences are at times, very inventive and always amazing. Ms. de Armas is up for the challenge, using whatever she can for a weapon and fighting with above par martial arts.

         The film also ca-stars Norman Reedus, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, and in his last role before his untimely death, a cameo by Lance Reddick as Charon. Fans of John Wick will be certainly pleased (and this comes as no surprise) that Keanu Reeves does make a more than just a cameo as John Wick himself.

          This is an exciting film with a violent and high body count. It lacks the gravitas that Mr. Reeves brings to his own "Wick" films but the fans of this franchise will still have a good time.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning

 

     The eighth and final chapter (but you never know) in the Mission Impossible franchise. This is part two to the previous film, "Dead Reckoning". No need to rewatch that film to enjoy this one as there are countless flashbacks (including scenes from all seven previous films) and endless exposition of the film's plot.

       Of course Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt (a part he has played now for thirty years). Co-starring are Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Angela Bassett, Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Tramell Tillman, Greg Tarzan Davis, and Shea Whigham.

       The film is an exciting two hour action adventure wrapped in a bloated, repetitive additional forty nine minutes. There is also a lack of humor as the film takes it's plot very seriously filled with pretension. Over and over again, we hear how only Ethan Hunt can save the world and how much we must trust him. By this time, Ethan Hunt has risen to God-like stature, even dying and being reborn.

       Despite all this, the action sequences are spectacular, especially seen in an IMAX theater. Credit Mr. Cruise, who likes to do his own stunts and Christopher McQuarrie, the director and co-writer (along with Erik Jendresen) for giving the franchise a sentimental and a crowd pleasing sendoff.

Final Destination: Bloodlines

 

       Whether we admit it or not, we all have a certain fascination with death.  For that reason, this has been a highly successful franchise leading into this, it's sixth film.

        After a spectacular opening sequence, we are introduced to Stephani Reyes played by Kaitlyn Santa Juana, a young woman who has seemingly inherited her grandmother's ability to see premonitions of death. The entire cast is predominately unknown actors and just about all of them are just fodder to die in ingenious, original and ghastly ways. In his last film, horror film star, Tony Todd has a welcome cameo.

        Audiences don't flock to this franchise to see stars or even expect coherent storytelling. They come for the grisly set pieces that make even everyday items deadly. The family subplot does add some depth to the story, but the clever and twisted ways death claims victims are what will appeal to fans and they will not be disappointed.

  

The Shrouds

 

   Never one to disappoint, writer/director David Cronenberg returns with a new twisted drama, apparently to help him grieve over the death of his own wife, who died in 2017.

    Vincent Cassel (looking very much like Mr. Cronenberg himself, sans glasses) stars as Karsh, who has created a company around his invention "GraveTech".  The company employs high tech "shrouds" that are placed around a corpse when buried so that a person can actually view the body as it decomposes in a grave. Karsh has developed this technology initially to keep himself close to his deceased wife, Becca. 

    The film co-stars Diane Kruger as Becca, her twin sister, Terry and the voice of Karsh's AI assistant, "Hunny". Ms. Kruger gives a daring and raw performance , especially as Becca. Also co-starring is Guy Pearce as Maury, a tech nerd and Karsh's brother-in-law, who helped develop the technology, and Sandrine Holt as Soo-Min Szabo, the blind wife of a CEO who wants to sponsor a "GraveTech" in Budapest.

    While not a horror film per se, there are scenes of body horror and amputation (this is a Cronenberg film, after all) and combined with multiple sex scenes and a bizarre story in general, this will not appeal to a wide audience but fans of Mr. Cronenberg will appreciate his storytelling and directing skills.

    The film is in English (despite the poster). 

 

Thunderbolts*

 

            Marvel reboots their superhero franchise by recruiting many characters from their other films and TV shows to create a new dynamic for the next phase of their superhero collective.

            It's a terrific script by Eric Pearson and Johanna Calo, based on a story by Eric Pearson. It has plenty of action and humor and grounds its characters in a cohesive story that works much better than the last few Marvel films.

            The film stars Florence Pugh as Yelena, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost,  Julia louis-Dreyfus as Valentina de Fontaine, David Harbour as Alexei, and Lewis Pullman as Bob. The film also features Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Olga Kurylenko, and Wendell Pierce.

             The lead actors make excellent anti-heroes and a reluctant team. They have great chemistry together and appear to be really enjoying themselves. Ms. Pugh is clearly the lead with most of the attention placed on her character, Yelena. She is more than up to the task.

              Self-described characters without any true super powers (except maybe enhanced strength), they "punch and shoot" their way through the film without the need for excessive CGI. The special effects that are necessary blend seamlessly into the action. There are some serious psychological elements introduced in the film that provide background and insight but don't overwhelm the action and humor. The story successfully sets up the next phase of the Marvel universe and definitely explains the asterisk in the film's title.

               Stay for the mid-credit scene that is fun and a post credit scene that actually adds something to the story (although with a shameless plug).

The Accountant 2

 

      Capitalizing on the success of the first film, director Gavin O'Conner and writer Bill Dubuque have returned along with star Ben Affleck to double down on the comedy and action.

      Mr. Affleck returns as Christian Wolff and is joined once again by Jon Bernthal as his brother Braxton. Mr. Bernthal's role increases the chemistry between Mr. Affleck and himself. The two create more comedic moments as well as more mayhem than in the original film.

      Also returning in increased roles are Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Federal agent Marybeth Medina. and as Justine, Christian's hacker, Allison Robertson takes over the role but with the voice of the original Justine, Allison Wright. Daniella Pineda is new to the cast in a mysterious role and J.K. Simmons has a cameo reprising his role as Raymond King.

      The plot is a bit convoluted but it doesn't matter. It's just a device to enjoy watching Mr. Affleck and Mr. Bernthal save the day, which they do after many bullets fly and time out for line dancing (don't ask).

        

Sinners

 

     The latest film from writer/director Ryan Coogler is an interesting mix of genres. What starts out as a period piece drama descends midway through into a visceral horror story. This jarring switch midstream may put off some viewers and while it makes no sense, still makes for an exciting film.

     Mr. Coogler's frequent collaborator, Michael B. Jordon stars as twin brothers, nicknamed "Smoke" and "Stack". Their scenes together are flawlessly integrated. He is terrific as both characters, who come home to the Mississippi Delta in 1932,  flush with stolen cash from gangsters in Chicago, in order to open a "juke joint".

      The film co-stars Hailee Steinfeld (in a role she really sinks her teeth into), Jack O'Connell ( a terrific actor in a truly bizarre role), Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, a terrific Delroy Lindo and Miles Caton as Sammie, the younger cousin of the twins, who is an excellent blues singer and guitar player.

      Production design on the film is excellent and along with the period costumes and terrific original music, there is an air of perfect authenticity, at least until things go off the rails.

      There are lots of great musical styles represented in the film, highlighted by a wonderfully magical musical number during the party at the "juke joint".

       One criticism I have regards a racially motivated incident towards the very end, that while exciting, didn't ring true to me in it's execution. True to the times, I think it would have taken place differently. Aside from that, the film, while eventually gonzo, is fun and exciting.

       I would love to see a prequel with the twins in Chicago and just how they came about their stolen cash. I think that story has lots of potential. And as a final note, stay during the credits for a mid credit scene featuring a great cameo and also a quick scene at the very end.

Warfare

 

      A very different kind of war film, "Warfare" takes you into a reenactment of an actual confrontation during the Iraq War. It is about as close as you can get in a firefight without tasting the blood, sweat and smell of the ammunition..

      Written and directed by Alex Garland and former Navy Seal, Ray Mendoza, the film is scripted entirely on the memories of the men who lived through the battle of Ramadi. It is shot in real time and is about as intense as it gets in ninety five minutes. 

       The film stars D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (of Hulu's Reservation Dogs) as Ray Mendoza, Cosmo Jarvis (of Hulu's Shogun) as Elliott Miller. Also starring are Will Poulter, Charles Melton, Joseph Quinn, Kit Conner, Finn Bennett, Taylor John Smith, and Michael Gandolfini. The entire cast honor the men they are portraying.

      Watching the film unfold, you experience the primal terror of the battle from the boredom before it starts until the very last shot is fired. You won't even realize you've been holding your breath the entire time.

        

The Amateur

 

            Suspend your belief and you'll enjoy this perfectly serviceable espionage/revenge thriller. It follows a standard formula but Rami Malek, who stars as Charlie Heller brings the conviction of an amateur field agent and is fun to watch as he tracks down the men responsible for killing his wife.

            The film co-stars Rachel Brosnahan, Laurence Fishburne, Holt McCallary, Caitriona Balfe,  Julianne Nicholson, Danny Sapani, Jon Bernthal, and Michael Stuhlbarg as various friends and foes.

             Since Charlie must go global to track down the killers, we are treated to a world tour of countries and cities, including England, Spain, Turkey, Romania, and France. There is also quite a bit of technobabble since Charlie is first and foremost an analyst so a good part of the film is played out on computer and video screens. There are, however, enough action sequences to satisfy the viewer.

              The door is left open for a sequel, but of course, by the end of the film, Charlie is certainly no longer an amateur.

              

Drop

 

       A modern take on a very common premise. The hero/heroine is forced to do something terrible by the villain, who is holding a loved one hostage. We've seen this story many times before but never using cell phone drops to communicate with the hero/heroine.

        Meghann Fahy is the heroine, Violet, faced with an impossible situation. She aptly proves herself leading lady material as she continues to find clever ways to stall and distract her opponent. 

         Violet is on a first date at a upscale  restaurant high above a Chicago skyscraper. Her date, Henry, is played by Brandon Sklenar (of the streamer, 1923). Most of the action plays out in the restaurant with occasional scenes of Violet's home, where her young son Toby (played by Jacob Robinson) and his sitter, Jen (played by Violett Beane) are being threatened by the main villain's accomplice. Jen is also Violet's sister adding to her anxiety over the situation.

         What makes the film fun is the villain could be anyone in the restaurant and poor Henry doesn't understand Violet's increasingly erratic behavior with each phone drop she receives.

          Both Ms. Fahy and Mr. Sklenar take everything very seriously and make a handsome couple to watch. While the dialog may be silly and contrived, the situation does continuously rachet up the tension. Alfred Hitchcock would be proud.

Black Bag

 

       This new film from director Steven Soderbergh and writer David Koepp is an ice cold, old fashioned spy vs. spy story. Relying more on a byzantine script rather than car chases, shoot outs and explosions, this smart story telling wants you to pay close attention to the machinations going on inside a British intelligence agency, where whispers of a traitor to the wrong person set the wheels in motion.

      Michael Fassbender stars as George Woodhouse, a fastidious spy who "can't stand liars". Cate Blanchett is Kathryn, his wife, and a spy at the same agency. The film co-stars Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Rege-Jean Page and Pierce Brosnan. Mr. Fassbender is perfectly cast as George playing mind games with his fellow spies to find the traitor in the organization. 

      Mr. Soderbergh keeps a quick pace moving the story along at a crisp ninety three minutes. The sets and wardrobe are impeccable. The whole film is sleek in design. The story is a war of words, full of dry wit and some terrific one-liners, played out over an ever increasing tense week's time.

       For those that may find it confusing, the plot comes together in the third act and has a very satisfying ending. It's a smart, even sexy, throwback that fans of John le Carre or Len Deighton will appreciate.

Mickey 17

 

      Written and directed by Bong Joon Ho, this new science fiction film is also a very clever black comedy. As he did with "Parasite", Mr. Ho brings his brand of social satire to the science fiction genre he has had success with in the past.

       The film stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes, a fairly simple man who signs up for a space voyage to escape a loan shark. He becomes an "expendable" without reading the fine print and finds himself in dangerous situations that continuously kill him, only to find himself repeatedly cloned to start all over again.

        Co-starring are Steven Yuen as Timo, Mickey's friend, Naomie Ackie as Nasha, Mark Ruffalo as Kenneth Marshall ( a not so subtle Donald Trump like character), and Tomi Collette as Yifa Marshall, his wife.

         The story is a lot of fun with plenty of social commentary behind the humor. Mr. Pattinson is simply terrific in a role against type and Mr. Ruffalo almost steals the film as the buffoon leader looking to colonize a planet of bizarre creatures. 

         Based on a book by Edward Aston (Mickey 7), the film is one wildly original ride.

Last Breath

 

           This is the miraculous true story of a deep sea diver's rescue, when his lifeline snaps during a maintenance dive. The film is based on the documentary of the same name that chronicled the actual rescue. 

           200,00 cables crisscross the ocean floor These cables periodically need repair and the divers that do the work consider it to be one of the most dangerous jobs one can have. This particular story is about three divers in the North Sea, who are plunged into darkness when a topside computer glitch causes havoc with their ship's systems. While all three start out 300 feet down in a diving bell, one of them becomes separated and is quickly running out of air. The entire film is based on the rescue attempt.

           The three divers are played by Woody Harrelson, who stays in the diving bell feeding the lifelines to divers David Yuasa, played by Simu Liu and diver Chris Lemons, played by Finn Cole. It is Mr. Lemons who becomes cut off from the other two and is in the most peril.  The film also co-stars Cliff Curtis and Mark Bonnar.

           There are many very tense moments and actual footage from the documentary are cut into the film providing real context. It's a quick 90 minute film but it will probably have you holding your own breath for the last 45 minutes.. 

The Monkey

 

        If you like your horror movies with a liberal dose of absurdly sick comedy, this new horror film from writer/director Osgood Perkins, is for you. It's origin is a short story by Stephen King, which is far more serious in its tale of a cursed toy monkey. Mr. Osgood's screenplay adds quite a bit of sick humor to the story making the high body count grisly but also outrageously funny.

        The film stars Theo James as adult twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn. Christian Convery plays the twins as young boys. Co-starring are Tatiana Maslany as Lois Shelburn, the boy's mother. Sarah Levy as Aunt Ida, Mr. Perkins himself as Uncle Chip and Rohan Campbell as Ricky. There are also cameos from Adam Scott and Elijah Wood.

         While there are no real scares (aside from the scary monkey itself) Mr. Perkins is quite adept at setting a creepy and unsettling  mood and maintaining it throughout the film even with the injection of his odd sense of humor. The murderous special effects are quite good as well. The basic plot is every time the monkey is wound up, it plays its drum and someone dies (in very original ways). There is no real backstory to the demon toy. It just is, so throw any logic out the window and enjoy the gory, yet humorous ride.

Captain America: Brave New World

 

      Watching the latest edition to the Marvel cannon, while not necessary, a refresher course of the 2008 "The Incredible Hulk and the TV mini-series, "The Falcon & The Winter Soldier" would both be helpful.

       Those already up to date on the Marvel universe will appreciate Anthony Mackie's version of Captain America but the script doesn't do him much favor. Taking itself very seriously as a "political thriller", there is little in the way of humor or emotion.

        Shades of "The Manchurian Candidate", mind control plays a big part in the script. The surprise villain responsible for the mind control is also responsible for releasing the Red Hulk upon the world, The highly anticipated arrival of said hulk comes fairly late in the film and while his CGI body is well done, other elements of CGI work come off shoddy and not convincing. 

         The film co-stars Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross (taking over from the late William Hurt), Giancarlo Esposito as villain "Sidewinder" (a more violent take on his Gus Fring character from "Breaking Bad"), Danny Ramirez as the new "Falcon", Shira Haas, miscast as Ruth Bat-Seraph, Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley, Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns and two surprise cameos.

          While the film was written before the current administration in Washington, there appears to be subtle swipes taken at those now in charge. The story tries hard to be taken seriously but with so much Marvel lore to cover, the plot takes a back seat to the film acting as a bridge to the next chapter in the Marvel universe. The action scenes (despite the less than perfect CGI) are fun though.

            As with all Marvel films, there is a post credit scene that promises the return of Captain America as well as a hint of a new danger to come.

Becoming Led Zeppelin

 

           For the die hard fan, this new documentary is a must see but even the casual fan will absolutely enjoy it.

           Bernard MacMahon did the research, co-wrote the film with Allison McGourty and directed the film with the band's blessing.

           The film traces the roots of the band through new, exclusive interviews with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, and John Paul Jones. John Bonham, who passed in 1980, is heard on previously unreleased audio interviews.

            Exploring the British music scene of the 1960's, we learn how the future bandmates started out as session musicians on various albums in various genres.  They finally get together in the summer of 1968 out of the ashes of "The Yardbirds" to become "Led Zeppelin". The film then follows the band through their growing success to become the #1 band in the world in 1970.

            The film includes full song performances, never-before-seen footage of their early U.S. and British concerts, and exclusive footage from their own archives. Formatted for IMAX cameras, with an incredible soundtrack, it has to be seen this way to fully enjoy the experience.

Companion

 

         This new, very black comedy is written and directed by Drew Hancock. If you've seen the latest trailer (avoid the trailer if you can), you may know a significant plot point already but be prepared for plenty of other surprises.

          Mr. Hancock has fashioned the most twisted love story I've seen in years. The story is fresh, very original and extremely clever. What begins as a seemingly cute girl meets boy story eventually goes completely off the rails. As a warning, expect some violent moments.

          Sophie Thatcher stars as Iris and she is absolutely terrific. Her boyfriend is played by Jack Quaid (from Prime's "The Boys" and the voice of Boimler on "Star Trek Lower Decks"). The two are lots of fun together...until they're not.

          The film co-stars Lukas Gage as Patrick, Megan Suri as Kat, Harvey Guillen as Eli, and Rupert Friend as Sergey. Marc Manchaca has a cameo as Deputy Hendrix. 

          While I saw it on an IMAX screen, it's not necessarily the kind of film that's enhanced by that format. It will be just as gonzo in regular theaters as well. 

          

            

Presence

 

         This is a supernatural, haunted house story unlike any other. Written by David Koepp and directed by Steven Soderbergh, the entire film is presented from the point of view of the "presence". The POV is actually Mr. Soderbergh's camera as he moves throughout a beautiful home occupied by a family of four.

         The family is played by Lucy Liu as Rebecca, the mom and Chris Sullivan as Chris, the dad. Their older teenager son, Tyler is played by Eddy Maday and the younger teenage daughter Chloe, is played by Callina Liang. Chloe has been recently traumatized by the apparent overdose of her best friend. Tyler is a high school swimming champ but also has typical teen angst. Rebecca and Chris have cracks in the marriage that grow larger as the film goes on. The issues of the entire family are observed by the "presence" but only Chloe seems to sense it.  

         A friend of Tyler's, Ryan is introduced during the film and an unhealthy attraction develops between him and Chloe. Ryan is played by West Mulholland, and his real intentions are not revealed until the last act.

        When Tyler relates a cruel school prank to the family, they all become aware of the "presence" when it reacts to his story. They bring in a medium played by Natalie Woolams-Torres who feels the "presence" and offers a clue to its intentions, which Chloe insists are not menacing.

        Very little happens besides the "presence" roaming the house listening to the family's growing issues and occasionally moving objects and doors around, until the plot comes together in the final act.

       The entire film is just another interesting Soderbergh experiment in filmmaking. Interesting from a technical point of view but as an entertainment, it's far from scary and actually pretty boring.

Flight Risk

 

       This time of the year is reserved for a dumping ground of films that are just barely greenlit. This is one of them but it's a decent enough thrill ride for a mid-winter release.

       Typically Liam Neeson would be starring as the hero in a film like this but in a nice twist, one of my personal favorites, Michelle Dockery (very far from Downton Abby) is U.S. Marshall Harris transporting a key witness in an important trial. She catches up with the witness, Winston, played by Topher Grace in a remote Alaskan town and has to charter a small plane to reach Anchorage.  Mark Wahlberg is the pilot. Once in the air, things start to go wrong and there are some fun action scenes. 

       Almost quietly during the credits, we find out the film was directed by Mel Gibson. I guess the studio felt his name associated with the film might turn away a segment of its potential audience. Say what you will about his politics or religious beliefs, he knows how to direct an action film.

       This is a "check your brain" at the door, "popcorn" movie  and easy to enjoy. As a bonus,  the Alaskan scenery is beautiful on a theater screen.

                

Hard Truths

 

    Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin reunite (last seen together in "Secrets & Lies") as sisters in writer/director Mike Leigh's latest comic drama. As, sisters the two are complete opposites. Pansy (Ms. Jean Baptiste) is a depressed, anxiety ridden, angry woman who can barely function and Chantelle (Ms. Austin) is her happier sister who works as a hairdresser and has two adult employed daughters.

     Pansy lives with her sullen husband Curtley (played by David Webber) and her aimless adult son, Moses (played by Tuwaine Barrett). It's an unhappy marriage, an unhappy family and a meager co-existence. Whenever Pansy does manage to leave the house for chores or a doctor's visit, she takes her anger out on everyone around her. Many of these confrontations are humorous at first but ultimately sad as Pansy can't break her cycle.

     The same can be said for the film in general. What's funny at first is really heartbreaking as there is a total lack of communication and a loveless void within Pansy's family. Things begin to change ever so slightly when Chantelle takes Pansy to visit their mother's gravesite and then invites her, Curtly and Moses back to her house to "celebrate" Mother's Day.

      Ms. Jean Baptiste is absolutely wonderful in a very difficult part. Mr. Webber and Mr. Barrett move through the film in an almost catatonic state and it's a credit to their acting to successfully bring a sense of hard reality to their roles. 

     Mr. Leigh has created an intense character study of a woman with many difficult issues. It's not an easy watch but Ms. Jean Baptiste's performance is remarkable, and Mr. Leigh does offer a small glimmer of hope by the end of the film.

Wolf Man

 

      Co-written (with Corbett Tuck) and directed by Leigh Whannell, this is nothing like Lon Chaney Jr's original 1941 film, "The Wolf Man". Mr. Whannell seeks to add emotional depth by focusing on a single family's danger when the father starts to slowly transform into a wolf-like creature.

Blake (played by Christopher Abbott), his wife Charlotte (played by Julia Garner) and their daughter Ginger (played by Matilda Firth) return to the Oregon farm where he lived a a young boy with his father. The film opens with father and son hunting deer but have a brief encounter with something else. It then jumps 30 years later when Blake takes his family from New York to the Oregon farm to pack up his father's things after he learns of his father's death.

Clawed by a creature on the way to the farm, Blake spends the remainder of the movie transforming into the title character. The transformation is deliberately slow to wring out more emotion and anxiety as Blake struggles to maintain his humanity without harming his family.

Don't expect many traditional scares but there is plenty of tension especially as Blake's feral side starts to take over. There is an interesting lighting effect as we see certain scenes through Blake's "animal" night vision. The special effects are rather strange as Blake develops wolflike qualities but never actually looks like a wolf. Ultimately, we've seen films with families terrorized by various horrors before and this is no different.

Mr. Abbott has the daunting task of acting through layers of makeup and does a reasonable job. Always a reliable actress Ms. Garner's character doesn't have much to do here except attempt to save her daughter and Ms. Firth just wants her daddy to "get better".

There is a clever twist in the middle of the film that savvy viewers will probably see coming and it certainly has it's gory moments but I still prefer the 1941 classic.

I'm Still Here

 

        Directed by Walter Salles from a memoir by Marcelo Rubens Paiva, this new biographical drama takes place during the dictatorship regime in Brazil during the 1970's. 

         Rubens and Eunice Paiva have five children and live in a lovely house at the beach in Rio De Janeiro. Rubens is a retired congressman working in a civil engineering job. They are a tight knit family with obvious love for each other. Their house is often filled with friends and family. One day government men come and take Rubens away for "questioning". It is then up to Eunice to learn what happened to her husband while keeping her family together (even while she holds back her own anxiety and anger) in his absence.

        The film stars Fernanda Torres as Eunice and she has already won a well- deserved Golden Globe for her wonderful performance. Selton Mello plays Rubens. Their children are played by Guiherme Silveria as Marcelo (later, Antonio Saboia as an adult), Valentina Herszage as Vera (later, Maria Manoella as an adult), Luiza Kosovski as Eliana (later, Marjorie Estiano as an adult), Barbara Luz as Nalu (later, Gabriela Carneiro as an adult), and Cora Mora as Maria (later, Oliva Torres as an adult). Late in the film, Fernanda Montenegro (Ms. Torres real mother) plays an elderly Eunice, and even while suffering from Alzheimer's, she has one amazing moment of clarity.

       Mr. Salles actually knew the family and had spent time in their house as a young teenager. You can feel the warmth and love in his direction in every shot because of this relationship. His scenic designer faithfully recreates the house based on Mr. Paiva's memoir and Mr. Salles's memory. The house itself, becomes another character, brought to life as a sixth member of the family. The acting is so effortless, it's like watching a documentary rather than a scripted film.

       While the story may be tragic, Ms. Torres's love and resilience keep her family together and even in the face of despair, it is a profoundly moving film. 

The Six Triple Eight

 

     Written and directed by Tyler Perry, this untold, true story of World War Two tells the story of a a very different kind of battle. It is the true story of an all black women battalion, who's job was to sort and make sure, millions of pieces of correspondence were delivered to soldiers fighting all over Europe.

      A film about sorting and delivering mail doesn't sound very interesting but credit Mr. Perry for finding the emotional core of what was an almost impossible task for anyone, let alone a battalion of black women that white, bigoted officers were convinced would fail.

      The film stars Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams and she gives a powerful performance. Her foil is the racist General Halt, played by a sneering Dean Norris. Milauna Jackson plays Captain Noel Campbell. Shanice Shantay plays Johnnie Mae Burton and Sarah Jeffery plays Dolores Washington. Sam Waterston, Oprah Winfrey, and Susan Sarandon all have cameos. The emotional center of the film, however, comes from Ebony Obsidian as Lena Derriecot, who enlists to "fight Hitler". We follow her struggle from bootcamp to the mail assignment and Ms. Obsidian is a young talent whose star is sure to rise after this film.

       It's actually a pretty exciting story as the women race the clock (they are given 90 days to sort millions of letters and parcels) to complete their assignment and given it's true nature, it's an incredibly inspiring story as well.

       This is a Netflix production that is currently streaming.

The Last Showgirl

 

    Written by Kate Gersten, based on her book and directed by Gia Coppola, this new drama is a revelation for it's lead actress, Pamela Anderson. Devoid of any makeup and acting on pure emotion, Ms. Anderson delivers one of the best performances of the year.

     Shelly (Ms. Anderson) has been a showgirl in Las Vegas for over 30 years. She is still going strong at fifty seven but when she learns that her iconic show will shortly be playing it's last performance, her world is turned upside down.

      The film co-stars Jamie Lee Curtis as Annette, Shelly's best friend and a former showgirl, now an aging cocktail waitress in a casino. Dave Bautista plays Eddie, the producer of Shelly's show and a former boyfriend. Brenda Song and Kiernan Shipka are showgirl colleagues. Billie Lourd plays Hannah, Shelly's estranged daughter Jason Schwartzman has a cameo as a nameless director auditioning dancers. Ms. Curtis is clearly having a great time and yet plays her role with an underlying sadness. It's refreshing to see Mr. Bautista in a straight dramatic role where he doesn't shoot or punch anyone.

       While all the acting is excellent, Ms. Anderson is simply amazing. It's unfortunate that the script is not stronger as the material doesn't hold up to the acting. While it's a thin story, it does make a tragically true point about the afterlife of aging showgirls.

       Ms. Coppola brings out the best in Ms. Anderson but her constant use of extreme closeups could have been dialed back a bit. That criticism aside, see it for Pamela Anderson's triumph. 

The Damned

 

       Directed by Thordur Palsson, who also wrote the story, this is a moderately creepy "horror" story perfect for a cold winter's night.

        Eva played by Odessa Young is a young widow running her husband's remote fishing post located on an isolated shoreline of some unnamed Artic or Icelandic region. It's the middle of a freezing winter and Eva and her six fishermen are at least three days away from any town.

        An impossible decision awaits Eva when they all watch a ship sink off shore. With barely enough food to survive themselves and only one small fishing boat, do they try to save any survivors or just let them all drown. The consequences of Eva's decision leads to superstition and madness as the group begin to believe they are being stalked by an evil presence, a "Draugur".

        The film co-stars Joe Cole, Siobhan Finneran, Lewis Gribben, Francis Magee, Rory McCann, Turlough Convery, Micheal Og Lane, and Andrean Sigurgeirsson. Kudos to the cast and crew for filming in what appears to be pretty harsh conditions.

        Mr. Palsson creates an atmosphere of rising tension in an eerie, unhospitable environment. Shadows and dark corners may or may not hide the Draugur. Death seems inevitable foretold by Eva's charwoman, Helga. Without any "hide your eyes" types of scares, the film still elicits goosebumps during moody and violent scenes. 

Nickel Boys

 

      Co-written (with Joslyn Barnes) and directed by RaMell Ross, this is a historical drama set in a fictional reform school in Florida. The "Nickel School" is based on the "Dozier School For Boys", which was a notorious institution where boys were routinely beaten, sexually abused and even killed.

      Mr. Ross has a bold vision for storytelling. He shoots the film with a first person POV (point of view) and in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. This creates an immersive experience for the viewer but it is can also be jarring and takes some getting used to. You never see the main characters on screen together (even though they may be in the same scene) as the camera switches the POV throughout the film. He also lingers the camera on various imagery which is visually poetic but can also be overwhelming. In addition, there are black and white clips that may or may not be actual footage from the Dozier school interspersed throughout the film. It all makes for a unique way of storytelling that focuses on Elwood and Turner, two boys at the school who become close friends.

      Ethan Herisse plays Elwood and Brandon Wilson plays Turner and they are both excellent. The film also co-stars Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Hattie, Elwood's grandmother, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Jimmie Fails, and Daveed Diggs.

      Mr. Ross also employs some flashforward scenes that may cause some confusion for the viewer at the end of the film unless you have read the book.

      This is an intense drama with many unsettling scenes but it is also an important story that, while fictional, exposes a very real injustice.

The Brutalist

 

           A stunning achievement by director and co-writer (with Mona Fastvold) Barry Corbett, this new drama tells the story of Laszlo Toth, a Hungarian-Jewish immigrant who arrives in New York two years after the end of World War Two. Laszlo is an architect struggling to achieve his American dream until fate introduces him to wealthy Harrison Lee Van Buren, who becomes his patron.

           Adrien Brody plays Toth and he is brilliant. He is the perfect "soulful" actor for the role. Guy Pierce plays Van Buren and it's his best role in years. The eccentric billionaire and the Jewish architect develop an unusual relationship when Van Buren commissions Toth to build a community center in honor of his late mother. The film co-stars  Felicity Jones, Joe Alwyn, Raffey Cassidy, Stacy Martin, Alessandro Nivola, and Emma Laird.

          Mr. Corbett has fashioned an emotional story of the immigrant experience. He also presents the film in an old fashioned Hollywood style. There is an Overture, then Act One, followed by an actual twenty minute intermission and then Act Two followed by an Epilogue. It's also filmed in Vistavison, providing a widescreen effect that blends beautifully with the camerawork.

          The film has stunning cinematography by Lol Crawley and superb art direction by Judy Becker. Combined with a wonderful score by Daniel Blumberg, costumes and sets, the film truly is a work of art.

          An epic story depicting the highs and lows of Laszlo's life (with an underlying theme of antisemitism running throughout), the film is mesmerizing, however, personally I felt the ending was too rushed and the epilogue left some unanswered questions. Even so, it is an intense experience best enjoyed on the large screen of a theater.