The Unknown Saint

           There is an old saying "we make plans and God laughs". This couldn't be truer than this film from Morocco. When a thief, who is being chased by the police after a robbery, has his car breakdown in the middle of the desert, he decides to hide the money at the top of a one tree hill. He buries the money in a makeshift grave so no one will disturb it. The police catch up to him and arrest him. Sometime later when he released from prison, he goes back to retrieve the money only to find a shrine has been built around the "grave".

           The small village behind the hill had discovered the "grave" and built a shrine around it with a small fountain to make offerings to God. The thief, who is never mentioned by name, gets a room in the tiny hotel the town had built to accommodate visitors to the shrine, and waits for night to break in. From there, all his efforts to get to the money are thwarted one way or another.

            Younes Bouab plays the frustrated thief. He has no desire to interfere with the townspeople yet he is determined to get his money. There are only a few key characters beside the thief. A new doctor in town is also frustrated by the lack of real patients. The town barber also doubles as the town dentist and the shrine has a night guard and his dog that play an important role. There is also a farmer and his son who, in a twist of sorts, also play a key part. 

            The film is not billed as a comedy and yet, in a quiet, gentle way, it is very amusing and its fable like quality stayed with me for days.

This Town

           

         Fans of Christopher Guest's films will certainly enjoy this quirky and oddly charming, New Zealand comedy from writer, director, and star, David White. It is a credit to Mr. White that he can pull off a comedy based on a murder of a family in a small town.

         It's been a few years since Sean (played by Mr. White) has been found innocent of murdering his family but the residents of the small town of Thiston remain certain of his guilt. Sean tries to go about his life, even getting a girlfriend he meets through a dating app but ex-police officer, Pam (played by the wonderful Robyn Malcolm) doggedly pursues every lead, however absurd they may be, to finally get the evidence she needs to prove he is guilty

          

         Sean's girlfriend Casey is played by Alice May Connolly and the two have a wonderful chemistry as two oddballs made for each other. The other standout co-star is Rima Te Wiata, who plays the local tabloid reporter Janice, looking to cash in on the story..

         While the thought of the murder itself is horrendous, the film downplays the crime instead focusing on the extremely weird and funny thoughts and actions of the lead characters and all the townspeople. All the characters often speak directly to the camera with their thoughts and opinions about Sean and the crime and Mr. White strikes a delicate balance between the absurdist humor and "true crime" aspect that ignites the plot. 

The Spy

          

       Based on a true story (well at least rumors of a true story), this new Swedish drama recounts the story of Norwegian-Swedish actress, Sonja Wigert, who became an undercover operative for the Swedish government during World War Two. Not interested at first, but when her father is arrested by the Nazis, in order to free him, Sonja reluctantly agrees to become a pawn for the Nazi's ReichsKomissar, Josef Terboven. She secretly spies on Terboven for the Swedes but her loyalty is tested when he asks her to spy on Sweden for him. 

        The film stars Ingrid Bolso Berdal, who bears quite the resemblance to the real Wigert. Ms. Berdal is a vision in 1940's glamour and she pulls off the intricate role beautifully. The tension mounts as Sonja must act as a double agent while also carrying on an affair with a Hungarian Diplomat who is also a Nazi sympathizer.

        The excellent cinematography as well as the sets and exquisite costumes all combine to bring the stylish and suspenseful story to vivid life.

The Heist of The Century

          

      Based on a true story, this new film from Argentina recounts one of the largest bank robberies in Argentina's history. A bored artist and self-proclaimed stoner, Fernado (played by Diego Perreti) decides to rob the Banco Rio believing it will give his life meaning. He puts together a ragtag team of six middle-aged accomplices to help him pull it off.

       The film co-stars Guillermo Francella, as Mario (who steals the film), Pablo Rago as Sebastian, Mariano Argento as Debauza, Juan Alari as Paisa and Rafael Ferro as Alberto. Six men you would never suspect to pull off an intricate heist as the one Fernado puts together. With diverse personalities and lots of charm, the five actors have great chemistry and it is a sheer delight to watch them pull together, despite different motives, to rob the bank.

        Fun and yet suspenseful, fans of this genre (who doesn't like a good heist flick?) will absolutely enjoy the novel way they carry out the robbery.

Slalom

   

        From France, comes this timely look at sexual abuse in sports. The story is set in the world of competitive skiing, specifically the women's downhill Slalom. The film stars Noee Albita as a 15-year-old ski prodigy and Jeremie Renier as her coach. When we first meet the characters, Lyza is starting her training with a group of other kids.  Her coach recognizes her talent and pushes her to compete as hard as she can, while at the same time, an infatuation with his star begins to show in obvious ways.

     The setup is perfect for Lyza's situation as "prey". Her parents are divorced and dad is not in her life. Mom works in a different city and Lyza is basically on her own at her school. Seeking a father figure, she becomes far too attached to her coach, who seizes on the opportunity to take advantage of her. Subtle at first, things escalate and Lyza becomes emotionally damaged with growing feelings of helplessness, guilt and misplaced longing. It begins to affect her school work which in turn threatens her skiing. With bad grades, she can longer continue to train. Her saving grace comes when she is on the slopes but as she loses herself in her conflicting relationship with her coach, even her talent becomes threatened.

       It can be a difficult film to watch as the brilliance of the acting makes it all too real. Ms. Albita is heartbreaking wearing her conflicting emotions on her sleeve and as her "predator", Mr. Renier is far too believable. The two stars have a remarkable chemistry of trust to portray these characters in this heinous situation. 

       The tension becomes almost unbearable as you wonder if Lyza will succumb to the physical and emotional pressure. Directed by Charlene Favier, who also wrote the screenplay, "Slalom" pulls no punches in an honest look at what has been brought to light in the world of women's sports. 

Riders of Justice

      

       Written and directed by Anders Thomas Jensen, this Danish black comedy-drama is familiar, yet very unique in its own way. The film stars Mads Mikkelsen (a frequent collaborator with Mr. Jensen) as Markus, a soldier stationed in Afghanistan who flies home in the aftermath of a family tragedy.

       What he believes to have been an accident, is soon put into question when Markus meets Otto, a statistician, who survives the tragic event.  He convinces Markus that the incident wasn't an accident but an assassination and that Markus must help him take revenge on those responsible.

        Otto has two oddball, yet genius friends to help gather evidence against the people they believe caused the incident. If not for the eventual violence, the film could stand alone as weird buddy comedy between the four men.  The film co-stars Nikoaj Lie Kaas, Lars Brygmann, Nicolas Bro, and Andrea Heick Gadeberg, well known Danish actors who are all terrific this unusual story.

        Unusual, because it's not just another revenge story. It also asks bigger questions, such as how the role of statistics and coincidence can steer one's direction in life. Also, the impact of the "butterfly effect". How one small thing can escalate and have an even bigger impact on total strangers.

       While filled with some truly funny and crazy moments, the story packs an unexpected emotional punch and an ending that you won't forget.

Love Type D

            

           This new British "romantic comedy" is actually more of an "anti-romantic comedy" that deconstructs the genre.  Maeve Dermody plays an unlucky in love woman who is endlessly dumped by the men in her life. When Wilbur, the 11-year-old brother of her latest boyfriend gives her the bad news, she ends up befriending the smarter than his age, Wilbur, and together they discover the type D gene. Their relationship reminded me of the film" About A Boy".

            The Type D gene is a genetic marker than makes certain people the "dumpees" in relationships. Tovah Feldshuh plays the scientist that discovers the gene and runs an institute to help people with the condition.  Maeve must go back and reunite with all her past boyfriends who dumped her, only to dump them in order to become the "dumper" and "fix" her condition. Witten and directed by Sasha Collington, it's a quirky little comedy with an original concept that plays the genre against type.

Deadly Cuts

         This independent comedy from Ireland comes with a bit of a bite. In the classic structure of "The Full Monty" and "Made in Dagenham", this new film tells the story of the "underdog" women of the "Deadly Cuts" hair salon trying to survive poverty and a menacing gang in their small Irish town.

         The women want to enter a National Hair competition that will bring fame and business to their shop and town. Dirty politicians, jealous rivals and a little bit of murder are just few of the roadblocks facing them along the way.

         The four leads are well written characters, each with their own quirks and issues. The townsfolk are quite a bunch of characters in their own right, especially some of the faithful customers of the salon. It's a lighthearted romp with just a shade of dark thrown in to give it an edge.

Nobody

       

     A new action thriller that is incredibly violent and stars against type, the always excellent Bob Odenkirk. We've seen this before, one hero takes on, in this case, the Russian mob but not quite in this context.

      There are many surprising moments right from the opening scene as well as subtle sight gags and dialog. Mr. Odenkirk is perfectly cast as Hutch Mansell, a "nobody" family man but of course, harboring a secret past. While unusual to see him as an action hero, he is up to the task. Credit the writer, Derek Kolstad and director, Ilya Naishuller, to pull no punches showing off his skills but yet also showing his vulnerability. As they say, he "takes a licking but keeps on ticking".

       The film co-stars Connie Nielsen as Hutch's wife, Christopher Lloyd as his dad, and RZA as his half-brother. Aleksei Serebryakov plays a very scary Russian crime boss. Bullet's fly, things blow up, and there are multiple fight scenes that don't hold back on the bloodshed, but many of these scenes are shot in new and novel ways. It's very over the top yet offers, what passes for, a reasonable explanation for Mr. Odenkirk's call to action.

         The ending sets up the possibility of a sequel and there is a clever mid-credit extra scene. If you are a fan of this genre, you will probably enjoy this film quite a bit. If not, skip it and you've missed nothing. Or should I say, Nobody.

Cherry

  

      Directors Anthony and Joe Russo reunite with actor Tom Holland in a new drama far removed from the Marvel universe.  "Cherry" is the story of a college dropout, who joins the army, fights in the Middle East, and comes home with serve PTSD. Once home, he turns to crime to support a growing drug habit.

      Mr. Holland shows tremendous growth as an actor in a complex role, especially in the latter part of the film when he is dealing with heroin addiction.  What centers the plot is his relationship with Emily, played by Ciara Bravo. He meets Emily in college and falls instantly in love. Only when Emily announces she is leaving for Canada, does he decide to join the Army. Emily changes her mind and the two marry before his deployment. It is their love that holds the film together even as things fall apart around them.

       The film is based on the auto biographical novel by Nico Walker. It pulls no punches on its depiction of war, PTSD and addiction. What starts out as a simple love story becomes a harrowing nightmare for both the characters and the viewer. It is Mr. Holland's range and strength as an actor that keeps you watching hoping for his ultimate salvation. While not an easy film to watch, it does hold your attention and the chemistry between Mr. Holland and Ms. Bravo is undeniable.

       The film is exclusive to Apple +.

Minari

      

       This semi-autobiographical drama by writer/director Lee Isaac Chung has been nominated for 6 Academy Awards this year, including best picture.

       It tells the story of a Korean family trying to succeed in rural Arkansas in the 1980's. Steven Yuen plays Jacob, the father, who is determined to farm the land growing Korean vegetables. Han Ye-Ri plays his wife Monica, torn between her loyalty and love for her husband and her family's well-being.  Their children are played by Noel Kate Cho as Anne and Alan Kim as her younger brother, David. Master Kim is adorable and a terrific little actor. He steals the film as well as your heart. Also co-starring is Youn Yuh-Jung as their not so typical Grandmother and veteran actor Will Patton as Paul, Jacob's farmhand.

      A very original story, it plays against the stereotypical direction you might expect. It is very much about the little things that happen and the consequences that follow. It is filled with wonderful moments throughout the film. A timely story of immigrants determined for a better life. 

     Available now on VOD or in theaters.

Mank

 

      

       David Fincher directs a masterwork in film, based on a screenplay by his father, Jack Fincher. This is an ode to old Hollywood. The biographical drama is the story of writer Herman Mankiewicz and his development of the script for "Citizen Kane". Many consider "Citizen Kane" to be the greatest movie of all time and if you are a fan or just interested in Hollywood history, you will love "Mank".

       Mank is portrayed by Gary Oldman who simply outdoes himself with every role. He has been recently nominated for best actor at this year's Academy Awards ("Mank" has received 10 nominations overall) and he has to be considered the frontrunner as he is simply fantastic. His co-star Amanda Seyfried plays Marion Davies, the actress and mistress of William Randolph Hearst (played by Charles Dance). She is luminescent in her best role to date. The film also co-stars Tom Pelphrey as Herman's younger brother Joseph, Arliss Howard as Louis B. Mayer, Lilly Collins as Mank's Secretary, Sam Troughton as John Houseman, and Tom Burke as Orson Wells.

       The cinematography is stunning. Filmed in crisp black and white, every frame is a beautiful portrait in of itself. It makes for visuals that are just lovely. Partnered with a terrific score, wonderful acting, and an outstanding script, you can't help but appreciate the brilliance of masterful filmmaking.

       The film is in a limited theater run as well as available on Netflix.

Coming 2 America

          

      A more apt title would have been "Coming to Africa" starring Jermaine Fowler and featuring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. Director Craig Brewer and Mr. Murphy try hard to capture the magic of the beloved original, comedy classic but miss the opportunity.

      Heavy is the head that wears the crown and now that Mr. Murphy is "King" Akeem of his fictional African nation, Zamunda, he gets very little opportunity to be funny. Yes, his smile can still light up a room but now he has three daughters and royal duties to attend to and not much time for comedy. By law, he must have a son to be the heir to the throne. Conveniently he discovers he has a bastard son living in Queens, the result of a one-night stand with Mary, played by Leslie Jones.  That results in an all too brief trip back to Queens to find his son and then back to Africa with Mary along for support.

       The quick stop in Queens does give Mr. Murphy and Mr. Hall a chance to play the barbershop guys and other characters we loved in the first film but now they have aged 30 years and their jokes are stale and their makeup creepy. Once back in Zamunda, the new prince, played by Mr. Fowler (an engaging young actor), must pass multiple tests to prove he is worthy of the throne. At this point, Mr. Fowler takes over the film providing its focus and moral center. Ms. Jones provides some laughs with her loud obnoxious comedy style and then to provide more comic support, "Uncle" Reem, played by Tracy Morgan, flies in from Queens, injecting a few needed laughs with his unique comedy.

        The film relies heavily on nostalgia, even cutting in multiple scenes from the original to remind us just how good it was the first time around. It also manages to place Ms. Jones into the original to explain the presence of Mr. Fowler. There are many other familiar faces to stir our memories. John Amos returns as Cleo McDowell, the King's father in-law, Louie Anderson in a cameo as a McDowell's manager, Shari Headley as Lisa, King Akeem's wife, and James Earl Jones, briefly as King Jaffe. Musical appearances by Gladys Knight, En Vogue, Salt-N-Pepa are also a nice touch for the nostalgia factor.

        Wesley Snipes also co-stars as General Izzi, Akeem's nemesis, and just about steals the film as he reminds us of his comedic talents. Besides the welcome addition of Mr. Snipes, the costumes and choreography are also a bright spot in this otherwise disappointing sequel.

The United States Vs. Billie Holiday

   

      Lee Daniels direct from a screenplay by Suzan-Lori Parks, and the result is a mixed bag biography of Billie Holiday. Emphasizing Ms. Holiday's struggle with heroin addiction and the U.S. government's fear of her controversial song, "Strange Fruit", the film is ill structured and poorly edited.

      It does, however, mark the arrival of a wonderful talent, Ms. Andra Day, who plays Ms. Holiday.  She inhabits the role completely, capturing Ms. Holiday's triumphs as well as her terrible defeats. She also has the vocal chops to perform all the songs herself.

      The film co-stars Trevante Rhodes as Jimmy Fletcher,  a not so undercover FBI agent who becomes her lover. While Mr. Rhodes does a fine job, as written, the role is very confusing. The film also co-stars Garrett Hedlund as Harry Anslinger, the head of the Bureau of Narcotics, who is not above framing Ms. Holiday for possession. He wanders in and out of the film, enjoying her performances while at the same time trying to put her in jail.  Rob Morgan plays Louis McKay, Ms. Holiday's husband, who also wanders in and out of the film, either to beat her or have sex with her. Tyler James Williams gives a strong and one of the few consistent performance as Billie's sax player, Lester Young. Natasha Lyonne plays the actress, Tallulah Bankhead, in a small role with a lesbian implication. 

      While the film moves in a linear path through the years, the editing is choppy,  scenes are filmed in mixed styles for no apparent reason, and often seem disconnected to each other.  There is no connective narrative thread to the film. I can't remember another film being this dysfunctional in its storytelling.

            It's a shame that such a raw and honest performance by Ms. Day is spoiled by the incoherent script and poor direction. It's a triumph for Andra Day but a misstep for Mr. Daniels.

Promising Young Woman

 

          

        Written and directed by Emerald Fennell, this new thriller stars Carey Mulligan, as you've never seen her. She plays Cassie, a med school dropout working in a coffee shop, who tricks men in clubs into thinking she's drunk and an easy mark to score. In fact, she's quite sober and calculating.

         Cassie's motivation is revealed slowly and she ups the ante targeting specific people involved in a terrible injustice from her past. The film takes a clever angle on the revenge theme and Ms. Mulligan plays her part very well. It features a great supporting cast all of whom share some great scenes with Ms. Mulligan. Connie Britton, Alfred Molina, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Bo Burnham, Allison Brie, Jennifer Coolidge, Clancy Brown, Laverne Cox, Chris Lowell, and Molly Shannon are all in Ms. Mulligan's orbit in various ways.  Her parents are played by Ms. Coolidge and Mr. Brown but their scenes together are bizarre and a waste of their talents.

          The film is shot with a colorful palette but in many ways, is a strange setup. It raises many questions that are never answered. It's promising but never fully realizes its promise.

I Care A Lot

         

        This Netflix original film is a piece of nasty fun. Written and directed by J. Blakeson, it is billed as a black comedy, but is blacker than comedy. It's still quite fun due to its clever script and terrific performances.

        Rosamund Pike stars as Marla Grayson, a con artist who manipulates the elder care system to get guardianship of seniors, taking all their cash and possessions for herself and her partner (played by Eiza Gonzalez).  Marla is a ruthless, conniving woman unafraid of anyone or anything. Ms. Pike has a ball playing the part.

        When their newest victim, Jennifer Peterson, is not the easy mark they anticipated, Marla's con takes an unexpected turn. Dianne Wiest plays Jennifer and is easily the best thing about the film. She is wonderful and it's unfortunate that she drops out of the film in the latter half of the story. The film also co-stars Peter Dinklage, also having fun with an unusual part, Chris Messina as an oily lawyer and Isiah Whitlock Jr. as an easily manipulated judge.

         I usually don't take note of hair, makeup and wardrobe but it's worth a mention here as Ms. Pike, especially, looks fabulous throughout the film. Things turn nastier as the story goes and as an audience, you just can't wait for these characters to get what they deserve, but credit the clever writing, I don't think anyone expects it to turn out the way it does.

         It will make a great double feature with the classic "Ruthless People".

Nomandland

          Directed by Chole Zhao (who also wrote the screenplay) this is a glimpse into a fabric of American life, unfortunately becoming far too common in today's world. Through the eyes of Fern, a fictitious character played beautifully by Frances McDormand, we meet real nomads, displaced people carving out a life on the fringes of society. 

           Sometime after Fern's husband dies and she loses her job when the plant in her town goes bust, Fern packs her meager belongings into a van and hits the open road.  The film has a very loose narrative as it weaves its way across the American west following Fern as she moves state to state and job to job meeting various people and hearing their stories. She becomes friends with Linda May and another woman named Swankie. They share time together as their lives crisscross on the open road. Both women play a fictitious version of themselves but their lives and stories are real.

          The only other "actor" in the film is David Strathaim, playing a nomad who shares a minor mutual attraction with Fern. Both actors blend so easily into the landscape, the film feels more like a documentary than a scripted feature. Ms. Zhao's shoots the film in an unassuming and gentle way, letting the people and the landscapes fill in the narrative. The cinematography by Joshua James Richards is just wonderful. Close-ups on faces and still life appear like paintings come to life, lingering both on taut skin and beautiful scenery.

 

           In a film like this nothing really happens and yet everything does. These people may have been forced into their circumstances but they have learned to adapt to a new way of surviving the harsh realities of today's America. It is a tribute to their tenacity and quiet dignity.

Judas and the Black Messiah

 

      This new drama written (with Will Berson) and directed by Shaka King, is based on the true story of Fred Hampton, Chairman of the Chicago chapter of the Black Panthers Party in the late 1960's. It stars Daniel Kaluuya as Hampton and LaKeith Stanfield as Bill O'Neill, forced by the FBI to become an inside informer and ultimately betray Mr. Hampton.

      Mr. Hampton was a powerful, charismatic leader thoroughly committed to "power of the people" to lead a revolution in America. Mr. Kaluuya, while older than the actual Hampton was at the time, is no less charismatic and powerful in the role.  The film's focus is primarily on the rise of the Party and Mr. Hampton, but it is Mr. Stanfield who is mesmerizing as the conflicted O'Neill that makes for the more interesting character.

      A petty thief with no interest in politics, O'Neill is arrested for car theft and impersonating an FBI agent. Facing a long jail sentence, he agrees instead, to "join" the Panthers and become an informer for the FBI. Jesse Plemons, in his usual understated performance, plays Roy Mitchell, the agent that "runs" Mitchell. He fills his head telling him the Panthers are no better than the Klan, buys him expensive dinners and pays well for his information. At first, O'Neill enjoys the role but as his position in the Panther Party grows, things become more dangerous and much more of a conflict as his friendship and admiration grows for Mr. Hampton.

      Martin Sheen has the small but pivotal role as J. Edgar Hoover, whose ultimate decision seals the fate of the two men. Also co-starring is Dominique Fishback as Deborah Johnson, Mr. Hampton's love interest.  Ms. Fishback continues to shine as her roles continue to grow in film and TV.

      Mr. King's direction is taut and economical. He doesn't waste a frame and the film moves at a quick pace.  The music by Mark Isham and Craig Harris is an explosive jazz score that compliments the story well but can be grating at times. 

          This is an important piece of American history and its story, brought to the screen, is made that more compelling by the work of its two lead dynamic actors.

Martin Eden

          

         This is a throwback to great Italian cinema. The drama is loosely based on the novel by Jack London and is a star making turn for Luca Marinelli. As the title character, Mr. Marinelli brings Mr. Eden to life as a young man determined to become a writer as his way out of poverty and a chance to rise above his station in Italian society.

         A chance meeting with the rich socialite, Elena, played by Jessica Cressy, is love at first sight but to be accepted, Martin must become a member of the bourgeois class he detests. This is at once a love story and a story of social and class struggle in an Italy of an earlier time. It follows Martin's social and political awakening in a compelling way. 

        The direction by Pietro Marcello and cinematography by Alessandro Abate and Francesco Di Giacomo is fantastic, giving the film a visual flair to earlier Italian cinema. The film looks and feels like a product of the 1960's, rather than today. Mr. Marcello enjoys "the close-up", at times having the characters speak directly to the camera or by bringing the camera right up to their expressive faces. He intercuts scenes with metaphors, flashbacks and various archival footage that fill out the film and gives it more depth. 

        The film is in Italian with subtitles and is an Apple+ exclusive.

Palmer

      

     Rising just above a "Lifetime" movie, this new drama stars Justin Timberlake as an ex-convict trying to put his life in order after serving 12 years in prison. He returns to his small southern town and moves back in with his grandmother played by June Squibb. 

     What saves the film from sinking into melodrama is the terrific performance by Ryder Allen as "Sam" the young son of Palmer's neighbor, a "trailer trash" drug addict played by Juno Temple. Mr. Timberlake gives an understated performance but once Sam comes into his life, the film takes on a new life. When Sam's mother disappears for an extended period, Palmer gets an opportunity to bond with Sam in an unusual friendship.  Sam is "different" from other boys his age, preferring to play with dolls and watch fairy princess cartoons on television. What make him unique though is his early acceptance of who he is and that strikes a chord in Palmer.

      This is a story of acceptance and redemption that while honest, is far from subtle.  You can telegraph the entire story as it unfolds, from predicting the actions of the stereotyped characters to the final outcome. Young Mr. Allen is a revelation however, and a joy to watch.  There is true chemistry between him and Mr. Timberlake and their scenes together convey real emotion. 

          Fans of Mr. Timberlake will enjoy him in the title role but the film is an Apple+ exclusive and if you don't have Apple+, you really won't be missing anything. A far better film with similar themes of acceptance and redemption is "The Peanut Butter Falcon".