Her Smell

       Written and directed by Alex Ross Perry, the film stars Elizabeth Moss as Becky Something, the leader of a female punk rock band,  "Something She". Becky is a wild, out of control rock star on a serious downward spiral. Ms. Moss is brilliant in a role unlike anything she has ever done.

         Her bass player, Marielle, played by Agyness Deyn, and drummer Ali, played by Gayle Rankin, love and support her but both are reaching their breaking points, dealing with her attitude and outrageous behavior. The three women have terrific chemistry but the film clearly belongs to Ms. Moss. Also featured are Eric Stoltz, as Howard, the long suffering manager, Dan Stevens as her husband, Danny, trying to raise their daughter amidst Becky's madness, Virginia Madsen as Becky's mother and Amber Heard as Zelda, a rival singer. 

           The film is presented in five segments representing different point in Becky's life with the band. A pivotal moment is when Howard signs a new girl band played by Cara Delevingne, Ashley Benson, and Dylan Gelula. Feeling threatened at first, Becky lashes out but then tries acceptance using them to back her up on new songs that never really materialize. 

           The plot is fairly simple, following Becky's descent until she hits rock bottom and then possibly redemption.  Ms. Moss gives such a powerful  and brave performance, I hope she is remembered at award season.

Avengers:Endgame

                  If you've been following the Marvel film universe since the first Iron Man film, jumped aboard after the first Avengers film, or started with "Infinity War", then you've been waiting for "Endgame" for some time now and your wait is gloriously rewarded. 

                  "Endgame" features all your Marvel favorites (well at least half of them, wink wink) returning for a final gambit against Thanos in order to restore order to the universe. Robert Downey Jr. brings a new level of emotion and spark to Tony Stark in a terrific performance. Chris Hemsworth is quite funny as a Thor who has lost his way. Everyone, in fact, ups their game for the final showdown.

                   As far as I'm concerned, the real heroes of this saga are the screenwriters, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, who have created a story filled with laughs, tears, suspense, plenty of action and unexpected surprises.  They manage to juggle so many characters and complex story lines into a film that gives everyone their "moment" and due to the fantastic direction of Anthony and Joe Russo, make it believable and easy to follow.

                   Unlike "Infinity War", which was just about all action sequences with little time to breathe, "Endgame" (at three hours) takes it's time to set the plot in motion with wonderful moments that I will not reveal but still brings the action when necessary.

                    I could quibble about the fate of one character that bothered me (and not who you might think) but in all, if these kinds of films are your thing, "Endgame" is nearly perfect, closing out this incredible saga in a deeply moving way.

Hotel Mumbai

        Based on the true story of the 12 terrorist attacks in Mumbai India on November 26th, 2008, this harrowing drama centers on the attack at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel. Directed with incredible realism by Anthony Maras, the audience is thrust directly into the bedlam of what amounts to a massacre at the hotel. 

         The handful of terrorists make their way into the hotel in a mob of scared people seeking safety from the other attacks around the city. Once inside, they methodically go through the hotel killing everyone they see without a second thought. It is brutally realistic and almost unwatchable.

          Head chef, Hemant Oberoi, played by Anupam Kher, staff member Arjun, played by Dev Patel along with other hotel staff try their best to hide many of the hotel's guests, including real characters played by Jason Isaacs, Armie Hammer, Nazanin Boniadi and Tilda Cobham-Hervey. 

                The fear is palatable and the suspense is non-stop as everyone is a target. The violence is chilling but the story is real and the survivors and the people that helped them need to be acknowledged. In the middle of this madness, heroes do emerge, not in a Hollywood way but rather as real human beings trapped in a life and death nightmare.

                 Just as the events of 9/11 in the United States reverberated throughout the world, this coordinated attack in Mumbai is considered by many to be the Indian equivalent. Of course, while the death toll could not compare, it was still a tragedy of grand proportions carried out by just 10 men that brought a city and a country to its knees.

                  While it is almost unbearable to watch, it's an important story to tell and it pays tribute to  both the fallen and those who survived.

US

             Is Jordan Peele the new M. Night Shyamalan?  After a terrific debut with "Get Out", Mr. Peele's sophomore effort, "Us", despite much promise at the beginning, falls apart in the last act much like many of Mr. Shyamalan's films.

              With a creepy prologue that sets up an interesting premise, the film settles into a standard horror story setup. The initial moments of terror are genuinely unsettling, if not downright scary but it doesn't take long for the unnerved feeling you've gotten turns to disbelief at the ridiculous explanation for what's happening. There are some twists and turns, one in particular, that try to keep things interesting but  the film really loses any credibility as it moves into the final act.

                Mr. Peele wrote, produced and directed the film. As a director, he does a masterful job. The film is well paced, his actors are terrific (more on that in a moment), his camera work is interesting and both lighting and music blend together for great effect. Mr. Peele does an admirable job balancing the suspense with comic relief.  His downfall is the script. His lofty idea turns ridiculous as the film goes on.

                 The film stars Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke as a married couple on vacation with their kids played by Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex. Their friends are played by Elisabeth Moss and Tim Heidecker. Ms. Nyong'o is brilliant in a double role as is Ms. Wright Joseph as her daughter and Mr. Alex as her son, also in double roles. Mr. Duke provides some comic relief even as he is trying to protect his family.

                  Every aspect of the film works so well except the failure of the script to finish the job it so beautifully sets up in the first place. Mr. Peele continues to show great promise as a director. Let's just hope he doesn't fall into the Shyamalan trap as a writer.

Captain Marvel

                     The latest entry in the Marvel film universe can be fun for the casual viewer but essential viewing for fans of all the Marvel films and in particular, "Avengers: Infinity War" which left a Captain Marvel clue at the end.

                      There is an inherent problem with origin films and this one falls into the same trap making it fun but flawed. By twisting the origin into memory loss for our heroine, played by Brie Larson, the plot can be confusing. Fans of the comic will appreciate the use of the Skrull-Kree Wars as a story line but the casual viewer may still find themselves lost in the story.

                       What does work is Ms. Larson's performance (which may be unfairly compared to Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, who is a very different kind of character).  In a world of male superheroes, Captain Marvel will make a great role model for young girls looking for their own superhero to emulate.  Another big positive is the chemistry between Ms. Larson and Samuel L. Jackson, reprising his role as Nick Fury. 

                        Since the film takes place in the '90's, Mr. Jackson, along with Clark Gregg (as Phil Coulson) are both made younger by post production CGI. The effect works better for Mr. Jackson. Mr. Gregg looks downright creepy. The rest of the CGI effects are typical for this kind of film, so no surprise there. There are plenty of action sequences but also too many dead moments.

                         Ben Mendelsohn plays the leader of the Skulls and while he is a terrific actor, his dialogue for an alien is pretty ridiculous. Lashanna Lynch plays Maria, an air force pilot and Marvel's best friend. She gets to shine in her own action sequence. Two strange casting choices are Annette Bening as both an earth scientist and the Kree Supreme Intelligence and Jude Law as Marvel's Kree mentor. Both are out of their element in this live action comic book fantasy.

                           Using the film to set up "Avengers: Endgame" forces the writers to inject many elements for Marvel universe continuity. I won't give them away but if you are familar with these films, you'll know them when you see them.  Fans should also stay past the credits for, what has become the norm, the extra scenes. One used for comedic effect and the other important for "endgame".

The Mustang

               Cliched yet deeply moving none the less,  this is a beautiful film about the transformational power of love between man and animal. While it tugs at your heartstrings, there is a great deal of sadness as well so be prepared to be emotionally drained by the end.

              Matthias Schoenaerts (best know for "Rust & Bone") stars as Roman Coleman, a prisoner in an Arizona state penitentiary. Roman is full of pent up anger and rage with no outlet. As he tells the prison therapist, played by Connie Britton, "I'm no good around people". When he is assigned yard work, he inadvertently is chosen for a horse rehabilitation program run by a horse trainer named Myles, played by Bruce Dern.

             Of course Roman ends up fascinated by the meanest, wildest mustang in the group, and while they get off to a terrible start (a hard scene to watch), eventually man and horse bond with mutual love and respect. Roman becomes a better man for the experience. It enables him to begin to repair the relationship with his estranged daughter, Martha, played by Gideon Adlon. 

             Jason Mitchell also co-stars as Henry, another convict already good with horses, who helps Roman learn the ropes (literally and figuratively). Mr. Mitchell is a natural cowboy and does excellent work here. The film however, belongs to Mr. Schoenaerts. He is absolutely remarkable. His scenes with his horse, both violent and eventually loving are both difficult and beautiful to watch. The scene where he finally finds the words to express himself to Martha is just incredible. This is an award worthy performance by a wonderful actor that elevates the film beyond cliche.

            The horse rehabilitation program is a real program currently running in many western states. The film points out that there are still thousands of wild horses roaming the west and the program serves two successful purposes for both convict and horse.

The Invisibles

      During World War II, 7000 German Jews remained in Berlin and went into hiding to escape capture by the Nazis and their Gestapo agents. By the end of the war, only 1,500 had survived. This docudrama, written and directed by Clause Rafle, focuses on the personal stories of four Jewish teenagers . It interweaves personal interviews, dramatic reenactment, archival footage, and narration to bring their story to life. It is in German with English sub-titles.

      Interviews with Cioma Schonhaus, Hanni Levy, Ruth Arndt-Gumpel and Eugen Friede were conducted in 2009 and hearing them tell their stories and watching the reenactments is incredibly emotional, even if you are not of the Jewish faith. After conducting the interviews, Mr. Rafle set about to create the film around their experiences. While they did not know each other at the time, the nightmare they endured was a common bond shared by every Jewish person in hiding at the time. The film is also a tribute to the many non-Jewish German citizens who opposed the war and helped hide these people, risking their own lives to do so.

                While danger lurks everywhere and there are many tense moments and close calls, the fact that the four protagonists survived, creates a certain lack of suspense. However, this is not a work of fiction and the story is not to entertain but rather to educate and understand that this should never happen again...and yet, unfortunately, it does continue to this day in many parts of the world.

Everybody Knows

        Written and directed by  Asghar Farhadi ("A Separation", "The Salesman"), this new drama stars Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, and Ricardo Darin. It takes place in a small town outside Madrid. Working for the first time outside his native Iran and with a Spanish speaking cast, Mr. Farhadi explores his  familar themes in a new setting.

          Ms. Cruz stars as Laura, a woman living in Argentina, who travels back to her home town with her two children to attend the wedding of her younger sister. Unexpected events reveal old secrets that impact Laura, her family and friends.

            I wouldn't call the film suspenseful but more of a tense mystery. Mr. Farhadi is more interested in using the turn of the plot as a device to explore his themes of class and family dynamic rather than turn the film in a different direction to create a typical thriller.

            The acting is first rate and the film is beautifully shot in a lovely Spanish setting. The story itself gets overly complicated involving too many characters but eventually does come to a resolution that leaves broken lives in it's wake. 

Cold Pursuit

   It's February and traditionally time for a Liam Neeson "action" film. But before you roll your eyes and say "again", this one sneaks up on you and is not what you usually have come to expect.

    Based on a 2014 Norwegian film, "In Order of Disappearance", the original director, Hans Petter Moland, directs this American version with the same action and dark humor that made that film so much fun.

    While Mr. Neeson does set out for revenge once again, this time, he unknowingly sets off a drug turf war and the high body count isn't all his fault. The film is set in the winter in a small ski town outside Denver. Mr. Neeson is a snowplow driver and model citizen. Of course things begin to go off the rails and it isn't long before bodies start piling up. To give away more would ruin the fun.

            The film co-stars Laura Dern, who is wasted in a small "blink and you miss it" role as Mr. Neeson's wife. Also co-starring are Emmy Rossum, Tom Bateman, William Forsythe, Domenick Lombardozzi and John Doman. And I must also credit Mr. Neeson's snowplow, which is a character unto itself.

            The film moves at a leisurely pace but has enough dark humor between killings to keep you involved. The action sequences are plentiful and spread evenly throughout the film. The snowy mountain locations make for a beautiful backdrop for a film with its share of bloody violence.

Hush

"Hush"

       A short film, you can find on Vimeo, written and directed by Joseph McGovern.

       "Hush" tells the story of an obsession taken to it's extreme, done without dialogue. The acting is a bit exaggerated to make up for the lack of dialog but the story flows well.

        The music really helps create the mood and propel the story forward. The cuts between reality and fantasy are important and work very well to convey the obsession.

        While the climax of the film is deliberately shocking but necessary, the aftermath should have had a stronger response by the actors. There is a nice little twist though that I thought added a new element to familar themes.

          The short film is not hardcore but definitely for mature audiences only.

         

Starting Over Again

    You can find this short film on Vimeo. It's written and directed by Joseph McGovern.

     It tells the story of Greg, a guitarist in his younger days who has lost his passion for playing. He goes to a cafe night after night listening to amateur performers on open mike night and eventually finds his mojo to play again.

      As a short film, the concept works well. The various cast members do a good job with the material and I enjoyed the spoken word pieces and the song at the end.

       The camera work is well done but some of the editing is cut too quick and the flashbacks  don't quite convey why Greg lost his passion in the first place. But as a short, the story works and Greg is an engaging personality and musician. 

They Shall Not Grow Old

      Peter Jackson produced and directed this amazing documentary about World War One.  Combing through a hundred hours of original film footage stored in the Imperial War Museum in London, Mr. Jackson and his team narrowed it down to two hours, restored visuals, added sound and colorization.

       It is truly a riveting experience that brings the war to life in a completely new way. The film is narrated by the actual voices of surviving veterans from the war that was recorded in the 1960's. Using the stories of these men, Mr. Jackson is able to create a flowing narrative that is just fascinating to watch and hear. Be warned, however, that the film does contain some horrific images.

      Mr. Jackson introduces the film at the start and tells us that should we be interested, at the conclusion,  there is a thirty minute "behind the scenes" of how the documentary was put together. It is definitely worth the extra time to watch true movie magic being made.

Cold War

             Co-written and directed by Pawel Pawlikoski, this is a story of obsessive and destructive love set in Poland and France during the years of 1949 to 1964. It is the period known today as the Cold War and musicians Wiktor and Zula , who meet and fall madly in love, struggle for a life together, in a world torn by political unrest between Eastern and Western Europe.

             As the years pass and always unable to really be together, Wiktor and Zula's lives continually cross and their obsessive love for each other always remains. Joanna Kulig plays Zula and Tomasz Kot plays Wiktor. They are excellent together with great chemistry but I found their characters lacking and I couldn't form an emotional attachment to them.

             There is a great deal of music in the film and the songs and score are wonderful. The film is also shot in black and white which really brings great depth to the cinematography. Mr. Pawlikoski has a great eye for the period and the historical details. 

             The film is nominated in the foreign film category at this year's Oscars and there are many good things about it. I just didn't find it as wonderful as many other critics.

Glass

     Strictly for fans of M. Night Shyamalan and his previous films, "Unbreakable" and "Split". Anyone else should stay far, far away. And even the few fans Mr. Shyamalan has left will be disappointed by this weak attempt to create a trilogy out of two films that really had nothing to do with each other.

     By tacking on an ending to "Split", featuring Bruce Willis as the David Dunn character from "Unbreakable", Mr. Shyamalan builds a shaky bridge to "Glass", giving a reason for his three main characters to come together for a big finale. Besides, Mr. Willis recreating his role, James McAvoy returns as Kevin Wendell Crumb, the man with multiple personalities, and Samuel L. Jackson returns as Mr. Glass, the brittle boned villain from "Unbreakable". Also returning from the previous films are Anya Taylor-Joy, Spencer Treat Clark, and Charlayne Woodard. Sarah Paulson joins the cast as a psychologist who ends up treating all three major characters.

           Mr. Shyamalan weakly links his characters together with a highly ambitious storyline that collapses in the final act with a disappointing finale. He does however, create an opportunity for another film to further explore the concepts he introduces here.

            The only real value is Mr. McAvoy, who is amazing to watch as he slips in and out of his multiple personalities. Mr. Jackson spends most of the film seemingly tranquilized and he plays it well. Mr. Willis is restrained to the point you imagine he prefer to be anywhere else besides back in his character. 

             Now that Mr. Shyamalan has gotten this "trilogy" out of his system, maybe can concentrate on returning to the form of his earlier work but for now, his "glass" is empty.

the upside

         Based on the French film, "The Untouchables", which itself is based on a true story, this American remake is an unlikely "buddy" story. It tells the story of Phillip LaCasse, a Quadriplegic billionaire, played by Bryan Cranston and his caretaker, Dell Scott, an ex-convict, played by Kevin Hart.

         Phillip's administrative assistant, Yvonne,  is played by Nicole Kidman ( who was probably looking for something lighter after her amazing drama, "Destroyer"). When he rejects all the applicants Yvonne brings him, Dell wins the job when he accidently interviews and Phillip finds him funny and intriguing. 

        The film is a drama but with many comedic moments provided by Mr. Hart. He also does a capable job with the dramatic scenes involving his ex-wife and son. The chemistry between Mr. Cranston and Mr. Hart is terrific and I can only imagine the hilarious outtakes that must exist somewhere. Ms. Kidman is a strange choice for Yvonne but she is a good comedic foil for Mr. Hart.

       While there has been some criticism of Mr. Cranston taking the part of a quadriplegic, his expressive ability with just his head and voice remind you of his excellent acting and how he makes the role his own. The film is predictable but still enjoyable to watch as an unlikely friendship develops between these two opposites. It's a nice "feel good" movie to start the year.

Destroyer

      Nicole Kidman is mesmerizing as a troubled L.A. detective investigating a murder that opens up wounds from an old undercover assignment. Directed by Karyn Kusama, the film is uncompromising in it's grim portrayal of Ms. Kidman's journey through the underbelly of Los Angeles. 

      Ms. Kidman, herself, dives deep into the role of Erin Bell in a level of work that we've never seen before from the talented actress. She loses herself in a character so flawed and unlikable that it makes watching her almost unbearable but at the same time, you can't take your eyes off her. The film jumps back and forth in time to her earlier undercover work and the present, slowly revealing to the audience the events that lead to the changes in Ms. Kidman's character. 

      The film co-stars Sebastian Stan as Erin's undercover partner, Chris, as well as Toby Kebbell, Bradley Whitford, Tatiana Maslany, and Scoot McNairy. Very well cast, it is Ms. Kidman, on screen in almost every scene, that drives the narrative. This is a dark and surprising film on many levels. It is certainly not light entertainment but it is a chance to watch an actress doing her best work, spiraling out of control in this nasty (in a good way) crime drama. 

My complete 2018 film list

Movies 2018

January

The Square- an avant garde dark comedy that will make you uncomfortable in absurdist situations.

In the Fade- terrific performance by Diane Kruger anchors this sad tale of the aftermath of a bombing that kills the husband and son of a German woman.

Darkest Hour- Gary Oldman is sensational as Winston Churchill. Terrific historical film.

Call Me by Your Name- beautifully filmed drama of first love and sexual awakening.

12 Strong- Very exciting military drama based on a true story of our first response against the Taliban after 9/11.

February

A Fantastic Woman- a remarkable and brave performance by transgender star Daniela Vega anchors this powerful new drama from Chile.

Black Panther- The latest Marvel superhero story is culturally significant for it’s African American cast and strong roles for women. It’s a mash up of Lion King, Star Wars and a little James Bond thrown in for good measure.

The Insult- terrific Lebanese about how a war of words can easily escalate especially in a country torn apart by religion and politics.

March

Game Night- mindless escapist fun comedy with some really good laughs.

Foxtrot- Mesmerizing Israeli drama about war, family, love and grief.

Annihilation- A trippy sci-fi adventure notable for its all female lead cast.

Isle of Dogs- Charming and utterly enjoyable stop motion film from director Wes Anderson featuring an all star vocal cast and amazing animated dogs.

April

A Quiet Place- nice twist on the classic monster movie. Well acted with lots of suspense.

Ready Player One- A frenetic sci-fi romp thru a virtual reality of pop culture.

Beirut- A tense political thriller set in the volatile city of Beirut starring a solid Jon Hamm.

Avengers: Infinity War- Well balanced with equal time for everyone, it’s a true blockbuster.

May

The Rider- life meets art in this haunting and poetic contemporary western.

Tully- Charlize Theron is excellent as an overworked mom with a fairy tale nanny.

Deadpool 2- Still funny and still violent but lost its edge.

Life of the Party- Melissa McCarthy acting keeps improving but too many jokes fall flat and the film takes no chances.

Solo: A Star Wars Story- The early adventures of Han Solo make for a perfect “popcorn” movie. Fun and exciting.

Disobedience- Unusual love story set inside the Orthodox Jewish community of London. Beautifully acted.

June

First Reformed- A bleak drama from Paul Schrader with an incredible performance by Ethan Hawke.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?-Wonderful documentary about Fred Rogers, the pioneering children’s TV Host.

Ocean’s 8- High gloss and glamorous, this is a fun heist flick that goes down easy like the summer cocktail it is.

The Incredibles 2- A terrific sequel that surpasses the original. Great visuals, fun story with a positive message.

Hereditary- Interesting take on the haunted house/possession formula with a few really creepy moments.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom- Same formula, different scenery but who doesn’t love dinosaurs?

July

The Catcher Was a Spy- Paul Rudd and a great cast are wasted in this rushed little know true story of WWII.

Leave No Trace- excellent chemistry between Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie drive this film about a father & daughter living on the outer fringes of society.

Woman Walks Ahead- Another great performance from Jessica Chastain in this fact based story of the last days of Sitting Bull.

Ant-Man and the Wasp- action pack and very funny. Another hit for Marvel.

Sorry To Bother You- a scathing social satire that is very funny and very surreal.

Mission Impossible: Fallout- Action packed and very exciting. Cruise does it again.

August

Three Identical Strangers- a remarkable true story of three brothers separated at birth that will ultimately anger and sadden you.

BLACKkKLANSMAN- Easily the best movie of the year. Spike Lee’s best film in years is powerful, entertaining and clearly a wake up call to America.

The Meg- Jason Statham vs. a 75 foot CGI shark…how can you not pass this up?

September

Crazy Rich Asians- bland generic “Rom-Com” saved only by excellent production values and its Singapore location.

The Wife- a tour de force performance from Glenn Close in this power domestic drama.

Operation: Finale- a fine historical drama based on the true story of the capture of Adolf Eichmann with excellent performances by Sir Ben Kingsley and Oscar Isaac.

Lizzie- Excellent reimagining of the true story of Lizzie Borden. It works on every level.

Old Man & the Gun- Robert Redford’s still got the twinkle in his eye and is utterly charming in this true story of an senior bank robber.

October

Venom- Tom Hardy is a good choice to play the lead but the movie can’t decide on its tone and is a bit of a mess.

A Simple Favor- A fun sexy mystery starring perfectly cast Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively.

A Star is Born- Bradley Cooper is terrific as star and director and Lady Gaga emerges as a real actress in this remake.

First Man- A remarkable account of Neil Armstrong and the race to the moon. Ryan Gosling is outstanding.

The Sisters Brothers- An unconventional western featuring great chemistry between Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly.

Wildlife- Interesting domestic drama from actor Paul Dano starring an excellent Carey Mulligan and Ed Oxenbould.

November

Bohemian Rhapsody-terrific bio of Freddy Mercury and Queen starring a perfect Rami Malek.

Outlaw King- Chris Pine stars in this blood and mud historical adventure based on the life of Robert the Bruce.

The Girl in the Spiders’ Web- Lisbeth Salander as played by Claire Foy, returns in a weak sequel.

Fantastic Beast: The Crimes of Grindelwald- the second in the series build nicely from the first but is much darker in character and tone.

A Private War- Excellent drama about war correspondent Marie Colvin, as portrayed by Rosamund Pike.

Boy Erased- Strong drama based on the true store of one boy’s conversion therapy. Great acting by Lucas Hedges.

Widows- A “heist” film with surprising depth.

Green Book- based on a true story, this is a remarkable film and one of the year’s best.

The Favourite- historical comedy/drama with wonderful performances from Olivia Coleman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.

December

Creed II- The inevitable and fairly predictable sequel still has some thrilling boxing sequences.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs- Authentic and original, these six western tales from the Coen Brothers are uneven. Boring at times and entertaining at other times. Tom Waits story was the best and the only one that was written from another source.

Shoplifters- A Japanese import about a “family” of shoplifters living on the poverty line in Tokyo. Well done but slow pace.

The Mule- interesting plot but too slow

Bird Box- another post apocalyptic thriller but with a new twist.

If Beale Street Could Talk- An aural and visual poem of a sad story redeemed by love.

Roma- a beautifully shot and acted story of love, family and class struggle.

Mary, Queen of Scots- Excellent performance by Saoirse Ronan but otherwise a disappointment. Expected fireworks and got none.

Stan & Ollie- Tremendous tribute to the comedy legends with drop dead perfect performances from Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse- Fun animated version of Spider-Man freed from the constraints of live action.

Vice- Neither a comedy or a drama but almost a documentary, this is the story of Dick Cheney’s rise to power. Christian Bale is excellent.

My Best of 2018

Best Films of 2018

1) BlackkKlansman - Spike Lee’s best film in years is powerful, entertaining and clearly a wake-up call to America.

2) Green Book - based on a true story, this is a remarkable film of an unlikely friendship.

3) The Rider - life meets art in this haunting and poetic contemporary western.

4) Three Identical Strangers- a remarkable true story of three brothers separated at birth that will ultimately anger and sadden you.

5) Stan & Ollie- Tremendous tribute to the comedy legends with drop dead perfect performances from Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly.

6) Roma - a beautifully shot and acted story of love, family and class struggle.

7) Isle of Dogs - Charming and utterly enjoyable stop motion film from director Wes Anderson featuring an all star vocal cast and amazing animated dogs.

8) Mission Impossible: Fallout - Action packed and very exciting. Tom Cruise does it again and keeps the franchise fresh and vibrant.

9) Foxtrot - Mesmerizing Israeli drama about war, family, love and grief

10) Bohemian Rhapsody- terrific entertainment. A bio of Freddy Mercury and Queen starring a perfect Rami Malek.

Honorable Mention

A Private War - Excellent drama about war correspondent Marie Colvin, as portrayed by Rosamund Pike.

Sorry to Bother You - a scathing social satire that is very funny and very surreal.

The Favourite - historical comedy/drama with wonderful performances from Olivia Coleman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.

The Insult- terrific Lebanese film about how a war of words can easily escalate especially in a country torn apart by religion and politics.

First Man- A remarkable account of Neil Armstrong and the race to the moon. Ryan Gosling is outstanding.

Hereditary – Bringing the horror back to the haunted house/possession formula with some really creepy moments. Toni Colette was chilling.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor - Wonderful documentary about Fred Rogers, the pioneering children’s TV Host.

Vice

      Written and directed by Adam McKay, this is the true story (or as close to the truth as they could get) of Dick Cheney and his rise to Vice- President under George W. Bush. The film has some satirical moments but plays mostly as a liberal viewed "documentary" of Mr. Cheney's rise to power. It is really neither comedy or drama and will probably only serve to make you mad one way or another.

       As you strive to forget about that administration, what you will remember from the film is the remarkable makeup and acting of Christian Bale as Dick Cheney. Mr. Bale actually doesn't have that much dialog throughout the film but his commanding presence is felt in every scene. I couldn't help but be reminded of Mr. Bale's Batman when he did speak though. Amy Adams co-stars as Lynne Cheney and as usual, she is just terrific.  Also co-starring are Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush, Alison Pill as Mary Cheney, Lily Rabe as Liz Cheney, Tyler Perry as Colin Powell, and Jesse Plemons as the narrator. And there are a litany of star cameos as well, used in a similar fashion by Mr. McKay in "The Big Short".

      How you view the film depends completely on your political point of view but either way, the abuse of power, clearly documented, should serve as a cautionary warning.

Spider-Man:Into the Spider-Verse

                 Freed from the constraints of live action, an army of animators have created the ultimate Spider-Man adventure. Marvel comics has printed many variations of Spider-Man over the years and in this terrific animated adventure unite six different versions to defeat The Kingpin and other familar Spider-Man villains. 

                  In this version Miles Morales, voice by Shameik Moore, becomes Spiderman after being bitten by a radioactive spider. When the Kingpin, with the help of a female Doctor Octopus, create the multiverse to bring back his wife and son, they accidentally bring the variations in this universe. Spider-Man Noir, voice by Nicholas Cage, Spider-Ham, voice by John Mulaney, Anime Spider-Girl, voice by Kimiko Glenn, Alternate Peter Parker/Spider-Man, voice by Jake Johnson, and Spider-Woman/Gwen Stacy, voice by Hailee Steinfeld.

                   Other voices playing various characters include Lily Tomlin, Mahershala Ali, Luna Lauren Velez, Zoe Kravitz, Kathryn Hahn, Chris Pine, Brian Tyree Henry and Liev Schreiber. Even an animated Stan Lee makes an appearance.

                    The animation is spectacular, combining comic book elements and many different styles to create, at times, a psychedelic effect. Clearly the animation team had a blast putting everything together and the story is pure comic book Spider-Man. It's a fun time for older kids (there are some scary moments) and adults who want to entertain their inner child.