Jay Kelly

 

         Directed and co-written (with Emily Mortimer) by Noah Baumbach, this drama (with comedic moments) is an interesting character study and a bit of a departure from Mr. Baumbach's previous films.

         George Clooney stars as Jay Kelly, an aging movie star who takes the opportunity while traveling in France and Italy to reflect on his life, relationships and his legacy. The film co-stars Adam Sandler as his long time manager, Ron as well as Laura Dern, Emily Mortimer, Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Grace Edwards, Stacy Keach, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, Eve Hewson, Greta Gerwig, Charlie Rowe, and Alba Rohrwacher. It's a fine cast but the absolute standout is Adam Sandler. He is simply terrific in this dramatic role and easily steals the film.

          At times, it's hard to separate Mr. Clooney, the actor from the role of Jay Kelly. It's art imitating life imitating art. It's difficult to see Mr. Clooney as anyone other than himself  but as the film progresses, his character does emerge fully formed. His acting here is very nuanced. There is a quote by Sylvia Plath at the start of the film that sums up its point perfectly.

           Mr. Baumbach employs a clever framing method whenever Jay has a strong memory. He literally steps into the memory as an onlooker, from wherever he happens to be at the moment, whether it be a moving train or a bathroom. We watch along with him, during crucial moments in his life, much of it turning to regret  about his daughters whom he has ignored for most of his adult life while pursuing his art.

             The European visuals of France and Italy make a lovely canvas as background to the story. There is an air of sadness over the film but do we really care about a wealthy, famous, movie star having regrets about his life? Personally, I cared more about Ron, his long suffering manager, balancing his life choices than Mr. Kelly. He's really the heart of the story.

              The film is in limited theaters and streaming on Netflix

           

Train Dreams

 

         This new film is nothing short of a beautiful, poetic, meditation of a life, with all it's beauty and heartbreak. Directed and co-written (with Greg Kwedar) by Clint Bentley, the film follows the story of Robert Grainier and his life in the Pacific Northwest as a lumberjack and railroad worker.

         Joel Edgerton stars as  Robert Grainier and his powerful performance is easily one of his best. He is poetry in motion throughout all the emotional highs and lows that impact his life. The story is narrated in voice-over by Will Patton and while films with narrators can be intrusive, Mr. Patton is a welcome driver to tell Robert's story.

         The film also features Felicity Jones, Kerry Condon, William H. Macy, John Diehl, and Nathaniel Arcand. Each character is beautifully written and all have a remarkable impact on Robert's life.

         Smart enough to avoid Hollywood cliches, the screenplay is surprising in its simplicity and honesty. It is a story of haunting dreams and delicate memories as the years pass and Robert's life reaches it's inevitable conclusion. There are no big plot turns (with one exception)  but rather small delicate and soulful moments that pass in a calm, deliberate pace. 

         The cinematography is stunning and while it is currently streaming, if you can see it in a limited theatrical run, you can really appreciate its visual beauty.

         Already getting much critical praise, the film will definitely receive multiple nominations come award season. It's a story that will stay with you long after it ends.

           

The Running Man (2025)

 

         Glen Powell has some big shoes to fill in this remake of the 1987 original, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. He succeeds as Ben Richards, handling the physical action and then some, with his good looks and charming smile. Against type, however, he plays a very pissed off and angry hero.

          Director and co-writer (along with Michael Bacall) Edgar Wright adds some new plot twists from the original, introducing a wife and sick child for incentive for Ben to end up a contestant on the lethal game show, "The Running Man". And instead of the cartoon villains chasing Schwarzenegger, in this version, Ben is chased by more human villains (but no less deadly), known as "Hunters"

            Co-starring are Josh Brolin as the creator of the "The Running Man", Colman Domingo as the charismatic host of the gameshow, Jayme Lawson as Ben's wife and in other supporting roles, Lee Pace, Emilia Jones, William H. Macy, and Michael Cera.

          Mr. Wright knows how to amp up the action and once the "game" begins, it's pretty much non-stop as Ben tries to stay alive for 30 days. There are plenty of chase scenes, explosions, gunfire, and the expected violence from a film like this. That said, it's a fun, no-brainer, popcorn movie with Mr. Powell easy to root for.

Sentimental Value

 

        Stellan Skarsgard stars in this new Norwegian drama about a fractured family. He plays a famous, retired film director, Gustav Borg, who sacrificed his personal life and connection to his two daughters for his professional life as a filmmaker.

         The film is directed by and co-written (with Eskill Vogt) by Joachim Trier and this is his third feature starring his favorite actress Renate Reinsve. Ms. Reinsve stars as Nora, the elder of Gustav's two daughter and the one that resents him the most. Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas plays Agnes, the younger daughter who has a son that Gustav adores.

          When Gustav returns home unexpectantly with a new script he has written, old resentments resurface, especially when he wants Nora to play the lead, and his grandson to play her son in his film. The film also co-stars Elle Fanning as a famous actress, Gustav hires for the film when Nora refuses the part.

           This is an excellent family drama with outstanding acting all around, but especially by Mr. Skarsgard and Ms. Reinsve. The pace is slow but Mr. Trier captures the realities of this splintered family in all their emotions and keeps the audience involved.

             

Hamnet

 

        Directed by Chloe Zhao with a screenplay by Chloe Zhao and Maggie O'Farrell (based on Ms. O'Farrell's novel), this new drama is both astonishing and heartbreaking.

         Based on what is known, the film is a fictionalized account of  William Shakespeare and his wife Anne (Agnes in the film) Hathaway and their three children, Susanna, and the younger twins, Judith and Hamnet.

          The film stars Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife Agnes. Emily Watson plays Mary Shakespeare, William's mother. Joe Alwyn is Bartholomew Hathaway, Agnes's brother. Susanna is played by Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Olivia Lynes plays Judith and Jacobi Jupe plays Hamnet. The film also features Noah Jupe as "Hamlet" in the play's debut at The Globe Theater.

            It is a terrific cast and the children who play the twins are amazing. Mr. Mescal and Ms. Buckley have great chemistry and while Mr. Mescal is excellent, it is Ms. Buckley who is simply a revelation. Her work here is astounding, especially in the last act of the film.

           Ms. Zhao's direction is impeccable. The cinematography, sets, costumes, authenticity of the times, limited use of music and the performances of her actors all combine to create a work of art. 

            The film has a shattering midsection which sets up a final act that takes the film to another level. The emotional impact cannot be overstated. It is a masterpiece.

Rental Family

 

    

        Written by (with Stephen Blahut) and directed by Hikari, this sweet natured comedy/drama stars Brendan Fraser as Phillip, an out of work actor living in Japan. 

         After starring in a hit toothpaste commercial, new opportunities are scarce until Phillip's agent gets him a role as as "sad American" at a funeral. It is there he learns of an agency that provides roles for actors to portray family members, friends and associates of various clientele (apparently, this is a very real business in Japan).

         Mr. Fraser brings an endearing, sensitive side to his performance as Phillip and he is excellent as he takes on different roles for the agency. It is only after he becomes too close and involved with his "clients" that things become complicated.

          Takehiro Hira plays Shinji, the agency owner and Mari Tamamoto is Aiko, an employee there who befriends Phillip. The film also stars as clients, Shino Shinozaki as a single mother needing a "father" for her daughter Mia (Shannon Mahina Gorman) and Akira Emoto as an elderly, famous filmmaker, Phillip is hired to interview as a "journalist". The film is very well cast and Ms. Gorman is adorable and wise beyond her years, as Mia.

          The film takes place in Tokyo and is steeped in Japanese culture. The city and country of Japan itself, also make for a beautiful visual background. 

            If you're looking for something different that you don't see in theaters much these days, this gentle, low key film is perfect.

Sisu: Road to Revenge

 

        Written and directed by Jalmari Helander, this is the gonzo sequel to the equally gonzo original "Sisu". In the first film, our silent hero, Aatami takes on the German army at the close of World War Two. Now it's the Russian army's turn as they hunt him down when he tries to return to Finland from land now occupied by Russia (traveling with wood beams that are all that is left of his home no less). To up the ante, he also discovers the man (Igor Draganov) charged with finding him is also the man responsible for killing his wife and children.

          Jorma Tommila returns as Aatami and is joined now by Stephen Lang as Igor and Richard Brake as the KGB commander. Mr. Lang chews the scenery brilliantly in these villain roles and here, is particularly nasty. Mr. Tommila is all bloody action as the silent unstoppable killing machine, hell bent on revenge.

          This is a genre specific film and certainly not for everyone but if you like non-stop action with plenty of bloody violence and great stunts, you won't be disappointed.

          Oh, and his adorable dog doesn't die.

       

Wicked... For Good

 

       For everyone who enjoyed "Wicked", the year long wait is over for this conclusion. Picking up where the first film ended, the story gets darker, the relationships become more intense and the bond between Glinda and Elphaba couldn't be any stronger (although, seemingly not at first).

       The entire cast is back with the same wonderful chemistry. The eyepopping visuals are even bigger eye candy and the sets and costumes are still remarkable. Most of the songs are fairly short but "No Good Deed" is a showstopper, much the way "Defying Gravity" was in the first film. There are fewer dance numbers here, sacrificed I imagine, for the sake of the story.

        Ariana Grande has matured as Glinda with stronger acting and vocals. Cynthia Erivo remains marvelous in the stronger role as Elphaba. Jeff Goldblum returns as a terrifically oily "wizard" and Michele Yeoh takes her villainy to another level. Jonathan Bailey has more to do than hang around looking perfect and both Marissa Bode and Ethan Slater's character are more developed.

         Director Jon M. Chu and screenwriters Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox find a fascinating and clever way of incorporating Dorothy, Toto, The Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman, and the cowardly Lion ( our beloved characters from the original Wizard of Oz) into the film. There are obvious changes to the story with the emphasis on the witches and not the aforementioned characters. There are changes from the Broadway show as well, since so much more can be done in a film with a longer running time. For the most part, however, they are subtle and actually enrich the story.

          This film is an example of why we should still go to movie theaters. It is made for the big screen and even better in IMAX. It is a grand entertainment.

Keeper

 

     

       The latest film from director Osgood Perkins and writer Nick Lepard is their take on the "cabin in the woods" trope.

        The film stars Tatiana Maslany as Liz and Rossif Sutherland as Malcom, a couple celebrating their first year anniversary. Malcom brings Liz to his family cabin for a celebratory weekend. Once there, Liz begins to get strange visions, hear odd sounds and an overall eeriness begins to surround her. 

          Co-starring are Birkett Turton as "cousin" Darren and Eden Weiss as his girlfriend Minka. 

         Suspense and tension build slowly with hints of the supernatural occurring around the house. Unlike his last film, "The Monkey", Mr. Osgood takes his time with his horror elements until things really go off the rails in the final act. 

         Ms. Maslany does her best to sell the horror and while film is genuinely creepy, the story and characters feel underdeveloped (especially Darren and Minka) and the explanation for what we have just seen is less than satisfying.