The Favourite

        This new film from director Yorgos Lanthimos is a historical comedy/drama based on the reign of Queen Anne in 17th century England. It stars Olivia Coleman as Queen Anne, Rachel Weisz as Sarah Churchill, the Queen's confidant and lover, and Emma Stone as Abigail Hill, Sarah's cousin, who ends up competing for the Queen's favor. Also co-starring are Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, and Robbie Ryan.

         All three women are superb in their lead roles with the men playing the secondary characters in this female driven story. Based on actual events, the script is filled with acid wit and sharp barbs. It's a war of words played out in the Queen's court and in her bed chamber. The film is a continuous game of backstabbing and power plays to be the Queen's favourite.

         The sets and costumes are outstanding. The musical score is wonderful and purposely jarring at times. Mr. Lanthimos's directing style has an unusual rhythm all it's own and serves the story well. He brings out the best in his leading ladies as they manipulate and jockey for position. It is a comedy of ill manners wrapped in a period drama that is quite the entertainment.

Green Book

     Inspired by a true story, this is a immensely likable comedy/drama about a very unusual friendship that develops between an Italian "bouncer" from the Bronx and lauded pianist Don Shirley. The film stars Viggo Mortensen as Tony (Tony Lip) Vallelonga and Mahershala Ali as Dr. Don Shirley.

    When Dr. Shirley hires Tony to be his driver on a tour through the deep south in 1962, two men who couldn't be any different, learn life lessons from each other and end up better for it.

     The film is directed by Peter Farrelly, who also co-wrote the script with Tony's son Nick Vallelonga and Brian Hayes Currie. Mr. Farrelly is best known for his broad comedies but here shows true depth of emotion and a deft touch with subject matter that grows heavier as the film goes on. The relationship between the two men certainly starts out uneasy as Dr. Shirley's reserved and refined nature clashes with the larger than life Tony. But as the film progresses, despite many cliches, something magical happens and it is heartwarming and joyous to watch.

         I can't think of another film this year that has better chemistry between it's two leads.  They are absolute perfection and both must be recognized come Oscar time (as well as the film itself). The film also co-stars Linda Cardellini as Tony's wife Dolores, who, without much screen time, still delivers a heartwarming performance.

       While a period film, it's depiction of class division and race relations are as relevant today as they were in the '60's. And while that's a sad comment on America, the story of the friendship that develops between these two men shows how people can change and offers hope for the future.

       This is easily one of the best films of the year.

Widows

     Reinventing the "Heist" film, director and co-writer (along with Gillian Flynn) Steve McQueen continuously surprises us with this enjoyable crime thriller. It is based on Lynda La Plante's original 1986 British TV series.

     The film stars Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, and Carrie Coon as the widows of thieves killed in a robbery who must finish the job their husbands started. It co-stars Cynthia Erivo, who joins their gang as their driver, Colin Farrell and Robert Duvall as father and son corrupt politicians, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Jackie Weaver, , Lukas Haas, and Liam Neeson. It's a terrific cast with standout performances from Elizabeth Debicki as the underestimated member of the "gang" and Daniel Kaluuya as a very menacing criminal enforcer.

      It is a complex film that addresses dirty politics, class struggle, race and female empowerment. And then there's "the heist", which is almost secondary to the story of these women. This is no light hearted "Ocean's 8" but a far more serious look at what motivates the actions of these characters. While serious in tone, it's still an action thriller and fun to watch although it helps to not be critical of the plot holes and easy fixes that occur throughout the film. The few issues I had with the script can be forgiven since Mr. McQueen and his actors work so hard to entertain and enlighten the audience. Mr. McQueen's interesting choice of camera work in many scenes also serves to freshen the way the film is viewed. 

     You might go for the heist but you'll stay for the depth of the clever and deceptive plot. 

Boy Erased

            Based on the memoir by Garrard Conley, this power drama recounts Mr. Conley's time in Conversion Therapy. The screenplay and direction is by actor Joel Edgerton, who also plays the conversion therapist, Victor Sykes.

            The film stars Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as Nancy and Marshall Eamons, the parents of Jared Eamons (based on Mr. Conley). The real star of the film, however, is Lucas Hedges who plays Jared. Mr. Hedges is one of the finest actors of his generation and once again, brings amazing grace and strength to a serious role. 

            As the film begins, Jared enters conversion therapy excited and hopeful as he believes the work can help him sort out his feelings and confusion about homosexuality. Coming from a strong religious background, he doesn't want to hurt or disappoint his parents but he comes to realize that conversion therapy will do nothing for him and that he must be honest with himself about his own sexuality.

             The interaction of the three leads is heartbreaking and Jared's time in "therapy" is maddening but yet, the film ends on a hopeful note that healing has begun. Mr. Edgerton's script gives everyone a chance for some very powerful moments but the film really belongs to Mr. Hedges.  

             Conversion Therapy is very real in many parts of our country. The film's epilogue shares photos of the real Mr. Conley and his family as well as startling statistics about the "therapy".

A Private War

   Based on the true story of war corespondent, Marie Colvin, this is a glimpse into a life most of us can't even imagine. It is a riveting, somber look at the journalists and photographers that put their lives at risk, on the front lines of war, all over the globe. 

   Ms. Colvin is portrayed by Rosamund Pike, doing the finest work of her career. It is a defining starring role for her and I hope she is recognized by this year's Oscar committee.  Her co-stars include Jamie Dornan as Paul Conroy, her photographer, Tom Hollander as Sean Ryan, the Sunday Times foreign editor, and Stanley Tucci as her love interest back home.

    The film pays tribute to these real life men and women in recreating Ms. Colvin's time in various conflicts overseas. Directed by Matthew Heineman, the film is an immersive look at the casualties of war and his camera never wavers from the horror of innocent deaths or the impact it has on the people reporting their stories. An epilogue reminds us of the sobering statistics of lives lost in Syria alone.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

     The second in the new series of films from Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, builds upon the characters and story  from the original "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them". Eddie Redmayne returns as wizard Newt Scamander along with Dan Fogler as Jacob, his muggle friend, Katherine Waterston as Tina Goldstein, and Alison Sudol as her sister Queenie. Zoe Kravitz also costars as Leta Lestrange.

     This time around the action takes place in England and France and draws us into a more complex story involving a young Albus Dumbledore, played by a charming Jude Law and the wizard criminal, Gellert Grindelwald, played by Johnny Depp. Once friends and now at opposite means, the two wizards have sworn an oath not to kill each other so Dumbledore enlists Newt's help in stopping Grindelwald from taking over both the muggle and wizard worlds. Mr. Depp is in fine form as the evil wizard, restrained from the actions of many of his more outrageous characters.

     Grindelwald needs the help of a mysterious character, Credence Barebone, played by Ezra Miller, for his plans to succeed. Much of the film revolves around the search for Credence. For this story, the characters are darker and so is the tone of the film. There are still some adorable magical creatures as well as some nasty ones and the special effects are excellent but there is a definite foreboding that lingers over the whole affair.

     Since this is a series of five planned films, the end leaves us with a surprise cliffhanger but it's still a fun ride.

The Girl in The Spider's Web

       Lisbeth Salander returns in this new film based on the characters created by Stieg Larssen. Taking over the role previously played by Noomi Rapace and Rooney Mara is Claire Foy, who tries hard to make the character her own. Personally I'm a big fan of Noomi Rapace, who I think really captured the character in the original Swedish trio of films.

        Ms. Foy brings an icy cool to the role but comes across as a "good girl" trying to look and act "bad". Her chemistry with Mikael Bloomkvist, this time played by Sverrir Gudnason, is nowhere as strong as it was in the previous films. Blame the screenwriters for underwriting the character. The screenplay is credited to three writers, based on the book written by David Lagercrantz , based on characters created by Mr. Larssen. It's a case of too many people trying too hard to retain the sense of the original characters, who are too removed here from the source material. The novel worked well enough continuing the original characters but the film muddies the story and characters. 

                The film co-stars LaKeith Stanfield as an NSA agent tracking Salander,  Sylvia Hoeks as Camilla Salander  and Stephen Merchant as Franz Balder, the scientist who sets the plot in motion. A plot, I have to point out, closely resembling "Skyfall", the James Bond film. It's a nice change of pace role for Mr. Stanfield, playing here very against type. Mr. Merchant, known primarily for comedy, also goes against type as the serious minded scientist.

                 The film is directed by Fede Alvarez (also one of the co-writers) and I guess it's an unwritten rule that films set in Sweden must be shot with low lighting and icy blue hues. As a stand alone film, it's not a terrible crime thriller but compared to the earlier films in the series, it's very disappointing.

Outlaw King

    Basically picking up from the end of "Braveheart" (the story of William Wallace), this film is based on the life of Robert the Bruce, who in the 1300's successfully freed Scotland from the British.  Chris Pine stars as Robert and while his accent tends to waver a bit, he makes a fine Scottish King (and much has been made of his VERY brief, full frontal nudity scene).

                As co-written and directed by David MacKenzie, the film is a series of battles that lead up to the ultimate battle that turns the tide against the British. There is little time for the sub-plot love story between Robert and Elizabeth, Edward's goddaughter. Blood and mud are the constants throughout. The battle scenes are very realistic and it's hard to believe horses were not harmed in the making of the film.

               Co-starring are Stephen Dillane  as Edward, King of England, Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Lord Douglas, and Florence Pugh as Elizabeth. And of course, a "cast of thousands" of foot soldiers most of whom are sacrificed on the battlefield.

                The film doesn't quite have the gravitas or the scope of "Braveheart" but it still makes for a solid historical adventure.

Bohemian Rhapsody

               Is this just real life or is it just fantasy? Well, I think it's mostly real with some poetic license thrown in as we watch a capsulized version of the life of Freddie Mercury and the birth of Queen. Freddie propelled the band Queen into a super group with hit after hit starring Freddie himself, a larger than life character.  The film captures it all.

              Melodramatic at times and paper thin plot wise, what makes the film work is the virtually transformation of actor Rami Malek into Freddie Mercury. Mr. Malek nails the part perfectly with every mannerism and movement. The recreation of Queen's hits are the best thing about the film and the concert footage is just incredible, highlighted of course by the band's performance at "Live Aid" in 1985.

              Gwilym Lee plays Brian May, Queen's lead guitarist and the resemblance is remarkable. The same is true for Ben Hardy as drummer Roger Taylor and Joseph Mazzello as bassist John Deacon. The film also features Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin, Aiden Gillian as Jon Reid, Tom Hollander as Jim Beach, and Allen Leech as Paul Prenter. There is also a cameo by Mike Myers. And a special mention should go to the prosthetics department who created Mr. Malek's fake teeth. They are a character to themselves.

                Freddie's life, as most celebrities, has been overexposed through the years and the film does it's best in two and a half hours to cover the triumphs and the tragedies of a life cut short by a horrific disease. Heartbreaking at times, the film is still tremendously entertaining for any fan of Queen...and who isn't?