Yesterday

             A new romantic comedy framed in an unusual fantasy. Written by Richard Curtis and directed by Danny Boyle, this is the story of Jack Malik, a failing musician who, after a mysterious worldwide blackout wakes up to be the only one who remembers The Beatles. Claiming all their songs as his own, he soon becomes the worlds most popular singer/songwriter but loses his soul in the process.

              Himesh Patel plays Jack. Mr. Patel is a very engaging young actor, who is terrific in the role. Even after he achieves fame, you can see the guilty struggle behind his eyes as he wrestles with his conscience. Lily James plays his friend and early manager who hides her love for him since he is too self absorbed to see it. Of course being a romantic comedy, love will find a way but it is a long and winding road to get there.

              Jack's rise to the top is helped along the way by Ed Sheeran, who plays himself and Kate McKinnon, who plays an overzealous shark of a record executive, openly out to capitalize on Jack's new fame. Of all the cast members, Ms. McKinnon seems to be acting in a completely different movie. Her character is so harsh and annoying, she disrupts the flow of the film every time she's on screen which I suppose is the point, but it's too over the top. Joel Fry plays the comic relief as Jack's friend and roadie. There is also a clever cameo by James Corden.

               It is great fun to hear so much wonderful Beatles music in one place and used in many clever ways. Besides the disappearance of The Beatles, there are a few other surprise things missing which adds to the fun of the concept. There is also a very strange turn late in the film which comes as even more of a magical moment. 

                Don't try to hard to analyze the repercussions of the concept. Just go with it and enjoy the cast and the music. It's a very enjoyable film. 

The Dead Don’t Die

     Famed “Indie” writer/director Jim Jarmusch has made many classic films over the years...this is not one of them.

      The very definition of deadpan humor, the film lumbers along at a snails pace never changing its tone. The film stars Bill Murray (no one does deadpan better), Adam Driver, and Chloe Sevigny as local cops in a small town, dealing with a zombie outbreak. Between the three of them, the energy level of the acting never rises above that of a sloth.

       Mr. Jarmusch blames the rise of the undead on polar fracking that shifts the earth off its axis. His zombies rise and appear to seek out whatever they enjoyed prior to their death. His point appears to be, we are all zombies lumbering through life obsessed with commercialism. Iggy Pop and Carol Kane have cameos as  flesh eating zombies seeking out coffee and Chardonnay, respectively. That’s the level of humor you can expect.
  
        Also co-starring are Steve Buscemi, Danny Glover, Tom Waits, RZA and Tilda Swilton. Ms. Swilton’s character is the most bizarre and her story line wanders off in a completely different direction with no explanation. Selena Gomez also shows up in a nod to the original Zombiemaster, George Romero, but has nothing to do except become another victim. It’s a fun visual gag but it just reminds you that Mr. Romero did a better job with the same idea in “Dawn of the Dead”.

         The cast seem to be having a great time among themselves. The audience, with the exception of a very few solid laughs, not so much.

Late Night

                                                              


    Mindy Kaling is a triple threat, writing, producing, and starring in this smart new dramady. Also starring Emma Thompson, the two women have wonderful chemistry and are just terrific together.

     Ms. Thompson stars as an aging late night TV host, Katherine Newbury, who’s ratings are falling and is on the verge of being replaced. Mindy Kaling is a new writer hired as a diversity employee. Her first job in TV, she is thrilled to be involved in any capacity but ruffles the feathers of the all male, all white, writing staff led by Reid Scott.

       Costarring are John Lithgow as Katherine’s Husband, Walter, Denis O’Hare as Brad, Katherine’s put upon producer, Amy Ryan as the head of the Network and Hugh Dancy and Max Casella as two of the show’s writers.

     The film is whip smart, topical, funny and yet has its serious and poignant side as well. Ms. Thompson is acting royalty and has a blast with her role as the over the top Katherine. Ms. Kaling, as the writer, saves the best bits for Ms. Thompson but leaves plenty of good scenes for herself.

       There is plenty of appeal to both an older and younger audience as the story wisely balances generational plot points and covers common ground as well. There is a passing resemblance to “The Devil Wears Prada” but “Late Night” holds its own as an original winner.

American Woman

         

      This excellent new drama from director Jake Scott, stars Sienna Miller in an amazing performance. Ms. Miller stars as Deb, a single mom raising her teen daughter and baby grandson. Unforeseen circumstances force her to make difficult decisions as her life takes an unexpected turn.

       Ms. Miller’s performance makes the ordinary rather extraordinary and it’s easily the best acting of her career. She is joined by Christina Hendricks as her sister, Aaron Paul as a love interest, Amy Madigan as her mother and Will Sasso as her brother-in-law, Terry. Ms. Hendricks and Mr. Sasso are just wonderful and the family dynamic is so authentic, you feel like you’re watching a documentary, rather than a scripted drama.

        Mr. Scott uses interesting transitions, fades and edits to show the passage of time as the film plays out over eleven years. The emotional work he brings out from his cast is easily felt by the audience.

          This is a strong domestic drama that would probably play better in the fall rather the start of the summer movie season. If you are a fan of superb acting and a smart script, seek out the film before it gets lost in all the gunfire, explosions and spandex of the summer “popcorn” films.

John Wick- Chapter Three: Parabellum

   

 If the name John Wick means nothing to you, skip this review. Otherwise, know that Keanu Reeves is back in the third chapter of what will surely continue for some time. If a ballet of ultra violence featuring guns, knives, swords and incredible martial arts is your thing, you will be right in your wheelhouse for two hours of mayhem.

     Wick is becoming a defining role for Mr. Reeves. A man of few words, he lets his fighting skills speak for him. The film picks up right from the end of “chapter two” and the action barely stops. John Wick has a $14 million bounty on his head for breaking the rules of the mysterious organization he works for and every criminal world wide is after him.

      There are incredible set pieces of action that are just amazing. I can’t even begin to describe the knife fight, the motorcycle chase with Wick on horseback, the library fight...the second motorcycle chase, the gun battle in Morocco...the list just goes on and on until a terrific climatic fight sequence.

       Along for the ride as friends and foes are Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Halle Berry, Asia Kate Dillon, Anjelica Houston and Marc Dacascos. Add a long list of stunt people that deserve to be acknowledged in the credits.

       And for those who worry about the three dogs in the film, I must include this spoiler alert, they all survive unlike most of the humans.

Rocketman

           Elton John's life story comes to the screen billed as a rock and roll fantasy. What sets it apart from other musical biographies is the fantasy element that adds another layer to what is otherwise a straight forward narrative. Credit goes to Mr. Lee Hall for a very creative script.

            Most of Mr. John's hit songs are represented in wonderful musical numbers throughout the drama, elevating (literally at one point) the story to another level. Directing the story with  great flair is Dexter Fletcher who also handles the emotional core with a deft touch.

              Portraying a musical icon like Elton John is not an easy task but actor Taron Egerton is more than up to the task. He is simply brilliant, doing his own singing and dancing as well. It is truly a great performance that I hope will be remembered during award season. The film also stars Jamie Bell as Mr. John's lifelong friend and writing partner, Bernie Taupin. Mr. Taupin has written all the words to Mr. John's music and the lyrics are never more honest and true than the way the songs are used in the film.

             Co-starring are Richard Madden as John Reid, Elton's long time manager, Bryce Dallas Howard as his mother, Sheila, Stephen Graham as Dick James, his first manager, and Tate Donovan as Doug Weston, owner of "The Troubadour", the famous L.A. rock club where Elton John first performed in America. Kit Conner and Matthew Illesley play younger versions of Elton in his early years.

              The acting is wonderful, the music is fantastic, the story is emotional and, at times, outrageous, and it all makes for a thoroughly enjoyable film. "Rocketman" soars...