The French Dispatch

    Just what you would expect from writer/director Wes Anderson, a film filled with whimsy, wit, intelligence, and an excellent ensemble cast. The story revolves around a fictional magazine based in France, which is the foreign arm of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun. 

     The plot presents three central unconnected articles you would find from various parts of the magazine, such as arts, food and politics with a forward and an epilogue and bookended with scenes at the magazine.

      The colorful cast of characters includes Bill Murray as the editor of the "Dispatch", Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Jeffrey Wright, and Owen Wilson as writers as well as Adrian Brody, Benicio del Toro, Lea Seydoux, Timothee Chalamet, Mathieu Amalric, Elizabeth Moss, and Jason Schwartzman (one of the co-writers of the story). There are also too many other recognizable stars to mention in other minor roles.  

    The featured articles are "The Concrete Masterpiece" which features Ms. Swinton (who is simply marvelous), Mr. Brody, Mr. del Toro and Ms. Seydoux. "Revisions to a Manifesto" featuring Ms. McDormand, Mr. Chalamet and Lyna Khoudri and "The Private Dining Room of the Police Commissioner" which features Jeffrey Wright (in a terrific ode to James Baldwin), Mr. Amalric and many fun cameos. 

    Mr. Anderson shoots scenes in color, black & white, and animation mixing them all throughout the film creating a constant visual treat. Delightful in so many ways, from the acting, the wonderful musical score, and the incredibly colorful visual palate, the film is a feast for Wes Anderson fans. The casual viewer may find the film a bit too smart for its own good but still enjoy it for the visuals, music and plethora of actors found within its charms.

No Time To Die

 

        Daniel Craig concludes his five-film arc as superspy, James Bond and goes out with a bang in this final installment. Directed with great authority by Cary Joji Fukunaga, the film has the stunts and action you would expect from a James Bond film but is also filled with more emotion than its predecessors.

        Co-starring with Mr. Craig are Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ben Wishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Ana de Armas, Billy Magnssen, David Dencik, and Rory Kinnear. Mr. Malek is the main villain of the film but doesn't really appear until the third act and when he does, he is underwhelming in the cannon of Bond villains. Ana de Armas (wearing a killer dress) plays a fun and capable CIA agent but unfortunately only appears in one sequence. Lashana Lynch is a new double 0 agent who holds her own with Mr. Craig.

        At almost a three-hour running time, the plot can be overwhelming at times and even a bit confusing (it may help to watch "Spectre" first for a refresher course on reappearing characters). The screenplay (credited to four writers) pays homage to past Bond films with many references that are fun to spot (some easier than others). As with all Bond films, especially of late, the exotic locales can almost be considered characters themselves and in this film, the locations don't disappoint. The cinematography brings out the best in the exquisite scenery.

       Of note is the lack of blood for all the characters killed, and a very chaste Bond who at one point, rather than sleep with a woman, actually shakes her hand. While these points keep things PG-13, the film does have a darker side and is quite vicious at times. Mr. Craig plays Bond as a wounded animal, cornered and more dangerous than ever. Fans won't be disappointed.

The Last Duel

                Based on a true story, this new film is the story of the last duel fought in 1386 France. The duel is fought to decide the fate of a squire accused of rape. Directed by Ridley Scott, it is a fascinating drama told from three points of view, a device most famously used in the classic Japanese film, "Rashomon". Mr. Scott films the battle scenes and of course, the title duel with great aplomb, violent, vicious, and very realistic.  His dramatic scenes are just as powerful, due to the chemistry of its terrific cast.

              The film stars Adam Driver, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Jody Comer as Marguerite de Carrouges. Mr. Damon and Mr. Affleck co-wrote the script with Nicole Holofcener.  At the start of the film, Mr. Damon's Jean de Carrouges and Mr. Driver's Jacques Le Gris are friends fighting side by side. When Count Pierre d'Alencon, played by Mr. Affleck, names Le Grius his Overlord, the friendship of the two men sours as their fates move in opposite directions. de Carrouges marries Ms. Comer to improve his station and it is then that the relationship of the three intersect told from three "chapters", each telling a different "truth".

               While all the acting is excellent (you'd expect nothing less from this cast), Mr. Driver and Ms. Comer both stand out. Both play complicated roles due to the different perspectives of the "chapters" and while Mr. Damon also handles the subtle differences in his character in each chapter well, it is Mr. Driver and Ms. Comer that really carry the emotional and difficult story. Mr. Affleck, on the other hand, plays the Count as a privileged, rich boy and is just annoying but I imagine that's how the part was written.

                For a story that takes place in 1386, it resonates well even today and unfortunately,  that's a scary realization. The film is an excellent historical drama, filled with intense moments both on and off the battlefield that is thought provoking long after it ends.

The Many Saints of Newark

 

               Those expecting the story of a young Tony Soprano are bound to be disappointed. While Tony and most of all the other major characters beloved by Soprano fans are certainly in the film, the focus is on Dickie Moltisanti, Christopher's father who was always referenced but never seen on the TV series. The film's title actually makes that very clear.

                  Alessandro Nivola plays Dickie who is very good as a conflicted mobster with a very hot temper. Of course, he is worshipped by his nephew, Tony, played by Michael Gandolfini ( James Gandolfini's real life son).  It's a bit of stunt casting but it works, mostly because he is not asked to do much except portray a teenager growing up in a very complicated family. His mother, Olivia Soprano, is played brilliantly by Vera Farmiga, who nails the role made famous by Nancy Marchand. His father, Johnny Boy Soprano is played by Jon Bernthal, and lest we forget, Uncle Junior, played by a convincing Corey Stoll.

                    Co-starring as a young Silvio is John Magaro and as Paulie, Billy Magnussen. It's fun to see characters fan love as their younger selves with their trademark looks and attitude already evident. We even meet the young Pussy Bonpensiero, Artie Bucco, Janice Soprano, and in one scene, a young Carmela De Angelis. The problem for fans, is we don't see enough of them. The thin plot centers on the growing war between Dickie and Harold McBryaer, played against type by Leslie Odum Jr. Characters important to this story include Ray Liotta as Dickie's father and his twin brother, Sally and Michela De Rossi as his young Italian bride, Giuseppina.

                      David Chase, who created "The Sopranos" co-wrote the script with Lawrence Konner but does not direct. Alan Taylor directs the film but somehow misses the gravitas of the script by stringing scenes together and cutting too quickly from one to the next. Scenes jump around, teasing us with favorite characters but never really giving them much to do. Mr. Chase's script explores the race riots in Newark that took place in the 1960's and Mr. Taylor does capture the look and feel of the turbulent times and even locations fans have come to love.

                      The film is far from perfect but does a good job filling in a backstory fans have always asked for. Billed as "a Sopranos story" and teasing us with glimpses of these characters make you wonder if there is more to come in Tony's formative years. We can only hope.