House of Gucci

        A rare miss for director Ridley Scott, this sordid tale meanders all over, never sets a proper tone or pace, and wastes most of a talented cast. That said, it's based on the downfall of the real Gucci family and makes for fascinating viewing. 

       What Mr. Scott and his team do get right is the look and feel of the period. The set design, locations, costumes and music are all first rate but wasted in a film that just can't find its footing.

        Lady Gaga, one of the few highlights of the film, stars as Patrizia Reggiani who marries Maurizio Gucci (a miscast Adam Driver who can't keep track of his accent) and firmly establishes her place in the Gucci empire. Mr. Driver may physically resemble the real Maurizio but his portrayal is just not convincing. The film also stars Al Pacino as Aldo Gucci and he chews every piece of scenery around him with his usual bombastic style. Jared Leto is Paulo Gucci. Hidden under tons of makeup, Mr. Leto is fun to watch in an over-the-top performance. Rounding out this star filled cast is Jeremy Irons, bringing some dignity to the short role as Rodolfo Gucci and Salma Hayek as Patrizia's fortune teller confident. In smaller but important roles is Jack Houston, Reeve Carny and Camille Cottin.

       Everyone loves a good scandal, especially when it involves the rich and famous. For that reason, along with its star power, the film will probably do better than it deserves.

Passing

          Written and directed by Rebecca Hall, this new Netflix drama is a fascinating period piece about two light skinned black women, who meet after years apart. Tessa Thompson is Irene, married to a prominent black doctor played by Andre Holland and Ruth Negga is Claire, "passing" for white, and married to a wealthy businessman played by Alexander Skarsgard.

          As the two women reconnect, it becomes obvious that Claire has missed her African-American roots and becomes increasingly involved with Irene, her family and friends. Irene, on the other hand, begins to resent Irene's intrusion into her life but is too timid and polite to turn her away.

         Ms. Thompson and Ms. Negga are both excellent. The film also co-stars Bill Camp and Gbenga Akinnagbe. The period costumes and set designs are exquisite.  It is beautifully shot in black and white but directed with too light a touch by Ms. Hall. While it attempts to explore many issues, it never really digs below the surface and instead just focuses on the two women and the growing divide between their morals and personalities, culminating in a most unexpected way.

Red Notice

 

          More like Red Cliché, this big budget action-comedy adventure tries to be everything for everyone.  Starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, it's a globetrotting heist film filled with plots from every heist and long con film ever made. It co-stars Ritu Arya and Chris Diamontopolous.

           Mr. Johnson is a federal agent who reluctantly teams up with a notorious art thief played by Mr. Reynolds to catch another art thief played by Ms. Gadot, before she can acquire all of Cleopatra's legendary golden eggs. It's all mindless fun, fuel by its attractive cast and their individual strengths. Mr. Reynolds is quick with the one-liners, Ms. Gadot gets to show off her martial arts skills and Mr. Johnson is...well...Mr. Johnson, who starts to look pretty bored as the film moves along from one exotic location to another.

           As one of the highest grossing (and costliest) Netflix films ever, expect a sequel or even two.

The Harder They Fall

         Director and co-writer (with Boaz Yakin) Jeymes Samuel owes quite a bit to Sergio Leone and Quentin Tarantino in this revisionist western. Featuring a predominantly black cast, this violent revenge story is filled with quirky camera work, interesting cinematography and a cool eclectic soundtrack. A title card at the beginning explains that while the story is fictious, its characters are based on real outlaws, cowboys and lawmen of the old west.

        The film stars Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, Lakeith Stanfield, RJ Ryder, Edi Gathegi, Deon Cole, and Danielle Deadwyler. It's a great cast and everyone seems to be enjoying playing gunslingers and cowboys. The problem lies in the plot. It's paper thin, just a straight forward revenge story with no subplot. It does moves along at a rapid clip, filled with bloody violence throughout.

        Mr. Samuel and Mr. Boaz make a few not-so-subtle points about race but ultimately, it's just one long disappointing story with a last-minute twist that attempts to make things more interesting. It even leaves the door open for a sequel, that, if it happens, hopefully will be a richer, more rewarding story as there is so much real history to draw from.

Last Night in Soho

 

        I usually don't start my reviews like this but I have to say, I loved this film!  Writer/director Edgar Wright is truly an original voice in film today. Here he combines a murder mystery, a ghost story, and an ode to swinging sixties London into a wildly entertaining genre mash-up that you never see coming.

        Thomasin McKenzie stars as Ellie Turner, a suburban English girl accepted into a prestigious London Fashion college. The film starts off mildly and sweet but once Ellie moves off campus into a rented apartment, things take a sharp turn. She begins to have visions of a young sixties' woman named Sandie, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, that turns into more of a psychic connection putting Ellie in the middle of period London nightlife. 

        To say anymore would spoil the surprising twists in the story. Suffice to say, the music and fashion of the period is just great.  Mr. Wright knows his way around a successful soundtrack and knows how to put it to good use (see his earlier film, "Baby Driver"). His casting here is perfect. Ms. McKenzie is perfect as the innocent girl forced to grow up quickly and Ms. Taylor-Joy is the epitome of cool. Co-starring as Ellie's landlady is Lady Diana Rigg (in her last role) and she makes the most of a small but significant role. The film also co-stars Terrence Stamp, perfect casting as a connection to the British films of the sixties, Matt Smith, and Michael Ajao.

         Fair warning that what starts out innocently enough descends into horror and violence, but the fun is how Mr. Wright uses the twists and keeps the audience guessing. It's so clever with a cast that shines, backed by great visuals and wonderful music, that even with the dark direction it takes, it's one of the most entertaining films of the year.

          The film is still in theaters and now available on video on demand. 

Belfast

       

     Written and directed by Kenneth Branagh, based on his own childhood, "Belfast" is a wonderful coming of age film. Set in 1969, the film juxtaposes young Buddy's innocent childhood against the start of the "Troubles", a turbulent time in Northern Ireland pitting Catholics against Protestants.

      Buddy, played by Jude Hill (a sensational first-time performance) is surrounded by a loving family and friends. His parents are played by Caitriona Balfe and Jamie Dornan. His grandparents by Judi Dench and Ciaran Hinds. Colin Morgan completes the family as Buddy's brother Billy. It's a perfectly cast film with outstanding acting from the entire ensemble. 

      After a brief contemporary opening, the film flashes back to 1969 and switches to black and white for the majority of the story. The cinematography is stunning and Oscar worthy. The soundtrack is filled with wonderful Van Morrison classics. Mr. Branagh's direction conveys his memories of innocent times, filled with love and yet he keeps us on edge as the dangerous times lurk at the edges of every scene. 

       In this season of two hour plus mega films, Mr. Branagh brings this terrific story to life in under two hours without wasting a frame. You don't have to be Irish to appreciate its universal themes.  Oscar nominations loom large in multiple categories.

Dune: Part One

 

       Directed by Denis Villeneuve (and co-written by Mr. Villeneuve with Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth), this third attempt at the science fiction classic finally gets it right. By splitting the book into two films (part two will be released October 2023), Mr. Villeneuve and his team concentrate on the first half of the novel and admirably create a complete film but still leave plenty of story for part two.

    The film boasts a terrific cast including Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jason Momoa, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem and in the pivotal role of Paul Atreides, Timothee Chalamet. 

     

    Zendaya spends most of the film in non-speaking dream sequences but is clearly a central character in part two. Mr. Skarsgard is a key villain in heavy makeup, recognizable only by his unmistakable voice. As Paul's parents, both Mr. Isaac and Ms. Ferguson are both excellent, especially Ms. Ferguson. Mr. Chalamet, while doing his best, is the weakest link in the cast. He's a fine actor but he lacks the strength and charisma for such an important role. Hopefully he will grow into the role in part two as his character's destiny is fulfilled.

     Mr. Villeneuve's vision is brought to life in spectacular fashion by its art direction, special effects, exotic locations and cinematography. It is a visual masterpiece enhanced by a sweeping score by Hans Zimmer ( although a bit overwhelming at times ). While the film has been simultaneously released on HBO MAX, I recommend seeing in in a theater on the largest screen possible to appreciate its incredible landscapes and the full scope of the production. 

      The film has a running time of over two and a half hours and at times can feel even longer, with too many dull moments that slow the story. A bit more editing would have been welcome, especially since we know from the onset, it's only part one. There are some excellent action sequences though, but they occur, for the most part, in the second half of the film.

        The novel "Dune" is an iconic science fiction classic and this ambitious, sweeping epic, despite its flaws, does justice to the novel. I can only hope Part Two brings as satisfying a conclusion.