The Lost City

        Fans of "Romancing The Stone" will enjoy this lighthearted action-comedy adventure. Starring Sandra Bullock (always good in dramas but especially good when she does self-deprecating comedy) and Channing Tatum (having fun with his image), the film is "Romancing lite". The two stars have great chemistry in this jungle romp.

       Ms. Bullock is romance novelist, Loretta Sage who has lost her desire to write after her last book. Mr. Tatum is her cover model, "Dash". When an eccentric billionaire criminal, played by Daniel Radcliffe kidnaps Loretta believing she can lead him to a real lost city's treasure, "Dash" (real name Alan) sets out to rescue her, proving he is more than just a pretty face.

        The film co-stars De'Vine Joy Randolph as Loretta's manager, who has her own set of comedic adventures attempting to find Loretta on her own. It's all silly fun with some solid laughs topped off by a terrific cameo by Brad Pitt, also having fun with his image.

The Outfit

           If you are a fan of the actor Mark Rylance, and who isn't, then this old fashioned "drawing room crime drama" is for you. Mr. Rylance is excellent as a Leonard Burling, a "cutter" who makes fine suits and owns a small shop in 1956 Chicago.

          The story seems more like a play than a film taking place entirely in the inside the shop but it's claustrophobic setting is perfect for the twists in this finely knit (pun intended) crime story. Burling's shop is used as a drop box for the mob while he goes about his business with only his receptionist Mabel (played by Zooey Deutch) for company. When a mysterious tape ends up in the collection box it sets off a series of secrets revealed and unexpected betrayals.

          Also co-starring are Simon Russell Beale as Mob boss, Roy Boyle, Dylan O'Brien as his hot headed son, Ritchie, Johnny Flynn as Boyle's enforcer, Francis and Nikki Amuka-Bird as LaFontaine. It's a fine cast in a faux Hitchcockian story led by the terrific Mr. Rylance. Director and co-writer Graham Moore makes full use of the small space creating a suspenseful atmosphere with clever camera work and a fitting score. The pace of the story slowly peels away layers that keeps the tension rising.

         My only problem with the film is that while it takes place in 1956, a crucial part of the story involves something not created until 1962. Mr. Moore should have done a better job with his research. 

The Batman

      The "Dark Knight" gets even darker in this new version of the Batman legend. Director and co-writer Matt Reeves (along with Peter Craig) take a very different approach to the mythology by focusing more on Batman as "The World's Greatest Detective" rather than the "super hero" of past films. Of course Batman was never really a "Super Hero" having no super powers but just his skills and great "toys".

       Robert Pattinson stars as a brooding and very dark Batman. With the emphasis more on The Batman, we see very little of his alter ego, Bruce Wayne. Co-starring Jeffrey Wright as Inspector James Gordon, the only honorable cop in Gotham and Zoe Kravitz as a very sexy Selina Kyle aka Catwoman, the film's central plot concerns solving the brutal murders of many of Gotham City's power brokers. The crimes are being committed by a sinister version of "The Riddler" (no green suit here), who leaves clues for The Batman at each murder scene. The Riddler's identity is not revealed until late in the film so I won't reveal the well known actor who plays the part. Andy Serkis plays Alfred, Bruce Wayne's loyal butler. The other villains central to the plot are Carmine Falcone, the Gotham crime boss, played by John Turturro and "The Penguin" played by an unrecognizable Colin Farrell (who is clearly having a blast under all that makeup).

​     Mr. Reeves envisions a very dark version of Gotham City where it is almost always night and raining. The film moves along at a slow, deliberate pace with only a few action sequences spaced wide apart during the three hour run time. This is a very different version of Batman then we have seen in earlier films and it take a bit getting used to. Mr. Pattinson is perfect as a very human crime fighter, sullen and fraught with emotional scars. He actually takes quite a beating trying to stop The Riddler. 

   

     Those familiar with the HBO show "True Detective" and the Fox show "Gotham" will probably enjoy this film very much. It reminded me very much of the pace and writing of "true Detective" and the look and feel of "Gotham". Mr. Reeves also found inspiration from Batman comics, in particular the graphic novel, "Batman: The Long Halloween".