The Holdovers

 

        This new comedy/drama reunites Paul Giamatti with director Alexander Payne, their second film together after "Sideways". They are both at the top of their game.

        Mr. Giamatti plays Paul Hunham, a crusty, curmudgeon of an ancient history teacher at a private boys school.  During Christmas break, he is assigned to watch over a small group of boys that have to stay behind at the school for various reasons.

        With him over the break is the school's cafeteria manager, Mary, played by Da'Vine Joy Randolph, in her best role yet. His young charges are soon reduced to one troubled student, Angus Tully, played by newcomer Dominic Sessa.

         The film is set in 1970 and Mr. Payne goes to great lengths to get the period and look of the film right. From the retro opening MPAA rating and Focus Features logo, you already feel transported back in time. Most of the film takes place at the school with the exception of a few significant sojourns. 

          You may be reminded of "Dead Poets Society" but with that film, Robin Williams was a loveable teacher with an unorthodox method of reaching his students. Mr. Giamatti is a self proclaimed failure who drinks too much and knows that no one at the school, teachers or students, likes him. 

           Forced to spend two weeks together, Hunham, Mary and Angus, all broken souls for different reasons, forge an unusual bond that propels the story. The film is funny, heartbreaking and ultimately endearing with three terrific performances.

Killers of the Flower Moon

 

   Co-writer, producer and director Martin Scorsese has created a masterpiece. It is without a doubt an incredible work of film art and a towering achievement in an illustrious career.

    Working from the book by David Grann, Mr. Scorsese and his co-writer, Eric Roth tell the true story of  horrific crimes against the Osage people in 1920's Oklahoma. Oil was discovered on their land around that time and the Osage became some of the wealthiest people in the country. The land rights were passed down by generation from the Osage women and could eventually land in the hands of non-Osage relatives through marriage. Using this law, white men started marrying Osage women to share their wealth. During a multi-year period, many Osage were murdered for their land rights. This horrific crime is the basis of the film.

   To his credit, Mr. Scorsese met with current members of the Osage people to tell the story honestly from their perspective. He employed many Osage men and women, both as actors and as part of the crew. Already meticulously detailed, this lends an further air of authenticity and truth to the film. 

   Mr. Scorsese's direction is flawless on every level. The cinematography takes your breath away as do all the visuals. The costumes are amazing. From the Osage clothes to men's pajamas, just remarkably detailed. His actors fill the screen with many unrecognizable names but faces you will never forget. And speaking of actors, his three leads, Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert DeNiro, and Lily Gladstone have all taken their craft to another level.

    This is the best acting Mr. DeNiro has done in years. For Mr. DiCaprio, it may be his finest role ever. Their scenes together are simply magic. Ms. Gladstone will break your heart with an incredible performance. Other familiar names include Jesse Plemons and in basically cameos, John Lithgow and Brendan Fraser. Mr. Scorsese makes an interesting choice to also employ many well known musicians in various roles. Jason Isbell has a key part as does Pete Yorn and if you look closely you will notice a few others. 

    Completed before his death, Robbie Robertson did the music for the film and the methodic beating rhythm underscores the growing tension of the story perfectly.

    There is some controversy regarding how Mr. Scorsese presents the film's epilog. Personally I had no problem with it and found it very original. The film runs long, three and a half hours but not one minute of film is wasted. It really should be seen on a big screen (IMAX if you can) but if the running time is an issue for you, it will be available on Apple + in a few weeks to watch at your leisure.

    This was a very dark period for the Osage and it was happening around the same time as the Tulsa riot, another stain in American history (which Mr. Scorsese briefly refers to). To bring this story to life in a dramatic and yet, entertaining way is such a credit to this master filmmaker. Expect to see double digit Oscar nominations.

    And as Robert DeNiro reminds us, "The front is the front and the back is the back". I loved that line.

    

       

She Came to Me

 

   Written and directed by Rebecca Miller, this new film can best be described as a romantic drama with comedic moments. You may go in expecting one thing but the film turns conventions on their head and comes out in the most unexpected ways.

    Peter Dinklage stars as Steven, an opera composer with writer's block. His wife Patricia, played by Anne Hathaway, tells him one day to take the dog for a long walk and clear his head. Once he meets Marisa Tomei's character, Katrina, he finds inspiration in the most unusual way. At the same time,  Patricia's teenage son, Julian, is unknowingly dating her cleaning woman's daughter which ends up causing trouble for both families. The circumstances that turn the plot are very original and clever.

    While all the actors are terrific, quirky doesn't even begin to describe their characters. Mr. Dinklage is a gem as the neurotic composer. Ms. Hathaway quietly may be the most quirky of all as the obsessive compulsive therapist who loves to clean. Ms. Tomei is outstanding in a very original role, as Katrina. The film co-stars Evan Ellison as Julian and Harlow Jane as his girlfriend Tereza. Joanna Kulig is Magdalena, the cleaning woman and Brian d'Arcy James is her husband, Trey (another very original character).

      While the framework is familiar, the story is fresh, filled with surprising yet endearing moments. And if you are a Bruce Springsteen fan, there is a new song featured over the end credits.

The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial

 

       Famed director William Friedkin's last film is a remake of the classic play and film. The story is updated to reference 911 and with a single set and solid cast, Mr. Friedkin does a great job with the material.

       Kiefer Sutherland stars as Lt. Commander Queeg, the captain of the USS Caine. With only two scenes, Mr. Sutherland is terrific, especially in his second appearance as he starts to unravel in the courtroom. Jake Lacy is Lieutenant Maryk who stands accused of the mutiny during a mission in a raging storm. Jason Clarke is Lieutenant Greenwald, Maryk's defense attorney, Monica Raymond plays the lead prosecutor, and in his final role, Lance Reddick plays a commanding presence as Captain Blakely, the head judge.

       While Mr. Sutherland makes the most of his two scenes, Jason Clarke steals the film defending Lt. Maryk. Set completely in the courtroom, this is a potboiler of a story with a surprising and powerful ending. The film is available on Showtime.

Fair Play

 

     Written and directed by Chloe Domont, this is a really fun and nasty piece of work about gender and office politics in the world of high finance.

     Phoebe Dynevor and Alden Ehrenreich star as Emily and Luke, two analysts at a major hedge fund. They live together and plan on getting married but are keeping their relationship secret at work since its against corporate policy. When one is promoted over the other it changes their dynamic at at the office as well as at home, and not for the better.

     Eddie Marsan plays Campbell plays the company's demanding CEO and Rich Somers plays Paul, his right hand man. Ms. Dynevor and Mr. Ehrenreich are dynamite together and figuratively blow up the film.    

     This is a great little feature about sex, power, and corporate greed. In limited theaters and on Netflix.

The Exorcist: Believer

 

      Co-written and directed by David Gordon Green, this new horror film attempts to take the story back to its roots, even bringing Ellen Burstyn back as Chris MacNeil, the mother in the original film.

      The film ups the ante on the original by having two girls possessed at the same time. Lidya Jewett plays Angela and Olivia O'Neill plays Katherine. The two young actress are put through the proverbial ringer as their possession gets stronger and stronger.

      Leslie Odom Jr. plays plays the lead as Angela's father Victor, who as be begins to believe the possession, reaches out to Chris MacNeill for help. Norbert Leo Butz plays Tony, Katherine's father and Ann Dowd plays Ann, a nurse with ties to the church. Ms. Burstyn's role is a gimmick that amounts to not much more than a cameo (although there is very clever scene with her at the end). It's a respectable cast of above average actors adding a distinct pedigree to a horror film than most. 

     The special effects are fairly good but the film fails to deliver real thrills and chills with only a minimum of good scares. It's still fun in a nostalgic way bringing back memories of the original (which was terrifying back in its day).  There are two sequels are planned which I assume will depend on the box office of "Believer".

    

The Creator

     

     Mixing elements of "District 9", "Terminator", "Ex Machina", "I Robot" and "Bladerunner", this is science fiction we've all seen before, but it's never been timelier.

     When a nuclear blast destroys Los Angeles in the near future, it sets off a war between humans and artificially intelligent robots. The United States outlaws AI and creates a flying fortress, USS NOMAD" to scour the earth looking for AI strongholds.

      John David Washington stars as Joshua Taylor, a soldier, undercover in the AI network looking for "The Creator" and the weapon it's built to destroy NOMAD. Mr. Washington brings a tremendous amount of humanity to his part and the film in general. Co-starring are Gemma Chan, Allison Janney (playing against type as a villain), Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, Ralph Ineson, Michael Esper, and Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alpha-O (or Alphie for short).

      The film is co-written and directed by Gareth Edwards. Not only does Mr. Edwards borrow heavily from the aforementioned films, but he also relies on the recent ubiquitous trope of a hero protecting a child.  And while it's got the "been there, done that" feel, the film also manages to feel fresh mostly due to Mr. Washington's heartfelt performance and the stunning visual effects.

   A.I. is here to stay and only becoming more advanced. This film, like the others that have come before it, serves as a warning of what the future may really hold for humans and robots.

    

Reptile

 

       This new Netflix drama is a throwback to the slow burn, crime story that may remind you of the atmospheric feel of "True Detective" on HBO.

       What appears to be a simple, yet brutal murder of a real estate agent turns complex and frankly pretty convoluted but still worth your time if you are a fan of the genre.

        Benicio del Toro stars as Detective Tom Nichols and Alicia Silverstone plays his wife, Judy. Justin Timberlake also stars as Will Grady, a successful real estate agent whose girlfriend is the murder victim. The film also co-stars Eric Bogosian, Ato Essandoh, Domenick Lombardozzi, Michael Pitt, Sky Ferreira, Owen Teague, Mike Pniewski, and Francis Fisher. It's a great cast, not lacking for suspects. Mr. del Toro and Ms. Silverstone are both excellent and fun to watch as they bounce ideas and theories off each other to solve the case.

        The film takes it's time with the investigation, accompanied by a moody score. The plot gets tangled up in its own twists and turns, but Mr. del Toro's magnetic presence keeps you engaged.

Flora & Son

 

   

 Written and directed by John Carney (Once, Begin Again, Swing Street), this is another comic/drama that continues his streak of hits that showcase the power of music.

     Flora is a single mom living in Dublin with Max, her rebellious teenage son. Max acts out his anger issues with petty robberies and is always getting in trouble. Flora finds an old guitar, fixes it up and gives it to Max in hopes a new hobby will help. When Max refuses the guitar, Flora decides to take online lessons to learn to play herself. 

     Sounds simple enough but Flora gets more than she bargained for from her online teacher, Jeff and her discovery of Max's true passion. The story blossoms into something more complex, heartfelt and lyrical.

     Eve Hewson plays Flora, and her star keeps rising with each onscreen appearance. Here, she has top billing, and it is well deserved for both her acting and musical talent. (I guess it doesn't hurt that her dad is Bono, of U2). Jeff, her guitar teacher is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Max is played by Oren Kinlan. Both are terrific. Jack Reynor plays Ian, Flora's Ex, and still an important figure in Max's life.

    As with all his films, Mr. Carney fills the story with great music and at least one memorable song. He always brings an honest and natural performance from his actors. The language in the film is a bit rough at times, (especially in one scene that didn't seem necessary) but realistic to the story. Dublin, itself, is a great backdrop,

     The film is in select theaters and also streaming on Apple TV+.