The Devil Wears Prada 2

 

       Twenty years later, we get more fashion, more glamour, pretty much more of everything people loved about the first film. Directed again with much flair by David Frankel, the film will certainly not disappoint fans of the original.

      This time however, the red hot devil represented by Miranda Priestly has cooled off as the film seeks to find her humanity. Meryl Streep, like putting on a favorite dress, easily slips back into the character. As her counterpoint, Anne Hathaway returns as Andy Sachs, now a veteran journalist who finds herself out of work until "Runway" magazine comes calling needing a new features editor. She is as cheerful as ever.

      Also returning is Emily Blunt as Emily, Andy's nemesis, now working at Dior but still finding ways to sling a good barb in Andy's direction. And as Miranda's stalwart right hand man, Stanley Tucci returns as Nigel Kipling, who just about steals the film with his perfect style and grace. 

      Joining this time are Justin Theroux as tech billionaire, Benji Barnes who is smitten with Emily, Kenneth Branagh as Miranda's new husband, and Lucy Lui as  Benji's ex-wife. Rounding out the cast are B.J. Novack, Tracie Thoms, Simone Ashley, Tibor Feldman, and Patrick Brammell. While Mr. Brammell is a fine actor, he's merely there to include a completely unnecessary romance for Andy. Of course there are also too many fashion icon cameos to mention as well as other celebrities including a particular female superstar (a fashion icon herself) who even gets a musical number.

      Underneath all the glitz and glamour, the script tries to make some points about the threat of digital and AI on the media as well as corporate acquisitions displacing the workforce and tearing at the soul of beloved companies.

      It's a light and breezy sequel that is enjoyable but like a glass of sparkling champagne that's been sitting on a tray too long, it does start to lose it's bubbles after a while.

Hokum

 

          Writer/director Damian McCarthy's ("Caveat" and "Oddity") most ambitious horror film yet doesn't disappoint. With a style all his own, Mr. McCarthy creates an atmospheric sense of dread and a creepiness that grabs you early and doesn't let up.

           The film stars Adam Scott (perfect for this role) as a writer who returns to the Irish hotel where his parents spent their honeymoon years ago. This is a classic haunted house story with McCarthy's signature twists and turns. Simple visuals alone may give you nightmares.

            Co-starring are Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Will O'Connell, Michael Patric, Brendan Conroy and Austin Amelio.

            The music by Joseph Bishara compliments the spooky visuals and horror elements and Brian Phillip Davis's editing provides many a jump scare.

            Mr. McCarthy is three for three and I can't wait to see what he does next.

MIchael

 

           A sanitized screenplay by John Logan gives us a heartwarming version of Michael Jackson's life. Directed with flair by Antoine Fuqua, the musical numbers are very entertaining recreating some of Mr. Jackson's best moments but the story is just too clean portraying him just short of sainthood.

            Michael is played by his actual nephew, Jaafar Jackson and he's got all the moves and nuances of his uncle perfectly. He doesn't do his own singing however, rather lip-synching the songs to Michael's actual voice.

             The film also stars Nia Long as Michael's mother, Miles Teller as his eventual manager John Branca, and Coleman Domingo, chewing the scenery, as Michael's domineering father, Joseph Jackson. Mr. Domingo is over the top as a scary bully but falls short of the suspicions of abuse around the real Mr. Jackson. The most we see is a belt lashing. Also co-starring are Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy,  Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones,  KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, Michael's long time head of security, and Mike Myers (in a one scene cameo) as Walter Yetnikoff, the head of Columbia Records. And of course, a CGI (or AI) Bubbles the chimp.

             There is little to no interaction with his brothers. We see little of La Toya and Janet Jackson is not even mentioned in the film. Apparently, she "declined" to take part.  The drug addiction that ultimately took his life is briefly mentioned after his incident with his hair catching fire (which got him hooked on pain meds in the first place). And any hint of sexual abuse doesn't even exist here.

             While the story plays like a lifetime bio with little substance, the musical moments are magical. Even the scenes in his home studio watching him put together the songs we know so well was fun to watch. It's an entertaining film that casts no shade on Michael's legacy and ends on a high note during the "Bad" tour in 1988. 

              It's actually sad to think what a waste of incredible talent was lost much too soon, like so many other talented artists.

Lee Cronin's The Mummy

 

        Not to be confused with Universal's "The Mummy", writer/director Lee Cronin puts his name right in the title. While this original story certainly involves a mummy, it is closer in plot to "The Exorcist" since it involves the evil possession of a little girl.

         While the film is too long and could have benefitted from additional editing, it still contains enough gross out moments and jump scares to be a satisfying horror film. At it's core, it's an emotional story about a family threatened from within by their possessed daughter, thought dead for eight years. Little Katie is found alive (but no longer an innocent little girl) inside a thousand year old sarcophagus after a plane crash, and once reunited with her family, things begin to go off the rails.

          The film stars Jack Reynor as Charlie Cannon and Laia Costa as Larissa Cannon, Katie's parents, May Calamawy as Detective Zaki, Natalie Grace as Katie (Emily Mitchell as young Katie), Shylo Molina as brother Sebastian (Dean Allen Williams as young Sebastian), Bille Roy as younger sister Maud, Veronica Falcon as Grandmother Carmen, and Hayat Kamille as "The Magician".

           Mr. Cronin puts his young cast through the ringer with lots of  good special effects and bloody gore, but they are all up to the task. Mr. Reynor is an admirable hero trying to protect his family and save his daughter. The score by Stephen McKeon adds the right amount of dread but the use of some popular rock songs seem out of place.

           Stuffed with horrific moments, including a few good scares, the craziness builds to an exciting climax in a final battle with the demon possessing Katie.

   

Exit 8

 

      Based on a Japanese video game, the film faithfully recreates the look and feel of the game with just a few changes. Director Genki Kawamura, who also co-wrote the screenplay invites the viewer to experience the game in a cinematic way. This is not a horror film but rather a metaphysical puzzle that needs to be solved by both the protagonist and the viewer.

       The film stars Kazunari Ninomiya as "The Lost Man" who becomes trapped in a underground subway passage in a seemingly endless loop. As he repeatedly navigates the corridors leading to Exit 8, he encounters "The Walking Man", played by Yamato Kochi, "The Boy", played by Naru Asanuma and "The High School Girl", played by Kotone Hanase. Nana Komatsu plays the "Lost Man's" ex-girlfriend, who at the beginning of the film, we find out, is pregnant and unsure if she wants to keep the baby.

        We are told that there are anomalies each time "The Lost Man" navigates the corridor and part of the fun for the viewer is trying to spot them before he does. What the film means is open to interpretation but I suspect one of its elements is a deliberate commentary on contemporary Japanese society.  And while I have my own theory about what it all means to "The Lost Man", I will keep that to myself and let the viewer decide for themselves.

        If you are fascinated by a mobius strip and the art of M.C. Escher, this is a film for you.

The Christophers

 

          Steven Soderbergh takes a intelligent and fun story written by Ed Solomon and makes Indie film magic. Easily one of his best films in a while, Mr. Soderbergh directs a pitch perfect comedy/drama about a human connection that takes place in the world of art. 

          Ian McKellen is a retired artist who has nine unfinished paintings (the series is called The Christophers) stored away in his home. The paintings are legendary and if completed will be worth millions. The problem is he has no intention of finishing them. His adult children played by Jessica Gunning and James Corden hire an art forger, played by Michaela Coel to act as his assistant while secretly finishing the paintings.

          Ms. Coel and Mr. McKellen's growing relationship is at the heart of the film and it is wonderful. Their chemistry and the interplay between them is just a joy to watch. Ms. Gunning and Mr. Corden provide laughs in smaller roles as the greedy children who just want to sell the paintings once their father dies.

          The film is quite funny at times. Mr. McKellen carries the film and gets all the best lines (although Ms. Coel holds her own against the master). You certainly don't have to be an art aficionado to appreciate a clever story with a great cast.

The Drama

 

     Written and directed by Kristoffer Borgli, this is a cringe worthy comedy/drama starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. They play Emma and Charlie, who as the film begins, meet cute, date (in a montage), fall in love and decide to get married.

      About a week to go before the wedding, Charlie learns about something disturbing from Emma's past and it has a deep effect on him, causing him to question his feelings for Emma. Discussing the issue only causes a rift to develop between the two and Charlie grows increasingly shaken and disturbed.

       The film co-stars Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates, Sydney Lemmon, Anna Baryshnikov, and Zoe Winters. Zendaya and Mr. Pattinson are both terrific bringing great depth to their relationship but Mr. Pattinson, in particular, is outstanding, reacting to his world crashing down based on what he has learned about Emma.

        At the heart of the story is a deep moral question, which in itself would make for a fine drama but the comedic moments, while eliciting laughs from the audience, seem misplaced and distract from the seriousness of the subject. The film is definitely thought provoking. Emma's reveal and it's consequences will surely be up for debate once the film ends. 

  

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

 

        Seven year later, the sequel to "Ready Or Not",  begins immediately where the first film ended. With the same creative team behind it, they find a clever way to keep the original concept intact, even while building on it. The cast is bigger, the body count higher, filled with dark humor and excessively violent (especially towards women), the new film will satisfy fans of this growing trend of "Eat The Rich", violence porn.

          Samara Weaving once again stars as Grace but now we are also introduced to her estranged sister, Faith, played by Kathryn Newton. Joining these two "scream queens" together is inspired casting. Their chemistry is terrific. The new cast tasked with hunting the women down by Satan's "lawyer", played by Elijah Wood, include Sarah Michelle Geller (more inspired casting), Shawn Hatosy, Nestor Carbonell, Kevin Durand, Olivia Cheng, Varun Saranga and in a rather quick cameo, David Crohenberg.

           By coincidence, the plot of the film ends up almost the same as the other recent splatter fest, "They Will Kill You" as both films involve the rescue and protection of one's sibling from Satan worshippers, while avoiding being sacrificed. Both involve over the top cartoonish violence aimed at the wealthy elite. Even though the violence is cartoonish, there is one sequence in this film that really takes the beating of a woman too far, and you're no longer laughing. While it is important to the plot, it is really hard to watch.

             If you are a fan of the first film, you will almost certainly enjoy this continuation of the story and I'm sure if it makes enough money, we can expect a third film in the series.

They Will Kill You

 

      It seems the latest trend in horror movies is "violence porn" directed at the wealthy. Writer/director Kirill  Sokolov takes his "stab" at the genre with this new outragous kill fest. Produced by Andy and Barbara Muschietti ( of the TV show "IT" and "Welcome To Derry"), this is basically a live action, figurative, Bugs Bunny Cartoon starring Zazie Beetz.

      Ms. Beetz stars as Asia Reaves, who in a prologue, leaves her younger sister in the hands of their abusive father. Jump 10 years later and she is now searching for her sister to make amends. Her search takes her to a sinister apartment building/hotel in Manhattan where she applies for a job as a new maid. Unbeknownst to her, the building is basically a devil's cult of wealthy acolytes and almost immediately everyone is trying to kill her as a sacrifice.

       The film is a ninety minute orgy of cartoonish violence, which, at times is very inventive and actually poetic in it's fight choreography. Ms. Beetz shows off her athletic ability dodging an array of weapons, some of which do manage to inflict damage. 

       Co-starring are Patricia Arquette, Heather Graham, Myha'la, Angus Sampson, Paterson Joseph, Tom Felton, and the voice of James Remar.

        It's certainly not for everyone but fans of this growing genre will enjoy themselves.                                   

Project Hail Mary

 

        Writer Andy Weir, author of  "The Martian", which was turned into a terrific film with a screenplay by Drew Goddard and Andy Weir, now has his second novel  released as another terrific film, again with a solo screenplay by Drew Goddard. The significance does not go unnoticed. Mr. Goddard has a great feel for the source material but has a knack for removing the science and math heavy plot points of the novel and making the film more accessible for a wide audience without sacrificing the story.

        Co-directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller bring the story to life in an incredible way. The visuals are wonderful, and while filmed in IMAX, the scenes on Earth are shot in a different ratio making the space scenes even more remarkable. They also make a bold choice to refrain from rendering the  "Rocky" character in CGI and instead, he is a very life-like puppet. This adds an important layer to the emotional core of the story.

         When it is discovered the Sun is slowly dying, a team is assembled to visit a far away star that seems to be immune to the problem. Ryan Gosling stars as Dr. Grace, a scientist who figures out the problem and ends up on a spaceship to find a solution. Once he meets "Rocky", a alien sent from his planet for the same reason, the film becomes part science fiction drama and part cosmic buddy comedy. Mr. Gosling is the perfect actor to covey the comedy aspect as well as the dramatic and emotional parts of the film. He carries the film admirably. 

           Mr. Lord and Mr. Christopher intersperse the space scenes with flashbacks back on Earth with a flow that fills in many of the story gaps. My one criticism is that the directors appear to love their film so much, they avoid excess editing which would have tightened the film and avoided tedious scenes. 

           The film co-stars Sandra Huller as Eva Stratt, the director of Project Hail Mary and she is an excellent choice for the character. James Ortiz provides the eventual voice for "Rocky" and Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung and Milana Vayntrub also have smaller but important parts.

            This is an old fashioned Sci-Fi adventure that readers of the book will love and fans of the genre will certainly appreciate.

            

Undertone

 

      Written and directed by Ian Tuason, this new horror film is an experimental way to scare an audience. Imagine "The Blair Witch Project" taking place in a house rather than the woods.

      Podcaster Evie has moved back into her mother's house to care for her as she lies in her bedroom, close to death. The entire film takes place in the house. Evie and her mother are the only on-screen characters. Everyone else in the cast are off-screen voices.

      When Evie's podcast partner, Justin, sends her a set of 10 audio files from an unknown email, they begin to listen for their paranormal podcast. The sounds and dialog on the recordings get stranger with each file. and as each file gets more intense, Evie starts to lose her composure.

       Visually we get the standard spooky house trope. Closeups on religious paintings and statues, shadowy lighting, strange drawings and frequent shots of Evie's mom lying still in bed with raspy breathing all help to create the mood. But it's the sound design that's the star here. It's the audio files that create the growing tension and dread along with the dialog between Evie and Justin.

        Nina Kiri stars as Evie and while she is a capable actress, as basically the only on-screen character, the film becomes tedious even as the sounds attempt to draw you in. The off-screen voice actors are Adam DiMarco as Justin, Keana Lyn Bastidas as Jessa, Jeff Yung as Mike, Sarah Beaudin as Abby and Brian Quintero as Dr. Ram. Mama is played by Michele Duquet.

        The sound design experiment is fascinating but the film is not.

The Bride!

 

           Written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, this is a complete reimagining of "The Bride of Frankenstein".  It is a feminist twist on the story from the Bride's point of view as she tries to understand her reanimated life and her relationship with "Frank" (Frankenstein's monster).

           The film is set in 1932 in various cities as the budding romance between these two "monsters" grows while they are on the run after committing multiple murders. They are chased by a detective (played by Peter Sarsgaard) and his assistant, Myrna (the smarter of the two) played by Penelope Cruz.

           The Bride is played by Jessie Buckley (who also plays Mary Shelly, the author of "Frankenstein" and the film's narrator) and she is simply electric (pun intended). Ms. Buckley is just incredible and she is equally matched with the terrific Christian Bale as Frank. While the film may be far from perfect, the two stars are and it's thrilling to watch them together.

              Co-starring are Annette Benning as the mad scientist that brings The Bride to life, Jeannie Berlin as her assistant, Greta, Jake Gyllenhaal as Ronnie Reed, a singing, dancing movie star that Frank idolizes, and John Magaro as a criminal hunting the pair.

                It's a great cast and Ms. Gyllenhaal certainly has lofty goals in bringing this story to life. Unfortunately, much like Frank, the film is stitched together rather haphazardly, moving in various directions that at times, is a parody of itself.  You are reminded in turn of  Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers musicals, "Natural Born Killers", "Bonnie & Clyde",  "Sid & Nancy" and even "Young Frankenstein". It's a fascinating experiment that is fun to watch but doesn't quite succeed. That said, it's worth it just to watch Ms. Buckley and Mr. Bale...they are remarkable.

Scream 7

 

       Neve Campbell, once again returns as Sidney Prescott- Evans, (even apologizing, in character, for not appearing in Scream 6) to be threatened by the "Ghostface" killer.

        Co-written (along with Guy Busick) and directed by Kevin Williamson, the emphasis this time is not just on Sidney but her teenage daughter Tatum.  The script returns to the form of the earlier films, making fun of itself, providing various gory kills, and keeping the audience guessing as to the identity of  "Ghostface". 

         Besides Ms. Campbell, the film stars Isabel May as Tatum, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, Jimmy Tatro, McKenna Grace, Asa Germann, Tim Simons, Joel McHale, Ethan Embry and Mark Conuelos. There is a nostalgia factor as well, with many of the original cast returning in various ways, including Courtney Cox, Matthew Lillard, Laurie Metcalf, Scott Foley, and David Arquette.

          There is talk of an eighth film but frankly, this franchise is running out of steam and for the most part, this installment is pretty boring. It's more of a yawn than a scream.

           

Sirat

 

             Nothing can prepare you for the impact of this Academy Award nominated ( best Foreign Language) film. Directed by Oliver Laxe (who also co-wrote the screenplay with Santiago Filloi), the film will leave you with a shock to the senses.

              Luis (Sergi Lopez), along with his young son Esteban (Bruno Nunez Arjona), is a father searching for his adult daughter during a Rave in the Moroccan desert. When he doesn't find her, he takes up with a small group of nomadic "Ravers" hoping she might turn up at the next Rave.

              The group traveling in multiple vehicles consists of Richard Bellamy as Bigui, Steafania Gadda as Stef, Joshua Liam Henderson as Josh, Tonin Janvier as Tonin, and Jade Oukid as Jade. Aside from Mr. Lopez and Mr. Arjona, the other main characters are played by non-professional actors who are all terrific and unique.

              When the opening Rave is interrupted by the military, the group leaves to cross the harsh landscape of the Moroccan desert looking for the next Rave and hopefully Luis's daughter. The film follows them on their journey leading to an unexpected and shocking sequence of events.

                The film opens with a quote "The Sirat Bridge lies between Heaven and Hell. The path is as narrow as a hair and as sharp as a sword". This quote literally prepares you for what comes next. As a spiritual metaphor open to interpretation the film will stay with you for some time.

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

 

        Lord oh mighty, I feel my temperature rising...

        Along with the great editing by Jonathan Redmond, director Baz Luhrmann presents an amazing film starring the one and only Elvis Presley. It's a hybrid of documentary and concert film that will leaving breathless.

        Mr. Luhrmann found unseen footage from "Elvis: That's the Way it is" and "Elvis on Tour" along with footage from his residency in Las Vegas from 1969 into the 1970's, as well as archival footage of his early years to create a momentous musical experience.

        The majority of the concert footage is from the Vegas residency in his white jumpsuit performing at the peak of his talents. Footage also includes other performances intercut with colorful jumpsuits that edited together move like a seamless concert. Mr. Redmond also edits in archival footage from Elvis's early years, shots of his army years, the long list of "terrible" movies (in his words), and moments with Priscilla and baby Lisa Marie.

        This is a spectacle that is not to be missed. See it in IMAX if you can or the biggest screen possible.

        The King may be dead but long live The King!

Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die

 

          Written by Matthew Robinson and directed by Gore Verbinski, this is a high concept action comedy with a serious message at its core. Mr. Robinson script contains a not so subtle message about our addiction to technology and the ever evolving growth of Artificial Intelligence, but wraps it around a gonzo Sci-Fi comedy.

          The film stars Sam Rockwell (at his lunatic best) as, seemingly, a man from the future who has travelled back in time to recruit a group of individuals to help him change the course of our future. The film co-stars Haley Lu Richardson, Michael Pena, Zazie Beetz, Asim Chaudhry, Tom Taylor, and Juno Temple.

          It's a very clever story, and in Mr. Verbinski's hands, it plays out in controlled chaos. It's a wild ride through one crazy night with an even more insane payoff. It has the same lunatic spirit as "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once", but for most, probably easier to follow.

           While a lot of fun, it will leave you with second thoughts about the phone in your hand.

Crime 101

 

          This is a very exciting new crime thriller starring the very charismatic Chris Hemsworth. Directed by Bart Layton (who also wrote the screenplay), the film is based on a story by celebrated crime author, Don Winslow. Mr. Layton ascribes to the Michael Mann school of atmospheric crime dramas and this film may remind you of "Heat" but if it does, let that be a compliment.

           Mr. Hemsworth plays Mike Davis, a thief only interested in high end scores who is very methodical in the planning and execution of his robberies. The film also stars Mark Ruffalo as the detective looking to identify and apprehend the thief, and Halle Berry as an insurance broker who ends up involved with both men. Co-starring are Barry Keoghan as a psychotic criminal, Nick Note as Mike's "fence", Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Tate Donovan, Paul Adelstein in various roles and in a one scene cameo, Jennifer Jason Leigh.

           It's a terrific cast that play well written characters bringing depth to the story elevating it beyond a simple "cops and robbers" plot. The clever script also includes many small surprises throughout the film that create unexpected moments. 

           The title has a dual meaning referring to a figurative playbook on how to commit a crime as well as the actual  California highway 101 that plays an important role in the story. For this reason, there are just a few too many night time visuals of the highway itself but I consider that my only complaint. Otherwise, this is a action filled, throwback crime thriller with a great cast that is not to be missed.

              And an additional note, you will really appreciate the car chases seeing the film in IMAX or Dolby cinema.

            

A Private Life

 

       Jodie Foster stars in this new French film (speaking fluent French with occasional English), co-written and directed by Rebecca Ziotowski.

       Ms. Foster plays  American psychiatrist, Lillian Steiner, living and working in Paris. She begins to suspect one of her patient's apparent suicide may have been murder when the patient's daughter gives her a mysterious note. She then enlists the help of her ex-husband to investigate.

       The film co-stars Daniel Auteuil as Gabriel, her ex-husband, Virginie Efira as Paula, the patient seen in flashbacks, Mathieu Amalric as the widower, Vincent Lascoste as Julien, Dr. Steiner's son, and Luana Bajrami as Valerie, Paula's daughter.

       Ms. Foster and Mr. Auteuil have wonderful chemistry and while the film is a drama, their relationship provides slices of light humor throughout the film. While it is initially interesting to watch Ms. Foster play the lead speaking French, to her credit (and Ms. Ziotowski's), it quickly becomes second nature to the mystery itself and the nature of memory and loss.

Send Help

 

       Twisted fun from director Sam Raimi, this is not one of the usual horror films he is known for but he still provides a bloody good time in this tale of survival.

        Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien star as a smart but meek employee with a sexist jerk of a boss, who end up stranded together on a deserted island. Ms. McAdams plays Linda Little, who lives alone except for her bird and loves the TV show "Survivor".  Mr. O'Brien is Bradley Preston, the privileged new boss who passes over Linda in favor of his golf buddy for a promotion. He does make a concession by inviting her along on a business trip to Thailand.

        Once their plane goes down in a bad storm and the two end up fighting the elements and each other for survival. While Bradley thinks he's still the boss, Linda reminds him they are "no longer in the office". The two stars embrace their characters and Mr. Raimi puts them through the ringer as the upper hand of their relationship constantly shifts between them.

       Dennis Haysbert has a cameo as an executive at Bradley's company and Edyll Ismail plays Zuri, Bradley's fiancée. 

       Mr, Raimi finds interesting ways to film the everchanging dynamic of the two survivors and even finds a way to include a signature Raimi moment. And just when you think the plot is running out of steam, the script and his direction brings things to a crazy and surprising ending.

        In the middle of this freezing winter, a trip to this tropical island for this gonzo tale of survival is the perfect getaway.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple

 

   The second in a planned trilogy, this film opens just after the end of the previous film, "28 Years Later". Both are based on the original "28 Days Later" and it's sequel, "28 Weeks Later". While Alex Garland continues to write the story, this installment was directed by Nia DaCosta.

    If you are planning to see this and have not seen the original or "28 Years Later" ("28 Weeks Later" was actually a stand alone), I suggest you watch them first as this film continues the story. For that reason, most of the cast has returned and there is more emphasis on Dr. Kelson and Sir Lord Jimmy Crystal.

     Ralph Fiennes returns as Dr. Kelson and he is just terrific and seems to be really enjoying himself. Jack O'Connell returns as Jimmy Crystal, a character similar to the one he plays in "Sinners" (although not a vampire). Alfie Williams returns as Spike, a teenager reluctantly recruited by Jimmy. We are also introduced to Jimmy's disciples (his "fingers"), whom we saw briefly at the end of the previous film. They include Erin Kellyman, Emma Laird, Sam Locke, Robert Rhodes, Ghazi Al Ruffal, Maura bird, and Connor Newall. Also co-starring are Chi Lewis-Parry as "Samson", an infected that Dr. Kelson is trying to cure and Mirren Mack as a pregnant survivor.

     Mr. Garland's script explores the theme of the nature of evil as Jimmy proclaims himself the son of Satan (or as he refers to him, as "Old Nick). The film has quite a few grisly scenes and while the "infected" are zombie-like, this is not a horror film in the traditional sense.

      The film works as a perfect bridge to what will be the climatic film. The last scene even reintroduces a character from the very first film.

 

Dead Man's Wire

 

        Based on a true story, the latest film from director Gus Van Sant is a taut little thriller starring an electric Bill Skarsgard.

         The film is shot almost as a documentary as Mr. Van Sant enjoys recreating actual events. Mr. Skarsgard plays Tony Kiritsis, a man who felt swindled by a loan company, who takes the son of the owner hostage, with a shotgun wired at the back of his head. Dacre Montgomery plays Richard Hall, the nervous hostage.

            Co-starring are Cary Elwes (almost unrecognizable) as Detective Michael Grable, Myha'la as TV reporter Linda Page, Colman Domingo as DJ Fred Temple,  Al Pacino as M.L. Hall, the owner of the loan company and Kelly Lynch as his wife. Mr. Pacino's role amounts to little more than a cameo. Mr. Domingo's role is a bit bigger and more significant.

             The time and place is 1977 in Indianapolis and Mr. Van Sant goes to great lengths for authenticity in the costumes and sets.  Ironically, it was shot in Louisville Kentucky standing in for Indianapolis. It's a fast paced thriller tinged with humor and suspense that could be a distant cousin to "Dog Day Afternoon".

              Mr. Skarsgard sheds his iconic role of "Pennywise the Clown" from "IT" and makes the most of his role as Tony Kiritsis. He drives the entire film.

               It's a wild story with a surprising ending (if you don't know the actual facts). Actual footage of the real event plays during the credits.

               

Father Mother Sister Brother

 

          The latest film from writer/director Jim Jarmusch uses his favorite film structure of multiple story lines to tell three tales of family dynamics.

           "Father" tells the story of an adult brother and sister paying a visit to their widowed father. It stars Adam Driver and Mayim Bialik as the siblings and Tom Waits as their father. "Mother" also tells a story of siblings (in this case sisters) paying an annual visit of afternoon tea with their mother. It stars Cate Blanchett and Vicky Krieps as the sisters and Charlotte Rampling as their mother. "Sister Brother" is a story of adult twins who reunite to visit their former home after their parents have been killed in a plane crash. It stars Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat. Every actor is excellent.

            The entire film is a gentle look at each family's dynamic with hints of dysfunction, humor, grace, love, and in one case, surprise. The stories are not connected but do contain subtle threads of overlap in pieces of dialog and visuals.

             Fans of Mr. Jarmusch will appreciate the unhurried, "slice of life" storytelling.

              

          

Avatar: Fire and Ash

 

         The third film in James Cameron's Avatar series will not disappoint fans. If you are not familiar with the series and have some interest, I recommend you watch the first two before jumping right into the new one.

         Since the film picks up right where the story left off, the original cast all return including Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Edie Falco, Giovanni Ribisi, and Jack Champion. The cast play humans and the CGI, aliens, The Na'vi. Using motion capture and the newest technology, Mr. Cameron and his team seamlessly integrate all the visuals into a masterwork of realism, creating, once again, the world of Pandora.

           To truly immerse yourself in the film, the best way to see it is in IMAX 3-D, but any large screen format will still not disappoint. The story continues but Mr. Cameron introduces new characters and broadens the scope of the world he has created. This includes the Mangkwan, a war mongering tribe of Na'vi led by Varang, played by Oona Chaplin.

            The film is lots of fun but clocking in at slightly over three hours, it does drag a bit in the middle.  However, the finale is absolutely spectacular and will leave you in a state of awe. While this film has a definitive end, Mr. Cameron has two more films planned for the series. He leaves you wanting more.

The Testament of Ann Lee

 

          Director Mona Fastvold, who also co-wrote the story with her long time partner, Brady Corbet (the team behind The Brutalist) has made a remarkable, historical drama. It is the story of Ann Lee, the leader of the religious sect known as The Shakers. The film takes place in the 18th century and includes many musical and dance sequences that were part of The Shakers religious practice.

           Amanda Seyfried  stars as Ann Lee in an electrifying and thrilling performance. She has set herself a new bar in acting and is simply remarkable.  The film co-stars Lewis Pullman as her brother William, Thomasin McKenzie as Sister Mary (also the narrator), Stacy Martin as Jane Wardley, Christopher Abbott as Abraham, Tim Blake Nelson as Pastor Wright, , Scott Handy as James Wardley, Matthew Beard as James Whittaker and Viola Prettejohn as Nancy, Ann's niece. All daring roles in a daring movie, the entire cast is exceptional.

           Ms. Fastvold creates a true work of cinematic art. Along with her team, the direction is bold, the cinematography is gorgeous, the choreography is amazing, the music is truly original and the set and costume designs are authentic and beautifully detailed.

             I knew little of The Shakers going into this film and was intrigued by the trailer. Known for their furniture making skills, the sect was at the height of its popularity in the 1800's (somewhere between 4000-6000 members) and still exists today in considerably smaller numbers. It is a fascinating story. 

            Far from a mainstream movie, it is not for everyone but if you are open to exciting and enriching cinema, this film will reward you in it's breathless and majestic scope. Released at the end of last month, qualifying multiple Oscar nominations this year, are a lock.

Anaconda

 

    

       Starting the year off with a silly comedy sounded like a good idea but writer/director Tom Gormican surprises us with not just a comedy but an action adventure story with more depth than expected.

        The film stars Paul Rudd and Jack Black as Doug and "Griff", two life long friends, who along with their other two long time buddies, Kenny (Steve Zahn) and Claire (Thandiwe Newton) decide to remake the 1997 horror film, "Anaconda". You expect laughs from Mr. Rudd, Mr. Black, and Mr. Zahn but the real surprise is Ms. Newton (not normally known for comedy) holding her own with her co-stars. The film also co-stars Daniela Melchior, Selton Mello, Ione Skye and John Billingsley.

        Mr. Gormican's script puts adventure first and fills it in with laughs along the way. Are parts silly? Sure, but it's also pretty exciting with twists and surprises you don't expect. The CGI snake is not perfect but appropriately just the right amount for this film.

         If you are looking for counterprogramming from all the dramas and foreign films out now, this is the perfect ticket to see on a big screen. And props to Sony, the studio behind the film, for being a good sport and poking fun at itself.