Top Gun: Maverick

 

             Tom Cruise flies again. Fans of the original have waited two CoVid postponed years for this sequel to the beloved first film. They won't be disappointed as the new film adds all the elements from the first, mixes in some contemporary twists and makes it fit as comfortable as a favorite T-shirt.

            For audiences who may not have seen or don't remember the original, if they can get past the melodramatic, predictable plot and dialog, they will be treated to thrilling flying sequences and a very exciting last act. Mr. Cruise, still in remarkable shape is no longer the cocky young hotshot pilot but rather a weathered pilot still grieving over the loss of his best friend. His first priority now is getting his new Tom Gun pilots combat ready and keeping them alive. A dangerous mission against an unnamed enemy sets up the dramatic action but takes it's time getting to the actual mission. In between, we are treated to many  familiar plot points updated from the original.

           The film co-stars Jennifer Connelly returning as Penny, Maverick's love interest from the first film, now conveniently divorced and owner of the bar where they first met. Also co-starring are John Hamm as a by the book Admiral, Miles Teller as "Rooster", the son of Maverick's best friend "Goose", Charles Parnell as another admiral on Maverick's side,  and Glenn Powell, Lewis Pullman,  Monica Barbaro,  Greg Tarzan Davis, Danny Ramirez as the new Top Gun Pilots. Val Kilmer has a poignant cameo as "Iceman".

           The flying sequences are remarkable putting the audience directly in the cockpit, feeling every twist, turn and G force. The film is designed as a nostalgic crowd pleaser with  contemporary elements that won't disappoint if you can bear the predictable melodrama (although the script does have more depth than the original). I highly recommend seeing it in IMAX or at least Dolby Cinema to really appreciate the action.

"Downton Abbey: A New Era"

 

        I must confess, I have never seen an episode of the Downton Abbey TV show, nor the first film. However, after enjoying "The Gilded Age" on HBO,  created and written by Julien Fellowes who also created "Downton", I was intrigued by the trailer.

        After a quick primer by my wife, on the characters, I went into the film with an open mind.  And I have to say, it was quite enjoyable. Mr. Fellowes plays it safe with two subplots that split the family and servants between a film being shot at "Downton" and an inherited villa in the south of France.

         Everything is prim and proper, as is the English way, especially in the upper-class life of the early 1930's. Most, if not all of the familiar characters are back and a few new ones are introduced. Hugh Dancy is the movie director of the silent film, "The Gambler" being shot at "Downton". Dominic West and Laura Haddock are his stars. Problems arise when "The Jazz Singer" premieres and studios suddenly want "talkies".

         At the villa, Lord Grantham, played again by Hugh Bonneville, is faced with a potential scandal. But Mr. Fellowes is not interested in causing waves in a sea of familiarity. For the most part, there is a happy ending for almost everyone.  And how can you not love the fabulous costumes and scenic locations?

         Fans will enjoy the two hour loving embrace of their favorite characters but new fans, such as myself, will also enjoy the light drama and surprising fun as the Downton Abbey legacy continues.

Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

     The magic of Dr. Strange and the Scarlett Witch may have transported audiences through Marvel's conception of the multiverse but this new film takes a more scientific, yet fun, approach to the concept and does it brilliantly.  Written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (together known as 'The Daniels"), the film is epic in scale. It throws so much absurdist fun, emotional drama, martial arts, and questions of life itself, into one story that you will leave the theater exhausted but thrilled at having your mind blown.

      Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn Quan Wang, who along with her husband Waymond (played by Ke Huy Quan) own a failing Laundromat, and are about to be audited by the IRS.  The legendary James Wong plays Evelyn's father and Stephanie Hsu plays their daughter, Joy. Co-starring are Jamie Lee Curtis as the IRS agent from hell, Tallie Medel as Joy's girlfriend, Harry Shum Jr. as Chad, and Jenny Slate as Debbie, the dog mom. It's a great cast but Ms. Yeoh and Mr. Quan really stand out. Their characters go through multiple transformations but they manage to keep it all grounded no matter how crazy things get and trust me, things get pretty crazy.

       The "Daniels" make it a point to try to explain the existence of a multiverse in a fun and almost believable way. Using trigger points that get more absurd as the film goes on, characters then "jump" between realities ultimately trying to stop a threat to the entire multiverse. While this all sounds completely gonzo (and it is), the plot is actually easy to follow and it all ends up making sense in a weird way.

       It's really great to see Ms. Yeoh take center stage, especially in film that show her full range, from comedy to drama with martial arts in between. She is just brilliant and Mr. Quan, a famed martial arts stunt director, is just as good in what I think may be his first starring role. The film will make your head spin (but in a good way) and is, so far, my favorite film of the year.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

    Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Doctor Strange in this trippy sequel that will appeal to Marvel fans but hold probably no interest for anyone else.

    Events from the "Wanda Vision" TV show on Disney+ set up the plot in this film but even if you missed that show, you will still be able to follow the central story.  Elizabeth Olsen returns as Wanda Maximoff aka The Scarlet Witch and she just about steals the film out from under Mr. Cumberbatch.

   While the central plot is simple to follow, it is actually a disappointing storyline that at its core is about the lengths a mother will go through to be with her kids. For a film with the title "multiverse of Madness", there really isn't a big focus on the concept or construct of an actual multiverse. There are a few set pieces that are film highlights and fan favorites that introduce more surprise Marvel characters (films to come later) but one of the best scenes where Dr. Strange and his young friend America travel through many multiverses goes by much too fast.

   Mr. Cumberbatch is terrific as Dr. Strange. He continues to capture the character perfectly and his snarky attitude makes you miss Tony Stark just a little bit less. Xochitl Gomez plays America Chavez, a young woman who can travel between the multiverse and has a power that is coveted by Wanda. Also returning are Benedict Wong as Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo and Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer, Strange's ex-fiancé. The leads are terrific especially Mr. Cumberbatch and Ms. Olsen but the characters get bogged down by the barrage of trippy CGI. And speaking of the special effects, they go from sloppy to excellent depending on where you are in the film.

    The film is directed by Sam Raimi,  who has played in the Marvel universe before and has a fun sensibility to the material. He can't resist a good zombie. He even casts an old friend in a surprise cameo.

    As usual, there are two extra scenes, one mid credits and one post credits. The mid credit scene is a short but important tease. The post credit is just silly and can be skipped without missing anything.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

      Nicolas Cage stars as a fictionalized version of himself in this new action comedy, written and directed by Tom Gormican. 

     Mr. Cage is in great form, making fun of himself and at the same time having a blast with Pedro Pascal in quite the "bromance". He stars as Nick Cage, who needs a desperately needs a hit as his bank account is dwindling quickly. Neil Patrick Harris plays his agent who brings him an offer of a million dollars just to be the guest of honor at a billionaire's birthday party. Mr. Pascal is Javi Gutierrez, the billionaire who is Mr. Cage's biggest fan and wants him to read a script he has written with Mr. Cage in mind.

    The two hit it off immediately and fuel their friendship with drugs and alcohol. Mr. Cage is very impressed with Javi's private Nicolas Cage collection, including a life-size figure of Mr. Cage. Things take a turn when Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz, playing CIA agents, "recruit" Mr. Cage into betraying Javi, who they suspect is an arms dealer and kidnapper.

    Using clips and quotes from many of his earlier films, and an imaginary visit from one of his earlier characters, the film is an absolute ode to Mr. Cage. He is obviously enjoying himself and has terrific chemistry with Mr. Pascal, who almost steals the film.  Additional co-stars include Sharon Hogan as Mr. Cage's ex-wife and Lily Sheen as his daughter. 

      While not award material , the film is a silly romp that pokes fun at Hollywood, movie stars and itself. If you are a Nicolas Cage fan, and who isn't, you will find it easy to "bear the weight".

The Northman

           Director and co-writer ( with Sjon) Robert Eggers brings his unique vision to this Viking tale of revenge. Set in AD 895, the film, while filled with its share of violent battle scenes, is more metaphysical and mystical in nature.

           The film stars Alexander Skarsgard as Amleth, a warrior prince, Oscar Novak as the young Amleth, Nicole Kidman as Amleth's mother and Ethan Hawke as his father. When his uncle Fjolnir (played by Claes Bang) kills his father and takes his mother as his queen, young  Amleth escapes by boat plotting revenge. We meet him years later as the adult Amleth, who after a visit by a seer (played by Bjork), seeks a mystical sword in order to slay his uncle. Along the way he befriends Olga (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) when they both become slaves to Fjolnir, who is unaware of Amleth's true identity. The film also co-stars in small roles, Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson and Kate Dickie, all veterans of Mr. Eggers earlier films.

          The majority of the film is set in the barren wilderness of Iceland. Devoid of much color or life, the harsh landscape becomes a character unto itself. Mr. Eggers brings a true sense of realism to the stark and violent world of these characters. You can almost feel the blood and dirt on your skin as you watch the story unfold.  He has an uncanny way of creating a familiar story in a fresh and unique way. 

          Don't expect a full-blown Viking adventure with a cast of thousands but rather expect the unexpected and be rewarded with a surprising tale of blood, sweat, and a single tear. 

Fantastic Beast: The Secrets of Dumbledore

 

       The third film in the "Fantastic Beats" series finds most of the original cast back for a new adventure. Eddie Redmayne returns as Newt Scamander as does Dan Fogler as the "muggle" Jacob Kowalski. Albus Dumbledore is played again, with great charm by Jude Law in an expanded role from the previous film. Also returning are Ezra Miller, Alison Sudol, and in what amounts to a cameo, Katherine Waterston. Jessica Williams joins the cast as Professor "Lally" Hicks. A welcome addition this time out is Mads Mikkelsen as Grindelwald, replacing Johnny Depp. He brings more depth and menace to the role than Mr. Depp. 

        Directed again by David Yates from a screenplay by J.K. Rowling, the film moves along at a calm almost leisurely pace (even the action sequences seem calm and lacking a real sense of excitement) with an engaging story, that at its core, is about a rigged election. The most exciting sequence involves Newt rescuing his brother, Theseus from a wizard prison. The CGI work is impressive creating a sense of magic throughout the film.

        The series was originally planned as five films. This film does have its charms (pun intended) and a clear ending in case the decision is made not to move forward with more films.

Ambulance

        

       I can't imagine any director other than Michael Bay going near this ridiculous script.  Apparently he turned it down the first time it was offered but after CoVid shut down any production, he was anxious to start directing again. The film is based on the Danish film of the same name and I suppose Danish audiences were less forgiving. In typical Michael Bay fashion, logic and depth of character are replaced by pure adrenaline and explosions.

       Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II star as brother Danny and Will Sharp. Danny took up the family business of robbing banks while Will became a Marine. Now faced with a desperate need for cash, Will agrees to help Danny with a $32 million dollar bank robbery. When things go wrong very quickly, they find themselves stealing an ambulance with an EMT (played by Eliza Gonzalez) and a wounded policeman (played by Jackson White) still inside. The remainder of the film is basically one long chase through the streets of Los Angeles. Garrett Dillahunt and Kier O'Donnell play the Swat leader and FBI agent pursuing them.

      Mr. Gyllenhaal is in manic mode as the desperate bank robber. Mr. Abdul- Mateen II is the sympathetic brother who wavers between surrender and getaway. Ms. Gonzalez steals the picture out from everyone as the tough talking EMT.  But the real star of the film is the camera work, filming the action from every angle sometimes at dizzying speed. Mr. Bay's bombastic direction is fast, furious and loud. He makes it easy to forget how ridiculous the story is, including reality defying surgery performed in a moving ambulance.

      Exciting at the start, the mind-numbing chase grows weary until the script throws in a Latino gang with a clever ruse to help the brothers. While injecting some fresh action, it's too little too late. Suffice to say, Ambulance runs out of gas and coasts to an inevitable ending.

Morbius

         Marvel Studio's next crack at a superhero franchise comes in collaboration with Sony Studios and those cross studio films are never quite as good as pure Disney/Marvel creations. Case in point, "Morbius", based on the Marvel comic, "Morbius, The Living Vampire" is much darker in tone (and I would think pretty scary for a younger audience) and lacking the  perfect balance of humor and drama found in the other films.

         Jared Leto stars as Dr. Michael Morbius, a scientist with a rare disease who finds a cure mixing human DNA with vampire bat DNA. However, to stay healthy with enhanced strength and skills, he must drink blood every few hours.  Being the hero of the film, he has successfully created artificial blood so he needn't seek out human victims. However, someone else has stolen the cure and doesn't really care where they find a blood source.

       Mr. Leto is a fine actor, usually known for more serious roles but for whatever reason, he has hitched himself to the Marvel bandwagon. He does the best he can, swallowed by tons of CGI and other special effects that are fair at best.  The film co-stars Adria Arjona as a fellow scientist and love interest for Mr. Leto, Jared Harris as a mentor and father figure doctor, and Matt Smith as Lucien/Milo, Morbius's surrogate brother. Tyrese Gibson and Al Madrigal are FBI agents trying to solve the riddle of  multiplying dead bodies drained of blood.

        This is your typical origin story where the stakes are not that high but will set up a definite sequel that ties the character tighter to the Marvel universe. Stay for the mid-credit scenes for a familiar character and important reference to events from a previous Marvel blockbuster.

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". 

Cyrano

     Director Joe Wright, working from a screenplay by Erica Schmidt (based on her play), brings us a wonderful adaptation of the classic love triangle.

     Earlier versions of Cyrano have always focused on his deformity of an extra-large nose, rendering him unable to profess his love for Roxanne. Here Cyrano is played by Peter Dinklage and it's the rather obvious size difference that keeps him from revealing his love, instead wooing her through his poetic letters delivered by Christian, the soldier Roxanne thinks she loves.

     Mr. Dinklage is absolutely wonderful in the role. He is a fierce swordsman, has an intellectual and poetic wit, and wears his heartbreaking unspoken love on his sleeve. And as it turns out, is not a bad singer, in a Tom Waits sort of way. Roxanne is played by the lovely Haley Bennett and Christian is play by the dashing Kelvin Harrison Jr.. Co-starring as the villain who also love Roxanne is Ben Mendelsohn, always a delight in a role he knows so well.

     The production is breathtaking. The locations (in and around towns in Sicily) are wonderful. The costumes are luminous and the surprising songs and choreography add a new dimension to the ageless tale. The singing and dancing are subtle and never overwhelm the production. There is really only one large number that is rendered beautifully.

      If you are looking for a change of pace from the usual films that seemed dumped on an audience in February, "Cyrano" makes for a great "date night".

Uncharted

           

          Based on a video game (which I have never played or even seen), this action, adventure story is in the mold of a "Raiders of the Lost Ark" or "National Treasure". While not quite living up to the standards of those iconic films, it does have its moments and relies heavily on the charms of its two stars to carry the film.

         The film stars Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg and there is great chemistry between the "old and new school" action heroes. Mr. Wahlberg is "Sully" a thief with a plan to seek out a fortune of gold lost during the original Magellan expedition. He enlists the aid of Nathan Drake (Mr. Holland) who along with his older brother, Sam,  had tried to steal the map of the expedition years earlier. Already a success as "Spider-man", Mr. Holland has now set himself up to be the next generation Hollywood action star.

          Following the various clues, the film takes us from New York, to Barcelona, and to the Philippines as the two fortune seekers try to complete the puzzle and locate the treasure.  The film opens in the middle of an elaborate action sequence but stops short to take us into a flashback. It is only later that we return to the sequence to see how it unfolded and how it plays out. Since it is the most exciting sequence in the film, director Rueben Fleischer gets the most out of it by showing it twice. There is also an exciting, but totally unbelievable climax that just can't be described.

          Co-starring are Antonio Banderas and Tati Gabrielle as villains also in search of the treasure and Sophia Ali as a slippery colleague of Sully's who may or may not be trusted.  Steven Waddington is a villainous henchman known only as "The Scotsman" who exists for the sole purpose of comic relief as no one can understand his Scottish accent.

          The film follows a tried-and-true formula that is dull in parts but it is the great charm of Mr. Holland and reliability of Mr. Wahlberg that still makes it a fun but brainless watch. There are two post credits sequences that leave the door open for the inevitable sequel.

The Worst Person in the World

 

                  Nominated for best International film and best original screenplay at this year's Oscars,  this new Norwegian film is more romantic drama than comedy. It tells the story of Julie, played by Renate Reinsve, a young woman about to turn 30 and still figuring out her life.

                  The film follows Julie through career and relationship changes and is divided into twelve chapters with a prologue and epilogue. Much of the story centers on her relationship with Aksel, a comic book artist, 14 years her senior, played by Anders Danielsen Lie and then later with Eivind, a coffee barista played by Herbert Nordrum.

                  The three leads, especially Ms. Reinsve are terrific. Julie's story is not defined by usual rom-com elements and while there is some humor, it is a far more serious film. Ms. Reinsve moves through the film like a breath of fresh air and we find ourselves rooting for Julie even as her life, with no clear direction, takes unexpected twists and turns.

  

                 Directed and co-written by Joachim Trier, it's a smart, original take on a well known formula.

The Lost Daughter

 

      Not exactly new, this drama is currently streaming on Netflix. Written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, and based on the novel by Elena Ferrante, the film explores motherhood through the eyes of Olivia Coleman as Leda Caruso, Jessie Buckley in flashbacks as a young Leda, and Dakota Johnson as Nina, a young mother vacationing at the same Greek resort as Leda.

      Vacationing alone, Leda's peaceful stay is constantly interrupted by Nina and the rest of her loud, obnoxious family. She becomes obsessed with Nina and her daughter Elena. Watching them invokes memories of her own young motherhood which we come to find out was not an easy one.

      The film co-stars Ed Harris, as Lyle, the resort's maintenance man, Paul Mescal as Will, a resort assistant, and Peter Sarsgaard as a college professor colleague of young Leda. Ms. Coleman is amazing as always and Ms. Buckley captures her perfectly as her younger self. Ms. Johnson and the rest of the cast are excellent as well.

      While not exactly a "thriller",  we are teased by many tense moments as the story unfolds. It's a slow burn but filled with intriguing characters as well as much symbolism. It is that symbolism that leaves the film open to interpretation as well as an ambiguous ending that begs discussion.

Moonfall

     It's that time of year when bad movies fill the void of winter and we can always expect a new Liam Neeson thriller.  While he does not star in this new sci-fi disaster film, Halle Berry and Patrick Wilson do and I guess they needed the paycheck.

     Directed and co-written by Roland Emmerich, the film is one of those "so bad, it's good" or just bad movies depending on your tolerance for ridiculous plots and even more ridiculous dialog. The premise of the moon falling out of orbit, I guess has a tiny bit of plausibility but the eventual reason for it happening is really ludicrous. And yet, Ms. Berry and Mr. Wilson do their best serious acting as the head of NASA and her disgraced astronaut out to save the earth. Joining them is John Bradley, as an armchair, amateur scientist who first discovers the problem. No one believes him at first but he somehow ends up in space, helping to save the day.

     There are the usual subplots involving family members in peril to give the film some gravitas and heart and lots of miniatures are destroyed in the ensuing mayhem. The special effects go from terrible to almost decent depending on what is transpiring on screen.

     The film co-stars Michael Pena, Charlie Plummer, Kelly Yu and in a "blink and you'll miss him" cameo, Donald Sutherland.  And of course, a bunch of adorable kids threatened by falling pieces of the moon. The only thing they forgot was a family dog.

     I realize this doesn't come off as a very favorable review but in a strange way, the film is still fun, especially in IMAX. It's actually a welcome distraction from the real-life problems we are all facing these days. 

Parallel Mothers

        The new film from writer/director Pedro Almodovar is an emotionally engaging story of two single pregnant women. Penelope Cruz stars as Janis, a photographer, who gets pregnant after a brief affair.  She becomes friendly with Ana (played by Milena Smit) when they become hospital roommates after going into labor and giving birth at the same time.

        Ana lives with her mother, an actress who was never really close to her daughter, since Ana had grown up with her father, until she became pregnant. Janis becomes pregnant after an affair with Arturo, a renowned forensic archaeologist, who has agreed to help her find and excavate the mass grave in her home village, where her great-grandfather and others were killed and buried during the Spanish Civil War.

        What starts out as a simple story of two different women who bond over a shared experience, becomes more complex as only Mr. Almodovar can tell it. Ms. Cruz rides an emotional rollercoaster and is simply wonderful as Janis. Ms. Smit shares that ride and the two women have great chemistry between them. Mr. Almodovar has a gift for writing complex women's roles and directing the women who play them.

         As a subplot, the story of the mass grave gives Mr. Almodovar a chance to make a subtle political statement and bring light to his audience, a dark chapter in Spain's history.  

Nightmare Alley

    Based on the 1946 novel of the same name, this is actually a remake of the original 1947 film starring Tyrone Power. The new version is directed by Guillermo del Toro with a screenplay by Mr. del Toro and Kim Morgan.

    In this new version Bradley Cooper stars as Stanton Carlisle, a drifter who finds new purpose working in a dustbowl Carnival in the late 1930's. The film co-stars Cate Blanchett as a femme fatale physiologist, Toni Collette as Zeena, a "mind reader" with the carny, who along with her alcoholic husband Pete (Played by David Strathairn) teach Carlisle to be a mentalist, Rooney Mara as Molly, Richard Jenkins, Mary Steenburgen, Willem Dafoe, Ron Perlman, and Holt McCallany.

    Mr. del Toro and his team faithfully recreate the era with terrific sets, costumes, and overall production design. The art deco sets in the latter half of the film are amazing. The atmosphere of the film is creepy and moody throughout, especially early on in the carny scenes. While Mr. del Toro is known for monsters and horror, the only monsters here are human but there is certainly a sense of dread that runs through the entire story.

    The pace is methodically slow but Mr. Cooper is magnetic and keeps the viewer engaged throughout. As Stanton's skills improve, his ambition grows as does his hubris. This is a great exercise in retro film noir that patience will reward.

The Tender Bar

       Based on the memoir by J.R. Moehringer, this coming-of-age drama is about his life growing up on Long Island and is directed with sentimental efficiency by George Clooney.

      It stars Ben Affleck as Uncle Charlie, Ty Sheridan as the adult J.R., Daniel Ranieri as the young J.R, Lily Rabe as his mother, and Christopher Lloyd as his grandfather.  Co-stars include Briana Middleton, Max Martini, and Sondra James.

      Mr. Affleck is excellent, easy and loose as the self-taught bartender worshipped by his nephew. The entire ensemble work well together and young Mr. Ranieri is adorable in his first major film. Mr. Clooney faithfully recreates the look and feel of Manhasset, Long Island in the '70's and '80's. It's a sweet story, small in scale filled with the joys and sorrows that exist within every family.

     After a short theatrical run, the film is available now on Amazon Prime.