The Whale

           Charlie is an obese shut-in who makes his living teaching an on-line college writing course.  He keeps his camera off so his students can't see his 600-pound frame. He is divorced and hasn't seen his teenage daughter played by Sadie Sink, in years. His male partner, Allan has passed and his only connection to the outside world is Allan's sister Liz, a nurse played by Hong Chau.

        The story is an emotional powder keg, filled with regret, guilt, longing, and compassion. Mr. Fraser is astonishing, conveying a wide range of emotions, while navigating the 300 pounds of prosthetics that keep him immobile for most of the film. Ms. Sink, fresh off the hit show "Stranger Things", plays a 17-year-old teenager filled with anger and rage at the father who abandoned her years ago.  She is a dynamo in the role.  The film also co-stars Ty Simpkins as a door-to door missionary taken with Charlie's situation and Samantha Morton in one powerful sequence as Charlie's ex-wife.

         This is a compelling drama that held my attention throughout. Mr. Fraser will certainly get an Academy Award nomination. And Hong Chau (so good in the "The Menu") may also end up with a best supporting nomination.  She grounds the film with her tough love and compassion for Charlie.

All Quiet on the Western Front

           A timeless classic that won the Academy Award in 1930, is remade once again as a Netflix exclusive. For the first time, it's an authentic German cast that endures the vivid horrors of World War I from the German point of view. The film stars Felix Kammerer as Paul Baumer, the idealist young recruit that marches off to war for the "glory of the Fatherland".

           Once he arrives in the trenches of the front, any idealism left is quickly replaced by fear and chaos with Paul just trying to survive. The film is grim and harrowing in its depiction of war. The realistic futility of two enemies entrenched in a battlefield that neither side can capture is remarkable. The camera doesn't shy away from brutal scenes of war and director Edward Berger easily makes the anti-war statement conveyed by the original novel.

           A change from the earlier versions, depicts a parallel subplot of German emissaries trying to come to terms with the French for an armistice that will end the war. Daniel Bruhl plays Matthias Erzberger, the German official leading the delegation. The film ends with a slight variation on the final scene but it's impact is just as powerful.

Empire of Light

     The new drama from writer/director Sam Mendes contains lots of ideas that while worthwhile, don't really work well enough to satisfy the story, leaving it rather bland.  What the film does contain though, is another outstanding performance from Olivia Coleman.

      Racism, sexual politics and harassment, mental illness, the power of movies, all play a part in this story of a lonely movie theater manager. 

      It's the 1980's and The Empire, once a regal crown of movie theaters with 4 screens is on the decay, holding on with just 2 screens and a small staff. Ms. Coleman plays Hillary, the house manager and Colin Firth plays Mr. Ellis the general manger. Ms. Coleman is brilliant as expected and Mr. Firth is surprising, playing quite a cad. Hillary goes about her daily routine added by medication until one day, a new usher, named Steven starts working at the theater.

       Steven is black and much younger than Hillary, yet a connection stirs within them, and they become romantically involved. Steven is played by a charming actor named Micheal Ward. The film also co-stars Toby Jones as Norman the projectionist and Tom Brooke as Neil, one of the other ushers.

       Race riots throughout England at the time, make an interracial relationship dangerous and working together doesn't make things easy as well so Hillary and Micheal do their best to keep their romance a secret.  It's the human touch that binds the story. The connections that make us whole that can have disastrous results when severed.

       While the story may not be as cohesive as Mr. Mendes intended, his direction is masterful and even The Empire itself, becomes a well-directed character. The theater is beautiful and Mr. Mendes explores every nook and cranny of the building with gorgeous cinematography. Buried in the human story at its core, Mr. Mendes also plays tribute to the power and beauty of cinema. The film "ends" multiple times and it could have been better served if Mr. Mendes reedited the final shot to be one seen earlier.

       This is a small intimate film that probably won't last long at the box office but if you're an Olivia Coleman fan, it's a must as she will most like garner another Academy Award nomination.

EO

       This is a remarkable new film co-written and directed by Jerzy Skolimowski. The film's lead is a donkey named EO, who after being separated from his circus trainer, Kasandra, embarks on a journey of trials and tribulations.  This is, in no way a "Disney" film but rather real life through the eyes of EO.

       The film has minimal dialog as EO moves through a series of various encounters with humans that takes him from Poland to Italy. Along the way, there is both cruelty and kindness. The film is heartbreaking in its' realism how people can treat animals. It also has an hallucinatory effect at times with unexplained elements.

       You can't help but fall in love with EO from the beginning. He has the most soulful and intelligent eyes (he's actually played by five different donkeys). The only human actor you may recognize is Isabelle Huppert in a surprising and odd cameo. 

       Mr. Skolimowski doesn't shy away from a happy ending, but EO's journey is memorable in so many ways, you will think of him long after the film ends.

The Wonder

    This new period drama on Netflix features a powerhouse performance from its lead, Florence Pugh. It is 1862 and Ms. Pugh stars as Mrs. Wright, a British nurse who is employed by a committee in a rural Irish village to observe a fasting young girl, who has miraculously survived without food for months.

    The film is slow but absorbing as questions of skepticism versus complete faith come into question. It argues that there is a danger in total belief. Anna, the young girl at the center of the story believes she is being fed "manna from heaven" and that's what's keeping her alive. Nurse Wright is a woman of science who believes the girl will die if she doesn't eat soon. The story becomes more complicated once Anna reveals the reason for her fast

    Co-starring as member of the "committee are Ciaran Hinds, Toby Jones, Brian F. O'Bryne and Dermot Crowley. Kila Lord Cassidy plays Anna and she is a wonderful young actress.  The film also costars Tom Burke as a journalist sent to write about the "miracle girl". Much of the film is focused on Anna and Nurse Wright who, at first, find themselves at odds but eventually grow close and that's when Anna tells her why she is fasting.

    While she was hired to just observe the girl, Nurse Wright refuses to stand by and let her die. Science versus religion takes center stage with Anna's life at stake.  It's a polarizing film that will open itself up for debate long after it ends. 

The Menu

      A very black comedy that satirizes pretentious rich "foodies" that starts off deliciously but halfway through goes completely off the rails.  It's a clever premise that loses its charm and complete believability once it descends into shock and awe. 

      It's a great cast, including Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Fiennes, Nicholas Hoult, John Leguizamo, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, Reed Birney, Hong Chau and Paul Adelstein. Unfortunately, as written, most if not all the characters are unlikeable and deserving of the eventual outcome. It reminded me of the hot TV show at the moment, "The White Lotus", set in a restaurant rather than a luxury hotel. Characters you don't necessarily like, but it still holds your attention.

     Mr. Fiennes is channeling his Nazi commandant from "Schindler's List" as the celebrity chef presiding over the luxurious dinner. He holds the cast and your attention even as things begin to unravel. Secrets are revealed and blood is spilled but unfortunately it all becomes totally ridiculous.

     Check please!

She Said

          Based on the true investigative journalism by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, the film recounts the story of how the two reporters exposed Hollywood power broker Harvey Weinstein's history of sexual abuse. Zoe Kazan plays Jodi Kantor and Carey Mulligan plays Megan Twohey.

          I couldn't help be reminded of "All The President's Men" starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman as Woodward and Bernstein, the Washington Post reporters that broke the Watergate scandal. It details the determination a reporter will go for the story, following the leads, getting usable facts from witnesses and victims alike. Obviously these two women are chasing a very different story but the way they go about it is very similar.

         While it lacks the razzle-dazzle of a big time Hollywood drama, it does represent a tribute to journalistic integrity as it goes about the matter-of-fact details of the story. There is a welcome sidebar into the private lives of both women which balances nicely against their dogged professionalism in pursuit of the truth. Ms. Kazan and Ms. Mulligan are both well cast and have good chemistry between them.

 

          The film co-stars Patricia Clarkson, Andre Braugher, Peter Friedman, Zack Grenier, Jennifer Ehle and Ashley Judd (playing herself in what must have been a very emotional time, recreating what she really went through). There is also an electric cameo by Samantha Morton in a very emotional scene.

          The article and subsequent book by Kantor and Twohey made a major impact igniting the "Me Too movement" and changing the climate of sexual harassment in the workplace forever.

The Fabelmans

          Steven Spielberg bares his heart and soul on his most personal film yet. It's basically his autobiography very thinly disguised around a fictional family named Fabelman.  Written with frequent collaborator, Tony Kushner, Mr. Spielberg exposes the love and heartbreak any family can relate to and still entertain us through the magic of cinema. It is a loving tribute to his family and his past, that doesn't shy away from difficult memories.

           Directing his own story had to be an incredibly emotional burden, especially during the difficult moments but Mr. Spielberg is a master craftsman, who brings every memory to life with great care and grace. His casting is just perfection.  Michelle Williams is Mitzi Fabelman, the artistic mother who encourages her son to follow his dream of making movies. Paul Dano brings another level to his acting as Burt Fabelman,  the science-minded, electrical engineer father who thinks making films is just a hobby. As Mr. Spielberg's fictional self,  Mateo Zoryon Francis-DeFord plays Sammy Fabelman as a wide-eyed child and later, for the remainder of the film, Gabriel LaBelle plays Sammy through his teens and young adulthood.

           Costarring is Seth Rogan (in a surprising serious turn) as Benny, Burt's best friend and surrogate uncle to the family, Jeannie Berlin as Burt's grandmother, Chole East as Sammy's first high school girlfriend, and, in an incredible one scene cameo, Judd Hirsch as Uncle Boris. 

           The film is full of wonderful scenes, taken from Mr. Spielberg's life, that are so good, they could be stand-alone short films on their own. Without revealing the plot, but as an example, a major turning point in the story comes in a scene shot devoid of dialog, that is just amazing. This is the work of a master director, sure to be nominated in every major category at next year's Academy Awards.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

           Writer/director Ryan Coogler returns to the mythical Marvel kingdom of Wakanda for this sequel to the "Black Panther". With the untimely and tragic death of Chadwick Boseman, many wondered how Mr. Coogler could pull off a successful sequel. 

           Not only is the sequel a success but it is a loving tribute to Mr. Boseman, whose spirit inhabits the film from the first frame to the last. Most of the original cast returns and the emphasis this time is on Shuri, T'Challa's younger sister, played by Letitia Wright.  With the help of a strong supporting cast, including Angela Bassett as Ramonda, the Queen Mother, Winston Duke as M'Baku, Danai Gurira as Okoye, and Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia, Ms. Wright rises to the challenge. The film also features Dominque Thorne as Riri Williams, Tenoch Huerta as Namor, Martin Freeman as Evert Ross, and Julia Louise-Dreyfus as Valentina.

            Using Prince Namor, a Marvel iconic character, as the villain in the film is a bold choice and while Mr. Huerta tries hard, he doesn't quite capture the essence of the character. His backstory is also changed from the comics which will bother purists. However, the mass audience waiting for this film will probably not even care. Ms. Thorne's character is also derived from the comics, as the action hero "Iron Heart", sort of a female Iron Man. Mr. Coogler keeps most of the action contained in Wakanda or in the underwater Kingdom of Talokan (Atlantis in the comics). There is considerable action but the film gets bogged down in its excesses and could have easily been trimmed by 20 minutes.

              The film will undoubtedly be a success as it will satisfy all the fans and it does pay the well deserved tribute to Mr. Boseman. There is an important mid credit scene but nothing after the credits end, so no need to wait until the very end unless you enjoy reading credits.  We are told though that, like James Bond, The Back Panther will return.

Armageddon Time

     Written and directed by James Gray, this new drama is a coming-of-age story, looking back at Mr. Gray's own past. The story takes place in Queens NY circa 1980 and revolves around Paul Graff and his family. 

      As the film begins, Paul starts sixth grade and quickly makes friends with Johnny, the only black boy in his class. The two are minor troublemakers for their teacher, Mr. Turkeltaub. Paul has trouble concentrating in class but excels at art. Johnny had been left back and starting sixth grade for the second time. He dreams of being an astronaut.

      Paul has a typical New York, Jewish family with his parents played by Ann Hathaway and Jeremy Strong. They are both excellent in atypical roles. His grandparents are played by Anthony Hopkins and Tovah Feldshuh. Ryan Sell plays Paul's older brother Ted. Paul's unusual outlook on life confound his parents but he has a strong bond with his grandfather. Mr. Hopkins is wonderful and his scenes with Paul are gems. Paul is played by Banks Repeta and he is a terrific new talent. I imagine he will have quite the acting career if he continues to pursue it. Paul's friend Johnny is played by Jaylin Webb, another fine young talent.  In a one scene cameo, John Diehl plays Fred Trump and Jessica Chastain plays Maryanne Trump, Donald's sister.

     Mr. Gray captures the period perfectly, with a nostalgic look at his past that can still appeal to a wide audience. It's a solid drama with outstanding performances.

The Banshees of Inisherin

      The newest film from writer/director Martin McDonagh reunites Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in a tale of a friendship gone wrong. The year is 1923 and the story takes place on the tiny island of Inisherin, off the coast of Ireland (don't bother looking for it on a map).  Mr. Farrell plays Padraic and Mr. Gleeson plays Colm, two lifelong friends whose relationship takes a turn for the worse when Colm announces he no longer wants to be friends.

      As Padraic becomes more distraught at his friend's decision, Colm doubles down on his resolve to no longer speak to Padraic. The situation reaches unexpected consequences for both men in this darkly comic drama. And what would a Martin McDonagh script be without some blood being spilled?

      The film co-stars Kerry Condon as Siobhan, Padraic's sister, as well as Barry Keoghan as Dominic, the town's simple minded, oft put-upon lost soul. But it's the film's stars that carry the story and shine in their respective roles. Mr. Farrell, in particular, is simply outstanding playing against type, in one of the best roles of his career.

      Overflowing with authenticity, from the bullish island policeman, to the gossip desperate shopkeeper and the pub friendly barmen, everyone is affected by the unusual situation. Under Mr. McDonagh's minimal but efficient direction, the film is a small yet absorbing tale of a decision that changes lives for the two friends and the fascinating supporting cast of characters.

Amsterdam

 

       The latest from writer/director David O. Russell tells the fictious story of three friends who help expose a factual conspiracy in the years leading up to World War Two. It's a complex plot that only truly finds it's footing in the second half of the film.

       What does keep things interesting and fun are the performances of the three leads. The film stars Christian Bale as an unorthodox doctor, fighting the physical and mental effects of World War One. His best friend, whom he met in the war is played by John David Washington, who after the war becomes a lawyer. Rounding out the trio is Margot Robbie, a field nurse the two soldiers meet in a French hospital after they are both wounded. The three friends leave France for Amsterdam where they spend a few years cementing their friendship.

          Years later in New York, they become suspects in a murder and uncover a political conspiracy within our government. The film is a mix of whimsical comedy, political thriller and murder mystery. Co-starring in this mash up (which does eventually come together) is an all-star cast comprised of Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldana, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant (under heavy makeup), Andrea Riseborough, Alessandro Nivola, Matthias Schoenaerts, Rami Malik, Taylor Swift and Robert De Niro.

            Characters come and go and some of the actors are wasted in small parts that don't really contribute much. It's still fun but the film is truly grounded by the three leads. Mr. Bale is simply fantastic, as usual, having a ball with a very unusual character. Mr. Washington is the most serious of the trio with an excellent performance, continuing his growth as an actor. Ms. Robbie is simply a perfect mix of beauty and talent.

             Mr. Russell's direction is unique. The actors speak in an odd cadence and the rhythm of the film follows an irregular path. It may not be the easiest film to follow but one thing becomes very clear. Mr. Russell is making very obvious parallels throughout our history right up to our current climate.

Don't Worry Darling

          Olivia Wilde directed and co-stars in this mash up of "The Stepford Wives and "The Truman Show". Everything looks perfect in the town of Victory, but there is something wrong below the surface...Sound familiar?

          The film stars Florence Pugh as Alice, Harry Styles as her husband Jack, the aforementioned Olivia Wilde as her best friend Bunny, Nick Kroll as Dean, Bunny's husband, Chris Pine as Frank, the founder of Victory, and Gemma Chan as Shelly, Frank's wife. Co-stars include Timothy Simons as a sinister doctor and Kiki Layne as Margaret, another friend of Alice's.

           The cast does very good work with standouts being the excellent Ms. Pugh and a surprisingly good Mr. Styles. Chris Pine is perfect against type as the "cult-like" founder of Victory and the mysterious Victory Project where all the men in town work. The women stay home, cooking, cleaning, shopping and drinking. Lots of drinking.

           Ms. Wilde's direction is self-assured, fun and clever with occasionally interesting camera choices. The cinematography in general is very good with bright color visuals (great sets and costumes) hiding the darkness below. What sinks the film is the plot. With little originality, it veers off into multiple genre directions without finding solid footing. 

           There is too much repetitive imagery (shades of "Moonage Daydream") in hallucinations and memories that find Alice certain she is going mad. But of course, we know she is not...or is she? And I personally found the ending disappointing but I suppose that will be debatable.

Moonage Daydream

        Written, directed, produced and edited by Brett Morgen, this new film about David Bowie is less of a documentary and more of an experience. 

         In a style that Mr. Bowie would have appreciated, the film is a visual and aural feast. A mixture of concert footage, interviews, behind the scenes footage, lightshow and images of Mr. Bowie's influences all combine in a kaleidoscope of sound and color. There is no traditional path, yet the film does trace Mr. Bowie's life through interspersed images and voice-over supplied only by Mr. Bowie. The lightshow images throughout are fascinating, odd and fun, however, they do start to become repetitive throughout the journey.

        The music, of course, is fantastic and the concert footage really fun, especially in the very early days of Mr. Bowie's development of his stage personas.  His personal insights bring the viewer a little bit closer to knowing the man behind the image but David Bowie will always remain somewhat of an enigma. 

        This experience is best viewed in IMAX and really meant for fans. Gone too soon, at least Bowie's music will live on forever.

Three Thousand Years of Longing

     Famed director George Miller co-wrote and directed this imaginative modern version of the timeless tale of the genie in the bottle. Tilda Swinton stars as Alithea Binnie, a scholar specializing in storytelling and myths. Idris Elba is the magical genie she accidently releases from his bottle, while she is on a business trip in Turkey. Of course, he offers her three wishes for releasing him. 

     Neither comedy or drama, this is an adult fairy tale based on the short story, "The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye". The film itself is a visual marvel, especially when Mr. Elba recounts the three times over the centuries that he became trapped in the bottle. Mr. Miller takes us back to the days of Sherezade, the Queen of Sheba, and King Solomon but yet grounds the story in a modern hotel room in Istanbul as well as a home in London.

    Ms. Swinton is the perfect actress to portray Alithea and her chemistry with Mr. Elba can best be described as lovely. At it's core, the film is very unusual love story.  It will stir your imagination and is totally unpredictable.

Emily The Criminal

         This debut from writer/director John Patton Ford is an assured, taut crime drama starring Aubrey Plaza. Familiar yet very original, this is a fun ride with an outstanding performance from Ms. Plaza.

         Ms. Plaza plays the title character, in debt and drowning in student loans, she works part time for a catering service, barely getting by. One day she takes a phone number from a co-worker that promises $200 cash for an hour's work and this leads her down a dark path, becoming increasingly more complex and dangerous. The film co-stars Leo Rossi, Megalyn Echikunwoke, and Gina Gershon in a fun cameo.

        Mr. Ford underscores his story with plenty of social commentary, including how easily someone can turn to crime in today's world. Ms. Plaza (also a producer) is perfectly cast as a lead that balances a love/hate relationship with the viewer. As her criminal activities deepen, you still root for her to find a successful way out of her situation. Love her or hate her, you still enjoy the ride, thanks to the smart script by Mr. Ford.   

       With not many big budget films available this August, it's a great time to seek out smaller independent films like this one. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

Bullet Train

 

     A Tarantinoesque  live action "Looney Tunes" cartoon starring Brad Pitt as a combination Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck anti-hero. The action is fast, furious and blood spattered as multiple assassins all try to take possession of a mysterious briefcase while riding a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto.

    Mr. Pitt is a criminal for hire, trying to change his life, following the advice of his therapist. What starts out as a simple job to snatch the briefcase becomes more and more complicated as the train zips through the Japanese countryside. The brisk pace and cartoon violence never lets up and along with the colorful cast of characters, it's easy enough to disregard the simplistic plot and just enjoy the ride.

     The film co-stars Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Benito A Martinez Ocasio (Bad Bunny), Michael Shannon, Zazie Beetz and the voice of Sandra Bullock (although we do get to see her briefly). There are also some surprise cameos. It's a great cast with everyone enjoying getting theirs in one smackdown or another. 

    While seemingly in a constant battle with at least one of the other characters, Mr. Pitt remains charming throughout, tossing off witty one-liners and great facial expressions. Beaten, shot, stabbed, poisoned by a snake, blown up, surviving a horrific crash, none of it matters as Mr. Pitt just shakes it off and keeps things lively and fun. A true live combination of Bugs and Daffy.

     The plot (such as it is) actually does come together at the end with the help of many flashbacks to fill in details. While witty and violent in a Tarantino sort of way, it lacks the style, depth of character and panache of Mr. Tarantino's own films. The successful trick the film does pull off though is convincing you there is a lot going on while in reality, nothing is really going on.

Thor: Love and Thunder

   

     Taika Waititi returns as director and co-writer of the next chapter in Marvel's Thor series. This time out he borrows heavily from the recent comics run of Thor but instills his own brand of wacky humor into the script.

      Chris Hemsworth returns, of course, as Thor who still seems to be finding his way in the Marvel universe. After a prologue with new addition Christian Bale,  the film begins with Thor traveling with the Guardians of the Galaxy (great to see this group again, even if it is just a cameo). He soon receives a message from Sif, played again by Jamie Alexander, that someone is murdering Gods and that New Asgard is in grave danger.

      At the same time, we are reunited with Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, who sat out the last film. Jane has cancer but Thor's hammer transforms her into a female Thor and she is temporarily cured as she gains his powers. Director Waititi also again does the voice of CGI character, Korg. Tessa Thompson also returns as Valkyrie and King of New Asgard. Mr. Bale is Gorr, the God Butcher, the main villain pulled directly from the comics. As usual, he completely disappears into the character and manages to inject a dose of humanity into the role. Russell Crowe has an extended cameo as Zeus, the Greek God. Although why he plays him with an Italian accent is beyond me.

      Mr. Waititi, besides using "Lady Thor" and Gor, also brings Thor's giant goats from the comic to life, and their bleating screams are funny every time. Upping the humor ante from the last film, "Love and Thunder" is filled with humor and  absolute silliness at times. While fun, it does make the film uneven between the serious threat of Gor and the many verbal and visual jokes.

       The music is great with much use of "Guns & Rose" material. Overall, if you don't take it very seriously, you'll enjoy the ride. Of course
what would a Marvel movie be without a mid-credit scene (which introduces a surprise character) and an end credit scene (a fitting coda). There is also a final welcome message to the fans..."Thor will return".

Nope

           

          The third film from Jordan Peele owes a great deal of gratitude to Steven Spielberg.  Written, produced and directed by Mr. Peele, it's an original plotline that borrows heavily from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Jaws". While the trailer promises thrills and chills, the final product, while suspenseful, rarely produces actual scares or horror.

          Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer play "OJ" and "Em", brother and sister ranch owners who train horses for movies and TV.  When their father, played by Keith David, dies from a bizarre accident, the ranch starts to fall on hard times. Discovering what they believe is a UFO in the sky above their ranch, they decide to try to capture it on film for a profit. They enlist the aid of an electronics store employee, Angel, played by Brandon Perea and later a famous cinematographer, played by Michael Wincott to get pictures and video of the UFO.

           A subplot involving a TV sitcom chimpanzee begins the film and Mr. Peele returns to it later to expand on the backstory of the other main character, Ricky "Jupe" Park, the former star of the sitcom,  played by Steven Yeun. Jupe has built a strange theme park nearby the horse ranch trying to capitalize on his former TV fame. While a fascinating character, Jupe and his backstory seem completely out of place in "Nope" but certainly lend an element of additional weirdness to the story. It's as if Mr. Peele had fragments of another film project that he abandoned and stuck into this one.

          Mr. Kaluuya is the understated, stoic, older brother to Ms. Palmer's outgoing personable younger sibling.  Ms. Palmer is a standout in the film, injecting energy, comedy and a hip presence to her character even in the face of danger. Mr. Yeun is also quite good, even if his character seems to belong in a different film.

          Without revealing to much about the UFO, I can say I was very unimpressed when all is finally revealed. What did impress me though is the wonderful cinematography by Hoyte van Hoytema. The film looks fantastic. The music by Michael Abels, is also quite good, adding a level of much needed suspense to the story.  It is especially effective during the brief shots of the UFO, much like Mr. Spielberg used music to heighten the suspense  during the early glimpses of the shark in "Jaws". 

          There is a sequence when Em and Angel are trapped in the main house while OJ watches, trapped in a truck nearby that was the highlight of the film for me. Other than that, I was underwhelmed by the lack of thrills and chills that were so promising in the trailer.

Elvis

    

    Baz Lurhmann  tells the Elvis Presley story adding his own bombastic glamour and glitz to a story most of us already ready know.  In an original twist the story is told from the point of view of "Colonel" Tom Parker, played by Tom Hanks under heavy makeup.

    Austin Butler stars as Elvis and he is remarkable. The perfect actor to play the part, he does his own singing (for the most part) and has the right looks and moves to accurately portray the music legend. The Colonel and Elvis were joined at the hip (shaking and otherwise) once Parker became his exclusive manager. Mr. Hanks and Mr. Butler bring that same chemistry to their on-screen relationship. To say Mr. Hanks's performance is accurate is hard to say, as "Colonel" Parker was an enigmatic character, hard to pin down. A schemer, a con man, sharp businessman and a marketing genius all rolled into one.

   The first half of the film moves at frenetic speed cutting back and forth through various parts of Elvis's life. The music is, of course, terrific and Mr. Lurhmann does a faithful, colorful and over the top job, recreating the rise of rock & roll in the 50's and the turbulent 60's. The script touches on almost all of Elvis's career highs and lows.  The story slows down a bit in the second half as it concentrates on the Las Vegas years and the eventual end we have all come to know. But in between, it's a blast.

Jurassic World Dominion

         In the world of this franchise, dinosaurs now live among us but as a series, we can only hope extinction has finally arrived. Universal has milked two trilogies out of the iconic original film made 30 years ago. "Dominion" feels like the last gasp of a dying animal. The plot is disappointingly silly (even for this franchise) and boring but after five previous films, you can't expect much more originality.

         There are a few exciting moments though, in the bloated two and a half hours, that are clever and entertaining. A motorcycle chase through the streets of Malta actually tops the motorcycle chase in the recent James Bond film, "No Time To Die. The CGI, animatronics, and puppets are, at times, both remarkable and cheap.

         From a clever casting perspective, the film combines the stars of the first trilogy, Laura Dern, Sam Neill, and Jeff Goldblum with the stars of the second trilogy, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.  For most of the film, they are engaged in separate plot points but manage to come together in the last act. Mr. Pratt and Ms. Howard do most of the heavy lifting in the action sequences and Mr. Pratt is, as usual, is a dashing hero. Mr. Goldblum, in his unique, quirky way provides what little there is of comic relief (although there are plenty of unintentional comic moments). 

        New to the cast is Campbell Scott as the world's most boring villain who actually has a temper tantrum on screen. DeWanda Wise is a cargo pilot who helps our heroes. Mamoudou Athie is Mr. Campbell's second in command,  B.D. Wong reprises his role as a genetics scientist and Omar Sy is a CIA agent who helps Mr. Pratt in Malta.

        Fans of the franchise will probably cheer as the credits role but from a critic's perspective, enough is enough.