Movie Reviews 2017
My Best of 2017:
Dunkirk (9)**
Wonder (9)
The Big Sick (9)**
The Post (9)**
Wind River (8½)
Lady Bird (8½)**
Molly's Game (8½)
Darkest Hour (8½)**
All the Money in the World (8½)
Three Billboards, etc. (8½)**
Kedi (8½)
**Oscar nominated
THE POST: An excellent dramatization of the publishing of The Pentagon Papers in 1971. Tom Hanks is an awkward Ben Bradlee; Meryl Streep (Oscar nominated) plays an excellent and conflicted Katharine Graham, the publisher of the Washington Post. A very good ensemble cast includes Matthew Rhys (of the Americans) as Daniel Ellsberg, Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul) and Bradley Whitford.
Steven Spielberg has the ability to depict an event - which you know how it plays out - and make it gripping. No surprise that it is up for Best Picture.
Worth a visit to your theatre if you have not done so already.
9 stars
THE DISASTER ARTIST: This movie was (intentionally) so bad that it was actually funny. James Franco and his brother, Dave, star in the making of a real bomb, The Room (2003; Metascore = 9!), which gained cult-like status because it was so bad. [Not to be confused with Room (2015), which garnered Brie Larson an Oscar win.]
James Franco plays Tommy, a narcissistic actor who has no talent (and talks as if he has marbles in his mouth) but apparently enough money to sink into the making of a $6 million movie that made a measly $1,800 at one theatre in its opening weekend. As the movie progresses, and the strange friendship between Tommy and Mark starts to crumble, you keep asking yourself, "What gives?" Two young ladies in front us left about half way through, never to return.
Frankly, it isn't until the last 30 minutes of the show when it all comes together, such as it is. The opening of The Room in Los Angeles is worth the wait. James Franco and the film earned Golden Globe nominations.
Not for everyone, but Metacritics were kind: 76. Quite an unusual movie, which took plenty of risk to make.
8 stars
DARKEST HOUR: Polish up the Oscar: Gary Oldman is an early lock for his tremendous performance of a troubled Winston Churchill in this "mirror image" film from Dunkirk.
This one takes place on the west side of the channel during Britain's greatest crisis: Uncomfortable with Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain's weakness toward Adolf Hitler in 1940, Parliament and King George VI come together to appoint a generally-disliked Churchill to lead the country during a perilous time. Hitler's troops are moving across Europe and have trapped England's army at Dunkirk (and Calais); the odds of saving even a fraction of the troops were low. Chamberlain (Ben Mendelsohn) and Lord Halifax (Stephen Dillane) favored peace negotiations with the Axis powers; Churchill and others argued that appeasement with Hitler & Mussolini would mean the end of the England they know.
Gary Oldman? It doesn't take long to think that it IS Churchill in the film, warts and all. Lily James (Lady Rose of Downton Abbey) as Churchill's personal secretary and Kristin Scott Thomas as Mrs. Churchill help humanize Churchill, but this is Churchill-centric. His speeches in Parliament electrify the members as well as the public.
Worth a trip to the theatre.
8½ stars
MOLLY'S GAME: Sacramento-born and raised Jessica Chastain (El Camino HS; Sacramento City) brings tremendous energy and talent to this true story adaptation of Molly Bloom's autobiography - her story of running high-class, high-end poker games in Los Angeles and New York. This film may not have tremendous depth, but that doesn't inhibit Chastain, Golden Globe-nominated and, perhaps, Oscar-bound.
Idris Elba is outstanding in a supporting role as Molly's reluctant lawyer, and Kevin Costner is very good in a lesser role as Molly's dad, a clinical psychologist. Michael Cerna plays an anonymous, high-rolling Hollywood star, supposedly a composite of Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck & Tobey McGuire.
But the clear star is Chastain who succeeds in the high-energy world of rich-men poker on her drive and personality, with some help, of course, from recreational drugs. It's not until she turns down a Russian mob take-over of her enterprise that her world starts to unravel.
Worthy of a trip to the theatre; if not, put it on your list when it hits DVD.
8½ stars
ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD: This movie got plenty of free publicity when Christopher Plummer became an after-wrap substitute for Kevin Spacey, yet the editing was seamless in this depiction of the 1973 kidnapping of 16-year old John Paul Getty III off of a Rome street. It's an intriguing and complex drama. Consistently-talented Michelle Williams was brilliant as Paul's mom, Abigail, the former daughter-in-law to J.P. Getty; Plummer was incredible as the brilliant yet odd oil man, the richest man in the world. Both received Golden Globe nominations (as did director Ridley Scott); all three may be Oscar-bound, as well.
The younger Getty was kidnapped by an Italian gang, then later "sold" to a "kidnap entrepreneur." His mom had no money, having renounced the Getty fortune when she divorced Getty's son (gaining full custody of her three children in the settlement), so the object of the kidnappers was the elder Getty's vast fortune. One of the least charitable people on the planet, J. P. Getty had little interest in paying ransom even if he did have an affinity for his namesake grandson. Thus, the movie becomes a battle of wits between and among the kidnappers, Getty, Abigail and Mark Wahlberg, Getty's hire to negotiate a deal with the kidnappers. Romain Duris stands out for his performance as one of the Italian gang members.
This movie is worth a trip to the theatre if for no other reason than to watch the brilliance of Williams & Plummer.
8½ stars
DOWNSIZING: The SyFy premise/promise was unique: Make yourself small; your money goes a long way; live large even if in a sterile environment; and your impact on the world's environmental problems are minimized. One thing the sales pitch failed to include: Your problems do not shrink, too.
Matt Damon stars as an occupational therapist (for Omaha Steaks!) who, along with wife Kristen Wiig, are living on the edge. So, the promise looked good (have you never been suckered into a time share you later regretted?). But when Matt finds himself in Leisureland, things are not as he expected.
The trailers made this look comedic, but it turned into a preachy satire that dragged far too much.
Frankly, it was better than I thought it'd be (too many TV trailers!), but it could have been much better. Some critics loved it for its social satire; the "climate change is a hoax" crowd was horrified that they'd been duped. Sigh.
Thai actress Hong Chau was excellent (Golden Globe nominated) as an impoverished activist/survivor who was downsized against her will; Christoph Waltz is a highlight as Damon's neighbor and Leisureland party boy; Neil Patrick Harris & Laura Dern were fun in a sales pitch cameo. (Jason Sudeikis was barely on the screen.)
Surely this can wait for DVD if you're at all interested.
6 stars
THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI: Plot Warning: This movie actually IS about three billboards outside of Ebbing, Missouri, and you learn that at the start of this quirky but well-acted and engaging movie.
Frances McDormand is the dour mother of a young girl who was raped and murdered, and she takes it upon herself to pressure the local sheriff (Woody Harrelson) and his motley crew of morally-questionable deputies to work on and solve the case before it grows cold. Harrelson is terrific as the small-town sheriff, but he's no match for the determined McDormand.
Some odd twists in the plot keep you guessing, but it's the fine ensemble acting that holds your interest. A fine indie film; the critics loved it; expect Oscar buzz.
8½ stars
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI: I've seen them all, and they keep getting more and more sophisticated - yet hardly more and more watchable. This one is far too long (2:40), and chemistry is lacking. It was critically-acclaimed, but I just don't think it delivered on its promise. We're supposed to care about the originals, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, but Mark is a bore and Carrie's appearance is creepy (didn't she die a year ago?). I guess I miss Han Solo!
I don't see what Adam Driver offers, and he gets way too much screen time. it was Daisy Ridley's sophomore slump; "vice admiral" Laura Dern was miscast; John Boyega (Finn) didn't resonate; only Benicio del Toro delivers a great role. Well, Chewbacca, R2-D2 and C-3PO are always fun reminders of the past; they don't age!
Not great, but if you're a fan, I'm sure you'll find plenty to enjoy.
7½ stars
DEADPOOL (2016): I generally avoid the superhero/DC Comics flicks, but a friend suggested The Guardians of the Galaxy series for its off-beat humor, and he was spot-on; another suggested this one with a warning that it's quite bloody and brutal in its oddball take - almost a spoof - on the Marvel supe heroes.
Ryan Reynolds plays a quirky, fast-talking superhero (Deadpool) who gains his powers (he heals quickly, regenerating limbs, if necessary) when he's cured of his terminal cancer. But the side effects (e.g., a pock-marked face which requires his mask) estrange him from his hot girlfriend (Morena Baccarin, the young wife of Nicholas Brody, Jessica, in Homeland), so Deadpool is out for revenge from the doctor who performed the surgery.
The violence in this film (and I suppose other Marvel Comics films) is video game-like, and its absurdity, I assume, makes it funny. I find it mind-numbing. This film is not for everyone; believe the R rating.
6 stars
LADY BIRD: A sweet high school coming-of-age story and a loving shout-out to Sacramento. Written and directed by Sacramentan Greta Gerwig, this quasi-autobiographical film opened to rave reviews. For us living in California's Capital City, the film is honest in its depiction of the area.
Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn, The Grand Budapest Hotel) is well-suited for the role of "Lady Bird" (not the former first lady if you haven't figured that out already), an awkward high school senior at a Catholic high school in Sacramento. Her life is made more awkward by dysfunction at home: an odd love/hate relationship with her mom (Laurie Metcalf, Sheldon's mother in The Big Bang); a loving relationship with her unemployed father (Tracy Letts); and a sibling rivalry with her older brother, who must be adopted, but that is not made clear. Lady Bird goes through many normal high school experiences, and Gerwig does an excellent job not making them cringe-worthy.
But poor UC Davis (my grad school alma mater), which is not spared its slings and arrows!
Worthy of a trip to a theatre near you, especially if you are from Sacramento! Ronan is getting some early Oscar buzz, as is Gerwig.
8½ stars
WONDER: The young-adult book was highly acclaimed when it was released in 2012. It's a tender story about a facially-deformed little boy (mandibulofacial dysostodis) who is about to start 5th grade at a public school - having been home-schooled by his mom, Julia Roberts. Jacob Tremblay (Room) does an excellent job as the kid everyone wants to stare at; eventually, he wins them over with his wit, self-deprecating humor and keen intelligence. But not without a few bumps along the road, of course.
Roberts is superb as the helicopter mom; Owen Wilson is just goofy enough as the supportive dad; and Izabela Vldovic is darling as his 9th grade sister, who clearly does not get the same attention as her brother. Wonderful ensemble cast.
Definitely worth a look - make sure you take your kids, grandkids and nieces/nephews. I took my mom. Oh, and don't forget the Kleenex!
9 stars
THE FOREIGNER: Jackie Chan, a seemingly meek and mild London restaurant owner, is overcome with grief when his daughter is killed in a terrorist attack. But we soon learn that Mr. Chan possesses skills as a former Chinese special forces agent, and he puts those skills to good use to track down his daughter's killers. He focuses on former IRA member Pierce Brosnan, who's now part of the British government's effort to keep the peace between warring factions. And he relentlessly goes after Brosnan, whom he believes knows more than he's letting on.
If you enjoyed recent Liam Neeson films (e.g., Taken), this one's for you. Jackie Chan has special talents, and he's a man possessed. Much like Neeson, you don't want to get in his way or underestimate his skills, especially when family is involved.
This action-political thriller can get quite complex, and the sound was not all great (part of that is understanding English and Irish accents; my kingdom for subtitles!). But Jackie kicks ass, and Brosnan is credible, if not a bit sleazy.
8 stars
MARSHALL: No, this is not about Wyatt Earp or Marshal Dillon; it's a good bio-pic of the early life of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall during his days as an NAACP lawyer. In this part of his life, Marshall (Chadwick Boseman, who played Jackie Robinson in 42) travels to Bridegport (CT) in 1941 to defend a African-American (Sterling K. Brown, who is almost unrecognizable from his Emmy-winning role in This Is Us) in the rape and attempted murder of a prominent socialite (Kate Hudson).
This is a courtroom drama, as well as a whodunit. Marshall, unable to practice law in Connecticut (James Cromwell was excellent as the stern judge who clearly does not like Mr. Marshall), teams up with a local, non-criminal defense attorney, Josh Gad, who is clearly out of his element. But it is the confident Thurgood Marshall who drives the case - and the film.
There's plenty of forced action and drama, and the movie, frankly, does not do justice (pun intended) to the brilliance of Thurgood Marshall's career. But all of the actors do well (you'll also recognize Dan Stevens, the prosecuting attorney, from his role as Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey). And you always have to remember, this was 1941, 26 years before President Johnson would elevate Marshall to the Supreme Court.
This is worth viewing, even if you wait for it on DVD
8 stars
BABY DRIVER: Here's a movie wrapped around a 1970s Simon & Garfunkel tune (and a solid and catchy sound track). Relative newcomer Ansel Elgort is the baby-faced, high-thrills, get-away driver for a series of bank-heist gangs controlled by Kevin Spacey. Clearly, "Baby" owes Spacey something because he keeps coming back for more, even though he'd prefer to run away with his new adorable girl friend, Lily James (Lady Rose from Downton Abbey).
But how many improbable car chases can you stand in one movie? You might enjoy on DVD (it's probably gone from most theatres anyway), but only if this type of action movie is your thing. By the way, the critics loved it; me? Meh.
6 stars
BRAD'S STATUS: Poor Brad (Ben Stiller). He runs a non-profit organization, is married to a supportive wife (Jenna Fischer), a government worker, yet feels out-gunned by his more successful college friends: Michael Sheen (a former White House consultant married to a high-powered insider); Mike White (living the good life in Hollywood; he's also the film's writer and director); Luke Wilson (a highly successful hedge fund manager with a beautiful wife, four kids and a private jet) and Jemaine Clement (a successful business man now retired on a Maui beach with two young girl friends).
Worse, Brad lives in Sacramento!! The horrors! (Imagine how those jokes - and there were several - went over with the Sacramento theatre crowd, especially when it's obvious that none of the movie was filmed in Sacramento; even the California license plate was fake).
All of his college buddies become part of Brad's trip to Boston, where he's journeyed with his laid back (but musically brilliant) son (Austin Abrams) for a college tour. Brad discovers that his son has a chance at Harvard (clearly they don't communicate well); Brad had failed to get into Yale and had to "settle" for Tufts. Brad, of course, is more excited about his son's prospects than his son seems to be.
This is an insightful work by Stiller; painfully funny. Brad clearly has doubts about his life, and this father-son trip touches all of his buttons. If not worth your time at the theatre, it should be added to your DVD queue.
7½ stars
THE BIG SICK: A very subdued romantic-comedy that hits on all cylinders. Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley, Portlandia) is a struggling Pakistani comic, very close to his strict Muslim family; he is trying to move up from the local comedy club when he meets and falls for quirky grad student Zoe Kazan. But he dare not tell his conservative parents who keep trying to arrange a marriage for him with a number of Pakistani women (a running joke throughout the movie); but while Kumail keeps Zoe from his parents, he also keeps the conga line of "dinner date" women from Zoe.
Their relationship falters just as Zoe comes down with a mysterious illness (hence the movie title), and Kumail is drawn to watching out for her at the hospital with her supportive parents, Holly Hunter & Ray Romano (both are terrific). The entire ensemble is fun to watch, including Kumail's parents and brother; this one is well worth the trip to the theatre if it's still around in your area. It's based on a true story.
9 stars
WIND RIVER: A tense murder-drama on the depressed Wind River Indian Reservation in central Wyoming (based in Landers, a town my wife and kids dicovered many years back on a trip they made to the MidWest), this one stars Fish & Wildlife tracker Jeremy Runner (Hurt Locker) and rookie FBI agent Elizabeth Olsen (younger sister to the Olsen twins).
A young Native American woman is found raped and murdered in the frozen backwoods, and Olsen & Runner team up to work through the federal bureaucracy, the Tribal police and the unsympathetic wildcatters in the area. Except for the silliness of sending Olsen to work the case, both she and Runner are excellent in their roles. Beautiful, stark scenery in the frozen spring of Wyoming.
An ofttimes brutal film; it is not for the faint of heart.
8½ stars
DUNKIRK: An excellent depiction of the evacuation of British soldiers from France in 1940 in three over-lapping segments: from land, sea and air. There are few recognizable stars (Tom Hardy as a pilot; Mark Rylance as a private boat captain); that hardly detracts from director/writer Christopher Nolan's narrative. Fortunately, the dialog is limited because it is difficult to understand at times (perhaps subtitles on a DVD might help?).
The land part of the movie covers a week; the sea rescue (primarily, private boats out of England) happens within a day; and the air assault lasts for an hour. Outstanding air battles. Nolan does an excellent job of inter-weaving the story line among the various sub-plots.
While this movie has plenty of action, what's missing is gory bloodshed that many movie-makers believe enhances the realism of a film. Its absence here does not dumb it down at all.
Worthy of a trip to the theatre if you have not done so already.
9 stars
ATOMIC BLONDE: Charlize Theron kicks ass as the female James Bond. She is sent to Germany (during the days leading up to the collapse of the Berlin Wall) to retrieve a list of English double agents, and she is met with intrigue expected of a Bond-like film.
James McAvoy and John Goodman (as the CIA contact) also star. But this movie is all about Theron, and she handles herself well. Expect to see more from Agent Broughton!
8 stars
TOMMY'S HONOUR (2016): Peter Mulland and Jack Lowden star as Old Tom Morris and his son, Young Tom Morris (naturally), in this understated golf movie based on true events. The father-son team is honored by history as early innovators of the modern game of golf. They won numerous championships.
Old Tom Morris is the superintendent of St. Andrews in Scotland in 1866; he is well-respected by the members of the golfing society, both for his golfing accomplishments and his dedication to the improvement of the game; however, it is clear that Scotland's caste system puts the Morrises on a lower plane than the snobbish membership. Morris' son, aged 15 at the time, is becoming one of Scotland's best golfers; he has less repect than his father for the exisitng societal hiearchies. In time, Young Tom Morris outshines his father's on-course accomplishments. Their relationship is strained, however, when Young Tom becomes involved with an older woman with a disreputable past.
If golf is your game at all, this makes for a good DVD rental (helps to understand the dialog, too!).
7½ stars
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY , VOL. 2: Chris Pratt was worried that Baby Groot (as in "I am Groot") would steal every scene he was in, and it's true. The diminutive, animated tree - grown from a twig from the original Groot - is just one of many humorous parts of this very good sequel. The whole cast is back, including Star Lord Chris Pratt, sexy green Zoe Saldana & bulky Dave Bautista; the Guardians brand name is now gold. Even Kurt Russell had a significant role as Pratt's dad from another planet; frankly, that whole story line got old, even if it was central to the plot.
The movie dragged a bit as the 1,000 plus animators and special effects engineers showed off what they could do. I, for one, could have done without the lengthy battle scenes that are more silly than comedic.
But all of the Guardians - Rocket especially - hold your attention with their constant and clever dialog. That and a killer '80s sound track make this one fun to watch on the big screen. (An acquaintance strongly suggested 3-D Imax, but we watched it in a regular theatre; it's very loud!).
I'm not into the entire Marvel Comics collection, but I thoroughly enjoy the Guardians, and I look forward to the next sequel. (Note: One big disadvantage to going to this genre of movie is we were bombarded with NINE trailers for similar shows, none of which I'm likely to see.)
If you go, make sure you stay through the entire credits; they revisit the film several times before signing off.
8 stars
GET OUT: We wanted to go see this when it first came out. We like Allison Williams (Brian Williams' daughter and a recurring character in Lena Durham's Girls), Catherine Keener & Bradley Whitford; I was unfamiliar with Daniel Kaluuya, but he was very good.
I assumed this was a Guess Who's Coming to Dinner remake, with Allison Williams bringing an African-American boyfriend home for a weekend with her liberal parents in upstate New York. Allison had warned him that her dad, especially, would constantly drop positive references of Obama and MLK, Jr.; go with the flow!
But I was warned by a friend the day before he and I went: 'It's much more than that; it gets creepy with what's going on at the family spread'. Turns out, it was even creepier and, eventually, bloodier than I ever would have expected. And very weird.
Not for everyone; its Metacritic score of 84, however, shows reviewers loved it. Me, not quite that much.
7 stars
KEDI: A delightful docu-drama-comedy about the wild/domesticated cats of Istanbul. This Turkish film follows the antics of seven very different cats as they interact with a variety of humans (and fellow cats); unique camera angles give this film a warming cat's-eye view of the city. The impact that these felines have on their human handlers is endearing. They are an integral part of the fabric of Istanbul's ancient beauty.
The cats of Istanbul are reminiscent of what Jenna & I witnessed in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico (see my travel blog), except there seemed to be a more organized effort in P.R. to keep the cat population down with a spay program. But, in Istanbul, the cats seem to be all over the downtown area; in San Juan, they are mostly confined to one end of town.
If you're in any way, shape or form a self-described "cat person," this one is a must-see. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool is the mantra of the show; as it's explained, dogs think people are gods; cats know better.
8½ stars
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014): This is not my favorite movie genre, but a friend encouraged me; I can see why. Marvel fans, I'm sure, enjoyed this along with their other super-hero movies; for me, this was just silly enough to make it a worthwhile watch.
Chris Pratt, as a space scavenger, doesn't take himself too seriously (think Harrison Ford in early Star Wars); before the film's end he's joined by a motley crew of fellow space criminals/oddballs whose collective mission is to save the world from a rogue and crazed warlord. Pratt's team includes a green Zoe Saldana, Groot (a whimsical tree with a limited vocabulary) and Rocket, the star of the show. Rocket is a fierce little raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper) who plays second fiddle to no one. He brings enough sass to keep you interested.
Now, will it get me to watch the upcoming sequel? Yep. Great sound track, too!.
8 stars