Movie Reviews 2019

My Best of 2019:

Toy Story 4

Yesterday

Rocketmen

Once Upon a Time...In Hollywood

My Best of non-2019 films:

Free Solo

ONCE UPON A TIME...IN HOLLYWOOD: This is a fantasy of Quentin Tarantino's, and Leonardo DiCaprio & Brad Pitt help bring it to life. It's 1969 in Hollywood, and DiCaprio's career is on the downslide, while his stunt double, Pitt, just keeps getting better looking. Very little violence for a Tarantino film even centering much of the film around the antics of the Manson Family.

Worth a look even if holding a place on your Netflix queue.

8½ stars

YESTERDAY: A feel good movie about a young Pakistani guitar player, Himesh Patel, who can't seem to draw a crowd of more than a dozen despite the best efforts of his manager, the always-darling Lily James (Downton Abbey, Cinderella).

But then he has a bicycle accident, and that changes everything.

Out of the hospital, he reluctantly picks up a guitar and sings Yesterday. His friend tears up, calling it one of the most beautiful songs she's ever heard. "It's YESTERDAY, by the BEATLES; you know, Paul McCartney & John Lennon?" His friends are clueless - and it doesn't take Himesh long to realize that NO ONE in this alternate univerase has ever HEARD of the Beatles!

His career blossoms, thanks to his new manager, wonderfully played by Kate McKinnon (man, does she do evil!). The song track, obviously, is devine. Go see it if you haven't already.

8½ stars

TOY STORY 4: Woody (Tom Hanks) & Buzz (Tim Allen) are back in what may be the swan song of this very successful franchise. Except for an annoying plastic spork who doesn't think he's a toy and belongs in the trash, this one is as fun as the first three. A nice tribute, too, to Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles).

Take a grandkid or two - or just enjoy it with your loved ones.

8½ stars

OCEAN'S EIGHT (2018): Another fun movie franchise, this one starring the ladies: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling, Rihanna, Dakota Fanning, Awkwafina & Sarah Paulson. I'm sure they had a blast filming it, but it lack pizzaz. If anything went wrong in their heist, I missed it. Guess women just plan things that much better than men.

6½ stars

FREE SOLO (2018): This Academy Award winning documentary was mesmerizing. This isn't just about climbing iconic Yosemite peaks, it's about doing it without ropes! A true story about an eccentric young man (Alex Honnold, who graduated from Mira Loma High School in the same class - 2003 - as our Jenna) who free solos El Capitan. The photography work is outstanding; Alex's story gripping.

As one friend told me, 'I was on the edge of my seat; how is that possible when you know how it's going to end?' My response: "So, you haven't seen Apollo 13?

9 stars

CAPTAIN MARVEL: Brie Larson breaks the mold as the first female Avenger (this being the 21st in the franchise). She did a great job; my main problem is I'm bored by these type of films (but, hey, I was on a coast-to-coast Delta flight, so what else was there to do?).

If this genre thrills you, go for it! Me, I'll wait for the next spoof (Guardians of the Galaxy, 2021.)

6 stars

ROCKETMAN: Critics liked this a bit more than Bohemian Rhapsody, as did I, but perhaps for different reasons. I thought Taron Egerton did a great job as John - and I knew the music!

8½ stars

CRAZY RICH ASIANS:

5½

ON THE BASIS OF SEX:

GOING IN STYLE:

7½

ROMA:

MARY POPPINS RETURNS:

6½