Category Archives: Drama

Never Look Away

Never Look Away                                             4 ½ stars

Never Look Away is an epic storytelling of a young German artist who lived through the time of Nazi Germany and Communist controlled East Germany growing as an artist and developing his own special kind of painting.  Its three hour length covers a great span of time from the thirties to the sixties, starting with 10 year old Kurt witnessing a display of “degenerate art” and the horrors accompanying the Nazi’s waging war against the world.  After the war, Kurt, the young man (Tom Schilling) works as an artist for the Communist regime of East Germany producing art of the Socialist workers, but you can tell his talent calls for him to be something better.  Fortunately, he meets Ellie, a young pretty woman supplying new pencils to the artists.  Of course the two fall for each other having secret night rendezvous destined for disaster, given that her father is a former SS Nazi in hiding.  Eventually, the two of them escape to the West at the time of the wall going up where Kurt’s artistic career is advanced with the help of prominent artists of the growing movement of contemporary art.  The movie is at its best when we see Kurt being inspired to do his best work by the beauty of the world around him, but also influenced by some of the horror he has experienced from his younger days.  He develops a way of painting photographic images while blending them together in haunting black and white images.  The story is apparently loosely based on the life of real life artist Gerhard Richter, an admired painter of the 20th century.  Never Look Away was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards and is one that should not be missed.

Sword of Trust

Sword of Trust                                   4 stars

One of the most original comedies of the year has to be Sword of Trust by writer director Lynn Shelton.  This is a low budget character driven comedy based on a most unusual premise.  Cynthia and Mary (Jillian Bell and Michaela Watkins), a married lesbian couple arrive at Cynthia’s grandfather’s house who has recently passed away.  They are there to collect on Cynthia’s inheritance, but she is alarmed to find out that the only thing left to her is an antique Union sword from the Civil War that her grandfather treasured.  Accompanying the sword are documents “authenticating” it as proof that it was surrendered by a Union general or Field marshal? To the Confederate army making it proof that in truth the South had won the Civil War.  Not being sure what they have, the couple then take the sword to a local pawn shop in Birmingham, Alabama to see what they can get for it.  The owner of the pawn shop, Mel (country song writer Marc Maron) is not too impressed by the story and dismisses them.  His assistant, Nathaniel (Jon Bass) then looks on line and discovers that there are people who believe this “truth” and are willing to pay big bucks for artifacts that prove that the South actually did win the Civil War.  This group of four then decides to put their differences aside and pursue a transaction with this racist redneck organization and see where it takes them.  To do this they have to be locked up in the back of a truck driven by a guy named “Hog Jaws”. All of this is done in a very comedic way, but the story about the sword is really just a mechanism to bring these people together and allow us to hear their stories of broken relationships and damaged souls.  We get the feeling that these are real people that have gone through difficult times.  Two other films I have seen by Shelton, Your Sister’s Sister and Laggies do much the same kind of thing.  But it’s also a lot of fun to see how the adventure with the sword and the redneck ranch turn out.

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood                                5 stars

One of the most highly anticipated movies of the summer has to be Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.  This two hour and forty minute marathon is classic Tarantino all the way.  Set in 1969 Hollywood, we follow former TV western star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), whose star power is fading, and his longtime stunt double Cliff (Brad Pitt).  As we follow their dealings with Hollywood producers and directors and other stunt people, we are bombarded by an overwhelming amount of references to sixties TV shows, movies, commercials and other aspects of the pop culture of the time.  This is all out of the mind of Tarantino who makes no secret of what he is thinking.  We also get plenty of exposure to the hippie culture in the form of the Charles Manson family and this just happens to be in the year of one of the most horrific crimes in the history of Hollywood.  We also get a glimpse of the life of actress Sharon Tate (a delightful Margot Robbie) and her friends as she just happens to be the next door neighbor of Dalton.  Besides all the culture, the director treats us to many humorous moments such as the fight between Cliff and an arrogant Bruce Lee (Mike Moh).  There are plenty of other well known actors sprinkled throughout including Al Pacino, Luke Perry, Dakota Fanning, Damien Lewis (as Steve McQueen), Kurt Russell, Emile Hirsch and Bruce Dern.  I could go on, but please treat yourself to one of the best movies of Tarantino’s career.  And don’t be too shocked by the violent ending.  It may not go exactly like you expect.

Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians                              4 stars

Last year’s Crazy Rich Asians was one of the big hits of the summer, a return of the rom-com that seems to have been missing from Hollywood for years.  Only this time it’s one featuring an all Asian cast, something extremely rare in mainstream Hollywood.  Rachel Chu, a young New Yorker is persuaded by her boyfriend, Nick to accompany him to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore.  But the thing she didn’t realize is that Nick’s family is rich, but not just that. They are insanely rich or crazy rich.  Also, Nick happens to be one of the most sought after bachelors in the country.  She meets his family and friends including Nick’s former girlfriend and learns about the trappings and baggage that goes along with belonging to a fabulously wealthy family.  She faces some sobering challenges and ultimately faces them making some tough choices.  The film is definitely a comedy with very funny moments featuring some funny cast members.  Included among these is Awkwafina who plays Rachel’s best friend, a role that seriously raised her profile in the industry.  Crazy Rich Asians doesn’t have a political statement to make but is special because of its all Asian cast which shows they are to be taken seriously.  It’s a light enjoyable movie that appeals to a wide audience and is something of a throwback to classic Hollywood comedies.  Among the notable cast is Michelle Yeoh (Captain Georgiou of Star Trek: Discovery) as Nick’s controlling mother in an especially outstanding role.

The Peanut Butter Falcon

The Peanut Butter Falcon             4 ½ stars

The Peanut Butter Falcon is a different kind of adventure story.  Here we follow a Mark Twain like journey of Zak, a young man with Down syndrome as he escapes from the nursing home he lives in, under the eye of employee Eleanor (Dakota Johnson).  It is Zak’s dream to meet his idol, the Salt Water Redneck, a professional wrestler who runs a professional wrestling school so that he can become a wrestler himself.  Circumstances leads to Zak pairing up with Tyler (Shia LaBeouf) a small time outlaw on the run from some local bullies.  The two do what they need to in order to survive and avoid the bullies.  Along the way Zak gets some training in from Tyler as well as some whiskey drinking and finding God.  Eventually, Eleanor catches up with the pair and the three continue the journey due to more unusual circumstances.  The story might strike you as farfetched, but all the characters seem real thanks to the fine acting from LaBeouf, Johnson and newcomer Zack Gottsagen as Zak.  The film may not be getting much attention from audiences, but I recommend you see it if you get the chance.

The Farewell

The Farewell                                      4 ½ stars

The Farewell follows a Chinese family who discover that their beloved grandmother is dying and must keep the secret from her while bringing the family together to see her one last time.  At the beginning we are told the story is based on an actual lie, then see a scene where Billi (Awkwafina) who lives in New York gets a call from her grandmother in China.  Both individuals tell lies about what they are doing at that moment thus setting the premise for the story.  This is a mostly serious family film that demonstrates the difference in culture between the east and west.  But it also shows the universal importance of family relationships whatever culture you are from.  Part of the story involves a fabricated wedding involving one of the grandchildren as the excuse to bring the family together, but there is little detail about this event was planned.  Instead the story focuses on the relationships within the family including the difficulty that Billi had as a child adjusting to living in America with only her parents, having left the rest of the family behind in China.  The hurt of separation follows these characters throughout their lives.  I thought it to be one of the best family dramas in years.  The movie played at Sundance and was very well received.  The film is said to be semi-autobiographical by the writer-director Lulu Wang.  I don’t know how much of it is true but it certainly a beautiful story and one of the best films of the year.

Brittany Runs a Marathon

Brittany Runs a Marathon            4 stars

Brittany Runs a Marathon is the new starring vehicle for comic actress Jillian Bell who I have seen previously in several movies always in supporting roles.  Here she is Brittany, a young woman in New York City who is facing issues of low self esteem mainly due to her weight and physical appearance.  She gets to know a neighbor in the building, Catherine (Michaela Watkins) who is a runner so she decides to join her running group, then meeting Seth (Micah Stock) who is also clearly out of shape also, so they have that in common.  Of course there are several comedic scenes of these two struggling to complete short distances that comes so easily to the other runners.  Then at the same time Brittany has to deal with her roommate Gretchen, who is of course petite and beautiful and Jern, the young Indian man who she shares house sitting duties with.  Then there is also Brittany’s sister and her husband, Demetrius, who are there to offer encouragement through her difficulties.  The trio, Brittany, Catherine and Seth decide to train to enter the New York City Marathon so this serves as the back drop to all of the relationship issues going on in Brittany’s life.  The movie succeeds due to the acting and comic timing by Bell who finally has her starring role in a movie.  I have not read any interviews with her but she clearly goes through an amazing transformation during the movie losing over thirty pounds from beginning to end.  Among all the comedic situations, the movie delivers a clear message about allowing others to be a part of one’s life and not shutting people out.  This is actually the second movie this year that paired Bell and Watkins.  The two also appear together in Sword of Trust which was out just a few weeks ago.  Jillian Bell also made appearances in Bridesmaids, Rough Night and Office Christmas Party.  Brittany Runs a Marathon was a hit at Sundance earlier this year where I first heard about it.

Wuthering Heights

Wuthering Heights          2 stars

Director Emerald Fennell gives us a very different take on the gothic novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte by casting two of the hottest stars working in Hollywood today in the leading roles. I have never seen any of the many previous adaptations of the novel nor have I read the book. I only know that it has a reputation as a tragic love story. But I doubt that Bronte envisioned her story to be nearly as steamy as portrayed on the screen here. Previously, Fennell, the actor turned director brought us Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, two movies that combine revenge themes with sex and she continues that theme in Wuthering Heights. This movie has a lot of sex. And I mean a lot of sex! And it’s not just the two main characters either. Even the opening scene is very suggestive of what is to come. In the beginning we meet Catherine (Charlotte Mellington) as a twelve-year-old living with her father (Martin Clunes of Shakespeare in Love and Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey?) in a large, isolated, but decaying house in the countryside called Wuthering Heights. Living with them is another girl, Nelly, who serves as a companion for Catherine, but also as a servant. They have other servants too, so they’re not exactly poor. One day, father brings a young boy home with him as he couldn’t stand seeing him wandering the streets with no one to care for him. Catherine takes to him immediately, calling him Heathcliff (Owen Cooper of Adolescence), the name of her dead brother. But Father thinks nothing of beating and whipping Heathcliff when he doesn’t live up to expectations. We flash forward several years and find Catherine (Margot Robbie of Barbie and The Wolf of Wall Street) and Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi of Frankenstein and Saltburn), now in their thirties and still living with her father along with a grown Nelly (Hong Chau). Things have changed and now they are quite poor, the father having gambled away his money. Catherine and Heathcliff (represented as two of the most perfect specimens of humans) now look at each other quite differently and you can see that things will soon take a turn. When a new neighbor moves to the area (five miles away), Catherine investigates and meets Mr. Edgar Linton (Shazad Latif), who is fabulously wealthy, has an enormous estate, and very stylish clothes, carriages and servants. There is also a young woman, Isabella, living with him who we never find out exactly how they are related. Naturally, since Catherine is poor, she must marry Edgar for the benefit of the family even though she is madly in love with Heathcliff. And this is where things go awry and jealousy takes over all sense of right and wrong. Both Catherine and Heathcliff make it their purpose to get revenge on each other for their circumstances but still end up meeting secretly repeatedly for sessions of mad sex. And they do it a lot, with most of it in the rain it seems. There is plenty of ill will and jealousy spread around between them and every other character as well. In fact, I would say that there is not a single character in the movie with redeeming qualities. Everyone wants to cause harm to someone or even themselves. The contrast between the two families is greatly exaggerated, showing Edgar’s extravagant wealth and Catherine’s beautiful clothes and jewels versus the dirty unkept look of the Wuthering Heights house. Not only is the selfish nature of the characters disturbing, all the rain and the fog make everything about the film depressing. I suppose that that’s what Fennell was going for, but I couldn’t enjoy it. I can’t say if that’s what Bronte’s original novel is like. (Perhaps it was, but without all the sex.) I will point out that most of the music was written and performed by Charlie XCX so it has that going for it.

The Goldfinch

The Goldfinch    2 ½ stars

The Goldfinch is the film adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize winning book of the same name about Theodore, a boy who suffers through the death of his mother in a terrorist attack on the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  There is a lot to pack in to this story in two and a half hours, but the story unfolds very slowly before certain secrets are revealed.  The film has several time jumps as the story goes from the time the boy is a teenager being cared for by his mother’s saintly friend (Nicole Kidman) and his uncaring father (Luke Wilson) and then to Theodore as a young man (Ansel Elgort) working with an antiques dealer (Jeffrey Wright).  The movie takes an extremely long time for the story to come together and it hits us again and again with its symbolism such as the red headed girl Theo is fascinated with.  If you watch this one don’t do it too late at night or it may put you to sleep long before reaching the end.

Judy

Judy       4 ½ stars

The highly anticipated biopic Judy features Renee Zellweger as the doomed singer-actress Judy Garland in her final months before she died.  This is truly a showcase of Zellweger’s talents as she clearly captures the decline of the health and stature of one of America’s greatest talents.  Those who remember Garland from the sixties will find Zellweger’s approach to the role as remarkable as she is engulfed by the character.  I am so glad that the story was not the usual biopic piece that covers a performer’s entire career, but rather only focuses on a brief period of Garland’s life, that being the London tour she went on in 1969 only six months before she died of a barbiturate overdose.  This allows us to see what feels like a complete story that doesn’t jump over large periods of time.  It also allows the supporting characters to have parts that blend in with the story.  There are flashbacks to Garland’s early years as a child star under the control of the studio headed by Louis B. Mayer.  These scenes are meant to show how she had no childhood as her personal life blends into her onscreen performances including how she was given amphetamines to keep her energy up.  The movie is not all tragedy though as the viewer will be delighted to see her with adoring fans and to see a moving rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow near the end of the movie.  A near certainty is that Renee Zellweger will be expected to take home the Best Actress Academy Award next year.