Movie Guide

Mark Rylance stars in The Phantom of the Open

Steve Martin:  A Documentary in Two Pieces - 4 Stars - APPLE - March 29, 2024.  Steve Martin receives the documentary he deserves, divided into his rock star days, film career, and current third act.  Delightful.  

Oppenheimer - 4 Stars - STREAMING - PRIME - July 21, 2023 - The rise and fall of a great man.  In this case, J. Robert Oppenheimer, father of the atomic bomb ending WWII.  Ambition, guilt and genius build him up and tear him down.  A brilliant true life epic. 

Perfect Days - 4 Stars - December 1, 2023 - HULU - STREAMING - A beautifully simple story of a Tokyo public toiler cleaner and why he chooses the life he leads.  Will stay with you long after watching. 

Remembering Gene Wilder - 4 Stars - March 15, 2024 - NETFLIX - STREAMING - Surprisingly moving story of actor Gene Wilder's life - with much narration by Wilder - and career highlights of films worth seeing again.    

Jim Henson Idea Man - 4 Stars - May 18, 2024 - STREAMING - DISNEY PLUS - Ron Howard pays tribute to the genius of the man who invented the Muppets.  

The Zone of Interest - 4 Stars - February 2, 2024 - STREAMING - NETFLIX - The Auschwitz Commandant and his family live a beautiful life while millions die on the other side of their garden wall.  Powerful and un-nerving.  

Fancy Dance - 3 1/2 Stars - June 28, 2024 - STREAMING - APPLE PLUS - Lily Gladstone searches for her missing sister, on the run with her niece in a compelling watch covering elements of culture, crime, noir, and road adventure.   

Thelma - 3 1/2 Stars - June 20, 2024 - THEATERS - June Squibb as senior citizen out to get even with the cyber thief who scams her.  

Hit Man - 3 1/2 Stars - May 24, 2024 - STREAMING - NETFLIX - Geek posing as hit man gets involved with fem fatale who wants to off her husband.  Delightful update of Double Indemnity with charismatic Glen Powell and sultry Adria Arjona.     

Killers of the Flower Moon - 3 Stars - NETFLIX - October 20, 2023 - APPLE - Moments of brilliance recreate story of 1920s murder of Osage Indians for their oil wealth.  Martin Scorsese takes too long and tacks on a jarring ending. 

Boys in the Boat - 2 1/2 Stars - PRIME - December 25, 2023 - depression era rowing team goes to the Olympics.  By the numbers inspiring sports story.  

Wicked Little Letters - 2 Stars - PRIME - March 29, 2024.  Olivia Coleman and Jesse Buckley do their breath to breathe life into the slight story of a proper English woman who receives vile expletive filled letters and blames her neighbor.  Slight stuff for two great actresses.  

Poor Things - 2 Stars - HULU - December 8, 2023 - Update of Bride of Frankenstein, this time she discovers sex.  Big Oscar winner, but I pass.   

Thelma --- 3 1/2 Stars --- June 20, 2024 - Theaters

Actress June Squibb has delighted audiences for some time as a feisty senior in several movies.  I am especially fond of her turn as the nun in Greta Gerwig's Ladybird.  June receives the leading role she deserves in Thelma.  She plays a widowed grandmother in her 90's, scammed on one of those get out of jail calls involving her grandson, who turns out to be fine and not involved in anything untoward.  Angry at the cyber thief, she launches a mission to get her money back.  The caper includes her friend played by Richard Roundtree, and a delightful surprise and believable casting as the villain.  Fun, and easy to enjoy, Thelma strikes a blow for senior citizens everywhere.  Just don't try this at home.  3 1/2 Stars.  Stay for the credits, when the senior who inspired the screenplay shows up in a home video.  

Wicked Little Letters - 2 Stars - THEATERS - March 29, 2024

Wicked Little Letters takes us to 1920's seaside England, as proper Olivia Coleman receives a series of vile, expletive filled letters.  She blames Jesse Buckley, her free-spirited new neighbor.  Soon the entire town receives poison pen notes.  The neighbor, whom we know is innocent, goes on trial.  It's funny hearing Olivia read the foul-mouthed missives to her oh so shocked parents.  The mystery isn't much, leading to an expletive filled over the top conclusion.  Don't expecting much beyond two talented actresses trying their best to breathe life into a sight, even if true, story.  

Steve Martin: A Documentary in Two Pieces - 4 Stars - APPLE - March 29, 2024

I thoroughly enjoyed the new Steve Martin documentary - Steve Martin:  A Documentary in Two Pieces.  The Pieces begin with Steve's rock star days making stadiums full of fans laugh in the 1970s. The filmmakers allow Martin to explain the struggle behind his success, especially waiting for the world to catch up with his humor.  I fondly remember the days when my friends would whisper "We're staying home Saturday Night, Steve martin's gonna be on Saturday Night Live."  Part two examines Martin's film career, and a sly look at his third act, as a writer, star of Only Murders in the Building, and pal of Martin Short with whom he delights audiences in their two man shows. Along the way, we learn of Martin's love of art and the way he uses it in his films.  Father issues, yearning, success and failure, contentment---they're all here.  He's a really interesting man and this is the documentary Steve Martin deserves.  

Road House - 1 Star - March 8, 2024 - PRIME VIDEO

Jake Gyllenhaal recreates the 1989 dogfight, Road House, this time with the fights on steroids.  Jake takes a job as bouncer at a bucket of blood bar in the Florida Keys not knowing bad guys want the place to close so they can take it over for their own means.  The fights go on and on in Road House pretty much at the expense of much of anything else. Gee, I didn't know Jake Gyllenhaal had it in him.  Also, I pass.  

Zone of Interest - 4 Stars - February 2, 2024 - STREAMING - MAX

The Zone of Interest goes well beyond the usual horror of the Holocaust.  This film centers on the family of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Hoss.  Within the walls of their Villa, Hoss' wife Hedwig oversees a beautiful home and garden.  Beyond the walls, hundreds go to their death.  The contrast between the two worlds makes a powerful statement on war, ambition, and inhumanity.  I found The Zone of Interest one of the most unforgettable films in years.