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Great actresses Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne find truth in drama of a father's last days.
Ghostlight - 4 Stars - STREAMING - PRIME - July 30, 2024 - A grieving construction worker wanders into a community theater group and winds up playing the lead in Romeo and Juliet - a role that heals him and his family.
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.
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.
The Apprentice - 3 Stars - October 11, 2024 - THEATERS - Surprisingly well done Donald Trump hatchet job. Good acting and a plot right out of Citizen Kane. Not sure the world needs this.
The Instigators - 3 Stars - APPLE - August 2, 2024. Matt Damon and Casey Affleck turn a robbery gone bad into a grand adventure. Better than it ought to be.
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.
Saturday Night - 2 1/2 Stars - THEATERS - October 4, 2024. Tries to recreate the first night of Saturday Night Live and never comes close. Maybe nostalgia isn't as good as it used to be.
Between the Temples - 2 1/2 Stars - THEATERS - August 23, 2024 - Mildly entertaining crisis of faith with Jason Schwartzman as a Cantor who can't sing.
Wolfs - 2 Stars - APPLE - September 1, 2024 - Superstars George Clooney and Brad Pitt phone it in as "cleaners" working the same job.
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.
