Pressure

 

Pressure

The story of D-Day is well documented; still, this film captures the intense pressure to launch the invasion and the critical role of the meteorological forecast. This all sounds very technical, but it's just a background for some outstanding acting.

The story begins three days before D-Day, when Eisenhower demands that his meteorological team provide a forecast with certainty. The Scottish Group Captain James Stagg is appointed chief meteorologist, and he soon clashes with the American Colonel Irving P. Kirk. Kirk has served with Eisenhower on several campaigns, so he has Eisenhower's confidence.

General Eisenhower is played by Brendan Fraser. He gives an intense performance, capturing the immense pressure of Eisenhower’s decision to launch the largest sea and air invasion and putting thousands of soldiers’ lives in peril. He wants certainty in the forecasts, but what he gets is conflicting opinions. This uncertainty is the crux of the movie.

Andrew Scott plays James Stagg; he delivers a brilliant performance. He is very confident in his forecast and remains steadfast even in the face of Eisenhower’s haranguing. Eisenhower never lets up on the pressure, and Stagg does not bend.

Chris Messina plays Irving Kirk. His confidence borders on arrogance, and his antagonism toward Stagg is palpable. Kirk relies on historical weather patterns, whereas Stagg argues that the North Sea is unpredictable and that weather patterns can shift within the same day.

Another important character is Kay Summersby, portrayed by Kerry Condon. She is Ike’s personal assistant and something of a whisperer, calming him and chiding him. There are salacious stories about Ike and Kay, but that is for another movie.

I learned something new from this film, Operation Tiger. This was a rehearsal for the invasion. Slapton Sands was the site of the exercise because it resembled Utah Beach. Live ammunition was used to accustom soldiers and recruits to the sounds and smells of combat. There was a miscommunication about the start time of the exercise, and when the bombardments began, more than 700 servicemen were killed by friendly fire.

Aside from the story's historical nature, the film is well-scripted and well-acted. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a score of 87%.

 

The Bride

 

The Bride

We're still at the start of this year, but hands down, this film is the worst movie of the year. This is Maggie Gyllenhaal's directorial debut, and she stumbles badly. I normally do not comment on direction, but this movie is chaotic.  It seems that the actors ad-libbed their roles.

This is the bride of Frankenstein.  As with the original 1935 film Frankenstein, or as they call him in this version, Frank, he is seeking companionship. He goes to the mad scientist, they dig up a corpse, and with a few bolts of electricity, the bride is reanimated.

The movie is a hot mess. Gyllenhaal tried to stitch different motifs in the film. There was the monster subject, then the gangster element. Since the film was set in the 1930’s, there was jazz era music and dancing. These elements conflicted with each other. She made her own monster.

Gyllenhaal must have called in her favors. For such a crap movie, the star lineup is impressive. Christian Bale is Frankenstein. He is hardly recognizable with heavy prosthetics and staples on his face.  I had a hard time identifying   Annette Bening as the mad scientist. Penelope Cruz looks dowdy as an assistant inspector. Peter Sarsgaard plays the police inspector; thankfully, he fits the role. She got her brother Jake Gyllenhaal for free.  

Jessie Buckly is the bride. Throughout the movie, there is tar on her face. To pay homage to the 1935 version, her hair is frizzed. Mel Brooks gave Madeline Kahn the same hairstyle in Young Frankenstein (a much better movie). Hopefully, no one saw this movie before she received the Oscar for Hamnet.

There are just five seconds at the end of the film that the movie has heart and is coherent.

I think Maggie deserves a mulligan. Good luck next time.

 

Project Hail Mary

 

Project Hail Mary

This is a joyous movie. It is a science fiction movie, but it is about friendship and sacrifice. Ryan Gosling is Ryland Grace, a scientist and reluctant astronaut. The Sun is in jeopardy of being extinguished in thirty years due to a microorganism called Astrophage. There is one star, Tau Ceti, that has survived the Astrophage infection, and Project Hail Mary is to go to that star system and determine how it has survived.

This movie has the weight of 2001: A Space Odyssey. I think it is that good. Gosling is the main protagonist, and he carries the movie. He plays the role with humor and tenderness. Sandra Huller is Eva Stratt Grace’s superior and the head of Project Hail Mary. When she fails to persuade Grace to go on the mission and save humanity, she has him drugged and placed on the spacecraft. After prolonged suspended animation, Grace awakens to find that his two shipmates have not survived, and he is alone.

On his journey, Grace encounters a rock-like, five-legged alien astronaut whom he names Rocky. Rocky is also on a mission to save his plant’s Sun from the Astrophage. Each cannot live in the other’s atmosphere. Since Rocky is a mechanic, it builds compartments where Grace and he can survive. They become true friends willing to sacrifice for each other. As silly as it may seem, the scenes can bring tears to your eyes.

The overall special effects are dazzling. Rocky is a puppet and not CG. There were several puppeteers operating Rocky in the style of Japanese puppetry, Bunraku.

This movie is more than just sci-fi; it defies that label. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 95% score.

 

 

Blue Moon

 

Blue Moon (Amazon Prime)

Blue Moon is basically a one-man play with a wonderful supporting cast. Ethan Hawke is Lorenz (Larry) Hart, the American lyricist and half of the famous Broadway songwriting team Rogers and Hart. This is a short film, about 1.5 hours, focusing on the opening night of Oklahoma and the adulation for the play, contrasting with Hart’s disparagement of it and his regret for declining to write it.

Hawke delivers a bravo performance. Hawke’s portrayal captures Hart’s disappointments and the facades he presents. Aside from costuming and makeup, dialogue is the film's main feature. Hawke captures the character's tone at the nadir of his career. His famous songs are behind him, and new ones depend on collaborations he can sustain with his former partner. Hawke captures Hart’s mercurial nature. Hart is a great songwriter, but he needs new opportunities. Compounding his artistic struggles with his alcoholism.

His biggest façade is that he is gay. To maintain this act, he pursues a relationship with a young art student half his age, played by Margaret Qualley.  He gives her flowers and promises to introduce her to his famous associates to advance her career. Despite his adulation, the relationship is not consummated. She knows he is gay. Back in the 1940’s, being outed as gay was a career killer, so their relationship was more symbiotic than romantic.

The emotion that defines Hart is a profound sadness, which Hawke captures. Hart is in search for his next big break and his inability to be his true self.

Bobby Canavale is his talkative bartender friend who, without success, tries to limit Hart's drinking. Margaret Qualley is the tall glass of water that Hart uses as a shield to hide his forbidden desires. Andrew Scott is Richard Rogers, who seems to distance himself from Hart, implying that Hart was difficult to work with.

Ethan Hawke is almost unrecognizable because of the makeup. They use cinematic magic. Hawke is 5’10”, while the real Hart was 5’. In the film, Hawke appears smaller, matching Hart’s size.

The movie is an engaging biopic, and Ethan Hawke earns a well-deserved best actor nomination.

Hamnet

 

Hamnet (Amazon Prime)

Hamnet deserves the awards it has received. It won the Golden Globe for best picture. Chloe Zhao is nominated for an Oscar for best director, and Jessie Buckley is nominated for best actress and is in strong contention to win. 

The film is about love, grief, and surviving both. William and Agnes were passionate, and she became pregnant before marriage. When they married, he was eighteen, and she was twenty-six. Their family grew with a daughter and twins, Hamnet and Judith. Shakespeare’s successful career as an actor and a playwright took him away from his home to London. During this absence, his beloved son Hamlet dies of the plague. Hamlet's death burdens their marriage, and her son's grief consumes Agnes.

Jessie Buckley as Agnes delivers an outstanding performance. Her acting is powerful; her grief feels real. The death of Hamlet strains their marriage, and she scolds William for being away when Hamlet dies. He also feels devastated for not being home when Hamlet passed away. Her performance will greatly boost the film's chances of winning Best Picture.

Besides Buckley, the cast is excellent. Paul Mescal plays William Shakespeare. Besides sorrow, he conveys guilt. His performance is nuanced. As a tribute to his son, he writes Hamlet. The film's highlight occurs when Agnes watches the play and realizes how William feels about Hamnet’s death. Mescal is not nominated for an Oscar and did not win the Golden Globe. This snub contradicts his great performance.

The children were also great. Of note was Jacobi Jupe as Hamnet. The young actor's interpretation of the role was nuanced.

For the Oscars, Hamlet has solid competition, but I give it strong odds.

Marty Supreme

 

Marty Supreme

Marty Mauser is a world-class table tennis player. Despite his relentless ambition for his sport, he is completely reprehensible. He lies, steals, and abandons his pregnant childhood girlfriend. To further his career, he is willing to be humiliated and throw a match.

 All this said, Timothee Chalamet brilliantly plays this character. Chalamet never eases up on Marty’s intensity. His portrayal of Mauser makes him unlikable. He is an apex conniver.

The cast is fantastic. Gwyneth Paltrow came out of retirement to play Kay Stone, a faded, retired actress, a bit past her expiration date. Stone and Mauser have a sexual liaison, but it is devoid of love. He uses Stone as a means to an end. She desires someone other than her husband. Their relationship is transactional.

Her husband, played by Kevin O’Leary, known as Mister Wonderful from the TV show Shark Tank, delivers a fantastic performance. His character as Milton Rockwell is a pen magnet who shifts from being a potential benefactor to Mauser’s tormentor. He takes pleasure in humiliating Mauser. O’Leary is quite comfortable as an actor.

Odessa A’zion, Racheal Mizler, is Marty’s very pregnant girlfriend. Staying in character, Marty denies being the father. She wants to leave her husband, but Marty is not a safe harbor.

Some members of the cast are eclectic. Besides Kevin O’Leary, there are other non-traditional actors. John Catsimatidis, who owns Gristedes and D’Agostino, plays a businessman. There is also Issac Mizrahi, the fashion designer, who plays Stone’s publicist. Penn Jillette, the magician, plays a farmer. As nontraditional actors, they gave great performances. Fran Dresher played Marty’s mother. She is an actress, but her last gig was the national president of the SAG-AFTRA actors' union. Her gravel voice is her hallmark.

The set design was impressive. It depicted New York City in the 1950s. Everything looked authentic, from the cars and police uniforms to the tenements. I can attest to their realism since this was my neighborhood back in the 50s.

Timothee Chalamet won the Golden Globe for Best Actor, so he has strong odds for an Oscar.

 

 

Bugonia (Prime)

If there were an award for weirdest film, Bugonia would win hands down. The narrative is at the intersection of where Looney Tunes meets sci-fi. Teddy and Don are two conspiracy obsessed individuals believing that a pharmaceutical  CEO  is an alien member of the malevolent Andromedan race whose goal is to destroy humanity. Teddy is played by Jesse Plemos, Don is played by Aidon Delbis, and Emma Stone is the pharmaceutical CEO, Michele Fuller. A subplot to the destruction of humanity is that Teddy’s mother participated in a drug experiment for Fuller’s company that rendered her comatose. Which is the root of Teddy’s hatred for Fuller.

Teddy and Don resolve to kidnap Michele and force her to admit that she is an alien. They shave off her hair and apply an antihistamine cream to prevent her from communicating with the mother ship. She is locked up in Teddy’s basement, and  Michele escapes. The question that the film poses is whether Teddy is totally delusional or if Michele is an alien. The film has some chaotic scenes and brief, gruesome ones.

A possible reason the film may be unorthodox for Americans is that it is a remake of the Korean film Save the Green Planet. Bugonia is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, who directed Poor Things, which was also fantastical.

Despite the storyline, the acting was excellent. The actors' interpretations of their characters were compelling and a positive feature of the film. Jesse Plemos was neurotic and edgy. Emma Stone was the uber female executive and a combative victim.  She was more than a handful for Teddy and Don. Don was autistic and followed Teddy’s instructions.

Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a generous 88% rating, even though it is unprofitable, which explains the $5.99 rental fee. That said, Academy nominations for Stone and Plemos would not be surprising.

 

 

 

The Roses (Amazon Prime)

This is going to be a short review. The film is a waste of time and talent. The film is a dark comedy that never sees the light of day. Two accomplished actors, Benedict Cumberbatch and Oliva Colman, are the husband and wife combatants in this marital war.  The comedy comes from who can be cruelest and most neglectful of the other. Not even Kate McKinnon could save this film.

The script must have been written by an eight-year-old whose every other word is the F bomb. The director’s name was expunged from the credits. I am requesting a refund for the VOD.

Springsteen-Deliver from Nowhere

 

Springsteen-Deliver from Nowhere (Amazon Prime)

This is an excellent movie. The two leading actors, Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen and Jeremy Strong as Jon Landau, give strong performances. A talented cast supports them.

The film centers on the making of his second album, Nebraska, but it’s broader than that. It’s a moody film that explores Springsteen's struggles with depression and his relationships. The most significant is his relationship with his father. Throughout the film, there are flashbacks to Bruce as a boy with his father. Stephen Graham plays his father, Douglas, who was an alcoholic, and it’s implied that he was abusive. It is suggested that Springsteen’s depression was influenced by his father.

White shows the pressure Bruce is facing in his career right now. His stress increases because he refuses to compromise his artistic standards for record labels' demands. White doesn’t try to imitate Springsteen, but he adopts some of his mannerisms. And yes, he sings his own songs.

Jon Landau is Bruce Springsteen’s manager and record producer. He cares about Bruce, and his respect and affection show through. White and Strong complement each other well. Landau’s performance shows he cares for the person and champions the artist.

Stephen Graham playing Bruce's father is a bit unusual but captivating. Graham is an English actor and feels more at home in  Guy Ritchie films. He plays an important, even if tragic, role in Bruce’s life. Anyone who has an alcoholic father can relate to the character.

Odessa Young plays Faye Romano, Bruce’s love interest. Their relationship develops intimacy but ultimately dissolves due to his depression. The pain experienced by both Faye and Bruce is depicted effectively.

Rotten Tomatoes gave this film a 60% rating. I think they got shortchanged.

 

Nuremberg  (Prime Video)

Nuremberg is a psychological historical drama about the Nuremberg trials at the end of World War II, where the Nazi high command was tried for crimes against humanity. The film features a large cast, but four main characters drive the story: Russell Crowe as Hermann Göring, Michael Shannan as Justice Robert H. Jackson, Rami Malic as Dr. Douglas Kelly, and Leo Woodall as the translator.

Rami is the psychologist brought to Nuremberg to evaluate the mental state of prisoners on trial. He interacts most with the Nazis, especially Goring. They form a bond that lasts throughout the film, changing from a purely clinical relationship to a quasi-friendship. It is quasi because how can you truly befriend a monster?

Rami delivers a passionate performance. He acts as the link between Goring, the justice, and the military. Sometimes, his emotions override his professional judgment. His most complex relationship is with Goring. They are engaged in a game of who controls whom. Goring possesses a superior intellect, complemented by his narcissistic personality. A question throughout the film is whether they have developed a friendship. It is a mercurial relationship.

Crowe is the centerpiece of the film. He delivers a powerful performance, only showing his humanity when he questions his wife and daughter. He depicts Goring as incredibly confident, to the point where Rami and the justices worry he might manipulate the trial to overturn his conviction. Crowe is great at showing arrogance with a smile.

Shannon is the justice assigned to prosecute the case for America. This is the first time an international tribunal has been convened to prosecute war crimes. The responsibility of the case weighs heavily on him. Shannon performs his role in his usual understated manner.

Leo Woodal gives a sublime performance. He tells the story of the victims. He is an American soldier, a Jew born in Germany, and recounts how he and his sister escaped Germany.  He knows his parents were taken to a concentration camp, but does not know their fate.

The film is rated PG-13, but the actual footage of the Nazi concentration camps is disturbing.

I recommend, if you can, seeing the 1961 film Judgement at Nuremberg. I think it gives a more complex story.

Frankenstein

 

Frankenstein (Netflix)

This film is a great adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel. Guillermo del Toro offers some unique interpretations of the story for this movie. However, it differs greatly from the classic version of Frankenstein starring Boris Karloff as the flat-headed, greenish monster with bolts in his neck. This version feels more like a Gothic novel than a horror film. Still, there is some gore, especially when the creature is assembled from spare body parts.

Oscar Isaac delivers a passionate performance as Victor Frankenstein, the obsessed scientist trying to cheat death. Throughout the film, he shifts from a brilliant anatomist to someone facing the consequences of tampering with Nature.

One of the best performances is by Jacob Elordi, who plays the Creature. He has moments of rage, especially when he is attacked, but he also shows compassion. The scene with the blind old man on the farm, where he is hiding, is very tender.

Another example of his compassion is his relationship with Elizabeth, the fiancée of his younger brother William, played by Mia Goth. There is a bond between the Creature and Elizabeth that may go beyond sympathy.

Christof Waltz is Elizabeth’s uncle, Felix Kammerer, a wealthy arms manufacturer who funds Victor’s experiments. His ulterior motive is that he wants Victor to include him in the Creature, thereby cheating death. Victor refuses because Felix is diseased (even a mad scientist has standards).

You will not be disappointed by this film. Even my wife liked it.

Weapons

 

Weapons (Prime)

This film has a Stephen King vibe. It is a supernatural movie with some gore, mostly coming at the end. It starts with the mysterious disappearance of seventeen classmates except for one student. The film is broken up into chapters, which overlap. This approach does not distort the plot. The film maintains a consistent level of tension, making it both watchable and enjoyable.

Josh Brolin is one of the parents of a missing child. He is not satisfied with the police's progress, so he pursues his own investigation. Julia Garner is the teacher of the missing children. The parents suspect she had something to do with the missing children and persecute her. She is no wilting flower, and she gives as good as she gets.

Alex is the child who did not disappear. He has a pivotal role in the movie, which is more intense towards the end. Amy Madigan is Aunt Gladys, who mysteriously shows up at Alex’s house. It seems that Alex’s parents do not know her very well, but as a family, they show her hospitality. Aunt Gladys is mysterious and has dark secrets.

Overall, the film is not particularly scary. There are some gruesome scenes, but they are not overdone. The one unresolved question was why the kids were taken. The film does not provide a specific explanation, which makes it more mysterious.

If you like the Stephen King genre, this is definitely a film for you. Even if not, I would recommend it. The film was made on the cheap and only cost $38m, and the box office so far is $259.8m. It has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%.

I don't know why the movie is called Weapons. If you find out, let me know.

The Fantastic Four (2025)

 

The Fantastic Four (2025)

As a kid, the Fantastic Four was my go-to comics. So, I looked forward to this film. Also, this is one of the best F.F. movies in the series. Including this movie, there have been five iterations in the series.  Two of them were pretty bad, and the other two were watchable, which sets a low bar for this movie to exceed, which it does.

The cast is excellent and they work well together. Pedro Pascal is Reed Richards (aka Mr. Fantastic). He was not my first choice, but he won me over. Vanesa Kirby is Sue Storm/the Invisible Woman. Ebon Moss-Bachrach ( from the Bear) is Ben Grimm, also known as the Thing. Since his character is laden with orange stones, his performance is done mainly via motion capture. Lastly, there is Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, portrayed by Joseph Quinn. This cast is true to the comic books, and they play well together. As to be expected in a comic book movie, there are some fantastic plot twists, but in this film, there are some tender moments that make the film appealing to a more general audience. Another important character is the Silver Surfer, portrayed by  Julia Garner. She is the herald of Galactus, the arch villain, destroyer of worlds. The plot is straightforward to follow.

The focal point of the movie is baby Franklin, born to Reed and Sue, and Galactus wants the baby. He said if he gets the baby, he will spare the earth. This is the moral imperative that the F.F. face. With or without fantastic powers, their reaction is that of any parent.

The setting of the movie was New York City in the late 50s and early 60s. This throwback is an interesting element of the film. This period was about the time the original comics came out.

 I think this is a very good movie. If you are not into comic book movies, this is not for you. You may want to steam it when it becomes available, if you are interested. It received an 87% score from Rotten Tomatoes, and from a budget of $200m+ it has earned $475m. This almost guarantees a sequel. We will see what baby Franklen can do.

 

Superman

 

Superman-2025

Why does a seventy-three-year-old man go to see a Superman movie? Nostalgia. In the 1960s, I watched Superman on our black-and-white TV set. The best special effect was Superman, played by George Reeves, lying on a table with outstretched arms and legs, with a fan blowing on him to make him appear to be flying.  Superman 2025 is the latest iteration of this franchise and has its unique stamp on the legacy.

David Corenswet is Superman. He does not have the heft of Henry Cavill or Christopher Reeve. Despite his super strength, he is frequently beaten up throughout the film. It is a bit disconcerting, but it makes him more relatable on a human basis. His superpowers are on full display, saving lives from collapsing buildings and vanquishing a giant monster, saving Metropolis.

The film features the standard characters in a Superman movie: Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, and the villainous Lex Luthor.  What is unusual about this film is that Lois Lane knows Clark Kent is Superman, and they are open about their romance. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olson get the most airtime.

In Superman’s battles against Lex Luthor, he is assisted by the Justice Gang, comprising of the Green Lantern,  Hawk Girl, and Mister Terrific. Much of the movie's action revolves around these characters. In these battles, Superman needs the assistance of the metahumans.

Lex Luthor is played by Nicholas Holt with a shaved head. He plays mean very well, but not over the top, and not like the clownish performance of Gene Hackman. The plot is somewhat chaotic, with Lex attempting to start a civil war in a foreign country while simultaneously battling Superman. He is maniacal in his attempt to destroy Superman.

This film features Krypto, the Superdog, who Superman is dog-sitting for his cousin, Supergirl. Krypto provides some of the best comic moments of the movie with his misbehavior.

With a budget of $225 million, it has already generated $272 million. It needs to clear about $337.5 million to make a profit. Rotten Tomatoes gave it an 83% rating. If you are a superhero movie fan, this is the movie for you.

 

 

Formula One

 

Formula One

Formula One is a high-energy movie of competitive motor racing. It is also a movie of redemption and a budding buddy movie. Brad Pitt plays Sunny Hayes, a former Formula One driver recruited by the racing team Apxgp to return to the sport. Joshua Pearce, played by Damson Idris, is the rookie driver on the Apxgp team. He is brash,  overconfident, and not welcoming of Sunny Hayes. They are on the same team, but for the better part of the movie, they compete against each other. As the film progresses, the relationship evolves from rivals to teammates.

Brad Pitt portrays Sunny in his signature cool, self-assured manner. He displays some wear and tear from his nomadic lifestyle, which lends him a certain charisma.  Joshua Pearce does not think much of Sunny and is open about it. They must overcome this hostility because Formula One racing is a team sport.

Sunny also has a love interest with the team's technical director, Kate McKenna, played by the wonderful  Irish actress Kerry Condon. Her character is a combination of confidence, smarts, and leadership. Their scenes are funny and light-hearted in contrast to the technical automobile jargon.

Javier Bardem is the owner of Apxgp and recruits Sunny to join the team. He is frustrated by the team's performance and Sunny’s lack of teamwork.

There are exciting racing scenes. Brad Pitt and Damson Idris trained in Formula One racing, reaching speeds of up to 180 miles per hour. Just a technical note regarding Formula One racing. There are races in different countries throughout the year. Given your poll position in a particular race, you get a certain number of points. At the end of the season, the driver with the most points wins the Drivers’ Championship.

The film has few surprises, except for Sunny’s background. Outcomes and relationships are predictable. If you enjoy Formula One racing and are a fan of Brad Pitt, see this movie.

 

The Brutalist

 

The Brutalist

This is an excellent, rich film in its construction and acting. Adian Brody plays Lazlo Toth, a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to America. He is also a renowned architect but unknown in America. When he is discovered, he is shoveling coal in Pennsylvania. This is a tribute to the immigrant journey. New home, start over.

Brody’s character, Lazlo, affords Brody a range of emotions that he brilliantly performs. In the beginning, he is destitute, taking menial jobs to survive. His performance conveys the pain of an artist denied his talent. His fortune changes when he meets Harrison Lee Van Burn, played by Guy Pearce, a millionaire who knows his talent. Their relationship is complicated. Lee Van Burn’s wealth gives Lazlo a new opportunity to create architecture. Lee Van Burn assumes a superior attitude because of his wealth, but he is no match for Lazlo’s talent. To equalize this disparity, Lee Van Burn seeks to dominate Lazlo. The inequality of social class underlies the film.

Guy Pearce gives a tour de force performance. His tense face and clipped speech project his resentment of Lazlo’s talent; his wealth cannot compete. Guy Pearce knows how to use his body ( 2000 film Memento), and here, his posture is unbending, just like his character.

Felicity Jones is Lazlo’s wife Erzesbet, whom he had to leave in Hungary after the war. Her performance is sublime. After meeting Lee Van Burn and his dinner guests, they asked where she learned her English. Oxford, she replied.

The rest of the cast is wonderful. The cinematography gives the film a unique perspective.

n.b.-The term Brutalist refers to architecture as a style of building that uses exposed materials and geometric shapes to create a minimalist, angular, and bulky look. The term comes from the French word brut, which means "raw" or "untreated

 

Sinners

Sinners-Prime Videos

Sinners is a unique vampire movie. It has all the standard vampire clichés, but it also tells a story of family and community.  Michael B. Jordon plays a dual role as twins, Smoke and Stack, who are gangsters returning to their hometown from Chicago. They have plenty of money from their  Capone employment, and the premise of the story is set up a jute joint in their Mississippi hometown. The entire film is a drama that unfolds over one day and night. Jordon plays the role (roles) with just enough swagger to saddle the role of a gangster and a budding club owner. In one scene, he shoots two locals, one in the ass and the other in the knee, who look too closely into the cargo of his truck. But then he turns around and gives cash to a friend to have them patched up.

There is gore towards the end of the film, but for the most part, it is the story of a main character named Sammy. Sammy is the cousin of the twins and is a blues prodigy. A benefit of the film is that it has some great blues music. There is one dance number that transcends place and time. Dancers include a Zaouli dancer, a Juke joint blues performer, or a Jukin, as well as modern-day hip hop and ballet. It is an anthology of African American dance. With its blues and dance numbers, this film stands out from the typical vampire movie. The climax of the film is a showdown between humans and vampires. Many of the friends, lovers, and family have been bitten and transformed into vampires. The battle goes on until sunrise, when the vampires are vanquished by sunlight.

An interesting element of the film is that there is a Chinese couple who are friends with twins. In Western movies, there has not been enough credit given to the role that Asians have played in the West.

The film is worth seeing. If you see it, do not skip over the end credits. 

Anora

Anora-Amazon Prime

Anora is a low-budget film ($6m) that tells the heartfelt story of a working girl from Brooklyn who finds herself in a place she could not have imagined. Anora, or Ani as she prefers to be called, is a stripper and sometimes prostitute from Brooklyn. She is introduced to Russian clients at the club since she speaks Russian. This is what sets the film in motion. She is introduced to Vanya, the son of a Russian oligarch who comes from extraordinary wealth. Vanya is a hedonist with the mind of a horny fifteen-year-old in the body of a horny twenty-one man. His sexual exploits are comparable to a rabbit in heat.

Ani is overwhelmed by extravagant wealth. She is Cinderella from Brighton Beach. Vanya lives in a mansion with an ocean view. It is an endless party. The apex of this perpetual partying is a trip to Las Vegas for a quick marriage. From here, the dream turns on Ani.  

Mikey Madison plays Ani. She does an excellent job balancing vulnerability and toughness. As much as she wants to believe in this dream, she is too street-smart to know it will last. Besides her beauty and willowy body, she is a fighter, taking on fellow strippers and the henchmen Vanya’s parents send. She delivers an outstanding performance in this little film.

Mark Edelstein plays Vanya. He is Russian, and so is his accent. He is the stereotype of the uber-self-centered, irresponsible twenty-four-hour party boy. He showers Ani with one extravagant experience after another. Coming from Brooklyn, this is a different reality.

The movie takes a turn when Vanya’s parents send their henchmen to bring Vanya back to Russia. These are not the brutal Russian criminals portrayed in films like Eastern Promises; they are more bumbling. It is enjoyable how Ani kicks their ass and makes their lives miserable.

If scenes of copulation, nudity, or creative use of the F words offend you, this is not your movie.

This film received Golden Globe and Critics Choice nominations and won the Cannes Palm d’Or in 2024. It received a 94% score from Rotten Tomatoes. That’s not bad for Brighton Beach. The film cost $9.99 to watch. Hey, why not?

 

 

 

Gladiator II

 

Gladiator II-Prime Videos

Gladiator II is a typical Ridley Scott spectacle: action-packed, impressive special effects, and a great cast. It continues the first Gladiator movie sixteen years after Marcus Aurelius's death, but this film stands on its own. The story is specific to the gladiator revolt. The movie's prime theme is the liberation of the gladiators and the deposition of the corruption of the twin emperors.

Paul Mescal has the lead role.  He is the hunk of the month, rubbing shoulders with Austin Butler and Glen Powell. He acts as good as his looks. His motivation is revenge and justice. He does not falter from this theme throughout the film, which adds cohesiveness. He is passionate about revenge.

Pedro Pascal is the decorated general who is the target of Mescal’s revenge. Pascal plays a pivotal role in the film, but his role is all too short. His role is mixed as a conquering general, and a conspirator in overthrowing the emperors. His performance is effective in both roles.

Connie Nielson plays Lucilla, a coconspirator against the emperors. She has other vital roles, but if I revealed them, I would be accused of being a spoiler. Her role is pivotal to the plot.

The twin emperors are self-indulgent despots. They stage brutal gladiatorial games for entertainment. Today, they would be considered two spoiled homicidal slackers.

Denzel Washington is a scene stealer. He plays against type; he is evil. He transforms slaves into gladiators. His method is brutal and bloody.  His role is pivotal to the movie, and he relishes the role.

Derek Jacobi briefly appears as a senator. I did not know that he was still alive.

The special effects are impressive, and the reproduction of Rome is authentic. Ridley brought the Colosseum to life, where the gladiator battles take place. The battles are unique, with a charging Rhino and battling gally ships. He threw  in sharks for effect

This is a brutal movie with copious carnage. If bloody scenes bother you, this is not your movie. The movie's box office helped save 2024.

 

  

onclave

 

Conclave

Conclave is a political  thriller in red robes. The pope is dead, the conclave will elect a new pope. The conclave is like any struggle for power. There is duplicity, ambition and various sins. Some also struggle with a crisis of faith. The film moves quickly with one revelation  after another.

There is a stellar cast. Ralph Fiennes is the dean of the conclave. The weight of his responsibility wears heavy on him. He is reflective and makes difficult decisions. He is the central figure of the film. Stanley Tucci ,John Lithgow and the others vie for the position of pope. These pious men are flawed. Averous, duplicity, prejudice, sins of the flesh and a crisis of faith weight on them

Isabella Rossellini is Sister Agnes. Her main role is to smoothly run the conclave. She is strong and  speaks her mind.

The film has some iconic images of the Sistine Chapel and how the conclave is organized. One scene with the cardinals walking in the rain with white umbrellas is beautifully shot.

The ending is a blockbuster, alone justifying going to this film. It confronts several social issues.

The film only cost $20m  since there was no meaningful CGI. It received a 96 rating from Rotten Tomatoes.