David Crosby: Remember My Name

— This is a fascinating and intimate look back on David Crosby’s life, acting almost as a final letter to everyone from his past. Viewers are treated to a very personal glimpse of a man who’s been inducted in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame twice, once for his work with the Byrds and once as part of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, but whose prickly personality and years using heroine and cocaine took their toll on him and everyone around him. He admits almost matter-of-factly that not one of his former band members will even speak to him to this day. Cameron Crowe does the interviewing, but Crosby seems ready to talk, spilling out details about his life and associations like a seasoned storyteller. In a way, the film is almost an obituary and it puts viewers in an awkward situation, for it seems absolution is unlikely even in the face of confession.

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[2019. 95 min. Directed by A.J. Eaton. Featuring David Crosby, Jackson Browne, Jan Crosby, Cameron Crowe, Henry Diltz, Roger McGuinn, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, and Neil Young.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/david-crosby-remember-my-name-2019

Zombieland: Double Tap

— This was fun! When you see an off-beat film with this kind of cast (Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin are back from the original film), you can pretty much assume it’s going to have something going for it…or be a complete bust. I’m not a Zombie enthusiast but I gave this film a gander and was taken in by the sharp script, humor, ridiculousness, and goofiness of it all. I thought it was funny and quirky, with irreverent, blood-splattering overtones. I didn’t see the original “Zombieland” so this was a new experience for me; for those who already had the fun when “Zombieland” was released in 2009, this may seem tired or unnecessary, but not to me. Enjoy it if you’re so inclined.

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[2019. 99 min. Directed by Ruben Fleischer. Starring Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, Zoey Deutch, Avan Jogia, Rosario Dawson, and Luke Wilson.]
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/movies/zombieland-double-tap-review.html

Judy

— I wasn’t sure what to expect given the mixed feelings people have over Zellweger’s “Judy.” It helps to know you’re looking at an impression of a relatively short period in Garland’s life, and a period where life had already taken it’s toll. Zellweger’s talents shine and, instead of “becoming” Garland in the sense that some actor’s might, she assumes many of her attributes—her frailties, her demeanor, her edginess, and her charisma—allowing the viewer to believe they’re seeing someone other than Zellweger, someone embodying Garland’s soul. Of course, Zellweger’s singing voice doesn’t have the range of Garland’s, but she does a good job of infusing the emotion and tenor of Garland into the songs. I found the film a little slow moving at first, when flashbacks of Garland’s childhood emphasize the damage done under the iron hand of Louis B. Mayer and the studio system, probably resulting in Garland always being “on stage,” even later in life, instead of finding a way to share her public persona with a private one away from the spotlight. It’s not a perfect film and Garland aficionados may find fault, but in the end it took hold of my heart.

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[2019. 118 min. Directed by Rupert Goold. Starring Renée Zellweger, Jessie Buckley, and Finn Wittrock.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/judy-movie-review-2019

Joker

— After all the hype, “Joker” just wasn’t very interesting. The infamous joker’s backstory ends up being visually somewhat stunning but that’s not nearly enough to make up for the excruciatingly slow cadence of the film. While Joaquin Phoenix may be good, it feels like someone’s strapped you in a chair in some basement studio to witness private method acting lessons that are a little too dramatic. The film goes on and on and on and, honestly, there’s no way to have any sympathy for the character or, for that matter, to have much interest in anything except how quickly the film will end. I know there’s talk of it’s potential to incite violence but it was so dull that I nearly nodded off.

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[2019. 121 min. Directed by Todd Phillips. Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Frances Conroy, and Zazie Beetz.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/joker-movie-review-2019