A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

— This is a perfectly lovely film, but disappointing too since it wasn’t exactly about Mr. Rogers. Don’t get me wrong, Tom Hanks is wonderful as Fred Rogers and both on-air and off-air moments featuring him are a joy, but the main character is really Lloyd Vogel, a writer for “Esquire” whose interviews with Mr. Rogers bring to the surface long-smoldering feelings for his father, and a friendship evolves as Vogel comes to terms with his feelings, learns to forgive, and to move forward. It’s a fine story and worth seeing but, if you really want to experience the man whose kindness and love changed a generation, find a way to see “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” Morgan Neville’s wonderful 2018 documentary that reminds us how important honesty, civility, and gentleness can be.

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[2019. 108 min. Directed by Marielle Heller. Starring Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper, and Susan Kelechi Watson.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-beautiful-day-in-the-neighborhood-movie-review-2019

Parasite (Gisaengchung)

— “Parasite” is one of those films that’s probably better when you don’t know much about it. It’s been called a “dark satire of class divide” and a “South Korean class warfare thriller,” both good descriptions. One family ingeniously scams another, offering ample room for some dark humor, with enough deception to keep everyone on their toes, actors and audience alike. The audience is easily sucked in, becoming enthralled with the characters’ overlapping lives as the story evolves and the plot twists and turns. When its over, you know you’ve seen a witty and caustic film that is perfectly crafted by a masterful director. You also realize you’ve seen wealth and poverty from different angles, but still don’t know who the “parasite” really is.

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[2019. 132 min. Directed by Bong Joon Ho. Starring Kang-ho Song, Sun-kyun Lee, Yeo-jeong Jo, and Woo-sik Choi.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/parasite-movie-review-2019

The Good Liar

— Even with two talented actors like Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen, it’s possible to make a disappointing film, and that’s exactly what “The Good Liar” is—disappointing. The story itself has plenty of twists and turns, but the script gives away most of the surprise during the long, dull, first half. Then, when it does end after thankfully picking up the pace for the last half hour, it offers a rationale for the actions that seems so random you can’t help but wonder if there are other versions playing in other theaters, each with another rationale for the characters’ actions, and maybe one of them actually meshing with what came before. In spite of itself, it’s still fun to watch Mirren and McKellen charm, spar, tease, flirt, and connive, but sad as well, to think that two such talents can’t find better scripts than this.

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[2019. 109 min. Directed by Bill Condon. Starring Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen, Russell Tovey, and Jim Carter.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-good-liar-movie-review-2019

Jojo Rabbit

— I’ve seen a lot of coming of age films but “Jojo Rabbit” is one of a kind. It’s a satirical black comedy set in Germany toward the end of World War II. Jojo is a very Aryan-looking ten-year-old boy who’s steeped in Nazi propaganda and has Adolph Hitler for an imaginary friend. He may dream of becoming a soldier for der Fuhrer, but he’s small and not particularly athletic, doesn’t really have the heart for a kill, and teased more than respected by other boys. When he discovers a Jewish girl hiding in his mother’s attic, he faces a turning point that will affect how he views himself and the world around him. The storyline unfolds with the war and resistance always in the background, along with innocence lost and stolen, and the conflict between propaganda and truth. There’s an uneasiness as the film tries to balance both sides of many emotions, usually successfully. The path it takes tiptoes through some pretty dark patches of humor, but even as you're laughing it manages to tug at your heart as well, and it’s that roller coaster of feelings that makes the film work. I think it is well worth seeing, but if you don’t like it, you’ll probably hate it.

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[2019. 108 min. Directed by Taika Waititi. Starring Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Scarlett Johansson, Taika Waititi, Sam Rockwell, and Rebel Wilson.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/jojo-rabbit-movie-review-2019

Late Night

— Amazon Prime’s pricey Sundance acquisition of the Nisha Ganatra film flopped in theatres but I’m not sure why. Emma Thompson is, well, Emma Thompson, who easily and convincingly plays a legendary late night talk show host about to lose her show, a storyline that could end up being smart and funny or just schmaltzy and tired. It ends up being pretty good while being “feel good” too. Quick dialog and humor with a feminist subtext are served up well thanks to Thompson’s acerbic manner and her protege’s ability to bring out a more tender, but by no means less impressive, side. It’s not quite as tightly crafted as “Devil Wears Prada,” but it’s hard not to see similarities. I think it’s theatrical failure may reflect more on Amazon than on the film since it’s one of the first Amazon films distributed by Amazon—successes like “The Big Sick” and “Manchester by the Sea” were released by third parties before Amazon formed their own distribution arm. [Amazon Prime streaming.]

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[2019. 102 min. Directed by Nisha Ganatra. Starring Emma Thompson, Mindy Kaling, John Lithgow, and Hugh Dancy.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/late-night-2019

Game Change

— A great look at the McCain/Palin campaign that appears to refrain from much embellishment. In fact, much of its charm is Julianne Moore’s incredibly nuanced portrayal of Palin, reminding us of Palin’s frailties in human terms so we can see her as a person and not just as the character Tina Fey created. I imagine when it was made the film was even more disturbing for the role the internet had begun to play in presidential politics, but before it was elevated to 2016 levels. Even if you remember the events well, you’ll enjoy this look behind-the-scenes.

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[2012. 118 minutes. Directed by Jay Roach. Starring Julianne Moore, Ed Harris, Woody Harrelson, and Nicolle Wallace.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/game-change

Harriet

— “Harriet” is nicely packaged tale, particularly for those who don’t know much about Harriet Tubman’s place in American History. It tells the story well, even if somewhat traditionally and without some of the revulsion associated with the treatment of slaves that other films may include. It also seems to attribute some of Harriet’s success in bringing so many slaves to freedom to an ability—or a belief that she had the ability—to be guided by God. I’m always a little uncomfortable by such things, even if it is the history that’s been passed down. That aside, the film is easy to watch, has decent acting and pacing, and competent direction. If it’s mostly factual, and I have no reason to suspect it is not, it’s a nice addition to a growing list of decent history films and biopics focusing on black stories.

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[2019. 125 minutes. Directed by Kasi Lemmons. Starring Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odam Jr., Joe Alwyn, and Clark Peters.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/harriet-movie-review-2019

The Lighthouse

— “The Lighthouse” is the sort of film where you think you see symbolism, angst, and arty camera angles at every turn. It certainly has the feel down—a desolate island with only two temporary inhabitants, harsh black and white images, a constant din of foghorns, winds, thunder and sheets of rain almost always in the background, and a nearly square aspect ratio making every scene cramped and uncomfortable. Adding a bit of confusion to it all, you’re kept a little off kilter, never quite sure if it’s a horror film, a psychological thriller, a journey of survival, a dream, or nightmare, but whatever it is, the tormented characters also provide a few chuckles. Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson are excellent as the dueling couple, a seasoned lighthouse keeper and his trainee, isolated and with ever-changing roles as powerful or powerless, lover or loved, broken or healing, sane or mad. There’s an undeniable fascination with the story and the actors, and with the day to day transformation they experience, The film is very carefully presented and, although the ending is anticlimactic, the journey is worth it. Besides, who doesn't love a film with a mermaid, a giant squid, and angry seagulls?

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[2019. 109 minutes. Directed by Robert Eggers. Starring Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson.]
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-lighthouse-movie-review-2019

Holiday in the Wild

— Pretty mindless entertainment that's a bit better than typical fluff. [Netflix streaming.]

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[2019. 105 min. Directed by Ernie Barbarash. Starring Rob Lowe and Kristin Davis.]
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/nov/01/holiday-in-the-wild-netflix-kristin-davis