les Cowboys,
This is a unique look at France, social/cultural conflicts and a family tragedy set in the remote countryside. Screenwriter Thomas Bidegain is the Director of this striking drama.
Apparently the cowboy culture was a strong influence of rural France in the 1990s. The story is vaguely based on the 1956 John Ford classic The Searchers when John Wayne searches for his niece, Natalie Cole, after being kidnapped by Comanches.
In the French production, the father and son of the kidnapped daughter, apparently abducted by the jihadist boyfriend, search for years to find their loved one.
This film is not always easy to watch. It is often confusing and difficult to follow. It is also riveting and beguiling. I will take a chance here and predict you have seen nothing quite like it before. Much of the subject matter is timely and the run time of 144 minutes seemed to fly by.
Rating: 
Independence Day: Resurgenence
Independence Day: Resurgence is the newest in the film series just released, coincidently, a week before our 4th of July holiday. Only this time the aliens are coming with a space ship some 3,000 miles wide.
Earth has built extensive defense outposts on the moon (talk about too little, too late?!), and earth’s brave warriors engage the foe in an attempt to thwart the attack.
All the special effects and the few cameo appearances that add a little humor to the ridiculous script are not enough to make lemonade out of this sour fruit.
There are a bunch of new releases that will more than make up for this disappointment. Save your money.
Rating:
Free State of Jones
This movie is based on true events near the end of the Civil War and the beginning of Reconstruction. It is my understanding Director Gary Ross was acutely respectful of history during the making of this film. Critics are mixed on their satisfaction. We liked it with a few misgivings.
Most importantly, it is a reminder of our history, in this case, much of it horrific and unimaginable. But is also a story of hope, tenacity and perserverence.
The acting is quite good and its release is undoubtedly targeted at the current political process and the turbulent cultural landscape. It’s not perfect but it is pretty darn good. It is two hours and 14 minutes long. Good idea to stock up on popcorn and soft drinks!
Rating: 
Tickled
This is arguably one of the most unique documentaries we’ve ever seen. What began as a lighthearted expose of the on-line tickling phenom and the industry behind it takes a turn to the creepy underworld of adult erotic entertainment and the not nice people behind that.
Reporters from New Zealand seek to learn more and become embroiled in a weird undercurrent where lighthearted fun becomes some sort of mean spirited control including character assassination.
Truly unbelievable film making, storytelling and investigative reporting. You have never seen anything quite like it. It is one of those stories where the reality is really stranger than fiction. Seek this out. Very limited distribution.
Rating:
Good reviews. thanks!