Author: James Hathaway

The Rider

Set in South Dakota, this is a coming of age film about a young cowboy whose life takes a turn after a severe rodeo  accident.

What is unique about this film is most of the characters are real people playing themselves.  At least six of the actors are Sioux cowboys from South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation.  Director Chloe Zhao created a gem of a movie with a remarkable cast of nonprofessionals.  We found it gripping, sensitive, heart breaking and uplifting at the same time.

It is rated R for language and drug use.  It is listed as a drama with a run time of 104 minutes.

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Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami

This is a fascinating and intimate documentary about the life and performances of super model, singer and actress Grace Jones.  There is both public and personal footage showcasing her career.

Director Sophie Fiennes collected footage from four years beginning in 2008 in Jamaica and continuing through the world tour.

The result is a fascinating peek at the life journey of a truly one of a kind global icon.  This film is very entertaining.

This film is not rated.  We do not feel this film is suitable for children as there is simply too much drug use, nudity and adult subject matter.  It is listed as a Documentary running 1 hour, 56 minutes.  English, Jamaican English and French with English subtitles.

Ms. Jones will turn 70 next month.

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Ismael’s Ghosts

This 2017 French film spans a large part of  a movie director’s life: his wife who disappeared 21 years earlier, his new girlfriend/muse and his career as a world renowned film Producer/Director.

The compact cast includes Mathieu Amalric as Ismael Vuillard, Marion Cotillard as his wife Carlotta, Charlotte Gainsbourg as the muse.  There is a short list of additional French actors rounding out the cast.

We found the story confusing with repeated flashbacks and flash forwards leaving us unsure of what was occurring.  By the end of the story we didn’t much care who did what to whom or why.

It is rated R for sexuality including some graphic nudity, language and brief strong violence.  Children should not view this movie.  It is listed as a drama.  It runs 2 hours, 15 minutes.  French with English subtitles.

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1945

This holocaust film adds to the list of dramas and documentaries on post WWII.  This one is set in a small village in Eastern Hungary when the deported Jewish father and son come to bury “something” in the town’s cemetery.  The villagers panic thinking the Jews have returned to claim missing properties and possessions.

The story is unique, powerful and absorbing.  The mostly Hungarian cast are authentic and believable.  It is filmed entirely in black and white by design.

It is not rated.  The genre is Drama.  It has won eight International Film Awards.  In our opinion it is a must see film if you are interested in WWII stories.  Run time is 91 minutes.  Hungarian with English subtitles.

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Kodachrome

This is a film about a struggling music executive, his aging famous photographer father and his caregiver nurse.  The father has cancer in his last days when they embark on a road trip from New York City to Kansas to develop his last rolls of Kodachrome film.

It might sound odd but the story will draw you in bit by bit.  It’s a real gem with excellent acting by Elizabeth Olsen as the nurse and Jason Sudeikis as the son.  Ed Harris is extraordinary as the father.

The movie is not rated.  There is brief nudity, strong language and significant tension.  We do not think it is suitable for children.  It is listed as a drama.  It runs 1 hour 45 minutes.  It is currently in theaters and is also available on Netflix.

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I Feel Pretty

We are not huge comedy fans but decided to see this film because the concept seemed intriguing.  It’s about a insecure woman struggling with her self image until a bump on the head changes her perspective.

Amy Schumer is the headliner.  Busy Philipps and Aidy Bryant play her girlfriends.  Rory Scovel plays the boyfriend.  Michelle Williams transforms as the business owner while Lauren Hutton is awesome as the grandmother.

The film is rated PG-13 for sexual content, some partial nudity and language.  We do not recommend viewing by younger children.  It is listed as a Comedy.  We found it one part charming, occasionally funny but somewhat off putting.  That said, it does deliver a positive message about self esteem.  Run time was 1 hour, 50 minutes.

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Lean on Pete

Every once in a while an unexpected film release strikes a cord with audiences and magic happens.  This is one of those movies.

Great acting: Travis Fimmel is riveting as the Dad.  Steve Buscemi is exceptional as the horse owner.  Charlie Plumber may be destined for super stardom as the 15 year old son.  And another dozen or so actors fill out the cast.

Audiences and critics agree with high ratings.  “Traumatically beautiful drama”, and “moving and haunting” are two descriptions we fully agree with.

It is rated R for language and brief violence.  Unfortunately we do not feel it is appropriate for children.  (There is too much to explain.)  The genre is listed as a Drama.  It runs 2 hours, 2 minutes.

If you miss this in the theaters, seek it out from ‘pay per view’.  We’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Beirut

There has been a lot of negative chatter in recent years about the image the international film industry creates by using the Middle East as the “location” and “bad guys”.  Ironically, this movie was filmed in Morocco.

This film is set in 1982 during the Lebanon Civil War.  The CIA sends a former Diplomat to negotiate a prisoner release.

The story is occasionally confusing and often intense but the acting and sets are generally believable.  John Hamm plays the American operative.  Rosamund Pike plays a supporting CIA agent.  Dean Norris, Shea Whigham, Mark Pellegrino and Leila Bekhti round out the headliners.

The movie is rated R for language, some violence and a brief nude image.  It is listed as a Drama.  It is not suitable for children.  It runs 1 hour, 49 minutes.

We liked this film.  It was a reminder of a crazy time we remember all too well.  We think it is worth a watch.

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You Were Never Really Here

We first heard about this film in London.  The early hour and heavy rain detoured us at the time.  Unfortunately we had no such deterrent today!

Both audiences and critics loved this film.  We did not!  From our perspective the movie was violent, more than a little unsettling, confusing and very intense.

None of the characters were likable.  Joaquin Phoenix plays Joe, the hit man or fix-it guy depending on your perspective.  Alessandro Nivola plays the Governor.  Ekaterina Samsonov plays the kidnapped daughter.  Judith Anna Roberts plays Joe’s Mom.  There are another half dozen actors with bit parts.

The genre is noted as a Drama/Mystery.  It is more of  a slasher horror story with lots of blood and really creepy violence.  It is rated R for strong violence, disturbing and grisly images, language, and brief nudity.  Children should not see this film.  Thankfully the run time is only 89 minutes.

Rating: A rare 

Love After Love

Let us be clear right up front, the critics really liked this film!  We did not.

A family mourns the death of the patriarch.  The two sons, played by Chris O’Dowd and James Adomian struggle to cope and recover from their loss.  The wife/mother, played by Andie MacDowell, adapts faster which causes angst with her sons.

What bothered us most were the characters, with the exception of MacDowell’s role, who are not very likable people.  There was a mean spirited undercurrent that just annoyed us both.

This film is not rated but we do not feel it is suitable for children.  It is listed as a drama and runs a painful 91 minutes.

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A Bag of Marbles

This movie is the first of this year that should attract an Oscar consideration in the Best Foreign Film category!

First, it’s the true story of two young Jewish brothers in German occupied France during World War II.  They are purposely separated from their family in order to survive.  The French cast is world class.  Patrick Bruel plays the Father.  Elsa Zylberstein plays the Mom.  Dorian Le Clech plays the younger son while Batyste Fleurial plays the big brother.  Another dozen actors round out the cast.

The story is gripping and heart wrenching.  It is a brilliantly constructed story with a fair amount of tension.

It also is not rated.  Again, we do not feel this is suitable for children.  The genre is listed as a Drama.  It runs 1 hour, 50 minutes.  French with English subtitles.  This film is an absolute gem.

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Where is Kyra?

Forget “Where”!?  The real question is Who is Kyra?!  To be clear, Kyra is the lead character played by Michele Pfeiffer.  She is really the only reason to see the film.  Ms. Pfeiffer’s performance of a fragile character whose mother dies is stunning and desperate.  Kiefer Sutherland costars as the supportive love interest.

Overall the story is depressing, dark, desolate and painfully drawn out.  One critic said it was “paralyzed by a numbing bleakness.”  That said, most critics and audiences liked this movie much more than we did.

This is yet another movie release that is not rated!  It is listed as a Drama with a run time of 98 minutes.  We do not feel this film is suitable for youngsters.

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Itzhak

Every once in a while magic happens.  Director/Producer Alison Chernick’s documentary about the life story of Itzhak Perlman and his command of the violin is a joy to watch, listen and applaud.

There is also a hefty dose of love, laughter, commitment to family, friends and young musicians.  The film does not shy away from tough topics:  parents emigrating from Poland to Isreal, a lifetime struggle with polio and the disability challenges.  Instead Itzhak, his wife and family have embraced life’s adversity and filled their lives with laughter and their support for the arts.

This film is not rated.  It is listed as a Documentary and runs 1 hour, 22 minutes.  Seek this one out.  It will make you smile and brighten your day.

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Chappaquiddick

This film is based on the true events of July 18, 1969 when then Senator Ted Kennedy drove his car off a bridge one night on Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts.  A young campaign strategist was trapped in the car and died.

This movie captures the hours and days immediately after the incident.  The story is unsettling, provocative and intense.  The scandal has haunted political history ever since.

The cast includes several good performances by Kate Mara, Jason Clark, Ed Helms, Bruce Dern and a dozen more key actors.

It is rated PG-13 for thematic material, disturbing images, strong language and smoking.  It is listed as a Mystery & Suspense.  It runs 1 hour, 41 minutes.

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Finding Your Feet

This is a charming, touching, funny story that has received mixed reviews.  We feel that is unduly harsh.  It has a good script and a skilled cast.  The story is more complex than it appears on the surface.  Its reflection on British culture is on target and credible.

The cast includes Imelda Staunton in a great role.  Timothy Spall is always excellent.  Celia Imrie, Joanna Lumley, David Hayman are all spot on characters.

While the story is focused on issues associated with late life, it does not shy away from serious senior topics.

It is rated PG-13 for suggestive material, drug use, and brief strong language.  It is listed as a comedy, drama, romance and runs 111 minutes.  We caution parents regarding viewing by young children.  Seek out this film if it is still in your area.

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Final Portrait

This is an intriguing peek behind the curtain of Swiss Italian artist Alberto Giacometti.  It is set in 1964 Paris when the artist asks American writer James Lord to sit for a portrait that was scheduled to take one day.

The film takes the audience on a wild ride through the vulgar chaos, insight, and the ‘artistic process’ of the famed painter.

Geoffrey Rush is completely at home in the character of Alberto Giacometti.  Armie Hammer is comfortable in the skin of James Lord.  Clemence Poesy is the painter’s mistress while Sylvie Testud stews as the painter’s wife.  On the up side, Tony Shalhoub shines as the painter’s brother.

The film is equal parts frustrating, charming, bewildering, intriguing and insightful.  It is rated R for language, sexual references and nudity.  Its genre is noted as Art House & International, Documentary, Drama.  The run time is 90 minutes.  Written and directed by Stanley Tucci.  English and French with English subtitles.

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A Quiet Place

This film is intense and terrifying at the same time.  The premise is simple.  If anyone makes any kind of noise at any time, day or night, some birdlike dinosaur comes and kills the noisemaker.  That’s it!

So humans slink around by day or night to survive.  Think of this film as an update on the creature feature genre of the 70’s and 80’s.  We were actually a bit surprised to see the theater quite full for the first showing on a Saturday.

All that said, the acting makes this production work.  Emily Blunt is perfect.  John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe and Cade Woodward deliver solid, convincing performances.

The film is rated PG-13 for terror and brief bloody images.  It is not suitable for children.  It was directed by John Krasinski.  The genre is listed as Drama, Mystery & Suspense.  We thoroughly enjoyed it!

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The Leisure Seeker

Well now…where to begin?!  First, let’s be clear, the critics almost universally panned this film as “clumsy”, “stale” and “lost”.  And those were the kind words!  This film was first released in early February and just now re-released.

That said, the on screen chemistry between Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland characters alone are worth the admission price.  The acting was balanced, solid and believable, even some of the flashbacks and sidebars.  That’s not easy for a story line built on the issues associated with end of life.

The film is listed as Drama/Romance.  It is rated R for some sexual material.  It runs a whopping 112 minutes.

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Acrimony

Taraji P. Henson is really exceptional as the devoted wife to her inventor husband Robert, played by Lyriq Bent.  The talented cast is extensive with over 50 actors.

The script is sharp and well honed, it’s quick and intelligent.  There are more twists and turns than the Hollywood Freeway!  There is also quite a bit of conflict that can become onerous to watch.

It is rated R for language, sexual content and some violence.  The genre is listed as a Thriller/Psychological Thriller running 2 hours.

This movie is both compelling to watch and disturbing at the same time.  Tyler Perry directed, produced and wrote the screenplay.

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Pacific Rim

This Fantasy/Action film features monstrous creatures that came from the seas to wreck havoc on mankind.  In response, humans created giant robots to keep the sea creatures in check.

Director Guillermo del Toro is in his element as he reenacts his newest chapter of man versus monster.  This action packed episode is a visually epic scale production.  Unfortunately it is also heavy on carnage, weak on humanity and B-rated on apocalyptic creatures.

Audiences seemed to like this film.  We were not all that impressed.  Lots of noise and angst but not a lot of substance.

It is rated PG-13 for intense Sci-fi action and violence, and brief language.  It is listed as Action & Adventure, Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy.  The run time is 2 hours, 12 minutes.

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Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

This is a story of the famed actress Hedy Lamarr dating back to the 1940s.  It is listed as a Biography/History but it is actually a documentary.

The Austrian born actress fled to the U.S. to evade a bad marriage.  She quickly became a famous leading lady, and a brilliant inventor.  She invented a radio system that is now credited as the foundation to modern radar and Bluetooth.

It is a remarkable story about an incredible woman who lived a life of her choosing.  It was not always flattering or glamorous.  She was incredibly intelligent and fearless.

Critics and audiences liked this film.  It is listed as a Biography/History that runs 1 hour, 30 minutes.

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