Long Shot

A politician in the movie Long Shot needs a speech writer for her campaign for the presidency. She runs into a person she went to school with and comes to like his writing style. In hiring him she brings an unconventional companion to some high-level situations. There is a lot of heart and humor in this story. I liked the way it handles the PR aspect of the political environment. I was also impressed with the chemistry of Charlize Theron and Seth Rogan. It works for their characters. This is a worthwhile rental.

Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood

In the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, we meet an actor and his stunt man/friend working their way through early Hollywood. They are always looking for work and the reality of age is encroaching on their ability to get work. Real life characters enter the story at the Manson ranch and it becomes a bit of a what-if story. The actor becomes an unwitting hero. I liked this film, which certainly gives film lovers a lot to talk about. 

The Last Black Man in San Francisco

A young man in San Fransisco has a romantic vision and history of a house. When the people living there fall into foreclosure he and a friend become squatters. These young men are idealistic, passionate and creative. Things don't always go well for them and their friends. When they ultimately learn that they have to leave the house, they stage a grand performance of their play The Last Black Man in San Fransisco. There are themes of family, socioeconomics, compassion and dreams. This film is beautifully shot and emotionally charged. Lovely film.

Casting By

The documentary Casting By tells the stories of some of the brilliant casting directors in film history. I enjoy all things behind the scenes, and this documentary walks through historic casting decisions. Well done.

Dumbo

The bleak aspect of Dumbo along with the mistreatment of animals in the circus, is the culture of bullying among those who are different. This story is dark, I think too dark for children. The live action is fine, but it is a sad story.

The Art of Self Defense

After being mugged, a quiet young man turns to martial arts to learn how to defend himself. In The Art of Self Defense he encounters an intense culture at the dojo. This is an interesting take on bullying, crime and coping with a good twist. Good film

Tootsie

When the best way to land a job is to take on the persona of a woman, a desperate actor finds out about the pitfalls of mistaken identity. In Tootsie his plan works until romance enters the picture. Well written and acted. This is a classic that still holds up.

The Face of Love

Watching grief guide a woman's emotions in The Face of Love is painful. Meeting a man who looks a lot like her late husband motivates her to pursue him as the perfect replacement. The performances shine in this poignant romantic drama.

Klute

The acting talent of Jane Fonda is used to the max in the film Klute. Along with the streets of New York City, a crime drama plays out and her character is the heart. Well done.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

After the latest dust-up with The Avengers, Peter Parker tries to go on a school trip to Europe like a "regular kid". Trouble follows and adventure ensues. In Spider-Man: Far from Home he still has to use his spidey powers to battle evil, but keeping the secret becomes more difficult. I liked the story, there were some funny moments and the cast is great. This is a solid Spider-Man adventure.

Maiden

The nuts and bolts of a team sailing around the world are explored in the documentary Maiden. The ocean is a harsh environment and the round-the-world race is a prestigious one among sailors. It is challenging, expensive and grueling. The story of the crew of Maiden is uplifting and impressive. Great story. Great film.

Nobody's Fool

The bonds of sisterhood are tested in the comedy Nobody's Fool. When a woman is released from prison and goes to live with her successful sister, their differences are evident. There are men, there are jobs, there are laughs, there are surprisingly sweet moments. This is a good rental.

Alps

In the film Alps people have the job of  replacing a deceased person to help those close to deal with the grieving process. This is an interesting concept and there are some very heartfelt performances. Strange rental.

The Highwaymen

In the true story of the men who brought down Bonnie & Clyde, The Highwaymen is an interesting crime thriller. Two Texas Rangers come out of retirement to hunt down the outlaws. Performances are good and the story holds up. Decent rental.

The Best of Enemies

The civil rights movement had its share of heroes and in Best of Enemies we meet two of them. People on opposite sides of school integration in North Carolina are forced to work together. They grudgingly work through the best they can. In the end, their best is pretty good. The pace of the film itself is a little slow, but it is an important civil rights story. An OK rental.

Midsommar

A bizarre trip to Sweden in Midsommar does not end well for several of the characters. A young woman joins her boyfriend and his pals to attend a remote festival. Things get weird and very violent. This film is beautifully shot and moves between the real world and the fantastical world in interesting ways. Though the film's violence is jarring, know that it is a horror film going in. Wild stuff.

Pavarotti

My parents loved opera. My Dad always said that Pavoratti was one of the finest tenors that ever lived. When the documentary Pavoratti came out I wanted to see it in a theater to experience the best sound. The film gives insight to his work, his method, his passions and relationships. And that voice. Mesmerizing. Dad was right.