The Wedding Guest

The title of the film The Wedding Guest is a bit misleading. Under the guise of attending a wedding a young man travels through India and Pakistan. He is a mysterious man on a mysterious mission. This is an intense thriller that is a good rental.

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

The 3rd installment in the John Wick franchise, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, is a bang-bang shoot-em-up ride you won't soon forget. The plot is pretty lame, but the action makes up for it. There are also scenes on a rooftop in a neighborhood I am familiar with that makes me smile. This is a decent rental.

It Happened on Fifth Avenue

In 1940s NYC, a wealthy family's home becomes a refuge for a homeless man when they are away for the winter. Where? It Happened on Fifth Avenue. Things get out of hand and therein lies the humor and the heart. Though much lighter, this was recommended to me as a companion piece to Parasite. It works. Excellent film.

Beetlejuice

I felt the need to re-watch the movie Beetlejuice after seeing the Broadway musical version. The film really holds up with great performances and production value. Burton's imagination and Elfman's music propel this crazy story of the dead in the land of the living. Lots of rules. A fun rental with so much heart and so much fun.

A Million Little Pieces

The film A Million Little Pieces is based on the controversial novel of the same name. It was alleged that some of the more dramatic anecdotes never happened, yet the book was first portrayed as a memoir. Regardless of the true-life events, this film about recovery is touching, edgy and has a great cast. Watching the extras on the DVD was very interesting. Good rental.

Ace in the Hole

In the film Ace in the Hole a big-city journalist adjusts to a more rural beat. This film was recommended after Kirk Douglas passed. He plays both the hero and the antagonist in an interesting story involving crisis, drama and media. Good rental. Classic.

The Last Movie Star

In The Last Movie Star we explore fandom, lifetime "so far" achievement, Hollywood, aging, love and sincerity. I liked the editing and performances. In the end they say "the best is yet to come." This is a good rental.

Wild Nights with Emily

Relationships in the life of Emily Dickinson are central to the film Wild Nights with Emily. Her family, her neighbors, her friends, her words. Good rental.

Miss Americana

I enjoy documentaries about musicians and the film Taylor Swift: Miss Americana delivered for me. This is a very personal look at her process and her struggles in the industry. She is very open about her feelings of fairness of how she has been treated both personally and professionally. I liked this inside look at a very layered artist. Good doc.

Birds of Prey: The Fantabulous Emancipation of Harley Quinn

After watching quite a few serious films in preparation for the 2020 Academy Awards I happily sat down to Birds of Prey: and the Fantabulous Emancipation of Harley Quinn for a bit of relief. Harley Quinn has broken up with The Joker and she's a mess. A mess with a charming grin and a mischievous tilt toward revenge. The characters in this film are badass, the action is amazing and the humor downright clever. The fight scenes are beautiful, powerful and skillfully executed. This movie was just what I needed. Well done.

The Cave

The documentary about an underground hospital in Syria is rightful titled The Cave. Heartbreaking accounts of injuries from bombings and chemical attacks are graphic and brutal. The dedication the doctors and health care professionals show is astounding and inspiring.

For Sama

The documentary For Sama was made from of footage shot by her mother for posterity. When she collaborates with a documentarian to put the story together, we get an intimate, passionate story of a family in Aleppo. There is destruction everywhere and the footage is truly shocking. This film was put together with brutal honesty and a lot of love. Quite eye-opening.

The Edge of Democracy

The trials and tribulation of the difficult politics in Brazil are spotlighted in the documentary The Edge of Democracy. Corruption and tension abound as the presidents move in and out of the office. There is chaos, demonstrations and tension throughout. An unsettling documentary.

Honeyland

Honeyland is a vivid documentary about life, survival, nature, kindness and beekeeping. The results of care are rewarded, the results of neglect gets its due. This documentary is beautifully filmed and almost hypnotic, as we follow the beekeeper through her days. What a wonderful film.