Kindred

Watching the kidnap thriller Kindred, I realize that the hallucinations are not as mysterious as they appear. This film has an unfortunate ending.

Ride

 The film Ride is a drama about a Mother helping her son through grief when he drops out of school. Her willingness to join his surfing world helps them both cope. I liked this drama.

In the Heights

 Happy and hopeful, In the Heights is a journey of joy. The lives of the community in Washington Heights in New York City is presented with song and dance. The colors are vibrant. I explored the neighborhood, and the film depicts it well. This is a wonderful film that holds up to multiple views. It was my first visit to the theater since lockdown and I'm pleased with my choice. Well worth seeing.

Sneakers

 The cast of Sneakers alone makes this film worth watching. A hacker film where everything they do adds up. This is a smart caper film with great performances. Well done

Oh Lucy!

Loneliness, acceptance and desperation are explored int the film Oh Lucy! A young woman in Tokyo takes an English class and discovers an alter ego. A touching film. 

Dance, Girl, Dance

A 1940s look at making a living as a dancer. In Dance, Girl , Dance we are treated to a performance from Lucille Ball in her prime. Dancers struggle to get paid for their talents and of course, there's a love conflict. Solid classic. 

A Quiet Place Part II

After 2 tries (I walked out of a crowded theater yesterday) I have finally returned to the movies. Know your comfort level. I started where I left off. The last film I saw before lockdown was Portrait of a Lady on Fire at Mystic Luxury Theater. Today, 15 months later, I saw A Quiet Place Part II at Mystic Luxury Theater. There were a handful of people spread out around the theater, the film was great and I enjoyed a beverage and popcorn to make the experience complete. The staff seemed so happy to see people (tip your servers) and it just felt good. The film? A solid scary story. The less you know going in, the better. I got my share of jump-scares, monsters and rescues. It was a cool movie afternoon.

Mighty Joe Young

In Mighty Joe Young the technology for 1949 is impressive. The story of white men exploiting and abusing animals is disturbing. Fire scene is especially dramatic and epic. What a classic.

Baby Doll

 Controversial in its day, Baby Doll, a Tennessee Williams revenge story, directed by Elia Kazan, is mild by today's standards. Performances, music, cinematography, sound design and direction are all rather brilliant. Well worth watching the "making of" featurette. Glad I rented this film. "We got nothing to do but wait for tomorrow and see if we're remembered or forgotten." 

The Last Shift

By no stretch of the imagination is The Last Shift a comedy. It is a rather somber comment on the state of the world. Good performances, but this film goes nowhere.

Minari

 Minari is an authentic family story. A Korean family runs a farm with all of the challenges that brings. The personalities are very real, especially the grandmother. Excellent film.

The Father

In The Father we are drawn into the mind of a man dealing with age and dementia. Battling to figure out what is real and what is not, this film does an artful job of portraying his struggles. This is a little confusing, until you figure out what the point of view is. Excellent film.

Supernova

Supernova is an emotional, honest and compassionate story of dementia. The performances are so genuine. I liked this film a lot. "Let me be with you."

The Mauritanian

 Based on a true story, The Mauritanian is a sad story of injustice. Hard to watch, but this is an important story to tell. 

Breaking News in Yuba County

 Breaking News in Yuba County is a dark comedy with a wild premise. A wild ride well worth taking. Great cast.

Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome

 After watching the documentary Tina, it only made sense to see Mad Max Thunderdome. I forgot how cool and intense this movie is. Holds up.

Victor Victoria

 A female soprano struggles to find work in Victor Victoria. When she finally does, it affects her personal life. Excellent drama with many comedic moments. Worth a watch.

Alliance

 I had the privilege of seeing Alliance on Broadway HD. In this time of lockdown it felt like a treat. Beautiful performances tell a harrowing story. I'm glad I had the opportunity to see it.

Resistance

The film Resistance tells the true story of Marcel Marceau helping the Fresh Resistance in World War II. It is a powerful story. Well done.

Brother to Brother

 The film Brother to Brother is a current day drama with roots in the Harlem renaissance. Brutal and honest. Good film.