The Hustle

Looking for a chuckle, I rented the movie The Hustle. A gender-flip remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, two con women work to right the wrongs of their worlds. This was an OK rental and I found it amusing.

Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am

I only knew of Toni Morrison by reputation, and then I heard an interview with her that was recorded a few years ago. I was impressed by her intelligence, humility and sense of humor. When the documentary Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am came out in DVD I was treated to the story of this woman in her own words and in interviews with those who knew her well personally and professionally. Her grounded view of the world and her place in it is inspiring and refreshing. This film is well worth watching.

Top Gun

Fighter pilot training is the setting for the movie Top Gun. The stories of friendship, love, skill and prestige all blend well in this action packed film. The aerial scenes are outstanding. I'm pretty sure that the last time I saw this film was in the theater and it's nice to see that it still holds up. Well done.

The Stranger

In The Stranger we follow a Nazi hunter to Connecticut. There is a lot of high drama and bodies along the way. Very intense film. Worth a look.

Hustlers

When a group of strippers feel the economic pinch of the 2008 financial crisis they take to crime in Hustlers. Though much was made of Jennifer Lopez's performance in this film, it is Constance Wu who rules the screen. This is based on a true story and has a cut-throat quality tempered by themes of family and loyalty. Well done.

Rambling Rose

With all of the attention that Laura Dern had been getting for her TV and film work lately, it occurred to me recently that I had not seen Rambling Rose in many years. The story of a young girl desperately looking for family is poignant, heartfelt and a bit heartbreaking. Her desperate, at times inappropriate, attempts at affection make quite a story. Dern's Mother Diane Ladd joins her in this period drama. They were both nominated for Oscars for their roles in this film. Worth watching.

Two for the Road

One of my favorite film reviewers recommended the film Two for the Road. The ten year marriage of a couple is played out in a non-sequential fashion that takes a little getting used to. It is very effective. The performances, costumes and settings are great. This is a very poignant relationship film. Many emotions are explored. I liked this film a lot.

The White Crow

In the film The White Crow politics meet art in the story of Rudolf Nureyev. His rise as an artist, his struggle to live his life the way he wanted to and his political leanings and the complications involved. A very interesting story of a very interesting life. Good film.

It Chapter Two

The kids from the movie It are grownups and Pennywise is still their nemesis in the sequel It Chapter Two. Though the kids are now grownups, they show signs of PTSD from their childhood experience. The story is dark and the effects and action sequences are very creepy.

High Art

In High Art the neighbor brings more drama than expected. In true 90s style this story uses sex, drugs and intrigue as surprising relationships form. Interesting film.

Purple Rain

Riding a bit of a nostalgia wave I rented the film Purple Rain. This film is intense. Themes of abuse, ambition and romance weave quite a story with a wonderful soundtrack. Well done.

Serenity

If you are looking for a strange ride in an even stranger relationship, Serenity is your kind of film. This is a thriller with a horror edge with some very bizarre and unlikable characters.

Public Speaking

I enjoy listening to smart people who speak their minds. In the documentary Public Speaking, Fran Lebowitz fits the bill. She and a bevy of people with intelligent, down to earth ideas is a breath of fresh air. Loved this documentary.

Good Boys

When a group of middle school age friends try to work the social circuit the results are very funny. In Good Boys it is interesting to see how information about life is interpreted by these kids. This movie is smart, raunchy, sweet and very funny. I liked this film much more than expected.

The Peanut Butter Falcon

A young man in The Peanut Butter Falcon wants to be a pro wrestler. When he learns about a camp run by one of his heroes he runs away to attend. This is the beginning of a road-trip story that is eventful, inspiring and sweet. The central messages are follow your dreams and be kind. We all need to hear this these days. Great film.

The 15:17 to Paris

The events portrayed in The 15:17 to Paris should be interesting, but somehow this depiction was boring for me. Bouncing from the back-stories of the passengers on a Paris bound train to present day is a structure I like. Overthrowing terrorists should be intriguing. For some reason this one did not grab me. Worth a look for the performances if you are interested in the story.

After Hours

The wild ride in After Hours takes place in one night. The crazy events in this film are beautifully shot and make for a fun ride all over NYC. Every moment is more outrageous than the next. Excellent rental.

Bob Dylan: Don't Look Back

The documentary Bob Dylan: Don't Look Back follows the musician through his 1965 tour of England. He shares his thoughts, attitudes and music. A good music doc.

High Life

As an abstract futuristic film, High Life shows that humans still deal with very human problems. It is graphic and physical. An OK rental.

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote

Making a film can be quite an adventure. When you make a movie about Don Quixote, even more so. In The Man who Killed Don Quixote a film maker bounces back and forth from reality to fantasy in an interesting way. Struggling with the past, while looking to the future. Adam Driver plays it very self-aware with a sense of humor. This is a good adventure film.