Richard Jewell

THE GIST: After saving many lives at the 1996 Olympics by flagging a potential bomb, a security guard finds himself the target of the FBI investigation into the terrorist attack. Will he be able to clear his name?

Richard Jewell is based on the true story of what happened to Mr. Jewell when an unscrupulous reporter and a desperate FBI agent took too many liberties with the truth and accused an innocent man, who was too easily made to look guilty.

Clint Eastwood expertly directs a fantastic Paul Walter Hauser in the title character; he's in good company with Sam Rockwell and Kathy Bates, along with Jon Hamm and Olivia Wilde.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Not living in the US at the time, I was totally unaware of this story, so I'm glad Mr. Eastwood decided to shine a light on it. Certain injustices, committed by law enforcement in the name of an expeditious result, should always be exposed and never forgotten. We're all better off watching movies like these.

Grade: 8

Underwater

THE GIST: A sudden earthquake strikes a massive underwater drilling operation at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. The damage is extensive, forcing the crew to evacuate. A few are left behind and need to figure out how to escape before they run out of oxygen or are killed by the now unsafe rig. It also looks like they might not be completely alone down there at the bottom of the ocean.

Underwater is the type of movie that intrigues me for its elements of action, mystery, and visual effects; in other words, I knew not to expect a masterpiece.

Overall, I was satisfied. The visual and sound effects are fantastic; the cast, led by Kristen Stewart and Vincent Cassel, is fully immersed in their characters; and the script and direction do a good job of upping the suspense and keeping the audience guessing about the end result.

THE BOTTOM LINE: This is the classic popcorn flick: don't expect too much from it and you likely won't be disappointed. I wasn't.

Grade: 6

Cats

THE GIST: A tribe of street cats called Jellicles has a yearly ball where contestants compete to be chosen by the tribe's leader, Old Deuteronomy, to undergo reincarnation.

Cats, the film version of the wildly successful homonymous theater production, was my chance to acquaint myself with a story I long heard about but never saw. Alas, sometimes ignorance is bliss...

Certain things worked just fine: the script doesn't introduce any new elements to the well-known story; the songs range from beautiful to passable; and the sets are pretty stunning, although I'm assuming a lot was done on green screen.

Other things don't really pass muster. The acting for me is one, even though the cast features heavyweights such as Dame Judi Dench and Ian McKellen, and other proven talent such as Idris Elba and Jennifer Hudson. Maybe the issue is that a lot of the cast is straight from the theater production (which makes sense, since they'd know their parts already) and are therefore used to a different kind of acting. They frankly come across as way too theatrical than what we're used to seeing on screen.

The other problem is the all-too-perfect visual effect of the fur; it is so lifelike that it becomes a distraction for the viewer. More than likely, regular faux-fur skintight suits would have worked just fine. Even the obviously computer generated movements of the ears and the long hair around the noses were off; here there was sort of a disconnect between the actors' facial expressions and what the rest of their faces were doing.

Finally, I noticed more than once VFX flaws, where you see something you shouldn't, for example in the dancing sequence on the train tracks. I'm sorry, but for a production with such an enormous budget, mistakes like these are hard to forgive.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I knew the reviews were terrible, but since I likely will never be able to attend a theater performance of it, I decided to watch it anyway. My guess is a lot of other people did and will do the same, and will likely be disappointed like I was. Consider yourself forewarned.

PS: Aside from all the flaws that can be found with the movie, Jennifer Hudson's renditions of "Memory" (she sings it early on and then at the end) are pretty much worth sitting through the whole darn thing.

Grade: 3

Clear Waters

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The Grudge

THE GIST: A detective following clues to solve a mystery stumbles upon a house she later comes to find out is allegedly cursed. Anyone who enters it is doomed to be cursed themselves.

This version of The Grudge is a remake of the original 2004 American remake of the Japanese original. I haven't seen any of the others, which have their own sequels, but I plan to, as I found this one interesting enough.

The critics were pretty hard on it, as was the audience, so maybe I'm in the minority here, but as horror film about cursed abodes go I didn't find it lacking in the scares department.

The story is told in chunks of time that aren't displayed linearly, so it's a bit cumbersome to follow along, but that would be my only concern: being able to piece it all together.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I knew not to expect a horror masterpiece here, so I wasn't terribly disappointed. You might want to check it out if you're into horror.

Grade: 6

Frozen II

THE GIST: All seems good in the kingdom of Arendelle except that Queen Elsa has started hearing a singing voice and it worries her. When the kingdom is seemingly attacked by the elements of nature, Elsa, together with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, and Sven, decides to follow the voice in hopes of clues on how to save her kingdom and restore balance to nature.

Following the colossal success of the first Frozen movie, a sequel was all but assured. Unfortunately, while I enjoyed the original because it felt fresh and magical, I found the sequel dull and uninspiring.

Frankly, the whole premise behind this film -- that there's a fifth element besides earth, air, water, and fire -- felt contrived; as if the writers couldn't come up with anything better, and therefore settled on this.

That same premise required not only the creation of a new element (which isn't even an element per se), but also of a whole new tribe long lost and forgotten. Now, there's nothing wrong with making stuff up when creating animated movies (they're all based on fantasy anyway), but these plot points felt too forced and artificial for me.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Frozen II will certainly delight the little ones or any Elsa and Anna's uber-fans, but it left me cold -- pun not intended.

Grade: 5

A Hidden Life

THE GIST: An Austrian farmer and conscientious objector refuses to fight for the Nazis in World War II, suffering jail time and the threat of execution for treason.

Based on a true story, A Hidden Life is not an easy movie to watch.

For one, it's a Terrence Malick film, so it takes its time building the characters and threading the narrative. Malick is like a poet who uses moving images to write his compositions, so it's not for everyone's tastes. His movies look flawless for the attention to detail, but they can feel endless and puzzling as well.

And then there is the story itself, with a man who's willing to sacrifice his freedom, his future with a wife and kids he loves, and even his life in the service of his faith and his ideals.

Costumes, makeup, sets, and score are all perfect and so are the actors, especially August Diehl and Valerie Pachner.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you like Malick's work don't let the subject matter stop you. This is a beautiful ode to human consciousness. Just be ready to settle in for a while with these characters.

Grade: 8

Empty Spaces

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Uncut Gems

THE GIST: Howard Ratner is an incorrigible adulterer with a gambling addiction. The two traits have caused strains in his marriage and countless debts respectively. He's also sort of a con-man, always trying to make it big by sticking it to someone else. When he identifies a potential big score, he can't help himself by risking it all. Will he ever pay a price for it all?

As I always shy away from watching trailers, I had zero knowledge about what Uncut Gems was all about, other than that Adam Sandler was excellent in it. I'm not a big fan of his comedies, but I like him in dramatic roles, so I put this on my list.

The story is interesting and intriguing, well written and directed, and certainly well acted by the whole cast (which includes Eric Bogosian, LaKeith Stanfield, Idina Menzel, and Judd Hirsch).

The one thing I have to warn you about is that when you understand the type of person Ratner is all you want to do is punch him in the face and throw him down a flight of stairs. He's an indomitable jerk and certainly deserves the "bad luck" that comes his way.

Then again, that's also the hallmark of a great acting job, when you totally buy into the character you're watching.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I liked Uncut Gems, even though I doubt it'll ever become a classic. Still, it's enjoyable, but not for everyone I guess.

Grade: 7

Jumanji: The Next Level

THE GIST: Feeling down for where he currently is in his life, one of the four kids from the previous adventure, now young adults, decides to get his mind off by playing another round of Jumanji. His friends, realizing what he's done and knowing that he cannot win the game alone, decide to follow him inside. But the game is now different from the first time, since by winning the first round they've graduated to a new level, so what they thought they knew might be different this time.

Well, the whole gang is back for Jumanji: The Next Level and the new chapter doesn't disappoint. While some dynamics among the characters might feel rehashed, the idea of jumbling the avatars and the introduction of two additional players make up for it in spades.

In fact, Danny DeVito and Danny Glover are a great addition to the cast and their storyline perfectly dovetails with the larger narrative.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you're new to the franchise, you'd be better off watching the previous episode, if not also the original, but either way you won't be disappointed.

Grade: 7

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

THE GIST: Four high-school kids serving detention together discover an old video game console and decide to give it a go. They discover too late that the game physically transforms them into the avatars of the characters they chose to play the game as and that, in order to get back to their reality, they need to successfully finish the game. If they do not, they'll be stuck in it forever.

I remember watching the first Jumanji, the one with Robin Williams, and liking it enough to decide to give the sequel a chance. Was I pleasantly surprised!

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a funny and engaging adventure that represents a welcome supercharged upgrade from the first chapter.

Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Black are perfectly cast as the four avatar characters and they all do a great job of playing with the dual personalities of the avatar and the "real player."

THE BOTTOM LINE: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is definitely a very good comedy-adventure flick that the whole family should enjoy.

Grade: 8

Will & Grace - Updated

Update at bottom.

I still remember when Ray and I started watching Will & Grace back in 1998: we loved it from the get-go and almost couldn't believe that one of the biggest networks on TV was broadcasting a show in prime time that featured not just a random gay character, but two and in lead roles.

The show was so successful that it became the cornerstone of NBC's Comedy Thursday lineup. Both critics and audiences loved it, and soon the main industry awards started coming in as well.

After nine season, the show came to an end, but in 2017 a long rumored reunion was announced, and the reception was so positive that two more seasons were greenlit before the show came to a well-rounded finale last week.

I wasn't sure the first few episodes of the revival were up to par with the original, but eventually it got better, perhaps even better (and more daring) than the original seasons were.

Alas, like all good things, at some point this revival also had to end, but I think the producers actually sent our foursome of friends off into the sunset with a much more satisfying finale the second time around.

If you're looking for a funny comedy, you can rest assured that Will & Grace won't disappoint.

Grade - Whole Series: 9

Update: I forgot to mention that, because of the positive portrayals of gay people and the enormous and mainstream success the show enjoyed, throughout its run Will & Grace was extremely influential in improving the lives of LGBT+ people all over the country.

Politicians and activists alike often say that without Will & Grace we probably wouldn't have seen the demise of Don't Ask Don't Tell in the military, nor the increase in acceptance of gay rights across the board, which ultimately led to gay marriage nationwide, in a relatively short span of time.

Finally, while it's hard to pick a favorite among the quartet, as each one brings something special to the show, my favorite has always been Karen Walker, played by Megan Mullally. She always said the most outrageous things and Mullally's delivery was impeccable.

Debra Messing would be my second favorite for her incredible physical comicality as well as her delivery.

Couple by the Roses

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Spies in Disguise

THE GIST: When the slickest spy in the world is framed by a terrorist, he goes into hiding. Looking for help from a nerdy inventor, he inadvertently ends up transformed in a pigeon, which forces the two of them to work together to stop the terrorist from causing total mayhem.

With the large number of animated movies that populate the multiplexes nowadays, a title needs something special to stand out. Spies in Disguise is not really memorable, but the story is original enough to make it enjoyable, even though it clearly borrows from live-action spies like Bond or the M.I.B. agents.

Will Smith and Tom Holland do an admirable job of giving life to the main characters.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The little ones, who are still the target audience for animated flicks, will certainly enjoy themselves but us grown ups will find plenty to like in it as well.

Grade: 6

Just Mercy

THE GIST: After graduating from Harvard, a black lawyer decides to move to Alabama and join a civil rights advocate to fight for the rights of unjustly jailed, poor, mostly black inmates. His first case will test the limits of his determination.

Just Mercy is not an easy movie to watch because of all the terrifying injustices the black population (and anyone standing up for them) had to endure at the hands of unabashed racists hell bent on keeping them firmly in their place at the bottom of the social rung.

The story is based on factual events and the saddest part is that the things we're shown still regularly happen to a lot of black and brown people all over America to this day.

Jamie Foxx and Michael B. Jordan are both fantastic.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I really think this kind of movie should be required viewing in any civics class across the country. Definitely a must-see.

Grade: 8

Treme

The fourth and final season of Treme has only half the usual number of episodes, so my guess is that the show was canceled and then the decision was made to allow producer David Simon to bring the show to a close on a reduced budget.

All the characters are well known and there are no new additions. A few storylines are given a satisfactory sendoff, while others are offered a springboard to a hopeful future.

Overall, this is the type of show that features characters who end up becoming your friends, so it's certainly hard to say goodbye.

If you're a fan of jazz or blues definitely check it out. Be ready for a hard look at the way a city with a large black and brown population is run and taken advantage of, especially after a tragic event like hurricane Katrina, which devastated it, opening the door to countless profiteers who cared nothing for the cultural heritage of the place.

Grade - Season 4: 8

Good Job, by Alicia Keys

This is a beautiful song, with a great message, and perfect for the times we live in.

Thank you Ms Keys and thank you to all the people who keep the world running for everyone else.

Follow the Path

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The Gentlemen

THE GIST: Michael Pearson has built an empire growing and selling marijuana in London. When he decides to sell it off to the highest bidder, he sets off a series of plots and schemes to try and steal it from under him.

The Gentlemen is a very sleek heist movie with all of the hallmarks of a Guy Ritchie production: action, violence, and more twists and turns than one can keep count of. Fortunately, the final product is very enjoyable.

Matthew McConaughey is perfectly cast as the rich drug kingpin who needs to move fast to stay ahead of the competition, especially when everything depends on it.

He's joined by Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Colin Farrell, Henry Golding, and an especially mischievous Hugh Grant, who really looks like he's having a ball.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A fine thriller, well acted, and expertly filmed that will keep you engaged and on your toes beginning to end.

Grade: 7

1917

THE GIST: As WWI drags on, two British soldiers are sent deep into enemy territory on foot to alert a regiment that the assault they're preparing to make is nothing but a trap laid by the Germans. They only have a few hours and a lot of terrain to cover, so it's a race against time.

One of the best movies of last year, or any year really, 1917 is also one of the best war-themed movies I've ever seen.

It doesn't have enormous battle scenes or scores of soldiers clashing on the battlefield, but its impact is immense.

One key aspect of the movie is that it's filmed in what looks like a continuous shot, beginning to end. While at first I feared this might make for a boring experience, I came to view it as a strong element of what makes the movie so unique, special and, above all, tense.

Unlike the "gimmick" of the anti-aging process of The Irishman, which was more of a distraction than anything else, the continuous shot really allows the audience to feel immersed in the action and to experience the movie as closely as possible to what the actors were experiencing. Absolutely genial.

In lead roles, George MacKay and Dean-Charles Chapman are both very good, as is the rest of the cast. Thomas Newman's score is also fantastic.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you like the genre, don't miss it, but this is really a great movie for anyone, as long as you're not prone to bouts of anxiety.

Grade: 9

Little Women

THE GIST: The story of Jo March and her three sisters through years of growth, relationships, deaths, loves, hopes, and dreams.

Little Women is a beloved Louisa May Alcott story that has been adapted for the big (and little) screen countless times before. I'm sure I've seen other adaptations in the past, but this Greta Gerwig version is definitely the one I'll remember.

The amazing cast is led by the very talented (and Gerwig muse) Saoirse Ronan and includes Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, Chris Cooper, and the lovely Meryl Streep in a very small role.

Gerwig, one of my favorite directors, also wrote the screenplay and I think she did an excellent job of infusing a more modern sensibility into this very old story.

THE BOTTOM LINE: From the gorgeous costumes and sets to the lovely score by Alexandre Desplat, this movie will fill your heart with sadness and joy, but above all hope for humanity. Definitely recommended.

Grade: 8

The Fallen Tree

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The Last Full Measure

THE GIST: The parents of an airman who saved many lives on the battlefield in Vietnam have been trying for decades to ensure he's posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor. A career lawyer at the Pentagon is assigned the research on the case on the assumption he'll get nowhere. Along the way, hearing from the survivors of that terrible day, he decides he won't accept anything less for the soldier.

The Last Full Measure is your pretty standard wartime movie but that doesn't mean it's not well made or not enjoyable.

Sebastian Stan admirably leads a cast of all-time greats: William Hurt, Linus Roache, Christopher Plummer, Diane Ladd, Samuel L. Jackson, Peter Fonda, Ed Harris, Amy Madigan, LisaGay Hamilton, and Bradley Whitford.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The production values are on the level, the acting is very good, and the screenplay is not boilerplate. The movie might not be memorable, but if you like this genre, then check it out.

Grade: 7

The Turning

THE GIST: A young teacher quits her job to become the governess of a young, wealthy, orphan girl. Their relationship seems off to a good start until the girl's brother, impudent, arrogant, and intolerable, is expelled from school and comes back home. The governess soon begins to experience nightmares and weird visions that bring her to believe there's a malign presence in the house.

The Turning is the latest adaptation of Henry James' novella "The Turn of the Screw." I never read the story, but this adaptation can't possibly render it justice. There's no way it can be so famous and this bad.

The movie didn't receive good reviews, but the glimpses I caught of the trailer seemed promising, so I decided to check it out.

There are some scares -- thought nothing terribly original -- and the actors are all pretty good, especially Mackenzie Davis and Finn Wolfhard, but the movie just abruptly ends.

I remember, when the end titles suddenly appeared on screen, doing a double take and going "WTF! How can it be over??!" Apparently, from reading online, I wasn't the only one puzzled.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If it ended better (and I don't discard the possibility that the source material ends as abruptly as this) I might have been more magnanimous, but given that the movie feels like it's missing a whole part, I really can't.

Grade: 3

The Irishman

THE GIST: By chance, Frank Sheeran, a regular Irish truck driver, meets Russell Bufalino, an Italian mob bigwig, who immediately takes a liking to him and decides to take him under his wing. Their relationship blossoms through decades that will see Sheeran rise in stature both withing the mafia ranks and as a personal assistant to powerful teamsters' leader Jimmy Hoffa.

When The Irishman, a long gestating Martin Scorsese project, was first announced, rumors about it being a shoo-in at the following Oscars ceremony started swirling immediately.

The film's preemptive potential as an awards magnet (before anyone had even seen it!) was all the more worrisome, as far as I'm concerned, because it was produced and distributed by Netflix. The streaming giant has been trying really hard to win big awards -- primarily Academy Awards -- first by distributing Alfonso Cuarón's Roma, and now with this movie, in order to boost its cachet and attract more talent.

I don't have any problems with those two goals, except that Netflix is interested in showing movies primarily to its online subscribers. The theater distribution rules followed by all traditional studios for a film to be eligible for any Oscar are, to put it mildly, a hindrance to Netflix. For that reason, they've been doggedly trying to shorten the theatrical window of a movie to the extreme (they are adamant that it be no more than 3 weeks) and they don't really do wide distributions either.

Now, it's true that some (maybe most) movies only really last in theaters about 3 weeks before they're replaced by newer releases, but some theaters live on longer lasting or older releases, and at any rate the shorter the theatrical window the smaller their revenue stream and the audience's chance of seeing a movie on the big screen, where it's meant to be watched.

Netflix and its supporters in the industry like to tout that Netflix is able to reach a wider audience all over the world than a movie could hope to reach be being shown in theaters, but I find that argument weak and misleading. Sure, not everyone lives near a movie theater and the cost might be a deterrent for others, but then again not everyone has a Netflix subscription. If they don't have it and don't live near a theater, they don't get to see the movie at all. Furthermore, all movies released in theaters eventually are shown on the small screen, available to an even wider audience. Netflix's movies will likely never be broadcast by any other channel, thereby reducing, not increasing, their footprint.

Anyway, in the end not only did Netflix not get the avalanche of Oscars it expected to receive with The Irishman, in spite of its pedigree; but it ended up being completely shut out and went home empty handed. And it wasn't because the movie industry rebelled against its tactics, but rather because, apologies to Scorsese, the movie just isn't very good.

The acting is great, as one would expect from actors of the caliber of Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci; and the sets, costumes, and cinematography are magnificent. However, the visual effects that were touted as one of its main selling points, because of their revolutionary rejuvenating results, are, to put it mildly, distracting.

I most closely would compare it to the 3D craze: a gimmick that ultimately deters from the full enjoyment of the film. Sure, without the newly created technology Scorsese would have had to hire two or three sets of actors to play the same role at different stages of life, but that's how every director always got around the problem, and the audience always understood the shifts (think back to The Godfather).

Ultimately, it's not that the VFX are badly rendered or risible, it's just that they only really affect the face of the actors. Their bodies are unaffected by the visual effect but not by age. A man moves differently when he's 20 from when he's 50 from when he's 70. It's natural and our brains know how to interpret those movements. So when we see De Niro in his war uniform fighting in Italy, he's playing a 20 year old man who moves like a 70 year old man, and it's a bit jarring. You can't trick the brain. And it's not just the movements, but also the build of the body under the clothes. It never changes, even though one would expect it to.

The other problem, frankly, is that the movie is really way too long. It clocks in at 3 and a half hours and while I don't mind long movies if the runtime is justified, here, in spite of the director showing us a tale that unfolds over many decades, it just feels endless.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I love Scorsese's work and this is not a bad movie, it's just not one of his best and it's really too long. And I'm glad it didn't win many awards based on its pedigree alone because it wouldn't have been fair.

Grade: 7

Rolling Clouds

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Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker

THE GIST: A rumor is growing across the galaxy that Emperor Palpatine, the Sith Lord of old, still lives. This troubles both the Resistance, for obvious reasons, and Kylo Ren, who doesn't like the threat posed to his rule by the potential return of Palpatine. The latter though has amassed an unstoppable army, capable of subjugating the whole galaxy. Meanwhile, Rey has now completed her Jedi training, and is therefore ready to take on any enemy.

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker represents the final chapter in the sequel trilogy of the Star Wars saga and the end of the line for the Skywalker bloodline.

The stakes are higher than ever, with the return of Luke and Leia's archenemy, and yet the final product left me a bit cold. I remember when I left the theater feeling a bit underwhelmed.

Perhaps it was all the hype around the movie being the last stand of the Skywalker dynasty and the last chapter of the saga started decades ago by visionary George Lucas. I don't know.

Visually the movie is certainly a treat, and the cast as a whole does an excellent job.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The Rise of Skywalker is certainly worth the time for any fan of the Star Wars universe, since it's supposedly the last time we'll ever see any of the original trilogy's famed cast members and their indelible characters. As for the movie itself, it's not bad, but it's unlikely to enthuse anyone.

Grade: 6

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

THE GIST: With the First Order constantly on their heels, the Resistance takes heavy losses while looking for safe havens. Leia is hoping her brother Luke will rejoin the Resistance, but he doesn't even want to train Rey in the ways of the Force. Meanwhile, Kylo Ren develops a psychic connection with Rey that could draw her to the Dark Side.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens was a valiant effort towards rebooting the Star Wars franchise after Lucas' prequels left the majority of its fans dismayed and bereft. Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi follows closely behind with a fairly good plot that carries the story forward while adding new faces and upping the stakes.

Rey has now become a main character in the saga, and this chapter increases her stature. Kylo Ren is a good counterpart, especially with his links to the Skywalker family.

As one would expect, the technical aspects of the movie are top notch: costumes, visual and sound effects, cinematography, sets. Everything's perfect.

THE BOTTOM LINE: While The Last Jedi doesn't rise to the top of the Star Wars pantheon, it is a worthwhile effort that should please the fans of the saga.

Grade: 7

Downtown Shapes

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Marriage Story

THE GIST: The end of a marriage creates resentment and uncertainty for everyone involved. There's also a child's interests to consider. And then there's the lawyers.

Noah Baumbach's Marriage Story is a very bittersweet take on what happens to a relationship when the love that powered its core begins to ebb.

Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson are both very good in their roles, although at times Johansson's character does seem to be making dubious choices. But who are we to judge when two people go through the trauma that must be a divorce?

In supporting roles Alan Alda and Ray Liotta do very good work, but it's Laura Dern who is unleashed to chew the scenery, a performance that is perhaps at times too histrionic but that translated in her first Academy Award (a win well deserved after a career of roles expertly portrayed).

THE BOTTOM LINE: I have a feeling that this movie will speak differently to different viewers more than other kinds of movies. Personally, I really liked both Driver's and Johansson's work and I felt sorry for both of their characters for the end of their relationship. I'd recommend it.

Grade: 8

The Two Popes

THE GIST: At a time when the Catholic Church is criticized and attacked the world over for its handling of the child abuse perpetrated by its priests, conservative Pope Benedict XVI realizes his policies might not help heal the institution. He summons to the Vatican a liberal Cardinal who sees things very differently. They argue about the Church's future until a clear path forward emerges for Benedict.

Given my aversion for anything related to religion, I really wasn't sure what to expect when I set out to watch The Two Popes, but I came away very pleased.

The screenplay expertly weaves the at times heated conversation between the two men with events from the Cardinal's past that helped influence the person he has become.

Additionally, for a cinema lover such as myself, it is pure joy to witness two legendary actors such as Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce flex their acting muscles with such verve and ease. They are masters of the craft and it shows.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you love great acting, don't miss this movies. At a minimum, it is a helpful guide in understanding the implications of the radical action Pope Benedict undertook when he decided to step down in order to usher in a new era. It can't be easy for a man with so much power and influence to decide to give it all up for the benefit of the institution. He certainly made the right choice though.

Grade: 8

Treme

Another show I had put on the back burner for many years is Treme, produced by David Simon. You can read my posts for season one and two if you want.

Season three keeps the lenses trained on the sprawling cast of characters who populate New Orleans. More than two years have now passed since the storm, but things have hardly gotten better.

There is corruption at City Hall, where politicians of all stripes allocate federal funds to fix up houses and then tear them down (yes, the same ones...), after getting their cut, of course.

That seems in lockstep with the malaise affecting the police department, where homicides aren't investigated, criminals are hardly pursued, and district attorneys are quick to dismiss charges if a case isn't airtight, so no justice is ever served.

And yet, life goes on. A new Carnival, with its glorious Mardi Gras, is just around the corner. Musicians keep playing, maintaining the tradition alive, all the while new relationships blossom amid others that sour.

Treme is filled with characters among which you'll definitely find several to love (and a few you cannot stand...), but its theme of resilience in the face of adversity is a welcome one, especially at a time like the one we're living in now, with a pandemic that has upended people's lives the world over.

Grade - Season 3: 8

Mountains and Clouds

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Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)

THE GIST: After breaking up with the Joker, Harley Quinn no longer enjoys the protection that came with her famous and feared boyfriend, so all those she ever wronged are out for blood. To top it off, a little girl with trust issues might be her only way to salvation.

After bursting onto the scene in the first Suicide Squad movie, a standalone feature for Harley Quinn was hastily greenlit.

I actually liked her first outing more than this origin story, because that plot is richer, but this movie is certainly a guilty pleasure if you liked Quinn and are looking for a new helping.

Margot Robbie is an actress I only recently discovered but she's already become a favorite of mine. Here she's joined by Rosie Perez (she's all right), Ewan McGregor (he seems to be enjoying the role of the villain), and Chris Messina (he steals any scene he's in).

THE BOTTOM LINE: From the relentless action set to the tune of a pumping score to the brilliant and flashy colors of costumes and sets, this is certainly enjoyable, but if you think it might be too much for you just by looking at the poster, then you're probably right.

Grade: 6

The Rhythm Section

THE GIST: When her entire family is killed in a plane crash, a woman enters a downward spiral of self-destruction. When she finds out that the crash wasn't an accident, she pulls herself together in order to take revenge on those responsible.

Apparently The Rhythm Section was supposed to represent the first chapter in a new franchise similar to the Bond or Bourne movies starring Blake Lively. Unfortunately, this might actually be the end of the line for Stephanie Patrick.

The action is rampant, the visual effects are good, the photography is gloomy enough, and the production values certainly meet expectations. Acting isn't the problem either.

Once again there is only one possible culprit left: the screenplay. I think that the main problem is that we're supposed to believe that it's plausible for Patrick to go from a junkie who can barely stand up to an unstoppable spy/vigilante who can outsmart the meanest villains in the space of about 30 minutes. Alas, that clearly doesn't work.

Certainly, they couldn't have made the movie three hours long, but there is a clear lack of a substantial origin story here for Patrick, and the film would have probably benefited from more of that.

THE BOTTOM LINE: With all the male-fronted action movies out there, a female-lead one is certainly a breath of fresh air. Lively does a good job and Jude Law is as good as always, so if you like thrillers or action movies, do give it a try, just be aware of its inherent limitations.

Grade: 5

Star Trek: Discovery

The latest incarnation of the Star Trek franchise, Discovery, just might be its best one yet.

I always found the original series too campy (I don't like camp). The Next Generation was an improvement but I still couldn't get into it (for me the whole Q story was ludicrous), even though I absolutely adore Patrick Stewart and his Jean-Luc Picard is one of my favorite captains.

I've tried watching Deep Space Nice because I've been told it's the best Trek series, but that also rubbed me the wrong way, and had to stop it after a few episodes. I've started watching Voyager, and I think I might stick with it. For now.

I watched the entirety of Enterprise, though, and liked it, so maybe I just have more affinity for more modern takes on the show.

Anyway, I think Discovery is the best so far primarily because it feels so modern and fresh. A real upgrade as far as I'm concerned.

The idea of making the main character not be the captain of the ship is brilliant as well. I always found the fact that the most important person on the ship is always going on missions, whether mundane reconnaissance or more dangerous ones, absurd.

Even if these ships are not expressly military vessels, they certainly most closely resemble one. The personnel is similarly organized, with a captain and his subordinates, who must respect a direct order. Now, there's no way that the captain of a Navy ship, for instance, would go on a mission off the ship; he would send a team of sailors with different levels of expertise depending on the mission. The captain would stay safely on board, where he'd follow along and make decisions as needed. But because Michael Burnham (the lovely Sonequa Martin-Green) is not the captain it makes sense that she'd go on all kinds of missions, because that's her job.

Why did they give a female character a male name is a question I've been asking myself with no valid answer. If anyone has a theory, please let me know in the comments.

The other thing that makes this Trek better, I found, was the underlying backstory that arced throughout the season and was perfectly resolved by the end, with a few standalone episodes here and there. Ordinarily, each previous incarnation of Trek shows almost always featured a story-A and a story-B. The latter was very minor and used primarily as filler while the action on story-A progressed.

That's the standard construct of any procedural drama on TV, but I always found that a single episode was not usually enough to fully flesh out a story-A, making it feel rushed and cheap. Sometimes a story-A would continue on to the next episode, but never really more than two. The main thread linking all the episodes of season one of Discovery is a welcome change to the format because I think it allows the audience to engage more fully with the show.

Anyway, if you're a Trek fan, don't miss it. If not, why not give it a try? You won't be disappointed.

Grade - Season 1: 9

Inquisitive Eyes

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The Invisible Man

THE GIST: After a woman runs away from her abusive husband, he commits suicide. While incredulous at first, she slowly begins to believe she can resume living a normal life. Then, odd events start occurring that make her doubt her husband is really dead. But who can believe her theory that an invisible man is hunting her?

This new retelling of the rather old The Invisible Man's story is quite impressive. Naturally, most of the credit goes to Elisabeth Moss, who does a great job of portraying a terrified, abused woman with seemingly nowhere to turn.

I would also like to commend the script however, because the pacing and overall structure is really good, and the building tension is palpable.

What I found astounding instead was the poor occasional visual effect, if you can believe it. Towards the end especially, in a few scenes, the invisible man is clearly computer generated and looks stiff as a board. I can understand that a rainy scene made a believable VFX hard to pull off, but we've all seen incredible real-looking effects lately, even on television (take the Game of Thrones's dragons or The Walking Dead's tiger), so when you see it, it's pretty jarring.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I absolutely recommend this movie to both drama and horror fans. The story is well told and the acting really good. Can I say it's scary good?

Grade: 8

The Lodge

THE GIST: A soon-to-be stepmom with a history of abuse finds herself snowed in at a remote mountain cabin with her psychiatrist/fiancé's two children. Just as their tense relationships seem to start easing up, dangerous and frightening events take place.

The Lodge is a movie that is built up very slowly, with a few flashbacks to establish the central character's origin story. This turns out to be very effective, aided in no small part by the acting chops of Riley Keough, but it might unnerve those moviegoers used to much faster pacing.

Particularly impressive is also the young and very promising Jaeden Martell, whom I've already admired in the new versions of It and, more recently, Knives Out.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you like horror movies that take their time to build up the suspense rather than relying on cheap thrills and lots of gore, then you should check this out. Be aware that there are some pretty graphic images here as well.

Grade: 7

In Memoriam

Brian Dennehy (July 9, 1938 - April 15, 2020)

A great actor who effectively used his imposing physical presence, Dennehy had a prolific career in television and movies (183 titles!!) as well as in theater productions.

He won a SAG Award and a Golden Globe for is work in Death of a Salesman, and was nominated for five Emmy Awards. He also won two Tony Awards, one for the same aforementioned role.

He appeared in both Dallas and Dynasty, two series I loved growing up, as well as 10, First Blood, Gorky Park, Cocoon, Silverado, Presumed Innocent, Romeo + Juliet, Ratatouille, and The Seagull.

Yellow and Blue

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Onward

THE GIST: Two elven brothers come into possession of a magical spell that can bring their long deceased father back to life for one day. They cannot even imagine what they will experience on the fantastical quest on which they embark.

The latest Pixar offering, Onward, does not rise to the top of the studio's best offerings, but it is definitely well made and enjoyable. Unfortunately, it fell victim to bad timing by being released in theaters a week before the current pandemic forced all cinemas to shut down virtually worldwide. Because of that, it might end up being one of the least profitable movies Pixar ever made, but that certainly shouldn't tarnish its intrinsic value.

Aside from being technically perfect, the messages at its core, of belonging to a family, of brotherly love, of believing in oneself, are powerfully delivered.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Don't pass this up if you like animated movies, because you won't be disappointed. The little ones will love it too, of course.

Grade: 8

Turn Coat, by Jim Butcher

I picked up this audio book at a sale, not knowing that it was part of a series and never having read anything by Jim Butcher before.

Was I pleasantly surprised or what!? I loved the story of Harry Dresden, private investigator and wizard, who is trying to save a friend, who has been framed for the murder of a very important wizard, from certain execution.

Naturally, whoever the real murderer is, he'll stop at nothing to prevent Dresden from finding out the truth, even if it means starting a war between the wizards and the vampires, which would surely result in casualties among regular humans as well.

Dresden will have to work extra hard to succeed, but luckily he can count on a few friends to help him out, specifically a couple of werewolves and a very industrious fairy name Toot-toot. Unfortunately, he might run out of time before "justice" is carried out.

Even though this book is part of a series, called The Dresden Files, it perfectly stands alone, meaning I was able to follow along without knowing anything about any of the many characters in it. Butcher does a good job of providing the necessary back story, which is excellent for the occasional reader.

Naturally, now I want to read the whole series. I've already started the first book, Storm Front.

Oh, the audio book is read by James Marsters. I didn't know his work before, but he's excellent here.

Grade: 9

Modern Family

I never posted about Modern Family before but I saw the series finale last night and it was so emotional and so sad to see them go that I figured I'd make a note of it here, on my virtual soapbox.

Modern Family started back in 2009 and both Ray and I loved it from the very beginning. Here was a TV show, in prime time, which explored different kinds of families from the traditional one. They all loved each other, and they all supported one another. Sure they had their misunderstandings, fights, and disagreements, but in the end they'd always come back together.

Having recently adopted two kids of our own, seeing a gay family with an adopted child on TV was certainly helpful. And that was on top of having two gay men living together as a couple who weren't at all the stereotypical, over-the-top gays a lot of people were used to seeing on TV.

Then there was the smoking-hot foreigner with a very strong accent married to a rich, older man. She was often mistaken for a gold digger, but her love for her husband was honest. And he accepted wholly her son from her previous marriage as well. This also felt very relatable, being the foreigner with an accent in my own relationship.

All in all the show had great writing and was perfectly cast. My favorite character was Cam (Eric Stonestreet), who I think always had the best lines and delivered them flawlessly.

If you're looking for a funny and heartwarming show, look no further. This one is a winner.

Grade - Whole Series: 10

The Gondola

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The Hunt

THE GIST: A bunch of strangers wake up in the woods, gagged, and barely have time to meet one another when bullets start flying. They run, only to be chased. They don't know that they've been chosen to play a very particular role: the prey.

The Hunt was supposed to be released last fall, but the umpteenth mass shooting forced the studio to pull the plug. When it finally was released, back in March, it saw its run cut short by the pandemic that forced all theaters to shut down nationwide. I guess it's cursed.

The movie per se isn't great but certainly enjoyable, if you can stomach the premise of a bunch of ultra-rich Americans selecting from a stash of "deplorables" their next victims for sport, free of consequences.

To be honest, there is a clear undertone of slapstick from the beginning, almost to spell out to the audience that this is a farce. Still, I'm sure there are many people who wouldn't find this funny or necessary or justifiable at all.

And yet, its extreme tones do drive home the point that we now live in a society where, if you have money and power, the sky's pretty much the limit for you. Just look at what Donald Trump is getting away with on any regular day...

THE BOTTOM LINE: The movie is not more violent than what we're used to seeing on both the big and small screens; the message at its core is valuable; there's a kick-ass heroine; and it is made fairly well. Up to you.

Grade: 6

The Way Back

THE GIST: A once promising basketball player spends his free time drinking himself into a stupor. When offered the chance to coach the basketball team at his old school, he reluctantly accepts. It might be his last chance at getting his life back on track.

The premise of The Way Back often underpins sports themed movies: a ragtag team can't seem to find its winning streak until the right coach comes along. What makes this movie different, and better, is that the central story is not really about the team but the coach, and Ben Affleck does an excellent job of portraying the despair affecting this man's entire existence.

I've read that while filming, Affleck was actually going through a crisis of his own (his divorce), which led him to abuse alcohol. He himself has admitted that his real life experience largely informed his performance.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The movie is pretty bleak for a lot of the running time, but it feels real and Affleck makes the coach relatable. It's also based on a true story, which I always consider a plus.

Grade: 7

Bloodshot

THE GIST: A highly skilled special-ops soldier is killed by a ruthless thug. A secretive company with government connections, however, is able to reanimate him by infusing his body with special nanobots that give him super human abilities and allow his body to heal instantly. They also control his mind though, so what he thinks he knows might not actually be real.

Vin Diesel has impressively carved out his own place in Hollywood by nurturing a tough-guy persona. In fact, he has starred in several movies that have become big money-making franchises like The Fast and the Furious, Pitch Black, xXx, and Guardians of the Galaxy. One could say that's far more success than better thespians have been able to achieve, and it could be argued that most of it is due to that killer body, but I digress...

Bloodshot, originally a comic book, was supposed to mark the start of a new franchise, but while the visual effects are pretty good and the central idea interesting, the final product is weak. Guy Pearce is good as the main villain, but it's not enough to save a script that feels bare bones and jumpy.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you're a Diesel fan, you'll likely enjoy this new character. If you like high-octane films with lots of action and visual and sound effects, then do check it out. Anyone else would be well served by steering clear of this one.

Grade: 5