Annihilation

THE GIST: A biologist joins an expedition to investigate a mysterious area where a sort of shimmer is expanding and from where no one seems to return, nor communicate.

Annihilation is a pretty good sci-fi movie with great visual effects and an intriguing mystery to unravel. The twist at the end is pretty spooky.

Natalie Portman leads a great quintet of actresses: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tuva Novotny, and Tessa Thompson.

It's really cool to see an all female team front the movie, when ordinarily you'd see only the guys getting all the action.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Sci-fi is one of my favorite genres and it's not that easy to get right. This movie is definitely well developed, made, and acted.

Grade: 7

Hunter Killer

THE GIST: Russia's Defense Minister, Durov, launches a covert military coup against his President with the goal of tricking the American military into open war. An unproven American submarine captain and a team of U.S. Navy Seals are all that stand in Durov's way.

Hunter Killer is not much different, nor much better, than countless other submarine-oriented military movies that have come before, but it certainly holds its own.

Gary Oldman and Gerard Butler both perform pretty well.

A shout-out to the always good Michael Nyqvist, who can be seen here in one of his last roles.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Excellent action sequences and visual effects; a suspenseful and gripping story; good acting. Not bad if you're looking for an action movie.

Grade: 7

God’s Own Country

THE GIST: Johnny never cared much for his family's farm, but his father's sudden stroke forced him to take charge of it. This, along with his father's constant supervision, has made him very resentful, leading him to drown his sorrows in beer, followed by casual and meaningless gay hookups. When his father hires Gheorghe, a Romanian migrant and expert farmer, for the lambing season, Johnny treats him with disdain, directing his frustrations and anger at him. Eventually, however, Johnny comes to respect his knowledge and passion, and a friendship develops. Will it lead to more?

God’s Own Country certainly calls to mind the marvelous Brokeback Mountain, mostly because of the similarity in their settings, but I would argue that this movie easily stands on its own, thanks to a well-written screenplay and some great acting work from Josh O'Connor and Alec Secareanu.

It was also nominated for an Outstanding British Film of the Year BAFTA Award.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A good script, a touching story, great acting work. Definitely recommended.

Grade: 8.5

War for the Planet of the Apes

THE GIST: The constant human attacks on the apes, mainly led by The Colonel, have caused such heavy losses that Caesar decides finding a new home, far from humans, might be their best option. Before this can happen, however, a surprise attack ends up in tragedy, and Caesar realizes the apes will never be safe until their ruthless enemy is eliminated.

War for the Planet of the Apes is the third and final chapter in this well made and well received fresh new take on the classic franchise (chapter one here, and two here).

Andy Serkis once again deploys his notable skills to bring Caesar to life, and he's amazing as always.

Woody Harrelson is also great in the role of the villain.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I enthusiastically recommend this trilogy to all cinema lovers. It's adventurous, richly developed, with great characters, and mesmerizing visual effects. Two thumbs way up!

Grade: 8

Mother!

THE GIST: An acclaimed poet and his loving wife live in a secluded mansion, surrounded by woods and not much else. He currently suffers from writer's block and she's as supportive as possible. One day, a stranger knocks on the door and is welcomed in, to the poet's delight, even though his wife is wary of him. Soon, other people start showing up, and the poet, whose creativity seems stimulated by the arrivals, gleefully engages with all of them, to the dismay of his wife. What will happen to their once tranquil existence? How will their relationship be affected?

Mother! is a Darren Aronofsky movie through and through. If you enjoy his work, you'll likely be intrigued by this movie and its slowly unfolding central mystery. If you don't, you might be quite turned off before the end.

Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem do a fantastic job, and the supporting cast if stellar, with great actors like Ed Harris, Brian Gleeson, Domhnall Gleeson, Kristen Wiig, and Michelle Pfeiffer who's absolutely captivating.

THE BOTTOM LINE: This movie is certainly out-there, but the surprise ending works brilliantly.

Grade: 7

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

THE GIST: In the 28th century, thousands of civilizations coexist on Alpha, a space station/city freely floating in space, sharing knowledge and mixing cultures. The long-lasting peace and Alpha's continued existence, however, are being threatened by an unknown dark force, so Major Valerian and Sergeant Laureline are dispatched to solve the mystery and stop the attackers.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is a Luc Besson's brainchild, and it shows. Mesmerizing landscapes, gravity-defying action sequences, and cutting-edge visual effects all come together to tell a tale that's interesting, albeit not gripping.

Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne do a fairly good job, but somehow it feels more like they're playing a videogame than strive to make us believe they're saving the universe.

THE BOTTOM LINE: This is not a bad movie and the mystery is intriguing, but in the end it's really mostly fascinating to watch, since the aliens and worlds created are spellbinding.

Grade: 6.5

Detroit

THE GIST: In the summer of 1967, Detroit is a city rocked by civil unrest and violent riots to protest police brutality against the Black community. During a raid at the Algiers Motel, cops start beating up and executing people when it becomes clear that they've crossed a line. The following investigation is only the beginning of a vast cover-up.

Based on factual events, Detroit could easily be a movie about events that happened this past summer, or the one before, or the one before that, which is ultimately the saddest and most damning thing about it.

Deftly directed by Kathryn Bigelow, her trademarks of grittiness and action are plentiful. The script is well-written and with good character development. The cast is top-notch all around.

THE BOTTOM LINE: It seems incredible that events like these happened and even more so that they continue happening. Will America ever evolve beyond its widespread racism? Will it ever atone for its original sin? A really good movie.

Grade: 8.5

Stranger by the Lake

THE GIST: During the summer, Franck regularly visits a beach by a lake that doubles as a gay cruising area. Among the many men he encounters, he strikes a friendship with Henri and gets intimate with Michel. One evening, he witnesses Michel doing something terrible. What should he do?

Stranger by the Lake is a drama centered around romantic encounters that suddenly swerves into crime territory.

It's developed really well, as you never see it coming and what follows is just as unexpected.

The cast is excellent, even though they're all unknown actors to me.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Come for the romance, stay for the thrills. Really good overall.

Grade: 7.5

Do I Sound Gay?

THE GIST: Tired of being single, David Thorpe started analyzing his life and assigned part of the blame to his gay-sounding voice. He set out to try and modify it, interviewing experts in the field, as well as celebrities in the LGBT+ community to pick their brains on the causes and origins of the gay-voice and what their thoughts about it are.

Do I Sound Gay? is a pretty interesting documentary about a topic I've actually been wondering myself many times, given that I also sound gay without consciously choosing to and with no real power to modulate or modify it.

THE BOTTOM LINE: There certainly is such a thing as a gay-voice, even though it's obviously not 100% efficient at identifying gay people, so if you're curious, check this out. Ultimately, the core message is a positive one.

Grade: 7

Score: A Film Music Documentary

THE GIST: An analysis of the deep connection that has always existed between the images moving on the screen and the music in the background. Many composers are interviewed about the use and scope of the musical score and the effects it has on the audience.

Score: A Film Music Documentary is a very well-made documentary that analyzes the art of making music for movies: the desired effects it can have on the viewer, the style of music selected, the kinds of instruments needed, the necessary steps in the creation process and production, etcetera.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A very interesting documentary for anyone. If you're a soundtrack lover like myself, than it's a must-see.

Grade: 8

Isle of Dogs

THE GIST: When an extremely virulent strain of canine flu, which has ravaged the dog population, risks crossing over into humans, the tyrannical and corrupt mayor of the Japanese metropolis Megasaki orders all dogs banished to Trash Island. Some time later, the Mayor's orphaned nephew will steal a plane and fly to the island to try and find his trusted friend Spots, aided by a small pack of dogs who take up his cause, while chased by the Mayor's guards.

Isle of Dogs is a cute animated movie from the same producers of Fantastic Mr. Fox. While the latter is perhaps overall better, this one still managed a nomination for a Best Animated Feature Oscar.

The other nomination it earned went to the fantabulous score by Alexandre Desplat, one of my favorite composers.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A heartwarming story, especially if you're a dog lover, that might perhaps excite the adults even more than the kids.

Grade: 7.5

Kink

THE GIST: An in-depth look at the subculture of BDSM and all its related fetishes that have found a home at Kink.com, the largest producer of content about it, where professional, talented, open-minded, and driven people make a living in a safe and respectful environment.

Kink is a very well-made documentary produced by James Franco that effectively pulls back the curtain on a world few of us know anything about.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Whether you're knowledgeable about BDSM or not, you'll likely learn something new. Naturally, don't even bother if you think it's all crazy stuff for deranged people; unless you keep an open mind, because then you might come away with a different understanding.

Grade: 7

Darkest Hour

THE GIST: Right after being installed as the new British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill faces the dilemma of having to decide whether to negotiate a peace treaty with an unreliable and odious Hitler, whose unstoppable forces are steamrolling European nations big and small and will soon threaten Britain itself, or fight on to the bitter end. For a war declaration, he'd have to rally a wary nation behind him and outmaneuver the many politicians trying to oust him. Then he gets wind that the Nazis have cornered over 300,000 British troops on the beaches of Dunkirk, France, with no clear way to safety. Will he be able to rise to the moment in this darkest of hours?

Darkest Hour is an engaging political drama, largely based on factual accounts of what happened back then.

Nominated for Academy Awards in the Best Picture, Cinematography, Costume Design, and Production Design categories, it actually took home the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, thanks to the jaw dropping transformation of Gary Oldman into Winston Churchill.

Oldman won the Oscar himself, for Best Lead Actor, with his mesmerizing performance. He certainly painted Churchill in a positive light, even though I subsequently read an article about the atrocities Churchill ordered or advocated during his long political career, and it's enough to make you shiver.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Definitely recommended for its biographical aspects and the amazing acting work, it actually makes a great bookend with the same crisis depicted in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk.

Grade: 8.5

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

THE GIST: Mildred Hayes's daughter was raped and murdered several months ago and no arrests have been made, only deepening her sense of grief. Upset by what she sees as carelessness, Mildred rents out three huge billboards on the way into town and puts up a message directly accusing the revered local chief of police of negligence. This causes a largely negative reaction from the townspeople, especially from the chief's hotheaded deputy.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a drama with some touches of dark comedy and an affecting mystery/crime in the background.

Nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Score (Carter Burwell), Best Screenplay, Best Editing, and Best Supporting Actor (Woody Harrelson), it took home two acting awards, for Best Lead Actress (Frances McDormand) and Best Supporting Actor (Sam Rockwell).

THE BOTTOM LINE: A very good movie that was the runner-up in the Best Picture race (it lost out to The Shape of Water), this is definitely a title I recommend.

Grade: 8.5

Every Day

THE GIST: Rhiannon is a regular teenage girl who happens to fall in love with A, a spirit who inhabits a different person each day, which is something completely out of its control. Both of them really enjoy and value their connection, which makes them work hard to find one another every day. The complications of loving someone different each day, however, aren't trivial, so for how long can they realistically keep it up?

Every Day is a light drama with a veneer of fantasy that poses a series of interesting what-if scenarios.

I don't want to give too much away because one starts thinking about all of that while watching the movie, which makes it very interesting.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Definitely recommended. It's a movie unlike anything you've watched before, trust me.

Grade: 7

The Hurricane Heist

THE GIST: A group of highly-skilled and ruthless thieves is planning to rob a US Treasury Mint located along the Gulf coast just as a monster hurricane is about to make landfall. A dedicated Treasury employee, along with a couple of brothers who got caught in the storm, will have to try and stop them.

The Hurricane Heist offers plentiful action and mind-boggling visual effects, but not much else in the form of an impressive tale.

Sure, the heist is intriguing to watch as it unfolds, but it seems like the characters are just going through the motions.

I will admit that a primary reason for me to watch this was the gorgeous Ryan Kwanten (he of the True Blood series), who does what he can along with Toby Kebbell and Maggie Grace.

Ralph Ineson is a pretty mean baddie also.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Certainly bound to keep your attention throughout, but quickly forgotten afterwards.

Grade: 5.5

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power

THE GIST: A decade has passed since Al Gore first helped shine a light on the devastating effects climate change would have on the world. The progress made since is highlighted, as well as the efforts still needed on the part of all world governments, culminating in the landmark signing of the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement.

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power is a well-made documentary that should be viewed by anyone, given the gruesome daily reminders we're getting now that climate change is already here, and not a future problem we can ignore still.

It seems incredible that the gargantuan effort that was necessary to bring the world powers to sign this agreement was undermined by the doofus now occupying the White House (hopefully for not much longer …).

THE BOTTOM LINE: Definitely recommended, but I also recommend you watch the first, Oscar winner for Best Documentary Feature, An Inconvenient Truth.

Grade: 7.5

Warning: This Drug May Kill You

THE GIST: A damning look at the devastating effects of addiction to opioid painkillers, whose consumption often starts as legitimate prescription drugs, that has ended up decimating the US population.

Warning: This Drug May Kill You is a really good documentary that should be shown in every school, to teach people when they're still young about the dangers of taking what one might think are regular pain killers, often prescribed by a doctor.

It's really heartbreaking to witness how people with regular lives and no inclination for taking recreational drugs ended up addicted or dead after an illness or injury.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Naturally, I recommend this to anyone, not just in the US, since opioids are used all over the world. A real wake-up call.

Grade: 8

The Case Against 8

THE GIST: The elation for the legalization of same-sex marriage by the California Supreme Court was short lived, as voters decided to amend the state constitution to outlaw it shortly thereafter. Four plaintiffs and the unlikeliest pairing of brilliant legal minds from opposite backgrounds decided to challenge the constitutionality of the amendment, and in so doing changed the law of the land.

The Case Against 8 is a really good documentary about one of the biggest cases to ever reach the US Supreme Court and whose end result was monumental.

Fortunately for us, the rollercoaster ride of same-sex marriage had a good ending, but with the way things are going, with justices being unfairly appointed by only one party now (the GOP has stolen two seats in just four years), nothing is safe anymore, not even this decision.

THE BOTTOM LINE: It's part of history now, but it doesn't hurt checking it out. It's really well made.

Grade: 8

Whitney: Can I Be Me

THE GIST: The story of Whitney Houston, from singing backup vocals for the likes of Chaka Khan at 15, to signing her first recording contract, which propelled her to worldwide success and unparalleled heights. In the background, a fair share of drug use, love affairs, and scandals.

Whitney: Can I Be Me is both a love letter and a pretty heartwrenching look (knowing how she ended up) at one of the greatest vocalists the world has ever known.

Whitney Houston was gifted with a unique voice and great talent, but, like anyone else, she battled her demons throughout a life lived largely in the public eye -- unlike most.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Interesting for the casual viewer, I definitely recommend it for the fans of this wonderful artist who, unfortunately, left us too soon.

Grade: 7

My Scientology Movie

THE GIST: An investigation into the seemingly unsavory practices going on behind the scenes at the infamous Church of Scientology runs into the expected stumbling blocks and bold-faced bullying.

My Scientology Movie is a good documentary and an important exposé that paints a damning picture of what is probably the biggest scam people have fallen for in the history of organized religions.

This is closer to a cult than a religion.

Just the facts that Scientology was invented by a sci-fi writer a few decades ago and that its leadership allegedly treats adherents more like imprisoned slaves than a legion of faithful, should be enough to make anyone go, No thank you!

Instead, there are thousands of people who keep pouring their savings into the church's coffers in the hopes of a form of salvation that clearly will never materialize.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Definitely worth a look, even just to be more aware of an organization that enjoys tax-free status like other organized religions and immense power.

Grade: 7

Call Me by Your Name

THE GIST: As per usual, the Perlmans are spending their summer in their northern Italy villa. Dad is a professor, mom is a translator, and Elio is their cultured 17-year-old son. The professor, traditionally, invites a graduate student to spend a few weeks at the villa to help him with his studies. This year, that honor falls to 24-year-old Oliver, a gregarious, smart, and very handsome American. While diffident and condescending at first, Elio slowly warms up to Oliver, and their budding friendship eventually leads to an awakening of romantic feelings and sexual desires. Will they follow their hearts?

Call Me by Your Name is a beautifully directed film by Luca Guadagnino, based on an André Aciman's novel, whose adaptation by James Ivory was awarded the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar, making Ivory the oldest winner of a competitive Oscar, at 89, surpassing the achievement of Ennio Morricone at 87.

The film was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Original Song (for Sufjan Stevens's "Mystery of Love"), and Best Lead Actor for Timothée Chalamet.

Chalamet and Armie Hammer are spellbinding and adorable as they gingerly dance around one another. Michael Stuhlbarg and Amira Casar are also well cast as Elio's parents.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A sweet love story, whose name no one dares speak, and whose future lies in doubt. This is a classic must-see.

Grade: 9

Game Night

THE GIST: Married couple Max and Annie really enjoy their weekly game night with their friends. During one such get together, kidnappers burst in and take one of the players hostage. Thinking it's all part of the current game, Max, Annie and the others proceed to solve the clues to try to win, only later realizing their mistake.

Game Night looks like your average silly comedy, but it's actually planned and executed pretty well, resulting in quite a few laughs.

Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams, along with Kyle Chandler, Sharon Horgan, Billy Magnussen, Kylie Bunbury, Lamorne Morris, Jesse Plemons, Michael C. Hall, and Danny Huston are all perfectly cast.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Definitely recommended for a light night viewing, especially with your friends!

Grade: 7.5

The Greatest Showman

THE GIST: Orphan and poor, P.T. Barnum is gifted with great ambition, a visionary mind, and a boundless entrepreneurial spirit. In the face of ridicule and opposition, he opens a wax museum and soon after introduces fringe live acts that are considered utterly unique and peculiar. Hungry for more, after a foray managing an opera singer, he will eventually open the traveling circus he's most widely known for.

The Greatest Showman is a really entertaining movie with some great musical numbers that benefits from having an actor like Hugh Jackman, who can both dance and sing very well, in the lead.

He's also surrounded by a great cast that includes Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Keala Settle, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

THE BOTTOM LINE: It's very interesting to see how the modern interpretation of the circus had its origin, however dramatized it might be. Thoroughly entertaining from beginning to end.

Grade: 8

Coco

THE GIST: Miguel loves music and dreams of becoming a famous musician like his idol, but his entire family has a longstanding ban on anyone having anything to do with music. Desperate to prove his talent and the beauty of music, Miguel, after an inadvertent mistake, finds himself in the Land of the Dead, where he'll try to contact an ancestor who can clarify for him what the family's aversion to music is all about. However, if he doesn't make it back to the Land of the Living by sunrise, he never will be able to return to his loved ones.

Pixar's Coco is the really sweet story of a kid and his passion and the power it has to bring people together.

It's also Pixar's first adventure entirely based and located in Mexico and its colorful and musical culture.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Some beautiful songs, a ton of rich colors, plenty of soulful and moving music, and a story about family, traditions, and love all add up to another hit for the famed studio that can't seem to miss a beat.

Grade: 8

Deadpool 2

THE GIST: After tragedy strikes too close to bear, Deadpool finds himself protecting a very powerful and dangerous young mutant out for vengeance on those who wronged him. When a time-traveling cyborg, Cable, shows up to dispatch of the kid, Deadpool has to put together his own team of fighters.

If you've seen the first Deadpool, then you know what you're in for: a couple hours of jaw-dropping jokes, often delivered through an expert but indiscriminate tearing of the fourth-wall, plenty of irreverent pop-culture references, death-non-defying action pieces, and a predisposition to cross any line in the sand that's ever been drawn.

Deadpool 2 delivers precisely that, doubling down on the predecessor's outrageous feel and remaining entertaining throughout.

The impossibly gorgeous Ryan Reynolds is back in the role that so thoroughly fits him, playing off Josh Brolin's Cable.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Deadpool is easily the funniest comic book hero around, and this sequel is definitely worth it.

Grade: 8

Thoroughbreds

THE GIST: Amanda and Lily were once childhood friends but have since grown apart. Amanda seems to have emotional attachment issues that have perhaps gone untended for too long. Lily, meanwhile, has her own issues in school and with her stepfather at home. When the two girls reunite, random conversations lead to hatching a plan that might just solve all their problems.

Thoroughbreds is billed as a comedy, and it certainly has aspects of it, but it's probably the darkest comedy I've ever seen. That's a compliment, by the way.

Olivia Cooke and Ana Taylor-Joy are amazing, and it's lovely to see Anton Yelchin in one of his final performances.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Here's a comedy interlaced with tension and antisocial behavior that surprises beginning to end. Watch it.

Grade: 8

Unsane

THE GIST: After a bad experience with a stalker, Sawyer has a hard time trusting men again. One day, she decides to look for a therapist and inadvertently ends up committing herself overnight for observation. She's very upset about it, which only makes things worse. Then, she thinks her stalker found her there also.

Unsane is an intriguing film by Steven Soderbergh that analyzes the perils of falling into the wrong "helping" hands and/or falling victim of predatory institutions. Our unlucky heroine experiences both!

The other curiosity about this movie is that it was shot entirely on an iPhone, which is incredible to imagine when you watch it.

Claire Foy turns in a breathtaking performance, flanked by an equally good Joshua Leonard.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A deeply troubling tale with some tinges of horror, this can only be described as unsettling. But trust me, it's good.

Grade: 7.5

Tom of Finland

THE GIST: After serving in World War II, a decorated officer finds life in peacetime just as harrowing because of the rampant persecution of homosexuality that forces him to stay in the closet. He finds solace and escape in his art, drawing highly stylized muscular men in homoerotic situations. He signs his work as Tom of Finland, and eventually it makes its way to the USA, where it takes on a life of its own, emboldening a generation of gay men to feel pride in themselves and live more openly and boldly than ever before.

Tom of Finland is a well-written biographical exploration of the life of Touko Valio Laaksonen, widely known as Tom of Finland, whose original artwork is simply stunning.

The cast of (to us) unknowns is excellent.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you know his art, watch this movie. If not, watch it and then discover his art. It's amazing.

Grade: 7.5

Ready Player One

THE GIST: It's 2045 and most everyone opts to escape the harsh reality of a dystopian world in a virtual one called OASIS, created by genius visionary James Halliday. Upon his death, Halliday revealed to his legions of fans that he left his immense fortune and full control of the OASIS hidden in an Easter Egg that's somewhere inside the game itself. To find it, one has to go on a treasure hunt composed of three increasingly complex challenges. Wade Watts, like everyone else, spends all his time trying to beat the first challenge before a powerful corporation that has invested heavily in trying to win the contest.

Directed by visionary director Steven Spielberg, Ready Player One is a fantastic experience that benefits from multiple viewings, because of the subtle intricacies of its plot.

Tye Sheridan leads a cast that includes Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn, Lena Waithe, T.J. Miller, Simon Pegg, and Mark Rylance.

THE BOTTOM LINE: An action packed adventure that's based on a solidly developed script, full of smart and witty cultural references, all wrapped in an eye popping package. What are you waiting for?

Grade: 8

Blade Runner 2049

THE GIST: Ecological disaster and famine have seriously hammered Earth's population. Replicants' older models are still being hunted and retired by Blade Runners, chief among them, officer K. During an operation, K discovers a mysterious box containing skeletal remains. The ensuing investigation will lead him on the trail of Rick Deckard, a former Blade Runner who's not being heard from for thirty years.

The long-in-the-making sequel to the sci-fi classic Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049 is a well thought out tale of hope and loss, told against the backdrop of a jaw dropping dystopian landscape.

The cinematography, winner of an Academy Award, along with Best Visual Effects, is worth a viewing alone. Nominations also went to Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Production Design.

Ryan Gosling stars in the lead and does a really good job, naturally acting the part of the cold replicants' hunter. Obviously, having Harrison Ford reprise his role as Deckard is fantastic, as is Sean Young in a small cameo.

Robin Wright, Dave Bautista, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Jared Leto, Edward James Olmos, Mackenzie Davis, and Lennie James also star.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you enjoyed the original, this is a good sequel. It might be easier to understand this story if the original is watched first though, and both are well worth it.

Grade: 8

Incredibles 2

THE GIST: After the latest faceoff with another villain, the Incredibles leave a trail of destruction in their wake, and the people aren't happy, forcing the government to shut down their program. When a tycoon comes knocking, offering to help rehabilitate their image, the Parr family agrees, but it's Elastigirl who becomes the face of the campaign, leaving Mr. Incredible home to care for the kids, including new arrival Jack-Jack. When the villain Screenslaver shows up, Elastigirl takes charge.

Incredibles 2 is the long-awaited follow-up to another hugely successful Pixar property, and pretty much doubles-down on the action, on par with its predecessor.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I really enjoyed the original, and liked this sequel, even though it didn't have the same freshness to it. Still, I enjoyed that they shone the spotlight on the woman this time. Definitely recommended for the whole family, especially if there's a little girl in the audience.

Grade: 8

The Girl in the Spider’s Web

THE GIST: In Stockholm, Lisbeth Salander is hired to steal Firefall, a computer program able to gain access to all the world's nuclear launch codes, by its creator, who now regrets creating something so powerful for the USA's NSA that could be used in nefarious ways. She succeeds, only to attract the attention of the NSA, its Swedish counterpart, and a ruthless crime organization.

The Girl in the Spider’s Web is a richly crafted thriller that smoothly weaves its way through relentless action, smartly bringing the attention back to a family drama.

The cinematography is simply succulent.

Claire Foy is spellbinding as Lisbeth, flanked by LaKeith Stanfield, Sverrir Gudnason, Stephen Merchant, Sylvia Hoeks, Vicky Krieps, Synnøve Macody Lund, and up-and-coming Christopher Convery.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The follow up to the great The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, this movie grabs you from the very beginning and takes you on a rollercoaster of adrenaline. Highly recommended.

Grade: 8

Lady Bird

THE GIST: Christine, who goes by Lady Bird, is a high-school senior with dreams and aspirations of going to a big city college, where she'll be surrounded by sophistication, culture, adventures, and opportunity. Unfortunately, given her middling grades and her family's struggling finances, together with an overbearing mother, her chances look pretty bleak.

Lady Bird is a little jewel of a coming-of-age comedy, written and directed by the great Greta Gerwig, who has become one of my favorite new voices in American cinema.

Gerwig was nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Director Oscars, along with nominations for Best Picture, Best Lead Actress (Saoirse Ronan), and Best Supporting Actress (Laurie Metcalf).

THE BOTTOM LINE: I think that, as it happens with all original auteurs, Gerwig's oeuvre is either loved or hated, sort of like Charlie Kaufman's, and I fall firmly into the former cohort. If you enjoy her work like I do, don't miss this movie.

Grade: 8

The Death of Stalin

THE GIST: After brutal dictator Joseph Stalin dies unexpectedly of a brain hemorrhage, the rush to fill his powerful position is on. At the forefront of the political machinations is the feared head of the Secret Police, Lavrentiy Beria, whose takeover the head of the Communist Party, Nikita Khrushchev, will have to work overtime to derail.

The Death of Stalin is a dramatization of actual events that took place in the early fifties in Russia. The film is also billed as a comedy, which is perhaps a better characterization, given the almost comical action pieces sprinkled throughout.

Of note is the talent assembled, which includes Jeffrey Tambor, Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Rupert Friend, and Jason Isaacs.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The type of physical comedy likely won't please everyone, but I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Grade: 7

The Strangers: Prey at Night

THE GIST: During a trip, a family of four stops by at a secluded trailer park to visit with an uncle. Right after they get to their trailer, a knock on the door marks the beginning of a night of horror as three masked strangers violently attack the family members.

After the fairly entertaining The Strangers, in which we first meet the masked mass murderers, we get The Strangers: Prey at Night, which hardly manages to get off the ground, let alone match its predecessor.

Poor horror sequels are a dime a dozen, and this one fits neatly into that cluster.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A lame scripts that feels like an afterthought, plenty of boilerplate clichés, characters who seem to run into danger more than away from it. You'll find all that in this film, if you choose to watch it.

Grade: 4

The Strangers

THE GIST: Shortly after arriving at a secluded vacation home from a wedding reception, a young couple receive a hard knock on the door. It's the beginning of a relentless series of attacks from three strangers wearing face masks. Will they be able to fend them off?

The Strangers is a pretty creepy and plenty scary movie that's unfortunately based on a true story. I can't even imagine how terrifying it must be to suddenly find oneself in such a situation.

Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman do a pretty good job, but I felt like Tyler's character was made to look too much like the pitifully helpless damsel in distress that is typical of female characters in horror films, which is too bad.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I wasn't expecting much from this title but I ended up pleasantly surprised.

Grade: 7

I, Tonya

THE GIST: Growing up poor, Tonya Harding nonetheless showed great promise on the ice. Pushed relentlessly hard by her abusive and alcoholic mother, she became the first American woman to flawlessly perform a triple axle in competition. Her dreams of Olympic gold, however, came crashing down after her ex-husband's botched attack on competitor Nancy Kerrigan. Whether Tonya was involved or not, her reputation was tarnished for good and never recovered.

I, Tonya is an interesting dramatization of one of the most infamous events in world sports' history.

The movie tells the story largely from Tonya's point of view, with a documentary-style direction, and several breaking-of-the-fourth-wall moments. Overall it's pretty successful.

Margot Robbie, nominated for a Best Lead Actress Oscar, is fantastic as Tonya, but it's Allison Janney, winner of a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the role of the mother, that fiercely chews the scenery in a part that practically demands that you go over the top.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Interesting story per se, I'd recommend it for the acting. It's definitely a good movie.

Grade: 7.5

Finding Dory

THE GIST: Dory's life is happy and carefree together with Marlin and his son Nemo, whom she previously helped track down and bring back. In spite of her persistent short-term memory loss, she suddenly gets flashbacks about her parents and realizes they're still out there somewhere, probably looking for her. She sets out to find them, accompanied by her trusty friends.

Finding Dory is the long-in-the-making sequel to one of Pixar's most successful and beautiful movies ever, Finding Nemo.

Ellen DeGeneres, who wonderfully voices Dory, lobbied hard with Disney and Pixar for years for them to give Dory her own adventure, and finally they agreed. The results is not as phenomenally fresh as the original tale, but it's a surefire hit and greatly entertaining.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you are among the few who haven't seen Finding Nemo, than I suggest you watch that one and then follow it up with Dory. They're both great and you won't be disappointed.

Grade: 8

Where to Invade Next

THE GIST: Michael Moore travels to several European and African countries to see whether they have or do anything that would be worth for the US to emulate. He finds plenty.

Where to Invade Next is a really interesting and educational documentary that will probably make you wonder why Americans can't have it as good as the citizens of all these other countries.

Certainly, every place has its problems, but the way America looks down on other countries is definitely not warranted, and this film shows us why.

THE BOTTOM LINE: From the look of things, sure seems like American Exceptionalism is anything but, and could benefit from some … adaptations.

Grade: 7.5

Phantom Thread

THE GIST: It's the 1950s London and Reynolds Woodcock is the couturier of choice for royalty, socialites, movie stars, and the like. His exquisite creations are perfect in every detail, and so is the rest of his life, which he controls obsessively, supported by his sister Cyril, who runs the business side of things with a firm hand. One day, Reynolds meets Alma, a young waitress who immediately catches his eye and stirs his passions. She quickly becomes his assistant, muse, and eventually lover, but she's also a strong-willed woman and her arrival causes ripples in Reynold's carefully curated life.

Phantom Thread is a very refined film and an excellent specimen of high-end cinema. It almost feels like a textbook example of what motion pictures were invented for.

Nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture, Director (Paul Thomas Anderson), Original Score, Lead Actor (Daniel Day-Lewis is absolutely superb), and Supporting Actress (Lesley Manville, also excellent), it took home the Oscar for Best Costume Design, for which is was probably a shoo-in, given the topic. So well deserved.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A feast for the eyes with nary a visual effect in sight, Phantom Thread tells a captivating tale.

Grade: 8

Insidious: The Last Key

THE GIST: Paranormal expert Elise is contacted by a man for help with some unexplained phenomena happening in his house. When she asks for the address, it's revealed to be Elise's childhood home, from which she ran away to escape her abusive father and the first spirits coming out of the Further. After an initial reluctance, she agrees to help the man.

Insidious: The Last Key is the fourth entry in the Insidious franchise, and it doesn't disappoint, exploring the scary world of the Further in greater detail than ever before and usefully explaining Elise's backstory.

The lovely Lin Shaye is back once again and I just can't get enough of her. She's such a good actress and this character is adorable.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Plenty of good scares and solid acting anchor an interesting story. Definitely recommended to the fans.

Grade: 7

A Quiet Place

THE GIST: An alien lifeform has hunted humanity close to extinction by tracking down and attacking any form of sound, no matter how light. A family of five has survived on a remote farm by following strict protocols and living in complete silence. How long before the terrifying aliens find them?

A Quiet Place was co-written and directed by John Krasinski, and firmly positioned him as a promising new original voice in the horror genre.

Krasinski also stars, along with his wife, the wonderful Emily Blunt, who is fantastic as the mother. Millicent Simmonds also does a great job and is a promising new face.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you like more sophisticated horror films (i.e. no gore) don't pass this up. The silence almost becomes another character. Definitely a must-see.

Grade: 8.5

Beirut

THE GIST: Once a respected diplomat in Beirut, Mason Skiles left the country after a terrorist attack. Ten years later, he's asked to go back to negotiate the release of a close friend, who's been abducted by a cell that wants to exchange him for a terrorist mastermind.

Beirut is a gritty, emotional, and suspenseful thriller about life in one of the most dangerous cities in the world.

The script is well written and rich with intrigue and mystery.

Jon Hamm is in top form here, flanked by Rosamund Pike, Mark Pellegrino, Shea Whigham, and Dean Norris.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Lots of action, explosions and firefights, opposing security agencies trying to prevail, and stakes that get raised higher and higher. It'll keep you on the edge of your seat.

Grade: 8