Giraffe

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Houses Along the River

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End of the Cycle

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Under the Skin

THE GIST: A mysterious woman picks up random men with her van, seduces them, and then they disappear. One day, her latest conquest leads her to start questioning herself, body and mind.

Under the Skin is a somewhat metaphysical and quite mysterious movie that never really fully shows its cards, which ultimately turns out to be a strength rather than a weakness.

Scarlett Johansson proves to be quite a fearless actress, taking on such a complicated and raw character. She also proves to be a very good actress, given that she carries the whole movie on her shoulders.

THE BOTTOM LINE: This is not the kind of film that would be enjoyed by the general audience. It's intriguing, but will likely appeal to a small niche of people. Still, I enjoyed it, so why not give it a whirl?

Grade: 7

Don’t Breathe 2

THE GIST: Having barely survived a brutal and deadly home invasion a few years back, our blind veteran is now training his home-schooled daughter into survival, which is good because someone else is about to invade his home again.

Don’t Breathe 2 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor and pretty closely at that. In fact, just like that movie, the action scenes are quite thrilling, but a few plot points are quite leaky—like how he makes it to the bad guys' lair so quickly and, of course, just in time.

Stephen Lang is, as before, quite good at taking a beating and giving it back. This time he faces off against Brendan Sexton III, who performs admirably.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Just like the first chapter, the story is quite predictable, but there are a couple twists and enough tension to make it worth your time.

Grade: 6

Quaint Church

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East River at Dusk

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Free Guy

THE GIST: An upbeat and charming bank teller sees his world suddenly change when he accidentally discovers he's actually an NPC (a Non Playable Character) in a massive multi-player videogame. What is he going to do next?

Free Guy's core premise is quite simple, but the final product greatly benefits from Ryan Reynolds's comedy chops and irresistible charms.

It doesn't hurt that he's flanked by other talented actors like Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery, Joe Keery, and the inimitable Taika Waititi.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Cool visual effects, a fun cast, and an interesting story pretty much guarantee a good time.

Grade: 7

Concentric Lines

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The Woman in Black

THE GIST: A recently widowered lawyer, still deeply in mourning, is sent to a remote village to settle the affairs of an estate. He encounters a lot of hostility from almost everyone he meets and soon discovers that the mansion he's supposed to get ready for sale is haunted by the vengeful ghost of a wronged woman who terrorizes the locals.

The Woman in Black is the typical horror movie that fails to impress because of a barebones backstory that is weighed down by too many trite tropes.

I found myself shaking my head in confusion and disbelief more times than I could count, which is never a good sign.

Daniel Radcliffe does a fairly good job in the lead, but sometimes he does look a bit lost. And even the always great Ciarán Hinds has to work overtime to sell us his rather unrelatable character.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I cannot recommend this movie, even though it redeems itself with a final scene I really didn't expect.

Grade: 4.5

Bursting Petals

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Respect

THE GIST: We follow Aretha Franklin from childhood to stardom, from singing in her father's church's choir to finding her own voice, style, and vocation—and eventually becoming an icon of the musical world, of the civil rights movement, and of America itself.

Respect is a well put-together biopic about the late great Aretha Franklin, played with excellent ability by Jennifer Hudson, who's blessed with one of the most powerful and unique voices I've ever heard.

I wouldn't be surprised to see her receive an Academy Award nomination for her performance.

Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Tituss Burgess, Marc Maron, and Audra McDonald are just some of the spot-on casting choices that wonderfully support Ms. Hudson's tour-de-force.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Whether you're a fan of the Queen of Soul or are just curious about the life of a world-renown artist, this movie won't disappoint.

Grade: 8

Peeking In

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In Memoriam

Jean-Paul Belmondo (April 9, 1933 - September 6, 2021)

Belmondo broke through in the world of cinema with 1960's Breathless, which helped establish him as one of the main figures of France's La Nouvelle Vague, or New Wave, an experimental and ultimately revolutionary narrative style in the history of cinema, widely influential also in American cinema.

He really was one of the last few greats left.

R.I.P.

In Memoriam

 Michael K. Williams (November 22, 1966 - September 6, 2021)

A great actor whom I appreciated in TV shows like The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, he had many roles in film as well, including 12 Years a Slave and Motherless Brooklyn.

Apparently victim of a drug overdose. Certainly gone too soon.

R.I.P.

The Last Pole

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Tall and Supertall

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Captain Phillips

THE GIST: American cargo ship Maersk Alabama is sailing off the coast of Somalia when it's hijacked by a group of pirates. All Captain Phillips and his crew can do now is hope for rescue.

Captain Phillips is a really tight and suspenseful drama with the added gravitas of being based on a true story.

The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay, and Supporting Actor (for newcomer Barkhad Abdi).

Tom Hanks serves up another indelible performance—in the final scene, he really makes you feel the mental and physical anguish and terror the real Captain Phillips must have felt at the time.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Absolutely recommended for the true story recounted and for a modest understanding of the motivations behind some people's desperate acts.

Grade: 8

Rabid

THE GIST: After an accident leaves her severely disfigured, Rose seeks out an experimental stem cells treatment. The results are extraordinarily satisfying, but soon a terrible side effect becomes apparent.

2019's Rabid is a remake of a David Cronenberg's 1997 movie. I haven't seen the latter, but this version is only partially successful.

The story is certainly interesting—especially given the real-world potentially miraculous cures connected to stem cells therapies—but a few scenes rely too heavily on convenient developments for my taste.

I'm also not a fan of camp, and this movie does have some aspects of it. Then again, maybe they show up in the original as well, which would justify their presence here, but I don't know that.

The makeup work is quite good, and the cast certainly does give it its all.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Not a bad horror movie but not that good either. I guess it's okay for a couple scares.

Grade: 5

The Ferryboat

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Pink Blooms

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Molly’s Game

THE GIST: Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who had to give up her dreams after a ruinous accident, reinvents herself as the hostess of the world's most exclusive high-stakes poker game. Unfortunately, the gig comes with a hefty dose of stressors and ends up catching the eye of the FBI.

Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, Molly's Game tells a very interesting story that's a biographical drama but feels more like an action flick because of Sorkin's trademark rat-a-tat line delivery and fast-paced intercutting. I'm sure that's not everyone's cup of tea, but I like it, even though sometimes it feels like a tornado of words.

Jessica Chastain is terrific, fully embodying Molly Bloom. Idris Elba is also great and Kevin Costner is really good in a somewhat subdued role.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you like crime stories, this is for you. I definitely recommend it because it's based on a true story and yet feels totally made up.

Grade: 8

Cyan and Black Frog

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The Suicide Squad

THE GIST: The ragtag mix of dangerous convicts coerced by ruthless government agent Amanda Waller into acting like superheroes is back. They are sent to prevent some super-secret technology from falling into the wrong hands after a coup d'état in some remote country, but things go haywire and the team is forced to improvise in order to save the world from catastrophe.

Long delayed by the pandemic, The Suicide Squad sequel finally premiered and delivered another generous helping of ferociously funny shenanigans.

I've really come to appreciate the movies about the Suicide Squad's members as guilty pleasures, a very effective counterpunch to Marvel's squeaky-clean superheroes.

The casting choices are excellent and everyone delivers, with Margot Robbie and Idris Elba, along with Viola Davis, towering over everybody.

THE BOTTOM LINE: If you enjoyed the original like I did, then you'll be very pleased with the sequel. Watching them in sequence is advisable but not really necessary.

Grade: 8

In Memoriam

 Ed Asner (November 15, 1929 - August 29, 2021)

An incredibly prolific actor (over 400 credits on IMDb!!) capable to shine on both big and small screens and in any type of genre, I will always remember him as the lovable grumpy old man in Pixar's Up.

R.I.P.

Abandoned Cottage

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Nine Days

THE GIST: An auditor has nine days to conduct a series of interviews with different candidate souls for a chance to be born into the world.

Nine Days is a drama with a flair of fantasy that doesn't involve any magic or time travel or anything like that. It's all actually very down-to-earth (no pun intended).

Winston Duke gives a very contained performance, flanked by a lovely Zazie Beetz, Benedict Wong, Tony Hale, David Rysdahl, Arianna Ortiz, and Bill Skarsgård.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A very well-structured film that showcases some excellent talent. Definitely recommended.

Grade: 8

Stillwater

THE GIST: Bill's daughter, Allison, is jailed in France for the alleged murder of her partner, for which she claims innocence. When her lawyer declines to pursue new information that could exonerate her, Bill decides to take matters into his own hands.

Stillwater is a mystery and family-drama vehicle that expertly leverages the talents of Matt Damon and Abigail Breslin to serve up a tense, well-developed film.

Camille Cottin is also excellent in a fairly large supporting role.

The story clearly recalls a true-life murder investigation of an American exchange student in Italy. She was released on appeal after having spent a good amount of time in prison.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Definitely a good movie, well written, and with a great cast. Plenty of action keeps the engine humming along, so don't be scared by the runtime.

Grade: 8

The Long Way Ahead

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Mayhem

THE GIST: An airborne virus that attacks the nervous system and removes all inhibitions spreads through an office building, which is then quarantined by the police. Those inside have no protection from the virus and no way to resist their worst and most basic urges and impulses, leading to acts of sex, violence, and revenge that had, up to now, been contained.

Mayhem is a dark comedy that deals with a topic we're all too familiar with right now: the emergence of a new virus against which we're initially defenseless. Certainly the virus in the movie is way more dangerous than the coronavirus we're dealing with . . .

The movie, in my opinion, is not fully successful, in spite of it clearly being tongue-in-cheek, because it feels somewhat cheaply and summarily made.

Steven Yeun and Samara Weaving are pretty good, but overall all the actors seem to play exaggerated caricatures, and that kind of downgraded the whole thing for me. It's almost like they didn't take themselves too seriously—whether directed to or not—and therefore I couldn't either.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Not a bad movie, just not fully successful. Still, it's okay for a night of escapism.

Grade: 5.5

T2: Trainspotting

THE GIST: After 20 years living abroad, Mark Renton ventures back to Scotland and reunites with the friends he left behind—and in a lurch—when he stiffed them of their loot. Things don't go exactly smoothly for him.

I remember watching Trainspotting many years ago and being blown away by its originality and rawness. The fact that Danny Boyle was able to get the original cast back together for T2: Trainspotting after so long speaks volumes of the love the fans have for the story and the fun the actors clearly had working together back then and once again now.

I actually think I enjoyed the sequel even more than the original, because it feels more bittersweet, thanks to the aging of the characters (and the actors themselves).

Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, and Jonny Lee Miller are all fantastic. Robert Carlyle is both scary and scarily good.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Definitely recommended, although make sure you have access to subtitles; I would have been lost without them. Naturally, it would be advisable to watch the first chapter and then this one.

Grade: 8

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

THE GIST: Charlie is about to start high-school without friends and with some deep emotional scars. By chance, he strikes up a friendship with a couple of seniors, who take him under their wings and show him the ropes.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a very well-written coming-of-age story that packs a wallop with its final reveal about Charlie's past.

Logan Lerman pretty much carries the movie on his young shoulders and is excellent. You just want to give him a hug and be his friend.

Ezra Miller and Emma Watson are both ebullient, and the rest of the cast showcases some great supporting players.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A really good, sweet, and heartwarming drama about young people discovering themselves and gradually becoming adults. Highly recommended.

Grade: 8.5

Anthropomorphic Sunflower

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Big Boat, Little Boat

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On the River

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Swallow

THE GIST: Hunter loves her husband Richie, even though he's quite controlling and demanding. His parents are worse still, and her new pregnancy only increases her feelings of isolation and powerlessness. One day, a sudden urge compels her to swallow a small object, in spite of the dangers. Soon, she finds herself unable—and unwilling—to stop.

Swallow is a mystery that unfolds quietly around its protagonist, whose actions become more and more disturbing and hard to look at. Still, you can't look away.

Haley Bennett (whose resemblance to Jennifer Lawrence is unsettling) carries the movie on her shoulders and does an excellent job. Her face-off against the great Denis O'Hare is simply fantastic—and thoroughly suspenseful.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A really good drama that might be a bit hard to swallow (no pun intended) for some viewers. Definitely recommended, especially since the condition really does exist. I can't imagine having such urges that put your very life at constant risk.

Grade: 7.5

Rocking It

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The Final Wish

THE GIST: Aaron heads back home after the sudden death of his father to help his grief-stricken mother, knowing full well he's in for a rough time, given the way he left town. His father was an antiques dealer, and going through his things Aaron finds a mysterious artifact. Soon, odd and violent events start occurring.

I love horror movies and I've seen enough to know that good ones are not very easy to find. The Final Wish ended up on my radar only because of the casting of the brilliant Lin Shaye, whom I discovered via the Insidious franchise.

As expected, Shaye is great to watch, even though her part is quite small. As feared, her performance is also the only salvageable thing, aside from her being the only actor who's able to shine in spite of the threadbare script.

The sad thing is that the original idea isn't bad (albeit hardly original), but it's very poorly executed on paper, speeding through occurrences or jumping around sequences of events that take for granted the capacity of the audience to be forgiving. After a while, it's game over.

THE BOTTOM LINE: I never really stop watching a movie once I start it, so I stuck around till the end, and it never gets any better. Skip this one.

Grade: 4

Ancient Species

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Tucked

THE GIST: A drag queen in her 70s is asked to show the ropes to a teenage queen who's just starting out in the business. Peeved at first, the two actually become really close while confronting their individual issues with gender identity and mortality.

Movies about drag queens can quickly flounder by either veering sharply into camp or treating the characters as simple stereotypes. Tucked treats the subject matter and the characters, both old and young, with total respect and deftness, making it one to watch.

Derren Nesbitt and Jordan Stephens are excellent as the two drag queens.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A warts-and-all tale about friendship blossoming even in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Definitely recommended.

Grade: 7.5

Marjorie Prime

THE GIST: Her mother Marjorie's memory beginning to falter, Tess gets her a holographic recreation of her late husband, powered by an AI capable of learning and resembling the original, to help her feel less lonely.

Marjorie Prime is a very slow-building film about the possibilities an actual Artificial Intelligence could provide humanity with, especially for lessening loneliness or mild forms of depression and social anxiety.

Like I said, it's fairly slow, but its cerebral nature sort of requires it, and the movie is by no means boring.

The excellent cast features Jon Hamm, Tim Robbins, Geena Davis, and the lovely Lois Smith, and they all do a great job.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Very good acting and a deeply reflective screenplay about aging in the 21st century. Quite interesting.

Grade: 7.5

Old Mill

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Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool

THE GIST: Her Hollywood-leading-lady days long gone, Gloria Grahame still finds work in the theater, currently in England. It's there that she meets Peter Turner, a young actor struggling to find work, and soon they're inseparable, in spite of their age difference.

Much more than a simple romance movie, Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool is carried equally by its two stars, Annette Bening and Jamie Bell, with a great Julie Walters in a supporting role.

I was surprised to find out that Bening's character is based on a real person; surprised mostly because I've watched plenty of old Hollywood movies and had never heard of Gloria Grahame, who even won an Oscar!

THE BOTTOM LINE: An interesting story about a turbulent love affair that will keep you engaged throughout, thanks to the excellent acting.

Grade: 8

Catching the Last Light

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Mimic

THE GIST: The emergence in New York City of a virus that attacks and quickly kills children forces a scientist to genetically modify and release an insect in order to destroy the virus carrier, the common cockroach. Three years later, the newly created insect is not only unexpectedly still alive, but it has evolved and mutated into its own dangerous threat to humanity.

Creature films are probably among the hardest to pull off. The creature has to be scary and powerful—and oftentimes the less you show of it the better—but it also has to have a weak spot.

Mimic's creature is certainly scary and powerful, and we see enough of it to feel that, but the movie as a whole doesn't feel solid enough, primarily because of the many instances of happenstance and the dumb choices several characters make.

This goes back to the screenplay, of course, which I found to be lacking.

Nevertheless, the cast, led by Mira Sorvino and Jeremy Northam, does a pretty good job, and F. Murray Abraham has a pretty cool cameo, unlike Giancarlo Giannini, whose role makes very little sense.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A barely palatable horror that clearly shows its age. Up to you.

Grade: 5

Old Fort

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Extra Ordinary

THE GIST: Rose, a sweet and lonely driving instructor, is constantly hounded by people in need of her supernatural talents, which she steadfastly refuses to use since a bad accident years prior. Reluctantly, she agrees to help a man whose wife's spirit still hangs around in their house. There's also a washed-up pop-star who dabbles in dark magic to restart his career.

Extra Ordinary looked like an interesting comedy, so I decided to give it a try. It's not extraordinary . . . but it's certainly funny.

The best part is Maeve Higgins, who plays Rose, who is equal parts adorable and hysterical. What a great actress. And her partner-in-crime, Barry Ward, is just as good!

Will Forte, almost unrecognizable behind that ridiculous makeup, is pretty good as well.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Dry and witty English humor abounds, and I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but if you're into it, give this one a whirl!

Grade: 6.5

She Saw Me

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Baby Driver

THE GIST: Baby is a highly skilled driver who's being coerced by a crime boss into being the getaway driver for the heists he plans until he has finished paying off a debt. The robbers he meets are varying degrees of dangerous, but Baby just dreams of being free of his debt and driving off into the sunset.

Baby Driver is a very well written, high-speed heist movie with a set of fully developed characters at its center, and a couple side-stories that make it whole.

Ansel Elgort is excellent at playing the laser-focused, talented young driver. Jon Bernthal, Jon Hamm, Eiza González, and Jamie Foxx are fantastic as well. Lily James is simply adorable and sparks fly whenever she and Elgort are together.

Kevin Spacey is very good and easily the best actor in the cast. This was one of the last movies he made before being ensnared by the sexual-harassment scandal that torpedoed his career. He's trying to restart it now, but only time will tell if he'll succeed. It certainly is hard to get the knowledge out of one's mind while watching him onscreen, which is too bad.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A very entertaining movie that never let's you down. Highly recommended.

Grade: 8

Yellow Bloom

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