“Aftersun” is just the sort of movie that might show at the a reopened Tara Theater. It’s a thoughtful, poignant piece; a memory film about a holiday in Turkey 11-year-old Sophie (Frankie Corio) took a couple of decades ago with her father, Calum (Oscar nominee Paul Mescal).
Category: Eleanor Ringel Cater
Movie column by Eleanor Ringel Cater
‘Empire of Light’ – Sam Mendes’ ode to movies and movie theaters
“Empire of Light” is woozy with movie love. Writer/director Sam Mendes (“1917,” “American Beauty”) is unabashedly smitten with all things cinema, from the flickering images on screen to the mounds of popcorn at the concession stand.
‘Your Place or Mine” – an affectionate rom-com starring Witherspoon and Kutcher
The title of “Your Place or Mine” comes from the premise. Debbie (Witherspoon) and Peter (Kutcher) tried hooking up 20 years ago. They decided instead to be BFF’s, checking in daily even though they live on different coasts and have very different lives.
‘The Menu’ – horror satire featuring a meal that serves more than food
If you’ve ever wanted to slap a foodie silly, “The Menu” is the movie for you.
Best Actress nomination for Andrea Riseborough raises eyebrows
People are upset that a little-known Brit named Andrea Riseborough in a little-seen movie called “To Leslie” got nominated, and two actresses who were expected to get a nod – Viola Davis (“The Woman King”) and Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) – were not.
As Oscar nominations are being announced, Eleanor weighs in
There are a few sure things scattered among the potential candidate for the 2023 Oscar nominations, so here goes. Please just pretend (as usual) I know what I’m talking about.
‘White Noise’ – Noah Baumbach’s mostly successful dive into Don DeLillo’s novel
If you’re going to dive into Don DeLillo’s lower depths, best take a skilled guide. Like, say, Noah Baumbach. Not that Baumbach has totally succeeded. DeLillo’s 1985 dystopian novel, “White Noise,” is one of those famously unfilmable books
Beleaguered Golden Globes award show returns; Eleanor’s predictions
The Golden Globes, the awards show whose ongoing mission is to make all the other awards show seem respectable, is back.
‘Glass Onion” – a murder-mystery comedy with knives out
Who’s the killer in “Glass Onion,” the new “Knives Out Mystery?” As someone who wasn’t quite all in on the first “Knives Out,” my expectations weren’t especially high. Still, who doesn’t look forward to a murder-mystery/comedy loaded with stars?
Eleanor’s list of the best movies of 2022
At first, I thought it was just me. Admittedly, I haven’t seen as many films this year (or last year or the year before) thanks to the pandemic.
‘The Son’ – a movie about family dysfunction ‘done right’
Perhaps not the sins, but certainly the shortcomings of the fathers are visited where you might expect in “The Son,” a sharply-observed, smartly-acted follow-up of sorts to “The Father” which recently won Anthony Hopkins his second Oscar.
‘The Wonder’ – director Sebastian Lelio’s weird and astonishing movie
The sizable wonder at the center of, “The Wonder,” is its star, Florence Pugh. Her perfectly-pitched performance holds together a film that often feels like a horror movie while flirting with questions of faith and the nature of miracles.
‘Ticket to Paradise’ – Julia Roberts, George Clooney play divorced couple
Julia Roberts and George Clooney are huge stars whose on-screen presence has an iconic glow. But when you think about it – you’re reminded that one thing they don’t have is a shared history of romantic comedies.
‘The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales’ – Abigail Disney takes on the Magic Kingdom
Sometimes a documentary sets out to tell you one thing and unwittingly ends up telling you something entirely different.
Closing of Tara Theatre ends an era of Atlanta cinema
Closing any theater is sad – more theaters = more movies usually. However, the Tara seems a special loss.
See How They Run
If a British detective named Inspector Stoppard doesn’t make you think of a certain hugely famous playwright, well, “See How They Run” is probably not the movie for you. But if you have a soft spot for period whodunits, then you may have some fun with this stylish, well-cast piece that mostly comes off as […]
‘The Good Nurse’ – superb acting in tale of ‘angel of death’ Charlie Cullen
Based on the true story of Charlie Cullen, a nurse who may have killed anywhere from 29 to 400 (!) patients, “The Good Nurse” is a face-off between superb acting and sub-par storytelling.
‘The Good House’ – Sigourney Weaver leads a strong cast in absorbing movie
“The Good House” isn’t a great movie but until its overly melodramatic final 10 or so minutes, it’s a pretty darn good one.
‘Sidney’ – Inspiring documentary spotlights Sidney Poitier’s delicate balancing act
For those of us of a certain age, be we black or white or something in-between, the miracle of Sidney Poitier remains as indisputable as it is somewhat inexplicable.
‘Catherine Called Birdy’ – film’s feministic approach is heavy-handed
My instinctive dislike of Lena Dunham’s self-created public persona has admittedly gotten in the way of my evaluation of her new feature, “Catherine Called Birdy.”