It’s not the best of times. It’s not the worst of times either, as far as we know. At least, not yet. But it’s certainly worrisome times.
Tag: Eleanor Ringel Cater
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Brian Dennehy (1938-2020) – a gracious and talented character actor
Brian Dennehy, who died late last week at age 81 of natural causes, was in many ways the character actor’s character actor – one of those “I don’t know his name, but I sure know who you mean” presences.
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‘Cats’ – movie not nearly as good as the musical
I originally saw “Cats” at a SAG preview in 1982, about a week before it opened on Broadway. Since I didn’t know I was supposed to dislike it, I loved it. Just loved it.
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‘Birds of Prey’ – a fun girls gang superhero movie
Fizzy, funky and as full-of-itself as a slumber party on acid, “Birds of Prey” is a feminist free-for-all disguised as a superhero movie.
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‘Emma’ – a ‘delightful’ adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic
In Autumn de Wilde’s crisp and spirited adaptation of Jane Austen’s “Emma.,” it’s hard to say which is prettier: the pastries or the Empire dresses. Since both are rendered in breathtaking pastels, it probably doesn’t matter.
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‘Downhill’ – Louis-Dreyfus, Ferrell can’t save movie from going downhill
How bad does a movie have to be to obliterate the considerable talents of Julia Louis-Dreyfus?
As bad as “Downhill” (please feel free to make your own “downhill all the way” joke or a variation thereof).
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‘The Rhythm Section’ – a forgettable movie with inept plotting
What’s there to say about a movie that slips out of your head before you slide out of the parking lot?
Not much, I’m afraid. Not much good, that is. “The Rhythm Section,” alas, is that movie.
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‘Bombshell’ – a richly-detailed portrayal of Fox News under Roger Ailes
“Bombshell” is not only one of the best movies of the year. It’s also one of the most important.
Never mind what Clint Eastwood’s “Richard Jewell” may or may not be saying about females in the media. This movie looks at males and females in the media, and I don’t think there are going to be any lawsuits.
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‘The Aeronauts’ – an exhilarating hot air balloon ride best seen on big screen
In the “The Aeronauts,” Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones take us up, up and away in their beautiful hot-air balloon. It’s a trip you don’t want to miss – especially on the big screen.
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‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” – Tom Hanks, a deceptively strong Mr. Rogers
“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” may be one of the most daring movies of the year.
The title suggests kid stuff; you know, a chance to embrace the affable and spiritually-inclined children’s show host many of us – or our kids or our grandkids – grew up with. Fred Rogers was, in his way, the “anti-Sesame Street.”
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‘Marriage Story’ – Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver deliver Oscar-worthy performances
Filmmaker Noah Baumbach’s newest, “Marriage Story,” is the story of a marriage, all right, but a marriage at its worst point, i.e., a marriage in meltdown.
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‘The Current War: Director’s Cut’ – a ‘dazzling’ yet ‘disappointing’ movie about electricity
As the title suggests, “The Current War: Director’s Cut” is one of those films whose backstory is easily as interesting as the one being told on screen.
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‘Parasite’ – an unpredictable superb movie by director Bong Joon-ho
Bong Joon-ho’s superb new film “Parasite” is full of crazy rich Asians. Crazy poor ones, too.
In fact, it’s difficult to say who the true parasites are here: the wealthy but vacuous Park family or the conniving but under-motivated Kims.
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‘Zombieland: Double Tap’ – a disappointing sequel of original ‘Zombieland’ movie
“Zombieland: Double Tap” is all tapped out.
The first “Zombieland,” released in 2009, was funny, original and unexpected. And it had Bill Murray. (So does the sequel, but in a bedraggled post-credits sequence that sets zombies loose at a junket for “Garfield 3.”)
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‘Gemini Man’ – beyond technology, new Ang Lee movie disappoints
Even the ticket guy winced when I asked to see “Gemini Man,” the new Will Smith sci-fi-ish thriller.
Once I was watching the movie, I did, too.
But I winced most of all — or maybe I gasped – when the thing ended and the final credits read “Directed by Ang Lee.”
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A tribute: Diahann Carroll valiantly broke through the color line
In the 1960s, TV gave us witches and genies and castaways and filthy rich hillbillies.
Until, that is, 1965, when Bill Cosby was cast opposite Robert Culp in “I Spy.”
And then, in 1968, there was “Julia,” starring Diahann Carroll as a professional woman – a nurse and a single mom (Vietnam made her a widow).
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‘Judy’ – Renée Zellweger delivers powerhouse performance
In the new movie “Judy,” Renée Zellweger doesn’t just impersonate Judy Garland. She inhabits her. Heart, soul, and amazingly enough, voice – or close enough. (Garland, like Streisand, will always be unique).
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‘Ad Astra’ – Brad Pitt as Roy McBride carries space journey movie
“Ad Astra” – Latin for “To the Stars” – is powered by one very bright shining star, Brad Pitt. And this performance, coupled with his superb work in the summer’s “Once Upon A Time…In Hollywood,” could propel him to a much-deserved Oscar. (Fingers crossed the two don’t cancel each other out).
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‘The Goldfinch” – despite talented cast, movie is inert and dull
If “The Maltese Falcon” is the stuff that dreams are made of, “The Goldfinch” is the stuff that dreck is made of.
Donna’s Tartt’s sprawling Dickensian novel was a favorite with critics and book clubs alike. In some ways, it’s the sort of movie Hollywood used to make in its sleep: prestigious, densely plotted, with panoply of colorful characters.
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‘Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles’ – a documentary made with great affection
When I was a kid, which was when I first experienced “Fiddler on the Roof,” the traditions laid out in the opening song were enough to turn me Episcopalian.
And yet, the show’s power, charm and, yes, soul is such that it’s always been one of my favorite musicals.
