Barbie (2024.4, Terrific , Energy )
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So far, at least, this is my favorite picture of the year. Full of sensory and storytelling delight. (5*)
Adapted Screenplay
Glass Onion – Packed with Great Humor and Murder (4*)
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Glass Onion is a terrific sequel to Knives Out. Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) still solves the mystery, but a fun-loving cast helmed by Janelle Monae keeps you thinking. (4*)
Living – Basic Still and Calm (3*)
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Living is a remake of a 70-year-old Japanese film with the setting changed to London. The story is a classic, about a man who, told he only has six months to live, suddenly decides to do something different with his life. Nighy’s acting is “spot on”, and the film is a tearjerker, but ultimately it doesn’t present anything new.
Women Talking – Deep and Timely and Simple (4*)
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Women Talking is exactly what the title suggests. What you get is a journey what it is like to be a woman in a man’s world, and how that is changing. It is a fascinating conversation. (4*)
Top Gun: Maverick – Well Structured and a Blast (4*)
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Top Gun: Maverick is this year’s most popular movie. It tells a relatively simple story well, bursting with visual and aural excitement. First of this year’s “popcorn movies” and worth every kernel. (4*)
All Quiet on the Western Front – A Gut Punch Focus on War (4*)
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A German production, All Quiet on the Western Front re-adapts the 1928 novel of the same name, adding some distinctive scenes and commentary to the story of a young German man, and his friends, thrust onto the “Western Front” to fight the French in the final months of World War I. Accompanied by some stunning cinematography, dominating sound and music, and visceral visual effects, the film reaches new heights in presenting the horror of war. It also adds another, very important message about how events are felt differently depending on where you stand on the social ladder.
The Lost Daughter
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(3.5 Stars) A flawed but intriguing look at the psychology of an ‘Unnatural Mother’.
CODA
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(4.5 *) A simple tale, simply told. But delivers a big emotional payoff.
Dune
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(5 Stars) A stunning sensory experience and quite likely the next Star Wars.
The Power of the Dog
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(4.5 Stars) Quite likely the Best Picture of the Year. Let me explain why.
The White Tiger
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(3.5 Stars) An Indian tale of ambition and an indictment of Western capitalism.
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
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(1 Star). You’ve been warned – watch only if you really like this kind of thing.
One Night in Miami
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(4 Stars) A captivating evening with four icons of history.
Irishman
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(4.5 Stars) In addition to what you expect, it shows that old folks still have huge creative talent. Still one of the best pictures of 2019.
Little Women
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(5 Stars) A wonderful feminist approach that is perfect holiday entertainment. A well crafted movie.
Two Popes
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(4 Stars) An intriguing portrait of two men arguing the nature of the Pope, the Church, and society.
Jojo Rabbit
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(3 Stars) Some good moments. But the movie doesn’t quite come together.
Joker
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(4.5 Stars) Difficult to watch, especially right now. But perhaps necessary.
If Beale Street Could Talk
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(4.5 Stars) A wonderful romance with terrific music. Another one of the better movies this year.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
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(4 Stars) This surprising little gem will leave a mark on your heart.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
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(4.5 Stars) A Coen Brothers film and a collection of six stories, each of which will puzzle and amuse.
A Star Is Born
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(3.5 Stars) In yet another remake, Lady Gaga shows she can act better than Bradley Cooper can sing. Its OK if you’re into sappy romances.
BlacKkKlansman
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(5 Stars) One of my favorite movies of the year, a black man joins the KKK. Although it sounds like a comedy, this is a Spike Lee movie full of important messages.