
Drama


CODA
(4.5 *) A simple tale, simply told. But delivers a big emotional payoff.

Don’t Look Up
(4 Stars) No, Not Best Picture But a Satirical film with a not-so-funny message.

West Side Story
(3.5 *) Technically near perfect, but lacking in the dramatic storytelling.

King Richard
(3 *) A fun movie until you understand that it isn’t completely truthful.

Dune
(5 Stars) A stunning sensory experience and quite likely the next Star Wars.

Licorice Pizza
(3.5 *) Alana Haim is a real gem, but the movie is a Hollywood-inside-joke.

The Power of the Dog
(4.5 Stars) Quite likely the Best Picture of the Year. Let me explain why.

2021 Drama Genre Films
A list and a quick overview of 2021’s Oscar-nominated Drama movies.


Da 5 Bloods
(4 Stars) A War-time Adventure that challenges White America at the same time that it doesn’t go far enough!

The One and Only Ivan
(1.5 Stars) Might work for families with small children.

The Midnight Sky
(4 Stars) Much better than the critics say. Beautiful imagery and sounds and a story with a twist.


Emma.
(4 Stars) Engaging and sumptuous. A superb production from millennials.

The White Tiger
(3.5 Stars) An Indian tale of ambition and an indictment of Western capitalism.

Pieces of a Woman
(3.5 Stars) Outstanding performance from Vanessa Kirby, but the movie lets her down after the first half-hour.

United States vs Billie Holiday
(4 Stars) A mixed movie, but a stunning performance from Andra Day, both musically and as sensitive actress.

Quo Vadis, Aida?
(4.5 Stars). This is not a feel good movie, but one that people should see. It paints an ugly side of humanity.

Man Who Sold His Skin
(3.5 Stars). Actually a fairly good movie, but, again, with maybe a bit too much politics.

Better Days
(3.5 Stars) An interesting film with some very good dramatic elements. But seems to have some heavy-handed government overlays.

Greyhound
(4 Stars) For those of us who like our heroes simple, with tense, sustained, action.


Hillbilly Elegy
(2 Stars) A lot of missed opportunity and we end up being tourists!

News of the World
(3.5 Stars) Many good things here, but, in the end, not real memorable.

One Night in Miami
(4 Stars) A captivating evening with four icons of history.

Another Round
(4 Stars) A film that walks a fine line between drama and messaging. And a terrific Mikkelson performance.

Sound of Metal
(4 Stars) An important film that explores the world of sound.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
(3 Stars) Powerful Performances from Boseman and Davis, but it is still a play.

Judas and the Black Messiah
A powerful drama with terrific acting from Kaluuya, but needs some work on the story. (4 Stars)


