Category: Film

Genre: Film (Amazon)

Grade: A

Notable People: Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Richard Manual, Garth Hudson, and a cast of luminaries offering tribute Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Title: Once Were Brothers

Review:    Winner of several major awards, this is the story of The Band- albeit through the eyes of Robbie Robertson. Scorsese reprises his magic of the Last Waltz in telling the story of the greatest American Band of all time. Poignant, funny, provocative…loaded with esoterica. Since Robertson is the last man standing (Hudson is still alive, but a bit of recluse) it is expectedly skewed to be more his story, but I will say it is a lot more human and empathetic than his past tellings. It’s really am amazing story of extraordinary success and the collective bains of the times: drugs, drink, crazed living and resentments. They were just too good to last. Rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins, who gave them their start in the wilds of Canadian Honky Tonks- as his backing band, when they were still teens, is the shining star of the show-still a wild man. Dylan talks about going electric with them at Newport in 1965, Clapton talks about going up to Woodstock and trying to join the band, Springsteen talks about hearing Big Pink the first time and never being the same. If you are even a minor fan of the music, this is must see. If not, it’s still a wonderfully done and stimulating documentary film. Did I mention, that the music is pretty good…

Genre: Film   

Grade: A-

Notable People: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie Directed by: Tarantino

Title: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Review:    What does one say about a Tarantino film? Not his best…. but damn good. This is his ninth –and rumored to be his last…and we finally caught up with it during The Plague, after it hit STARZ/Amazon for free. A lot of similarities in tone and pace to Pulp Fiction…but everyone knows the story. The portrayal of an alternate history for the Manson-Tate murders was especially intriguing. Leonard and Brad are great together and Robbie is luminous as Sharon Tate. The very recognizable supporting cast is excellent…and the shoot itself is magnificent. Seemed a bit aimless in its story telling, bur gripping nonetheless. Very, very Tarantino all the way around…which makes it must-see in my book.

Genre: Film     

Grade: B+

Notable People: Glenn Close, Jonathan Pryce, Christian Slater, Directed by: Bjorn L. Runge

Title: The Wife

Review:    Intense film about a Pulitzer Prize winner for literature and the wife who has been the hidden creative force behind his lifetime of famed writing. Close is her usual magnificent self. Pryce is a Sean Connery-ish bear of a curmudgeon, Slater cloyingly wonderful. Visceral, emotive, very sad portrayal of a lifetime feigned. A bit slow at times.  

Genre: Film

Grade: NR

Notable People: A Cast of Korean notables that I cannot spell (why dos everyone have three names?) Directed by: Bong Joon-ho (see??)

Title: Parasite

Review:    Well, well, well…. this year’s Oscar for Best Picture……is …. well…. a doozy. I cannot rate this movie; it is over of my level of strangeness quotient. Clearly metaphoric in many ways, and with a lot of inside Korean political humor, it takes savagely unexpected turns throughout…none of which I am giving away. Suffice it to say that “Parasite” refers to a human (not beastly) condition, and is loosely based on a poor south Korean family that takes over a house and lives of some rich folks. Brutally honest, chillingly funny, class conscious, with an absolutely brilliant ensemble of actors. Personally, I liked it an awful lot…and left left me rally pondering the human condition….but it is truly a strange one, and likely not for everyone.  

Genre: Film  

Grade: A-

Notable People: George Mackay, Dean Charles Chapman by: Sam Mendez

Title: 1917

Review:    Went to see what the hype is about- and well worth it. Riveting two-hour film- shot in one long shot-no edits, no fade outs, no breaks…. very original. The story captures the last stages of the longest, most brutal war in history…and well shows the overwhelming wear and tear on the participants. Top notch acting. Absolutely magnificent cinematography. Nice cameos from Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch. A film that deserves being seen on the silver careen.

Genre: Film

Grade: A-

Notable People: Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett Directed by: Bennie and Josh Safdie

Title: Uncut Gems

Review:    finally made it back to a movie theater…after months of the small screen…for NY day showing (Happy New Year to all!)…..and what a ride. This is one of the most intense films I’ve seen in years….probably a bit too much so…left theater in a state after two hour of nonstop screaming, cursing, implied threats of violence, scams, cons…and general craziness. Sandler is a tour de force in this role as an extremely neurotic high-end NYC jeweler and compulsive gambler..…Garnet is surprisingly good playing a dirtier version of himself….and Fox is hard to ignore. Th Safdie brothers grew up with a father who who plied trade in the jewelry district…..and their command of the culture is impressive. I liked the film, but be ready to sit I the edge of your seat.

Genre: Film- 2018 release- currently available on Amazon

Grade: B+

Notable People: Brie Larson, Woody Harrelson, Naomi Watts, Directed by: Destin Daniel Cretton

Title: The Glass Castle

Review:    I reviewed this autobiographical novel by Jeanette Walls a few months ago…and was eager to see the film adaptation…which was somewhat disappointing. A very complicated book that only moderately interpreted to film. The movie failed to capture the abject poverty and neglect the four kids were forced to endure…and seemed to sweeten things a bit too much for my taste. Woody does give a classic performance as the drunken, pie in the sky father, but Watts falls short as the completely narcissistic mother. Larson does a good job as the narrator daughter forced from age ten, to be the adult to three siblings as their parents drag them from sone squatter situation to another, always barely avoiding the authorities, across the country. I really hoped to like this movie more than I did.

Genre: Book
Grade: B+
Notable People: Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors, Danny Glover, Directed by: Joe Talbot

Title: The Last Black Man in San Francisco
Review: Hmmmmmm…watched this on my flight back from the Caribbean…had always wanted to see it….Pretty, Pretty….strange….not exactly sure what the film is about…urban alienation, lost heritage, confused black identity…..hmmmmm…..all that said, I liked it…the acting was good…and the story is just truly weird enough to be captivating…though probably glad I did not pay to see it….

Genre: Film

Grade: A-/B+

Notable People: Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Alan Ginsburg, Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Title: The Rolling Thunder Review(Netflix)

Review: If you are of a certain age, this is must see film on Netflix. Long in the vault, it is a wide ranging and quite wacked out portrayal of Dylan’s 1976 (bicentennial) nationwide barnstorming tour with a group of noted eccentrics. Dylan and Baez are golden in their duets. Scarlet Rivera is luminous with her mystic-gypsy fiddle playing and he effervescent Alan Ginsburg is along as the spiritual mentor. Dylan not only leads the formidable group (including a spaced out Roger McGuinn) but drives the bus…and Scorsese captures it all as only he can. If you are in you advanced years-you’ll want to catch this piece of wonderful Americana.

Genre: Film

Grade: A-

Notable People: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Directed by: Dexter Fletcher, Produced by: Elton John

Title: Rocketman

Review: Went to the local Rutland Cineplex on a Sunday afternoon to get out of the house and this wear he best offering they had. Turned out to be much better than expected. Almost a traditional big picture musical resembling a Broadway play. Vacillated between the drama of Elton’s life and big production song numbers. Of course, everyone knows the music and the story is pretty familiar. Egerton is absolutely magnificent channeling Elton’s angst….and sings all the songs…nails Elton to a tee. Bell does a wonderful job as the loyal and understated fifty year writing partner- Bernie Taupin. A bit clichéd…but well worth the trip to the mall.