Netflix and Beyond

Kenneth Branagh’s second venture into Agatha Christie’s world of wealthy, smarmy miscreants as “Hercule Poirot”, a savant sleuth, whose flawless deductive reasoning is on full throttle; Branagh’s characterization of the brilliant, damaged, singularly virginal, mustached detective is starched perfection. Poirot has the meatiest role supported by a super cast on a flimsy diet of glamour, jewels and jazz: handsome reprobate, …

Both films based on actuality, finely tuned truthful tales, handled with keen finesse by directors Rachel Griffiths (Ride…) and Felicity Morris (Tinder…); females depicting, with esteem, diplomacy, and admiration, the triumphs and travails of notable women. “RIDE LIKE A GIRL”. In the recently reviewed “Jockey” we witnessed the excruciating process of a man’s mission to stay in the horseracing arena; …

“A HERO”. Academy Award winning  director Asghar Farhadi’s (“A Separation”, “A Salesman”) latest auteur challenge is just as complex and ambiguous as his previous winners; he is a man whose pleasure lies in allowing viewers subjective interpretations of characters, events; filling in the blanks, solving the complexities; just when you feel the issues have been answered, Farhadi, with supple skill, …

Director Clint Bentley’s flawlessly compelling film pulsates with refinement as did 2017’s “The Rider”; there is nothing more satiating, or fulfilling than viewing a mistake-free movie as it races to its finality; “Jockey” with knowledge, sensitivity and truth gifts viewers the “inside scoop” of a jockey’s existence: dedication, starvation, bulimia, fractured bodies, camaraderie among peers, and the enigmatic bond, intimacy …

Bollywood treats its cricketers with reverence, without eradicating human frailties, giving them life and vibrancy, palpating exuberance informs every scene, seizing the viewer’s attention from commencement to conclusion; director Kabir khan, focuses on the 1983 World Cup and India’s gut-wrenching march to grasp an almost unattainable victory; the “march” is worthy of every moment, every second of “83’s” compelling quest. …

PARALLEL MOTHERS Pedro Almodovar devotees will be comfortably satisfied with his latest intriguing, imaginative display of filmmaking; relying on his ubiquitous actor Penelope Cruz (never disappoints) as an anchor for success; she is the quintessential professional and is intensely impressive in the role of “Janis”, a middle-aged photographer giving birth for the first time; costarring ingenue Milena Smit as “Ana”, …

Most of us have an “aunt” or “uncle”, not always biologically related, but ubiquitous nonetheless, and forever in one’s corner; mine was “Aunt Sally” and in this tender-hearted film, based on the memoir by J.R. Moehringer and sensitively directed by George Clooney, Ben Affleck with depth, intelligence and feisty revere is “Uncle Charlie”, JR’s youthful sage, companion, an electrifying presence, …

Years ago, I stayed away from sensational, best sellers by authors capable of spinning mystifying scenarios book after book: James Patterson, Mary Higgens Clark, Ken Follett, David Baldacci, etc. Periodically, I watch the movie, simply, for mindless entertainment; Harlen Coben’s thrillers have been made into passable, at times tantalizing, tales, “Stay Close” is surprisingly good; initially a predictable plot revealing …

Those familiar with author Elena Ferrante (“My Brilliant Friend”) will recognize the labyrinth of complexities, especially contemporary women, endure; “Leda” is no exception; in the remarkable hands of first time director Maggie Gyllenhaal and sublime actor Olivia Colman, Leda’s layers of familial history unfold intentionally through flashbacks; young Leda depicted with alacrity by Jessie Buckley; the background for the unveiling …

Miraculously on the 365th day of the year my faith in filmmakers was restored; an entire movie where the word “like” was not bastardized; young, prescient actors speaking line after line without using the egregious verbal “like”, “you know”, “uh” to express themselves; a lost art revived; yes, taking place in 1973, before oral crutches came to life but refreshing, …