Netflix and Beyond

Indisputably, Michael Keaton is at his peak as one of  today’s most superlative actors; he is electrifying as Ray Kroc (1902-1984), the energizing prod behind the McDonald’s empire. At times combustible, Keaton sinks his teeth into Kroc’s ambitious, predatory, quasi-maniacal conquering of brothers Mac and Dick McDonald (depicted magnificently by John Carroll Lynch and Nick Hofferman) simple, brilliant “fast food” …

Loosely based on a traumatized German couple, Otto and Elise Hampel, who dually wage their solitary crusade against Hitler and the Nazi regime; referencing Hans Fallada’s 1947 novel, “Everyone Dies Alone”, his source culled from Gestapo files after the war; director Vincent Perez with actors Brendan Gleeson, Emma Thompson and Daniel Bruhl quietly and at times blandly, but ultimately compelling, …

When predictability is ensured, investment in the scenario takes prodigious skill by the director and actors to cement one’s attention; director Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg mostly succeed; “Patriots Day”, references the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, April 15, 2013. Commencing, watching the banality of everyday life, Berg personalizes the victims and more importantly the perpetrators. …

A romantic slice of reality from director Shaad Ali, referencing a remake of 2015’s Tamil “O Kadhal Kanmani”; starring Aditya Roy Kapur as “Adi” a nascent video artist and Shraddha Kapoor as “Tara” an architectural student aspiring to study in Paris. Pulsating between Bollywood’s ubiquitous dance sequences (score by A.R. Rahman) lies a contemporary conundrum: young men and women of …

Annette Bening is an actor’s actor, losing herself in the persona of each character she portrays, from “Bugsy”, “American Beauty” to her inimitable “Being Julia” (she should have captured the Academy Award in 2004) her interpretations are profoundly, realistically flawless. She shines as “Dorothea” a fifty-five-year-old, single mother, a cigarette perpetually joined at her lip, living in Santa Barbara with …

Exodus 21:2. If you buy a Hebrew slave, he is to serve you six years; in the seventh year he is to go free, without paying anything. In Kazakh tradition you free your faithful eagle, after seven years of devotion, so the rest of their existence is at their own whim. Director Otto Bell, Cinematographer Simon Niblett and Sia’s song …

“La La Land” provided fabulous fodder for Jimmy Fallons’s  star-infused, opening number; redemptive program, erasing last years’ deadly dud! Acceptance awards by the winners were gracious, heartfelt and in some cases inspirational: Viola Davis wins the highest plaudits for her stunning, humble acknowledgment of her win as the Best Supporting Actress (“Fences”); Ryan Gosling’s (Best Actor Comedy/Musical) tribute to his …

Watching directors Fisher Stevens and Alexis Bloom’s intimate documentary on the relationship between the legendary actors Debbie Reynolds and her daughter Carrie Fisher, I soulfully regretted not seeing it while it toured the Festival circuit; with their passing I found it profoundly tragic and painfully pathetic. Debbie Reynolds had her day in the sun, as did Carrie Fisher; why wasn’t …

Director Martin Scorsese’s “Silence” is terrifying; every scene reminiscent of history’s horrific dossier of those who perished because of their faith, or refusal to acquiesce, convert to the dictates of the conquerors, church or crown; Roman Emperor Nero, slaughtered Christians, 37-68 AD; Jews have been persecuted from the Hellenistic period (323BCE) through 20th century’s Holocaust; Muslims, targets of the Crusade …

An animated romp focusing on every cliché known to man: “follow your dreams” no matter the challenges; once you hit “rock bottom” only way is up; never too old to give life’s expectations another shot. But every one of these aphorisms “sings” with originality in director Garth Jennings “Sing” an anthropomorphic jaunt that resonates demographically; the voices of Matthew McConaughey, …