We loved this dreamy story of Lee, a burned out former cowboy actor with a pot habit and not much hope trying to make sense of his life. Sam Elliott (he was last blogged for Grandma and will be 73 in ten days) is wonderful as Lee. Strong support comes from Nick Offerman (most recently in The Founder), Laura Prepon (best known for 200 episodes of That 70s Show--I think I saw them all--and 56 of Orange Is the New Black), and Krysten Ritter (ten episodes of Breaking Bad and the title character of the series Jessica Jones, among other work). Katharine Ross (she's 77 and best known for The Graduate (1967) which earned her an Oscar nomination, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), and The Stepford Wives (1975)) makes a cameo as Lee's ex-wife.
Director/co-writer Brett Haley and co-writer Marc Basch (last blogged for I'll See You in My Dreams, which also starred Elliott) keep it on the slow side but still active, sad but still delightful. One scene in a comedy club features several actual comics.
The lovely music by Keegan DeWitt (after I'll See You in My Dreams he scored Morris from America and ten episodes of Divorce) can be streamed on youtube (the playlist includes some dialogue clips that I've been skipping while writing).
The Hero played for a short time here three weeks ago and is expected to be released on DVD in mid-September. Its Rotten Tomatoes rating is 78% critics and 66 from audiences.
Monday, July 31, 2017
Sunday, July 30, 2017
A Ghost Story (2017)
Once we got used to the very slow pace, Jack and I enjoyed this trippy tone poem, whose title isn't a metaphor, wherein a man returns to his home after his death as a ghost in a big white sheet with oval eye holes and watches his widow cope before some other stuff happens.
Rooney Mara (last blogged for Song to Song) and Casey Affleck (won a well-deserved Oscar for Manchester by the Sea) don't have many lines--like I said, it's trippy--but much is conveyed to those with patience. And, in the majority of scenes, it's actually Affleck in the sheet.
Director/writer/editor David Lowery (last blogged for those duties on Ain't Them Bodies Saints) made a lot of money on Pete's Dragon (2016), which we didn't see, and spent some of it on this movie, keeping it secret until release. It was shot in Irving, Texas, but isn't location-specific. It's not unimportant that Lowery does his own editing, as evidenced by the aforementioned very slow pace.
Composer Daniel Hart's (also scored Ain't Them Bodies Saints) eerie and pretty soundtrack can be streamed on youtube from this link. It includes the song I Get Overwhelmed by Dark Rooms.
We got a chuckle at the production company name: Scared Sheetless. And there is a now-infamous "pie scene," featuring a gluten-free, sugar-free, chocolate cream pie, and shot in one long take. I'm hesitant to describe it, but this Slate article about it is pretty funny. Read it after you've seen the movie, or before if you want. Interesting trivia missed by imdb: Mara had literally never eaten pie before. She says she was a picky eater with no sweet tooth. And doesn't care to eat any more now.
Critics are drooling, averaging 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, while its audiences come in at 69, the numbers perhaps brought down by less patient folks. If you can sit still for an hour and a half, we think you may like it.
Rooney Mara (last blogged for Song to Song) and Casey Affleck (won a well-deserved Oscar for Manchester by the Sea) don't have many lines--like I said, it's trippy--but much is conveyed to those with patience. And, in the majority of scenes, it's actually Affleck in the sheet.
Director/writer/editor David Lowery (last blogged for those duties on Ain't Them Bodies Saints) made a lot of money on Pete's Dragon (2016), which we didn't see, and spent some of it on this movie, keeping it secret until release. It was shot in Irving, Texas, but isn't location-specific. It's not unimportant that Lowery does his own editing, as evidenced by the aforementioned very slow pace.
Composer Daniel Hart's (also scored Ain't Them Bodies Saints) eerie and pretty soundtrack can be streamed on youtube from this link. It includes the song I Get Overwhelmed by Dark Rooms.
We got a chuckle at the production company name: Scared Sheetless. And there is a now-infamous "pie scene," featuring a gluten-free, sugar-free, chocolate cream pie, and shot in one long take. I'm hesitant to describe it, but this Slate article about it is pretty funny. Read it after you've seen the movie, or before if you want. Interesting trivia missed by imdb: Mara had literally never eaten pie before. She says she was a picky eater with no sweet tooth. And doesn't care to eat any more now.
Critics are drooling, averaging 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, while its audiences come in at 69, the numbers perhaps brought down by less patient folks. If you can sit still for an hour and a half, we think you may like it.
Maudie (2016)
Jack and I liked a lot this lovely tale based on a real couple. She was a severely arthritic, outspoken painter (1903-1970) and he a gruff Halifax fish peddler. Apparently the chronology of her work is not accurate but I read an interview with one historian who still enjoyed the movie as much as we did despite its literary license.
Sally Hawkins (last blogged for Blue Jasmine for which she was Oscar-nominated but lost to Lupita Nyong'o) may get a nomination for a lead role this time, playing Maud from her 30s on, with the body English befitting Maud's disability. Ethan Hawke (most recently in these pages for Maggie's Plan) also turns in a splendid performance as the awkward, close-mouthed Everett.
Irish director Aisling Walsh is new to me but is no novice, and the same can be said for screenwriter Sherry White and cinematographer Guy Godfree. Newfoundland stands in for Halifax in Godfree's magnificent pictures. The movie shot for six weeks in the fall of 2015 (including in a complete replica of Lewis' house, the original of which has been restored, moved, and installed in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia) and the crew returned in January for the snowy scenes.
Cowboy Junkies' songwriter and guitarist Michael Timmins (the brother of the other members of that band, he's composed for five previous movies and contributed songs for more) provides a wonderful soundtrack that can be streamed on spotify from this link.
You don't need my recommendation to see this, as it's averaging 89% from critics and 94 from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
Sally Hawkins (last blogged for Blue Jasmine for which she was Oscar-nominated but lost to Lupita Nyong'o) may get a nomination for a lead role this time, playing Maud from her 30s on, with the body English befitting Maud's disability. Ethan Hawke (most recently in these pages for Maggie's Plan) also turns in a splendid performance as the awkward, close-mouthed Everett.
Irish director Aisling Walsh is new to me but is no novice, and the same can be said for screenwriter Sherry White and cinematographer Guy Godfree. Newfoundland stands in for Halifax in Godfree's magnificent pictures. The movie shot for six weeks in the fall of 2015 (including in a complete replica of Lewis' house, the original of which has been restored, moved, and installed in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia) and the crew returned in January for the snowy scenes.
Cowboy Junkies' songwriter and guitarist Michael Timmins (the brother of the other members of that band, he's composed for five previous movies and contributed songs for more) provides a wonderful soundtrack that can be streamed on spotify from this link.
You don't need my recommendation to see this, as it's averaging 89% from critics and 94 from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
Thursday, July 13, 2017
The Big Sick (2017)
Jack and I loved this funny and touching movie about the early relationship of a couple whose issues range from his traditional Pakistani family to her being in a coma. Written by Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani, who are now married, much of the story comes from their true experiences. Nanjiani (first came to our attention as Pindar in 31 episodes of Franklin & Bash, then one each of Broad City and Inside Amy Schumer, two of Community, 38 of Silicon Valley, and a small part in Hello, My Name Is Doris) and Zoe Kazan (after Ruby Sparks she was in Our Brand Is Crisis) star as Kumail and Emily.
Brilliant casting provides Holly Hunter (my favorites are The Piano (1983) for which she won an Oscar, Broadcast News (1987), The Firm (1993), and Thirteen (2003) (she was nominated for all three), also Raising Arizona (1987), Once Around (1991), The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom (1993), Crash (1996) (I often refer to a scene in Crash where she's one of the people addicted to the rush of car crashes, and she's in the hospital, limping and hunched over, then sees the handsome James Spader in the hall, straightens up, and begins walking slowly and regally), Living Out Loud (1998), Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (2000), O Brother, Where Art Thou (2000), Nine Lives (2005), and Top of the Lake) and Ray Romano (I didn't see any Ice Age movies nor any full episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond, but did like Welcome to Mooseport (2004), 22 episodes of Men of a Certain Age, and 44 of Parenthood) as Emily's parents. We learned from the WTF with Marc Maron podcast (here's a link to the episode but I suggest waiting until after you've seen the movie to listen) that they cast big Bollywood star Anupam Kher (his US credits include Bend It Like Beckham (2002) and Silver Linings Playbook) as Kumail's father and quite a few comedians, including Aidy Bryant from SNL, to work in the comedy clubs with Kumail. As a big fan of the series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, I was glad to see Vella Lovell, who plays Rebecca's sarcastic friend Heather in that series, as one of Kumail's prospective arranged brides.
Nanjiani and Gordon were happy to get Michael Showalter, who directed Hello, My Name Is Doris, to helm this one, based in part on how kind Showalter was to his wacky title character in the earlier movie. No surprise that comedy guru Judd Apatow is one of the producers of this project.
Nice indie movie music by Michael Andrews (last in these pages for scoring The Heat) can be streamed from this spotify link and there are lots of songs (here's a list) including Beck Devil's Haircut.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics are averaging 97% and I guess not enough audience members have voted to give it a second number. It played in only 326 movie houses last week but will be going wide with some neighborhood theatres starting tonight. It is definitely one to see.
Brilliant casting provides Holly Hunter (my favorites are The Piano (1983) for which she won an Oscar, Broadcast News (1987), The Firm (1993), and Thirteen (2003) (she was nominated for all three), also Raising Arizona (1987), Once Around (1991), The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom (1993), Crash (1996) (I often refer to a scene in Crash where she's one of the people addicted to the rush of car crashes, and she's in the hospital, limping and hunched over, then sees the handsome James Spader in the hall, straightens up, and begins walking slowly and regally), Living Out Loud (1998), Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (2000), O Brother, Where Art Thou (2000), Nine Lives (2005), and Top of the Lake) and Ray Romano (I didn't see any Ice Age movies nor any full episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond, but did like Welcome to Mooseport (2004), 22 episodes of Men of a Certain Age, and 44 of Parenthood) as Emily's parents. We learned from the WTF with Marc Maron podcast (here's a link to the episode but I suggest waiting until after you've seen the movie to listen) that they cast big Bollywood star Anupam Kher (his US credits include Bend It Like Beckham (2002) and Silver Linings Playbook) as Kumail's father and quite a few comedians, including Aidy Bryant from SNL, to work in the comedy clubs with Kumail. As a big fan of the series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, I was glad to see Vella Lovell, who plays Rebecca's sarcastic friend Heather in that series, as one of Kumail's prospective arranged brides.
Nanjiani and Gordon were happy to get Michael Showalter, who directed Hello, My Name Is Doris, to helm this one, based in part on how kind Showalter was to his wacky title character in the earlier movie. No surprise that comedy guru Judd Apatow is one of the producers of this project.
Nice indie movie music by Michael Andrews (last in these pages for scoring The Heat) can be streamed from this spotify link and there are lots of songs (here's a list) including Beck Devil's Haircut.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics are averaging 97% and I guess not enough audience members have voted to give it a second number. It played in only 326 movie houses last week but will be going wide with some neighborhood theatres starting tonight. It is definitely one to see.
Monday, July 10, 2017
The House (2017)
A terrible movie that made us laugh, this is the story of parents who, because they didn't save for their daughter's college tuition, partner up with their gambling-obsessed friend to establish a casino in their neighborhood because, as they say, the house always wins.
We were in the mood for some mindless humor and this delivers on both counts. Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler (last blogged for Anchorman 3: The Legend Continues and Sisters, respectively) are the parents and Jason Mantzoukas (four episodes of Parks and Recreation, eight of Enlightened, Adrian Pimento in seven episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Dr. Steve in four of Transparent) is their friend and all three characters are way less mature than the college-bound teen.
The is the feature directing debut of Andrew Jay Cohen, who co-wrote the script with Brendan O'Brien (they wrote Neighbors and co-wrote the sequel and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates but we saw none of them). Some of the supporting cast are Lennon Parham (I liked the series Accidentally on Purpose, Best Friends Forever, and Playing House, and she had six episodes of Veep), Andrea Savage (Helen Basch in thirteen episodes of Episodes, Laura Montez in seven of Veep), Nick Kroll (writes and acts comedy and played it straight in Loving), Alison Tolman (a star of the second season of Fargo), and Rob Huebel (son-in-law Len Novak in 18 episodes of Transparent, more). Some of the story wouldn't be missed if cut but I did enjoy Ferrell's character's crippling math anxiety.
Twenty songs are listed, including Chris Isaak's Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing and the theme from The Sopranos Woke Up This Morning by Alabama 3, and can all be played by clicking the Youtube buttons on this link.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics average 18 and its audiences' come in at 43%. Like I said, terrible. But pretty funny all the same.
We were in the mood for some mindless humor and this delivers on both counts. Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler (last blogged for Anchorman 3: The Legend Continues and Sisters, respectively) are the parents and Jason Mantzoukas (four episodes of Parks and Recreation, eight of Enlightened, Adrian Pimento in seven episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Dr. Steve in four of Transparent) is their friend and all three characters are way less mature than the college-bound teen.
The is the feature directing debut of Andrew Jay Cohen, who co-wrote the script with Brendan O'Brien (they wrote Neighbors and co-wrote the sequel and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates but we saw none of them). Some of the supporting cast are Lennon Parham (I liked the series Accidentally on Purpose, Best Friends Forever, and Playing House, and she had six episodes of Veep), Andrea Savage (Helen Basch in thirteen episodes of Episodes, Laura Montez in seven of Veep), Nick Kroll (writes and acts comedy and played it straight in Loving), Alison Tolman (a star of the second season of Fargo), and Rob Huebel (son-in-law Len Novak in 18 episodes of Transparent, more). Some of the story wouldn't be missed if cut but I did enjoy Ferrell's character's crippling math anxiety.
Twenty songs are listed, including Chris Isaak's Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing and the theme from The Sopranos Woke Up This Morning by Alabama 3, and can all be played by clicking the Youtube buttons on this link.
Rotten Tomatoes' critics average 18 and its audiences' come in at 43%. Like I said, terrible. But pretty funny all the same.
Baby Driver (2017)
This story of a young getaway driver who choreographs his life to the tunes on his iPod is a must-see for anyone who is okay with violent action movies. Thoroughly entertaining, it sets car chases, gun battles, and even walking around town to the rhythm of whatever is playing. A lot of the dialogue has a certain rhythmic effect, too.
The immensely talented 23 year old Ansel Elgort (last blogged for Men, Women & Children; I didn't see The Fault in Our Stars nor the Divergent series) doesn't sing, but he lip-syncs and dances (he had early ballet training) in the title role of Baby, a perhaps-on-the-spectrum kid who is never without his earbuds nor one of his devices. One of several articles I read tells me that the art director bought over two thousand iPods as props for the movie and the back story is that Baby took all but one from the many cars he steals. The adorable Lily James (most recently in these pages for Burnt) is Baby's love interest. Starring as the big bad boss Doc is Kevin Spacey (last blogged for for Elvis & Nixon), the perfect actor to lead ragtag groups of crooks with withering put-downs.
I say groups because the crooks come and go but Jon Hamm (Mad Men was still airing when The Congress came out and he occasionally pops up in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) is terrific in the part of Buddy (written for him) as is Jamie Foxx (most recently in these pages for the unfortunate Annie) as Bats.
The immensely talented 23 year old Ansel Elgort (last blogged for Men, Women & Children; I didn't see The Fault in Our Stars nor the Divergent series) doesn't sing, but he lip-syncs and dances (he had early ballet training) in the title role of Baby, a perhaps-on-the-spectrum kid who is never without his earbuds nor one of his devices. One of several articles I read tells me that the art director bought over two thousand iPods as props for the movie and the back story is that Baby took all but one from the many cars he steals. The adorable Lily James (most recently in these pages for Burnt) is Baby's love interest. Starring as the big bad boss Doc is Kevin Spacey (last blogged for for Elvis & Nixon), the perfect actor to lead ragtag groups of crooks with withering put-downs.
Director/writer Edgar Wright's (last blogged for starting work on Ant-Man) Scott Pilgrim vs. the World also used a lot of music but this is practically a new genre. Like a James Bond movie, there's an entire chase scene before the opening credits so do not be late.
I counted 41 songs as the credits rolled last week and imdb lists 43, but this site lists 71, with clips. Be forewarned, there are a few spoilers in the text of that list of 71. Bellbottoms by the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion is in the opening chase and was one of Wright's inspirations. I loved hearing Dave Brubeck's Unsquare Dance and The Allman Brothers Band's One Way Out, and you will not forget the scene with Tequila by Button Down Brass. We had forgotten that Simon & Garfunkel had a song on their Bridge Over Troubled Water album called Baby Driver, and it plays over the end credits.
Another way you can listen to some whole tracks, besides using my links above, is from this review. There are some spoilers in the review, but skip to the bottom of the page for a link to a spotify playlist of thirty songs.
Steven Price, who scored Gravity, composed the music that no one will remember due to the songs.
Everyone who has told me they've seen it has loved it. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes are averaging 97 and audiences 90%. It was the first of the movies listed on an NPR segment (you can play it with the red button at the top of this link) about non-sequel summer movies and is well worth your time.
Friday, July 7, 2017
The Beguiled (2017)
Jack and I thoroughly enjoyed this very fine movie about a Civil War Virginia girls' boarding school disrupted by a wounded Union soldier. Don't be fooled by its leisurely pace or the birds chirping and insects buzzing in the Spanish moss--stuff happens.
Director/writer Sofia Coppola (last blogged for The Bling Ring) has come full circle from her first feature The Virgin Suicides (1999) which was also about an isolated group of women and starring Kirsten Dunst, the first of four times so far they've worked together. Earlier this year Coppola won Best Director (the first time in 50 years a woman has won) and nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
As the 1971 movie of the same name, this is adapted from the 1966 novel by Thomas Cullinan, but Coppola wants us to know it's not a remake. She had Nicole Kidman (after Lion she was terrific in the miniseries Big Little Lies) in mind when writing the part of headmistress Miss Martha. Dunst (most recently in Hidden Figures) embodies the frustrated teacher Edwina and Colin Farrell (last in The Lobster) is enigmatic as the soldier. Elle Fanning (most recently in 3 Generations) is rightfully the top billed of the five students, the flirtatious Alicia. Also notable are Oona Laurence (just seen as the flirtatious tween in Little Boxes) as Amy and Angourie Rice (Ryan Gosling's daughter in The Nice Guys) as Jane.
I know we liked the music when we saw this four days ago but it can't be streamed or even bought online. It's credited to Laura Karpman (scored Paris Can Wait) and the French band Phoenix (headlined by Coppola's husband Thomas Mars) (Phoenix composed for her movie Somewhere, which co-starred Fanning).
Do not adjust your television sets, er, bother your theatre managers, because this movie was shot in 1.66:1 aspect ratio (to make it seem claustrophobic) instead of the usual wider 16:9 by cinematographer Philippe Le Sourd. Also, the exterior of the school's house was used in Beyoncé's Lemonade video.
The critics are cool, averaging 78%, and audiences colder at 54 from Rotten Tomatoes. We disagree and, though I had to shield my eyes a few times at 1860s-era first aid, we recommend it.
Director/writer Sofia Coppola (last blogged for The Bling Ring) has come full circle from her first feature The Virgin Suicides (1999) which was also about an isolated group of women and starring Kirsten Dunst, the first of four times so far they've worked together. Earlier this year Coppola won Best Director (the first time in 50 years a woman has won) and nominated for the Palme d'Or at Cannes.
As the 1971 movie of the same name, this is adapted from the 1966 novel by Thomas Cullinan, but Coppola wants us to know it's not a remake. She had Nicole Kidman (after Lion she was terrific in the miniseries Big Little Lies) in mind when writing the part of headmistress Miss Martha. Dunst (most recently in Hidden Figures) embodies the frustrated teacher Edwina and Colin Farrell (last in The Lobster) is enigmatic as the soldier. Elle Fanning (most recently in 3 Generations) is rightfully the top billed of the five students, the flirtatious Alicia. Also notable are Oona Laurence (just seen as the flirtatious tween in Little Boxes) as Amy and Angourie Rice (Ryan Gosling's daughter in The Nice Guys) as Jane.
I know we liked the music when we saw this four days ago but it can't be streamed or even bought online. It's credited to Laura Karpman (scored Paris Can Wait) and the French band Phoenix (headlined by Coppola's husband Thomas Mars) (Phoenix composed for her movie Somewhere, which co-starred Fanning).
Do not adjust your television sets, er, bother your theatre managers, because this movie was shot in 1.66:1 aspect ratio (to make it seem claustrophobic) instead of the usual wider 16:9 by cinematographer Philippe Le Sourd. Also, the exterior of the school's house was used in Beyoncé's Lemonade video.
The critics are cool, averaging 78%, and audiences colder at 54 from Rotten Tomatoes. We disagree and, though I had to shield my eyes a few times at 1860s-era first aid, we recommend it.
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