RRR (international, action). Although I love many films from India, this one surpasses them all. As escapist entertainment, it contains everything I look for including a great story, cinematic artistry, and memorable performances. Add exhilarating dancing and I am sold completely. The complex plot may be difficult to explain because so many exciting things are happening to two men who become friends but don’t know they are on opposite sides in a revolution. Who knew all this would be found in a three-hour epic adventure like RRR? In the words of Mae West, “Too much of a good thing can be wonderful.”
MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS (dramedy). Lesley Manville, a former Oscar® nominee for Phantom Thread, is practically perfect in the role of a lonely woman who works diligently as a London cleaning lady in the 1950s. When she sees a client’s beautiful Dior gown, it puts her in a kind of trance, and she decides she must have a Dior creation of her own. Watching Mrs. Harris travel to Paris and turn the House of Dior upside down is one of the year’s most delightful movie adventures.
ELVIS (biopic). This fast-paced offering covers Elvis’ life from a youngster to his death at age 42. We get to see his rags-to-riches story complete with dynamic performances of songs like “That’s All Right,” “Hound Dog,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” and many more. An amazing Austin Butler stars as Elvis and sings most of the songs. But to get that famous Elvis tone, some of his real voice was melded with Butlers for a few numbers. Most of all, Elvis’ love of performing and combining country-Western, Southern, African American, gospel, blues, and pop music comes across loud and clear in this sensational biopic. No wonder Elvis is still called the King of Rock and Roll.
TILL (drama). A star is born in TILL, the 2022 film about the murder of Emmett Till, a rambunctious 14-year-old boy (played by Jalyn Hall) killed in Mississippi, back in 1955. Portraying Emmett’s mother, Danielle Deadwyler was definitely ready for her close-ups! She becomes Mamie Till-Mobley right before our eyes. And speaking of eyes, we get to see her big sad ones in some of the most emotional scenes of the year. This new movie, based on true events, covers the close relationship between Emmett and his mother, their life in Chicago, his visit to relatives in Mississippi, his murder, the infamous trial, and what Mamie does to get justice for her son as well as for the Civil Rights movement. TILL is definitely a film that matters.
THE FABELMANS (family drama). Although this compelling film includes sadness, it thrilled me with wonderful scenes about the love of movie making. I like the way director/co-writer Steven Spielberg uses material from his own life and shows us how he became interested in making films at a young age. I also Iove the secret in this story and the way it’s handled. Plus, cast members Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Judd Hirsch, Gabriel La Belle, Mateo Zoryan and more deliver splendid performances. And the last scene is the best one of the year. It’s another surprise – one that makes a movie addict like me very happy.
WILDCAT (documentary). This inspiring documentary follows Harry Turner, a young Afghanistan war veteran as he goes to the Amazon and gets involved with a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center. His assignment? Training Khan, an orphaned baby ocelot, learn how to live in the jungle before releasing the animal into the wild. Little did he know how much this photogenic creature would help him with his PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Before watching WILDCAT, I had never seen an ocelot. But the minute this baby one came on screen, I fell in love. Too bad I can’t have one for a pet. However, I can still watch WILDCAT again and again!
THE SEA BEAST (animation). Shiver me timbers, it’s a sea monster movie! No wonder I am hooked like a hungry fish at the end of the line. THE SEA BEAST gives us lots of swashbuckling heroic action and monster perils as well as fascinating animation that brings each scene to colorful life on screen. But most of all, it introduces us to Maisie and Jacob, two wonderful characters who both have great big hearts. What Jacob and Maisie discover during this wild adventure involves the real reason royalty sends out monster hunters. They also spend time in the sea monsters habitat and learn more about them. It’s refreshing to see an animated movie with such an important message.
SEE HOW THEY RUN (mystery). I enjoy a good old mystery like those by Agatha Christie. And this movie makes fun about a play from what she’s done. Because a murder happens during “The Mousetrap” performance, just think about how many suspects are involved!. Most of the fun here comes from Inspector Stoppard and Constable Stalker, played by Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan. Stoppard wants to work alone and on his time schedule, which includes stops at a bar and frequent car naps. Stalker wants to keep busy taking notes and seems to know more about police business and popular movie stars than almost anyone. Together they are the heart of this amusing whodunit, and they had my attention from beginning to end. .
BEAST (thriller). Idris Elba always manages to pull me into his movies, but none of them have given me scary chills like BEAST. All the action takes place in Africa, where his character, Dr. Nate Samuels, returns with two daughters, hoping he can bring the family together after the death of his ex-wife. Elba shows his terrific acting chops in this role, and he also has to fight with a huge lion. That part of the film reminded me of Leonardo DiCaprio’s bout with a giant bear in The Revenant. Everything in this action treat seems real. So that makes the chills extra chillier. I found myself yelling at the screen in certain scenes or pulling my blanket up tighter in others. It’s a good thing my husband and I saw this offering in our living room while sitting safely on our couch.
BETTER NATE THAN EVER (musical comedy). This movie takes me back to my dreams as a thirteen-year old obsessed with tap dancing and the movies. We see right away that Nate (played with conviction by Rueby Wood) is surrounded by posters for Wicked and other Broadway projects. Too bad he faces so many obstacles.
Nate is only in seventh grade.
A life-decision he has made.
Broadway musicals, that’s his goal.
He feels it in his heart and soul.
It’s fun to watch this little guy
with starry dreams up to the sky.
The musical numbers are excellent. My favorite? Nate joining a group of New York buskers and singing “On Broadway,” which goes viral. Why didn’t I think of that while I was going to college in The Big Apple?
HONORABLE MENTION: All Quiet on the Western Front, Angel, Close, Good Night OPPY, Hashtag Blessed, Marcel: The Shell with Shoes On, Matilda the Musical, Thirteen Lives, The Quiet Girl (my husband’s favorite)
Ron