LisaLR1's reviews

9/10 (Very Good to Excellent) The most artistic and intellectually stimulating film of the year, all 3 hours and 35 minutes of it. Features brilliant direction from Brady Corbet (Vox Lux) and impeccable acting, particularly from the movie's 3 leads, Adrien Brody (The Pianist), Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) and Guy Pearce (L. A. Confidential, Memento). The Brutalist follows 30 years in the life of Hungarian Architect László Tóth played by Brody, a Post World War II Holocaust Survivor who leaves Europe for a new start in America and the numerous challenges faced as an Immigrant. Kudos to the Production Design Team of the film on their flawless and intricate attention to detail and also to the movie's Director of Photography Lol Crawley for his impressive cinematography.

Saw The Convert last night.

4 out of 5 stars: The Convert is a compelling story set in 1830's New Zealand of a British preacher who gets caught up in Maori Wars from Once Were Warriors and Die Another Day director Lee Tamahori. With a screenplay by Lee Tamahori and Michael Bennett (In Dark Places), the film features impeccable acting from a talented cast that includes Australian actors Guy Pearce (Memento, LA Confidential) and Jacqueline McKenzie (Force of Nature: The Dry 2) and newcomer Tioreore Ngatai-Melbourne. Breathtaking scenery of New Zealand shot by cinematographer Gin Loane (The Justice of Bunny King).

Saw OPPENHEIMER on Saturday in its 70mm large format screening. Really a phenomenal piece of filmmaking by writer and director Christopher Nolan, the story centered around the Father of the Atomic Bomb and leader of The Manhattan Project at Los Alamos, J. Robert Oppenheimer, played to perfection by actor Cillian Murphy. Worth noting, as well is the extraordinary performance by actor Robert Downey Jr as Lewis Strauss. It wouldn't surprise me if both actors receive Oscar nominations for their character portrayals, they are that good! Also great in supporting roles, Emily Blunt (Kitty Oppenheimer), Matt Damon (General Leslie Groves), Jason Clarke (Roger Robb) and an appearance by Gary Oldman as President Truman. Returning as Nolan's DOP is Hoyte van Hoytema (Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet) whose cinematography in Oppenheimer is breathtaking. Love the new black and white photography created especially for the film, it is sharp, clean and crisp. Just like in Nolan's 2000 film, Memento, the black and white is juxtaposed with color, perfectly utilized for past and present scenes and as a way to interpret the lead character's moral struggles and ambiguity. I had no problem with the 3 hour runtime, dialogue was intelligent and the film moves at a good pace thanks to streamlined editing by Jennifer Lame (Tenet) and a strong, haunting score by Ludwig Göransson (Tenet). Oppenheimer is quite the triumph for Chris Nolan.

Recently saw the new Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Bit of a let down, although I enjoyed the bit players in the movie, Toby Jones, Mads Mikkelsen, John Rhys-Davies and fun cameo by Karen Allen. Felt the film's script was a little cheesy, too many chase scenes, movie is overly reliant on CGI and the de-aging of Harrison Ford, I felt, was distracting and didn't do the movie justice. My favorite film of the Indiana Jones franchise is still Raiders of the Lost Ark. Nothing beats the original. Dial of Destiny lacks the magic and heroics of the first film, but it does provide entertainment and a solid supporting cast.

THE WHALE, written by Samuel D. Hunter based on his play and directed by Darren Aronofsky ("Black Swan"), stars Brendan Fraser ("The Mummy") in his recent Best Actor Oscar-winning role as Charlie, a reclusive online English professor suffering from obesity and congestive heart failure, brought on following the death of his partner. With only days left to live, the main focus of the movie sees Charlie trying to make amends with his estranged, strong-willed teenage daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink). Fraser gives an emotionally riveting performance that carries the film. Also very good in her supporting role as Charlie's friend and caretaker, Liz is actress Hong Chau ("Driveways"). THE WHALE is a great comeback achievement from Brendan Fraser, his Charlie will pull at your heartstrings.

AFTERSUN, written and directed by Charlotte Wells, is a reflective, bittersweet portrait of a lost father-daughter relationship. An adult Sophie, on her birthday, looks back at twenty year old film footage of the last summer holiday in Turkey when she was 11 years old spent with her estranged father, Calum, played by Paul Mescal in his recent Best Actor Oscar-nominated role. Sophie (Frankie Corio) at age 11 is on the brink of adolescence trying to understand and come to terms with a father who is clearly loving, yet seems to be struggling beneath the weight of his life. Paul Mescal gives a realistic, tender and very understated performance, and young Frankie Corio is simply endearing as Sophie. The film, co-produced by Oscar-winning Director Barry Jenkins ("Moonlight"), leaves it up to the audience to decide the fate of Sophie's father at the end of AFTERSUN. The sense of melancholy I felt while watching the film left me with the understanding that for Sophie, 20 years of loss seems a lifetime, while her memories feel like only yesterday.

THE FABELMANS, a semi-autobiographical account of the film's director, Steven Spielberg's childhood years, co-written by Spielberg and Tony Kushner, stars Gabriel LaBelle as the young, budding filmmaker Sammy Fabelman. Sammy's hesitant, yet supportive parents, Mitzi and Burt Fabelman are played by the luminous Michelle Williams and the convincing Paul Dano. Also in the film, Judd Hirsch making a short but memorable appearance in his recent Best Supporting Actor Oscar-nominated performance as Sammy's cantankerous Uncle Boris. Spielberg pays homage to the wonders and realities of youth, dreams and love of cinema seen through the eyes of Sammy whose early life witnesses his mother's unrealized musical aspirations, his father's multiple job changes resulting in the Fabelmans various moves from state-to-state, and the ultimate breakup of his family following his parents divorce. All this going on while Sammy realizes and begins to nurture his own artistic talents for filmmaking. A highlight of the movie is an almost unrecognizable David Lynch who appears at the climax of the film as Iconic director John Ford who talks to Sammy about the importance of horizon in good filmmaking. Steven Spielberg is one of the great directors who is blessed with a true gift for storytelling and he accomplishes this, again with THE FABELMANS. You may recognize his abiding love for Indiana Jones in this film through the character of a handsome, tough on the outside, flawed on the inside high school track star, caught on camera on Ditch Day by 18 year old Sammy Fabelman. It's obvious Steven Spielberg never forgot him.

The deep desire within us all to find family and connect with community is beautifully and poignantly told through the voice of Jenny Slate as the tiny 1 inch animated shell, Marcel with Shoes On and his sole companion, Nana Connie shell voiced by Isabella Rossellini. The film is based on the web series by Jenny Slate and Marcel the Shell with Shoes On director Dean Fleischer-Camp who also appears in the movie. Fun moments in the film include appearances by Conan O'Brien, NBC News Anchor Brian Williams and 60 Minutes star Lesley Stahl, the latter who interviews Marcel for 60 Minutes and helps to find and reunite Marcel with his 2 years lost extended family. Great little movie with a message for all ages.

2001 "In The Bedroom" director Todd Field returns with "Tár," stars Cate Blanchett as renowned conductor and musician Lydia Tár, an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony winner) whose ego and life are on top-of-the-world until certain situations collude against her causing her to spiral. Cate Blanchett could read the phone book on film and convince me she is a phenomenon, and in "Tár" she gives yet another strong and intelligent performance. However, the film runs 2 hours and 38 minutes and is in need of editing, the movie gets redundant. "Tár" is worth the watch for Cate Blanchett in another possible Oscar-worthy achievement.

You have to get through the first 2 hours of Martial Arts in the Multiverse to get to the last brilliant 20 minutes of Everything Everywhere All At Once. But in the end, it all makes sense and ties things together. Fun seeing Jamie Lee Curtis in the role of the IRS Agent. I had no trouble in 1 viewing of the film understanding its general concept of family and the conflict that often exists between Mothers and Daughters. Might require a 2nd viewing to figure out some things I may have missed in the movie's first 2 hours. Michelle Yeoh as the Matriarch is outstanding, she carries the full intensity of the film with Oscar-caliber accomplishment.

The latest film, THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN from writer/director Martin McDonagh (In Bruges), sees the re-teaming of Brendan Gleeson (Colm) & Colin Farrell (Pádraic) in a dark comedy set on an isolated island off the coast of mainland Ireland at the climax of the Irish Civil War in 1923. Colm's abrupt decision to end his friendship with Pádraic starts a series of events and creates upheaval in the otherwise ordinary lives of several of the islanders. Gleeson and co-star Kerry Condon (Pádraic's sister, Siobhán) give strong performances. But, it's Colin Farrell as Pádraic who steals the film, brilliantly conveying BANSHEES themes of kindness, fear of change, isolation, grief and the importance of human connection. Features cinematography by Ben Davis, shot along Ireland's west coast, equal parts bleak, ominous and breathtakingly beautiful.

I was fortunate to see a screening of THE GHOST OF RICHARD HARRIS last night at its North American premiere featured at this year's 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. The film and its director, Adrian Sibley, provides the audience with an inside look into the provocative, complex life and fascinating career of the late Irish actor Richard Harris. The documentary contains several entertaining cameos and interviews with friends, family and colleagues including actor Russell Crowe, songwriter Jimmy Webb, actors Stephen Rea and Vanessa Redgrave and Harris' sons Damian, Jared and Jamie.

OFFICIAL COMPETITION offers a satirical look into the making of a movie involving all its egos and eccentricities. A wealthy businessman at the twilight of his life and career decides to leave his legacy by producing a film. He hires well known director Lola Cuevas (Penelope Cruz), known for her eccentric filmmaking style, to direct his movie. Lola chooses 2 leading men to headline the movie, the famous, pretentious film actor Felix Rivero (Antonio Banderas) and seasoned theater actor and acting teacher Ivan Torres (Oscar Martinez). What follows are funny, satirical pokes at the trials, tribulations, quirky rehearsals and ever looming egos involved in the world of cinema and filmmaking. OFFICIAL COMPETITION is an intelligent film, offers smooth comedic timing with masterful performances and great chemistry between actors Cruz, Banderas and Martinez.

Australian Director Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge," "The Great Gatsby") returns with his latest film, the biopic, ELVIS, a 2 1/2 hour runtime that moves at lightning speed, mostly through the movie's first half, telling the story of late entertainer Elvis Presley, played by newcomer Austin Butler. Butler does a tremendous job channeling The King of Rock and Roll, capturing Elvis' spirit, essence, moves, voice, vocal talents (Austin sings the songs himself as Young Elvis), ambitions, flaws and innocence. Problems for me in the film are the over-the-top caricature performance by Tom Hanks as Presley's Manager Colonel Tom Parker. And Luhrmann spends less than 5 minutes moving us from Elvis in Germany, meeting & marrying Priscilla, having Lisa Marie, making Hollywood movies, and suddenly you're in Vegas. But, it's in that 2nd half of the film focusing on those Vegas years and Presley's 5 year run at the International Hotel where the movie completely captivates, transporting you back, through Austin Butler, to the time & place that made Elvis an Icon. I saw the movie in a cinema with a full house. The audience enthusiastically gave ELVIS 2 rounds of applause. If you're nostalgic, you'll shed some tears, especially at the end of the film.

Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) is beguiling as the romantic lead in Cyrano, directed by Joe Wright (Darkest Hour, Atonement), based on the original 1897 play, Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, with screenplay for the film by Erica Schmidt. The movie follows the classic story, tragic love triangle between the poet, Cyrano (Dinklage), his best friend, soldier Christian (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and their mutual lady love, Roxanne (Haley Bennett). The film is retold in the form of a lovely musical with soundtrack by Aaron and Bryce Dessner. Features breathtaking cinematography by Seamus McGarvey (Atonement), with gorgeous mid 18th Century costume design by Massimo Cantini Parrini. Well acted by cast, emphasis on Peter Dinklage, and the movie fulfills with its sense of romance, adventure and intrigue.

"The Power of the Dog," is the latest film from director Jane Campion ("Bright Star," "The Piano"), based on the 1967 novel of the same name by Thomas Savage. The movie features a masterful, intense lead performance by actor Benedict Cumberbatch ("The Courier," "The Imitation Game," TV's "Sherlock") who plays Phil Burbank, 1 of 2 brothers, the other brother, George Burbank played by Jesse Plemons, who own and run a ranch in 1925 Montana. Phil is an intimadating, bullying and manipulative character, while brother, George is more timid, gentle and soft spoken. When George meets widow, marries and brings home new wife, Rose Gordon (Kirsten Dunst) & her son, Peter Gordon (Kodi Smit-McPhee), Phil proceeds to taunt and torment his new in-laws, until he discovers the possibility of new found love. Phil takes the quiet-natured, awkward young Peter under his wings, with a twist to the plot that features an ending you may, or may not, have seen coming. Rural New Zealand replaces Montana and is beautifully photographed by Cinematographer Ari Wegner, with a brilliantly crafted, haunting score by Jonny Greenwood.

Nicolas Cage gives an emotionally gripping performance in PIG, a film about loss, love, grief & confronting the past. From first time director Michael Sarnoski, Cage plays Rob, a truffle hunter living alone with his pig in the isolated woods outside Portland, Oregon. His valued pig is kidnapped, forcing Rob to travel back to Portland after 15 years of isolation in attempts to find her. What transpires is a film that goes beyond the search, with Cage's Rob confronting people and places left behind and facing a myriad of emotions. Features a strong cameo from actor Adam Arkin (TV's "Sons of Anarchy," "Chicago Hope").

BELFAST triumphs as heartwarming story of family love & survival in tumultuous times of religious strife between Protestants & Catholics in 1969 Northern Ireland. The film is an autobio written & directed by actor Kenneth Branagh based on his own early childhood in Belfast. The movie is told from the point-of-view of 9 year old Buddy, played by newcomer Jude Hill, whose luminous performance & angelic face steals the film. Equally excellent are his Pa & Ma, actors Jamie Dornan & Caitríona Balfe & his grandparents, the exquisite Dame Judi Dench & the marvelous Ciarán Hinds. Through Buddy, the audience watches as the family manages to survive their Belfast neighborhood through religious clashes & violence, their own financial struggles, ultimately leading them to move to London & start a new life. BELFAST is beautifully shot, primarily in black-and-white, by long-time Branagh collaborator, cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos, featuring strong production design by Jim Clay.

Watched (twice) the advanced A24 screening on Wednesday of "The Green Knight," directed & screenplay by David Lowery ("Pete's Dragon," "Ain't Them Bodies Saints"). The film is a unique, fantasy re-telling of the Medieval Arthurian tale, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Sir Gawain, top form & attractively played by actor Dev Patel, is King Arthur's foolhardy nephew, who goes on a quest to take down the Green Knight in order to obtain both his courage and gain favor in the eyes of the King. Along the journey, Sir Gawain is faced with obstacles, including thieves, ghosts, sci-fi looking giants and sexually charged nefarious characters. Very good in their supporting roles are Alicia Vikander (dual role Essel/The Lady), Joel Edgerton (The Lord) and Sarita Choudhury (Morgan le Fay-Gawain's Mother). Filmed in Ireland, the misty, magical, hauntingly medieval look and feel of the film are achieved by cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo, featuring a score by composer Daniel Hart.

"ROADRUNNER: A Film About Anthony Bourdain," directed by Oscar-winner Morgan Neville ("20 Feet from Stardom"), shines a light on the fast life and tragic death by suicide in 2018 of celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain. The documentary accomplishes this using archival footage from Bourdain's hit television shows, "No Reservations," "Parts Unknown," "The Layover," "A Cook's Tour," along with interviews with him beginning in 1999 as he began writing his best selling book, "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly." The film also includes interviews with various Bourdain family, friends and work colleagues. The grief of his loss is still very raw, evidence of this shown through the interviews in the documentary, leaving the audience with many theories and unanswered questions as to why Anthony Bourdain chose to commit suicide. Much like Bourdain was in life, the film never stops moving, taking you along for the accelerated journey of a man who was inventive, tempestuous, extraordinary, and deeply flawed.

"The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart," the music documentary directed by Frank Marshall about Iconic band The Bee Gees, shines when sharing so much of the brilliant and successful music of The Brothers Gibb, much of the film narrated by the sole survivor of the band, lead singer and songwriter Barry Gibb, proving that their music is truly timeless. But, I found the film faltered by not diving deeper into the struggles of the band, including only a brief spot focusing on their early breakup, no mention of Bee Gees starring in the 1978 Robert Stigwood produced, failed musical film, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," and short on the brothers various struggles over the years with addictions, leading to the losses of brothers Andy (1988), Maurice (2003) and Robin (2012), briefly focused in the film. I didn't really feel like I learned anything new about The Brothers Gibb from the documentary that I didn't already know. Still, the documentary thrives by including all the iconic, great music and I especially enjoyed what director Frank Marshall shared on The Bee Gees early Miami years, Criteria Recording Studios and the Gibb Brothers tremendous contribution to the Miami Sound and the Disco Era.

Eric Bana (Aaron Falk) Captivates in Tense Aussie Crime Drama, "The Dry," co-written and directed by Robert Connolly ("The Slap," "Balibo," "The Bank"), based on the novel by Jane Harper. Bana plays a policeman in Melbourne, Australia who goes back to his rural hometown of Kiewarra, in the midst of a long, lingering drought, to attend the funeral of childhood friend, Luke, whose wife and son were brutally murdered. Falk stays and works with the Town Sergeant to try and solve the case of the three deaths. Falk also learns to come to terms with his own role in the unsolved death of a girl from the town that he befriended when he was a teenager, reopening old wounds. The movie offers twists-and-turns, suspense and a few suspects, with an ending that's a complete surprise, especially for those who haven't read the novel.

"High Ground," directed by Stephen Johnson, is a visually stunning Aussie Aboriginal revenge film based on true events story set in 1919 involving a British Colonial massacre of an Aboriginal tribe/family in Northern Territory Australia. 12 years later, a young survivor of the massacre, Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul), being raised in a white mission, teams up with former soldier Travis (Simon Baker) to track down the other massacre survivor, Gutjuk's uncle Baywara (Sean Mununggurr), a warrior with a revenge streak who is on the run. Terrific supporting cast that includes veteran Aussie TV & Film actor Aaron Pedersen and legendary Australian actor Jack Thompson. Kudos to Cinematographer Andrew Commis, known for previous work as DP on "Babyteeth" and "The Slap," for his extraordinary job on "High Ground" capturing the beauty of Australia's Northern Territory.

Benedict Cumberbatch is outstanding in his role as real life Brit businessman turned Cold War spy Greville Wynne in "The Courier," an intriguing story about one ordinary man's connection to MI6, CIA and KGB operatives and their ambitious attempts to bring a successful end to the Cuban Nuclear Missile Crisis of 1962. An intelligent, well-acted, emotional and fast paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat.