Arrival

“Arrival” stars Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Forest Whitaker in this sci-fi drama written by  Eric Heisserer based on a novel by Ted Chiang (“The Story of Your Life”). The film was directed by Denis Villanueve who, together with the writer and the editor, if there was one, must take full responsibility for the 2 hours I wasted watching their product. The movie is slow, confusing and complicated and the scenes float back in time and place without ever clearly indicating what was intended by its creative team. Ms. Adams can do no wrong for she is a talented actor but somehow she got placed in this amateurish attempt at a modern day “ET”. The film is not only a disservice to Ms. Adams’ talent but to the audience that must suffer through the picture  as well. I must have looked at my watch at least 5X during the course of the film and, in so doing,  found the hands on my timepiece more interesting that that which was being projected on to the screen. What amazes me most is that so many professional critics found this movie to be worthy of their highest rating, again proving that being paid for an opinion doesn’t mean it has value. I give this film a one star rating and if I hadn’t been in the company of my wife and friends, I would have walked out of the theater mid way through it. The only recommendation I can make about this film is to respectfully suggest to Ms. Adams that she  hire a new talent agent..

Loving

“Loving” is a film based on the real life story of Richard and Mildred Loving who were arrested, chastised and banned from their home town by the legal authorities in the State of Virginia for violating its laws against inter-racial marriage. Ably acted by Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga who portray the courageous couple as they and their supporters helped bring about the 1967 landmark Supreme Court decision in the case of Loving v. Virginia (which declared that marriage among any couple, regardless of race, was a right that the states could not deny). This decision laid the groundwork for the ultimate ruling by the high court acknowledging the rights of person of the same sex to also have the right to marry and so the film, and the story, goes far beyond 1967 to our present day human rights victories.  Defying the old adage that a writer/director cannot do both as effectively as if there were 2 separate individuals In those roles, Jeff Nichols does a noteworthy job in both capacities and brings forth from the actors subtle, low key performances that capture the strength and humility that are typical of so many of history’s unsung heroes. How ironic, too, that the title of the film and the surname of the real people in this story is a word that best describes their attitude towards each other and the 3 children they raised.

I give the film 3 and ½ stars for its honesty and dedication to the facts. It not only serves as a reminder to those of us who lived through this sad and regrettable period in our past but, equally as important, as an education for those who did not.

Moonlight

“Moonlight” is a film written and directed by Barry Jenkins based on a play written by Tarell McCraney. It tells the story of an African American boy highlighting three distinct chapters in his life as he navigates his way on the road from pre-teen to manhood experiencing all of life’s obstacles and difficulties one might expect there to be growing up in a lower class South Florida neighborhood. The film stars Alex R. Hibbert, Andre Holland ("Selma" "The Knick) and Ashton Sanders and a cast of supporting actors that do their best to try to make the film equal to the rave reviews it has received. Unfortunately, for this reviewer at least, the film, as good as it is, is not the great American film entry of 2016 as so many more noted critics have labelled it. I found that the film was too long and draggy and the scenes and chapters did not flow or segue from one to the other in an easy manner. Casting also became an issue but one would have to actually see the film to understand this comment.  Make no mistake, this is a powerful and important film showing the plight that so many lower class youths experience and how their intra-cultural encounters so often shape their low expectancy lives. Mr. Jenkins, as writer and director, has I fear bitten off a bit more than he can chew. However, with all that being said, he has given us an interesting and thought provoking product. I give the film 3 stars although I must admit that I had difficulty believing that the film I saw on the screen was the same one about which the critics unamimously praised. 

Denial

“Denial” is the true story of an American Holocaust scholar, Deborah E. Lipstadt, who was sued for libel by a Holocust denier as recounted in her book entitled “Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier”. The screenplay for the film was written by David Hare based on Ms. Lipstadt’s book. Mick Jackson directed the film which stars Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson and Timothy Spatt. This is basically a courtroom drama played out in the London courts and gives the audience a clear understanding of the fundamentals of the British legal system and the roles the solicitor and barrister play. Yet this is not just another Holocaust story but a rather sensitive and personal insight into those who teach about this unfortunate event in world history as well as those who lived to tell about it. Ms. Weisz’ performance is extraordinary and she communicates her dedication to the role certainly in some part because of her own personal background and experience. As a lawyer I can recite a number of improbabilities and inaccuracies that take place in the courtroom scenes but one must remember that the screenplay is based on the perceptions of Ms. Lipstadt and I believe that, had there been more input from a barrister or solicitor in the making of the film, the noted inaccuracies would not have appeared. That being said, and seeing the film as a layman seeking a good entertainment experience, this film adequately attains that goal. Accordingly, I give the film 3 and ½ stars with much of the credit going to Ms. Weisz who is largely responsible for its positive ratin

The Girl on the Train

“The Girl on the Train” is the film version of the best selling novel by Paula Hawkins. Directed by Tate Taylor with a screenplay by Erin  Cressida  Wilson, the movie stars Emily Blunt, Justin Theroux and Haley Bennett. Not having read the book it’s difficult to compare the two vehicles but, standing alone, the film is a series of complicated flashbacks, convoluted scenarios and difficult to follow story lines so that it is more of a struggle watching it than a pleasant experience sitting through it. With all that being said, I did, nevertheless, find myself engrossed in the film and perhaps, even more so, because I was trying to follow what was happening and how it would all ultimately end. Ms. Blunt is an amazing actor and exemplifies extraordinary talent as she dominates and appears in almost every scene and is indeed one of the main reasons I give the film a 3 star rating for, despite all of its shortcomings, it’s a “train ride” the viewer will want to take to the end of the spoken "line".

A Man Called Ove

“A Man Called Ove” is a Swedish film based on the best selling novel by Frederik Bachman who together with director Hannes Holm wrote the screenplay. The well known  Swedish actor, Rolf Lassgard. portrays Mr. Ove in this story of a widowed senior who confronts the loss of his wife and ponders his future as he meets and interacts with new neighbors and acquaintances in the small town where he and his wife lived. This is a simple film filled with simple characters who in some way or another bring hope and joy to their otherwise bland existences. What makes the film work is that it is effortless viewing as the audience, via flashback, witnesses the youth and adulthood of Mr. Ove and how, in each instance, he plays the hands life has dealt him. I give the film 3 and ½ stars with a note to anyone wishing to see it that it will no longer be distributed and available for viewing after October 13, an indeed unlucky number for anyone who misses it.

Queen of Katwe

“Queen of Katwe” is biodrama based on the true story of Phiona, a Ugandan girl with an uncanny and innate gift for playing and winning in the game of chess. The film is based on an article and book written by Tim Crothers,a screenplay by William Wheeler and stars David Oyelowo and Madina Naiwanga (who plays the young chess prodigy). This could easily have turned out to be one of those formula feel good films with their predictable story book endings but, In the capable hands of director Mara Nair (“Amelia”), she brings warmth, emotion and an understanding of the Ugandan culture into this lovely and heart warming film. It Is an enriching movie experience and well deserves the 3 and ½ stars I rate it. Like a winning chess player, Ms. Nair made all the right moves.