The Cakemaker

“The Cakemaker” is an Israeli film starring Sarah Adler and Tim Kalkhof. Written and directed by Ofir Raul Grazier the film’s locations are in Berlin and Jerusalem. This a story of love, religion and clashing cultures. Although the film is interesting, it is, in this viewer’s opinion, too slow. On the positive side, it details daily life in Israel and how important it is for those living there to adhere to certain orthodox rituals.  Unfortunately, the writer/director asks the audience to take certain leaps of faith and logic that I found hard to easily accept. I give the film 2 and ½ stars since its premise and the problems it poses are more universal in scope than limited simply to those living in Germany and/or Israel.

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

“Won’t You Be My Neighbor” is a film documentary chronicling the life and career of one of the most beloved television personalities who ever appeared on the screen, Fred Rogers (aka “Mr. Rogers”). Morgan Neville, the documentarian and director of this film has captured the essence and purity of this beautiful man whose sole aim in life was to enhance and better the lives of the small children he was able to come in contact with via the medium of television.  His almost 2000 tv episodes sought not only to entertain but to help those in his young audience to understand the evils of bigotry, the heartbreak of divorce, the challenges of illness and the sadness of death, all topics previously unknown and untouched on children’s television shows. Ordained as a Presbyterian minister Mr. Rogers never preached to his flock but, instead, chose to communicate with them and, by doing so, achieved their love, affection and respect. More than that, Fred Rogers was off the screen the same person he was on it. He lived his every day life believing and espousing that we are all special and that what all of us really want in life is to love, be loved and to be worthy of that affection. I give this film 4 stars and answer the question in the film’s title in this manner: “Yes, Mr. Rogers, I would have loved to be your neighbor and, even more so, your friend.”

Three Identical Strangers

“Three Identical Strangers” is a documentary based on the true story of triplets separated at birth who, by some miracle of coincidence or divine providence, are reunited at 19 years of age. Directed by Tim Wardle, this a moving film and depicts and describes what motivated and caused their separation as well as the lives the 3 led prior to their learning that they were so directly related. What would seem, at first, to be a difficult story to tell, the film holds the interest of the audience as events unfold to make this story something that seems only a writer of fiction could conjure up. Yet,  as is so often the case, the truth here is stranger and more interesting than any literary talent could create or ask an audience to believe. I give this documentary 3 and ½ stars and urge all who can not to miss the opportunity to see it.

Boundaries

“Boundaries” stars Vera Farmiga, Christopher Plummer, Christopher Lloyd and Peter Fonda in a film written and directed by Shana Feste. This is a long movie to watch because it is at times dull and without purpose as this father/daughter/grandson relationship unfolds on the screen. I found myself checking the time on my watch as the story unfolded for the film seemed much longer than its 107 minute length. The film once again proves what can happen when the writer is also the director and, as a result, objectivity is lost to the territorial needs of the film’s creator. I give the film 2 stars with special kudos to the talent of Mr. Plummer who, despite his best effort, couldn’t get this film to cross the boundary line of traveling from average to good.

Hearts Beat Loud

“Hearts Beat Loud” takes place in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook and centers on the relationship between a father and his daughter and the music that linked them together. The film stars Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Blythe Danner, Toni Collette and Ted Danson. Directed by Brett Haley and co-written by Mr. Haley and Marc Basch, this an uncomplicated and easy film to watch with characters that are real and with whom the viewer can readily understand and identify. I give the film 3 stars for, more than anything else, it makes for an enjoyable 91 minutes of theatrical entertainment.

American Animals

“American Animals” is the true story of an art heist portrayed in part by those who actually participated in it. The intermingling of the real life participants in the story with the actors who were playing them gives credibility to the film and creates an interest and excitement with a deeper dimension than one might otherwise expect in a crime drama. Written and directed by Bart Layton, with a cast of little known actors, this is a film that not only holds your attention but draws you into the problems and pitfalls the would-be robbers face as these novice felons engage in the planned theft. Truth here is not only stranger but many times more interesting than if someone has simply imagined this sequence of events. I give the film 3 stars for not only being entertaining but also for the unique manner in which the story was told.

Pope Francis-A Man of his Word

“Pope Francis-A Man of his Word” is a documentary by filmmaker Wim Wenders who, through close-up interviews with his Holiness and views of many of the scenes where the Pope has visited, Mr. Wenders helps us to get to know this extraordinary individual. Whether it be at the Wailing Wall, a Muslim mosque or villages in the Middle East or Africa, this  humble and dynamic human being is as impressive as the title he holds.

The filmmaker has been able to capture the essence of the man and it is a wonderful essence indeed. You don’t have to be Catholic to appreciate how special a person Pope Francis is and any religion would be honored and lucky to call him its leader. I give the documentary 3 stars for an interesting and introspective look at this modern day St. Francis of Assisi.