Wonder Wheel

“Wonder Wheel” is the annual film submission by writer-director Woody Allen and stars Kate Winslet, Juno Temple, Jim Belushi and Justin Timberlake. The film takes place in circa 1950 in Brooklyn’s famed Coney Island section amidst the backdrop of the infamous wheel invented by Mr. Ferris. This writer’s problem with the film stems from, firstly, the history of great films made by Mr.Allen and the tendency to compare each new entry with the gems of the past. Secondly, and on a much more personal note, the little old lady sitting next to me was using a device that displayed closed captioning and was a real distraction to the person sitting next to her, i.e. me. That being entered into the equation, I found the film to be mildly interesting with an all too simple plot. What makes the film standout, however, is the unbelievable acting of Ms. Winslet who dominates the screen whenever she appears and saves the film from the mediocrity to which it might otherwise have been relegated. Outstanding, too, are the performances of Mr. Belushi, Mr. Timberlake and Ms. Temple. But for me, a native Brooklynite and daily summer visitor to Coney Island, the water, beach, rides, boardwalk and the nostalgia they foster make the viewing experience that much more enjoyable. I give the film 3 stars but wonder (no pun intended) how it would have played without Ms. Winslet and/or the location.

Mudbound

“Mudbound” is a film based on the novel by Hillary Jordan about life in the post World War II deep south and how two families, one white and one African American, cope with the Jim Crow environment which surrounds and, in fact, dominates them. This is a powerful film extremely well acted by Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Rob Morgan and Mary J. Bilge performing in a screenplay co-written by the film’s director, Dee Rees and her co-writer, Virgil Williams. More than anything else, this film educates and informs the innocent and unknowing of what life was like for the poor white farmer, the sharecropper and those whose hate and fear of a minority brought about the perpetuation of hostile and immoral values and conduct. I give this film 3 and ½ stars with a strong recommendation that it be seen by all.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbings, Missouri

“Three Billboards Outside Ebbings, Missouri” stars Frances McDormand, Lucas Hedges, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell in this story of a mother seeking to find the killer of her teen age daughter and the lengths she takes to attempt to activate the local police force to accelerate its investigation. This is a well written and directed film by noted playwright Martin McDonagh as he guides the audience through the many complexities faced by each character in the story. This film, despite its 2 hour length, left this writer with disappointment that it ended and this is in no small part due to the perfect blending of fine acting, writing and directing resulting in a positive theatrical experience. I give the film 3 and ½ stars with a suggestion that Ms. McDormand begin drafting her Oscar acceptance speech as soon as possible.

“Lady Bird’ is the first writing/directing effort by actor Greta Gerwig as she casts and directs Saoirse Ronanas in the role of a young and rebellious Catholic teenager with Laurie Metcalf and Tracy Letts as her parents. This is a quality coming of age film with Ms. Ronan (who won an Oscar nomination for her role In “Brooklyn”)  portraying the daughter of a caring and sometimes dominating mother (Laurie Metcalf). The acting is outstanding and must in some way be attributable to the directing talents of Ms. Gerwig. The title of the film might make one tend to think it was about Mrs. LBJ but it’s simply the name this rebellious teenager wants to use in her quest for freedom and liberation from her Sacramento environment. Set in 2002 the movie delves into the relationships of teenagers with their peers, their parents and their teachers and, in its own charming way, helps us, as adults, to perhaps understand them better. I give the film 3 stars and suggest that both young and old alike will enjoy it.