October 3, 2017 “Battle Of The Sexes” (*** out of four) was a nicely done melodrama about the historic 1973 tennis match between World number-one female tennis player Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and male chauvinist former champion Bobby Riggs (Steve Harrell) and how her victory proved a groundbreaking turning point for women in sports. Two terrific performances from both Stone and Harrell who look like absolute dead ringers for both King and Riggs make this a must-see. Not a great film (it takes too long to get to the actual match) but another small winner for former music video directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris who load their story with affectionate 70’s period detail. Final tennis match will have you on the edge of your seat! Continue reading →
October 3, 2017 “Flatliners” (*** out of four) was a chilling story of five medical students (Ellen Page, Diego Luna, Nino Dobrev, James Norton, Kiersey Clemons) who begin a daring experiment in which they experience life after death but soon realize that they have brought back unresolved memories from their past which may endanger all of them. Allegedly a sequel to the 1990 original which starred Kiefer Sutherland and Julia Roberts but it’s virtually a remake with a lot of the same scenes and themes. Still, it’s well-acted, extremely well directed, and features lots of style and scares. Note: Although Sutherland’s character returns as the student’s medical administrator, he doesn’t seem to be playing the same person. Continue reading →
October 1, 2017 “Our Souls At Night” (**1/2 out of four) was a meandering but easy-to-take character study of two elderly neighbors (Robert Redford and Jane Fonda) who have lived next door to each other for years and have little in common at first but find their loneliness and need for companionship draw them into a relationship together. Too long and too slow at times but seeing both Redford and Fonda in these great roles and their natural ease and terrific chemistry makes this worthwhile, especially for fans of the stars. A great actors showcase, if not exactly a great movie. Continue reading →
October 1, 2017 “American Made” (**1/2 out of four) was an engaging if superficial comedy set during the late 70’s and early 80’s about the true story of Barry Seale (Tom Cruise) who started out as a pilot and then gradually got involved in the lucrative world of drug smuggling and then subsequently began working as a runner for the C.I.A.! Director Doug Liman ably replicates the style and sweep of early period Martin Scorcese in telling a story that incorporates Ronald Reagan, Oliver North, and Pablo Escobar but much of this story you have seen before, in 2001’s “Blow” and even the more recent “War Dogs”. Cruise is aces as always and his effortless charisma still makes this worth watching. Continue reading →
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