"Unstrung Heroes"

 1995 * PG * 1h 33m  How did I miss this absolute gem of a film. It was released 27 years ago and is the directorial debut for Diane Keaton. It was probably considered an indie, so Hollywood didn't give it the promotion it deserved. Anyway, what a marvelous film. It has a little bit of a Woody Allen feel to it--which you'd sort of expect. But it's not as crazy. And it has some great actors in it as well. Go figure?!?!

The story is about the Lidz  family headed by Selma and Sid (Andie MacDowell and John Turturro). Sid is an inventor and he's constantly showcasing his nutty inventions to his family. Their life is a happy one until Selma gets sick. I'm not sure if they ever state what she's suffering from, but it's a respiratory disease and the outlook isn't great. Their young son Steven (Nathan Watt) has a hard time dealing with it and runs away to live with his two eccentric uncles Danny and Arthur (Michael Richards and Maury Chakin). Michael Richards played Kramer on Seinfeld and I've never seen him in a serious (yet slightly nutty) role before. He does an outstanding job here. 

Selma and Sid reluctantly decide to let Steven live with his uncles for the time being, and this is where the fun begins. The two are hoarders and their apartment is filled to the rafters with piles of newspapers, and room after room of "valuable" objects they've spent their lives collecting. Some of their adventures are absolutely laugh-out-loud funny! 

This is one of those films you wish never ended, it's such a joy to watch. It's about love, life, family, religion, and accepting yourself. You can take it on all sorts of levels and I think it's a film the whole family will get a kick out of watching. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com and Prime Video. 

"The Wonder"

 2022 * R * 1h 48m   If you're looking for something a bit different, you may enjoy this interesting and unique film. You know you're in for something different right from the start. The film opens in a huge studio. You see a large cottage on the set. The camera pans over to a dimly lit room and moves in on a woman lit by candles. Then you're transported back to Ireland in 1862 during the Great Potato Famine, where you remain until the very end of the movie. 

A young girl Anna (Kila Lord Cassidy) has become famous for surviving without eating for several months. She's attracted visitors from far and wide, believing it's a miracle that she's nourished by manna from heaven. A nurse Lib Wright (Florence Pugh) is sent from England along with a Catholic nun Sister Michael (Josie Walker)  to observe her and confirm or disprove this mystery. They're assigned to eight-hour shifts to keep a watch on Anna. A journalist Will Byrne (Tom Burke) is also dispatched to cover the story. 

As the story progresses, Lib begins to suspect Anna is surreptitiously being fed and forbids her immediate family from visiting her. This causes her health to fail as she gradually begins to starve to death. While this is going on, Lib and Will begin a relationship with each other, both romantically and professionally. 

The film is beautifully shot, and there are numerous scenes that look like something right out of a painting.  One of the only qualms I have about the film is the soundtrack, if you want to call it that. For the most part, it utilizes bits and pieces of electronica, which don't seem to fit the story at all. There's also a liberal use of strange noises, which do add a bit of mystery to the film. But I probably would have opted for either no music at all or something completely different 

The film also features performances by Toby Jones, Cieran Hinds, and David Wilmot.

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix.

"The Flowers of War"

 2011 * R * 2h 26m I don't know how I missed this when it was released, but I'm glad, (if that's the correct term to use for such a grim film), I finally saw it. The story takes place during the second Sino-Japanese war in 1937, in what became know as the "Rape of Nanking". It was a brutal offensive by the Japanese as part of a series of land grabs in China. We see soldiers gunning down anyone they came across and follow a dozen young schoolgirls as they flee for their lives. They hide in the rubble, and eventually make their way to the Catholic Cathedral, where they seek shelter. 

There they encounter a drunken, rowdy American mortician John (Christian Bale). He lets the girls into the walled compound and eventually, pretending to be the priest, protects them. He reaches a truce with the Japanese commander. However, he eventually has to secretly harbor a group of prostitutes, who are also fleeing for their lives. Their tentative leader is Yu Mo (Ni Ni), who John refers to as simply "Mo". The two develop a special relationship, and the chemistry between the two is quite charming. 

The Flowers of War is from director Yimou Zhang, best know for Raise the Red Lantern and House of Flying Daggers, and is based on true events. The film utilizes an abundance of grey and subtle earth tones which gives it an ominous and dated feeling. The cinematography made it a truly harrowing experience. One can sense the fear the children were experiencing. The only negative comment I have is I felt Bale's character seemed a bit 21st Century in his mannerisms at times. His way of speaking seemed a little too hip for the film. Other than that, I found the movie to be quite moving. 

Four out of five stars. 

Currently streaming for free on Hoopla (with your library card), Tubi, and Freevee. Also on Plex, Pluto TV and  Amazon. 

"Astronaut"

2019 * NR * 1h 37m  I've always enjoyed Richard Dreyfuss, for the wide range of characters he's played. And even though he's getting on in years, he still shines in everything he's in. That's especially true with this film. Dreyfuss plays Angus Steward, a lonely widower who moves in with his daughter and her family. They quickly realize they can't really take care of him and put him into assisted living. 

Angus has dreamed of going into space since he was a kid. (Who hasn't?) Then one day, a Jeff Bezos -type billionaire played by Colm Feore, announces that he's having a national lottery to pick three individuals to travel into space, aboard one of his rockets. Against all odds, Angus enters his name and guess what? Nah, I'm not going to be a spoiler. You'll just have to see this movie for yourself and find out what happens. 

I really enjoyed this charming little film. It was nicely paced, well written, and featured fine performances from everyone involved. A perfect little indie gem. With an actor of Dreyfuss's stature, I really don't know why it didn't get more attention. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com. Also on Showtime, Hulu, and Prime Video.