"Nowhere Boy"

Although I'm a lifelong Beatles fan, I really didn't know anything about John Lennon's early life. This well-done biopic gives a great deal of insight into his formative years. It tells of his high school and early college days in Liverpool, where he was raised by his aunt. Unbeknownst to him, his mother actually lived a few blocks away. He eventually meets her and her other family and a somewhat strained relationship begins. The movie also covers his musical journey without the "And then they became famous and changed the world of music!" ending  I was expecting. Great acting and a nice vignette into late 50s Britain.
4 out of 5 stars

"Moonwalkers"

Just a fun little bit of cinematic escapism. The plot involves a CIA agent, brilliantly played by Ron Perlman, who's assigned to hire Stanley Kubrick to film a fake moon landing, just in case the real one fails. While in London, he meets a financially-troubled rock band manager who poses as Kubrick's agent. From here, things get crazy. It's a well done spoof on late 60s England, complete with an overdose of drug use, naked hippie girls, and a smattering of violence. I saw a few reviews comparing it to the Austin Powers films, which I guess is fair. But I enjoyed this silliness a bit more. Although it's just about as childish and mindless.
3 out of 5 stars

"The Danish Girl"

This is the true story of a married painting couple in 1920's Denmark. When the husband dresses up in his wife's clothes to pose for her, his feminine side is awoken. He slowly unleashes the woman locked up within him and is transformed into a full fledged woman. Eddie Redmayne's performance is absolutely riveting and his wife, played by Alicia Vikander, is equally great. It''s not surprising that she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role. At first she feels betrayed, but over time, becomes totally supportive of his plight. Not only is the story fascinating, but the cinematography is almost painterly. In truth, I was tempted to stop the film countless times and do a screen grab, to use in a painting later.
4.5 out of 5 stars

"Sweetheart"

A young woman, Kiersey Clemons,  washes up on the shore of a deserted island after a shipwreck. There she has to fight for survival against the elements, and as luck would have it, a monster that comes out every night. It 's a simple premise and I found it moderately scary at times. Ms Clemons did a fantastic job, especially when she's on camera by herself for about 90% of the film.
3 out of 5 stars

"6 Underground"

The opening scene pretty much sets the pace for the whole movie. It's a high-speed car chase through the streets of Milan and includes an abundance of gunfire, explosions, car wrecks, and screaming crowds. The plot is pretty basic: A billionaire fakes his death, then recruits  operatives from around the world for his mission: To take down a brutal third world dictator and replace him with his benevolent brother. It stars Ryan Reynolds and comes complete with non-stop action, plenty of wisecracks, and almost car-sickness inducing cinematography. If you're looking for an hour and a half of distraction, this one fits the bill.
3.5 out of 5 stars

"The Tribes of Palos Verde"

I wasn't sure what to expect when I saw this title recommended to me by Netflix. And once again, with their algorithms, they seem to know my taste in movies. This one totally flew under the radar. It's about a young family who move from Michigan to a rich community in California. The dad, a famous doctor has a reputation for infidelity, and of course, as soon as they get settled, he starts an affair. The mother, played brilliantly by Jennifer Garner, is about as unstable as one can get, yet remain sane enough to raise her two children. Her daughter takes solace in surfing while her son is consumed by drug addiction. The family is about as dysfunctional as they get and some of the scenes are painful to watch. But I found the acting, story, and scenery riveting. Another indie gem.
4 out of 5 stars

"The Long Kiss Goodnight"

A mother, played by Geena Davis, suffers from amnesia. After being spotted on tv participating in a Christmas parade, her past comes back to haunt her. In her previous life she was a trained assassin and a secret government agency is out to kill her. A two-bit private eye, (Samual L. Jackson) is determined to help her. Her adventures and battles with her enemies are so over the top, it's just plain fun to watch. And you root for her all the way, knowing she has the skills and ability to get out of any jam. The movie is from 1996, and was pioneering in many ways. It's a little dated, but still well worth watching. And just about any movie with Samual L. Jackson is pretty much guaranteed to be decent.
3.5 out of 5 stars