"The Starling"

When a movie stars Chris O'Dowd and Keven Kline, you know it's going to be good. I can't recall either actor being in anything unwatchable. However, I was a little reluctant to see this Netflix film when I saw Melissa McCarthy's name in the credits. She can be hit or miss with me. But in this film, she does a great job. She proves she  some acting chops, although her range is a bit limited, I feel. The story is about a couple, McCarthy and O'Dowd, who have lost their child to SIDS. O'Dowd ends up institutionalized white McCarthy's character soldiers on working her menial job at a War-Mart type store. A counselor at the mental institution suggestions she visit Kline, who's a psychiatrist turned veterinarian for help. He reluctantly talks to her and guides her through her grief. Meanwhile, a pesky starling makes her life miserable while she attends to her garden. It constantly attacks her and the situation necessitates her wearing a football helmet in her yard. 

The movie was well done and I thought all three actors had great chemistry. It was a bit predictable at times and formulaic--I'd say Hollywood-ish, but since Netflix produced it, I guess I'd have to say it was Netflix-ish. But overall, it was well worth watching.

3.5 out of 5 stars

"The Best of Enemies"

2019 2h 13min After a school fire in a black school in Durham, NC in 1971, the school district has to decide what to do with the students. It becomes a battle for integration and pits Ann Atwater (Taraji P. Henson) and C.P. Ellis (Sam Rockwell). Atwater is a civil rights activist and Ellis is the head of the KKK. The film is based on a true story and I had no idea that conditions like this existed in my lifetime. Both leads give amazing performances which is not surprising and I was drawn into the film right from the start. I must say, Sam Rockwell plays an absolutely vile character and it's a rare actor that makes you really hate him! This is one of those films where you sort of know how it's going to turn out but simply can't stop watching. In the end, the two became close friends and went on to tour the country, spreading the word about their story and promoting integration. Streaming on Netflix.

4 out of 5 stars

"CODA"

 2021 1h 51min

Coda is a musical term defined as: a more or less independent passage, at the end of a composition, introduced to bring it to a satisfactory close. CODA stands for a Child of Deaf Adults, which is a new term to me. It’s also the clever title for this heartwarming new release on Apple TV (and in theatres). I must say, it’s worth all the buzz it’s been getting. 

 

The film is about a high-school girl Ruby Rossi (Emilia Jones), whose family is deaf. Her family commercial fishes for their livelihood off the coast of Gloucester, Massachusetts. While out at sea, Ruby entertains herself by singing along with the radio. And what a voice she has. 

 

Just for kicks, Ruby tries out for the school choir. She’s extremely shy and is reluctant to even sing at the tryout. After some coaching by the school’s inspiring and super-dedicated teacher, (Eugenio Derbez), she not only makes the choir, but also is encouraged to attend the Berklee College of Music. Unfortunately, the only way she can attend is if she receives a scholarship. 

 

Adding to the drama is the situation with the fishing industry. It’s being micro-managed by the government, which is enforcing strict fishing limits. And the large distributors are driving the price of fish down to the point where it’s almost impossible to make a living in the commercial fishing business. Several families including Ruby’s decide to form a co-op to keep them competitive. 

 

Ruby comes from a very supportive and close family. The charismatic Marlee Matlin plays her mom and Troy Kotsur plays her scruffy, feisty dad. And then there’s her devilishly handsome brother, Leo (Daniel Durant). All three actors are deaf in real life, which is a refreshing change for Hollywood.  Interesting trivia: Emilia spent nine months learning American Sign Language, taking singing lessons, and learning how to operate a fishing trawler for this film. 

 

This is one of those feel-good films that have you rooting for the underdog all the way. And while the plot and ending are somewhat formulaic, it’s so well done, I didn’t mind at all. When I heard the title, I thought it sounded familiar. Indeed, a film with the same title starring Patrick Stewart and Katie Holmes was released in 2019. It’s also about music and I really enjoyed it as well. 

Four out of five stars

 

Streaming on Apple TV and in theatres.  

"Driveways"

 2019 1h 23min Brian Dennehy had a lengthy career, both on the stage and screen. He played a wide range of characters from tough sheriffs to the kindly alien in Cocoon.  In this film, he lives a pretty boring life as an aging widower. His day constitutes mundane tasks, the highlight being an afternoon of bingo at the local VFW hall. 

 

One day, a single mom with her young son Cody (Lucas Jaye) moves in next door. She’s inherited the house from her recently deceased sister, and has the monumental task of clearing out all her junk and putting it on the market. Cody, who’s smart and exceedingly shy, starts talking to Dennehy and the two become fast friends. It morphs into one of those cross-generational relationships that are truly heart warming. This is a rare feel-good movie I didn’t want to end. And it’s the perfect swan song to wonderful career.

4 out of 5 stars 

"Before I Go"

 2021 1h 38min

Every once in a while a movie comes along that just knocks me out. Watching this film was like being hit by a velvet sledgehammer. I saw it a couple weeks ago, and I decided to watch a little bit of it last evening to refresh my memory. It hooked me in a second time and I ended up seeing the whole thing again. This indie film is why I’m so in love with movies. 

 

“Before I Go” stars Annabella Sciorra and it could almost be considered a one (wo)man play. She’s on the screen for most of the movie, and what an amazing presence she is. She plays Samantha, a former folk singer that lives in New York and for the last 20 years or so, has had a series of mundane jobs. The movie opens with a series of angsty vignettes with her interacting with fellow New Yorkers. They’re rather comical and sort of set the tone for the rest of the film. 

 

After one encounter with a nasty driver, she injures her leg. She’s treated at a local clinic and when she gets a bottle of painkillers, she briefly considers suicide. Samantha runs into a gentleman who she thinks is a priest and has an extended, albeit one-sided conversation with him. Without giving away too much, let’s just say the scene takes an amusing turn. 

 

One of the ongoing themes is her relationship with her father, brilliantly played by Robert Klein. He’s one of those actors who’s instantly recognizable. Like me, you’ve probably seen him in a million things without knowing his name. He’s a widower-his wife committed suicide years ago-and he has an apartment full of memories (mainly junk) he just can’t part with. The two constantly talk about uncluttering their respective abodes. 

 

The movie is absolutely full of surprises, which include Internet dating, quirky characters, revelations about her mother, and believe it or not, an endearing relationship Samantha develops with an earthworm! I won’t say anything more about said earthworm except you’ll just have to see this film to know what I’m talking about. I simply loved everything about “Before I Go.” The acting, writing, cinematography, and music are all perfect. 

 

As a special bonus, even though this movie was just released at the end of July of this year, it’s available to view for free on Hoopla.com! It’s also available through Amazon Prime. 

5 out of 5 stars

"Lucky"

 2017 1h 28min

Harry Dean Stanton was a supporting actor over a long career, usually playing offbeat, eccentric characters. His movies include “Alien,” “Repo Man,” and “The Green Mile.” In his last film, he plays Lucky, a cantankerous old coot who lives alone in a small town in Texas. His daily routine consists of shaving, a short workout routine, working the crossword puzzle at the diner, and spending the day watching game shows. Every evening he hangs out at the local saloon with a bunch of unusual characters. 

 

This film is dialogue heavy-- my kids would call it boring but I like the term subtle. Not a whole lot happens, but Stanton can be deep and introspective at times. He’s a philosopher and a sage of sorts. After a career playing a sideman, it’s nice to just let the camera roll and let him have his say. And he sure has a lot to say. The film also stars David Lynch (Yes, that David Lynch), Ed Begley Jr., and Tom Serritt. Such a beautiful ending to a long and interesting life. 
4 out of 5 stars

Streaming on Hoopla, Tubi, HBO and other platforms

"The Last Letter From Your Lover"

2021 1h 50min

The days of Hollywood dominating the Oscars are long gone. Over the years, indie films made significant inroads into the spotlight. Today, the studios of the major streaming companies have been pumping out films on a par with the traditional studios. Take Netflix for example. Last year, the streaming giant had 37 films nominated for Oscars including noteworthy ones like “Mank”, “The Trial of the Chicago 7”, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, and “My Octopus Teacher”.   

 

If you enjoy a well-written and acted romance, I think you’ll enjoy the recently released Netflix movie “The Last Letter From Your Lover”. It stars the sweet and charming Felicity Jones and the remarkable Shailene Woodley. Jones plays a young columnist at an English newspaper that uncovers some old love letters from a society matron (Woodley) in the paper’s vault. Intrigued, she works with the archivist to unearth more letters. 

 

The story jumps back in time to the late 1960s where we see Woodley’s character on holidays with her wealthy, entrepreneurial, jet-setting husband. Anthony O’Hare (Callum Turner), a financial journalist from the same paper, joins them while doing research for a story about them. With her husband largely absent, she begins a torrid yet ill-fated love affair with the journalist. 

 

As expected, Jones starts falling for her archivist accomplice and their affair soon blooms into an all-out romance. I thought the movie was quite enjoyable and in spite of some of the reviews I’ve read complaining that the book was much better than the movie, it’s great for a couple hours of escapism. The way the 1960s was depicted was absolutely spot on. 

 

In closing, let me just say that I felt the pandemic has made the last year and a half a bit grim. I think the Oscars reflected that feeling—all the Best Picture contenders were pretty dark. I know we’re all ready for some brighter movies in our lives and I wouldn’t be surprised if this one was nominated for an Oscar or two. Remember, you heard it here first!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars