"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. 

"The Justice of Bunny King"

2021 * NR * 1h 41m   Wow! I just finished watching The Justice of Bunny King and I have to admit, I'm emotionally drained. What a powerful piece of filmmaking. The acting by Essie Davis is absolutely superb. And the story kept me hooked right until the end. It's all about the desperate situation a mother )Bunny) gets into when her children are taken from her. She's basically living on the streets, earning money by washing windshields at busy intersections.

And the state seems to have almost no compassion for her situation. In fact, when a friend invites her to stay with his family, who happen to be Maori, you notice immediately that they have far more compassion than the government does. They warmly welcome her as part of their family.

Bunny desperately tries to be reunited with her two children. However, it's a struggle that seems to be insurmountable. What a moving and emotional story. Thomasin MkKenzie (Leave no Trace, Jojo Rabbit) is also great as Bunny's niece. If you're looking for something different to watch, I highly recommend watching this remarkable film.

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Kanopy.com for free with your library card. Also on Prime Video.

"Arctic"

2018 * PG-13 * 1h 38m  I'd have to say, this is one of the finest survival movies I've ever seen. I think it surpasses films like All is Lost, Adrift, The Grey, and the more sci-fi types like The Martian, Interstellar, and The Road. And that some pretty heady competition. 

The film centers around the pilot of a small airplane who crashes into the nether regions of Iceland in the heart of winter. He survives by fishing, and sheer determination. When he spots a helicopter flying overhead, he's overcome with emotion and signals for help. When the chopper crashes, his hope is dashed. He discovers a female surviver, although she's unconscious and barely alive. After a few days, he comes to the conclusion that they have to make a break for it and attempt trekking back to civilization. And what an arduous task that is! 

There are several things I really enjoyed (if I can use that word) about this film. For starters, the acting by Mads Mikkelsen was superb. He had almost no dialogue in the movie. He conveyed his various thoughts and feelings through his facial expressions and the occasional grunt or groan. What an amazing performance. The scenery is also phenomenal. The landscape is so remarkable, it really makes me want to visit Iceland. I think I'd opt for summertime, however. And the cinematography was outstanding as well. You feel like you're right there with Mikkelsen, suffering the cold and wind along with him. Just a great film from beginning to end. Don't miss this film!

4 out of 5 stars

Streaming on Hoopla for free with your library card. Also on Hulu and Prime Video.

"Yes Man"

2008 * PG-13 * 1h 44m I've made it a habit over the years to avoid films starring Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler. Although, Adam Sandler has surprised me lately playing straight role. And for some reason, I thought I'd give this Jim Carrey movie a shot. I missed it when it came out, but when it popped up on Netflix recently, I thought I'd give it a shot. I could always stop it if it got bad. And it never did, actually!

Yes Man is about Carl (Carrey), a total loser. He has a few friends, but he never goes out and does anything. Life is quietly passing him by while he sits home and watches movies from the video store. He's a loan officer at a Savings & Loan and is constantly being passed over for promotions. Then one day he runs into an old friend Nick (John Michael Higgins) who's happy as a lark and just in love with life. He lets him in on his secret--he's attended seminars led by a guru who's whole philosophy is to say "yes" to every opportunity that arrises. By saying "yes" you open up a whole new world of opportunities. 

Nick even takes him to a revival-style meeting where he receives the word along with a whole auditorium of converts. And it changes his life. He meets a zany girl Allison (Zooey Deschanell), who he falls in love with, by saying "yes" to everyone applying for a loan, his company starts raking in the bucks and he gets promoted.And his life does a 180 degree turn. It's just a fun, charming movie and Carrey rarely resorts to his annoying, zany displays. I just wish he'd make more of the types of movies. This is proof that you can make a comedy without acting like an idiot. Well don Mr. Carrey. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix, and Prime Video.