"Coach Carter"

 2005 * PG-13 * 2h 16m  For some reason, I've never seen this movie. I guess you just can't see everything, eh? Well, it's been in my Netflix queue for a while, and I finally decided to watch it. What a great movie. I'd have to say, it's definitely in my top ten list of sports movies, and probably the best basketball movie I've ever sen. Wow! If you haven't seen it, give it a shot. (Pun intended). Even if you're not a basketball fan, there's plenty to enjoy here. 

The film is based on a true story. Samual L. Jackson plays Ken Carter, a former basketball star for Richmond High. He's now a successful businessman, and when offered the coach's job at his old high school, he opts to take it. He knows he's got his work cut out for him. The team is full of players who are struggling academically, and are perennial losers. When Carter takes over he makes the kids sign a contract stating they'll get a 2.3 GPA, won't skip classes, and will show up for practice on time. 

This is one of the finest roles I've ever seen him play. He's extremely strict, which is exactly what these kids need to rise above and out of the ghetto. He's absolutely relentless and the kids begrudgingly admit he means well for them. The action shots during their games had me pumping my fist, they're that well done. It's one of those classic underdog sports movies that'll put a smile on your face. But it goes quite a bit deeper than that. I absolutely loved this movie. Hope you do too!

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix, Amazon, and Prime Video.

"Them That Follow"

2018 * R * 1h 38m   Olivia Coleman, as near as I can tell, has never been less than amazing in everything she's appeared in. And this film is no exception. The story takes place in Appalachia and she perfectly nails the accent. She plays a deeply religious and stern matriarch. I'm not a religious person, and seeing this film further confirms my conviction that most religions are inherently evil. 

The story deals with a preacher Lemual (Walter Goggins), who leads a group of religious zealots who handle poisonous snakes to prove themselves before God. He's arranged to have her daughter Mara (Alice Englert) marry Garret (Lewis Pullman) a young parishioner. However, the young woman has a secret, which will cause an uproar once it's revealed. Mara is in love with her childhood friend Augie (Thomas Mann). Augie's parents are played by Ms. Coleman and Jim Gaffigan, who does a remarkable job playing a cold, cruel father. This is the first serious role I've seen him in and he's quite convincing. 

All the actors were excellent, and Lemual was quite easy to hate.  I thought Them That Follow was a powerful film about faith, family, and friendship. It was pretty creepy at times, especially the snake handling scenes. I know it's a work of fiction, but it sure makes me want to stay north of the Mason-Dixon line!

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

"I, Anna"

 2012 * NR * 1h 33m   When I described this movie to my wife, she commented, "What's with Charlotte Rampling? She sure loves to play in creepy movies, doesn't she?" Well, this movie is no exception. If you're a fan of British mysteries, you're gonna love this. It keeps you guessing right until the end. And it has a couple of characters you've seen in a bunch of films: Gabriel Byrne and Eddie Marsan both play detectives and definitely add to the authentic feel to this noire thriller. Of course, Ms. Rampling gives an outstanding performance. 

This is one of those films where you constantly question what's real and what's in the mind of the characters. It follows several stories which eventually tie together in the end. Anna Wells (Rampling) is looking for love at a speed dating club. Her daughter and granddaughter both live with her. Then we follow detective Bernie Reid (Byrne) as he investigates the murder of a middle-aged man. While investigating the murder he crosses paths with Anna, and the story begins a series of twists and turns. 

The plot begins to get complicated as he strikes up a relationship with Anna. You start to suspect that she's somehow involved in the murder, even though there are a couple of other characters who have stronger motives to commit the crime And you question his relationship with Anna--is it causing him to overlook some possible evidence? I really enjoy these types of thrillers. I hope you like it too!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy.com. And for free on Tubi. Also on Pluto TV and to rent on Prime Video. 

"Snapshots"

2018 * TV-MA * 1h 35m   A young woman Allison (Emily Baldoni), and her mother Patty (Brooke Adams), spend the weekend with her grandmother Rose (Piper Laurie) at her lakeside cottage. Allison is going through some tough times with her husband and the weekend is just the therapeutic getaway she needs. Allison finds her grandmother's old camera with a roll of exposed film in it. She has it developed and printed and gives it to her. 

As Rose goes through the prints from long ago, the movie jumps back in time to the early 1960s and tells us the story of a brief period of her life.  Rose and her late husband spent quite a bit of time at the cottage with another couple. It's during the flashbacks that we learn Rose had a passionate affair with Louise (Emily Goss) but kept it a secret over the years. As the film progresses, tensions flare between Allison and her mother. They definitely have a lack of communication. However, Allison opens up to her grandmother and the two seem to be perfect soulmates, in more ways than one 

I really enjoyed this heartfelt movie. The acting was solid and the story was well told. At the end of the film, it's disclosed that it was based on a true story. I'm sure similar tales have occurred over the yers to a ton of people. 

4 out of 5 stars 

Note to parents: There are some lesbian scenes and some tasteful nudity. 

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy.com. Also for free on Freevee and Tubi. Plus Paramount+, Plex, Peacock, and other services. 

"Death Defying Acts"

2007 * PG * 1h 37m   Like most kids, I was super into magic. And I was particularly fascinated by Harry Houdini, and read a bunch of books about him. So when this film came to my attention, I was all in! It features an excellent lineup of stars including Guy Pearce, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Timothy Spall and Saoirsse Ronan. The story takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1926.

While touring Great Britain, Houdini (Pearce) makes a stop in Edinburgh. There he meets and falls in love with a beautiful Scottish woman Mary (Zeta Jones).  Mary and her young daughter Benji (Ronan) have a psychic act. However, when the local theatre closes, they're out of work. Houdini has offered a huge reward to anyone who can tell him the dying words of his beloved mother. At first, Mary and her daughter are out to fleece him. However, things don't go according to plans when the two fall for each other. 

The movie keeps you guessing. Are they really in love? Are the playing games with each other? It's this intrigue that propels the movie forward and makes it a fun ride. I enjoyed seeing Ms. Ronan in an early role. And Timothy Spall was excellent as always playing Houdini's cynical and cautious manager. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy and Hoopla. Also on Tubi (for free) and on Pluto TV and Prime Video. 

"Match"

 2014 * R * 1h 32m   Warning: If you're looking for an action-packed thriller, look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a gently-paced, thoughtful drama that's full of surprises and riveting performances, put this film in your queue. It's based on a Tony Award winning play by Stephan Belber and stars Sir Patrick Stewart, Carla Gugino, and Matthew Lillard. The film takes place ialmost entirelyn a Greek diner and in a NYC apartment. 

A young woman Lisa (Gugino) is working on her dissertation on the history of dance in 1960s New York City. She's accompanied by her husband Mike (Lillard), who happens to be a tough cop. They meet with Tobi( Stewart) a dance instructor at Julliard, at a Greek diner in New York. After interviewing Tobi for a short while, he invites the couple to his apartment. There things get interesting. Tobi just loves talking about his colorful past in the world of dance. He makes no bones about being gay, but he's had numerous flings with several women during the wild "free love" 60s. 

You get the sense that the couple has some ulterior motive in meeting with Tobi, and the story takes a number of surprising twists and turns. And the ending completely caught me off guard. I have nothing but respect for Sir Patrick for taking on such a challenging and different role like this. I already knew he was an amazing talent, but it's refreshing to see someone of his caliber make a powerful indie film like this one. I was glued to y screen for the entire hour and a half. I'll wager you will be as well. 

4 1/2 out of 5 stars 

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

"Mrs. Lowry & Son"

 2019 * NR * 1h 31m   This biopic about the British painter LS Lowry is an amazing showcase for two of the finest actors working today--Dame Vanessa Redgrave and Timothy Spall. Ms. Redgrave needs no introduction, but you might not be as familiar with Mr. Spall. He's played in dozens of comedic roles in his younger years, but seems to be a cranky, sourpuss these days. He's recently appeared in Spencer, The Last Bus and Mr. Turner. As soon as you see his face you'll say, "I've seen him in a million things!" 

Mrs. Lowry & Son could have been a stage play, since it's basically two people interacting in one room of a house. LS lives with his mother, who's virtually bedridden. He's a hen-pecked gentleman who's passionate about his paintings, They depict scenes of the local industrial town, and show workers leaving the mill. LS spend his days collecting rent, the early evening tending to his domineering mother, and his nights painting. Redgrave's character is mean, controlling, and domineering, constantly putting down her son and his paintings. It's painful to watch her drain the spirit out of him. 

If you're looking for an action film, give this one a pass. However, if you're in the mood for a masterclass in acting, Mrs. Lowry & Son will reward you in spades. I had never heard of the painter LS Lowry, but when I looked him up, I was delighted to see the rich body of work he left. He's a revered painter who's widely respected and his work is in museums all around toe world.

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com and Kanopy.com and Tubi. Also on Plex, Pluto TV and Prime Video.