"Downsizing"

2017 * R * 2h 15m  Here's a perfect example of a good film that flew totally under the radar. With stars like Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig, you'd think it would have gotten more publicity. Before I get into my review, I should warn you that the trailer is a bit misleading. It's billed as a comedy, and the trailer sure makes it seem like one. But, while it has a few amusing bits, it's not a comedy at all. 

In the near future, a scientist discovers a way to shrink humans down to five inches tall. This is sold as a way to solve many of the worlds problems. If the entire population is shrunk down, they'll consume less natural resources and reduce global warming. So Paul Safranek (Damon) and his wife Audrey (Wiig) decide to undergo the transformation. After Paul has been shrunk, he discovers his wife has chickened out and he has to live in the small persons community by himself. 

While there, he meets some interesting characters. One is his neighbor Dusan (Christoph Walz), a Bosnian entrepreneur and playboy. He also encounters his cleaning woman Ngoc Lan Tran, played by Hong Chau ("The Menu" and "The Whale"). He helps her with her physical problems and in her quest to feed her needy neighbors. Eventually he falls for her. I thought it was an interesting story and the film was quite engaging. Not your typical Hollywood fare, and something quite a bit different for a Matt Damon movie. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy.com.  And on Paramount+ and to rent on Prime Video. 

"Set Fire to the Stars"

2014 * Not Rated * 1h 37m  It's refreshing to see Elijah Wood branch out from his "Lord of the Rings" days.  And this was a pretty challenging role for him. I don't know how much you know about the poet Dylan Thomas, but he was an out of control drunk and madman. Just imagine being responsible for his behavior?!! That's exactly what Wood's character has to do. 

The film is about Dylan Thomas's "Celyn Jones) first trip to the United States. John Malcolm Brinnin (Wood) is a professor of poetry and volunteers to keep the rowdy Welsh poet out of trouble before and during his poetry-reading tour of the country. Upon his arrival in NYC, Thomas gets in all sorts of trouble driving and carousing. Brinnin takes him to his family cabin in rural  Connecticut. Even there, miles from the nearest big city, Thomas manages to find his fair share of liquor. I think I got a bit of a hangover watching the movie!

The film takes place in the late 1940s, and the B&W footage, perfect costuming, and excellent use of vintage cars and locations, really give one the feel for the time. And the acting is just remarkable. While I've long been a fan of the amazing poet, it sure shows the sad and hopeless side of him. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy and Hoopla. And to rent on Prime Video. 

"The Tree"

2010 * Not Rated * 1h 40m   What an absolutely gorgeous film. It's a gently-paced story about love, loss, and healing. "The Tree" stars the always wonderful Charlotte Gainsbourg and the young and immensely talented Morgan Davies. If you're looking for a film that's just pure poetry in filmmaking, don't miss this one.

Dawn (Gainsbourg) lives in the Australian Outback  with her husband and four children. While returning from a job delivering a pre-fab home, her husband suddenly dies. After the initial shock, the family members deal with his passing in their own way and move on. While climbing a massive and gnarly tree adjacent to their house, six-year old Simone (Davies), hears her father's voice speaking to her through the rustling leaves. Dawn also gains comfort in sitting in the tree and conversing with her late husband. In order to pay the bills, Dawn takes a job with a plumber George (Marton Csokas), and the two become romantically involved. 

The film is shot in the beautiful part of northern Australia, and it provides a perfect backdrop for the action. The family takes a vacation to the shore, and the scenery is stunning. Just miles and miles of pristine shoreline. George joins them, and it causes a bit of friction with the children. When they return home, it's discovered that the roots of the gigantic tree are ruining their plumbing. Theft that they need to cut it down is more than a bit upsetting to young Simone. I thought it beautifully symbolized her inability to let go of her father. When the film was over, I just sat there for a bit to collect myself. It's quite a moving experience. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Kanopy.com (with your library card). 

"Strange Relations"

2001 * R * 1h 46m  I have to admit, I wasn't sure about this film after reading the description of it. It had the potential to be really sappy. But I was totally blown away by it. It delivered on everything--the writing, the story, and the acting. It was ultimately an emotionally draining experience. 

The story revolves around Jerry Lipman (Paul Reiser), a Jewish New York psychologist. After being diagnosed with leukemia, his mother, played by Olympia Dukakis, tells him he was actually adopted. His real birth mother was/is a Catholic woman from Liverpool, England. When he discovers she's still alive and has two other sons who might be possible bone marrow donors, he pays them a visit. This is where the majority of the film takes place and what a wild ride it is!

His mother Sheila (Dame Julie Walters) is quite a character. She's a sweet, loving matriarch who is overjoyed to finally be reunited with her son. Dame Walters delivers an incredible performance. While trying to reconnect with his two brothers, he ends up falling in love with his brother's ex-wife. Maureen (Amy Robbins), which further complicates the story. Without giving away any more of this excellent movie, let's just say you'll need to have some tissues handy. It's a fun, complicated, and yes, gut-wrenching journey. Just a solid hour and a half of solid movie viewing. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free  on Hoopla.com (with your library card), Youtube, Freevee, and Tubi. Also on Crackle and Peacock. 

"The Bachelors"

 2017 * Not Rated * 1h 39m   I'm a big fan of J.K. Simmons. Part of it is because he hails from my hometown--Grosse Pointe, MI. But mostly it's because he's a tremendous and versatile actor. And his talents really shine in this heartfelt movie. Maybe his best performance to date. And he's not the only one that turns in a great performance. Josh Wiggins, Odeya Rush, and Julie Delpy are all amazing here. 

In "The Bachelors," we follow Bill (Simmons) and his son Wes (Wiggins) as they move to a new town and school, a year after the loss of his wife. Bill was married to his true soulmate and he has a difficult time dealing with the devastating loss. Meanwhile, Wes, who's an excellent student, is assigned to tutor a classmate Lacy (Rush). She's a troubled girl who cut's herself, as a way to deal with her parents abusive relationship. Of course he's attracted to her, but she want nothing to do with a relationship. Bill also is attracted to a fellow teacher Carine (Delpy), but is afraid to make a commitment. 

I found the story quite moving. The way both father and son deal with their loss is heartbreaking, and the way it affects their relationship is powerful. As mentioned earlier, the performances by all the leads are incredible. And the writing and directing are both outstanding. If you're in the mood for some heavy-duty drama, don't miss this fine film. I simply don't know why it isn't better known.

4 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming on Hoopla.com (with your library card). Also on Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Prime Video. 

"Barefoot"

2014 * PG-13 * 1h 30m  Sometimes you just need a no-brainer, funny rom-com to lift your spirits. And this film fits that to a "T". I'll admit it, the writing is okay, the storyline is totally implausible, the acting is pretty good. But overall, it adds up to a delightful hour and a half of escapist movie viewing. Actually, the acting is quite decent, especially from Evan Rachel Wood and Scott Speedman, who have wonderful chemistry in the film 

Jay Wheeler (Speedman) comes from a wealthy family. However he's down on his luck and is on parole, working at a psychiatric hospital. When he gets invited to his brother's wedding, he wants to show his family that he's back on his feet. But who to take to the big event? One evening, he inadvertently helps a young patient Daisy (Wood) escape. Then he hatches a plan. Why not take her as his girlfriend. Well, Daisy is not exactly worldly--she's been raised in isolation practically her entire life. Which is the basis for most of the humor in the movie. 

It's a lot of fun watching the two of them in their various awkward situations. It's somewhat predictable, but is a blast nonetheless. And the addition of J.K. Simmons and Treat Williams round out a decent cast.  

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime Video. 

"Best Sellers"

 2021 * Not Rated * 1h 42m  I don't know why this movie isn't better known. After all, it does star the always wonderful Michael Caine. I know he's made some mediocre films in the last several years, but this one was a lot of fun. It also stars Aubrey Plaza, who's taken on a few more challenging roles since her "Parks & Recs" days. The two have great chemistry in this fun, heartfelt film. 

Lucy Stanbridge (Plaza) has inherited a publishing company. The firm gained fame by releasing a best-selling and controversial novel by the irrepressible author Harris Shaw, some forty odd years ago. The business has fallen on hard times and Lucy pays a visit to the reclusive, hard-drinking author with the hopes he has a follow-up novel to publish. As luck would have it, he does . However, there's a stipulation in his contract that says he's obligated to go on a book tour when its published. 

This is where the story gets interesting. Lucy goes on tour with him, and as expected, the cranky and unpredictable author behaves quite badly. It's fun to see the two interact. The story is somewhat predictable, but what a wild ride it is. There are a few surprises, which makes it all the more enjoyable. And there's an ending that I sort of saw coming, but it's charming nonetheless. 

Note to parents: While the film is unrated, there's quite a bit of swearing and drinking in the film. 

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