"Daliland"

2022 * Not Rated * 1h 37m  I knew Salvador Dali was a genius and crazy as well. I guess when it comes to the arts, you can't have one without the other. This film perfectly captures just how mad Dali was, especially in his later years. And Dali is played to perfection by the great Sir Ben Kingsley. 

The story takes place in 1973, when Dali was getting ready for a big show in New York. A young gallery assistant James (Christopher Briney), is tasked with helping him prepare. He travels to Europe with Dali and his entourage and oh, the adventures he gets involved in. Dali loves to be the center of attention and he throws elaborate and legendary parties with a whole cadre of famous and eccentric people in attendance. It's great fun to witness such debauchery. 

James also witnesses the unusual relationship Dali has with his wife Gala (Barbara Sukowa). She's a force to be reckoned with and seems to be the driving force behind Dali's genius. She also nags him constantly to produce art. And we discover what a greedy, scheming witch she is as well. I'm not sure how closely the story sticks to the truth, but does it really matter? It is a film about Dali after all!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

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

 

"Skyscraper"

 2018 * PG-13 * 1h 42m If you're looking for a well-made, edge-of-you-seat, action-packed thriller, then this should do nicely. It's one of those mindless, sit back and enjoy the ride movies, complete with plenty of explosions, a million close scrapes and brushes with death that make for a fun evening of entertainment. 

The plot is pretty simple. After getting a little background about Will Sawyer (Dwayne Johnson), we jump to the near future. He has a job handling security for the tallest building in the world, which is nearing completion. He moves to Hong Kong with his wife Sarah (Neve Campbell), and their two young children. Then all hell break loose when an enemy of the skyscraper's builder Zhao Long Ji (Chin Han), decides to destroy the massive structure. Will's family is trapped in their apartment on an upper floor of the building and naturally he'll do whatever it takes to save them.

The action scenes are way over the top. With every turn, he's about to drop 200 stories to his death. And he barely hangs on (both literally and figuratively) for dear life. The special effects are quite impressive. Plus the CGI is remarkable--you feel you're right there battling the elements and the enemy with him. I'll bet this was even better on the big screen!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime Video.

"Joyride"

2022 * Not Rated * 1h 34m  Take one of my favorite genres: The Road Trip. Add one of my favorite actors: Olivia Coleman. Set it in beautiful Ireland. And what do you end up with? One charming, entertaining little indie drama! It's just a crazy, fun adventure you can't help but be charmed by. 

The story opens on a young boy Mully (Charlie Reid), at a fundraiser for his family who's just lost their mother. Mully grabs the wad of cash and bolts out of the pub and steals a taxi. Well, to his surprise, he discovers a drunk woman Joy (Coleman), in the back seat. And there's an infant to boot! As it turns out, Joy had the baby unexpectedly and has decided she's going to give it to one of her dear friends to raise. Thus the adventure begins. 

Joy knows absolutely nothing about taking care of an infant. And Mully is distraught about losing his mother, and his father James (Lochlann O'Mearain), has been less than supportive of him He's basically a self-centered drunk. So the two mismatched pair are perfect for each other. They encounter a series of madcap incidents as they traverse the gorgeous Irish countryside. There's a very funny scene where the young lad teaches Joy how to breastfeed her baby. The two leads have incredible chemistry together--they could almost be mother and son in real life. 

It all adds up to a rollicking buddy film you won't soon forget. If you're looking for a fun little movie, I highly recommend this gem!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

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

"It's Kind of a Funny Story"

 2010 * PG-13 * 1h 41m  When I saw Jim Gaffigan and Zach Galifianakis were in this movie, I just assumed it was a comedy. Boy was I wrong, Sure, there were some amusing moments and situations in it. But it wasn't really a comedy at all. It's a story revolving around teen suicide and takes place mostly in a mental hospital. So much for the laughs, eh?

A teenager Craig (Keir Gilchrist) is a typical kid, suffering from the usual angst like a lot of young people. Only he suffers from severe depression and has taken himself off his meds. One evening he seriously considers committing suicide and checks himself into a hospital. There he's assigned a room and is told he'll be kept for observations for the better part of a week. Even when he tells his doctor (Viola Davis) he feels better, he's told it's for his own good to remain under their care. 

While he's in the hospital, he meets quite a few unusual characters. They include fellow patient Bobby (Galifianakis), his roommate Muqtada (Bernard White) who never leaves his bed, and Noelle (Emma Roberts), a troubled young girl who he picks up a relationship with. It's a very touching, well-written and acted movie I'd never heard of. If you're looking for a heartfelt teen drama that never really gets sappy, (al right, it gets a little mushy at the end), give this one a shot. You won't be disappointed. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix and available to rent on Prime Video. 

"The Forgotten"

 2004 * PG-13 * 1h 31m  If you're looking for a nail biting, sci-fi thriller, this one will not disappoint. I saw it many years ago, and when  it popped up on Kanopy I decided to give it another viewing. I must say, it was just as exciting the second time around. It's one of those mind-boggling flicks that you have to Google when it's over to find out exactly what happened. 

"The Forgotten" stars one of my favorite actors--Julianne Moore. She really makes this film something outstanding. She plays Telly,  a mother whose son died in a plane crash a little over a year ago. She's struggling to get over her grief. Then, things start to change. And not for the better. First her husband and then her shrink tell her she never had a son. Or more properly, he died in childbirth. One day she meets Ash (Dominic West) in a local park whose daughter was a friend of her son's. Only he claimed he never had a daughter. That is until she jogs his memory. 

It's not long before the NSA starts asking questions. Soon, she and Ash are on the lam, in hot pursuit by a relentless gang of suspicious characters. It's quite a ride right up until the end of the film. And it'll keep you guessing just what in the heck is going on. What an offbeat, exciting thriller it is!

4 out of 5 stars

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

"Nancy"

 2018 * Not Rated * 1h 25m I put this one in my queue because it looked mildly interesting. I finally get around to watching it, expecting it to be an amusing diversion. But it turned to be quite captivating and far different that the description I read about it. I thought it would be one of those creepy films where a young woman poses as the dead child of an unsuspecting couple. 

Nancy (Andrea Riseborough) is a woman in her early 30s who's taking care of her ailing mom. We get a glimpse into her strange existence when she meets a man online and pretends she recently lost her baby. After her mother passes away, she hears a story about a couple whose child was kidnapped some 25 years ago. When the image of a computer generated photo of what their daughter would look like today appears on a tv special about the case, Nancy thinks she matches the girl almost exactly. She contacts the couple, who are extremely skeptical, but agree to meet with her. 

She drives to the home of Betty (Ann Down) and Leo (Steve Buscemi) and explains to them she was adopted and her past is a bit cloudy.. There's more hope than deception in her intentions, and while Leo is a bit suspicious, you can sense Betty is ready to accept her as their long lost daughter. I won't give any more of the story away, but it grabbed me from the opening minutes until the credits rolled. I thought the acting was fantastic, especially from Ms. Riseborough. Just another little film no one's ever heard of in spite of it winning several international awards including Sundance. 

4 out of 5 stars

Streaming for free on Kanopy and Hoopla (with your library card) and Tubi. Also on Plex, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, and Prime Video. 

"This is Martin Bonner"

2013 * R * 1h 23m I reviewed the fine movie "Little Fish" a couple weeks ago. And it piqued my interest about the other films directer Chad Hartigan has done. I saw his "Morris from America" a few months back and enjoyed it. "This is Martin Bonner" looked right up my alley and I'm glad I watched it. Like his other films, this one is definitely character driven. There's not a lot of action and it takes its time to unfold. But what a beautiful film it is. That's due to the sensitive writing and the brilliant acting from the two leads--Paul Eenhoorn and Richmond Arquette. 

We meet Martin (Eenhoorn), an older gentleman who's recently moved from Maryland to Reno to start his life over. He has a job helping prisoners who are about to be released transition to their new lives. He's a gentle, kind man who speaks regularly with his daughter via phone, and tries relentlessly to reconnect with his son. Travis (Arquette) is free after serving 12 years for manslaughter while drunk driving. The two men meet and Martin takes Travis under his wing. 

The two men spend a great deal of time together. They engage in thoughtful discussions about their lives, and life in general. Martin is a loner, but never really lonely. He's a volunteer ref for the local girls soccer league. He also does a bit of speed dating at his daughters' insistence. Travis, meanwhile, tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter, who's bitter about him not being there during her formative years. 

Eenhorn's performance is an absolute wonder. He's quiet, unassuming, and has an almost priest-like aura about him. When you watch him, you wish you could hear his inner thoughts. When I did a quick check on him on IMDb, I noticed he hadn't played in any major films, which is a shame. I was also saddened to see he passed away in 2022. Godspeed to you Mr. Eenhoorn. 

"This is Martin Bonner" is a classic indie film. Like most movies of this ilk, it features excellent writing, great directing, and above all, fantastic acting.  Not surprisingly,  it's won several awards including the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card) and YouTube. Also available to rent on Prime Video. 

"Ode to Joy"

 2019 * R * 1h 37m  I think everyone of us is dysfunctional in a way. So we can relate to people like the main character in this funny, offbeat rom-com. It deals with a condition called Cataplexy, which I'm not sure is actually a real thing. At least not the the extent it's depicted in this movie. It causes people to fall asleep when experiencing strong emotions, which in this case is joy. 

Charlie (Martin Freeman) has a nice, quiet job working in a library. It's a safe haven, hidden away from a public and situations that could cause him to react to joy. It's hilarious watching him walk to work, and how witnessing other people's happiness starts to effect him. He simply has to look away from people smiling or even holding hands! Then one day a beautiful and unsuspecting woman Francesca (Morena Baccarin) walks into his life. He's attracted to her, but he has to be careful not to fall in love with her and actually experience joy. (The horror! The Horror!) 

The film takes a number of twists and turns--some expected and some out of the blue. All adding up to a fun, and funny romp. This is just a charming, funny little indie film that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Both Freeman and Baccarin are fabulous and they have wonderful chemistry together. We sure could use a few more movies like this in our lives!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card, YouTube and Tubi. Also on AMC+ and IFC Films Unlimited.  

"Little Fish"

 2020 * Unrated * 1h 41m  I'm a huge fan of sci-fi movies of all types. In general I think they pretty much fall into two categories. The first are the ones where you suspend your belief in reality. They either take place in an alternate universe or are set way into the future. The second category are the movies that take place either now or in the very near future and are entirely plausible .I feel these have quite a bit more impact. "Little Fish" falls into the latter category. 

In the film, a catastrophic pandemic is sweeping the planet. It's called NIA, which stands for Neuro-Inflammatory Affliction, and it causes people to lose their memories. In some, the change is immediate, while in others itthe loss is gradual. The movie reminds me a little of the fine "Perfect Sense." in which people lose their senses, one at a time. It's equally as devastating and moving. Especially with two remarkable leading actors as fine as Olivia Cooke and Jack O'Connell. 

Emma (Cooke) and Jude (O'Connell) are a happily married couple. The film jumps back and forth between the present day to when they first met and started dating. We're also treated to scenes from their wedding day. Then tragedy strikes when Jude begins forgetting things. The couple go to the hospital where it's confirmed that he does indeed have the disease. After the initial shock wears off, they make a plan to deal with the affliction. They create a wall of photos with sticky notes identifying the various people in their lives. 

The couple is so in love, it's absolutely heartbreaking to see Jude forget his past. But they soldier on, and continue to cling to each other and their memories as best they can. It's interesting that "Little Fish" came out during the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Tragic losses aren't that far behind us. 

Just about everything about this touching, powerful, and beautiful film are perfect. I especially enjoyed the cinematography and the haunting soundtrack. If you're looking for something a bit different, give this fine film a viewing. You won't be disappointed. 

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy.com with your library card. Also on Hulu and to rent on YouTube and Prime Video. 

"Spaceman"

2024 * R * 1h 47m  I'll say this right off the bat: I'm not a huge Adam Sandler fan. In fact, when I see what looks like an interesting film on Netflix, I'll put it in my queue. But when I find out Sandler is in it, out it goes. But every once in a while he surprises me. And lately, he's been appearing and shining is some pretty dramatic roles. I especially enjoyed his performance in "Uncut Gems."

I sort of had my doubts with this one. But I'm glad I watched it. I'm a huge sci-fi buff. In fact, my favorite movie all time is "2001: A Space Odyssey." I think this one is almost as deep. It's more about being a human than anything else. And it's ultimately about coming to terms with who we are.

Jacob Prochazka (Sandler) is an astronaut on a long mission to collect dust from the outer atmosphere of Jupiter. His pregnant wife Lenka (Carrie Mulligan) is back on earth. The two are having marital problems and seldom communicate. One day he meets a spider-like creature on his ship. He's a bit shocked at first but eventually he gets comfortable with the creature.  Over the course of time, the two of them have some very heady conversations. His presence makes the viewer wonder whether he really exists or is he a figment of Jacob's imagination?

I won't say much more about this film except that just about everything is perfect. The acting. Storyline. Special effects. And the beautiful soundtrack. If you want an action flick, avoid this movie. But if you want something deeper and moving, give it a shot. Kudos to everyone involved in making this fine film. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix 

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"Next Exit"

 2022 * Not Rated * 1h 46m  I love a good buddy road trip flick. Well, this isn't your typical one. Not by a long shot. It's the sci-fi debut for writer/director Mali Elfman, and what a terrific first outing it is. The film takes place in the very near future, where a scientist is doing controversial experiments with sending people into the afterlife, with the hope of taking humans to the next stage of evolution. A pretty dark premise. 

Well two New Yorkers volunteer to participate. They're strangers, but they end up sharing a ride out west, where the project is taking place. The couple, Rose (Katie Parker) and Teddy (Rahul Kohli) are at each other's throats right from the get-go. They fight about everything, and it's amusing yet uncomfortable at the same time. They both have troubled pasts, which they eventually open up about. Like most good road-trip movies, they meet plenty of characters along the way, which makes the adventure that much more interesting. 

Naturally, since opposites attract, especially in the movies, they end up reluctantly falling for each other. However, this could be problematic since at the end of their trip, they've volunteered to commit suicide as part of the research. I won't say anything more about the outcome of the film, you'll just have to watch it to see what happens. Overall, I really enjoyed the film. The two leads were terrific, the story was very engaging, and the cinematography was spot on. My only complaint was the soundtrack. I thought it was petty annoying at times. It reminded me a bit of the sounds Yorgos Lanthimos incorporates into his films. 

4 out of 5 stars

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

"Ben is Back"

2018 * R * 1h 43m I don't know how I missed this one when it came out. You'd think with a star like Julia Roberts in it, it would have garnered more attention. And with Oscar-worthy performances by her and Lucas Hedges, this film should have been way more popular than it is. The story deals with a tough subject, drug addiction, and the tough love a family uses to attempt to control it. What a powerful, intense, and thoroughly captivating movie it is. 

Holly (Roberts) is returning home with her kids after a rehearsal for the Christmas Eve service at their church. As they pull up in the driveway, her oldest son Ben (Hedges) is waiting for them. He's been in rehab for drug addiction and wasn't expected home. He reassures them that the visit was approved by his sponsor. Well, that's the first in a series of lies you expect from a hard-core junkie. And it's just the beginning of the problems the family faces. 

Holly reluctantly agrees to let her son spend one day with the family, as long as he stays by her side the entire time he's there. While the family attends Christmas service, someone vandalizes their home and steals their beloved dog. So Holly and Ben go out on a mission in search of the dog. It's an intense journey, and will have you biting your nails until the credits roll. Just about the entire movie takes place over the course of one evening. Sort of a long day's journey into night, if you will. The story takes a number of twists and turns, and you never know what's going to happen next. 

If you're looking for a well made, well acted thriller, give this one a whirl! 

4 out of 5 stars

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

It says "Video Unavailable" but click on "Watch on YouTube" and it plays! 

"How to Build a Girl"

2019 * R * 1h 42m  When it comes to whacky, offbeat coming of age flicks, the Brits really shine! If you're looking for a fun, well written and acted indie movie you'll definitely love this little gem. It features some familiar actors in supporting roles. But the real star is Beanie Feldstein who's an absolute delight to watch. She almost singlehandedly carries the entire film. 

Johanna Morrigan (Feldstein) is a young, precocious, and nerdy kid, living with her working-class family in Wolverhampton. Her life is pretty mundane until one day she decides to reinvent herself. She decides since she has a gift for writing, she's going to start doing music reviews for a hot magazine, loosely based on NME in London. She quickly learns about the business and at first it's fun to watch her adapt. But her popularity quickly goes to her head and she turns into an insufferable, egotistical pain in the butt. 

She even turns on her own family.  And when you see her interact with her peers, you wonder if they like her or are merely tolerating her and secretly despise her? Does she figure out what a horrible person she's become and redeem herself in the end? You'll just have to watch this one and find out for yourself.  

I really enjoyed this one. I especially liked Ms. Feldstein's performance and look forward to seeing what she does next. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Kanopy. Also on AMC+, and IFC Films Unlimited. 

A short video I just made

I don't normally do this, but I'm posting a short movie of mine. Pardon the crudeness of it, but I'm trying to figure out how to use iMovie.

 

"Plus One"

2019 * Not Rated * 1h 38m  I've been watching a fair amount of heavier, and darker movies. So I needed something fairly mindless to view. When this one popped up on Netflix, I thought I'd give it a chance. I was not disappointed. Sure, it's totally formulaic, and you pretty much know what's going to happen. But sometimes, that's okay. And this turned out to be a heck of a lot funnier than I was expecting.  

"Plus One" stars two actors I'd never heard of--Jack Quaid and Maya Erskine. They both play off each other well and are absolutely hilarious together. The plot is pretty basic. Two old friends Ben (Quaid) and Alice (Erskine) are inundated with wedding invitations. It seems like everyone they know is getting married. So they decide to be each others "plus one" during the wedding season. They agree ahead of time that the relationship is going to be strictly platonic. Yeah, right!

As you'd guess, they eventually fall for each other. They not only didn't see it coming, but they try to resist  their natural attraction The two of them have some amazing chemistry, and here it's funny that Alice is the foul-mouthed one. She spews a constant stream of one liners and digs at both Ben and the situation they've gotten into. I laughed out loud a number of times, which is pretty rare for me. Overall, I really enjoyed the film. I just wish there were more like it out there!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Note to parents: While the movie is Not Rated, I'd probably rate it "R" mainly for language. 

Currently streaming on Netflix, Hulu, The Roku Channel, and to rent on YouTube and Prime Video. 

"Queenpins"

 2021 * R * 1h 50m  When I read the description of the movie, I was reluctant to watch it. It's a true story about a couple women who are involved in a multi-million dollar coupon scam. Huh? This had the potential to be either really lame, or really funny. It turned out to be the latter. An improbable story helped out by some great acting from Kristen Bell, Kirby, Paul Walter Hauser, and Vince Vaughn. 

The story is about a housewife Connie (Bell) who's in a loveless marriage. Her husband is constantly on the road and to relieve her boredom becomes an avid coupon clipper. She's over the top with it and has a pantry chock full of groceries she's saved money on. One day she opens up a box of stale cereal. She writes a complaint letter to the company, and when she receives a coupon for a free replacement box, she hatches a plan. She gets together with her neighbor JoJo (Kirby) and the two of them start a campaign where they write complaining letters.to all sorts of companies for free coupons. Then they start selling the coupons. That's just slightly illegal, but then they take it to the next level. 

At this point, it's come to the attention of Ken (Hauser) who deals with coupon fraud. He's absolutely hilarious as he tries to get the FBI involved. When the case is turned over to the Post Office, Vince Vaughn's character teams up with him to try to locate the culprits. Overall, it's a pretty lighthearted, funny movie that I got a kick out of. It's not a great movie, but it is a couple hours of good fun, with a couple laugh out loud moments. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix

"Cowboys & Aliens"

 2011 * PG-13 * 1h 59m  I remember when this film came out, I blew it off because of the title. I figured it was some animated screwball comedy aimed at kids. When it popped up on Netflix, I put it in my queue and after seeing the trailer, decided to give it a whirl. What a pleasant surprise. 

Just as its title implies, it is indeed about cowboys and aliens. When I thought about it, why do all alien-themed movies take place in the present day.? If aliens do indeed exist, they could visit our planet at any time in history. So the juxtaposition of aliens in the wild west could actually take place. The story is basically about ETs visiting earth to mine for gold. When humans interfere, they start killing us. 

An unlikely coalition is formed to battle the invaders. Townsfolk team up with a bunch of bandits ,and a large group of Native Americans. The action scenes are very real and believable, not comical like I was expecting. The film is aided by a stellar group of actors which includes Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Sam Rockwell, Paul Dano, Olivia Wilde, and Abigail Spencer. It's an exciting shoot 'em up Western with a twist. If you like action flicks, give this one a try. Trust me on this one. I was pretty skeptical, but I was not disappointed. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Netflix and to rent on Prime Video.

"Days of the Bagnold Summer"

 2019 * NR * 1h 26m  I experienced firsthand what angsty teenagers are like. So I could definitely relate to the mom in this charming, humorous little British indie film. The movie features great performances from its two leads: Monica Dolan and Earl Cave. It's well written and has a very English sensibility about it. While there aren't a lot of laugh out loud moments in the movie, it'll certainly put you in a happy mood. 

A young teen Daniel is supposed to spend his summer holiday with his father and his new wife in Florida. At the last minute, the dad bails because his wife is expecting a baby soon, and he thinks it'll be too much stress on them. So he's resigned to hang out with his quiet, bookish librarian mom Sue (Dolan). Daniel is your typical teen, who's totally into heavy metal and listens to bands like Metallica round the clock. 

Sue does her best to entertain her son, but sadly, he finds almost noting in life very entertaining. It's this strained relationship that's at the crux of the story. Daniel is pretty abrasive at times, but in the end, the two come to terms with each other. And while the film doesn't have a totally happy ending, they do come to an appreciation for each other. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card), and Tubi, and YouTube. Also on The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Prime Video. 

"After Yang"

 2021 * PG * 1h 36m  This movie could loosely be categorized as a sci-fi film. But it's really a zen-like reflection on life and what it means to be human. It's gently paced and subtle. Not a lot happens, but what does happen, I found deeply moving. If you're looking for an action flick, avoid this one at all costs. 

"After Yang" takes place in the near future. A couple, Jake (Colin Ferrell) and Kyra (Jodie Turner-Smith) buy a second-hand AI robot Yang (Justin H. Min) to look after and be a companion to their adopted daughter Mika (Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja). Mika was born in China and the couple want her to learn about her birth country. One day Yang starts to fail and it turns out he can't be repaired. Jake finds out that Yang has been secretly recording snippets of his time with the family over the years. When he starts reviewing the video vignettes, it's revealed that Yang's hidden a part of his life from the family. It's almost as if Yang was becoming human. 

I thought the performances, along with a beautiful storyline, and a quiet soundtrack combined to make a gorgeous film. I can see why it isn't better known. I've rarely seen a film that was this profound, as a result of being this subtle. It gently sweeps over you like an ocean tide. Yang delivers a line that I particularly enjoyed, and I'll paraphrase it: "Something isn't anything without nothing." 

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

"The Best Offer"

2013 * R * 2h 11m  Who doesn't like a good thriller/mystery? This is one of the best I've seen in quite a while. Of course, nobody does it better than the British. This one grabbed me right from the beginning and had me guessing what was going to transpire right up to the end credits! It doesn't hurt that there were amazing performances from Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Donald Sutherland, and Sylvia Hoeks. If you're looking for some  compelling viewing, don't mis this one.

We meet Virgil Oldman (Rush), a fussy art dealer and auctioneer. He's made a fortune in the business and has amassed an incredible collection of art. He's been aided by his old friend Billy Whistler (Sutherland) who conspires with him during auctions to buy seriously undervalued paintings. Then one day he's invited to appraise a mansion full of art and furniture. There he encounters the mysterious owner of the estate--Claire Ibbetson (Hoeks). She speaks to him from behind the walls of the house, and it turns out she suffers from agoraphobia and hasn't left the house in years. 

While he's searching through her house, he begins to find mechanical parts which he takes to his friend Robert (Sturgess), a gifted young watchmaker. It turns out that the parts are part of a priceless antique automaton. 

That's all I'll tell you about this captivating movie. It's full of plot twists and turns and is great fun to watch. 

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card) and Tubi. Also on AMC+, IFC Film Unlimited, Showtime Anytime, and to rent on Prime Video.