"Here Alone"

I guess it could loosely be called a zombie movie. It's more about survival after a virus hits the country and turns everyone into, okay, I guess, zombies. I found this movie super creepy, and I'm not usually a fan of these flicks. But I enjoyed it, especially considering the weird pandemic times we're currently living through. The lead, played by Lucy Walters, is out in the woods, trying to survive on her own. She had fled the city with her husband and young daughter, but they became infected and died. Eventually another couple runs into her, and the three work together to carry on. Obviously it's a grim tale of survival, but I thought Walters did a superb job. If I was out in the woods, I'd definitely want her on my side!
3.5 out of 5 stars

"The Ghost Who Walks"

Garland Scott plays a criminal who rats on his former boss to get out of prison early. He's determined to reunite with his wife and the daughter he's never met. He's constantly one step ahead of the gangsters who are determined to do him in. The movie is super suspenseful, as you'd imagine, and although you know it's not going to end well, you just have to stay with it. Scott does an amazing job, and the cinematography is absolutely brilliant. I haven't seen a film this intense in quite a while.
3.5 out of 5 stars

"Dean"

I'm a big fan of Demetri Martin. I think he's one of the smartest comedians around, and I love his stand-up comedy specials on Netflix. When I heard he'd written and starred in a movie, I was a bit hesitant to watch it. I've seen movies by other excellent comedians that, well, were a bit disappointing. But this film was excellent. And it's much more than a comedy--it has a great deal of depth. Martin plays Dean, a young illustrator whose mother has recently passed away. He and his father, brilliantly played by Kevin Kline, are dealing with their loss. Dean flies out to L.A. for a job interview while his dad, against his wishes, decides to sell their Brooklyn home. Martin's clever illustrations are interwoven quite effectively into the film and add to its significant charm. The movie is about grieving, without being melancholy, and the prospect of budding romance. It's not a laugh riot, but it's not a downer either. Just a solid hour and a half of great filmaking.
4 out of 5 stars

                                   

"The Death of Stalin"

As the title implies, this film is about, you guessed it. the death of Stalin! Macabre and grim? Well, with humorous and outstanding performances by Steve Buscemi, Jeffrey Tambor, Michael Palin, an and scores of other familiar faces, it's anything but. The action starts one the evening of the demise of the ruthless dictator and covers the struggle for power in the immediate aftermath of his death. The dialogue is nothing short of brilliant--often a speaker will begin a statement, then switch positions mid-sentence, depending on the reaction of his colleagues. What a fitting movie to watch while we witness a similar dystopian drama unfold in Washington today. I can't recommend this movie highly enough.
5 out of 5 stars

"Justine"

On the surface, this looks like your typical Hallmark Hall of Fame family drama. But appearances can be deceiving. Especially in the case of this movie. It deals with issues like racism, grief, intimacy and much more. The story centers around a young woman, played by Stephanie Turner, who has recently lost her husband. She moves in with her father-in-law with her two young daughters and takes a job as a nanny for a girl, Justine,  who is wheelchair bound. The two of them bond and bring out the best in each other. But all is not peachy keen.The movie takes a few unexpected turns that keep things interesting. I thought Ms Turner did an outstanding job and look forward to seeing her in other challenging roles. Perhaps the only negative thing I can say about the film is that I thought Justine's parents were a bit two dimensional.
4 out of 5 stars

"Frank & Lola"

Frank (Michael Shannon) a celebrity chef in Las Vegas is obsessed with Lola (Imogen Poots). The two fall in love, but when Lola reveals she was raped by her mother's boyfriend, Frank travels to Paris to confront her assailant. The movie takes several unexpected twists and turns, but keeps you guessing right until the closing moments. It's one of the more unusual tales of love and obsession I've seen in quite a while. The plot may be somewhat thin, but the two leads are so good, you don't mind the wild ride at all. If anyone understands the ending, could you please email me and file me in?
3.5 out of 5 stars

"Get Him to the Greek"

It's not just about drugs, sex, and rock and roll. But it's a big part of this fun movie. A nerdy young intern at a record company (Jonah Hill) gets a choice assignment: to get an out of control rock star (Russell Brand) from London to The Greek Theater in L.A. for the opening night of a new world tour. As you'd expect, it's one wild ride, filled with plenty of drugs and booze, loose babes, and a whole lot more. But this movie has its serious moments as well. Without giving away too much, it ends up well for everyone. A much better movie that it looked like in the trailers. Give it a shot! I don't think you'll be disappointed.
4 out of 5 stars