"The Last Letter From Your Lover"

2021 1h 50min

The days of Hollywood dominating the Oscars are long gone. Over the years, indie films made significant inroads into the spotlight. Today, the studios of the major streaming companies have been pumping out films on a par with the traditional studios. Take Netflix for example. Last year, the streaming giant had 37 films nominated for Oscars including noteworthy ones like “Mank”, “The Trial of the Chicago 7”, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”, and “My Octopus Teacher”.   

 

If you enjoy a well-written and acted romance, I think you’ll enjoy the recently released Netflix movie “The Last Letter From Your Lover”. It stars the sweet and charming Felicity Jones and the remarkable Shailene Woodley. Jones plays a young columnist at an English newspaper that uncovers some old love letters from a society matron (Woodley) in the paper’s vault. Intrigued, she works with the archivist to unearth more letters. 

 

The story jumps back in time to the late 1960s where we see Woodley’s character on holidays with her wealthy, entrepreneurial, jet-setting husband. Anthony O’Hare (Callum Turner), a financial journalist from the same paper, joins them while doing research for a story about them. With her husband largely absent, she begins a torrid yet ill-fated love affair with the journalist. 

 

As expected, Jones starts falling for her archivist accomplice and their affair soon blooms into an all-out romance. I thought the movie was quite enjoyable and in spite of some of the reviews I’ve read complaining that the book was much better than the movie, it’s great for a couple hours of escapism. The way the 1960s was depicted was absolutely spot on. 

 

In closing, let me just say that I felt the pandemic has made the last year and a half a bit grim. I think the Oscars reflected that feeling—all the Best Picture contenders were pretty dark. I know we’re all ready for some brighter movies in our lives and I wouldn’t be surprised if this one was nominated for an Oscar or two. Remember, you heard it here first!

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

 

"Aftermath"

2021 1h 54min    Once in a while, I enjoy a good creepy movie, so this new one on Netflix grabbed my attention. What really intrigued me was it was based on a true story. About 15 minutes in I was about to give up. The story wasn't that scary and the acting was so-so. But then things got more and more bizarre, and the fact that it was all true, kept me watching. I'm glad I did. A young couple who are having some marital problems buy a home that was recently the scene of a murder-suicide. They get a great price on a unique, custom-built home. Then things start to unravel. The wife starts seeing and hearing mysterious and unexplained things. Her husband is convinced that she's having a breakdown, since he doesn't witness all the unusual activity. I have to admit, there were a couple scenes that literally made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Overall, a pretty decent addition to the scary movie cannon. 

3 out of 5 stars

Streaming on Netflix

"Operator"

2016 1h 27min    Joe (Martin Starr) and his wife Emily (Mae Whitman) are happily married. Joe is a programmer and is working on AI communication software for a medical insurance client. When the voice he proposes is rejected, he asks his wife to work on some demos for his project. She's a huge hit, and this creates some problems--mainly that Joe becomes obsessed with his wife's voice. Not her real one, but the recorded one and the artificial personality that goes along with it. It gets to the point where he calls her at all hours of the day and night. Joe is subject to panic attacks, and also has to deal with his, shall we say "eccentric" mother, played brilliantly by Christine Lahti. I found the film to be quite thought provoking, and I enjoyed the fact that it didn't have one of those "and they all lived happily after" endings. (Warning:there are several movies with the same title.) 

4 out of 5 stars

Streaming on Kanopy, Tubi, and other platforms.

"For the Love of Spock"

 I don't watch or review too many documentaries, but when I see one this good, I feel a need to tell everyone I know about it. If you grew up in the 1960s and 70s, you couldn't help but be a big Star Trek fan. And if you were a nerd like me, Mr. Spock was your hero. He was the epitome of cool. Alway logical and even keeled in the face of danger. This documentary was made by Leonard Nimoy's son and you can just feel the love he had for his dad. The film covers his entire life, but obviously focuses on his relationship with the character he's best known for. It covers the relationship the two had, which was rather rocky at times. And it discusses the battle he faced with alcohol and his beating his addiction. And you come away with the sense that not only was he a Renaissance man of sorts, he ultimately grew into and accepted his role as a loving family man. 

4 out of 5 stars

"Babyteeth"

2018 1h 58min

When I read the description of this film, I was a bit skeptical. Another teen suffering from a debilitating disease. But I found "Babyteeth" very moving. Indeed, a young girl Milla (Eliza Scanlen) is being treated for cancer. She comes from a fairly dysfunctional family. Her dad, (the brilliant Ben Mendelsohn), is a low-key psychiatrist who manages to keep his wife pleasantly sedated with an assortment of prescription drugs. Along comes Moses (Toby Wallace), a small-time dope dealer and all round loser. He befriends Milla, and the two of them bond, even though they have almost nothing in common. Add a sensitive, Eastern European violin teacher and a whacky pregnant neighbor to the mix, and you have all the makings of an off-beat and heart-warming story. I though Eliza's performance was nothing short of Oscar material. And Ben Mendelsohn confirmed he's one of the most underrated and underutilized actors working today.  

4 out of 5 stars

"American Folk"

 2017 1h 39min

Anyone who was 5-years old or older remembers what they were doing when September 11th occurred. It was a powerful event that is deeply engrained in our collective memories. The period right after it was a time of uncertainty, dread but also a coming together as a nation. This time is the setting of the film “American Folk”. It’s a perfect title in that it not only refers to the musical genre, but the spirit of the American people and all its quirky manifestations. 

 The movie opens on a flight from California to New York just as the events of 9/11 unfold. Two folk musicians, Elliott and Joni are seated next to each other when it’s announced that the plane has to return to L.A. They both need to get to NYC, and Joni has a family friend who’s willing to lend them her beat up old microbus to take them on their trek. Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth, who are singer/songwriters in real life, and have a natural chemistry on screen, play the two. 

 

What enfolds is a remarkable road trip. While they’re driving, we hear radio reports of the events unfolding back east. In the days following 9/11, very little was known, and this adds to the eerie vibe of their journey. However, as they grow comfortable with each other’s company, they not only open up, they begin to make music together. It’s such a joy to see two talented musicians interact like this. 

 

The movie slowly progresses and we’re treated to all the natural beauty this country has to offer. Our travelers also encounter numerous characters along the way. They include a young gay couple that hitch a ride with them on their way to meet their family, and ultimately, come out to them. We also meet Fargo, an old coot who lives out in the desert and helps them repair their vehicle. 

 

It’s a gently paced film that I found quite haunting. It gives you a sense of the compassionate nature of Americans and displays the powerful effect of music. If you’re looking for something that’s both entertaining and inspiring, add this little gem to your queue. 

3 1/2 stars out of 5

 

 

"Take Me Home"

2011 1h 37min

Part rom-com. Part road trip movie. All heart. It's a sweet, smart little film I can't recommend highly enough. When Claire discovers her husband cheating on her, she's predictably distraught. She hails a cabbie and tells him to just drive. Well, the crafty NYC cabbie drives all night and the next morning they're out in the middle of Pennsylvania. At this point, she decides to drive across the country and visit her ailing father in California, cost be damned. A series of adventures and misadventures ensues. The couple get into all sorts of predicaments. Along the way, they discover their true selves. The couple work well together, perhaps because they're husband and wife in real life (Amber and Sam Jaeger). Add the backdrop of beautiful scenery and a sensitive folky soundtrack by Jordan Becket AKA Bootstraps, and you've got a winning film that deserves wider recognition. 

4 out of 5 stars