Richard Jewell – 9
My favorite movie of 2017 was “I, Tonya” and one of the
things that I liked the most was the performance of a guy named Paul Walter
Hauser, who made me laugh out loud. He
was a unique and funny character actor whom I thought would probably go
unrecognized because he certainly was not the physical specimen you would
expect to become a star. I certainly
never expected him to get a starring role.
Fortunately, Clint Eastwood had another idea as he cast him as the title
character in the story of the wrongly suspected bomber at the Atlanta Olympics.
Jewell spots the bomb, brings in the bomb squad to confirm,
and then helps evacuate people away from the bomb, saving hundreds of lives
when the bomb goes off. Within a few
days, the Atlanta Journal Constitution runs the story that the FBI has begun to
investigate Jewell, because he fits the profile of someone who wants to be the
hero. Jewell’s life will never be the
same.
In a controversial move, Eastwood suggests that the AJC reporter,
Lisa Scruggs, who landed the story from an FBI agent, did so by promising
sexual favors. (Both Scruggs and Jewell
are deceased.) The newspaper, who has
never admitted an error in reporting, as well as Scruggs’ family hav taken
great offense to this. My viewpoint of
the controversy is that it’s about a minute of innuendo that was totally
unnecessary for the movie. I think it
was a tactical error by Eastwood.
Having said that, the movie is tremendously compelling from
an “it could happen to anybody” viewpoint.
Hauser is terrific, as is the supporting cast, including Olivia Wilde as
Scruggs. Hauser unfortunately will go
unrewarded for this because he doesn’t “fit the profile” of a movie star, but
he captures Jewell in a way that no one else could have. I’m a fan.
Bombshell – 9
Easily the best female performance of 2019 is Charlize
Theron’s inhabitation of Megyn Kelly in Bombshell. Her incredible range (rom Monster to
Imperator Furiosa to Megyn) suggests that she may be the best actress working
today. I honestly couldn’t tell that I
wasn’t watching Megyn. She has always
been one of those actresses that light up the screen, but here she does more
than that. She dominates it and everyone
around here. She even gets the voice
right. It’s like watching a master
craftsman at work. Having said that, her
dominance of this picture may have inhibited the story telling a little, as it
seems to pivot around her as the heroine.
I’m still not sure I buy that she is the paragon of virtue she is made
out to be here. Is she a star? Is she a journalist? I’m just not sure, and knowing what we know
now about what happens after the credits of this movie, including her stint at
NBC, doesn’t clarify anything in my mind.
This movie is the story of the sexual harassment that was
prevalent at Fox News. Most of the movie
is built around the Fox architect, the late Roger Ailes who was personally sued
by Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman, also excellent.) Ailes has been busy building his leggy blonde
bombshell brigade, and he makes no bones about what he thinks America wants to
see. It’s also clear about what he likes, and what he wants to do about
it. His demise and ultimate firing by
Rupert Murdoch is portrayed here, and John Lithgow is subtle and swarmy in the
role of Ailes. The film skims over Bill
O’Reilly and one suspects there could be a separate movie on his moves. This is an entertaining movie that is only
lacking that great music that’s in the trailer.
Dark Waters – 9
Mark Ruffalo continues his quest to be this generation’s
Jimmy Stewart as he portrays Dupont nemesis Rob Billott. Rob is the lawyer who
wades uncertainly into a case that his mother steers him into. West Virginia cows are dying, teeth are
rotting, and one militant farmer suspects the ground water is being poisoned by
the local Dupont plant. This presents a
dilemma as his town is largely employed by, and dependent on the plant, so the
locals don’t take kindly to him suing Dupont.
Rob fights a very long uphill crusade against Dupont, lasting
years. Shockingly, Dupont even reneges
on an arbitration commitment. It turns
out that the miracle coating Teflon which is almost present in every home in
America is toxic. Dupont of course, has
a lot at stake, thus a lot to hide. It
takes almost ten years of Billott’s persistence to litigate the truth. It seems our society requires too many Erin
Brockovich’s. If you haven’t discarded
your Teflon pots yet, you will after you see this. Oh, and it will be too late.
Queen and Slim – 6
Say my Name, Sandra Bland – 8
Talking to Strangers (book, by Malcolm Gladwell) – 10
Traffic Stops gone bad is the connective tissue of three
experiences.
Let’s start with Malcolm Gladwell’s Book “Talking with
Strangers.” Like all Gladwell books,
it’s a fantastic learning experience. It
uses a traffic stop gone bad – Sandra Bland’s in Texas – as a launch point.
The book begins and ends with the dissection of the Bland
tragedy and all the missteps that contributed to it. But in between Gladwell weaves his spell as
his dissects how cultures differ on expressions, and how we are weak at
separating truth from lying. His
discussions of Amanda Knox, Bernie Madoff, and Jerry Sandusky illustrate his
points, along with an in-depth discussion of CIA interrogation. I thought I knew. I didn’t.
His story of how red flags were ignored for decades in the cases of
Madoff and Sandusky will tilt your world-view.
Finally, his discussion of modern policing tactics will open your eyes
to the problems that law enforcement faces.
It’s all fascinating. Like all of
Gladwell’s books, I won’t forget what I learned.
The HBO Documentary “Say my Name, Sandra Bland” covers how
that same traffic stop blew up into a nationwide movement, one of many horrible
incidents during a heated and confrontational time between law enforcement and
the black community. Gladwell even
mentions it at the end of the book (which is how I found it) and his criticism
that it focuses too much on a conspiracy theory, and not enough on the
communication breakdown, are valid.
Then there’s the movie. In “Queen and Slim” incredible performances
can’t save the cartoonish nature of the story.
It begins with a tinder date between two young black people who just
happen to be lonely on a given night.
There is no connection, so he is taking her home, when they are stopped
by a white racist cop who seems to want to uphold every stereotype you can
imagine. The traffic stop goes bad, and
any sane person viewing the dash camera would see that it was clear self-defense
that begins the story. Nevertheless,
much like Sandra Bland, they fear the worst.
They go on the run. As they head
from Ohio to New Orleans, it becomes a road movie. It reminded me of Billy Jack, a movie from my
youth. But as the two drive on back
roads (with absolutely no traffic – where are these roads?) they of course
begin to like each other as they decide Cuba is the place for them. I was also very bothered by the ending, but
you be the judge. I wasn’t buying it. There’s not a lick of subtlety in this movie,
and it could’ve used some.
Having said all that, these are worthwhile companion pieces
that will make you think. We can afford
the challenge.
Knives Out – 7
If you like and miss old Agatha Christie movies and stories,
this movie is aimed squarely at you. And
like most of those old stories, the “who dun it” is so complex and ridiculous
that only a movie star could solve it, so in steps Daniel Craig, aided by a
ridiculous accent of some type. He’s
playing some kind of Charlie Chan/Hercule Poirot hypbrid is all I could figure
out.
Some movies are just inexplicable hits, and the longer I’m
away from this movie, the less I like it.
My wife had the right idea as she set a new record by sleeping through
at least three fourths of the movie.
Expansive nap. Mildly
entertaining.
Uncut Gems – 6
If you like character studies of highly unlikable con men in New York City,
this is the movie for you. Adam Sandler,
of all people, gives a highly frenetic and effective performance in a totally
unpleasant, story. Sandler is Howard, a gambling
addict in the jewelry business who careens from one bill collector to another,
one con to the next. This is one of
those “do people really live like this?” movies. It is well acted, well produced, well
received by the critics, and not boring.
Kevin Garnett is a prominent character, and it’s pretty cool the way
that develops, and Howard’s girlfriend is played by Julia Fox, who appears to
be a star in the making. She’s terrific,
even though you’ll never understand what she see’s in Howard. The characters are so unpleasant that you
want to yell “just shut up already.” May
even be a classic, but not my cup of tea.
Scanning the Satellite
Her Smell – 9
Elizabeth Moss is astounding as punk rock singer Becky
Something in this claustrophobic tale of narcissism and addiction. I would have never envisioned Moss in this
role, but she nails everything from the vanity to the singing. There’s an oppressive, droning soundtrack
that plays over most of the movie, like you’re in the basement of a grunge
club. There are scenes with Becky and
her child that are excruciating, and the attempts of her manager, her ex, and
her bandmates just to get her to the stage are agonizing. We never actually see Becky take a drug, but
her instability goes deeper than drug-use.
I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone like Becky, for which I’m thankful. But it sure makes for an interesting if
severe movie experience.
Marriage Story – 8
Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, both of whom seem to be
in every movie these days, star as a couple ending their marriage. The ease with which they hope to accomplish
this evaporates in a sea of lawyers (Laura Dern, Ray Liotta, and Alan Alda) and
their relationship gets uglier as the divorce gets uglier.
How you look at all this may be largely dependent on your
own marital experience. Some may say
“been there, done that.” Some may say it
was depressing. Some may just tune
out. However, you can’t deny the
heartbreaking intensity of this film.
It didn’t make for a great time, that’s for sure, but I will
give the filmmakers credit for going where few movies go. It’s a very updated take on “War of the
Roses,” well done, well-acted, and destined for some award recognition
shortly.
That doesn’t mean its enjoyable. Enter at your own emotional risk.
The Report – 8
Adam Driver again, this time as a staffer on the Senate Intelligence Committee
who spends 5 years looking into the CIA’s use of torture in the shadow of
9/11. As usual, real life is more
interesting than fiction, both Driver as Daniel Jones, and the great Annette
Bening as Senator Dianne Feinstein are solid as the investigation unfolds.
Having been there, I have a pretty good understanding of how
corporations work. I’ve often been
puzzled about how the government works.
This movie is a primer on government investigations and how much
probably needs to be investigated. It
won’t leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Apollo 11 – 10
Great documentary of the US landing on the moon in
1969. This is new-to-you archival
footage, restored and with no narration.
None needed. Nostalgic and moving,
and a critical piece of history.
Reprisal – 7
I watched this power ballad on Hulu because of the presence of Abigal Spencer,
who will always be a legend for her performance in Rectify. I’m always hoping for a recreation of that
experience, and while there are some remnants of that pacing, and Rectify
showrunner Ray McKinnon appears in the first episode, that’s where the
similarities end. This is a tale of
bloody revenge, but the world of a bunch of “brawlers” is at least fully
realized. Spencer is terrific and
unique, as usual, but this is violence porn.
