MOVIES
A Complete Unknown – 10
It was the early 60’s and the world was about to be changed, mostly by the music of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. For the next 20 years, there would be an onslaught of rock music. I was a pre-teen when it began, but I’m still singing those songs today. Most of us are. Nothing like it.
This movie tells the story of Bob Dylan’s early evolution from folk singer to rocker. Timothee Chalamet is stunning as Dylan, a role he reportedly spent 5 years in preparation for. It shows. He does his own singing live, and quite honestly he’s better at it than Dylan himself. I’ve seen Dylan several times in concert, and he’s always been a letdown as a performer for me. But that’s just me, and it’s really irrelevant to the story here. His songwriting is magnificent, and while I wished they’d spent some time on how he crafted his songs, it’s how he performs them that is riveting here. There are allegedly a lot of inaccuracies, but I can’t say I cared. Chalamet delivers time and again.
Then there’s Monica Barbaro as Joan Baez. Her voice is stunning too and their duets, of which there are several, are fantastic. Director James Mangold has done this before with Walk The Line about Johnny Cash (also appearing in this) and this movie is even better. The music triumphs. It reminds me of my favorite Rock n roll movie, The Buddy Holly story where Gary Busey had his defining role and sang live.
I love movies, and this is
why. Easily the best movie I’ve seen in
a long time.
Carry-on – 8
As preposterous as it is entertaining, this Netflix original is a roller coaster ride. Some scenes are
just ridiculous, but Taron Edgerton fully commits to his role as a TSA agent
under duress, who runs around the airport on the command of Justin Bateman, who
makes for a delicious bad guy. Most
will like this.
My Old Ass – 7
There are few actresses more
entertaining than Aubrey Plaza, and that’s why I watched this. She is reappearing to her younger self when
said self gets high, and tries to give her some guidance. It’s unbelievability isn’t really believable,
but I’d give them an A for effort, C for result.
Maisy Stella as the young
Elliott, and Aubrey as the old Elliott are both commendable, but the script is
slow, deliberate, and just not all that great.
My 2024 Rankings:
A Complete Unknown - 10
Contratiempo – 10
American Fiction – 10
The Whale - 10
Musica – 9
Blackberry – 9
The Fabelmans – 9
Plus One - 9
Strange Darling – 9
Woman of the Year – 9
The Man From Earth – 9
Land Ho - 9
What You Wish For– 9
Time Trap - 9
The Idea of You - 9
On Body & Soul – 8
Hit Man - 9
The Last Stop in Yuma County
- 9
His 3 Daughters – 8
Furiouso: A Mad Max Saga – 8
Twisters – 8
Knox Goes Away – 8
Barbie - 8
Anna – 8
Nefarious - 8
Unthinkable – 8
Anyone But You - 8
Land of Bad - 8
Carry-on – 8
Civil War – 8
Killers of the Flower Moon -
8
Riders of Justice - 8
Dream Scenario – 8
Road House - 8
Gifted
- 8
Unfrosted
– 8
Wishmaster
- 8
The
Man From Earth: Halocene - 7
Conclave
– 7
The
Flash – 7
The
Abyss - 7
The
Instigators – 7
About
My Father – 7
Dreamin’
Wild – 7
Knock
at the Cabin - 7
Love
Lies Bleeding - 7
Rebel
Ridge – 7
Beverly
Hills Cop: Axel F - 7
My Old Ass – 7
Trapped
- 7
Maggie
Moore(s) - 6
Atlas
- 6
Shot
Caller – 6
The
Brick Layer – 6
Chief
of Station - 6
The
Substance – 6
Brawl
on Cell Block 99 – 7
Holidate
– 6
The
Greatest Hits – 6
You
Hurt My Feelings - 5
Wolfs
– 5
The
Beekeeper – 4
Maestro
- 2
Trigger Warning - 1
The Ozzies:
Best Picture: A Complete Unknown
Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan
Best Actress: Michelle Williams in The
Fabelmans
Best Director: James Mangold
STREAMING/BINGING
and what’s left of Network Television
Bad Sisters (Season 2) - 9
Apple+ goes to the well again on a second season and while it kind of seems an
unnecessary extension of the story, it’s well done, and the chemistry of the
sisters is undeniable. Hopefully this
wraps up what was a good story of murder and blackmail.
My 2024 Rankings
Tehran – 10
Slow Horses (4 seasons) – 10
Resident Alien - 10
Silo (season1) – 10
The Americans (Seasons 1,2) –
10
Good Behavior – 10
Criminal Record - 10
The Diplomat (season 2) -10
Baby Reindeer – 9
Bad Sisters – 9|
The Penguin – 9
Deadloch – 9
The Tourist - 8
Ripley - 8
The Outsider - 8
Collateral - 8
Troppo – 8
Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War
– 8
Presumed Innocent – 7
Fool Me Once - 6
True Detective – 4
Mr & Mrs Smith - 2
The Lizzies:
Best Series: Tehran
Best Actor: Gary Oldman in Slow Horses
Best Actress: Michelle Dockery in Good Behavior
DOCUMENTARIES
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story – 10
Keep the Kleenex handy as you
work through this documentary. I
remember well the first couple of Superman movies starring Christopher
Reeve. They were really something for
the time.
When Christopher Reeve was
paralyzed after being thrown from a horse he committed himself to getting
better and having an impact on research.
It is so admirable, and dwarfs what most of us accomplish. There is so much about the ultimate
heartbreak his family went through that I didn’t know, that’s where the Kleenex
really comes in. Be prepared.
The Kings of Tupelo – 8
This is a three parter (too
long) that Netflix has and no, it’s not a great moment for Mississippi, but it
sure is entertaining.
Concussed: The American Dream – 8
Brett Favre is a major
participant due to his recent Parkinson’s diagnosis, and the story of another
young football player, Tyler Sash who played briefly for the New York Giants
are riveting. I have to admit this movie
had a major impact on me, and I’m looking at football differently these
days. When someone goes down, I know it
could be life threatening, even when it looks to be a slight head injury. If you’re a football player, or a fan, don’t
miss this.
My 2024 Rankings:
The Comeback – 10
Turning Point: The Bomb and the Civil Way 10
Elizabeth Taylor: The Lost Tapes – 10
Steven Van Zandt: Disciple – 10
The Truth vs Alex Jones – 10
The Greatest Night in Pop –
10
Yogi Berra: It Ain’t Over til It’s Over - 10
Love Charlie: The Rise and Fall of Chef Charlie Trotter – 10
The Dynasty: New England Patriots - 10
Procession
Stax: Soulsville USA – 9
Steve! (Martin) a documentary
in 2 Pieces - 9
Road Diary – 9
Stopping the Steal – 9
Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary - 8
Charlie Hustle and the Matter
of Pete Rose - 8
America’s Hidden Coast: Mississippi - 8
Untold: The Murder of Steve McNair – 8
When Cary Grant Introduced
Timothy Leary to LSD - 7
The Turnaround – 7
Beach Boys – 7
Joan Baez: I am a Noise - 7
I am Celine Dion - 6
STAND-UP
Nate Bargatze: Home – 9
I love it when a comedian just gets hot, the way Sebastian Maniscalco did a few years ago. Nate’s time is now. From his great skits on SNL to these comedy specials, he’s on a roll. He reminds me of Bob Newhart with his low key approach, and I’ve got a feeling that he’s going to have some staying power. Will probably be enjoying his work for the rest of my life.
My 2024 Rankings:
Colin Quinn: Red State Blue
Seth Meyers: Last Dad Standing – 9
Nate Bargatze: Home - 9
Alex Edelman: Just For Us – 9
David Letterman: My Next Guest – 9
Steve Trevino: Simple Man - 9
Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & the Pool -8
CLASSICS
True Romance – 10
Famous for having been written by Quentin Tarantino, some great actions scenes,
and a memorable performance from Patricia
Arquette as “Alabama,” this 1993 movie is as good as I’d always heard. Don’t know why I missed it, but glad I finally
found my way to it.
It Happened on 5th
Avenue – 9
One night we were searching for an old fashioned Christmas Movie and came upon this. A little long, but a nice one to add to the holiday menu. It’s a very cool story about a group of homeless people who move into a 5th Avenue mansion. There’s romance, music, some great subplots, and just a lot of fun. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore, unless they add horror or murder. Check this one out next Christmas.
Grand Hotel – 7
Cavalcade – 6
These oldies won the Oscar for Best Picture in 1932 and 1933 respectively and now I can check them off my to do list. Not much to either.
My 2024 Rankings:
True Romance – 10
State of the Union – 10
Harlan County USA - 10
Memories of Murder – 9
Klute - 9
It Happened on 5th
Ave – 9
In the Mood for Love - 9
The Terminal – 8
From Dusk to Dawn - 8
Go - 8
Mr & Mrs. Smith – 8
Love Crazy – 8
Blow Up - 7
Ransom - 7
Grand Hotel – 7
Cavalcade – 7
Wanda – 6
Don’t Look Now - 5
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