At the Cinema - December 2019

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.