THE MULE (2018)

Director:     Clint Eastwood

Writers:      Sam Dolnick, Nick Schenk

Actors:       Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Manny Montana, Dianne Wiest, Andy Garcia, Michael Pena, Laurence Fishburne

Hooray for Clint Eastwood! What an honest, self-deprecating actor and director he reveals himself to be in this movie.  Those of us in the “senior” generation remember him as a beautiful specimen of a movie hero who could even carry a tune.

In this movie, he plays a 90-year-old horticulturalist who is guided into a life of "muling" drugs on behalf of a Mexican cartel.  His walk is slow and measured now, his voice trembly when he sings, but he is as he always has been – a stubborn, strong-willed man who has his own codes of what’s right and wrong in life.

As he did in his younger days, he depicts a heroic man who will not be steered away from his goal.  In a way, I suspect this is his personal exclamation point that, yeah, he’s no longer the hunky superhero, but he still hasn’t veered from his path of being true to himself.  

This movie is filled with surprising charm.  I giggled and cried and loved him as I always have.   As director, Eastwood knows how to bring out the humanity in his cast.  Eastwood even imbues the “bad guys” -- the cartel boss and his minions – with a certain amount of likability factor.  All the supporting cast acquit themselves competently.  Dianne Wiest, as always, captures the essence of gentleness beneath her tough exterior.

What I loved most about this movie is the honesty of life’s evolutionary journey, one containing mistakes, anger, hate, love, evil, and so many pitfalls.  Yet, throughout the journey, you can only do it “your way” since, after all, you are the one who reaps the ultimate consequences.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7959026/?ref_=nv_sr_1

TAGS:  The Mule, Clint Eastwood, Bradley Cooper, Manny Montana, Dianne Wiest, Michael Pena, Andy Garcia, Laurence Fishburne

AQUAMAN (2018)

Director:     James Wan

Writers:      David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, Will Beall

Actors:       Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson

The CGI effects are wonderful in this movie!  The set designs, the vision of Atlantis and costumes are eye-popping.  Heard, Dafoe and Wilson acquit themselves believably. Kidman, as always, brings class and power to her role. 

What falls short of my expectations is Aquaman himself as depicted by Jason Momoa.  I’ve seen Momoa in other movies and he knows how to be an actor.  Unfortunately, the words coming from his mouth in this movie, meant to be bad-ass and ironic, don’t fit his character.  Mamoa is gorgeous and physically perfect for the role, but since all characters are filtered through the soul (eyes) of the actor, his inherent tenderness should have been written into the fabric of his character.   As it was, as portrayed by him, Aquaman’s bad-ass words felt “off” to me.

Robert Downey (Iron Man) can say those things and get away with it because he brings the grief-ridden ruthlessness to his character which makes his sarcasm and irony funny.  Momoa’s soul is simply too tender.  I wish he had brought playfulness rather than tough-guy mockery to his character.

I think if the writers had shaped Aquaman with Momoa’s inherent tenderness in mind, this would have been a more successful movie to me.  His essence depicts it, so no new action sequences are needed, but that tenderness should have been exploited in his dialogue and how he was directed. 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1477834/?ref_=nv_sr_1

TAGS:  Aquaman, Jason Momoa, Nicole Kidman, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, James Wan, Will Beall, David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick

A STAR IS BORN (2018)

Released:  2018

Director:     Bradley Cooper

Writers:      Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper, Will Fetters

Actors:       Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott

Honestly, when this first came out, I had no interest in watching yet another remake of this movie.  Then I heard rumors that it would be up for Academy nominations.  So.  Okay, what the hell!

I watched it and…WOW!  I’m not a fan of Lady Gaga.  Or, that is, I wasn’t a fan of Lady Gaga.  Her extreme costumes, hair and makeup were a little too much for me.  They were like a cocoon covering her true self. 

Then I watched this movie, and… WOW!  Out of her cocoon, she is a true beauty.  It’s the type of beauty which emerges with HONEST revelation.  She is vulnerable, courageous and true;  her rendition of La Vie En Rose played my heart strings and touched my soul with easy mastery.

As for Bradley Cooper, this movie affirms he’s not just a pretty actor.  Knowing that he also co-wrote and directed this movie forced me to view him as a master artist.

So, all right… I guess you can say I loved this movie remake.  I also loved the other versions, but life replays its classic patterns again and again, and each replay has its own validity. 

This version has a new canvas, new colors, new models and a style different from previous artists, and it works.  It wasn’t perfect.  It had a few scenes which slowed the pace by trying to establish the mechanics (which had already been established) of the relationship between the two stars.  And if Sam Elliott doesn’t get a nomination for Best Supporting Actor, I will be sorely disappointed.  His acting is raw, real and a testament of unfettered emotional power.

This version is a work of art.  I think it will receive nominations for Best Actress, Actor and Picture.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1517451/?ref_=nv_sr_1

TAGS:  A Star is Born, Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott, Eric Roth, Will Fetters

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (2018) - Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton

Released:  2018

Director:     Bryan Singer

Writers:      Anthony McCarten; Peter Morgan

Actors:       Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee

I am predicting this will get Oscar-nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor for Rami Malek, and possibly Best Director, as well as a few other categories.  What a powerful movie! 

Rami Malek is entirely believable as Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the band, Queen, and the writer of their hit, ”Bohemian Rhapsody.”  While this is based on the rise and descent of the band, it focuses on the human relationships among the band members, and how the personality differences ultimately made the band a stronger and richer synergy.

The love story of Freddie’s unwavering devotion to Mary Austin, his greatest supporter, is truly beautiful.  Their love for each other is pure, based on a mutual understanding and acceptance of each other’s flaws and weaknesses.  Not once does judgement surface between them.   I applaud the writers for choosing to tell this story anchored by this love between Freddie and Mary.

Director Bryan Singer, known for his directing of superhero franchises (X-Men, Superman Returns), handles this movie as if Queen were comprised of superheroes, and it works.  At the end, I truly believed that given his generous spirit, intuitive genius, and passion for his work, Freddie Mercury was indeed a superhero.  During the Live Aid presentation, when Freddie already knows he has contracted Aids, he gives 200% of himself to the crowd, and they love it.  So did I.

In summary, all elements of this movie are superior.  Yes, I teared up a few times, but it wasn’t so much grief, but appreciation for the powerful story and characters of this movie.  A strong recommend.

TAGS:  Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody, Freddie Mercury, Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Bryan Singer

CRAZY RICH ASIANS (2018) - Henry Golding, Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh

Released:  2018

Director:     Jon M. Chu

Writers:      Peter Chiarelli, Adele Lim (based on novel by Kevin Kwan)

Actors:       Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh

What a fun movie!  It has the flavor of Bollywood, but set in Singapore, with Asian themes and actors.  The set designs are wonderful, with a knockout wedding scene which is extravagant and a wonderful testament to just how crazy and rich these Asians are in this movie.

The actors are likable and competent, with kudos to Awkwafina as Peik Ling Goh, who brings a wacky persona to any scene she’s in.  I also loved Michelle Yeoh, who brings elegance and integrity to her “bad-woman” character.

Basically, this is a Cinderella storyline, where a young woman falls in love with her Prince Charming, who, unbeknownst to her, essentially belongs to one of the richest families in Singapore.  Of course, included in this movie is the evil mother persona (Michelle Yeoh), as well as the Fairy Godmother (the grandmother, Ah Ma), who saves the heroine from ultimate rejection.

The party scenes are well orchestrated, peopled by a variety of characters who add to the fun and laughter.  I was moved by the beautiful rendition of “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, performed by Kina Grannis.    The one scene which was very “Bollywood” was during the wedding reception when the characters dance it up with glee and joy.

In summary, this is a fun movie, with extravaganza scenarios which those of us (less crazy, not-necessarily-Asian, and certainly less rich) can vicariously enjoy.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3104988/?ref_=nv_sr_1

TAGS:  CRAZY RICH ASIANS, Jon M. Chu, Michelle Yeoh, Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Awkwafina

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (2018) - Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke

Released:  2018

Director:     Ron Howard

Writers:      Johnathan Kasdan, Lawrence Kasdan

Actors:       Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clark, Woody Harrelson, Paul Bettany

I love Ron Howard’s directing.  While featuring the fancy techno gadgetry which makes this a wonderful CGI movie, he manages to keep the storyline focused on the characters.  He brings us a movie peopled with characters experiencing romance, betrayed loyalties, and life-and-death adventures.

Alden Ehrenreich takes on the challenging task of portraying Harrison Ford’s character of Han Solo as a young man.  Yes, he conveys the charm, the derring-do courage, and the flamboyant impulses of a true hero… but, darn it, I miss Ford’s self-mocking bravado which makes him so likable.

Granted, it’s not fair to compare the two characterizations, so let’s allow young Ehrenreich a little leeway.  Let’s consider that maybe young Solo hasn’t experienced enough near-death adventures yet to warrant the self-mockery.

Emilia Clarke is persuasive as a young girl blindly adoring the young Solo; she is also quite credible as a mature woman whose personal experiences have taught her the harsh realities of survival. Woody Harrelson is snaky and deceitful in this movie, and Paul Bettany makes a villain we love to hate.  I’m so happy that Joonas Suotamo was given the chance to flesh out his Chewbacca character in this story.  We come to understand his blind loyalty to Solo, and it makes him more lovable than ever.

The Kasdan writers have done a great job keeping the storyline simple enough to follow without losing its Star Wars essence.  What a great idea to create a back story depicting the adventures which shape Han Solo into a fabulous hero.

This is a fun movie that will please enthusiasts of all ages.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3778644/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

TAGS:  Solo; Woody Harrelson, Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke, Joonas Suotamo, Paul Bettany

THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING MISSOURI (2017) - Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson

Released:  2017

Director:     Martin McDonagh

Writers:      Martin McDonagh

Actors:       Frances McDormand (Oscar Best Actress); Sam Rockwell (Oscar Best Supporting Actor), Woody Harrelson

I love the way audiences have evolved.  Through the years we’ve seen black actors struggle to prove their relevance in the motion picture industry, and today, they are respected, honored and embraced.  In years past, it was big movies like "Cleopatra" and "Ben Hur" which have captured the most Oscars and acclaim. 

It impresses me that now more and more people are embracing smaller pictures which celebrate the human condition.  This movie is directed with such unabashed honesty we are forced to face serious personal flaws in the characters.  McDonagh directed with such unflinching focus into the harsh realities of life, we can’t help but engage in the story

McDormand plays the role of Mildred, a woman who is mean and bitchy, and whose actions are downright unforgivable.  Yet, she faces us with such naked honesty we find ourselves still caring about her and wanting her to triumph.  Mildred's character echoes with grief so sharp we can’t deny the reality of it.  I kept wondering if, in Mildred’s place, I could ever act with such passionate and fearless courage.

Woody Harrelson does a fine job portraying a conflicted lawman.  While his job requires otherwise, he feels compassion for McDormand’s unswerving desire to find justice for her murdered daughter.  Also deserving his Oscar, Sam Rockwell is another treacherous human who ultimately is forced to face his failings.

If McDormand and Rockwell  had each been less honest in portraying their roles, the ending would have been dismissive and unbelievable.  Because they were both so good, we realize there is no other way it could have ended.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5027774/?ref_=nv_sr_1

TAGS:  Three Billboards, Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson