Well, here we are halfway through the movie season, which to me, runs from the middle of January to the middle of July. So...here are my top 5 films I have seen this year. Now who knows if any of them will be in my top ten at the end of the year. Last year 4 films released in the first 6 months made my top ten. So...we shall see. In no particular order:
AIR
Directed by Ben Affleck
Who would have thought a film about a sneaker would be so dramatic. This film reminds us...after Argo..Affleck is still one of the best directors working today. He gets a lot of help from his pal Matt Damon: Chris Tucker; Jason Bateman; and of course Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan. Little shout out to Matthew Mahr who plays Peter Moore the actual creator of the Air Jordan the shoe. I love that they did not ignore him in the end. What is amazing is how just one phone call between Sonny Vaccaro (Damon) and Deloris Jordan changed the industry, A very good film in my top 5.
ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME MARGARET
Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig
This film is clearly not for someone my age. It was not meant for me. However, I agree with the reviews, it is wonderful.
The film does so many things right:
-It takes the Judy Blume book and keeps it in the 70's making this film timeless. It also stays with the hard subjects that often films shy away from. Plus adding just enough humor to help with the awkward subjects.
- Casting.
I feel the most underrated actress of our time Rachel McAdams as Margaret's mom (fighting her own inner turmoil in the 70's), is perfect here.
The real star, I hope they remember her at Oscar time but will be forgotten I am sure, Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret is fantastic. The film could not work without her perfect performance. What a find. Plus, they gave her some wonderful young actresses as her friends to play off of. So good!
Yes it has problems...
I did not care for the emphasis on grandma played by Kathy Bates, it took us away from the story. Plus poor casting of Margaret's dad Bennie Safdie, McAdams and Safdie have absolutely no chemistry.
Still....what a good film!
NO HARD FEELINGS
Directed by Gene Stupnitsky
I was just excited that a comedy went right to the theaters without going to streaming first.
Jennifer Lawrence was all in..as you can see by the beach scene, for laughs.
Andrew Barth as Percy plays off Jennifer Lawrence's Maddie perfectly.
Will this film change the world? No. It will however make you laugh, with a sweet ending as both characters find something they need in this awkward relationship.
A good comedy..in the theater..who would have thought.
PAST LIVES
Directed by Celine Song
PAST LIVES
Oh my goodness!
I got a pass for a screening of this film and I was going to pass on it. Then I started picking up a strong buzz about it. So off I went.
Here is what I can tell you. There is a reason this film is at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
We follow Nora and Hae Song, best friends as children, broken apart as Nora and her family moves away. We pick up 12 years later as they reconnect and again 12 more years later.
This is not your Hallmark ending. This film grabs you at your heart. It shows growth and also what is lacking there within the characters. There is an umbrella of sadness and longing here that is sometimes painful.
So why watch?
The script by Song is real, it harkens back to Linklater's Before Sunset trilogy, it's a "Talkie". You may find it boring, but I found it intriguing.
Then there is a fantastic Oscar worthy performance by Greta Lee as Nora. Words cannot not do this performance justice. You can see the push and pull in her face and body language...that has to be seen.
Which brings me to this, which is the discussion for after the film. Why the breakdown in tears: Missing the country? Sadness for Hae Song? Sadness for herself and her decisions?
This film, more than any film this year, just stayed with me for days. The decisions we all make...and lives that move forward.
If you liked the Before Sunset trilogy you will like this.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE DEAD RECKONING PT 1
Yes..I got to go to a screening last week because I am special. However I have been called "Special" before.
Tom Cruise, AGAIN, he just knows how to entertain. He gives the audience what they want, and makes sure it is on the biggest screens possible.
You may be surprised this is in my top 5 because of the "Part 1" tag. My rule..you pay for a beginning, middle, end. You should not have to come back to the theater another time to see the end of a film.
However, this 2 hour and 45 minute film grabs you. It is relentless, with the last 45 minutes on a train that is the most exciting piece of film you have watched in the last 5 years or more. Edge of your seat excitement.
Going in I had no memory of the other Mission Impossible films, it did not matter this stands fine on its own. Fantastic bad guys and women. Hayley Atwell is soooooo good in this movie, holding her own with Cruise.
I will stop..just see it, buy the popcorn and enjoy.
Well there are my top 5 so far...
As always thanks for your time from the shadows.
