Key House Mirror

3rd Danish Film Festival

Cinema 4, Shang Cineplex

Lily and Max live in a nursing home. Max suffered a stroke and is mostly bed ridden from his paralysis. Lily, the ever faithful wife also lives in the same facility in a nicely furnished room, complete with a TV and a receiving area. When I first saw this setup, I was impressed as I know that health care in Scandinavian countries are highly subsidized by the government.

So while Lily is the only fit person in the facility, she does follow a daily routine of taking care of her husband. But it really isn't much as there are staff to do all the 'heavy lifting' so to speak when it comes to providing adequate health care. So she does have time to go for walks, feeding some ducks on a pond and also play bingo and join in other fun activities at the facility.

Lily soon takes a liking to a new occupant across her unit, a charismatic fellow named Erik. He is a former pilot and currently suffering from Parkinson's Disease. Much to the chagrin of the other senior citizens, Lily and Erik develop a romantic (and sexual) relationship. Lily 'justifies' by saying that Max was never the passionate type so at this stage in her life, she feels she has the 'right' to satisfy her needs.

Things get complicated when Lily gets stubborn and insist on traveling to Paris with Erik to fulfill her bucket list. By this time, she has been diagnosed with dementia so it is really heartbreaking to watch. A point of contention is when she argues with her daughter and begs her to take her home but her only offspring thinks it is too much of an inconvenience for them.

I was shocked as I was raised in a culture where we don't shuttle off our parents to a nursing home when their fragile and frail bodies need medical attention. Having said that, I do understand how 'convenient' it can be to have old people live in a facility where their medical needs can be totally cared for by duly trained medical staff.  Well I guess it is also convenient if health care was 'free' so that would really give one peace of mind knowing that they get the care they deserve during their twilight years.

Films dealing with senior citizens really touch me to the core and I get highly emotional watching them. The realistically poignant acting performances of the actors did tug at my heartstrings. I remember watching the lead female star in another poignant film dealing with euthanasia in last year's Silent Heart.  In this film,  her delivery is on point. So even though the pacing and the story line could do with some editing, I went home thinking I should give my parents, several tight hugs.

P.S.

The title is derived from the three words (Key House Mirror) which Lily had to remember during a memory test performed by a psychiatrist. Unfortunately, she couldn't recall them. :(

The Commune

3rd Danish Film Festival

Cinema 4, Shang Cineplex

1975, Erik inherits a huge house upon the death of his father, his wife Anna decides it would be a good idea to turn it into a commune. A motley crew of random people are interviewed and soon they become inhabitants of this suburban Copenhagen house. To keep things in order, they each are given chores to do within the house and every evening they 'report' about their daily activities. In short, they share everything.

Things are going well until Erik (an architecture professor) begins an affair with one of his students. After he was caught by his 14 year old daughter, he tells his wife about it but instead of kicking him out of the commune, she invites the younger woman to come live with them. Perhaps she didn't want any scandal given that she is known TV broadcaster yet it is at that precise point that the film starts to stagger. 

The mental and emotional toll on Anna is painful to watch yet it is quite realistically portrayed by the Danish actress. Trying desperately to keep a stoic facade yet slowly spiraling out of control is a difficult role for any actress to imbibe. She did a good job and is the main draw of the film.

It is to be said that only a Danish film can do justice to this controversial setup that was quite common in that Scandinavian country during the early 1970s. I always thought of people from Denmark as free spirited people and this film just proves my point.

The Foreigner

Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan

"Never push a Good man too far"

Cinema 3, Shang Cineplex

It's my birthday and I'll watch a film if I want to ... so I did. Having said that, I am not a big Jackie Chan fan but among the films showing today, it held the most potential to satisfy my movie craving.

The film kicks off with an act of terrorism, a bombing at a local bank which cost the lives of 12 people. Among the fatalities is Fan, a teenager who was at an adjacent dress store picking out her gown for a prom. Her father Quan (Jackie Chan) is heartbroken and naturally distraught. He keeps hounding the local police for more details about the perpetrators of this horrific crime. When weeks past and Quan is still seeking answers as well as justice for his daughter, his next focus for constant harassment is a local politician named Liam Hennessy (Pierce Brosnan) whose past affiliations may hold the key to the identities of the suspects. 

An older Jackie Chan and dare I say much wiser as lately his roles are more mature and he is not just a 'ninja' who karate chops all the villains. Quan is a multi-dimensional character whose troubled past add much depth and further cements our understanding of why he would go to great lengths to 'capture' the terrorists responsible for his daughter's untimely demise. Naturally there are still some nicely choreographed action scenes courtesy of Chan who we all know does his own stunts in all his films. 

But beyond all the necessary stunts, the plot revolves around a believable political thriller. The IRA and British government 'negotiations' and the behind the scenes concessions and demands from both sides to aim for a lasting and peaceful solution - provides a good backdrop - so it goes beyond just another predictable father.seeking.justice.and.revenge.for.his.slain.daughter premise. Pierce Brosnan is as Irish as one can get so his role was appropriate for his age, his stature and his craft.

A good blend of action and political thriller with a few twists thrown into the mix makes "The Foreigner" an entertainingly good film!

La Noche qui mi Madre mato mi Padre(The Night my Mother killed my Father)

Pelikula: Spanish Film Festival

Cinema 1, Greenbelt 3

This comedy which unfolds during 'business' dinner has all the right elements of a good film where situational humor is used instead of slapstick or silly antics from its characters.

An actress past her prime plan is to convince a popular Argentinian actor to be part of a new project. Her scriptwriter boyfriend and his ex-wife who is a producer is also part of the dinner ensemble. When the actress's ex-husband shows up with his new girlfriend, things spiral out of control and her play is interrupted. Or was it really a ploy and part of her plan? All sorts of twists and turns develop and it is these situations which really add sparkle to this comedy.

The cast of veteran Spanish actors, all perform really well. Their combined acting skills do contribute to a successful comedic romp with a 'modern family' type of setting. It is mostly dialogue driven, the plot moves at a fast pace and then slowly eases down to a believable conclusion. This comedy could have easily gone wrong with too much hysterics but thankfully it didn't!

El Bar(The Bar)

Pelikula: Spanish Film Festival

Cinema 1, Greenbelt 3

This intriguing thriller explores how people's fears can reveal who they really are. A game of survival unfolds among perfect strangers who find themselves trapped inside a typical Spanish bar/resto after a fatal shooting occurs once one of them leaves the place. Suddenly, it seems the streets outside the bar is bare of any movements and it is emptied immediately following the shooting.

As we learn more about the people inside the bar, the whys and hows they happen to be in that specific place, the film takes on a somber tone. The mystery further permeates as bits and pieces of information slowly surface regarding the real reason they are stuck in that tiny enclosure.

At the beginning, the film unfolds at a fast pace as intrigue envelops the plot/story line. It was like living out a nightmare in real life - a situation where you cannot find any solace nor solution to the problem at hand. 

It is terrifying yet at the same time, as the mid part slows to a dragging pace, you suddenly see how absurd and ridicule the whole situation, really is.  Towards the anti-climatic conclusion, you can't wait to end the misery of the last few characters as well as your own.

It is a fairly good thriller to watch but do lower your expectations. 

Sweet Bean

Eiga Sai

Japanese Film Festival

Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

Three completely different characters come together in this deeply poignant film about solitude, discrimination, second chances and redemption.

Everyday it is the same routine for a lonely baker who sells dorayaki which are Japanese mini pancakes with red bean paste. He wakes up really early to prepare the ingredients and sells them in a small street side shop. His clients are mostly students and local folks within the community.

One day an old woman approaches him to ask if he needed help and told him she was willing to work. At first, he refuses as his funds are limited. Yet each morning she persisted until he agreed and told her he can't really pay her much. 

The business though pick up when the old lady teaches him to make the red bean paste from scratch. It turns out to be a major process as it involves choosing the correct sizes of the red beans, cooking them at low heat, then letting it set for several hours before it is ready to be put inside the mini pancakes. 

A tedious and complicated procedure but it pays off as word of mouth spreads through the community and long queues are formed outside of his tiny shop every day. He also decides to let a young student help him out as he couldn't do everything with the brisk sales of his dorayaki.  

In between the cooking and the sales, the baker slowly opens up about his troubled past to the old lady who herself has been hiding a serious ailment. Their bond start to get stronger but alas it was not meant to last as an incident prompts the old lady to stop 'working' at the shop.

It is one of the most beautiful and sentimentally touching films I have ever seen in my entire 48 years of existence. It has a simple setting with a typical Japanese small town with its cherry blossoms trees and pristine streets. The plot unfolds at a slow yet steady pace. Yet with every scene, a myriad of emotions will hit you from happiness to sadness and everything else in between. The three main characters essay their roles with much depth and dimension without resorting to special effects but relying merely on their sheer intense acting skills.

Be prepared to reach for you hankies or tissues or whatever you can as I am sure your tears will flow down your face. No shame in that, we are just sentimental human beings, after all.

What a Wonderful Family!

Eiga Sai

Japanese Film Festival

Cinema 2, Shang Cineplex

This comedy tackles the various reactions/effects stemming from the announcement of the matriarch of the family that she wants a divorce from her husband of almost 50 years.  A statement which she uttered when her recently retired husband asked her late in the evening what she wanted for her birthday given that he totally forgot she turned a year older.

Divorce is a serious matter for any couple but this film presents us with a lighthearted and funny scenario for all those affected by the impending uncoupling of a married couple in the twilight of their years. Their grown children with families of their own, the neighbors even the whole community is abuzz with the news. 

I guess it is common in Japanese society for the woman to take a back seat to her husband. To attend to his every need, prepare his meals, do his laundry aside from taking care of the household and rearing children. 

I read that divorce among older Japanese couples is also a growing trend. Women who have devoted their lives towards caring for their families suddenly want their freedom from their tedious chores once their children have families of their own and move out of the ancestral home. 

They find themselves stuck in a loveless marriage with a person with whom they have grown apart from, find they have nothing in common anymore and want to go seek greener pastures. It doesn't necessarily mean that they will go have relationships with other men. It might simply mean that they can do whatever they want without the restrictions imposed upon them.  It must be liberating to finally pursue their interests, their suppressed hobbies and enroll in a new craft like painting or creative writing. Anything that would give their self esteem a much needed boost.

Alright so I got carried away hehe.  Back to the film, the entire cast is believable in their portrayal of the different family members. The setting is a middle class residential area with local flavors like a neighborhood bar serving its loyal customers sake and ramen. Plot is filled with comedic scenes, crazy loud family gatherings amidst a quaint locale.  As to whether they do get a divorce, well you have to wait till the conclusion and then form your own opinion as to whether it was the right or wrong decision. Heh!

The Long Excuse

Eiga Sai

Japanese Film Festival

Cinema 2,  Shang Cineplex

Sachio was once a successful author but a writer's block now impedes his career. His supportive wife suddenly dies in a bus accident yet Sachio has difficulty expressing his grief. He keeps telling himself he didn't really love his wife so a tearful farewell won't really do him good. Until he meets widower Yoichi whose wife was the best friend of Sachio's wife. She also perished in the accident and leaves behind 2 small children. Sachio 'volunteers' to look after the two kids as their truck driver father is mostly away working. 

For a man who has no parental skills as they decided not to have children, Sachio does pretty good at being a father figure to the kids. He is certainly out of his very luxurious comfort zone yet slowly and surely manages to adjust to this new lifestyle. The two kids are adept at surviving on their own but welcome Sachio into their household like he is a long lost uncle.

Sachio finds himself being more compassionate as he acts as their guardian. In his aim to be more helpful, he discovers his likable side, someone who is more patient, more tolerant than his former selfish self. In so doing, he learns to deal with his grief, be more expressive and overall be a more humane human being.

The Long Excuse offers a good examination into the complexities of a well developed character whose life changes as he deals with 'parenthood', bereavement and in the process he finally finds his true meaning in life.

Moonlight

Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris,

Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders

"This is the story of a Lifetime"

Barry Jenkins directs this chronicle of a man's life from his childhood, his teen years up to a young adult.  The first part shows how "Little" as he was nicknamed faces harassment on a daily basis from bullies in his school. Mocked for his small frame and being taunted as gay, he has no solid support system for guidance as his single mother works all the time. A father figure enters his life briefly in the form of a 'compassionate' drug dealer named Juan (Mahershala Ali) who teaches him how to swim, try to still some confidence and uplift his self esteem. 

The second phase focuses on him as a teenager, now called Chiron (his real name) yet still faces the same harassment from his schoolmates. He also develops an odd friendship with Kevin, his classmate. Meanwhile, Chiron's drug addict mother is always high and hardly around to be supportive of whatever dreams the hapless boy has for his future.

A decade later, 26 years old Chiron is known in the streets as "Black". He is a drug dealer and his physique has changed. Buffed and able bodied from working out while he was in prison for some misdemeanor.  Physically, he looks strong and menacing, but deep inside he is still a reticent man with hardly any social life. He has also suppressed his sexuality until he is reunited with Kevin.

Just when it seems that things and life in general will be a lot kinder for Chiron, the film ends with a significant scene of "Little" frolicking in the beach on a moonlit night. But you can't help but smile as there is a glimmer of hope and a chance of a happily ever after for a troubled person who has gone through many struggles.

It was a good move to cast 3 different and unknown actors to portray the 3 different chapters in Chiron's life. Their acting was highly credible, as they imbibe the hardships that Chiron endured throughout his entire life with such a visceral force.  

"Moonlight" is a deeply poignant film that deals with relevant issues like bullying, drug addiction, sexuality and isolation. It is significant as it features the life of a black person but I think it could be applicable to any race and still have such a powerful impact on its audience. It deserves all its best film awards. 

21 Nuits avec Pattie (21 Nights with Pattie)

French Film Festival 2017

Greenbelt 3 Cinema

Caroline goes to a remote town in the southern France to bury her mother whom the locals know as Zaza. She was a colorful character and well loved in that closely knitted community. But this is just 'hearsay' for Caroline as she has been estranged from her lawyer mother. Cutting her vacation with family short to take care of the funeral arrangements, she thought it would be fairly quick and done within 3 days.

But then Caroline finds herself stuck in that town when her mother's body (which was just lying in her bed) suddenly disappears. Surrounded by strangers who are a merry, eccentric group of people and out of her comfort zone, Caroline oddly finds herself in a path of self discovery and sexual awakening - something she has knowingly or unknowingly suppressed for a long period.

Set in a wine making small valley with its own peculiarities and bizarre rituals, the story sizzles as hot as the August heat that embraces its residents. Led by Pattie who was Zaza's housekeeper/friend, a woman who has no qualms narrating her sexual exploits, being quite explicit in her details. Everyone in the town are unabashed about their sexuality, swimming naked in the lake or in the swimming pool in Zaza's mansion.  

The plot also takes on a bizarre tone with images of Zaza's ghost gallivanting in her mansion to Caroline's dreamy hallucinations. At this point, one might lose interest as one realizes this is NOT a simple story about a daughter's grief and her coming to terms with feelings of abandonment, isolation and despair. But it just got too quirky and weird for my taste, unfortunately and I dozed off in the dark theater. 

Le Dernier Diamant(The Last Diamond)

French Film Festival 2017

Greenbelt 3 Cinemas

A seasoned burglar Simon (Yvan Attal) who was just released on parole is persuaded by his partner in crime Albert to join him on another heist. Their target is a rare diamond that is worth millions of dollars which will be displayed during an auction. 

Julia (Berenice Bejo) is the auctioneer and this is her first task after the sudden demise of her mother who inherited the valuable diamond. Enter Simon who disguises himself as a security expert connected with Julia's mother. Soon enough, Julia and Simon become romantically involved which conveniently gives him direct access to his 'prey'.

Yvan Attal, an established French actor who resembles a younger Al Pacino is fairly credible as the wise, charming middle aged thief. While Berenice Bejo who gained fame through the award-winning film, The Artist doesn't really need to do much but be glamorous which is a waste of her talent as proven by her in-depth role in the Iranian/French film Le Passe.

Amidst the luxurious backdrop of a high society event, the story goes beyond a typical heist movie by tackling deception, greed, corruption and redemption through unexpected twists and some intriguing side plots. Entertaining enough for the most part but the need to conclude with a feel.good ending causes what could have been a gem of a movie to lose its sparkle.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men tell no Tales

Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem,

Geoffrey Rush, Kaya Scodelario,

Brenton Thwaites, Orlando Bloom

AMC Plus Cinema, Pacific Place HK

After a tasty buffet lunch to celebrate Mom's birthday here in humid HK, we decided to watch a film ... any film for that matter. It has to be said that I rarely view movies within the dark confines of a cinema theater, nowadays.  

Not only was it a treat, this particular film was being shown in 3D with special vibrating seats to boot. This is my very first time to wear 3D glasses because (1) I have the impression it would make me dizzy (2) I prefer the traditional sans special effects type of entertainment.

But there is a first time for everything so bring it on! I have seen all of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and they are definitely popcorn movies. The term refers to films that are fun to watch but not particularly good, they are usually riddled with special effects and offer a pure form of escapism. In short, they are entertaining and don't require much brain cells activity.

By this 5th offering of the franchise, Johnny Depp can portray the irreverent Captain Jack Sparrow in his sleep. Probably under the influence of alcohol too just to make sense of the numerous shenanigans his character goes through.

The common elements of this franchise are still applicable here ... the numerous cast, the comical sequences of Jack Sparrow making a fool of himself (the guillotine and bank vault scenes were a hoot!), the jokes, the explosive special effects both on land and in the unforgiving waves of the vast ocean, the murky narrative with several side plots involving curses and mysterious spells all meshed to create a chaotic maritime adventure and the pirate parlance in various accents.

For me, I found it way easier to grasp the story line in this installment. A complex full blown and well drawn out tale of revenge and redemption unfolding in a span of 129 minutes. 

I enjoyed it and I conclude by saying that wearing 3D glasses wasn't as bad as I expected even though a close up visual of Javier Bardem as the decaying Capitan Salazar was terrifyingly nightmarish. I had to close my eyes from time to time. 

The seat vibration though was thankfully quite mild and it did its part of preventing me from falling asleep.  Well this isn't necessarily due to the film per se so I'd attribute it to still being quite full from the delicious buffet lunch.

P.S.

We did stay behind to wait for the short teaser/preview of the next movie after the very long credits. Well just for the heck of it because I'm clueless about its significance or how it fits into the whole franchise. 

By the Sea

Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt

Melanie Laurent, Niels Arestrup

"When we Die on the inside,

the Outside is left wandering

dangerously By The Sea"

Set in the 1970s, this film is a glimpse into the troubled marriage of Roland (Brad Pitt) and Vanessa (Angelina Jolie). He is a struggling writer and she was a former dancer.  They settle into a hotel in some rustic French town so Roland can find some, any inspiration to finish his novel. The quiet yet picturesque coastal town bare silent witness to the cracks in their union. 

Both of them trapped yet also stubborn to open the line of communication to solve their problem. Vanessa gets lost with her booze and her cigarettes, preferring to stay in the room and further isolating herself. While Roland has developed writer's block, spends most of his time in the local bar drinking and chatting with Michel, the wise owner, wallowing in self pity as his wife shuts him out in every sense of the word.

The main source of their doldrums is revealed through brief flashes/scenes which alludes to some tragic incident that deeply scarred both of them. During their stay in the hotel, they do find a common 'hobby' which is creepy and invasive yet strangely it bonds them together. So it offers a distant glimmer of hope that their strained relationship can still be saved and not really beyond repair.

The scenic visuals of the seaside town consisting mostly of sepia toned images, the chic 1970s fashionable wardrobe of Vanessa, the thought provoking conversations between Roland and Michel (the bar owner) - all provide a good backdrop to the narrative. 

"By the Sea" unfolds at a slow pace which is reminiscent of a typical art-house European movie. The kind of film that relies heavily on the acting skills of its stars, long drawn out scenes with minimal dialogue yet evoke quite an impact, the sort that will tug at your inner core.  

This Jolie directed film though falls a bit short in that department because it got lost somewhere in the middle, and only picked up towards the end just when you feel a tinge of warmth towards Roland and Vanessa and finally grasp why their married relationship is like the loose end of a tethering rope. 

Frankly, it was painful to watch the anatomy of a failing marriage and certainly not an appropriate film to end the day with .. this being our 9th wedding anniversary. Heh!

Demolition

Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts,

Chris Cooper,  Judah Lewis

"Life: Some disassembly Required"

Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal) has just lost his wife in a horrific car accident which coincidentally he survived without a single scratch. A successful investment banker who works in his father in law's company, he struggles in coping with his sudden grief.

His way of dealing with it is unconventional as he proceeds to spiral out of control, going on a destructive path to unravel everything his life stood for. Physically and naturally emotionally, it is not normal behavior but it is the only way that Davis can come to terms with his loss.

His odd attitude begins at the very hospital where they were taken after the accident. A vending machine malfunctioned so he proceeds to write a complaint letter to the company which handles the apparatus.  His correspondence develops into an unlikely friendship with Karen Moreno (Naomi Watts) the customer service rep of the company. In his letters, he takes on a personal tone as he admits to several misgivings about his wife, his career and his life in general. 

The film succeeds in delivering its message of a tinge of hopeful rebirth/redemption after a painful period of self destruction through the believable and nuanced performance of Jake Gyllenhaal. His characterization of Davis is poignant and will strike a deep chord with anyone who has lost a loved one. 

"Demolition" is an emotional film which tackles grief and tragedy in an unorthodox way with unusual characters, conveyed through sly humor, meaningful dialogue, good rapport between the cast and a fairly tolerable soundtrack.

Captain Fantastic

Viggo Mortensen, George Mackay,

Samantha Isler, Frank Langella

"He prepared Them for Everything

except the Outside world"

You will be wrong if you assume from its title that this is a superhero action filled movie. Instead, you will be mesmerized by this indie film with an unconventional plot with well developed characters that shall tug at your heartstrings. Well if you are so inclined because I admit not everyone can identify nor agree with the way these characters live their lives.

Ben Cash (Viggo Mortensen) lives in a deeply forested area (somewhere in the Pacific Northwest) where he has set up residence with his wife Leslie and their 6 children whose ages range from 6 to 18 years of age. Each morning, he awakens them with the sound of a bagpipe, then they have combat training where they are taught survival skills like hunting, weapons training, mountain climbing. 

During the evenings they all gather around a camp fire to read books about quantum physics and novels from radical thinkers like Dostoevsky, Karl Marx and Nabokov. The children are well versed both in survival skills as well as intellectually albeit their views are derived mostly from extremely left wing ideologies. Something which their parents have instilled in them since birth, no doubt. 

Early on, it is revealed that Leslie has been confined in some institution for bi-polar/depression by her parents who don't approve of her decision to live off the grid. Tragically, she kills herself so Ben must bring the grief stricken children out of the wilderness for her funeral. Something Ben is determined to stop as Leslie expressed in her will, she be cremated and her ashes flushed down the toilet. Yes, quite eccentric but that is how they roll. Heh!

The film turns into a long road trip to New Mexico where we see how difficult it is for the kids to adapt to the outside world where gadgets, pop culture and everything they have openly been taught to reject is now glaring at them up close and personal. 

Culture shock manifests itself and each of them react differently to their discovery of the 'real' world. It is an eye opener too for Ben as this experience raises troubling questions about his parenting style and how this alternative lifestyle might affect the future of the closely-knitted clan.

Viggo Mortensen, a very gifted actor who thinks out of the box and doesn't conform to the Hollywood type (which is a good thing, mind you!) is perfect as the authoritarian hippie whose radical views are extreme yet also has a soft heart when it comes to his family. The young actors portraying the children are very credible too. 

The cinematography is vibrant from the lush greenery of the wilderness to the colorful hippie-like attires of the characters. Running at almost 2 hours, it could benefit from some clever editing but its out-of-the-ordinary narrative was refreshing. Highly recommended!

Florence Foster Jenkins

Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant,

Simon Helberg

"The inspiring True story

of the World worst Singer"

Meryl Streep's career has spanned decades and there is no doubt she loves her craft. She is also at a point where her age can limit her choices to a select few roles. But she is also fearlessly brave as an artist who knows her limitations yet still pushes past the boundaries while other actresses (in her same age group) might deem it a risky move for their movie careers.

For instance, Meryl Streep's singing voice is not what made her win acting awards yet she starred in musicals like the movie adaptation of "Mama Mia" and some film whose title escapes me right now, where she played the aging lead vocalist of some rock band.

In this regard, she shares this indomitable spirit with a really colorful character named Florence Foster Jenkins. A New York socialite/heiress in the mid 1940s who is known as the worst singer/soprano in the world yet persisted and was able to stage a concert to a full house (mind you!) at the Carnegie Hall. 

Florence was enthusiastically encouraged and supported by her partner St. Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant) who lavishes her with high praises yet also shields her from any bad reviews by critics of her really horrible performances.

Cosme McMoon (Simon Helberg) was hired to accompany her on the piano. A young struggling musician who could not believe his luck when he was personally picked by Florence. Little did he know what he was getting himself into ... his look of disbelief when he first hears her sing during their initial practice session is totally priceless!

This is a poignant story of a woman who was either delusional or simply didn't care whether her voice was irritating and her singing was totally terrible. She simply wanted to sing and sing she did with everything she got, usually clad in luxurious jewelry, a bejeweled headpiece (at her final concert she even donned huge angel wings) and extravagantly lavish gowns which she designed herself. 

Mixed emotions prevail as you don't know whether to feel sad for her, rejoice for her, or cringe (covering your ears) once she starts vocalizing with gusto. I believe her partner St. Clair was truly instrumental in making sure she was 'successful'. This makes you question whether he did it out of pity (she was already ailing with a long term disease), out of love (he only wanted her to be happy) or for monetary reasons (her concerts were mostly sold out events). 

This charming film truly doesn't explain that and neither does it intend to mock Ms. Jenkins It celebrates her life, her performances, her passion and her invincible spirit. It flourishes immensely due to the larger than life portrayal by *the* Meryl Streep. I believe that Florence Foster Jenkins deserves to be immortalized on film and recognized for her significant efforts in promoting music and the arts ... never mind she was out of tune in doing so.

Maggie's Plan

Greta Gerwig, Ethan Hawke,

Julianne Moore

"Chapter Three: A Change of Heart" 

Maggie (Greta Gerwig) desperately wants to have a baby but since she is currently unattached, she develops a plan. She 'commissions' Guy, a former schoolmate to donate his sperm so she can self inseminate herself and raise the child on her own. But life has other plans when she meets John (Ethan Hawke), a married professor/lecturer of anthropology, they have an affair and she gets pregnant. 

Three married years later, John has basically turned into a good for nothing, wanna be novelist while Maggie does all the 'heavy lifting' so to speak. She is pretty convinced she is better off raising her adorable daughter Lily by herself so she hatches another plan. This one involves reuniting her husband John with his ex-wife Georgette (Julianne Moore) who is also from the academe so they can get back together. 

I know it sounds pretty complicated but believe me it isn't hard to follow. This sort of romantic comedy with a twisted love triangle angle unfolds with some laughs, a fair load of sarcasm, flawed yet endearing characters within a nicely conceived dialogue driven narrative.

Greta Gerwig, the "IT" girl of the mumblecore film movement is in her elements here as Maggie. Only a millennial would and could come up with such a plan to sustain her self interests for her own sweet convenience to thrive in life. This is sadly a recurring and for me an alarming trend among some if not most of today's youth. A generation raised in this age of social media, where selfish behavior (selfies) and a wrong sense of entitlement seems to be the common pattern.

She is ably supported by Ethan Hawke, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader and special mention goes to Julianne Moore whose portrayal of Georgette, the icy Danish ex-wife and an expert of ficto-anthropology was spot on. She was amusing and a delight to watch, complete with her exaggerated Danish accent.

By the way, for the uninitiated, Wikipedia describes the term mumblecore as: a sub genre of independent film characterized by naturalistic acting and dialogue (often improvised), low-budget film production, an emphasis on dialogue over plot, and a focus on the personal relationships of people in their 20s and 30s.

"Maggie's Plan" is an apt representation that mirrors the typical life of the millennials generation. I am still on the fence when it comes to this sort of attitude and behavioral patterns because there are certainly pros and cons but sometimes I do fear that the cons outweigh the positives and in my opinion this unfortunately doesn't bode well for the future of the human race.

The Accountant

Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, 

J.K Simmons

"Calculate your Choices"

Ben Affleck stars as Christian Wolff, a freelance accountant with a complex past but it is his present affiliations with certain shady companies whose books he was hired to audit which will make his life much more complicated than ever.

During his childhood, Christian had autism in a period when the disease was still in its early stages of diagnosis so his parents didn't really know to deal with him. The adult Christian is a loner but seems to have done good for himself and manages to keep his illness pretty much under control (thanks to his strict training by his military dad) although there are certain circumstances which trigger his 'outbursts'.

The film is an action thriller with a smart narrative which tends to lose its way once certain side plots overlap. Yet at the same time, it is these side plots which add an emotional element both to its central character as well as to the movie ... so I guess it is not a bad thing as far as "The Accountant" is concerned.  The story unfolds in present day with certain flashback scenes intertwined to give the audience more backgrounder on how Christian evolved throughout the years. 

The supporting cast led by J.K Simmons (as a relentless Treasury Department agent) and Anna Kendrick (in a short yet significant role) among other equally talented actors deliver credible performances.  

But it is truly a Ben Affleck movie as he is in almost every single frame and he does well in this meaty role of a complex character who barely speaks yet his action speaks louder than words. They say that Ben Affleck is a far better director than an actor and I agree but I like to add that he just lacks range and is not necessarily a bad actor, per se.  There I said it. On that note, I believe he does fairly well in "The Accountant". 

Fences

Denzel Washington, Viola Davis,

Stephen Henderson, Mykelti Williamson,

Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby

In "Fences" Viola Davis and Denzel Washington play Rose and Troy Maxson, a blue collar married couple in Pittsburgh in the 1950s. Roles they are really familiar with as they enacted them in 2010 in their Broadway revival of August Wilson's 1983 play. She even won a Tony award for her stage rendition.

Well developed and complex characters which give credence to the travails of a working class African American family during an era and in a society where the patriarch always had the last word, no matter if he was right or wrong. Troy Maxson likes to harp on how he was a good baseball player but the color of his skin and his age prevented him from achieving glory. Troy had a very difficult life since childhood and at 53 still labors as a garbage collector trying to make ends meet to provide for his wife, his mentally challenged older brother and two grown sons. 

During that turbulent era, men tend to have a very pessimistic view about the world, their lives and well just about anything and everything. And he is best exemplified through the complex and flawed character of Troy Maxson. Washington is in his elements from his swaggering walk to his eloquently delivered monologues and his depiction made us understand, pity as well as dislike the persona of a man with so much pent up rage, frustration and despair brewing within his egotistical mind.

He is ably matched by Viola Davis as his long suffering yet adoring wife Rose. Her devotion to both Troy and their son Cory is admirable in one sense and also painfully pitiful. She has had a difficult life too and dare I say mostly as a life partner to such an insufferable husband. Yet she still strives and is the glue which keeps that family from self destruction as if their lives is not miserable enough at that stage. Her powerful "What about me? What about my life" soliloquy somewhere towards the end of the film hits you like a ton of brick and pulls really hard at our already broken heartstrings. 

All these praises for the excellent acting of Davis and Washington (as well as the credible performances of the supporting cast) does not make this film, perfect. Denzel's 3rd directed film still has quite a stage play vibe, limiting most of its scenes to the house and backyard area where Troy likes to spew his rants. The last 25 or so minutes of the film felt rushed, cramming in some side plots which were only mentioned in passing during the first half. Perhaps wanting to give more 'air time' to August Wilson's loquacious and dialogue driven script through Troy Maxson's 'outbursts'. 

I can safely say that Viola Davis and Denzel Washington are actors' actor(s) so to watch them act together and opposite each other in a highly moving film is mesmerizing and worth every single penny and minute of our precious time.

La La Land

Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone,

John Legend

"Here's to the Fools who Dream"

There was a lot of hype over this Damien Chazelle directed musical. Justifiably so because rarely do we get to enjoy a musical amidst all those action filled films of Marvel super heroes out to save our planet from some form of extinction.

I could also see how Hollywood can easily relate to the narrative as most of them did go through numerous auditions while working as a bartender/barista in the hopes of becoming a celebrity in the flashiest of businesses - show business.

Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) are both struggling artists with their own mapped out plans on how to reach for the stars. They cross paths, fall in love without losing sight of their dreams - that is the stuff that good romantic comedies are made of - never mind that they had to swing, swirl and vocalize their intentions through catchy songs and choreographed steps inside elaborately attractive set designs. 

The production design takes you on a nostalgic ride with its vibrant cinematography. You can't be faulted for thinking that the story unfolds in the 1960s where Emma Stone regales us wearing lovely pastel colored dresses. Then a smartphone tone rings and you are suddenly brought back to the current times with its pressing problems. Setbacks like money concerns which begs the question: "What would you prioritize ... love or career?" Is it too much to ask for both? In essence, I believe Mia and Sebastian both made the correct decision regardless of whether it was right or wrong.

Damien Chazelle impresses with his fertile and creative mind to present a much welcomed form of escapism from our hasty lives. The same director who amazed with "Whiplash" once again make us appreciate jazz as a music form that is slowly fading. The combined acting (signing and dancing) efforts of both Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling was a delight to watch. They melted our hearts with their sparkling performances. 

Manchester by the Sea

Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams,

Lucas Hedges, Kyle Chandler

Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) is a quiet loner with no social life who works as a janitor/handyman in an apartment block. One day, he is informed his elder brother Joe has died and appointed him as legal guardian of his 16 year old nephew, Patrick.  

Reluctantly, he is forced to return to his hometown Manchester to make funeral arrangements and reconnect with Patrick (Lucas Hedges), a popular high school student.  As he sorts through things in his brother's house, certain aspects of his painful past are revealed through flashbacks. Happy bonding times with Joe and a much younger Patrick as well as a very heartbreaking personal tragedy which explains the withdrawn, sad nature of Lee. A life altering incident which marred Lee's demeanor forever.

Filmed in a quiet New England town where fishing is the main source of livelihood for its inhabitants, the setting provides an appropriate backdrop for a film that tackles grief, depression and the state of moving on with a firm silent resolute. The somber, morose music though, in my opinion was too loud and dramatic for an already desolate story. 

An original script which was written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan (Margaret), the germ of the idea was pitched to him by his close friends actors Matt Damon and John Krasinski. Matt Damon was supposed to star and direct it but due to a conflict in his busy schedule (he was filming The Martian), he offered the role to Casey Affleck, the younger brother of his best friend, Ben. 

A good choice as Casey Affleck was able to dig deep into his character to deliver a moving and touching performance as Lee. Struggling to suddenly cope with being a 'parent' to a teenager with big plans as well as resettling in a town that reminds him of his painful past, his nuanced depiction is on point.

He has good rapport with Lucas Hedges, the actor who plays Patrick. Although I admit there were times I felt like slapping him for being a petulant and insolent teenager, it just shows how effective Hedges was in his role. I'm surprised that Michelle Williams was nominated as best supporting actress. Her role as Randi, Lee's ex wife was really brief and she had this exaggerated Boston accent which was irritating.

Manchester by the Sea is one of the poignantly sorrowful movies I've seen in a long time. It has just the right amount of drama, a bit of humor and a sound coping mechanism for its main characters. Highly recommended, just keep the tissues close by, you'd need it.

Hidden Figures

Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, 

Janelle Monae, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst,

Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali

"Meet the Women you Don't know,

behind the Mission you Do."

If it wasn't for this truly inspirational movie, we would not have known about these brilliant women who not only were instrumental in sending the first American astronaut to orbit around Earth but also laid the ground work to the numerous successful space missions for NASA.

This is the true story of three pioneering African American women who were part of the 'human computers' pool in the 1960s during the early stages of the space agency. A period of racial segregation amidst the fierce space program race between the US and the USSR, they proved that anything was possible despite the challenges (racism, gender inequality) they faced not only at work, in school but also in their own community. 

Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, Mary Jackson are very good role models not only for African Americans but for the human race. Geniuses who were skilled in mathematical calculations, deciphering the IBM computer code, achieving feats in engineering  - they represent the triumph of the human spirit.

The elaborate set design is reminiscent of the 1960s from the wardrobe, the cars, the NASA office complex to the music through the collaborative efforts of Pharrell Williams and Hans Zimmer.  The nicely compiled bounchy soundtrack gave the film its light and glossy tone.  

Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae thoroughly took center stage with the credible depiction of their multi-dimensional real life characters. They were funny and lively when happiness abound and also disappointed, sad and crestfallen when faced with adversities. Great performances.

I do have misgivings about how the 'white characters' were portrayed as being racists and misogynists. So while it is good to celebrate and recognize the efforts of these 'human computers' and their contribution to the space program, doing it at the expense of the other equally qualified employees who just happen to be white and portrayed as 'villains' is not fair, at all.

So although, these hidden figures were 'unmasked' and their long overdue story is well narrated through this movie, I believe NASA owes its success to the collective efforts of  all these hard-working people, regardless of their position, race and gender.

Elle

Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte,

Anna Consigny, Jonas Bloquet

Dutch born director Paul Verhoeven (Robocop, Basic Instinct, Total Recall) presents a revenge dark comedy (in French with English subtitles) starring French actress Isabelle Huppert. Her performance as Michele Leblanc, a successful business owner who refuses to be a victim (in every sense of the word) after she is violently raped by a masked intruder in her own home is very powerful.

The first few minutes of the film is pitch black with grunts and groans. Then it shocks our senses as we are shown the brutality of the assault which is witnessed by Michele's black cat. Then the attacker leaves, she picks herself up, cleans the broken shards of glass, takes a long shower and simply goes to bed. The next day she goes to her video gaming company like nothing happened.

She only 'opens' up during an intimate dinner with her close friends. Her friends are shocked but they are more stunned that Michele adopts a stoic, nonchalant demeanor, being quite dismissive about the entire disturbing incident.

Michele is surrounded by an odd mixture of colorful people like her good for nothing son, his controlling pregnant girlfriend, her theatrical mother, her small group of close friends and her business associates. Although she barely talks about the incident, it dangles over her head like a little cloud that refuses to fade away. She arms herself with a gun, goes to bed with a hammer under her pillow. A certain horrific and traumatic chapter in her childhood also resurfaces from the deepest and darkest folds of her past as if she didn't have enough on her very full plate. 

The identity of her attacker is revealed well before the gripping finale. The tone of the film then takes on a cat and mouse game between them handled with dark humor, dangerous flirtation and defiant subjection. That it ends with a shocking yet triumphant twist clearly justifies everything that elle (she) stands for. 

Kudos to Isabelle Huppert for accepting this daring and risque role. Director Paul Verhoeven remarked in one interview "No American actress would take on such an amoral movie."  She is one of France's greatest actresses playing women of a certain age who are not afraid to take risks and does it so well. Her personification of Michele as this strong woman who empowers herself with stoicism, wit and a wicked sense of humor to get through her life's many challenges was admittedly a bit difficult to fathom. Even if we cannot really understand how and why she is that way ..,. we still admire her for her tenacious spirit.

Inferno

Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Ben Foster, 

Omar Sy, Irrfan Khan, Sidse Babett Knudsen

"His greatest Challenge.
Humanity's last Hope."

I read Dan Brown's novel "Inferno" when it first came out and even though the details are a bit sketchy, I still remember the main premise. A Dante obsessed billionaire named Bertrand Zobrist overly concerned about the growing population plans a biological attack that is guaranteed to claim many casualties to achieve his insane quest to protect and save the planet's dwindling resources. 

I also remember that Robert Langdon wakes up with amnesia in a hospital in Florence then travels with a perfect stranger, a certain Dr. Sienna Brooks all over the world finding clues to prevent this horrific attack. The book was very details oriented with numerous colorful characters, symbolical/ historical references and set in exotic locales. I was curious if they could successfully translate this engrossing novel into a worthy film. 

Tom Hanks reprises his role as symbologist/professor Robert Langdon and as usual he can really do no wrong even if he was presented with a really lame script. The film suffered from editing problems as most, if not all of the vital materials from the book were turned into a confused mixture of short yet fast paced sequences which lost its coherence. 

It had Professor Langdon and Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones) literally running all over the world looking for clues which no one could relate to. I also found Felicity Jones's thick British accent quite distracting, I don't know why it bothered me so much. 

Most of the supporting cast played one dimensional characters, not properly fleshed out, so you have a tendency to forget their names. The exotic locales all molded together like clay, barely giving you enough time to admire the beautiful scenery and its symbolic relevance in the grand scheme of the lunatic billionaire.

Tom Hanks had barely enough material to work on in "Sully" and still gave a heartfelt performance which really says a lot about his thespian skills. On the other hand, "Inferno" had an overload of materials to absorb that having amnesia would be a welcome relief.

I liked the novel but this Ron Howard directed movie adaptation was quite a disappointment! Perhaps it is time that Tom Hanks hang up Langdon's Mickey Mouse wristwatch for good. He should think twice before he revives the symbologist for Dan Brown's 4th novel The Lost Symbol or demand a much better and well crafted script, next time.

Sully

Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart

"The untold Story behind

the Miracle on the Hudson"

This film is based on actual events which occurred on January 15, 2009 when Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger safely landed US Airways flight 1549 on the Hudson River without any casualties among the 155 passengers + crew on board.

It was considered a miracle as the plane was still intact and all souls were saved. It was a quick decision on Capt. Sully's part as he felt the plane could not make it back to La Guardia airport in time. A calm demeanor amidst a crisis and armed with a confidence that can only come from years of experience as a seasoned pilot, his bold move affirms that Sully made the correct judgment call.

This Clint Eastwood directed film takes a look at the behind the scenes during the grueling hours that Capt. Sully and First Officer Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart) endured during the fact finding investigation which followed after the emergency landing on the Hudson. While Sully was feted by the mainstream media as a hero for his actions, his decision was being scrutinized and analyzed by several agencies tasked to investigate the crash.  It is during these interrogations that we are shown flash back scenes of the suspenseful minutes before, during and after the emergency landing.

Sully is ably portrayed by THE Tom Hanks who can be relied upon to play any role, brilliantly. But the fact remains that the direction/angle that Eastwood concentrated on does not really reveal the true persona of Sully. So this won't qualify as a biopic but merely an interesting chapter in Sully's life. 

Even Sully's family wasn't portrayed effectively as we only see Laura Linney in a brief role as his patient wife who waits by the phone to hear any updates about her heroic husband. The passengers too are just nameless individuals not thoroughly fleshed out and they just happened to be on the ill-fated plane which was struck by birds upon take-off thus causing both engines to fail.

There is no doubt that Tom Hanks was the main draw of the film and he did a good job. So even if the story deserved to be told, it didn't quite take off as expected and it needed a miracle to succeed as an effective chronicle of a heroic incident.