UNCLE FRANK
This is an interesting film with good characters and an engaging story. Somehow I feel it goes too dark for too long and that slow period almost cut the momentum completely. The film has great performances by a unique group of actors fit together in a new and engaging way definitely worth watching.
THE MANDALORIAN (Season 2)
After delivering a nearly perfect Season 1, the team delivers a very fun and satisfying second season.
THE UNDOING HBO MINI-SERIES
While I did not enjoy the first 3 episodes a friend convinced me to stay with it and I was blown away by Hugh Grant's performance in the final episode along with the son, Donald Sutherland and Nicole Kidman. This was a show about top notch acting.
I think "The Night of" Set the standard for this kind of mini-series and it fails to reach the level of that series in pure excellence but it is an entertaining and unexpected plot! Hugh Grant is so believable in that final episode, I felt it could have been my Dad saying those things to me - wow.
THE ROOKIE
A fun and exciting film about following your dreams that really makes you smile.
THE QUEEN
A slow and interesting take - further research after THE CROWN. Great acting especially by Tony Blair/Royal Family.
THE IRON LADY
Another that is slow - the difference here is that it is an intimate look at Margaret Thatcher and that works well, it is an element we have not seen before.
THE CROWN (SEASON 4)
Top notch in all departments as always. Diana and Charles are absolutely sensational with the rest of the cast delivering their very best.
THE APPEARANCE
A movie that manages to have great atmosphere and great acting but lacks a general cohesion of plot. Outlines help focus storylines into cohesive moments that build and grow on the one before it. This story is at first a supernatural horror film, a whodunit, something like The Thing, a murder mystery, a survival horror, a rape revenge film, a cult film and a period piece...
As the audience I do not know what to expect even in a genre film where certain expectations are required for a satisfying watch. Having a story take twists is good, too many twists are bad IF they fundamentally CHANGE THE PLOT. Character twist=GREAT. We love seeing character's moral stance change and disintegrate (especially in an unexpected way) but we do not love when we as an American audience cannot pin down genre or plot at the same time.
I would argue you can have one of these in question at a time - either GENRE or PLOT.
As long as genre is resolved in a clear way the audience will have some sense of where they are going so the plot can unravel in an unexpected way. Now if you have GENRE in question but the plot is very clear and exciting, the audience will allow the story to unfold generously until the genre is revealed.
The opening of "Inglorious Basterds" comes to mind as a good example of plot (dialogue) coming before anything else...but suddenly the genre we are playing in is revealed (a hyper fantasy war/comedy picture) and we are both comfortably hooked and ready for this plot to unfold in the genre we are in. American audiences are absolutely obsessed with STARS and GENRE before anything - ask any of us!
TAKE SHELTER
This film does a good job of slowly unfolding a solid dramatic plot and top notch acting while simmering its cool and slow psychological thriller burn. The Writer/Director Jeff Nichols is ace at this going all the way back to his first with Michael Shannon "Shotgun Stories."
SEX, LIES, AND VIDEOTAPE
A memorable film about people and the start of some of excellent and fruitful careers, lucky for us.
RUDY
Probably the best story about chasing a dream ever put on film, "RUDY" will make you laugh, cry and dream with greater faith than you ever had before - Sean Astin knocks it out of the park.
PROJECT BLUE BOOK (SEASONS 1&2)
One of the very best "buddy-cop" type shows I have seen. This is a must watch BLUE BOOK is top-notch in all elements of is sleek and thrilling 2 Season run with hopefully more on the horizon.
HOW TO WITH JOHN WILSON
A funny and touching documentary series done by a man who appears to be born to do exactly this kind of thing.
HILLBILLY ELEGY
An excellent film that may be creating Oscar buzz as I write...
DOWNFALL
One of the most striking films ever about WW2 and definitely the very best on Hitler's final days.
BIG SKY (SEASON 1)
It feels a bit hollow but some of the acting is very good and the show pulls no punches on unexpected twists - it may be too little story to run on. There appears to be no "every episode pitch" yet, as in what would 5 seasons of this show be?
THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN
An incredible movie that is so much more than a dog movie...it is almost as if someone said "people will think this is dumb...so let's just make the best damn movie we can." That is exactly what this is...an unbelievably touching and effective movie about dogs, companionship, family, loyalty and the human condition. I actually got teary-eyed writing this - I don't care...it's damn good!
25th HOUR
An Edward Norton film that Spike Lee crafts with intense attention to detail. The whole film is powerful and effective.