The second film of the day was Call Me by Your Name. It was quite different from Phantom Thread. Oliver comes to stay with the Perlmans as a summer intern to Elio's father in 1983 in Northern Italy. The two seem quite different at first, but the chemistry is there from the get go and the erotic tension builds through the first hour of the film.
This was a beautiful movie from the scenery, the delicious looking food and the acting by Timothée Chalamet and Michael Stuhlbarg. The monologue that Stuhlbarg delivers as he gives advice to Elio is one of the most moving in any film.
Cast
-
Timothée Chalamet
as Elio Perlman
-
Armie Hammer
as Oliver
-
Michael Stuhlbarg
as Lyle Perlman
-
Amira Casar
as Annella Perlman
-
Esther Garrel
as Marzia
-
Victoire Du Bois
as Chiara
Director
Supposedly this is Daniel Day Lewis' last film. This makes me very sad because he is the the epitome of an actor. Phantom Thread is the story of Reynolds Woodcock, a couturier living in 1950's London.The movie opens and highlights his obsessive compulsive as he prepares for the day and breakfasts with his sister Cyril. He drives off to the Victoria Hotel and is waited on by Alma. He asks her to dinner and their relationship begins. The film progresses at a steady pace that gives the dialogue and acting a chance to mesmerize the viewer.
The battle of wills between Reynolds and Alma are at the center of the film with Cyril's interference raising them to a feverish pitch.
Loved this movie and would watch it again to pick up on the subtleties that I may have missed. The score is wonderful and the costumes are lush.
Cast
-
Daniel Day-Lewis
as Reynolds Woodcock
-
Lesley Manville
as Cyril Woodcock
-
Vicky Krieps
as Alma
Director
The concept of freedom of the press vs. the government is just as applicable today as it was in 1971 when the Washington Post under the leadership of Kay Graham and Ben Bradlee decided to publish the Pentagon Papers. The courage that it took is vividly portrayed by Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep as well as Tracy Letts. I remember this time in our history and even the night when the Pentagon Papers were released. A good film and probably an Oscar nomination, but not as complex or intense as Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Cast
- Meryl Streep
as Kay Graham
-
Tom Hanks
as Ben Bradlee
-
Tracy Letts
as Fritz Beebe
-
Alison Brie
as Lally Weymouth
-
Carrie Coon
as Meg Greenfield
-
Bob Odenkirk
as Ben Bagdikian
-
David Cross
as Phil Geyelin
-
Bruce Greenwood
as Robert McNamara
-
Sarah Paulson
as Tony Bradlee
-
Jesse Plemons
as Roger Clark
-
Matthew Rhys
as Howard Simons
-
Michael Stuhlbarg
as Eugene Patterson
-
Bradley Whitford
as Fritz Beebe
-
Zach Woods
as Daniel Ellsberg
-
Pat Healy
as Phil Geyelin
-
Kelly AuCoin
as Kevin Maroney
Director
I really didn't know what to expect from this film, although I had seen trailers and had read the glowing reports in People and Entertainment Weekly. One has to suspend all belief in reality to enjoy it. But what makes this movie so special is the cinematography and the directing of Guillermo Del Toro. Elisa is a mute who mops floors and cleans the toilets with Zelda in the large OCCAM corporation. It is there in 1962 that THE ASSET is brought, a green/blue sea monster from the Amazon. Elisa is drawn to him, gains his trust, and, eventually, offers herself to him. The cold war machinations of Russians vs. the members of the corporation provide the crux of the action in the film. The acting performances are strong, especially Richard Jenkins as Elisa's gay neighbor. I like the movie, but I would not rank it as the best to walk away with the Oscar.
Cast
-
Sally Hawkins
as Elisa Esposito
-
Michael Shannon
as Strickland
-
Octavia Spencer
as Zelda
-
Richard Jenkins
as Giles
-
Doug Jones
as Amphibian Man
-
Michael Stuhlbarg
as Mr. Robert Hoffstetler
-
Lauren Lee Smith
as Elaine Strickland
-
Nick Searcy
as General Hoyt
-
David Hewlett
as Fleming
Director
What a powerful movie this was. It is definitely not for the faint at heart or those who might be disturbed by the use of the F word. Set in a very rural town of Ebbing, Missouri, it is the portrayal of a woman who has lost her daughter to burning in a fire after being raped. Her frustration with the local police results in an emotional act of renting 3 billboards that brings the police department and the sheriff to task for their lack of progress in solving the crime. Throughout there is depiction of rural racism, police brutality, alcoholism, marital strife, and empathy for the victim's family. Frances McDormand is beyond outstanding in her role as Mildred Hayes, as is Sam Rockwell playing the racist cop. Academy award nominations for sure.
Cast
-
Frances McDormand
as Mildred Hayes
-
Woody Harrelson
as Sheriff Bill Willoughby
-
Sam Rockwell
as Officer Jason Dixon
-
Abbie Cornish
as Anne
-
Caleb Landry Jones
as Red
-
Kathryn Newton
as Angela
-
Clarke Peters
as Abercrombie
Director
A great film for a stay-at-home Friday night. Almost reminiscent of an Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Get Out builds to a dramatic conclusion. Chris is going for a first time visit to Rose's parent's home. They do not know that he is black and he, naturally, dreading the situation has many misgivings. She reassures him that they are not racists. As they approach the house they see 2 black servants who seem to be almost robotic in their actions. It is not to long into the visit that he realizes that something is amiss and the guests at her parents' annual house party are a bit akin to the Stepford Wives mentality. At that point he realizes that he must Get Out. It is understandable why Daniel Kaluuya received a GG best acting nod.
Cast
-
Daniel Kaluuya
as Chris
-
Allison Williams
as Rose
-
Catherine Keener
as Missy
-
Bradley Whitford
as Dean
-
Keith Stanfield
as Andre Hayworth
-
Marcus Henderson
as Walter
Director
What a spectacular film this was. The movie takes place from 8 May 1940 to 4 June 1940 and explicates the ponderous decision making with which Churchill was charged. With his War Cabinet wanting to strike a deal with Hitler and Churchill's and the citizen's desire strong, Oldman as Churchill delivers his “We shall fight them on the beaches” speech. Without a knowledge of the historical period, the film almost takes on a thriller vibe. It is probably one of the best historical dramas made and a great companion to Dunkirk, which is referenced in the movie. This is one that I definitely want to own.
Cast
-
Gary Oldman
as Winston Churchill
-
Lily James
as Elizabeth Layton
-
Ben Mendelsohn
as King George VI
-
Kristin Scott Thomas
as Clementine Churchill
-
Richard Lumsden
as General Ismay
-
Stephen Dillane
as Viscount Halifax
-
Samuel West
as Sir Anthony Eden
-
Jordan Waller
as Randolph Churchill
-
Ronald Pickup
as Neville Chamberlain
Director
