The Florida Project

The last of the nominated actors and films that we saw was The Florida Project with Willem Dafoe as the Supporting Actor nominee. The film focuses on a single mother, Halley,  and daughter who live a life in the grasps of poverty in a motel just outside the gates of Disneyworld. Moonee, the precocious seven or eight year old daughter, is left to her own with a couple of friends during the summer in which the film takes place. They find ways to amuse them selves by throwing a dead fish in a pool and even setting a vacant building on fire. It is a powerful film as it depicts the way of life of too many of our population. Dafoe gives a very strong performance as the manager of the motel, who really does understand the kids and tries to do his best in giving the mother some breaks. The ending, as shocking as it is to watch, was not that unsuspected. 

Cast

• Brooklynn Prince as Moonee
• Willem Dafoe as Bobby
• Bria Vinaite as Halley
• Christopher Rivera as Scooty
• Valeria Cotto as Jancey
• Caleb Landry Jones as Jack
• Macon Blair as Tourist John

Director

• Sean Baker

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Watching Roman J. Israel, Esq. was reminiscent a bit of watching Rainman.  It was almost a caricature performance by Denzel Washington in the character of Roman J. Israel, an autistic lawyer. Israel works in a 2 person law firm as one who writes briefs for his boss, William Jackson. When Jackson has a heart attack, Israel is thrown into a new role. He, however, cannot handle court appearances. The intent at a romantic involvement also falls short. The film seemed disjointed at times and not really living up to the hype that preceded its release. A bit disappointing and inexplicable as to the Oscar nomination for Washington, whose performance was not as good as Tom Hanks in The Post.

Cast

• Denzel Washington as Roman J. Israel, Esq.
• Colin Farrell as George Pierce
• Carmen Ejogo as Maya Alston

Director 

• Dan Gilroy

Mudbound

This was a very complex movie that takes place after WWII. It relates the stories of two  families, one black, the McAllans and one white, the Jacksons, who live on the same land. At times it was difficult to follow the stories from flashback to present. The families are strong willed and each character comes forward to demonstrate his or her personality. There are definite parallels between the strong-willed women and their relationships with their husbands. The racism is rampant and uncomfortable to watch. Blige is excellent in her portrayal of Florence, but is up against Allison Janney from I, Tonya, who will most probably walk away with the Oscar.

Cast

• Carey Mulligan as Laura McAllan
• Jason Clarke as Henry McAllan
• Jason Mitchell as Ronsel Jackson
• Garrett Hedlund as Jamie McAllan
• Mary J. Blige as Florence Jackson
• Rob Morgan as Hap Jackson
• Jonathan Banks as Pappy McAllan
• Kerry Cahill as Rose Tricklebank
• Dylan Arnold as Carl Atwood
• Lucy Faust as Vera Atwood

Director

• Dee Rees

 

Call Me by Your Name

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

• Luca Guadagnino

Phantom Thread

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

• Paul Thomas Anderson

The Shape of Water

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

• Guillermo Del Toro

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

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

• Martin McDonagh

Get Out

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

• Jordan Peele

The Darkest Hour

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

• Joe Wright

Dunkirk

Having just returned from France, it was a natural to head to the cinemas to see Dunkirk. What an amazing story of World War II when hundreds of British private citizens hastened to aid in the evacuation of soldiers that were surrounded by the Germans. With very little dialog and a large dose of action, this is sure to be a contender for best picture.

Cast

• Kenneth Branagh as Commander Bolton of the Royal Navy
• Fionn Whitehead as Tommy
• Mark Rylance as Captain of the Moonstone
• Tom Hardy as Farrier
• Cillian Murphy as BEF Officer
• Harry Styles as Alex

Director

• Christopher Nolan