With the Golden Globe and SAG nominations announced, it was time to start the movie marathon. Although not all will be considered for the Oscars, the nominations are fairly good predictors.
First up was The Favourite, a look at the reign of Queen Anne of England, Sarah Churchill, her trusted friend, and Abigail Masham, a conniving ex-aristocrat who weasels her way into palace life. Sarah unsuspectingly allows Abigail to become a part of Anne's life as a servant, but soon realizes that Abigail has many ulterior motives. Men do have a part of the movie, but the strength of the film lies in the acting of the three women.
Really enjoyed the historic part of this movie and can understand why it would not appeal to everyone. There is satire that requires a knowledge of the history.
Cast
Olivia Colman
as Queen Anne
Emma Stone
as Abigail Hill
Rachel Weisz
as Sarah Churchill
Nicholas Hoult
as Robert Harley
Joe Alwyn
as Samuel Masham
Mark Gatiss
as John Churchill
Director
Yorgos Lanthimos
It is interesting to see a film of events that happened in your lifetime. Battle of the Sexes chronicles the events leading up to the historic tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. I can remember watching this in 1973, but never was aware of how it all came to be. Super performances by Emma Stone and Steve Carell. It is so depressing to remember and see how not much has changed in the equal pay for all arena. Billie Jean set out to remedy the inequalities of the tennis world and ended up speaking on behalf of all women as she spurned the Lawn Tennis Association and founded with her husband, Larry King, the WTA. The inception of her relationship with her hairdresser, Marilyn Barnett, added a layer of complication to the procuring of sponsorships. A lesbian affair would not have been accepted by most of the population. The movie is more the BJK story and less the BR one. He is, for the most part, a washed up player, addicted to gambling and looking for the "next best thing." I bristled at the male chauvinistic remarks, realizing that I have heard similar recently.
Cast
-
Emma Stone
as Billie Jean King
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Steve Carell
as Bobby Riggs
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Andrea Riseborough
as Marilyn Barnett
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Sarah Silverman
as Gladys Heldman
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Alan Cumming
as Ted Tinling
Director
- Jonathan Dayton
- Valerie Faris
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
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Jason Mitchell
as Ronsel Jackson
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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
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
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
