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
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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
-
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
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
We saw Molly's Game immediately after the The Disaster Artist. Another "based on a true story" film, this was a fun one to watch. Jessica Chastain was excellent as Molly Bloom, an Olympic caliber skier, who gave up the slopes due to a catastrophic fall and injury. Pushed by her father to do something productive with her life, she tries out numerous secretarial jobs before landing one with one of the organizers of a very profitable Hollywood poker game. Using her prowess and good looks she takes over the game and runs it successfully until her arrest by the FBI. Idris Elba is fantastic as her lawyer and totally gets Molly's personality. The one downer is the scene with her father (Costner) that plays over-dramatically and without a sense of reality. Would love to read her book.
Cast
-
Jessica Chastain
as Molly Bloom
-
Idris Elba
as Charlie Jaffey
-
Kevin Costner
as Larry Bloom
-
Michael Cera
as Player X
-
Brian d'Arcy James
as Bad Brad
Director
Writer (book)
Writer
I wish I had done some background reading about this film before viewing it. Based on a true story of the movie, The Room, it was a superbly acted and directed movie. James Franco interprets the life and directing "success" of Tommy Wiseau. Wieseau has been credited with making the worst movie ever and Franco embraces that concept. Also a story of friendship with Greg Sestero, played by Franco's brother Greg, the movie develops into the actual making of Wieseau's film. It is comedy and drama at the same time and an impetus to see The Room.
Cast
-
Dave Franco
as Greg
-
James Franco
as Tommy
-
Seth Rogen
as Sandy
-
Ari Graynor
as Juliette
-
Alison Brie
as Amber
-
Jacki Weaver
as Carolyn
Director
James Franco
What begins as a very typical mother-daughter ritual of visiting a college, soon turns into a testament of wills. Christine (aka Lady Bird) is a spunky teenager trying to find her voice and self at the same time her mother puts her down for most anything she can.The struggles and angst are most authentic. The desire to go to college across the country is understandable and life changing.
Cast
- Saoirse Ronan as Christine "Lady Bird"[a] McPherson
- Laurie Metcalf as Marion McPherson
- Tracy Letts as Larry McPherson
- Lucas Hedges as Danny O'Neill
- Timothée Chalamet as Kyle Scheible
- Beanie Feldstein as Julianne "Julie" Steffans
- Stephen McKinley Henderson as Father Leviatch
- Lois Smith as Sister Sarah Joan
- Jordan Rodrigues as Miguel McPherson
- Marielle Scott as Shelly Yuhan
- Odeya Rush as Jenna Walton
- Jake McDorman as Mr. Bruno
- Laura Marano as Diana Greenway
- Kathryn Newton as Darlene
- John Karna as Greg Anrue
-
Director
What a wonderful movie, funny, poignant, toe tapping music and a good message for all. Really loved the film and I think it should get a nod in the Oscar race, but do not think it is the caliber of a winner. Hugh Jackman steals the show as you would expect him to. The soundtrack is worthy of downloading and a best song nomination and possibly win should result.
Cast
-
Hugh Jackman
as P.T. Barnum
-
Zac Efron
as Phillip Carlyle
-
Michelle Williams
as Charity Barnum
-
Rebecca Ferguson
as Jenny Lind
-
Zendaya
as Anne Wheeler
-
Fredric Lehne
as Mr. Hallett
-
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
as WD Wheeler
-
Paul Sparks
as James Gordon Bennett
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. 
