Now Playing

 

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week!

Black Bear (VOD)
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbott, and Sarah Gadon
Synopsis: Sometimes a film tries a novel high concept and it bombs. That's what I think is the biggest failing of Black Bear, a new thriller of sorts from writer/director Lawrence Michael Levine. The film starts out as one thing, or at least presents itself as one thing and one type of story, then abruptly changes course in the middle. The three central actors are present in all of it, though their characters and motivation radically shift. There is little explanation offered for the switch and little attempt to explain what's happening, which only adds to the frustration of watching it. At least it did for me. Plaza gives a good performance and is asked to do a lot, while Abbott and Gadon are fine, too. The problem, for me, is the story, which comes off as a confusing mess. There are some stylistic shots, and some of the film could possibly be conceived of as a dark comedy, but it doesn't work. When it's over, you're left to scratch your head and move on because what you've seen isn't memorable enough to think about for too long.
Rating: R for language throughout, sexual content, drug use and some nudity.
Verdict: One star out of four.

Herself (Amazon Prime)
Starring: Clare Dunne, Harriet Walter, and Conleth Hill
Synopsis: This latest film released on Amazon is a gut-wrenching tale of a battered wife and mother, Sandra (Dunne), who does all she can to provide a safe and beautiful life for her daughters. The film begins with Sandra being assaulted by her husband (Ian Lloyd Anderson), a brutal attack that leaves permanent physical and mental scars for Sandra and her children. She then sets about providing for her children and fighting as hard as she can to build a home for them, all this despite the constant attempts of her husband to convince her he's changed and prevent her from moving on. With the help of a friend and client (Walter) and a contractor (Hill) who takes on her case, she sets about building a home, and a future, for her girls. This is a beautiful and powerful film. Director Phyllida Lloyd puts together a powerful and engaging film. Dunne, who co-wrote the screenplay, is magnificent in the main role. Her range of emotions and her performance are engaging and the heart of the film. What was moving to the idea that people can be cruel, but also can be noble and kind, and this film celebrates that dichotomy in equal measure. I loved this film and think people should make a point to see it.
Rating: R for language and some domestic violence.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

The High Note (HBO Max)
Starring: Dakota Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Synopsis: This film centers on a young woman, Maggie (Johnson), who is a music fan and aspiring producer. For the time being, she is serving as personal assistant to mega star Grace Davis (Ross), hoping for a shot a producing on her upcoming album. In the meantime she finds a young musician, David (Harrison), who gives her a shot, but with whom she forms a spark. Soon her worlds collide in unexpected ways. This is an interesting film and a fun one at times. I liked Johnson in the lead role, and I thought Ross and Harrison were strong, too. Nisha Ganatra directs based on a script from Flora Greeson, and the film moves at a decent clip. I thought the twist near the end was fun, and some of the musical numbers are engaging. Ice Cube is fun in a supporting role, too. This film isn't deep and isn't incredible, but it's a nice, easy watch thanks to the cast.
Rating:  PG-13 for some strong language, and suggestive references.
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Ottolenghi and the Cakes of Versailles (HULU)
Synopsis: This documentary centers on chef Yotam Ottolenghi on his quest to bring the sumptuous art and decadence of Versailles to life in cake form at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. He meets difference culinary artists and tracks their progress and inspiration as they take part in the exhibition. The film runs a crisp 75 minutes, and shows you a lot of the process to make the cakes and then ends with the final exhibition bringing it all together. A lot of it is beautiful to look at and somewhat interesting. Those who have a passion for culinary pursuits and/or art might be more drawn to this, but I thought it was just OK.
Rating: N/A
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

The Photograph (HBO Max)
Starring: Issa Rae, LaKeith Stanfield, Chante Adams, Y'lan Noel, and Lil Rel Howery
Synopsis: This romance from writer/director Stella Meghie is a pair of love stories taking place in different timelines. In the present, Mae Morton (Rae) is dealing with the loss of her mother while sparking a new romance with a journalist, Michael (Stanfield). Meanwhile, Mae is learning more about who her mother was through writings that tell of her mother's (Adams) own romance with a man (Noel) who never forgot her. The film is a blend of the two stories and brings both in for a landing decently. Rae and Stanfield are talented performers who have great chemistry in this film, and at times Meghie delivers some fun moments and engaging visuals. However, the story doesn't quite coalesce for me and, at times, I felt it was a bit dry and I was waiting for something to come together and happen. I like the idea and pieces of the production, but the end product is just OK.
Rating: PG-13 for sexuality and brief strong language.
Verdict: Two stars out of four.

Pieces of a Woman (Netflix)
Starring: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LeBeouf, Ellen Burstyn, Molly Parker, Sarah Snook, and Iliza Shlesinger
Synopsis: This powerful new film from Netflix is sure to be a contender this awards season. It centers on a couple, Martha (Kirby) and Sean (LaBeouf), who are awaiting the birth of their first child. When Martha goes into labor, they call for the midwife to proceed with their planned home birth. Their midwife isn't available, but a replacement, Eva (Parker), answers the call. What starts out as a normal process soon ends in tragedy. Martha and Sean are shaken, each pursuing their own path to emotional healing. Meanwhile Martha's mother (Burstyn) applies the pressure to pursue a legal remedy and find a sense of justice to provide closure, whether or not that is what Martha really needs. Director Kornél Mundruczó brings to life Kata Weber's script, which was the basis of their play of the same name. There are some gorgeous shots in this film and some powerful moments as it explores the stages of grief for one woman, who in addition to losing a child feels alienated from her family and sees her relationship disintegrate. It's an incredible showcase for Kirby, who largely carries this film. I won't spoil it, but I appreciated the arc of how the film ended, too, providing a little hope in the midst of darkness. Kirby is great, and gives one of the better performances this year. I enjoyed the film and think it's well worth watching, but it doesn't quite achieve overall greatness for me. Those who are interested should also be warned it is, frequently, tough to watch because of the situation and plot. But it's worth the journey for Kirby's work and the way Mundruczo brings it all together at the end.
Rating: R for language, sexual content, graphic nudity and brief drug use.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Some Kind Of Heaven (VOD)
Synopsis: This documentary drops wide on Friday and focuses on residents at The Villages, a retirement community that is booming in Florida. From the glossy look and options to the offerings for residents, it seems like the ideal spot for thousands of older folks to come and spark the next chapter in their lives. But as the film follows a few of the residents closely, we see that this next chapter isn't a dream come true for everyone. Even in their golden years, these folks have challenges and have to lean on their love, connections, grit, and determination to find a way forward to contentment and purpose even in a place that markets itself as a kind of paradise. But the true paradise is the one you build for yourself with the richness of your connections. Some Kind Of Heaven is proof there is not perfect place that can meet all your needs and cure all your ills simply by existing, and filmmaker Lance Oppenheim beautifully captures the essence of The Villages, its history, and the stories of its residents.
Rating: N/A
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Valley Girl (Hulu)
Starring: Jessica Rothe, Josh Whitehouse, Alicia Silverstone, Chloe Bennett, Mae Whitman, and Judy Greer
Synopsis: This film is a re-make, of sorts, of the 1983 original of the same name. That one was set in contemporary times and featured Nicholas Cage in a lead role. This re-make, from director  Rachel Lee Goldenberg, is a musical and a story that begins in the present, as a mother (Silverstone) attempts to impart wisdom to her teenage daughter who is struggling through heart-break by telling her own story of first love in the 1980s. Soon the action swings to the 1980s and Julie (Rothe), who is a popular high school senior living in a wealthy community in the California Valley. She's got a boyfriend and a bright future, but she suddenly feels drawn to a punk rocker, Randy (Whitehouse), who turns her world and her perspective upside down. This one features a pretty classic 1980s soundtrack, all performed by the cast as part of the storytelling device. And you know what, it worked for me. I think this is mainly because of Rothe, who I loved in the Happy Death Day franchise and thought propped up the romance Forever My Girl. She's charming in the lead here, which helps prop it up. The supporting cast is solid, too, with some in different kinds of roles. I liked the concept here, and Goldenberg produces a bright, colorful and light atmosphere. This, to me, is ideally the kind of tone that would have saved the Netflix spectacle film The Prom. It's probably not for everyone, but I enjoyed Valley Girl for what it had to offer.
Rating: PG-13 for teen partying, language, some suggestive material, and brief nudity.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.