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

Mr. Holmes
Starring: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, and Milo Parker
Synopsis: This is a fascinating new film. Directed by Bill Condon, is about an aging Sherlock Holmes (McKellen), who is retired, living in the country, and losing his memory. He's 93-years-old and his greatest gift is failing. His only company is his housekeeper, Mrs. Munro (Linney), and her son, Roger (Parker). Holmes is trying to write the honest account of his last case, but he's struggling to remember all the details. This is a slow moving film, but a great character study. Holmes is one of the most famous characters in literature and on film, but this is a take on him that's never been seen before. McKellen, who is a fabulous actor, is able to portray the aging and struggling Holmes as well as glimpses of the Holmes we know and love in flash backs. It's a great story well told, and it's bolstered by some strong performances from Linney, McKellen, and especially Parker, who holds his own against these award nominees. This is the kind of smaller slice of life that makes film so rich, and definitely a world worth seeking out.
Rating: PG for thematic elements, some disturbing images and incidental smoking.
Verdict: Four stars out of four

Southpaw
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, Oona Laurence, and 50 Cent
Synopsis: Most of the time the story and plot aren’t a mystery in sports movies. You usually have an underdog, or a champion brought low. They have to find themselves and their sense of purpose, then they can prevail at the end. It’s a formula, and there’s comfort in that. It’s true of all sports movies — whether it be baseball, football, basketball or boxing. We don’t go into the movies hoping to be surprised, but rather inspired. Sometimes, on rare occasions, both can happen. But most of the time, what matters in sports movies is the characters, their arc and whether it draws out your passion. “Southpaw” fits that description perfectly. It’s a boxing movie, and there’s not much about the plot that’s shocking or unexpected. It follows the beats you’d figure, and even gives its characters names like Billy Hope that are meant to convey more than a moniker. But it’s the characters, the performances and the circumstances that do the heavy lifting and, for me, that all worked. Director Antoine Fuqua has delivered some powerful and emotional films in his career, and he does it again with “Southpaw.” Working off a script from Kurt Sutter (“Sons of Anarchy”), Fuqua finds the beating heart in the film, which helps it resonate with the audience. That’s key in these type of films, which tend to run on a very familiar pattern. The film is betrayed a bit by the marketing. What happens to Maureen isn’t shocking, but the fact the scene is depicted in the trailer betrays some of the emotional impact on the screen. Despite that, the performances help to make it emotionally resonant, and the way the characters are built and portrayed helps the film to draw you in despite having nearly every beat telegraphed in the marketing. Some have suggested this is the type of film that should have been awards bait. It hasn’t scored big with all critics, and it didn’t blow anyone away at the Box Office. But I would contend it still has some of the most powerful performances of the year. McAdams, though in only the early part of the film, does a great job of establishing her character and her relationship with Billy. You feel her loss in the film, which is a credit to the work she does in establishing Maureen. In addition, Whitaker and Laurence do a good job of bringing their characters to life. Both, in their own ways, challenge Billy to step up and be a better man and better father. But the real heavy lifting in the film is done by Gyllenhaal. He is an actor who sinks into every role he takes and really brings the character to life — warts and all. His work as Billy Hope is no different. He gets the physical look of the part right, but more importantly he brings the different dimensions of personality. His desire and angst is real, and it’s palpable. As ferocious as he is in the ring, Gyllenhaal brings an even greater ferocity and intensity to the scenes where he is struggling to pull himself together and be the man his daughter needs him to be. You can’t help but root for him. Some have suggested Gyllenhaal’s performance is better than the movie around him. Perhaps that’s true. Either way, you ache for Billy Hope to win — not just in the ring but in life. That’s the result of a beautifully acted and beautifully told story. “Southpaw” isn’t a perfect film, and it isn’t a surprising film, but it’s a powerfully told story. I was moved in a way I didn’t expect, and that’s one of the highest compliments I can pay a film.
Rating: R for R for language throughout, and some violence. Enter with caution.
Verdict: Four stars out of four.

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Friday, July 31 — "Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation"