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We had a good week here as September in in full swing with two compelling theatrical films and a great streaming option. Let’s dive in!

His Three Daughters (Netflix)
Starring: Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, Natasha Lyonne, and Jay Sanders
Synopsis: Losing someone you love is hard. It’s harder still when you’re trying to reconnect with your family. Family is often what we’re born into, but those bonds can be stretched as we grow, evolve, and lose touch. His Three Daughters, a new film from Netflix, captures that beautifully. Three sisters—Katie (Coon), Rachel (Lyonne), and Christina (Olsen)—have come together as their father is dying. They are family, but it’s clear immediately they’re no longer close. There is a tension that hangs in the air that adds to the grief and difficulty of the situation. The final vigil is on. There are hospice workers, nurses, and the sisters taking turns sitting with their father and making preparations. Rachel has lived in the apartment for years, caring for her father. And yet, she seems to be at odds with Katie, who is critical of her work and her lifestyle. Meanwhile Christina, the youngest, is awkwardly trying to keep the peace. Through a combination of grief and confrontation, the sisters are forced to confront the truth of their lives, what brings them together, what divides them, and the swell of grief and loss. It’s a moving portrait of family. This film was written and directed by Azazel Jacobs, who has a good feel for the world and the story he wants to tell. It’s beautifully constructed with rich scenes that allow for the expansion of the world and the swelling of emotions despite a contained plot and location. It draws you into this story and won’t let you go. I loved the performances, too. All three actresses give great performances, with each getting a chance to shine in different sequences and creating characters with such distinct personalities and roles in the family. Sanders makes a brief appearance as their father in a sequence near the end that puts a beautiful cap on the film. The final act is beautiful and surprising right up until the credits role. I loved the film and the way it all comes together. It’s worth checking out on Netflix.
Rating: Rated R for language and drug use.
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five

The Substance (Theaters)
Starring: Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley
Synopsis: As a society we have a big focus on beauty and creating the look of perfection. But, perhaps, there is no place where that focus looms larger than in the entertainment industry. The latest thriller, The Substance, puts that squarely in focus with a body-horror tale that spins in wild and wildly creative ways. The film centers on Elisabeth Sparkle (Moore). She’s a star—with recognition on the Walk of Fame and a long career of hit shows and films. As we pick up on her birthday—a prime number—she’s facing a cliff. She overhears the head of the network (Dennis Quaid) planning to retire her and gets the news in person at an awkward birthday lunch. Elisabeth has reached a certain age and she’s no longer of use. After an accident lands her in the hospital, she’s presented with an option to change her fate—The Substance. Watching the video, she decides it isn’t for her and tosses the drive in the trash. But, after seeing an ad soliciting her replacement, she dives back in. The box presents a simple premise. She takes the activator, and a younger, more perfect self emerges—for seven days at a time. Elisabeth weighs the options, takes a long look in the mirror and plunges the syringe into her leg. Moments later, the change begins. Out pops Sue (Qualley). Sue is young and beautiful, and quickly finds more opportunity in the shallow and vapid culture. But as Sue’s following and power grows, the tenuous battle that connects her to Elisabeth becomes a war for control. And things get ugly quickly. The film comes from writer/director Coralie Fargeat (Revenge). It has a unique look and style, including some extreme camera shots and editing that will either draw you into the production or serve as a turn off. I was taken with the craft, especially early. The edits and some of the extreme shots help set a tone and mood. The film is also blessed with great performances. Moore, in particular, goes through quite a journey. The depth of emotion and struggle she conveys with her expressions that helps drive the story. It’s a mesmerizing performance at times. Qualley is also quite good, and the two play off each other well. I was fascinated by the premise, the performances, and really drawn into the first part of the film. But in the third act, Fargeat turns things up a notch. The final 20 minutes, in particular, are a wild blood bath that will not be for everyone. I didn’t enjoy the final act as much as what preceded it. I still thought the film was well done and engaging, but the ending was something of a letdown for me. Still, if you’re looking for a creative, often unsettling new horror/thriller, The Substance hits the spot.
Rating: Rated R for strong bloody violent content, gore, graphic nudity and language.
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five

Transformers One (Theaters)
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan Michael Key, and Jon Hamm
Synopsis: Origin stories can be tricky, especially for established franchises and characters. That’s the challenge before Transformers One, a new animated film that seeks to tell the origin story for the characters we know so well—Optimus Prime and Megatron. Before they were those well know leaders and foes, they were friends and simple minors, Orion Pax (Hemsworth) and D-16 (Henry). They were inseparable, despite their different approaches to life and work. Orion Pax as wide-eyed optimist with dreams of rising above his station and D-16 a cautious rule-follower. Yet, through a series of adventures they end up on a path to find the Matrix of Leadership and help save their people and all of Cybertron. Along the way they team with a lonely worker, B-127 (Key), and their former colleague Elita-1 (Johansson). The mission turns into something else, as the four stumble on a long-hidden truth that changes their foundation of knowledge about their lives and the world. That discovery has a profound impact on both Orion Pax and D-16 as they move forward. Armed with the truth, both are pushed on their natural paths that take them to being the Autobot and Decepticon that we have come to know. I was unsure how this animated prequel would work. We’ve seen a lot of Transformers films—seven in total—since Michael Bay launched the franchise in 2007. Some have come with diminishing returns. But moving the story to animation—the roots of the Transformers experience—isn’t the only change here. The re-launch of these characters and stories feels something of a piece with the re-launch of the X-Men franchise a few years ago. In fact, in a lot of ways Transformers One reminds me of what I liked best about X-Men: First Class. It also serves as a bridge to build up an original friendship that changes and is lost between these two rival leaders. I really liked the look and feel of this animated film, which works well. I also enjoyed the voice work here—which also includes Hamm and Laurence Fishburne in key roles, along with Steve Buscemi providing some great comic relief.  Director Josh Cooley, who previously worked on some Pixar shorts and Toy Story 4, does a nice job bringing the story to life. The action moves at a good pace and the performances are solid as we build these characters and this world we’ve come to know so well. This feels like the perfect kick-off of a new spin on the franchise that I’d be interested in seeing moving forward. Transformers One exceeded expectations and is one of the most fun rides of the year.
Rating: Rated PG for sci-fi violence and animated action throughout, and language.
Verdict: Four stars out of five