FILM: The Happy Prince

STARS: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Emily Watson, Colin Morgan

WHERE: Landmark Plaza Frontenac

PREMISE: Follows Oscar Wilde’s path from prison release to his death in France. Connected through the film is his telling of the fable of the happy prince.

HE SAID: You enjoy.  I have to work.

SHE SAID: A sad but enlighten film. I hadn’t known a lot of what transpired in Wilde’s life after his arrival in prison. The film tells the tale of a conflicted man who sought redemption but couldn’t resist the pull of his temptations. Rupert Everett gives a wonderful portrayal of Wilde. SCORE: 6.5 (On a scale of 1 to 10)

 FILM: The Old Man and the Gun

STARS: Robert Redford, Sissy Spacek, Casey Affleck

WHERE: Marcus Wehrenberg Ronnie’s 20

PREMISE: An aging bank robber meets an age appropriate woman directly after his latest heist.  Will this complicate his plans as he plans his next heist and as the law gets closer and closer?

HE SAID: Not great, very slow, do not recommend. SCORE: 4 (On a scale of 1 to 10)

SHE SAID: Yes, it was slow which I thought worked for this film though I thought over all it was just an okay.  (Was able to recommend to my parents since the pace was slow enough to easily follow.) The scenes between Redford and Spacek were very natural and believable.  I think they may have sacrificed some story to concentrate on other things since there were multiple elements that were introduced that were not finished out but had me going “But what happened to…?” at the end.  If this was Redford’s last time on film as advertised it was a sweet goodbye but not his best work. SCORE: 5.5 (On a scale of 1 to 10.)

FILM: Frankenstein (National Theatre Live)

STARS: Benedict Cumberbatch, Jonny Lee Miller, Director: Danny Boyle

WHERE: Marcus Wehrenberg Des Peres

HE SAID: Already have other plans for the night

SHE SAID: An interesting bit of theater. This production famously had the stars alternate the roles of The Creature and Dr. Frankenstein. Both versions were recorded and broadcast. I saw Cumberbatch as The Creature and Miller as the doctor. Both were good in these roles, but I would really like to see the other version too to compare. I have a feeling I would enjoy the other version even more. Originally filmed in 2011, it is being re-released now since it is the 200th anniversary of the original book. The set for the production was amazing! The first 15-20 minutes were a bit slow, but then it picked up after that. It was interesting to see the story with the Creature as a sympathetic character that ultimately becomes a monster due to the cruelty of man. SCORE: 6.5 (On a scale of 1 to 10)

FILM: First Man (2018)

STARS: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy

WHERE: Marcus Wehrenberg Ronnie’s 20

PREMISE: A film about early NASA and going to the moon from the perspective of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon.

HE SAID: It looks like I was the only member of the group who enjoyed this film. (See it in IMAX. Its worth it.) There was some dramatic license taken to enhance emotional appeal but over all it was well done. SCORE: 7 (On a scale of 1 to 10).

 

SHE SAID: It was okay. It was interesting observing from the perspective of the astronauts for a little while, but in doing so the filmmakers purposely had a lot of the shots be unsteady which in the end I found more distracting than helpful as a viewer.  On that note, if you get motion sickness, this might not be a good movie for you especially not in IMAX.  I don’t get motion sickness easily, but I had to close my eyes a few times to keep from getting too nauseous.  The scenes on the moon made the IMAX totally worth it though. I found the portrayal of Armstrong okay, but it is hard to judge since the real man was notoriously tight lipped. I found Ryan Gosling’s performance to portray him as driven and stoic. Watching 2 hours of a stoic person doesn’t give a lot of scope at times. As the filmmakers seemed to be trying to give an accurate picture of Neil Armstrong’s journey through the program to the moon, I didn’t agree with some of the dramatic license they took.  I wish they would have covered more ground about his life at home. Also, it ended abruptly.  SCORE: 5 (On a scale of 1 to 10)

FILM: Bad Times at the El Royale

STARS: Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Lewis Pullman

WHERE: Marcus Wehrenberg Ronnie’s 20

PREMISE: A variety of characters check into the flagging El Royale each for their own reasons.  Those reasons cross with stunning consequences as they try to make it through a night at the once glorious El Royale.

HE SAID: Great story, well told, and well acted. SCORE: 7.5 (On a scale of 1 to 10)

SHE SAID: A really good film.  I love when a story can mesh separate storylines together and come to a satisfying conclusion. While a little slow at the beginning, it sets up well for what comes next.  There are some really great performances in this film, but it is truly an ensemble film. It is definitely dark and has some violent portions, but all the violence serves the story line and doesn’t seem gratuitous. If you like suspense that is a twisted, fun ride, this is a movie to check out. Only thing that keeps me from giving this film an 8 or higher is the slow beginning.  It seems it could have been edited down a little bit more.  SCORE: 7.5 (On a scale of 1 to 10)

FILM: A Star is Born (2018)

STARS: Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott

WHERE: Marcus Des Peres 14 (Des Peres, MO)

PREMISE: Aspiring singer/songwriter has a chance encounter with an addict country music star. Their love of music and songwriting quickly bonds them together. They fall in love, but as her star is now rising and his addiction and hearing issues are causing his to fall, will they be able to survive in the face of it all.

HE SAID:  I thought film film dragged and was a predictable story told around a great soundtrack. SCORE: 6 (On a scale of 1 of 10)

SHE SAID: Having seen 2 out of the 3 previous versions (1937 & 1954 versions), I was a little trepidatious about there being a fourth. Does it really need another remake?  Luckily the answer is a resounding “Yes”.  I really enjoyed this updated version set in the music world.  Not usually a fan of Bradley Cooper, but he was great in the role of country music star Jackson Main.  Lady Gaga turns in an ultimately heartbreaking performance as Allie/Ally.  Her ability to emote a lyric that makes you feel only enhances when translated to the screen especially at the films end.  I was a little disappointed she used her stage name for this movie instead of her real one. With some of the themes of the movie, seeing her real name in the credits at the end would have had a big impact. Seeing her stage name kindof feels like the industry ultimately wins in the end instead of the individual. While in a much smaller role, Sam Elliott is perfect as Jackson’s much older brother. His moments on screen are are so touching.  Yes, there are some points that dragged and a little more editing that could have been done, but overall a wonderful film. SCORE: 7.5 ( On a scale of 1 to 10)

FILM: The Sisters Brothers (2018)

STARS: John C. Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rhiz Ahmed

WHERE: Landmark Plaza Frontenac

PREMISE: Hired guns, the Sisters Brothers, take a commission from the Commodore to track down a guy who has a formula the Commodore wants and retrieve that information for him through any violent means necessary.

HE SAID: I really liked it.  I thought the story hung together well, and the character progression was great. Wonderful performances by the cast. SCORE: 7 (On a scale of 1 to 10)

SHE SAID: I thought John C. Reilly was really good as Eli Sisters, and Rhiz Ahmed was just as good as Hermitt Kermit Warm.  Joaquin Phoenix as Charlie Sisters and Jake Gyllenhaal as John Morris were okay.  Overall, I thought it was episodic and underwhelming.  It seemed it didn’t know whether it was a drama with some comedy or a comedy with some drama and ended up being just quirky and uninspiring.  Some great cinematography could not make up for this mix-mash of a script for me. Couldn’t find a character to really identify with as the only female characters really seen in the movie are either very masculine themselves or just at the very end of the film.  Could be more of a guys movie then a date night film. SCORE: 4.5 (On a scale of 1 to 10)

 

 

FILM: Colette (2018)

STARS: Keira Knightley, Dominic West

WHERE: Landmark Plaza Frontenac Cinema (Frontenac, MO)

PREMISE: a young country girl marries an older, urban man, is introduced to Paris literary society, and discovers her writting ability as her husband takes the credit.

HE SAID: Enjoy with your friends and didn’t go.

SHE SAID: I did enjoy it!  Keira Knightly gives a wonderful performance as the title character and gets to play a range of emotions and attitudes that show this real woman’s progression from naive country girl to Parisian sophisticate.  Dominic West plays her husband, the narcissistic and slightly paunchy Willy, with flair and depth. This character could easily have just been a mean caricature but luckily it is a better performance than that. Some of the scenes were more raw than I had expected and a little gratuitous in my opinion , while other less salacious items were referred to but not shown. These less salacious moments though could have added depth and understanding to the characters.  Overall, a fascinating look at turn of the century Paris and literary society as a woman learns to make her mark on the world on her own terms. SCORE: 7 (On a scale of 1 to 10)

FILM: Night School (2018)

STARS: Kevin Hart, Tiffany Hadish, Taram Killam

WHERE: Gravois Bluffs Regal Cinema (Fenton, MO) FYI: Comfortable seats and you can get decent seats at the last minute.

PREMISE: A guy who never completed high school but has been able to get by on his charm and salesmanship finds himself in need of a GED and having to go to night school to prep for passing the exam.

HE SAID: A few funny moments but overall did not come together well. Lackluster performances by most of the cast. Don’t waste your time. SCORE: 4.5 (on a scale of 1 to 10)

SHE SAID: I wanted to like it more than I did.  I did like that they actually addressed undiagnosed learning disabilities as being something that needed to be dealt with. The leads bantered well between each other.  Tiffany Haddish’s character seemed to be well rounded.  A woman who was knowledgeable and trying to teach and care for her students at their level.  I didn’t like that they treated her being upfront and trying to address issues as something for the male leads to be fearful of especially when she was not doing or saying anything in a way to be feared.  Other than that, I felt it was fun but episodic and predictable. Best laughs were in the previews for the film.  SCORE: 5 (on a scale of 1 to 10.)

FILM: Love, Gilda (2018)

WHERE: Plaza Frontenac Cinema (Frontenac, MO)

PREMISE: Documentary about SNL comedienne Gilda Radner using her own diaries and interviews.

HE SAID: The original SNL cast were idols to me. This movie gave detail and insight I hadn’t seen or heard before. Thought the documentary slowed down after the SNL years. SCORE: 7.5 (on a scale of 1 to 10)

SHE SAID: While I knew who Gilda Radner was, it was only in broad strokes.  Clips from SNL that were funny, married to Gene Wilder, and battled ovarian cancer. This film explores much more about who she actually was. It is a film about a bright, creative, innately funny woman who came to dominate in comedy at a time when women were considered secondary to men. A woman who at the same time had all the dreams, insecurities, and doubts most women do. When illness strikes, it seems to come at a time when she was finally comfortable as herself. It makes what comes next all the more touching & tragic. Overall, I found the movie interesting, insightful, and involving if overall on the slow side. SCORE: 6.5 (on a scale of 1 to 10)