The Old Man & The Gun

Plot:

Based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford) and his escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 and a series of bank robberies that left the police confounded. 

Pros:

•Robert Redford gives another brilliant performance. Very charming. Had it been a lesser actor I doubt it would’ve worked. 

•I thought he and Sissy Spacek had great chemistry. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. 

•Fascinating story that I hadn’t heard about until I learned they were making this movie. 

•Most of the movie takes place in I believe the 80’s and the director films it in a way that fits the time period.

•This is the type of movie that would be perfect to take your Mom or Grandmother to. 

Cons:

•Moves at a very slow pace. While it didn’t bother me so much I know some people will be annoyed by it. 

•A few minor technical issues in terms of editing. 

•Very predictable. 

•The score. Very generic and the best way to describe it is elevator music. At times it would drown out the dialog. 

•While I thought Casey Affleck’s performance was fine, throughout most of this movie he kept mumbling his lines. I couldn’t understand what he was saying half the time. 

My Rating: 6.5/10

Creed 2

Plot:

Under the tutelage of Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) faces off against Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu)- the son of the man who killed his father. 

Pros:

•Been looking forward to this movie for awhile now. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Rocky series and when the first Creed came out three years ago it was a really nice surprise. In fact it was my number one movie that year. Anyway, I’m happy to report that Creed 2 is really good and a worthy sequel. 

•Once again Michael B. Jordan gives a strong performance. He and Sylvester Stallone work so well together. 

•Director Steven Caple Jr. does a good job in keeping with the look and feel that Ryan Coogler set up. 

•The story takes you on such an emotional rollercoaster. What I’ve always loved about this series is that above all it’s a drama that just happens to include boxing. 

•Amazing, well choreographed fight scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. You feel every single punch. I found myself cringing in my seat. 

•If you’re a fan of this series then you’re going to love this movie I think. 

Cons:

•Just two VERY minor complaints. The first being that the story felt a bit rushed in spots. 

•I know this is Creed’s story but I would’ve liked to have seen them do a little more with the Drago’s. I found that subplot interesting and full of potential. 

My Rating: 9/10

Colette

Plot:

Colette (Kiera Knightly) is pressured by her husband (Dominic West) to write novels under his name. Once successful, she fights for creative ownership and pushes gender roles. 

Pros:

•Kiera Knightly gives such an amazing, captivating performance. She has a decent shot at winning an Oscar. At the very least, I think she’ll be nominated. 

•Dominic West did a good job and he certainly had chemistry with Kiera Knightly. Even though you’ve seen him do this type of role before he does it so well that I didn’t mind. 

•This is such a gorgeous movie! Everything from the cinematography to the costumes as well as the music. Kudos to director Wash Westmoreland (whose precious movies include Still Alice). 

•A very interesting true story that until recently I had never heard of. 

•If you’re a fan of period pieces I definitely think you’ll enjoy this. 

Cons:

•The movie felt very rushed in spots, mainly the first two acts. I wish they had taken a bit more time with it. 

My Rating: 8/10

Widows

Plot:

Three widows (Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, and Elizabeth Debicki) take fate into their own hands after being stuck with a debt left behind from their late husbands criminal activities. 

Pros:

•Great direction by Steve McQueen. I’ve always been a fan of his. Had it been a lesser director I don’t think it would’ve worked as well. 

•Same goes for the three lead actresses. I thought they worked well together. 

•If you go into this expecting a heist film with tons of action you’re going to be disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, those things are there but overall it’s a slow paced story. I’m totally fine with that. 

•It’s always cool to see a female empowerment story. We certainly could used more of them. 

Cons:

•The script overall is pretty weak. And the story gets down right dumb at times.  

•The twist wasn’t all that great either. 

•As much as I like Daniel Kaluuya he’s really not given much to do other than be your average evil henchmen. 

My Rating: 7.5/10 

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Plot:

Second installment in the Fantastic Beasts series. 

Pros:

•Overall I enjoyed this movie probably better than the first one. I liked the darker tone of it. 

•I was worried that Johnny Depp would do his usual stick but I must say I thought he did an amazing job as Grindelwald. Grindelwald is a truly evil person but at the same time can be very charming and persuasive. You can see why people fall for what he’s saying. I wish the whole movie had just focused on him and Dumbledore. 

•Jude Law, while not in this a whole lot, I totally bought as a younger Dumbledore. I’m looking forward to seeing more of him in the sequels. 

•The creatures in here are still as interesting and adorable as ever. 

•If you’re a big fan of this universe like I am, I think you’ll enjoy this movie. 

Cons:

•Way too many subplots, many of which go nowhere. 

•Not a big fan of Ezra Miller’s character. 

•The ending had me literally saying out loud, “Wait... What the fuck?!?!” I know they’ll probably explain everything in the next one but still. I’m confused. 

My Rating: 8/10

Bohemian Rhapsody

Plot:

Based on the “true story” of  rock group Queen from their formation to their legendary performance at Live Aid in 1985. 

Pros:

•First let me start off with the positives. I wasn’t sure if he could pull it off but Rami Maleck was brilliant with his performance as Freddie Mercury. He really put his heart into it. 

•It was really fun hearing all of the classic Queen songs that I know and love. Unfortunately I never got to see Queen in concert (I was still a kid, maybe 6 or 7, when Freddie Mercury died) but thanks to this it felt like I was there. 

•I really loved the last third of the movie.  It almost felt like it had a completely different director. 

•There are some genuinely heartfelt moments here. Like the relationship between Freddie and Mary. 

•The recreation of the entire 20 minute Live Aid performance is worth the price of admission alone. 

Cons:

•Most of the movie felt so fucking rushed with very little character development. If you’re like me and hoped to learn more about Queen watching this then you’re going to be disappointed. That’s the best word to describe this movie- disappointing. If anyone can recommend a good Queen documentary I’d love to watch it. 

•Very weak script. 

•Queen deserves way better than this. 

•I understand most “based on a true story movies” take dramatic licensing but they really do straight up lie a lot of the time. 

My Rating: 6/10

Halloween (2018)

Plot:

Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) confronts Michael Meyers after narrowly escaping his killing spree 40 years earlier. 

Pros:

•I’ve only seen two movies in the Halloween franchise- the original (but it’s been years since I watched it), and H2O which I don’t remember but from what I hear that’s probably for the best. When I heard they were making this I rolled my eyes but decided to give it a chance after the positive reviews. I’m so glad I did. Halloween 2018 is a very worthy sequel to the classic original. 

•I love how they’ve chosen to ignore all the other sequels and remakes. This is a direct sequel to the 1978 movie. 

•Director David Gordon Green does a great job making a genuinely scary movie that doesn’t rely heavily on blood and gore. Make no mistake, those moments are definitely there, but he never lingers on those shots for very long. I will definitely be adding this my list of movies I watch every Halloween. 

•Jamie Lee Curtis is absolutely amazing here. She really nails down just how devastating PTSD can be and how it effects someone even years later. You really feel for her character. 

•It’s always great to hear the Halloween theme again. 

•There’s a child actor in this whose name I don’t know and while his role is very small he’s quite the scene stealer. So hilarious! Those who’ve seen the movie know who I’m talking about. 

Cons:

•The ending felt a little too abrupt. 

My Rating: 9/10

Film Columbia 2018

The Carer

Brian Cox shines as a legendary actor now suffering from Parkinson’s. I thought the actress playing his caretaker was good as well. The movie itself felt rushed and the editing was a bit odd at times but overall a decent start to the festival. My Rating: 7/10

L.I.E.

I feel super uncomfortable and a little nauseous after watching this. And not in a good way. While the performances by Brian Cox and a young Paul Dano (the movie was made in 2001) the story itself... all I’ll say is I feel like Chris Hansen is going to show up at my doorstep just because I watched this movie. Plus it looks like it was made for about $5. Definitely wasn’t for me. My Rating: 4/10

The Other Side of the Wind

Legendary film by Orsen Wells that was never completed until recently. Not really sure what to make of it and had a hard time following it but that’s to be expected given that they had to piece it together as best they could. At times I found myself nodding off. It’s great that they were able to release it finally but I can’t say I recommend it. My Rating: 4/10

They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead

Documentary about Orsen Wells and the making of The Other Side of the Wind. Far more interesting than the movie itself. My Rating: 7/10

Non-Fiction

Beautifully made and Juliette Binoche was great as always. But the story itself felt repetitive after awhile. My Rating: 6.5/10

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Melissa McCarthy completely transforms herself with this performance. I really hope she does more dramatic roles (although there’s plenty of humor sprinkled throughout) like this because she’s really good at it. Very fascinating story that until recently I had never heard of. Highly recommended. My Rating: 8/10

The Hate U Give

Powerful, well made movie starring the amazing Amandla Stenberg as a young woman who witnesses the murder of her childhood best friend by a police officer. One of the best I’ve seen this year and definitely one that everyone should see. My Rating: 10/10

Burning 

Not really sure to make of this South Korean drama/mystery. It’s well made and it was nice to see Glenn from TWD but it was a little too slow paced. And they could’ve trimmed a lot off. Now need for it to be two and a half hours. My Rating: 5.5/10

En El Séptimo Día

Small yet well made film about the week in the life of a Mexican immigrant working in NYC. Good acting and perfectly paced. My Rating: 7/10

Wildlife

Considering this is Paul Dani’s directorial debut I think he does a pretty decent job. He nails down the look and feel of the 60s. Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal both give good performances but it’s the young actor that plays their son who really shines. 

My Rating: 7/10

The Invisibles 

Part documentary, part docudrama about four Jewish survivors who were hiding in Berlin during World War 2. Of you’re interested in World War 2 definitely see this compelling movie. My Rating: 8/10

Ash is the Purest White

A Chinese romance/gangster movie taking place over the course of 17 years. It’s well made and the acting is fine, but I kind of lost interest after awhile. Also could’ve used some tighter editing. My Rating: 6/10

Chef Flynn

Lots of food porn! Don’t watch on an empty stomach. The food this young chef makes looks pretty but he makes those type of meals that are a huge plate with only the tiniest bit of food and charges a ridiculous amount for it. I hate places like that. He also comes off as a bit of a brat at times. My Rating: 6/10

The Children Act

I found it very interesting to see how the British Family Court system works as well as the issue of someone refusing a life saving medical treatment for religious reasons. Emma Thompson was brilliant as usual. Stanley Tucci is sadly wasted and not given much to do here. My Rating: 7.5/10

The World Before Your Feet

Fascinating documentary about Matt Green, a man who has spent years on a quest to walk every street in all five boroughs of NYC.  Watching this I learned a lot about the city as well. I think it’s a great thing what he’s doing. Check it out. My Rating: 8.5/10