BATTLE OF THE SEXES

The electrifying 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King and ex-champ Bobby Riggs was billed as THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES and became one of the most watched televised sporting events of all time, and sparked a global conversation on gender equality.  King and Riggs were on opposite sides of a binary argument, but off-court each was fighting more personal battles.  The fiercely private King was struggling to come to terms with her sexuality, while Riggs gambled his legacy in a bid to relive the glories of his past.  Together, they served up a cultural spectacle that resonated far beyond the tennis courts and animate the discussions between men and women in bedrooms and boardrooms around the world.  The movie is delightfully entertaining and give a big boost to the women's movement.  I give it a six.  Stars Emma Stone and Steve Carell.

VICEROYS HOUSE

An epic chapter in the history of the British Empire is recounted in this period drama that follows the last Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten, as he oversees the nation's seismic transition to independence in 1947.  Based on history and well done, I give it a 6.  Stars Hugh Bonneville and Gillian Anderson.

HOME AGAIN

Alice Kinney, who is separated from her husband, decides to start over by moving back to her hometown of Los Angeles with her two young daughters.  During a night out on her 40th birthday, Alice meets three aspiring filmmakers who happen to be in need of a place to live.  Alice agrees to let the guys stay in her guest house temporarily, but the arrangement ends up unfolding in unexpected ways.  Alice's unlikely new family and new romance comes to a crashing halt when her ex-husband shows up, suitcase in hand.  HOME AGAIN  is a story of love, friendship, and the families we create.  And one very big life lesson is:  Starting over is not for beginners.  I give it a six.  Stars Reese Witherspoon, Michael Sheen, and Candice Bergman.

TULIP FEVER

Set in 17th century Amsterdam, TULIP FEVER follows a married woman who begins a passionate affair with an artist hired to paint her portrait.  The lovers gamble on the booming  market for tulip bulbs as a way to raise money to run away together.  Can be slow  at times and hard to follow characters.  I give it a five.  Stars Alicia Vikander, Dane DeHaan, and Judi Dench.

INGRID GOES WEST

Ingrid Thorburn, an unstable young woman with a checkered past, secretly moves to Los Angeles to  befriend Taylor Sloane--an Instagram "influencer" with a fabulous artist boyfriend, a camera-ready terrier, and an array of new products and brands to promote to her followers.  After Ingrid adopts a Taylor-made identity for herself, her attempts to prove she's  BFF material are underway- that is, until she meets Taylor'
s obnoxious brother Nicky, who threatens to tear down her façade.  The movie brilliantly satirizes the world of social media and proves that being seemingly-perfect isn't all it's cracked up to be.  The movie can be disturbing for my generation but does focus on the dark side of social media.  I give it a 5.  Stars Aubrey Plaza and Elizabeth Olsen.

THE HITMAN'S BODYGUARD

Fate comes full circle when a top bodyguard takes on the job of protecting the world's best hit man, who's bound for International Criminal Court in the Netherlands to testify against an Eastern European country's ruthless ex-ruler.  The movie is entertaining with plenty of action and chase scenes.  What you don't expect is a lot of humor.  I give it a 7.  Stars Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson and Salma Hayek.