CRAZY RICH ASIANS

Rachel Chu is happy to accompany her boyfriend, Nick,  to his best friend's wedding in Singapore.  She's surprised to learn that Nick's  family is extremely wealthy, and he's considered one of the country's most eligible bachelors.  Trust into the spotlight, Rachel must contend with jealous socialites, quirky relatives and something far worse--Nick's disapproving mother.  Excellent romantic comedy with lots of laughs.  I give it a 7.  Stars Harry Golding, Constance Wu, Awkwafina (Got Peik Lin)

BLACKKKLANSMAN

This story is based on Ron Stallworth's real life as the first black police officer in Colorado Springs, who went on to go undercover to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan.  Do Not Miss This Movie.  Based on a true story, it will keep you on the edge of you r seat.  As a Colorado native, I was shocked by the facts and frightened.  I give it a 9.  

PUZZLE

A woman who has talent for assembling jigsaw puzzles sneaks away from her suburban  town and goes to New York City, where  she partners with a man for a puzzle tournament in Atlantic City.   As she experiences independence for the first time, she begins to view her value and the pieces of her own life in a whole new light.  Movie is well done and food for thought for those women that are dominated by men.  I give it an 8.  

THE CAKEMAKER

Thomas, young German baker, is having an affair with Oren, an Israeli married man who has frequent business in Berlin.  When Oren dies in a car crash, Thomas travels to Jerusalem seeking answers reguarding his death.  Under a fabricated identity, Thomas  infiltrates into the life of Anat, his lover's wife who is newly divorced.  Anat owns a small Cafe and Thomas starts to work for her and creates German cakes and cookies that bring life to her Cafe.  Thomas finds himself involved in Anat's life in a way. far beyond his anticipation, and to protect the truth he will stretch his  lie to the point of no return.  You will die of chocolate overdose from the baking.  A good movie that I rate an 8.  StarsTim Kalkhof and Sarah Adler.

MAMA MIA HERE WE GO AGAIN

Get ready to sing and dance, laugh and love all over again.  Return to the magical Greek island of Kalokain in this new musical based on the songs of ABBA.  With the film's  original cast returning and new additions including Lily James, the film goes back and forth in time to show how relationship forged in the past resonate in the present.  Not Academy material but you will love it.  Go to Google and search Mama Mia 2 cast and pictures show up.  Too many to list.  I give it a 8 for touching my heart.

SORRY TO BOTHER YOU

The movie centers around telemarketer Cassius Green as he discovers a magical key to professional success, and. is immediately propelled into a macabre universe.  As a normal American, I hate telemarketers who interrupt your dinner,  So, so movie but kind of weird.  I give it a 6.  StarsLakeith Stanfield.

BOUNDARIES

With her teenage son in tow, single mother Laura embarks on a road trip she knows will be hellish:  picking up her pot-dealing dad from a nursing home he's been kicked out of and driving him cross country to her sister's house.  Definitely keeps your attention.   Makes a good afternoon of movie entertainment.  I give it a 7.  Stars Vera Farmiga; Christopher Plummer; Lewis McDougall.

THE GUARDIANS

In this drama set in rural France in the WWI era, the women of the Paridien farm are left to run it  by themselves while  the men are fighting.  But, things become complicated with the arrival of American troops and aa love affair with the son of the farm and a female worker.  Typically French, you get to come to your own conclusions on the ending. Well done and interesting so I give it a 7.  Stars Nathalie Baye, Laura Smet, Iris Bey.

OCEAN'S EIGHT

The movie  follows Danny Ocean's ex-con sister Debbie and her all-female crew as they plan their own brazen heist, targeting New York City's  annual Met  Gala.  The movie is fast. paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat.  No bathroom breaks here.  The acting is done by a stellar cast of women.  I give it an eight.  Stars Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Ann Hathaway.

DEADPOOL 2

In this fast-paced  superhero sequel,  wisecracking soldier of fortune Deadpool  partners with mutant warrior Cable, whose time-traveling capabilities allow him to change events in the future.  This movie is crazy but good.  the laughs are real zingers that make fun of many known personalities.  It is just a fun movie.  I give it an eight.  Stars Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Zazie Beetz.

BOOK CLUB

Friends and members of the 60-plus set, Diane, Jane, Sharon and Carol have seen it all when it comes to relationships.  But after reading "Fifty Shades Of Gray",  they are inspired to make bold choices in the romance department, with hilarious results.  Not for the twenty or thirty age groups but definitely a must see for the fifty plus age groups.  A laugh out loud movie.  I give it an 8.  Stars Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen.

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet--the evil Thanos.  On a mission. to collect all sic Infinity Stones, Thanos plans to use the artifacts to inflict his twisted will on reality.  The fate of the planet and existence itself has never been more uncertain as everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment.  I love the Avengers and the quick witted fox but this was very incomplete.  Maybe that is because it is leading up to a sequel.  In my humble opinion, it would be better if the producers lost the sequel experience.  I give it a five. 

LEAN ON PETE

This is a deeply moving story about love, loneliness, family and friendship.  In an incredible  breakout performance, Charlie Plummer stars as fifteen-year-old Charley, who arrives in Portland, Oregon with his single father, Ray, both eager for a fresh start.  When Ray descends into personal turmoil, Charley finds camaraderie at the local racetrack caring for an agin Quarter Horse, Lean On Pete, but when he discovers that Pete is bound for slaughter, Charley takes Pete and embarks on an odyssey across the new American frontier in search of a loving aunt Charley hasn't seen in years.  Through adventure and heartbreak, they never lose their irrepressible hope as they pursue their dream of finding a place they can call home.  A real heartbreaking story but the acting is phenomenal.  I give it an eight.  Stars Charlie Plummer and Travis Fimmel.

THE DEATH OF STALIN

Before his sudden death in 1953, Joseph Stalin held the Soviet Union in his iron grip for more than 30 years.  This dark satire depicts the subsequent turmoil as his scheming minions begin jockeying for power.  Very funny in a sad way.  I give it a 5.  Stars Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Paddy Consddine

ISLE OF DOGS

Isle of Dogs follows aa 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kabayachi.  When, by Executive Decree, all the city's canine pets are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island.  Atari sets off alone in search of his body-guard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly-found mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture.  Definitely an adult side to this animated film.  I give it a five.  Stars:  Scarlett Johansson, Greta Gerwig and Bryan Cranston.

THE LEISURE SEEKER

Runaway couple Ella and John embark on an unforgettable cross-country journey in their vintage camper, fleeing the suffocating care of their doctors and grown children.  He is distracted but strong , she is frail but sharp.  Their journey aboard the faithful old camper they call The Leisure Seeker takes them from Boston to Key West.  Sharing moments of exhilaration and anguish, they recapture their passion for life and their love for one another on a road trip that provides revelation and surprise right uppercut to the very end.  The movie hits close to home in another 10 to 15 years.  There are laughs and sad moments, but it is very good.  I give it an 8.  Stars Helen Mirren and Donal Southernland.

A WRINKLE IN TIME

This space adventure follows Meg, her brother Charles, and her schoolmate Calvin on a trip through time as they try to locate the siblings' astrophysicist father  after he vanishes.   The others with me that attended the movie liked the book better and thought it was more descriptive.  Special effects were great but it was slow at times.  I give it a 7.  Stars Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling.

THE PARTY

A dark comedy, Janet is hosting an intimate gathering of friends in her London home to celebrate  her political ascension, while her husband Bill, seems preoccupied.  Janet's acerbic best friend, April, arrives and others follow, some with their own dramatic news to share, but an announcement by Bill provokes a series of revelations that gradually unravel the sophisticated soiree, and a night that began with Champagne may end win gunplay.  I will classify this movie a adult and sophisticated humor. The one liners are great. It is only an hour and eleven minutes but moves fast but I recommend saving it for DVD.  I give it a 6.  Stars:  Kristin Scott Thomas, Timothy Spall, Patricia Clarkson.

THE BLACK PANTHER

After the devastating battle chronicled in "Captain America Civil War", Black Panther's alter ego, T' Chala, returns to his homeland of Wakanda to be crowned its new king.  But he soon faces enemies who will test all his superpowers.  The costuming is the best that I have seen.  The action is a technical feat.  At times the story is hard to follow but it is one of a kind movie.  I give it a 9.  Stars:  Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan.

A FANTASTIC WOMAN

Waitress/singer Marina's world is shaken when Orlando suddenly falls ill and passes away.   Instead of being able to mourn her lover, Marina is treated with suspicion and as a transgender woman, is met with harsh judgment and discrimination by Orlando's family.  The struggles she faces in the aftermath of her lover's death become a microcosm for her life.  As she battles the very same forces that she has spent a lifetime fighting in order to become the woman she is - a complex, strong, forthright and fantastic woman.  I got lost 3/4 of the way through and don't really remember how is ends.  There is a lot of rain falling and a weird trip to the crematoria.  I give it a 5.  Stars Daniela Vega.

PHANTOM THREAD

 


This movie paints an illuminating portrait of both an artist and his inspiration, set in the glamour of 1950's post-war London.  Dressmaker Reynolds Woodcock and his sister Cyril are at the center of British fashion at The House of Woodcock.  Women come and go through Woodcock's life, providing him with inspiration and companionship, until he comes across the young strong-willed Alma, who soon becomes a fixture in his life as his muse and lover.  Once controlled and planned, he finds his carefully tailored life disrupted by love.  Not the most thrilling movie of the year.  It does drag and is a bit melodramatic.  I give it a 6.  Stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville, Vicky Krieps .

THE POST

When the Washington Post agrees to publish the leaked Pentagon Papers--which  point to a secret escalation of the Viet Nam War--the Nixon administration tries to block publication,  setting up an epic legal and political battle.  A true story of the dupping of the American public.  A movie that every American should see.  I give it a nine.  Stars Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep.

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

After her heroics in THE FORCE AWAKENS, space wanderer Rey carries on her quest to discover her origins.  When she learns the possible location of the long-missing Luke Skywalker, Rey and her allies begin a journey rife with perils.  Definitely action packed with unbelievable special effects.  Hold on to your seats.  I give it an eight.  Stars Mark Hamil, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Riley.

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

Behind the "Greatest Show on Earth", was one of history's greatest showman, P. T. Barnum.  This musical biopic centers on Barnum's creation of the three ring circus and his infatuation with Swedish songbird Jenny Lind.  This is just a plain fun movie.  You will leave the theater with a smile.  I give it a six.  Stars:  Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams.