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.