Chef

A feel good movie that is a feast for the eyes, food wise.  Jon Favreau plays a divorced chef with a 10 year old son that he spends little time with, until he loses his job.  An obnoxious food critic pans his meal on Twitter and the owner of his restaurant doesn't allow him to cook a more creative menu.  Chef Carl Casper goes to Miami and obtains and fixes up a food truck and regains his zest for cooking.  The film becomes a road movie as he and his associate and son begin a new career.  Eat a hearty snack before this movie because you will be starving by the end.  The music is also great and will have you tapping your toes.  I give it a solid 8.  Stars Jon Favreau, Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson. 

Belle

A period drama based on fact traces the life of Dido Elizabeth Belle, a biracial girl born in 1761 to a British admiral father and an African mother.  Raised by her great uncle, Dido finds her place in society despite her mixed ethnicity.  The movie tastefully portrays society of that day.  The movie  is well done and fascinating.  I give it an 8.  Stars Gugu Mbath- Raw, Penelope Wilton, Miranda Richardson and Tom Wilkinson.

Fading Gigolo

Middle-aged Fioraventa and Murray are an unlikely gigolo and pimp in this farce about two cash-strapped friends who turn to the sex trade to make ends meet.  Their new enterprise is fruitful, but things get complicated when romance enters the picture.  John Tururro wrote and directed this film which was a pleasant surprise.  Despite the tittle, it was tastefully done and humorous.  I give it a seven.  It stars John Tururro, Woody Allen and Vanessa Paradis.