THE SALESMAN

Based on Arthur Miller's classic play Death of a Salesman, the movie follows a young couple living in Tehran, who are forced to move into a new apartment after their old flat becomes damaged.  Unknowing that the previous tenant was a "lady of the night".  A former client of  "the lady" attacks the new tenant's wife.  Well done especially the  subtitle which are very readable.  I give it a 7. 

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Before the events of the original "Star Wars" Trilogy, the Rebel Alliance enlists a team of rogue fighters to steal plans for the Galactic Empire's new space station--a powerful super weapon called The Death Star.  I waited weeks to see this and I am sorry that I did.  There is no other word than WOW and double WOW for the movie.  It is the perfect antidote to the negative feelings surrounding us today. It is magic and takes you to another world with real heroes.  I give it a 9+ and see why it is up for an academy.  Stars Felicity Jones and Ben Mendelsohn and Diego Luna.

GOLD

In this epic crime caper based on real-live events, an out-of-luck gold prospector and a willing geologist pull off a brazen scam.  Falsely claiming to have located a major gold deposit in Indonesia, the duo proceeds to hood wink the experts.  I truly believed that Matthew McConaughey's character did not think it was a scam.  Guess he is just a good actor.  I give it a six.  Stars Matthew McConaughey and Edgar Ramirez.

Paterson

Unspooling over the course of a week, this nuanced indie drama chronicles the ebb and flow in the unassuming lives of Paterson, a New Jersey bus driver and part-time poet, and his flighty but supportive wife, Laura.  Slow at times but with some humor.  This is really a snapshot of many of our lives.  I give it a seven. Stars Adam Driver and Golshifteh Farahani.

20th Century Women

Set in 1979 Santa Barbara, it follows a teenage boy who's worldview is shaken when his mother takes in a boarder, and he is taught by three women all about men, women, love and freedom.   Nostalgia will kick in because of the era.  Good performance by all the actors which is why the film is winning many awards.  I give it an eight.  Stars Annette Bening, Greta Gerwig, Elle Fanning and Jade Zumann.

Hidden Figures

In the race to space between United States and the Soviet Union during the cold war, three black female mathematicians played a key role in launching astronaut John Glenn into outer space, making him the first American to orbit the Earth.  A real feel good movie based on history.  I give it an 8.  Stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monae.

LION

LION is based on the heart wrenching true story of a five year old Indian boy who, after a wrong train takes him thousands of miles away from home and family, survives many challenges before being adopted by an Australian couple.  Twenty-five years later, armed with only the scantest of clues, he  learns of  a new technology called Google Earth, and sets out to find his lost family.  This is an amazing story with incredible acting by the little five year old.  I give it an eight.  Stars:  Dev Patel, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara and Sunny Pawar.