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.