Love & Mercy

This candid biopic traces the winding path of Brian Wilson, creator of the Beach Boys' unique sound.  Battling mental illness, Wilson traded stardom for an isolated existence in the 1960's but returned to the stage in the '80s after taming his demons.  Just to hear the Beach Boys' perform their music is worth seeing the movie.  The evil psychiatrist that did mind control and excessive drugs to control his mind is an amazing story that will leave you angry.  Not for long, when he meets his future wife and she goes to bat to get him away from the evil shrink.  That is the heart of the story.  I give it an eight.  Stars John Cusack, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti.

I'll See You In My Dreams

With her well-ordered life  thrown out of balance by the death of her beloved canine companion, aging widow Carol Peterson-who hasn't dated in 20 years-unexpectedly finds herself involved with two very different men.  Not a thriller by any means just kind of like the Mississippi River, it just meanders around.  Save it for DVD.  I give it a 5.  Stars Blythe Danner, Martin Starr, Sam Elliott.

The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window and Disappeared

  

Allan Karlsson caps off his long and colorful life by escaping from his nursing home on his 100th Birthday.  In short order, he comes into possession of a suitcase stuffed with cash.  With his new friend Julius, Allen decides to take it on the lam.   It is Swedish and hilarious.  The movie is one step-up from vaudeville.  Try to work this one into your busy schedules.  I give it a 7.   Stars Robert Gustafsson; Iwar Wiklander; Mia Skarinser.

Felix and Meira

After their lives intersect at a Montreal pizzeria, a stifled young Hasidic wife and an atheist grappling with his father's demise embark on a tentative romance that must bridge their two disparate worlds.  Culture does get in the way because the Hasidic husband loves his wife but can't express it.  I am not sure that the atheist lover really loves her.  The movie is not only very good but will tear at your heart strings.  Did I mention that the Hasidic wife has an adorable baby.  I give it a 6.  Stars Martin Dubreuil; Hadas Yaron; Luzen Twersky.

Pitch Perfect 2

I liked the first one and thought it was cute but this one blew my socks away.  Hoping to be the first American group ever to win a prestigious international a Capella competition, The Barden Bellas return in this song-filled sequel and come up against a rival group of European singers who are determined to win.  For once the critics were correct in rating this B+ entertainment.  Fat Amy has become my favorite.  Thoroughly entertaining and worth of a trip to the theater.  I give it an 8.  Stars Anna Kendrick; Rebel Wilson; Brittany Snow.

5 Flights Up

Married for four decades, New Yorkers Ruth and Alex have had a wonderful life together--most of it spent in their cherished Brooklyn walk-up.  But now that it's time to sell, the universe seems determined to thwart them.  Very entertaining movie and the 50 plus generation will love it because it hits a sensitive subject.  I give it a 7.  Stars Morgan Freeman and Diane Keaton.

 

Far From The Madding Crowd

This is a period drama based on Thomas Hardy's  classic novel.  Winsome Bathsheba Everdene wins the hearts of three disparate men:  sheep farmer Gabriel Oak, dashing soldier Frank Troy and William Boldwood, a moneyed older man.  Definitely a period piece that can drag at times.  Don't expect racy bedroom scenes, cursing  or violence because there is none of that.  I give it a six.  Stars:  Juno Temple, Michael Sheen, Cary Mulligan.