LEAN ON PETE

This is a deeply moving story about love, loneliness, family and friendship.  In an incredible  breakout performance, Charlie Plummer stars as fifteen-year-old Charley, who arrives in Portland, Oregon with his single father, Ray, both eager for a fresh start.  When Ray descends into personal turmoil, Charley finds camaraderie at the local racetrack caring for an agin Quarter Horse, Lean On Pete, but when he discovers that Pete is bound for slaughter, Charley takes Pete and embarks on an odyssey across the new American frontier in search of a loving aunt Charley hasn't seen in years.  Through adventure and heartbreak, they never lose their irrepressible hope as they pursue their dream of finding a place they can call home.  A real heartbreaking story but the acting is phenomenal.  I give it an eight.  Stars Charlie Plummer and Travis Fimmel.

THE DEATH OF STALIN

Before his sudden death in 1953, Joseph Stalin held the Soviet Union in his iron grip for more than 30 years.  This dark satire depicts the subsequent turmoil as his scheming minions begin jockeying for power.  Very funny in a sad way.  I give it a 5.  Stars Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Paddy Consddine

ISLE OF DOGS

Isle of Dogs follows aa 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kabayachi.  When, by Executive Decree, all the city's canine pets are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island.  Atari sets off alone in search of his body-guard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly-found mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture.  Definitely an adult side to this animated film.  I give it a five.  Stars:  Scarlett Johansson, Greta Gerwig and Bryan Cranston.

THE LEISURE SEEKER

Runaway couple Ella and John embark on an unforgettable cross-country journey in their vintage camper, fleeing the suffocating care of their doctors and grown children.  He is distracted but strong , she is frail but sharp.  Their journey aboard the faithful old camper they call The Leisure Seeker takes them from Boston to Key West.  Sharing moments of exhilaration and anguish, they recapture their passion for life and their love for one another on a road trip that provides revelation and surprise right uppercut to the very end.  The movie hits close to home in another 10 to 15 years.  There are laughs and sad moments, but it is very good.  I give it an 8.  Stars Helen Mirren and Donal Southernland.

A WRINKLE IN TIME

This space adventure follows Meg, her brother Charles, and her schoolmate Calvin on a trip through time as they try to locate the siblings' astrophysicist father  after he vanishes.   The others with me that attended the movie liked the book better and thought it was more descriptive.  Special effects were great but it was slow at times.  I give it a 7.  Stars Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling.

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.