Chronic (2016)

Tim Roth is an in-home end-of-life caregiver who is terrifically good at his job. He gives them such undivided attention and connection that it borders on weird. But, rather than wondering about his motives, I found myself hoping -- should I ever find myself needing hospice care -- that I am fortunate enough to have a nurse as connected as he was. Of course, only damaged people probably have that kind of love to spare for a job.

It's an introspective and lonely film. Roth is amazing.

B+

The Endless (2018)

Two adult brothers are barely scraping by when they receive a cryptic message from the commune in which they used to live. The older brother recalls it as a cult -- a place from which they are lucky to have escaped. The other was too young when they left to have anything but warm memories of the place where they were cared for and never had to worry about money. So, to pacify the younger, they decide on a quick visit to the group.

Things there are nice. And kinda weird. Then very very weird. And then they stumble into a completely different movie that I'd randomly seen a few years ago. I wonder what I would've thought about that scene if I'd not seen the earlier movie?

I wasn't ever really sure about what was going on and that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. So... off-kilter and original, but ultimately a little empty.

B-

Film Stars Don't Die in Liverpool (2017)

The film opens with Gloria Grahame in her late 50s, falling ill and asking to recuperate with some old friends in Liverpool. As the film unfolds, we find out -- via flashback -- how she came to be friends with this family via her romantic relationship with their son, about 30 years her junior. 

It's tempting to be cynical about relationships with that age spread, especially when half of the couple has money or fame. But this movie did a decent job of making me believe that these two truly loved each other, partly because it didn't shy away from the difficulties or the judgment they faced from both families.

Also, I wasn't aware that Jamie Bell had gotten hot.

B

A Fantastic Woman (2017)

An older man has left his family for a young woman and appears to be in a loving relationship with her -- they're obviously building a life together. But when he suffers a sudden stroke and dies, she must not only deal with the desolation and upheaval of losing a partner -- she must also navigate police investigation, being asked to leave her new home, and ugly harassment from his family.

Her over-the-top difficulties all stem from the fact that she is trans and, therefore, not worthy of kindness and understanding. At times it could've felt like farce, but it's obvious in today's world that this is the reality for many. The film is effective in conveying her struggle to maintain dignity in the face of such ugliness and how her physical status means that she cannot even fully mourn.

Heartbreakingly good.

B+

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

Our local theater was showing this for a couple of weeks after Burt's death, so we thought we'd grab the opportunity to take our son and his girlfriend to see an irreverent comedy from our childhood on the big screen.

And, wow. We were shocked to find that this isn't funny at all. It felt worn out... lazy... just not worth the trouble. Why is it so hilarious in my memory? Am I thinking of a different movie?

D+

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Tom Holland is winning as an age-appropriate Peter Parker. The story is also decent -- a good mix of angst, humor, and action. But the effects are still disappointingly rubbery/wrong. It's weird how they've yet to slow things down and let them be a little rough as a real body would be.

Also: hey. Enough of Spiderman. I'd have liked this a lot more if I hadn't seen it literally a dozen times before.

B

Hostiles (2017)

Captain Blocker (Bale) is tasked with providing safe passage to a long-imprisoned Cheyenne Chief and his family back to their land in Montana. As Blocker has spent his military career dealing with hostile Indians, he has first-hand knowledge of atrocities committed by them and does not relish the task ahead.

Early in the journey, the party comes across a woman who very recently lost her husband and children to a Comanche attack. The woman is handled with care and gentleness -- not just by the military escort, but by the Cheyenne as well. Gradually, the party begins to respect each other and to stand against threats together.

It can be a little slow in bits, but I think that adds to the atmosphere of the film. The fear, anger and grief of the party are palpable -- all performances are top-notch.

B+

Whip It (2009)

High-schooler Bliss, despite being a bit of a tomboy, is a fixture on the pageant circuit, strictly to please her mother. When she sees some Roller Derby girls, she is determined to be a part of that world -- even if she has to resort to subterfuge to do so. Soon she's got some teammates, a cute boyfriend, a rival, and a reputation as the girl to beat for speed.

It wasn't funny enough, angsty enough, anything enough. Bliss gets busted by the team for being too young, found-out by her parents for secretly skating, and estranged from her best friend for leaving her behind... but there's never any question that everything will work out.

C+

Peppermint (2018)

Jennifer Garner plays Riley, the kind of woman who -- though things are hard -- you can tell is "winning" because her husband is hot and her daughter is adorable.  The family is gunned down by the local cartel after the husband briefly considered earning extra money from them. Riley survives and seeks justice from a corrupt system and, when that doesn't work, goes a different way.

Bodies drop. My jaw never did. It's just there doing exactly what you expect.

C