An American Pickle (2020)

A poor immigrant (Seth Rogen) in the early 20th century is expecting his first child when he accidentally falls into a pickle vat. Upon discovery 100 years later, he's perfectly preserved "Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer"-style. His only living relative, his great great grandson (Rogen again), takes him in.

This script is so dang lazy, and makes such poor use of its premise. It simply becomes "this 135-year old miracle of science is pretty much like most other men over 65." That is: he's a bigoted misogynist who doesn't understand technology or young people. 

C-

Hitchcock (2012)

Covers the time period when Hitchcock was making Psycho. Not only was he at odds with the studio, he and his wife were going through a rough patch as well. 

Everyone's quite good in their parts and the story is interesting, but there's not a whole lot of oomph to the proceedings. This was like reading a pretty decent book: I wanted to finish it, but I wouldn't have minded too much if the recording had been corrupted and it wasn't available to stream elsewhere.

B-

The Worst Person in the World (2021)

Julia is beautiful, smart, vibrant, and aimless. During the four years we spend with her, she navigates several changes in her life (majors, men, jobs) and -- every minute -- grows up a little bit more. There's not one defining thing here; the movies not about "the path that true love took" or "young woman finds her life's purpose." It's just about life and it is simply wonderful.

I suspect that most lives are like Julia's. There's no absolute destination, there are simply experiences and moments and happiness and sorrow. It felt so honest and I absolutely loved it.

A

The Velvet Touch (1948)

When Valerie Stanton -- the biggest draw on Broadway -- accidentally kills her longtime producer, the police open an investigation. She's not a suspect, but is also consumed with guilt over what she did, especially when another actress is named as the main suspect.

Though a tad stagey, the story is fine and the stars (Rosalind Russell and Sydney Greenstreet) are terrific. I especially enjoyed the way the last act went differently than I expected.

B+

The French Dispatch (2021)

A series of vignettes based on the stories located in the sections of the last edition of a newspaper supplement. Though I long ago grew weary of Anderson's recycled twee affectations, they've finally found an excellent format in which to thrive. His best film since The Royal Tenenbaums.

B

The Stolen (2017)

British woman in New Zealand sees men break into her home, shoot her husband, and kidnap her son. Though unfamiliar with the country, she decides to find her son whatever cost, so she travels with a few prostitutes going to a goldrush town in hopes she'll find him there.

This movie is so inexplicably stupid. It's also sanitized as though it was a prime time TV movie from the early '80s. A complete waste of time for the viewers and everyone involved in the production.

F

Old Acquaintance (1943)

Two women remain friends for decades, despite the fact that they are nothing alike. Kit is a level-headed well-respected author. Millie followed Kit into writing, but her career as a romance novelist is both much less respected and much more lucrative. Millie's mind is so full of perceived slights and jealousies that her husband and daughter both prefer the company of Kit.

The story is, basically, "Millie doesn't deserve the longsuffering Kit." While decently done, the point is too easily made, which makes it pretty thin.

B-

Polar (2019)

I've never seen a Mads Mikkelsen movie I didn't like. Correction: I HAD never seen a Mads movie I didn't like until this one. Reading the blurb, which was something like "a retiring assassin has to stay alive long enough to collect the pension his employer doesn't want to pay" sounded pretty solid, but this missed the mark in almost every conceivable way. If we had known while watching that this was based on a graphic novel (and a lot of the bits make a whole lot more sense with that knowledge), I think we would've been more forgiving. But we still wouldn't have liked it.

Ironically, I think the fact that it showed a couple of bursts of genius made it even worse. For example, the scene where the main assassin gives a "career day"-type talk in a kids' classroom (below) could've been hysterical. Instead, it was just another scene that didn't have to fail; the ingredients for comedy gold were all right there.

D

Jungleland (2020)

A fighter and his older brother live hand-to-mouth, hoping that they'll eventually catch a break. When the opportunity to make $100k comes they take it -- even though there is a pretty big string attached: they have to transport a young woman across the country along with them. So it becomes a weird roadtrip movie.

Plenty happens, e.g. a hookup with a bachelorette party attendee, a visit to the young woman's family home, breaking into a high school to spend the night... but it felt empty. Or maybe it just felt amateurish. The three Brits employing bad American accents certainly didn't help me suspend disbelief.

C-

Official Secrets (2019)

The terribly important though frustrating true story about a whistleblower leaking a memo which makes clear that the post-9/11 invasion of Iraq was entered under false pretenses. While I knew this to be true, to watch what one woman willingly experienced to make sure that the truth wasn't buried was inspiring. 

Good film.

B+

When I'm Sixty-Four (2004)

Jim -- a quiet, introverted bachelor -- is heading straight from his last day as a teacher to the hospital for a nose job. His cabbie for the ride is Ray, a "man's man" who used to brawl in the streets for his football team. Ray's visit to the hospital to return Jim's left-behind jacket is the start of their unlikely friendship, which blossoms into an against-all-odds romance.

I have to admit, when the first romantic gesture happened, I kind of rolled my eyes. I was completely happy with the friendship, which made the romance feel unnecessarily forced. But it's all handled in the most lovely way and I was quickly won back.

B

The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)

It's classy because it's Shakespeare. It's arty because it's black and white. There's no subtlety in the lead role because it's Denzel.

A boring misfire.

F

Drive My Car (2021)

An actor and his playwright wife have been together for more than two decades. Their relationship is healthy, even though he pretends not to know about her infidelities. A couple of years after her sudden death, he takes a directing gig far from his home. He is assigned a young driver and winds up casting his late wife's final lover in the lead role of his play.

There's some incredible acting here and the early scenes in which the wife spins stories in bed are riveting. But there is absolutely no -- I mean zero -- reason for this to be 3 hours long. It's beyond slow. At 100 minutes, this could've been a top-notch film. At 180 it's maddening.

C+

Tea With the Dames (2018)

Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Joan Plowright, and Eileen Atkins -- all dames for their service to drama -- get together to chat. They've been friends forever and, apparently, see each other somewhat regularly. Though some of the "ease" seems to be lost due to the inclusion of cameras, the stories are the thing. If you enjoy any of these women, it's definitely worth the watch for the clips of old theater productions and childhood photos.

B

Land (2021)

A grieving city woman leaves everything behind to live in isolation in the wilderness. She finds herself surviving, despite her initial lack of enthusiasm for life.

The movie gives itself room to breathe, even with its short run time. Truly beautifully done.

A-

Don't Look Up (2021)

A huge comet is on a crash-course with earth and the astronomers who discovered this can't get the powers that be to act accordingly. I was giggling through the first hour or so, but it wound up feeling repetitive and tedious.

This is just too on-the-nose for the current political situation in the United States, which made it difficult to keep laughing at this sobering truth.

C+

CODA (2021)

High-school senior Ruby is the only hearing member in her four-person family. As such, her parents have always relied on her to be their voice -- especially with regards to the family's fishing business. But Ruby's growing up and finding that her interest in music might actually result in a scholarship, which could take her away from the family. 

Everything about this film just works. The family's loving but (ironically) loud and up in each other's business. Ruby's school life has always suffered since her home situation is so odd -- but she's finding her path with the help of a teacher and a new love interest. Side note: I really appreciated the fact that the boy was so bland... sure, hormones are gonna do their thing, but her journey isn't about him.

It's truly a moving film with amazing performances all around.

A