Let’s catch up on some movies we didn’t review when they first came out.
The French Dispatch
This latest effort from indie darling Wes Anderson is full of his signatures. If you like his signatures this movie will be a dream come true. If you don’t like him it will be disjointed, off putting, and boring. Sadly I fall into the second camp. Wes Anderson is an acclaimed independent filmmaker with hits…
Belfast
This is a beautiful little memory. It is a collection of moments that made up this boys childhood. It has some gorgeous and conspicuous cinematography that showcases a deeply compelling time and place. I loved it. Shot in lovely black and white, the film follows a family that is living during a very rough time…
Tick, Tick… Boom!
This Netflix musical has a stunning lead performance and a surprisingly solid vision behind the camera that enliven the narrative and carries the movie through some slow patches. In 1990, Jonathan Larson was a waiter at a diner and an aspiring composer of Broadway musicals. He was years away from his musical smash Rent and…
Zola
This is a messy and extravagantly entertaining movie. It is unpredictable and fascinating. It uses the medium of film to its fullest extent. I really enjoyed this movie, but it’s definitely not for everyone. The movie has an unusual production history. It is based on a Twitter thread that was written by Aziah “Zola” King…
The Last Duel
This movie was quickly forgotten and forced out of theaters to make room for the next superhero epic. However, this movie is better than you’ve heard and deserves a look as it becomes available to rent and stream. The film is an historical drama that tells the story of the last judicial duel fought in…
The Killing of Two Lovers
This is one of the most amazing and intense movies I’ve seen in years. It is tense and unbearably suspenseful movie from the opening moments until the bitter end. This little scene indie film is one people should seek out. The story concerns David, played by Clayne Crawford, a man who is struggling to keep…
West Side Story (2021)
Steven Spielberg took a remake of a classic that nobody needed and defied the odds to make a great movie in its own right. It is a movie musical that stands as an excellent companion to the original. Books, essays, and documentaries have been made analyzing the craft and skill on display in the original…
The Lion King
A long overdue review for a movie that never should have happened. The Lion King is a modern and overlong retelling of a wonderful Disney film from the early 90’s that fails tremendously due to a misguided approach to the material, a tonal dissonance, and uninspired voice acting. The story is more or less the…
BlacKkKlansman
An unbelievable true story, some incredible filmmaking, and a sledgehammer of a political message combine to create one of the best films of the year. The film follows the story of Ron Stallworth, the first black police officer on the Colorado Springs police force. He works undercover and one day responds to an ad placed…
A Star is Born
Great performances, some really wonderful directorial flourishes and a great soundtrack elevate the film, but aren’t able to make it soar. The story is a classic. A legendary star on the decline finds and elevates a young ingenue. Her star rises as his collapses. Their love holds them together through it all. The film is…
Bohemian Rhapsody
A fantastic lead performance, some nice visual flourishes, and a powerful story help overcome the cliches of the musical biopic genre. The story of Freddie Mercury’s life and career is a fascinating one. It follows the usual ups and downs of any band, but the true heart is Mercury’s personal life and his own conflicts…
Green Book
With two powerhouse performances, this film is a joyful emotional success that is a pleasure to watch again and again. It doesn’t preach nor dictate. It tells the story of these two men and their relationship and lets the emotions flow. The direction offers little beyond getting out of the lead actors’ way as they…
Vice
The too often comedic and fitfully dramatic retelling of the life and times of Vice President Dick Cheney is an explosion of wonderful acting, misguided directing, and fascinating history. To begin, the acting is uniformly excellent. Lead by the incomparable Christian Bale, the ensemble is a who’s who of character actors devouring their roles. Bale…
Cup of Tea Reviews 