By Michael C. Woody | Lake Panorama Times
“The Wild Robot”
An absolutely charming, animated film and all but guaranteed a slot on my Top 10 list for 2024, “The Wild Robot” tells the story of a little robot that is stranded on what seems to be an uninhabited planet. It is not as uninhabited as thought to be, though, and the robot makes lots of new friends and begins to protect the creatures on this planet. The animation is beautiful, and the characters are wonderful. It is an epic adventure and easily the best animated film I’ve seen this year. In theaters. Grade: A+
“Megalopolis”
A new film from Francis Ford Coppola is typically an exciting moment, but this one falls way short of that bar. A fable of wealth and power, the film has the typical Coppola strong cast of well-known and respected actors, but its story, even weeks after seeing it, still has me scratching my head about how this went so far off the rails. The movie has moments but, overall, it is a long and boring experience. In theaters. Grade: D
“Joker: Folie a Deux”
This sequel opens with Joaquin Phoenix as a rail-thin, drugged-up Joker/ Arthur Fleck in the Arkham Asylum where he meets and falls madly in love with Harley Quinn (Lady Gaga). The film shows their relationship and power grow. The audience sees two great actors in top form. I might be the only critic in the country who really loved this movie. It’s a great comic book film, though admittedly dark and dreary but wonderfully over the top. In theaters. Grade: A
“Will and Harper”
One of Will Ferrell’s great friends from his “Saturday Night Live” days calls him out of the blue to tell him that she is transitioning and wants Will to accompany her on an epic journey across the country. The movie has moments of hilarity and also some moments of great love and understanding. Now playing on Netflix. Grade: B+
“Wolfs”
Apple TV delivers one of the most anticipated pairings of the year with George Clooney and Brad Pitt playing competing “cleaners,” the people hired to clean up a killing scene. The movie starts well but turns into an odd movie with too many twists and turns and not enough humor or believable action. It was a great idea but falls flat. Grade: C+
“Lee”
One of our greatest actresses, Kate Winslet, takes on the real-life role of Lee Miller, a fashion photographer who finds herself tracking down none other than Adolf Hitler and his heinous crimes against humanity during WWII. It is a brutal film to watch, but you have to keep reminding yourself that this actually happened. Andy Samberg also turns in a great supporting performance. It is a harrowing look at history. Grade: A-
“The Outrun”
Saoirse Ronan has been so great in so many movies, starting with “Lady Bird” in 2017 and “Little Women” in 2019. In this film, she plays a young Scottish woman who is struggling mightily with substance abuse. She returns to an isolated area in Scotland and works her way through the demons in her life. It is an excellent performance and, ultimately, a triumphant look at this character’s ability to turn her life around. Grade: B+
“Saturday Night”
Jason Reitman writes and directs this film full of unknown actors/actresses who look eerily like the legendary cast of the now-classic “Saturday Night Live.” It is a tense and stressful take at the origin of the legendary program and a behind-the-scenes look at how close the show came to not only failing, but never getting on the air. Grade: B+
“Average Joe”
This is the movie version of the story of the football coach who took a knee with his high school players and ended up in, ultimately, the Supreme Court. It is a well-made film that tells the story with humor and honesty. It is also a faith-based film that does not address it in a heavy-handed way. Grade: B+
“Goodrich”
Michael Keaton reminds us he is equally talented with both comedic and dramatic roles. He plays a man with many issues in his life and relationships. Mila Kunis co-stars as his pregnant daughter. It is not a great film, but it is nice to see Keaton on the big screen. Grade: B
“We Live in Time”
This is another one of the year’s best films. Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh play a young couple struggling to get through life. The movie is told in a non-linear fashion with little attention to the chronological order of things. It features two of the year’s best performances in a raw and honest way and is really, really well done. This movie will certainly end up on my Top 10 list for the year. Grade: A
“Venom: The Last Dance”
Actor Tom Hardy fulfills what must be a contractual agreement to star in three of these really dumb and really bad movies. The acting is awful, the humor is way off-base, and the special effects are not that special. Venom, as you might notice, is not one of my favorite Marvel characters (but neither is Deadpool, and I loved that movie), and I just don’t understand why Hardy took this role. I’m glad it is over. Grade: C-
“Conclave”
Seemingly out of nowhere, a film arrives for adult audiences looking for a unique story, a great cast and strong acting. Hallelujah, summer movie season has ended! It is time to reengage our brains. The Pope has just died, and an internal power struggle has evolved over who might succeed him. The political machinations are interesting to watch as we see the internal workings of the Catholic Church and the politics that surround an event like this. Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow lead the cast. Grade: B+
That’s a ton of movies to work through this month, but I will be back next month with the start of the holiday season in the theaters, including “Gladiator 2.”
Michael C. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986. He and his wife, Susan, are residents of Lake Panorama.