By Michael C. Woody | Lake Panorama Times
“Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere”
I have never watched the FX series “The Bear,” but my wife, Sue, is a huge fan. So, off we trot to see her favorite actor from “The Bear,” Jeremy Allen White, take on the mega-star Bruce Springsteen. I am a huge Springsteen fan, especially his album “Nebraska,” so I went in with some hesitation. I was blown away by the film and by White’s performance as The Boss. His performance will get him at least an Oscar nomination, if not more, for this role. It is one of the year’s best films. Grade: A
“Frankenstein”
This is quite the transition from “Springsteen” to “Frankenstein,” but I’ll try my best. Guillermo Del Toro is a wonderful writer and director and has given us some truly special movies including his dark version of “Pinocchio” and his Oscar-winning film “The Shape of Water.” Here, he takes on one, if not the, greatest horror stories of all time — this time as the writer AND director. The film opens with a harrowing shipwreck in icy waters and the escape of something truly horrifying. I wish I had read the original Mary Shelley novel so I could compare the two. The film seems so over the top that I just wonder how many liberties were taken with the original text. I can also admit that Mel Brooke’s classic comedy, “Young Frankenstein,” ruined this movie for me. Still, it is superbly filmed and extremely well-acted. Grade: B+
“Die My Love”
It is possible that your brow has just furrowed as to what this film is. I’ve seen the movie, and mine is still furrowed. It is story of a young couple played by Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. The cast also includes Sissy Spacek and Nick Nolte. That’s why the film is so puzzling. How do you take that great cast and make a movie that is so dark and depressing that the urge to leave was ever-present? Essentially, we watch this woman struggle with postpartum depression for nearly two hours. It is dark, it is depressing and it is well worth skipping. Grade: D
“Anniversary”
This hardly promoted film is full of talent not unlike the old Robert Altman films where everyone is recognizable but you are not sure from where. A large family with many secrets is gathered to celebrate an important anniversary, but trouble is brewing. This film is so reminiscent of the politics we see on television every day and is a truly damning look at those politics. It is very well made and acted but a little too close to reality for me. Still, it is worth finding. Grade: B+
“Predator: Badlands”
Yes, another sequel to the far superior Arnold Schwarzenegger film released in 1987. For the first time, a sequel tries something different, and it works — really well. A solo predator is on a planet and being tracked by evil things. When he happens upon a nearly destroyed sentient being (voiced beautifully by Elle Fanning) who is in need of rescue, he steps in to help. She adds a level of context that these films have lacked including, of all things, humor. Who knew that this series needed humor, but it is very entertaining and well worth seeing. Grade: B+
“Nuremberg”
Admittedly, I might have skipped a few history classes in high school, so this story was fresh to me and, quite frankly, super engaging. The trial to hold the German leadership responsible for the near annihilation of the Jewish people is indeed difficult to watch, but the story-telling and acting are at a level that you will be reminded of when Oscar nominations are announced. Obviously. the subject matter is intense and truly horrifying, but the story is so well told and acted that this will be an easy pick for my top 10 list this year. Grade: A
“Now You See Me: Now You Don’t”
I guess there was a previous sequel to the first film that I must have completely missed in this series, which started in 2013 about a group of magicians who get together to create mayhem and steal things — big things. While I obviously can’t speak about the first sequel, I can tell you this one is dead on arrival. They have managed to take the fun and charm of the first film and turn it into action and silly dialogue. It’s not a bad movie — just a boring one. Grade: C
“The Running Man”
In 1987, Richard Dawson and Arnold Schwarzenegger gave us a futuristic view of a game show where one man has a chance to escape his fate by competing in a deadly game of hide and seek. The action and the humor were wonderful, and I’m happy to tell you they are again in this sequel. Glen Power is excellent in the Schwarzenegger role, and Josh Brolin takes on the role as the baddie with Trumpian flair. The action is fun as Powell turns the tables on Brolin’s character, giving the audience both in the film and in the theater someone to cheer for. Director Edgar Wright delivers the goods as he did in his outstanding film “Baby Driver.” This is one to catch in the IMAX if you can. Grade: A
I wish you and yours the happiest of holiday seasons. See you at the movies.
Michael C. Woody has been reviewing movies on radio and television since 1986. He and his wife, Susan, are residents of Lake Panorama.