“Hard Truths” is powerful reunion for director Mike Leigh and Oscar nominee Marianne Jean-Baptiste
In a performance already garnering awards talks is the wonderful Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Pansy, whose body language moves from the first scene. Pansy has an addiction to her fear, a woman whose anger is a lost shield that saves her from the world but that splits her family apart.
“September 5th is an compelling history lesson
In an era characterized by the rapid dissemination of information, the film “September 5” effectively underscores a significant turning point in live reporting and journalism. Set against the backdrop of the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film critically examines how a sporting event became the stage for a catastrophic global crisis.
“Babygirl” is a tantalizing dive into the consequences of desire
Romy Mathis (Nicole Kidman) is a high-ranking CEO in the Big Apple married to playwright Jacob (Antonio Banderas), with whom she shares two daughters, Esme (Sophie Wilde) and Isabel (Esther McGregor). Romy and Jacob appear to have a healthy sex life. However, Romy has a secret, and after every session with Jacob, she’s unfulfilled, and while he’s sleeping, she’s pleasuring herself to finish the job her husband can’t.
“The Fire Inside” is a boxing biopic that goes the distance
The film begins in 2006 with a young Claressa (Jazmin Headley) almost getting laughed out of the gym by the boys. However, possessing the heart of a lion, Claressa quickly catches the eye of former boxer turned coach Jason Crutchfield (Brian Tyree Henry) when she bests one of his boy boxers. “The Fire Inside” then takes us to Claressa’s junior year in high school, pushing past countless limitations to become the first American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing.
“The Man in the White Van” succeeds as an old school style thriller
The central protagonist is a young Annie, played masterfully by Madison Wolfe, who plays her with vulnerability and determination. Wolfe conveys the childlike wonder of childhood, yet she also embodies the absolute terror of Annie knowing she is being monitored. Her fall into fear has much more to do with the white van stalker than it does with the broader blindness of a culture that refuses to listen to children’s voices, as expressed in the heartbreaking way that her parents (played poignantly by Ali Larter and Sean Astin) cannot embrace the reality of what their daughter is being subjected to.
“The Brutalist” is throwback style dramatic epic
The supporting cast includes Joe Alwyn, who portrays Harry Lee Van Buren, the entitled and self-important young son of Harrison. Stacy Martin takes on the role of Maggie Van Buren, Harry’s twin sister. Isaach de Bankolé plays the character Gordon, a close friend of László. Alessandro Nivola represents Attila, a furniture store owner located in Philadelphia and cousin to László. Finally, Emma Laird plays the role of Audrey, the spouse of Attila.
“Nosferatu ” is elevated horror with bite
Eggers masterfully crafts a narrative that explores the fine line between desire and destruction, drawing viewers into the emotional turmoil of his characters. The cinematography is breathtaking, with shadowy landscapes and hauntingly lit interiors that evoke a sense of dread and anticipation. Every frame of the film feels meticulously composed, a testament to Eggers’ commitment to his craft.
“Dirty Angels” is an uneven action flick
The film opens by introducing us to an American soldier named Jake (Green), who is seconds away from being executed while on her latest top-secret mission. While Jake is rescued, her team ends up losing their lives, adding to Jake’s PTSD. A few years later, during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a group of schoolgirls was taken hostage in Afghanistan. Jake’s old boss, Travis (Christopher Backus), recruits her to join an all-women commando unit to liberate them.
A pitch perfect Timothée Chalamet elevates cliché filled “A Complete Unknown”
Mangold sets the film in the influential New York music scene of the early 1960s and centers on a 19-year-old musician from Minnesota named Bob Dylan, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet. It follows Dylan’s meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts, as his songs and charisma become a worldwide sensation. The narrative culminates in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.
“Saturday Night” successfully looks at SNL’s debut episode
Four-time Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman returns to the screen with his tenth directorial effort, “Saturday Night,” released by Sony Pictures. Co-written with Gil Kenan, the screenplay focuses on the night of the 1975 premiere of NBC’s “Saturday Night,” which later became known as “Saturday Night Live.”
“Red One” is a solid holiday flick for the family
Hollywood superstar Dwayne Johnson teams up with director Jake Kasdan for the third time in “Red One” from Amazon MGM Studios. Chris Morgan pens the film’s script from a story by Hiram Garcia. Callum Drift (Johnson) has spent the last few centuries guarding Nick, a.k.a Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons), as the North Pole’s Head of Security. Due to the selfishness in the world, Callum has become disillusioned with the holiday and is ready to retire.
Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong shine in “The Apprentice”
After directing two episodes of HBO’s “The Last of Us,” director Ali Abbasi shifts to the biopic genre with “The Apprenticeship” from Briarcliff Entertainment. Gabriel Sherman pens the film’s script, which focuses on a young Donald Trump (Sebastian Stan), eager to make his name as a hungry second son of a wealthy family in 1970s New York.