Tina's February 2019 Movies

It may have been a short month, but with cold weather and assorted ailments keeping me housebound, I managed to see plenty of movies, 17 in all.  Movies are rated on a scale of 1-5 cans of tuna fish, with 5 as the highest ranking. Numbering picks up from the previous month and movies I had not previously seen are marked with an asterisk.  Sift through these and find a few you would like to watch.

15.  Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980) – Sissy Spacek, who does her own singing, won an Oscar for this Loretta Lynn biopic, but don’t overlook the performance by Tommy Lee Jones as her husband Doo.  The couple married young and poor, eventually leaving her beloved Kentucky for the Pacific Northwest.  Loretta kept cranking out babies and singing around the house, which gave Doo the notion that she could be a performer.  Neither of them could have imagined that she would become the Queen of Country Music, appearing at the epicenter of the genre, Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, countless times.  As we know, money doesn’t always buy happiness, but despite their differences, the couple remained strong and supportive, even when fighting.  I’m not a devotee of country music – at least not the Loretta Lynn “he-done-me-wrong” type – but this movie is exceptional.  4 cans.
16.  Still of the Night* (1982) – This film noir stars a very young and stunning Meryl Streep as Brooke, a woman who works in an auction house.  When the man she has been seeing is murdered, she visits the office of his psychiatrist, Dr. Rice (Roy Scheider), asking for his help.  The police turn up, too, asking questions of the doctor to figure out who might have killed the deceased.  The doctor soon finds himself falling for the beautiful and mysterious young woman, despite his suspicions that she may have been involved in the murder.  This suspenseful movie reminded me of Hitchcock’s entries in this genre, a tight and twisty who-done-it.  3½ cans.
17.  Night Shift (1982) – When Chuck (Henry Winkler) finds his stockbroker career too stressful, he signs on to work at the city morgue.  He is organized, straight-laced and happy to do the mundane job – until wild man Bill Blazejowksi (Michael Keaton) comes along.  Blaze has more money-making schemes than Ralph Kramden; he’s rowdy, completely irresponsible and the total opposite of Chuck.  When Chuck’s prostitute neighbor Belinda (Shelley Long) has some work issues (like not having a proper pimp), Chuck and Blaze decide to turn the deadly quiet morgue into the love connection.  The premise is cute, the boys do a good job, but eventually the whole thing gets really sloppy and silly and not nearly as funny as I remember it from my first viewing a few decades ago.  2 cans.
18.  The Two Killings of Sam Cooke* (2019) – I am a big Sam Cooke fan.  His voice is so silky sweet, his phrasing is so flawless, and his “Change Is Gonna Come” song gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.  This documentary traces Cooke's rise from a gospel singer to a respected music icon and social activist, a man who was very influential as a leader in the Black community.  His shooting death in 1964 at the young age of 33, in the midst of social and cultural change that he helped to lead, was controversial, and no one really could explain whether it was an isolated incident or the result of more powerful record company leaders or perhaps the mob gunning him down.  Watch this Netflix original for the wonderful legacy of music left to us by Sam Cooke and learn even more to admire in this very special man.  4 cans.
19.  The Fugitive (1993) – Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) IS the fugitive, a respected doctor who has been convicted of killing his wife but who protests his innocence.  After the vehicle transporting him to prison is in an accident, Kimble escapes, and the US Marshals, led by dogged Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones) are determined to track him down.  Dr. Kimble is equally determined to find the one-armed man who he insists is the real killer.  This story was a very popular TV show, and, for decades, the final episode was the most watched program ever aired (I believe the finale was topped eventually by the last episode of “M*A*S*H*”).  To evade the law, Kimble cuts off his beard and dyes his hair black (which, inexplicably, turns back to his original color while he sports a damn fine and not-inexpensive haircut).  With shades of the original TV show and the Broadway show (based on the Victor Hugo book) “Les Miserables,” this movie is a bit of a letdown.  I suspect that were it made today, Liam Neeson would be Dr. Richard Kimble.  3 cans.
20.  Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) – On Valentine’s Day (or any day, for that matter), I could not resist enjoying one of my FAVORITE movies.  It was crazy and stupid and I loved it, even though I have seen it many times and I know the plot twists.  An appealing cast, led by a schlubby Steve Carell, a near-perfect Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and Julianne Moore, Marisa Tomei, Kevin Bacon, the kid who plays Carell’s son, and the babysitter with a crush on Carell’s Cal Weaver, and you have the right people in the right parts for a comic and sweet story.  It is easy to fall in love with Crazy, Stupid, Love.  4½ cans.
21.  Mickey Blue Eyes (1999) – British art auctioneer Michael (Hugh Grant) is in love with Angie (Jeanne Tribblehorn), the daughter of Mafioso Frank (James Caan), who gets him involved with the Mob when Angie accidentally kills one of the gangsters.  The movie is as convoluted as that description, but befuddled Michael – deemed “Little Big Mickey,” or, to distinguish him from others by similar names, better known as “Mickey Blue Eyes” – has to stage his own killing by his future father-in-law.  This movie reminded me of “The In-Laws,” a far superior comedy with more slapstick (the original, with Alan Arkin and Peter Falk, not the remake), but this one has its charm, as Grant tries to adopt the Mafioso swagger, even attempting the Mob vernacular.  Listen to him TRY to say “Fugettaboutit” with that British accent and just try not to smile!  3 cans.
22.  Chicago (2002) – Unlikely casting in this musical of the Bob Fosse Broadway show generally succeeds, as Richard Gere plays unscrupulous lawyer Billy Flynn (and even tap dances!) along with Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) and Velma (Catherine Zeta-Jones).  Velma and Roxie are in prison, guarded by Queen Latifah, and plotting to get out and become big vaudeville stars.  With songs like “All That Jazz,” the show is full of razzle-dazzle, and Zeta-Jones is drop-dead gorgeous (Gere looks pretty good, too, for that matter).  The choreography is not as sharp as the stage show; Fosse used a flick of the wrist and a shrug of the shoulder to greater effect, but this is a movie.  Entertaining and worth a view if you like Fosse.  3 cans.
23.  Gone Baby Gone* (2007) – When 4-year old Amanda goes missing, her irresponsible mother seems less concerned about the child than her Aunt Bea (Amy Madigan) and Uncle Lionel (Titus Welliver).  They are not happy with the police investigation, so Bea decides to get some publicity and brings in private detectives Patrick (Casey Affleck) and his partner/girlfriend Angie (Michelle Monaghan) to work with the cops.  The police on the case (Ed Harris, John Ashton and chief of the unit Morgan Freeman) seem cooperative, but Patrick and Angie have some inside connections that help them make more progress.  Just when you think the case has reached an end, you find out that it is far from over.  This drama gives us the Boston suburbs full of tough-talking characters who have their own agendas.  There are twists and lies and an ethical dilemma that are unexpected and engrossing.  Casey’s brother Ben co-wrote and directed the movie and gave little brother a gripping part.  4 cans.
24.  Only Mine* (2018) – This movie about relationship abuse looks and feels like a TV movie, and it was.  It is based on a true story about Julie, a young woman who gets involved with a handsome police officer in a small town who quickly becomes obsessed with her and begins stalking and manipulating her.  Is it my fault, she wonders, as he shows up in her house, menaces her with a rake, and threatens her if she won’t ride off it into the sunset with him?  The cop is friends with the police chief, and he convinces the whole town she is making up the story.  I’m not even going to list the members of the cast, who should not be proud of their wooden work on this tragedy of a movie.  It was suspenseful but it seemed ludicrous, even though we know it is based on a true story.  It reminded me of the shows on the ID channel where they recreate the crimes.  My advice?  Avoid this movie.  1 can.
25.  Young Victoria (2009) – If you relish programs like “Victoria,” you’ll love this movie about Victoria, Queen of England.  Emily Blunt plays the young woman who ascends to the throne at the tender age of 18.  She not only has to grow into the role of sovereign, but she also has to contend with her domineering mother and her advisor, Lord John Conway (Mark Strong), who want to seize her authority.  She has been so coddled that she is not allowed to walk down the staircase without taking her mother’s hand.  Enter Prime Minister Lord Melbourne (Paul Bettany), a seemingly loyal and wise advisor.  But when she meets and falls in love with Prince Albert of Germany (Rupert Freund), she begins to come into her own.  “Downtown Abbey” author Julian Fellowes wrote the script.  3½ cans.
26.  Au Revoir, Les Enfants* (1987) – Over the years, I have watched many movies about boys in a boarding school, growing up, going from competitors to friends, being inspired by an outstanding teacher, etc. – but none like this one.  It is 1944 in Nazi-occupied France, and three new boys enter the school.  Their newness makes them stand out, especially Jean Bonnet, who is reserved, smart and very quiet.  He becomes friends with Julien, a smart but naïve boy who hasn’t been exposed to the realities of the world.  As their friendship develops, Julien discovers out that Jean may be a Jew, and he has to ask his brother what that means.  As the Nazis increasingly make their presence known, Jean’s fate may rest in Julien’s hands.  This drama is brilliantly directed by Louis Malle, who based it on an incident in his own life.  It lacks the intensity of “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” (which I have seen once and could never bear to view again), as you see terror that threatens these normal kids and the priests and teachers who try to help and protect them.  It is a story about loyalty, friendship and growing up in a world of inexplicable cruelty.  4 cans. 
27.  Dominick Dunne – After the Party* (2008) – First of all, it was a hell of a party.  Hollywood exec, movie and TV producer Dunne partied with the legends of Hollywood, from Bogart to Robert Evans, Truman Capote to Lana Turner, David Niven…and enjoyed every minute.  After his divorce and the subsequent murder of his daughter Dominique by her ex-boyfriend at age 22, Dunne became a journalist – more of a crusading journalist, writing with a definite bias and scoping out stores about the rich and famous.  He became transfixed by the OJ Simpson trial, by the murdering Menendez brothers and, much later, by the case of Phil Spector, the legendary music producer who was accused of killing an actress in his mansion.  Dunne became the first big-name writer for Vanity Fair, and then started a new career as a book author.  Whatever his career, Dunne keeps the viewer of this documentary engrossed as he is the on-camera host, and one not reluctant to tick off his own shortcomings.  He is the kind of guy you would want at YOUR party, because he would have plenty of stories to tell.  3½ cans.
28.  Sully (2016) – Ten years ago, Captain Chesley Sullenberger became famous for successfully landing a crippled airplane in the Hudson River in New York with all passengers and crew surviving.  It was a feat of incredible expertise, skill and experience and something that won him high praise.  But Sully (Tom Hanks, with white hair and Sully’s trademark mustache) and his co-pilot (Aaron Eckhardt) came under investigation by the FAA.  They questioned his landing decision, contending that turning the plane back to LaGuardia or attempting to touch down in Newark or smaller Teterboro Airport would have been safer.  Much of the story focuses on that investigation, as if just making the landing safely wasn’t enough drama.  Tom is terrific, but the movie raised questions for me: Why was his wife (Laura Linney, in a part not worthy of her talents) only available by phone?  Shouldn’t she have flown up to support him at the hearing?  Why does the FAA seem out to get him?  After all, everyone survived and Sully did a masterful job.  And where did he get all the suits?   Just remember:  NEVER travel with Tom Hanks (“Terminal,” “Castaway,” “Apollo 13.”  3 cans.
29.  Obit* (2016) – Writing obituaries must be deadly dull, right?  No, not according to the many obit writers for The New York Times who were interviewed for this documentary (Amazon Prime).  They don’t have much time to decide whether someone who died is “worthy” of mention in the Times, and, if that person passes muster, they have even less time to capture all the details about the deceased’s life and accomplishments, the family, education and other relevant facts, all of which must be verified.  In the case of famous people who are of a certain age, there are “advance” obits written that just have to be updated.  Ironically, all of these advance obits, along with literally tons of news clips about thousands of people, are stored in “the morgue.”  But when someone famous dies unexpectedly, like Prince, Michael Jackson and Robin Williams, the obit department bustles with activity.  I found this documentary fascinating.  I don’t know how they were able to track down facts about people to write obits before the internet (they have thousands of clips, but not on EVERYBODY who is or became famous), but these dedicated, creative writers and their editors manage to meet or exceed expectations, even in a world of 24/7 news cycles.  I applaud their efforts.  3½ cans.
30.  Rosalind Russell: Life is a Banquet* (2009) – I cannot think of any current actress who can be considered the new Rosalind Russell.  She was vibrant, intelligent and masterful in roles on Broadway and in the movies.  Lauren Graham can deliver dialogue at breakneck speed, and Bette Midler has moxie to spare, but neither can command your attention in the Russell style.  According to this documentary (airing on Amazon Prime Video), Russell had personality traits similar to the roles she played, though with even more warmth and compassion in real life.  Her characters were not depicted just as equal to men; they dominated men.  I am a huge fan of “Auntie Mame,” which starred Russell on stage and screen as a madcap, eccentric woman in the 1920s whose childcare style was totally original.  She starred opposite Cary Grant in “His Girl Friday,” a movie that gave us women in the workplace outperforming men.  I think we need a little Russell, right this very minute!  3½ cans.
31.  Calendar Girls (2003) – A bunch of women whose club meets regularly to listen to speakers pontificate about incredibly boring topics (even to some of them) gain new life when they decide to raise money to furnish the hospital caring for the husband of one of their own by posing nude for a calendar.  This cast is of the mature variety, starring every British actress this side of Dame Judi Dench, but the least likely of models become pretty enthusiastic about letting it all hang out (albeit with strategically placed blooms and watering cans) for a good cause.  The stunt not only earns them money but also notoriety, which can be great for confidence boosting or disturbing when their lives are disrupted.  If you want to see some major names do great work, check out Helen Mirren, Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, Penelope Wilton and a bunch of British actors who bring the characters to life in this off-beat and amusing dramatization with laughs of a true story.  3½ cans.