Tina's April 2019 Movies

April was the month of music for me, as I saw concert movies and documentaries on everyone from Aretha to Beyonce, with a visit to Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and the classic "rockumentary" "This is Spinal Tap."  And some oldies but goodies are thrown in. Numbering picks up from previous months and movies marked with an * asterisk are ones I had not seen previously.  The ratings are from 0-5 cans of tuna (this month a rare 0 appears on the list), with 5 being the top.
44.  The Wizard of Lies (2017) – This is not a political story.  It is the tale of financier/investment counselor Bernie Madoff, a man clever enough to concoct perhaps the largest Ponzi scheme ever perpetrated on the public. The story here begins as Madoff’s sons question him about why he is signing bonus checks to employees and they get answers they never could have imagined.  Madoff misled investors for years, delivering outstanding investment returns by using new money to pay off earlier investors.  But at some point, things have to crumble, because there would never be enough money coming in to deliver on the promise.  Madoff (Robert DeNiro) leads a lavish lifestyle, hides everything about his business from everyone but a trusted few henchmen (which does not include his wife – played by Michelle Pfeiffer – or his sons, who worked for one of his companies), and is demanding, petulant and dishonest.  When it all comes crashing down, he partially blames the investors themselves – many of whom lost their life savings after trusting Bernie to manage them – for being too greedy.  But this story focuses less on the effects on the larger community than on his own family.  His wife went from being a society matron to being a pariah whose hairdresser banned her.  His two sons, who apparently were kept in the dark by their megalomaniac father, lost their livelihoods and, ultimately their lives.  It is hard to have much sympathy for people whose privilege gave them so many materials things.  If you remember back to 2008 when this scheme came to light, you will recall that Madoff pleaded guilty and was sentenced to more than 100 years in jail.  This recreation of the events shows how one person can be so evil that they have no understanding of the harm they can inflict on thousands or even just a few people.  4 cans.
45.  The Girl on the Train (2016) – The book was better.  That said, this is still a suspenseful story of a woman who drinks too much but has extraordinary powers of observation from a moving train.  She is a voyeur, making up stories about the people whose homes she passes on her daily commute into New York to a job she no longer has because of her drinking problem.  Rachel (Emily Blunt) is a mess, alone and not recovering from a nasty divorce, jealous of her husband’s new wife and the people who live in her own house.  But did she have anything to do with the babysitter who is missing?  Read the book or see the movie.  3½ cans.
46.  The Best of Enemies* (2019) – Based on a true story, this movie is about C. P. Ellis (Sam Rockwell), the leader of the Klu Klux Klan in Durham, North Carolina, and Ann Atwater (Taraji P. Henson), the fierce local leader of the black community, who knows how to get things done.  C. P. and his gang use violence, threats and any other means to intimidate the local community, but when a coalition is formed to discuss school integration in the aftermath of a fire that destroyed the local black elementary school, the two find themselves in a stand-off that must be resolved.  The Klan is depicted in the negative light that it deserves, and the hatred demonstrated is frightening.  Strong performances and an excellent story made better by the fact that it is true.  4 cans.
47.  Singin’ in the Rain (1952 – There is no movie musical more iconic than this jewel from the genius that is Gene Kelly.  Kelly, along with sidekicks Donald O’Connor and a 19-year old novice, Debbie Reynolds, deliver exuberant performances, athletic dancing and vibrant songs in this classic, widely considered the best musical of all time.  We can skip the details on the plot in favor of reveling in Kelly and his umbrella splashing down the street in the title song, or Donald O’Connor’s amazing number, “Make ‘Em Laugh,” or even the self-indulgent and ethereal “Broadway Ballet,” which has no real relevance to the plot other than to showcase the dancing of Cyd Charisse.  This one may be a bit corny, but it is a classic.  Kelly’s dance style meshes perfectly with his co-stars and is riveting to watch.  If you love musicals, this one was meant for you.  5 cans.
48.  Body Heat (1981) – Baby, it’s hot.  This movie, set in hot, hot Miami, is enough to make you sweat for many reasons.  William Hurt plays Ned Racine, an attorney far more interested in the ladies than in the law.  A sexy, smoldering Kathleen Turner is Matty Walker, wife of a businessman, who lures Ned into a passionate affair.  She claims to love him, but wouldn’t it be better if her husband wasn’t in the way, she opines.  Let’s kill him and split the insurance money, he suggests.  What could go wrong, right?  There is a lot of 1981 sex and plenty of sweating in this film noir (think “Double Indemnity” with Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray), a thriller that tries to keep the viewer off-balance.  Turner was at the beginning of her career here and never looked better.  When Hurt breaks through the glass to get to her, phew!  4 cans.
49.   Crazy Rich Asians* (2018) – I shouldn’t review this ridiculous waste of time and money at all, since I never finished watching it.  The story is that an attractive young couple go to Singapore for the wedding of his close friend, but the woman has no idea that her boyfriend is the scion of an extremely wealthy family and the most eligible bachelor in Asia.  The couple has to put up with his crazy, rich friends and family and go along on outlandish outings.  I found nothing redeemable about this movie and I am only glad I waited to see it for free on cable instead of paying to see it in the movies.  0 cans.
50.  The Highwaymen* (2019) – Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson are two former Texas Rangers called on to stop the crime spree and killings by the notorious Bonnie and Clyde in the 1930s.  With no GPS and no cell phones, they track the elusive duo.  The grizzled vets are experienced and serious about this assignment, but there is a token bit of humor in this period piece.  Bonnie and Clyde were young and good-looking and very popular with the public (their funerals attracted thousands of people) and finding them was not an easy task.  I thought this movie was well-played but a bit slow.  These are the actual guys who tracked down the dynamic duo, an element of truth that adds to the story.  3½ cans.
51.  Amazing Grace* (2019) – I don’t know why this documentary about the recording of a gospel album by the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, took nearly 50 years to be released but I do know this: It was worth the wait.  When she closes her eyes and opens her mouth to sing the very first song, you are transfixed by the power, purity and soul of this immensely talented woman.  Listening to Aretha wail out gospel standards gave me chills and thrills and demonstrated so clearly the influence of the church on so many singers.  It was almost enough to make me want to be a Baptist!  According to my research, Aretha had decided that, after a slew of gold records, she wanted to get back to singing in the church.  Over a 2-day period in 1972, director Sydney Pollack recorded her singing at a small church in Los Angeles.  Backed by the Southern California Community Choir, and working with the Reverend James Cleveland, Aretha went back to her roots, and the subsequent album became her biggest-selling one ever.  In the movie, you feel Aretha’s passion and celebrate her love of the church.  By day 2, her pastor father shows up, and you can find a young Mick Jagger clapping his hands and tapping his toes in the audience, some of whom are overcome by the emotion of it all.  There is no pretense here, no contrived sets or costume changes.  You see Pollack’s crew trying to capture the moment, and the setting is so intimate that you feel almost like you are there.  And when she does Amazing Grace, it is truly amazing.  What a joyful noise!  4 cans.
52.  Muscle Shoals* (2013) – My old boss, seeing my mention on Facebook of “Amazing Grace,” suggested I watch this movie about the Alabama location where Aretha recorded many of her hits.  Record producer Rick Hall was the musical genius behind the distinct sound of Muscle Shoals music, mostly recorded by local musicians who became known as “The Swampers.”  Their distinctive bass-line and percussion sound can be heard on songs by everyone from Aretha, Wilson Pickett and Percy Sledge to Dylan, the Rolling Stones and the Allman brothers, a musical legacy that has lasted for decades.  Some of the best and most popular songs of their generation were recorded in Muscle Shoals, a place which captured some king of magic in the air and soul that could not be charted on paper.  If you love music from the 60s and on, catch this documentary and revisit the mystique that was Muscle Shoals.  4 cans.
53.  The Wrecking Crew (2015) – Next we move to Southern California for the music of The Righteous Brothers, the Mamas and Papas, Jan and Dean and the Beach Boys.  You know their songs, but you probably don’t know the session musicians responsible for their success.  This documentary by the son of Wrecking Crew guitar player Tommy Tedesco traces the formation of a group of session musicians whose prowess led to countless hits in the 60s on, mostly faceless musicians who, like “The Swampers,” didn’t need charts to contribute their unique skills to such unforgettable albums as the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” or to Phil Spector’s renowned “wall of sound.”  Whether backing up countless “girl groups” (including The Ronettes, whose “Be My Baby” happens to be my all-time favorite song) or creating memorable guitar licks, these musicians were constantly busy, playing sessions morning, noon and night.  They didn’t go on the road because they were in such demand in the studio.  Some artists and producers scheduled their recording sessions around the availability of these talented artists.  Their creativity contributed to countless standards.  The group’s main bass player, Carol Kaye, a rare woman on the job, came up with an intro for “Wichita Lineman,” by former session player Glen Campbell, who went on to solo stardom.  The interesting thing is that they got no credit for their work, because groups like the Beach Boys didn’t have the musical chops of the session players (except for genius Brian Wilson), but the “band” had to perform the songs at concerts.  When groups like the Monkees came along, the producers wanted the public to think they played their own music, but it was the session musicians who made the actual records.  Pay close attention to the section on recording with Brian Wilson and you will understand the power of talent and imagination.  4 cans.
54.  20 Feet from Stardom (2013) – I’ll take music documentaries for $200, Alex.  I’m continuing my music jam with this documentary featuring some of the most talented singers to ever record.  Most of them are career back-up singers, those mostly nameless, mostly black women who perform background on records – sometimes with no credit for their work – and on stage, standing behind the featured artist.  But imagine Mick Jagger singing “Gimme Shelter” without Merry Clayton’s searing vocal.  Think of the Ike & Tina Turner Review.  Think of just about any “girl group” and you’ll find Darlene Love.  Some of these singers made it to their own stardom (Luther Van Dross started as a back-up singer), but others were content to stay in the background, using their musical gifts to blend with other singers and create unforgettable harmonies.  The talent level of the performers highlighted here is off the charts – even as the songs they help create and popularize topped the charts.  4 cans.
55.  Homecoming* (2019) – In 2018 Beyoncé became the first black female performer to headline at the Coachella festival.  With an epic performance of her hits, surrounded by as many as 200 singers, dancers and musicians, she put on a spectacular show for the ages that will intimate most other women taking the lead spot in the future.  Truthfully, Beyoncé is not my favorite performer (I find some of her lyrics objectionable, and her costumes are too racy for me), but here she is a force of nature, singing, dancing, empowering, inspiring – and exhausting.  I don’t know how she felt by the end of her show, but I was spent.  I can see why the Hive worships its Queen.  4 cans.
56.  This Is Spinal Tap (1984) – And we end our musical tour with Rob Reiner’s definitive “rockumentary,” a tour de force satire about an aging heavy metal band that might just be the worst group in history.  The movie itself never hits a wrong note, thanks to the brilliance of the writers and performers – Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer and Reiner himself.  It flows so naturally that it is hard to imagine that there was a script. There are cameos from Paul Simon, Howard Hesseman, Fran Drescher and other playing “important” people in the music business.  Amid gigs being cancelled and drummers exploding, the band takes the stage to perform such big and awful “hits” as “Sex Farm” and “Big Bottom,” amid sets that are too small or don’t operate properly.  My two favorite bits are Guest as Nigel explaining to Reiner as documentarian Marty why their amps go up to 11 instead of the standard 10 (“It’s one better”) and the lost boys racing down backstage hallways trying to find the access to the stage (“Hello, Cleveland!  Rock and Roll!” they keep shouting).  This clever, inventive film is a classic comedy.  4½ cans.
57.  Blackklansman* (2018) – Spike Lee scores big in this depiction of the real-life story of Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), the first African-American police officer in Colorado Springs.  Ron risks his life to infiltrate the Klu Klux Klan, initiating connections with the white supremacists by phone, only to have them want to meet him in person.  Fellow officer Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) becomes the white Ron, as the two team up to take down the KKK.  Meanwhile, the real Ron meets activist president of the Black Students Congress at a Stokely Carmichael rally and has to hide his profession from the woman who hates cops.  All of the stereotyped white Klanspeople are on hand, including Grand Poo-bah (or whatever he is called) David Dukes.  This movie is equally insulting to both blacks, whites and Jews (Flip is Jewish) – but in a way entirely consistent with the 60s.  Sadly, it ends with actual footage of the white race riots in Charlottesville, Va., from 2017.  The movie is brilliantly done and acted, but it is disturbing that these notions of race superiority and wanton violence continue today. 4 cans.