Jo Jo Rabbit

I have been reading a lot about “Jo Jo Rabbit” and its audacious plot, the type that you’ll either love or hate. It won awards at film festivals, while some audience members walked out. Jo Jo is a ten year old Nazi youth, who has an imaginary friend, Adolph Hitler. The writer and director, Taika Waititi, plays the dictator as buffoonish and simple minded and I must admit, he is very funny. Roman Griffin Davis, a newcomer, is Jo Jo and he is outstanding, believable and sympathetic while spouting Nazi rhetoric. The film turns a Hitler Youth Camp into a series of funny and ridiculous episodes. Jo Jo’s mother is played by Scarlett Johansson giving a great performance. Sam Rockwell is a clownish Nazi officer, sympathetic to Jo Jo. This film is not be for everyone. Some people may find its attempt at humor offensive. If you are not offended it is a crazy story with a lot of humor and some pathos. I liked it a lot.

Motherless Brooklyn

“Motherless Brooklyn” is a murder mystery set on 1950’s New York City. It concerns a detective, played by Edward Norton, with a tick-like disability, trying to find out who killed his boss and mentor. Norton also directed and the film is very atmospheric and shows a lot of details from the era. The supporting cast is excellent, including Alec Baldwin, Willem Dafoe and Bruce Willis and the plot keeps you guessing. The problem is that in trying to cover the details of the story, the film is slow. I thought it would have made a great mini series. Edward Norton once again gives a great performance and shows potential as a director. A good, but not great movie.

Terminator: Dark Fate

I have never been a huge Terminator fan, but I liked the new “Terminator: Dark Fate”. This time around robots from the future come back to kill a young woman who is instrumental in fighting them later on, like Sarah Connor was in previous editions. This time Sarah and a bionic person from the future named Grace try to keep the young woman safe. Of course one of the evil robots is chasing them and they enlist Arnold Schwarzenegger’s help. Lots of action, but this time it’s the women who do most of the fighting. Sarah Connor, still being played by Linda Hamilton is a true bad ass, still out to avenge the death of her son. Grace is also an incredible fighter. Lots of action and it keeps moving at a brisk pace. I recommend it.

Black and Blue

“Black and Blue” is a suspenseful police chase drama. Naomi Harris, who played the mother in “Moonlight”, is excellent as a rookie New Orleans police officer. She witnesses the murder of a couple of drug dealers at the hands some corrupt fellow policemen and happens to be wearing a body camera. Her problem is that, even though she is black, residents want nothing to do with her and most of the other patrolmen want to cover up what happened, so she has no help and nowhere to hide. Suspenseful and interesting. The film captures the poor section of New Orleans realistically, with its poverty and violence. It will keep your interest for its two hours. This was the best original action movie I’ve seen in a while.

Zombieland: Double Tap

I am not a huge zombie fan, but I enjoyed “Zombieland” ten years ago. The same cast is back in this sequel. Instead of just killing zombies, the film focuses on comedy. Woody Harrelson is hilarious. Jesse Eisenberg, who is usually so uptight, is still uptight, but in a funny way. And Emma Stone, who got her start in the original, lets loose. The funniest scene occurs when a couple of dopplegangers show up and bond with the gang. Also, there is a new character, a vacuous, no-brain Valley Girl that they find in a mall of all places. You will laugh throughout this film. Be forewarned: there is a lot of blood and swearing.

Downton Abbey

I have not watched the series “Downton Abbey”, so I wasn’t sure if I would appreciate the movie. The producers were smart because they spent a few minutes explaining what had happened and who the characters are. The plot involves a visit by the King and Queen and the preparations for the event. That may not seem like much of a plot, and it isn’t, but it is an excuse to show off the characters. It is the story of the upper class as well as their servants. Basically it is a very proper soap opera, like “Dallas” or “Dynasty” minus J.R. or Alexis. The acting is excellent. As usual Maggie Smith steals every scene she is in. Fans of the show will love this film, but for those of us who are not groupies, it was quite enjoyable.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” is the continuation of “Sleeping Beauty”s” villain’s story. In the original, we learned that Maleficent has a heart. In this one she is jealous because Prince Charming wants to marry her adopted daughter, the princess. She doesn’t mix well with the normal royals, especially the prince’s mother played by Michelle Pfeiffer. When she and Angelina Jolie get together it is a battle of the cheekbones. We learn where Maleficent comes from and just how evil a queen can be. Not as good as the original and a little bit darker, this film is campy fun. Angelina, even when she just stands there, commands the screen and Pfeiffer gives her a run for her money. If you like this type of movie, you will enjoy this one. If you don’t, do not waste your time.

Gemini Man

I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to see “Gemini Man”, the new Will Smith action movie. In this one Smith is an assassin who, when he retires his agency puts a hit on him. The twist is the person assigned to the task. I can’t say more without giving away the plot. The film is tautly directed by Ang Lee who helmed “Brokeback Mountain” and “The Life of Pi”. There is a lot of action and twists. The motorcycle chase scene is one of the best I have seen and the way that the vehicles are used as weapons is awesome. Clive Owen plays one of those villains who works for the “good guys”. This is an above average action thriller with some different plot twists.

Joker

“Joker” is the origin story for Batman’s worst enemy. Joaquin Phoenix plays Arthur Flick, a strange loner, mama’s boy, and sporadic laugher. All he wants is to be is a clown and stand up comic, but everyone treats him like dirt. Phoenix does a good job showing his pain and descent into madness and there is talk that his performance could be Oscar nominated. This movie is very dark, but unlike some of the other DC films, the darkness is appropriate. While I wouldn’t rate Phoenix’s performance as good as Heath Ledger’s in “The Dark Knight”, it comes close. Lots of blood and violence.

Hustlers

“Hustlers” is the story of some strippers who come up with a way to make some big money. Jennifer Lopez is the leader of the group and her dance at the beginning of the movie is one of the most amazingly erotic things that an R rated movie can get away with. It will leave you breathless. But the real standout is Constance Wu as one of J-Lo’s partners in crime. She basically steals the movie. This is kind of a sexy heist movie with some good acting from the leads. Not the greatest, but a decent diversion.