The Favourite

If you are looking for something different, “The Favorite” should be right up your alley. Set in the 18th century, it is the story of Queen Anne of England, who is frail and a bit daffy and two of her closest ladies in waiting.. This is not a mainstream movie. It is different, interesting, and a bit strange. Olivia Coleman steals the show as Anne, but Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone keep up with her. It is hard to say which one is bitchier. Funny, sad, and unique, this film may not be for everyone’s tastes. It is winning all kinds of awards, especially for the actresses.

The Mule

“The Mule” is the latest Clint Eastwood directed movie. He also stars in it, acting for the first time since “Gran Torino”. The film is better than his films lately. This time he plays a horticulturalist who is so into his flowers that he neglects his family. Late in life he earns money as a driver for the drug cartel The pace of the film is better than most of his movies and it keeps moving. Not his best, but not bad.

Creed II

If you count all of the Rocky movies, “Creed” from two years ago and this entry, there are now eight films in the series. “Creed” reinvented the series and put new life into Sylvester Stallone’s character. “Creed II” continues the story of Adonis Creed, who still has a chip on his shoulder. He’s the World Heavyweight Champion and is challenged by the son of the man who killed his father in the ring. Lots of family angst, including marriage and children. While not as innovative or compelling as the first “Creed’, it is still a worthy successor. It keeps your interest, but only picks up steam during the final fight scene. Michael B. Jordan is a talent to watch. He was so good in “Black Panther” and does a great job in this film. Worth seeing.

Boy Erased

“Boy Erased” is the story of a young man who is sent to a facility to change his sexual orientation. The parents, who are religious, believe he can be converted. The film stars Lucas Hedges, as the conflicted boy, and Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as the parents. Hedges gives a harrowing, realistic performance and Kidman once again exudes motherly love as she did in “Lion”. She transforms from an obedient wife and mother to a strong woman taking care of her child. Some of the scenes at the conversion facility are difficult to watch, but this is definitely a worthwhile film.

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

“Can you Ever Forgive Me?” features Melissa McCarthy in a dramatic role and she knocks the ball out of the park. She plays a curmudgeon writer who is not very successful. The only one she is nice to is her sick cat. She comes up with the idea of typing letters from famous people and selling them and she’s good at it. Based on a true story, the film is interesting. McCarthy is quite good and almost unrecognizable. She builds a friendship with a gay drifter, played by Richard E. Grant.

Hunter Killer

I had no idea what this “Hunter Killer” was about, but I saw that Gerard Butler was in it and it was an action film. I was pleasantly surprised that it turned out to be a suspenseful submarine film pitting the U.S. Navy against a Russian general who stages a coup. There are some interesting plot twists and lots of suspense. In other times this would be labeled a ‘B” picture, but it is well done and keeps you guessing. If you like action films with a plot, go see this one.

Bad Times at the El Royale

“Bad Times at the El Royale” can be categorized as Tarintino-lite. Drew Goddard wrote and directed this strange, episodic film about a once posh resort and the people who are staying there. Each has their own weird story. Like a Quentin Tarintino movie, these characters intertwine and there is plenty of violence. The cast is pretty stellar, led by Jeff Bridges as an old bank robber masquerading as a priest. One of the standouts is newcomer Lewis Pullman as the bellman.The plot twists are interesting and keep you guessing. If you like mysteries with lots of twists and turns see this film.

The Old Man & the Gun

Robert Redford has said that “The Old Man & the Gun” will be the last movie he acts in and it is a fitting finale to his career. Based on a real person, Redford plays a polite, well mannered, charming bank robber who performs his job because he loves doing it. His victims have nothing but nice things to say about him. While escaping from a robbery he meets a widow, played by Sissy Spacek, and they strike up a relationship. Casey Afleck plays the detective who tries to catch him, especially since Redford’s character performs a robbery while he’s in a bank. Along the way we learn how he has escaped from prison numerous times. As usual, Redford does a nice job and his easy rapport with Spacek is nice. This is not the type of performance that wins awards, but it’s vintage Robert Redford. The movie meanders along with not very much action other than a few car chases, but it’s an enjoyable character study.

Colette

“Colette” is a period piece starring Keira Knightley as the title character from the turn of the 20th century, the writer/actress. It starts as another story of a husband taking credit for his wife’s writings. This time she is somewhat rebellious and being a part of an open marriage, she likes women. Beautifully filmed and Knightley is gorgeous, even as a sweet country girl who eventually takes Paris by storm. Dominic West, who plays her husband, is equally as good. The film is slow in places, but overall well done. An interesting piece of history, not a lot of action, but an interesting story with some modern twists. Colette was definitely ahead of her time.

Christopher Robin

A grown up “Christopher Robin” has lost his innocence and values. Living in London and working in a corporate job he spends almost all of his time working and he’s miserable. Then who shows up, but Winnie the Pooh, who lures him back to the Hundred Acre Woods. Ewan McGregor is the grown up Christopher, but the real stars are the Pooh, Tiger, Eeyore, Piglet and the rest of the menagerie. I especially liked how Brad Garrett from “Everybody Loves Raymond” voiced Eeyore. Cleverly done, true to the original and the animals seem real throughout. Cute and enjoyable, this is a film you can take the kids to, especially if you like Winnie the Pooh.