At the end of 2018, we had 3 films about historical political figures. “Vice” (Dick Cheney), “On the Basis of Sex” (RBG) & this one. Not sure how many people were asking for a movie about Gary Hart, but here we are. This film was a box office flop, but as far as political dramas go, it isn’t too bad. Gary Hart, if you recall was the favorite to win the Democratic nomination for the presidency in the 80’s until he got caught cheating. Hart, denied and skirted the issue until he ultimately had to kill his campaign when everybody knew it was true. This doesn’t make for an exactly compelling movie, but it is well constructed and the performances by Hugh Jackman, Vera Farmiga & JK Simmons are well executed. The movie is a little over-written. The writers seemed to take a page out of the Aaron Sorkin playbook with much of its script and played up the cuteness and self righteousness in the dialogue. It got on my nerves after a while. The film does move along and I always appreciate that. I hate movies that drag and this one didn’t. Hart, by himself isn’t all that interesting, but as part of this story, I didn’t mind watching the story play out even though I knew the ending. Worth a Netflix viewing and that’s about it.

Rating: (**1/2)

A compelling and riveting mystery that weaves in and out using today’s social media to help tell the story of a missing teenage girl. A single and recently widowed father has a close relationship with his daughter. He keeps tabs on her and is probably overprotective. When she suddenly disappears, he contacts the police, but to no avail is there any resolution so he takes things on himself and delves into his daughter’s laptop and learns that maybe she doesn’t know her that well. The story is absolutely engrossing. Everything is spelled out and as a viewer, you feel for the dad. But something isn’t quite right as the mystery unfolds. That’s when the story is at its best. John Cho is terrific as the Mr. Kim, the worried dad. He’s come along way since playing a stoner in the “Pie” & “Kumar” films. Debra Messing is the officer on the case, as she does a good job too, but she may have been a bit of strange casting. The film has some twists and turns in it and if I have any complaints is that the resolution seemed a bit rushed, far fetched and doesn’t quite add up. I like movies that go in different directions as long as it makes sense. This one did for the most part just got a little fuzzy there. If I had seen this last year, it probably would’ve cracked my best of list.

Rating (***1/2)

This movie starts out like gangbusters with an innocent welcome back to class speech after a summer break in music class by their young teacher only to have a young intruder come into class and shoot the place up. It was a shocking moment that sets up the movie for a young pair of sisters who survive the attack. One of the gals, who has a talent for music turns the situation into a tribute song and when it ultimately becomes a big hit, her dad takes her into the business and makes her a pop star. That part of the story I found interesting and I only wish they could’ve stayed with that. Flash forward to later on when she is 31 (Natalie Portman) and has her own kid. Another tragedy happens, off screen that affects her personally. At this point, she’s a pop superstar. She also becomes a very unlikable person and much different than the young girl we saw at the beginning of the film. Some of it is from the influence of her dad (Jude Law) and much of it is from her own malition. I found watching her tedious. She was also played as a completely different person which I found distracting mainly due to a tough dialect they gave her. It just didn’t fit. The whole movie seemed disjointed and all over the place. The movie concludes with an extended pop concert sequence that I wish was cut to maybe a song or 2, but went on forever. I didn’t see where the director was going with it. The performance by Portman is really good as always, but I didn’t care for this picture.

Rating (**)

Based on the true story of Lee Israel, a sad sack of a woman, who was convicted in the 90’s for copying, forging & selling letters for profit. She was a Best Selling author, but when her career went south, she became a difficult person with a drinking problem and lots of financial issues. This is a pretty interesting story. Films like this and others such as “Big Eyes” & “The Wife” I have found fascinating mainly because the stories are so “out there”. They’re crazy situations, but they’re perpetrated by your average person. They’re not necessarily bad people either. In this case, Israel is having some bad luck and is looking for an outlook, She’s very talented, but doesn’t trust her ability on her own merit. Now, this isn’t the most enjoyable movie to sit through. Melissa McCarthy, who plays Israel is terrific, but she is also a miserable person to be around. She drinks like a fish, hates people, doesn’t take care of herself, her apartment and has a horrible disposition. Those people aren’t fun to watch, but once she starts the committing her crime, the film becomes a lot more interesting. You know she gets caught, but it’s how that you’re waiting for. Richard E. Grant plays her gay loser friend that helps her out and he is really good too. I liked this movie. This film won’t sit in your memory for very long and I don’t think many really care about Lee Israel, but it’s a well written story that is extremely well acted.

Rating (***)

The first female led film in the MCU is another solid entry. They just keep churning them out. The strength of this one was Brie Larson. She’s in almost virtually every scene and takes the character and runs with it. She brings a lot of charisma to the role as she takes on a pivotal part in the mythology. A lot of the film takes place in the mid 90’s and that is when the film is at its best and easily most fun. This is before the Avengers initiative gets started. There’s a bunch of fun stuff like slow downloading computers, Blockbuster video, Radio Shack is still around, beepers & Nine Inch Nail t-shirts. I loved it all. Samuel Jackson, with 2 good eyes, is along for the ride and he’s much of the comic relief. The film moves along pretty well. There is some periods of the movie which I found mundane and a little dull. Much of that revolves around the Annette Bening character, who I thought was miscast. I didn’t really buy her role. There is a kitty in this and he/she steals the film. Just don’t get too close because Goose isn’t your average household pussycat. There are 2 cookies (extra scenes) during the credits. One of which is very important, while the other is just plain funny. So don’t leave early.

Rating: ***