“Detroit” goes wide- this is one of the most important films of the year. It is deeply, deeply disturbing. Most disturbing is it could be about an event that happened this year- not in ’67. Kathryn Bigelow, the first woman to win best director at the Oscars and her writing partner, Mark Boal (“The Hurt Locker”) team up a 3rd time (they also did “Zero Dark Thirty”, another award winner) in this story about the darkest moment of civil unrest in Detroit during the summer of love, which was also the long hot summer of racial tensions & riots. Anthony Mackie, John Krasinksi and John Boyega of the newer “Star Wars” franchise are really the only “known” stars. While this IS a feature film and not a documentary & we don’t know all the facts of what went down, this will go down as one of the musts of the year. Both a history must and a must in terms of great filmmaking.
4 Stars
“The Dark Tower”- based on the Stephen King book. It’s the battle of good vs evil – both fighting over the Dark Tower, which hold the universe together. Idris Elba & Matthew McConaughey co- star. It gets only 21% on Rotten Tomatoes but predictions are it will be the #1 movie this weekend.
“Kidnap”- you know the story (& the end) in just one word. I expected the worst but I have to say my hands were clenched from beginning to end. Don’t mess with mama bear Halle Berry!!!It’s Halle vs the white trash bad couple. In under 90 minutes!!! Def worth the ride. The surprise of the weekend.
3 Stars
“The Only Living Boy in New York”- yes from the title of the great Simon & Garfunkel. The story is silly but worth it to hang in for the crazy twist at the end so Netflix it. A young man starts an affair with his dad’s lover in this love letter to nyc. great cast: Jeff Bridges; Pierce Brosnan; Kate Beckinsale and Cynthia Nixon.
2-and-a-half stars