Released on November 20, ‘Run’ is now the most-watched original film ever during its opening weekend for Hulu. The movie is writer/director Aneesh Chaganty’s second film following his 2018 breakout with ‘Searching.’
First of all, if you haven't seen the film 'Searching’, definitely put that one on your must-see list. It's original and suspenseful and an exciting film. So needless to say I'm glad to say that the director of that film has done it again with ‘Run.’ This is the story of what appears to be a fun, loving relationship between and mother and her wheelchair bound daughter. All appears well until some clues start coming in that make the daughter question a few things. That's all I can say as this is one that you don't want to give anything way.
As always, Sara Paulson is remarkable in her role as the mother, Diane Sherman. Can Sara Paulson do anything wrong as far as her acting? She's definitely on a roll with ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘Ratched.’ Also very good in her performance as the daughter, Chloe Sherman, is Kiera Allen. The supporting characters in the film do a good job but it's the chemistry between Paulson and Allen that really keeps this film and the suspense going.
It's a definitely a nail-biter for sure so if you're looking for something to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is the film for you.
Fun, fun, fun - that is how I would describe the recent Netflix film, ‘Enola Holmes.’ While at first I was worried that the story might not bode well for the classic character, Sherlock Holmes, I can assure any fans of that great detective that this film does a good job of keeping his legacy intact and focuses on Enola alone as a great detective herself.
The story is quite simple. Enola, the younger sister of two older brothers, including the up and coming famous detective, Sherlock, finds that her mother has all of a sudden disappeared. She's determined to find out where her mother has gone but becomes the ward of her oldest brother who wants nothing but to keep her in a boarding school for girls where she can learn to become a young society lady. Enola escapes and begins her journey to find her mom. Along the way she encounters a young lord and must try to help him escape from danger. Thus begins the cat-and-mouse chase along with Enola searching for clues about her mom. As she's doing so, older brother Sherlock begins to realize she's a wonderful detective as well.
I knew the minute I saw Helena Bonham Carter, who plays Enola’s mother in the film, that I had to watch it as I love anything with this wonderful actor. She gives a great performance as usual and I hope to see her again. If Netflix decides to make a sequel I'm open for it! I also enjoyed Henry Cavill in his role as Sherlock Holmes and thought he pulled it off nicely. All of the other actors are good as well but I definitely have to give kudos to Millie Bobby Brown as Enola. She does a remarkable job, including her few scenes of talking to the audience. I normally don't care for that but in this case it works and doesn't take away from the film at all. Definitely a fun movie to watch!
I know I'm late to the game on this one (as this came out earlier in the year) but for anyone looking for a great detective series they need to check out, ‘The Murders at White House Farm’, as it's brilliant.
The sad thing is that it's based on a true story that took place back in August of 1985, when five members of the same family were murdered at an Essex farmhouse, including two young boys. At first it appears to be a murder-suicide as the daughter suffered from mental illness but one of the detectives who is involved in the investigation just doesn't buy it. Mark Addy portrays DS Stan Jones and he is amazing in this role. Also outstanding is Freddie Fox, who plays Jeremy Bamber, the son of the murdered family.
One of the most impressive things is that the story is told in only six episodes, yet splendidly so, and no more episodes were needed. This definitely kept me watching and on the edge-of-my seat. This is a suspenseful show with solid performances.
Since I'm having to focus more on streaming shows now than going to theaters, I have to comment on a definite feel-good holiday film on Netflix called, ‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.’ This is a, and I'm sorry for the use of the cliche, ‘magical’ film that all should watch over the holidays. Yes, there is music so I guess you could call it a musical but it's still great. It truly is a make-you-feel-good film and brings you joy, which, personally, is something I think we could all use right now. The special effects in this film are solid and the performances are enjoyable to watch. Who knew Forest Whitaker could sing? I know I didn't and I have to say he held his own in his role. Phylicia Rashad was also wonderful in her role, as were the young kids in the film.
Ok, there a few moments in the film that I felt were borrowed from other movies and it was a little bit ‘sappy’ at times, yes. But it's a holiday film and it does exactly what it's supposed to do - make you get excited about the holidays and enjoy this time of year of peace and joy. Definitely an enjoyable film!
Every so often I will watch a movie or series and while the overall show might be good, there is a performance that absolutely stands out and deserves attention. In this particular case, I have to mention actor Sophie Okonedo, who portrays Charlotte Wells, a patient with multiple personalities in the Netflix series, ‘Ratched.’ The series itself is hard to watch and can be disturbing but this woman's performance is absolutely amazing and is definitely worthy of award recognition. I don’t think I've seen anyone switch personalities with the force that she does in this type role since Sally Field, in her amazing, award winning performance in ‘Sybil.’ This is a must see tour de force that I hope gets her more recognition than she already has. She was also amazing in the film, ‘Hotel Rwanda’, and this latest performance should guarantee her many more roles in the future.
I was fortunate enough to see an advanced virtual screening for this film last night and I'm so glad as this is a great one. Let me preface this review by saying that the trailer is somewhat misleading, just a little in my opinion, in that it makes it appear that this is going to be a fast, action packed film. Yes, it does happen but I'll get into that later.
First, let me start with the premise of the story and then delve into what specifically makes this a great film.
Kevin Costner and Diane Lane (who has always been underrated in my opinion and I dare anyone to find a bad performance by her) play a husband and wife who live on a beautiful ranch/horse farm with their only child, a son, and his wife and little grandson.
***Spoiler alert***
A horrible accident happens and the son is thrown off his horse and killed leaving them with the daughter-in-law and grandson. You can tell that the love Diane Lane’s character has for little Jimmy is intense and she will do anything for him. As years pass, the daughter-in-law remarries, breaking Diane Lane’s character’s heart for fear she won’t see her grandson again. They do move but live nearby until unexpectedly, when going to pay a visit, Diane Lane’s character learns that they have packed up and gone. What scares her is she had been in town on a previous day and observed the new husband hit both the daughter-in-law and little Jimmy. Well after hearing they've left town, Diane Lane’s character is determined to go find them and bring Jimmy back home to live them. This is where the drama begins.
First, I have to mention the cinematography in this film. Absolutely stunning and gorgeous! It's been a long time since I've seen a film show such beautiful scenery in so many scenes. What I also love is how the moments even in scenes like a luncheon diner capture the time period and make you feel like you've gone back in time.
The next thing is the dialogue. A host of a live after-screening event last night made this same comment when talking to cast members and the director and I'm in agreement with him. There are moments - a good many in fact, especially early on - where the dialogue is little-to-none and you only see interaction between Kevin Costner and Diane Lane by their body language or facial expressions. But it makes no difference because these are experienced actors and they're telling the story between each other themselves. It's great to see. As a critic for Roger Ebert wrote, “Subtle moments, all, but they do so much to set the scene and establish the themes of regret and redemption in 'Let Him Go'.” This is the kind of solid, grown-up drama we don’t see very often anymore.” Totally agree!
As for the other performances in the film, they're all very good especially that of Lesley Manville, a British actor, who plays Blanche Weboy, the other grandmother, and all I can say is, ‘Wow!’ She knocks her performance out of the park as the ‘gangster’ style mother of a group of sons who are crude, ruthless and mean. Apparently, even the neighboring police don’t play with this family due to their antics and how they treat everyone. People are scared to death of them and, of course, mother Weboy isn't going to let little Jimmy go without a fight, and fight they do. This is when the action picks up and there is one scene in particular with Kevin Costner that made me cringe as it shows how horrible the Weboy family is. But they took on more than they should have with Kevin Costner and Diane Lane’s characters. One thing is the ending is not completely as you would have expected or wanted but that's something that I found fresh and appealing.
